最新美国发明专利第2015-10-27期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US09169753B2	Diesel engine and a catalysed filter therefor A diesel engine includes an exhaust system having a particulate filter made from a porous material having a mean pore diameter of from 5 μm to 40 μm, a porosity of at least 40% and a bulk volumetric heat capacity of at least 0.50 J cm−3 K−1 at 500° C. The filter includes a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) located in a first catalyst zone on the front end of the filter and at least one catalyst zone located downstream thereof, for oxidizing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen monoxide. The engine includes engine management means, in use, to provide continuously or intermittently an exhaust gas having sufficient nitrogen oxides or hydrocarbon and/or an exhaust gas of sufficiently high temperature to combust particulate matter. The platinum group metal (PGM) loading in the first catalyst zone is greater than the total PGM loading in the at least one downstream catalyst zone.
US09169751B2	Methods and systems for utilizing waste heat for a hybrid vehicle Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may reduce engine warm-up time and increase an amount of time an engine of a hybrid vehicle is deactivated while the hybrid vehicle is powered by a motor. In one example, a phase change material selectively stores and releases exhaust gas energy from and engine to improve vehicle operation.
US09169746B2	Valve timing adjusting system A main angle-limiting mechanism mechanically limits a relative movement between a vane rotor and a housing within a main angular range. When a rotational phase difference between the vane rotor and the housing becomes out of the main angular range, for example, due to a breakage of the main angle-limiting mechanism, an electronic control unit sets a target value for the rotational phase difference. The target value is set at such a value within a restricted angular range, which is smaller than the main angular range.
US09169745B2	Engine having continuously variable valve timing mechanism An engine having a variable valve timing mechanism may include a camshaft having a cam formed thereon for moving an intake or exhaust valve, a variable rotation unit disposed on the same axis with the camshaft to rotate the camshaft to have a retard angle chamber and an advance angle chamber for controlling a retard angle and an advance angle of the camshaft, a variable valve bolt having a fastening portion for fastening the variable rotation unit to the camshaft, and an oil control valve for making selective supply of hydraulic oil to the retard angle chamber and the advance angle chamber, and a valve controller disposed on an outer side of the variable rotation unit for controlling the oil control valve in the variable valve bolt.
US09169743B2	Metallic annular connection structure for aircraft turbomachine A metallic annular connection structure between two parts for an aircraft turbomachine, with an arbitrary half-section including two primary branches and a base forming a first U opening up in the radial direction from a longitudinal axis, and two secondary branches forming a second U with one of the two primary branches opening up in the longitudinal direction. The primary and secondary branches and the base of the first U are made in a single piece.
US09169736B2	Joint between airfoil and shroud A stator joint for a gas turbine engine has a center axis, and a shroud having a radial wall facing substantially radially with respect to the center axis. A slot wall defines in-part a slot in the shroud. A relief wall defines a relief area of the slot. The relief wall extends between the radial wall and the slot wall. A vane has an airfoil and a lug extending into the slot. A flowable attachment material is disposed in the relief area for engagement of the vane to the shroud. A vane assembly and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
US09169735B2	Blade-pitch control system with feedback swashplate A blade-pitch control system for controlling a pitch angle of blades on a rotor has an input swashplate assembly having non-rotating and rotating portions, the rotating portion being operably connected to blade grips. A feedback swashplate assembly has non-rotating and rotating portions, the rotating portion being connected to the yoke for movement with the yoke during flapping of the yoke. Linear actuators connect the non-rotating portion of the input swashplate assembly to the non-rotating portion of the feedback swashplate assembly. Motion of the yoke during flapping causes a corresponding motion of the feedback swashplate assembly and input swashplate assembly for providing selected pitch-flap coupling between flapping motion of the yoke and pitch motion of the grips.
US09169728B2	Dynamic load reduction system Bolted together first and second flanges include bolts disposed through first bolt holes in the first flange. The bolts extend at least partially through second holes in the second flange. Bolt include bolt heads, threads, and shanks therebetween. Crushable spacers disposed around the shanks of a first plurality of the bolts and contacting and axially extending between the bolt heads and the first flange. Bushings disposed around a second plurality of the bolts and contacting and axially extending between the bolt heads and the second flange. A shank outer diameter may be smaller than a thread diameter and heat shrink tubing may be disposed around the bolt shanks of at least some of the spacers. First bolt holes may extend into an open annular slot on first flange and second holes may extend partially through a forward extending annular rail of second flange with rail received within slot.
US09169723B2	System and method for treatment of well completion equipment An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular having an opening and a formation includes a particulate control device and a flow control device positioned adjacent to the particulate control device. A flow path is formed between the opening of the wellbore tubular and the formation and that is internal to the particulate control device and the flow control device. The apparatus may include an additive supply line having an outlet positioned to dispense at least one additive into the flow path. A related method for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular having an opening and a formation may include positioning a flow control device adjacent to a particulate control device in the wellbore and dispensing at least one additive into a flow path internal to the particulate control device and the flow control device.
US09169719B2	Downhole supercapacitor device Certain aspects and features of the present invention are directed to a supercapacitor device that can be disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The supercapacitor device can include a body that can be disposed in the wellbore, a supercapacitor disposed in the body, at least two terminals disposed at least partially outside the body, and an actuation mechanism. The supercapacitor stores energy. The terminals can be electrically connected with the supercapacitor. An electrical connection between the supercapacitor and the terminals can cause the energy to be discharged from the supercapacitor in response to a conductive material providing an electrical path between the at least two terminals. The actuation mechanism can selectively prevent a deployment of the supercapacitor device in the wellbore from causing a discharge of the energy from the supercapacitor.
US09169718B2	Nozzle assembly A nozzle assembly including a nozzle. The nozzle has an elongated body. The elongated body has a nozzle end at one end and a connection portion at another end. A joint section is connected with the connection portion. The joint section allows the nozzle to move axially and radially when an axial force is applied to the nozzle end.
US09169717B2	High uptake sulfur solvent systems and methods for making and using same Compositions for chemically removing sulfur deposits from reservoir formations, production tubing, flow lines, and other production equipment due to the production of sour gas and/or oil including reaction products of diamines and aldehydes at a mole ratio between about 1:1 and about 1:6, and methods for making and using same.
US09169715B2	Down hole well tool provided with a piston A down hole well tool (1) comprising a tool unit comprising at least one first fluid conduit (2) and a return fluid conduit (3) in use forming a well annulus between the tool unit and a well bore, and at least one piston (4) dividing the well annulus into well annulus spaces. The piston comprises at least two piston bodies wherein a first piston body (4a) is arranged to rotate with the tool unit and a second piston body (4b) is arranged in a position in between the first piston body and the well bore. The first piston body is arranged to rotate relative the second piston body and first sealing means are arranged in between the first piston body and the second piston body.
US09169713B2	Blowout preventer with locking ram assembly and method of using same A lock assembly of a blowout preventer is provided. The blowout preventer includes a ram assembly slidably positionable in the channel and engageable with a tubular. The ram assembly includes a ram block, a ram cylinder, and a ram shaft. The lock assembly includes a lock cylinder and a lock piston. The lock cylinder is operatively connectable to the ram cylinder. The ram shaft has an end slidably extendable into a lock cavity of the lock cylinder. The lock piston is slidably positionable in the lock cylinder and separates the lock cavity into a lock and a closing chamber. The lock piston has a ram surface engageable with the end when the lock piston is in a locked position, and a ram hole therethrough to receive the end when the lock piston is in an unlocked position whereby the ram block is selectively lockable about the tubular.
US09169711B2	Slotted metal seal A seal for sealing an annulus between an outer tubular wellhead member and an inner tubular wellhead member is described. The seal is an annular sealing ring that has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart sealing ring grooves extending at least from a first end to a second end of the sealing surface of at least one of the wellhead members. When the seal is energized, fouling on the sealing surface is urged toward and then through the slot, axially away from the sealing surface.
US09169709B2	Spool module A spool module for a subsea well production tree and system is presented. The spool module is similar to traditional process modules, except that the spool module includes all its components and their conduits inside one body (or block). This module includes retrievable components used for production and annulus flow lines into one package. The spool module includes the production choke, annulus choke, and conduit bores integral in the block. The spool module includes all of these elements machined into one body having no additional conduits or piping outside of the body. The spool module may also be used in connection with a subsea tree during production of a well, or with several wells on a template or as part of a manifold.
US09169708B2	Method of in situ repair of a wellhead base flange An in situ method for repairing a base flange of a wellhead. At least one layer of a polymerizable composite material is applied to a damaged surface, an elastic seal is placed on the layer of composite material, and a reinforcing collar is pressed against the seal on the surface of the flange covered with the composite material. An arrangement of an in situ repair of a base flange of a wellhead includes at least one layer of a polymerized composite material on a damaged surface, an elastic seal on the composite material, and a reinforcing collar pressing the seal against the damaged surface.
US09169707B1	Tunable down-hole stimulation array Tunable down-hole stimulation arrays feature closed-loop control of spatial arrays comprising several connected stimulators. Each stimulator is responsive to a timed activation signal. Stimulators periodically transmit bursts comprising a plurality of vibration frequencies, each burst having an adjustable power spectral density (PSD) that is tunable via an adjustable rebound cycle time. Rebound cycle times also affect vibration interference among array stimulators, while simultaneous or sequential timed activation signals from a programmable controller affect directional propagation of combined vibration wave fronts from an array. Stimulator PSD's are adjusted for resonance excitation and fracturing of adjacent geologic materials. Closed-loop feedback control incorporates backscatter vibration from stimulated geologic material. As fracturing proceeds to smaller (proppant-sized) fragments having higher resonant frequencies, PSD's are up-shifted, increasing relative power in higher vibration frequencies. Progressive geologic stimulation is optimized, with inherent potential for plain-water fracs completed with self-generated proppant.
US09169706B2	Drill-site proppant vacuum system A proppant collection system for a hydraulic fracturing well site, the well site having one or more proppant handling apparatuses and a closed proppant storage device. The system includes a dust capture system having a hatch in the one or more proppant storage devices, a dust collection cap on the hatch, and a conduit attached to each dust collection cap for receiving dust that enters the dust collection cap from the proppant storage device through the hatch. A central vacuum unit is attached to the conduits of the dust capture system, the central vacuum unit including a slurry tank for receiving dust that is collected by the dust capture system. The slurry tank is adapted to aggregate the dust collected from the proppant storage device.
US09169703B2	Rotatable tubing anchor A rotatable tubing anchor for anchoring a tubing string to a casing in a well, wherein a lock pin extending radially inward from a cylindrical drag body interacts with a lazy T portion of a lock slot in a peripheral surface of a mandrel positioned in the cylindrical drag body limits vertical and rotational movement of the mandrel in relation to the cylindrical drag body in a manner that enables retaining, controlling, setting, and releasing anchor slips on the rotatable tubing anchor for lowering a tubing string equipped with the rotatable tubing anchor and a down hole pump into a well, anchoring the tubing string to casing in the well against upward tension on the tubing string while allowing rotation of the tubing string, and releasing the rotatable tubing anchor from the casing to enable pulling the tubing string, rotatable tubing anchor, and pump out of the well.
US09169699B2	Tubing string with latch system A technique facilitates a variety of well services. A tubing string is provided with a latch assembly having a lower latch assembly portion, an upper latch assembly portion, and a latch mandrel. The latch mandrel comprises a weakened region disposed in a housing of the latch assembly. Additionally, a release mechanism may be employed to facilitate release of the upper latch assembly portion from the lower latch assembly portion upon separating the latch mandrel at the weakened region.
US09169691B2	Magnetic tilt and raise/lower mechanisms for a venetian blind The present invention discloses a window blind within a multi-pane window. A window blind disposed between first and second panes includes a plurality of slats. Raise/lower and tilt lines are coupled to the slats. A carriage housing is disposed between the panes proximate a side edge thereof. A tilt strip is disposed within the carriage housing and coupled to the tilt lines. An inner carriage disposed within the carriage housing includes an upper portion coupled to the raise/lower lines to actuate raising and lowering the slats, and a lower portion coupled to the tilt strip to actuate tilting the slats. An external carriage is adjacent the exterior surface and aligned with and magnetically coupled to the inner carriage. The external carriage is linearly movable to move the inner carriage. A method of adjusting a window blind within a multi-pane window is also disclosed.
US09169689B1	Connecting adaptor for attaching edges of transparent plastic panels over window and door openings Systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods of attaching rigid plastic panels over door and window openings of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses, with connecting block adapters attached to the lower corners of the panels by fasteners, and a security bar slid into holes on the adapters with ends that abut against portions of the adjacent frames and casings about the openings. The fasteners through can fasten the adapters to the outside of the plastic panels which cover the outer opening.
US09169688B2	Sealing strip for a motor vehicle, in particular window shaft seal strip A sealing strip for a motor vehicle is provided. The sealing strip includes a sealing structure able to be brought into operative position against a window pane of the motor vehicle and a fastening structure for fastening the sealing strip on a body part of the motor vehicle. The fastening structure has a mount able to be fitted onto an end of the body part and has at least one connecting section. The connecting section is able to be brought into operative position against an abutment of the body part to form, with the sealing strip fitted on, a form-fitting locking of the sealing strip and the body part against one another.
US09169687B2	Insulating glazing with thermal protection insulating panel A sound-damped insulating glazing is described. The glazing has a first pane and a second pane, a peripheral spacer between the first pane and the second pane, an externally encircling seal in a gap between the first pane, the peripheral spacer and the second pane, a vacuum insulating panel between the first pane, the second pane and the peripheral spacer, and at least one acoustic insulating plate is arranged on at least one surface of the vacuum insulating panel.
US09169684B2	Methods, program products, and systems relating to vehicular garage door control systems Embodiments of method performed in conjunction with a vehicular garage door control system are provided, as are embodiments of a vehicular garage door control system and a program product executed by a smartphone in communicating with such a garage door control system. The vehicular garage door control system may include an in-vehicle Garage Door Opener (GDO) signal generator, a wireless receiver, and a controller. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, at the controller via the wireless receiver, a request signal originating from a remote electronic device requesting actuation of a GDO unit that, when actuated, moves a garage door between open and closed positions. In response to receipt of the request signal, a command signal is supplied from the controller to the in-vehicle GDO signal generator commanding the in-vehicle GDO signal generator to generate a GDO actuation signal requesting actuation of the GDO unit.
US09169682B2	Locking hinge assembly A hinge assembly for a transportable load carrying platform having a pivot mounting for attachment to a base frame and pivot arm for attachment to an end wall. Cooperative lock means are provided on the pivot mounting and pivot arm and configured to engage one another when the arm is pivoted towards the mounting. Once locked in position, the pivot arm and mounting cannot be pivotally separated.
US09169677B2	Locking device with door interrogator A locking device is disclosed for a door. In an embodiment, the locking device includes a locking slider which is slidable into at least two positions, wherein in the first position the door is locked and in the second position the door is released for opening; and includes a guide within which the locking slider is slidably arranged. The locking slider includes a door interrogator, wherein the door interrogator can be displaced by the door into at least two door interrogator positions, wherein in the first door interrogator position with the door closed the locking slider can be shifted into one of its at least two positions, and wherein in the second door interrogator position with the door open the locking slider cannot be shifted into the first position for locking the door.
US09169676B2	Vehicular latch device A latch device for vehicle LA provided on a door D of a vehicle, including: a latch 20, which meshes with a striker S; a ratchet 30, which regulates rotation of the latch 20; a detecting sensor 200 including a body 201 and terminals 202a and 202b exposed from the body 201, which detects operation of the latch 20 or the ratchet 30; and a main body 40 in which the detecting sensor 200 is arranged, wherein the main body 40 includes a discharging portion 417 formed on a position corresponding to the terminals 202a and 202b of the latch detecting sensor 200, and the terminals 202a and 202b of the detecting sensor 200 are arranged on an upper side of a vehicle than the discharging portion 417 in a state in which the door D is closed.
US09169673B2	Bicycle locking and parking device A bicycle locking and parking device for parking a bicycle is provided. The bicycle locking and parking device comprises a parking seat, a control module, a locking unit, and a bicycle locking mechanism. The bicycle locking mechanism comprises a locking groove, a first locking member, a reciprocating displacement limiter, a second locking member, and a third locking member. Wherein, the control module drives the third locking member, and the control module cooperates with the second locking member to make the displacement path of the lock-in part being closed. The positioning convex is embedded to the positioning groove, and the locking unit is locked in the bicycle locking mechanism. The present disclosure can avoid the adverse effects or the trouble accident.
US09169672B1	Hurricane protective system A building opening provides both a burglar protection and egress from the building during emergency such as fire. The system utilizes a protective cover having securable apertures for engaging and releasable securing a protective panel to the outer wall over the building by applying clamp fasteners configured for locking and releasing the securable aperture from the inside of the building. Also included is the method of utilization.
US09169670B2	Disposable cable lock and detachable alarm module The present invention relates to security devices used to protect merchandise or other objects, including security devices having one or more adjustable cables used to wrap around objects of various shapes and sizes, such that the security devices are secured to the objects. The present invention also relates to a removable module that can enable a disposable, one-alarm passive security device to provide three-alarm functionality.
US09169667B1	Rekeying tool for a lock A rekeying tool for a lock having a lock body, cylinder, upper and lower tumbler pins and upper springs, includes a cylindrically elongated follower having opposing ends. At least one of the ends is hollow and has a V-shaped or U-shaped groove. A cylindrically elongated solid piston having a corresponding V-shaped or U-shaped groove at an end is resiliently positioned in the hollow end of the follower. The solid piston includes a cut-through channel and a pin. The pin extends a cross-section of the hollow end of the follower and passing though the cut-through channel to guide reciprocating travel of the piston from an inwardmost position to an outwardmost extension. The V-shaped or U-shaped groove of the solid piston is substantially aligned with the corresponding V-shaped or U-shaped groove of the hollow end of the follower when the piston is at the outwardmost extension.
US09169663B1	Method for remediating smoke-damaged brick veneer wall The present invention relates to a novel brick veneer wall structure, to methods for restoring same after sustaining smoke damage, and to a smoke-damaged brick veneer wall structure restored by a method of the invention.
US09169659B1	Underlayment including extruded sheet material with expanded microspheres and metalized PET film A hybrid underlayment, includes a thermoplastic making up between 92.0% by volume to 95.5% by volume of the hybrid underlayment. A plurality of expanded microspheres is dispersed through the thermoplastic. The microspheres are expanded to a cross-sectional area in a range of between 180 square micrometers and 1450 square micrometers. The microspheres makeup between 1.0% by volume to 7.5% by volume of the hybrid underlayment. The hybrid underlayment is extruded into a flat sheet having a thickness of between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm and a density from 7 pcf to 25 pcf. A metalized thermoplastic film is laminated to the top surface of the thermoplastic sheet.
US09169658B2	Floor panel and method of laying a floor panel A floor panel including structure for releasably connecting at least two panels. A tongue is formed extending in the longitudinal direction of the side edge and corresponding recess is formed opposite it. The recess comprises a top lip and a bottom lip, and the bottom lip forms a shoulder with a front shoulder side. The shoulder blocks the panels in the transverse direction. An undercut is adjoined by a recess, with a bearing region which corresponds to the shoulder, and a wall, which, with the front shoulder side in the installed state, is located opposite the latter. Form-fitting elements are formed on the wall and the front shoulder side that, in the installed state, engage one inside the other and bring about locking in the vertical direction. An underside of the tongue and a top side of the bottom lip runs parallel to the top side.
US09169657B1	Modular attic flooring assembly The present invention relates to a modular attic flooring assembly comprising a plurality of coupling panels for providing a surface, wherein each coupling panel of the plurality of coupling panels defined as having opposing ends, wherein each coupling panel comprising a surface extending between the opposing ends; a first end having a first mating member; a second end having a second mating member; at least two support legs symmetrically coupled below the surface; at least one indentation arranged on the lower portion of each support leg; wherein the at least one indentation of each support leg faces the at least one indentation of the other support leg, thereby forming a channel for receiving a joist below the surface; and wherein the first mating member of each coupling panel mating with the second mating member of an adjacent coupling panel.
US09169654B2	Methods and arrangements relating to surface forming of building panels Semi-floating floorboards/building panels having mechanical joint systems, a core with curved edge portions so the surface layer on top of the core will be located below the panel surface, and where the edges of the floorboard have a bevel such that in which the joint system, when two floorboards are joined and pressed towards each other, the surface layer 31 and a part of the core 30 of the joint edge portion 19 in the second joint edge 4b overlaps the surface layer 31 that is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the first joint edge 4a of the other floorboard. Further, floorboards/building panels are produced by machining the surface structure with a plurality of core grooves 20, 20′ and applying the surface layer 31 on the upper side of the core 30 to at least partly cover a floor element. A pressure is applied and the surface layer 31 forms around the core grooves 20, 20′.
US09169652B2	System, method and apparatus for manufactured building panel A manufactured panel includes a body having a front, back, top, bottom and side walls, the side walls extend between the front and back, and an interior volume located between the front, back, top, bottom and side walls. An insert having an interior portion is embedded within the interior volume of the body, and an exterior portion extends from the interior portion to an exterior of the body. The exterior portion includes stand-offs protruding from the body, such that at least some of the stand-offs are connected to each other inside the interior volume of the body. At least some of the stand-offs are independent and detached from each other on the exterior of the body.
US09169649B2	Photovoltaic module attached to guardrail Provided herein is a sunlight generated power device having an upper fixing frame, a lower fixing frame, a main link, and a sub link, which together form a four bar link, and an actuator. The power device may be used to form a photovoltaic module installed at a building, bridge, park, and the like. Solar cell panels positioned on the power device are easily adjustable to enhance photovoltaic efficiency. The power device may also be constructed to display a luxurious image by providing an elegant appearance.
US09169646B2	Low profile slate-style solar roofing system A solar roofing panel has a rectangular body with solar cells exposed on the upper surface of the body and an electrical junction box on the lower surface of body along the forward edge portion thereof. A cutout is formed in the upper edge portion of the rectangular body at a corner thereof. When a plurality of solar panels are arranged on a roof in courses with an upper course partially overlapping a lower course, the junction boxes of roofing panels in the upper course are disposed in the cutouts of roofing panels of the lower course. Accordingly, the solar roofing panels present a low profile mimicking the profile of slate-style shingles.
US09169644B2	Transparent structural element for covers A transparent structural element for covers extruded in a synthetic thermoplastic material includes two or more horizontal sheets parallel to each other and shaped to form a corrugated profile, wherein the two or more sheets are spaced and connected by a plurality of ribs having an undulating trend, the ribs having an undulating trend being present in both flat parts of the corrugated section and in tilted connection parts between the flat parts. In one embodiment, the transparent structural element for covers is made of polycarbonate (PC) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).
US09169642B2	Free-standing wall arrangement and methods A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face.
US09169640B2	Frameless glass mounting system A frameless mounting system for glass or the like includes one or more bracket assemblies that adjustably interconnect a sheet of material along an upper edge of an existing partition system. The bracket assemblies permit the sheet of material to be adjusted upwardly or sidewardly to align the sheets of material with adjacent sheets of material. Furthermore, the sheets of material can be tilted as required to align adjacent sheets. The sheet of material is preferably transparent glass, but may comprise various other materials such as polymers, translucent materials, frosted, or opaque materials.
US09169636B2	System for controlling basement leakage and humidity A system for controlling water leakage and excess humidity in a basement, including a water leakage vacuum apparatus that includes a water vacuuming apparatus to collect a water leakage through a basement wall, an air dehumidifying apparatus, and a perimeter channel system having a plurality of flow channels, disposed along the perimeter of the basement wall. The perimeter channel system includes a water channel for conducting the water leakage away from a basement wall to the water vacuuming apparatus, a humid air channel for communicating humid air from the air space proximate to the outer wall of the basement to a dehumidifying apparatus, and a dehumidified air channel for communicating the dehumidified air discharged from the dehumidifying apparatus to the air space proximate to the outer wall of the basement.
US09169633B2	Foldable transportable structure Disclosed is a foldable transportable structure with a three dimensional rectangular shed roof shape having improved component and structural properties, and improved shipping and deployment capabilities. The integrated unique geometric folding pattern means provides enhanced folding accuracy and correct placement of interactive panels during collapse or assembly of the structure, and also greatly increases the flexibility for multiple unit combinations and component materials selection. The folding transportable structure provides a strong, safe, insulated weatherproof structure with a quick setup time, and requires NO tools or separate loose components for assembly.
US09169631B2	Portable building A portable building kit, construction members, and method for building a portable building are presented. The portable building includes a plurality of upright members, a plurality of footing members adapted to be connected to one or more of the plurality of upright members, a plurality of angle truss members adapted to be connected to one of the plurality of upright members, a plurality of horizontal eave brace members adapted to be connected to one or more of the plurality of upright members and one or more of the plurality of angle truss members, and a plurality of horizontal ridge brace members adapted to be connected to one or more of the plurality of angle truss members. The portable building is made by selecting a predetermined number of upright members, footing members, angle truss members, horizontal eave brace members, and horizontal ridge brace members.
US09169627B2	Decorative flush lever A toilet lever system includes a body for extending through a toilet wall, a stem extending through the body for movement relative to the body, a decorative flange covering the stem and removeably attaching to the body, and a handle attaching to the stem.
US09169626B2	Automatic bathroom flushers An automatic bathroom flusher includes a flusher body, a valve assembly, an electronic control system, and a flusher cover. The flusher body includes an inlet and an outlet, and is designed to accommodate the valve assembly that controls water flow between the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly includes a valve member movable with respect to a valve seat providing a sealing action. The bathroom flusher may include a user sensor, and one or more photovoltaic cells for supplying electrical power to the electronic control system. The bathroom flusher enables two or multiple flush volumes in automatic or manual modes, depending on a user action. The bathroom flusher may include a user interface including a button and visible LEDs.
US09169625B2	Water-saving management system for sanitary facility and water-saving management method for sanitary facility A water-saving management system for a sanitary facility and a water-saving management method for a sanitary facility are provided. A control device is connected to flush valves corresponding to sanitary facilities of one or more sanitary spaces. The control device outputs flush-associated data to a local server via a transmission network. The local server receives the flush-associated data and transfers mode setting data via the transmission network. The control device sets a flush mode according to the mode setting data, so as to flush the sanitary facilities.
US09169623B2	Wear monitoring system for track type machine A wear monitoring system is disclosed for use with a track type machine. The wear monitoring system may have at least a first radius sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a change in radius of at least one idler wheel, and a displacement sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a change in displacement of a track tensioning actuator. The wear monitoring system may also have a controller in communication with the first radius sensor and the displacement sensor. The controller may be configured to determine wear of a track link guided by the at least one idler wheel and tensioned by the track tensioning actuator based on the first and second signals.
US09169617B2	Plow for use with automobile A personal use plow for pushing, but not limited to, snow and slush from ones driveway by most passenger automobiles and/or ATV's that is attached using a unique strapping and cog bracing system. The plow is made of injected molded structural foam plastic and comes in 5 separate panels that can be easily assembled into a solid plow blade. This material is lightweight and allows for easy transportation, storage, and use. When assembled, the plow can be used either in the front or back of the vehicle. The plow attaches to the vehicle by a special hook, designed as part of this patent, which attaches to the hood, trunk, or luggage rack of the vehicle. All parts for the functionality of the plow are contained on the plow itself, so there are no brackets or hitches required to be attached to the bumpers or vehicle.
US09169615B2	Control systems for a mining vehicle A mining shovel includes a dipper assembly comprising a dipper arm coupled to a dipper, a boom assembly configured to support the dipper assembly, and an overcrowd prevention system including one or more sensors configured to monitor an axial force. The mining shovel also includes a swing abuse prevention system, including one or more sensors configured to monitor one or more compound loading forces, and one or more sensors configured to monitor a torsion loading force. The mining shovel also includes a control module configured to receive signals from the sensors, and to control at least the crowding force applied to the dipper.
US09169613B2	Hydraulic line attachment device and method A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly. A method for using a hydraulic line attachment device is provided.
US09169611B2	Method and apparatus for building support piers from one or more successive lifts formed in a soil matrix A method and apparatus for forming a support aggregate pier having compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, includes an elongate, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end bottom head element that is forced or lowered into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted in predetermined increments. The same hollow tube is then lowered or pushed in predetermined increments to vertically compact the released aggregate in thin aggregate lifts, while forcing a portion of the compacted aggregate transaxially into the soil matrix at the sidewalls of the cavity. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted aggregate lifts comprising an aggregate pier or the process may include forming only a single lift for the aggregate pier while densifying adjacent matrix soils and imparting lateral stress in these soils.
US09169610B2	Collector apparatus The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for separating a first substance from a mixture of the first substance and a liquid. The apparatus comprises inlet means adapted to receive a portion of the mixture into a separator tank; a separator tank for holding a collected portion of the mixture and allowing the first substance to separate from the liquid due to the first substance having a different specific gravity to the liquid; and outlet means adapted to discharge the separated liquid and/or the first substance from the separator tank.
US09169605B2	System and method for determining a state of compaction A system for determining a state of compaction of a work material includes a compactor and a compaction sensor system. A controller is configured to determine an empirical state of compaction of the work material based upon signals from the compaction sensor system and the characteristics of a machine associated with the compaction sensor system.
US09169604B2	Self-propelled compaction roller and method for operating a self-propelled compaction roller A self-propelled compaction roller comprises a drive system having a drive assembly, a hydrostatic/mechanical transmission arrangement with a hydraulic pump, which can be driven by a primary drive of the drive assembly, and with a hydraulic motor, further having a supporting drive arrangement having a charging/driving unit and an energy storage unit, wherein the charging/driving unit can be operated in a charging mode for storing energy in the energy storage unit and can be operated in a supporting mode by withdrawing energy from the energy storage unit in order to provide a supporting torque, wherein the charging/driving unit is coupled to a power take-off of the drive assembly.
US09169597B2	Method of recycling fibers from sewage sludge and means thereof The present invention generally relates to a method of recycling and producing fibers from sewage sludge, such as streams of municipal, agricultural and industrial flowing wastes to be further processed. The present invention also relates to industrial means adapted for recycling the same. The present invention discloses environmentally friendly processes and means for recovering valuable fibers and especially cellulose fibers and the like from agricultural and/or urban sewage sludge, waste and/or industrial effluents to decrease its volume especially BOD and TSS, obtaining valuable raw materials and decreasing environmental damages.
US09169596B2	Paper product and process for making same The invention relates to a paper product formed from fiber-based pulp to which a material component of plant origin is added. According to the invention, the material component of plant origin is a material which is formed from small particles and which is formed from a source material of plant origin selected at least mainly from the group of bark free wood, stem parts of plants and their combinations and their derivatives, and the paper product contains 4 to 50 vol-% of the material component of plat origin, substantially to increase the printing area in the paper product relative to the bulk of the paper. In addition, the invention relates to a process for manufacturing a paper product.
US09169595B2	Method of folding and welding fabric A system and method for welding edge seams at the edges of fabric is presented. A method begins by lowering a fabric pre-fold bar onto a piece of fabric. A pre-aligned portion of the fabric is pushed on top of the pre-fold bar so that the pre-fold bar is between the portion of fabric on top of the fabric pre-fold bar and other fabric below the pre-fold bar. The fabric on top of the fabric pre-fold bar is folded edge fabric and fabric not on top of the fabric pre-fold bar is not folded edge fabric. A folded edge is formed between these two sections of fabric. The method pinches some of the fabric at the folded end and then pulls the folded edge fabric off of the fabric pre-fold bar. After that, the method welds at least some of the folded edge fabric to the not folded edge fabric.
US09169593B2	Device for fixing a wall-mounted drum type washing machine A device for fixing or attaching a wall-mounted drum type washing machine having a tub includes: a plurality of anchor bolts configured to be fixed or attached to a wall; a back panel that extends from the tub; a plurality of coupling members at, in and/or on a rear surface of the back panel; and a plurality of shock absorbing members in and/or fastened to the plurality of coupling members, wherein the plurality of anchor bolts passes through the coupling members and the shock absorbing members, fixing or attaching the wall-mounted drum type washing machine to the wall.
US09169591B2	Washing machine with balancing device having fluid accommodation portion A washing machine provided with a balancing device which may suppress variation in horizontal vibration of a spin basket without performing control operation. The balancing device includes a ring-shaped casing installed to be concentric with the spin basket, and a plurality of the balancing balls and a viscous fluid. A ring-shaped ball accommodation portion, a fluid accommodation portion provided at a lower inner side of the ball accommodation portion in a radial direction of the ball accommodation portion, and a communication channel are formed in the casing. The fluid accommodation portion is provided at a portion of the casing along a circumferential direction of the casing. A bottom surface of the ball accommodation portion is inclined downward such that the balancing balls gather at the opposite position facing the fluid accommodation portion when rotation of the spin basket is stopped.
US09169586B2	Channelled nonwoven with reduced surface expansion of liquid for the production of sanitary towels and relative process of manufacture A sanitary towel for physiological liquids includes as topsheet layer a layer of nonwoven cotton (10) having density which varies transversely and provided with a first plurality of longitudinal lines (1) along which the textile has a higher density of fibers with respect to the rest of the textile, each of the longitudinal lines (1) of the first plurality of lines being alternated with a respective longitudinal line (2) of a second plurality of longitudinal lines (2) along which the textile has a lower density of fibers with respect to the longitudinal lines (1).
US09169585B2	Three dimensional netted structure A three-dimensional netted structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces a left end surface, and a right end surface, including at least a plurality of filaments helically and randomly entangled and thermally bonded together, wherein the filaments are formed out of a thermoplastic resin by extrusion molding followed by cooling with a liquid; and the netted structure is four-surface molded, the upper surface, the lower surface and the two side surfaces being molded. An apparatus and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional netted structure.
US09169583B2	Woven tape for slide fastener A woven tape for a slide fastener comprising an element mounting portion and a tape main portion, wherein the tape portion includes warp having a fineness of 30-100 dTex and a weaving density of 100-220 yarns/inch (2.54 cm), weft having a fineness of 60-180 dTex and a weaving density of 30-80 yarns/inch (2.54 cm), and a ratio of the number of yarns in the warp constituting a plain weave structure to the total number of yarns in the warp in the tape main portion is at least 40%. The woven tape for a slide fastener has a low weight and yet a high strength.
US09169582B2	High moisture regain yarn, fabrics, and garments having superior arc protection This invention relates to a yarn having high moisture regain for use in arc and flame protection and fabrics and garments containing the yarn. The yarn has a blend of fibers which includes 10 to 40 weight percent meta-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%, 20 to 60 weight percent modacrylic fiber, 15 to 45 weight percent FR rayon fiber, and (d) 5 to 20 weight percent para-aramid fiber; based on the total weight of these components. If desired, 1 to 3 weight percent of the para-aramid fiber in the yarn can be replaced with an antistatic fiber as long as at least 5 weight percent para-aramid fiber is present.
US09169575B1	Methods for releasing graphene from a metal substrate by electrowetting It is often desirable to release graphene from its growth substrate. Present graphene release techniques can damage the graphene and produce significant quantities of hazardous waste. Electrowetting techniques can be used in alternative approaches for releasing graphene from its growth substrate. Methods for releasing graphene by electrowetting can include providing a metal substrate having graphene adhered thereto, applying a dielectric layer to the graphene to form a coated structure, placing the coated structure in a liquid medium, establishing an electrical potential between the metal substrate and a conductor disposed proximate to at least a portion of the dielectric layer such that the electrical potential induces infiltration of the liquid medium between at least a portion of the metal substrate and the graphene, and releasing the graphene from the metal substrate in the presence of the infiltrated liquid medium. The electrical potential can be maintained until the graphene is released.
US09169572B2	Energy storage and power generation system An energy storage and power generation system (10) with at least one fuel cell (40), in which an oxidant and a fuel which can be stored can be converted electrochemically and in the process an electrical current can be generated, and with at least one electrolysis cell (30), which is used for generating the fuel which can be stored for the fuel cell (40), wherein the fuel cell (40) and the electrolysis cell (30) share a common electrode (21), and the fuel cell (40) and the electrolysis cell (30) each use a respective further electrode (31, 41) only for themselves. For this purpose, the invention provides that the fuel can be stored outside the fuel cell (40) and outside the electrolysis cell (30) in a store (13).
US09169570B2	Method and device for disinfectant production The present invention relates to a technology for producing the production of disinfectants by diaphragm electrolysis of the aqueous solution of sodium chloride. Disinfectants are used in agriculture, public health care and medical institutions, public water supply systems and elsewhere.The purpose of the this invention is to provide the means for producing disinfectants with the adjusting range of the pH value from 2.5 to 8.5 by using devices with various capacities ranging from 1 to 600 g active chlorine per hour, while decreasing the consumption of electric energy and sodium chloride for the production of 1 g of active chlorine over two times compared to prototype methods, and reducing the consumption of fresh water for producing of waste catholyte. The purpose of the present invention is accomplished by processing the concentrated aqueous solution of sodium chloride in anode and cathode compartment at a lower flow rate, using the flow of fresh water through the inner space of tubular cathode for cooling the solution.
US09169569B2	Alternating voltage electrochemical reforming A method is taught of introducing an alternating voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode in a mixture comprising a depolarizing agent. The method then alternates between forming hydrogen gas at the first electrode while simultaneously oxidizing a depolarizing agent at the second electrode and forming hydrogen gas at the second electrode while simultaneously oxidizing the depolarizing agent at the first electrode.
US09169568B2	Method for fabricating graphene The present invention discloses a method for fabricating graphene, and comprises at least the following steps. First, a first electrode and a second electrode are inserted into an electrolyte without contacting. The first electrode is graphite, and the electrolyte comprises at least an ionic liquid. A potential difference will be produced between the first electrode and the second electrode to let the ionic liquid enter into each layer of the first electrode to form a plurality of graphene.
US09169567B2	Components having tab members A components comprising a plurality of tab members formed thereon are provided. The plurality of tab members include at least one dissimilar metallic layer applied to the component. The plurality of tab members are configured to extend away from or retract toward a surface of the component in response to a temperature change.
US09169566B2	Method for spatially resolved enlargement of nanoparticles on a substrate surface The invention relates to a method for spatially resolving the enlargement and fine adjustment of precious metal nanoparticles according to size on a substrate surface and to the nanoparticle arrangements and nanostructured substrate surfaces thereby produced and to the use thereof. The invention particularly relates to a method for spatially resolving the enlargement of precious metal nanoparticles present on a substrate, comprising the following steps: a) providing a substrate coated by precious metal nanoparticles, b) optionally functionalizing the substrate by means of an agent which supports the adhesion of the precious metal nanoparticles to the substrate, c) contacting the substrate with a precious metal salt solution, d) UV irradiating the substrate in contact with the precious metal salt solution, thus creating a reduction of the precious metal salt and a currentless deposition of elementary precious metal on the precious metal nanoparticles and corresponding growth of the precious metal nanoparticles in the irradiated regions of the substrate, and e) optionally using a mask in order to create localized growth of the precious metal nanoparticles in predetermined regions of the substrate.
US09169565B2	Metallic substrates comprising a deformable glass-type coating Metallic substrates having a deformable vitreous coating, obtainable by applying an alkali metal silicate-containing coating sol to the substrate and thermally densifying the layer thus obtained in a two-stage heat treatment process, the heat treatment being carried out, in the first stage, either (A) in an oxygen-containing atmosphere or (B) in a vacuum at a residual pressure of ≦15 mbar and, in the second stage, in a low-oxygen atmosphere up to full densification with formation of a vitreous layer.
US09169561B2	Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition apparatus and method for controlling the same There is disclosed a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition apparatus including a loading station to load an object on a pallet, an operation station to form a functional film by performing plasma reaction to the object loaded on the pallet, a unloading station to separate the object from the pallet, a circulation station to convey the pallet from the unloading station to the loading station, and a conveyer to convey the pallet to the stations sequentially to circulate the pallet.
US09169556B2	Tungsten growth modulation by controlling surface composition A method for selectively controlling deposition rate of a catalytic material during a catalytic bulk CVD deposition is disclosed herein. The method can include positioning a substrate in a processing chamber including both surface regions and gap regions, depositing a first nucleation layer comprising tungsten conformally over an exposed surface of the substrate, treating at least a portion of the first nucleation layer with activated nitrogen, wherein the activated nitrogen is deposited preferentially on the surface regions, reacting a first deposition gas comprising tungsten halide and hydrogen-containing gas to deposit a tungsten fill layer preferentially in gap regions of the substrate, reacting a nucleation gas comprising a tungsten halide to form a second nucleation layer, and reacting a second deposition gas comprising tungsten halide and a hydrogen-containing gas to deposit a tungsten field layer.
US09169553B2	Semiconductor device producing method A substrate processing device comprises a reaction vessel 11 forming a space receiving a substrate 1 and adapted to have a plurality of reaction gases supplied thereto to perform desired processing of the substrate, an exhaust port 16 formed in the reaction vessel 11 for exhausting the reaction vessel 11, and a gas supply system 70A, 70B for supplying at least a plurality of reaction gases into the reaction vessel 11, the gas supply system 70A, 70B including a cleaning gas supply unit for supplying a cleaning gas to perform desired processing of the substrate 1 to thereby remove adherents in the reaction vessel 11, and a post-processing gas supply unit for supplying a post-processing gas capable of removing the elements contained in the cleaning gas remaining in the reaction vessel 11 after the adherents have been removed by supplying the cleaning gas, the post-processing gas containing all of the reaction gases used in performing desired processing of the substrate.
US09169550B2	Surface treatment method for coating layer Disclosed is a surface treatment method for producing a coating layer, which improves surface properties (e.g., low friction wear-resistance) of the coating layer at high temperature. The surface treatment method controls a process pressure during the formation of a coating layer to form a fine surface morphology with increased silver (Ag) content. The surface treatment method includes: heating a coated material in a chamber; removing foreign substances from the surface of the heated, coated material; forming a buffer layer on the surface of the coated material; and forming a coating layer on the buffer layer, wherein the process pressure is controlled during the formation of the coating layer to improve the surface properties at high temperatures.
US09169545B2	Mechanical components from highly recoverable, low apparent modulus materials A material for use as a mechanical component is formed of a superelastic intermetallic material having a low apparent modulus and a high hardness. The superelastic intermetallic material is conditioned to be dimensionally stable, devoid of any shape memory effect and have a stable superelastic response without irrecoverable deformation while exhibiting strains of at least 3%. The method of conditioning the superelastic intermetallic material is described. Another embodiment relates to lightweight materials known as ordered intermetallics that perform well in sliding wear applications using conventional liquid lubricants and are therefore suitable for resilient, high performance mechanical components such as gears and bearings.
US09169542B2	Recycled magnesium alloy, process for producing the same, and magnesium alloy This invention aims to provide a recycled magnesium alloy having a good corrosion resistance and a process for producing the same. The process of the present invention comprises an adjusting step of adjusting composition of molten metal of a magnesium alloy so as to comprise, by mass: Al: 5 to 10%, Zn: not less than 1% and not less than three times of Cu content (%), Mn: 0.1 to 1.5% and the remainder: Mg and impurities with or without one or more reforming elements. While the upper limit of the Al content is restricted to a low level, the Zn content is increased in accordance with the Cu content. Therefore, the recycled magnesium alloy produced by this process can effectively suppress corrosion caused by Cu, which is one of corrosion-causing elements.
US09169541B2	Sandwich material with high strength at high temperature for thin strips in heat exchangers The invention relates to a method for making a sandwich′material for brazing, comprising the steps of: providing a core layer of a first alloy that contains (by wt. %): 0.5-2.0% Mn, ≦1.0% Mg, ≦0.2% Si, ≦0.3% Ti, ≦0.3% Cr, ≦0.3% Zr, ≦0.2% Cu, ≦3% Zn, ≦0.2% In, ≦0.1% Sn and ≦0.7% (Fe+Ni), the rest Al and ≦0.05% of each of unavoidable impurities; providing a barrier layer of a second alloy that contains (by wt. %): ≦0.2% Mn+Cr, ≦1.0% Mg, 1.6-5% Si, ≦0.3% Ti, ≦0.2% Zr, ≦0.2% Cu, ≦3% Zn, ≦0.2% In, ≦0.1% Sn and ≦1.5% (Fe+Ni), the rest Al and ≦0.05% of each of unavoidable impurities; rolling the layers together so that they adhere and form a sandwich material; heat treating the sandwich material at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time so that the Si-content is equalized to 0.4-1% in both core layer and barrier layer; rolling the sandwich material to a final thickness.
US09169540B2	Re-added Ni-based dual multi-phase intermetallic compound alloy and method for producing the same The present invention provides an Ni-based intermetallic compound alloy having excellent hardness. The present invention provides an Ni-based dual multi-phase intermetallic compound alloy comprising Ni as a main component, and 5 to 12 atomic % of Al, 11 to 17 atomic % of V and 1 to 5 atomic % of Re, and having a dual multi-phase microstructure including a primary precipitate L12 phase and a (L12+D022) eutectoid microstructure.
US09169537B2	Supply system for suspension smelting furnace A method for providing a suspension smelting furnace with constant and continuous feed is disclosed. The method employs intermediate storage bins for fine-grained feed, a feed rate controller for accurately controlling the feed rate of the fine-grained material, and a pneumatic conveyor for lifting the feed up to the top level of the suspension smelting furnace where the burner of the furnace is adapted. The heavy constructions of the storage bins are located close to the ground level and the constructions around and on top of the furnace have been designed essentially lighter than in conventional solutions.
US09169535B2	Reformer-gas-based reduction process with decarbonization of the fuel gas for the reformer In a process and apparatus for the reduction of metal oxides to form metalized material by contact with hot reducing gas, which is produced at least partially by catalytic reformation of a mixture of—a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or steam (H2O) with—gaseous hydrocarbons, the fuel gas for burners which provide the heat for the endothermal reformation processes which take place during the reformation is obtained at least partially from a partial quantity of the top gas produced during the reduction of metal oxides to form metalized material, wherein this partial quantity of the top gas, before it is used as a component of the fuel gas, is firstly subjected to dedusting and then to a CO conversion reaction, and the conversion gas obtained during the CO conversion reaction is subjected to CO2 removal after cooling.
US09169534B2	Recovery of base metals from sulphide ores and concentrates A method of recovering base metals from sulphide ores and concentrates includes mixing the base metals ore with ferric salts, heating the mixture, adding water to form a pulp, and stirring and filtering the pulp.
US09169533B2	System and method including multi-circuit solution extraction for recovery of metal values from metal-bearing materials The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.
US09169532B2	Process for the improvement of reducibility of ore pellets A process for the improvement of reducibility of iron ore pellets including the steps of preparing a raw material mixture which contains metallic Ni powder, pelletizing the mixture obtained, burning the raw pellets and reducing the burnt pellets under reducing conditions in the presence of CH4.
US09169527B2	Treatment of a heater tube intended for a pressurizer of the primary cooling system of a nuclear reactor A treatment of a heater tube intended to be used in a pressurizer of the primary cooling system of a nuclear reactor. In particular, the heater tube comprises a heater housed in a substantially cylindrical sheath. The material of which this sheath is made is a work-hardened austenitic stainless steel. In particular, the external surface of the sheath is liable to undergo a stress corrosion during use of the heatertube. The method includes a heat treatment step, preferably using induction heating, in which the external surface of the sheath is heat-treated so as to recrystallize the material of the sheath at least on the surface thereof.
US09169525B2	System of leaktight connection between a tuyere and a hot blast inlet nozzle for a shaft furnace, and steel-making blast furnace comprising such a system The sealed connection system between a tuyere of a shaft furnace, such as a steelmaking blast furnace, and an air blast pipe, in which a tip of the blast pipe is pressed towards a rear end of the tuyere, being centered thereon while still retaining freedom of pivoting movement relative thereto, including an added annular blast pipe seat, placed between the tip of the blast pipe and tuyere and immobile relative to the tuyere, the blast pipe tip resting against a rear face of the seat and an immobile gasket being placed between the seat and the tuyere such that the seat rests in sealed manner against a rear face of the tuyere, and a sleeve arranged around the contact zone between the blast pipe tip and the seat, is connected in sealed manner to the seat and to the blast pipe.
US09169523B2	Supercritical hydrolysis of biomass Methods are disclosed for processing biomass by single-stage supercritical hydrolysis, wherein the biomass has been size reduced.
US09169515B2	Methods and systems for nucleic acid sequencing validation, calibration and normalization A system for performing quality control for nucleic acid sample sequencing is disclosed. The system comprises a set of solid supports, each solid support having attached thereto a plurality of nucleic acid sequences, wherein the set comprises plural groups of solid supports and each group contains solid supports having the same nucleic acid sequences attached thereto. The nucleic acid sequences of each group differ from each other. The nucleic acid sequences are synthetically derived, and the nucleic acids sequences are designed such that the nucleic acid sequences produce a predefined pattern of detectable signals during a sequencing run. A method of preparing a quality control for performing nucleic acid sample sequencing, a method of validating a nucleic acid sequencing instrument during a nucleic acid sequencing experiment, and a method of processing nucleic acid sequencing data during a nucleic acid sequencing experiment are also disclosed.
US09169513B2	Kinetic exclusion amplification of nucleic acid libraries A method including (a) providing an amplification reagent including an array of sites, and a solution having different target nucleic acids; and (b) reacting the amplification reagent to produce amplification sites each having a clonal population of amplicons from a target nucleic acid from the solution. The reacting can include simultaneously transporting the nucleic acids to the sites at an average transport rate, and amplifying the nucleic acids that transport to the sites at an average amplification rate, wherein the average amplification rate exceeds the average transport rate. The reacting can include producing a first amplicon from a nucleic acid that transports to each of the sites, and producing subsequent amplicons from the nucleic acid or from the first amplicon, wherein the average rate at which the subsequent amplicons are generated exceeds the average rate at which the first amplicon is generated.
US09169508B2	Method for real-time detection of microorganisms in a liquid culture medium using cellular lysis The present invention relates to a method for detecting at least one target microorganism that may be present in a sample, comprising the steps of: a) bringing into contact, in a container: said sample, a medium that enables the growth of the target microorganism(s), and a cell population capable of being lysed by the target microorganism(s); b) subjecting the whole to a temperature that promotes the growth of the target microorganism(s); and c) observing, in real time, lysis of the cell population indicating the presence of the target microorganism(s). The present invention also relates to a method for detecting and identifying at least one target microorganism that may be present in a sample.
US09169507B2	Modified RNA ligase for efficient 3′ modification of RNA The invention provides a novel truncated mutated T4 RNA ligase 2. In addition, methods are provided for ligating pre-adenlylated donor molecules to the 3′ hydroxyl group of RNA in the absence of ATP using the ligase.
US09169506B2	Process for producing alpha-1,3-glucan polymer with reduced molecular weight A process for producing poly alpha-1,3-glucan with reduced molecular weight is disclosed. The process comprises contacting water, sucrose, a polar organic solvent, and a glucosyltransferase enzyme in a solution to produce poly alpha-1,3-glucan. This contacting step results in the production of poly alpha-1,3-glucan having a reduced molecular weight compared to the molecular weight of a poly alpha-1,3-glucan made in the absence of the polar organic solvent.
US09169502B2	Method of producing L-lysine using a Corynebacterium glutamicum microorganism The present invention is directed to a method utilizing a recombinant microorganism for the production of aspartate derived amino acids and precursors thereof, in particular for the production of L-lysine. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism having improved aspartate-derived amino acid synthesis activity in comparison to the initial microorganism and the use of such microorganisms in producing said amino acids and precursors and derivatives, in particular in the synthesis of L-lysine.
US09169501B2	Method for producing biodegradable polymer and biomass fuel converted from carbon source by recombinant microorganisms Disclosed is a method for producing biodegradable polymer and ethanol converted from carbon source by using recombinant microorganisms, comprising the steps of: (A) providing recombinant microorganisms transformed with plasmids containing at least a gene encoding for glycerol utilizing enzyme and a gene encoding for polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase; (B) culturing the recombinant microorganisms in a medium containing glycerol; (C) inducing expression of the genes of step (A), thereby obtaining polyhydroxyalkanoate and ethanol; and (D) recovering the polyhydroxyalkanoate and the ethanol; wherein the recombinant microorganisms have a glycerol utilization rate more than 90% (w/w), and have polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulated therein to a biomass content thereof at least 30% (w/w).
US09169499B2	Flux to acetolactate-derived products in lactic acid bacteria An engineering method was developed to allow genetic modification and isolation of lactic acid bacteria cells that lack lactate dehydrogenase and acetolactate decarboxylase activities. In cells with these modifications and an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway, improved production of isobutanol was observed.
US09169491B2	Virus purification A process for producing a retroviral or lentiviral vector formulation comprising a filter-sterilization step wherein the filter-sterilization step is not the final step in the purification process.
US09169490B2	Methods for reprogramming somatic cells The invention provides methods for reprogramming somatic cells to generate multipotent or pluripotent cells. Such methods are useful for a variety of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a less differentiated state.
US09169486B2	Microorganisms for producing butadiene and methods related thereto The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene or crotyl alcohol pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene or crotyl alcohol.
US09169482B2	Method for synthesizing cDNA A method for synthesizing cDNA characterized by preparing a reaction solution that does not allow an endodeoxyribonuclease to show its activity, without thermal deactivation of the endodeoxyribonuclease or removal of the endodeoxyribonuclease, and carrying out a reverse transcription reaction, wherein the reaction solution contains a treated sample and a reverse transcriptase, the treated sample being formed by treating a sample comprising RNA and DNA with the endodeoxyribonuclease to degrade DNA in the sample. The method and the kit for synthesizing cDNA of the present invention are widely useful in genetic engineering fields.
US09169473B2	Polypeptides having xylanase activity and polynucleotides encoding same The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase 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.
US09169467B2	Ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes and methods of use Provided herein are polypeptides having ketol-aid reductoisomerase activity as well as microbial host cells comprising such polypeptides. Polypeptides provided herein may be used in biosynthetic pathways, including, but not limited to, isobutanol biosynthetic pathways.
US09169466B2	Perivascular mesenchymal precursor cell induced blood vessel formation Mesenchymal precursors cells have been isolated from perivascular niches from a range of tissues utilizing a perivascular marker. A new mesenchymal precursor cell phenotype is described characterized by the presence of the perivascular marker 3G5, and preferably also alpha smooth muscle actin together with early developmental markers such as STRO-1 and CD146/MUC18. The perivascular mesenchymal precursor cell is shown to induce neovascularization and improvement in cardiac function. Suitable administration of preparations of the mesenchymal precursor cells are useful for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and peripheral vascular diseases.
US09169460B2	Flooding dish and method for changing media in the dish in the preparation of mammalian specimen culture and for cryo-preservation, freezing, vitrification and the thawing and warming of such specimens A tray assembly which may include a single well or a plurality of wells that will contain specimens for cryo-preservation, freezing, thawing, or warming. The assembly will include a structure whereby a sequence of different media solutions can be introduced into a well or wells in the assembly without the need to move the specimens and without disturbing an overlying oil layer which floats on top of the media solutions. The media solutions will be introduced into the specimen wells through adjunct passages which communicate with the interior of the wells. The adjunct passages will preferably be integral with the wells and will be formed at the same time the wells are formed. Thus manufacturing the assembly of this invention will be inexpensive and repetitive. The adjunct passages can be used to infuse different media solutions into the wells at different stages of the protocols in question. The wells can be inverted cones or pyramids in shape. This shape allows the infusion of sequential media solutions beneath the overlying oil layer, without disturbing the specimen and without significantly elevating the solution level in the wells. The conical or pyramidal shapes also enable the user to readily locate and handle the specimens because the specimens will always gravitate to the nadir of the conical or pyramidal bottom of the wells. This shape also allows the user to see any media level indices placed on the side walls of the wells.
US09169458B2	Mutated alkaline cellulase The present invention provides a mutant alkaline cellulase having enhanced anti-redeposition ability. The present invention provides a mutant alkaline cellulase having an amino acid sequence in which at least amino acid residue selected from the amino acid residues at the positions corresponding to positions 58, 45, 52, 56, 60, 64, 66, 71, 103, 119, 122, 123, 124, 125, 127, 130, 140, 161, 164, 175, 176, 178, 179, 181, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 199, 202, 203, 217, 225, 227, 228, 251, 267, 272, 276, 277, 280, 282, 297, 310, 312, 318, 324, 345, 354, 356, 357, 360, 363, 368, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 453, 454, 455, 457, 458, 459, 494, 495, 496, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 550, 551, 552, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 640, 641, 642, 644, 645, 646, 683, 684, 685, 690, 691, 692, 693, 694, 739, 740, and 741 of the amino acid sequence of an alkaline cellulase set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or of the amino acid sequence of an alkaline cellulase having at least 70% identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, is substituted with other amino acid residue.
US09169457B2	Washing or cleaning agent with cellulose or a cellulose derivative The application describes a stable liquid washing or liquid cleaning agent with an acid-treated cellulose or an acid-treated cellulose derivative. The application further relates to methods of use and preparation of such stable liquid washing or liquid cleaning agents and their anti-greying powers.
US09169453B2	Sorbents for coal combustion Sorbent compositions containing halogen and calcium are added to coal to mitigate the release of sulfur and/or other harmful elements, including mercury, into the environment during combustion of coal containing natural levels of mercury.
US09169448B2	In-situ hydrogenation of aromatic compounds for heavy oil upgrading A method for upgrading a heavy oil includes: disposing a catalyst comprising rhodium and a support in a heavy oil environment, the heavy oil environment including a heavy oil comprising an aromatic compound; introducing hydrogen; and hydrogenating the aromatic compound with the catalyst and hydrogen to upgrade the heavy oil to upgraded oil. A method for converting an asphaltene includes: disposing a supported catalyst in a composition comprising an asphaltene, the supported catalyst being a low temperature catalyst; introducing hydrogen; and hydrogenating the asphaltene to convert the asphaltene into a hydrogenated asphaltene.
US09169447B2	Methods of refining natural oils, and methods of producing fuel compositions A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent that comprises nitric acid; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product. Methods for suppressing isomerization of olefin metathesis products produced in a metathesis reaction, and methods of producing fuel compositions are described.
US09169445B2	Process, method, and system for removing heavy metals from oily solids Oil is recovered from a mercury containing oily solids by mixing the solids with at least a treating agent selected from selected from flocculants, sulfidic compounds, demulsifiers, and combinations thereof, and optionally a solvent, forming a mixture. The mixture is then separated to recover a first phase containing treated oil having less than 50% of the original amount of mercury in the oily solids, and a second phase containing treated solids having a reduced concentration of mercury. In one embodiment, the oily solids comprise filter aid materials, e.g., diatomaceous earth filter media, removed from a mercury removal filtration unit by backflushing the filter.
US09169444B2	Liquid fuel composition A liquid fuel composition containing a biofuel component, produced from a fraction of one or more cracking products produced by catalytic cracking of a biomass source. The liquid fuel composition contains in the range of 0.5 to 20 vol. % of C4-C8-olefins, which C4-C8-olefins contain in the range from equal to or more than 0.02 wt % to equal to or less than 100 wt % of bio-carbon, based on the total weight of carbon present in the C4-C8-olefins.
US09169441B2	Extraction of bitumen from oil sands Carbon disulfide is used as a solvent to extract bitumen from oil sands in an anhydrous countercurrent flow process that is compatible with existing procedures for upgrading bitumen. The solution is then treated in a thermal reaction to reduce viscosity and then fractionated to recover the bitumen.
US09169440B2	Method of using waste hot rock transfer to thermally conjoin disparate carbonaceous-rich process streams A method of concurrently retorting dissimilar hydrocarbonaceous resource streams comprising at least two rotary kilns arranged in a series and closely coupled in an air-tight continuous process flow configuration so as to create a virtual singular rotary kiln yet having distinct residence times and temperature differentials and material processing zones also having continuous thermal coupling and process efficiency achieved by passing along from the first rotary kiln all of the hot spent inorganic waste materials between and into the at least second rotary kiln to then have other dissimilar hydrocarbonaceous matter added therein and differentially heated until the hot inorganic waste materials are released from the at least the second rotary kiln and the increasing residual waste matter volume generated in the combined serial process is ultimately discharged into a secondary heat recovery system.
US09169437B2	Selective etching method A layer of a metal selected from titanium, niobium, tungsten, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, arsenic, aluminum and gallium, an oxide of the metal, a nitride of the metal, silicon nitride, hafnium nitride, tantalum nitride, or an alloy of these metals, the layer being provided on an underlying base material selected from glass, silicon, copper and nickel, is selectively etched with an alkaline etching solution containing a predefined complexing agent.
US09169435B2	Highly luminescent nanostructures and methods of producing same Highly luminescent nanostructures, particularly highly luminescent quantum dots, are provided. The nanostructures have high photoluminescence quantum yields and in certain embodiments emit light at particular wavelengths and have a narrow size distribution. The nanostructures can comprise ligands, including C5-C8 carboxylic acid ligands employed during shell formation and/or dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acid ligands provided after synthesis. Processes for producing such highly luminescent nanostructures are also provided, including methods for enriching nanostructure cores with indium and techniques for shell synthesis.
US09169432B2	Spread crosslinker and method of water control downhole A crosslinker composition including a spread crosslinker for treating a subterranean formation is provided along with methods of sealing a subterranean formation including introducing a crosslinkable fluid, the crosslinkable fluid containing a spread crosslinker and a crosslinkable component, into a subterranean formation.
US09169430B2	Chemical treatment method and additive used to treat fines migration and flow through porous media Methods for reducing fines migration in a porous subterranean reservoir. In certain aspects, the methods include introducing a composition including a water-soluble or dispersible branched polyhydroxyetheramine into the porous subterranean reservoir, maintaining a sufficient temperature in the porous subterranean reservoir for a period of time, adsorbing the composition onto a surface of the porous subterranean reservoir, and stabilizing at least a portion of the fines present in the porous subterranean reservoir. A treatment composition can be used and in certain aspects, the treatment composition can be a reaction product of bisphenol A, an ethanol amine, diethanol amine, and a monofunctionalized polyoxyalkyleneamine.
US09169429B2	Aqueous salt-stabilized drilling fluids Various salt crystal and agglomeration settling inhibiting agents may aid the ability to keep salt crystals of a desired particle size undissolved and dissolved in an aqueous drilling fluid, including, whey, wine-making residues, “steepwater solubles” or an organic liquid formed from the residue of wet processing of grains, sugar cane, sugar beets, and similar plants for the food and beverage industries for consumption by human or animals, and combinations thereof. A fluid so treated has more uniform properties and a reduced tendency for the salt therein to settle out as compared to an otherwise identical fluid absent an effective proportion or amount of the salt crystal agglomeration and settling inhibiting agent, even for saturated salt fluids. The salt crystal agglomeration and settling inhibiting agents are also believed to be useful in inhibiting or preventing the formation of gas hydrates under gas hydrate forming conditions of low temperature and high pressure.
US09169428B2	Use of composition as an antifreeze agent The present invention relates to the use, as an antifreeze agent, of a composition containing a polymer chosen from polyetheramines having a critical solubility temperature in water, referred to as LCST, ranging from 20 to 80° C. and also compositions, in particular of coolant type, comprising a polymer having a critical solubility temperature in water ranging from 20 to 80° C.
US09169424B2	Perfluoroether sealant compositions Disclosed are perfluoroethers and perfluoroether compositions useful in high temperature aerospace applications. The perfluoroethers can be adapted for use with various curing chemistries.
US09169423B2	Adhesive optical film, manufacturing method for the same and image display device using the same A pressure-sensitive adhesive optical film of the invention comprises an optical film and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the optical film, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has a thickness (μm) standard deviation of 0.12 μm or less. The pressure-sensitive adhesive optical film makes it possible to reduce the problem of visible unevenness caused by a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.
US09169420B2	Aqueous polyurethane resin dispersion and coating composition comprising the same The present invention is to provide an aqueous polyurethane resin dispersion in which a polyurethane resin s dispersed in an aqueous medium, wherein the polyurethane resin is obtained by reacting (A) a polyurethane prepolymer which is obtained by reacting (a) a polyisocyanate compound, (b) a polyol compound containing a polycarbonate polyol having a number average molecular weight of 800 to 3500, and (c) an acidic group-containing polyol compound, and (B) a chain extender, being dispersed in an aqueous medium, (B) the chain extender contains a polyamine compound having three or more in total of an amino group(s) and/or an imino group(s) per molecule, and the polyurethane resin has, each based on a solid content, a content of urethane bonds of 5 to 10% by weight, a content of urea bonds of 2 to 7% by weight, a content of carbonate bonds of 15 to 40% by weight, has neither ether bond nor ester bond, has a density of cross-linking points of 1.0×10−4 to 1.0×10−3 mol/g, an acid value of 12 to 20 mg KOH/g, and a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 or more.
US09169418B2	Thermosetting epoxy resin composition and uses thereof Disclosed is a liquid thermosetting epoxy resin composition including a base resin, a curing agent (D), and curing accelerator (E) or including a base resin and a curing catalyst (D′), each base resin including an alicyclic epoxy compound (A) having at least one alicyclic skeleton and two or more epoxy groups per molecule; a polyester polyol and/or a polycarbonate polyol (B), each polyol having two or more terminal hydroxyl groups; and a phosphorous ester (C). The liquid thermosetting epoxy resin composition exhibits excellent viscosity stability and can give a cured article which is homogeneous even when having a large thickness, does not crack under heat cycle conditions, and is highly thermally stable and satisfactorily optically transparent.
US09169416B2	Image forming method and image formed matter An image forming method including: applying a pre-treatment liquid to a recording medium; and applying a stimulus to an inkjet ink to jet the inkjet ink onto the recording medium, onto which the pre-treatment liquid has been applied, so as to form an image on the recording medium, wherein the pre-treatment liquid contains a water-soluble aliphatic organic acid, a water-soluble organic monoamine compound, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, and the inkjet ink contains an aqueous pigment dispersion in which a pigment is dispersed with an anionic dispersant or nonionic dispersant, a water-soluble organic solvent, an anionic ionomer-based aqueous urethane resin, a surfactant, a penetrating agent, and water, and wherein the pre-treatment liquid contains 1 molar equivalent or higher of the water-soluble organic monoamine compound relative to an acid group contained in the water-soluble aliphatic organic acid.
US09169414B2	Liquid developer and method for manufacturing the same Toner particles contained in a liquid developer have a core-shell structure that first resin particles containing a first resin are attached to or cover surfaces of second resin particles containing a second resin. The second resin satisfies Equations (1) to (2) below. In Equations (1) to (2) below, x represents a number average molecular weight of the second resin and y represents a urethane group concentration (mass %) in the second resin. −0.00003x+2.03≦y≦−0.00003x+6.95 Equation (1) 10000≦x≦50000 Equation (2)
US09169408B2	Active energy ray-curable inkjet ink, ink container, and inkjet discharging device Provided is an active energy ray-curable inkjet ink containing at least photopolymerizable compounds. The photopolymerizable compounds include: at least one monofunctional monomer selected from the group consisting of a monofunctional monomer of which homopolymer has a glass transition temperature of 90° C. or higher, a monofunctional monomer having a ring structure, and a monofunctional monomer of which homopolymer has a glass transition temperature of 90° C. or higher and that has a ring structure; and urethane (meth)acrylate.
US09169407B2	Ink for inkjet recording, inkjet recording method using the ink, and ink cartridge that accommodates the ink Ink containing a pigment, an alcohol alkoxylate-based surfactant, a water-soluble organic solvent, water, and a dispersion agent represented by the following chemical structure 1, wherein the ink has a dynamic surface tension of 36 mN/m or less when the life of foam at 25° C. as measured by the maximum bubble pressure technique is 15 msec: where R1 represents an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms, an aryl group, and an aralkyl group having one to eight carbon atoms, L represents zero or an integer of from 1 to 7, and n represents an integer of from 20 to 80.
US09169403B2	Powder coating composition for PC strand coating, coating method, and coating film A powder coating composition for PC strand coating which, when used for the coating of a PC strand, can advantageously form a coating film having an even thickness at low cost without causing uneven thickness or stringness is disclosed. The powder coating composition of this invention for PC strand coating is characterized by having a melt viscosity of 3,000-15,000 poise.
US09169396B2	Polymer-bound web as well as method for its production The invention relates to a method for the production of a web composed essentially of a granulate and a polymer. In order for the web to have good suction against the substrate after it has been laid on a floor, the interstices between the granulate particles are not allowed to be filled with the polymer. According to the invention, this is brought about in that the polymer is applied to the top side of the granulate. After the polymer melts, the polymer seeps down through the granulate. By means of targeted control or regulation, this sinking process is influenced before the polymer reaches the underside of the web. The invention also comprises a sensor and the product as such.
US09169395B2	Polycarbonate composition and articles formed therefrom A composition includes at least one poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate copolymer, a polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer, and an electromagnetic shielding agent (such as metal fibers). The composition exhibits excellent impact properties and electromagnetic shielding properties when formed into an article. Another composition includes at least one poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate copolymer, a polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer, and carbon fibers. This composition has excellent impact properties when formed into an article.
US09169393B2	Anticorrosion coatings Curable compositions comprising a benzoxazine component, a polyamine component and a fluoropolymer component are described. The compositions may be cured to produce compositions useful in coating, sealants, adhesive and many other applications.
US09169383B2	Preparation, purification and use of high-X diblock copolymers This invention relates to the preparation and purification of high-X (“chi”) diblock copolymers. Such copolymers contain two segments (“blocks”) of polymers with significantly different interaction parameters and can be used in directed self-assembly applications.
US09169379B2	Aqueous two-phase systems The aqueous two phase systems (ATPS) contain partly urethanized PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) and hydrophobically modified cyclocopolymers formed from the monomers diallylammonioethanoate, 0-3 mol % dodecyldiallylammonium chloride and sulphur dioxide, the copolymers having varying proportions of polybetaine (PB) and anionic polyelectrolyte (APE) fractions. The aqueous two-phase systems are useful in the separation and purification of biomaterials.
US09169378B2	Polymer composition for blow moulding A polyethylene composition is disclosed which comprises from 45 to 55 wt % of an ethylene polymer (A) having a density of at least 968 kg/m3, and from 55 to 45 wt % of an ethylene polymer (B) having a density of 920 to 955 kg/m3, wherein the composition has a density of 952 to 961 kg/m3, a high load melt index HLMI of 18-28 g/10 min, a ratio of HLMI/ML of 80-150, and a melt elastic modulus G′ (G″=3000) of 1200-1600 Pa, where HLMI and ML2 are measured according to ISO1133 at a temperature of 190° C. under loads of 21.6 kg and 2.16 kg respectively.
US09169374B2	Synthetic raw elastomeric compositions in free-flowing pellet form and process for obtaining the same A raw elastomeric composition in free-flowing pellet form is described, which comprises a raw elastomer with molecular weight from 50,000 to 400,000 Da, and an anti-block agent comprising inorganic fillers, capable of forming emulsions in water. Likewise, a process for obtaining said raw elastomeric compositions in free-flowing pellet form, comprising the steps of: a) polymerizing at least one monomer through solution polymerization in order to obtain elastomer crumb; b) forming an aqueous suspension of the elastomer crumbs; c) dewatering the aqueous suspension; d) adding an anti-block agent comprising inorganic fillers capable of forming emulsions in water; e) drying the dewatered suspension; and f) pelletizing the elastomer to form a raw elastomeric composition in free-flowing pellets form. The raw elastomeric composition in free-flowing pellets form thus obtained can be used as an adhesive composition, in asphalt modification and in asphalt emulsions.
US09169373B2	Method for preparing a thermoplastic polyurethane of improved yellowness index, and optical articles made therefrom Method for converting a composition into thermoplastic polyurethane, said composition comprising polyurethane resin, said method comprising the steps of combining the composition with a chemical compound, and converting said mixture into thermoplastic polyurethane, characterized in that said chemical compound is 1,4-Di(2,6-dibromo-4-methylphenylamino)anthracene-9,10-dione. Article obtained according to this method.
US09169371B2	Compositions having reduced frictional coefficient, method of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same Disclosed herein is a composition comprising an organic polymer and about 2 to about 10 weight percent of an ionic liquid. The ionic liquid can be a halogenated or non-halogenated ionic liquid. Disclosed herein too are articles manufactured from the composition.
US09169361B1	Self-assembling polymers—VI Disclosed are self-assembling block copolymers including diblock copolymers of the formula (I): wherein R1 is —(CHR—CH2—O)p—R′, p=2-6, R is H or methyl, and R′ is H, C1-C6 alkyl, or C3-C11 cycloalkyl, R2 is C1-C22 alkyl or C3-C11 cycloalkyl, one of R3 and R4 is C6-C14 aryl and the other is C1-C22 alkoxy, n and m are independently 2 to about 2000, and 0
US09169358B2	Polyetherimides, methods of manufacture, and articles formed therefrom A polyetherimide manufactured by reaction of an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound of the formula MO—Z—OM wherein M is an alkali metal salt and Z is an aromatic C6-24 monocyclic or polycyclic moiety optionally substituted with 1 to 6 C1-8 alkyl groups, 1 to 8 halogen atoms, or a combination thereof, with a bis(halophthalimide) composition comprising, based on the weight of the bis(halophthalimide) composition, from more than 45 to less than 75 weight percent of a 3,3′-bis(halophthalimide) of the formula less than 10 weight percent of a 3,4′-bis(halophthalimide) of the formula and from more than 45 to less than 75 weight percent of a (4,4′-bis(halophthalimide) of the formula
US09169355B2	Biocompatible agent for dispersing nanoparticles into an aqueous medium using mussel adhesive protein-mimetic polymer Provided are a mussel adhesive protein-mimetic dispersion stabilizing agent to disperse nanoparticles in an aqueous medium, a colloidal solution including nanoparticles dispersed and stabilized by the dispersion stabilizing agent, and a contrast agent including the colloidal solution. More particularly, the mussel adhesive protein-mimetic dispersion stabilizer is a polyethyleneimine-graft-(poly-ethyleneglycol;polyDOPA) PEI-graft-(PEG;PDOPA). The graft polymer is formed of two parts. One is polyethyleneglycol grafted with a polyethyleneime which has an affinity to an aqueous medium, and the other is polyDOPA which has an affinity to the surface of nanoparticles. Because of those characteristics, the stabilizer shows a stable dispersion of nano particles in the aqueous medium.
US09169354B2	Multifunctional forms of polyoxazoline copolymers and drug compositions comprising the same The present disclosure provides copolymers of 2-substituted-2-oxazolines possessing two or three reactive functional groups which are also chemically orthogonal. The copolymers described may be random copolymers, block copolymers or a mixture of random and block copolymer configurations. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides novel methods for synthesizing the above polymers and for conjugating to molecules such as targeting, diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
US09169341B2	Molecularly imprinted polymers selective for tobacco specific nitrosamines and methods of using same A class of molecularly imprinted polymers that specifically recognizes and binds to TSNAs are useful, for example, in analysis and separation of TSNAs from biological fluids. Such polymers are also useful in methods of treating and manufacturing tobacco products and materials.
US09169340B2	Electronic device module comprising an ethylene multi-block copolymer An electronic device module comprises: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising an ethylene multi-block copolymer. Typically, the polyolefin material is an ethylene multi-block copolymer with a density of less than about 0.90 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc). The polymeric material can fully encapsulate the electronic device, or it can be laminated to one face surface of the device. Optionally, the polymeric material can further comprise a scorch inhibitor, and the copolymer can remain uncrosslinked or it can be crosslinked.
US09169336B2	Modification of propylene polymers The invention relates to a process for increasing the melt flow index of a propylene polymer, the process comprising melt mixing the propylene polymer in the presence of aqueous hydrogen peroxide.
US09169335B2	Polymer backbone element tags Element tags based on novel metal-polymer conjugates are provided for elemental analysis of analytes, including ICP-MS. A polymer backbone is functionalized to irreversibly bind metals that are selected prior to use by the user. The polymer is further functionalized to attach a linker which allows for attachment to antibodies or other affinity reagents. The polymer format allows attachment of many copies of a given isotope, which linearly improves sensitivity. The metal-polymer conjugate tags enable multiplexed assay in two formats: bulk assay, where the average biomarker distribution in the sample is diagnostic, and single cell format to distinguish a rare (for example a diseased) cell in a complex sample (for example, blood).
US09169333B2	Dual metallocene catalyst systems for decreasing melt index and increasing polymer production rates The present invention provides dual catalyst systems and polymerization processes employing these dual catalyst systems. The disclosed polymerization processes can produce olefin polymers at higher production rates, and these olefin polymers may have a higher molecular weight and/or a lower melt index.
US09169319B2	Targeted enzymatic degradation of quorum-sensing peptides Methods and compositions for the treatment of biofilms and/or the inhibition of biofilm formation. In one embodiment, a biofilm is treated and/or biofilm formation is inhibited by a method comprising contacting a biofilm or a surface with a bifunctional ligand comprising a quorum-sensing-peptide-binding region and a protease-binding region, whereby the biofilm is treated and/or biofilm formation on the surface is inhibited.
US09169318B2	Neutralizing molecules to viral antigens The present invention concerns methods and means for identifying, producing, and engineering neutralizing molecules against influenza A viruses, and to the neutralizing molecules produced. In particular, the invention concerns neutralizing molecules against various influenza A virus subtypes, including neutralizing antibodies against H5 and/or H3 and/or H1, such as, for example all of H1, H3, and H5 subtypes, and methods and means for making such molecules.
US09169316B2	Production of antibody formats and immunological applications of said formats The invention concerns an in-vitro method for introducing a targeted genome modification into an oocyte or an egg and a method for performing a random insertion in the genome of a host cell.
US09169313B2	Method of treatment of cancers characterized by ligand-dependent activating mutations in FGFR2 with FGFR1 ECD proteins The present invention relates to the use of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor I (FGFR1) extracellular domain (ECD) polypeptides for treatment of cancers characterized by ligand dependent activating mutations in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2). For example, the present invention relates to the treatment of endometrial cancers and other cancers wherein tumor cells express FGFR2 mutants in the IgII-IgIII hinge region or IgIII domain of the protein, such as at amino acid positions 252 and/or 253.
US09169309B2	Thermostable variants of fibroblast growth factors The present technology relates to engineered human Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF2) proteins and methods of using the same. In particular, the methods and compositions relate to FGF2 mutants with increased thermostability compared to the wild-type protein and method for using the proteins in the culturing of embryonic stem cells.
US09169308B2	Methods and compositions of human recombinant growth and differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5) isolated from inclusion bodies Expression vector systems are provided for increased production of a recombinant GDF-5 (rhGDF-5) protein. Also provided are transformed host cells that were engineered to produce and express high levels of rhGDF-5 protein. Methods for isolating recombinant GDF-5 protein from an inclusion body of a cell are disclosed herein. The methods as disclosed are cost-effective, time-saving and are of manufacturing quality.
US09169299B2	AAV capsid proteins for nucleic acid transfer Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsid proteins are provided. Methods for generating the recombinant adeno-associated viral capsid proteins and a library from which the capsids are selected are also provided.
US09169292B2	Polypeptides that bound to IL-23 receptor and inhibit binding of IL-23 and cell signaling thereof The present invention relates to novel polypeptides that bind to IL-23 receptor and inhibit the binding of IL-23 to its corresponding receptor and cell signaling thereof. The novel polypeptides of the present invention has a core structure of WX1X2X3W, where W is tryptophan, and X1, X2 and X3 are amino acids, with the proviso that when one of X1, X2 or X3 is W, the remaining two of X1, X2 or X3 cannot be W. Preferred core structures include WVDYW or WQDYW. The present invention relates a composition containing the novel polypeptides, and use of same in treating IL-23 associated human diseases including, for example, inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis and Crohn's disease.
US09169291B2	Covalent conjugates between endoperoxides and transferrin and lactoferrin receptor-binding agents The invention relates to covalent conjugates between endoperoxides and small peptides and organic compounds that bind to molecular cavities on the transferrin or lactoferrin receptor, and the use of compositions comprising these conjugates to treat cancer, hyperproliferative disorders, inflammatory diseases, and infections.
US09169289B2	Peptide derivatives for treatment, prevention or alleviation of a condition associated with bone loss or low bone density or to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and stimulation Compounds of formula R1-A-NH—CH(R2)—CO—R3 are presented. The compounds can be used to treat or alleviate conditions associated with bone loss or low bone density, or to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and stimulation, bone resorption and/or loosening of a prosthetic device. The compounds can be administered as a pharmaceutical composition or in a prosthetic device.
US09169285B2	Methods for purifying steviol glycosides and uses of the same Methods for purifying steviol glycosides, including Rebaudioside X, are provided herein. Sweetener and sweetened containing Rebaudioside X are also provided herein. Methods of improving the flavor and/or temporal profile of sweetenable compositions, such as beverages, are also provided.
US09169284B2	Use of microfabricated devices This invention relates to the miniaturization of radiosyntheses onto microfabricated devices, and in particular to use of microfabricated devices for radiosynthesis, isolation, and analysis of radiotracers for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
US09169283B2	Post-synthetic modification of nucleic acids by inverse diels-alder reaction The present invention concerns a method and a kit for the post-synthetic modification of nucleic acids via an inverse Diels-Alder reaction.
US09169281B2	Mononuclear metal complex, hydrogenation reduction catalyst, dehydrogenation catalyst, method for producing hydrogenation reduction product, method for producing hydrogen (H2), and method for producing dehydrogenation reaction product The present invention provides: a mononuclear metal complex that has high catalytic activity and can be used as a hydrogenation reduction catalyst that allows efficient hydrogenation reduction of a substance to be reduced; a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof; or a salt thereof. Provided is the mononuclear metal complex represented by the following formula (1), a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof; or a salt thereof. In the formula (1), Ar1 is an aromatic anionic ligand or an aromatic ligand, or is not present, Ar2 is a ligand having aromaticity and may or may not be substituted, and when Ar2 is substituted, the number of substituents may be one or more, M is an atom or ion of a transition metal, A1 and A2 are both carbon atoms, or one of A1 and A2 is a carbon atom and the other is a nitrogen atom, Y is an anionic group or a cationic group, or is not present, L is any ligand or is not present, and m is a positive integer, 0, or a negative integer.
US09169275B2	Organopolysiloxane and making method Organopolysiloxanes containing a sulfide-containing organic group, a long-chain alkyl group, and a hydrolyzable group are novel. The organopolysiloxanes are effective for improving the shelf stability of epoxy resin compositions.
US09169272B2	Cytotoxic benzodiazepine derivatives The invention relates to novel benzodiazepine derivatives with antiproliferative activity and more specifically to novel benzodiazepine compounds of formula (I)-(VII). The invention also provides conjugates of the benzodiazepine compounds linked to a cell-binding agent. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention.
US09169270B2	1-phenyl-substituted heterocyclyl derivatives and their use as prostaglandin D2 receptor modulators The present invention relates to 1-phenyl-substituted heterocyclyl derivatives of the formula (I), wherein Y, Z, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as described in the description and their use as prostaglandin receptor modulators, most particularly as prostaglandin D2 receptor modulators, in the treatment of various prostaglandin-mediated diseases and disorders, to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and to processes for their preparation.
US09169261B2	CXCR7 antagonists Compounds having formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates or N-oxides thereof are provided and are useful for binding to CXCR7, and treating diseases that are dependent, at least in part, on CXCR7 activity. Accordingly, the present invention provides in further aspects, compositions containing one or more of the above-noted compounds in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
US09169260B2	Amidopyrazole inhibitors of interleukin receptor-associated kinases This invention relates to amidopyrazole compounds that are inhibitors of Interleukin receptor-associated kinases, in particular IRAK-4, and are useful in the treatment of cellular proliferative diseases, for example, cancer, hyperplasia, restenosis, cardiac hypertrophy, immune disorders and inflammation.
US09169258B2	Doripenem intermediate compound, preparation process therefor and use thereof, and preparation process for doripenem The present invention provides a doripenem intermediate compound shown by formula (XIV), wherein PNB is p-nitrobenzyl, and HX is an acid; and when HX is a monobasic acid, n=1; and when HX is a polybasic acid, n=2. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the doripenem intermediate compound (XIV). In addition, the present invention provides a process for preparing doripenem (I) from the doripenem intermediate compound (XIV) in a simple manner, with a high yield and low production costs. The new mono-protected doripenem intermediate compound provided in the present invention contains only one protecting group, reducing the difficulty and complexity in the subsequent de-protection step by catalytic hydrogenation, increasing the yield of the catalytic hydrogenation reaction, and thus reducing the production cost of the final product. The process is easy to operate and suitable for industrialized production.
US09169257B2	Crystal forms of adefovir dipivoxil and processes for preparing the same The present invention relates to novel Forms A, B, C, D, E, F and G of crystalline 9-[2-[phosphonomethoxy]ethyl]adenine bis-pivaloyloxymethyl ester, i.e., adefovir dipivoxil, and processes for preparing them. According to the present invention, said novel crystal forms having a high purity can be obtained by a simple method and in a high yield.
US09169256B2	Artificial nucleic acids Artificial nucleosides including 2-methyl-nucleobase-substituted butane-1,3-diol nucleosides are disclosed. Four different stereoisomers of such nucleosides are possible. Oligonucleotides made up of the artificial nucleosides form homoduplexes of greater stability than DNA duplexes and have a reduced ability to hybridize to DNA or RNA.
US09169250B2	Compounds modulating c-fms and/or c-kit activity and uses therefor Compounds active on the receptor protein tyrosine kinases c-kit and/or c-fms are provided herewith. Also provided herewith are compositions useful for treatment of c-kit mediated diseases or conditions and/or c-fms-mediated diseases or conditions, and methods for the use thereof.
US09169247B2	Tetrahydro-beta-carboline derivatives, synthesis and use thereof Certain 2-halophenyl, 2,4-dihalophenyl (e.g. 2,4-dichlorophenyl), 3,4-dichlorophenyl (e.g. 3,4-dichlorophenyl), 2,6-dichlorophenyl (2,6-dichlorophenyl) and 2,5-diakoxyphenyl (e.g. 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl) derivatives of tetrahydro-β-carbolines are provided, along with their pharmaceutically acceptable salts; prodrugs and solvates, and compositions containing the compounds. The compounds are useful for the prevention and treatment of cancer, and other indications where PDE5 inhibitors have shown benefits including erectile dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, enhancing cognitive function, cystic fibrosis, or enhancing the activity of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. Methods for fabricating the compounds are also provided.
US09169243B2	Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase inhibitors The present application relates to compounds having the inhibitory activity to apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK1), thus are thus useful in treating ASK1-mediated conditions, including autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, cardio-renal diseases, including kidney disease, fibrotic diseases, respiratory diseases, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injury, acute and chronic liver diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
US09169242B2	Oxazoline and isoxazoline derivatives as CRAC modulators The present invention relates to compounds that are useful for treating, preventing and/or managing the diseases, disorders, syndromes or conditions associated with the modulation of CRAC and to processes for preparing these compounds. The invention further relates to methods of treating, preventing managing and/or lessening the diseases, disorders, syndromes or conditions associated with the modulation of CRAC by these compounds.
US09169237B1	Antiprotozoal amidine compounds The invention is directed to a compound of formula I, as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound of formula I, a method of treatment of a disorder or condition that may be treated by administration of the compound, the method comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a compound of formula I as described above, and a method of treatment of a disorder or condition selected from the group consisting of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease, malaria and Leishmaniasis, the method comprising administering to a mammal, including a human, in need of such treatment a compound of formula I as described above.
US09169233B2	Methods for the preparation of aryl amides The present invention relates to methods of initiating a reaction represented by scheme 1 wherein Q is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl; X is halogen or a sulphonate; P is an organic radical; R is hydrogen or an organic radical; wherein the catalyst comprises copper and a ligand; comprising providing the compound of formula III in liquid form prior to contacting the compound of formula III with the catalyst.
US09169232B2	3-(5-methyl-2-oxo-l, 3-dioxol-4-yl) methyloxy-2-trans-[(4-chloro phenyl) cyclohexyl][1,4]naphthaquinone-atovaquone prodrug The present invention relates to atovaquone prodrug compound of formula (I). Accordingly, present invention provides a process involving condensation of Atovaquone (II) with 5-methyl-4-chloromethyl dioxalone (III) in suitable solvent system and optionally followed by distillation and crystallization to provide Atovaquone prodrug compound of formula (I) in high yields, purity, and suitable for large-scale manufacture.
US09169230B2	(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate derivatives for inhibiting proteasome A method of reducing tumor cell growth, the method including administering an effective amount of a compound having the formula:
US09169229B2	Method for producing purified dialkyl-furan-2,5-dicarboxylate by physical separation and solid liquid separation A process to produce a purified dimethyl-furan-2,5-dicarboxylate (DMFD) by feeding furan dicarboxylic acid and methanol to an esterification zone to generate a crude diester composition, and purifying the crude diester composition with a physical separation process followed by crystallization, solid liquid separation, and optionally drying to produce a purified DMFD composition. A portion of the stream generated by solid liquid separation can be dissolved and subjected to crystallization and solid liquid separation repeatedly. The process is useful to produce a purified DMFD composition having a low b*, at least 98 wt. % DAFD solids, and a low concentration of 5-(methoxycarbonyl)furan-2-carboxylic acid (MCFC) and methyl 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylate (MFFC).
US09169224B2	Piperazinyl and piperidinyl ureas as modulators of fatty acid amide hydrolase Certain piperazinyl and piperidinyl urea compounds are useful as FAAH inhibitors. Such compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity. Thus, the compounds may be administered to treat, e.g., anxiety, pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, eating disorders, or movement disorders (such as multiple sclerosis).
US09169223B2	Functionalised antifouling compounds and use thereof The present invention relates to derivatives of α,α-disubstituted amide compounds which comprise a substituted aryl at the α carbon such that the substituent provides a means for attachment or incorporation of the compound to or in a polymer. The provision of such a substituent on the aryl has surprisingly been found not only to permit attachment to or incorporation in a polymer but also retention of useful antifouling activity. In embodiments, the substituent is selected from hydroxyl, ethers, esters, carboxyls, alkylsilyls and alkenyls. Experiments demonstrate that antifouling activity can be as good or better as the corresponding unsubstituted compound and that polymers functionalized so as to include or be formed from the substituted compound can be used to reduce settlement.
US09169217B2	Arylalkyl esters of 4-amino-6-(substituted phenyl)-picolinates and 6-amino-2-(substituted phenyl)-pyrimidinecarboxylates and their use as selective herbicides for crops Arylalkyl esters of 4-aminopicolinic acids and 6-amino-4-pyrimidinecarboxylates are herbicides for control of weeds especially those species common to rice and wheat cropping systems and in pasture management programs.
US09169216B2	Method for preparation of 5-substituted pyrimidines The present invention provides a method to prepare 5-substituted pyrimidines by reacting a 5-acylpyrimidine with a suitable nucleophile to afford a 5-methanolpyrimidine, such as flurprimidol.
US09169215B2	LPAR—substituted cyanopyrazole compounds Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I), as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and disorders such pulmonary fibrosis.
US09169212B2	Azepane derivatives and methods of treating hepatitis B infections Provided herein are compounds useful for the treatment of HBV infection in a subject in need thereof, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of inhibiting, suppressing, or preventing HBV infection in the subject.
US09169205B2	Pyrrolidine derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof Pyrrolidine derivatives of the formula and their use as medicaments for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
US09169201B2	Antagonists of the glucagon receptor The present invention provides for novel compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and co-crystals thereof which have glucagon receptor antagonist or inverse agonist activity. The present invention further provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same as well as methods of treating, preventing, delaying the time to onset or reducing the risk for the development or progression of a disease or condition for which one or more glucagon receptor antagonist is indicated, including Type I and II diabetes, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. The present invention also provides for processes of making the compounds of Formula I, including salts and co-crystals thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same.
US09169199B2	Cycloalkyl guanidine F1F0-ATPase inhibitors and therapeutic uses thereof The invention provides cycloalkyl guanidine compounds that inhibit F1F0-ATPase, and methods of using cyclalkyl guanidine compounds as therapeutic agents in therapy, such as treating an immune disorder, inflammatory condition, or cancer.
US09169191B2	Method for selective preparation of fatty acid mono- and di-esters of erythritol The invention provides a method of preparing β-erythritol fatty acid monoester, including: subjecting a fatty acid and erythritol to esterification reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst, a water carrier and an optional phase transfer catalyst, wherein the molar ratio of the fatty acid to erythritol is 1:2 to 1:3, and the temperature of the esterification reaction is 80-100° C. In addition, the invention further provides a method of preparing 2,3-erythritol fatty acid diester, including: subjecting a fatty acid and erythritol to esterification reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst and a water carrier, wherein the molar ratio of the fatty acid to erythritol is 2:1 to 3:1, and the temperature of the esterification reaction is 120-160° C.
US09169190B2	Methods for making retinoids and uses thereof Described herein are methods for making retinoids. Also described herein are retinoids and methods of use thereof.
US09169188B2	Process for preparing an unsaturated aldehyde and/or an unsaturated carboxylic acid An α,β-unsaturated aldehyde and/or an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid are prepared by gas phase oxidation of alkene with molecular oxygen over a fixed catalyst bed comprising a bed of hollow cylindrical shaped catalyst bodies having a multimetal oxide active composition. The fixed catalyst bed comprises at least three successive reaction zones; the highest local temperature in the fixed catalyst bed does not occur in the reaction zone closest to the reactor outlet; the highest local temperature in the fixed catalyst bed does not occur in the reaction zone closest to the reactor inlet; and the value WT=(ED−ID)/2 in the reaction zone in which the highest local temperature in the fixed catalyst bed occurs is lower than in the other reaction zones, in which ED is the external diameter and ID is the internal diameter of the shaped catalyst body. The yield of the products of value is enhanced in this way.
US09169187B2	Method of making peptides using diphenylmethane compound The present invention aims to provide a compound superior in broad utility and stability, which is useful as a protecting reagent (anchor) of amino acid and/or peptide in liquid phase synthesis and the like of a peptide having a C-terminal etc., which are of a carboxamide (—CONHR)-type, an organic synthesis reaction method (particularly peptide liquid phase synthesis method) using the compound, and a kit for peptide liquid phase synthesis containing the compound, and has found that the object can be achieved by a particular compound having a diphenylmethane skeleton.
US09169185B2	Method for the preparation of polyether polyols The invention relates to methods for the preparation of polyether polyols by DMC-catalysed alkylene oxide addition to starter compounds comprising acidic sulfuric acid salts, to the use thereof for the preparation of polyurethanes, and to polyurethanes comprising the polyether polyols according to the invention.
US09169184B2	Method for producing ditrimethylolpropane The present invention provides a method for producing ditrimethylolpropane which is characterized by the following (1) and (2): (1) a distillation still residue separated from purified trimethylolpropane is subjected to re-distillation under specific conditions to obtain a ditrimethylolpropane-containing solution having given contents of bis-TMP and tri-TMP; and (2) when subjecting the ditrimethylolpropane-containing solution to crystallization with an organic solvent, the crystallization is initiated under pressure at a temperature exceeding a boiling point of the organic solvent as measured under normal pressures, and the resulting crystallization product solution is cooled at a temperature drop rate of 2° C./min or less. According to the above method, it is possible to produce a high-purity ditrimethylolpropane from a distillation still residue obtained upon production of trimethylolpropane in a simple, industrially useful manner.
US09169183B1	Method for coproducing isobutene and ETBE from tert-Butanol mixture This invention describes a method for co-producing isobutene and ethyl tert-butyl ether from tert-butanol mixture in a catalytic distillation column, wherein catalyzing the tert-butanol mixture with the ethanol undergoes dehydration and etherification. The tert-butanol mixture contains absolute ethanol or aqueous ethanol as the antifreeze agent. The isobutene and the ethyl tert-butyl ether withdrawn from the column top are further separated, thus high purity isobutene and ethyl tert-butyl ether for fuel-additive are obtained.
US09169181B2	Production of cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide, cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with oxygen to produce a reaction product comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and unreacted cyclohexylbenzene. The reaction product is then maintained under conditions such that crystals of cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide form and separate from the reaction product. The cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide crystals are then recovered from the reaction product.
US09169180B1	Method for preparing an anhydrosugar alcohol using hydrol The present invention relates to a method for preparing an anhydrosugar alcohol using hydrol (namely, a crystalline mother liquor remaining after obtaining crystalline glucose from a crude glucose liquor). More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for preparing an anhydrosugar alcohol in a method for performing a dehydration reaction on the hydrogenated sugar so as to convert the hydrogenated sugar to an anhydrosugar alcohol, wherein the method for preparing an anhydrosugar alcohol is configured to use, as at least a portion of the hydrogenated sugar, the product obtained from the hydrogenation of the hydrol which is a by-product or waste generated during the production of glucose, thus relatively lowering the cost for a material as compared with a case of using a high purity raw material (for example, high purity sorbitol), to thus improve economical advantages, and further reduce the amount of waste and cost for disposal of the waste during the production of glucose.
US09169177B2	Process for the production of tetrachloromethane Processes for the production of tetrachloromethane are provided. The present processes involve catalyzing the chlorination of a feedstream comprising partially chlorinated methanes with a free radical initiator. Cost savings are thus provided relative to conventional processes that require the use of high temperatures and/or pressures, and safety concerns are alleviated or eliminated.
US09169172B2	Hydrogenation process The present invention relates to hydrogenation processes including: contacting a first composition with hydrogen under hydrogenation conditions, in the presence of an eggshell hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the first composition has: (i) greater than about 50 wt % of cyclohexylbenzene, the wt % based upon the total weight of the first composition; and (ii) greater than about 0.3 wt % of cyclohexenylbenzene, the wt % based upon the total weight of the first composition; and thereby obtaining a second composition having less cyclohexenylbenzene than the first composition. Other hydrogenation processes are also described.
US09169171B2	Aromatization of methane with combination of catalysts A heated reaction gas comprising methane is contacted with first and second catalysts to catalyze production of an aromatic hydrocarbon. The first catalyst is more active than the second catalyst for catalyzing aromatization of methane, and the second catalyst is more active than the first catalyst for catalyzing aromatization of ethane. A reactor for producing aromatic hydrocarbons from the reaction gas may have a conduit defining a reaction zone for the reaction gas to react therein, and the first and second catalysts may be disposed in the reaction zone.
US09169170B2	Hydroalkylating process An alkylating process such as hydroalkylating process comprising feeding a gas material and a liquid material into the reactor, distributing the liquid material to the upper surface of a bed of a catalyst substantially uniformly. The substantial uniform distribution of the liquid material to the upper surface allows for substantially uniform distribution of liquid reaction medium in the bed, thereby preventing hot spot and undesirable continuous liquid zone, both of which can cause the production of undesired by-products. The invention is particularly useful for the hydroalkylation reaction of benzene in making cyclohexylbenzene, which can be used for making cyclohexanone and phenol.
US09169160B2	Process for manufacturing high-expansion gypsum plaster composition and high-expansion gypsum plaster composition obtained by said process An object of the present invention is to provide a high-expansion gypsum composition in which the expansion coefficient of a general purpose dental gypsum material or the like is simply and effectively improved to such an extent that has never been achieved with conventional technologies without using any special material by adding an inexpensive additive even in a small addition amount, and furthermore another object of the present invention is to provide a high-expansion gypsum composition the setting expansion coefficient of which is appropriately controlled so that the contraction of a resin to be used can be precisely dealt with, the high-expansion gypsum composition being useful for manufacturing a reproduction model to be used in manufacturing a “non-clasp denture” having no problem in, for example, occlusion (adaptability). The objects of the present invention are achieved by means of a method for producing a high-expansion gypsum composition, the method producing a gypsum composition having an enhanced setting expansion coefficient by copulverizing in a dry system a powdered gypsum composition containing calcined gypsum as a main component and dihydrate gypsum.
US09169159B2	Cementitious composition A hydrated cementitious blend, and method of using same, the blend comprising: a dry cementitious blend comprising the following, based on the total weight of the dry cementitious blend: aggregate comprising less than 3 wt. % calcium, based on the total weight of the aggregate; from about 75 wt. % to 82 wt. % pozzolonic material comprising improved ash comprising particles meeting the ASTM C 989-2010 testing protocol for grade 100 slag quality or higher, the improved ash being selected from the group consisting of fly ash, calcined or uncalcined volcanic ash, rice hull ash, and combinations thereof; a catalytically effective quantity of catalyst selected from the group consisting of alkali-containing zeolite, alkali-containing feldspathoid, and combinations thereof; and, an amount of water reducing component; the hydrated cementitious blend further comprising an amount of water producing a ratio of water to cementitious blend of from about 0.20 to about 0.30 and a slump of 6 or more; the hydrated cementitious blend producing a product cement exhibiting a compressive strength of 4000 psi or more after curing for 28 days at 75° F. or more.
US09169156B2	Optical fiber and method for manufacturing the same The present invention relates to an optical fiber containing a glass fiber and a coating layer in contact with the outer circumference of the glass fiber, and a method for manufacturing the optical fiber, in which the coating layer contains silane coupling agents represented by the following formulae (1) and (2): in the formulae, R1 represents a group capable of reacting with an acryl group or an acryl group, and R2 to R8 are each the same or different and represent an alkyl group.
US09169151B2	Method of manufacturing an optical fiber A manufacturing method that enables stably making a high-quality optical fiber is provided. The manufacturing method of the present invention comprises: a softened portion falling step in which an optical fiber preform is heated in a heating furnace and a dropping part of softened portion of the preform thus heat-softened is allowed to drop; and a drawing step for drawing the preform such that the softened glass is drawn into a fiber by applying a tension with a take-up means after the softened portion falling step, whereas the preform is rotated about its axis at the softened portion falling step.
US09169149B2	Vacuum glass sealing device The present invention discloses a vacuum glass sealing device. The device comprises an air extraction table, an upper pressing plate and a heating device, wherein the air extraction table is provided with an accommodating groove for placing glass plates to be sealed, the upper pressing plate is pressed on the glass plates to be sealed in the accommodating groove and air-tightly connected with the air extraction table around the periphery of the accommodating groove; and the air extraction table and/or the upper pressing plate are provided with air extraction ports, and the heating device heats the glass plates to be sealed from the exterior. The air extraction table and the upper pressing plate form a closed space in the sealing device, and the upper pressing plate is directly pressed on the glass plates to be sealed, so the volume of the closed space is greatly reduced, and conditions are created for quick vacuumizing of the closed space and quick sealing of the vacuum glass. The closed space in the sealing device is only used for providing a vacuum environment, and the heating device for welding is separately arranged at the exterior, so equipment operation is convenient, equipment construction is simplified, and a condition is created for large-scale processing of the vacuum glass.
US09169144B2	High rate chemical softening process A ballasted flocculation system that chemically softens water and causes hardness particles to precipitate from the water and crystallize. In the course of crystallizing, the hardness particles grow and form ballasted floc that are separated from the water in the form of sludge by a clarification unit, producing a clarified effluent. The separated sludge including the hardness crystals is directed to a separator where the sludge is separated into two streams with each stream having hardness crystals contained therein. In one process design, one stream includes relatively small hardness crystals and the other stream includes relatively large hardness crystals. The stream having the relatively small hardness crystals is directed to a first reactor and mixed with the incoming water and a softening reagent. The stream having the relatively large crystals is directed to a second downstream reactor and mixed with water and a flocculant which facilitates the growth of the hardness crystals.
US09169143B2	Wastewater pretreatment method and sewage treatment method using the pretreament method A pretreatment method is provided, which comprises the following steps: (1) wastewater feed is introduced into a first end of a first aeration basin, and is mixed with a first concentrated mixed liquor to obtain a first mixed liquor; (2) the first mixed liquor is aerated in the aeration stage of the first aeration basin to obtain a second mixed liquor at a second end of the first aeration basin; (3) the second mixed liquor is introduced into a first sedimentation basin to obtain a supernatant and the first concentrated mixed liquor; (4) the supernatant is discharged and at least a part of the first concentrated mixed liquor is returned to the first end of the first aeration basin. At the same time, a sewage treatment method using the wastewater pretreatment method is provided. The pretreatment method can be used steadily for a long time without discharging sludge.
US09169142B2	Method for treating water within a sequential biological reactor including an in-line measurement of the nitrite concentration inside said reactor The invention relates to a method for treating water laden with nitrogen in the form of ammonium by means of nitritation-denitritation, wherein said method includes at least: a first step (i) of supplying at least one sequential biological reactor (10) with said water; an aerated nitration step (ii); an anoxia denitritation step (iii); and a step (iv) of extracting treated water from said reactor. According to the invention, the method also includes the in-line measurement of the nitrite concentration of said water in said reactor, and at least one monitoring step of at least one step of the method, said monitoring step taking into account the results from said in-line measurement of the nitrite concentration.
US09169137B1	Water filtering system and method A filtering system with electrolytic action and method is disclosed which is adapted for filtering the water in swimming pools, spas, saunas, hot tubs, whirlpools and the like with circulatory flow or single-flow. The filtering system may include a pump for drawing water from a body of water and circulating this water through an electrolytic filter including a layer of electrolytic filter media of dissimilar metal particles or granules and returning this filtered water to the body of water. The filtering system not only removes sand and sediment but also prevents algae and fungus growth, kills bacteria, and eliminates the need for adding chlorine, bromine, and algaecide to the water.
US09169133B2	Water vapor collectors A water vapor collector assembly consists of a transparent cover and a box which will float on a water surface. The transparent cover allows sun rays to evaporate some water in the box which confines and collect the vapor condensates. The condensates will be conveyed away by a tube under the box. A water wave operated shaker, a wind operated knocker, inserts to increase the water condensation surfaces, and various kinds of the box are also introduced.
US09169132B2	System for decontaminating water and generating water vapor A system and method for processing a fluid, including decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing the fluid into a vessel. The fluid is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the fluid to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or fluid input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated fluid may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.
US09169131B1	System and process for removing total organic carbons from a brine waste stream A process for removing organic compounds from a brine solution permits processing of that solution in a chlor-alkali electrochemical cell. A brine solution containing a mixture of nonvolatile organic compounds is introduced into a tank with a selected volume of acid and is heated to boiling. Nonvolatile organic compounds in the solution are decomposed such that they become volatile compounds, which are removed by distillation from the tank or by additional subsequent steam distillation. The resulting brine solution has a final total organic compound (TOC) level sufficiently low to render its suitable for use in a membrane, diaphragm or other type of chlor-alkali electrochemical cell.
US09169129B2	Composition based on cerium, zirconium and tungsten, preparation process and use in catalysis A composition based on cerium, zirconium and tungsten is described. The composition has a content expressed as an oxide, of which cerium is from 5% to 30% of the composition, tungsten is from 2% to 17% of the composition, and the remainder of the composition is zirconium. After aging at 750° C. under an air atmosphere including 10% water, it has a two-phase crystallographic structure having a tetragonal zirconia phase and a monoclinic zirconia phase, with no presence of a crystalline phase including tungsten. The composition can be used as a catalyst, especially in an SCR process.
US09169126B2	Generally spherical barium carbonate particles, and method for producing generally spherical barium carbonate particles The present invention has an object to provide a method for producing particulate barium carbonate having desired properties such as high purity, fineness, and has a spherical shape. The present invention relates to a method of producing substantially spherical barium carbonate, including (A) mixing, in an aqueous medium, a barium compound with at least one first ingredient selected from the group consisting of gluconic acid or salts thereof, gluconolactone, glucoheptonic acid or salts thereof, and glucoheptonolactone, to prepare a mixture; and (B) reacting the barium compound with carbon dioxide or a water-soluble carbonate in the mixture, to produce substantially spherical barium carbonate.
US09169120B2	Aluminum phosphate or polyphosphate particles for use as pigments in paints and method of making same An aluminum phosphate or polyphosphate-based pigment product is made by a process comprising contacting phosphoric acid with aluminum sulfate and an alkaline solution to produce an aluminum phosphate based product; and optionally calcining the aluminum phosphate based product at an elevated temperature, wherein the process is substantially free of an organic acid. The aluminum phosphate or polyphosphate-based pigment is amorphous. The amorphous aluminum phosphate or polyphosphate characterized by a bulk density of less than 2.30 grams per cubic centimeter and a phosphorus to aluminum mole ratio of greater than 0.8. The composition is useful in paints and as a substitute for titanium dioxide.
US09169118B1	Hydrogen gas separator system having a micro-channel construction with a tubular wire insert for retaining catalyst material A hydrogen purification method that is used to separate hydrogen gas from a source gas. A hydrogen separator is provided that has at least one hydrogen permeable tube. A support tube is provided for each hydrogen permeable tube. A support tube is coaxially aligned with the hydrogen permeable tube, wherein a micro-channel exists between the hydrogen permeable tube and the support tube in an area of overlap. A tubular wire structure is placed within the micro-channel. The tubular wire structure is coated with catalyst material. The source gas is introduced into the micro-channel. The source gas spreads thinly past the tubular wire structure in the micro-channel. The restrictions of the micro-channel cause the source gas to embody turbulent flow characteristics as it flows. The turbulent flow causes the hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from the source gas in a highly efficient manner.
US09169116B2	Hybrid integrated component and method for the manufacture thereof An expansion of the functional scope of a hybrid integrated component including an MEMS element, a cap for the micromechanical structure of the MEMS element, and an ASIC element having circuit components is provided. In this component, the circuit components of the ASIC element interact with the micromechanical structure of the MEMS element. The MEMS element is mounted on the ASIC element in such a way that the micromechanical structure of the MEMS element is situated in a cavity between the cap and the ASIC element. The ASIC element is additionally equipped with the circuit components of a magnetic sensor system. These circuit components are produced in or on the CMOS back-end stack of the ASIC element. The magnetic sensor system may thus be implemented without enlarging the chip area.
US09169108B2	Performance line display unit A performance line display unit includes an imaging device which is attached near a leading end of an extensible boom provided on a rotation platform rotatably placed on a vehicle of a crane, a display configured to display an image imaged by the imaging device, and a performance line arithmetic part configured to obtain a performance line regarding a suspended load maximum performance of a crane, wherein the performance line arithmetic part is configured to overlap the performance line with a position of the image corresponding to the obtained performance line to be displayed on the display.
US09169104B2	Activating a safety gear In this elevator system, a traveling body has arranged upon it a safety gear for braking and holding the traveling body tight on the guiderail, or on a braking rail. The safety gear is connected to a device for actuating the safety gear, which can also actuate the safety gear. The device for actuating the safety gear contains a coupler body, which can be pressed against the elevator hoistway, possibly against the guiderail or braking rail, wherein actuation of the safety gear is effected by a relative movement between the pressed-on coupler body and the safety gear. For this purpose, the coupler body can contain a curved coupler surface, which, in case of need, is brought into engagement with the elevator hoistway, or with the guiderail or braking rail.
US09169101B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a first discharge opening and a second discharge opening, a sheet discharge portion, a restricting member and a sheet discharge tray. The sheet discharge portion is connected at a position below the first discharge opening, and the sheet discharged through the first discharge opening is to be placed thereon. The restricting member stands up on a downstream side of the sheet discharge portion in a discharging direction of the sheet and can come into contact with a downstream end edge of the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge portion in the discharging direction. The sheet discharge tray includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion to be fixed to an upper end part of the restricting member and is attachable above the sheet discharge portion, and a sheet discharged through the second discharge opening is to be placed thereon.
US09169100B2	Systems and methods for implementing a unique variable stacking surface for set compiling in image forming devices A system and method are provided for improving stack integrity for image receiving media substrates in a compiler tray in an image forming device by supplementing the structure of the compiler tray with a pair of auger components configured with a bottom surface that, in conjunction with a stepped support structure in the compiler tray, applies a mechanical leveling force to reduce or otherwise eliminate detrimental effects associated with substrate curl or uneven set build-up in the compiler tray. The vertical compiler components provide an accommodation for localized thickness build-up in compiled image receiving media substrates by one or more processing or post-processing steps. The auger components provide a mechanical pressing force that is intended to level a top surface of the compiled substrates with the configuration of the compiler tray providing the relief area necessary for the accommodation.
US09169097B2	Apparatus to deploy and expand web material A dispenser expands paper web material by controlling the tracking of off-winding paper and holding it in place. Pulling the paper from one direction expands it in all directions simultaneously. The dispenser has a base, a mast, a cantilevered axle that holds a roll of cut paper web material for off-winding, and a roller assembly that controls the tracking of the off-wind paper web material and holds it in place. Advantageously, upon being pulled in one direction, the paper web material expands in all directions simultaneously in an efficient and reliable manner.
US09169096B2	Roller system A roller system can include: a rear rolling member configured for rolling contact with a surface; a front rolling member rotating in an opposite direction to the rear rolling member and the front rolling member configured to be elevated above the surface during use; and a chassis coupling the rear rolling member to the front rolling member.
US09169094B2	Scanner device and multifunction apparatus with supply path, discharge path, and re-supply path integrally formed together A scanner device including: a scanning path on which a scanning member for scanning an image from a document is disposed; a supply path on which a document is supplied to the scanning path; a discharge path on which a document is discharged after scanning of the document on the scanning path has been completed; and a re-supply path that extended to the supply path from a intersection where the scanning path and the discharge path cross so that a document fed along the discharge path in a direction opposite to a document-feeding direction is re-supplied to the supply path after scanning of one side of the document has been completed, wherein one-side guide portions of the supply path, the discharge path, and the re-supply path are integrally formed.
US09169093B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a first guide, a switchback roller, a second guide, and a corrugation member. The corrugation member has a shape for producing a recessed portion and a ridge portion in a sheet. The second guide has a first guide surface and a second guide surface disposed to contact the recessed portion and the ridge portion of the sheet, respectively. As viewed from a downstream side of the switchback roller in a sheet ejection direction along a tangent to the switchback roller at a nip position, a distance between an end of the first guide closest to the switchback roller and an end of the second guide surface closest to the switchback roller is greater than a distance between the end of the first guide closest to the switchback roller and an end of the first guide surface closest to the switchback roller.
US09169089B2	System for conveying drill cuttings The present disclosure concerns a system for transporting drill cuttings from an offshore drilling platform. In a representative embodiment, a bulk material storage and conveying system for a waterborne vessel comprises a first conveyor system including one or more upper conveyors extending lengthwise of the vessel. The system also comprises a plurality of containers located below the first conveyor system arranged in one or more rows, and a second conveyor system including one or more lower conveyors located below the one or more containers. The first conveyor system is configured to selectively dispense bulk material into the one or more containers, and the plurality of containers are configured to selectively dispense bulk material onto different locations along the length of the one or more lower conveyors. The system can further include an offloading conveyor assembly configured to convey drill cuttings from the lower conveyors to trucks on land.
US09169088B2	Adhesive dispensing device having optimized cyclonic separator unit An adhesive dispensing device includes a heater unit for melting adhesive material, a receiving space for feeding the heater unit, and a cyclonic separator unit for delivering adhesive pellets to the receiving space. The cyclonic separator unit includes a tangential inlet pipe proximate to a top end of a generally cylindrical pipe, which is connected to the receiving space at an open bottom end. The tangential or spiral flow of air and adhesive pellets generated through the cyclonic separator unit reduces the speed of the air and adhesive pellets to avoid splashing of molten adhesive material while maintaining enough speed to avoid adhesive build up on the generally cylindrical pipe.
US09169086B1	Air conveyor An air conveyor segment for conveying articles along a conveyor path includes a main air duct extending the length of the segment and a wall dividing the air duct into upper and lower air ducts. The wall includes an opening that extends the length of the main air duct. A valve assembly includes a valve member attached to the wall that opens and closed the wall opening to regulate the speed of articles being conveyed along the conveyor segment.
US09169083B2	Trays and apparatus and method for removing cartons from trays A system includes trays of a plurality of different widths and an unloading system for unloading cartons from the trays. The trays (20; 20′; 20″) each comprise a base (22) and a pair of end walls (30) extending upward from the base. The unloading system (200; 200′) comprises a plurality of fingers (202A-202I). Each of the end walls comprise a plurality of vertical slots (40) open to an upper edge of the end wall. The fingers are positioned and dimensioned to pass through the slots of the trays as the trays are delivered by the tray delivery conveyor to lift contents of the trays. The fingers are positioned so that some fingers pass through the slots of each of the different widths, but others pass only through slots of wider said widths.
US09169082B2	Variable metering system for heterogeneous, sensitive and non-pumpable foodstuffs having a low liquid portion A variable metering system for heterogeneous, sensitive and non-pumpable foodstuffs having a low liquid portion, in which a carrier plate system is set into a stroke motion by a drive cylinder which is in horizontal alignment. The foodstuff, which is brought into the metering chambers on the carrier plates using vacuum, is conveyed by said stroke motion to a discharge position where it is ejected under the effect of compressed air. By the type of connection of the two carrier plates, it is possible to change the distance of the carrier plates from each other by means of a rod system and an associated servomotor or by a hand wheel. This distance variation leads to a change in volume in the metering chambers, can be controlled by an external scale and can be readjusted by an automatic control of the rod system. The design of the metering system ensures that it can be easily dismantled and cleaned for cleaning or maintenance purposes.
US09169074B2	Variable width drive openings for conveyor belt A variable spaced flat wire conveyor belt system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods; a plurality of rows of flat wire wickets defining a plurality of drive links and a plurality of support links, the drive links including at least a plurality of first drive links, a plurality of second drive links, and a plurality of third drive links; and at least one drive sprocket configured to engage the plurality of drive links; wherein the first drive links have a first height and a first transverse spacing defining a first drive opening, the second drive links have a second height and a second transverse spacing defining a second drive opening, and the third drive links have a third height and a third transverse spacing defining a third drive opening; wherein the second drive opening and the third drive opening are progressively greater, respectively, than the first drive opening.
US09169067B2	System and method to assist in lifting a vessel A system includes a vessel configured to contain a substance therein having a top end and a bottom end with a center-of-gravity for the vessel disposed between the top end and the bottom end, a frame connected to the vessel, a cable link connected to the frame configured to connect a cable thereto, and a cable support connected to the vessel or the frame. The cable support disposed above the center-of-gravity of the vessel with respect to the top end and the bottom end of the vessel. As the vessel moves from a first position to a second position, the cable engages the cable support such that a lifting force is translated from the cable and through the cable support to have the cable move the vessel through the cable support, the cable support attached to the frame or the vessel with the cable support disposed above the center-of-gravity.
US09169063B2	Corner boards, container assemblies including the same, and methods of making and using the same A corner board includes first and second sides, each including a board material; a bend between the first and second sides, joining first and second sides together; and a slit adjacent to a first end of the corner board, the slit completely crossing the bend and partially crossing the first and second sides. In addition, a method of manufacturing a corner board includes bending a board stock to form first and second sides of the corner board with an angle therebetween; cutting the board stock into fixed lengths, the bent and cut board stock forming the corner board; and forming a slit near a first end of the corner board. The present corner board may be advantageously rested or placed along a vertical edge of a container or stack of containers.
US09169061B2	Containment bag Containment bag for an industrial container embraces a non-self-supporting container having a top, sides, and a bottom, which define an interior space; in at least one of the top and sides, at least one opening for introduction of material into the interior space; and for the at least one opening a flap that can be sealed at or beyond the at least one opening. Sealing is provided through at least one of a hook and loop closure system and an adhesive system. The bag can be employed with the industrial container.
US09169058B1	Tri-fold egg carton with lid sidewall protrusions Improvements have been made to one or more of a lid, cover, and base of a tri-fold egg carton, the improvements allowing the secure and easy loading and protection of jumbo sized eggs, in cartons that can be processed and packaged with standard equipment and in standard case sizes. Further, in one or more embodiments the improvements provide improved processability with automated labeling equipment. In one or more embodiments, the improvements allow for improved de-nesting of multiple empty cartons, prior to filling.
US09169056B2	Thermally insulating member A thermally insulating member includes a plane sheet having two ends spaced in a length direction and two sides spaced in a thickness direction perpendicular to the length direction. The plane sheet includes a plurality of rows of slits between the ends of the plane sheet. Each row of slits extends from one of the sides through the other side of the plane sheet. A first spacing between two adjacent rows of slits in the length direction is larger than a spacing between two adjacent slits in the same row of slits in a width direction perpendicular to the length and width directions by a second spacing. A thermally insulating strip is defined between two adjacent rows of slits. A stretchable rib is formed between two adjacent slits in the same row of slits. Each end of the plane sheet is a coupling portion free of the slits.
US09169052B2	Rupturable blister package The package supports a plurality of consumable products. The package is a blister package having a plurality of consumable products housed in a blister tray and covered with a rupturable sheet. The sheet overlies the open surfaces of the blister tray and includes rupturable locations formed thereon for permitting passage of the product therethrough.
US09169046B2	Ball display case A ball display case has base and a cover that is securable to the base. The cover and base at least partially enclose a space for holding a ball when the cover is secured to the base. The cover can be moved to a position in which the cover cannot be non-destructively removed from the base without moving the cover relative to the base away from this position. A lock is adapted for selective application to at least one of the base and the cover. The lock prevents non-destructive movement of the cover away from the position. The lock is adapted for selectively and irreversibly converting the display case from an unlocked condition in which the cover is releasably secured to the base to a locked condition in which the cover cannot be non-destructively removed from the base.
US09169045B2	Gas turbine engine blade containment arrangement A gas turbine engine blade containment arrangement comprises a casing, a first layer of cellular material arranged within the casing, a septum layer within the first layer of cellular material, a second layer of cellular material within the septum layer, a strong and ductile layer within the second layer of cellular material and a layer of abradable material within the strong and ductile layer.
US09169043B2	Container with removable tray The present invention relates to a container including a container body with a removable tray wherein the container can house at least two materials that must be kept separate until use. The container also may have upwardly extending fingers in the removable tray for securing a material.
US09169032B2	Load fill sensor system for grain storage vessels A system for remotely indicating the level of grain being loaded into a grain trailer. Plural vertically oriented sensing strips are affixed to a trailer's hopper(s) sidewall of the trailer's hopper(s) at spaced locations. Signals from transducer elements on the strips are delivered to an electronics module on the trailer's forward wall. The electronics module includes a multiplexer for sampling the state of the strip transducers and a wireless transmitter for relaying the state data to a receiver and microprocessor in the cab of a towing vehicle. The microprocessor presents a visual display of height reached by the grain in a hopper as loading continues. Following system calibration where a pixel count of the load being displayed and a measured net weight of the load are determined using a scale, a calibration factor corresponding to the weight-per-pixel is stored for use in computing the weight and volume of subsequent loads.
US09169030B2	Aerial display system with floating pixels A system for performing an aerial display. The system includes a plurality of UAVs each including a propulsion device and a display payload, and the system includes a ground station system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and memory storing a different flight plan and a set of display controls for the UAVs. Then, wherein, during a display time period, the UAVs concurrently execute the flight plans through operation of the propulsion devices and operate the display payloads based on the display controls. The display payloads each include a lighting assembly and a light controller. The output light is one of a two or more colored light streams, and each of the display payloads further may include a light diffuser with the output light being directed onto a surface of the light diffuser. The light diffuser may include a light diffusing screen extending about the lighting assembly.
US09169027B2	Electrified rotorcraft An electrified propulsion system for a rotary wing aircraft includes a flight control computer that receives a signal indicative of a power demand on an engine; an engine control system that is in communication with the engine and is configured to control operation of the engine at a selected operating point; a generator that is in mechanical communication with the engine and is configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and convert the mechanical power to electrical power; an electric motor that is in electrical communication with the generator and is configured to receive the electric power; and a rotor that is in mechanical communication with the electric motor; wherein the electric motor is configured to control rotation and provide the mechanical power demand of the rotor at the selected operating point in response to the received signal.
US09169026B2	Turbojet engine nacelle The invention relates to a nacelle (1) for a turbojet engine (8) comprising: an air intake structure (4) able to channel a flow of air towards a fan (7) of the turbojet engine (8), comprising an air intake lip (21) upstream of the nacelle (1) and attached at its ends to an outer panel (25) and an inner panel (23); a central structure (5) intended to surround said fan (7) and to which the air intake structure (4) is attached in such a way as to ensure aerodynamic continuity, said central structure (5) comprising a secondary, or bypass, flow path outer ring section (11) intended to surround the engine and a central outer cowl (13), and a downstream section (6), the outer panel (25) comprising a moving part (25a) attached to the air intake lip (21) and extending downstream of the inner panel (23) and at least one fixed part (25b) fixed to the central structure (5) or to the downstream section (6) and intended to nest together with the moving part (25a) through their having complementary shapes.
US09169024B2	Environmental control system with closed loop pressure cycle An environmental control system (ECS) for providing conditioned air to a cabin of an aircraft at a desired rate may include a bleed-air driven primary air treatment unit configured to produce pack supply air and to recirculate a portion of the pack supply air into a compressor of the primary air treatment unit. The ECS may also include a bleed-air driven secondary air treatment unit configured to compress ram air at a rate that corresponds to the rate of recirculation. The ECS may be configured to selectively deliver conditioned air from both the primary and the secondary air treatment units to the cabin.
US09169021B2	Class dividing passenger seat bulkhead A bulkhead for dividing passenger seating classes, and a passenger seating arrangement including a bulkhead, the bulkhead configured for attachment to the back of a first row of premium class passenger seats, wherein a backside of the bulkhead is fitted with amenities that serve an aft positioned second row of economy class seats, wherein the first row of seats includes a lesser number of seats than the second row of seats.
US09169019B2	Fastening system for suspended overhead storage bins A fastening system for overhead storage bins on a supporting structure, having at least one pair of suspension eye lugs attached to a supporting structure or the overhead storage bins. The suspension eye lugs are detachably interconnected by a main pin, with receivers for the main pin being in alignment in a mounting position of the overhead storage bin. The main pin is spring-loaded in a main pin guide toward the other suspension eye lug and has, with the overhead storage bin not yet mounted, an end position in which the main pin is deployed from the main pin guide. A portion of the suspension eye lugs has a sloping ramp that allows the main pin to be deployed in the receiver of the other suspension eye lug by action of preload during upward movement of the overhead storage bin and its suspension eye lug into the mounting position.
US09169015B2	Countermeasure decoy system intended to be mounted on an aircraft In order to allow decoy projectiles (6) to be launched with optimal quality of flight, the projectiles respectively include external cylindrical bodies (80) which are dimensionally identical, housed in the tube and each having a deployable-fins (9) aerodynamic stabilization device, that adopt a folded position inside the body when the projectile is in the tube, and a deployed position outside of the tube. To achieve that, the system includes a projectile ejection system (8), with an axial passage (12), arranged fixedly as a continuation of the tube, at the opposite end to the advance mechanism, and containing, in succession, after the control mechanism, the projectile (6) that is to be ejected by a controllable ejection device (25) connected to the module.
US09169013B2	Methods and systems for transitioning an aerial vehicle between crosswind flight and hover flight A method involves operating an aerial vehicle to travel along a first closed path on a tether sphere while oriented in a crosswind-flight orientation. A tether is connected to the aerial vehicle on a first end and is connected to a ground station on a second end. Further, the tether sphere has a radius corresponding to a length of the tether. The method further involves while the aerial vehicle is in the crosswind-flight orientation, operating the aerial vehicle to travel along a second closed path on the tether sphere, such that a speed of the aerial vehicle is reduced. And the method involves after or while the speed of the aerial vehicle is reduced, transitioning the aerial vehicle from traveling along the second closed path while in the crosswind-flight orientation to a hover-flight orientation.
US09169009B1	Hub-mounted auxilliary systems for tipjets in a reaction drive rotor system A rotor system is disclosed for a reactive drive rotary wing aircraft. Apparatus and methods are disclosed for mounting to the rotor hub certain controls, both electrical and mechanical, as well as fuel delivery for tipjets mounted to rotor blades. Air passively or actively drawn through rotor may feed the tipjets directly through the blades, while fuel and control is delivered along the blade to the tip thereof.
US09169008B2	Method of arranging a buoyancy system on an aircraft, a buoyancy system for an aircraft, and an aircraft A buoyancy system (10) for an aircraft (1), said buoyancy system (10) comprises an inflatable float (15) and a cover (20). Said buoyancy system (10) includes at least one extensible connection means (25) fastened to the cover (20) to connect the cover (20) to a compartment (3) of an aircraft (1), while enabling the cover (20) to be retained and to be moved transversely during inflation of the float (15).
US09169007B2	Method of managing parking braking in a braking system for a vehicle fitted with electric brakes The invention relates to a method of managing parking braking in a braking system for a vehicle fitted with at least one electric brake including at least one electric actuator having a pusher actuated by an electric motor for selectively applying a force against friction elements of the brake, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a series of direct adjustment tables for parking braking, corresponding to braking situations at different energy levels; when applying parking braking, selecting a direct adjustment table corresponding to a braking situation preceding the application of parking braking; and directly adjusting a parking braking force in application with the selected direct adjustment table.
US09169004B2	System for motorizing a wheel connected to a suspension A motorizing system is provided for powering a wheel associated with a suspension of an aircraft, so that the aircraft can be moved around on ground. The motorized system includes a motor unit, a drive member that is structured to be secured to the wheel, and a clutch device that connects an output shaft of the motor unit to the drive member. The motor unit is structured to be secured to a sprung part of a suspension strut. A positive transmission occurs between the motor unit and the drive member.
US09169003B2	Self-orienting aircraft landing gear An aircraft landing gear self-orients so to align itself within a plane parallel to the plane defined by the aircraft's roll and yaw axis. A nose gear of a tricycle landing gear configuration includes the ability to not only caster 360 degrees but also self-orient itself to be aligned parallel with the plane defined by the aircraft's roll and yaw axis once removed from any interaction with the ground. A simple and efficient mechanical design provides the landing gear with a substantially constant centering torque that neither impedes nor impairs ground movement yet returns the nose gear to a proper alignment for retraction and stowage.
US09168998B2	Composite propeller spar A method and apparatus comprising a composite spar. The composite spar has a root section and a main section. The root section is closed and has a shape configured to be connected to a blade retention system. The main section has an open channel. The composite spar is configured for placement inside of a blade.
US09168997B2	Aircraft conduit harness retention system A conduit harness retention system has a base, a first spacer, a second spacer and a cap which snap-fit together to retain P-clip harnesses in position spaced from an aircraft fuselage.
US09168996B2	Aircraft pressurized cabin door made of fiber composite An aircraft pressurized cabin door includes an integral door structure unit made of fiber composite, the unit including an outer skin and a door framework arranged on an inner side of the outer skin. The framework includes a plurality of edge supports and a plurality of longitudinal supports extending in a width direction between the edge supports so as to form door framework interstices delimited by the inner side of the outer skin, by the edge supports and by the longitudinal supports. The door framework interstices are configured in a manner open toward the inner side of the door.
US09168995B2	Flight control system using simplex computers and aircraft comprising same A system for computing flight commands, which comprises simplex computers coupled to form virtual command/monitor pairs. These virtual pairs send the commands computed to actuators whose controller implements an election of the pair whose command will be taken into account by the actuator.
US09168994B2	Cutter rail guide, block, armature, and blade An apparatus including a balloon envelope, a cutting blade secured to a blade block; a cutter guide rail secured above the balloon envelope, and an arm rotatable about a pivot point having an end secured to the blade block, wherein the end of the arm extends past the blade block, wherein the arm is releasably secured by a release member, and wherein release of the arm from the release member allows for a rotation of the arm, wherein the rotation of the end of the arm is guided by the cutter guide rail such that the cutting blade maintains contact with and cuts the balloon envelope during the rotation of the arm.
US09168993B1	Liquefied gas treatment system for vessel A vessel includes a cargo tank storing LNG, a main engine and a sub engine using the LNG stored in the cargo tank as fuel, and a liquefied gas treatment system which includes: a main BOG supply line configured to compress the BOG generated in the cargo tank by a compressor and supply the compressed BOG to the main engine as fuel; a sub BOG supply line configured to compress BOG generated in the cargo tank by a compressor and supply the compressed BOG to the sub engine as fuel; a main LNG supply line configured to compress the LNG stored in the cargo tank by a pump and supply the compressed LNG to the main engine as fuel; and a sub LNG supply line configured to compress the LNG stored in the cargo tank by a pump and supply the compressed LNG to the sub engine as fuel.
US09168990B2	Variable buoyancy profiling float In various embodiments a variable buoyancy profiling float is disclosed. The variable buoyancy profiling float may comprise a spherical glass housing comprising a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere. The first and second hemispheres may be coupled by a partial vacuum within the spherical glass housing. A buoyancy system may be located at least partially within the spherical glass housing. The buoyancy system may be configured to provide variable buoyancy control to the variable buoyancy profiling float. A sensor bundle may be mounted to the spherical glass housing and may be configured to measure at least one environmental parameter.
US09168988B2	Method of cleaning a rotating object A method of cleaning a rotatable object including obtaining a flexible line having a plurality of cleaning elements disposed along the central portion and further including engaging the cleaning elements disposed along the central portion with a rotatable object and affixing a first line end to a first support having a fixed location proximate a first end of the rotatable object and affixing a second line end to a second support having a fixed location proximate a second end of said rotatable object; and rotating the rotatable object to clean the rotatable object with the plurality of cleaning elements.
US09168986B1	Elongated recreational flotation device A flotation device includes an elongated and flexible member with a channel extending between longitudinal ends of the flexible member. The flexible member is configured to support an individual within water during a recreational activity. A cap is secured to the flexible member having a shaft suitably dimensioned to fit within the channel of the flexible member to secure the cap to the flexible member. A sleeve having a body member is dimensioned to fit over the flexible member and act as the flexible member's skin. The sleeve can also be dimensioned to fit over the flexible member and the cap for acting as the flexible member's and the cap's skin. The flexible member has at least one cut-out which corresponds to or is aligned with at least one cut-out of the sleeve.
US09168985B2	Frame shaped submersible deck box structure comprising at least one structural module A semi-submersible offshore platform comprises a main structure comprising two longitudinal lower side beam structures, two transverse lower side beam structures and four columns, the longitudinal and transverse lower side beam structures are located between the four columns connecting the four columns with each other such that the semi-submersible offshore platform exhibits a frame shaped submersible pontoon having a lower central opening the four columns extends upwards from the frame shaped submersible pontoon. The main structure of the semi-submersible offshore platform comprises two longitudinal upper side beam structures and two transverse upper side beam structures, the longitudinal and transverse upper side beam structures are located between the four columns connecting the four columns with each other such that the semi-submersible offshore platform exhibits a frame shaped deck box structure having an upper central opening for receiving at least one structural module.
US09168976B1	Cassette and bicycle wheel assembly A cassette for a bicycle may include a plurality of sprocket portions fused into a single unit. The cassette may include a cavity formed in the large end of the cassette. Spokes of an associated wheel may be at least partially disposed in the cavity. A related manufacturing method may include joining a first generally planar sprocket portion having a plurality of connector portions extending transverse to the plane of the first sprocket portion, to a second generally planar sprocket portion by fusing at least one of the connector portions to the second sprocket portion.
US09168975B1	Versatile electric bicycle systems The disclosure herein provides systems for a versatile electric bicycle that is configured to be easily adapted to accommodate various needs and requirements. In certain embodiments, the foregoing may provide features and/or models that are configured to be easily adapted to accommodate parts of varying dimensions, different seating configurations, and/or particular laws and regulations of different jurisdictions.
US09168974B2	Cable-actuated disc brake for a bicycle The invention relates to a cable-actuated disc brake for a bicycle. The cable-actuated disc brake has a lever with dual, opposing piston assemblies that limit the movement of brake pads in relation to a brake disc of the bicycle. The lever includes symmetrical lever arms respectively engaged with symmetrical piston assemblies that are axially spaced, coaxially aligned and rotate about a pivot axis to selectively engage brake pads with a brake disc of the bicycle.
US09168973B2	Motorcycle suspension system The present invention relates to a suspension system for a motorcycle and to frames incorporating such a suspension system. The suspension system includes a swing arm arranged for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis. The swing arm is also arranged for connection at a second location via respective axle plates to a rear wheel axle of the motorcycle. The swing arm is arranged for connection at a third location to a suspension arrangement in the form of a shock absorber arrangement. The first pivot axis is located between the second and third locations.
US09168971B2	Accelerator operating device An accelerator operating device for electrically controlling the output of a power unit on the basis of the manipulated variable of a controller, by achieving the generation of a frictional resistance using a simple configuration. An accelerator operating device includes an extended portion turned upon the operation of a throttle grip; a torsion coil spring biasing the extended portion in a returning direction while the extended portion is turned; and a friction generating mechanism adding a frictional resistance to the turning movement. The friction generating mechanism includes a compression coil spring applying a pressing force to the extended portion, and a friction member brought into sliding contact with the extended portion by being pressed by the compression coil spring. The torsion coil spring and the compression coil spring are placed coaxially with the extended portion and overlap each other at least partially along the axial direction of the extended portion.
US09168965B2	Electric scooter assemblies In some embodiments, an electric scooter comprises a deck configured to support a rider, front and rear wheels, a handlebar assembly that includes a handlebar, a left handle, and a right handle, a steering column that includes a steering tube and the handlebar assembly, and an electric motor configured to provide mechanical power to at least one of the front and the rear wheels. One or more of the steering column, steering tube, handlebar assembly, handlebar, left handle, right handle, and deck can be configured to be detachable and comprise one or more rechargeable battery packs. In addition, one or more of the steering column, steering tube, handlebar assembly, handlebar, left handle, right handle, and deck can be configured to receive one or more removable rechargeable batteries.
US09168964B1	Bicycle equipped with electric generator at saddle area A bicycle includes a bicycle body, an electric generator disposed in a saddle area of the bicycle body and an electronic device connected to the electric generator to be powered by the latter. The electric generator includes a piezoelectric transducer, a storage battery and an electric power output port connected to the piezoelectric transducer and the storage battery. The piezoelectric transducer is configured to transform mechanical vibration energy available on the saddle area into electricity during cycling. The storage battery is coupled to the piezoelectric transducer for storing the electricity generated by the piezoelectric transducer. The electronic device is connected to the electric power output port to be powered by either the piezoelectric transducer or the storage battery.
US09168963B2	Systems and methods employing limbed vehicle and spaced posts Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems including a limbed vehicle having a plurality of controllably movable limbs (e.g., a limbed machine, limbed robot, etc.) and a plurality of spaced posts that the limbed vehicle may travel on using the limbs. As non-limiting examples, such disclosed embodiments of systems may be used to service an agriculture field, to enable travel over an environmentally-sensitive area or an area impassable by a conventional wheeled or tracked vehicle, and may be used in many other different applications. Embodiments disclosed herein also relate to methods of operating a limbed vehicle to travel on a plurality of spaced posts.
US09168962B2	Drill rig relocation system The present invention discloses a drill rig relocation system. Lift frames are provided as add-ons to existing drill rigs, or as integral openings within the length of the base boxes. A lift cylinder and bearing mat assembly is connected beneath the lift frame or base boxes. Each bearing mat assembly has a slew drive for controlled directional rotation. A torque arrest system allows vertical movement of the torque reaction point as the substructure is elevated to control the orientation and magnitude of forces. In one embodiment, the drill rig is supported on linear sleeve bearings slideably mounted in the bearing mat assemblies. Translation cylinders on the bearing mats expand to move the drill rig by translating the linear sleeve bearings along the shafts.
US09168961B2	Tracklaying gear In a tracklaying gear of a road finishing machine or a feeder with a drive chain wheel comprising circumferential teeth and being rotatably driven about an axis, and at least one idler wheel freely rotating about an axis inside a caterpillar track damping layers having damping material and exclusively radial sliding guides are integrated in the drive chain wheel and/or the idler wheel between the axis and the caterpillar track.
US09168959B2	Rear-mounted aerodynamic structure for truck cargo bodies This invention provides a foldable/retractable and unfoldable/deployable, rearwardly tapered aerodynamic assembly for use on the rear trailer bodies and other vehicles that accommodate dual swing-out doors. The aerodynamic assembly includes a right half mounted on the right hand door and a left half mounted on a left hand door. Each half is constructed with a side panel, top panel and bottom panel, which each form half of an overall tapered box when deployed on the rear of the vehicle, the bottom panels and top panels being sealed together at a pair of overlapping weather seals along the centerline. The panels are relatively thin, but durable, and are joined to each other by resilient strip hinges. The top and bottom panels are also hinged to form two sections along diagonal lines to facilitate folding of all panels in a relatively low-profile stacked orientation. This low profile allows the doors to be swung through approximately 270 degrees to be secured to the sides of the body in a manner that does not interfere with adjacent doors or bodies in, for example a multi-bay loading dock. A swing arm assembly and gas spring biases the panels into a deployed position that can be refolded by grasping the side panel and rotating it inward toward the door surface. The top and bottom panels are partly inwardly folded when deployed to define external valleys using a stop assembly. This ensures that the panels fold readily when desired without the two sections of the panels “locking up”.
US09168956B2	Vehicle body having rear side member A vehicle body includes: rear side members disposed at both sides of the vehicle body; a rear cross member rear having both end portions fixed to the rear side members; a rear cross member front having both end portions fixed to the rear side members, and disposed in front of the rear cross member rear; and a rear cross panel having a lower surface that is supported on and joined to the rear side members, the rear cross member rear, and the rear cross member front.
US09168955B2	Smart parking assist system of vehicle and control method thereof Disclosed herein are a parking assist system to park a vehicle at the center of a target position in parking of the vehicle at the target position and a control method thereof.A control method of a parking assist system including a state sensor to sense a state of a vehicle, an obstacle sensor to sense obstacles present at a front side, a rear side or lateral sides of the vehicle, and an interface to provide a driver with information about a state or operation of the vehicle includes computing a parking path for the vehicle based on results of sensing by the state sensor and the obstacle sensor, controlling steering of the vehicle such that the vehicle is parked at a target position along the computed parking path, and when the vehicle reaches the target position, controlling steering of the vehicle to position the vehicle at a center of the target position based on information related to situations at the front and rear sides of the vehicle sensed by the obstacle sensor.
US09168952B2	Steering angle sensor for motor vehicles A steering angle sensor for motor vehicles for determining the steering angle of a steering element of a steering wheel assembly, which is rotatable during a steering movement is provided. The steering angle sensor comprises a rotatably mounted drive element which during a rotary movement of the steering element likewise performs a rotary movement, and a rotatably mounted driven element which is in engagement with the drive element and is driven by the same. The steering angle is determined by detecting the rotary movement and/or the angle of rotation of the driven element. The drive element and/or the driven element include elastic means via which the drive element and the driven element are braced against each other.
US09168951B2	Jackknife condition for backing up of a vehicle attached to a long wheelbase dual axle trailers A jackknife warning condition controller and control method notifies a driver of a potential jackknife situation while backing up a vehicle with an attached trailer. The vehicle has a front axle with steerable front wheels controlled by the driver and a rear axle with non-steerable rear wheels. The trailer has a front axle with non-steerable front wheels and a rear axle with steerable rear wheels controlled by a trailer steering controller. The jackknife controller receives an operator-controlled vehicle steering angle and a measured hitch angle. The jackknife warning condition controller determines a directional jackknife warning condition and compares the measured hitch angle with the determined directional jackknife warning condition. If the measured hitch angle satisfies the directional jackknife warning condition then a notification is sent to the driver.
US09168945B2	Steering column comprising an improved depth-blocking mechanism A steering column including an upper body, two connection flanges for connecting the upper body to a support element, and a tightening and blocking device the upper body in position on an internal tube, where the tightening and blocking device includes a clamp screw extending through the flanges, a set of cams comprising a fixed cam and a movable cam mounted such that it can move freely in translation along the clamp screw and arranged so that it can bear on one of the flanges, a rack capable of cooperating with a notched arrangement provided on the other flange, and a resilient means arranged between the movable cam and the rack in order to exert a return force on the rack in the direction of the notched flange.
US09168941B2	Convertible stroller assembly A stroller assembly includes a cushion below the seat fabric connected between the pair of primary rear legs and the pair of lower front legs, the cushion having a pair of straps on an upper side when the stroller assembly is an open configuration. The pair of handle bars are pivotable about the pair of upper hinges to rest against the primary rear legs. The pair of lower front legs are pivotable about the pair of lower hinges to rest against the pair of primary front legs. The cushion is detachable about a pivot axis and configured to be rotated about the pivot axis to such the lower side of the cushion can be rested against lower front legs rested against the pair of primary front legs.
US09168940B1	Device having legs which extend and retract and method of use A device has four legs each leg having a plurality of teeth. The device further includes a body which has four gears wherein each of the four gears meshes with the teeth of a different leg. A first gear is connected to a second gear by a first shaft, and a third gear is connected to a fourth gear by a second shaft. The first gear meshes with the third gear, and the second gear meshes with the fourth gear. The legs can be selectively positioned to a retracted position adjacent to the body or to an extended position projecting away from the body. A biasing mechanism urges the four legs to the extended position. A locking mechanism locks the legs in either the retracted position or the extended position.
US09168937B2	Multi-function dragger The present disclosure is directed to a dragger. The dragger may have a plurality of sensors configured to be located adjacent a railroad track. Each of the plurality of sensors may be oriented at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The dragger may also have a controller in communication with the plurality of sensors. The controller may be configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors, determine a parameter based on at least one of the received signals, and detect a fault condition when the parameter exceeds a threshold.
US09168934B2	Railcar coupler knuckle cores and knuckles produced by said cores A knuckle may include a throat portion having a throat side wall with at least three sections, a first section closest to the knuckle tail, a third section closest to the knuckle pulling face, and a second section between said first and third sections. The wall thickness of said first section may be less than 10% different than the wall thickness of said second section. The throat portion may also include a tail stop side wall with at least three sections, a first section closest to the knuckle tail, a third section closest to the knuckle pulling face, and a second section between said first and third sections. The wall thickness of said first section may be less than 10% different than the wall thickness of said second section.
US09168932B2	Battery charging control apparatus of a train A charge control apparatus of a train set having a plurality of trains, wherein the train has a generator, a battery and a motor supplied with power from the generator and the battery, power, generated by one of the generator and the motor, is able to charge to the battery, and a plurality of trains, driven by an operation of the motor, are connected and each battery is mutually independent, comprises an acquiring unit configured to acquiring charge information indicating charge condition of the battery from each train; and a charge amount control unit configured to control a charge amount of each battery using the charge information of the train.
US09168931B1	Suspended recreational vehicle A recreational apparatus is provided having an elevated railway system with a vehicle suspended therefrom. The vehicle includes a drive mechanism that is responsive to energy input in order to advance the vehicle along the elevated railway system. The drive mechanism is capable of efficiently motivating the vehicle along straight and curved sections of the elevated railway system with minimal stress on moving parts, and minimal frictional losses.
US09168927B2	Accessory control with geo-fencing A vehicle accessory can transmit a first signal to a mobile device, the first signal including a location of a vehicle. The mobile device can monitor its own location. The mobile device can assess whether one or more location-based criteria have been satisfied based on the location of the mobile device and the location of the vehicle. Upon determining that a location-based criterion has been satisfied, the mobile device can transmit a second signal to the vehicle accessory indicating that a function of the vehicle is to be controlled. Thus, for example, the mobile device can activate or de-activate vehicle features (e.g., door locking, vehicle defrosting, etc.) in a manner that capitalizes on efficient signal transmission.
US09168925B2	Method for estimating grade and rolling direction Systems and methods for determining vehicle rolling direction and road grade are disclosed. In one example, a vehicle rolling direction is determined from a correlation coefficient. The vehicle rolling direction is applied to a kinematic equation to determine road grade.
US09168922B1	Computer-implemented methods and systems for predicting an area to be traversed by a moving vehicle Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for calculating a polygon that estimates the area to be traversed by a moving ground vehicle by merging polygons representing static poses of the vehicle at different times.
US09168921B2	Method for warning a driver of a motor vehicle of an obstacle present in a side area next to a side flank of the vehicle and motor vehicle with a driver assistance system The present invention relates to a method for warning a driver of a motor vehicle (2) of an obstacle (1) present in a side area (19) next to a side flank (13) of the vehicle (2) with the help of a driver assistance system (3), wherein during a motion of the vehicle (2) the obstacle (1) is detected by an ultrasonic sensor (5, 7) stationarily arranged on a vehicle bumper (6, 8), before the obstacle (1) leaves a detection area (10) of the ultrasonic sensor (5, 7) and enters the side area (19) next to the side flank (13). After the obstacle (1) leaves the detection area (10) a current position of the obstacle (1) in the side area (19) relative to the vehicle (2) is estimated by the driver assistance system (3), wherein the driver is warned by the driver assistance system (3) in dependency on a result of the estimation.
US09168919B2	Hybrid vehicle A hybrid vehicle includes a combustion engine (2) with a driveshaft (4) for driving the wheels of at least one axle (7), at least one electrical machine (11, 12) for driving the wheels of this axle or at least one other axle (10), with the at least one electrical machine capable of being operated as a generator during a braking process and as a motor during an acceleration process, and a further electrical machine (18) which is coupled to the at least one electrical machine and includes a flywheel store which has a rotor (14) and is chargeable during a braking operation and dischargeable during an acceleration process. The rotor (14) can be mechanically coupled via at least one shiftable clutch (23) to the driveshaft (4) of the at least one axle (7) which can be driven by the combustion engine.
US09168918B2	Power transmitting apparatus for vehicle A power transmitting apparatus may include: an electric supplementary drive unit; a torque converting device having first, second, and third rotation elements, wherein the first rotation element is connected to the electric supplementary drive unit, the second rotation element is connected to an engine, and the third rotation element is operated as an output element; a first input shaft directly connected to the second rotation element, and a second input shaft directly connected to the third rotation element; a direct coupling device selectively connecting two rotation elements among the first, second, and third rotation elements, a first speed output unit having first and second synchronizer modules, and a second speed output unit having third and fourth synchronizer modules; and a reverse speed device having an idle gear and engaging to any one input gear on the first and second input shafts.
US09168917B2	Controller for hybrid vehicle A cooling system circulates a coolant between an engine, an inverter and a radiator to cool the engine and the inverter. A driving mode of the vehicle can be changed between an EV-mode in which the vehicle is driven only by the motor and an HV-mode in which the vehicle is driven by at least one of the motor and the engine. When a driving mode is EV-mode, a coolant temperature is increased to cool the inverter. In the EV-mode, a vehicle is driven by motor only. When the inverter temperature is increased, the allowable current of the inverter can be increased and an allowable output of a motor can be increased.
US09168908B2	Method for actuating a starting process A method of actuating a starting process, in a selected driving direction, of a vehicle having a hybrid drive system and a hydraulically controlled transmission. When starting, the method checks whether the vehicle is moving in the selected direction, and if the vehicle is moving in the opposite direction, at least the shifting element (A, B, D, E, F) of the transmission that is involved in the engaged gear is actuated in such a manner that a continuous torque increase is produced by the electric machine (EM).
US09168901B2	Electric stability control system and device for controlling sway stability of a caravan or trailer and the like A system for substantially minimising sway of a towed vehicle, fitted with electric brakes, hitched to a towing vehicle, the system including an electric stability control (ESC) device adapted for mounting to a portion of the towed vehicle, the ESC device being operably connected to the electric brakes by cable means, the ESC including a sway detecting means for measuring lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle; an actuator means for activating the electric brakes of the towed vehicle, the actuator means being operatively connected to the sway detecting means whereby the sway detecting means activates the actuator means to apply a voltage to the brakes for a period of time when the sway detecting means detects a predetermined lateral acceleration of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. The system can also be used for controlling dangerous sway and instability of a towed vehicle.
US09168900B2	Brake monitoring system with multiple inputs An air brake monitoring system for monitoring a pressure of the system and providing various alarms and/or warnings to a user including tire and brake status/alarms and providing for a backup alarm. The air brake monitoring system configurable to function with the existing wiring of the vehicle and including an air brake monitoring device to be positioned in the vicinity of a brake valve. The air brake monitoring system is further provided to monitor the electrical stoplight power transmitted to the ABS brakes as well as the vehicle static/dynamic condition.
US09168891B2	Retractor for a seat belt, and clutch used in same A retractor for a seat belt is disclosed, including a frame, a spool that is mounted rotatably to the inside of the frame, a webbing that is wound on the spool to be pulled-in constantly to the inside of the frame and pulled-out freely from the inside of the frame to the outside thereof, a controller for recognizing vehicle information and controlling the pulling-in of the webbing, a motor for generating a driving force to rotate the spool in accordance with the control of the controller and a clutch for receiving the driving force from the motor and transmitting the driving force to the spool wherein the clutch includes; a driven gear that receives the driving force from a driving gear provided on a rotation shaft of the motor; a plate that is provided facing to one end of the driven gear and inter-connected with the driven gear; a braking disk that is provided to be engaged with the other face opposing one face of the plate, facing to one end of the driven gear, and is in friction with the plate to stay temporally the plate when the plate is inter-connected with the driven gear; and a locking pole that is mounted pivotably to the plate and pivoted by a rotation of the driven gear when the plate is stayed temporally by the braking disk to be meshed with a pinion gear provided on a rotation shaft of the spool thereby transmitting the driving force transmitted from the driven gear to the spool.
US09168886B2	Motor vehicle having a rollover protection system A motor vehicle with a rollover protection system has at least one rollover support body. For the connection of the rollover support body to the body structure of the motor vehicle, a wide-based receiving device is provided in the area of a rear wheel house and/or of a side panel area. The fastening takes place by screws which are oriented in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle.
US09168880B2	Panel assembly having multi-layer patch for sound damping A panel assembly with a multi-layer patch may be used in any number of different applications in order to reduce noise or vibrations, provide thermal insulation, and/or improve the structural integrity of an underlying part. In an exemplary embodiment where the panel assembly is a vehicle part, the panel assembly includes a main panel, a primary adhesive layer, and a multi-layer patch that includes at least two individual patches and at least one auxiliary adhesive layer. The primary adhesive layer attaches the multi-layer patch to the main panel, and the auxiliary adhesive layer attaches the individual patches together. The size, shape, thickness and/or composition of the different layers of the multi-layer patch may be specifically chosen to exhibit certain sound and/or thermal damping properties.
US09168879B2	Sealing arrangement for vehicle windows, method for the production thereof, and use thereof A sealing arrangement for vehicle windows is described. The sealing arrangement has at least a holding rail that has a locking channel, which is formed by a guide rail and a resilient leg, and is fastened to a window and a cover that has a guide channel, which is formed by a locking rail and a positioning stop. The guide rail is arranged in the guide channel and the locking rail is latched in the locking channel. A locking hook is latched onto the resilient leg in a projecting region of the locking rail and a resilient element is clamped in the guide channel between a stop face on the underside of the cover and the guide rail.
US09168877B2	Airbag unit, fastening structure, and fastening member An airbag unit includes an airbag, a cover part which covers the airbag, a fitting member which is fitted on a front side of the cover part, and a fastening member which fastens the fitting member on a back side of the cover part. The fastening member includes a first fastening part which is inserted from a side into a first locking part provided on the fitting member, in a state in which the first locking part penetrates the cover part to a back side of the cover part, a second fastening part which is inserted from the side into a second locking part provided on the fitting member, in a state in which the second locking part penetrates the cover part to the back side of the cover part, and a connecting part which connects a base end part of the first fastening part and a base end part of the second fastening part, and external shapes of the first fastening part and the second fastening part are mutually different.
US09168875B2	Quick release ATV rack system A quick release ATV rack system for allowing a user to selectively increase the amount of cargo storage space on an ATV without removal of passenger seating with a removable rack. The quick release ATV rack system comprises a base frame and a two pairs of fastener assemblies. The base frame is defined by a top tier and a bottom tier and additionally includes a proximal end configured to attach to a factory ATV rack and a distal end having an elevated backstop. The top tier provides the primary support structure and an attaching structure embodied as a pair of top fastener assemblies. The bottom tier provides an additional stabilizing aspect in the form of a pair of bottom fastener assemblies which assists the quick release ATV rack system in fastening to the factory rack on an ATV.
US09168871B2	Rear-view mirror with multi-mode display screen, system comprising same, and method of using same An image display system comprises a camera presence detector for detecting presence of a rear-view camera mounted on a towed unit connected to a towing vehicle, an image display format controller coupled to the camera presence detector, and a rear-view mirror assembly including an image display apparatus. The image display format controller enables a first display mode when the camera presence detector detects the towed unit rear-view camera and enables a second display mode when the camera presence detector fails to detect presence of the towed unit rear-view camera. An image output device of the image display apparatus underlies a central portion of an image display apparatus viewing substrate at a rear surface thereof. An image outputted is viewable through the central portion when the first display mode is implemented. The central portion can provide reflected rear-view imaging utility when the second display mode is implemented.
US09168870B2	Room mirror module for vehicle Provided is a room mirror module for a vehicle, including a control unit driving an electrochromic mirror and a display unit by discriminating the intensity of light and movement of the vehicle detected by a sensor unit, whereby the devices for the vehicle can be more efficiently controlled, and a driver's safe driving can be secured.
US09168862B2	Helmet apparatus for automated vehicle heading alert A helmet apparatus for automated vehicle heading alert includes a carrier detachable from headwear of a driver, a plurality of light emitting elements, a gyroscopic device, a signal processing and decision-making (SPDM) processor, and a power device. The light emitting elements are installed on the carrier and include left and right light emitting elements. The gyroscopic device is installed on the carrier and includes a gyroscope for detecting an operation of a vehicle and outputting gyroscope signals corresponding to the operation. The SPDM processor receives the gyroscope signals to form operation signals, processes the operation signals, performs a discriminant decision-making procedure, generates consecutively discriminant signals corresponding to the operation signals, and drives accordingly at least one of the light emitting elements to turn on, turn off, or flashing. The power supply device is used for supplying power required by the light emitting elements, the gyroscopic device, and the SPDM processor.
US09168861B2	Method for controlling a headlamp system for a vehicle, and headlamp system In a method for controlling a headlamp system for a vehicle, the headlamp system having two headlamps, set apart from each other, road users are detected in front of the vehicle in the driving direction, and a first total light pattern is able to be produced, in which the illumination range on a first side of a center axis is greater than on the other, second side of this center axis, and a second total light pattern is able to be produced, in which the total light pattern is controllable such that it has an illumination range in the direction of at least one detected road user that is less than the distance to the detected road user, and which has an illumination range in another direction that is greater than the distance to the detected road user. During the switch from the first total light pattern to the second total light pattern, the illumination range of at least one headlamp on the first side of the center axis is first reduced to at least such an extent that it is less than the distance to the detected road user, the second total light pattern being produced subsequently.
US09168854B2	Vehicle seat with protective cloth anchoring flaps, and method of making the same A vehicle seat base is provided with a foam bun that includes a protective cloth that is molded into the foam bun and attached with the seat cover material to the seat frame. A suspension mat is attached to the protective cloth below the foam bun to add support.
US09168844B2	Methods and systems for diagnosing performance of active cooling system in an electric vehicle Methods and electric vehicle diagnostic systems are provided for diagnosing performance of an active cooling system for cooling a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) with a coolant. In one embodiment, a method includes determining, via a controller, whether the coolant temperature (TC) is less than the ambient temperature plus a first calibrated value (TA+V1). The method also includes determining, via a controller, whether the coolant temperature (TC) is less than the RESS temperature plus a second calibrated value (TR+V2). When the coolant temperature is less than the ambient temperature plus the first calibrated value and less than the RESS temperature plus the second calibrated value, the method provides for recording a diagnostic pass.
US09168840B2	Charging port device for electric vehicle A charging port device for an electric vehicle has an electrical driving mechanism for electrically applying a torque using a motor to move a restricting member to an inner-side position short of a predetermined position corresponding to a locked state or an unlocked state, and a mechanical driving mechanism for mechanically applying a torque to move the restricting member from the inner-side position to the predetermined position, when the restricting member is to be moved to the predetermined position, and a part of the restricting member overlaps the engaging member, when viewed from the direction of separation, at the inner-side position that corresponds to a movement to the locked state.
US09168839B2	Electric power distribution method and device A method for distributing electricity is used in a system including a three-phase current distribution network, recharge terminals for electric vehicles connected to the distribution network via three phase conductors and one neutral conductor, electric vehicles equipped with a storage battery, means for measuring electric currents and voltages in the system, and a monitoring device for communicating with the electric vehicles and the measuring means. The distribution network supplies or receives electricity at the recharge terminals, and electric vehicles are recharged or discharged on these terminals via a single-phase or three-phase electric link. The method includes identifying an arrival of an electric vehicle at a recharge terminal, identifying energy requirements of the electric vehicle, assigning at least one electric current phase carried by one of the three phase conductors to the recharge terminal, and transferring energy to or from the storage battery (or batteries) of the electric vehicle.
US09168837B2	Vehicle and method of controlling vehicle A vehicle externally chargeable with electric power transmitted through a charging cable from an external power supply includes a chargeable power storage device, a charging device and a control device. The charging device supplies charge power to the power storage device using the electric power transmitted from the external power supply. The control device controls the charging device to limit the charge power based on the state of the power transmission path from the external power supply to the charging device. By this configuration, even when an extension cable is added by a user or when a failure occurs in the charging cable and the like, damage to the cable and influences upon surrounding devices due to excessive heat generation at the cable can be suppressed.
US09168835B2	Systems and methods for auxiliary power outlet control Methods, systems are provided for controlling an auxiliary power outlet in a vehicle. The method includes connecting the battery powered device to the accessory power outlet, synchronizing communications between the battery powered device to a computing device of the vehicle, and determining when the battery powered device is connected to an electric bus and is charging. When the battery powered device is either not connected to the electric bus or the battery powered device is not charging, then disconnecting power from the accessory power outlet. The system includes a battery, an electrical bus electrically connected to the battery, at least one auxiliary power outlet in electrical communication with the battery and configured to mate with a battery charging port of a battery operated device; and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to disconnect power from the accessory power outlet when the battery is charged.
US09168834B2	Vehicle A vehicle includes a mobile communication device that controls in-vehicle devices remotely, a drive controller that controls drive of the vehicle, a communication controller that controls the wireless communication with the mobile communication device, and an auxiliary battery that activates the communication controller and an in-vehicle-device controller controlling the in-vehicle devices. The communication controller includes a stopper that stops the wireless communication if a correlating temperature is lower than or equal to a predetermined temperature, the correlating temperature correlating with the temperature of the auxiliary battery acquired at a first predetermined time after a stop of the drive controller.
US09168831B2	System and method of controlling starting of vehicle A system and a method of controlling vehicle starting may include a wheel speed sensor detecting a speed of at least one wheel among wheels of the vehicle, a vehicle speed detector detecting a vehicle speed, an acceleration detector detecting a vehicle acceleration, a vertical acceleration sensor detecting a vertical acceleration of the vehicle, a wheel torque detector calculating a wheel torque, an ambient temperature sensor detecting an ambient temperature, and a controller. The controller may calculate a wheel slip amount based on the speed of at least one wheel, the vehicle speed and the vehicle acceleration, determine whether a wheel slip occurs by comparing the wheel slip amount with a first predetermined wheel slip amount, determine a road state based on the ambient temperature and the vertical acceleration of the vehicle if the wheel slip occurs, and perform a starting control according to the road state.
US09168820B2	Vehicle using compressed gas, and control device therefor A power unit that can periodically determine a leakage of a compressed gas to early discover a defect, such as a crack, and a vehicle in which the power unit is used are provided. A vehicle that runs with an air engine including a gas machinery includes a control device. The control device includes an adjuster that controls an output of the gas machinery such that a target output is obtained, a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure of the compressed gas at the piping unit of the air engine, and a determination unit that determines a leakage state of the compressed gas based on a change in pressure, which is measured by the pressure measuring unit every time the target output of the gas machinery becomes substantial zero. The control device suspends the determination of the leakage state when the target output of the gas machinery changes from substantial zero during the determination.
US09168817B2	Structure of folding type sunroof deflector A folding type sunroof deflector structure may include a deflector gate formed penetrating the front frame in the widthwise direction of the vehicle a first deflector which is stored inside the front frame to be moved up and down through the deflector gate and projectable outside of the opening section; a second deflector, an upper part of which is rotatably connected to a hinge joint located at a bottom of the first deflector and which is projectable outside of the opening section according to a movement of the first deflector; and a pair of deflector arms having a rear end portion of which is rotatably coupled to a pair of side frames to be connected to sides of the opening section; and a front end portion of which is coupled to both sides of the first deflector to move the first deflector up and down.
US09168799B2	Vertical tank transport systems and related methods An industrial tank transport system used to transport an industrial tank without the use of a trailer. The industrial tank transport system is comprised of four components; a semi-tractor truck, a removable lift system, a dolly, and a tank. When these four components are combined together, the tank can be transported without the use of a conventional semi-tractor trailer. Various combinations of these four components are used to practice the various methods of raising and lowering the tank between a horizontal position and vertical position using the semi-tractor truck, transporting the dolly using the removable lift system and semi-tractor truck, attaching and removing the removable lift system to the semi-tractor truck, and attaching and removing the dolly to and from the tank using the removable lift system and semi-tractor truck.
US09168798B2	Apparatus for introducing air and/or sealant into a tire An apparatus for introducing air and/or sealant into a tire includes a container for the sealant which has an inlet and an outlet and a pressure generating means, wherein the inlet of the container is connectable to the pressure generating means and the outlet of the container (14) is connected or connectable to the inlet end (24) of a hose (20) whose outlet end is connectable to the tire to be filled. A latchable coupling is provided for connecting the pressure generation means to the inlet of the container, with two latching levers (50) provided at the container (14) being designed to release the locking convection of the coupling on a movement of the respective free lever ends toward one another.
US09168797B2	Tyre demounting machine A tire demounting machine includes a base; a support unit for supporting wheels on a rest plane, and rotatable about a first axis of rotation, which is supported on the base and is equipped with lock and release devices for the wheels supported thereon; a work-tool supporting column which extends from the base (2) and has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation, a first support element for supporting at least three work-tools on the rest plane being mounted slidably along the longitudinal axis and towards or from the support unit.
US09168789B2	Truck tire A pneumatic tire for use on trucks, the tire comprising: a tread which includes a belt reinforcement structure, the belt structure including a pair of working belts, wherein the angle of the working belts range from about 16 degrees to about 30 degrees, wherein a low angle belt is positioned preferably between of the working belts, wherein the angle of the low angle belt is less than 5 degrees. The working belts are extensible, and preferably made of high elongation wire.
US09168781B1	Paint tray with removable paint screen and handle This device is comprised of a paint tray, a handle, an attachable and removable paint screen, a canopy, and ladder step hooks. The screen attaches to the paint tray, which allows painters to roll off excess paint from their paint rollers. The excess paint will drip through the screen and drain to the deep end of the paint tray. The canopy, handle, and attachable paint screen provide painters with an alternative option of using the device in a vertical position rather than a horizontal position. The canopy additionally obstructs paint from spilling out when a painter is dipping the paint roller in the paint at the deep end of the paint tray and prevents any remaining paint in the tray from being contaminated with debris. The canopy and handle also provide painters with an option of holding the paint tray and a paint roller in each hand.
US09168778B2	Dental-based identification system A dental-based identification system for identification of individuals comprises a database configured to maintain a record of each individual registered in the system, wherein each record includes at least an identification (ID) number included in a dental-based identification tag and identification information of the individual, wherein the ID number uniquely identifies the individual; and an identification server configured to receive a radiograph of at least one tooth to which the dental-based identification tag is bonded, to detect the ID number included in the dental-based identification tag, and to search a recording associated with the detected ID number, wherein the identification server is further configured to generate and send a message upon identification of the individual.
US09168777B2	Cliche for off-set printing and product manufactured using the same The present invention relates to a cliche for offset printing for forming a mesh pattern, and more specifically, to a cliche for offset printing comprising a mash pattern with a plurality of intersection units, wherein the plurality of intersection units are formed in a curved shape with a radius of curvature 0.6 to 4 times that of a mesh line width.When the cliche for offset printing of the present invention is used, line width reductions generated around the intersection units during mesh pattern printing may be reduced. As a result, when a final product is manufactured by using the cliche for printing of the present invention, the surface resistance properties of the product may be improved.
US09168773B2	Printing method and printing apparatus for printing maintenance images on a continuous sheet using a duplex printer A printing apparatus sequentially prints a plurality of images on a first surface of a sheet, and then sequentially prints a plurality of images on a second surface that is a back surface of the first surface. When a state of a printing unit is determined not to be normal when printing on the first surface, the printing apparatus executes processing for maintenance by using a sheet different from the sheet used for printing on the first surface.
US09168772B2	System for detecting inoperative inkjets in printheads ejecting clear ink using three dimensional imaging An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes a supply of substrate that is pulled to a position opposite a printhead to enable a test pattern of material to be formed on a portion of the substrate. That portion is then pulled past a laser sensor, which generates measurement data of the material on the portion of the substrate bearing the test pattern. These measurement data are analyzed to detect inoperative inkjets.
US09168769B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes a first accommodating section, a transporting mechanism configured to transport the recording medium in order of a first path to a fourth path and which includes a separating mechanism, and a recording section. The separating mechanism includes a feeding roller and a separating member. The first accommodating section, the second path, and the fourth path are arranged to overlap with each other in a vertical direction.
US09168766B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus including recording modules each having a recording medium conveyance path, the modules being identical in external shape and disposed such that conveyor surfaces thereof are parallel to each other and such that same-shaped portions thereof align with each other in a first direction intersecting the conveyor surface, wherein, in a certain cross section orthogonal to the conveyor surface and parallel to the first direction, where a dimension of each module in a second direction orthogonal to a conveyor surface is L1 and a dimension thereof in a third direction orthogonal to the second direction is L2, a dimension L3, in the second direction, of adjacent two of the modules in the first direction is smaller than twice the dimension L1 and a dimension L4, in the third direction, of the adjacent two modules is smaller than twice the dimension L2 and is larger than the dimension L2.
US09168765B2	Printing apparatus A printing apparatus includes a carriage configured to perform a reciprocating movement while facing a sheet, the carriage being equipped with an inkjet head, and a drying unit configured to apply energy from above the carriage to the sheet so as to dry ink, wherein, when the carriage performs the reciprocating movement, the carriage is reversed at a reversing position where the application of the energy to an end of the sheet or an end of an image formed on the sheet is not blocked by the carriage.
US09168761B2	Disposable digital camera with printing assembly A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead.
US09168760B2	Method of creating an image on a stone substrate surface and resulting product A method of creating images in stone substrate such as granite monuments using digital laser etching into a painted area. Alternatively, two layers of color contrasting coatings may be applied and the laser etching penetrates into the innermost layer to produce a contrast with the top coat. Pigmented material of a chemical content which is related to the mineral content of the substrate. Various enhancement techniques are also described.
US09168758B2	Printing apparatus and printing method An apparatus for printing an image on a transparent medium based on a selected mode, the apparatus includes: a head that ejects ink droplets from nozzles, wherein when a first mode is selected, the head prints a first image on the transparent medium, prints a background image on the first image, and prints a second image which is different from the first image on the background image, and wherein when a second mode is selected, the head prints a second image on the transparent medium, prints a background image on the second image, and prints a first image on the background image.
US09168749B2	Manufacturing method of liquid discharge head This invention relates to a manufacturing method of a liquid discharge head comprising: forming an active energy ray-curable resin layer on a surface of a substrate on which discharge energy generating elements are formed, attaching a material permeable to active energy rays onto a surface of the active energy ray-curable resin layer, pressing against the material permeable to active energy rays, a master mold being transparent to the active energy rays and having protrusions corresponding to a pattern of discharge ports so as to transfer the protrusions to the material permeable to active energy rays, selectively irradiating the active energy ray-curable resin layer with active energy rays according to a pattern of liquid flow paths so as to cure the active energy ray-curable resin layer, removing the master mold, and removing uncured portions of the active energy ray-curable resin layer.
US09168748B2	Nozzle arrays Disclosed are devices and methods where a distance between nozzle arrays is equal to a substrate advance distance corresponding to at least one complete turn of a rotating drive body.
US09168747B2	Multi-layer electroformed nozzle plate with attenuation pockets An ink jet printhead includes a nozzle plate including a nozzle, a recess in the nozzle plate, and a compliant layer that covers the recess and forms a sealed pocket that may be filled with air or another gas during use of the printhead. During actuation of a piezoelectric element during the ejection of ink from the nozzle, the sealed pocket attenuates an acoustic energy generated by the piezoelectric element, thereby reducing crosstalk to adjacent nozzles by the acoustic energy.
US09168746B2	Printing apparatus and printing method A printing apparatus includes a carriage having a recording head movable in a first direction relative to a medium, a color ink nozzle row and a clear ink nozzle row that are provided in the recording head and that respectively eject photo-curable color ink and photo-curable clear ink, and a light irradiation section. A first period of time from when the color ink is deposited on the medium to when light is emitted by the light irradiation section is equal to or longer than a second period of time from when the clear ink is deposited on the medium to when the light is emitted by the light irradiation section.
US09168745B2	Ink jet print head assembly having an angled carrier body and method An ink jet print head assembly includes a carrier body, plural pistons, and a printing plate. The pistons are configured to actuate in ejection directions in order to engage a diaphragm plate of the printing plate and cause fluid to be ejected from orifices of the printing plate along printing directions. The ejection directions in which the pistons are actuated are transversely oriented with respect to printing directions in which the fluid is ejected from the printing plate.
US09168744B2	Electromechanical transducer element, method of manufacturing the same, liquid droplet discharge head, and liquid droplet discharge device An electromechanical transducer element includes a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate as a common electrode; an electromechanical transducer membrane formed on the first electrode; a second electrode formed on the electromechanical transducer membrane as an individual electrode; a first insulation protection membrane formed on the first and the second electrode; a third electrode electrically connected to the first electrode; a fourth electrode electrically connected to the second electrode; a second insulation protection membrane including a common electrode pad formed on the third electrode and plural individual electrode pads formed on the fourth electrode; and a fifth electrode formed so as to surround a vicinity of at least one of the individual electrode pads disposed at end parts.Further, the fifth electrode is formed on the first insulation protection membrane and is electrically connected to the first electrode.
US09168741B2	Substrate for liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting head, and recording apparatus A substrate for a liquid ejecting head according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first area having a plurality of ejection heaters and a driving circuit that is configured to supply electric energy to the plurality of ejection heaters disposed thereon, a second area having a signal supplying circuit that is configured to supply an electric signal to the driving circuit disposed thereon, and a heater that is configured to heat the substrate and that includes a first portion disposed in the first area and a second portion disposed in the second area. The magnitude of a current supplied to the first portion differs from the magnitude of a current supplied to the second portion.
US09168740B2	Printhead including acoustic dampening structure A printhead includes a nozzle plate including a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of liquid chambers. Each liquid chamber is in fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of nozzles. An acoustic dampening structure includes a plurality of sets of air pockets and liquid flow restrictors. Each liquid chamber is in fluid communication with one of the sets of air pockets and liquid flow restrictors. A common liquid supply manifold is in fluid communication with each liquid chamber through the liquid flow restrictor associated with the liquid chamber.
US09168739B2	Print head die Various configurations of print head die are described. In an example, a first print head die has first print structures disposed along a major dimension thereof perpendicular to the media path, the first print structures including a leading print structure with respect to the media path. A second print head die independent of the first print head die has second print structures disposed along a major dimension thereof perpendicular to the media path, the second print head die being staggered with respect to the first print head die along the media path, the second print structures including a leading print structure with respect to the media path. An extent between respective leading print structures of the first and second print head dies is between a minimum value and a maximum value computed from a function of expected variation in position of the media and maximum allowable dot placement error for the first and second print structures.
US09168730B2	Printing layers of ceramic ink in substantially exact registration by differential ink medium thermal expulsion A method of partially imaging a substrate, for example glass, with a print pattern comprising layers of ceramic ink in substantially exact registration. The method relies on a mask ink layer defining the print pattern and differential thermal expulsion of ceramic ink medium during a heat fusing process between the areas outside the print pattern and within the print pattern. This results in pigment and glass frit forming a durable image material adhered to the substrate within the print pattern and non-durable material outside the print pattern, enabling its removal outside the print pattern to leave the desired layers of ceramic ink within the print pattern in substantially exact registration.
US09168726B2	Cast fluoropolymer film for bushings A method includes casting a friction reducing layer on a carrier, and casting an adhesive layer overlying the friction reducing layer to form a multilayer cast film. The method further includes laminating the multilayer cast film to the load bearing substrate with the load bearing substrate to form a composite and shaping the composite. The load bearing substrate is closer to the adhesive layer than to the friction reducing layer.
US09168724B2	Method of label formation This invention provides a label forming apparatus including a release sheet having a release surface from which an adhered adhesive material is releasable, an adhesive material layer stacked on the release surface of the release sheet, a coat layer stacked on a surface of the adhesive material layer opposite to the release sheet, a label portion having a thermoplastic resin secured to a surface of the coat layer opposite to the adhesive material layer, and an edging portion provided on a surface of the coat layer opposite to the adhesive material layer and having a thermoplastic resin secured to a position spaced apart from the label portion so as to surround the label portion.
US09168722B2	Low glossiness-metallic luster decorative sheet, and laminated body laminating same A low glossiness-metallic luster decorative sheet with a low glossiness feeling added to a metallic luster feeling, and a laminated body thereof. Glossiness change at the time of molding is reduced. In a configuration with a metallic luster layer, and a low glossiness-resin layer containing a delustering agent provided to a substrate sheet in the order of the low glossiness-resin layer and the metallic luster layer from the closer side when viewed from one side, the low glossiness-resin layer has a large number of minute opening parts such that the metallic luster layer can be observed in the minute opening parts without the low glossiness-resin layer. By laminating the same onto the substrate by such as a molding method, a laminated body can be provided. The metallic luster layer viewed in the minute opening parts realizes a high brilliance metallic luster feeling while providing low glossiness.
US09168721B2	Tile and method for manufacturing the same A tile includes a protecting layer, a printing layer, and a filler layer. The protecting layer, the printing layer, and the filler layer are laminated to each other in a top-to-bottom sequence. The protecting layer, the printing layer, and the filler layer are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PETG). Hence, the tile made of PETG meets environmental friendly requirements, is suitable for use in different locations, and easy adhesion in installation. A method for manufacturing a tile includes the steps of: providing a protecting layer, a printing layer, and a filler layer, wherein the protecting layer, the printing layer, and the filler layer are made of PETG; laminating the protecting layer, the printing layer, and the filler layer in a top-to-bottom sequence so as to form a semi-finished product; and stress-releasing the semi-finished tile product to form a tile.
US09168712B2	Pelletizing press for producing pellets A pelletizing press for producing pellets from material to be pressed, preferably from biomass, for use as fuel in fire places, wherein the biomass consists of cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic fibers, chips or shreds. In the pelletizing press, a dispersion chamber is formed by at least one die having a plurality of bores for pressing the biomass and at least by a lateral wall, and at least one roller rolling on a rolling surface of the die is arranged in the dispersion chamber. A pelletizing press of this method for producing pellets enables the formation of a dispersion chamber that, by means of at least one lateral wall, is as compact and sealed as possible relative to the prior art. At least two lateral wall parts are arranged to form a lateral wall; at least the first lateral wall part is arranged to be movable in relation to the second lateral wall part for carrying out a relative movement.
US09168709B2	Process and apparatus for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels Building a carcass structure of a tire for vehicle wheels includes associating, at each end edge of a carcass ply laying on a forming support, at least one respective annular reinforcing structure obtained by depositing at least one respective reinforcing element. The deposition process includes feeding a continuous reinforced band-like element at a cutting unit, cutting to size at least one first reinforcing element from the continuous reinforced band-like element, moving the first reinforcing element from the cutting unit toward a first end edge of the carcass ply, positioning the first reinforcing element on the first end edge, cutting to size at least one second reinforcing element from the continuous reinforced band-like element, moving the second reinforcing element from the cutting unit toward a second end edge of the carcass ply opposite said first end edge, and positioning the second reinforcing element on the other end edge.
US09168707B2	Methods for manufacturing an embosser drum for use in pre-formatting optical tape media Various embodiments herein include utilities for generating embosser drums that are used to pre-format optical media such as optical tape with a pattern of nanostructures such as wobbled grooves. One utility includes generating a plurality of replicas from an embossing master, bonding the replicas together to form a bonded replica structure having a surface with the nanostructure pattern imprinted therein, creating a replica of the bonded replica structure and electroforming a metallic layer onto the bonded replica structure replica to create a single, one piece, metallic shim which can be used to create a weld-less embosser drum.
US09168705B2	Rotor blade for a wind turbine, method and manufacturing mold for the production thereof A rotor blade and a method and a manufacturing mold for the production of a rotor blade for a wind turbine, which extends longitudinally in the operational state from a blade root area to the connection to a rotor hub of the wind turbine and which is divided into at least two segments for its production, wherein at least one subdivision is provided approximately transverse to its longitudinal extension between the blade root area and the blade tip. The method facilitates and shortens the production of the rotor blade, in particular for a series production and to still provide the completed rotor blade as a familiar uniform rotor blade. In the method, the at least two segments, preferably after they have been at least partially produced or partially produced mainly parallel in time, are interconnected in an integration device.
US09168698B2	Three-dimensional printer with force detection An extruder or other tool head of a three-dimensional printer is instrumented to detect contact force against the extruder, such as by a build platform or an object being fabricated. The tool head may also be instrumented to detect deflection forces and the like acting on the tool that might indicate an operating error. The resulting feedback data can be used in a variety of ways to control operation of the three-dimensional printer during fabrication or diagnostics.
US09168696B2	Marked thermoplastic compositions, methods of making and articles comprising the same, and uses thereof In an embodiment, a method of inscribing a substrate comprises contacting the substrate with a laser beam to generate a mark, wherein the mark results from increasing the reflectivity of the thermoplastic material, wherein the substrate comprises a composition comprising a non-reflective thermoplastic material. In an embodiment, a method for generating a mark on an article comprises bonding a first component to a second component with a laser beam having a wavelength of greater than or equal to 800 nanometers, wherein the first component composition comprises a thermoplastic composition absorbing light having a wavelength of less than or equal to 500 nanometers and wherein the second component comprises a thermoplastic composition absorbing light having a wavelength of greater than or equal to 800 nanometers.
US09168693B2	Laminate material A self supporting curved laminate product resulting from curving of a planar precursor, wherein the planar precursor is a self supporting laminate of two sheets of an acrylic thermoplastic, or of sheets including an acrylic thermoplastic, spaced by, but attaching to, an interposed thermoset polyester system, and wherein curving has involved heating of the laminate sufficient to allow its curving without any substantial degradation of the lamination or its component layers.
US09168690B2	Expanded compression molding of composite plastics Composite polymeric articles significantly larger than the size of a compression molding press are produced by providing a plurality of expandable pillows interposed between an upper plate and the upper exterior surface of an outside the press upper mold. The upper plate has a plurality of downwardly extending paired vertical arms attached to opposite sides of the upper plate. Each vertical arm has a lower portion having a eyelet (or aperture), and each pair of vertical arms together forms an aligned pair of eyelets. When the upper and lower mold portions are pressed together, the eyelets reside below the exterior lower surface of the outside the press lower mold portion. Each eyelet is dimensioned to reversibly receive a horizontal or lateral arm that is deployed below the exterior lower surface of the outside the press lower mold portion. A plastic material is introduced onto the interior surface of the lower mold portion, which is compressed between the upper and lower mold portions via a press having a press area that does not extend out over the outside the press portions of the upper and lower mold portions. The lateral arms are extended through the paired and aligned eyelets. The plurality of expandable pillows are expanded, and the lateral arms are brought into compressive abutment with the exterior lower surface of the outside the press lower mold portion. The plastic material residing between the outside the press upper mold portion and the outside the press lower mold portion is then correspondingly compressed.
US09168686B2	Apparatus for forming a composite component Apparatus 200 for forming a composite component is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: a deformable mold tool 204 that at least partially defines a mold cavity 212; an interface layer 222 formed on an external surface of the mold tool 204; and at least two peristaltic actuators 206, mounted to contact the interface layer 222 and to generate a peristaltic pressure wave in the mold tool 204. The peristaltic actuators comprise rollers 206, pistons 306 or bi-metallic blocks 406. A method of forming a composite component is also disclosed, the method employing a mold tool 204 that at least partially defines a mold cavity 212. The method comprises: placing reinforcing fibers into the mold cavity 212, forcing a matrix material into the mold cavity 212 through the reinforcing fibers, and generating a peristaltic pressure wave within the mold tool 204 during forcing of the matrix material into the mold cavity 212.
US09168685B2	Print head assembly and print head for use in fused deposition modeling system A print head assembly that includes a print head carriage and multiple, replaceable print heads that are configured to be removably retained in receptacles of the print head carriage. The print heads each include a cartridge assembly and a liquefier pump assembly retained by the cartridge assembly.
US09168682B2	Medium supply appartus A medium supply apparatus includes: a storage part storing, in advance, information indicating a relation between a change in the amount of medium supplied by a medium drive part and a change in a frequency obtained by conversion in an inverter in accordance with a pipe resistance in a state that an electric motor is operated in a given condition; a frequency detection part detecting the frequency of the inverter in a case that the electric motor is operated in the given condition; a medium amount calculation part, on the basis of the frequency detected by the frequency detection part and the information stored in the storage part, calculating the amount of medium to be supplied by the medium drive part; a setup part setting up a necessary amount for the medium; and a frequency control part, on the basis of the necessary amount of medium set up by the setup part, the detected frequency, and the calculated medium amount, controlling the frequency to be obtained by conversion in the inverter.
US09168681B2	Method for making hollow stiffening elements A method for making hollow stiffening elements with co-curing technique on a structure made of composite material 1 includes the use of at least a lamination and polymerization spindle 2 upon which is positioned at least a rolled section 3. The rolled section 3 forms at least a hollow structure 11 where there is the spindle 2, including the following operational phases: coating the spindle 2 with at least a first anti-adherent layer 41; coating the spindle 2 with at least a second heat-shrinking layer 42; heating the coated spindle 2; positioning the spindle 2 on the surface of the structure 1; laminating the surface 1 through at least a rolled section 3; heating the structure 1 with at least a positioned rolled section 3; extracting the spindle 2 from the hollow structure 11.
US09168680B2	Apparatus for nano structure fabrication One or more techniques for nano structure fabrication are provided. In an embodiment, an apparatus for manufacturing a nano structure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a stamp having a line pattern on a surface thereof that comprises a plurality of protrusions, a die configured to hold a substrate thereon, and a mechanical processing unit configured to press the plurality of protrusions of the stamp against the substrate with a predetermined pressure so as to form at least one channel pore therebetween.
US09168677B2	Controlling moisture in and plasticization of bioresorbable polymer for melt processing Methods and systems for controlling the moisture content of biodegradable and bioresorbable polymer resin during extrusion above a lower limit that allows for plasticization of the polymer resin melt and below an upper limit to reduce or prevent molecular weight loss are disclosed. Methods are further disclosed involving plasticization of a polymer resin for feeding into an extruder with carbon dioxide and freon.
US09168674B2	Liquid reclamation and recirculation system for a wet saw cutting apparatus A liquid reclamation and recirculation system for a wet saw cutting apparatus comprising: a wet saw having a blade onto which liquid is dispensed by a liquid dispenser adjacent thereto; a first tank for receiving the liquid that has been dispensed onto the blade, the liquid received by the first tank defining a water level of the first tank; a second tank for receiving the liquid at or near the water level of the first tank; wherein the liquid dispensed by the liquid dispenser is drawn from the second tank.
US09168670B2	Battery driven electric power tool with brushless motor An electric power tool (100) includes a power source (102) enclosed in a casing (104). The power source (102) is a brushless DC motor (202) which drives a drive mechanism (106) for a cutting device. Further, an oil pump is at least partly housed in the casing (104) of the electric power tool (100). The oil pump is also driven by the brushless DC motor (202).
US09168669B2	Double arbor vertical shape saw Embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for shape sawing wood. Specifically, embodiments include an infeed with laterally displaceable positioning rolls and a longitudinal axis between the positioning rolls. The embodiments further include a saw box with a frame and a plurality of saws coupled with a plurality of vertical arbors within the frame. In certain embodiments, the frame is operable to move laterally or rotationally with respect to a horizontal axis of rotation.
US09168668B2	Device for assisting in cutting a layer of fiber texture wound on an impregnation mandrel of a winding machine A device for assisting in cutting of a fiber texture layer wound on an impregnation mandrel of a winding machine, the device including two positioning stops each configured to be positioned on a respective side plate of the impregnation mandrel, and a plate forming a cutting jig that is configured to be positioned on the fiber texture layer that is to be cut in register with the protective film, the plate including a slot extending in position between the side plates of the impregnation mandrel and serving to guide a cutting tool.
US09168664B2	Low stress hard coatings and applications thereof In one aspect, coated cutting tools are described herein. In some embodiments, a coated cutting tool comprises a substrate and a refractory layer deposited by PVD adhered to the substrate, the refractory layer comprising M1−xAlxN wherein x≧0.4 and M is titanium, chromium or zirconium, the refractory layer having a thickness greater than 5 μm, hardness of at least 25 GPa and residual compressive stress less than 2.5 GPa.
US09168663B2	Blade bushing for rotary knife A powered rotary knife includes a handle, a blade housing, an annular blade, and a blade bushing for rotatably mounting the blade within the housing. The blade housing includes an inner groove that is operable to receive the blade bushing therein. The blade housing and blade bushing are split in order to expand and receive the blade. The blade includes an outer groove that is also operable to receive the blade bushing. Thus, the blade bushing is spaced between the blade housing and blade and rotatably secures the blade within the blade housing.
US09168662B1	Lighted razor A lighted razor that directs light in one or more different directions. The directed light enables a user to shave when in dark environments, and to adjust the amount of light that emanates from the razor. The lighted razor generally includes a body with a blade for shaving. A light is attached to the body, and may be powered and controlled by mechanisms in the body. A sleeve is adjustably positioned over the light to adjust an amount of light emanating from the razor.
US09168661B1	Method for creating stylish haircuts of various shapes and cutting hair in one push of a button A method for creating stylish haircuts of various shapes and cutting hair quickly in one push of a button includes the steps of providing a bendable and shape-retaining hair cutting apparatus having two blades (22, 24) mounted on two hinged resilient clip members (10, 12) respectively, bending the hair cutting apparatus into a desired shape when the two clip members (10, 12) are held together, flipping out one of the clip members (12) and positioning hair to be cut between the two clip members (10, 12), flipping the clip member (12) back towards the other clip member (10), and pushing a push mechanism (26, 36, 38) once so that one of the two blades (24) is moved laterally towards the other blade (22) and entered into slidable and shearing engagement therewith, thereby cutting hair clipped between the clip members (10, 12) and creating a haircut of the desired shape.
US09168655B2	Circuit arrangement and method for monitoring a hazardous device by evaluating the acceleration A circuit arrangement which comprises at least two acceleration sensors for measuring an acceleration of at least one part of the hazardous device, at least one logic circuit for evaluating measured values of the at least two acceleration sensors, at least one memory for storing a comparison value, and at least one safety device controlled by an output of the logic circuit. The safety device is adapted to bring the hazardous device into a safe state in response to a switching command received via the output of the logic circuit. The logic circuit transmits the switching command to the safety device when the measured acceleration of the part of the hazardous device or a value derived from the measured acceleration has a predetermined ratio to the stored comparison value. Furthermore, a method for monitoring a hazardous device is also disclosed.
US09168652B2	Hand-held power tool, in particular electric hand-held power tool A hand-held power tool has a housing including at least two separate and interconnected housing parts, wherein one housing part forms a handle housing for holding and guiding the hand-held power tool. The handle housing includes a handle and a fastening component. The fastening component is connected to the other housing part and to the handle, and a vibration reduction element is arranged between the fastening component and the handle.
US09168649B2	Hammer drill A hammer-drill including a body in which is mounted a motor and a hammer mechanism which is driven by the motor; a tool holder mounted on the front of the body and which is capable of holding a cutting tool, the hammer mechanism being capable of imparting impacts to the cutting tool, when held by the tool holder; a rear handle, moveably mounted onto the rear of the body via at least one movement control mechanism and which is capable of moving towards or away from the body; a biasing mechanism which biases the rear handle away from the body.
US09168646B2	Calibrated clamping device A straight threaded rod has three reference elements spaced apart from each other. A shoulder and a knob having a fourth reference element are screwed onto the rod. A spring is mounted on the rod between the knob and the shoulder. The rod is inserted through two axially aligned holes in two abutting pieces, with the shoulder bearing on a first surface of one of the two pieces. By adjusting the position of the shoulder and the knob along the rod it is possible to apply a calibrated clamping force to a pair of abutting pieces, regardless of the thickness of the pieces.
US09168640B2	Holder for sharpening and faceting A holder for sharpening and faceting includes a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end and an opening formed transversely through the body between the first end and the second end. The opening has a tool support surface. An adjustable clamping component has a rotatably adjustable fastening plate positioned within the opening, where the fastening plate has a top surface and a tool engaging surface to hold the tool against the tool support surface and a plurality of predefined plate end openings. A plurality of roller members are disposed within a longitudinal raceway formed in a lower portion of the body below the opening. The roller members are aligned to roll parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body and the axis of rotation of the roller members is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body.
US09168639B2	Flexible sander A flexible sanding apparatus includes a thin, relatively flat spring member and one or more coil spring members coupled to a first side of the flat spring member along a length of the flat spring member. A sanding surface may be coupled to a second side of the flat spring member. The flat spring member and the coil spring members may be elongated members coupled together lengthwise. The coil spring member may be a closed coil spring member that allows concave flexing of the sanding surface and inhibits convex flexing of the sanding surface.
US09168638B2	Abrasive products and methods for finishing hard surfaces A coated abrasive product includes green, unfired abrasive aggregates having a generally spheroidal or toroidal shape, the aggregates formed from a composition comprising abrasive grit particles and a nanoparticle binder, wherein the abrasive aggregates are dispersed within a polymer resin coating, and wherein the coated abrasive product is capable of superfinishing a metal surface having an initial Ra in the range of about 1.5 micro inches to about 12.5 micro inches prior to application of the coated abrasive product and after application the surface has an Ra of less than 1.0 micro inch.
US09168636B2	Flexible abrasive article and methods of making Provided are abrasive articles having a plurality of elongated channels extending across its working surface and intersecting with each other. These channels provide hinge points that enhance flexibility of the article along two or more directions. Optionally, the abrasive article includes a flexible attachment layer, along with apertures that penetrate through the attachment layer located at the intersection points of the channels. The enhanced flexibility allows the abrasive article to easily access recessed areas of the workpiece and facilitates applying even pressure across convex and concave surfaces. The channels assist in segregating dust particles from the abrading operation, and the optional apertures can be advantageously connected to a vacuum source for evacuation of the dust particles from the channels.
US09168635B2	Humidity control for abrasive blasting systems An abrasive blasting system includes an air subsystem being adapted to provide pressurized air, a fluid subsystem being adapted to provide fluid, a mixer being adapted to mix the fluid with the pressurized air, and a media subsystem being adapted to provide abrasive media. The method includes pressurizing the air, mixing the fluid with the air, thereby changing the relative humidity of the air, and blasting a surface of a structure with abrasive media mixed with the fluid and the pressurized air.
US09168633B2	Milling and grinding device and machining method using the same A milling and grinding device, for machining a workpiece, includes a rack, a positioning tool, a spindle, a tool magazine, a milling cutter, a grinding wheel, and a controller. The rack defines a receiving chamber, and includes a workstation at a bottom of the receiving chamber. The positioning tool is mounted on the workstation to position the workpiece. The milling cutter and the grinding wheel are received in the tool magazine. The milling cutter is capable of milling the workpiece to form a hole. The grinding wheel is capable of grinding the hole of the workpiece. The controller is mounted on the rack, and capable of controlling the spindle to receive the milling cutter or the grinding wheel from the tool magazine, to mill or grind the workpiece. The tool setting gauge is mounted on the workstation, and capable of sharpening the grinding wheel in a different grinding precision.
US09168629B2	Detecting membrane breakage in a carrier head A chemical mechanical polishing system includes a carrier head having a flexible membrane and a chamber to apply pressure to the flexible membrane, a pressure control unit, a pressure supply line connecting the pressure control unit to the chamber, and a sensor located along the pressure supply line to detect a contaminant in the pressure supply line.
US09168625B2	Computer numerical control machine tool for grinding two sides of a plane by shifting self-rotation and ultrasonic vibration A computer numerical control machine tool for grinding two sides of a plane by shifting self-rotation ultrasonic vibration, wherein a pillar (3) is provided on the tool body (1) of the machine tool, a Y axis movement assembly (12) is provided on the platform of the tool body (1), with a lower revolving movement assembly (11), which revolves about a Z coordinate axis, being mounted on the upper surface of the Y axis movement assembly (12), and a lower grinding plate (10) being mounted coaxially above the lower revolving movement assembly (11); an ultrasonic vibration assembly (2) is mounted fixedly on the pillar (3), with a separation plate (8) for clamping a workpiece assembly (9) being provided on the ultrasonic vibration assembly (2); an X axis movement assembly (4) is mounted on the upper part of the pillar (3), a Z axis movement assembly (5) is mounted on the upright face of the X axis movement assembly (4), with an upper revolving movement assembly (6), which revolves about the Z coordinate axis, being provided on the Z axis movement assembly (5), and an upper grinding plate (7) being mounted coaxially on the revolving axis of the upper revolving movement assembly (6). The present invention enhances the time variation of grinding movement tracks, the uniformity of grinding speed distribution, machining efficiency and machining precision.
US09168623B2	Biaxial linear-motion micro drive apparatus A biaxial linear-motion micro drive apparatus includes: a mounting base A on an upper surface of a Z-direction sliding base; a Z-direction micro actuator fixed within the mounting base A and connected with a Z-direction micro-motion platform connected with an X-direction sliding base; Z-direction guide rail strips arranged on the Z-direction sliding; two Z-direction guide rail blocks provided on one Z-direction guide rail strip fixedly mounted on a lower surface of the X-direction sliding base; a mounting base B provided on an upper surface of the X-direction sliding base; an X-direction micro actuator in the mounting base B and connected with an X-direction micro-motion platform connected with an XZ biaxial motion platform; two X-direction guide rail strips arranged on the upper surface of the X-direction sliding base; two X-direction guide rail blocks provided on each X-direction guide rail strip mounted on a lower surface of the XZ biaxial motion platform.
US09168622B2	Floating chuck assembly for a rotary cutting machine A floating chuck assembly used in connection with a workpiece support carrying a workpiece, the floating chuck assembly comprising a chuck assembly; a linkage assembly adapted to support the chuck assembly, the linkage assembly including a mounting link attachable to the chuck assembly, a first link having a first end pivotally attached to a support about a first support axis and having a second end pivotally attached to the mounting link about a first mounting axis, a second link having a first end pivotally attached to the support about a second support axis and a second end pivotally attached to the mounting link about a second mounting axis; and, an extendable support having a first portion attached to the support and a second portion attached to one of the mounting link, first link, and second link, wherein the first portion moves relative to the second portion.
US09168620B2	Lens module assembling device A lens module assembling device includes a platform, a deformable support member, a deformable limiting unit and a gas blowing device. The platform includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the platform includes a receiving recess configured for receiving the deformable support member. The platform includes a bottom surface defines a plurality of through holes. The through holes through the bottom surface and the second surface. The deformable support member is placed on the bottom surface in a way such that the through holes are exposed. The deformable limiting unit is arranged on the first surface. The deformable limiting unit defines a limiting hole limiting the lens barrel in the recess. The gas blowing device is arranged below the second surface of the platform and configured for blowing gas to the lens module through the through holes.
US09168619B2	Quality control for a pressure relief device A system and associated methods of quality control for a pressure relief device are disclosed. More specifically, a system and method including one or more of non-destructive dimensional or visual verification, unique identification (e.g., serialization), and image capture of a pressure relief device or a constituent component of such a device are disclosed. A system and method are disclosed in which a checked physical attribute of a pressure relief device, or component thereof, is compared against a statistically expected attribute to determine whether the device or component is suitable for further manufacture or delivery to a customer.
US09168618B1	Manufacturing assembly and method of locating a face insert in a golf club head A manufacturing assembly and a method for locating a face insert in a golf club head during manufacture are disclosed herein. In particular, the manufacturing assembly comprises a face locating fixture sized to receive a golf club face insert and a pick fixture configured to removably attach to the face insert. The manufacturing assembly may further comprise a holding fixture sized to receive a golf club head and hold it in place while the face insert is aligned with the head during assembly.
US09168612B2	Laser material processing tool An apparatus for laser drilling including a laser beam emitter disposed within a housing having at least one laser beam outlet and at least one purge fluid outlet. At least one actuated nozzle is disposed within the housing for providing a purge fluid through the purge fluid outlet and having functional control for synchronized programmable activation patterns. Laser beam control is provided for directing a laser beam over a target surface.
US09168606B2	Electrospark deposition process and system for repair of gas turbine A system and method for repairing a metal substrate includes an electrospark device and an electrode removably supported in the electrode holder. The electrospark device applies a coating of a material when placed into contact with the metal substrate. A cooling device to lowers the temperature of shielding gas flow below an ambient temperature. A conduit is arranged to direct a flow of the shielding gas to the interface of the electrode and the substrate to cool the area of the substrate receiving the coating.
US09168604B2	Device and method for thermally treating workpieces in particular by convective heat transfer The present invention relates to a device for thermally treating workpieces that are equipped with electrical and electronic components, including at least one process chamber in which at least one heating or cooling zone is formed or disposed, wherein a temperature-controlled gaseous fluid can be introduced into said heating or cooling zone, wherein the workpieces pass through the heating or cooling zone and heat is transferred in a convective manner between the workpieces and the temperature-controlled fluid, and including at least one temperature measuring element disposed in the process chamber, wherein at least one sensor element that has a defined mass is disposed in the process chamber, such that heat is convectively transferred between the sensor element and the fluid, and an apparatus is provided for cooling and/or heating the sensor element, wherein the temperature of the sensor element can be measured by the temperature measuring element.
US09168603B2	Wire electric discharge machining apparatus A wire electric discharge machining apparatus that performs an electric discharge machining by applying a pulse voltage between a wire electrode (1) and a workpiece (2), the wire electric discharge machining apparatus including, a machining speed detection unit (14) that detects relative machining speed of the workpiece (2) and the wire electrode (1); a machining energy calculation unit (13) that calculates machining energy of a discharge pulse; a board thickness calculation unit (12) that calculates a board thickness of the workpiece (4) based on the machining speed detected by the machining speed detection unit (14) and the machining energy calculated by the machining energy calculation unit (13); a stationary state determination unit (16) that determines whether the machining is in a stationary state from a machining state during the machining, after the machining condition is switched in accordance with a board thickness of the workpiece (4) calculated by the board thickness calculation unit (12); and a machining condition switching unit (11) that switches the machining condition to a machining condition corresponding to a board thickness calculated by the board thickness calculation unit (12) when the stationary state determination unit (16) determines that the machining is in the stationary state and does not switch the machining condition to the machining condition corresponding to a calculated board thickness when the stationary state determination unit determines that the machining is not in the stationary state.
US09168601B2	Multi-flute reamer and cutting insert therefor A multi-flute reamer includes a cutting portion having a forward end and a rearward end, and a chip flute with a chip gash opening, and a cutting insert mounted on the cutting portion. A leading edge is formed at an intersection between a top surface and a radially-outward side surface, and a front edge is formed at an intersection between the top surface and a forward side surface. The cutting insert includes a rounded lead cutting edge formed at the intersection between the leading edge and the front edge, and the top surface includes a chip breaker having a bottom surface formed with a radius, R.
US09168600B2	Rasp for smoothing irregularly shaped surfaces A surface shaping rasp for use in removing material to shape or smooth a substrate such as an animal's hoof. The rasp has a plurality of blades spaced sufficiently apart to provide relatively rigid surface yet providing enough open space to allow passage of removed material and placed in a holding frame. The rasp is especially useful for smoothing rough and irregularly shaped surfaces such as after trimming an animal's hoof.
US09168596B2	Blade guard for a saw A blade guard for a circular saw blade. The blade guard includes at least two pieces coupled together. The blade guard also includes at least one bottom plate having a slot formed therein for accommodating the circular saw blade and at least one top cover. Additionally, the blade guard includes a plurality of fastening rods for coupling the bottom plate with the top cover, the plurality of fastening rods further configured to secure the at least two pieces to the at least one bottom plate and the at least one top cover.
US09168591B2	Core drilling machine Disclosed is a core drilling machine, comprising a stand part for fixing the core drilling machine to a component, and comprising, on the stand part, a guide along which a core drilling unit is carried in a movable manner, the stand part having a stand housing, on an outside face of which the guide is carried, and the core drilling unit having an elongate machine housing, which is carried so as to be movable along the guide by means of a slide, and comprising a cable, which, together with a protective sleeve, is routed from the stand part to the core drilling unit, the cable being routed from the stand housing to the core drilling unit via a flexible protective sleeve and being carried on the core drilling unit by means of a swivelling rotary joint.
US09168590B2	Tangential indexable cutting insert A tangential indexable cutting insert having eight lips which are distributed in pairs over four side faces of the indexable cutting insert, each lip being formed by a main lip which is formed by the intersection of one of the side faces with a base face, a secondary lip, which is formed by the intersection of the side face with an adjacent side face, and a corner edge (5) adjoining the main lip and the secondary lip, is distinguished by the fact that the main lip has a front portion (4a) which is located at the level of the corner edge, a rear portion which is located at a lower level closer to a center axis of the indexable cutting insert, and a transition portion between the front portion and the rear portion, the three portions being located in one plane.
US09168589B2	Indexable drill insert A quadrangular indexable drill insert includes: a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface adjoining the top and bottom surfaces from four sides of the insert, four cutting edges configured at the intersection of the side surface and the top surface, and a screw hole disposed at the center of the insert. Each cutting edge includes: a first part edge; a second part edge extending from the first part edge; a third part edge extends away from a reference axis, a nose portion adjoins the first part edge with the third part edge of a succeeding cutting edge and a transitional edge joining the second and third part edges. The transitional part edge forms an angle of about 10° to about 90° with respect to the reference axis and forms a convex curve with the second part edge and a concave curve with the third part edge.
US09168587B2	Fine coated copper particles and method for producing same Provided are fine coated copper particles, which are fine with a narrow particle size distribution and superior storability, and which can be sintered at low temperatures. Specifically provided is a method for producing fine coated copper particles which is characterized by including: a step of mixing a copper-containing compound and a reducing compound to form a composite compound that is capable of thermal decomposition to generate copper in an alkylamine; and a step of heating the composite compound in the alkylamine to produce fine copper particles coated with the alkylamine.
US09168583B2	Non-rotating shaft for a continuous casting machine The invention comprises a non-rotating shaft for supporting a mechanical element of a roll segment in a continuous casting machine, having an essentially circular cross-section. The circular cross-section presents a portion having a smooth peripheral, wherein the distance between any point of the portion and a center of the circular cross-section is shorter than a radius of the circular cross-section. Furthermore, the circular cross-section presenting the portion extends axially, which defines a section of the shaft meant to a least partly receive the mechanical element, and the section of the shaft is meant to receive a load at least partly at the portion. In addition, according to a second aspect, the invention comprises a segment roll for a continuous casting machine, which comprises the non-rotating shaft according to the first aspect.
US09168581B2	Electro-hydraulic rivet and method of riveting and welding parts A method of riveting two metal parts through a hole with an electro-hydraulic riveting tool. The electro-hydraulic riveting tool includes a tube that is inserted in the hole and an electrode that is inserted within the tube. A liquid is contained within the tube and the electrode is immersed in the liquid. A stored charge is discharged through the electrode to create a shockwave within the fluid that forms the tube into a rivet structure and creates solid state weld between the rivet flanges and the parts that are joined.
US09168580B2	System and method for accumulative double sided incremental forming A forming system includes first and second tools, moving assemblies, and a control unit. The moving assemblies move the first tool and the second tool relative to the sheet. The control unit is configured to control movement of the first tool and the second tool by the one or more moving assemblies by moving at least one of the first tool or the second tool in a first deformation direction to deform the sheet, then moving the first and second tools laterally relative to the sheet to a subsequent location while engaging the sheet, then moving at least one of the first tool or the second tool in the first deformation direction or an opposite second deformation direction to deform the sheet, and then continue moving the first and second tools to deform the sheet in order to create a three-dimensional component from the sheet.
US09168578B2	Hot stamping mold A hot stamping mold apparatus may include a bottom part equipped on a bolster and a top part equipped on a slider, wherein the bottom part and the top part each include a cooling mold including a plurality of coolant chambers formed therein, a heating mold installed at a side of the cooling mold to form a formed surface together with the cooling mold and provided with a heating cartridge installed at a side of the heating mold, and a plurality of insert blocks interposed between the cooling mold and the heating mold.
US09168572B2	Tarp and ballast system An improved tarp and ballast system that includes a plurality of panels attached to one another along the lengths thereof, wherein the lengths of the panels correspond to the length of the tarp. The tarp also includes chain pockets located at the sides of the tarp which run the length of the tarp and have chains secured therein. The tarp further includes a plurality of cable pockets and associated ballast anchors oriented across the width of the tarp which are adapted to secure a plurality of ballast cables to the tarp.
US09168568B2	Particle manipulation system with cytometric confirmation A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the valve. By reversing the flow from output to input, the same laser interrogation region may be used to perform the cytometry. The cytometry may be performed throughout the sorting process to optimize or control the sorting, or may be performed afterward to allow a multi-pass, sequential sort to be performed on the same sample.
US09168566B2	Process for producing a projection blackboard A projection blackboard having both of an excellent blackboard function and an excellent screen function, and a process for producing the same. The surface enamel layer that is an outermost layer of the enamel layers is formed by using a enameling upper glaze wherein at least titanium oxide coated particles, or a titanium oxide glaze together therewith is blended into a transparent mat glaze, so as to render the layer an enamel layer having a predetermined color tone, a surface characteristic that the Rz is from 5 to 25 μm and a reflective characteristic that the peak gain is 0.28 or more, or having these properties and a glossiness Gs (75°) of 1 to 30%. This makes it possible to produce a blackboard excellent in both of blackboard function and screen function. The titanium oxide coated particles are preferably particles wherein surfaces of mica particles are coated with titanium oxide.
US09168561B2	Apparatus including a fixed temporary stage for manufacturing molded product An apparatus for manufacturing a molded product, which has a highly homogeneous thin film, at low cost by operating an injection molding machine and a film forming device at a high rate of operation is provided. A molded product formed by an injection molding machine is conveyed to a temporary stage by a first conveying device. The molded products corresponding to several times of an injection molding step are pooled on the temporary stage by the repetition of an injection molding step. A second conveying device collectively conveys all the molded products, which are pooled on the temporary stage, to a film forming device. Films are formed on the molded products by the film forming device, and the molded products are conveyed to the outside by a third conveying device. The injection molding step is continuously performed while a film forming step is performed.
US09168560B2	Feeding mold A feeding mold including a runner and a gate structure is provided. The runner is adapted to be filled with a liquid-like material. The gate structure includes a storage cavity, a running passage and a filling cavity. The storage cavity communicates with the runner and is adapted to store the liquid-like material filled by the runner. The running passage communicates with the storage cavity. The running passage is adapted to carry the liquid-like material from the storage cavity so as to evenly distribute the liquid-like material. The running passage has a protruding buffering cavity which is located between the storage cavity and the filling cavity and is adapted to change the velocity of the liquid-like material in the running passage, and lower the temperature of the liquid-like material flowed onto a surface of a workpiece.
US09168554B2	System, nozzle, and method for coating elastic strands A contact nozzle for coating an elastic strand with an adhesive. Air is discharged at the adhesive in contact with the strand, causing the adhesive to spread around the periphery of the strand. The air assists with release of the adhesive from the nozzle and also cleans the nozzle to discourage adhesive build-up on the nozzle.
US09168551B2	Discharging apparatus for media Discharging apparatus for liquid, pasty or pulverulent media having a housing, a discharging opening, a reservoir for storing the medium prior to being discharged, and a handle which causes medium to be delivered from the reservoir to the discharging opening, wherein the discharging apparatus has an electric load and a converter for converting the mechanical energy introduced at the handle into electrical energy for supplying the electric load.Mechanical energy introduced at the handle is fed to the converter by a transmission unit. The linear movement of the handle or of a stressing member of a spring energy store, which can be subjected to stressing by means of the handle, is converted into a non-rotary oscillating movement of a pendulum member, wherein the converter is designed for converting the mechanical energy of the oscillating pendulum member into electrical energy.
US09168549B2	Device for ejecting droplets of an electrically non-conductive fluid at high temperature A device is configured to eject droplets of an electrically non-conductive medium at a temperature of 360° C. or above. The device includes a fluid chamber body, the fluid chamber body having a fluid chamber for containing an electrically non-conductive medium at a temperature of 360° C. or above and for containing a conductive medium. The fluid chamber includes an orifice. In the fluid chamber, at least a part of the electrically non-conductive medium is positioned closer to the orifice than the conductive medium. The device further includes a heater configured to heat the electrically non-conductive medium and an actuator, the actuator includes electrodes for generating a current in the conductive medium and magnets for generating a magnetic field in the conductive medium.
US09168544B2	Fluid jet system A fluid jet system providing a hydraulic induction manifold for at least two valves. The manifold is positioned “upstream” of an abrasives holding tank, so that no abrasive material flows through the valves and the manifold. The valves and the manifold provide pressurized fluid for at least two different flows: (1) a primary fluid flow and (2) an abrasive material flow through the abrasives holding tank. The two flows are merged again at a junction to provide a fluid flow having a predetermined abrasive-to-fluid mixture ratio. The manifold balances the pressure of the two different flows using a preset geometric relationship between the two different output flow paths associated with the valves.
US09168539B2	Method of applying thermoplastic liquid onto a substrate Apparatus and methods for applying liquid onto a substrate include a nozzle configured to be connected to a liquid source. The nozzle further includes a distribution passage with a length that can receive the liquid. A piston is positioned in the distribution passage and a slit-shaped nozzle opening is in fluid communication with the distribution passage. The piston is movable in the distribution passage so as to vary the length that can receive the liquid. The nozzle opening communicates with the distribution passage via a plurality of spaced apart outlet channels having respective outlet ends. The outlet channels are formed between first and second nozzle pieces each having a tip portion at the outlet ends. At least one of the first or second nozzle pieces is flexible at the tip such that the outlet ends open when under positive fluid pressure and close when the fluid pressure is reduced. An application valve is coupled to the nozzle for selectively interrupting or enabling a flow of liquid to the distribution passage.
US09168535B2	Adjustable anvil for comminuting apparatus The field of the disclosure relates to anvils for comminuting apparatus such as grinders or chippers. In some embodiments, the anvil is adjustable in length to maintain a clearance between a comminuting drum and a shear edge of the anvil.
US09168534B2	System and method for vessel alignment A vessel including an identification region may be placed in a holder. Through interaction of a positioning feature on the vessel and an orientation feature on the holder, the vessel can be placed into an alignment orientation, e.g., such that the identification region may be reliably read by a reader. The identification region may provides information related to the sample, such as vessel identity, sample volume, processes to be performed on the sample, and so on.
US09168533B2	Thermal cycler device The present invention relates to a thermal cycler device for carrying reaction slides for assays with thermal cycling reactions. The thermal cycler device includes a conveyer with a plurality of slide holders for conveying slide plates through more than one temperature zones for thermal cycling reactions.
US09168532B2	Microwell plate A microwell plate comprises a skirt and frame portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, and having a plurality of holes; and a well and deck portion comprising a plurality of wells integrated with a planar deck; wherein the well and deck portion is overmolded or adhered onto the skirt and frame portion such that the plurality of wells extends through the plurality of holes in the top surface of the skirt and frame portion; and wherein the well and deck portion is formed from a thermoplastic composition including a poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate comprising soft block ester units, derived from monomers comprising an alpha, omega C6-20 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof, a dihydroxyaromatic compound, and a carbonate source.
US09168530B2	Methods and systems for fast PCR heating A microplate for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comprises a substrate having a metallic material for heating PCR samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate. In some cases, the barrier layer is formed of a first polymeric material. The microplate includes one or more wells for containing PCR samples. The one or more wells are formed of a second polymeric material sealed to the barrier layer. In some cases, the substrate can provide a PCR ramp rate of at least about 5° C./second.
US09168529B2	Air cooling systems and methods for microfluidic devices Systems and methods for air cooling a microfluidic device using confinement channels to isolate cooling air from exposed liquids are disclosed. The systems and methods may also thermally condition the cooling airflow for improved robustness of the microfluidic device. In one embodiment, the air cooling system includes a split-level cooling manifold including an inlet duct that directs cooling air to a microfluidic device and an outlet duct that directs air heated by the microfluidic device away from the microfluidic device. The temperature of cooling air may be measured. The cooling air may be preheated to a temperature that is higher than an expected ambient temperature. The temperature of the cooling air after being heated by a microfluidic device may be measured.
US09168527B2	Electrokinetic fluidic system An electrokinetic fluidic system (100, 100′, 100″) for controlling liquid flow in e.g. a lab-on-a-chip system (200) comprising a first and a second electrode (10, 10′) said first and second electrode comprising a polymer based or oxide based conductive, electrochemically active electrode material, said electrode material being adapted to be subjected to an electrochemical reaction when in use in said electrokinetic fluid system (100).
US09168516B2	Solvothermal synthesis process of SAPO molecular sieves and catalysts prepared thereby A solvothermal synthesis process of the SAPO molecular sieves and catalysts prepared thereby are provided. The synthesis process comprises the following steps: a) an organic amine, an aluminum source, a phosphorus source, a silicon source, and water are mixed in a molar ratio of 6-30:1:0.5-5:0.01-1.0:0.1-15, to obtain an initial mixture for preparing the SAPO molecular sieves, wherein the molar ratio of water to the organic amine is less than 2.0; b) the initial mixture obtained in the step a) is maintained at 30-60° C. to and aged with stirring for not more than 24 hours, to obtain an initial gel; c) the initial gel obtain in the step b) is crystallized at 150-250° C. for 0.5-15 days. The SAPO molecular sieves prepared thereby are used, after being calcined at 400-700° C. in air, as catalysts for acid-catalyzed reactions or for conversion reactions of oxygen-containing compounds to olefins.
US09168510B2	Nickel catalysts for reforming hydrocarbons A catalyst for reforming hydrocarbons may include a catalytically active amount of nickel or nickel oxide dispersed on a metal oxide support. The metal oxide support may be of a single-metal oxide of a first metal or a complex-metal oxide of the first metal and a second metal. A co-catalyst of magnesium oxide (MgO) may anchor the nickel or nickel oxide onto the metal oxide support.
US09168509B2	Hydrogenation catalysts and the preparation processes thereof The present disclosure provides a hydrogenation catalyst, the preparation process thereof and the application thereof in the production of 1,4-butanediol by hydrogenating dialkyl maleate and/or dialkyl succinate. The catalyst comprises Cu—Al-A-B—O, wherein A comprises at least one of Zn, Mo and W, B comprises at least one of Ba, Mn, Mg, Ti, Ce and Zr. In the process for preparing said hydrogenation catalyst, a part of Cu and A are precipitated first and the rest of Cu, Al and B are precipitated successively.
US09168506B2	Additive for hydroconversion process and method for making and using same An additive for hydroconversion processes includes a solid organic material having a particle size of between about 0.1 and about 2,000 μm, a bulk density of between about 500 and about 2,000 kg/m3, a skeletal density of between about 1,000 and about 2,000 kg/m3 and a humidity of between 0 and about 5 wt %. Methods for preparation and use of the additive are also provided. By the use of the additive of the present invention, the hydroconversion process can be performed at high conversion level.
US09168502B2	Apparatus for producing trichlorosilane An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane in which reacted gas including trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride is produced by heating raw gas including silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen, the apparatus having: a reaction vessel having a substantially cylindrical shape and being provided with a heated wall forming a gas flow-passage along an axis direction; and a heater heating the heated wall, wherein a folding flow-passage is provided at an uppermost stream of the gas flow-passage and has: an inlet flow-passage in which raw gas is introduced; and a turning part connected to a downstream of the inlet flow-passage in which a flow direction of the raw gas is turned at least once in an opposite direction, the turning part is formed between the inlet flow-passage and the heated wall in the folding flow-passage, and a turning length of the folding flow-passage along the axis direction is smaller than a maximum length of the gas flow-passage along the axis direction.
US09168500B2	Gasifier fluidization A method of producing synthesis gas by introducing a feed material to be gasified into a gasification apparatus comprising at least one fluidized component operable as a fluidized bed, wherein the gasification apparatus is configured to convert at least a portion of the feed material into a gasifier product gas comprising synthesis gas; and maintaining fluidization of the at least one fluidized component by introducing a fluidization gas thereto, wherein the fluidization gas comprises at least one component other than steam. A system for producing synthesis gas is also provided.
US09168494B2	Unit for establishing contact between a gas and a liquid for a floating platform A unit for establishing contact between a liquid and a gas includes: a chamber having a vertical axis; a first series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber; a second series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber, alternated with the contact sections of the first series; and a liquid circulation system designed to circulate a liquid in the contact sections of the first series and in the contact sections of the second series in a separate manner.
US09168493B1	Waste water treatment system Methods and systems for treating waste water in residential, industrial and agricultural environments are disclosed. The methods and systems for treating waste water can be localized and self-contained with no need to channel sewage to a remote location. The waste water treatment methods and systems result in recycled clean water, concentrated effluent, and disposable solids. The recycled water can be used for landscaping and domestic use. The concentrated effluent can be channeled to an anaerobic digester to generate biogas, such as hydrogen, methane, and/or carbon dioxide, which can be used to generate power or as fuel for heating and/or cooking. The disposable solids may be used as fertilizer for farming or gardening.
US09168492B2	Elements for separating substances by distributing between a stationary and a mobile phase, and method for the production of a separating device The invention relates to elements for separating substances by distributing between a stationary and a mobile phase. Said separating elements comprise any stationary phase and a support element. The separating elements are part of a set that is provided with at least two separating elements Ti (i=2) encompassing different stationary phases Si (i=2). The set comprises at least three pieces of each type of separating element Ti with a specific stationary phase Si. The separating elements can be coupled to each other or interconnected in another manner so as to form a separating device. The invention further relates to a method for producing an optimized device for separating substance mixtures.
US09168491B2	Emission control system A method and apparatus for treating an exhaust or waste gas stream to remove pollutants from the gas stream using gas stabilization to allow the cleaned gas stream to be discharged directly to atmosphere. The apparatus includes at least three treatment stations for treating the gas stream in sequence, in which one of the treatment stations is a wet reactor containing a nucleating or precipitating liquids for removing the unwanted material as a solid and for oxygenating the gas stream to remove any residual unwanted material, and another of the treatment stations is a gas compressing stage for compressing the gas stream. The advantage of the method and apparatus is that the treated gas steam can be discharged directly to atmosphere with reduced amounts of pollutants.
US09168487B2	Alkanolamine-based carbon dioxide absorption solutions with reduced corrosivity An aqueous carbon dioxide-absorbent solution comprising at least one alkanolamine and at least one quaternary ammonium salt is disclosed. A method of recovering carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-containing gaseous mixture and a method of reducing metal corrosion in an alkanolamine-based exhaust gas treating process are also disclosed.
US09168485B2	Methods of removing contaminants from a hydrocarbon stream by swing adsorption and related apparatus and systems A swing adsorption process for removing contaminants from a gaseous feed stream through a combination of a selective adsorbent material containing an effective amount of a non-adsorbent filler, adsorbent contactor design, and adsorption cycle design.
US09168481B2	Filter element A filter element includes a fold pack (5) with at least one side strip (4) that connects fold ends on at least one side of the fold pack (5). The side strip (4) is connected only about a portion of the height of the fold pack therewith in such a way that the fold valleys and/or fold ridges of the fold pack are not connected with the side strip.
US09168479B2	Plugged honeycomb structure A plugged honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb structure section having porous partition walls, the plurality of cells including large cells and small cells having different open areas in a cross section perpendicular to an extending direction of the cells; inflow side plugged portions arranged in inflow side end portions of the predetermined cells including the large cells and the small cells among the plurality of cells; and outflow side plugged portions arranged in outflow side end portions of the remaining cells including the large cells and the small cells among the plurality of cells. The predetermined cells are outflow cells having the plugged inflow side end portions and the open outflow side end portions in the honeycomb structure section, and the remaining cells are inflow cells having the plugged outflow side end portions and the open inflow side end portions in the honeycomb structure section.
US09168478B2	Fine particle collecting filter A fine particle collecting filter includes a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of honeycomb segments are integrally joined by a joining material, and has a constitution where an exhaust gas allowed to flow from an inlet end surface into cells passes partition walls, and then flows out from an outlet end surface to the outsides of the cells. In the partition walls, SiC which is an aggregate is bound by Si which is a binding agent, at least one of an average open diameter of the pores of an inlet side of the exhaust gas passing the partition wall and an average open diameter of the pores of an outlet side is from 0.1 to 5 μm, an average pore diameter of the whole partition wall is from 10 to 30 μm, and a thermal conductivity of the partition walls at room temperature is from 50 to 80 W/mK.
US09168477B2	Support tube for a filter element A filter element has a support grid structure with a first axial end and a second axial end. A filter medium surrounds annularly the support grid. The support grid has structural web members that are connected and form a hollow-cylindrical grid structure that surrounds a cylindrical interior. At least three of the structural web members or structural web sections connect to each other to define a through opening. A fluid flow is enabled in radial direction relative to a center axis of the hollow-cylindrical grid structure through the through openings. A first average opening cross-section of the through openings in a first region adjacent to a first axial end is greater than a second average opening cross-section of the through openings in a second region adjacent to the second axial end.
US09168471B2	Air filter medium combining two mechanisms of action An air filter medium consisting of a non-woven is provided, which is produced using a melting and spinning method and has a depth filter constituent and a surface filter constituent, wherein the air filter medium is configured such that it has long-lasting functionality owing to the depth filter constituent and can be substantially regenerated with a reverse pulse owing to the surface filter constituent.
US09168469B2	Method and system for production of a chemical commodity using a fiber conduit reactor A fiber reaction process whereby reactive components contained in immiscible streams are brought into contact to effect chemical reactions and separations. The conduit reactor utilized contains wettable fibers onto which one stream is substantially constrained and a second stream is flowed over to continuously create a new interface there between to efficiently bring about contact of the reactive species and thus promote reactions thereof or extractions thereby. Co-solvents and phase transfer catalysts may be employed to facilitate the process.
US09168468B2	System and method for recycling high-boiling-point waste photoresist stripper In a system for recycling a high-boiling-point waste photoresist stripper generated in processes of manufacturing LCDs or semiconductor devices, wherein an expensive high-boiling-point stripper solvent can be easily recycled at high yield and high-purity electronic grade. This system includes a first distillation device for removing low-boiling-point impurities, a second distillation device for recycling a stripper solvent composition while removing high-boiling-point impurities, a third distillation device for removing trace water, thus recovering the stripper solvent composition, a fourth distillation device for additionally recycling a stripper solvent, thus additionally recovering a high-boiling-point stripper solvent, and a fifth distillation device for sequentially and separately recovering the stripper solvent composition recovered by the second distillation device and the high-boiling-point stripper solvent additionally recovered by the fourth distillation device.
US09168467B1	Assembly for separating gas mixtures in fractionating columns The invention relates to cryogenic technology, namely, to devices for obtaining components of gas mixtures by rectification method, particularly, neon isotopes. The device comprises housed in jackets rectification columns, forming connected in series head and N−1 consecutively installed sections, containing contact spaces, whose upper areas are connected with condensers, whose inner surfaces contact with the mixture to be separated in the rectification columns, and outer surfaces—with the cooling medium, which, through gas recuperative heat exchangers, are connected by the line of the working body return flow to the compressor and the working body separator with the connecting pipe of the gas phase, condensers are grouped into blocks of condensers in sections which have common cavities of the cooling medium and, at least, one of N installed sections consists of groups of nj (j=1 . . . N) rectification columns connected in parallel.
US09168465B2	Systems and methods for all-shape modified building block applications All-shape building blocks may be shaped as platonic solids. All-Shape building blocks include a flange on each tetrahedron edge, where each flange and each tetrahedron vertex may include magnetic materials (e.g., magnets, ferromagnetic metals). All-Shape building block flanges may be used to capture kinetic energy from a fluid. Multiple All-Shape building blocks may be combined to form larger structures, and the included magnetic materials may be used to retain the formed geometric structure shape.
US09168463B2	Toy track set A toy track set includes a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a first gap end and a second gap end. The toy track also includes a carriage assembly configured to carry a toy vehicle across the gap such that the toy vehicle travels from the first gap end to the second gap end on the carriage assembly, the carriage assembly being moved from the first gap end to the second gap end by an assembly having an arm rotatable about an axis of rotation and that rotates through an angle equal to or greater than 360 degrees as it carries the toy vehicle from the first gap end to the second gap end.
US09168460B2	System and method of automatic entry creation for blogs, web pages or file-sharing sites based on game events Systems and methods are provided for at least partially automating content generation of blog entries chronicling an entity's interaction with a multiuser environment. The same may combine automatic data generation with user-generated and/or user-edited or created narrative. The systems and methods may be employed for automatically generating and publishing descriptions, such as posting blog articles. In one implementation, a system automatically posts blog articles with automatic screenshots and automatically-generated descriptive copy of events that occur within a video game, such as in a massive multiplayer online role-playing game.
US09168459B1	System and method for dynamically altering an in-game experience based on a user's connection to the game One aspect of the disclosure relates to dynamically altering an in-game experience based on a user's connection to the online game. The online game may monitor connection strength of a device of the user to a network via which the user may access the online game. The online game may dynamically alter the user's experience based on the connection strength of the device. The online game may make available or remove the availability of one or more modes of game play to the user based on the connection strength of the users device.
US09168458B2	Adaptive task assignment for online games Software at an online game website assigns to a player of an MMO game a first game task in a conditional series of game tasks. Each game task includes a specified duration. At least one of the game tasks in the conditional series of game tasks is a social game task. The software determines whether the player completed the first game task within the specified duration. If the player did not complete the first game task within the specified duration, the software assigns the player a second game task in the conditional series of game tasks that is less difficult to complete than the first game task. Then the software provides a reward to the player upon termination of the conditional series of game tasks. The reward depends on the game tasks in the conditional series of game tasks that are completed by the player.
US09168455B2	Game system with marked play-pieces A game system uses play-pieces, such as figurines, cards, and maps, each having multiple, machine-readable indicia. A hand-held reader for the indicia communicates with a computer, such as a tablet or smart phone. Players select which indicia to read with the reader, thereby identifying specific figurines, locations, commands, and the like by direct reference to the play-pieces themselves. Certain parameters associated with specific play-pieces are stored in a database of the computer, and may change over time, whether from progress in the game, or from updates made available online.
US09168452B2	Methods and systems for determining and selling outcomes for drawing games to be viewed remotely In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes for one or more players (e.g., for a keno game, for a bingo game). The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to one or more players (e.g., a player may access the video presentation online). This allows one or more players to purchase a video presentation of (e.g., predetermined) outcomes in a jurisdiction in which gambling is legal yet view the presentation at the player's convenience (e.g., from any jurisdiction and at any time). At least one player who is associated with such a video presentation may subsequently redeem it for a redemption value associated therewith.
US09168448B2	Pole/wrist strap assembly A pole/wearable article assembly that includes a pole, a handle for the pole, and a wearable article designed to at least partially cover a user's hand. The wearable article includes an element for fastening to the handle. The handle includes the following: a body having a housing to receive the fastening element; a retaining element cooperating with the fastening element when the latter is within the rear housing; and a latch. The retaining element is movable in relation to the body between a position for retaining the fastening element and a position for releasing this fastening element. The latch is movable between a locking position in which the latch cooperates with the retaining element so as to maintain the retaining element in its retaining position, and an unlocking position in which the latch no longer cooperates with the retaining element to maintain it in its retaining position. The handle of the assembly includes a return mechanism biasing the latch towards its locking position.
US09168446B2	Protective padding A protective padding assembly for covering a section of chain link fence of the character found in sports venues, such as baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields and the like, wherein the section of chain link fence includes a hingeably connected swinging gate. The protective padding assembly uniquely includes a fence covering section, a gate covering section and an intermediate, wedge shaped portion for covering the gate hinges in a manner that will not interfere with opening and closing the gate.
US09168445B2	Adjustable golf training and teaching device for head and chin adjustment with stereo view of golf ball A golf training and teaching device is provided for a golfer wearing a hat having a brim. The device includes a right-side L-shaped member and a left-side L-shaped member. The right-side L-shaped member includes an upper leg and a lower leg depending from the upper leg, with the lower leg having a sighting opening therein configured to be positioned adjacent the right eye of the golfer. The left-side L-shaped member includes an upper leg and a lower leg depending from the upper leg, with the lower leg having a sighting opening therein configured to be positioned adjacent the left eye of the golfer. The right-side and left-side L-shaped members are slidably coupled in partially overlapping relation so that the respective upper legs thereof overlay and define a clamp to be secured onto the brim of the hat. The sighting openings are configured to provide a visual containment area for a golf ball positioned adjacent the golfer's feet.
US09168439B2	Golf club head A recess 14 is formed in a sole 9 of a head 4. The recess 14 is an example of an opening part. A socket 10 is mounted to the recess 14. A weight body 12 capable of being attached/detached is attached to the socket 10. The weight body 12 has an engaging part 32 and an exposed part E1. The socket 10 has an interposition part 11. The interposition part 11 is interposed in at least a part between the exposed part E1 and a head body h1 in an attached state where the engaging part 32 is placed at an engaging position EP. The exposed part E1 is exposed to the outside in the attached state. The interposition part 11 does not fix the weight body 12.
US09168436B2	Golf club having a reinforced ball striking plate A ball striking device includes a ball striking plate having a front surface configured to strike a ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface. The ball striking plate has a desired-contact region and a perimeter. One or more spoke-like reinforcement ribs may be located on the rear surface and may radiate away from the desired-contact region toward the perimeter. At least one of the spoke-like reinforcement ribs may be located in an upper-toe quadrant or in an upper-heel quadrant of the rear surface. One or more encircling reinforcement ribs may be located on the rear surface. The one or more encircling reinforcement ribs may be at least partially encircling the desired-contact region. A thickened portion of the ball striking plate may be positioned behind the desired-contact region of the ball striking plate. The ball striking device may be a golf club head.
US09168435B1	Golf club head or other ball striking device having impact-influencing body features A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a face with a striking surface configured for striking a ball; a channel extending across a portion of the sole, wherein the channel is recessed from adjacent surfaces of the sole; a void defined on the sole of the body and a cover defining a top of the void; and a first external rib and a second external rib wherein each external rib is connected to the cover and extends downward from the cover, such that the external ribs are positioned within the void. The channel has a width and a depth, wherein the channel comprises a center portion, a heel portion, and a toe portion, and wherein at least one or both of the width and the depth of the channel is greater at the heel portion and the toe portion than at the center portion.
US09168433B2	Aerodynamic golf club head having a post apex attachment promoting region An aerodynamic golf club head having a post apex attachment promoting region producing reduced aerodynamic drag forces. The post apex attachment promoting region is on the surface of the crown section at an elevation above a maximum face height and begins at the crown apex and extends toward the back of the club head. The post apex attachment promoting region is a relatively flat portion of the crown section that aides in keeping airflow attached to the club head once it flows past the crown apex.
US09168431B2	Fairway wood golf club head A fairway wood golf club characterized by a long blade length, a small club moment arm, and a large transfer distance thereby producing a relatively small CG angle and a relatively high face closing moment of inertia, and all the benefits afforded therefrom.
US09168430B2	Golf club head A hollow golf club head comprises a head main body made of a metallic material and having a bottom portion including a first portion and a second portion being connected with the first portion having difference in level, and at least one weight member having a specific gravity larger than that of the head main body and attached to the second portion of the head main body.
US09168427B1	Adjustable golf club shaft and hosel assembly An adjustable shaft and hosel assembly allows for dependent and independent adjustment of a golf club's face angle, loft angle, and lie angle. The adjustable shaft and hosel assembly comprises a shaft sleeve, a hosel portion, and a ball joint, wherein the ball joint is located either on the shaft sleeve or the hosel portion and fits within, and is rotatable along various axes within, a socket.
US09168426B2	Golf clubs with hosel inserts and methods of manufacturing golf clubs with hosel inserts Embodiments of golf club heads with hosel inserts are presented herein. Other embodiments can be described and claimed.
US09168420B1	Force measurement system A force measurement system includes an instrumented treadmill with one or more treadmill belts configured to rotate at a plurality of different speeds, one or more speed adjustment mechanisms coupled to the one or more treadmill belts, and at least one force transducer. The force measurement system further includes a data processing device configured to receive one or more signals that are representative of one or more loads being applied to one or more respective surfaces of the one or more treadmill belts by a subject, and to convert the one or more signals into one or more output load components, the data processing device further configured to determine a position of a body portion of the subject and to control the speed of the one or more treadmill belts using the position determined for the body portion of the subject.
US09168418B2	Portable physical therapy/rehabilitation/exercise device, system and method A portable physical therapy/rehabilitation/exercise device is provided for evaluating the condition of a patient and for evaluating and tracking the progress made by a patient over time. The device is hand held and has an evaluation mode to determine the current condition of the patient. The device also has a manual exercise mode and a preset exercise mode. During exercises in each mode all of the data pertaining to the forces (compression, tension, torque, and the like) are all stored in the device along with other kinds of quantitative and qualitative data. The stored data may be uploaded to the internet or external computer system in order to be further analyzed. The device is suitable for use by doctors, health care providers, insurance companies and other entities having an interest in the medical condition of the user.
US09168417B2	Abdominal exercising apparatus An exercising apparatus for exercising muscles in the abdominal region of a user's body may include a stationary primary body support configured to support upper portions of the user's body including the abdominal region. The primary body support may include a primary body support surface oriented to support a user's back in a rearwardly inclined position and a secondary body support surface for supporting the user's buttocks. A movable carriage may be configured to be engaged by the user's lower leg portions and may be movable along a substantially linear path extending generally toward and generally away from the secondary body support surface. A resistance application assembly may be configured to apply an adjustable degree of biasing force to the carriage in a direction generally away from the secondary body support surface to resist movement of the carriage toward the secondary body support surface.
US09168414B2	Foldable treadmill A foldable treadmill includes a base for running or walking, a frame set pivotally connected with the base, and a folding mechanism for folding the frame set. The folding mechanism has a control assembly comprising a knob and a first bolt controlled by the knob. When a part of the first bolt is arranged inside the frame set, the frame set cannot be folded, and when the first bolt is moved out of the frame set, the frame set can be folded to a storage configuration.
US09168411B2	Exercise roller with resistance bands An exercise apparatus includes a body roller and at least one resistance band. The body roller includes an interior channel. The resistance band passes through the interior channel of the body roller. Ends of the resistance band extend outward on each side of the body roller. The body roller facilitates applied pressure to a user's body. The resistance bands facilitate resistance training exercises by the user. The body roller provides a structural support for the resistance bands during the resistance training exercises.
US09168407B2	Calibration module and remote test sequence unit A calibration and verification system and method for dynamically controlling sequential delivery of mixtures containing a fire suppression agent to detection locations to simulate an agent discharge during a flight operation of an aircraft and for allowing direct monitoring of the concentration amounts at the detection locations to adjust a testing operation accordingly. Each of the mixtures is prepared with a precise concentration amount of the agent. The system and method include a remote test sequence unit for determining an optimal testing time period during a flight operation to remotely control the discharge and monitoring of the agent. Prior to the optimal testing time period, an airflow at an altitude of the flight operation is drawn through each of a plurality of detectors to tare out the characteristics of a surrounding environment using a processor, thereby establishing a measurement baseline for each of the plurality of detectors.
US09168406B2	Automatic actuation of a general purpose hand extinguisher An automatic fire extinguisher valve assembly includes a valve body, a push rod disposed in the valve body, a poppet stem arranged perpendicular to the push rod and disposed in the valve body, a poppet-to-valve body seal coupled to the poppet stem and disposed in the valve body and a poppet return spring coupled to the poppet stem and disposed in the valve body, wherein the push rod is configured to engage the poppet stem to open the poppet-to-valve body seal.
US09168404B2	Vapor barrier structure A barrier system including a plurality of buoyant members, at least some of the plurality of buoyant members having a heat-resistant core, a median layer thrilled on an outer surface of the heat-resistant core, and an antistatic layer formed on an outer surface of the median layer, wherein at least some of the plurality buoyant members are configured for adhering to other buoyant members.
US09168400B2	Emergency rope bail-out bag An emergency rope bail-out bag (10) is provided for use and wear by a firefighter or other first responder or emergency rescuer, the bag (10) including a main body (12) for stowing a rope (28), an escape hook (26), and a rappelling device (37); and a tear-away flap (14) that can be grasped with a single hand of a user and pulled away from the main body (12) so as to expose the escape hook (26), the rappelling device (37), and the rope (28) for rapid deployment in an emergency.
US09168393B2	Pigmented skin-care compositions A pigmented skin care composition including a dermatologically acceptable carrier and at least a first and second interference pigment. The composition according to the invention is useful in improving the appearance of the skin and in particular in reducing the appearance of skin discontinuities.
US09168392B1	Charged particle cancer therapy system X-ray apparatus and method of use thereof An imaging system apparatus and method of use thereof is described in combination with a co-movable charged particle beamline apparatus element, such as one or more elements held and dynamically positioned by a gantry, where the method and apparatus are optionally elements of a positively charged particle cancer therapy system. In one embodiment, an X-ray imaging element is rigidly and semi-permanently attached to and co-moved with a proton directing element. For example, as the gantry relocates one or more elements of a proton beamline arc, the X-ray beam is mechanically forced to co-relocate with the proton directing element and/or the final proton beam path.
US09168391B2	Mobile X-ray unit One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base having a control unit and a power supply. The mobile X-ray unit may further include an articulated arm associated with the base. The articulated arm may be coupled to an X-ray applicator having an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube may include a target for generating an X-ray beam, a collimator for shaping the X-ray beam, and an exit surface through which the X-ray beam is configured to exit the X-ray tube. The mobile X-ray unit may have at least one light source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the X-ray beam emitted from the exit surface.
US09168390B2	Multi-leaf collimator, particle beam therapy system, and treatment planning apparatus There are provided a leaf row in which a plurality of leaf plates are arranged in the thickness direction of the row in such a way that the respective one end faces of the leaf plates are trued up and a leaf plate drive mechanism that drives each of the plurality of leaf plates in such a way that the one end face approaches or departs from a beam axis. In each of the leaf plates, a facing side facing a leaf plate that is adjacent to that leaf plate in the thickness direction is formed of a plane including a first axis on the beam axis; the leaf plate drive mechanism drives the leaf plate along a circumferential orbit around the second axis, on the beam axis, that is perpendicular to the beam axis and the first axis.
US09168385B2	External defibrillator with shock activated by cessation of precordial compressions A defibrillator having a pair of electrodes for delivering an artifact-compensated defibrillation shock and a method thereof is provided. The defibrillator can be deployed rapidly while administering a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the patient. Upon detection of an end of the CPR operation, a correlation signal indicative of signal corruption is detected and analyzed rapidly to determine an appropriate energy level discharged across the pair of electrodes. Thereafter, a notification signal is sent to the user of the defibrillator prior to delivering the defibrillation shock to the patient. The artifact-compensated defibrillation shock is delivered if for a predetermined period of time no movements is detected.
US09168384B2	Electrode structure for implantable medical device An IMD may include a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) outer housing defining an outer surface of the IMD, an electrical feedthrough extending through the LCP outer housing to the outer surface, and an electrode structure disposed on the outer surface. The electrode structure may include a LCP substrate defining a first major surface and a second major surface substantially opposite the first major surface, a contact pad disposed on the first major surface, and an electrode disposed on the second major surface. The LCP substrate may be attached to the LCP outer housing and the contact pad may be electrically coupled to the electrical feedthrough.
US09168380B1	System and method for triggered pacing A medical device system including an intracardiac pacemaker is configured to receive by an implantable medical device sensing module a first cardiac signal using a first pair of electrodes implanted outside the cardiovascular system and identify a P-wave from the first cardiac signal. The system transmits a wireless trigger signal to the intracardiac pacemaker in response to identifying the P-wave. The intracardiac pacemaker delivers a pacing therapy in response to the trigger signal.
US09168374B2	Intra-burst pulse variation for stimulation therapy In general, the disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and techniques for delivering electrical stimulation to a patient with varying pulse frequencies within each burst of pulses. The pulse frequency variation within each burst of pulses may be between approximately 20 Hz and 40 Hz. In some examples, the pulse frequency may be increased, decreased, or polynomially varied within each burst. In other examples, the frequency of intrinsic nerve impulses may be detected and used to deliver pulses with the detected frequency or an inverse of the detected frequency. Electrical stimulation therapy with intra-burst pulse frequency variation may alleviate bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, pain or other disorders.
US09168367B2	Hand held adjustable device Hand held adjustable device comprising: a grip provided with an end portion; a plurality of needles which extend axially from the end portion and are made of electrically conductive material, and a device for adjusting the insertion depth of the needles in a tissue in which a cup-shaped body borne by said end portion of the grip is provided with an end wall having holes for the passage of said needles. A system for adjustment of the relative position between the cup-shaped body and the end portion provides an axial sliding of the cup-shaped body with respect to the end portion adjust the length of the portion of the needles protruding from said end wall and therefore the insertion depth in the tissue.
US09168364B2	Transfer device for transferring a substance between the device and a subject A micro-needle delivery device (1) comprises an active substance accommodating layer (17) having active substance accommodating chambers (20) therein, a drive substance accommodating layer (32) having drive substance accommodating chambers (35) therein aligned with the active substance accommodating chambers (20), an activating layer (45) having heating elements (48) aligned with the drive substance accommodating chambers (35) for heating a drive substance therein, and a micro-needle element (8) having a needle support layer (9) and a plurality of micro-needles (12) extending therefrom. A burstable first membrane (22) is located between and sealably secured to the micro-needle element (8) and to the active substance accommodating layer (17) for sealably closing the active substance accommodating chambers (20) at one end. A second stretchable membrane (30) is located between and sealably secured to the drive substance accommodating layer (32) and to the active substance accommodating layer (17) sealably closes the active substance accommodating chambers (20) at the other end, and the drive substance accommodating chambers (35). A third membrane (40) sealably closes the drive substance accommodating chambers (35).
US09168362B2	Drug eluting balloon for the treatment of stenosis and method of manufacturing the balloon A drug eluting angioplasty balloon (1, 101) suitable to adopt a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration, the balloon having an outer wall (10) disposed around a core (11) defining an axis (X). The balloon (1, 101) comprising in the collapsed configuration a plurality of folds (12, 12′, 112) that are laid in a tangential direction about the core (11) and form a plurality of cavities (13a, 13b, 113) loaded with a drug (14), the cavities (13a, 13b, 113) are comprised between the folds (12, 12′, 112), wherein the folds (12, 12′, 112) originates from distinct longitudinal lines (25, 25′, 125, 125′) along the outer wall (10), are arranged in pairs and are circumferentially wrapped about the core (11) in such a way that a fold of one pair overlaps an adjacent fold of another pair and are wrapped in opposite directions.
US09168360B2	Method and a balloon catheter assembly for treating bifurcation lesions A balloon catheter assembly for delivering nano-carriers to bifurcation lesions in one or more of a main branch and a side branch of a blood vessel bifurcation within 30 to 90 seconds is provided. The balloon catheter assembly includes two or more balloons designed for use in the blood vessel bifurcation. The balloon catheter assembly may also include one or more stents. A surface of one or more of the two or more balloons is coated with the nano-carriers. Stents, when included, may also be coated with the nano-carriers. The nano-carriers include one or more drugs encapsulated with one or more biological agents.
US09168357B2	Linear object manipulation assisting device A linear object manipulation assisting device is provided which allows easy manipulation of a linear object. A wire manipulation assisting device as a linear object manipulation assisting device assists manipulation of a delivery wire penetrating through a Y connector. The Y connector includes a main branch through which the delivery wire penetrates, and a side port that branches off from the main branch. A microcatheter having the delivery wire inserted therein is connected to one end of the main branch. The wire manipulation assisting device includes a fixing portion for fixing the Y connector and a placement portion attached to the fixing portion. A portion of the delivery wire that protrudes from the other end of the main branch can be manipulated with at least the first and second fingers of the right hand with the carpal portion of the right hand being placed on the placement portion.
US09168350B2	Breathing assistance apparatus A breathing assistance apparatus and method of controlling a breathing assistance apparatus is disclosed. Particularly, the breathing assistance apparatus is controlled such that it has a drying cycle to enable drying of the tubing that supplies gases to a user and prevent the harboring of pathogens within the tube. The drying cycle is preferably operated automatically by internal controllers in the apparatus. However, it may be manually activated by pressing a button on the apparatus. The drying cycle is preferably activated at the end of a user's treatment session.
US09168343B2	Dispensing device A medicament dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of a medicament includes an actuator housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a container disposed in the cavity and having a cylinder with a first outer diameter. The cylinder is adapted to hold the medicament. The container is reciprocally moveable relative to the actuator housing along a longitudinal axis. An indicating device includes an indicator housing having a tubular portion connected to said container, with the indicating device being reciprocally moveable with the container relative to the actuator housing. The tubular portion has a second outer diameter that is of substantially the same diameter as the first outer diameter. A longitudinally extending side wall has a viewing window formed therein. An indicator is rotatably mounted in the indicator housing, with a surface thereof having indicia visible through the viewing window.
US09168340B2	System and method for pain reduction during skin puncture and breakable tip therefor An instrument, article and method are provided for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic. The instrument has a forward end. A rod or lightpipe mounted freely for vibration projects out of the forward end. The article, a single use tip, is composed of a tip sleeve removably mounted on the forward end of the instrument and a tip member removably mounted on the projecting rod or lightpipe to vibrate a preselected injection site on a human or animal. The tip sleeve and tip member are covered by an elastic overmold that enables the tip member to vibrate freely with respect to the tip sleeve and light from the lightpipe to illuminate the injection site. The overmold of the single use tip is torn during removal of the single use tip from the instrument.
US09168334B2	Pumping system and method for assisting a patient's heart A cannula for a patient includes an elongate body having a length of at least 70 cm and a channel extending through the body defining a wall. The cannula includes a wire embodied within at least a portion of the wall. The body has a proximal end, a distal end having a tip opening through which the channel extends and a plurality of side holes through the wall in proximity to the tip for unimpeded flow of blood at the distal end. The cannula includes a barbed fitting at the proximal end. The cannula includes a suture wing for securing the elongated body to the patient. A system for assisting a patient's heart. A method for assisting a patient's heart.
US09168333B2	Dialysis system including disposable cassette A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine having a pump actuator, a valve actuator and a sorbent device, and a disposable cassette including (i) a housing having a dialyzer inlet port, a dialyzer outlet port, a pump portion configured to operate with the pump actuator, a valve portion configured to operate with the valve actuator, a venous port, and an arterial port, (ii) at least one dialyzer in fluid communication with the housing, the at least one dialyzer including a dialysate inlet, and a dialysate outlet; (iii) an arterial line for connecting to a patient, the arterial line connected to and extending externally from the arterial port of the housing; (iv) a venous line for connecting to a patient, the venous line connected to and extending externally from the venous port of the housing; and (v) first and second dialysate fluid connections in fluid communication with the sorbent device.
US09168329B2	Beta-peptides with antifungal activity The present invention is directed to the design, synthesis and use of various β-peptides exhibiting antifungal activity. The β-peptides are relatively short in length, adopt globally amphiphilic conformations, and cause little lysis of human red blood cells at concentrations that kill Candida albicans, a common human fungal pathogen.
US09168327B2	Bone/collagen composites and uses thereof A composition includes bone and collagen, wherein the collagen has been acid treated, and cross-linked via dehydrothermal treatment or by a cross-linking agent (e.g., a citric acid derivative) under a compressive force of at least approximately 40 MPa.
US09168321B2	Toroidal-shaped treatment device for disinfecting a fluid such as air or water There is provided a treatment device for disinfecting a fluid being configured as a conduit for conveying a flow of fluid to be treated, said device being toroidal-shaped with an inner concave parabolic surface, wherein the device is provided with apertures extending from the outer to the inner surface of the toroidal-shaped device; one or more UV LED(s) provided in the apertures thereby enabling emitted light to be transmitted through the apertures into the interior part of the device for disinfecting said fluid; a power source for powering the UV LEDs, wherein the inner surface is made from a light reflecting material, and the apertures are sealed in the ends extending into the interior part of the device by a UV-transparent material.
US09168319B2	Device and procedure for continuous treatment of waste An apparatus and procedure for efficiently sterilizing waste material or products. The apparatus includes a reactor in the form of a cylindrical container housing two cylindrical tubes, a larger first tube and a smaller second tube. A first helical blade extends inwardly from the inner surface of the second tube, and a second helical blade bridges the outer surface of the second tube to the inner surface of the first tube. As the set of tubes is rotated in unison, material flows in one direction within the second tube and in the opposite direction in the space between the tubes. This axially compact design allows non stop introduction and extraction of waste, efficient use of heat energy, provided by steam injected into the reactor through a steam port, and allows for material to be input into and extracted from the device both at one end of the reactor.
US09168318B2	Oxidative reductive potential water solution and methods of using the same Provided is an oxidative reduction potential (ORP) water solution that is stable for at least twenty-four hours and methods of using the solution. The present invention provides a method of preventing or treating a condition in a patient, which method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of the ORP water solution. Additionally provided is a method of treating impaired or damaged tissue, which method comprises contacting the tissue with a therapeutically effective amount of the ORP water solution. Further provided is a method of disinfecting a surface, which method comprises contacting the surface with an anti-infective amount of the ORP water solution.
US09168314B2	Human antibody drug conjugates against tissue factor Antibody drug conjugates against tissue factor. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies and antibody drug conjugates, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the antibodies and antibody drug conjugates.
US09168308B2	Compositions and methods for nutritional supplementation Disclosed is a nutritional supplement composition including effective amounts of Coenzyme Q10, fish oil, vitamin D and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Described is a method of promoting nutritional health comprising administering a nutritional supplement composition including Coenzyme Q10, fish oil, vitamin D and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to a subject. The nutritional supplement composition may further include flax seed oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, vitamin E, resveratrol, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, piperine and combinations. In some embodiments, administering Administering the nutritional supplement may ameliorate nutrient depletion, or promote cardiovascular health, liver health, or both. The nutritional supplement may be used to promote nutritional health taking a cholesterol lowering drug. The nutritional supplement may be used to ameliorate nutrient depletion taking a cholesterol lowering drug. The cholesterol lowering drug may be a statin.
US09168307B2	Mitochondrial-targeted cationic nanoparticles comprising CaMKII inhibitors and uses thereof for treating and preventing diseases and disorders associated with CaMKII activity Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with mitochondrial CaMKII activity.
US09168306B2	Drug delivery agents comprising cyclodextrin covalently linked to a gemini surfactant, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same This disclosure relates to cyclodextrin-based drug delivery agents that comprise a cyclodextrin moiety covalently linked to a moiety of a gemini surfactant. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the drug delivery agent and a therapeutic agent are also disclosed.
US09168305B2	Diclofenac topical formulation The present invention provides a gel formulation comprising diclofenac sodium which has superior transdermal flux properties, which may be used for the topical treatment of pain, such as in osteoarthritis.
US09168301B2	Use of boric acid in boron neutron capture therapy for liver cancer The present invention provides a boron drug for boron neutron capture therapy for liver cancer, which is an aqueous solution of boric acid.
US09168298B2	Methods of treating vascular disease using an IL-1beta Antibody This invention relates to a novel use of IL-1□-ligand/IL-1 receptor disrupting compounds (herein referred to as “IL-1beta Compounds”); such as small molecular compounds disrupting IL-1□ ligand—IL-1 receptor interaction, IL-1□ antibodies or IL-1 receptor antibodies, e.g. IL-1□ binding molecules described herein, e.g. antibodies disclosed herein, e.g. IL-1□ binding compounds or IL-1 receptor binding compounds, and/or RNA compounds decreasing either IL-1□ ligands or IL-1 receptor protein levels, in the treatment and/or prevention of auto-inflammatory syndromes, e.g. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or adult rheumatoid arthritis syndrome and to methods of treating and/or preventing auto-inflammatory syndromes, e.g. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or adult rheumatoid arthritis syndrome, in mammals, particularly humans.
US09168296B2	Detection and treatment of autoimmune disorders Disclosed herein are methods of treatment of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well as clinical assays for detection of autoimmune disease activity in patients utilizing a PD1 ligand.
US09168293B2	Immunogenic compositions for the prevention and treatment of meningococcal disease The present invention relates to Neisseria ORF2086 proteins, crossreactive immunogenic proteins which can be isolated from nesserial strains or prepared recombinantly, including immunogenic portions thereof, biological equivalents thereof, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to the foregoing and nucleic acid sequences encoding each of the foregoing, as well as the use of same in immunogenic compositions that are effective against infection by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.
US09168292B2	Heterologous prime boost vaccination regimen against malaria Described are methods for inducing an immune response in a subject against an antigen from a malaria-causing parasite, preferably P. falciparum, the method comprising: (i) administering to a subject a priming composition comprising adjuvanted proteinaceous antigen-comprising circumsporozoite (CS) protein or an immunogenic part thereof from a malaria-causing parasite; (ii) administering to the subject a first boosting composition comprising a recombinant adenovirus vector that comprises nucleic acid encoding CS protein or immunogenic part thereof from a malaria-causing parasite; and (iii) administering to the subject a second boosting composition comprising a recombinant adenovirus vector that comprises nucleic acid encoding CS protein or an immunogenic part thereof from a malaria-causing parasite, wherein either the first boosting composition comprises a recombinant adenovirus vector of serotype 35 (Ad35) and the second boosting composition comprises a recombinant adenovirus of Ad26, or wherein the first boosting composition comprises a recombinant adenovirus vector of Ad26 and the second boosting composition comprises a recombinant adenovirus of Ad35.
US09168288B2	Methods for treating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract using a GLP-1 agonist The invention provides a method of treating a subject having, or at risk of developing, a condition in which functioning of the small or large intestine is impaired, enhancing functioning or preventing damage to the small or large intestine in a subject, or ameliorating inflammation of the small or large intestine in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a GLP-1 receptor agonist. A GLP-1 receptor agonist may also be provided in a pharmaceutically acceptable form in an amount effective to treat or prevent conditions of the small or large intestine. Further, pharmaceutical compositions are provided for the treatment or prevention of conditions of the small or large intestine comprising a GLP-1 receptor agonist, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or vehicle.
US09168286B2	Methods and compositions for use in treatment of patients with autoantibody positive disease The present invention relates to methods and compositions for use in treatment of patients with autoantibody positive disease. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of treating a patient that has an ANA titer of 1:80 or greater and/or greater than or equal to 30 IU/ml of anti-dsDNA antibodies in his/her blood plasma or serum comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an immunomodulatory agent, such as an antagonist of Neutrokine-alpha. Additionally provided is a method of reducing the frequency and/or quantity of corticosteroid administration to patients. In preferred embodiments, the patient has systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods for determining if a lupus patient is responding to medical treatment are also provided.

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