| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09170890B2 |
Combined stream auxiliary copy system and method
A system and method for transferring data in a library storage system. The library storage system comprises a management server including a storage policy. A media agent is connected to the management server. A plurality of storage media and a data source are connected to the media agent. The data source is divided into at least a first and a second portion of data. The portions of data are transferred from the data source to a first and second primary storage medium using a first and a second data stream respectively. The media agent then causes the first and second portion of data to be transferred from the first and second storage medium to a third auxiliary storage medium using a third combined data stream. Auxiliary copying is performed in chunks and multiple streams are copied in parallel. |
| US09170885B2 |
Independent management of data and parity logical block addresses
A data storage method includes identifying, in a set of data items associated with respective logical addresses for storage in a memory, a first subset of the logical addresses associated with the data items containing application data, and a second subset of the logical addresses associated with the data items containing parity information that has been calculated over the application data. The data items associated with the first identified subset are stored in one or more first physical memory areas of the memory, and the data items associated with the second identified subset are stored in one or more second physical memory areas of the memory, different from the first physical memory areas. A memory management task is performed independently in the first physical memory areas and in the second physical memory areas. |
| US09170883B2 |
Online data consistency checking in a network storage system with optional committal of remedial changes
A network storage server includes a tool for detecting and fixing errors while the network storage server remains online (available for servicing client requests), which includes enabling a user to approve or disapprove remedial changes before the changes are committed. The technique bypasses the usual consistency point process for new or modified data blocks representing potential remedial changes. At a consistency point, dirty data blocks representing the potential remedial changes are written to a change log file residing outside the volume. The modified data blocks are written in sequential order to logical blocks of the change log file. In response to a user input indicating that a potential change should be committed, the corresponding modified data blocks are read from the change log file in the order in which they were written to the change log file, and they are written to persistent storage in that order. |
| US09170881B2 |
Solid state device coding architecture for chipkill and endurance improvement
A first decoder performs decoding on each data set in a first plurality of data sets using a first code; each data set in the first plurality is stored on a different chip. It is determined if the first decoding is successful; if not, a second decoder performs a second decoding on each data set in a second plurality of data sets using a second code; each data set in the second plurality includes at least some data, after the first decoding using the first code, from each data set in the first plurality. The first decoder performs a third decoding on each data set in the first plurality using the first code, where each data set in the first plurality includes at least some data, after the second decoding using the second code, from each data set in the second plurality. |
| US09170879B2 |
Method and apparatus for scrubbing accumulated data errors from a memory system
A data scrubbing apparatus corrects disturb data errors occurring in an array of memory cells such as SMT MRAM cells. The data scrubbing apparatus receives an error indication that an error has occurred during a read operation of a grouping of memory cells within the array of memory cells. The data scrubbing apparatus may generate an address describing the location of the memory cells to be scrubbed. The data scrubbing apparatus then commands the array of memory cells to write back the corrected data. Based on a scrub threshold value, the data scrubbing apparatus writes the corrected data back after a specific number of errors. The data scrubbing apparatus may further suspend writing back during a writing of data. The data scrubbing apparatus provides a busy indicator externally during a write back of corrected data. |
| US09170874B2 |
Providing a potential solution
An example provides potential solutions for UEFI devices. The example includes scanning an information code generated by the UEFI device while the UEFI is operating according to a UEFI environment. The example further includes requesting a potential solution from a decision device. The request specifies an information code comprising resource information and one or more parameters for a current state of the UEFI environment. The example also includes presenting a representation of the potential solution. |
| US09170872B2 |
Reset supervisor
Multiple processor systems are provided. A first processor is configured to monitor the state of at least one other processor by comparing received signals. When the first processor determines that another processor needs to be reset, the first processor provides a reset signal to a reset pin of the processor that needs to be reset. The first processor may reset itself after providing the reset signal. |
| US09170870B1 |
Development and testing of payload receipt by a portable electronic device
Systems and methods disclosed herein enable a telecommunications service provider to send test files to a device that contain a set of setting options for information nodes. The device, for example, an application on the device, receives at least one test file and inputs the test file. A single test file or a series of test files may be sent to a device to ensure that the device can receive an active payload once the device has been activated. A notification may be sent by the application to confirm receipt, inputting, and/or post-input operation of one or more test files. |
| US09170868B2 |
Identifying an error cause within a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module selecting two or more correlated error messages of a plurality of error messages. The method continues with the DS processing module identifying two or more collection of records corresponding to the selected two or more correlated error messages such that a collection of records includes an event record including information regarding an event, a first record including information regarding a dispersed storage (DS) processing module processing an event request to produce a plurality of sub-event requests, and a plurality of records including information regarding a plurality of DS units processing the plurality of sub-event requests. The method continues with the DS processing module identifying a correlation cause of one or more errors corresponding to the two or more correlated error messages based on the two or more collections of records. |
| US09170861B2 |
Processing user input events in a web browser
A method and computing device are provided for processing user events received via a user interface, such as a touchscreen, in multiple threads. When a user event is received for a target element in a webpage, the user event is dispatched to both a main browser thread and a secondary thread. The secondary thread processes user events in accordance with established default actions defined within the browser, while the main thread processes the user events in accordance with any event handlers defined for that target element. The main thread processing may be delayed by other interleaved task, and the secondary thread may be given priority over the main thread. When the secondary thread completes processing, an updated webpage is displayed. When the main thread subsequently completes processing, its updated rendering of the webpage is displayed. The secondary thread thus provides an early user interface response to the user event. |
| US09170857B2 |
Managed execution environment for software application interfacing
Some embodiments are directed to controlling interactions between a host software program and a computer system by providing a managed execution environment running within the host software program. In one embodiment, a computer system integrates a managed execution environment within a host software program. The computer system uses the managed execution environment to interact with one or more features of the host software program. The managed execution environment includes interface controls configured to interface between the computer system and the host software program. The compute system alters one or more of the various software program features based on code that is identified in downloaded content. |
| US09170852B2 |
Self-updating functionality in a distributed system
Described is a technology by which a distributed system of computer nodes that provides services is self-updated via a component of the distributed system. Such a self-updating run applies one or more updates to each of the member computer nodes in the distributed system while maintaining the services provided by the distributed system. The updating run may include moving workloads from each computer node to be updated, updating that node, and reinstating workloads after updating. Performing the updating run may include moving update-related responsibility, which may be a workload, from one computer node to another computer node. |
| US09170845B2 |
Deployed application factory reset
A method and apparatus for integrating a converged infrastructure platform in a data center is provided. The described apparatus configures the physical and virtual resources that run on the converged infrastructure to communicate with the rest of the data center. The described apparatus further enables a system administrator to rollback configurations of the physical and virtual resources of the converged infrastructure to restore the converged infrastructure to a factory state. |
| US09170841B2 |
Multiprocessor system for comparing execution order of tasks to a failure pattern
A multiprocessor system includes a plurality of processors, each including a task scheduler that determines a task execution order of tasks in a task set to be executed by the processors within a task period which is defined as a period in repeated execution of the task sets; and a scheduler management device having a command unit configured to issue a command for at least one of the task schedulers to change the task execution order, wherein each of the at least one of the task schedulers, when receiving the command from the command unit, changes the task execution order of the corresponding processor. |
| US09170838B2 |
Method for singleton process control
A method for singleton process control in a computer environment is provided. A process identification (PID) for a background process is stored in a first temporary file. The PID is stored by a parent process and subsequently accessed by the background process. The background process is exited if an active PID is determined to exist in a second, global temporary file. The PID from the first temporary file is stored into the second, global temporary file. A singleton code block is then executed. |
| US09170837B2 |
Transaction concurrent execution control system, method and program for carrying out a control of concurrently executing a transaction, including measuring execution time from starting to ending of transaction execution
A transaction concurrent execution control system carries out a control of concurrently executing a transaction. The transaction concurrent execution control system includes a transaction execution unit for executing the transaction, a back-off time determination unit for determining a waiting time until the transaction is re-executed when a commitment of the transaction has failed, and a transaction pooling unit for causing the transaction to stand by for re-execution until the waiting time has elapsed when the commitment of the transaction has failed. |
| US09170833B2 |
Compliance-based adaptations in managed virtual systems
Techniques are disclosed for controlling and managing virtual machines and other such virtual systems. VM execution approval is based on compliance with policies controlling various aspects of VM. The techniques can be employed to benefit all virtual environments, such as virtual machines, virtual appliances, and virtual applications. For ease of discussion herein, assume that a virtual machine (VM) represents each of these environments. In one particular embodiment, a systems management partition (SMP) is created inside the VM to provide a persistent and resilient storage for management information (e.g., logical and physical VM metadata). The SMP can also be used as a staging area for installing additional content or agentry on the VM when the VM is executed. Remote storage of management information can also be used. The VM management information can then be made available for pre-execution processing, including policy-based compliance testing. |
| US09170828B2 |
Extraction of operating system-specific characteristics via a communication interface
Systems and methods for specifying extended descriptor information in a device accessed using a communication interface are disclosed. One method includes transmitting a request to a device from a host computing system, and receiving an extended capability descriptor identifying to the host computing system at least one extended descriptor set stored on the device. The extended capability descriptor identifies a minimum operating system version able to support a corresponding extended descriptor set. |
| US09170824B2 |
Virtualized boot block with discovery volume
A file system independent virtualized boot block with discovery volume and cover files renders a volume visible when accessed by an accessing system which differs from a source system. For example, a downlevel operating system recognizes that data is present on a volume created in an uplevel operating system, even where the uplevel data itself may not be accessible. |
| US09170820B2 |
Syscall mechanism for processor to processor calls
Provided is a method for processing system calls from a GPU to a CPU. The method includes a GPU storing a plurality of tasks in a memory, with each task representing a function to be performed on the CPU. The method also includes generating a CPU interrupt, and processing of the stored plurality of tasks by the CPU. |
| US09170819B2 |
Forwarding condition information from first processing circuitry to second processing circuitry
A data processing apparatus comprises first and second processing circuitry. A conditional instruction executed by the second processing circuitry may have an outcome which is dependent on one of a plurality of sets of condition information maintained by the first processing circuitry. A first forwarding path can forward the sets of condition information from the first processing circuitry to a predetermined pipeline stage of a processing pipeline of the second processing circuitry. A request path can transmit a request signal from the second processing circuitry to the first processing circuitry, the request signal indicating a requested set of condition information which was not yet valid when a conditional instruction was at the predetermined pipeline stage. A second forwarding path may forward the requested set of condition information to a subsequent pipeline stage when the information becomes valid. |
| US09170818B2 |
Register renaming scheme with checkpoint repair in a processing device
A data processing device maintains register map information that maps accesses to architectural registers, as identified by instructions being executed, to physical registers of the data processing device. In response to determining that an instruction, such as a speculatively-executing conditional branch, indicates a checkpoint, the data processing device stores the register map information for subsequent retrieval depending on the resolution of the instruction. In addition, in response to the checkpoint indication the data processing device generates new register map information such that accesses to the architectural registers are mapped to different physical registers. The data processing device maintains a list, referred to as a free register list, of physical registers available to be mapped to an architectural registers. |
| US09170809B1 |
Identifying transactions likely to be impacted by a configuration change
System, method, and non-transitory medium for identifying a certain transaction likely to be impacted by a certain configuration change. An activity analyzer receives activity data of users belonging to different organizations and identifies, based on the activity data, a first set of code elements associated with transactions. A program analyzer receives the certain configuration change, and program data that describes at least one of the following: procedure invocations, user interface statements, and database access statements. The program analyzer identifies a second set of code elements that are influenced by the certain configuration change. An intersection module calculates an intersection between the first set of code elements and the second set of code elements. A transaction identifier identifies the certain transaction likely to be impacted by the certain configuration change based on a common code element belonging to the intersection. |
| US09170808B2 |
Dynamic containerization
In an example embodiment, a container is downloaded, the container being an application natively executable by a first operating system of the user device, the container including: a container service including one or more libraries of functions designed by a container designer to natively operate on the first operating system; a browser; container metadata defining functions of the application, the functions compatible with the container service for the first operating system and also compatible with a container service for a second operating system; and a plug-in including one or more additional libraries of functions designed by an entity other than the container designer to perform additional native operations on the first operating system. Then, the container metadata can be executed using the browser, causing function calls to the container service and plug-in and thus controlling native functions of the user device. |
| US09170804B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying compressed files
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for preparing and installing update packages for compressed files. In the context of a method, a method for preparing an update package is provided that includes receiving an original file and a modified file, causing the original file and the modified file to be decompressed, and generating one or more delta files based on the decompressed original file and the decompressed modified file. A corresponding method for installing an update package is also provided that includes receiving the update package comprising one or more delta files corresponding to an original file, causing the original file to be decompressed, generating one or more modified subfiles based on the one or more delta files and the decompressed original file, and generating a compressed modified file by compressing the one or more modified subfiles. |
| US09170802B2 |
Method and information processing apparatus for extracting software correction patch for virtual machine
A management server refers to a server information management DB that stores therein information on a plurality of virtual servers generated from a plurality of virtual images and information on software that operates on the virtual servers, and selects other virtual server in conjunction with a particular virtual server from the plurality of virtual servers based on information on the particular virtual server generated from a predetermined virtual image and information on software that operates on the particular virtual server. The management server extracts a patch to be applied to the particular virtual server based on patches applied to the other virtual server. |
| US09170801B2 |
Data card updating method, personal computer, and data card
The technical solutions disclose a data card software updating method, a data card, and a personal computer. In the method, a mapped interface is switched first, and then an existing data card updating method is adopted to update a data card that provides only a remote network driver interface specification (RNDIS) interface through mapping. The technical solutions can conveniently achieve compatibility with the existing data card updating method, and can be implemented simply and efficiently. |
| US09170794B2 |
Automatic exploitation of data parallelism in streaming applications
An embodiment of the invention provides a method for exploiting stateless and stateful data parallelism in a streaming application, wherein a compiler determines whether an operator of the streaming application is safe to parallelize based on a definition of the operator and an instance of the definition. The operator is not safe to parallelize when the operator has selectivity greater than 1, wherein the selectivity is the number of output tuples generated for each input tuple. Parallel regions are formed within the streaming application with the compiler when the operator is safe to parallelize. Synchronization strategies for the parallel regions are determined with the compiler, wherein the synchronization strategies are determined based on the definition of the operator and the instance of the definition. The synchronization strategies of the parallel regions are enforced with a runtime system. |
| US09170792B2 |
Dynamic optimization of pipelined software
In an embodiment, a system includes a processor including at least one core to execute operations of a loop that includes S stages. The system also includes stage insertion means for adding a delay stage to the loop to increase a lifetime of a corresponding register associated with a first variable of the loop and to delay storage of contents of the register. The system also includes a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09170791B1 |
Storing data items with content encoded in storage addresses
An input dataset comprising a plurality of input items is transformed into a smaller output dataset comprising a plurality of corresponding output items. For each input item, a corresponding output item is created, wherein each input item contains some content that is not present in the corresponding output item. Creating an output item can comprise right shifting the bits of the input item by a shifting value, and performing an exclusive or operation on the input item and the results of the right shifting. The content contained in each input item that is not present in the corresponding output item is encoded in the storage address of the corresponding output item, such that the content of each input item is contained in a combination of the corresponding output item and its storage address. The output dataset comprises multiple levels. |
| US09170785B1 |
Parameterization on the fly
Generating a parameter value for an executable statement includes, in a plurality of statements, identifying an input statement that provides input information and an output statement associated with the input statement; wherein the output statement comprises a reference to a temporary data set and another of the plurality of statements also includes a parameter reference to the temporary data set. The method also includes modifying the input information to produce modified input information; and outputting the modified input information to the temporary data set. |
| US09170783B1 |
Class creation assistant for textual programming languages
A program file may include code blocks, such as properties and methods blocks. An assistant module may provide a contextual information tool, a class diagram tool, and a template tool. The assistant module may monitor the location of a user interface element as it is moved about the program file. The assistant may provide information regarding the current location of the user interface element through the contextual information tool. The assistant module also may track the construction of the program, and provide information through the class diagram tool regarding program elements, such as properties and methods, defined so far in the program file. The assistant module may present design information, such as a class construction template, in the template tool, and may dynamically update this information during the creation of the program file. |
| US09170780B2 |
Processing changed application metadata based on relevance
A system includes execution of a software application based on metadata defining a first plurality of software components, reception of second metadata defining the first plurality of software components, determination, based on the second metadata, of a second plurality of the first plurality of software components for which the second metadata is different from the first metadata, and for which the second metadata is associated with elements of the software application, and generation of the elements of the software application based on the second metadata of the second plurality of software components. |
| US09170779B2 |
Managing an application development environment
Aspects of the invention provide for managing an application development environment. In one embodiment, aspects of the invention include a computer-implemented method of managing an application development environment, the method including: receiving a request for an application build, wherein the application build has at least one dependency on at least one asset; and processing the request for the application build in response to receiving the request, the processing including: submitting at least one query to an asset management system for at least one asset containing a dependency needed for the build, wherein the asset management system separately manages the plurality of assets apart from the application development environment; and receiving at least one asset from the asset management system in response to submitting at least one query. |
| US09170776B2 |
Digital signal processor having instruction set with a logarithm function using reduced look-up table
A digital signal processor is provided having an instruction set with a logarithm function that uses a reduced look-up table. The disclosed digital signal processor evaluates a logarithm function for an input value, x, by decomposing the input value, x, to a first part, N, a second part, q, and a remaining part, r, wherein the first part, N, is identified by a position of a most significant bit of the input value, x, and the second part, q, is comprised of a number of bits following the most significant bit, wherein the number is small relative to a number of bits in the input value, x; obtaining a value Log 2 ( 1 + 1 2 q ) from a first look-up table based on the second part, q; computing an epsilon term, ε, using the expression 2 - N 1 + 1 2 q r ; evaluating an expression Log2 (1+ε) using a polynomial approximation, such as a cubic approximation; and determining the logarithm function for the input value, x, by summing the values of N, Log Z ( 1 + 1 2 q ) and Log2(1+ε). |
| US09170775B2 |
Flexible accumulator in digital signal processing circuitry
A multiplier-accumulator (MAC) block can be programmed to operate in one or more modes. When the MAC block implements at least one multiply-and-accumulate operation, the accumulator value can be zeroed without introducing clock latency or initialized in one clock cycle. To zero the accumulator value, the most significant bits (MSBs) of data representing zero can be input to the MAC block and sent directly to the add-subtract-accumulate unit. Alternatively, dedicated configuration bits can be set to clear the contents of a pipeline register for input to the add-subtract-accumulate unit. |
| US09170770B2 |
Vehicle controller
A vehicle controller has multiple vehicle control modes that have different output characteristics of a travel power source relative to an accelerator operation amount. The vehicle control modes include a poor road travel mode used during travel on a poor road, and a first normal travel mode and a second normal travel mode that are used during travel other than on a poor road. A rate of increase in an output of the travel power source relative to a predetermined accelerator operation amount during an initial stage of an accelerator operation is set to increase steadily in order of the poor road travel mode, the first normal travel mode, and the second normal travel mode. When the poor road travel mode is selected, a mode transition to the first normal travel mode is permitted but a mode transition to the second normal travel mode is prohibited. |
| US09170769B2 |
Crosstalk mitigation in on-chip interfaces
A system and method to reduce and/or eliminate crosstalk between various data paths of a data bus within integrated circuits (i.e., chips). The system and method can transmit both delayed and non-delayed data in respective transmission paths, store the delayed and non-delayed data upon receipt, and delay the reading of the delayed and non-delayed data from the storage unit to compensate for the delay implemented on the transmission of the delayed data. |
| US09170768B2 |
Managing fast to slow links in a bus fabric
Systems and methods for managing fast to slow links in a bus fabric. A pair of link interface units connect agents with a clock mismatch. Each link interface unit includes an asynchronous FIFO for storing transactions that are sent over the clock domain crossing. When the command for a new transaction is ready to be sent while data for the previous transaction is still being sent, the link interface unit prevents the last data beat of the previous transaction from being sent. Instead, after a delay of one or more clock cycles, the last data beat overlaps with the command of the new transaction. |
| US09170767B2 |
Information storage medium, terminal device, display system, and image generating method
A terminal device includes: an image generating unit generates a configuration change image used for changing a configuration of an entire image displayed by a display device which includes an individual image on the basis of image information supplied from one or more terminal devices; and an input unit to which operation information representing an operation relating to a change in the configuration is input. The configuration change image represents an arrangement of the individual image in the entire image and includes an individual-image arranging area divided into a plurality of display target areas and an icon arranging area including the icon of each of the terminal devices. |
| US09170763B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method
An information processing apparatus in which an OS is executed that provides a first UI environment (touchscreen UI) and a second UI environment different from the first UI environment, is provided in which, if identification information of a peripheral device connected to a communication network has been obtained when the first UI environment is provided, a device control application for controlling the peripheral device is obtained from a service that manages applications operable in the first UI environment, using the identification information. |
| US09170759B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus acquires a structured document containing a plurality of elements, specifies, in accordance with an instruction from a user, a partial element group from the plurality of elements contained in the acquired structured document, and selects, in accordance with the content of each of the plurality of elements included in the specified element group, an output-target element from the plurality of elements included in the element group. |
| US09170755B2 |
Command and data selection in storage controller systems
A storage controller system may include a host controller that queues host commands as data transfer commands in a plurality of queue channels. The storage controller system may also include a data storage controller that selects data transfer commands for execution. The data storage controller may select all data transfer commands associated with a host command when all of the data transfer commands are located at heads of the queue channels. Alternatively, the data storage controller may select for execution data transfer commands at heads of the queue channels when associated cache areas are available to receive data, regardless of whether all of the data transfer commands associated with a host command are at the heads. The host controller may then retrieve the data in the cache areas when all of the data to be sent to the host in response to the host command is being cached. |
| US09170754B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for coordinating storage requests in a multi-processor/multi-thread environment
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for coordinating storage requests in a multi-processor/multi-thread environment. An append/invalidate module generates a first append data storage command from a first storage request and a second append data storage command from a second storage request. The storage requests overwrite existing data with first and second data including where the first and second data have at least a portion of overlapping data. The second storage request is received after the first storage request. The append/invalidate module updates an index by marking data being overwritten as invalid. A restructure module updates the index based on the first data and updates the index based on the second data. The updated index is organized to indicate that the second data is more current than the first data regardless of processing order. The modules prevent access to the index until the modules have completed updating the index. |
| US09170753B2 |
Efficient method for memory accesses in a multi-core processor
A method of providing memory accesses for a multi-core processor includes reserving a group of pins of a multi-core processor to transmit either data or address information in communication with one or more memory chips, receiving memory access requests from the plurality of processor cores, determining granularity of the memory access requests by a memory controller, and dynamically adjusting the number of pins in the group of pins to be used to transmit address information based with the granularity of the memory access requests. |
| US09170748B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products providing change logging in a deduplication process
A method performed in a network storage system, the method including receiving a plurality of data blocks at a secondary storage subsystem from a primary storage subsystem, generating a first log that includes a first plurality of entries, one entry for each of the data blocks, in which each entry of the first plurality of entries includes a name for a respective data block and a fingerprint of the respective data block, receiving metadata at the secondary storage subsystem from the primary storage subsystem, the metadata describing relationships between the plurality of blocks and a plurality of files, generating a second log that includes a second plurality of entries, and merging the first log with the second log to generate a change log. |
| US09170747B2 |
Storage device, control device, and control method
A storage device includes a data division unit that divides data into data blocks, a duplicate storage determining unit that determines whether the same data block as that to be stored has been stored in a storage unit for discharge in an export process, and a data storage processing unit that stores the data block to be stored in the storage unit for discharge when the same data block has not been stored in the storage unit for discharge and prevents the data block to be stored from being stored in the storage unit for discharge when the same data block has been stored in the storage unit for discharge. According to the storage device, it is possible to reduce the amount of data stored in the storage unit for discharge. |
| US09170746B2 |
Clustered raid assimilation management
In one embodiment, a node is a member of a cluster having a plurality of nodes, where each node is coupled to one or more storage arrays of solid state drives (SSDs) that serve as main storage. The node executed a storage input/output (I/O) stack having a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) layer that organizes the SSDs within the one or more storage arrays as one or more RAID groups. Configuration information is stored as a cluster database. The configuration information identifies (i) one or more RAID groups associated with an extent store, (ii) SSDs within each RAID group, and (iii) an identification of a node that owns the extent store. The cluster database is stored separate and apart from the main storage. |
| US09170745B2 |
System, method and computer program product for tamper protection in a data storage system
Systems, methods and computer software utilized in the implementation of tamper protection, where unique information associated with data storage tapes and with particular revisions of these tapes is stored on the storage medium itself and on a memory of the tape cartridge, so that the data can be compared to determine whether unauthorized modifications have been made to the tapes. One embodiment is a system which includes an archive node appliance coupled between a set of hosts and a tape media library. The archive node appliance presents files stored on a tape of a media library as a directory. The archive node appliance maintains tamper prevention data on the tape and on an auxiliary memory on the cartridge of the tape, and determines from this data whether the tape has been altered by an authorized system. |
| US09170740B2 |
System and method for providing implicit unmaps in thinly provisioned virtual tape library systems
The present invention is a system and method which allows for a VTL system that supports thin provisioning to implicitly unmap unused storage. Such unmap operations may occur even though the VTL system does not receive any explicit unmap requests from its initiators. For example, if a system administrator knows that once a virtual tape drive of the VTL system has been partially overwritten, all previously written data sets on that virtual tape drive will never again be accessed, the system administrator may configure the VTL system so that it unmaps the entire remainder of the virtual tape drive on the first data overwrite. |
| US09170739B2 |
Relay apparatus and relay method
A management information storage section included in a relay apparatus stores first management information for managing an address of a first buffer which stores data transmitted from a first apparatus to a second apparatus and second management information for managing an address of a second buffer corresponding to the first buffer. An information processing section swaps the address of the first buffer managed by the first management information for the address of the second buffer managed by the second management information. A transmission section transmits to the second apparatus data stored at the address of the first buffer swapped between the first management information and the second management information. |
| US09170737B1 |
Processing data storage system configuration information
A method is used in processing data storage system configuration information. A capture tool is used to create a template from a configuration of a first data storage system. The template is published, and a configuration engine is used to apply the template to configuring a second data storage system. |
| US09170735B2 |
Method and system for touch screen text entry
A method and system are disclosed for implementing touch screen text entry on a screen in a first orientation. A web page is used for presenting a touch screen display, which allows text selection via a virtual keyboard. Selected alphanumeric characters are displayed on the screen in an orientation matching the first orientation of the screen. |
| US09170732B2 |
Information input device, information input method, and information input program
An information input device includes a display, an input unit, an input direction determining unit, a tag arranging unit and a movable direction determining unit. The movable direction determining unit specifies, based on a first operation position on an input area of the input unit, a division part including the first operation position from among plural division parts on the input area. The tag arranging unit displays a tag indicating a slide operation pattern of an operator associated with the specified division part in the vicinity of a selection operation object or on the selection operation object on a display area of the display. The input direction determining unit detects, based on a second operation position on the input area, a slide operation pattern of the operator, and determines whether or not the detected slide operation pattern matches the slide operation pattern indicated by the tag within a certain range. |
| US09170729B2 |
Method of controlling a touch-surface control device and corresponding control device
The invention relates to a method of controlling a touch-surface control device characterized in that it comprises a step of shape recognition of a control trajectory on a touch surface from among at least two predefined shapes of trajectory, in which in the course of a predetermined duration (dT): the control trajectory is sampled in order to determine a sampled angle (dθ) of the control trajectory for each sampling period (Te), a parameter representative of the evolution of at least two sampled angles (dθ) is compared with a predetermined threshold, and a predefined trajectory shape is assigned to the control trajectory as a function of the result of the comparison. The invention also relates to a control device comprising a tough surface characterized in that it comprises a processing unit for implementing a control method as described above. |
| US09170728B2 |
Electronic device and page zooming method thereof
A page zooming method for an electronic device includes the following steps. Displaying a page on the touch screen. Generating operation signals in response to a touch operation applied on the displayed page. Determining the touch operation as a page zoom gesture if one or more points on the displayed page is touched. Determining a quantity of the touched points of the touch operation, and determining the page zoom gesture is a zoom in gesture or a zoom out gesture and a zoom ratio according to the determined quantity of the touched points. Creating a zoomed page according to the displayed page, the determined zoom ratio and the determined type of the page zoom gesture. Displaying the zoomed page on the touch screen. An electronic device using the page zooming method is also provided. |
| US09170727B2 |
Image processing apparatus, display method, and computer-readable storage medium storing display program
An image processing apparatus is provided that includes a display, a memory storing a plurality of functions in such a manner that associates the functions each with one of a plurality of categories, and a controller for causing the display to array and display objects representing respective functions that are a part of a plurality of functions. In response to a command to change the displayed objects, the controller changes the displayed objects on category basis. |
| US09170726B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing GUI interacting according to recognized user approach
An interface controlling method and an apparatus thereof are provided to control a user interface based on a proximity sensor and a touch pad. A number of items are displayed, an item approached by a user is identified by sensing an approach, information is provided regarding the identified item, contact by the user is sensed, and a function corresponding to the user contact is performed. |
| US09170725B2 |
Information processing apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and information processing method that detect associated documents based on distance between documents
An information processing apparatus includes a reception unit that receives manipulation of a manipulator, which corresponds to an electronic document arranged on a screen, a detection unit that detects a manipulation related to a movement of the electronic document from the manipulation received using the reception unit, an extraction unit that extracts at least a location of a movement source, a location of a movement destination, a first electronic document which is a movement target electronic document, and a second electronic document which is an electronic document within a predetermined distance from the location of the movement destination based on the movement manipulation detected using the detection unit, and a relevant document determination unit that determines whether the second electronic document is relevant to the first electronic document based on information extracted using the extraction unit. |
| US09170724B2 |
Control and display system
The invention is a control and display system. A system can be controlled either by a user's gestures, a remote control or voice control. The image from a rear facing camera can be displayed either on a vehicle's windshield by using a head up display. Alternatively, an image from a camera can be displayed on a head unit, which is located under the vehicle console between a driver seat and a front passenger seat. |
| US09170722B2 |
Display control device, display control method, and program
Provided is a display control device including an operation display unit for detecting operation positions, on a display screen, in accordance with a user operation on the display screen, a state determination unit for determining, based on a detection result of the operation positions, a first operation state where two operation positions are detected, a process determination unit for determining, based on a change in the operation positions in the first operation state, a process related to display that is to be performed, and a display control unit for performing, based on a determination result of a process, a process which has been determined to be performed, and causing the display screen to perform display corresponding to the process. The display control unit continues the display corresponding to the process which has been determined to be performed, according to a duration of determination for the process which has been determined. |
| US09170719B2 |
Information processing device, method for controlling information processing device, and recording medium on which information processing device control program is recorded
A display device (1) includes: a sensor section (11) detecting a hover state; a position detecting section (33) for specifying a position in the hover state; a selection guide creating section (34) for detecting objects within a predetermined range from the position thus specified; a selection guide display processing section (35) for displaying pieces of object information corresponding to the objects thus detected; and an object processing section (36) for carrying out, when any of the pieces of object information is selected, the same process(es) as a process(es) that is/are to be carried out if an object(s) corresponding to the any of the pieces of object information is/are selected. |
| US09170717B2 |
Graphically managing interactive analytic data
Techniques for graphically managing interactive analytic data include presenting a virtual workspace to a user that includes a visual representation of a simulation analysis that includes a plurality of graphical analytic data modules, each graphical analytic data module including a plurality of variables that define a business process; identifying a change to a particular variable of a particular graphical analytic data module, the change defined by a user interface (UI) adjustment of a dimension of the particular graphical analytic data module that represents the particular variable; based on the identified change to the particular variable of the particular graphical analytic data module, adjusting at least one business process output of the simulation analysis; and presenting a revised virtual workspace to the user, the revised virtual workspace including the particular graphical analytic data module and at least one business process output of the simulation analysis. |
| US09170716B1 |
System and method for a distributed graphical user interface
A management server in a communications network receives information for display at a plurality of user devices. The information includes multiple user interface components for display on the user devices. Upon receiving the information, the management server identifies the different components and selectively distributes the components to different ones of the user devices based on predefined routing data stored in a memory accessible to the management server. |
| US09170714B2 |
Mixed type text extraction and distribution
Systems, methods, and devices for extracting and distributing text of mixed types from displayed graphical data from a display of an electronic device are disclosed. The text types can include rendered text and text represented in rendered images. Displayed graphical data can be captured from data being displayed by an application on a display device. Text data can be extracted from the captured graphical data as text data at the rendering tree level, or by an optical character recognition process. In response to the extracted text data, a text selection tool with visual representations of selectable text can be applied to the displayed text data. Using the text selection tool, a user can select a subset of the text. In response to the user selection, one or more other applications can be determined and the selected text can be passed to at least one of the other applications for execution. |
| US09170712B2 |
Presenting content related to current media consumption
Disclosed are various embodiments for presenting content items that are related to media items that are currently being consumed by a user. A media item in a stream of media items being presented to a client is identified. A content item that is relevant to the media item is determined. An entry is added to the entries of a relevant content listing. The entry includes a link to the content item. The entries in the relevant content listing are arranged in a time-based sequence such that the at least one entry correlates to a sequence of playback in the client of a plurality of media files. The relevant content listing is updated in a user interface that is being presented to the user. |
| US09170711B2 |
Audio processing device, audio processing method, and program
An audio processing device includes: a display control unit, configured to control display of a plurality of audio gears, which are gears movable within a screen, each audio gear corresponding to predetermined audio data; and a playback control unit configured to control synchronized playback of a plurality of audio data; wherein, in the event that a plurality of the audio gears are directly or indirectly meshed, the display control unit rotates the plurality of audio gears, and the playback control unit performs synchronized playback of the plurality of audio data corresponding to the plurality of audio gears. |
| US09170709B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing user interface
A method of providing a user interface, including receiving a motion signal from a pointing device including a pointing function for moving a pointer, while the pointer is not generated on a display screen; generating the pointer when it is determined, based on the received motion signal, that the pointing device is moved in a predetermined form; displaying the generated pointer on the display screen; and providing a menu on at least one corner of the display screen. |
| US09170708B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for managing folders
A multifunction device displays a plurality of selectable user interface objects on the display. In response to detecting the first input, the device moves a first object in the plurality of selectable user interface objects across the display to a location on the display that is proximate to a second object in the plurality of selectable user interface objects. In response to detecting that the first input meets predefined folder-creation criteria while the first object is proximate to the second object, the device creates a folder that contains the first object and the second object. |
| US09170706B2 |
Query box polymorphism
Tools and techniques for a polymorphic query box operating on a computing device are described herein. The polymorphic query box application provides an adaptive query box via a single graphical user interface that detects an input scenario based on the type of input received via the polymorphic query box. In accordance with the detected scenario, the polymorphic query box dynamically changes appearance and function. In some implementations, the techniques include the polymorphic application ordering web search and/or translation based on the input being received. In some implementations, the techniques include providing context sensitive controls for input editing before completing the query. |
| US09170704B2 |
Sequencing content
Several implementations provide a system for sequencing, or cueing, content for presentation to an audience. One such implementation provides a low bit-rate system for use with, for example, a tablet. One particular implementation constructs a display plane including a first content source window indicating content from a first content source, and a timeline for sequencing the first content source into a presentation for a presentation device. The display plane is provided to a remote device, and command information is received from the remote device. The command information is for modifying the display plane. The display plane is modified based on the received command information. Another particular implementation receives the display plane, determines command information for modifying the display plane, and provides the command information to the remote device for modifying the display plane. |
| US09170702B2 |
Management system user interface in a building automation system
A client manager application for a building management system. A method includes maintaining a client manager application configured to interact with both a web client data processing system and an installed client data processing system to perform building management system functions. The installed client data processing system operates an installed client manager application to provide an installed building management interface. The method includes deploying a browser client manager module to the web client data processing system. A browser building management interface that has substantially the same appearance and functionality as the installed building management interface. The server interacts with both the installed client data processing system and the web client data processing system to perform the building management system functions. The client manager application can be configured to run in a web client data processing system as well as in an installed client data processing system. |
| US09170699B2 |
Inductive touch screen and in cell inductive touch screen
An inductive touch screen is disclosed. Embodiments include a transparent substrate and a conductive layer. The conductive layer includes helical-shaped patterns, and inductive lines electrically connected with the patterns. The patterns form inductive electrodes and output inductive signals through the inductive lines, and the inductive lines include first and second inductive lines. The inductive electrodes includes rows of first sub-electrodes and rows of second sub-electrodes, where the first and second sub-electrodes are arranged alternately in a column direction. Each of the first inductive lines is electrically connected with a row of the first sub-electrodes, and each of the second inductive lines is electrically connected with the second sub-electrodes in a same column. The touch screen further includes a drive line on the substrate, and the drive line is electrically connected with the inductive electrodes to provide the touch screen with a drive signal. |
| US09170698B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling operation of mobile terminal
A method of controlling the operation of a mobile terminal is provided. By dynamically selecting or setting a specific function of a mobile terminal according to a change in pressure or contact areas sensed by a plurality of touch sensors which cover the mobile terminal, a user can easily select or set a specific function of the mobile terminal according to his or her intention, and easily recognize information displayed on a screen of the mobile terminal. |
| US09170695B2 |
Seamless capacitive touch panel
A seamless capacitive touch panel includes a substrate, a pattern layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The pattern layer is formed on the substrate. The first electrode is formed on the pattern layer. The second electrode is formed on the substrate. The first electrode and the second electrode are separated by the pattern layer for preventing conduction between the first and second electrodes. |
| US09170694B2 |
Touch sensor integrated type display device
Disclosed is a touch sensor integrated type display device, that includes a plurality of gate lines and data lines which cross each other and form a plurality of pixel areas, a plurality of first electrodes arranged in parallel with one another in a first direction, a plurality of second electrodes which are formed on the same layer as the first electrodes and are arranged in parallel with one another in the first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, and a plurality of pixel electrodes which are formed on a layer different from the first and second electrodes in the pixel areas and are positioned opposite the first and second electrodes. The first electrodes and the second electrodes arranged in parallel with one another in the first direction are alternately disposed every m electrode lines, where m is a natural number. |
| US09170693B2 |
Capacitive touch system and gain control method thereof
There is provided a capacitive touch system including a gain control unit sequentially receiving a plurality of digital detected signals of a detection frame. The gain control unit includes a gain buffer and a control circuit. The gain buffer is configured to store a current gain sheet. The control circuit calculates a first gain sheet according to a setpoint and the digital detected signals of the detection frame, compares a current roughness of the current gain sheet with a first roughness of the first gain sheet and replaces the current gain sheet in the gain buffer by the first gain sheet when the first roughness is flatter than the current roughness. |
| US09170692B2 |
Capacitive in-cell touch screen, driving method for the same, and display apparatus
The embodiments of the disclosure provides a capacitive in-cell touch panel, a driving method thereof and a display apparatus, wherein touch sensing electrodes are set on a color filter substrate, a common electrode layer connected as a whole plane on a TFT array substrate is divided into strips to be used as touch driving electrodes; touch driving signal lines are set in a display area of the touch panel by adopting a dual gate structure, which is helpful for a narrow frame design of the touch panel; each of the touch driving electrodes is electrically connected to at least one touch driving signal line and is supplied with a driving signal by a plurality of touch driving signal lines simultaneously, such that transmission efficiency of the driving signal can be improved to the maximum extent and delay of the driving signal can be reduced. |
| US09170691B2 |
Capacitive in cell touch panel and driving method thereof, display device
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a capacitive in-cell touch panel, a driving method thereof and a display device. Touch sensing electrodes extended along the row direction of pixel units are arranged on a color filter substrate; a thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate adopts a dual gate structure, that is, two gate signal lines are disposed between every two adjacent rows of pixel units; every two adjacent columns of pixel units are taken as a group of pixel unit columns and share a data signal line disposed between the two pixel unit columns, so that the positions of a part of data signal lines can be saved; and touch driving electrodes for achieving the touch function are arranged at the saved positions of the data signal lines. |
| US09170683B2 |
Optical coupler for use in an optical touch sensitive device
An optical touch-sensitive device is able to determine the locations of multiple simultaneous touch events. The optical touch-sensitive device includes multiple emitters and detectors coupled with an optical coupler assembly through a waveguide on the surface on the optical-touch sensitive device. The coupler may be side coupled or edge coupled to the waveguide. For both the side coupled or edge coupled cases, the coupler may also be configured to reorient beams to accommodate any orientation of emitters and detectors with respect to the waveguide. The coupler may also be configured to translate beams laterally or vertically to accommodate any position of emitters and detectors. The coupler, and touch-sensitive device more generally, are also configured to prevent ambient light entering the waveguide from hitting the emitters and detectors. Each emitter produces optical beams which are received by the detectors. Touch events disturb the optical beams. |
| US09170682B2 |
Image processing method for optical touch system
An image processing method for an optical touch system includes the steps of obtaining an image and generating a light distribution curve pattern from the image, selecting a target signal of the light distribution curve pattern in accordance with light intensity information of the light distribution curve pattern, determining at least one rising slope and at least one falling slope of the target signal, and selecting the target signal as an object signal when the absolute values of the at least one rising slope and at least one falling slope are greater than a threshold. |
| US09170678B2 |
Foldable display device providing adaptive touch sensitive area and method for controlling the same
A foldable display device including a foldable display unit being in a folded state when the foldable display device is folded and being in an unfolded state when the foldable display device is unfolded, the foldable display unit being divided into a first area which is a border area, a second area which is a folding area and a third area located between the first area and the second area, touch sensor units of the first area, the second area and the third area configured to detect control input for the display unit, and a controller configured to control the display unit and the touch sensor units, wherein the controller is further configured to detect the state of the foldable display unit, and deactivate the touch sensor unit of the first area and activates the touch sensor units of the second area and the third area, when the foldable display unit is in the unfolded state. |
| US09170672B2 |
Portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display and navigation device and method
A method includes detecting a touch at a location on a touch-sensitive display, receiving an input by a navigation device, and performing a function associated with at least one of the touch and the input in response to elapsing of a time period between detecting the touch and receiving the input. |
| US09170668B2 |
Ultrasonic touch sensor with a display monitor
A touch screen monitor having a display monitor and an ultrasonic device. The ultrasonic device may include a sensor array using piezoelectric sensors to detect the surface topology of a biological or other object that is in contact with a surface of the display monitor. The display monitor may be a LCD or LED monitor. |
| US09170664B2 |
Information processing system
An information processing system, including: a portable communication device including a sensor that measures predetermined information and outputs a measurement result, the sensor having output characteristics varying depending on a place of use; and a information processing device for indoor use, which is communicatively connectable to the portable communication device, the information processing device being configured to: acquire the measurement result of the sensor from the communicatively-connected portable communication device; execute calibration of the sensor by using the acquired measurement result; execute an application program that uses the measurement result of the sensor; and performs determination as to whether or not the calibration has been executed for the communicatively-connected portable communication device when the application program is executed. |
| US09170663B2 |
Touch input device and electronic device using the same
A touch input device is provided. The touch input device includes a touch panel and a touch control. The touch panel includes a number of touch sensor groups, each touch sensor group includes a line of touch sensors, each touch sensor produces a touch signal in response to a user's touch, the touch sensor groups are arranged on the touch panel one by one along a predetermined path, the quantity of touch sensors of each touch sensor group is increased or decreased gradually, and the arrangement direction of the touch sensors of each touch sensor group is perpendicular to the direction of the predetermined path. The touch control is connected to the touch panel and is used to receive the touch signals produced by the touch sensor, and determine a touch path according to the changes of the quantity of the received touch signals. |
| US09170660B2 |
Input function display device
An input function display device includes: a position information reading unit that is provided with an imaging element optically reading a position information pattern representing a coordinate position on a plane; and a display unit that performs display on the basis of marks read from the position information pattern recorded in a display area, wherein the display unit includes a transparent conductive film having a conductive pattern in which the position information pattern is applied onto the transparent substrate, and a display portion that performs display using the conductive pattern as a common electrode. |
| US09170656B2 |
Systems and methods for scanning a user environment and evaluating data of interest
According to various embodiments, a mobile device continuously and/or automatically scans a user environment for tags containing non-human-readable data. The mobile device may continuously and/or automatically scan the environment for tags without being specifically directed at a particular tag. The mobile device may be adapted to scan for audio tags, radio frequency tags, and/or image tags. The mobile device may be configured to scan for and identify tags within the user environment that satisfy a user preference. The mobile device may perform an action in response to identifying a tag that satisfies a user preference. The mobile device may be configured to scan for a wide variety of tags, including tags in the form of quick response codes, steganographic content, audio watermarks, audio outside of a human audible range, radio frequency identification tags, long wavelength identification tags, near field communication tags, and/or a Memory Spot device. |
| US09170655B2 |
Tip element capable of light collection, and light-emitting touch pen incorporating the same for an optical touch device
A tip element for a light-emitting touch pen includes: a solid transparent rod having a first rod portion disposed in a pen barrel, and an exposed second rod portion with a tip; and a light collecting unit including a first light-collecting structure formed coaxially in the first rod portion, and a second light-collecting structure formed, coaxially in the second rod portion and projecting toward the first rod portion. A part of light, which is emitted by a lighting unit in the pen barrel and propagates into the first rod portion, is reflected/refracted by the first light-collecting structure toward the second light-collecting structure to thereby radiate out of the second rod portion through reflection/refraction thereby. |
| US09170647B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of controlling the mobile terminal
Disclosed is the mobile terminal including a display to display a first screen information, a user tracking device to detect that a user's stare with respect to a connected external electronic apparatus is within a predetermined range with the display serving as a reference, and a controller to receive a second screen information from the connected external electronic apparatus based on the detected user's stare, and the controller to control the display to simultaneously display the received second screen information and the first screen information. |
| US09170645B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing input in mobile terminal
A method for processing an input in a mobile terminal that recognizes inputs such as a visual input and/or voice input is provided. In the method, a position on a screen corresponding to a viewing direction of a user's eyes is determined. An indicator corresponding to the determined position is displayed on the screen. When a relevant (i.e. actuating) signal is detected, an indicator is arranged on the desired object for selection. |
| US09170643B2 |
Display system containing an adaptive semi-transparent display device and means for detecting the landscape viewed by the user
The general field of the invention is that of display systems comprising an electronic calculator containing first image generation means and an associated semi-transparent display device, said display device intended to be arranged in front of an outside landscape. The display device according to the invention consists of two overlaid semi-transparent flat display screens, a photo-sensitive sensor and a position detection system. The first display screen is passive, its transmission rate being controlled by the first image generation means, the second display screen is active, its light emission being controlled by the first image generation means. The image generated is displayed either on the first display screen, or on the second display screen as a function of the outside landscape luminance information output by the photo-sensitive sensor and the position detection. |
| US09170632B2 |
Providing wakeup logic to awaken an electronic device from a lower power mode
An electronic device (100) includes a network interface controller (102) and an input/output controller (110, 202) having a link layer. A portion of the input/output controller is configured to be powered off during a lower power mode of the electronic device, where the first portion contains the link layer. Wakeup logic (108) separate from the input/output controller receives a wake indication from the network interface controller in response to the physical layer receiving a wake message on the network while the electronic device is in the lower power mode. The wakeup logic activates an indication to awaken the electronic device from the lower power mode in response to the wake indication from the network interface controller. |
| US09170631B2 |
Adaptive temperature and power calculation for integrated circuits
Methods, apparatus, and fabrication processes relating to thermal calculations of an integrated circuit device are reported. The methods may comprise determining a power consumption by a power entity of an integrated circuit, the power entity comprising at least one functional element of the integrated circuit; determining a temperature of a thermal entity, the thermal entity comprising a subset of the power entity; and adjusting at least one of a voltage or an operating frequency of at least one functional element of the power entity, based upon the temperature of the thermal entity being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold temperature for the thermal entity. |
| US09170626B2 |
Performance reduction limit for power consumption device
For one disclosed embodiment, a lower limit for a power consumption device may be identified. Performance of the power consumption device may be reduced in response to a determination that a temperature corresponding to the power consumption device exceeds a threshold. Performance reduction may be limited based on the lower limit. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09170622B2 |
System for supply of power source current, connector and method of supplying power source current
A system for supply of power source currents, the system includes: a power source input terminal configured to be supplied with a power source current; a plurality of power source output terminals, coupled to the power source input terminal in parallel, configured to output a power source current; a protecting circuit configured to protect a supply of a excessive power source current to the power source input terminal; a plurality of data signal terminals each corresponding to one of the plurality of power source output terminals; and a connector coupled to at least one pair of one of the plurality of power source output terminals and one of the plurality of data signal terminals. |
| US09170619B2 |
Network node with integrated power distribution
A control network comprises a plurality of network nodes arranged in a plurality of tiers, with first-tier nodes and lower tier nodes. A master control bus interconnects the first-tier nodes, which are also connected to a power source. Lower-tier buses interconnect groups of the lower tier nodes. The lower-tier buses include both data lines and a power source line derived from the power source, allowing the lower tier nodes to selectively distribute power to local loads. A first-tier node may be embodied as a hub controller configured to be connected to one or more of said lower-tier buses. The hub controller may comprise a plurality of internal hub nodes (including a hub master node and hub slave nodes) integrated within the same physical unit. |
| US09170618B2 |
Power management circuit, server, and power management method thereof
A server is provided in the present disclosure, and the server includes a power module, a motherboard circuit, and a power management circuit. The power management circuit is coupled to the motherboard circuit and the power module. The motherboard circuit receives a remote control signal through a network module and outputs a power-off command to the power management circuit according to the remote control signal. The power management circuit causes the power module to stop supplying power to the motherboard circuit for a predetermined time according to the power-off command. After the predetermined time, the power management circuit causes the power module to supply power again to the motherboard circuit to execute an initialization procedure. |
| US09170615B2 |
Compact network server or appliance
A rack mount network appliance may include a chassis that includes a front compartment proximal a front side of the chassis and a rear compartment proximal a rear side of the chassis. The chassis may be configured to be mounted in an appliance rack. A front vent on the front side of the chassis may be configured to allow air to flow between an external environment and the front compartment. A front loading module mountable in the front compartment may include a heat generating device. A front loading airflow module may be configured to draw in air within the front compartment into the front loading airflow module in a first direction and force air out of the front loading airflow module into the rear compartment in a second direction such that air is drawn in the front vent, over the heat generating device of the front loading module, and forced rearward over rear heat generating devices and out a rear vent of the chassis. The first direction may be substantially orthogonal to the second direction. |
| US09170612B2 |
Wristband accessories for powering a wearable computer
There is provided a wristband for attaching to a computer device. The wristband includes a first end configured to attach to a first side of the computer device, a second end configured to attach to a second side of the computer device, a battery, a battery connection interface configured to connect to a battery port of the computer device for providing power from the battery to the computer device, and a charging port configured to connect to an interface of an external power source to receive power from the external power source for charging the battery. |
| US09170611B2 |
Portable electronic device case accessories and related systems and methods
Case accessories for portable electronic devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a case accessory may include a base configured to sit on a working surface, a support coupled to the base and configured to support a portable electronic device in an elevated position, a rotational mechanism coupled to the support configured to allow the holder to rotate in one or more directions relative to the support, and a holder coupled to the rotational mechanism and configured to secure the portable electronic device. |
| US09170609B2 |
Extension apparatus and extension system
According to one embodiment, an extension apparatus includes, a housing, a hook portion, a switch portion, a mechanical portion which moves the hook portion between the engaged state and the disengaged state, a pin portion provided inside the switch portion, a first spring portion interposed between the housing and the pin portion, an abutting portion provided in the mechanical portion, abutting a distal end of the pin portion, and releasing abutment when the pushing amount of the switch portion exceeds a predetermined amount, and a second spring portion striking the distal end of the pin portion against a sound-producing portion when abutment of the distal end of the pin portion is released. |
| US09170605B2 |
Display device of electronic appliance
A display device for an electronic appliance includes: a touch screen panel; an LCD panel; and an intermediate member provided between the touch screen panel and the LCD panel. The intermediate member has an air passage for allowing air to flow into and out of an interior space defined by the intermediate member between the touch screen panel and the LCD panel. The air passage has a plurality of paths oriented in different directions. |
| US09170604B2 |
Keyboard
A keyboard includes a first keyboard section, a second keyboard section, and a connection structure. The connection structure includes a hook portion, a first operation member, a drive portion, and at least one latch portion. The hook portion, the first operation member, and the drive portion are defined at the first keyboard section, and the at least one latch portion is defined at the second keyboard section. The first operation member is detachably clasped with the hook portion. The drive portion drives the hook portion moving along a first direction to protrude out of the first keyboard section when the first operation member is operated to detach the hook portion. The at least one latch portion is configured for latching with the hook portion to detachably engage the first keyboard section with the second keyboard section. |
| US09170599B2 |
Optical image processing using maximum or minimum phase functions
A method utilizes an optical image processing system. The method includes calculating a product of (i) a measured magnitude of a Fourier transform of a complex transmission function of an object or optical image and (ii) an estimated phase term of the Fourier transform of the complex transmission function. The method further includes calculating an inverse Fourier transform of the product, wherein the inverse Fourier transform is a spatial function. The method further includes calculating an estimated complex transmission function by applying at least one constraint to the inverse Fourier transform. |
| US09170598B2 |
Folding handle for lift and slide door
An apparatus for use with a door adapted to lift and slide. The apparatus includes a base connected to the door and a lever hingedly connected to the base for maneuvering the door. The lever is positioned within the base such that the lever is fully recessed in the base. In use, the lever may be extended away from the base and folded into an operating position for moving the door. |
| US09170597B2 |
Inrush current suppressing device
An inrush current suppressing device includes a residual-magnetic-flux calculating unit configured to retain an interruption characteristic of a breaker and an attenuation characteristic of a magnetic flux that are estimated by measurement, analysis, or the like beforehand, and apply the attenuation characteristic to a magnetic flux value at the time of current interruption obtained based on the interruption characteristic of the breaker to calculate a residual magnetic flux value. The breaker is turned on in a power supply voltage phase in which the calculated residual magnetic flux value and a theoretical value of a steady magnetic flux match. |
| US09170593B2 |
Voltage regulator with improved line rejection
Devices and methods are provided for generating a regulated output voltage with improved line rejection based on an input voltage and a reference voltage. The device may include a pass transistor and a replica transistor, wherein source ports of the pass transistor and the replica transistor are coupled to the input voltage, a drain port of the pass transistor is coupled to the output voltage, and a gate port of the pass transistor is coupled to a gate port of the replica transistor. The device may further include a coupling circuit configured to couple current from the drain port of the replica transistor to the gate port of the replica transistor, the coupling circuit further configured to control voltage on the drain port of the replica transistor based on the reference voltage. |
| US09170592B2 |
Fully integrated voltage regulator using open loop digital control for optimum power stepping and slew rate
Methods and systems are disclosed for an integrated voltage regulator with open loop digital control for power stepping. In one aspect, a method for regulating an output voltage includes receiving data indicative of a power setting associated with an identified state of an electrical circuit, the power setting based on a load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state, enabling one or more parallel driver segments based on the received data indicative of the power setting. The method further includes sourcing by the enabled one or more parallel driver segments sufficient current to meet the load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state while maintaining the output voltage at a predetermined voltage level, and providing the output voltage to the electrical circuit at the predetermined voltage level. |
| US09170589B2 |
Fully integrated adjustable DC current reference based on an integrated inductor reference
A novel fully integrated adjustable DC current reference is developed. The reference current is set by the ratio of a DC voltage generated using a band-gap reference and a tuned resistor based on an inductor reference. An AC signal is necessary to develop a relationship between the resistor tuned and the inductor reference. A computation unit which could be designed as an analog circuit is necessary to compute the value of the resistor in relationship to the reference inductor. Classic circuits are used to develop and analyze the relationship between the reference inductor and the tunable resistor that sets the DC current reference. Results show that the value of the inductance is insensitive to process, voltage and temperature variations. Therefore, assuming the DC bandgap reference voltage is insensitive to changes in process, voltage and temperature variations, so is the DC current reference. |
| US09170588B2 |
Compensation circuit and switching power supply thereof
Disclosed are compensation circuits for a switching power supply. In one embodiment, a compensation circuit can include: (i) a transconductance amplifier configured to receive a reference signal and a feedback signal, and to generate an amplifier output signal according to a difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal; (ii) a switching circuit configured to receive the amplifier output signal, where the switching circuit is controllable by a control signal from a switch control circuit; and (iii) a charging circuit coupled to the switching circuit, where the charging circuit is configured to be charged by the amplifier output signal in response to the control signal, and to generate a compensation signal therefrom. |
| US09170586B2 |
Computer device and method for dissipating heat from a discrete graphics processing unit in the same
A computer device and a method for dissipating heat from a discrete graphics processing unit therein are provided. The method thereof includes determining whether the discrete graphics processing is in an operating state. If the discrete graphics processing unit is in an operating state, a determination is made as to whether a current temperature of the discrete graphics processing unit can be obtained. If the current temperature of the discrete graphics processing unit cannot be obtained, the discrete graphics processing unit is cooled so as to lower the current temperature thereof. |
| US09170583B2 |
Firefighting monitor and control system therefor
A firefighting monitor system includes a monitor, a controller selectively generating signals to the monitor for controlling the monitor, and a computer. The computer is configured to receive input from a user relative to the monitor or the controller. The computer generates an output based on the input, and the output is transmitted to the controller for controlling the monitor or the controller in accordance with the output. |
| US09170579B1 |
System, method and computer program product for monitoring and controlling industrial energy equipment
A digital energy system monitors and controls a plurality of industrial energy devices. The system includes a server and one or more interface devices coupled to the industrial energy devices. Each of the interface devices has a dynamically configurable runtime environment. The server sends configuration data to each of interface devices. The configuration data includes variable definitions that reference specific registers on the industrial energy devices. The server monitors the industrial energy devices by obtaining values for one or more of the variables set forth in the variable definitions. To control an industrial energy device, the server sends a write request for the industrial energy device to the interface device with a value for a defined variable in the device definition for the industrial energy device. |
| US09170578B2 |
Tool recognition with profinet
The invention relates to a method for activating an automation station in the automation apparatus of an industrial application. The invention provides a method for activating an automation station in the automation apparatus of an industrial application, in which the automation station comprises a plurality of Profinet-compatible devices to which an unambiguous symbolic name is provided for identification, and wherein an identification of the automation station connected to the automation apparatus for operation is performed based on the symbolic names of the Profinet-compatible devices, and the Profinet-compatible devices are driven by the automation apparatus after connection of the automation station in functional dependence on the identified automation station. |
| US09170577B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and operation method thereof
It is intended to reduce the amount of computation to be performed by CPU or the required amount of storage space in a built-in memory for timing adjustment of a pulse output signal. A digital multiplying circuit in the phase arithmetic circuit of the pulse generating circuit generates a multiplication output signal by multiplying a phase angle change value in the phase adjustment data register and a count maximum value Nmax in the cycle data register. A digital dividing circuit generates a division output signal by dividing the multiplication output signal by 360 degrees of phase angle for one cycle. A digital adding circuit adds the division output signal and rise setting/fall setting count values and a subtracting circuit subtracts the division output signal from these values. The addition and subtraction generate new rise setting/fall setting count values required to delay/advance the phase by the phase angle change value. |
| US09170573B2 |
Method and system for updating tuning parameters of a controller
A method and system for updating tuning parameters associated with a controller without repetitive compilation of a controller code. The controller code represents an algorithm associated with the controller and can be compiled separately from a data set representing a solution for an optimization problem and also from a data set representing parameters required for prediction. The algorithm can be implemented in a programming language code suitable for implementation on an embedded platform or other types of computer platforms. The data sets can be represented in a specified data structure and the variables associated with the data structure can be declared in the controller template code. The variables can be updated independently without varying the compiled code associated with the controller algorithm that is referring to the variables. The controller can also be updated while the controller actively performs online. Such an approach enables repetitive tuning of the controller without repetitive compilation of the code representing the controller algorithm. |
| US09170570B2 |
Cooling apparatus for internal combustion engine
A cooling apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a fan that cools a coolant by operating at least at a first drive voltage and a second drive voltage higher than the first drive voltage; and a control unit that drives the fan at the first drive voltage when a vehicle is driven at a low vehicle speed that is a vehicle speed lower than a vehicle speed threshold and a coolant temperature is higher than a fan low-voltage activation threshold. |
| US09170569B2 |
Method for electing an active master device from two redundant master devices
A method includes electing an item of active master equipment from two redundant primary and secondary master items of equipment (10, 20), the primary and secondary master items of equipment (10, 20) being directly connected to a fieldbus (1) and linked together by a terminal cable (30) and each having an active operating mode and a standby mode. Each of the primary and secondary master items of equipment (10, 20) also has one and the same state machine (12, 22) for designating one of the primary and secondary master items of equipment (10, 20) as the active master item of equipment, and the terminal cable (30) used for establishing a directional relation of the primary master item of equipment (10, 20) to the secondary master item of equipment (10, 20). |
| US09170567B2 |
Satellite radio-controlled wristwatch
In a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch, a time to be spent on acquisition and tracking is reduced and also a reception success probability is increased. A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to the present invention includes: a satellite radio wave reception unit including an antenna for receiving a satellite radio wave, a high frequency circuit, and a decoder circuit; a clock circuit for holding and counting an internal time; and a controller for controlling timings of at least: an activation operation of supplying power to the satellite radio wave reception unit for activation thereof; an acquisition and tracking operation of acquiring and tracking a certain satellite radio wave by the satellite radio wave reception unit; and a time information acquisition operation of acquiring time information from the satellite radio wave received by the satellite radio wave reception unit, the controller being configured to: wait for arrival of an activation time point, which is inversely calculated by subtracting an acquisition and tracking time period and an activation time period from a time information receivable time point that is predicted based on the internal time, and then start the activation operation; and vary the acquisition and tracking time period depending on a predetermined condition. |
| US09170562B2 |
Holographic memory device and reproduction/recording method
An optical beam with the same amplitude distribution and phase distribution as those of the signal beam used for recording is radiated to the hologram recording medium via an optical system of the signal beam prior to reproduction so that the optical beam with the amplitude and phase of the reference beam upon recording is generated through diffraction. A wavefront sensor detects the wavefront configuration of the diffraction beam and obtains preliminarily the suitable wavefront of the reference beam for reproduction. The wavefront control element preliminarily corrects the wavefront of the reference beam to an optimum wavefront. |
| US09170561B2 |
Cooling device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A cooling device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes multiple air blowers to cool a cooling target provided to the image forming apparatus and a duct to connect with the multiple air blowers and to flow airflow generated by the multiple air blowers therethrough and to have an opening formed thereon and disposed at a position shifted to a part of the multiple air blowers. Respective outputs of the multiple air blowers are different from each other according to respective positions of the multiple air blowers with respect to the opening. |
| US09170558B2 |
Image forming apparatus and process cartridge including a cleaning blade which includes a cured composition
An image forming apparatus, which contains: an image bearing member; a charging unit; an exposing unit; a developing unit; a transferring unit; and a cleaning unit, wherein the image bearing member contains an electrically conductive support, a photoconductive layer formed on the electrically conductive support, and a surface layer containing a binder resin and particles formed on a surface of the photoconductive layer, or contains the electrically conductive support, and the photoconductive layer formed on the electrically conductive support, wherein the cleaning unit contains a cleaning blade, which contains a cured composition containing a curing agent in a region of the cleaning blade, which is to be in contact with the image bearing member, and wherein the curing agent contains a polycyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and a (meth)acryloyloxy group. |
| US09170556B2 |
Cleaning blade, method for manufacturing cleaning blade, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
A urethane rubber cleaning blade, wherein a surface of a contact portion of the cleaning blade that comes into contact with a member to be cleaned has a Young's modulus (Y0) of 10 mgf/μm2 or more and 400 mgf/μm2 or less, the ratio (Y50/Y0) of the Young's modulus (Y50) of an internal portion of the cleaning blade 50 μm spaced apart from the surface of the contact portion to the Young's modulus (Y0) is 0.5 or less, and the average rate of change in Young's modulus from the surface to an internal portion of the cleaning blade 20 μm spaced apart from the surface is greater than or equal to the average rate of change in Young's modulus from the internal portion of the cleaning blade 20 μm spaced apart from the surface to an internal portion of the cleaning blade 50 μm spaced apart from the surface. |
| US09170554B2 |
Cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device includes a brush to contact a photoconductive member, a roller to contact the brush, and a blade. The blade is located along the roller in a longitudinal direction. The blade has a first portion, a second portion, and a bent portion between the first portion and the second portion. A contact surface or edge of the first portion contacts a surface of the roller to remove toner therefrom. |
| US09170553B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a movable sheet guide in a feeding path
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along the predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through a first opening and stores residual toner, a connector, a first feeding path, a second feeding path being a path for a recording sheet inserted through a sheet inlet and includes a sheet guide to guide the recording sheet, and a second feed roller. The second feed roller is movable along with at least a part of the sheet guide. The waste toner container is movable through space, which is occupied by the second feed roller in an upper position, and the first opening when the second feed roller is in a lower position. |
| US09170551B2 |
Electronic apparatus having pivotable support member for supporting electric circuit board
An electronic apparatus includes a functional unit, an electric circuit board, a pivotable support member, an outer cover, and wiring. The functional unit is disposed inside the electronic apparatus. The electric circuit board is configured to control the functional unit. The pivotable support member is shaped rectangular having a vertical length that is shorter than a horizontal length thereof and is pivotally movable about a pivoting axis defined to extend along one horizontally extending side of the pivotable support member between a closed position in which the pivotable support member covers the functional unit and an open position in which the functional unit is exposed. The outer cover is disposed more outwardly than the pivotable support member. The wiring passes through a pivoting axis side of the pivotable support member to connect the functional unit to the electric circuit board. |
| US09170550B2 |
Image forming apparatus controlling power from an AC power supply to a heater in accordance with the temperature sensed by a temperature sensing element
Part of a plurality of power levels of control patterns selected to control power supplied from an AC power source to a heater of an image forming apparatus include power levels of a) waveforms in which power is supplied in part of negative and positive half cycles in order after no power supply during a one half of a positive half cycle, and waveforms in which power is supplied in part of a positive cycle after no power supply during one half of a negative half cycle, or b) waveforms in which power is supplied in part of positive and negative half cycles in order after no power supply during one half of a negative half cycle, and waveforms in which power is supplied in part of a negative half cycle after no power supply during one half of a positive half cycle. |
| US09170545B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus configured to form a color image by having at least one consumable product, the image forming apparatus including a main board, a first memory unit detachably coupled to the main body, a consumable product memory unit installed at the consumable product, and configured to store information on a lifespan of the consumable product, and a control unit configured to read the information on the lifespan of the consumable product from the consumable product memory unit, and to store the information on the lifespan of the consumable product at the first memory unit in the form of a backup. |
| US09170543B2 |
Inspection apparatus configured to inspect a printed product by positioning a reading target image obtainable by reading the printed product relative to a reference image and collating the reading target image with the reference image
An inspection apparatus inspects a printed product by positioning a reading target image of the printed product relative to a reference image and collating the reading target image with the reference image includes a positioning unit configured to perform positioning processing for the reference image and the reading target image with a first precision, and a detection unit configured to detect an image defect candidate area by collating the reading target image with the reference image, which have been positioned by the positioning unit. The positioning unit newly performs the positioning processing for the reference image and the reading target image in the image defect candidate area with a second precision that is higher than the first precision. The detection unit detects an image defect by collating the reading target image with the reference image in an area having been newly subjected to the positioning processing using the second precision. |
| US09170542B2 |
Image forming apparatus that transfers toner image onto sheet
An image forming apparatus capable of accurately forming an image in a predetermined position on a sheet. An image forming unit forms a toner image on a drum. The toner image is transferred onto a belt. A motor drives the belt to convey the toner image to a transfer position where the toner image is transferred onto a sheet. An image position-detecting section detects that a patch image indicating the position of the toner image on the belt has reached a detection position upstream of the transfer position in an image conveying direction. A sheet position-detecting section detects that the leading edge of the sheet has reached a detection position upstream of the transfer position in a sheet conveying direction. An image speed-setting section controls the conveying speed of the belt based on timings of detection by the respective image position-detecting and sheet position-detecting sections. |
| US09170536B2 |
Fixing device having pressure release member supported reciprocably, and image forming apparatus equipped therewith
A fixing device is configured to move the pressure release member in predetermined movement directions relative to the support member such that the biasing member can function. The support member has a first retaining part. The pressure release member has a retention element to be held in the first retaining part of the support member. When the retention element is held in the first retaining part of the support member, the pressure release member is configured to apply a biasing force of the biasing member to the support member and thereby to cause the second fixing member to be pressed against the first fixing member. When the retention element is released from the first retaining part of the support member, the pressure release member is configured to stay at a release position in the movement directions at which position the biasing member ceases to apply the biasing force to the support member, and thereby to release the pressure contact state where the second fixing member is pressed against the first fixing member. |
| US09170533B2 |
Belt driving device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A belt driving device includes an endless belt; support members that extend in a width direction of the endless belt and support the endless belt, the support members including a control member that controls the widthwise position of the endless belt; a support body that supports the support members; and a driving mechanism that drives one end of the control member to cause the control member to pivot about a pivot axis in a direction in which stretching of the endless belt is prevented. A portion of the control member shifted from the midpoint toward an edge of the endless belt is pivotably supported by the support member to serve as the pivot axis, so that the moving distances of two points on the control member aligned with the edges of the endless belt when the control member is driven by the driving mechanism are close to each other. |
| US09170532B2 |
Iterative learning control for motion error reduction
An apparatus for reducing registration errors in a media handling device. The apparatus including an image-bearing member having sheets individually pass across the image-bearing member. Each sheet pass corresponds to one of a series of iterations between the image-bearing member and the sheets. The image-bearing member is operatively coupled to a controller for regulation motion of the image-bearing member. The controller receives input signals representing at least one measured disturbance. Each disturbance being defined by a pattern of image-bearing member movement away from and substantially returning to a reference state of motion. A repetition of the pattern being coincident with at least one of the iterations, wherein based on the measured disturbance, the reference state and an indication associated with when the pattern will repeat, a modified signal is generated for the actuator to adjust the image-bearing member motion in coordination with the indication. |
| US09170529B2 |
Process cartridge
A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge including a photoconductor; a development cartridge configured to be detachably attached to the drum cartridge and including a developer carrying member for supplying developer to the photoconductor; a locking member provided on the drum cartridge and configured to be switchable between a locking position in which the development cartridge attached to the drum cartridge is in a locked state and restrained from being moved in a removing direction in which the development cartridge is removed from the drum cartridge and a lifting position in which the locked state is released and the development cartridge is movable in the removing direction, and a retaining member configured to retain the development cartridge which has been moved from the locked state in the removing direction by switching the locking member from the locking position to the lifting position. |
| US09170525B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A developing device usable with an image forming apparatus includes a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and a guiding member having an inclined surface contacting the developer carrying member. The inclined surface guides a developer to a contact portion where the inclined surface contacts the developer carrying member to cause the developer to be carried on the developer carrying member. A regulating member regulates an amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member. An inclination angle of the inclined surface is in a range not less than an angle of rest of the developer and less than 90 degrees. |
| US09170523B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus, method for performing the same and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning apparatus for optically scanning at least one scanning target surface, the optical scanning apparatus including: a light source; a light-flux dividing unit disposed on a main optical path of a main light flux emitted from the light source, and the light-flux dividing unit configured to spatially divide the main light flux; an optical deflector disposed on a divided optical path of the divided light flux, and the optical deflector configured to deflect the divided optical path; an optical path opening/closing switch unit disposed on the divided optical path between the light-flux dividing unit and the optical deflector, and the optical path opening/closing switch unit configured to interrupt or pass at least one of the divided optical path; and a controller configured to control operation of interrupting or passing the at least one of the divided optical path by the optical path opening/closing switch unit. |
| US09170507B2 |
Method of producing electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
Provided is a method of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a support and a surface layer formed on the support, the method including the steps of forming a coat of a surface-layer coating solution, and drying the coat to form the surface layer, in which the surface-layer coating solution includes resin α, resin β, solvent γ, and compound δ. |
| US09170506B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus
In an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a support, and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes specific resin (α), resin (β) and compound (γ). |
| US09170503B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting a substrate
A method and apparatus for inspection and review of defects is disclosed wherein data gathering is improved. In one embodiment, multiple or segmented detectors are used in a particle beam system. |
| US09170501B2 |
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits including generating photomasks for directed self-assembly
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes generating a photomask for forming a DSA directing pattern on a semiconductor substrate. The DSA directing pattern is configured to guide a self-assembly material deposited thereon that undergoes directed self-assembly (DSA) to form a DSA pattern. Generating the photomask includes using a computing system, inputting a DSA target pattern and an initial pattern. An output mask writer pattern is produced from the initial pattern using the computing system, the DSA target pattern, a DSA model, an OPC model, and a MPC model. The output mask writer pattern is for a mask writer to write on the photomask. |
| US09170499B2 |
Illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprising a depolarizing element
The disclosure relates to an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. The illumination system can include a depolarizer which in conjunction with a light mixing system disposed downstream in the light propagation direction at least partially causes effective depolarization of polarized light impinging on the depolarizer. The illumination system can also include a microlens array which is arranged upstream of the light mixing system in the light propagation direction. The microlens array can include a plurality of microlenses arranged with a periodicity. The depolarizer can be configured so that a contribution afforded by interaction of the depolarizer with the periodicity of the microlens array to a residual polarization distribution occurring in a pupil plane arranged downstream of the microlens array in the light propagation direction has a maximum degree of polarization of not more than 5%. |
| US09170498B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and a method for determining a polarization property of a projection system using an adjustable polarizer and interferometric sensor
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system, support constructed to support patterning device, a projection system, an interferometric sensor and a detector. The interferometric sensor is designed to measure one or more wavefronts of a radiation beam projected by the projection system from an adjustable polarizer. The interferometric sensor includes a diffractive element disposed at a level of a substrate in the lithographic apparatus and a detector spaced apart from the diffractive element, the diffractive element being arranged to provide shearing interferometry between at least two wavefronts mutually displaced in a direction of shear. The detector is designed to determine, from the wavefront measurements, information on polarization affecting properties of the projection system. |
| US09170496B2 |
Method of pre-treating a wafer surface before applying a solvent-containing material thereon
A method for pre-treating a wafer surface before applying a material thereon. The method includes positioning the wafer on a rotating apparatus. The wafer is rotated at a first rotational speed between about 50 revolutions per minute (rpm) and about 300 rpm and for a period of about 1 second to about 10 seconds while dispensing a cleaning solvent on the wafer surface. The wafer is rotated at a second rotational speed between about 500 rpm and about 1,500 rpm for a period of about 1 second to about 10 seconds. The wafer is then rotated at a third rotational speed between about 50 rpm and about 300 rpm for a period of about 1 second to about 5 seconds. With the wafer rotating at the third rotational speed, a solvent-containing material is thereafter deposited on the surface of the wafer. |
| US09170495B2 |
Phenol monomer, polymer for forming a resist underlayer film including same, and composition for a resist underlayer film including same
A phenolic monomer used in the lithographic process for semiconductor fabrication, a polymer for preparing a resist under-layer comprising the same, and a resist under-layer composition comprising the same, are disclosed. The phenolic monomer is represented by the formula 1 of the specification, in Formula 1, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently a hydrogen atom, or a straight-chain, branched, monocyclic or polycyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms with or without a hetero atom; A is a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms; X is an oxygen atom (O) or a sulfur atom (S); and Y is a single bond, a methylene group (—CH2-), an oxygen atom (O), a sulfur atom (S), an amino group (—NH—), or two isolated hydrogen atoms, wherein A, R1, R2, R3, and R4 can be substituted with a straight-chain, branched, monocyclic or polycyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms with or without a hetero atom; and either R1 and R2 or R3 and R4 are independently linked to each other to form a ring. |
| US09170491B2 |
Negative-type photoresist composition for thick film and use thereof
The present invention relates to a negative-type photoresist composition for thick film, comprising: (A) 20 to 50 wt % of an alkali-soluble resin which is polymerized from a plurality of kinds of monomers, wherein the monomers includes compounds represented by formulas (1A) and (1B), and based on the weight ratio of the monomers to the alkali-soluble resin, the sum of the formula (1A) compound and the formula (1B) compound are 20 to 60%, and X of the formula (1A) and (1B) may be independently H, methyl or ethyl. (B) 10 to 30 wt % of crosslinker which can be a bisphenol fluorene derivative monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond; (C) 5 to 15 wt % of photo initiator; and (D) residual solvent. The present invention also relates to use of the above-mentioned negative-type photoresist compound for thick film. |
| US09170490B2 |
Photosensitive composition and photoresist
A photosensitive composition and a photoresist are provided. The photoresist is formed by compounding a photosensitive composition. The photosensitive composition includes a binder agent, a first photomonomer, and a photo initiator. The first photomonomer has at least a lactic oligomer and at least two unsaturated acrylic functional groups, wherein the first photomonomer has an amount of about 25-95 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of a solid content of the binder agent. The photoinitiator has an amount of about 0.5-15 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the solid content of the binder agent. |
| US09170485B2 |
Nano imprinting with reusable polymer template with metallic or oxide coating
Methods and systems are provided for fabricating polymer-based imprint lithography templates having thin metallic or oxide coated patterning surfaces. Such templates show enhanced fluid spreading and filling (even in absence of purging gases), good release properties, and longevity of use. Methods and systems for fabricating oxide coated versions, in particular, can be performed under atmospheric pressure conditions, allowing for lower cost processing and enhanced throughput. |
| US09170479B1 |
Zoetrope light emitting device
A zoetrope device having a plurality of panels is disclosed. Each of the panels may be formed with one or more indicia representing various objects such as people and things. The panels may be mounted to a rotatable platform that traverses the panels over a light source. When the panel is traversed over the light source, the light source may illuminate the edge of the panel and the indicia formed on the panel. The indicia may be formed at different depths to provide the viewer with an image that appears to be three dimensional. Moreover, the light source may have one or more different light colors for illuminating the indicia therewith and/or alternately illuminating the indicia with different light colors. |
| US09170475B2 |
Light valve projector with laser-phosphor light converter
A method and system are presented directed to a light valve projector with a laser-phosphor light converter. The phosphor converter converts excitation light in order to provide light to a light valve projector. The phosphor converter reduces the étendue of laser-phosphor light sources using a light pipe integrator system. The light pipe integrator system includes a light pipe integrator configured to mix the excitation light and reduce the spot size of excitation light entering the system from, e.g., a laser array. The excitation light is imaged onto a phosphor as it exits the light pipe integrator. The phosphor emits fluorescent light, in response to being illuminated by the excitation light, that enters the light pipe integrator. The light pipe integrator reduces the emission angles of the fluorescent light while maintaining the étendue of the fluorescent light. The system and method may include a reflective polarizer to polarize the fluorescent light. |
| US09170473B1 |
Integrated self-photographing apparatus
An integrated self-photographing (“selfie”) apparatus includes an extendable pole and gripping apparatus for photography equipment; the gripping apparatus includes a support platform and a retractable clamping structure. The described gripping apparatus is connected with the upper end of a stretchable and retractable pole. The support platform has an open slot, the described gripping apparatus is equipped with a curved segment corresponding to the open slot, and the described stretchable and retractable pole can recede into the open slot with the curved segment after being folded. The clamping structure contains snapping sockets which correspond to the snapping posts on a mirror that can be attached. The present design eliminates the need for assembly when used. The extendable pole can be conveniently retracted and stored in the open slot on the support platform and the curved segment of the clamping structure, which allows easy transport. |
| US09170472B2 |
Portable photographing device
According to an aspect, a portable photographing device includes: an image capturing unit; a projecting unit for projecting an image; and a storing unit for storing an image captured by the image capturing unit. The projecting unit projects any of a first image captured by the image capturing unit, a second image related to the first image, and a third image obtained by synthesizing the first image with the second image as a projection image into a region which is different from an image capturing region of the photographing unit. The storing unit stores the first image in the projection of the projection image or the first image after the projection of the projection image. |
| US09170471B2 |
Optical system having integrated illumination and imaging optical systems, and 3D image acquisition apparatus including the optical system
An optical system including integrated illumination and imaging optical systems, and a 3-dimensional (3D) image acquisition apparatus including the optical system. In the optical system of the 3D image acquisition apparatus, the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system are integrated to have a coaxial optical path. Accordingly, there is no parallax between the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system, so that depth information about an object acquired using illumination light may reflect actual distances between the object and the 3D image acquisition apparatus. Consequently, the depth information about the object may be more precise. The zero parallax between the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system may improve utilization efficiency of the illumination light. As a result, a greater amount of light may be incident on the 3D image acquisition apparatus, which ensures to acquire further precise depth information about the object. |
| US09170469B1 |
System for controlling the chirp of an optical signal
An apparatus for altering a chirp of an input light comprising one or more grating structures and one or more electro-optical blocks. In which a voltage is applied to the one or more electro-optical blocks to alter a chirp of light exiting the apparatus. |
| US09170468B2 |
Color display device
The present invention provides a color display device in which each pixel can display four high quality color states. More specifically, an electrophoretic fluid is provided which comprises four types of particles, dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture. The fluid may further comprise substantially uncharged neutral buoyancy particles. |
| US09170466B2 |
Completely solid electrochromic device, electrochromic bilayer for said device, and method for producing said device
An all-solid electrochromic device with controlled infrared reflection or emission, in particular of electro-controllable type, comprising a stack successively comprising from a back face (3) as far as a front face (1) exposed to infrared radiation (2): a substrate (4) made of an electron-conducting material, or a substrate made of a non-electron-conducting material coated with a layer made of an electron-conducting material, forming a first electrode; a layer made of a first proton storage electrochromic material (5); a layer of a proton-conducting and electron-insulating electrolyte (6); a bilayer comprising a layer of a non-electrochromic, sub-stoichiometric tungsten oxide WO3-y forming a second electrode; said tungsten oxide WO3-y layer being arranged underneath a layer with variable infrared reflection of a second electrochromic material with variable proton intercalation rate, chosen from among crystallized tungsten oxide HxWO3-c and hydrated crystallized tungsten oxide HxWO3.nH20-c; a protective layer (10) transparent to infrared radiation.Bilayer for this device.Method for preparing this device. |
| US09170463B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device that uses a TFT, a contact hole is formed to connect an image signal line. An organic film is formed so as to cover the image signal line, and a common electrode, which is a transparent electrode, is formed on the organic film. An interlayer insulating film is formed on the common electrode. A through hole is formed in the interlayer insulating film, and the diameter of the through hole is greater than the diameter of the contact hole. |
| US09170461B2 |
LCD panel and method for forming the same
An LCD panel and method for forming the same are proposed. In the LCD panel, the TFT includes a source and a drain formed by a transparent conducting layer, and a gate formed by a metal layer. The source is electrically connected with a data line through a via hole over the data line. The source connects to the drain via an active layer. Whatever the number of data lines are, each pixel corresponds to an associated via hole, so the number of via holes does not increase, and not reduce the aperture ratio. Therefore, the present invention is proper to a design using more data lines and working in a high frequency. Moreover, the matrix circuitry of LCD is well applied in a display which not only increases a density of data lines to raise the frame rate, but also maintains the aperture ratio and brightness. |
| US09170457B2 |
Liquid crystal lens panel and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal lens panel includes a plurality of lens electrodes, an alignment layer, a sealant and a light blocking pattern. The lens electrodes are arranged in an active region. The alignment layer is disposed in an alignment region which overlaps an entire of the active region and extends further than the active region. The sealant is disposed in a seal line region which is outside the alignment region. The light blocking pattern is disposed in the light blocking region which is between the seal line region and the alignment region. |
| US09170456B2 |
Direct backlight module and liquid crystal display module using the backlight module
The present invention provides a direct backlight module and a liquid crystal display module using the backlight module. The backlight module includes a backplane, a diffusion platen arranged inside the backplane, and backlight sources mounted to the backplane and located under the diffusion plate. The backplane includes a bottom board and side boards connected to the bottom board. The bottom board forms receiving openings. The backlight sources are mounted to a side of the bottom board that is distant from the diffusion plate to correspond to the receiving openings. With the backplane having a bottom board that includes a circumferential frame and braces collectively defining receiving openings and backlight sources being mounted to a side of the bottom board that is distant from a diffusion plate to correspond to the receiving openings, it only need to remove the backlight sources in maintaining or replacing the backlight sources. |
| US09170448B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a transparent substrate, a transparent matrix layer, a black matrix layer and a conductive layer. The transparent matrix layer is disposed above the transparent substrate. The black matrix layer is disposed below the transparent substrate. The conductive layer is disposed between the transparent substrate and the black matrix layer. |
| US09170444B2 |
Liquid crystal display assembly
A liquid crystal display assembly includes a housing, a reinforcing frame, at least one magnetic member, and a display. The reinforcing frame is mounted on the housing. the reinforcing frame includes a latching hole and an elastic sheet adjacent to the latching hole. A magnet block is mounted on the elastic sheet. At least one magnetic member is positioned on the reinforcing frame. The display includes a magnetic attracting frame, and the magnetic attracting frame includes a latching post extending through the latching hole, and latched with the elastic sheet. The magnetic attracting frame is magnetically attracted with the at least one magnetic member for attaching the display on the reinforcing frame. |
| US09170441B2 |
Apparatus for fabricating flat panel display, and apparatus and method for detecting quantity of static electricity thereof
A fabricating apparatus of a flat panel display device includes lift pins for lifting a substrate, a susceptor through which the lift pins pass, and a static electricity quantity detector for detecting a quantity of static electricity on the substrate by sensing when the susceptor separates from the substrate by sensing a traveled distance of the susceptor when the susceptor is separated from the substrate. |
| US09170435B2 |
Method of forming a grid defining a first relative reference frame
A method of projecting into space, from a first object, a plurality of modulated lines to form a grid defining a first relative reference frame, the method includes projecting polarized light having a first orientation to form a horizontal grid line projecting from the first object and projecting polarized light having a second orientation different than the first orientation to from a vertical grid line projecting from the first object and modulating the horizontal grid line and the vertical grid line to carry first and second grid words, respectively. |
| US09170434B2 |
Translating presbyopic contact lens
Lenses for correcting presbyopia are translating, multifocal contact lenses with pseudotruncations which are asymmetric about the vertical meridian. |
| US09170433B2 |
Method for designing and manufacturing a monofocal ophthalmic lens and corresponding lens
A method for designing and manufacturing a monofocal ophthalmic lens and corresponding lens. A surface of the monofocal ophthalmic lens is defined by: f(x,y)=a1+a2√{square root over (1−a3x2−a4y2)}+a5exp{a6x4+a7y4+a8x2y2} wherein x and y are perpendicular optical axes of the lens in a plane, wherein a1-a8 are coefficients, and wherein a5 is other than 0 and at least one of a6, a7 and a8 is other than 0, including a hyperbolic component and an exponential component. The coefficients can be calculated by an iterative calculation and the merit function as follows: fm = [ ∑ i α i m i 2 ( β ) ] 1 / 2 where mi is a value of an optical property at a specific viewing angle β with respect to an optical axis of the lens, and αi is a weighting value. |
| US09170432B2 |
Low distortion eyewear lens with low optical power
A lens for non-prescription eyewear includes: a first surface having a first surface shape; and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having a second surface shape, wherein the first surface includes a point of maximum curvature and the shape of the first surface measured along a line on the first surface decreases by at least 1.5 diopters at a distance 15 mm in every direction from the point of maximum curvature. |
| US09170428B1 |
Sunlight dimmer system
An optical filter assembly includes two similarly configured linear polarized filters. Each linear polarized filter is in a circular configuration, has parallel grating lines, and an exterior periphery. The optical filter assembly has two similarly configured U-shaped cross sectional annular supports. Each annular support is in a U-shaped cross sectional configuration. Each annular support receives and frictionally supports an associated one of the linear polarized filters. The optical filter assembly has an annular retention ring in a U-shaped cross sectional configuration. The annular retention ring receives and slidably supports the two annular supports. The two annular supports are disposed in sliding contact and movement with respect to each other. In this manner the linear polarized filters are individually rotated and the passage of sunlight there through may be varied. |
| US09170422B2 |
Image display apparatus and head-mounted display
An image display apparatus including a plurality of light source sections, a light combining section that combines light fluxes,an optical element that inclines an optical axis, and an optical scan section that deflects light for scanning, wherein an optical axis of the light flux from each of the plurality of light source sections to the optical scan section is present in a first plane, the optical scan section has a light reflection surface that is perpendicular to the first plane and swings around a first axis present in the first plane and a second axis parallel to the direction of a normal to the first plane, and an angle of radiation of the light flux in the direction of the normal to the first plane is greater than that of the light flux in an in-plane direction in the first plane. |
| US09170418B2 |
Variable wavelength interference filter, optical module, optical analysis device, and method for manufacturing variable wavelength interference filter
A variable wavelength interference filter includes a first substrate having a fixed mirror, a second substrate bonded to the first substrate and having a movable portion and a movable mirror fixed to the movable portion, a third substrate bonded to the second substrate on the side opposite to the first substrate, and an electrostatic actuator which displaces the movable portion in a substrate thickness direction, wherein a penetration hole connecting a light exiting-side space between the first substrate and the second substrate and a light incident-side space between the second substrate and the third substrate to a space outside the filter is formed, and the penetration hole is sealed with a sealant which tightly closes each space in a reduced-pressure state. |
| US09170417B2 |
Security device
A security device for authenticating bank notes, documents and other items, comprises a luminescent material for producing luminescent radiation of first and second wavelengths. The security device includes an optically variable structure for controlling emission of luminescent radiation of at least one of the first and second wavelengths from the security device, the security device being arranged to permit, from an area of the optically variable structure, emission of luminescence of the first and second wavelengths from the security device. The optically variable structure causes the relative emissivity of the security device for luminescent radiation of the first and second wavelengths to change with a change in emission angle, so that the security device produces an angle-dependent color shift in the emitted luminescent radiation. The optically variable structure may comprise an optical interference stack that controls transmission of luminescent radiation therethrough in response to the wavelength of luminescent radiation. |
| US09170411B2 |
Scanning optical microscope
A scanning optical microscope includes a light source; a first beam splitter that splits light into irradiation light and reference light; a first objective lens that converges the irradiation light on a sample and receives signal light; a second beam splitter that splits the signal light off from an optical path; a pin hole positioned on an optical path of the split signal light at a position optically conjugate with an image-forming point of the first objective lens; a condenser lens that converges the split signal light on the pin hole; a phase plate that outputs first light including at least four firstly-split beams having different phases; a third beam splitter that multiplexes the first light and second light to generate interfering light including at least four secondly-split beams having different phases; and a light detecting element that receives the interfering light and outputs at least four electric signals. |
| US09170408B2 |
Zoom lens having four lens groups and imaging device using same
A zoom lens has, in order from the object side, a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group. During magnification change from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the first and the third lens groups are fixed in the optical axis direction, the second lens group is moved toward the image side, and the fourth lens group is moved along the optical axis. The first lens group has, in order from the object side, a cemented lens formed by a negative lens and a positive lens, and two positive lenses. The third lens group has, in order from the object side, a fixed front group, and a positive rear group being able to be shifted in directions intersecting with the optical axis to shift the image formed on the reduced side. |
| US09170407B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side thereof, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power. A distance between adjacent ones of the lens units changes during zooming. The first lens unit consists of, in order from the object side to the image side thereof, one negative lens element and one positive lens element. Lengths of travel M1 and M2 of the first lens unit and the second lens unit, respectively, during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, focal lengths f1 and f2 of the first lens unit and the second lens unit, respectively, and a zoom ratio Z of the zoom lens are set appropriately. |
| US09170405B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging-lens substantially consists of a first-lens-group, a stop and a second-lens-group in this order from object-side. The first-lens-group substantially consists of three or less lenses including a negative-lens having meniscus-shape with convex-surface facing object-side and a positive-lens cemented on the negative-lens in this order from object-side. The second-lens-group substantially consists of a 21st-lens-group substantially consisting of a 21-1st-lens and a 21-2nd-lens and a 22nd-lens-group substantially consisting of a positive-lens. The 21-1st-lens is a positive-lens, an image-side-lens-surface of which has convex-shape facing image-side, and the absolute-value of a curvature-radius of the image-side-lens-surface of which is less than the absolute-value of a curvature-radius of an object-side-lens-surface thereof. The 21-2nd-lens is a negative-lens, an object-side-lens-surface of which has concave-shape facing object-side, and the absolute-value of a curvature-radius of the object-side-lens-surface of which is less than the absolute-value of a curvature-radius of an image-side-lens-surface thereof. A conditional-formula about optical-total-length and maximum-image-height is satisfied. |
| US09170399B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens substantially consists of a first-lens-group, a stop and a second-lens-group in this order from object-side. The first-lens-group has a 1-1st-lens having negative-refractive-power and a meniscus-shape with its convex-surface facing object-side and a 1-2nd-lens having positive-refractive-power, and an object-side-lens-surface of which has a convex-shape facing object-side. The second-lens-group has a 2-1st-lens having positive-refractive-power and a meniscus-shape with its convex-surface facing image-side, a 2-2nd-lens having negative-refractive-power, and an object-side-lens-surface of which has a concave-shape facing object-side, and the absolute-value of a curvature-radius of the object-side-lens-surface is less than the absolute-value of a curvature-radius of an image-side-lens-surface thereof, and a 2-3rd-lens having positive-refractive-power, and an object-side-lens-surface of which has a convex-shape facing object-side, in this order from object-side. |
| US09170396B2 |
Imaging lens barrel
An appropriate operation angle (actuation angle) corresponding to a use is obtained by a relatively simple structure.A focus ring 20 is mounted around a focus cam 10. When the focus ring 20 is moved to a front end side, a gear formed in the focus ring 20 meshes with a gear 17 of the focus cam 10 and the rotation of the focus ring 20 is directly transmitted to the focus cam 10. When the focus ring 20 is moved to a rear end side, the gear formed in the focus ring 20 meshes with pinions 15 mounted on the focus cam 10 and the rotation of the focus ring 20 is directly transmitted to the focus cam 10 through the pinions 15. A half of the rotation angle of the focus ring 20 is the same as the rotation angle of the focus cam 10. |
| US09170395B2 |
Lens apparatus, optical apparatus and camera
The lens apparatus allows adjustment of lens tilt due to component variation caused by tolerance. The lens barrel includes a straight guiding barrel having a straight groove portion, a cam barrel having a cam groove portion, a straight movable barrel disposed outside the straight guiding and cam barrels, holding a lens and being movable in an optical axis direction by a relative movement of the straight guiding and cam barrels. A cam follower includes first and second cylindrical portions that respectively engage with the straight groove and cam groove portions. The first and second cylindrical portions have central axes decentered from each other. The cam follower includes an operation portion allowing rotational operation of the first and second cylindrical portions from outside of the straight movable barrel. A connecting member connects the cam follower and the straight movable barrel with each other. |
| US09170394B2 |
Lens driving apparatus and lens driving method
A lens driving apparatus and a lens driving method are capable of quickly and precisely setting the position of a lens to a predetermined position, if the resolving power of the amount of lens moving according to drive pulses is not even in the lens driving apparatus. A count pulse signal detection unit detects a count pulse signal CP in accordance with a rotation of a manual focus (MF) ring. A lens driving control unit outputs a drive pulse MP for moving a focus lens in correspondence with the detected count pulse signal CP to a lens driving unit. The lens driving control unit performs a control so that: the number of the drive pulses MP for a count period T differs between a time period within an initial count detection time period for the detected count pulse signal CP and a time period after the initial count signal detection time period; and the number of pulses for the former period is minimum and the number of pulses for the latter period is larger than the minimum number. |
| US09170393B2 |
Voice coil motor
A VCM is disclosed, the VCM including a rotor having a first driving unit and arranged therein with a lens, a stator having a second driving unit wrapping the first driving unit and being opposite to the first driving unit, a base supporting the stator and having an opening formed at a position corresponding to that of the lens, a connection terminal including a pair of first and second connection terminals arranged at an upper surface of the base, and an elastic member including a first elastic member coupled to the rotor and electrically connected the first connection terminal and a second elastic member coupled to the rotor and electrically connected the second connection terminal. |
| US09170380B2 |
Ferrule of multilayer waveguide connector
A ferrule for a multilayer waveguide connector includes a face having mechanical alignment slots arranged in a bidirectional lattice structure, the mechanical alignment slots including first slots disposed in a first direction, the first slots configured to respectively receive one end of waveguide layers, and second slots disposed in a second direction different from the first direction, the second slots configured to respectively receive protrusions transverse from a main surface of the waveguide layers. |
| US09170378B2 |
Fiber optic rotary joints, methods practiced thereby, and fiber optic devices
This invention provides a fiber optic rotary joint (20) for enabling the transmission of digital optical signals across the interface between facing surfaces (26, 29) of a rotor and a stator (21, 22), comprising: a plurality of light sources (42A, 42B, 42C, . . . ) mounted on one of the rotor and stator, each light source including a first light source (43C) arranged to selectively generate a first optical signal at a first wave length and a second light source (43C) arranged to selectively generate a second optical signal at a second wavelength; a first plurality of light emitters (25) spaced along a first arc distance of the surface of the one of the rotor and stator for transmitting optical signals received from the light sources toward the facing surface of the other of the rotor and stator; a first plurality of first optical fibers severally communicating respective ones of the light sources with respective ones of the light emitters for conveying optical signals from each respective light source to the associated emitter; a second plurality of light receptors (31) spaced along a second arc distance on the surface of the other of the rotor and stator; and at least one light detector (36, 40) mounted on the other of the rotor and stator; and a second plurality of second optical fibers severally communicating respective ones of the light receptors with the light detector(s). |
| US09170377B2 |
Optical interconnect
An optical interconnect (200) includes: a reflective body (230) having a first reflective surface (235) and a second reflective surface (240) opposite the first reflective surface (235); a first optical waveguide (205) that directs a first optical signal received from a first communicating device (105) to the first reflective surface (235); a second optical waveguide (210) that directs the first optical signal from the first reflective surface (235) of the reflective body (230) to a second communicating device (110); a third optical waveguide (215) that directs a second optical signal received from the second communicating device (110) to the second reflective surface (240) of the reflective body (230); and a fourth optical waveguide (220) that directs the second optical signal from the second reflective surface (240) of the reflective body (230) to the first communicating device (105). |
| US09170376B2 |
Optical port having a cover with a molded-in lens
Disclosed are optical ports and devices having a cover with at least one molded-in lens and a mounting body having a recess for mounting the cover to the mounting body along with a mounting surface for securing an optical port. The molded-in optical lenses of the cover may be aligned with one or more active components for receiving or transmitting the optical signal. The active components may be mounted on a circuit board that may include an electrical tether. In one embodiment, the optical port includes a pocket having an alignment feature such as a piston that is translatable during mating. |
| US09170374B2 |
Broadband, group index independent, and ultra-low loss coupling into slow light slotted photonic crystal waveguides
The present invention provides a waveguide coupler configured to optically couple a strip waveguide to a first slot photonic crystal waveguide, wherein the slot photonic crystal waveguide has a lattice constant, an air hole diameter, a slot width and a first line defect waveguide width. The waveguide coupler includes a group reflective index taper having a second slot photonic crystal waveguide disposed between and aligned with the first slot photonic crystal waveguide and the strip waveguide. The second slot photonic crystal waveguide has a length, the lattice constant, the air hole diameter, the slot width, and a second line defect waveguide width that is substantially equal to the first line defect waveguide width adjacent to the first slot photonic crystal waveguide and decreases along the length of the second photonic crystal waveguide. |
| US09170372B2 |
Ferrule transfer method and ferrule holder
A method of making a fusion-spliced optical fiber includes holding a ferrule in one end of a holding element, said holding element having a stem extending from the other end thereof, said ferrule disposed around an optical fiber segment, said optical fiber segment having an exposed end that extends from said ferrule; receiving said holding element in a ferrule holding element of a fusion-splicing device; fusion-splicing said exposed end of said optical fiber segment to an end of another optical fiber to form a spliced portion; and transferring said spliced portion by supporting at least said stem. |
| US09170368B2 |
Single-mode propagation in microstructured optical fibers
The invention relates to an optical fiber as an optical waveguide for the single-mode operation. The present invention proposes a fiber having a microstructure, by which the propagation of modes of a higher order are selectively suppressed in the optical waveguide. At the same time, the propagation of transversal modes of a higher order is dampened more strongly than the propagation of the fundamental modes of the optical waveguide. |
| US09170367B2 |
Waveguides having patterned, flattened modes
Field-flattening strands may be added to and arbitrarily positioned within a field-flattening shell to create a waveguide that supports a patterned, flattened mode. Patterning does not alter the effective index or flattened nature of the mode, but does alter the characteristics of other modes. Compared to a telecom fiber, a hexagonal pattern of strands allows for a three-fold increase in the flattened mode's area without reducing the separation between its effective index and that of its bend-coupled mode. Hexagonal strand and shell elements prove to be a reasonable approximation, and, thus, to be of practical benefit vis-à-vis fabrication, to those of circular cross section. Patterned flattened modes offer a new and valuable path to power scaling. |
| US09170364B2 |
Lighting assembly with a light guide having light-redirecting edge features
A lighting assembly includes a light source to emit on-axis light rays at smaller angles relative to an optical axis of the light source, and off-axis light rays at larger angles relative to the optical axis and spectrally different from the on-axis light rays. The lighting assembly additionally includes a light guide having a light input edge adjacent the light source and opposed major surfaces between which light from the light source propagates by total internal reflection. The light input edge has an edge feature aligned with the light source to receive light therefrom. The edge feature specularly redirects the on-axis light rays and the off-axis light rays differently to increase overlap between the on-axis light rays and the off-axis light rays within the light guide. The increased overlap reduces spatial color variation of light extracted from the light guide between locations at different angles from the optical axis. |
| US09170363B2 |
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 |
| US09170360B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a side light type backlight for white color display by single color LEDs, an LED set is placed in a concave portion of a light guide plate, in which a first color LED is located in the center and a second or third color LED is located on the side of the first color LED. An incident slit with an arc shaped convex portion is formed facing the first color LED, and a saw tooth slit with a right-angled triangular concave portion is formed facing the second or third color LED. This allows directing the distribution axes of the lights from the second and third color LEDs to the center side, and adjusting orientation angles to allow effective mixing of the three color lights, in order to increase the white color area and effective display area. |
| US09170354B2 |
Retroreflective sheet and fabrication method thereof
A retroreflective sheet and a fabrication method thereof are provided, the retroreflective sheet including a base, a bonding layer formed on the base, a colored layer formed to be thicker in a non-reflective region NRA2 than in a reflective region RA2 to have a concavo-convex surface on the bonding layer, and having a fluorescent function or a phosphorescent function or having the both fluorescent and phosphorescent functions, a reflective layer formed in the concave portion of the reflective region RA2 on the surface of the colored layer, and a light concentrating layer having a plurality of beads aligned therein on the reflective layer. Thus, since a step is not generated between the reflective region and the non-reflective region, the light reflective member can be prevented from being delaminated from the body when used, and also, the light reflective member can be simply formed in the reflective region of the colored layer. |
| US09170353B2 |
Light emitting mirror structure
A light emitting mirror structure includes a casing caved in to form an accommodating space having a light guiding area and a mirror area, and at least one surface of the casing as a sidewall communicating with the accommodating space. The mirror structure includes a light guiding device having a light guide plate, and a light emitting member disposed on a side of the light guide plate, and the light guiding device is placed at the light guiding area of the accommodating space of the casing. A mirror body having a substrate and a mirror surface located on the substrate is provided for the disclosed mirror structure also. The mirror body is integrated on the mirror area of the accommodating space, the light guiding plate causes a light to be emitted through the sidewall at a first side of the mirror body, and the mirror surface is uncovered by the sidewall. |
| US09170351B2 |
Optical element, light source apparatus, and projection-type display apparatus
An optical element that can reduce the etendue of emitted light emitted from the optical element without having depend on the etendue of light-emitting elements is provided with a plasmon-excitation layer that is interposed between two layers having dielectric properties wherein, taking the plasmon-excitation layer as a border, the effective dielectric constant of the emission-side portion that is the emission layer side is higher than the effective dielectric constant of the incident-side portion that is the side of a carrier-generating layer, and the dielectric constant between the plasmon-excitation layer and the carrier-generating layer is higher than the dielectric constant between the carrier-generating layer and the light-incident surface. |
| US09170349B2 |
Medical devices having homogeneous charge density and methods for making same
The present invention relates to ionic silicone hydrogel polymers displaying improved lysozyme uptake, low contact angle and reduced water soluble polymeric ammonium salt uptake. |
| US09170347B2 |
Safety sensor and method for detecting abnormality in safety sensor
Disclosed is a safety sensor provided with a plurality of input signal lines for inputting signals for setting. Specifically disclosed is a safety sensor wherein at least one input signal line is provided with a high-level detection circuit and a low-level detection circuit. In an initialization process wherein setting of an operation mode is permitted, a CPU registers in a memory the on-off states of detection signals from the respective detection circuits on condition that the on-off states of detection signals are mutually opposite, and the CPU identifies the connection state of the input signal line on the basis of the on-off states and sets an operation mode corresponding to the connection state. After setting the operation mode is completed, the CPU monitors the detection signals from the respective detection circuits and determines, when at least either of the detection signals comes into a state different from the states registered in the memory, as occurrence of abnormality in the connection state of the input signal line. |
| US09170337B2 |
Colorimetric radiation dosimetry based on functional polymer and nanoparticle hybrid
A method for colorimetric radiation dosimetry includes subjecting an aggregate including a polymeric matrix having uniformly dispersed nanoparticles therein to radiation. The aggregate is soaked in a solution selected to dissolve decomposed pieces of the polymeric matrix to release into the solution nanoparticles from the decomposed pieces. Color of the solution is compared to a reference to determine a dose of radiation based on number of liberated nanoparticles. |
| US09170336B2 |
All band GNSS receiver
One embodiment of the present invention provides a signal-recording system. During operation, the system receives a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals, separates the RF signals to obtain a first group of RF signals in a first RF band and a second group of RF signals in a second RF band, and simultaneously down-converts the first group of RF signals to a first group of low intermediate-frequency (low-IF) signals in a first IF band and the second group of RF signals to a second group of low-IF signals in a second IF band. The system further converts the first group of low-IF signals and the second group of low-IF signals to the digital domain, and simultaneously processes all of the converted low-IF signals. |
| US09170334B2 |
Localising transportable apparatus
A method of localizing transportable apparatus (100) within an environment including receiving (402) data obtained from a ranging sensor device (102) of the transportable apparatus configured to collect information relating to at least a surface (120) over which the transportable apparatus is moving in an environment, and using (404) the ranging sensor device data to generate a new 3D point cloud (110) of the environment. The method further obtains (406) data representing an existing 3D point cloud (114) of at least part of the environment, and seeks to match (408) the new 3D point cloud with, or within, the existing 3D point cloud in order to localize the transportable apparatus with respect to the existing point cloud. |
| US09170331B2 |
Object modeling
Technologies are generally described for a system and method effective to generate a model of a first object. In some examples, the method includes receiving location data relating to a location of a second object and orientation data relating to an orientation and rotational movement of the second object. In some examples, the method includes calculating line of sight data relating to a line of sight of a laser rangefinder in the second object. In some examples, the method includes receiving distance data relating to a distance between the second object and at least one point on the first object. In some examples, the method includes calculating an image data point relating to the first object, the image data point may be based on the location data, the line of sight data, and the distance data. In some examples, the model may be based on the image data point. |
| US09170327B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing obstacle information in autonomous mobile vehicle
An apparatus for providing obstacle information in an autonomous mobile vehicle and a method thereof, in which a target object is determined to be what obstacle by combining pieces of information received from a laser distance sensor and radars, thereby enabling the autonomous driving of a vehicle. The apparatus and method for providing obstacle information in an autonomous mobile vehicle, which is capable of providing robust obstacle information not only in environments normal times, but also dust environments by combining a laser distance sensor and radars. A problem that an obstacle through which a mobile unit can pass, such as dust, is mistaken for an obstacle through which the mobile unit cannot pass can be solved. |
| US09170326B2 |
System and method for doppler radar monitoring of restricted areas below bucket trucks, lineworkers on power distribution poles or other elevated loads
A method and system (10) are provided for monitoring a restricted area (12) below a temporarily elevated worker (14) working on an elevated power transmission line (16). The method and system (10) utilize a Doppler radar module (40) that is temporarily elevated to a location (32) adjacent the worker (14) and that is configured to detect the presence of personnel (34) who enter the restricted area (12). The system (10) is configured to automatically alert personnel (34) at the worksite (17) who enter the restricted area (12) in response to detection of the personnel (34) by the Doppler radar module (40). |
| US09170313B2 |
Coronary magnetic resonance angiography with signal separation for water and fat
The invention relates to a method of performing coronary magnetic resonance angiography with signal separation for water and fat, the method comprising: acquiring coronary magnetic resonance angiography datasets using multi-echo Dixon acquisition, processing (314; 316; 318) the datasets for reconstruction of a first (320) and second (322) image data set, the first and second image data set comprising separate water and fat image data, wherein the processing of the datasets comprises a Dixon reconstruction technique. |
| US09170304B2 |
Method for estimating a quantity of a state of a battery
There is provided a battery state detecting method that detects states by evaluating depletion caused by reaction processes whose speeds are different. Voltage Vmes, current Imes and temperature Tmes of a battery are measured and inputted in Step S1 and it is judged whether or not an absolute value of the measured current Imes is smaller than a current threshold value Ithre in Step S2. OCV20 hr is estimated from SOCn-1 and SOHn-1 after the previous discharge/charge based on a stable OCV estimating equation in Step S4 and a difference between the voltage measured value Vmes and the OCV20 hr is calculated and stored in Step S5. A relaxation function Fn(t) is updated corresponding to time t in processes in Steps S6 through S19. SOHn is calculated by using the updated Fn (t) in Step S17 and SOCn is calculated in Step S19. |
| US09170301B1 |
Hierarchical compaction for test pattern power generation
A method and apparatus for hierarchical compaction of test patterns to be applied to an integrated circuit during test is disclosed. The embodiments apply a hierarchical strategy for categorizing test patterns for compaction. A test pattern is considered against a series of criteria for a compacted test pattern. Where all the criteria are met the test pattern is merged into a compacted test pattern. If the criteria are not all met the test patterns are considered against each of the compacted test patterns in turn. This is repeated for each test pattern to create a set of compacted test patterns conforming to the requirements of the criteria. This method and apparatus provides for fine grained control of low power constraints when testing integrated circuits, and includes benefits such as preventing damage during test from burnout and hot spots, and avoiding failures due to IR drop. |
| US09170298B2 |
System, method and computer-accessible medium for design for testability support for launch and capture of power reduction in launch-off-capture testing
Exemplary system, method and computer accessible medium that can transform a circuit by selecting at least one scan cell as an interface register and inserting a shadow register into each interface register. Operations can be shifted to load and unload at least one scan cell in the circuit. An operation can be launched in at least one of the interface registers and in a first set of scan cells. A capture operation can be performed in a second set of scan cells. An operation can be restored in at least one interface register by transferring data from at least one shadow register. |
| US09170294B2 |
Testing apparatus for an electrical outlet
A testing apparatus compatible with an electrical outlet is presented here. The outlet has a line socket designated for a line voltage conductor, a neutral socket designated for a neutral voltage conductor, and a ground socket designated for a ground voltage conductor. The testing apparatus includes a housing, a plug interface having an electrically conductive ground prong configured to mate with the ground socket, a first indicator lamp having a first terminal electrically coupled to the ground prong, and an electrically conductive lead extending from the housing. The conductive lead has a proximal end electrically coupled to the second terminal of the indicator lamp, and a distal end terminated with an electrically conductive connector. The indicator lamp is activated in response to a voltage differential between the ground prong and the electrically conductive connector. |
| US09170289B2 |
Method and apparatus for antenna parameter notification
A method and apparatus for antenna parameter notification is provided. At a device comprising at least one processor, an antenna, and a display, a parameter associated with performance of the antenna is determined at the processor. When the parameter meets a given criteria then the processor changes a brightness of the display. |
| US09170288B2 |
Dielectric elastomer self-sensing using plane approximation
The present invention provides a method for obtaining feedback parameters related to the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE). The method comprises introducing a small-scale oscillation to the voltage difference between electrodes of the DE, monitoring or repeatedly measuring several measurable electrical characteristics of the DE, deriving other relevant data from the measurements, deriving an equation for a plane of best fit through the relevant data when defined as orthogonal axes, and deriving the feedback parameters from coefficients of the plane equation. The method thus provides important feedback regarding the capacitance, leakage current and/or electrode resistance of the DE. Also disclosed are a computer program and a system adapted to perform the method. |
| US09170287B2 |
3D-IC differential sensing and charge sharing scheme
The present invention discloses a 3D-IC differential sensing and charge sharing scheme which includes a plurality of TSVs including a first TSV and a second TSV. A tracking circuit is coupled to the first TSV. A sensing circuit is coupled to the second TSV and the tracking circuit. A plurality of equaling circuits are provided and wherein each of equaling circuit is configured and electrically connected between adjacent two equaling circuits. A clamping circuit is coupled to the first TSV. |
| US09170286B2 |
Real-time spectrum analyzer including frequency mask gate and method of operating the same
A real-time spectrum analyzer for measuring time domain data sampled from an input signal includes a processing unit and a density histogram memory unit. The processing unit includes an FFT engine, a frequency mask detector and a frequency mask gate. The FFT engine performs FFTs on the sampled time domain data to provide FFT spectra, each FFT spectrum including multiple FFT points. The frequency mask detector determines whether each FFT point in each spectrum meets a trigger condition, and generates gate control signals corresponding to the FFT spectra based on the determinations. The frequency mask gate receives the FFT spectra and the gate control signals, and outputs only select FFT spectra that contain at least one FFT point that meets the trigger condition in response to the corresponding gate control signal. The density histogram memory unit stores the select FFT spectra for generating in a density histogram. |
| US09170282B2 |
Controlling voltage generation and voltage comparison
An integrated circuit has voltage generating circuitry for generating an on-chip voltage from a supply voltage in response to clock pulses. Clock control circuitry controls transmission of the clock pulses to the voltage generating circuitry. The clock control circuitry receives a reference voltage and a digital offset value comprising a binary numeric value identifying an offset. The clock control circuitry suppresses transmission of the clock pulses if the on-chip voltage is greater than the sum of the reference voltage and the offset identified by the digital offset value, to reduce power consumption. The offset can be tuned digitally to vary the average level of the on-chip voltage. A similar digital tuning mechanism may be used in a clocked comparator to compare a first voltage with a digitally tunable threshold voltage. |
| US09170277B2 |
Electrical connection module with interruptible circuit
An electrical connecting module includes a first electrical connection terminal with a first connection pole and a second connection pole; a module element with a second electrical connection terminal, which comprises a first connection pole and a second connection pole, and with a third electrical connection terminal, which comprises a first connection pole and a second connection pole. A test channel is provided for accommodating a test probe. wherein the test channel is intended for making electrical contact with the second connection pole of the first connection terminal by means of the test probe when there is an electrical connection between the first connection pole of the first connection terminal and the first connection pole of the third connection terminal and when the electrical connection between the second connection pole of the first connection terminal and the second connection pole of the third connection terminal is disconnected. |
| US09170274B2 |
Wiring board for electronic parts inspecting device and its manufacturing method
A wiring board for an electronic parts inspecting device that can be designed and produced relatively quickly, inexpensively, and with few jigs is provided. In certain embodiments the wiring board includes a base board made of an insulating material having a front surface and a back surface, the base board including a plurality of first via conductors as well as first terminals on the front surface and outer terminals on the back surface that are connected to the ends of the first via conductors, and a mounting board on the front surface of the base board having a front side that includes, a plurality of probe pads, a plurality of second terminals that are electrically connected to the first terminals of the base board, and front surface wirings that connect the probe pads to the second terminals. Lastly, a method of manufacturing the same is provided. |
| US09170273B2 |
High frequency capacitance-voltage nanoprobing characterization
A method of generating a capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristic for a discrete device formed within a semiconductor structure may include exposing first and second contact regions associated with the discrete device, coupling a high-frequency impedance probe having a frequency range of about 5 Mhz to about 110 Mhz to an impedance analyzer, and coupling the high-frequency impedance probe to a first and a second atomic force probe tip. Using an atomic force microscope, the first atomic force probe tip is coupled to the exposed first contact region and the second atomic force probe tip is coupled to the exposed second contact region. The C-V characteristic for the discrete device is then measured on the impedance analyzer, whereby the impedance analyzer applies an operating frequency corresponding to the frequency range of about 5 Mhz to about 110 Mhz to the first and second contact regions of the discrete device using the high-frequency impedance probe. |
| US09170270B2 |
Inertial sensor and method for measuring acceleration using the same
Disclosed herein is an inertial sensor, including: a membrane; a mass body disposed under the membrane; a sensing unit formed on the membrane and including a piezoelectric body; and a spring constant control unit formed to be spaced apart from the sensing unit and including a piezoelectric body. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the DC acceleration (in particular, gravity acceleration) can be measured by using the change in the spring constant without changing the structure of the inertial sensor including the piezoelectric material of the prior art. |
| US09170268B2 |
System and method for counting the changes in direction of a person
A system for counting a basic displacement of a person includes a housing (BT) and a fixing device (EF) for securely mounting the housing (BT) on the person. Within the housing are a magnetometer for measuring the direction of the terrestrial magnetic field in the reference frame of the housing, a device for determining a quantity representative of the inclination of the measured magnetic field with respect to the vertical, and a device for detecting a change of orientation of an orthogonal projection of the direction of the terrestrial magnetic field in a horizontal planar reference frame having axes of constant directions and tied in translation to the person, on the basis of the measured direction of the magnetic field and of the quantity representative of the inclination of the magnetic field with respect to the vertical. |
| US09170266B2 |
Fluorescent probe
A compound represented by the formula (I) (one of substituents represented by R1 is a trapping group for an object substance for measurement; R2 and R3 represent hydrogen, alkyl, or halogen; R4 and R5 represent alkyl or aryl; R6 and R7 represent hydrogen, alkyl, or halogen; R8 represents hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl, or alkylcarbonyloxymethyl, and X represents silicon, germanium, or tin, which can be used as a fluorescent probe that enables red color bioimaging using intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer. |
| US09170257B2 |
Method and system for measuring the pharmacokinetics of liposomal curcumin and its metabolite tetrahydrocurcumin
The present invention includes a stabilized curcumin composition. The composition includes a curcumin composition and a phosphate composition, wherein the phosphate composition is non-buffering and is provided in an amount sufficient to stabilize and/or prevent the degradation of curcumin and/or a curcuminoid in a biological sample. |
| US09170256B2 |
Device and method for erythrocyte morphology analysis
The disclosure provides a device and a method for performing morphological analysis for erythrocytes, wherein the method for performing morphological analysis for erythrocytes comprises: collecting a morphological image of each of cells in a sample through a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) after amplifying the sample through an automatic microscope; segmenting and positioning the image and extracting target feature parameters after digitizing the image through an image-digital converter; isolating morphological feature parameters of each of the erythrocytes through a classifier established on the basis of the neural network, and normalizing each type of the morphological feature parameters of the erythrocytes through a feature fusion device established on the basis of fuzzy clustering; performing a statistical analysis on each type of normalized parameters obtained or performing a comprehensive statistical analysis according to a plurality of types of parameters, and expressing the result of the statistical analysis or the comprehensive statistical analysis in the form of graph or numerical table, thereby judging whether the morphology of the erythrocyte is normal. The source and property of the erythrocytes can be identified according to the detection for each type of the erythrocytes with the abnormal morphology. |
| US09170249B2 |
N-acetylhexosamine-containing N-glycans in glycoprotein products
The present invention provides methods of evaluating a glycoprotein preparation for the absence, presence or amount of an N-acetylhexosamine glycan, e.g., an N-acetylglucosamine glycan. |
| US09170248B2 |
Operating method for a gas sensor and gas sensor
The disclosure relates to an operating method for a gas sensor, in particular a gas sensor for detecting asthma. According to said method, nitrogen monoxide or nitrogen dioxide is detected in a measuring phase and the gas sensor is heated by a heating device in a desorption phase in order to accelerate desorption. The heating process is continued until the temporal alteration of the measuring signal of the gas sensor falls below a threshold value. |
| US09170244B2 |
Method for the dynamic detection of leakages for SCR catalytic converters
A method and an arrangement for dynamic breakthrough detection is proposed. The arrangement comprises at least a transfer element, at least a memory unit in which sensor characteristic curves, at least a controller and an evaluation logic are stored. |
| US09170243B2 |
Method for determining odor when using a self-tanning agent
A method for evaluating an odor generated when using a self-tanning agent, wherein at least one compound selected from pyrazine compounds represented by the following general formula (1) is used as an indicator substance: wherein R1 represents a methyl group, an ethyl group or an acetyl group, and R2, R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. |
| US09170241B2 |
Evacuable inlet for gas chromatograph injector
A gas chromatography (GC) system comprises: a sample injector adapted to receive a liquid sample into an interior cavity thereof and to volatilize the liquid sample; a GC column configured to receive the volatilized sample from the sample injector; a carrier gas inlet line fluidically coupled to a gas inlet port of the sample injector; a septum purge vent line fluidically coupled to a first gas outlet port of the sample injector; a split-flow vent line fluidically coupled to a second gas outlet port of the sample injector; and a vacuum system configured to apply vacuum to the septum purge vent line, the split-flow vent line and the interior cavity of the sample injector. Alternatively, the vacuum system may be coupled to a vacuum port of the sample injector. A separate flow of helium gas may be supplied to an inlet of the GC column. |
| US09170239B2 |
Magnetostrictive sensor having crimped magnetostrictive strip for high temperature operation
A sensor for use in magnetostrictive testing of a structure. The sensor has a thin ferromagnetic strip with a series of parallel crimps across its width. A first wire coil is wrapped around the width of the strip and along its entire length, such that portions of wire that cross the bottom surface of the strip are located inside the crimps, and portions of wire that are wrapped across the top surface of the strip are between the crimps. The sensor further has a second coil wrapped around the length of the strip, or for pipeline applications, around the pipeline. |
| US09170238B2 |
Acoustic fluid valve calibration
Methods and apparatus for acoustic fluid valve calibration are disclosed herein. An example method involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a plurality of positions along a valve stroke, obtaining acoustic emission signals generated by a fluid passing through the valve using a sensor when the closure member is in the positions, and identifying, using a processor, a zero position of the closure member based on the acoustic emission signals. |
| US09170236B2 |
Acoustic micro imaging device with a scan while loading feature
A scanning acoustic microscope comprises a structure including a loading portion and a scanning portion, a transducer disposed in the scanning portion and operable to develop ultrasonic energy, and a controller. A driver is responsive to the controller and is capable of moving the transducer along a scan path with respect to a first plurality of parts disposed in the scanning portion as a second plurality of parts are being loaded into the loading portion. |
| US09170235B2 |
Eddy current testing apparatus, eddy current testing probe, and eddy current testing method
An eddy current testing apparatus includes: an eddy current testing probe having an eddy current testing coil arranged on a bottom portion of a casing; a pressing mechanism configured to press the eddy current testing probe so that the bottom portion of the eddy current testing probe is placed in contact with a part of an inner wall surface of a slot formed in an object to be inspected; a carriage configured to mount the pressing mechanism and the eddy current testing probe, the carriage traveling in a depth direction of the slot; and an eddy current testing control device configured to control defect detection for the inner wall surface of the slot by acquiring a detected eddy current signal from the eddy current testing coil. |
| US09170233B2 |
Magnetic permeability detector, developing device, image forming apparatus, and oscillation signal frequency calculation method therefor
A magnetic permeability detector includes an LC oscillator circuit including a coil and a capacitor; and a resistor connected in series with the coil. |
| US09170232B2 |
Substances detection system and method
A system and methodology for the detection of threat substances is described. The detector system consists of a method to evaporate the sample into a primary separator and thermal release of trapped target materials into a secondary separator like conventional GC. The GC column is thermally ramped to elute all substances and the end of the column terminates into an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source of an axial ion mobility spectrometer (AIMS). Both polarity ions are pulsed into a single construction separator tube at different timing. Their arrival time is detected on a collector plate, which allows registering their ion mobility spectra of both polarities for a single GC peak. |
| US09170231B2 |
Quantification and characterization of allergens
Embodiments of the invention include methods of determining the allergen content of a composition. Embodiments of the invention may include providing a composition comprising an allergen; at least partially purifying the allergen from the composition to form an extract; and determining the amount of allergen in the extract using liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection. |
| US09170228B2 |
Nano structured field effect sensor and methods of forming and using same
A solid-state field-effect transistor sensor for detecting chemical and biological species and for detecting changes in radiation is disclosed. The device includes a porous or structured channel section to improve device sensitivity. The device is operated in a fully depleted mode such that a sensed biological, chemical or radiation change causes an exponential change in channel conductance. |
| US09170225B2 |
Obtaining selectivity in gas sensors via a sensor array system composed of P and N type material
Systems and methods for discriminating among volatile compounds is provided using a semiconductor junction structure or sensor device. Sensor devices of the present disclosure employ a combination of hole carriers (p-type) and electron carriers (n-type) metal oxides deposited, for example, on a gold microspring array designed so that it has several leads that are at different distances from each other. |
| US09170215B2 |
Apparatus and method of imaging a heterogeneous object
An imaging method positions a heterogeneous object within a fixture having a chamber. The fixture also has a valve for receiving a gas and normally sealing the chamber. Thus, the object is within the chamber. Next the method positions the fixture within an active region of a CT machine, fluidly connects a gas line to the valve, and injects an inert gas into the chamber through the gas line and the valve. The inert gas may include one or more of the xenon, argon, and krypton. The method then increases the pressure within the sealed chamber to increase the density of the gas within the chamber, and directs x-ray energy toward the active region of the CT machine to produce a plurality of two-dimensional images of the object and the pressurized gas. Finally, the method generates a three-dimensional representation of the object from the plurality of images. |
| US09170213B2 |
Sensor device for a packaging machine designed as a capsule filling and sealing machine or for a capsule control device
The invention relates to a sensor device (30; 30a; 30b; 30c) for a packaging machine (100) designed as a capsule filling and sealing machine or for a capsule control device (100a), said device having a positioning element (35; 35a) for positioning a container (c) having a longitudinal axis (15) and filled with a filling material in the region of the sensor device (30; 30a; 30b; 30c) and at least one radiation source (31; 31 a; 3 b) and at least one detector (40; 40a; 40b) for detecting the radiation after said radiation radiates through the container (c). According to the invention, the at least one radiation source (31; 31a; 31b) radiates through the container (c) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (15) thereof and the positioning element is designed as a tubular or shaft-shaped conveying element (35; 35a) which can be penetrated by the radiation in a radiation cone (38) of the radiation source (31; 31a; 31b). |
| US09170209B1 |
Inspection guided overlay metrology
Inspection guided overlay metrology may include performing a pattern search in order to identify a predetermined pattern on a semiconductor wafer, generating a care area for all instances of the predetermined pattern on the semiconductor wafer, identifying defects within generated care areas by performing an inspection scan of each of the generated care areas, wherein the inspection scan includes a low-threshold or a high sensitivity inspection scan, identifying overlay sites of the predetermined pattern of the semiconductor wafer having a measured overlay error larger than a selected overlay specification utilizing a defect inspection technique, comparing location data of the identified defects of a generated care area to location data of the identified overlay sites within the generated care area in order to identify one or more locations wherein the defects are proximate to the identified overlay sites, and generating a metrology sampling plan based on the identified locations. |
| US09170208B2 |
Handheld characteristic analyzer and methods of using the same
Disclosed is a portable handheld characteristic analyzer used to analyze chemical compositions in or near real-time. One method of using the analyzer to determine a characteristic of a sample includes directing the handheld characteristic analyzer at the sample, the handheld characteristic analyzer having at least one integrated computational element arranged therein, activating the handheld characteristic analyzer, thereby optically interacting the at least one integrated computational element with the sample and generating optically interacted light, receiving the optically interacted light with at least one detector arranged within the handheld characteristic analyzer, generating an output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the sample with the at least one detector, receiving the output signal with a signal processor communicably coupled to the at least one detector, and determining the characteristic of the sample with the signal processor. |
| US09170206B2 |
Inspection apparatus for sheet
An inspection apparatus for a sheet includes: white LED illuminators which irradiate a sheet of paper with light containing visible light: IR-LED illuminators which irradiate the sheet of paper with light containing infrared rays: two visible color cameras; one IR monochrome camera: an IR filter which eliminates the visible light in the light emitted from the white LED illuminators and the IR-LED illuminators and reflected off the sheet of paper, and makes only the infrared rays incident on the IR monochrome camera; and a control device which determines appropriateness of a pattern portion on the sheet of paper on the basis of the visible light made incident on the visible color cameras, and determines appropriateness of pattern portions on the sheet of paper on the basis of the infrared rays made incident on the IR monochrome camera. |
| US09170205B2 |
Disinfection and cleaning confirmation system
An indicator kit for detecting the presence of a quaternary ammonium compound disinfectant is provided. The kit includes an indicator composition that includes an azo dye material and water; an extraction composition that includes water, and at least one of a C1-C7 alcohol or a glycol ether; and an acidic compound present in at least one of the indicator composition, the extraction composition, or an acidic developer solution packaged separately from the indicator composition and the extraction composition. A method of detecting a quaternary ammonium compound disinfectant on a surface is also provided. |
| US09170203B2 |
Enhancement of raman scattering
Raman emissions from a sample may be enhanced by using a microsphere to confine the impinging radiation into a photonic nanojet and thereby increase the intensity of the radiation that is striking the sample. The amount of enhancement may be improved by configuring the diameter and refractive index of the microspheres in conjunction with the dispersion and the wavelength of the radiation to increase the intensity of the beam of radiation in the photonic nanojet. |
| US09170200B2 |
Inflatable membrane with hazard mitigation
Various improvements to inflatable membranes are disclosed. These improvements include, among other things, features on the membrane that can mitigate hazards such as bubble formation or frictional damage during inflation of the membrane. |
| US09170199B2 |
Enhanced sensors in three dimensional scanning system
Various improvements to three dimensional imaging systems having inflatable membranes are disclosed. These improvements include, among other things, a proximity sensor that can be used to warn a user of the device when approaching a feature in a cavity, such as an eardrum in an ear canal; or optical sensors with an optical coating matching the refractive index of the medium in which the optical sensors are deployed, to improve data acquisition. |
| US09170194B2 |
Material property measuring apparatus
A material property measuring apparatus includes a radiation source irradiator configured to irradiate a measurement target material with radiation beams having n different wavelengths, a detector configured to detect intensities of radiation beams having the respective wavelengths after the irradiation of the measurement target material, and a processing unit configured to correct the detected intensity of the radiation beam having at least a part of the respective wavelengths using a correction coefficient in which rows and columns are respectively represented by a matrix of an order of n or less, and to calculate an index value indicating a property of the measurement target material on the basis of relative intensities of the radiation beams having the respective wavelengths after the correction. |
| US09170193B2 |
Detecting coolant leaks in turbine generators
An apparatus for detecting a leak in a gas cooled generator is provided. The apparatus includes a subsystem for introducing a non-corrosive second gas having an infrared absorption spectrum into the generator. The apparatus also includes an imaging component adapted to detect radiation at the infrared absorption spectrum of the non-corrosive second gas. The imaging component is provided with a filter that filters wavelengths in a range encompassing the infrared absorption spectrum of the non-corrosive second gas. The imaging component displays an image of the tracer gas leaking from the generator on the imaging component. |
| US09170188B2 |
Stereoscopic display of biological particle measurement data
A 3D data analysis apparatus includes a data storage unit configured to store measurement data of microparticles, an input unit configured to select four independent variables from the measurement data, a data processing unit configured to calculate a position in a coordinate space using three variables of the selected variables as coordinate axes, calculate a figure from one residual variable of the selected variables, and create a 3D stereoscopic image showing a characteristic distribution of the microparticles, and a display unit configured to display the 3D stereoscopic image. |
| US09170186B2 |
Method of manipulating objects
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for manipulating objects in a liquid using a pulsed acoustic field that is modulated in amplitude. The amplitude modulated pulsed acoustic field may form the objects into a layer or layers. The objects may be colloidal objects having an average size of about 50 nm to about 5 μm, or a mixture of colloidal and non-colloidal objects. |
| US09170184B2 |
Method of regulating the viscosity of a mixture comprising at least two components having different viscosities
A method of regulating the viscosity of a mixture containing at least two components having different viscosities, which includes the steps of: (a) determination of the viscosity of the mixture via ultrasound measurements, (b) standardization of the viscosity determined to standard conditions, (c) comparison of the standardized viscosity with a prescribed intended value, and (d) adjustment of the viscosity of the mixture by increasing or decreasing the proportion of at least one component of the mixture, where the ultrasound measurements in step (a) are carried out at or in a line conveying the mixture or in a vessel. |
| US09170183B2 |
Device and method of detecting TSH
A device for detecting the concentration of biological materials, is formed in a body having a plurality of fluidic paths connectable to a multi-microbalance structure carrying a plurality of microbalances, each microbalance having a sensitive portion facing a reaction chamber. The body and the multi-microbalance structure are configured to be mechanically coupled together and each microbalance is configured to be coupled to a respective fluidic path. Each fluidic path includes an inlet, a duct and a liquid waste, each duct being configured to be coupled with a respective reaction chamber. The plurality of fluidic paths and microbalances form at least one first and one second reference cells and one first sample cell. |
| US09170180B2 |
Particle number counting apparatus
To improve an offset accuracy in a particle number counting apparatus (100) condensing a working liquid with sample particles, the apparatus including: a porous member (22) in which a flow path (23) is passed through to form an inlet (23a) at a lower side and an outlet (23b) at an upper side thereof so that the working liquid is supplied to a predetermined section of the porous member so as to be impregnated into the entire part of the porous member; and a housing (21) having an accommodating space for accommodating the porous member (22), wherein a gap (S) is formed between an outer peripheral surface (22a) of the porous member (22) and an inner peripheral surface (21b) of the accommodating space of the housing (21) at least in an upper side than the predetermined section to be supplied with the working liquid. |
| US09170178B2 |
Composition, device, and method for biological air sampling
The present invention generally relates to air sampling of biological compounds. Specifically, the present invention relates to a device and method for sampling the ambient air for detecting microbial propagules, microbial propagules being any spore, vegetative cell, or virion of microbiological origin including all bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoans, molds, slime molds, chlamydospores, hyphae, and cysts. |
| US09170177B2 |
Device and a method for collecting and transferring samples of biological material
A device (1) for collecting and transferring samples of biological material, where the device comprises at least: a support body (2) having at least a first end portion (2a) and at least a gripping portion (2b), and a plurality of fibers (6) attached to and arranged on the first portion (2a) of the support body (2) by flocking, such as to define a flocked collecting portion (3) suitable for collecting, on the collecting portion (3), a quantity of a sample of biological material, where the support body (2) is made of polyamide (PA or nylon), in particular polyamide 66 (PA66 or nylon 66). The support body can be provided with at least a weakened portion (4) suitable for enabling a selective breaking of the support body and a separation of the collecting portion (3) at least from a part of the gripping portion (2b). |
| US09170173B2 |
Multiple-acquisition otdr method and device
An OTDR device and method for characterizing one or more events in an optical fiber link are provided. A plurality of light acquisitions is performed. For each light acquisition, test light pulses are propagated in the optical fiber link and the corresponding return light signals from the optical fiber link are detected. The light acquisitions are performed under different acquisition conditions, for example using different pulsewidths or wavelengths. Parameters characterizing the event are derived using the detected return signal from at least two of the plurality of light acquisitions. |
| US09170170B2 |
Device and method for determining the focus position of a laser beam
In order to determine the focus position of a laser beam (60, 60a) in an ophthalmological laser projection system (1), at least one measurement marking (3) applied to a reference area (20) is passed over by means of the laser beam (60, 60a) along a scanning path. A measurement signal created by passing over the measurement marking (3) is captured. Time values from at least one signal edge created in the measurement signal when passing over edges of the measurement marking (3) are determined and the focus position is established on the basis of the time values. By scanning defined measurement markings (3) and establishing time values of signal edges created when edges of the measurement marking (3) are passed over, it is possible to determine the focus position of the laser beam (60, 60a) without focusing movements being required for this during the measurement. |
| US09170166B2 |
Droplet-based capacitive pressure sensor
A pressure sensing apparatus which utilizes an electrolytic droplet retained between a first and second sensing electrode within a housing. Contact between the electrolyte droplet and the electrodes form electric double layers (EDL) having interfacial EDL capacitance proportional to interface contact area which varies in response to mechanical pressure applied to deform exterior portions of the housing. The electrolyte contains a sufficient percentage of glycerol to prevent evaporative effects. Preferably, the sensing electrodes are modified with depressions, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic portions to increase central anchoring of the electrolyte droplet within the housing. The inventive pressure sensor provides high sensitivity and resolution which is beneficial to numerous applications, and is particularly well-suited for medical sensing applications. |
| US09170163B2 |
Optical probe containing oxygen, temperature, and pressure sensors and monitoring and control systems containing the same
A probe for measuring oxygen, temperature, and pressure having a housing, made of a thermally conductive material; an oxygen sensor within the housing, a temperature sensor disposed within the housing adjacent to the thermally conductive material, comprising a fiber Bragg grating, a pressure sensor disposed within the housing, comprising a fiber Bragg grating. |
| US09170162B2 |
Laser beam control system with bidirectional beam director
A bidirectional beam director includes a pair of optically coupled diffraction gratings, each being independently rotatable so that a laser beam passing through the pair of gratings can be steered by rotation of at least one of the gratings. The bidirectional beam can be coupled to many types of optical systems, including optical phased arrays, multi-beam laser transmitters and receivers, telescopes, and high energy laser beam control systems. |
| US09170159B2 |
Variable aperture and actuator assemblies for an imaging system
An imaging system which includes a housing for a radiation detector having a window disposed above and in axial alignment with the radiation detector, a variable aperture assembly which includes a base ring having a first opening and mounted on the radiation detector housing such that the first opening is in axial alignment with the window, a plate having a first aperture and adapted to engage the base ring such that the first aperture is disposed over the window, at least one aperture blade each operatively coupled to the base ring, and an aperture drive mechanism having a body and an actuator coupling member extending at an angle from the body. In addition, the imaging system includes an actuator assembly having an actuator and an actuator arm, the actuator arm disposed adjacent to the radiation detector housing in proximity to the actuator coupling member. |
| US09170158B2 |
Infrared sensor and method for electrical monitoring
An inexpensive thermopile temperature detector is particularly adapted to monitoring of electrical equipment, such as a power bus bar, within an enclosed area such as a cabinet. The detector may have a plastic housing, a thermopile sensor and a plastic Fresnel lens. Each sensor also includes a calibrated element such that, but for calibration, the same sensor may be used for various applications for different target sizes and distance or, more generally, with respect to effective target percentage of field of view. |
| US09170151B2 |
Photodetector, for use in a laser microscope, with offset correction for uniform black levels
Provided is a photodetector including a light receiving portion that accumulates and outputs the amount of received observation light as electric charges; an offset portion that adds an offset signal to an output signal from the light receiving portion; an AD conversion portion that AD-converts the sum of the output signal and the offset signal obtained by the offset portion; a control unit that controls the AD conversion portion such that it A-D converts said sum when the light receiving portion is charged and discharged; and an offset correcting portion that corrects the offset signal by adjusting the value of the offset signal contained in the black level value such that the black level value obtained by the AD conversion portion from said sum when the capacitor is discharged becomes equal to a predetermined target value. |
| US09170146B2 |
Method for fill level measurement according to the travel time principle
A method for measuring a fill level of a fill substance in a container, in which, in an empty container, at least a part of the microwave signals transmitted into the container is reflected back via a reflection on a floor of the container. Microwave signals are transmitted into the container and their fractions reflected back to the fill-level measuring device. These are received as received signals. Echo functions are derived, which show amplitudes of the received signals as a function of a position corresponding to their travel time traveled in the container. A container floor echo is detected at a position, which lies in an earlier determined, both sides limited, empty echo position range, in which the container floor echo occurs in the case of empty container, at an empty echo position dependent on a shape of the container and an installed position of the fill-level measuring device. |
| US09170145B2 |
Method for monitoring the functioning of a field device
A method for monitoring the functioning of a field device, wherein the field device provides a complex measurement signal, which is produced from a number of individual measurements following one another in time, comprising method steps as follows: the complex measurement signals are stored within a predetermined time window; the occurrence of a predetermined event is monitored in the field device; the stored complex measurement signals are overwritten for the case, in which the predetermined event does not occur within the predetermined time window; for the case, in which the predetermined event occurs within the predetermined time window, both a first defined number of complex measurement signals, which were ascertained in time directly before the occurrence of the event, are frozen, as well as a second defined number of complex measurement signals, which were ascertained in time directly after the occurrence of the predetermined event, are stored. |
| US09170144B2 |
Multifunctional fluid level and quality sensing device
A multifunctional fluid level and quality sensing device including a fluid level sensor and a capacitive sensor for detecting fluid level, fluid quality, errors in the sensing device, and issues in a fluid delivery system. In detecting fluid level, impedance of the capacitive sensor is used in improving sensing performance of the fluid level sensor, while in detecting fluid quality and errors in the sensing device, an expected impedance range with an upper boundary value and a lower boundary value is calculated, and a fault is generated when the measured impedance value is out of the expected impedance range. The fluid level and quality sensing device can also be used in a fluid delivery system for detecting system issues, and the results can be used for further isolating errors in the system. Operating status of higher level system provides more information for this purpose. |
| US09170142B2 |
Thermal stress compensation in a curved tube vibrating flow meter
A curved tube vibrating flow meter (5) includes a flow tube temperature sensor TT (190) and a plurality of case temperature sensors TC (303) affixed to one or more case locations of a case (300) of the curved tube vibrating flow meter (5). The plurality of case temperature sensors TC (303) generate a case temperature signal, wherein a plurality of case temperature sensor resistances at the one or more case locations form a combined case resistance related to thermal importances of the one or more case locations. Meter electronics (20) receives the flow tube temperature signal, receives the case temperature signal, and compensates the curved tube vibrating flow meter (5) for thermal stress using the flow tube temperature signal and the case temperature signal. |
| US09170139B2 |
Magneto inductive flow measuring device and method for installing a magnet system in the manufacture of a magneto inductive, flow measuring device
A magneto inductive, flow measuring device comprising a measuring tube and at least one magnet system arranged on the measuring tube. The magnet system has two coil systems, which lie opposite one another on or in the measuring tube, and each coil system includes at least one pole shoe. A first of the two coil systems is connected via at least one flux return, sheet metal length with the second or an additional coil system, and wherein each of the at least two coil systems has at least two coils, which are arranged peripherally distributed relative to the measuring tube on the pole shoe. |
| US09170135B2 |
Module for gas flow measurements with a dual sensing assembly
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for measuring gas flow using a modular unit as a gas measurement module. The modular unit can be made of molded plastic, cast metal, or other material. A gas meter can include the gas measurement module. The gas measurement module includes a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. An obstacle in the chamber is configured to generate an oscillating gas jet when gas flow into the chamber is at or above a threshold flow rate. The gas measurement module includes a dual sensing assembly with one or more first sensors using a first gas flow sensing technology and one or more second sensors using a second gas flow sensing technology. |
| US09170134B2 |
Augmented mesh delivery system
A method is disclosed including receiving with a controller at a destination node signal samples and associated sampling time indications. The signal samples and the associated sampling time indications are received from a source node via a mesh network. The signal samples are delivered with sampling time indications generated at the source node to form a series of signals corresponding to one or more characteristic(s) related to electricity supplied to one or more electrical devices from a power source. The method also includes applying a time domain convolution procedure to the received signal in the time domain that is uniformly sampled. The weighting of sample values in time domain convolution procedure is determined at least partially based on information indicative of the statistical behavior of a corresponding realized sample process. |
| US09170133B2 |
Guide section of a housing for a sensor housing with a sensor in particular for a vehicle transmission and method for the production of a housing for a sensor in particular for a vehicle transmission
A guide section of a housing for a sensor, in particular for a vehicle transmission, is proposed, whereas the guide section for guiding a movable sensor element of the sensor is formed along a guide axis and has a first guide area, a second guide area, and a third guide area connected to the first guide area and the second guide area. Thereby, a guide surface of the first guide area and a guide surface of the second guide area are arranged opposite to each other. The guide section is characterized in that the second guide area along the guide axis has a plural number of alternately arranged recesses and guide parts. |
| US09170130B2 |
Fiber-optic sensor device having a second fiber bragg grating unit to reflect light passing through a fiber optic sensor
Provided is a fiber-optic sensor device. The fiber-optic sensor device is capable of sensing a change in physical quantity by using two fiber Bragg grating units arranged within an optical fiber and a fiber-optic sensor unit arranged therebetween, thereby implementing a low cost fiber-optic grating sensor having a simple structure without requiring a reference FBG. |
| US09170129B2 |
Fiber optic sensor for position sensing
A system for sensing the position of a movable object includes a polarization maintaining fiber configured to receive light from a light source; an optical system configured to rotate an angle of polarization of the light by a first predetermined angle; a low birefringence fiber connected to the optical system at a first end and having a mirror connected to a second end configured to reflect the light and rotate the angle of polarization at a second predetermined angle, the second end being configured to overlap a magnetic field of the a magnet attached to the object. The angle of polarization is rotated to a third predetermined angle proportional to at least one of the strength of the magnetic field and an amount of the overlap. The optical system is configured to decompose the third predetermined angle into a first component and a second component. A detector is configured to detect a differential between the first and second components indicative of the amount of the overlap. |
| US09170124B2 |
Variable step tracking
Variable step tracking is described in which a monitoring station is operable to receive data signals representative of step movement of an asset as detected by a monitoring device carried by the asset. A database stores a step length of the asset. A step length modification module modifies the step length based on at least one of energy, asset orientation, direction, and frequency associated with the step movement. An asset position is estimated with respect to a known location based on cumulative step lengths. |
| US09170123B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating information
An apparatus, comprising a processor, memory including computer program code, the memory and the computer program code configured to, working with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least determining at least one significant location, receiving a first information associated with the significant location from a first information repository, retrieving a second information associated with the significant location from a second information repository, and generating a third information based at least in part on the first information and the second information is disclosed. |
| US09170118B2 |
Navigation system for electric vehicle
A navigation system for an electric vehicle includes a telematics center, a display terminal, and a charging station. In response to a request from the display terminal, the telematics center sends a route search result, which is created based on information on an electric vehicle and the charging station and which includes base point information whose remaining battery capacity is to be confirmed, to the display terminal. The display terminal displays route guidance information, the current position, and a result of comparison between the current remaining battery capacity and the base point information to the user who is driving the electric vehicle. |
| US09170117B1 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle navigation assistance
In an approach to providing navigation assistance, one or more computer processors receive a request for navigation assistance to a destination from a first user. The one or more computer processors locate a navigation assistance UAV near a location of the first user. The one or more computer processors dispatch the navigation assistance UAV to the location of the first user. The one or more computer processors notify the first user of the navigation assistance UAV associated with the request for navigation assistance. The one or more computer processors determine a route for the navigation assistance UAV to follow from the location of the first user to the destination. The one or more computer processors provide navigation assistance for the route to the first user. |
| US09170116B1 |
Method for generating accurate lane level maps
A method for generating accurate lane level maps based on coarse map information and image sensor data captured during the pass of a sensor carrying vehicle along a road. The method generates accurate lane estimates including any of the center of each lane, the number of lanes, and the presence of any bicycle paths, and entrance and exit ramps, merging of two lanes into one lane, or the expansion of one lane into two lanes, using a computer-implemented method where the coarse map data and the image sensor data are subjected to dual reversible jump-Markov chain Monte Carlo filtering. |
| US09170109B2 |
Method and apparatus for position measuring of portable electronic device
A method for position measurement of a portable electronic device is provided. The method includes receiving, from a first satellite, first satellite information and state information of the first satellite information, receiving other state information of the first satellite information from a server that receives the other state information of the first satellite information from a terrestrial observatory, and using the first satellite information for the position measurement of the portable electronic device when the state information of the first satellite information received from the first satellite is unhealthy and the other state information of the first satellite information received from the server is healthy, wherein healthy state information indicates that satellite information may be used for the position measurement of the portable electronic device and unhealthy state information indicates that the satellite information may not be used for the position measurement of the portable electronic device. |
| US09170108B1 |
Controlled modulation of light beam with highly stable suppression of carrier or sidebands
A light-source system to output at least one stable phase modulated coherent light beam is provided. The light-source system includes a multi-frequency laser system, at least one phase modulator, at least one feedback photodetector, and at least one modulation servo. The multi-frequency laser system emits a reference light beam and provides at least one unmodulated-light beam having a respective at least one carrier frequency offset from the reference carrier frequency. The phase modulator modulates the unmodulated-light beam provided by the multi-frequency laser system. The frequency-selection device monitors a frequency component of interest. The feedback photodetector provides information indicative of beat frequencies between the reference light beam and the modulated-light beam. The modulation servo adjusts a modulation amplitude applied to the phase modulator to substantially suppress one of: the respective electric field at a carrier frequency; or the electric field components at the frequencies associated with a selected sideband-pair. |
| US09170101B2 |
Method and apparatus for positioning a vehicle service device relative to a vehicle thrust line
A method and apparatus for utilizing a vehicle wheel alignment system to guide the placement and orientation of a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture relative to the thrust line of a vehicle. A laser adapter for projecting a reference line is mounted to a steerable wheel of the vehicle, and is aligned relative to both a line of the vehicle and to the supporting surface on which the vehicle is disposed. The vehicle line is determined by the vehicle wheel alignment system, and the steerable wheel, together with the adapter, are steered relative to the determined vehicle line, such that a projected reference line defined by the position and orientation of the adapter is established parallel to both the supporting surface and the vehicle line. The placement and orientation of the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture is subsequently adjusted relative to the projected reference line. |
| US09170098B2 |
Device and method using a spatial light modulator to find 3D coordinates of an object
A method for determining three-dimensional coordinates of an object point on a surface of an object, the method including steps of: providing a source, a projector, and a camera; in each of two instances: spatially modulating source light; sending a modulator pattern of light through the projector lens to form light spots; filtering the spots with a pinhole plate; propagating light from the light spots onto the object to produce a fringe pattern; imaging the object point with a camera lens onto an array point of the photosensitive array to obtain first and second electrical data values from the photosensitive array; and determining the three-dimensional coordinates of the first object point based at least in part on the first electrical data value, the second electrical data value, and a baseline length. |
| US09170093B2 |
Device for measuring the relative position of two objects moving in relation to each other
The invention relates to a device for measuring the relative position of two objects moving relative to each other along an axis or around a rotating axis (D), with a transmitter (12) which emits unpolarized light, and with a polarizer (20), and with at least one receiver (16) which measures the luminosity of the light passing through the polarizer (20) in order to create a position-dependent signal, such that a polarizing filter is positioned in front of the receiver (16), and the receiver (16) and the polarizer (20) move relative to each other as a function of the relative position of the two objects, and such that the polarizer (20) has at least two different polarizing directions. |
| US09170092B2 |
System for detecting misalignment of an aero surface
A system for detecting misalignment of an aero surface relative to other aero surfaces during simultaneous deployment of the aero surfaces is disclosed. A generator configured to shine a laser through aligned apertures in a series of aero surfaces towards a reflector during deployment of the aero surfaces, a receptor to detect reflection of the laser from the reflector back through the apertures to the generator and, a controller operable to terminate further deployment of the aero surfaces in the event that no reflection is detected by the receptor, or if an actual time taken for the reflected beam of light to be detected by the receptor differs from a predetermined time. |
| US09170088B2 |
Apparatus and method for optical coherence tomography using multiple beams
An apparatus and method for optical coherence tomography are provided. The apparatus includes a light source configured to generate a plurality of beams, a light coupler configured to split the plurality of beams into measurement beams and reference beams, transmit the measurement beams to a target object via a probe, and receive response beams from the probe, a detector configured to detect interference signals based on interference between the response beams and the reference beams, and an image processor configured to generate a first image of the target object based on any one of the interference signals and generate a second image of the target object having image characteristics different from those of the first image based on an other one of the interference signals. |
| US09170087B2 |
Optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus, imaging system, and control apparatus and control method for controlling imaging range in depth direction of optical coherence tomography
An optical coherence tomography imaging apparatus that acquires a tomographic image from interference light between a reference beam and a measuring beam obtained via an object includes a control unit configured to control a difference in optical path length between the reference beam and the measuring beam by a control method according to an imaging target region, and a signal processing unit configured to generate image data of the object based on an electrical signal obtained by detecting the interference light with the difference in optical path length controlled by the control method. |
| US09170080B2 |
Reloading kit with lead free bullet composition
The present disclosure is directed to reloading kits containing a packaged high-density metal-filled polymer composition that is moldable and used in producing lead-free or “green” bullets for individual firearms. Such kits and compositions may be used by individuals in their reloading process. |
| US09170079B2 |
Laser trainer cartridge
A cartridge laser trainer fits into a gun barrel and includes a backer, circuit and a laser. When the firing pin of the gun is activated it strikes the backer, which contacts the circuit and activates the laser. The cartridge laser trainer may also have one or more O-rings to keep it positioned properly in the gun barrel. Also disclosed are kits that contain (1) a plurality of sheaths and a cartridge laser trainer, or (2) a plurality of O-rings and a cartridge laser trainer. Each sheath or O-ring(s) is configured to be positioned in a particular-sized gun bore and is configured to receive a cartridge laser trainer. With a kit, a single cartridge laser trainer can be used with more than one size of gun bore. |
| US09170075B2 |
Handheld laser small arm
A hand-held laser weapon including: a laser module for generating a laser light; a telescope module fiber optically coupled to the laser module for focusing the laser light on a target; a burst power module, including a storage capacitor, for storing electrical energy capable of a rapid release in the form of a current; a trickle power module including a battery for providing said electrical energy to the burst power module; a drive circuit for driving the laser module with the stored electrical energy to generate the laser light; a trigger module for providing the stored electrical energy to the drive circuit; and a structure for coupling at least the laser module, the telescope module, the drive circuit and the trigger module together. |
| US09170067B2 |
Embedded cant indicator for rifles
A device comprised of bubble level embedded into a solid block of material and located above the rifle grip and behind the barrel to facilitate the measurement and compensation of the rifle's cant while lining up the rifle's sights. The device is precision machined to allow the bubble to be aligned with the axis of the barrel to produce a true “zero-cant” condition. Graduation markings are placed on either left or right of the bubble level to allow the user to judge the relative degree of cant. The location allows cant adjustment without having to change the shooter's position. |
| US09170065B2 |
Pocket hunting system
A slingshot adapter hunting tool including a slingshot adapter and a method of shooting an arrow are disclosed. The slingshot adapter includes a plastic body which defines an open orifice and protrusions defining sight markers, where the tips of the protrusions define the open portion of the orifice. |
| US09170062B2 |
Low profile magazine follower with isolated slide lock lever
A firearm magazine follower for use in combination with a magazine tube includes an upper flange, a rear flange and a bottom flange formed from a single, flexible piece of material, such as steel. The upper flange extends from the rear flange and has a top side that is sized and configured for supporting a plurality of bullets thereon. The lower flange extends from the rear flange and has a distal end and a proximal end, and includes first and second surface members are separated lengthwise at a location between the proximal and distal ends of the lower flange. The first surface member is sized and configured for contacting a front inner facing wall of the magazine tube. The second surface member includes a raised flange at the distal end that is sized and configured for contacting and activating the slide lock lever of the magazine tube. |
| US09170058B2 |
Heat pipe heat dissipation structure
A heat pipe heat dissipation structure includes a main body. The main body has an evaporation section, a condensation section, a chamber filled with a working fluid and at least one first capillary structure. The first capillary structure is disposed on an inner wall face of the chamber. The first capillary structure has at least one swelling capillary section. The swelling capillary section swells from a part of the first capillary structure in the evaporation section. |
| US09170051B2 |
Reflow oven and methods of treating surfaces of the reflow oven
A reflow oven used to join electronic components to a substrate includes a chamber housing having surfaces that are in contact with heated air mixed with contaminants, including flux, and an intermediate layer selectively applied to the surfaces of the chamber housing. The reflow oven may include fabricating the intermediate layer with a foam material, including foaming polymers, e.g., epoxy, polyurethane, polyester, and silicone, or a non-foam material, including non-foaming polymers, e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene and polyimide. A method of treating surfaces of a reflow oven exposed to contaminants, including flux, is further disclosed. |
| US09170045B2 |
Refrigerator including multiple storage compartments
A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a first storage compartment; a first door that is opened or closed to allow or prevent access to an interior of the first storage compartment; and a storing device coupled to the first door to define a second storage compartment. When the first door is closed, the second storage compartment is disposed in the first storage compartment. The refrigerator also includes a second door connected to the first door and configured to be opened or closed to allow or prevent access to an interior of the second storage compartment. The interior of the second storage compartment is accessible when the first door is closed and the second door is opened. |
| US09170042B2 |
Thin mold ice harvesting
An ice maker includes an ice tray which is moveably mounted to a housing and operable between ice forming and ice harvesting positions. The ice tray comprises a generally planar body portion having a plurality of ice forming cavities disposed thereon. A harvesting mechanism, including retractable or fixed contacting members, is adapted to engage and deform the ice tray when the ice tray is in the ice harvesting position for facilitating release of formed ice structures during an ice harvesting process. The ice tray is a thin mold ice tray which is flexibly resilient, such that the ice tray is adapted to return to an at-rest position from a deformed position when the ice tray is no longer being urged to the deformed position by the harvesting mechanism. |
| US09170027B2 |
Quick-attach steam dispersion tubes and method of attachment
A steam dispersion system is disclosed. The steam dispersion system includes a header and a mounting plate spaced from the header. A steam dispersion tube including a first end and a second end and an interior cavity defined between the first end and the second end is mounted between the mounting plate and the header. The steam dispersion tube defines a longitudinal axis. A biasing structure is mounted between the mounting plate and the header, wherein the biasing structure applies a biasing force on the steam dispersion tube along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steam dispersion tube when mounted between the header and the mounting plate. |
| US09170024B2 |
System and method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor
A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle and a combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle. A flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber, and a plurality of fuel injectors are circumferentially arranged around the flow sleeve to provide fluid communication through the flow sleeve to the combustion chamber. A distribution manifold circumferentially surrounds the plurality of fuel injectors, and a fluid passage through the distribution manifold provides fluid communication through the distribution manifold to the plurality of fuel injectors. A method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid from a compressor through a combustion chamber and diverting a portion of the working fluid through a distribution manifold that circumferentially surrounds a plurality of fuel injectors circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber. |
| US09170017B2 |
Fire container assembly
An air-intake assembly adapted for use with a fire container assembly includes a first plate and a plurality of vanes. The plurality of vanes is engaged to the first plate. Each of the vanes includes a first longitudinal side engaged to the first plate and an oppositely disposed second longitudinal side. The plurality of vanes defines a plurality of pathways. A chamber is cooperatively defined by the first plate and the plurality of vanes. The chamber extends through the first plate. The plurality of pathways swirl air about a longitudinal axis of the chamber. |
| US09170012B2 |
Heat sink module and omnidirectional LED lamp holder assembly using same
An omnidirectional LED lamp holder assembly includes a heat sink module including a heat sink base and radiation fins around the heat sink base, a lampshade and an electrical connector respectively mounted at opposing top and bottom sides of the heat sink module. The heat sink base is a one-piece extruded member defining a tubular heat-transfer base portion, a broad platform and a hollow protruding mount for holding LED chips at different angles. The broad platform horizontally protrudes over the periphery of the tubular heat-transfer base portion, providing a bearing face. The radiation fins are fastened to respective mounting grooves around the periphery of the tubular heat-transfer base portion. Waste heat produced during operation of the LED chips can be rapidly transferred by the hollow protruding mount to the broad platform and the heat-transfer base portion and then dissipated by the radiation fin into the outside open air. |
| US09170005B2 |
Stand for strobe and illumination device equipped with same
Strobe stand on which strobe device is mounted is provided. Strobe device includes strobe body and light-emitting housing coupled to strobe body. The strobe stand includes the following elements: base plate having leg; attachment section provided on one surface of base plate for receiving strobe device; and suction pad provided on leg on the other surface of base plate. With this configuration, the bounce angle of light-emitting housing of strobe device can be positioned accurately. |
| US09169999B2 |
Lamp device and securing unit thereof
A securing unit is for securing a lamp shade to a bulb socket. The lamp shade includes a shade frame, and a coupler connected to the shade frame. The bulb socket is to be disposed in the lamp shade. The securing unit includes a connecting member and a securing member. The connecting member has an upper mounting segment, and a lower connecting segment disposed below the upper mounting segment and configured for connection to the bulb socket. The securing member includes a base part having opposite first and second surfaces, an engaging part extending from the first surface and engaging the upper mounting segment of the connecting member, and a resilient holding part extending from the second surface and configured to hold the coupler. |
| US09169997B2 |
Arrangement for spot illumination
There is provided an arrangement for spot illumination (14). The arrangement provides an improved collimation and color mixing unit comprising a LED array (1), a convex shaped reflector (15a), a field lens (21) and an additional cylindrical reflector (15b) at the exit aperture of the system. In combination with an optical projection system which may comprise at least two additional zoom lenses and a gate (in which several maskers, gobos or shutters could be inserted) the system allows color mixing in an extended operational range including out of focus zoom settings often used to get soft edge spots. |
| US09169996B2 |
Luminaire having a set of lamellae
A luminaire comprising lamellae holding means, a light source, and a set of lamellae comprising a plurality of (inclined) lamellae. The set of lamellae extends at least partially over a light emission window. The lamellae have a reflective front surface facing towards the light source, said front surface being designed to partially reflect light to the exterior and partially transmit light, for example in that the lamellae are diffusely translucent or have a perforated surface. The set of lamellae is provided with light converging means, for example a Fresnel lens, which optionally are integrated in the lamellae to prevent the luminaire becoming too bulky. |
| US09169994B2 |
Light emitting device, and illumination apparatus and luminaire using same
A light emitting device including multiple kinds of light emission units with different emission colors; a driver which drives the light emission units; and a cover member which is commonly provided for the multiple kinds of light emission units. The multiple kinds of light emission units include solid state light emitting elements of the same kind, and wavelength converters which cover the solid state light emitting elements, respectively, and convert wavelengths of lights emitted from the solid state light emitting elements into different wavelengths from each other. Further, the cover member contains a correction phosphor for correcting a chromaticity of light obtained by mixing lights emitted from the light emission units, to a predetermined chromaticity. |
| US09169990B2 |
Compact loupe light
A loupe light that is compact and lightweight is described. The loupe light includes an adhesive that is electrically insulating and thermally conducting to help secure a wire supplying power to a light source. The loupe light also includes an end piece configured to help secure the wire as well. |
| US09169989B2 |
Diamond optical element
A method of manufacturing an optical element, the method comprising: growing a first layer of single crystal diamond material via a chemical vapor deposition technique using a gas phase having a first nitrogen concentration; growing a second layer of single crystal diamond material over said first layer via a chemical vapor deposition technique using a gas phase having a second nitrogen concentration, wherein the second nitrogen concentration is lower than the first nitrogen concentration; forming an optical element from at least a portion of the second layer of single crystal diamond material; and forming an out-coupling structure at a surface of the optical element for increasing out-coupling of light. |
| US09169988B2 |
Light emitting module and head lamp including the same
Disclosed herein is a light emitting module. The light emitting module according to an exemplary embodiment includes a circuit board which has a cavity and includes a metal board, an insulation layer, and a circuit pattern, an insulation board disposed in the cavity, at least one light emitting device disposed on the insulation board, first and second pads disposed on the insulation board to be electrically connected with the light emitting device, and a conductive pad for electrically connecting the second pad and the circuit pattern. |
| US09169987B2 |
Lighting appliance for vehicles
A lighting appliance for vehicles includes a flat light guide having a light coupling section for the coupling of light into a first or a second end of the light guide, a narrow-side front serving as a light coupling section for the coupling-out of light into the main radiation direction extending between the first end and the second end of the flat light guide, a first flat side and a second flat side arranged on the opposite side, on which the coupled-in light can be fully reflected, a rear extending between the first end and the second end of the flat light guide having a number of optic elements for the redirection of the light into the direction of the narrow-side front, wherein the flat light guide is held with fastening means in a holding section of a holding lens running at right angles to the main radiation direction. |
| US09169986B2 |
Head light module
A head light module includes: a lamp disposed to irradiate light; a shield disposed to be rotatable about a rotating pin so as to selectively block a light path of a portion of the light irradiated from the lamp; a plunger disposed to be moved in a longitudinal direction thereof in order to push or pull one side of the shield; a compressive roll pad disposed so that an outer circumferential surface thereof is in contact with the plunger, rotated in accordance with a forward and rearward movement of the plunger, and compressed by the plunger or returns back to an original shape thereof when the plunger is moved forward or rearward; and an actuator which moves the plunger forward or rearward so that the shield selectively blocks the light path of a portion of the light irradiated from the lamp. |
| US09169984B2 |
Vehicular lamp with pillar shaped light guide and lens with thick walled projecting portion
A vehicular lamp has a light source, a pillar-shaped light guide having a plurality of light controlling portions formed on a side surface thereof, and a lens disposed in front of the light guide. Light emitted from the light source enters the light guide from one end surface of the light guide. The light guide guides the light inside the light guide. The light guide emits the guided light forward of the vehicular lamp via the plurality of light controlling portions. The lens has a thick-walled projecting portion. The projecting portion is formed to have a rectangular vertical cross-section. The projecting portion guides the light emitted from the light guide and emits the light forward of the vehicular lamp. |
| US09169981B1 |
LED lamp and LED lighting assembly
An LED lamp or LED lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposed major surfaces configured to propagate light by total internal reflection and a light input edge extending between the major surfaces. A light source is adjacent to the light input edge and is configured to edge light the light guide. In some embodiments, the light source is moveable relative to the light input edge, and the spectrum of the light output from the light guide may be adjusted by movement of the light source relative to the light input edge. |
| US09169978B1 |
Intelligent light emitting diode lamp tube compatible to T5/T8 electronic ballast
An intelligent light emitting diode lamp tube compatible to a T5/T8 electronic ballast comprises a tube body, a circuit board provided with at least one LED lamp string to be disposed in the tube body, an integrated circuit disposed on the circuit board, a selection circuit comprising a first conduction loop and a second conduction loop configured with an inductor, and a switch member connected to the integrated circuit. When the intelligent light emitting diode lamp tube is connected to a self-oscillating electronic ballast or an IC-controlled electronic ballast, the internal arithmetic of the integrated circuit can be utilized to conduct the selection circuit and the switch member to change resonance frequency of electrical circuit, so that effects of low power consumption, high adaptiveness and energy conservation can be attained. |
| US09169967B2 |
Hanger for mounting objects of various shapes and sizes
The invention relates to a hanger for mounting objects of various shapes and sizes on vertical, sloping or horizontal surfaces. The hanger comprises a frame formed by two opposing parts adapted to grip the object, and linked together by an adjustable length of cord so that the frame can be made to fit precisely the object to be hung. The disadvantages of the prior art hangers that rely on springs to provide for the adjustment needed for them to fit a range of sizes will be overcome. |
| US09169966B2 |
Compression limiting clip for a bracket assembly
A bracket assembly includes a polymer bracket that has a first side, a second side, and an opening that extends between the first and second sides. A compression limiting clip includes a plate portion coupled with the second side. A member borders at least a portion of the opening and extends orthogonally from the plate portion through the opening for receiving compression from a fastener engaging the polymer bracket. |
| US09169963B1 |
Stand device
A stand device includes a pedestal having a base and a cap, a support, and a pulling member, wherein a receiving space is formed between the base and the cap. The support includes a connecting member and a positioning member. The connecting member includes a contact portion and a connect portion extended from the contact portion, and the contact portion is disposed at an outer surface of the cap. The positioning member includes a restraining portion and a fixing portion extended from the restraining portion and passing through an opening of the cap for connecting to the connecting member, and the restraining portion is disposed at an inner surface of the cap. When the support is rotated around the pedestal, the fixing portion is moved within the opening, and when the fixing portion is moved against the edge of the opening, the support may be restrained rotating around the pedestal. |
| US09169961B1 |
Lifting apparatus for gasless laparoscopic surgery
A lifting apparatus of surgery comprises a vertical post, a horizontal arm, a rack slider and a vertical rack. One end of vertical post is mounted on a surgical table; and the other end is to be slid on and pivoted by the horizontal arm. The horizontal arm includes a hole to slide and pivot on vertical post, a shaft to be slid on by rack slider and a fastening means to secure horizontal arm on vertical post. The rack slider includes a hole to slide on a shaft of horizontal arm, and a lifting mechanism to engage with vertical rack. The vertical rack includes a rack to engage with lifting mechanism of rack slider and an adaptor to couple with a distension instrument. First clamp vertical post on a surgical table. Then slide and secure horizontal arm on vertical post to desired position. Following slide rack slider on horizontal arm to desired position such as above patient's abdominal wall. Then, engage rack slider with vertical rack to provide upward lifting by turning the handle of lifting mechanism on rack slider. |
| US09169953B2 |
Dielectric fitting
The present disclosure pertains to a dielectric fitting for use in a fluid piping system to provide electrical insulation between metal components while fluid is transferred through a sealed connection. The dielectric fitting includes a metallic body including a distal end and a proximal end and a flange extending radially from the body and having a first end surface and an opposite second end surface. An electrical insulation over-mold adheres to the distal end of metallic body, the second end surface of the flange and at least a portion of the first end surface. The insulation over-mold is secured by a plurality of recesses or by an annular member positioned along the distal end. The over-mold includes an annular portion that extends axially away from the distal end of the metallic body. |
| US09169949B2 |
Lock down units for loading arms and loading arms comprising the same
Lock down units and loading arms with lock down units are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a loading arm includes a product delivery pipe pivotally coupled to a product standpipe such that the product delivery pipe is rotatable in a vertical plane. A rocker assembly is coupled to the product delivery pipe. A support arm may be pivotally connected to the product standpipe and slidably coupled to the rocker assembly such that the support arm and the rocker assembly are slidable with respect to one another. The support arm comprises a plurality of slots. A locking pawl is affixed to the rocker assembly and selectively engagable with the slots such that, when the locking pawl is engaged with a slot of the support arm, the locking pawl couples the support arm to the rocker assembly, thereby preventing the product delivery pipe from being raised in the vertical plane. |
| US09169947B2 |
Water catchment pipe burying assistance instrument and water catchment pipe burying method employing same
[Problem] To provide a water catchment pipe burying assistance instrument and a water catchment pipe burying method employing same with which it is possible to bury a resin water catchment pipe without damaging same even when dirt flows into a lead hole. [Solution] Provided is a water catchment pipe burying assistance instrument (1) which is used to bury a water catchment pipe (P) in a lead hole (H) which is drilled in the ground, comprising: a leading end cap (2), which is formed in a cylindrical shape, the leading end side of which is closed and the aft end of which is open, and which further comprises a catchment pipe coupling part (22) which latches and couples with the water catchment pipe (P) on the inner side thereof; and a separation cap (3) which is formed in a cylindrical shape which the water catchment pipe (P) is capable of being inserted into and which is mounted on the aft end side of the leading end cap (2), and which is separated from the leading end cap (2) after the inserted water catchment pipe (P) is coupled to the leading end cap (2). |
| US09169945B2 |
Device for discharging condensate for a housing of a motor vehicle closed off from the environment, housing, and motor vehicle
A condensate trap is provided for a housing of a motor vehicle that is sealed off from the environment, wherein the housing is provided for accommodating a technical component, in particular a power storage module. A reservoir for accommodating the condensate is formed in or on the floor of the housing. The reservoir forms the lowest point of the floor in a predefined installation situation of the housing. The reservoir is separated from the interior of the housing by a cover, which is provided with at least one breakthrough as an inlet for the condensate, accumulating in the interior. An outlet opening of the reservoir is coupled to an actively actuable element for discharging the condensate. |
| US09169941B2 |
Solenoid valve
A solenoid valve includes a valve configured to control a flow of a fluid; and a solenoid configured to operate the valve. The valve includes: a holder having a double tube structure including an inner tube formed with a supply passage and an outer tube, a control passage being formed between the inner tube and the outer tube; a first connection port formed at a first end of the inner tube to connect the supply passage and the control passage; a ball installed within the supply passage to open and close the first connection port; a core coupled to a first end of the outer tube; a second connection port formed in the core and connected to the control passage; and a load installed to extend through the second connection port and moved by the solenoid. |
| US09169938B2 |
Forward check valve and fuel cell system
A forward check valve and a fuel cell system in which fluid control is performed with increased reliability when a highly active fluid is used are structured such that when an edge portion of a cap is joined to an edge portion of a valve housing, a peripheral edge portion of a diaphragm is pushed and sandwiched by a peripheral edge portion of the cap and a placement portion. Further, the diaphragm is formed of rubber. As a result, the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm is compressed by the peripheral edge portion of the cap and the placement portion, so that the degree of contact at a contact portion between the placement portion and the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm becomes very high. Consequently, in the forward check valve, joints of the members including a joint of the edge portion of the cap and the edge portion of the valve housing do not contact methanol. |
| US09169934B2 |
High pressure fluidic switching valve having variable pressure loading
A method for switching a high pressure fluid includes applying a fixed force between a planar surface of a rotor and a planar surface of a stator. The planar surface of the rotor includes a fluidic channel and the planar surface of the stator has a pair of ports to receive and provide the fluid. A control signal is applied to a linear actuator coupled to the rotor to generate a controllable force between the planar surfaces of the rotor and stator. The control signal is responsive to a rotational state of the rotor. The total force between the planar surfaces of the rotor and the stator is substantially equal to a sum of the fixed force and the controllable force. The method reduces the wear and extends the lifetime of components in a rotary shear seal valve. |
| US09169933B2 |
Safety discharge valve
A safety discharge valve includes a siphon-type open/close device (1), a valve cover assembly (2), a valve rod (3), a valve body (4), an extensible side-sealing top-pressing assembly (5), side rotary sealing plates (6), a tapered bottom valve plug (7) and a side water inlet emergency plug (10). |
| US09169930B2 |
High temperature seal assembly
A seal assembly includes a semi-tubular sealing element defining a longitudinal axis, and a retainer configured to retain the sealing element. The sealing element has a longitudinal center portion and first and second longitudinal side portions, an array of resilient arcuate fingers extending from the first longitudinal side portion and curving partially around the longitudinal axis, and a depressor portion extending from the second longitudinal side portion and having a free edge diametrically opposed to the center portion. The retainer defines a channel with an entrance opening, the channel being configured to receive the sealing element in a position in which the depressor portion extends outside of the entrance opening in position to bear a load, the channel being defined by a pair of opposed side walls configured to resiliently capture the sealing element. |
| US09169928B2 |
Apparatus and methods for placing and attaching formed filters into brewing cups
A filter setting and sealing apparatus includes a wobble plate mounted to press a filter edge into a plane defined by the top rim of a brew cup. A sealer defined by expandable sealer jaws is moveable into the filter. The jaws are actuated for radial outward expansion to seal the filter to the cup proximate the filter rim and cup edge. A second sealer is used to seal any gaps remaining in the seal after initial sealing. Methods are disclosed. |
| US09169927B2 |
Shift control apparatus of automatic transmission
There is provided a shift control apparatus of an automatic transmission in a vehicle including a constant speed traveling apparatus, which has a detecting device detecting a surrounding situation of the vehicle and operates according to the detected situation, and an automatic transmission capable of steplessly changing a transmission ratio, the shift control apparatus controlling the automatic transmission according to a shift map for changing the transmission ratio according to a traveling state. The shift control apparatus includes a plurality of shift maps, and a switching and selecting unit selecting and switching to one of the shift maps based on a shift-down request signal or a requested acceleration, which is outputted by a constant speed traveling control device of the constant speed traveling apparatus, according to the situation detected by the detecting device. |
| US09169923B2 |
Methods and systems for shifting a transmission gear
A vehicle includes a transmission including a plurality of operating modes, a shift selector including a switch mechanism associated with at least two operating modes of the plurality of operating modes, and a controller operably coupled to the transmission and to the shift selector. The controller is configured to receive a signal associated with the switch mechanism, identify a current operating mode associated with the transmission, and selectively shift the transmission from the current operating mode to one operating mode of the at least two operating modes. The one operating mode is determined based at least in part on the current operating mode. |
| US09169913B2 |
Mechanism for tooth clearance adjustment and linear actuation
This invention relates to a mechanism for tooth clearance adjustment and linear actuation. In certain aspects of the invention, a mechanism for gear clearance adjustment comprises a retaining element, on which a first gear wheel is mounted, and a carrier element, on which a gear rack or a second gear wheel is mounted. The carrier element or on the retaining element includes at least one clearance adjustment device arranged by a fastening device. |
| US09169912B2 |
Drive device for the road wheels of a vehicle
A drive device for the road wheels of a vehicle includes a stationary housing in which a rotatably drivable differential housing having an axle differential gear unit is rotatably mounted by differential bearings, at least one driveshaft being rotatably drivable by the differential housing. At least one driving gear wheel is arranged on the at least one driveshaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to the latter. The at least one driving gear wheel meshingly engage by oppositely directed helical teeth with at least one driven gear wheel for driving road wheels of the vehicle and generating axial forces directed toward the center of the axle differential gear unit. At least one thrust bearing arrangement is supported axially with respect to the at least one driveshaft at a radial supporting surface. |
| US09169910B2 |
Gear device
A gear device includes an eccentric cam rotatably formed and including a support portion arranged eccentrically relative to a rotational axis center of the eccentric cam, an internally toothed gear provided coaxially to the eccentric cam, an externally toothed gear supported by the support portion and engaged with the internally toothed gear, an output portion integrally coaxially rotating with the externally toothed gear, and a bearing portion supporting the output portion in a state where an axis line of the output portion and the externally toothed gear slants relative to the rotational axis center of the eccentric cam in a manner crossing the rotational axis center. Each of the internally toothed gear and the externally toothed gear includes a bevel gear portion which is formed by forming gear teeth on a circular cone whose apex overlaps with an intersection point of the axis line and the rotational axis center. |
| US09169908B2 |
Asymmetrical anti-rotation device and screw jack comprising such a device
The invention relates to an anti-rotation device for preventing the rotation of a driven element (4) about a longitudinal axis (Ox), said device comprising: a cross-piece (7) guided in a planar manner on a longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the screw by guiding means (8) that block the rotation of the guiding cross-piece (7) about the longitudinal axis, while allowing the rotation of the guiding cross-piece (7) about two axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to one another; and a coupling member (6) at one end of the driven element (4), connected to the guiding cross-piece (7) by linking means that permit a sliding connection (5), the axis (5) of which does not converge with the longitudinal axis. The invention also relates to a screw jack and a cable jack comprising such a device. |
| US09169905B1 |
Drive assembly with override mechanism
A disclosed drive assembly is suitable for driving an actuatable component in a first direction and a second direction. The drive assembly includes a housing and a drive rod. The drive rod selectively extends and retracts to apply a driving force to the actuatable component in a first and a second direction, respectively. The driving force creates a reactive force on the housing. An override assembly includes a spring in communication with the housing. The housing pushes a first end of the spring toward a second end of the spring when the reactive force exceeds a predetermined limit and the drive rod applies the driving force in the first direction. The housing pulls the second end of the spring toward the first end of the spring when the reactive force exceeds the predetermined limit and the drive rod applies the driving force in the second direction. |
| US09169903B2 |
Transmission wheel system series with periodically varied speed ratio and having reciprocally displacing auxiliary pulley for storing/releasing kinetic energy
The present invention is to installed a unidirectional transmission at the active side, so when a transmission belt is tightened while the active pulley driving a passive pulley in periodically varied speed ratios, meanwhile an auxiliary pulley (312) is linked for storing energy to form a prestressed force, when the force applied by the active pulley to the passive pulley through the transmission belt is zero or relatively smaller, the auxiliary pulley (312) is enabled to release energy for recovering so as to apply force to the transmission belt, because the transmission belt is coupled to the active pulley and/or one end of the active wheel shaft combined with the active pulley is restrained by the unidirectional transmission device, the transmission belt is enabled to link the passive pulley to operate in the original revolving direction for feeding back the kinetic energy. |
| US09169895B2 |
Vehicle wheel balance weights
A vehicle wheel weight has a mass portion of nonlead material having a first side for juxtaposition against a wheel rim and an opposite second side, one of which defines a clip groove. The weight further includes a clip having an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim. The clip further has an attachment portion seated in the clip groove such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. In this regard, the clip groove has an attachment member receiving hole defined therein. The attachment portion of the clip defines at least one securement hole in register with the attachment member receiving hole of the mass portion when the attachment portion of the clip is positioned in the clip groove. An attachment member extends through the securement hole and into the attachment member receiving hole such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. |
| US09169890B2 |
Low noise valve assembly
A shock absorber includes a valve assembly which includes a valve disc engaging an inner and outer valve land defined by a valve body. The inner valve land is a non-circular valve land such that a radial dimension between the inner and outer valve land varies based upon a circumferential position of the radial dimension. The varying radial dimension provides a progressive valve opening for the valve assembly. |
| US09169888B2 |
Tube provided with branch tube, shock absorber, and method for making them
A shock absorber includes a cylinder sealingly containing oil, and a piston coupled with a piston rod and inserted in the cylinder. The shock absorber generates a damping force by controlling an oil flow generated according to a movement of the piston with use of a damping force generation mechanism. A separator tube is externally disposed around the cylinder. The oil is transmitted into the damping force generation mechanism via a branch tube integrally formed on a cylindrical sidewall of the separator tube. The branch tube is formed on the cylindrical sidewall of the separator tube by burring processing. Both sides of a proximal portion of the branch tube in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical sidewall of the separator tube are pressed from an interior to concave an inner circumferential surface radially outwardly, thereby forming recesses. |
| US09169887B2 |
Brake disk
A brake disk includes an annular body, a plurality of first heat dissipation holes and a plurality of second heat dissipation holes. The annular body has two opposite side surfaces, an inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall. The first heat dissipation holes are formed on at least one of the two side surfaces. The second heat dissipation holes penetrate through the annular body between the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall. A surface within any of the second heat dissipation holes is formed with irregular structures. |
| US09169884B2 |
Wet brake assembly
A brake assembly for a mobile machine is disclosed. The brake assembly may have a stationary housing forming a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, a rotatable member, and a disc stack disposed within a cavity at least partially formed by the stationary housing and the rotatable member. The disc stack may have a plurality of friction plates operatively coupled to the rotatable member and a plurality of separator plates interleaved with the plurality of friction plates and operatively coupled to the stationary housing. The brake assembly may also have a piston disposed within the cavity and configured to compress the disc stack, and a seal located at an axial interface between the stationary housing and the rotatable member and downstream of the disc stack relative a flow of coolant from the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet. |
| US09169882B2 |
Torque limiter
A torque limiter has an outer sleeve whose interior wall possesses at least one peripheral groove and a plurality of recesses running parallel to the axis. An elastic ring is inserted in each groove. A rolling-element cage has the same number of slots as the number of recesses possessed by the outer sleeve that receives it. A plurality of the rolling elements that are inserted into the rolling element slots. The inner sleeve which slots into the rolling-element cage and whose exterior wall possesses the same number of V-shaped notches—running parallel to the axis—as the number of rolling element slots is provided. A tool or system is provided to restrict the relative torsion between the rolling-element cage and the outer sleeve between a first received position—and a second received position—when the outer sleeve is loosened by rotation and the rolling elements which slot into the notches on the inner sleeve change position vis-à-vis the recesses on the outer sleeve. |
| US09169881B2 |
Double clutch
A double clutch which has two friction clutches, a central pressure-exerting plate and two pressure plates that are axially movable relative to the pressure-exerting plate with the interposition of friction linings of two clutch disks, which mesh with each transmission input shaft, of actuating devices. Here, the pressure plates are acted on by transmission elements by the actuating devices directly without a lever action. Furthermore, for cooling and lubrication of actuating devices and transmission elements, an annular chamber with an increase in fluid volume can be formed. |
| US09169879B2 |
Dog clutch control apparatus for automated transmission
A dog clutch control apparatus for an automated transmission includes a dog clutch transmission mechanism including a clutch ring, a clutch hub, a sleeve, an axial driving device, a dog clutch portion, a stroke position sensor, and a spline of the sleeve including high teeth and a low tooth, the dog clutch portion including clutch front teeth and clutch rear teeth, wherein in a rotation adjustment range, a control apparatus controls a thrust load of the axial driving device so that a first thrust load is applied to the sleeve, and the first thrust load generates a relative rotation between the sleeve and the dog clutch portion against a frictional force generated by contact between an end surface of each of the high teeth and a front end surface of each of the clutch rear teeth. |
| US09169877B2 |
Fixed constant velocity universal joint
An outer joint member has first and second track groove portions located respectively on depth and opening sides. The first track groove portions each have a circular-arc ball-raceway center line having a curvature center that is not offset in an axial direction with respect to a joint center. The second track groove portions each have a ball-raceway center line including a straight part to increase an effective track length at a maximum operating angle. Track grooves of an inner joint member each have a ball-raceway center line that is mirror-image symmetrical with a ball-raceway center line of the paired track groove of the outer joint member with respect to a plane passing through the joint center at an operating angle of 0°. |
| US09169873B2 |
Rolling bearing unit
A rolling bearing unit includes: a rolling bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; an annular outer ring spacer disposed adjacent to one axial end of the rolling bearing, the outer ring spacer having a grease reservoir in the form of a groove extending along the circumferential direction of the outer ring spacer, and an opening that provides communication between the grease reservoir and the inside of the rolling bearing; and grease retained in the grease reservoir. Channels are formed in the grease to extend from the opening along the axial direction of the outer ring spacer. |
| US09169871B2 |
Cage and method of assembling cage
A cage that includes a first and a second annular member made of resin that has a plurality of through-holes that are located at intervals in a circumferential direction and each of the first and second annular member having axial end faces. The cage also includes pipe members each having a portion that has a plurality of slits that are located at intervals in a circumferential direction. The pipe portions are passed through the through-holes of the first and second annular members. Fixed members of the cage each have a shaft portion passed through one of the pipe members. An outer face of each pipe member is engaged with both an inner peripheral face that defines a corresponding one of the through-holes of the first annular member and an inner peripheral face that defines a corresponding one of the through-holes of the second annular member, with a frictional force. |
| US09169865B2 |
Thrust bearing device for supercharger
A thrust bearing device is constituted by a turbine-side thrust collar and a compressor-side thrust collar that are fixed to a rotary shaft; and a thrust bearing that is arranged between the thrust collars. The thrust bearing is provided with an oil passage that supplies lubricating oil r to sliding-contact surfaces formed between the thrust bearing and the thrust collars. The outsides of the thrust collars in a radial direction incline toward the thrust bearing side. A gap c between the sliding-contact surfaces is narrowed as the gap goes outward in the radial direction, and establishes a basic region gap (c1)>an outer peripheral end gap (c2). The lubricating oil outflow resistance of a radial outer region of the gap c becomes larger than that of a radial inner region. Therefore, the lubricating oil r can be kept from flowing out from a radial outer outlet. |
| US09169862B2 |
Self-aligning sleeved protruding head fasteners with electromagnetic effect protection features
A fastener system for composite structure provides electromagnetic energy protection by incorporating a self-aligning head (SAH) fastener having a head with a spherical engaging surface and a shank extending from the head for insertion through a hole in a composite structure and a self-aligning self sealing (SASS) washer having a throat receiving the shank and a spherical mating surface interfacing with the spherical engaging surface of the head. |
| US09169861B2 |
Cassette attachment device and cassette
A lock member shifts between a lock position for locking a cassette inserted in a device body and a lock release position for releasing the lock to enable the cassette to be removed from the device body. Further, a push-out member shifts between a push-out position for coming into contact with a catch member provided in the device body and pushing out the cassette in a removing direction and a retracted position. Then, in conjunction with rotation action from a first position to a second position of a lock release member attached to the surface of the cassette to be rotatable, the lock member shifts from the lock position to the release position, and the push-out member shifts from the retracted position to the push-out position. |
| US09169857B2 |
Fastening structure for thermal module
A fastening structure is provided for fastening a thermal module to a mainboard, and includes a main body having at least one elastic press portion, a fastening portion, and an insertion unit. The fastening portion is provided on an end of the main body and the insertion unit is outward extended from another opposite end of the main body. The elastic press portion is provided on the main body and located between the insertion unit and the fastening portion, and a flexible space is defined between the elastic press portion and the main body. With these arrangements, the fastening structure can be quickly assembled to the thermal module without the need of welding and can therefore be conveniently separated therefrom whenever reworking is necessary. |
| US09169853B2 |
Arrangement for oil-supply of an add-on module
An arrangement of a basic transmission and an add-on module having a module housing. The basic transmission has a driveshaft with a central axial bore for the supply of a lubricating oil stream and the add-on module has a connecting shaft mounted in the module housing by way of at least one roller bearing. The driveshaft and the connecting shaft are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner by a plug-in connection, and the plug-in connection and the at least one roller bearing are supplied with lubricating oil, by way of the central axial bore of the driveshaft. The lubricating oil stream can be divided into at least two flow streams in such manner that a respective flow-stream can pass to the at least one roller bearing and to the plug-in connection. |
| US09169852B2 |
Hydraulic pressure transducer and hydraulic system
A power station system operable to generate energy and comprising a heat engine system and a hydraulic system connected thereto. The heat engine system comprises n number of energy cells, wherein n is an integer, and n≧2, a heat source connected to the energy cells, and a cooler means connected to the energy cells. Each energy cell is operable to generate a pressurized fluid when a phase change material (PCM), comprised in each energy cell, changes from solid phase to liquid phase, and the energy cells are operable between a first phase, and a second phase. During the first phase, a first n/2 of the energy cells produce pressurized fluid, and a second n/2 of the energy cells are cooling down, and during the second phase, the first n/2 of the energy cells are cooling down, and a second n/2 of the energy cells produce pressurized fluid. The hydraulic system comprises a pressure transducer, and a hydraulic motor connected thereto, and is operable to generate a constant rotation speed. |
| US09169851B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a blowing fan in which a plurality of blades are provided; a fan motor rotating the blowing fan; and a motor mount supporting the fan motor, wherein cut parts are formed in the motor mount by cutting at least a part of a surface passing above the motor mount while the blades are rotated. |
| US09169850B2 |
Fan
A fan includes a fan frame, a motor and an impeller. The motor is disposed in the frame. The impeller is connected with the motor and driven by the motor. The impeller includes a hub, an inner blade and an outer blade. The hub has a first surface facing the motor and a second surface facing away from the motor. The inner blade is disposed on the first surface, and the outer blade is disposed on the second surface. |
| US09169849B2 |
Gas turbine engine compressor stator seal
A compressor section for use in a gas turbine engine has a plurality of compressor stages. Each compressor stage is provided with a rotor hub, and each rotor hub mounts a plurality of compressor blades. A rotor drum extends between adjacent rotor hubs. A plurality of stator stages have an outer ring and a radially inner ring. A plurality of vanes extend between the outer and inner rings. An inner surface of the inner ring is spaced by a gap from an outer surface of the rotor drum. The rotor drum is provided with a plurality of blades having a general airfoil shape to resist leakage across the gap. |
| US09169843B2 |
Turbomachine
A turbomachine that includes a housing and a circuit assembly. The housing includes an inlet for admitting a working airflow and a flange that extends from the inlet. The circuit assembly includes a circuit board and an electrical component having a heat sink. The circuit assembly is located within the housing such that the flange extends beyond the circuit board and the heat sink extends beyond the flange. |
| US09169839B2 |
Scroll compressor
A scroll compressor has an electric motor portion, a compression mechanism portion connected to the electric motor portion, and an oil sump for lubricating oil in a sealed container and compresses a refrigerant in the compression mechanism portion. A used refrigerant is a halogenated hydrocarbon or a hydrocarbon having a carbon double bond in the composition or is a mixture containing one of the same. A sliding surface of at least one of two components constituting a sliding portion having a relation of sliding to each other in a sealed container is structured in such a way that an iron metal or an aluminum metal is not directly exposed. |
| US09169836B2 |
Structure of simplified inflation valve
A simplified inflation valve includes a base forming centrally a bore. The bore has a bottom to which a PU membrane is attached. The membrane includes at least one aperture in a location outboard the bore. An outer circumference of the membrane is fixed to the base through ultrasonic technique or die pressing. A squeezer is mounted on the base and has elasticity for elastically resuming shape after being pressed and has an interior space forming an air chamber. The air chamber has a top forming at least one through hole. The squeezer has a bottom including an outer circumferential portion forming a sealing rim, which is fixed, through ultrasonic technique or die pressing, to the base so as to form an inflation valve. The inflation valve can be connected to an air bladder, whereby through pressing the inflation valve, the air bladder can be inflated. |
| US09169833B2 |
Device for fastening and electrically connecting a circuit board to a motor
A fuel pump assembly and method of making the same is disclosed. The fuel pump assembly includes a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor and a circuit board formed as a discrete component from the BLDC motor. The BLDC motor includes a stator with a plurality of windings. A screw, or some other fastener, extends through the circuit board and threadedly engages a portion of the BLDC motor. The screws serve the dual functions of attaching the circuit board to the BLDC motor and electrically connecting the BLDC motor to the circuit board to power the BLDC motor. |
| US09169832B2 |
Ground high-temperature high-efficiency solar steam electricity-generating device
A ground high-temperature high-efficiency solar steam electricity-generating device includes a light convergence assembly (1), a heat exchanger assembly (3), a heat storage chamber assembly (5), a base assembly (2), an oil pump (15), a temperature-controlling valve (16), a steam turbine (13), temperature-controlling valve (16), a steam turbine (13), an electricity-generator (12), a system control circuit, a water pump (9) and a water tank assembly (10). The light convergence assembly (1) includes a glass plate (1-1), Fresnel lenses, a U-shaped groove (1-3), a thermal insulating material, a heat collecting pipe (1-5), high temperature heat conducting oil (6-6), a frame (1-7), a rib-plate and a spindle sleeve. The high temperature heat conducting oil (6-6) in the heat collecting pipe (1-5) is communicated with the heat exchanger assembly (3) and the heat storage chamber assembly (5), so that the warm water in the heat exchanger assembly (3) is quickly converted into high temperature steam which drives the steam turbine (13) and the electricity-generator (15) to generate electrical energy. The device can realize high solar utilization, high automaticity, simple structure, lower cost, small size, and is safe and reliable. |
| US09169831B2 |
Mould for precast concrete element production
The present invention can be included in the technical field of moulds for precast concrete element production and relates to a mould for precast concrete element production wherein the relative position of the side walls that define the upper and lower flanks of the precast concrete element is defined by elements that are independent from the rest of the mould, as well as to the manufacturing process that uses the aforementioned mould for precast concrete element production, the precast concrete element thus obtained and a wind turbine comprising, in turn, at least one precast concrete element produced using said mould. |
| US09169830B2 |
Rotor blade de-icing
A rotor blade (10) of a wind power plant having a first and a second duct (16, 17) running inside the rotor blade (10) for conducting an air flow (21, 22) is provided. A method for de-icing a rotor blade (10) of a wind power plant is also provided. The rotor blade has a partition device (15) which separates the ducts (16, 17) from one another, such that the first duct (16) is arranged on a first side of the partition device (15) at the pressure side (26) of the rotor blade (10), and the second duct (17) is arranged on a second side of the partition device (15) at the suction side (25) of the rotor blade (10). In the method, the flow speed of the air flow provided in the first and second duct (16, 17) is predefined at least in portions of the rotor blade (10). |
| US09169829B2 |
Hydraulic system and wind turbine generator provided therewith
There is provided a hydraulic pump startup control device in a hydraulic system, which avoids an overloaded state at startup to enable low-temperature, fast startup and maintaining of the temperature with low-cost means in order to improve low-temperature startability. A bypass path 19 is placed in parallel with a hydraulic main line from a hydraulic tank, and the downstream of the bypass path is made merged with the hydraulic main line. A bypass valve 3 that opens or closes the bypass path is provided in the bypass path, and a pressure sensor is provided in the inlet of a hydraulic unit in the hydraulic main line. Further, a control device 10 to which a pressure detection value in the hydraulic main line is input from the pressure sensor to open the bypass valve based on the pressure detection value upon startup of the hydraulic unit. The control device repeats on-off control to circulate oil in the bypass path while keeping the pump discharge pressure and the flow rate to open the bypass path at startup so that the actuation power of the hydraulic unit will become the maximum in order to rise the hydraulic temperature of the hydraulic main line. |
| US09169828B2 |
Method and device for electrical power generation from wind power and method of manufacture thereof
A method and system are provided for converting wind power into electrical energy. One or more blades are attached by one or more struts to a vertical or central shaft, wherein each strut mechanically couples at least one of the blades to the shaft. One or more blades may be laminar. An optional method of fabricating a wind turbine blade, or fluid turbine blade, wherein the blade may be manufactured by a pultrusion process; may present a constant blade twist along a central axis of the blade itself; and/or may present a cross-section along the blade central axis. Alternatively or additionally, an airfoil is provided may be laminar and/or uncambered. According to a still additional optional aspect of the method of the present invention, a Darrieus-type vertical-axis wind turbine is provided, the turbine having a shaft that defines a rotation axis with a plurality of substantially rigid blades. |
| US09169827B2 |
Apparatus for generating electricity from wind power
An apparatus for generating electricity from wind power includes a turbine having an impeller rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and having a plurality of blades, a wind redirecting element which redirects the wind around the blades, a generator connected with the turbine and generating electricity in response to rotation of the impeller about the substantially vertical axis under an action of wind, a wind directing element which directs the wind into an interior of the apparatus, and a wind guiding device located under the turbine and guiding the wind substantially upwardly toward the turbine. |
| US09169824B2 |
Wind turbine having internal transportation devices specification identification
The invention relates to a wind turbine with internal transport devices which comprises: a power train including a generator (41) located in front of the rotor (15) and actuated directly by said rotor (15), a tower (11) and a supporting structure (13) mounted on the tower (11); the rotor (15), which is supported by a main non-rotating shaft (29) connected to the supporting structure (13) by means of at least one bearing, comprising a hub (17) and at least one blade; the generator rotor (45) being rigidly connected to the rotor hub (17) and the generator stator (43) being rigidly connected to the main shaft (29), the main shaft (29) being a hollow shaft which includes one or more transport devices, such as a device (61) for transporting hanging loads or a carriage (71) for making it easier to replace parts of the generator and/or to transport persons. |
| US09169817B2 |
Fuel pump with metering valve
A method for operating a fuel pump is provided. The method may include decreasing a pump chamber pressure, passively opening a metering valve coupled to a pump chamber in response to the decreasing, and while the metering valve is open, generating a rotational output via a motor, transferring the rotational output into an actuation force applied to the metering valve via a metering valve actuation device, and inhibiting the metering valve from closing via sustaining application of the actuation force. |
| US09169816B2 |
High-pressure fuel supply pump having electromagnetically-driven intake valve
The present invention eliminates a valve holder and accommodates a valve guide in a small space provided between a valve seat and a peripheral surface part of a pressure chamber to reduce the size of a pump. The valve guide guides a stroke of the valve and is provided inside the valve seat. The valve includes an annular abutting surface that abuts a valve seat formed in a valve housing to shut off a fuel intake passage and a bottomed cylindrical part is provided at an inner peripheral part of the annular abutting surface. The bottomed cylindrical part is inserted into a fuel introduction hole formed in the valve housing inside the valve seat. A member having a cylindrical surface part that supports a reciprocating motion of the valve, is fixed to the valve housing, face-to-face with an inner peripheral part of the bottomed cylindrical part. |
| US09169815B2 |
High-pressure fuel supply apparatus for internal combustion engine
A discharge valve (30) is provided in a high-pressure fuel passage (31) to allow fuel to pass through the discharge valve (30) only in a direction from a high-pressure fuel pump (20) toward a delivery pipe (50). A communication passage (41) with an orifice (42) is formed integrally with the discharge valve (30) in parallel with the discharge valve (30) to connect areas upstream and downstream of the discharge valve (30). When a fuel pressure in the delivery pipe (50) is increased to a target pressure using the high-pressure fuel pump (20), an amount of the fuel, which does not interfere with an increase in the fuel pressure, flows through the orifice (42). A check valve (40) is provided in the communication passage (41), and opened to allow the fuel to pass through the check valve (40) only in the direction from the delivery pipe (50) toward the high-pressure fuel pump (20), when the fuel pressure is higher than a first predetermined pressure. |
| US09169814B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices with enhanced lorentz thrust
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for delivery a fluidic substance using Lorentz forces. In one aspect, a method to accelerate particles into a chamber includes distributing a fluidic substance between electrodes configured at a location proximate a chamber, in which electrodes include a low work function material, generating a current of ionized particles by applying an electric field between the electrodes to ionize at least some of the fluidic substance, and producing a Lorentz force to accelerate the ionized particles into the chamber. In some implementations, the method further includes applying an electric potential on an antenna electrode interfaced at the port to induce a corona discharge into the chamber, in which the corona discharge ignites the ionized particles within the chamber. |
| US09169811B2 |
Air cleaner for vehicle
An air cleaner for a vehicle has an improved door locking structure that is not affected by the temperature of an engine compartment, and is configured to performing a door opening/closing operation and a filter replacing operation by simple manipulation. The air cleaner includes: a filter assembly; a case accommodating and providing access to the filter assembly; a door rotatably installed at the case that opens and closes the entrance of the case; an elastic member mounted between the door and the case to apply an elastic restoring force; and a locking unit installed that locks the door at a closed position and unlocks the door by one touch manipulation of pressing the door at the closed position. |
| US09169807B2 |
Convex thermal shield for rocket engine with extendable divergent nozzle
A rocket engine with an extendible exit cone including an exhaust nozzle for gas from a combustion chamber, the nozzle presenting a longitudinal axis having a first portion defining a nozzle throat and a stationary first exit cone segment, at least one extendible second exit cone segment of section greater than the section of the stationary first exit cone segment, and an extension mechanism for extending the extendible second exit cone segment, the mechanism being located outside the first and second exit cone segments. A rigid thermal protection shield is interposed between the extension mechanism and the stationary first exit cone segment. The thermal protection shield presents a convex wall on its face facing towards the stationary first exit cone segment. |
| US09169806B2 |
Propulsion system for flying machine, particularly for a missile
A propulsion system including: a booster; a turbojet engine; the booster including a chamber which is fixed to a rear casing of the turbojet engine by being arranged along the longitudinal axis thereof, which chamber includes at a rear a jet pipe and includes at least one charge and a mechanism initiating the charge; and gas bleed tubes connected to the booster and which are configured either for igniting the combustion chamber of the turbojet engine on for starting the turbine of the turbojet. |
| US09169804B2 |
Duct and method for damping pressure waves caused by thermoacoustic instability
A duct and a method for damping pressure waves caused by thermoacoustic instability, the duct comprising: a locking Helmholtz resonator positioned on the circumference of the duct, the locking Helmholtz resonator tuned to a first frequency; and one or more damping Helmholtz resonators positioned on the circumference of the duct at or adjacent to 90 and/or 270 degrees from the locking Helmholtz resonator, wherein the damping Helmholtz resonators are tuned to a second frequency which is different from the first frequency of the locking Helmholtz resonator. |
| US09169802B2 |
Cylinder head gasket
A cylinder head gasket includes a metallic gasket layer having through-openings and, at its peripheral outer margin, a first sealing element for providing a seal. The first sealing element forms a sealing line extending circumferentially about the gasket layer and surrounding the through-openings. The side of the first sealing element facing away from the peripheral outer margin of the gasket layer includes a vent hole arranged adjacent to a sealing line break and located in a first gasket layer region which is, on only a first side of the gasket layer, on both sides of the sealing line break, continuously bounded by the first sealing element and a second sealing element. The first sealing element and the second sealing element extend around the first gasket layer region such that a fluid flow path extending from the sealing line break to the vent hole has at least one change in direction. |
| US09169795B2 |
Exhaust gas sensor diagnosis and controls adaptation
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an anticipatory controller of an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust. In one embodiment, the method comprises adjusting fuel injection responsive to exhaust oxygen feedback from the anticipatory controller of the exhaust gas sensor and adjusting one or more parameters of the anticipatory controller responsive to a type of oxygen sensor degradation. In this way, the anticipatory controller may be adapted based on the type and magnitude of the degradation behavior to increase performance of the air-fuel control system. |
| US09169793B2 |
Method for controlling engine noise including combustion noise of internal combustion engine
A method for controlling noise including combustion noise of an internal combustion engine includes (a) setting an engine noise target value and a cylinder pressure level target value, (b) determining a first comparison value by subtracting a measured cylinder pressure level from the cylinder pressure level, (c) receiving an engine noise parameter stored in an ECU, (d) determining the engine noise using the engine noise measured at step (c), (e) determining a direct correlation coefficient, an indirect correlation coefficient, mechanical noise, and flow noise through a proportional integral controller, (f) performing correction, (g) controlling the engine based on the value decided at step (f), (h) measuring a combustion pressure after step (g), (i) converting the combustion pressure into a cylinder pressure level within a predetermined crank angle after step (g), and (j) determining direct combustion noise of the engine noise after step (h). |
| US09169792B2 |
Engine control system with actuator control
An engine control apparatus works to determine target values of a plurality of combustion parameters which represent combustion states of fuel in a combustion engine and are needed to achieve required performances of the combustion engine, calculate a combustion parameter deviation that is a deviation of an actual value of each of the combustion parameters from the target value thereof, select at least one of controlled parameters correlating with the combustion parameters as a function of a degree of a selected one of the combustion parameter deviations for minimizing the selected one of the combustion parameter deviations. The controlled parameters are parameters for controlling operations of actuators working to control the combustion states of the combustion engine. The engine control apparatus controls the one of the controlled parameters, as selected by the controlled parameter selector, to minimize the selected one of the combustion parameter deviations. |
| US09169789B2 |
System and method for adjusting fuel mass for minimum fuel injector pulse widths in multiple fuel system engines
A control system for an engine includes a fuel mass determination module, a mass fraction determination module, and a fuel injector control module. The fuel mass determination module determines a first minimum fuel mass corresponding to a first fuel system of the engine. The mass fraction determination module determines first minimum and maximum mass fractions based on the first minimum fuel mass and a total fuel mass. The fuel injector control module limits a first desired mass fraction based on the first minimum and maximum mass fractions, and controls a first fuel injector of the engine based on the limited first desired mass fraction. |
| US09169781B2 |
Turbine engine gearbox
A gas turbine engine comprises a fan, and a fan drive turbine rotor. The fan drive turbine drives the fan through a gear reduction. The gear reduction includes at least two double helical gears in meshed engagement. Each of the at least two double helical gears are disposed to rotate about respective axes, and each have a first plurality of gear teeth axially spaced from a second plurality of gear teeth by a spacer. Each of the first plurality of gear teeth has a first end facing the spacer and each of the second plurality of gear teeth has a first end facing the spacer. Each first end of the first plurality of gear teeth is circumferentially offset from each first end of the second plurality of gear teeth. |
| US09169779B2 |
Systems and methods for altering inlet airflow of gas turbine engines
Systems and methods for altering airflow to gas turbine engines are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes a gas turbine engine inlet having a slat, the slat being movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the slat increases an effective diameter of the inlet compared to the diameter of the inlet when in the retracted position. |
| US09169777B2 |
Gas turbine engine with water and steam injection
A gas turbine engine has in flow series: a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section. The engine further has a steam generator, and a water and steam delivery system. During an engine start-up period, the delivery system delivers liquid water to the combustor and mixes the delivered water in its liquid state with working gas in the combustor. After the start-up period, the delivery system accepts steam from the steam generator, delivers the steam to the combustor and mixes the delivered steam in its gaseous state with the working gas in the combustor. |
| US09169768B2 |
Method and system for diagnosing insufficiency of vehicle coolant
A method and a system for diagnosing insufficiency of vehicle coolant includes a preparing step of checking whether the vehicle is in a stop state and is on flat ground. An operating step applies a predefined output to a coolant water pump when the vehicle is in the stop state and is on flat ground. A measuring step measures a rotation speed of an impeller of the coolant water pump for a period in which the predefined output is applied to the coolant water pump. A M determining step compares the measured rotation speed of the impeller of the coolant water pump with a reference speed to determine whether or not the coolant is insufficient. |
| US09169765B2 |
Method for regenerating a diesel particulate filter
A method of regenerating a diesel particulate filter involves directing an exhaust stream from a combustion engine through the diesel particulate filter and selectively introducing a syngas stream at least periodically into the diesel particulate filter to regenerate it. The syngas stream is introduced at a first average flow rate during an initial regeneration stage and at a second average flow rate during a subsequent regeneration stage. In preferred embodiments the flow rate is varied in order to reduce temperature spikes and/or the rate at which CO slips through the filter during regeneration. In certain embodiments the first average flow rate is lower than the second average flow rate. |
| US09169764B2 |
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and a motor-generator for running the vehicle, includes: a power storage device to be supplied to the motor-generator; a current leakage detection circuit detecting a decrease in insulation resistance, the current leakage detection circuit being electrically connected to a negative electrode of the power storage device; an electrical heated catalyst device; and a power supply device that converts electric power from the power storage device into energization power of the electrical heated catalyst device by a power conversion path passing through an insulating mechanism. The power supply device includes a switching device. The switching device is opened when the electrical heated catalyst device is energized, and is closed when the decrease in insulation resistance of the electrical heated catalyst device is detected. |
| US09169763B2 |
System and method for solar-powered control of exhaust after-treatment systems
A system and method for providing energy to auto systems such as systems after-treating exhaust. Energy may be received from a solar energy source electrically connected to an after-treatment system. At least some of the energy from the solar energy source may be provided to the after-treatment system to purify exhaust from an engine. A control module may provide at least some of the energy from the solar energy source to a heater, for example, to initiate heating the after-treatment system prior to starting the engine. The heater may heat the after-treatment to temperatures within a predetermined temperature range associated with optimal efficiency for the after-treatment system. |
| US09169759B2 |
Fuel reservoir
A fuel reservoir with a diesel tank for receiving diesel fuel and a reduction agent tank for receiving urea. A partition wall is provided between the diesel tank and the reduction agent tank, and a diesel return line extends into the diesel tank. The diesel tank is fitted with a wash plate which has at least one passage opening and lies opposite the partition wall forming a diesel preheating chamber. The at least one passage opening is arranged in the wash plate such that diesel from the diesel return line is captured and held in the diesel preheating chamber. |
| US09169758B2 |
Fuel injection control system of an internal combustion engine
The present invention has its object to provide a technique which can eliminate HC poisoning of an exhaust gas purification catalyst in a suitable manner in a fuel injection control system of an internal combustion engine which can use a liquid fuel and a gas fuel. In order to achieve this object, the present invention is constructed such that in the fuel injection control system of an internal combustion engine capable of using a liquid fuel and a gas fuel, when HC poisoning of the exhaust gas purification catalyst has occurred, HC poisoning is intended to be eliminated by causing the internal combustion engine to operate by the use of the gas fuel if the temperature of the exhaust gas purification catalyst is less than a specified value, whereas the elimination of HC poisoning is intended by causing the internal combustion engine to operate by the use of the liquid fuel if the temperature of an exhaust gas purification device is not less than the specified value. |
| US09169756B2 |
Exhaust gas cooler for cooling combustion exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, water collecting adapter, exhaust gas cooling system and method for manufacturing an exhaust gas cooling system
An exhaust gas cooler for cooling combustion exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine having a cooling medium, wherein the exhaust gas cooler has an exhaust gas inlet for introducing hot combustion exhaust gas into the exhaust gas cooler. Furthermore, the exhaust gas cooler has an exhaust gas outlet for directing cooled combustion exhaust gas out of the exhaust gas cooler, wherein the exhaust gas outlet is fluidically connected to the exhaust gas inlet. Furthermore, the exhaust gas cooler has at least one coolant inlet for fluidically connecting the exhaust gas cooler to at least one coolant outlet of the internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the exhaust gas cooler has an interface for fluidically connecting a water collecting adapter, wherein the interface is designed to carry the coolant out of the exhaust gas cooler. |
| US09169755B2 |
Water injection for catalyst oxygen reduction and temperature control during transient events
Methods and systems are provided for injecting water based on duration of cylinder deactivation, and exhaust catalyst temperature during an engine cylinder deactivation event so as to reduce an exhaust catalyst regeneration requirement following the cylinder deactivation, and to prevent catalyst degradation. |
| US09169750B2 |
Fluid flow noise mitigation structure and method
The structure for the reduction of noise occurring when a fluid flow passes over a surface is disclosed by the present application. The structure comprises a surface with a top face that is roughly parallel to the flow wherein the face has an array of multiple separate and discreet cavities inset into the surface. Each cavity may be tuned to mitigate the noise of a specific frequency of the flow by altering the size, shape, position, angle in relation to the flow and ratios of depth, width, and length of the cavity. The cavities may be divided by partitions into sub-cavities of differing sizes, shapes and positions to mitigate noise as well. The structures may be applied to any application where a flow exists over a surface including, but not limited to, aerospace, automotive, naval and electronics. The structure may be flat, curved, tubular or any other shape subject to fluid flow. |
| US09169749B2 |
Separating device
A separating device (1), in particular for a crankcase venting device of an internal combustion engine, includes an inlet (25) supplying a fluid containing particles to be separated, a baffle plate (22) separating the particles from the fluid, several nozzles (21) oriented toward the baffle plate (22), and a pivotable flap (15) that, as a function of its pivot position, fluidically connects a first number of nozzles (21) with the inlet (25) and fluidically separates from the inlet (25) a second number of nozzles (21). |
| US09169744B2 |
Steam power plant with heat reservoir and method for operating a steam power plant
A steam power plant is suggested having, parallel to the preheater passage (VW1 to VW4), a heat reservoir (25) which is loaded with preheated condensate in weak-load times. This preheated condensate is taken from the heat reservoir (25) for generating peak-load and inserted downstream of the preheater passage into the condensate line (19.2) resp. the feed water container (8). Thus it is possible to quickly control the power generation of the power plant in a wide range without significantly having to change the heating output of the boiler of the steam generator (1). A steam power plant equipped according to the invention can thus be operated with bigger load modifications and also provide more control energy. |
| US09169741B2 |
Turbomachine clearance control configuration using a shape memory alloy or a bimetal
A turbomachine which operates at enhanced operating temperatures includes a stationary component. A rotating component includes a clearance to avoid a rubbing contact between the stationary component and the rotating component, the clearance including a first value in a stationary state of the turbomachine and a second value in a steady-state operation of the machine, wherein during a transient operating phase between the stationary state and the steady-state operation, the clearance includes a value which traverses a curve having an extreme value on account of a different time variation of a rotational speed and a thermal expansion of different components. A compensating device includes a non-linear compensation mechanism configured to reduce or compensate the extreme value during the transient operating phase. |
| US09169740B2 |
Friable ceramic rotor shaft abrasive coating
An abrasive coating on a rotor shaft interacts with cantilevered vanes to form an abradable air seal in a turbine engine. The abrasive coating includes a metal bond coat, and an abrasive layer containing a plurality of abrasive CBN grit particles in a ceramic matrix. |
| US09169738B2 |
Shaft seal
A shaft seal of the rotating wheel shaft of a turbomachine includes a rotating wheel-side seal and a bearing-side seal between the bearing housing and the shaft. An oil outlet chamber is arranged between the rotating wheel-side seal and the bearing-side seal. The oil outlet chamber is delimited by a third seal between the bearing housing and the shaft, and a gas discharge chamber is arranged between the third seal and the rotating wheel-side seal. The construction is actively cooled by means of at least one splash oil bore in the region of the oil drain channel, as a result of which coking of the shaft seal can be prevented. The third seal separates the oil issuing from the oil outlet chamber from the gas issuing from the gas discharge chamber. |
| US09169737B2 |
Gas turbine engine rotor seal
A rotary seal for sealing a bladed rotor of a gas turbine engine to a stator thereof comprises a sealing element and a sealing element support comprising a radially outer edge portion on which the sealing element is fixed, a radially inner mounting portion adapted to be attached to a supported rotor hub, and a flexible, medial web portion extending between the radially outer edge portion and the radially inner mounting portion. |
| US09169733B2 |
Turbine airfoil assembly
A turbine airfoil assembly has an airfoil with an inner wall, an outer wall, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil has one or more chambers extending in a substantially chordwise direction of the airfoil. An insert has a plurality of impingement holes, and the insert is configured to be inserted within one of the chambers. The insert is configured to cool the airfoil via the plurality of impingement holes. A chambering element is attached only to the insert, the chambering element is configured to provide an increased cooling gas pressure inside a boundary area defined by the chambering element relative to an area outside the boundary area. A gap exists between the inner wall of the airfoil and the chambering element, and the gap allows cooling gas to exit the boundary area and enter the area outside the boundary area. |
| US09169732B1 |
Composite wind turbine blade and method for manufacturing same
A wind turbine blade may include a plurality of longitudinal composite members each having a fiber and resin layer around a predetermined cross-sectional shape and each comprising at least one longitudinal outer surface and at least one longitudinal mounting surface, each of the outer surfaces of the plurality of longitudinal composite members corresponding to a different portion of a desired airfoil shape, the plurality of longitudinal composite members assembled such that the outer surfaces of the composite members form at least a majority of the airfoil shape. An outer skin may be provided. The composite members may be made up of transportable segments. A method of assembly may include transporting the segments to a desired location such as an installation site for assembly of the wind turbine blade at the installation site. |
| US09169731B2 |
Airfoil cover system
An example airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes a body having a first surface extending from a first edge to a second edge and a cavity disposed in the body. A first cover is at least partially disposed within the cavity. The first cover includes a first portion cooperates with a corresponding second portion. A second cover covers the first cover and forms at least a portion of the first surface with the body. The first cover is disposed between the body and the second cover. The first cover and the second cover have a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the body. |
| US09169730B2 |
Fan hub design
A fan rotor has a fan web and a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart fan blades extending radially outwardly from an outer rim of the fan web. The outer rim is integrally connected to an inner rim through an axially facing web section. The web section has an inward concavature and extends aft of the center of gravity of the fan blades to shift the center of gravity of the hub rearwards while maintaining airfoil stress below critical levels. The rim section may have an inwardly projecting annular channel formed in a leading edge thereof and tuned to the 2M3ND mode of the fan hub. |
| US09169727B2 |
Scattering detection from downhole optical spectra
Obtaining in-situ, at a first time, first optical spectral data associated with a formation fluid flowing through a downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus, and then obtaining in-situ, at a second time after the first time, second optical spectral data associated with the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus. A wavelength-independent scattering intensity within the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is then determined based on the first and second optical spectral data, and a wavelength-dependent scattering intensity within the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is determined based on the first and second optical spectral data. |
| US09169725B1 |
Method of stripping crude oil and hydraulic fracturing fluids from water using a gas sparged hydrocyclone
Water contaminated with crude oil and/or hydraulic fracturing fluids from oil reservoirs or gas/oil fracturing wells is stripped of these contaminating products with a specialized gas sparged hydrocyclone apparatus in conjunction with the method of the present invention. Various products are recovered with the present invention, including water, petroleum products, hydraulic fracturing fluids, and other hydrocarbon compounds. These products can be returned to the source, stored, transported, sold, or otherwise reused. |
| US09169721B2 |
Expansion tool for non-cemented casing-casing annulus (CCA) wellbores
Expansion tools used to centralize a casing-casing annulus in a wellbore. Providing an elongate body having a first force multiplier case coupled to an expansion tool case. A piston may be arranged within the first force multiplier case and configured to translate axially therein. A ram may be arranged within the expansion tool case, the ram being coupled to the piston and configured to translate axially within the expansion tool case in response to a force applied by the piston. One or more lug assemblies are arranged within the expansion tool case and configured to radially expand once engaged by the ram as the ram translates axially. |
| US09169716B2 |
Liquid valve for flow control devices
Certain aspects of the present invention are directed to a liquid valve assembly that can be disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The liquid valve assembly can include a housing and a liquid valve. The housing can define an inner chamber and an opening adapted to allow fluid to flow between the inner chamber and a passageway. The liquid valve can be disposed in the inner chamber. The liquid valve can include a yield stress fluid. The yield stress fluid can prevent fluid from flowing between the inner chamber and the passageway. |
| US09169710B2 |
Wellsite connector with piston driven collets and method of using same
A wellsite connector (110) includes a connector body (232) having an end adapted for coupling to a first of the components and a cavity (265) to receive a second of the components, a piston (234) axially movable in the connector body and having a piston profile along an inner surface thereof, and a plurality of collets (236). The collets are positionable about the connector body adjacent the piston and radially movable thereabout. The collets have a collet profile along an outer surface thereof corresponding to the piston profile of the piston. The collets also have a grip profile along an inner surface thereof selectively engageable with the second of the components whereby the collets are selectively latchable about the second of the components. |
| US09169704B2 |
Expandable wedge slip for anchoring downhole tools
An expansion apparatus for anchoring a downhole tool in a well is provided. The expansion apparatus has a wedge, an expansion wedge and a slip ring. The wedge and expansion wedge interact so as to radially expand wedge segments of the expansion wedge. The slip ring and expansion wedge interact so as to radially expand the slip ring to grippingly engage the wellbore or casing. |
| US09169701B2 |
Restraining device for a tensioner assembly
An apparatus for restraining an assembly suspended by a structure on an offshore platform or vessel, includes a movable carrier configured for controllable movement on a structure of the platform or vessel. A restraining member is movably connected to the carrier via a joint and the restraining member includes an abutment region for abutment with at least one element of the assembly. An assembly-locking device is provided for selectively and releasably locking at least one element of the assembly to the restraining member. A restraining device for a tensioner assembly which is suspended by a structure on an offshore platform or vessel and extending into a moonpool, includes a pair of restraining apparatuses, arranged on opposite sides of the moonpool and individually movable on respective rails by a traction device in interaction with respective racks. |
| US09169698B2 |
Modular drilling rig system
Modular transfigurable drilling rig system composed of multiple components, which system is transfigurable between a transport mode in which the components of the system are transportable and an operational mode in which the components are assembled to a drilling rig which is adapted to drill into a well center in the ground. |
| US09169697B2 |
Identification emitters for determining mill life of a downhole tool and methods of using same
Downhole abrading tools have one or more identification tags disposed in or on the cutting end of the tools, and a housing having a detector and a relay module. The identification tags emit one or more signals that are detected by the detector which is disposed in close proximity to the cutting end. The relay module is operatively associated with the detector. During operation of the tool, the cutting end is worn causing release or destruction of one or more identification tags. The release or destruction of one or more identification tags causes a change in the signal or signals being detected by the detector. The signal change(s) is/are communicated through the relay module to the operator so that the operator can identify in real-time the amount of wear of the cutting end and, in some embodiments, the location of the wear of the cutting end. |
| US09169693B2 |
Mobile access unit and cage
Fall restraint equipment comprising a mobile access unit having a mobile platform portion, a ladder portion, and a cage portion. The components of the fall restraint equipment are formed from butterflying, lasering, cutting, bending, and/or stamping continuous pieces of tubular and sheet metal. The components of the mobile access unit are modular and include adapters of varying height that cause the mobile access unit to exhibit varying height. |
| US09169692B2 |
Deployable vision obstructer
A deployable vision obstructer for use in lockdown drills and procedures. A flexible shade is attached to a door surface above a window by means of a mounting assembly connected to a proximal end of the flexible shade. The flexible shade is configurable between a retracted position and a deployed position and is opaque such that when in the deployed position, the flexible shade obstructs the field of view through the window. The flexible shade is rolled up into the retracted position and is held in place by a shade retaining assembly, such that the flexible shade may readily be deployed as needed. An at least one weight is connected to a distal end of the flexible shade, being positioned opposite the proximal end, in order to assist in deploying the flexible shade. Additionally, a security key is coupled to the distal end for locking the door. |
| US09169685B2 |
Lockable container with sacrificial housing and methods for making
An improved lockable container, which is configured to resist being pried open or being otherwise successfully attacked within predetermined time and tool set limits. Also, methods for manufacturing and/or assembling embodiments of the lockable container. |
| US09169671B1 |
Motivational reward system
A motivational device having an enclosure comprising an electronics receiving area, a closure plate, at least four sides and a door within a front plate. The electronics receiving area has a top surface, a bottom plate, a front plate and sides and contains a microprocessor programmable with primary user-determined criteria and an access code and providing data entry and data display. The at least four sides are connected to the electronics receiving area and closure plate and enable viewing of the interior of the enclosure while preventing access. The unlocking and locking of the door is electronically controlled and also enables viewing of the interior of the enclosure. |
| US09169669B2 |
Lock status indicator
A lock assembly is disclosed that is operable to mechanically lock a moveable structure to a fixed structure. An escutcheon assembly having an indicator plate movable between a first position and a second position is operable to indicate a locked and unlocked configuration respectively of the lock assembly. A status indicator located proximate a front face and a pair of opposing side faces on the indicator plate to indicate a locked or unlocked status is visible across a 180 degree viewing angle. |
| US09169668B2 |
Mortise lock conversion kit for operation with an American cylinder
The present disclosure includes a kit and method for operating or operably connecting an American locking cylinder into a European cylinder type mortise lock with the American locking cylinder functioning with the European cylinder mortise lock in place of the European locking cylinder itself. The present disclosure provides a door cylinder conversion kit that converts the European cylinder mortise lock to be operable with an American cylinder. |
| US09169665B1 |
Pushrod-type tent frame
A pushrod-type tent frame includes a base, a frame linkage and a controlling mechanism. The frame linkage has two support sets arranged in parallel, each having a supporting pole, an upper supporting pole and a lower supporting pole pivotally connected in sequence. The supporting pole has an outer end pivotally connected to a front edge of the base, and the lower supporting pole has an outer end pivotally connected to a rear edge of the base. The controlling mechanism has two rod-pushing mechanisms pivotally connected to the two support sets, respectively. Each of the rod-pushing mechanisms has a driving device for driving a telescopic rod assembly to change its reach and thereby prop up or release the frame linkage, so as to expand the tent frame or allow the tent frame to be retracted. |
| US09169656B2 |
Base unit and flooring system
The present invention relates to a flooring system base unit (1), made of a resilient material, and comprising a first portion (3) having a first surface (4) which, in use, contacts the floor to cover, and a second surface (5), opposite to said first surface (4), a second portion (7) set above said first portion (3), at least one space (9) provided on said second surface (5) of said first portion (3) and provided by a side edge of said second portion (7), anchoring means provided through said first and second portions (3, 7) to anchor said base unit (1) to the floor to cover. |
| US09169655B2 |
Floor, floor element, method of connecting a floor element to a surface beneath the floor element, method of manufacturing a floor element and kit-of parts
The present invention relates to a floor (10) comprising at least one floor element (12) and an adhesive composition (16), wherein the at least one floor element is adhesively connected to a surface (15) below the floor element via the adhesive composition, wherein the adhesive composition comprises a mixture of: an adhesive (18), and multiple resilient particles (20) which support the floor elements, wherein the multiple resilient particles (20) are configured to support the floor elements at a distance (22) from the surface (15), wherein the particles have different shapes and varying sizes, wherein a part of the space (24) between the surface below the floor elements and the floor elements is filled with the adhesive composition (16) and a part of the space is filled with air (26). |
| US09169650B1 |
Stair tread
The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a stair tread which can be installed on a staircase. The stair tread has a metal core at least partially covered with high-strength concrete. In an exemplary embodiment, the core portion has first and second horizontally extending metal plates that are spaced apart vertically from each other, and a grid of vertically extending metal support walls positioned between the first and second metal plates. The core portion can also include retention elements extending upwardly from and distributed across the top of the upper plate for securing the concrete covering to the core. |
| US09169648B1 |
Monolithic spiral design roof pipe flashing
A monolithic spiral design roof pipe flashing having a spiraled base. A spiraled boot is continuously disposed upon the base. The boot defines an inner recess and has annular upper lip defining a spiral conduit. The upper lip further has an angular rim. The base, the boot, and the upper lip are monolithically formed of a molded elastomeric hydrophobic polymer substance and are configured to flex from a closed spiral configuration to an open spiral configuration to create a gap between an exterior surface and an interior surface proximal a shared continuous outer edge of the base, the boot, and the upper lip through which the roof pipe is inserted and fitted within the conduit. Upon release of the flex, the gap closes with the pipe being disposed within the conduit and with an overlap of the exterior and interior surfaces for water tight and flush contact therebetween. |
| US09169645B1 |
Shingle with reinforcement layer
A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof. |
| US09169637B2 |
Under purlin insulation system
A method for installing a vapor bather in a building includes loosely hanging a strip around a periphery of an area to be insulated, providing a vapor bather having a plurality of attachments, the attachments adapted to attach to the strip, attaching the attachments to the strip, and then tightening the strip to tighten the vapor bather. |
| US09169635B2 |
Apparatus to tie forms to existing structures
An apparatus to tie concrete or masonry forms to existing concrete, block, or masonry structures, comprising an elongate, generally cylindrical bar. Said bar comprises, at one end, a means for anchoring the apparatus into an existing structure, at the other end, a means for coupling said apparatus to a form, and, connecting the ends to each other, a shank. |
| US09169634B2 |
System and methods for actuating reversibly expandable structures
An actuator is provided for reconfiguring a reversibly expandable structure, also referred to as a deployable structure. The deployable structure includes an enclosed mechanical linkage capable of transformation between expanded and collapsed configurations while maintaining its shape. An actuator coupled to the deployable structure provides a load, force or torque for actuating a transformation. The actuated deployable structure transfers the actuation force to an external body substances, or element in contact with the deployable structure. The force can be directed inwardly or outwardly depending upon direction of the transformation (i.e., expanding or contracting). The force provided by the deployable structure can be used to perform work by its application over at least a portion of the distance traveled by a perimeter of the deployable structure during its transformation. In some embodiments, the actuatable deployable structure is lockable structure supporting a static load. |
| US09169630B2 |
Cover element
The invention concerns a cover element for covering an opening in an in particular horizontal surface of a drainage body, with an edge region which is configured to support the cover element on the drainage body, and with a cover region which has a grid-like or perforated structure with supporting elements. It is distinguished in that the supporting elements have a thickness increasing in the vertical direction starting from the edge region in the direction of the regions remote from the edge, such that the cover element has a substantially plano-convex outer contour. |
| US09169629B2 |
Kits, assemblies and methods for no-tools toilet installation
Kits and methods for installing a toilet bowl or assembly without tools are described. The methods and assembly work with an existing flange or can include a standard closet flange configured to receive a flange bolt. The kits and assemblies include a flange bolt wherein the bolt head is configured so as to fit through an opening in a flange so that the bolt head contacts the lower surface of the flange and the end portion of the bolt stem extends upwardly; and a bolt locking knob, wherein the interior surface of the knob is configured so that when the end of the bolt stem is placed within the knob, it contacts the bolt stem in locking engagement and the knob can be hand tightened. The bolts size is coordinated with the size of the locking knobs to eliminate the use of tools on installation. |
| US09169621B2 |
Hydraulic tubing support structure and operating machine provided therewith
A hydraulic tubing support that reduces noise transmitted to an operator due to pulsation of hydraulic oil in a junction tube. The hydraulic tubing support structure includes a pair of left and right remote control valves for generating pilot pressures for the plurality of hydraulic actuators in response to an input operation performed on each operating lever, pump-side tubes and tank-side tubes respectively extending from the respective remote control valves, a junction tube for allowing communication of the tubes guided to below a floor plate through a through hole and communication of the tubes guided to below the floor plate through a through hole, and a middle reinforcement beam extending in a right-and-left direction and fixed to the lower surface of the floor plate. The junction tube is fixed to the middle reinforcement beam in a non-contact state with the floor plate. |
| US09169619B2 |
Wheel loader
A wheel loader includes a cab, a ladder provided laterally of the cab, a vehicle body cover rear of the cab, an engine, an air cleaner and a platform disposed laterally of the cab. The engine is disposed inside an engine room defined by the cover. The air cleaner has an exchangeable filter to clean air supplied to the engine. The air cleaner is disposed outside of the cover and above/rear of the ladder. The ladder has a first top step projecting laterally relative to the platform, and steps below projecting laterally relative to the first step. Preferably at least one of the first and second steps has a larger projection amount than the step below. Preferably, a projection amount of a third step positioned at a bottom is smaller than a projection amount of at least one of the first and second steps. |
| US09169618B1 |
Backfill device and method with rotating drum
A backfilling device for backfilling an open trench and padding a pipe within the trench has a lateral earth moving device and a sifting device. The backfilling device is attached to a tractor that moves the lateral earth moving device into a backfill spoil pile adjacent to the trench with the sifting device located above the trench. The lateral earth moving devices moves the backfill spoil material laterally into a rotating drum of the sifting device. Smaller particles of the backfill material fall through the rotating drum, which is also vibrating to backfill the trench and pad the pipe with backfill fines. The oversize debris in the backfill material continues to move laterally and falls out the end of the rotating drum to form a pile of large piece backfill material on the side of the trench opposite from the backfill spoil pile. |
| US09169616B2 |
Spreader component for a dragline excavator
A spreader component for use with a dragline excavator. Two dumpblocks are connected to the component in a spaced apart manner. The spreader component may include an in-use upper coupling arrangement for enabling coupling of the component to a hoist link of the dragline, at least first and second spaced apart in-use anterior coupling arrangements each for enabling coupling of the component to a respective dump block, and at least first and second spaced apart in-use lateral coupling arrangements each for enabling coupling of the component to a respective lift chain for a bucket of the excavator. An elongate connector may connect each lift chain to a respective lateral coupling arrangement in use. |
| US09169614B2 |
Attachable grapple mounting system
A system for mounting a grapple on a loader attachment having a grapple mount structure, and may comprise a grapple attachment structure removably mountable to the mount structure. A mount pin alignment device may have an abutment surface configured to contact a support surface of the grapple mount structure in the mounted condition, with a position of the alignment device being adjustable to facilitate alignment of a second pin aperture of the attachment structure with a first pin aperture on the mount structure. The system may also include a lateral mount alignment element to laterally position the attachment structure with respect to the mount structure. |
| US09169612B2 |
Alpine anchor for anchoring threaded rods in soil or rock
Alpine anchor for anchoring threaded rods in soil or rock, with a metal base plate having a number of threaded bores which are distributed about the circumference and into which the threaded rods can be screwed with an assembly machine, wherein at least one plug coupling is arranged between the stationary part and the base plate. |
| US09169609B2 |
Removable lamp for outdoor power equipment
An outdoor power equipment device may include a mobility assembly and a mounting receptacle. The mobility assembly may support a device frame of the outdoor power equipment device and enable an operator of the outdoor power equipment device to facilitate movement of the outdoor power equipment device. The mounting receptacle may be coupled to the device frame. The mounting receptacle may include a removable lamp operable to provide light at least when removed from the mounting receptacle. |
| US09169608B1 |
Vehicle tire deflation system
A vehicle tire deflation system includes a number of spike carrying members operably interconnected to an equal number of base members to form an accordion style vehicle tire deflation system. The vehicle tire deflation system includes an arrangement for ensuring the that the vehicle tire deflation system may be effectively utilized whether deployed right side up or upside down and a mechanism for ensuring that the vehicle tire deflation system remains in its extended configuration upon deployment in use. |
| US09169607B2 |
System and method for integrally illuminated paving enclosure construction and use
An internally illuminated enclosure for a walkway or driveway is provided. The internally illuminated enclosure includes solar panel converting sunlight to electricity which is stored in a rechargeable battery. When a low-light situation is detected by an ambient light sensor, a control circuit provides power from the rechargeable batters to LEDs. Additionally, the internally illuminated enclosure includes a two-part placesetting system having a permanently installed portion and a removable portion. |
| US09169603B2 |
Machine for maintenance of a track
A machine for cleaning a ballast bed has, in front of a take-up device relative to a working direction, a first signal receiver—suitable for position determination in a global navigational satellite system—for scanning an actual track position. A second signal receiver connected to the machine for scanning a new track position created by laying down the raised track onto the re-applied ballast bed is arranged downstream. Both signal receivers are associated with a control device designed to act on the drives that displace a track-lifting device relative to the machine frame. |
| US09169602B1 |
Paper product having unique physical properties
A web product having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction orthogonal thereto and having at least one ply is disclosed. The at least one ply has a first plurality of pillow regions having a first total area in the machine and cross-machine directions and a second plurality of pillow regions having a second total area in the machine and cross-machine directions, where the first and second total areas have a different value. The said web product has a residual water value, RW, of less than about 0.12 g and a Wet Burst, WB, value greater than about 400 g. Alternatively, the web product has a residual water value, RW, of less than about 0.12 g and a Vertical Full Sheet, VFS, value greater than about 8.74 g/g. |
| US09169599B2 |
Paper machine fabric
A paper machine fabric that includes at least two separate layers that are formed of at least two separate yarn systems, one forming the paper side and composed of longitudinal and crosswise yarns and one forming the wear side and composed of longitudinal and crosswise yarns, the yarn systems being arranged to form structures independent of each other in the longitudinal and cross directions of the fabric. The structures are bound to each other by means of a binding yarn system, whereby the binding yarns in the binding yarn system are arranged to form part of the layer on the paper-side surface. Each binding yarn of the binding yarn system is arranged on the wear side to bind in the weave pattern repeat to more yarns than on the paper side. |
| US09169594B1 |
Indoor fire hydrant and associated method
An indoor retractable fire extinguishing apparatus may include a portable fireproof casing adapted to be positioned inside the building structure. A spool may be rotatably situated inside the fireproof casing. A fire hose may be rolled up about the spool. A plurality of stabilizing plates may be statically mounted to the fireproof casing. A handle may be attached to the spool in such a manner that the handle and the spool may rotate in sync and thereby cause the fire hose to wind and unwind from the spool respectively while the stabilizing plates remain stationary exterior of the fireproof casing. The stabilizing plates may further be directly attached to an outer surface of the fireproof casing such that operating forces acting on the handle and the spool are absorbed and distributed along the stabilizing plates thereby maintaining the fireproof casing at a substantially stable position during winding and unwinding operations. |
| US09169589B1 |
Space saving washing and drying system
A space saving clothes washing and drying system features an appliance housing having a cavity located therein. The appliance housing features a clothes aperture having a door pivotally located thereon. The system features a perforated cylindrical drum located within an outer drum located in the cavity. An open semi-cylindrical scoop is located on a drum exterior surface on each perforation for aiding airflow. The system features a drying power system. The outer drum is fluidly connected to an intake vent close to an appliance housing bottom end via ducting. The outer drum is fluidly connected to an exhaust vent close to an appliance housing top end via ducting. The system features a washing power system. The outer drum is fluidly connected to hot and cold water supply piping. The outer drum is fluidly connected to a water drain. |
| US09169587B2 |
Process for manufacturing mesh bags from a roll of continuous mesh tube
The present invention teaches a new process for manufacturing mesh bags using a tube cloth. The process involve supplying a continuous tube cloth and at least one band with preprinted labels, propping up the tube cloth with a dynamic guiding assembly, attaching the preprinted labels to the tube cloth using hot melted adhesive or heat sealing methods and manufacturing a product from the tube cloth with the horizontal preprinted labels, and attaching plastic film to the tube mesh cloth. |
| US09169581B2 |
High tenacity high modulus UHMW PE fiber and the process of making
Processes for preparing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMW PE”) filaments and multi-filament yarns, and the yarns and articles produced therefrom. Each process produces UHMW PE yarns having tenacities of 45 g/denier to 60 g/denier or more at commercially viable throughput rates. |
| US09169579B2 |
Carbon nanotube mediated membrane extraction
The present disclosure provides an improved membrane or substrate having carbon nanotubes introduced and/or immobilized therein, and an improved method for introducing and/or immobilizing carbon nanotubes in membranes or substrates. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for improved systems and methods for fabricating membranes or substrates having carbon nanotubes immobilized therein. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for introducing and/or immobilizing functionalized carbon nanotubes into the pore structure of a polymeric membrane or substrate, thereby dramatically improving the performance of the polymeric membrane or substrate. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for the fabrication of nanotube immobilized membranes by incorporating CNTs in a membrane or substrate. |
| US09169578B2 |
Liquid crystalline polyester fiber and process for production of the same
A liquid crystalline polyester fiber which exhibits a half width of endothermic peak (Tm1) of 15° C. or above as observed in differential calorimetry under heating from 50° C. at a temperature elevation rate of 20° C./min and a strength of 12.0 cN/dtex or more; and a process for production of the same. A liquid crystalline polyester fiber which is excellent in abrasion resistance and lengthwise uniformity and is improved in weavability and quality of fabric and which is characterized by a small single-fiber fineness can be efficiently produced without impairing the characteristics inherent in fabric made of liquid crystalline polyester fiber produced by solid phase polymerization, namely, high strength, high elastic modulus and excellent thermal resistance. |
| US09169576B2 |
Electrolytic copper plating solution and method of electrolytic copper plating
An electrolytic copper plating solution is provided which has an excellent via filling ability without using formaldehyde, which is harmful to the environment. An electrolytic copper plating solution which contains compounds which have an —X—S—Y— structure wherein X and Y are individually atoms selected from a group comprising hydrogen, carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms and X and Y can be the same only when they are carbon atoms and specific nitrogen-containing compounds. Good filled vias can be made without causing a worsening of the exterior appearance of the plating by using this electrolytic copper plating solution. |
| US09169574B2 |
Installation and industrial operation of an air supply system to dose given air flows to each individual cell of a set of electrolytic cells
The invention refers to an air supply system (1) for a group of cells (4) arranged for dosing the individual air demand of each electrolytic cell (2) that must be fed to its electrolyte through a system of controlled air diffusion. It comprises a low pressure blower (5), a central feed pipe (6) and a plurality of feed branches (7); a flow meter (8) and a flow regulator (9) are associated to each feed branch. The assembly is connected to a bent hose (12) arranged on the walls of said electrolytic cell (2) to allow connection with an isobaric ring (3), so that the fed air can be diffused homogeneously and sustainedly in time to the electrolyte through selectively perforated hoses (16). The present invention also refers to the process of installation, calibration and operation of the air supply system. |
| US09169571B2 |
Methods for the electrolytic production of xylo-pent-1,5-diose
Method and electrochemical cells for producing xylo-pent-1,5-diose are provided. The xylo-pent-1,5-diose may be formed in a solution initially comprising D-glucuronic acid or D-glucuronic acid glycoside. The xylo-pent-1,5-diose may be formed by electrochemical oxidative decarboxylation of the D-glucuronic acid or D-glucuronic acid glycoside in the solution in the presence of a graphite foil electrode with improved current efficiency and/or current density. |
| US09169563B2 |
Method for forming an aluminosilicate-zeolite layer on a metal substrate, the coated substrate and the use thereof
A method is described for forming an aluminosilicate-zeolite layer on an aluminum-containing substrate by in situ direct crystallization. Aluminum-rich aluminosilicate-zeolite coatings on aluminum-containing metal substrates obtained by this method are advantageous, for example, in sorption-based fields of application, such as heterogeneous catalysis, in separation and cleaning processes, in sorption heat pumps, in conjunction with immobilized catalysts and in microreaction technology. |
| US09169559B2 |
Method for plasma-treating workpieces
A method for the plasma treatment of a workpiece that includes inserting the workpiece into a plasma chamber and depositing, with the effect of a partial vacuum after plasma ignition, a coating on the workpiece by plasma treatment. Plasma ignition occurs by pulsed microwave energy, and alternating “on” phase times and “off” phase times from pulsed microwave excitation are provided by a control. During a beginning portion of the plasma treatment, a first portion of the coating is deposited. Subsequently, a quotient of the “on” phase times and the “off” phase times is increased to deposit a second portion of the coating, which has a different composition than the first portion of the coating. The quotient of the “on” phase times and the “off” phase times is then decreased to form a third portion of the coating, which has a different composition than the second portion of the coating. |
| US09169558B2 |
Fluid control apparatus
To provide a fluid control apparatus capable of reducing the space, while reducing the cost. A fluid control apparatus has a fluid controlling unit and a fluid introducing unit. The fluid introducing unit is divided into three parts: a first and a second inlet-side shutoff/open parts disposed on the inlet side, each made up of 2×N/2, disposed between the first and second inlet-side shutoff/open parts and the fluid controlling unit. |
| US09169557B2 |
Process for producing oxide films
Processes are provided for producing bismuth-containing oxide thin films by atomic layer deposition. In preferred embodiments an organic bismuth compound having at least one monodentate alkoxide ligand is used as a bismuth source material. Bismuth-containing oxide thin films can be used, for example, as ferroelectric or dielectric materials in integrated circuits and as superconductor materials. |
| US09169554B2 |
Wafer carrier track
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatuses for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. In one embodiment, a wafer carrier track for levitating and traversing a wafer carrier within a vapor deposition reactor system is provided which includes upper and lower sections of a track assembly having a gas cavity formed therebetween. A guide path extends along an upper surface of the upper section and between two side surfaces which extend along and above the guide path and parallel to each other. A plurality of gas holes along the guide path extends from the upper surface of the upper section, through the upper section, and into the gas cavity. In some examples, the upper and lower sections of the track assembly may independently contain quartz, and in some examples, may be fused together. |
| US09169552B2 |
Process for depositing ceramic or organoceramic material on a substrate
A process for the application of layers composed of ceramic or organoceramic materials on surfaces of metals, semimetals or compounds thereof and also components or assemblies made of these materials by a chemical deposition process from the gas phase at atmospheric pressure or 30% below this and process temperatures during deposition below 500° C. The deposition process is carried out in one operation, wherein the reactive chemical substances and the precursors are homogeneously backmixed in the common gas space, and the average residence time as a ratio of volume of the gas space to gas throughput is matched to the rate-determining step of the catalyzed gas-phase reaction of the coating process so as to achieve a deposition rate of from 10 to 2000 nm per hour. |
| US09169551B2 |
Coating for a CoCrMo substrate
A coating for a CoCrMo substrate including a first layer located directly on the substrate and including Ta(CoCrMo)0.5-2.0, a second layer located directly on the first layer and including tantalum, a third layer located directly on the second layer and including tantalum carbide, and a fourth layer located directly on the third layer and including diamond-like carbon (DLC). |
| US09169546B2 |
Device housing and method for making same
A device housing includes a substrate and a color layer formed on the substrate. The color layer consists substantially of titanium zirconium carbonitride. The color layer has an L* value between about 70 to about 80, an a* value between about 10 to about 15, and an b* value between about 22 to about 30 in the CIE LAB color space. The color layer provides a yellow color for the device housing. A method for making the device housing is also described. |
| US09169544B2 |
High strength weldable Al—Mg alloy
An aluminum alloy product having high strength, excellent corrosion resistance and weldability, having the following composition in wt. %: Mg 3.5 to 6.0, Mn 0.4 to 1.2, Fe<0.5, Si<0.5, Cu<0.15, Zr<0.5, Cr<0.3, Ti 0.03 to 0.2, Sc<0.5, Zn<1.7, Li<0.5, Ag<0.4, optionally one or more of the following dispersoid forming elements selected from the group consisting of erbium, yttrium, hafnium, vanadium, each <0.5 wt. %, and impurities or incidental elements each <0.05, total <0.15, and the balance being aluminum. |
| US09169543B2 |
Precipitation-hardened, martensitic, cast stainless steel having excellent machinability and its production method
Precipitation-hardened, martensitic, cast stainless steel having a composition comprising, by mass, 0.08-0.18% of C, 1.5% or less of Si, 2.0% or less of Mn, 0.005-0.4% of S, 13.5-16.5% of Cr, 3.0-5.5% of Ni, 0.5-2.8% of Cu, 1.0-2.0% of Nb, and 0.12% or less of N, the amounts of C, N and Nb meeting the condition of −0.2≦9 (C %+0.86N %)−Nb %≦1.0, the rest being Fe and inevitable impurities, and having a structure in which Cu precipitates having an average particle size of 0.1-0.4 μm are dispersed in a tempered-martensite-based matrix. |
| US09169539B2 |
Cu-Mg-P-based copper alloy sheet having excellent fatigue resistance characteristic and method of producing the same
The fatigue resistance characteristics, particularly, fatigue resistance characteristics after retention at 150° C. for 1000 hours are improved while maintaining the characteristics in the related art. Provided is a copper alloy sheet having a composition containing 0.2% by mass to 1.2% by mass of Mg, and 0.001% by mass to 0.2% by mass of P, the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities. When X-ray diffraction intensity of a {110} crystal plane is set as I{110}, and X-ray diffraction intensity of {110} crystal plane of a pure copper standard powder is set as I0{110}, a surface crystal orientation of the copper alloy sheet satisfies a relation of 4.0≦I{110}/I0{110}≦6.0. |
| US09169531B2 |
Recycling method for aluminum dust collection and aluminum metallic smelting slag
The present invention is a recycling method for aluminum dust collection and aluminum metallic smelting slag, where aluminum dross is processed into dross pellets having a particle diameter of larger than 200 meshes and smaller than 400 meshed, with which an aqueous solution of a binder is mixed to form a raw material. The raw material is then pressure molded to form a raw refractory material and sintered under a work temperature of 1050° C.˜1450° C., and reduced in temperature to finally form a refractory material. |
| US09169528B2 |
Steel filament patented in bismuth
A cold drawn carbon steel filament has a surface with traces of bismuth. The steel filament can be used as a sawing wire or as part of a steel cord. During its manufacturing the steel filament has been subjected to a controlled cooling by bringing the steel filament in contact with bismuth. Bismuth may replace lead without harming the environment. |
| US09169522B2 |
Materials and methods for detecting the aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase gene (aad-12) in plants
This application provides materials and methods for the detection of aad-12 gene events in biological samples derived from recombinant plants and a materials and methods for the detection of contaminating events in samples derived from recombinant plants. |
| US09169512B2 |
Methods and compositions for nucleic acid amplification
Compositions, reaction mixtures, and methods for performing an amplification reaction, including multiplex amplification reaction, wherein the method comprises using one or more amplification oligomer complexes comprising linked first and second amplification oligomer members. In one aspect, the amplification oligomer complex is hybridized to a target nucleic acid, the target nucleic acid with hybridized amplification oligomer complex is then captured, and other components are washed away. Target sequences of the target nucleic acids are pre-amplified to generate a first amplification product. The first amplification product is amplified in one or more secondary amplification reactions to generate second amplification products. |
| US09169511B2 |
Isolation of nucleic acids
Provided herein is technology relating to isolating nucleic acids. In particular, the technology relates to methods and kits for extracting nucleic acids from problematic samples such as stool. |
| US09169509B2 |
Topoisomerase 2b as a predictor of susceptibility to anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity
Biomarkers of anthracycline cardiotoxicity are provided. In certain aspects, methods are provided for determining whether a subject will develop cardiotoxicity upon treatment with an anthracycline, such as doxorubicin, by measuring the level of Top2b expression in the subject. In further aspects, methods of a treating a subjects with anthracycline therapeutics and cardioprotective agents are provided. |
| US09169504B2 |
Method for producing pyripyropene
There is provided a method for culturing a microorganism in which a particular polynucleotide or a recombinant vector comprising it/them is introduced with an intermediate compound necessary for biosynthesis of pyripyropene A. The method of the present invention allows for the production of pyripyropene. |
| US09169497B2 |
Bioprocessing
Functionalized substrate materials, for example inorganic particles and/or synthetic polymeric particles, are used to enhance bioprocesses such as saccharification and fermentation. |
| US09169495B2 |
Targeted gene delivery to non-phagocytic mammalian cells via bacterially derived intact minicells
A method of targeting bacterially-derived, intact minicells to specific, non-phagocytic mammalian cells employs bispecific ligands to deliver nucleic acids efficiently to the mammalian cells. Bispecific ligands, comprising (i) a first arm that carries specificity for a bacterially-derived minicell surface structure and (ii) a second arm that carries specificity for a non-phagocytic mammalian cell surface receptor are useful for targeting minicells to specific, non-phagocytic mammalian cells and causing endocytosis of minicells by non-phagocytic cells. |
| US09169492B2 |
Compositions and methods for enhanced parvovirus transduction
The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhanced transduction of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector comprising a heterologous nucleic acid of interest wherein the AAV vector genome is oversized relative to a wild type AAV genome by employing a proteasome inhibitor. |
| US09169489B2 |
Transgenic soybean plants expressing a soybean homolog of glycine-rich protein 7 (GRP7) and exhibiting improved innate immunity
This disclosure provides for transgenic soybean plants expressing a soybean homolog of glycine-rich protein 7 (GRP7) and exhibiting improved innate immunity and methods of making such plants. |
| US09169487B2 |
Method for producing a large region duplication of Aspergillus chromosome
Disclosed is a technique which is for duplicating across a wide region any large region on a chromosome of a fungus belonging to Aspergillus strain, and which enables the stable and systematic acquisition of a previously un-acquirable fungus belonging to the Aspergillus strain having novel traits. Disclosed is a transformant wherein a transformation marker gene sequence is arranged on the outside of terminals (5′, 3′) of a region so as to sandwich an arbitrary region of a chromosome, and chromosome duplication has taken place by means of homologous recombination after double strand breakage generated in a homologous region inside the gene. Also disclosed is a method for duplicating an arbitrary region of a chromosome of a fungus belonging to Aspergillus strain by culturing said transformant. |
| US09169485B2 |
Recombinant ethanologenic bacteria comprising a urease gene
The invention provides recombinant ethanologenic bacteria, methods of making the bacteria and methods of producing ethanol using the bacteria. |
| US09169484B2 |
ApoIII and the treatment and diagnosis of diabetes
The present invention provides methods of identifying candidate compounds for the treatment of type I diabetes comprising contacting pancreatic β cells with an amount of apolipoprotein CIII (“apoCIII”) effective to increase intracellular calcium concentration, in the presence of one or more test compounds, and identifying those test compounds that inhibit an apoCIII-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration in the pancreatic β cells. The present invention also provides methods for treating patients with type I diabetes comprising administering to the patient an amount effective of an inhibitor of apoCIII to reduce apoCIII-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration in pancreatic β cells. |
| US09169481B2 |
Cell-mediated directed evolution
The present invention relates to systems which harness the molecular biology of a living cell to direct evolution of biological entities of interest. According to the invention, a host cell is engineered to facilitate mutation of a nucleic acid target corresponding to that entity and select for desirable mutants. As applied to populations of host cells, the invention provides a means to generate and contemporaneously select mutants of interest, allowing for the production of extremely diverse libraries enriched in the most ‘fit’ mutants. |
| US09169478B2 |
Isomerases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them
This invention relates generally to enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes having isomerase activity, e.g., racemase activity, e.g., amino acid racemase activity, alanine racemase activity, and/or epimerase activity, and/or catalyze the re-arrangement of atoms within a molecule, catalyze the conversion of one isomer into another, catalyze the conversion of an optically active substrate into a raceme, which is optically inactive, catalyze the interconversion of substrate enantiomers, catalyze the stereochemical inversion around the asymmetric carbon atom in a substrate having only one center of asymmetry, catalyze the stereochemical inversion of the configuration around an asymmetric carbon atom in a substrate having more than one asymmetric center, and/or catalyze the racemization of amino acids. |
| US09169472B2 |
Endolysin OBPgpLYS
The present invention relates to a polypeptide with an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 and fragments or derivatives thereof. The present invention further relates to fusion proteins comprising said polypeptide and an additional peptide stretch fused to said polypeptide at the N- or C-terminus. Moreover, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding said polypeptide or fusion protein, vectors comprising said nucleic acid molecules and host cells comprising either said nucleic acid molecules or said vectors. In addition, the present invention relates to said polypeptide or fusion protein for use as a medicament, in particular for the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial infections, as diagnostic means, as cosmetic substance or as sanitizing agent. The present invention also relates to the use of said polypeptide or fusion protein for the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial contamination of foodstuff, of food processing equipment, of food processing plants, of surfaces coming into contact with foodstuff, of medical devices, of surfaces in hospitals and surgeries. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said polypeptide or fusion protein. |
| US09169471B2 |
Enzymes
The invention relates to a nucleic acid polymerase capable of producing a non-DNA nucleotide polymer from a DNA nucleotide polymer template, said polymerase comprising amino acid sequence having at least 36% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein said amino acid sequence is mutated relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 at one or more residues of the thumb region, said residues selected from: amino acids 651 to 679 (patch 10A); wherein said amino acid sequence is mutated relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 at residue E664. In one embodiment said polymerase comprises the mutations Y409G and E664K. In one embodiment said polymerase comprises amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:12. The invention also relates to A nucleic acid polymerase capable of reverse transcribing a HNA nucleotide polymer into a DNA nucleotide polymer, said polymerase comprising amino acid sequence having at least 36% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein said amino acid sequence is mutated relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 at residue I521. |
| US09169470B2 |
Methods and compositions for generating bioactive assemblies of increased complexity and uses
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for making and using bioactive assemblies of defined compositions, which may have multiple functionalities and/or binding specificities. In particular embodiments, the bioactive assembly is formed using dock-and-lock (DNL) methodology, which takes advantage of the specific binding interaction between dimerization and docking domains (DDD) and anchoring domains (AD) to form the assembly. In various embodiments, one or more effectors may be attached to a DDD or AD sequence. Complementary AD or DDD sequences may be attached to an adaptor module that forms the core of the bioactive assembly, allowing formation of the assembly through the specific DDD/AD binding interactions. Such assemblies may be attached to a wide variety of effector moieties for treatment, detection and/or diagnosis of a disease, pathogen infection or other medical or veterinary condition. |
| US09169469B2 |
Polypeptides having peroxygenase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having peroxygenase activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US09169468B2 |
Pentose fermentation by a recombinant microorganism
The present invention provides methods and compositions suitable for use in the conversion of xylose to xylitol and xylulose, including nucleic acid constructs, recombinant fungal host cells, and related materials. |
| US09169462B2 |
Methods for preparing mature erythrocytes from conditionally immortalized hematopoietic stem cells
Provided herein are methods for preparing differentiated cells, and the cells prepared by such methods. |
| US09169461B2 |
Use of apoptotic cells ex vivo to generate regulatory T cells
Many cell types in the body can remove apoptotic and cellular debris from tissues; however, the professional phagocyte, or antigen presenting cell (“APC”), has a high capacity to do so. The recognition of apoptotic cells (“ACs”) occurs via a series of evolutionarily-conserved, AC associated molecular-pattern receptors (“ACAMPRs”) on APCs that recognize and bind corresponding apoptotic-cell-associated molecular patterns (“ACAMPs”). These receptors recognize ligands such as phosphotidyl serine and oxidized lipids found on apoptotic cells. Savill et al. (2002); and Gregory et al. (2004). |
| US09169456B2 |
Cleaning composition comprising an ethoxylated alcohol blend, having high self-adhesion and providing residual benefits
A composition for treating a hard surface. The composition has: (a) at least one adhesion promoter; (b) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of: anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionic, and combinations thereof; (c) mineral oil; (d) a blend of linear primary alcohols, wherein each alcohol of said blend includes a carbon chain containing 9 to 17 carbons or an ethoxylated blend thereof; (e) water; (f) optionally, at least one solvent; and wherein the composition is self-adhering upon application to a surface to be treated, and wherein the composition provides a wet film to said surface when water passes over said composition and surface. |
| US09169452B2 |
Modified alkyl-phenol-aldehyde resins, use thereof as additives for improving the properties of liquid hydrocarbon fuels in cold conditions
Modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resins include one or more alkylamines, having preferably at least one primary amine type group as well as their use for improving the flow properties of motor fuels and hydrocarbon fuels, such as in particular jet fuel, gas oil, fuel oil domestic, heavy fuel oil. |
| US09169450B2 |
Method of upgrading heavy hydrocarbon streams to jet and diesel products
The present invention is directed to a process for converting heavy hydrocarbonaceous feeds to jet and diesel products: using a single reactor, dual catalyst system; or using a single reactor, multiple catalyst system. |
| US09169449B2 |
Hydroprocessing catalysts and methods for making thereof
A method to upgrade heavy oil feedstock using an ebullated bed reactor and a novel catalyst system is provided. The ebullated bed reactor system includes two different catalyst with different characteristics: an expanded catalyst zone containing particulate catalyst having a particle size of greater than 0.65 mm; and a slurry catalyst having an average particle size ranging from 1 to 300 μm. The slurry catalyst is introduced to the ebullated bed system with the heavy oil feedstock, and entrained in the upflowing hydrocarbon liquid passing through the ebullated bed reaction zone. The slurry catalyst reduces the formation of sediment and coke precursors in the ebullating bed reactor system. The slurry catalyst is prepared from at least a water-soluble metal precursor and pre-sulfided prior to being introduced with the heavy oil feedstock to the reactor system, or sulfided in-situ in the ebullated bed reactor in another embodiment. |
| US09169443B2 |
Process for heavy oil and bitumen upgrading
A bitumen and heavy oil upgrading process and system is disclosed for the synthesis of hydrocarbons, an example of which is synthetic crude oil (SCO). The process advantageously avoids the waste attributed to residuum and/or petcoke formation which has a dramatic effect on the yield of hydrocarbon material generated. The process integrates Fischer-Tropsch technology with gasification and hydrogen rich gas stream generation. The hydrogen rich gas generation is conveniently effected using singly or in combination a hydrogen source, a hydrogen rich vapor from hydroprocessing and the Fischer-Tropsch process, a steam methane reformer (SMR) and autothermal reformer (ATR) or a combination of SMR/ATR. The feedstock for upgrading is distilled and the bottoms fraction is gasified and converted in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. A resultant hydrogen lean syngas is then exposed to the hydrogen rich gas stream to optimize the formation of, for example, the synthetic crude oil. The hydrogen lean gas stream may also be effected by a water gas shift reaction, singly or in combination or in addition with the hydrogen rich gas stream generation. A system for effecting the process is also characterized in the specification. |
| US09169439B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing coal coking properties
A method of testing the coking qualities of sample quantities of coal in a test container and the structure of the test container are disclosed. A test container which is ideally reusable is adapted to receive one or more samples of coal to be tested and then the test container is inserted into a coking oven along with additional, conventional coal during a conventional coking operation. Following the completion or substantial completion of the coking operation, the test container is recovered and from the conventional converted coke and the sample(s) of coke are removed from the container for testing and evaluation. The container is recharged with one or more additional samples of coke and reused in another conventional coking operation. |
| US09169438B2 |
Compounds of liquid crystalline medium and use thereof for high-frequency components
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I to the use thereof for high-frequency components, to liquid-crystalline media comprising the compounds, and to high-frequency components, in particular antennae, especially for the gigahertz range, comprising these media. The liquid-crystalline media serve, for example, for the phase shifting of microwaves for tuneable “phased-array” antennae. |
| US09169434B2 |
Phosphorescent metal complex, process for production and light-emitting component
This invention presents, firstly, the principle that simple and known emitter materials which are uncharged per se, as known, for example, from OLED technology, can be converted to a charged species by the introduction of a charged imidazolinium radical. This charged species can then be used in organic light-emitting electrochemical cells. |
| US09169433B2 |
Methods for enhancing well productivity and minimizing water production using swellable polymers
Methods of treating a subterranean formation with a treatment fluid comprising a swellable organic polymer coated onto proppant particulates. The swellable organic polymer is water-swellable, having a swelled configuration when contacted with water and an unswelled configuration in the absence of water contact. The treatment fluid may be introduced into the subterranean formation, where the swellable organic polymer adopts the swelled configuration and is placed in a fracture. During hydrocarbon production, the swellable organic polymer adopts the unswelled configuration. |
| US09169427B2 |
Low GWP heat transfer compositions containing difluoromethane, a fluorinated ethane and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
Heat transfer compositions, methods and use wherein the composition comprising: (a) from about 5 to about 20% by weight of HFC-32; (b) from about 70% to about 90% by weight of HFO-1234ze; and (c) from about 5% to less than about 20% by weight of HFC-152a and/or HFC-134a. |
| US09169426B2 |
Joint compound, wall assembly, and methods and products related thereto
Disclosed are aspects of board finishing systems. For example, in various aspects, disclosed are joint compound compositions, wall assemblies, methods of treating walls, and products related to any of the foregoing, including reinforcement trim, e.g., for protecting corners where boards meet, fasteners, and tape. The joint compound preferably is a drying type composition with reduced shrinkage property, and includes binder and hollow spheres, resulting in an ultra lightweight formulation in some embodiments. The joint compound composition can be applied in a one-coat treatment in preferred embodiments. Other aspects of board finishing system accommodate such a one-coat treatment to thusly allow a user to manipulate the compound closer to the plane of board as compared with conventional formulations. Joint tape and reinforcement trim can include non-swelling synthetic paper facing material in some embodiments. |
| US09169425B2 |
Adhesive film and electronic device including the same
An adhesive film includes an amine curing agent and a phenolic curing agent, and has a ratio of a storage modulus at 170° C. after 80% or more curing to a storage modulus at 40° C. before curing in the range of about 1.5 to about 3.0. |
| US09169421B2 |
Method of producing structure containing phase-separated structure, method of forming pattern, and top coat material
A method of producing a structure containing a phase-separated structure, including forming, on a substrate, a layer containing a block copolymer having a block of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane structure-containing structural unit; forming a top coat film by applying, to the layer containing the block copolymer, a top coat material which undergoes a change in polarity upon heating, and controls a surface energy of the layer containing the block copolymer; and subjecting the layer containing the block copolymer on which the top coat film is formed to phase separation by thermal annealing. |
| US09169419B2 |
Powder coating composition comprising a polyester and a β-hydroxyalkylamide as crosslinker
The invention relates to a thermosetting powder coating composition comprising a crosslinker and a polyester, wherein the polyester has functional groups which functional groups are capable of reacting with β-hydroxyalkylamide groups, wherein the polyester is prepared from at least the following monomers: neopentylglycol, a difunctional alcohol other than neopentylglycol; isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, optionally adipic acid and a branching monomer chosen from the group of an at least trifunctional carboxylic acid, an at least trifunctional alcohol, an at least trifunctional hydroxy carboxylic acid and mixtures thereof, wherein the amount of difunctional alcohol other than neopentylglycol in the polyester ranges from 1 to 50% w/w based on the polyester, wherein the amount of isophthalic acid in the polyester ranges from 6 to 35% w/w based on the polyester, wherein the polyester has a functionality of at least 2.1, wherein the crosslinker is a compound having β-hydroxyalkylamide groups. This thermosetting powder coating composition has the ability to be cured at low temperature, while at the same time being able provide powder coatings having at least two of the following three properties: limited blooming to no blooming, an acceptable smoothness, sufficient impact resistance. |
| US09169417B2 |
Powder coatings compositions
A solid epoxy resin powder coating composition which includes a divinylarene dioxide resin as one component; and wherein the solid epoxy resin powder coating composition can be formed by blending or reacting various other components with the divinylarene dioxide resin. For example, other components can include other epoxy resins; phenolic resins; or monomeric and/or polymeric isocyanates. The powder coating composition or formulation may advantageously provide, for example, a Fusion Bonded Epoxy coating on a substrate. |
| US09169410B2 |
Ink composition, two-pack curing ink composition set, and recording method and recorded matter using these
The present invention is directed to an ultraviolet curing ink jet ink composition which contains at least a polymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, and is free from an aqueous solvent. The polymerizable compound comprises at least a urethane oligomer, and the photopolymerization initiator comprises an acylphosphineoxide and α-hydroxyketone. |
| US09169409B2 |
Ink composition for imprint lithography and roll printing
Disclosed are an ink composition for an imprint lithography and a roll printing, wherein in forming patterns of the LCD device using the imprint lithography and the roll printing, an ink composition with high thermal resistance, consisting of polymer resin and additive both endurable even at a high temperature is used to form fine patterns with constantly maintaining pattern linewidths and line intervals, and wherein the ink composition is endurable even at a high temperature of 90-250° C. |
| US09169405B2 |
Highly scratch-resistant coatings having good weathering and crack resistance
Disclosed is an at least partly crosslinked coating (K) composed of a near-surface coating zone (K1) and a volume coating zone (K2), the coating obtained from a composition comprising at least two different crosslinkable components (D1) and (D2), at least part of component (D1) having one or more surface-active structural units, wherein (i) the coating both in zone (K1) and in zone (K2) is at least partly crosslinked, and (ii) the crosslinking density of the coating in zone (K1) is higher than the crosslinking density of the coating in zone (K2). Also disclosed are coatings (K) wherein the concentration of component (D1) in the near-surface coating zone (K1) is higher than in the volume coating zone (K2), and the micropenetration hardness and/or the dry scratch resistance of the coating (K) is higher than that of an at least partly crosslinked coating (K′) obtained from a composition with no crosslinkable component (D1). |
| US09169404B2 |
Process for removing paint overspray from a paint spray booth
The present invention relates to a specific aqueous separation liquid and to a process for removing paint overspray from a paint spray booth comprising: i) directing a gas stream through a paint spray booth; ii) contacting paint overspray with the gas stream flowing through the paint booth thereby forming a paint loaded gas stream containing paint particles or droplets dispersed therein, iii) forming a flowing substantially continuous liquid film of the aqueous separation liquid on a surface positioned within the flow path of the gas stream; iv) directing the paint loaded gas stream to said surface, in order to bring the gas stream in contact with the flowing substantially continuous film of the aqueous separation liquid, thereby transferring paint particles or droplets from the gas stream into the separation liquid to form a first paint loaded separation liquid; and v) removing the first paint loaded separation liquid and the gas stream having a reduced paint load. |
| US09169401B2 |
Method of production of soot from rubber waste
Scrap rubber is decomposed in a reactor. The decomposition products are separated into gaseous products and carbon residue. The gaseous products are heated to 1200-1300° C. to decomposition primarily resins and asphaltenes, oil is isolated, atomized to a droplet size of 0.2-2.0 mm, mixed in a ratio of 1:(0.05-3.0) with the carbon residue, which is ground to 0.1-1.0 mm, and thermally decomposed into carbon black with an atomic hydrogen-to-carbon ratio (H:C) in the range of 0.02-0.07 and gases. Ash and volatile compounds are removed from the carbon residue. Carbon black is separated from the ash. The heat given off during combustion of part of the oil is spent on the formation of carbon black, the flash heating of the carbon residue and the removal of volatile substances therefrom, said volatile substances being subjected to intensive heating in the absence of oxygen using heated carbon black particles and oil combustion products. |
| US09169400B2 |
Fiber reinforcement with 1-silacyclobutane crosslink units
Disclosed herein is a composition having a plurality of particles of a filler material and crosslinking units having the formula —(SiR—CH2—CH2—CH2)—. The silicon atom in the crosslinking unit is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Each R is alkyl, alkenyl, phenyl, methyl, ethyl, allyl, halogen, chloro, or bromo. Also disclosed herein is a filler material having the silicon atom of a silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound thereto. Also disclosed herein is a method of crosslinking silacyclobutane groups bound to a plurality of particles of a filler material. The silicon atom of the silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Also disclosed herein is a composition including a plurality of fibers of a polymer having reactive oxygen atoms and siloxane groups. Coordination bonds are formed between the oxygen atoms and the silicon atoms of the siloxane groups of separate fibers. |