| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09170029B2 |
Condensate trap for heating-cooling systems
A condensation trap comprising an inlet chamber, a vent chamber and an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is configured to receive condensate fluid through an external opening therein. The vent chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber via a first passageway that includes an internal opening of the inlet chamber. The internal opening is located substantially at an opposite end of the vent chamber as the external opening. The outlet chamber is in fluid communication with the vent chamber via a second passageway that includes an internal opening in a sidewall of the vent chamber and an interior opening in an end of the outlet chamber. The outlet chamber is configured to transmit the condensate fluid through an exterior opening located at an opposite end of the outlet chamber. A vent volume portion is greater than a total volume of an internal space of the inlet chamber. |
| US09170026B2 |
Heating element
A heating element is provided that has at least one flat electrical heating device to heat at least one spatial region found on one side of the heating device. The heating device has a contact configured to connect to a power supply and control device of a baking and roasting oven. The contact is configured to alternately connect to an electronic mechanism external to the baking and roasting oven. In addition, an arrangement of the heating element with an electronic mechanism external to the baking and roasting oven is provided. |
| US09170022B2 |
Premix burner for a gas turbine
A premix burner is provided for a gas turbine, in the form of a double-cone burner, which has two partial cone shells which are arranged nested one inside the other, forming air inlet ducts between them, through which combustion air from the outside flows into a conical inner space of the premix burner. Linear rows of holes of injection openings, which extend transversely to the flow direction of the combustion air, are arranged on the outer walls of the air inlet ducts and through which a gaseous fuel is injected into the combustion air which flows past transversely to them. A method for reworking such premix burners is also provided. |
| US09170021B2 |
Valve assembly for a lighter and gas lighter comprising such valve assembly
The valve assembly includes a tubular rigid body that can be arranged in the upper wall of a lighter gas reservoir and a hollow rod extending along a central axis from a lower end located within the tubular body to an upper end located outside the tubular body. A retaining member (R), on which the upper end of the tubular body is crimped, surrounds a cylindrical portion of the hollow rod. Movement of the hollow rod through the retaining member from a closed position to an opened position enables gas to flow from a lower hole of the valve assembly to the upper end of the hollow rod. The retaining member (R) made of synthetic resin has an annular shape with a slit that can be circumferentially expanded. This member has a reduced thickness at a contact area with crimped portion of the tubular body. |
| US09170020B2 |
Monitoring of the presence of two flames in a fuel combustion device
A monitoring device has a first flame detector, to receive a first batch of radiation, which is emitted by the first flame, a second flame detector, to receive a second batch of radiation, which is emitted by the second flame, a voltage supplying device to apply an alternating voltage with a first half wave and a second half wave to the two flame detectors and an evaluation circuit that is connected to the two flame detectors via a signal input. A first measurement signal that is present at the common signal input during the first half wave is indicative of the intensity of the first batch of radiation. A second measurement signal that is present at the common signal input during the second half wave is indicative of the intensity of the second batch of radiation. The evaluation circuit independently evaluates the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal. |
| US09170019B2 |
Method and system for production of a clean hot gas based on solid fuels
Solid fuel can be converted into a clean hot flue gas with a low content of volatile organic compounds (VOC's), NOx and dust, and clean ash with a low carbon content by means of a stage-divided thermal reactor, where the conversion process of the solid fuel is in separate vertical stages (from below and up): ash burn-out, char oxidation and gasification, pyrolysis, drying, and a gas combustion stage where gas from the gasifier is combusted. |
| US09170016B2 |
Dual fuel heater with selector valve
A heater assembly can be used with a gas appliance. The gas appliance can be a dual fuel appliance for use with one of a first fuel type or a second fuel type different than the first. The heater assembly can include at least one pressure regulator, a housing, and an actuation member. The housing has a first fuel hook-up for connecting the first fuel type to the heater assembly, and a second fuel hook-up for connecting the second fuel type to the heater assembly. The actuation member can control a flow through the heater assembly based on whether the first or the second fuel hook-up is used. |
| US09170011B2 |
High-power LED lamp
A high-power LED lamp set is provided in the present invention. The high-power LED lamp set comprises: a power converting module; a power supply casing (2) for housing the power converting module; a light source casing (4), connected with the power supply casing; electrode rods (1), arranged at a rear end of the power supply casing (2) and connected with the power converting module; and LED lamps (7), mounted on a bottom surface of the light source casing (4); said light source casing (4) is provided with a lens board (5) at its opening end, wherein the lens board (5) is perforated with through holes at the positions corresponding to the LED lamps, and a high transmittance lens (8) is embedded in each of the through holes. |
| US09170004B2 |
Device for displaying graphical symbols
Described is a device (1) for displaying graphical symbols (2) comprising a screen (3) at least in part transparent on which at least one graphical symbol (2) is delineated and a support panel (5) connected to the screen (3). The support panel (5) has at least one through hole (8). Moreover, the displaying device (1) comprises at least one illumination body (9) emitting a light beam (10) passing through the hole (8) for illuminating the graphical symbol (2) on the screen (3). According to this invention, the illumination body (9) is connected to the support panel (5) at the hole (8). This invention also relates to a control apparatus (100) mounted on a wall (101) comprising a containment box (102), a front frame (111) connected to the containment box (102) and the displaying device (1) connected to the front frame (111). |
| US09170003B2 |
Light-emitting element mounting substrate and light-emitting device
There are provided a light-emitting element mounting substrate having high bonding strength between a substrate main body and a metal portion, and a light-emitting device having high bonding strength between the substrate main body and the metal portion and high reliability. A light-emitting element mounting substrate includes a substrate main body (20) formed of a ceramic sintered body; and a silver-containing metal portion (2), a silver-containing region (4) existing in a portion of the substrate main body which faces the metal portion across a bonding portion bonding the substrate main body and the silver-containing metal portion. Accordingly, it is possible to increase bonding strength between the substrate main body (20) and the metal portion (2). |
| US09170000B2 |
Angled emitter channel letter lighting
The present embodiments provide channel letter lighting devices and/or systems. A lighting system, comprising a plurality of electrically connected lighting units, comprising conductors to provide an electrical signal to each of the units. Each of the lighting units comprise a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the housing and having a plurality of tabs and a plurality light emitting elements on the tabs. The tabs are angled in relation of the remainder of the PCB or housing. The electrical signal applied to the light emitting elements causes them to emit light substantially away from said housing. The lighting system further comprises a sealant within the housing filling cavities around the light emitting elements and the cavity around said PCB and a mounting mechanism for mounting the unit to a structure. |
| US09169995B2 |
Lighting system
The present invention relates to a device to convert the blue light from solid-state sources into white light, and includes a transparent polymer matrix with a laminar structure, diffusing particles and phosphors. |
| US09169993B2 |
Luminous device
A luminous device with at least one rotatable luminous region carrier having at least two luminous regions and a first light source and a second light source, each for irradiating at least one part of the luminous regions, is disclosed. The first light source and the second light source of the luminous device emit light of different colors and at least one of the luminous regions is a phosphor which can be irradiated by the light from the first light source and can reemit said light in an at least partly wavelength-converted fashion. At least one of the luminous regions of the luminous device can be irradiated by the light from the second light source and that light is scattered by the luminous region without wavelength conversion. |
| US09169992B2 |
Lens and light source module incorporating the same
A lens includes a light incident face, a light exit face opposite to the light incident face and a plurality of micro dot patterns formed on the light exit face. The light incident face is a concave face and the light exit face is a convex face. The plurality of micro dot patterns are positioned at a central portion of the light exit face. A light source module incorporating the lens is also provided. The light source module includes a light emitting diode emitting light into the lens through the light incident face. The micro dot patterns direct the light from the light emitting diode and through the central portion of the light exit face toward a peripheral side of the lens. |
| US09169985B2 |
Lighting apparatus, headlamp, and mobile body
A lighting apparatus is provided that, while suppressing an increase in size, can change the illuminating direction. The lighting apparatus has: a laser generator which emits laser light; a light emitting member which is irradiated with the laser light emitted from the laser generator to emit light; an irradiated position changer which moves and thereafter stops an irradiated position at which the light emitting member is irradiated with the laser light; and a light projecting member which projects the light emitted from the light emitting member. |
| US09169977B2 |
LED lamp
A LED lamp has an enclosure including an optically transmissive lens. LEDs are mounted on a plane in the enclosure and are operable to emit light through the lens when energized through an electrical path. A portion of the lens extends behind the plane of the plurality of LEDs such that a portion of the light is emitted as back light. Approximately between 5 and 25 percent of the total Lumen output of the lamp is emitted as backlight. |
| US09169972B2 |
Force compensating device and use in a medical system
A force compensating device includes a force generating unit configured for generating a compensating force that at least partially counteracts a tractive force acting on the force compensating device. The device includes at least one safety unit that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and which, in the event of a malfunction of the force generating unit, can be moved by the force generating unit from an operating position to a locked position. The safety unit includes a first element and a second element that are rotatably connected to each other at a second axis of rotation, and at least one locking unit that blocks rotational movement of the safety unit from the locked position back to the operating position when the safety unit has been triggered due to a malfunction. A two-part safety unit in combination with the locking unit allows the safety unit to trigger and remain triggered in all fault situations. The force compensating device may be used in a medical system. |
| US09169965B2 |
Geometric and material hybrid systems for tray table arm
In an embodiment, a support arm includes: a thermoplastic material and a filler. A cross-section of the support arm taken along a line from an inner edge to an outer edge of the support arm comprises a modified I-shaped, a I/U-shaped, or a U-shaped cross-section. |
| US09169964B2 |
Retention mechanism and method for removeably supporting a portable flight controller
An aircraft electronic device retention mechanism and method of removeably supporting an aircraft electronic device having first electrical contacts within a cockpit having compatible second electrical contacts includes a base that is generally configured to the size and shape of a surface of the electronic device and at least one lever that is mounted by a pivot to the base. The lever(s) has an engaging portion that is adapted to engage an engaged portion of the electronic device and an actuation portion. The actuation portion is adapted to rotate the lever(s) about said pivot between a first orientation in which the engaging portion retains the engaged portion and a second orientation in which the engaging portion does not retain said engaged portion. A manual actuator is connected with the actuation portion of the pivot. The manual actuator is configured to move between a first position, which rotates the lever(s) to the second orientation and a first position which rotates the lever(s) to the first orientation to retain the electronic device. |
| US09169962B2 |
Multi-linkage clip for camera and other devices
Systems and methods related to computer peripheral devices and mounts are described including device mounts with three linkages. A first linkage may include a body, an abutment piece approximately perpendicular to the body, and a device attachment mechanism disposed proximate to said abutment piece. A second linkage is rotatably connected to the first linkage and a third linkage is rotatably connected to the second linkage. The third linkage may at least partially overlaps the second linkage and extend beyond an end of the second linkage. A camera housing may also be attached to the first linkage, e.g. by a hinge or socket joint. The second linkage may be connected to the first linkage via a friction hinge, and the third linkage may be connected to the second linkage via another friction hinge. The third linkage may preferably include a substantially planar contact surface with a chamfered leading edge. |
| US09169959B2 |
Universal tablet and smartphone holder
A universal tablet and smart phone holder includes an enlarged soft core, an upper tip section; an elongate spine element extending at least partially through the soft core and to the tip section. A flexible cover is disposed about the soft core, spine element and tip section. The spine element and tip section are operable to bend and rotate such that when a tablet or smartphone is placed into the novel holder, a bottom edge of the tablet is supported by the soft core, and an upper edge of the media device held by the tip section such that the media device is firmly secured thereto. |
| US09169958B2 |
Support apparatus, mechanisms and methods for operating the same
An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base member and at least one support member. The base member includes an outer side surface and at least one support-member-receiving channel formed in the outer side surface. The at least one support member is pivotably-coupled to the base member for selective arrangement relative the base member in one of a stowed orientation and a deployed orientation. The at least one support member includes a surface geometry dimension that corresponds to a spatial dimension of the at least one support-member-receiving channel such that: upon arrangement of the at least one support member in the stowed orientation, an outer surface of the at least one support member is aligned with the outer side surface of the base member, and upon arrangement of the at least one support member in the deployed orientation, the base member in combination with the at least one support member forms a pod. A method is also disclosed. |
| US09169944B1 |
Valve-in head irrigation sprinkler with service valve
An irrigation sprinkler includes a main valve mounted in the lower end of an outer housing for controlling the flow of water through an inlet of the outer housing. A pilot valve is operatively coupled to the main valve for turning the main valve ON and OFF. A solenoid is operatively coupled to the pilot valve for opening and closing the pilot valve. A service valve is operatively coupled between the main valve and the pilot valve. The service valve is manually actuable from an AUTO state to allow normal operation of the sprinkler and to an OFF state to allow repair or replacement of the pilot valve or solenoid without having to manually shut OFF a supply valve that is coupled to the inlet of the outer housing through a supply pipe. |
| US09169943B2 |
Valve lockout device
A valve lockout device includes a body having a mount portion that defines a passageway. A cover positioned adjacent to the body defines a cover portion adjacent the mount portion thereby inhibiting access to the passageway in the mount portion. A position control arm extends through at least one of the body and cover, the position control arm defines a valve engagement portion and an adjustment portion. A lock aperture is formed in at least the other of the body and cover through which the position control arm extends. An adjustment member is positioned adjacent at least one of the body and the cover, the adjustment member defines an adjustment member aperture aligned with the lock aperture and is configured to engage the adjustment portion of the position control arm. Coupling the lock aperture and the adjustment member aperture inhibits relative movement of the body, cover, and adjustment member. |
| US09169937B2 |
Nozzle check valve
The disclosed embodiments include check valves capable of improved dynamic performance (e.g., closing and opening times). The check valves may include an annular disc having an opening. The annular disc may be lightweight and present a reduced surface area to the flow, thus increasing the closure speed of the check valve as well as the opening speed of the check valve. Other components, such as a spacer component, may be reconfigured to modify the check valve for increased performance in a variety of applications, including low flow volume, medium flow volume, and high flow volume applications. |
| US09169936B2 |
Safety anti-reversing device for a bottom of a basin
Able to prevent a leakage flow from a basin in a ground and to enable a filling flow from this ground, a safety anti-reversing device comprises a body comprising communicating openings for passage of the filling flow. Supported by this body, a flexible membrane comprises an annular shutter and a closing portion. The annular shutter is offset with respect to the communicating openings and swivels between a closed down position in which this annular shutter is applied in tight manner on the body, and an open position in which the annular shutter is away from the body. Distinct from the annular shutter, the closing portion covers the communicating openings so as to be able to hermetically close these communicating openings. |
| US09169935B2 |
Valves
Valves, and particularly check valves, are detailed. The valves may isolate a spring or other biasing member from flowing fluid so as to reduce the possibility of damage to the spring caused, for example, by chemicals contained in the fluid. In some versions of the valves, the spring may be positioned within a cavity of a cover sealed from the fluid. |
| US09169932B2 |
Displacement level sensor and seal and pivot assembly for displacement level sensor
A seal and pivot assembly for a displacement level assembly includes a pivot base, an annular seal and a pivot body. The pivot base includes a cylindrical base member with an axial end surface defining first and second V-shaped grooves. The pivot body includes a cylindrical body member with first and second pivot body arms extending radially outward from opposite sides of the cylindrical body member. The first and second pivot body arms include first and second knife edges, respectively, that re in line contact with the first and second grooves, respectively, of the pivot base such that the pivot body can pivot relative to the pivot base, as well as uniformly distribute unbalanced forces applied to the pivot body across the entirety of the knife edges. |
| US09169929B2 |
Conformal wear-resistant seal
A seal apparatus includes: (a) first and second machine elements defining a sealing interface between two zones subject to different fluid pressures, a boundary of which lies between the two elements; (b) a seal comprising rigid material carried by the first machine element and having an annular lip defining a first contact surface; (c) a second contact surface comprising rigid material, defined by the second machine element; (c) wherein both contact surfaces are wear resistant, and the first and second contact surfaces bear directly against each other, so as to seal against fluid leakage between the first and second zones, while allowing relative sliding motion between the first and second contact surfaces; and (d) wherein the seal is configured to allow the lip to deform elastically and permit the first contact surface to conform in a regular or irregular shape to the second contact surface. |
| US09169926B2 |
System and method of operating a machine having a continuously variable transmission
A system and method involves a machine that powertrain including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a machine speed sensor to determine a measured machine speed. The machine also includes a controller in communication with the CVT and the speed sensor. The controller may include a table relating the measured machine speed to a plurality of virtual gear ratios associated with the CVT. The controller is configured to determine a calculated virtual gear ratio using the table and, if desired, may display the calculated virtual gear ratio on a visual display. |
| US09169920B2 |
Transmission controller contacting module, and manufacturing method
A contacting module for a transmission controller comprises a module housing and a punched grill. The punched grill is composed of metal, accommodated in the module housing, and has several conducting tracks with free ends. Contact surfaces are formed at the free ends. Free spaces are formed in the module housing and extend through the housing in a substantially vertical direction. At least some of the free ends are arranged at least partially in the free spaces, where the contact surfaces of at least some of the free ends extend substantially in the vertical direction, and where at least some of the free ends are elastically yielding at least in the area of the contact surfaces. |
| US09169919B2 |
Assembly of knob and lever
An assembly includes a knob, a lever, and a spring clip. The knob includes a substantially cylindrical hollow part having a first inner diameter, and an accommodating groove extending along the hollow part and having a second inner diameter larger than the first diameter. The lever includes a substantially cylindrical body part having a diameter corresponding to the first diameter, and a seating groove formed in the body part at a position of the body part facing the accommodating groove when the knob is assembled to the lever. A spring clip is fitted onto the seating groove of the lever such that the spring clip is disposed in a space formed between the accommodating groove and the seating groove when the knob is assembled to the lever. The spring clip provides a coupling force between the knob and the lever. |
| US09169916B2 |
Power takeoff unit for automobile
A power takeoff unit for an automobile combined with a transmission is comprised of a first rotatable shaft including a first gear; a second rotatable shaft including a second gear, the second shaft being so disposed as to have the second gear engaged with the first gear and intersecting with, or being not parallel and not intersecting with, the first shaft to establish driving link between the first shaft and the second shaft; a casing including an attachment portion having a first internal face having a first internal diameter and an end portion and a second internal face being disposed inward than the first internal face relative to the casing and having a second internal diameter; and a seal member interposed between the first shaft and the second internal face. |
| US09169914B2 |
Isolating decoupler
An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft, a torsion spring engaged between the pulley and a carrier, the torsion spring loaded in an unwinding direction, the carrier engaged with a first spring ring, the first spring ring engaged in series with a second spring ring, the second spring ring engaged in series with a wrap spring, the wrap spring frictionally engagable with a shaft surface, the first spring ring, the second spring ring and wrap spring each loaded in an unwinding direction, and a sealing member radially expands under acceleration to sealingly engage the pulley, the sealing member engaged with the shaft when not under acceleration. |
| US09169907B2 |
Spindle drive
A spindle drive (1), in particular for a linear actuator, having a spindle (3), a spindle nut (7) which interacts with the spindle (3), and a lubricating channel outlet (20) which opens into an intermediate space between the spindle (3) and the spindle nut (7) for lubricating the spindle (3) and the spindle nut (7), the spindle drive (1) comprising, moreover, a stationary channel system and a rotatable channel system which is connected to the stationary channel system for feeding lubricant to the lubricating channel outlet (20). |
| US09169906B2 |
Link apparatus
A link apparatus includes a cam plate, a lever and an accommodation member. The cam plate has a cam groove. The lever has a roller engaged with the cam groove and a pin which is inserted through a center of the roller so that the roller is rotatably supported on the pin. The accommodation member accommodates the cam plate and the lever. The accommodation member and the pin have a distance “A” therebetween. The roller has a thickness “B” along an axial direction of the pin. The value of the distance “A” is smaller than the value of the thickness “B”. |
| US09169900B1 |
Shackle assembly with pin and retaining ring
A shackle assembly has a body that includes a first side member with a first side aperture, a second side member with a second side aperture, and at least one end portion extending between and connecting the first side member and the second side member. At least one of the apertures defines an annular recess. A pin has a first end portion received in the first side aperture, a second end portion received in the second side aperture, and a pin body extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. At least one end portion of the pin defines an annular groove corresponding to the annular recess(es). A retaining ring with a pair of open ends is seated in the annular groove and extends radially into the corresponding annular recess, thereby preventing the pin from being removed from the body. |
| US09169897B2 |
Friction drive belt and automotive accessory drive belt transmission system using the same
A friction drive belt (B) includes short fibers (14) and carbon black (18) both scattered so as to be exposed at a surface of at least a contact part (13) of a rubber belt body (10) with a pulley. The short fibers (14) include short, high modulus fibers made of polymers having a main chain which does not contain an aromatic compound and having an initial tensile resistance, measured according to JIS L 1013, of equal to or greater than 100 cN/dtex, and the carbon black (18) contain large-particle-diameter carbon black having an iodine absorption, measured according to JIS K 6217-1, of equal to or less than 40 g/Kg, and/or a specific surface area, measured by nitrogen adsorption according to JIS K 6217-2, of equal to or less than 40 m2/g. |
| US09169896B2 |
Apparatus and method for making endless reinforced belts
A system, method and apparatus for making endless belts having a profile layer, a fully embedded, helically wound, cord layer, and a top layer. The apparatus has a rotatable mandrel with a profile complementary to the belt profile, two or one engagement rolls adjacent the mandrel to maintain forced, wrapped engagement of the profile layer on a portion thereof; a cord applicator which may include a heated blade that plows a groove in the profile layer into which the cord is laid and fused thereto. A laminator applies the top layer onto the reinforced carcass. A system of buffer rolls handles the loose portion of the profile layer or carcass guiding it. |
| US09169893B2 |
Vibration damper
A vibration reducing interface which uses interconnected layers of three or more concentrically arranged isolators to reduce vibrations in tools, vehicles, machines, weapons and anything else which uses pumps, compressors, engines, motors, spinning elements, out of balance loads or inconsistent, variable loading. The vibration reducing interface provides for tiering arranged isolators for reducing varying degrees and directions of vibration. The vibration reducing interface reduces vibration and its related negative affects including injury, damage and reduced control in relation to use of tools, vehicles, machines, weapons and other equipment. |
| US09169892B2 |
Mechanical connection device
An aircraft comprising a mechanical connection device including a body that extends along a longitudinal axis. The body comprises two opposite end portions disposed along the longitudinal axis and adapted to receive external axial loads in compression and in tension, a spring member that is adapted to be compressed axially, and a mechanism which, in the event of external axial loads in compression or in tension on the end portions, is able to transmit to the spring member compression forces oriented in opposite directions according to whether the external axial loads are in compression or in tension. This device forms a flexible connection that accommodates equally well external loads in compression and in tension. |
| US09169891B2 |
Shock absorbing device
A shock absorbing device includes a cylinder. A partition wall member is inserted into the cylinder to be free to slide and partitions an interior of the cylinder into two operating chambers. A passage connects the two operating chambers. A free piston is inserted into a pressure chamber to be free to slide and partitions the pressure chamber into one chamber that communicates with one operating chamber via a one side flow passage and another chamber that communicates with the other operating chamber via another side flow passage. A spring element generates a biasing force for suppressing displacement of the free piston relative to the pressure chamber. One or both of a bypass flow passage that connects the other chamber and the one operating chamber and a bypass flow passage that connects the one chamber and the other operating chamber is provided. A relief valve is provided in the bypass flow passage. |
| US09169886B2 |
Brake disc for railway vehicle
A brake disc for a railway vehicle, including a ring-shaped plate portion with a front side serving as a frictional surface and a plurality of fins being projected and disposed radially on the back side of the plate portion, the plate portion being fixed to a wheel, wherein a rib is provided between fins adjacent to each other, and a slit developing in the direction from a wheel-side face of the rib toward the back side of the plate portion is disposed in a circumferentially intermediate portion of the rib, thereby making it possible to suppress the deformation caused by frictional heat. |
| US09169885B2 |
Face tooth hydraulic piston brake
A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston. |
| US09169880B2 |
Driving force transmission apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A magnetic path forming member is formed by heating a radially intermediate portion of a workpiece made of a magnetic material to melt the radially intermediate portion from one axial face of the workpiece to the other axial face of the workpiece to form a keyhole, and disposing an alloy element in a molten pool around the keyhole to demagnetize a melted portion. |
| US09169878B2 |
Torque transmitting assembly and method of producing
A torque transmitting assembly is provided. The torque transmitting assembly includes a generally cup shaped outer shell having a closed end and an open end. The closed end has at least one raised portion formed therein. The outer shell includes an outwardly extending lip surrounding the open end of the outer shell. The open end of the outer shell is adapted to be operatively engaged with a first rotating member. A generally disk shaped inner member has a central aperture and a central axis. The inner member includes at least one tab extending axially outwardly therefrom and engages the raised portion of the outer shell to facilitate a transfer of rotation between the outer shell and the inner member. The central aperture is adapted to be operatively engaged with a second rotating member. The inner member is received inside said outer shell. |
| US09169874B2 |
Peripheral sealing arrangement
A sealing arrangement comprising a one-piece, peripheral, elastomeric sealing material for sealing a sealing space, the material containing a bearing-side sealing region and inserted between at least one outer rotatable bearing component and, mutually rotatable about the same center axis, at least one inner rotatable bearing component of a rotary joint, wherein the sealing arrangement is form-lockingly and force-lockingly connected in a detachable and replaceable manner to a structure, namely (I) to a plunge cut in a surface parallel to a horizontal outer surface of one of the inner and outer rotatable bearing components, and (II) to a projecting material protrusion with a bottom surface which is disposed on the bearing side of this material protrusion, as an integral part of the inner or outer rotatable bearing component. |
| US09169867B2 |
Linear motion guide unit
A sleeve fits in a through-hole in a carriage to provide a return passage which makes sure of both the flexibility and the stiffness of the sleeve. The sleeve is constituted with fore and aft circular ends, a pair of columns and a pair of flexible columns lying lengthwise between the fore and aft circular ends to guide the roller, lengthwise slits lying between the flexible columns and the columns, and complementary ends made on the terminals of the fore and aft circular ends. The flexible columns have raised lands having curved outer surfaces, and recessions flanked by the raised lands and having rolling wall surfaces or the return passage. The raised lands and the recessions are arranged alternately in the lengthwise direction of the sleeve to give the sleeve the capability of elastic deformation. |
| US09169866B2 |
Tilting pad bearing
A tilting pad bearing is provided that can reduce an amount of oil leaking from the side edges of a sliding surface of a pad, thereby reducing an amount of oil to be fed onto the sliding surface of the pad. The tilting pad bearing includes journal pads arranged in a circumferential direction of a rotating shaft, and a bearing housing for carrying the journal pads in a tiltable manner via associated pivots. Lubricating oil is fed to a sliding surface of the journal pad via an oil-feeding hole formed in the journal pad. The sliding surface of the journal pad has a portion formed so that the portion has an axial width that gradually increases, as the axial width approaches the circumferential downstream side of the rotating shaft, from an oil-feed start position. |
| US09169864B2 |
Lock ring and threaded stud
A lock ring for securing a threaded stud to a first member, the ring having a first surface defining the ring on the side facing a first axis of symmetry of the ring, and in which a toothed impression is formed when it is forced onto a toothed portion of the threaded stud; and a conical second surface defining the ring on the opposite side to the first axis, and which is forced inside the first member. |
| US09169863B2 |
Latching apparatus for sequentially latching and unlatching object
A latching apparatus for sequentially latching and unlatching two objects is provided. The latching apparatus includes a cylinder attached to the first object and including a first opening, and a second opening laterally disposed to the first opening, a spring loaded piston including a circumferential wall disposed in the first opening, a shank axially extending from the piston and defining a transverse latch pin at an end thereof, and a spring loaded plunger disposed within the second opening. The wall defines a contiguous cam-groove thereon. The cam-groove includes alternating upper and lower nodal points with straight and inclined segments therebetween. The plunger slidably engages the cam-groove to co-operatively execute one or more of a translation, and a rotation of the shank such that the latch pin rotatably extends or retracts into or out of the slotted opening on the locking plate of the second object. |
| US09169860B2 |
Adhesion flange structure
An adhesion flange structure includes: a first flange extending along and formed to an end portion of a first vehicle body panel with an interposing bend portion; a second flange formed to an end portion of a second vehicle body panel configuring a section of a vehicle body together with the first vehicle body panel, the second flange formed facing the bend portion and the first flange; an adhesive that adheres the bend portion and the first flange to the second flange; a ridge projection portion formed extending along the direction the first flange extends along the end portion of the first vehicle body panel, and formed to at least one portion out of the bend portion and a facing portion of the second flange that faces the bend portion, the ridge projection portion forming a projection towards the opposing side out of the bend portion and the facing portion. |
| US09169859B2 |
Fastening structure for thermal module
A fastening structure is provided for fastening a thermal module to a mainboard, and includes a main body having at least one elastic press portion, a fastening portion, and an insertion unit. The fastening portion is provided on an end of the main body and the insertion unit is outward extended from another opposite end of the main body. The elastic press portion is provided on the main body and located between the insertion unit and the fastening portion, and a flexible space is defined between the elastic press portion and the main body. With these arrangements, the fastening structure can be quickly assembled to the thermal module without the need of welding and can therefore be conveniently separated therefrom whenever reworking is necessary. |
| US09169856B2 |
Fastening structure for thermal module
A resilient fastening structure is provided for fastening a thermal module to a mainboard, and includes a main body having at least one elastic press portion, a fastening portion, and an insertion unit. The fastening portion is provided on an end of the main body and the insertion unit is extended outward from an opposite end of the main body and has spaced sections. The elastic press portion is provided on the main body and located between the insertion unit and the fastening portion, and a flexible space is defined between spaced sections of the insertion unit. The elastic press unit is operable to compress and release the spaced sections of the insertion unite to assembly the structure to the thermal module. |
| US09169847B2 |
Auxiliary bearing landing guard
Radial magnetic bearings (125) of a centrifugal gas compressor (100) may lose power and fail to support the shaft (120) resulting in damage to the shaft (120). Auxiliary bearings (135) may be used to support the shaft (120) during such a failure. A landing guard (140) may be installed as a sacrificial piece between the shaft (120) and the auxiliary bearings (135). Landing guard (140) includes slots (144) that may be used with pins (121) in the shaft (120) to prevent an angular displacement between the landing guard (140) and the shaft (120). |
| US09169825B2 |
Device for assembling sections of wind-turbine blades and method for linking sections of wind-turbine blades
A device for assembling sections of wind-turbine blades provided with casings, including at least one tie including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being a portion for assembly with a casing of a first section and the second portion being a portion for mounting with a complementary tie supported by a casing of a second section, wherein the first portion includes at least one composite/metal shear link provided with a continuous fitting element on at least one surface of the casing which receives one end of the aformentioned surface of the casing, provided with attachment pins passing through the fitting and the end of the surface. According to a preferred embodiment, the composite/metal link has at least double shear and is additionally provided with a back-fitting element, the end of the aforementioned surface of the casing being received between the fitting and the back fitting, the attachment pins passing through the fitting, the end of the surface and the back fitting, the link also being provided with a means for attaching the back fitting to the fitting. |
| US09169822B2 |
Deep ocean current power plant and constructing procedure thereof
The invention provides a deep ocean current power plant. In one embodiment, the deep ocean current power plant comprises at least one relay platform, a plurality of platform anchorage cables, a plurality of turbine generators, and power conversion equipment. The at least one relay platform floats and is submerged in a deep ocean current. The platform anchorage cables anchor the relay platform to a seabed. The turbine generators are anchored to the relay platform, and convert kinetic energy of the deep ocean current into electrical energy. The power conversion equipment is installed on the relay platform, gathers the electrical energy generated by the turbine generators to generate an electrical power, and modulates the electrical power to be transmitted to a land power station. |
| US09169821B2 |
Fuel injection systems with enhanced corona burst
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for delivery a fluidic substance using Lorentz forces. In one aspect, a method to accelerate particles into a chamber includes distributing a fluidic substance between electrodes configured at a location proximate a chamber, in which electrodes include a low work function material, generating a current of ionized particles by applying an electric field between the electrodes to ionize at least some of the fluidic substance, and producing a Lorentz force to accelerate the ionized particles into the chamber. In some implementations, the method further includes applying an electric potential on an antenna electrode interfaced at the port to induce a corona discharge into the chamber, in which the corona discharge ignites the ionized particles within the chamber. |
| US09169820B2 |
Ignition system
An ignition system wherein creation of misfires is suppressed and excellent ignition ability is realized. The ignition system includes a spark plug; a discharge power source applying a voltage in order to generate a spark discharge at the spark plug; an AC power source supplying AC power to a spark generated by the spark discharge; and an ignition cable electrically connecting the spark plug, the discharge power source and the AC power source. The ignition cable includes a discharge electrode connecting the discharge power source and the spark plug, an AC electrode transmitting AC power from the AC power source to the spark plug, and an insulator interposed between the discharge and AC electrodes. |
| US09169813B2 |
Fuel injection valve
A movable plate is movably accommodated in a pressure control chamber. A fixed plate is arranged above the movable plate, so that the movable plate is brought into contact with the fixed plate. The fixed plate has a high pressure passage for supplying fuel into the pressure control chamber and a low pressure passage for discharging the fuel from the pressure control chamber. A high pressure port and a low pressure port are formed at a lower end surface of the fixed plate. A first contacting surface is formed at the lower end surface and a first groove is formed in the first contacting surface for holding a part of fuel in a plate-contacted condition. |
| US09169812B2 |
Vehicular engine assembly having snorkel and vehicle including same
A vehicular engine assembly includes an engine, a panel, and a snorkel. The panel is associated with the engine and includes a panel surface, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The first and second side walls extend substantially upwardly from the panel surface and define a channel. The channel is configured to receive an elongated member. The snorkel includes an attachment tab having a leg member and a foot portion. The foot portion is adjacent to and overlies at least a portion of each of the first and second side walls. The foot portion cooperates with the first and second side walls to constrain the elongated member within the channel. |
| US09169809B2 |
Method for controlling a variable charge air cooler
Embodiments for a charge air cooler are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises during a first mode, decreasing a volume of a charge air cooler in response to a compressor operation upstream of the charge air cooler. In this way, compressor surge may be prevented. |
| US09169808B2 |
Engine exhaust gas purification device
In detection of a temperature of fresh air which is supplied to an intake manifold of an engine, by a fresh air temperature sensor, the invention aims at preventing precision of an engine control from dropping due to difference in an attached position of the fresh air temperature sensor. The engine device has an intake pipe for supplying fresh air to the intake manifold, a breather chamber for separating lubricating oil, the breather chamber being arranged within a head cover covering an upper surface side of a cylinder head, and a blow-by gas return pipe. The intake pipe and the breather chamber are connected via the blow-by gas return pipe. The fresh air temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fresh air introduced into the intake pipe is attached to the intake pipe. |
| US09169805B2 |
Thrust inverter with translatable cascade vanes having detachable front frame
A thrust inverter for a turbojet engine nacelle includes an outer movable cowl and a front frame. The outer movable cowl translates between a closed position and a thrust inversion position and also moves to a supporting position in which the outer movable cowl is hinged and guided by a guiding member located on a pylon. In particular, the front frame holding cascade vanes is mounted downstream from an air blower housing, and part of the front frame is detachably connected to the air blower housing. The front frame is translatable along the guiding member once the front frame is detached from the air blower housing. |
| US09169798B2 |
Valve cover with integrated sparkplug tube
A valve cover for an engine and a method is provided. The valve cover may include a cover body, and a sparkplug tube formed integrally with the cover body. In this way, any distortion of the bottom end of the sparkplug tubes due to, for example removal and reinstallation may not provide a leakage path. |
| US09169794B2 |
Temperature-controlled exhaust gas recirculation system and method for dual fuel engine
Systems and methods for operating an engine include controlling a temperature of recirculated exhaust gas to achieve a predetermined recirculated exhaust gas temperature. A mixture of air and temperature-controlled recirculated exhaust gas are admitted in a combustion chamber and a gaseous fuel injector delivers gaseous fuel during an intake stroke. A diesel fuel injector is activated for a first time to deliver a pre-pilot diesel quantity directly into the combustion chamber at an early stage of a compression stroke, and is activated again for a second time to deliver a pilot diesel quantity directly into the combustion chamber at a later stage of the compression stroke. A total air/fuel ratio within the combustion chamber upon completion of the second diesel fuel injector activation is lean. The air/fuel mixture is combusted during a combustion stroke, and combustion products are removed during an exhaust stroke. |
| US09169791B2 |
Engine-load management to reduce particulate emissions
A method for operating an engine of a vehicle. During a warm-up period following a cold start of the vehicle, a cylinder of the engine is charged to a reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder. After the warm-up period, the cylinder is charged to a non-reduced air-charge pressure, greater for an equivalent driver demand than the reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder. |
| US09169790B2 |
Method for controlling the operation of a compressor
A method for controlling a compressor of a turbocharger is disclosed. In one example, the method comprises varying a maximum permitted compressor outlet temperature based upon a function of compressor outlet temperature and operating time, and controlling the operation of the compressor so that the maximum permitted compressor outlet temperature is not exceeded. In this way a higher boost pressure can safely be used during the early life of the compressor but excessive coking of the compressor with a resultant loss of efficiency later in the life of the compressor is reduced. |
| US09169788B2 |
Methods and systems for variable displacement engine control
Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection. |
| US09169787B2 |
Valve control systems and methods for cylinder deactivation and activation transitions
An engine control system for a vehicle includes an air control module and a valve control module. The air control module determines a desired mass of air per cylinder (APC) based on a torque request and selectively increases the desired APC in response to a command to deactivate N cylinders of an engine. The valve control module disables intake and exhaust valves of the N cylinders of the engine in response to the command, determines intake and exhaust valve timing based on the desired APC, and controls camless intake and exhaust valve actuators of M other cylinders based on the intake and exhaust valve timing, respectively. The engine includes Q cylinders, M and N are integers greater than zero, and M plus N equals Q. |
| US09169786B2 |
Vehicle engine control device
A control device of a vehicle engine comprises: an electric motor rotationally driving an engine to start the engine; a variable valve timing mechanism varying a valve timing of an intake valve of the engine; and an intermediate lock mechanism mechanically locking the valve timing at an intermediate position between a most delayed position and a most advanced position of the valve timing, if an output limitation of the electric motor is predicted at restart of the engine, the valve timing at the time of stop of the engine being locked at the intermediate lock position by the intermediate lock mechanism. |
| US09169785B2 |
Air cutoff valve and restart stabilization method using the same
An air cutoff valve (ACV) is provided. The full open state of the flap valve is maintained using the latchet which operates as the solenoid is turned on and off, so the restart performance is significantly enhanced as the air is quickly supplied by the ACV when the engine stops abnormally irrespective of a driver's intention, and since the ACV is made from a plastic material, the assembling process of the molding formation is simplified, so the unit cost for manufactures is reduced, and the corrosion phenomenon due to moisture can be prevented, and the operation reliability can be enhanced. |
| US09169783B2 |
Electrohydraulic propeller governor
A propeller governor for controlling blade pitch of a variable pitch propeller has a hydraulic control circuit coupled to the propeller to change blade pitch in response to hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic control circuit has a first pressure path configured to adjust blade pitch within a first range of blade pitch, and a second, different pressure path configured to adjust blade pitch within a second range of blade pitch. An electrohydraulic servo valve of the governor is configured to adjust hydraulic pressure in the first pressure path to adjust blade pitch within the first range and to adjust hydraulic pressure in the second pressure path to adjust blade pitch within the second range. |
| US09169782B2 |
Turbine to operate at part-load
A turbine includes a compressor to intake a fluid and to compress the fluid, a combustion chamber to heat the fluid from the compressor, a turbine section to rotate a shaft with the heated fluid from the combustion chamber, and a bypass circuit to generate a bypass flow by removing a portion of the fluid from the compressor, to heat the bypass flow, and to insert the bypass flow to the turbine section. |
| US09169776B2 |
Cylinder liner used for model engine
A cylinder liner capable of oil storage and lubrication used for a model engine is provided. The cylinder liner is disposed in a cylinder of the model engine. A piston is provided in the cylinder liner to reciprocate axially. The inner wall of the cylinder liner is honed to form a plurality of grooves. The inner wall of the cylinder liner is further formed with at least one grooved trough. The grooved trough is adapted to store an oil film to provide a lubrication effect between the piston and the cylinder liner during the reciprocation of the piston. The present invention enhances the protection for the piston and the cylinder liner and lowers the temperature during the running of the model engine. The piston can be reciprocated smoothly for a long time at a high speed so as to enhance the efficiency and service life of the engine. |
| US09169775B2 |
Multi-link internal combustion engine
A multi-link internal combustion engine generally includes a cylinder block, an oil pan mounted to the undersurface of the cylinder block to define a crank chamber, the oil pan being formed with a shallow bottom portion and a deep bottom portion for storing oil. The multi-link internal combustion engine further includes a multi-link, piston-crank mechanism disposed in the crank chamber, a pivotal link member of the piston-crank mechanism pivotal about a pivotal fulcrum located on the side of oil pan; and an oil guide wall provided on the shallow bottom portion in the crank chamber for guiding the oil displaced due to the movement of the pivotal link member to the side of deep bottom portion. |
| US09169774B2 |
Variable compression ratio engine that varies compression ratio
A variable compression ratio engine that changes the compression ratio may include a piston disposed to be reciprocated in a cylinder by combustion, a crankshaft rotatably disposed at a predetermined distance from the piston, a crank arm with one end connected with the piston and the other end connected with the crankshaft, a connecting rod connected with the crank arm through a crankpin and with the piston through a piston pin and having an oil chamber, an eccentric cam disposed between the crankpin and the connecting rod and being off-center from the crankpin, a variable piston disposed in the oil chamber to be moved by supplied oil, and a link connecting the variable piston with the eccentric cam to rotate the eccentric cam with movement of the variable piston. |
| US09169767B2 |
Device for at least partially blocking an opening and forming a seal in the opening
A device for at least partially blocking an opening includes a first body, a second body rotatably mounted to the first body and a compressible seal extending from the first body. The seal includes a first portion, a plate having a hole at one end of the first portion, and a second portion extending away from the plate. A hollow shaft extends from the second body and through the first body, the first portion, the hole in the plate, and into the second portion. The shaft has a shoulder in the second portion that is wider than the hole in the plate, and moving the shaft relative to the first body compresses the second body until the shoulder reaches the plate and then compresses the first body. Such compression expands the first and/or second portions and presses them against the inside of the opening to form a seal. |
| US09169766B2 |
System to monitor regeneration frequency of particulate filter
An exhaust treatment system to treat exhaust gas includes a particulate filter configured to trap soot contained in the exhaust gas, and a pressure sensor that outputs a pressure signal indicative of a pressure differential of the particulate filter. A soot mass module is configured to determine a soot mass indicative of an amount of soot stored in the particulate filter based on the pressure differential. The soot mass is selectively determined according to a first soot model or a second soot model. An adaptation soot load module corrects the first soot model based on the second soot model such that the first soot model is adapted to the second soot model. A frequency regeneration module determines an actual rate at which the first soot model is corrected. The frequency regeneration module further determines the particulate filter is excessively regenerated based on the actual rate and a threshold. |
| US09169761B2 |
Urea-water addition control unit
A control portion sets a total injection amount of a urea water injected from an injector to an exhaust gas, and controls to open or close the injector based on the injection amount. An injection-amount correcting portion estimates an injection characteristic of the injector from an injection-amount difference between the total injection amount and a decreased amount of the urea water in a tank, and corrects a command value of a control signal outputted to the injector based on the injection characteristic. Therefore, the injection amount is corrected by considering the individual differences or the age-related deterioration. |
| US09169757B2 |
Exhaust system with mixing and/or evaporating device
A mixer/evaporator or an exhaust system (5) of an internal combustion engine (1), includes a carrier (20) surrounding, in a circumferential direction, a flat cross section of a mixing/evaporating device (12), through which exhaust gases flow and which extends at a right angle to the axial direction (17). The carrier has opposite side walls, wherein short side walls (23, 24) connect each long side walls (21, 22) to one another. Guide blades (25) project in a direction of the respective opposite long side wall, are set at an angle in relation to the axial direction and are arranged at one of the long side walls at least one axial end (26, 27). An axial end of the first long side walls is offset in the axial direction in relation to the axial end of the second long side wall on the same side of the mixing/evaporating device. |
| US09169752B2 |
Device having an annular electrode for decreasing soot particles in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine
A device for decreasing soot particles in exhaust gas, especially from an internal combustion engine, includes concentric outer and inner tubes forming an intermediate space through which the exhaust gas can flow. At least one annular electrode with a multiplicity of electrode tips protruding radially into the intermediate space is disposed on the inside of the outer tube. Terminals can connect the annular electrode and inner tube to a high voltage source forming an electric field in the intermediate space. At least two electrodes are preferably disposed axially at an electrode spacing of preferably 10 to 30 mm. The electrode tips can be approximately conical or pin-shaped with a radial length of 3 to 10 mm. The electrode tips of each electrode have a tip spacing in circumferential direction of 3 to 20 mm or 5 to 10 mm creating a very effective and uniform radial electric field for ionization. |
| US09169748B2 |
Bypass system for a transmission
A bypass system for a transmission is disclosed. A transmission casing defines a first aperture and a second aperture. A valve assembly includes a housing defining a first port and a second port. The housing defines an inlet in fluid communication with the first port for guiding a fluid into the transmission casing and an outlet in fluid communication with the second port for guiding the fluid out of the transmission casing. The valve assembly further includes an actuation device disposed in the housing. The housing is mounted to the transmission casing such that the first port and the first aperture cooperate with each other for routing the fluid into the transmission casing directly from the valve assembly, and the second port and the second aperture cooperate with each other for routing the fluid out of the transmission casing directly into the valve assembly. |
| US09169742B2 |
Electronic shaft shear detection conditioning circuit
An electrical control system for distinguishing between an electrical fault and a shaft shear condition in a gas turbine engine, the control system including, in one aspect, a detection circuit including: two or more probes, each probe including an associated resistor having a predetermined range of resistance, and each probe being disposed in the engine adjacent a rotary mounted shaft component, where mechanical interference between one or more of the probes and the shaft component renders the associated resistor substantially non-conductive; sensor processor(s) in communication with each probe, determining a probe operational status based on a measured resistance to current conducted through each probe, and generating a fault code when the measured resistance of at least one of the plurality of probes is not within the predetermined range of resistance. |
| US09169739B2 |
Hybrid blade outer air seal for gas turbine engine
A Blade Outer Air Seal (BOAS) includes a body manufactured of a metal alloy, the body includes a face opposite a forward interface and an aft interface, the face includes a cavity. A non-metallic insert within the cavity such that the insert is flush with the face. |
| US09169734B2 |
System for specifying an installation position of rotor blades, securing element, rotor blade, turbomachine, and method
A system for specifying an installation position of adjacent rotor blades of a blade row of a turbomachine is disclosed. The system has a plurality of axial securing elements, which have at least two sections with different profile areas for the arrangement in each case between a groove base of a rotor shaft and a blade root, which are joined together by a connecting web at a groove distance from one another, and which have counter-contours on the blade root side for forming in each case a positive-fit pair with the profile areas. Also disclosed are a securing element and a rotor blade for this type of system, a turbomachine having a rotor which has this type of system, and a method for manufacturing this type of rotor. |
| US09169729B2 |
Gas turbine engine turbine diaphragm with angled holes
A gas turbine engine turbine diaphragm (460) includes an inner cylindrical portion (461), a mounting portion (463), and a disk portion (462). The mounting portion (463) is located radially outward from the inner cylindrical portion (461). The disk portion (462) extends radially between the inner cylindrical portion (461) and the mounting portion (463). The disk portion (462) includes a plurality of angled holes (464). Each angled hole (464) follows a vector which is angled in at least one plane. A component of the vector is located on a plane perpendicular to a radial extending from an axis of the diaphragm (460). The component of the vector is angled relative to an axial direction of the diaphragm (460). |
| US09169726B2 |
Method for quantitatively assessing connectivity for well pairs at varying frequencies
Method for quantitatively assessing connectivity for well pairs at varying frequencies. A time series of measurements (12) is chosen for each of the two wells such that the particular measurements will be sensitive to subsurface connectivity if it exists (11). The two time series may then be pre-processed by resampling to time intervals commensurate with response time between the two wells (13), detrending the measurements (14), and detecting and eliminating spiking noises (15). Then the time series are transformed to the frequency domain where coherence and phase between the two series are compared for varying frequencies (16). This comparison is used to make a determination of connectivity. |
| US09169724B2 |
Expandable conical tubing run through production tubing and into open hole
A downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore includes a first sealing structure having opposing first and second ends and being arranged within an open hole section of a wellbore, the first sealing structure being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. A second sealing structure has opposing first and second ends and is arranged proximate the first sealing structure within the wellbore, the second sealing structure also being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. When in their respective expanded configurations, the first and second sealing structures are frustoconical in shape and the first end of the second sealing structure is at least partially nested within the second end of the first sealing structure. |
| US09169722B2 |
Methods and apparatus relating to expansion tools for tubular strings
An expansion tool for use in a wellbore includes an expansion surface made up of a concave portion, a convex portion and a straight section therebetween. The straight section is formed according to a formula Y=(1.26)(X)−0.13, where X is the wall thickness of a tubular and Y is the length of the straight section. The concave portion and the convex portion have an arc length extending the concave portion to a trailing edge of the tool. The concave and convex portions are radius-shaped. The arrangement of the shapes and their relation to each other reduces relatively high and low contact pressures and lessens the effects of axial bending in a tubular or a connection. |
| US09169720B2 |
Corrosion management systems for vertically oriented structures
Corrosion management systems protecting against or managing corrosion of various components in generally vertically oriented structures, that can be located one or more of aboveground and underground. The corrosion management system includes a dispenser system that dispenses at least one corrosion inhibitor to the structure desired to be protected at a plurality of different vertical heights. |
| US09169714B2 |
Flushing system
An apparatus for circulating well fluids in an intervention system is described. The apparatus comprises at least one subsea storage vessel adapted to be located adjacent a subsea intervention system, a first conduit adapted to provide fluid communication between the at least one storage vessel and the intervention system, a second conduit adapted to provide fluid communication between the at least one storage vessel and the intervention system and at least one pump adapted to pump fluid from the at least one storage vessel to the intervention system or from the intervention system to the at least one storage vessel through said first and/or second conduits. |
| US09169712B2 |
Blowout preventer locking door assembly and method of using same
A locking door assembly, blowout preventer and method are provided. The blowout preventer is for sealing about a tubular extending from a wellbore of a wellsite. The blowout preventer includes a housing having a bore and a channel therethrough. The tubular is positionable through the bore and engageable therein. The blowout preventer also includes a door assembly including a door slidably positionable along an axis of the channel and providing selective access to the channel, and a lock. The lock includes at least one locking member having at least one raised portion extending along the door assembly in a direction transverse to the axis of the channel. The locking member is extendable into at least one corresponding receptacle of the housing and movable therealong between an unlocked and a locked position whereby the door assembly is selectively retractable from the housing. |
| US09169705B2 |
Pressure relief-assisted packer
A wellbore completion method comprising disposing a pressure relief-assisted packer comprising two packer elements within an axial flow bore of a first tubular string disposed within a wellbore so as to define an annular space between the pressure relief-assisted packer and the first tubular string, and setting the pressure relief-assisted packer such that a portion of the annular space between the two packer elements comes into fluid communication with a pressure relief volume during the setting of the pressure relief-assisted packer. |
| US09169702B2 |
Top drive powered differential speed rotation system and method
Certain embodiments include a system having a first grip configured to couple to a first tubular, a second grip configured to couple to a second tubular, where the first and second tubulars are connected by a threaded connection, and a gear assembly coupling the first and second grips, wherein the gear assembly has a speed ratio greater than 1. |
| US09169700B2 |
Pressure control device with remote orientation relative to a rig
A method of maintaining a substantially fixed orientation of a pressure control device relative to a movable rig can include rotating a body of the pressure control device while the rig rotates. A method of remotely controlling an orientation of a pressure control device relative to a movable rig can include rotating a body of the pressure control device, and controlling the rotation of the body from a location on the rig remote from the body. A pressure control device for use in conjunction with a rig can include a body, a flange, an orientation device which changes a rotational orientation of the body relative to the flange, and an orientation control system which remotely controls the orientation device. |
| US09169696B2 |
Cutting structures, earth-boring tools including such cutting structures, and related methods
Earth-boring tools comprise a body comprising at least one pocket extending into the body. A first discrete cutting element segment is secured within the at least one pocket. At least another discrete cutting element segment is secured within the at least one pocket. Methods of forming a cutting structure secured to an earth-boring tool comprise disposing at least one discrete cutting element or at least one cutting element segment within a pocket or recess formed in a blade extending longitudinally and radially over a face of a body. At least one discrete wearable element or at least another discrete cutting element segment is disposed within the pocket or recess. The at least one discrete cutting element or at least one discrete cutting element segment and the at least one discrete wearable element or at least another discrete cutting element segment are secured to the blade within the pocket or recess. |
| US09169695B1 |
Oil exploration probe
An exploratory shaft-making apparatus creates a vertical hole down into a geological formation while sending a payload into the vertical hole. The apparatus includes a metallic cylindrical casing; a hollow, conical head section; a payload body; and shaped charges of high explosive below the payload body. The shaped charges are adapted to sequentially detonate starting with the bottom-most shaped charge. The detonation of each shaped charge is configured to create a void space in the geological formation below the casing. The void space permits gravity to move the remaining shaped charges and the payload body atop them to slide downward so that the next shaped charge to detonate is positioned below the bottom end of the metallic cylindrical casing. A shock absorbing material may be included in the head section. The payload body optionally has a removable cap. A lift fitting may be attached to the payload body. |
| US09169694B2 |
Positionable downhole gear box
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a tool string positionable in a wellbore that includes a spur gear driven by a source of input rotation, a planetary gearbox having an attachment structure to connect to the spur gear. The gearbox includes a central sun gear, a collection of planet gears disposed in a planet gear carrier disposed around the central sun gear, and a ring gear disposed around the planet gears and planet gear carrier. The attachment structure drives a hydraulic pump or electrical generator at a rotational speed different than a rotational speed of the source of input rotation. |
| US09169690B2 |
Window treatment having backlighting
A window treatment can include a headrail that is configured to be mounted to a structure. A covering material can be attached to the headrail and configured to be raised and lowered. The window treatment can also include a bottom bar that is attached to an opposite end of the covering material as the headrail. The window treatment can also include a light source that is configured to illuminate a side of the covering material when the covering material is in a lowered position. In this manner, the light source may be configured to adjust the transparency level of the covering material to thereby adjust the privacy settings of the interior space that is enclosed by the window treatment. |
| US09169686B1 |
Window assemblies
A flexure ring for a window assembly includes a continuous annular portion and a segmented portion. The continuous annular portion defines a ring axis. The segmented portion defines a plurality of circumferential segments. The continuous annular portion is connected to each circumferential segment by a respective neck. Each neck extends from the continuous annular portion to a respective one of the circumferential segments. The continuous annular portion, the segmented portion and the necks are configured to circumscribe a window pane. |
| US09169683B2 |
Window lifter comprising a holder for fastening a cable between two ends of first and second guide rails
A window lifter is provided. The window lifter having: first and second guide rails; first and second sliders for driving a window, the first and second sliders being guided in translation by the first guide rail and the second guide rail, respectively; a cable system for driving the sliders along the first and second guide rails, the cable system comprising a cable extending between the first and second guide rails for connecting to corresponding ends of the first and second guide rails, respectively, the first guide rail comprising a holder for fastening the cable between the two corresponding ends of the first and second guide rails that the cable connects. |
| US09169681B2 |
Low profile adjustable soft close hinge apparatus
Disclosed is a low profile, adjustable, soft close hinge comprised of a hinge cup pivotally connected to a hinge body via a hinge arm and a hinge link in a four-bar linkage arrangement. A spring biases the hinge to a closed position. The hinge body is adjustably connected to an inner frame with an overlay adjustment screw and depth adjustment cam. The inner frame releasably connects the hinge body to a mounting plate. A stop bracket is adjustably and slidably connected to the hinge body by a helical cam. The adjustable position of the stop bracket relative to the hinge body determines the point at which the damping functionality of a damper begins during a hinge closing movement. A linkage sub-assembly pivotally connects the damper to the hinge link. |
| US09169680B2 |
Door hinge for heavy equipment
Provided is a door hinge for heavy equipment, including: first plate and a second plate disposed on a hinge shaft of a door of heavy equipment and hinge-coupled to each other to open and close the door; and a stay unit rotatably disposed on the first plate and supporting the second plate when the door is opened to prevent the door from being closed. Thus, according to the present invention, an open state of a door can be maintained by only the stay unit without mounting a bracket by overcoming the limitation that the bracket for mounting a separate door stay must be mounted to a door body in order to maintain the open state of the existing door during opening of the door. |
| US09169679B2 |
Cabinet and hinge assembly
A storage cabinet includes a frame assembly having a forward facing surface and defining an interior configured to store items; a door assembly having a lateral surface; and a hinge assembly pivotally coupling the frame assembly to the door assembly such that the door assembly is moveable from a closed position to a plurality of open positions. The hinge assembly includes a frame component mounted to the forward facing surface of the frame assembly; and a door component mounted to the lateral surface of the door component and configured to rotate relative to the frame component upon rotation of the door assembly relative to the frame assembly. The hinge assembly is configured to enable a user to remove the door assembly from the frame assembly by lifting the door in a vertical direction only when the door assembly is moved from the closed position at least a predetermined amount. |
| US09169678B2 |
Pressure relief latch mechanism
A latch mechanism for use in attaching portions or panels on an aircraft. The latch mechanism and related method include a detent mechanism for releasably coupling a bolt portion of the latch to a handle portion of the latch. The latch allows the bolt and handle to conjointly pivot with respect to a corresponding mounting bracket. The latch operates to relieve pressure in an excess pressure condition when the forces associated with the detention mechanism are overcome. |
| US09169675B2 |
Closure device for a compartment
A closure device for a compartment, in particular a glove compartment, which is able to be closed by a flap, in motor vehicles, wherein the flap is designed to be displaceable by a force in a reversible manner between a released position and a blocked position in the direction of the action of a force, wherein the flap has a pivoting mechanism with a lock, wherein the lock is designed to be movable into the blocked position due to the action of a force and then comes into engagement with the locking element. |
| US09169674B2 |
Locking device
A locking device for a cover of a storage compartment in a motor vehicle has at least one bolt element that is displaceable by an actuating handle and, in the locked state, engages in a first storage compartment recess for fixing the cover in a closed position. At least one securing bolt engages in a second storage compartment recess and is actuable via the bolt element so that it only extends out of the second recess if the bolt element already is extended out of the first recess and which thereby secures the cover against undesirably opening in the event of accident-induced accelerations. Increased safety standards can thereby be obtained. |
| US09169666B2 |
Door latch operator apparatus
A device for securing a spindle to a hub in a mortise lock for a door. The device includes a hub defining a central opening about an axis of rotation and a spindle with a first end adapted to be received in the opening in the hub to apply rotational force to the hub. A securing element is moveable between a first position in which the securing element engages the spindle and the spindle is secured to the hub, and a second position in which the securing element is disengaged from the spindle and the spindle may be freely removed from the opening in the first hub. The securing element may be adapted for reciprocal linear movement in the housing, and may engage the first spindle by part of the securing element being received in a peripheral groove in the spindle. |
| US09169664B2 |
Assembly tent
An object of the present invention is to provide an assembly tent that is easy to assemble, excellent in strength, and capable of being disassembled and compactly accommodated after use. The assembly tent is a tent assembled through coupling of a traverse beam member extending horizontally from two adjacent supporting columns at both ends of a coupling member, wherein coupling between the traverse beam member and the coupling member is formed by inserting, into one member of the traverse beam member and the coupling member, the other member in an axial direction. For establishing the coupling between the traverse beam member and the coupling member, a pin insertion hole is provided to a circumference side wall of the one member of the traverse beam member and the coupling member, a lock mechanism, which biases a lock pin to penetrate the pin insertion hole from an outer circumference side wall and protrude from an inner circumference side wall, is arranged at the outer circumference side wall, and a pin engagement concave portion is arranged at an outer circumference side wall of the other member, such that when the other member is inserted into the one member, the biased lock pin engages with the pin engagement concave portion to lock the coupling between the traverse beam member and the coupling member. |
| US09169662B1 |
Multiple cast-in insert apparatus for concrete
Disclosed is a multiple cast-in insert apparatus for concrete, including a supporting body fixed to a plate material configured to pour the concrete and having a first screw formed along an inner circumferential surface of a hollow coupling hole formed therein to pass therethrough; a lifting body including a coupling part having a second screw thread formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof to be screwed with the first screw thread and thus to be selectively moved up and down through the hollow coupling hole and also having an anchor coupling hole formed therein, and a leveling support part integrally formed along an upper edge of the coupling part to protrude outward in a radial direction; and a spacer body disposed above the supporting body and having a coupling through-hole formed therein so that the coupling part passes therethrough. |
| US09169661B2 |
Vertical concrete form with removable forming panels
A construction form system for forming concrete walls for use as above grade walls, foundations, frost walls, exterior envelopes, and the like, is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of pairs of opposing vertical forming panels spaced from each other to define a forming cavity disposed to receive a hardenable material. Each pair of opposing forming panels comprises an inner panel forming part of an inner wall and an outer panel forming part of an outer wall. The system also includes an outer rail positioned between each adjacent pair of outer forming panels and an inner rail positioned between each adjacent pair of inner forming panels. The inner forming panels comprise support panels configured to be selectively addable and removable from between each adjacent pair of inner rails prior to and subsequent to a pouring of the hardenable material into the cavity. |
| US09169660B2 |
Adhesive threshold bar
The invention relates to a transition element (5) formed of an elongated profile, having at its lower surface two first longitudinally-extending adhesive strips, each first strip being adhesive on its surface opposite to the profile, wherein each first strip is obtained by longitudinal folding of a sheet having a second strip glued against the profile. |
| US09169653B2 |
Interlocking clips for a wall panel mounting system
A clip having a plurality of locking ribs disposed on a front surface for engaging a mounting surface; a mounting channel disposed in a rear surface; the mounting channel adapted to receive a securing member for securing the clip to the mounting surface; a flange extending outwardly from a side surface, wherein the flange includes an engaging surface having a ridge portion and a recess portion; whereby the ridge portion of the flange is received into a complementary recess portion of a flange on a second clip, and the recess portion receives a complementary ridge portion of the flange on the second clip for interlocking engagement between clips. |
| US09169651B1 |
Stairway system having an improved baluster assembly
A stairway system. The stairway system includes a plurality of spaced apart treads, a handrail and a baluster assembly. The baluster assembly includes at least one baluster per tread. The baluster includes at least one rake anchor adapted to abut the angled support surface of the handrail adjacent to one end of the baluster, a rake shoe adapted for concealing the interface between the rake anchor and the angled support surface of the handrail and an anchor assembly including an anchor adapted for receiving the other end of the baluster. The stairway system further includes a handrail support for supporting the handrail. |
| US09169647B2 |
Skylight having multiple stationary tilted reflectors aimed in different compass directions including inverted pyramidal or wedge geometry
A skylight system uses multiple stationary tilted reflectors aimed in different compass directions, including inverted pyramidal or wedge geometry to enhance the light output of a skylight using a conventional horizontal penetration into the building. The reflectors are made of very low cost metallized polymer film, and configured to maximize the useful lumen output of the skylight over the whole day and over the whole year. The skylight system furthermore improves the light distribution under the horizontal penetration by directing more light vertically into the working space beneath the roof penetration rather than horizontally onto walls and into the building occupants' eyes, creating glare and discomfort. |
| US09169643B2 |
Concrete slab forming apparatus
A form for a concrete slab which consists of a series of similarly shaped steel plates that are held in predetermined spaced relationship by a series of special rebars, (special nuts are provided) before the slab is poured. The slab is criss-crossed by rebars which extend through the form to accurately locate the remaining steel plates as well as to prevent excessive cracking of the slab. |
| US09169641B2 |
Cleanroom wall panel system, and method
A cleanroom wall panel system is provided for defining the perimeter or interior divisions of a cleanroom. The system includes a plurality of elongate retainer elements, which are mounted to wall studs, and a plurality of wall panels with hook portions configured to engage the elongate retainer elements. The retainer elements and/or wall panels may be oriented at either of two different orientations, and further are designed to accommodate some variations in the positioning of the components relative to one another, which facilitates assembly of the wall panel assembly. Each wall panel's weight is supported, either directly or indirectly, by a floor surface located below the wall panel, so that the hook portions are used primarily to secure the wall panels against the retainer elements. |
| US09169639B1 |
Safety enclosure devices for use with dropped ceiling grids
An electrically insulative frame configured for attachment to a dropped ceiling grid, having a plurality of cells formed by cell members, including an open cell having a cell opening. The frame insulates the cell opening when attached therein. A worker, having a head and torso, may extend his/her head and torso through the frame while being electrically insulated from the cell. |
| US09169638B2 |
Expandable vinyl aromatic polymers
An expandable vinyl aromatic polymer may include a matrix of a vinyl aromatic polymer, 1-10% of an expanding agent, 0.1 to 5% talc, carbon black, and 0 to 20% fillers. The expanding agent may be englobed in the matrix. The talc may have a mean diameter above about 8 μm as measured by Laser Mastersizer according to standard ISO 13320-1. The BET of the talc may be in the range 0.5-25 m2/g. The carbon black may be present in a proportion sufficient for a foamed material obtained from the expandable vinyl aromatic polymer to have a thermal conductivity λ of about 34 mW/m° K or lower. The fillers may be homogeneously distributed in the matrix. |
| US09169632B2 |
Building support structure
A building support structure has a rigid support body for supporting a building, and a pressurized gas structure provided in the support body. The pressurized gas structure is provided in the support body so as to apply a vertical tension force to the support body. The pressurized gas structure may be a pressure chamber which is provided in the support body, or a saclike membrane. The saclike membrane is connected to the support body under a vertical compression force which is applied by the support body, thereby the saclike membrane applies a vertical tension force to the support body. |
| US09169628B2 |
Apparatus for preventing overflows
An apparatus for controlling overflows is provided. The apparatus for controlling overflows may comprise an interior bowl including a waste receptacle and one or more water outlets connected to a water tank. The one or more water outlets may be configured to flush the interior bowl through a primary drain. Additionally, the apparatus for controlling overflows may include an exterior bowl, which may surround the interior bowl. The exterior bowl and the interior bowl may be separated by a gap. The gap may be configured to capture overflow water from the interior bowl when the primary drain malfunctions. Once the overflow water is captured by the gap, it may then be emptied into one or more containers configured to collect the overflow water. |
| US09169624B2 |
Adjustable water flow control apparatus for showers
The present invention is an adjustable water flow control apparatus for showers which includes an outer housing, an outer inlet member, an outer valve, an inner housing, an inner inlet member, an inner valve, an outlet, an actuating means and a biasing means. The actuating means is configured to axially move the inner housing together with the inner inlet member between a decreased flow position and an increased flow position for water flow control. |
| US09169622B2 |
Hydraulic excavator
A hydraulic excavator is provided, facilitating access to the lower side inside an engine compartment, allowing a maintenance job to be performed in a reasonable posture. The hydraulic excavator includes a revolving frame, an engine arranged on the revolving frame, and a counterweight arranged on the revolving frame, at the back side of the engine. A recess indented from the bottom face in the upward direction is formed at the counterweight. An opening is formed at the revolving frame for allowing a person to access from the lower side of the revolving frame to the space between the engine and the counterweight. The recess has a section overlapping with the opening, when viewed from the top. |
| US09169620B2 |
Work implement control system
A control system for a work implement on a machine is disclosed including a first hydraulic circuit, a second hydraulic circuit, and a controller. The first hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic cylinder assembly, a pressurized fluid source, and a fluid tank. The hydraulic cylinder assembly includes a head end, a rod end, a cylinder, and a rod. The pressurized fluid source and the fluid tank are selectively connected to the head end or the rod end. The second hydraulic circuit includes a valve configured to receive a connection to tank signal and selectively connect the head end or the rod end to the fluid tank. The controller is configured to generate the connection to tank signal. |
| US09169606B2 |
Emitter unit for asphalt pavement repair utilizing solid phase autoregenerative cohesion
An emitter unit for repairing an aged asphalt pavement is provided. The emitter panels of the emitter unit comprise a frame having a high-density ceramic liner, a sheet of a micaceous material exhibiting biaxial birefringence, and a serpentine wire positioned between the high-density ceramic liner and the sheet of the micaceous material. The emitter panel is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of from about 2 microns to 1 millimeter and a power density of from 0.47 to 2.33 W/cm2 or from 133 to 664 (ft·lbf/min)/in2. |
| US09169601B2 |
Method for forming an anisotropic conductive paper and a paper thus formed
A method for treating a paper to provide at least a part of it with anisotropic electric conductivity, by i) applying to the paper a dispersion comprising a non-aqueous, liquid dispersing agent and conductive particles, ii) applying an electric field over at least part of the paper, so that a number of the conductive particles are aligned with the field, thus creating conductive pathways, and wholly or partially eliminating the dispersing agent and allowing the paper to dry thereby stabilizing and preserving the conductive pathways in the paper as well as paper so produced. The paper may alternatively be prepared from a cellulose dispersion comprising conductive particles and subjecting the dispersion for similar aligning of the conductive particles. |
| US09169600B1 |
Paper product having unique physical properties
A web product having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction orthogonal thereto and having at least one ply is disclosed. The at least one ply has a first plurality of knuckle regions having a first total area in the machine and cross-machine directions and a second plurality of knuckle regions having a second total area in the machine and cross-machine directions, where the first and second total areas have a different value. The said web product has a residual water value, RW, of less than about 0.12 g and a Wet Burst, WB, value greater than about 400 g. Alternatively, the web product has a residual water value, RW, of less than about 0.12 g and a Vertical Full Sheet, VFS, value greater than about 8.74 g/g. |
| US09169598B2 |
Spliced endless clothing
A clothing fabric for a paper machine has two or more endless strips, which are each formed by a film-like web spliced along a joint to form a film-like web that is endless in the direction of circulation of the fabric. The endless strips are connected to one another at the side edges with the joints of two endless strips that are connected to each other are arranged to be offset in relation to one another with respect to the direction of circulation of the fabric. |
| US09169592B2 |
Washing machine and method of controlling the same
Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a method of controlling the same that are capable of removing bubbles from a door after washing. The washing machine includes a drum and a door to open and close the drum. The method of controlling the washing machine includes determining whether the present operation is a spin-drying operation, and, when the present operation is the spin-drying operation, supplying water to the door to remove residual bubbles from the door. |
| US09169588B2 |
Sewing machine
A sewing machine includes a bed, an irradiating portion configured to irradiate laser light onto a specific position on the bed, an image capturing portion configured to capture an image of an area including the specific position and to generate captured image data, a processor, and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the sewing machine to perform processes that include causing the irradiating portion to intermittently irradiate the laser light onto the specific position, acquiring the captured image data by causing the image capturing portion to capture an image of the area in synchronization with irradiation on the specific position, and identifying irradiated coordinates based on the captured image data. The irradiated coordinates are coordinates, in the captured image, of an irradiated position. The irradiated position is a position, in the area, onto which the laser light is irradiated. |
| US09169584B2 |
Method and means for measured control of tape-like warps for shedding and taking-up operations
A method and means are disclosed for measured control of tape-like warps for shedding and taking-up operations when producing woven materials comprising tape-like warps and wefts. According to this invention, a displaceable contact surface of the warp control device is located between the warp supply source and the shedding device. The warp control device includes a displaceable member for providing contact surface to displace at least some of the tape-like warp for releasing them in a measured way for shed forming and taking-up operations. Further, the contact surfaces are retracted for enabling shed closing and measured taking-up. |
| US09169580B2 |
Apparatus for forming fiber balls with clippers and related methods
An apparatus for forming fiber balls uses automated clippers that can cooperate with a wheel that turns and operates in a stop and go sequence to hold gathered segments of lengths of elongate fibers, then present the gathered segments to a clipper, then rotate with the clipped segments of elongate fibers, allowing a knife or blade to extend to cut between adjacent clipped segments to form fiber balls with a clip or clips at a medial portion thereof. |
| US09169577B2 |
Surface-treated steel sheet, method for manufacturing the same, and resin-covered steel sheet using the same
Provided are a Cr-free surface-treated steel sheet that has excellent humid resin adhesion and corrosion resistance and that exhibits no streak-like surface defects, a method for manufacturing such a surface-treated steel sheet, and a resin-covered steel sheet using such a surface-treated steel sheet. A surface-treated steel sheet includes a steel sheet; a corrosion-resistant coating, on at least one side thereof, that is composed of at least one layer selected from a Ni layer, a Sn layer, an Fe—Ni alloy layer, an Fe—Sn alloy layer, and an Fe—Ni—Sn alloy layer; and an adherent coating, on the corrosion-resistant coating, that contains Zr and at least one species selected from P derived from a phosphoric acid and C derived from a phenolic resin in a total mass ratio to Zr of 0.01 to 10. |
| US09169573B2 |
AM-EWOD device and method of driving with variable voltage AC driving
An active matrix electrowetting on dielectric (AM-EWOD) device includes a substrate electrode and a plurality of array elements, each array element including an array element electrode. The AM-EWOD device further includes thin film electronics disposed on a substrate. The thin film electronics includes first circuitry configured to supply a first time varying signal V1 to the array element electrodes, and second circuitry configured to supply a second time varying signal V2 to the substrate electrode. An actuation voltage is defined by a potential difference between V2 and V1, and the first circuitry further is configured to adjust the amplitude of V1 to adjust the actuation voltage. V1 may be adjusted to adjust the actuation voltage while V2 remains unchanged. The actuation voltage may be controlled to operate the AM-EWOD device between high and low voltage modes of operation in accordance with different droplet manipulation operations to be performed. |
| US09169564B2 |
Systems and methods for rapid liquid phase deposition of films
A rapid liquid phase deposition (LPD) process of coating a substrate provides improved deposition rates. The LPD process may include the following steps: incubation of acids with corresponding oxides, sulfide, or selenide for a predetermined period of time; removing the undissolved oxides, sulfide, or selenide; liquid phase deposition of the oxide, sulfide, or selenide film or coating at an elevated temperature; and removing the substrate from the growth solution. Further, the growth solution can be prepared for re-use by cooling to a desired temperature and adding extra oxides, sulfides, or selenides. |
| US09169562B2 |
Parallel batch chemical vapor deposition system
Described is a parallel batch CVD system that includes a pair of linear deposition chambers in a parallel arrangement and a robotic loading module disposed between the chambers. Each chamber includes a linear arrangement of substrate receptacles, gas injectors to supply at least one gas in a uniform distribution across the substrates, and a heating module for uniformly controlling a temperature of the substrates. The robotic loading module is configured for movement in a direction parallel to a length of each of the chambers and includes at least one cassette for carrying substrates to be loaded into the substrate receptacles of the chambers. The parallel batch CVD system is suitable for high volume processing of substrates. The CVD processes performed in the chambers can be the same process. Alternatively, the CVD processes may be different and substrates processed in one chamber may be subsequently processed in the other chamber. |
| US09169560B2 |
Apparatus for producing polycrystalline silicon
A polycrystalline silicon producing method with preventing meltdown and maintaining a high growing rate and a high yield by increasing temperature of raw material gas before supplying them to a reactor in a high pressure state so as to lower convection heat transfer from a silicon rod, including: supplying electric current to a silicon seed rod in a reactor to make the silicon seed rod to generate heat; and supplying a large amount of preheated raw material gas including chlorosilanes to the silicon seed rod in the reactor in the high pressure state. |
| US09169555B2 |
Chemical vapour deposition apparatus
Chemical vapor deposition apparatus comprises a process chamber, a bubbler for supplying a volatile precursor to the chamber, a vacuum pump for drawing an exhaust gas from the process chamber, an abatement device for treating the exhaust gas, and a bypass line for conveying the precursor from the bubbler to the abatement device, the bypass line bypassing both the process chamber and the vacuum pump. |
| US09169549B2 |
Method for modifying light absorption layer
The disclosure discloses a method for modifying the light absorption layer, including: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a light absorption layer on the substrate, wherein the light absorption layer includes a Group IB element, Group IIIA element and Group VIA element; (c) forming a slurry on the light absorption layer, wherein the slurry includes a Group VIA element; and (d) conducting a thermal process for the light absorption layer with the slurry. |
| US09169548B1 |
Photovoltaic cell with copper poor CIGS absorber layer and method of making thereof
A photovoltaic cell includes a p-type copper-indium-gallium-selenide absorber layer, where a content of Cu, In, and Ga in a first portion of the p-type copper-indium-gallium-selenide absorber layer satisfies the equation Cu/(In+Ga)≦0.3, and where the content is measured in atomic percent. |
| US09169547B2 |
Gliding element
The invention relates to a gliding element of an internal combustion engine, especially a piston ring, having a DLC coating of the ta-C type which has at least one residual stress gradient. |
| US09169538B2 |
Alloy material with constant electrical resistivity, applications and method for producing the same
An alloy material with a constant electrical resistivity in a wide temperature range comprises the following chemical formula: AlvCowCrxFeyNiz, wherein v is in the range of 1.9 to 2.1, w is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1, x is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1, y is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1, and z is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1. A method for producing the alloy material comprises the steps of: providing raw metal materials and mixing them according to the molar ratio of the prescription of the alloy materials; disposing the mixed raw metal materials into a furnace and homogeneously smelting each of the raw metal materials under a protective Ar atmospheric environment; cooling and solidifying the smelted raw metal materials in order to obtain the alloy; and deforming and/or shaping the solidified alloy to predefined figures and dimensions. |
| US09169536B2 |
Process for providing noble metal-containing mixtures for recovering noble metals
The invention relates to the provision of noble metal-containing mixtures for a process for processing them by heating the mixture, preferably for processing them by means of an ashing process. This provision is characterized by the following measures: (a) moistening of the noble metal-containing mixture to be processed, (b) introduction of the moistened noble metal-containing mixture into at least one container which serves as diffusion barrier for water, and (c) introduction of the loaded container into a heat-resistant chamber together with at least one upper refractory mat. The noble metal-containing mixture is preferably moistened in the presence of a porous material and the chamber is closed by means of a heat-resistant covering. The invention further provides a processing process comprising the provision of noble metal-containing mixtures and also the heat-resistant chamber loaded with noble metal-containing mixtures itself. The process of the invention enables simple, clean recovery of noble metals in high yield from noble metal-containing mixtures. |
| US09169530B2 |
Rolled wire rod and manufacturing method thereof
A rolled wire rod includes, as a chemical component, by mass %, C: 0.95% to 1.10%, Si: 0.10% to 0.70%. Mn: 0.20% to 1.20%, and Cr: 0.90% to 1.60%, the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities, in which a metallographic structure of the rolled wire rod includes, by an area ratio, 90% to 100% of pearlite, 0% to 5% of proeutectoid cementite, and 0% to 10% of degenerate pearlite having granular cementite, an average size of a pearlite block of the pearlite is 1.0 μm to 15 μm, and a maximum size of the pearlite block is 1 to 4 times the average size. |
| US09169529B2 |
Inductive heating for hardening of gear teeth and components alike
A method for heat treating a gear having gear teeth includes removably mounting the gear on a work-piece holder, moving one of either a magnet assembly or the work-piece holder to bring the gear and the magnet assembly into heating proximity, rotating the magnet assembly for a desired amount of time while said magnet assembly and gear are in heating proximity to each other to heat treat surfaces of the gear teeth, moving one of either the magnet assembly or the work-piece holder relative to the other to bring different surfaces of the gear into heating proximity with said magnet assembly, and repeating for each opposed pair of gear teeth surfaces until all said gear teeth surfaces are heat treated. |
| US09169526B2 |
Nodular graphite cast iron
A nodular graphite cast iron, a method for fabricating a vane for a rotary compressor using nodular graphite cast iron, and a vane for a rotary compressor using the same are provided. The nodular graphite cast iron includes 3.4 wt % to 3.9 wt % of carbon (C), 2.0 wt % to 3.0 wt % of silicon (Si), 0.3 wt % to 1.0 wt % of manganese (Mn), 0.1 wt % to 1.0 wt % of chromium (Cr), 0.04 wt % to 0.15 wt % of titanium (Ti), less than 0.08 w % of phosphorus (P), less than 0.025 wt % of sulphur (S), 0.03 wt % to 0.05 wt % of magnesium (Mg), 0.02 wt % to 0.04 wt % of rare earth resource, iron (Fe) and impurities as the remnants, and includes a bainite matrix structure, nodular graphite, and 15 vol % to 35 vol % of carbide. |
| US09169524B2 |
Universal biomass refinery
The invention is directed to a process for refining prepared biomass to produce hemicellulose hydrolyzates, cellulose or sugars involving the perforate at least a portion of the cells of the prepared biomass prior to hydrolyzing the biomass, reclaiming the catalysts used in hydrolysis for further hydrolysis, and drying the hydrolysis using reclaimed heat from previous steps in the process. |
| US09169521B1 |
Point-of-collection sample preparation device and method
A device and method for analyte detection is provided. In an embodiment, the device includes a multi-layer filter configured to receive a fluid-borne sample including at least one analyte in combination with one or more non-analyte components. The multi-layer filter includes a sample preparation layer configured to dissolve upon receiving a portion of the fluid-borne sample to produce a solution including at least a portion of the fluid-borne sample. The device also includes an analysis cartridge for determining a presence and/or a concentration of the analyte in the solution. The device may be configured as a wearable mask or as a part of a ventilation system. In some embodiments, the analyte is detected using a polymerase chain reaction and a detectable marker. The device and method may be used to quickly detect the presence of an analyte in real-time and on-location. |
| US09169520B2 |
Cancer marker, method for evaluation of cancer by using the cancer marker, and evaluation reagent
The present invention provides a novel cancer marker for evaluating the onset, the preclinical stage, the clinical stage, or the prognosis of a cancer in a subject, and an evaluation method using the same. A cancer marker containing at least one miRNA selected from hsa-miR-92 and hsa-miR-494 is used as a marker for cancers excluding breast cancer. A method for evaluating the possibility of cancers excluding breast cancer includes the step of detecting the expression level of a cancer marker in a biological sample collected from a subject. In this method, the cancer marker contains at least one miRNA selected from hsa-miR-92 and hsa-miR-494. |
| US09169519B2 |
SUMO as a marker of cancer development and target for cancer therapy
Disclosed herein are methods relating to inhibiting or reducing proliferation of a cancer cell, for treating cancer in a subject in need of treatment, predicting the risk of progression of cancer to a more aggressive cancer, and screening for cancer in a subject, that comprise detecting and/or decreasing the levels of SUMO conjugated proteins and detecting and/or interfering with SUMO conjugation. |
| US09169518B2 |
Primer set for detecting EGFR exon 21 polymorphism and application thereof
The invention provides a primer set for detecting a polymorphism in EGFR exon 21 L858R. The primer set has a P1 oligonucleotide and a P2 oligonucleotide and can performing amplification by using a region including the 172792nd base of SEQ ID NO: 1 as a template. As a base that is complementary to the 172792nd base of SEQ ID NO: 1, the P1 oligonucleotide has cytosine and the P2 oligonucleotide has adenine. The melting temperature of the P1 oligonucleotide is higher than the melting temperature of the P2 oligonucleotide, and/or the P1 oligonucleotide is one or more bases longer than the P2 oligonucleotide. The invention further provides a polymorphism detection primer, a polymorphism detection method using the primer set, a method of evaluating a EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor using the primer set, a primer used in the polymorphism detection method, and a kit including the primer set. |
| US09169517B2 |
Mutation within the connexin 26 gene responsible for prelingual non-syndromic deafness and method of detection
A purified polynucleotide having a chain of nucleotides corresponding to a mutated sequence, which in a wild form encodes a polypeptide implicated in hereditary sensory defect, wherein said mutated purified polynucleotide presents a mutation responsible for prelingual non-syndromic deafness selected from the group consisting of a specific deletion of at least one nucleotide. |
| US09169516B2 |
Methods of predicting mortality risk by determining telomere length
The present invention provides for methods of determining telomere length of an organism and correlating the measured telomere length with mortality risk associated with telomere length in a population. The presence of shorter telomeres is associated with an increased mortality rate and increased susceptibility to certain types of diseases for an individual member of a human population. |
| US09169514B2 |
Detecting nucleic acid variations within populations of genomes
This disclosure relates to amplification and detection of a rare variant or variants of a DNA sequence in an abundant variant of the sequence, such as detection of a low-level somatic mutations and minority alleles in an excess of normal nucleic acid target sequences. |
| US09169510B2 |
Pyrosequencing methods and related compositions
This invention provides methods for pyrosequencing and compositions comprising 3′-O— modified deoxynucleoside triphosphates. |
| US09169505B2 |
High solids enzyme reactor mixer with vertical paddle and method
A reactor vessel including: a mixing chamber having a vertical length, an upper inlet, and a lower outlet; and a vertically oriented paddle within the mixing chamber and having a cross-sectional shape of a hydrofoil, wherein the paddle moves with respect to the mixing chamber. |
| US09169503B2 |
Method for producing indole derivative
The present invention provides a method for in vitro producing an indole derivative in a one-pot reaction. The method for producing a rhamnosylated indolocarbazole compound includes the steps of transforming a plasmid carrying a gene encoding N-glycosyltransferase into a bacterial strain; expressing the gene encoding N-glycosyltransferase in the bacterial strain; lysing the bacterial strain to obtain a crude enzyme extract; and adding TDP-glucose, an indolocarbazole aglycone and a metal ion in the crude enzyme extract for performing an enzymatic reaction to form the rhamnosylated indolocarbazole compound. Alternatively, the method for producing an indole-3-carboxaldehyde analog includes the steps of transforming a plasmid carrying a gene encoding NokA of Nocardiopsis sp. K-252 into a bacterial strain; expressing the gene encoding NokA in the bacterial strain; lysing the bacterial strain to obtain a crude enzyme extract; and adding an L-tryptophan analog for performing an enzymatic reaction to form the indole-3-carboxaldehyde analog. |
| US09169500B2 |
Process for the enzymatic production of C4 compounds from C6 substrates
The present invention relates to a novel process for converting a substrate of formula (III) and/or (IV) into a product of formula (I) or (II) comprising the following reactions: a) oxidation of at least one terminal C-atom, b) dehydratation, c) decarboxylation and d) reduction and/or amination. At least step b is enzyme-catalyzed. In a preferred embodiment, all reactions are enzymatically catalyzed. The enzymes catalyzing the reactions are selected from oxidoreductases, decarboxylases, dehydratases and/or aminotransferases. The process may be performed in a cell-free in vitro production system or in an improved fermentative production system. |
| US09169498B2 |
Recovery of desired co-products from fermentation stillage streams
Processes and methods of recovering desired products from fermentation stillage are presented, including processes and methods of recovering lipids and aqueous materials. |
| US09169496B2 |
Method for the enzymatic production of butadiene
Described is a method for the enzymatic production of butadiene which allows to produce butadiene from crotyl alcohol. Also described are enzyme combinations and compositions containing such enzyme combinations which allow the enzymatic conversion of crotyl alcohol into butadiene. Furthermore, the invention relates to microorganisms which have been genetically modified so as to be able to produce butadiene from crotyl alcohol.Moreover, the invention relates to a method for the enzymatic production of crotyl alcohol from crotonyl-Coenzyme A. The obtained crotyl alcohol can be further converted into butadiene as described herein. Also described are enzyme combinations which allow to convert crotonyl-Coenzyme A into crotyl alcohol as well as (micro)organisms which express such enzyme combinations. |
| US09169494B2 |
Restrictive inverted terminal repeats for viral vectors
This invention relates to modified parvovirus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that do not functionally interact with wild-type large Rep proteins, synthetic Rep proteins that functionally interact with the modified ITRs, and methods of using the same for delivery of nucleic acids to a cell or a subject. The modifications provide a novel Rep-ITR interaction that limits vector mobilization, increasing the safety of viral vectors. |
| US09169493B2 |
Construction of fully-deleted adenovirus-based gene delivery vectors and uses thereof
The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the construction of fully-deleted Adenovirus-based gene delivery vectors packaged without helper Adenovirus, and more particularly to their use in gene therapy for gene and protein expression, vaccine development, and immunosuppressive therapy for allogeneic transplantation. In an embodiment, a method for propagating an adenoviral vector includes (a) providing an Adenovirus packaging cell line; (b) transfecting a fully-deleted Adenoviral vector construct into the cell line; and optionally (c) transfecting a packaging construct into the cell line, wherein the fully-deleted Adenoviral vector construct and optionally the packaging construct can transfect the Adenovirus packaging cell line resulting in the encapsidation of a fully-deleted Adenoviral vector independent of helper Adenovirus. In an embodiment, a target cell is transduced with the encapsidated fully-deleted Adenoviral vector for treating a condition, disease or a disorder. |
| US09169488B2 |
Gene capable of improving material productivity in seed and method for use thereof
An object of the present invention is to search for a gene having a novel function that can cause an increase or decrease in material productivity, and particularly, fat and oil content. In the present invention, a chimeric protein obtained by fusing a transcription factor consisting of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 158 and a functional peptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcription factor into a transcriptional repressor is expressed in a plant. |
| US09169483B2 |
RNA interference suppression of neurodegenerative diseases and methods of use thereof
The present invention is directed to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules targeted against a nucleic acid sequence that encodes poly-glutamine repeat diseases, and methods of using these RNAi molecules. |
| US09169480B2 |
Method for preparing protein, DNA, and RNA from cell
An object of the present invention is to prepare DNA, RNA, and a protein from one cell and to provide a convenient preparation method with high reproducibility. To prepare a protein, DNA, and RNA from a cell, nuclear and cytoplasmic separation is performed, and a protein, DNA, and RNA are then extracted. |
| US09169479B2 |
Microfluidic device-based nucleic acid purification method
A method is provided for purifying nucleic acid from a sample in a microfluidic device. The method can be used to purify nucleic acids from any source known in the art that comprises nucleic acids, such as prokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms, viruses, cell, tissues, organs, etc. In a specific example, the tissue is whole blood. The method for purifying nucleic acid may run fully automated in the microfluidic device. |
| US09169477B2 |
Compositions and methods for immunization against bacteria expressing a carbapenemase
The present invention provides vaccine and pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing bacterial inventions. The vaccine compositions of the invention include a carbapenemase such as a serine carbapenemase, a metallo-β-lactamase or an immunogenic fragment thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions include an anti-carbapenemase antibody or fragment thereof. Also provided are methods for treating and preventing a bacterial infection using the vaccine and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. The invention further provides antibody conjugates that include an antibody or fragment thereof conjugated to a siderophore or an analog thereof. |
| US09169475B2 |
Subtilases
The present invention relates to methods for producing variants of a parent TY145 subtilase and of a parent BPN′ subtilase and to TY145 and BPN′ variants having altered properties as compared to the parent TY145/BPN′ subtilase. |
| US09169474B2 |
Method for producing a yeast extract
The present invention relates to a method for producing a yeast extract using an exogenous protease. |
| US09169465B2 |
Non-simian cells for growth of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus
Disclosed are compositions and methods relating to growth of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) using non-simian cells. In a particular example, porcine alveolar macrophage cells are described as having a capability of supporting infectivity and reproduction by PRRSV. Cells and cell lines of the invention are disclosed in connection with applications relating to PRRS disease, including vaccine technologies. |
| US09169464B2 |
Closed system separation of adherent bone marrow stem cells for regenerative medicine applications
A method for isolating and processing bone marrow derived stem cells, including the steps of: (a) collecting a biological sample containing adherent bone marrow stem cells in a receptacle with interior walls coated with a cell-adherent substrate; (b) incubating the bone marrow cells on the adherent substrate so that a layer of adherent bone marrow stem cells adheres to the substrate; (c) washing any non-adherent cells from the substrate; and (d) collecting the bone marrow stem cell layer. Isolation kits and use of bone marrow cells harvested for cell therapies are also described. |
| US09169463B2 |
Stem cell for therapeutic use which is derived from human monocyte, and method for inducing same
The present invention relates to stem cells obtained by culturing monocytes in the presence of (i) M-CSF and (ii) at least one member selected from the group consisting of ganglioside and water-soluble plant-derived extract, thereby dedifferentiating the monocytes; a therapeutic agent for treating damaged cells, tissues or organs; a cell drug agent; a method of producing stem cells, a culture medium for dedifferentiating monocytes; a dedifferentiation inducing agent; a cell drug kit; a kit for producing dedifferentiated cells; and a pharmaceutical composition. |
| US09169459B2 |
Fabric treatment compositions comprising target benefit agents
The invention provides a composition comprising: a) a benefit agent (preferably perfume) delivery particle comprising a poly-xyloglucan or poly-galactomannan with a ratio of beta-1,4 to 1,6 linkages of 1:1 to 3:1, or a mixture thereof as a delivery aid, b) a mannanase, preferably in combination with one or more of lipase, protease and amylase. Preferably the delivery particle is a core-shell encapsulate. |
| US09169455B2 |
Process for extracting oil from plants and animal matter
A process for extracting fats and oils from plant and animal matter using a normally gaseous solvent in its liquid state. Use is made of gravity flow and pressure differential from one vessel to another to transfer solvent from an upper vessel to a lower vessel. The vessels comprise an outer jacket to allow cooling and heating fluid to flow there-through to achieve better control of the pressure within each vessel. |
| US09169454B2 |
Lubricating oil formulation
A lubricating oil formulation particularly useful in an internal combustion engine, comprising hydrofine paraffinic distillate from 10-30% v/v, castor/linseed oil from 5 to 40% v/v, aliphatic alcohol from 10-20% v/v and chlorinated paraffin from 10-30% v/v. |
| US09169451B2 |
Jet fuels having superior thermal stability
Disclosed herein are jet fuel compositions containing (a) a total aromatics content of from 2 vol. % to no more than about 25 vol. %; (b) a net heat of combustion of at least about 125,000 Btu/gal; (c) a concentration of less than about 5 vol. % of hydrocarbons having a boiling point greater than or equal to about 550° F., as determined by ASTM D 2887; and (d) a Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Test (JFTOT) thermal stability characterized by a filter pressure drop of no more than 25 mm Hg, a breakpoint temperature greater than or equal to about 300° C., and an overall tube deposit rating less than 3, as determined by ASTM D 3241. Methods for their preparation are also disclosed. |
| US09169446B2 |
Demulsification of emulsified petroleum using carbon dioxide and resin supplement without precipitation of asphaltenes
Methods for demulsifying an emulsified petroleum source having a predetermined resin-to-asphaltene ratio without substantial aggregation or precipitation of asphaltenes may include adding a resin supplement to the emulsified petroleum source to form a resin-supplemented emulsion having a resin-to-asphaltene ratio above a predetermined critical value. An acidic-to-basic ratio of acidic functional groups to basic functional groups in the supplemented emulsion may be adjusted to be from about 0.25 to about 4.0. The resin-supplemented emulsion may be contacted with carbon dioxide to form an initial mixture having an emulsified oil phase and an emulsified aqueous phase. The initial mixture may be stabilized to facilitate rupture of the resin-supplemented emulsion, to cause phase separation, and to allow removal of a separated oil phase. The resin-to-asphaltene ratio being above the predetermined critical value in the supplemented emulsion maintains asphaltene suspension during demulsification, such that asphaltene agglomeration and precipitation are avoided. |
| US09169442B2 |
Systems and processes for catalytic pyrolysis of biomass and hydrocarbonaceous materials for production of aromatics with optional olefin recycle, and catalysts having selected particle size for catalytic pyrolysis
This invention relates to compositions and methods for fluid hydrocarbon product, and more specifically, to compositions and methods for fluid hydrocarbon product via catalytic pyrolysis. Some embodiments relate to methods for the production of specific aromatic products (e.g., benzene, toluene, naphthalene, xylene, etc.) via catalytic pyrolysis. Some such methods may involve the use of a composition comprising a mixture of a solid hydrocarbonaceous material and a heterogeneous pyrolytic catalyst component. In some embodiments, an olefin compound may be co-fed to the reactor and/or separated from a product stream and recycled to the reactor to improve yield and/or selectivity of certain products. The methods described herein may also involve the use of specialized catalysts. For example, in some cases, zeolite catalysts may be used. In some instances, the catalysts are characterized by particle sizes in certain identified ranges that can lead to improve yield and/or selectivity of certain products. |
| US09169436B2 |
Phosphor and LED light emitting device using the same
An LED light emitting device is provided that has high color rendering properties and is excellent color uniformity and, at the same time, can realize even luminescence unattainable by conventional techniques. A phosphor having a composition represented by formula: (Sr2-X-Y-Z-ωBaXMgYMnZEuω)SiO4 wherein x, y, z, and ω are respectively coefficients satisfying 0.1 |
| US09169431B2 |
Method to complex metals in aqueous treating fluids for VES-gelled fluids
Aqueous treating fluids may include a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) and an aqueous base fluid, e.g. a drilling fluid, whereby the VES may increase and/or maintain the viscosity of the aqueous treating fluid. Metal ions may be present within the aqueous treating fluid that break, reduce, and/or digest the VES within the aqueous treating fluid. An effective amount of complexation particles may be added to the aqueous treating fluid for complexing at least a portion of these metal ions and thereby disallowing the metal ions from breaking, reducing, and/or altering the VES within the aqueous treating fluid. |
| US09169422B2 |
Method of coating liquid optically clear adhesives onto rigid substrates
A method for making an optical assembly is disclosed. The method involves disposing a liquid optically clear composition with a coating head. The liquid optically clear composition is disposed onto a target substrate to form an optically clear adhesive layer for adhering elements in an optical assembly. The optical assembly includes a display panel bonded to another optical component and may be used in a display device. |
| US09169415B2 |
Ink for ink-jet recording apparatuses and image forming method
An ink for ink-jet recording apparatuses containing water and a pigment dispersion is provided in which a penetrating agent containing an alkane diol having 8 or 9 carbon atoms and a surfactant consisting of a compound represented by the following general formula (I) are blended in predetermined amounts. |
| US09169413B2 |
Ink, ink cartridge and ink jet recording method
The invention provides an ink containing a self-dispersion pigment in which a phosphonic acid group is bonded directly or through another atomic group to the surface thereof and a polyurethane polymer, wherein the surface charge amount of the self-dispersion pigment is 0.25 mmol/g or more and 0.42 mmol/g or less, and the polyurethane polymer has units respectively derived from a polyisocyanate, a polyether polyol having no acid group and a diol having an acid group. |
| US09169412B2 |
Curable composition and image forming method
A curable composition includes a polyfunctional polymerizable compound A1 represented by the following general formula (1) and a polyfunctional compound A2 which differs from A1. (In the formula, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. L1 represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. However, L1 does not have a structure in which the oxygen atom and the nitrogen atom bonded on both ends of L1 are bonded to the same carbon atom of L1. L2 represents a divalent linking group. k represents 2 or 3. x, y, and z each independently represent integers of 0 to 6, and x+y+z equals 0 to 18.) |
| US09169411B2 |
Recording material
A recording material includes an ultraviolet-curable composition for inkjet that includes a polymerized compound and a glittering powder to produce the recording material, a recording medium, and a print layer formed on the recording medium. The content rate of the glittering powder in the print layer is more than 0.1 percent by volume and less than 5.0 percent by volume. |
| US09169406B2 |
Coating compositions
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards coating compositions comprising from 50 to 85 percent of an aqueous dispersion based on a total weight of the coating composition, an abrasion reducing composition, a solvent, a basic water composition, and a crosslinker. |
| US09169402B2 |
Titanium-containing ceramic paint and protective coating
Disclosed is a titanium-containing ceramic paint, including 100 parts by weight of silica sol, 50 to 100 parts by weight of organic silane, 0.3 to 1 parts by weight of a catalyst, 5 to 20 parts by weight of titanium powder, and 1 to 5 parts by weight of a silicone oil. The organic silane can be methyltrimethoxy silane and/or methyltriethoxy silane. The catalyst can be formic acid, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, citric acid, methyl formate, ethyl acetoacetate, maleic anhydride, or combinations thereof. The titanium-containing ceramic paint may further include 30 to 50 parts by weight of filler, such as silica, alumina, zirconium dioxide, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, kaolin, talcum powder, mica powder, silicate of aluminum or zirconium, barium sulfate, metal fiber, stainless powder, or combinations thereof. The titanium-containing ceramic paint may further include 30 to 40 parts by weight of a color powder. |
| US09169399B2 |
Method of characterising a scattering coloured pigment
The invention provides a method of characterizing a scattering colored pigment for use in the determination of the absorption and scattering coefficients of the scattering colored pigment, the method comprising the step of obtaining a reflectance spectrum of a mixture of the scattering colored pigment with a substantially non-absorbing scattering pigment at a plurality of different volume fractions wherein the substantially non-absorbing scattering pigment has a particle size greater than 0.6 micron. Also provided is a pigment characterization system adapted to perform the method of the invention to characterize a scattering colored pigment. |
| US09169398B2 |
Rhodamine dyes and conjugates
The present invention relates generally to novel rhodamine dyes which upon conjugation with another molecule form single isomeric conjugation products. These novel rhodamine dyes contain only one single functional group on the rhodomine molecule for conjugation so that their conjugation products are single isomeric conjugation products. |
| US09169391B2 |
Polycarbonate composition
A composition includes at least one poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate copolymer, a polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer, and glass fibers. The composition exhibits good flow, aesthetic, and impact properties. |
| US09169390B2 |
Polycarbonate-siloxane copolymer compositions with improved appearance properties
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions polycarbonate blend compositions with improved appearance characteristics and impact characteristics. The resulting compositions, comprising a polycarbonate polymer, a first polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer, a second polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer, and optionally a color composition, can be used in the manufacture of articles while still retaining advantageous mechanical properties, melt flow properties, and appearance characteristics such as the ability to achieve deep black and bright white colors. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. |
| US09169387B2 |
Blends of polyphenylene sulfones and polyphenylene sulfide resins
Blends of a polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU); a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); and, a polyetherimide and epoxy. The polyetherimide and epoxy are present in an amount effective to act as a compatibilizer for the polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). Methods of compatibilizing a blend of polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The method can include melt mixing a polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) and a polyetherimide; and melt mixing a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and an epoxy. |
| US09169385B2 |
Powdered resins with fillers
Particulate binder compositions and methods for making and using same are provided. The binder composition for producing composite lignocellulose products can include an aldehyde based resin and a filler, an extender, or a combination thereof. The binder composition can be in the form of particulates. The particulates can each comprises the filler, the extender, or the combination thereof and the aldehyde based resin. |
| US09169384B2 |
Extrusion bonded laminates for absorbent articles
Absorbent articles in which the outer cover has an extrusion bonded laminate. |
| US09169381B2 |
Radiation curable aqueous compositions
The present invention relates to a radiation curable aqueous composition comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated polymer (1) which is the reaction product of—a water-dispersible (meth)acrylic polymer A containing pendant hydroxyl or isocyanate groups, and containing pendant groups capable to render the polymer dispersible in aqueous medium either directly or after reaction with a neutralizing agent; —at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound B which can be radically polymerized under irradiation and which attaches to the (meth)acrylic polymer A by an urethane linkage; —and, optionally, at least one neutralizing agent C. The present invention further relates to the making and use of such radiation curable aqueous compositions. |
| US09169380B2 |
Use of aqueous polymer dispersions for improving resistance to chemical influences
Coating compositions containing an aqueous polymer dispersion having improved resistance toward chemicals. The aqueous polymer dispersion is prepared by polymerizing a first composition containing at least one ethylenically unsaturated group (monomers) by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization and then, in the presence of a product mixture from the previous polymerization, polymerizing a second composition containing at least one ethylenically unsaturated group (monomers) by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization. The coating compositions are such that the difference between a glass transition temperature of a polymer prepared from the first polymerization and a glass transition temperature of a polymer prepared from the second polymerization is at least 50° C. |
| US09169377B2 |
Seal comprising elastomeric composition with nanoparticles
Seals and sealing members are formed from a composition generally comprising a first elastomeric material and a second elastomeric material, wherein the second elastomeric material comprises a dispersion of nanosized particles disposed within a polymer matrix of the second elastomeric material. Preferred first and second elastomeric materials are fluoroelastomers, and preferred nanosized particles are fluoropolymers. The nanosized particles are sized less than about 100 nm. The composition comprises about 0.2 to 65 percent by weight of first elastomeric material, about 20 to 95 percent by weight of second elastomeric material, and about 10 to 90 percent by weight particles based on the total weight of the particles and the second elastomeric material. The composition can be used to form annular O-ring seals placed within rotary cone bits used for drilling subterranean formations, and can be used to form a selected portion of the seal or the entire seal. |
| US09169372B2 |
Dibenzoate plasticizers/coalescent blends for low VOC coatings
A novel, low volatility, non-phthalate plasticizer/coalescent blend for use in paints and other polymeric coatings comprises a triblend of diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, and 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate. The triblend when used in a paint or other coatings achieves a low VOC paint or coating having stable viscosity after three freeze/thaw cycles and equivalent or superior wet edge/open time ratings, gloss ratings, scrub resistance and block resistance when compared to traditional coalescents, including without limitation high VOC coalescents, low VOC non-dibenzoate coalescents and other dibenzoate blends. The triblend may be used as a substitute or alternative coalescent in latex and acrylic emulsion coatings, among others, to achieve a lower VOC content without sacrificing performance properties. |
| US09169370B2 |
Polyvinyl-amine acid gas adsorption-desorption polymers, processes for preparing same, and uses thereof
This disclosure involves an adsorption-desorption material, e.g., crosslinked polyvinyl-amine material having an Mw from about 500 to about 1×106, total pore volume from about 0.2 cc/g to about 2.0 cc/g, and a CO2 adsorption capacity of at least about 0.2 millimoles per gram of crosslinked material, and/or linear polyvinyl-amine material having an Mw from about 160 to about 1×106, total pore volume from about 0.2 cc/g to about 2.0 cc/g, and a CO2 adsorption capacity of at least about 0.2 millimoles per gram of linear material. This disclosure also involves processes for preparing the crosslinked polyvinyl-amine materials and linear polyvinyl-amine materials, as well as selective removal of CO2 and/or other acid gases from a gaseous stream using the polyvinyl-amine materials. |
| US09169369B2 |
Vinylepoxide-amine acid gas adsorption-desorption polymers and oligomers, processes for preparing same, and uses thereof
An adsorption-desorption material, in particular, crosslinked vinylepoxide-amine polymeric materials having an Mw from about 500 to about 1×106, a total pore volume from about 0.2 cc/g to about 2.0 cc/g, and an adsorption capacity of at least about 0.2 millimoles adsorbed CO2 per gram of adsorption-desorption material, and linear vinylepoxide-amine polymeric materials having an Mw from about 140 to about 1×106, a total pore volume from about 0.2 cc/g to about 2.0 cc/g, and an adsorption capacity of at least about 0.2 millimoles adsorbed CO2 per gram of adsorption-desorption material. This disclosure also relates to processes for preparing the crosslinked and linear vinylepoxide-amine materials, as well as to selective removal of CO2 and/or other acid gases from a gaseous stream using the vinylepoxide materials. |
| US09169367B2 |
Radiation cured membranes derived from polymers that are co-reactive with azide crosslinking agent(s)
The present invention appreciates that compounds comprising nitrogen-containing moieties that are at least divalent (e.g., urea, urethane, amide, etc.) can be reacted with azides using at least radiation energy to initiate the reaction between at least a portion of the compounds and the azides to form membranes that have surprisingly high selectivities for acid gases relative to nonpolar gases such as hydrocarbons. The membranes are also resistant to CO2 plasticization and have high acid gas flux characteristics. The resultant membranes can be extremely thin (e.g., 10 micrometers or less), which promotes high permeability for the acid gas and can translate into high productivity on a scaled-up, industrial level. |
| US09169366B2 |
Multi-layer films and methods of forming same
A multi-layer film having a first film layer being at least partially formed from a polymer (A) and a polymer (B) and a second film layer being at least partially formed from the polymer (A), the polymer (B), a polymer (C), and optionally an opacifying agent, wherein at least one of the polymer (A), the polymer (B) and the polymer (C) is synthetic and is at least partially derived from a renewable resource such that the multi-layer film has a bio-based content of about 10% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Methods of forming multi-layer films are also provided. |
| US09169357B2 |
Polyimide copolymers and method for fabricating patterned metal oxide layers
A polyimide copolymer represented by formula (I) or formula (II) is provided. In formula (I) or formula (II), B is a cycloaliphatic group or aromatic group, A is an aromatic group, R is hydrogen or phenyl, and m and n are 20-50. The invention also provides a method for fabricating a patterned metal oxide layer. |
| US09169353B2 |
Sealing composition for semiconductor, semiconductor device and method of producing the same, and polymer and method of producing the same
In the invention, a sealing composition for a semiconductor is provided which includes a polymer that includes two or more cationic functional groups including at least one of a tertiary nitrogen atom or a quaternary nitrogen atom, that has a weight average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 1,000,000, and that has a branching degree of 48% or more, wherein a content of sodium and a content of potassium in the sealing composition are each 10 ppb by weight or less on an element basis. |
| US09169352B2 |
Aromatic dicyanate compounds with high aliphatic carbon content
Aromatic dicyanate compounds which comprise aliphatic moieties having at least about six carbon atoms and resins and thermoset products based on these compounds. |
| US09169351B2 |
Methods for making reinforced thermoplastic composites
Methods of forming multi-component reinforced composites are described. The methods may include forming a particle-reinforced component and a polymer-containing component where the particle-reinforced component and the polymer-containing component are in contact with one another. The particle reinforced component may be formed by a process that includes providing reactive particles that have a reactive polymerization promoter chemically bonded or coated on the surface of the reactive particles and contacting the reactive particles with a resin solution that includes monomers of a polymer. The polymerization promoter chemically bonded or coated on the surface of the reactive particles may promote the polymerization of the monomers. The resin solution may subsequently be polymerized forming a polymer matrix around the reactive particles. |
| US09169348B2 |
Baby bottles comprising polyester compositions which comprise cyclobutanediol
This invention relates to a baby bottle made from a polyester composition comprising a polyester further comprising 80 to 100 mole % terephthalic acid residues, 0 to 20 other diacid residues, 30 to 40 mole % 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 60 to 70 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein the total diol residues equal 100 mole % and the total diacid residues equal 100 mole %. These baby bottles are unique in that they provide an alternative to baby bottles made from polycarbonate and they provide good heat resistance, good toughness, and good chemical resistance. |
| US09169347B2 |
Epoxy resin curing agent, epoxy resin composition, and adhesive agent for laminate
Provided are an epoxy resin curing agent having excellent properties and high gas barrier capability that epoxy resin has and, in addition thereto, capable of realizing good adhesiveness to polyester and aluminum; an epoxy resin composition containing the curing agent; an adhesive for lamination including the composition as the main ingredient thereof; and a laminate film, a multilayer wrapping material and a wrapping bag using the adhesive. The epoxy resin curing agent comprises a reaction product of the following (A), (B) and (C): (A) meta-xylylenediamine or para-xylylenediamine, (B) a polyfunctional compound having one acyl group and capable of forming an amide group moiety through reaction with a polyamine and forming an oligomer, (C) a metal (meth)acrylate salt with a divalent or more polyvalent metal. |
| US09169344B2 |
Reactive solution of polymerizable polymer comprising polymerizable reactive functionalities, process and compositions thereof
Disclosed herein a process for the preparation of reactive solution of polymerizable polymers comprising polymerizable reactive functionality and wherein one approach discloses a polymerizable polymer comprising a (i) N-vinyl amide monomer; (ii) dual functional monomer; and (iii) polymerizable monomelic solvent. An additional approach reveals about polymerizable polymer comprising (i) a base polymer made from N-vinyl amide monomer and a co-monomer with the proviso for grafting; (ii) graft functional monomer; and (iii) a polymerizable monomelic solvent to enable a medium for polymerization. Also, discloses about the compositions comprising reactive solution of polymerizable polymer and its various possible applications. |
| US09169342B2 |
Highly abrasion-resistant imprint material containing urethane compound
There is provided an imprint material forming a film having high abrasion resistance even after a pattern has been transferred thereto, specifically an imprint material forming a film having a small number of pieces of scratch when the film after a pattern has been transferred thereto is subjected to a steel wool abrasion test. An imprint material comprising: a component (A): a compound having at least one ethylene oxide unit and having at least one polymerizable group; a component (B): a polycaprolactone-modified urethane compound having a C13-25 long chain alkyl group and at least one polymerizable group; and a component (C): a photopolymerization initiator. |
| US09169339B2 |
Curable composition, molded product and method for producing molded product
The present invention aims to provide a curable composition excellent in storage stability and scorch resistance. The present invention provides a curable composition including a fluoroelastomer (A) that contains a cyano group in a main chain and/or a side chain thereof, and a compound (B) that is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an amide compound and a hydrazide compound, the compound (B) having at least one structure selected from the group consisting of azo structure, hydrazine structure, and imine structure, and producing NH3 when decomposed. |
| US09169338B2 |
Photocrosslinkable fluoropolymers, UV processes and photocrosslinked polymers
This invention relates to certain photocrosslinkable fluoropolymers, processes for crosslinking the fluoropolymers using UV radiation, and the photocrosslinked fluoropolymers produced. |
| US09169337B2 |
Polymers with improved ESCR for blow molding applications
Disclosed herein are ethylene-based polymers having a higher molecular weight component and a lower molecular weight component, and characterized by a density greater than 0.945 g/cm3, a melt index less than 1.5 g/10 min, and a ratio of high load melt index to melt index ranging from 40 to 175. These polymers have the processability of chromium-based resins, but with improved stiffness and stress crack resistance, and can be used in blow molding and other end-use applications. |
| US09169332B2 |
Photopolymerizable and photocleavable resins and low shrink and low stress composite compositions
A photopolymerizable and photocleavable (P&P) resin monomer is derived from a reactive photoresponsible moiety via various linkages to form photopolymerizable monomers and/or oligomers. |
| US09169331B2 |
Separation of glycans by mixed-mode liquid chromatography
An exemplary multimodal chromatographic medium of the invention includes one or more strong anion exchange, weak anion exchange, strong cation exchange and/or weak cation exchange binding sites in combination with one or more reverse phase and/or hydrophilic interaction chromatography binding site. In an exemplary embodiment, the sites interact with one or more glycans in a mixture of glycans in a manner that allows separation of glycans in the mixture and analysis of the glycan mixture. The media are incorporated into devices and systems for chromatographic analysis. Also provided are methods of using the multimodal media of the invention to analyze glycans. |
| US09169329B2 |
Antibodies directed to the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met
The present invention relates to antibodies that specifically bind to unprocessed c-Met present on the surface of tumor cells. These antibodies are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer or as agents for delivering moieties to cancer cells. The antibodies of the present invention may also be used in therapy in combination with chemotherapeutics or anti-cancer agents. |
| US09169328B2 |
Antibodies to MUC16 and methods of use thereof
The invention provides antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind to a polypeptide, or antigenic portion thereof, wherein the polypeptide is selected from a) MUC16 ectodomain polypeptide, b) MUC16 cytoplasmic domain polypeptide, and c) MUC16 extracellular domain polypeptide that contains a cysteine loop polypeptide. The invention's antibodies and compositions containing them are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications for diseases in which MUC16 is overexpressed, such as cancer. |
| US09169327B2 |
Targeting of podoplanin with lectin for use in the prevention and treatment of cancer
Lectin compositions and methods for reducing tumor cell growth and preventing or treating cancer are provided. |
| US09169324B2 |
Reducer of immunosuppression by tumor cell and antitumor agent using the same
The invention features methods for inhibiting enhancement of expression of a FoxP3 gene in a cell, methods for inhibiting induction of differentiation of a cell into a regulatory T cell, methods for reducing immunosuppression, methods for stimulating tumor immunity, and methods for treating a patient with a tumor. The methods of the invention involve suppressing function of an FSTL1 protein in the cell. In the methods of the invention, function of an FSTL1 protein in the cell may be suppressed using an anti-FSTL1 antibody. |
| US09169323B2 |
Antibodies against human CSF-1R
The present invention relates to antibodies against human CSF-1R (CSF-1R antibody), methods for their production, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof. |
| US09169320B2 |
Antibody to N-terminal region of hemoglobin β-chain
Provided is a general-purpose technique capable of measuring the HbA1c content, which is comparable to the IFCC reference method. An antibody which reacts with a peptide or a protein having an amino acid sequence of VHLTPE (SEQ ID NO: 1) at the N-terminus in which the N-terminal valine is not modified, but does not react with a peptide or a protein in which the N-terminal valine of the relevant polypeptide or protein is modified. |
| US09169315B2 |
Heparin cofactor II fragments with anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant activity
The present invention provides polypeptides comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from a naturally occurring protein which modulates blood coagulation, or a fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant or derivative thereof, for use in the treatment or prevention of inflammation and/or excessive coagulation of the blood. Related aspects of the invention provide isolated polypeptides comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3, or a fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant or derivative thereof, which exhibit an anti-inflammatory activity, together with isolated nucleic acid molecules, vectors and host cells for making the same. Additionally provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention, as well as methods of use of the same in the treatment and/or prevention of inflammation and/or excessive coagulation. |
| US09169314B2 |
Identification and molecular characterisation of proteins, expressed in the Ixodes ricinus salivary glands
The invention relates to a new polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide expressed in the salivary glands of ticks, more particularly the Ixodes ricinus arthropod tick, during the slow-feeding phase of the blood meal have, said polynucleotide and related polypeptide may be used in different constructions and for different applications which are also included in the present invention. |
| US09169312B2 |
Compositions and methods for identifying enzyme and transport protein inhibitors
The invention is directed to compositions, e.g., cell-based and multiplexed platforms, to screen for small molecule drugs that inhibit enzymes such as proteases, e.g., viral proteases, e.g., HIV proteases; and methods for making and using these compositions. The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying compositions, e.g., drug molecules, that can inhibit proteases, e.g., viral proteases such as HIV proteases. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cell-based platforms or assays to screen for compositions, e.g., small molecules or drugs, that inhibit or modify the activity of enzymes such as calcium-dependent protein convertases involved in HIV envelope protein processing, including cleavage of the HIV gp160 envelope precursor, resulting in gp120 and gp41 envelope products. In one embodiment, the invention provides a cell-based or multiplexed platform for monitoring the activity of enzymes, e.g., proteases such as viral proteases. |
| US09169311B2 |
Feline bitter taste receptors and methods
A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed. |
| US09169310B2 |
Glucagon analogues
The invention provides materials and methods for promoting weight loss or preventing weight gain and for treating diabetes and associated metabolic disorders. In particular, the invention provides novel glucagon analogue peptide compounds effective in such methods. The compounds may mediate their effect by having, for example, increased selectivity for the GLP-1 receptor compared to human glucagon. |
| US09169306B2 |
Endoplasmic reticulum localization signals
The invention relates to cellular localization signals. In particular, the invention relates to endoplasmic reticulum localization signals in monomeric or multimeric form. The localization signals are utilized as research tools or are linked to therapeutics. Disclosed are methods of making and using polypeptides and modified polypeptides as signals to localize therapeutics, experimental compounds, peptides, proteins and/or other macromolecules to the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells. The polypeptides of the invention optionally include linkage to reporters, epitopes and/or other experimental or therapeutic molecules. The invention also encompasses polynucleotides encoding the localization signals and vectors comprising these polynucleotides. |
| US09169304B2 |
Process for purifying recombinant Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein
The present invention relates to processes for purifying high-quality recombinant Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein at high yields. |
| US09169303B2 |
Vault compositions for immunization
Methods and compositions are provided herein for immunizing a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunogenic peptide or an immunogenic fragment or variant thereof incorporated within a vault-like particle carrier. The methods and compositions advantageously exhibit enhanced ability to induce cell-mediated immunity and/or antibody-based immunity. |
| US09169301B2 |
Conserved Neisserial antigens
To ensure maximum cross-strain recognition and reactivity, regions of proteins that are conserved between different Neisserial species, serogroups and strains can be used. The invention provides proteins which comprise stretches of amino acid sequence that are shared across the majority of Neisseria, particularly N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae. |
| US09169296B2 |
Expression and assembly of human group C rotavirus-like particles and uses thereof
Group C rotaviruses are a cause of acute gastroenteritis in children and adults that is distinct from group A RV. However, human group C rotaviruses cannot be grown in culture, resulting in a lack of tools for detection and treatment of GrpC RV disease. Consequently, the burden of GpC RV disease has not been clearly established. Isolated recombinant human rotavirus group C virus-like particles are provided according to embodiments of the present invention along with methods of their production and use in, inter alia, detection of Grp C RV infection, diagnostic assays and immunogenic compositions. |
| US09169293B2 |
NPR-B agonists
Disclosed are novel compounds having NPR-B agonistic activity. Preferred compounds are linear peptides containing 8-13 conventional or non-conventional L- or D-amino acid residues connected to one another via peptide bonds. |
| US09169290B2 |
Peptides and their use
The present invention relates to peptides for use as antifungal agents. The peptides comprise a sequence of 5 to 15 basic amino acids wherein substantially all of the amino acids in said sequence are the same. |
| US09169286B2 |
Use of N-alkyl imidazole for sulfurization of oligonucleotides with an acetyl disulfide
A method and compositions for sulfurizing at least one phosphite or thiophosphite linkage in an oligonucleotide. The addition of N-alkyl imidazole to the acetyldisulfide sulfurization solution enables the use of industrially preferred solvents or solvents that are derived from renewable resources. |
| US09169280B2 |
Methods for the synthesis of plasmalogens and plasmalogen derivatives, and therapeutic uses thereof
A method for preparing plasmalogens and derivatives thereof represented by Formula B, wherein R1 and R2 are similar or different, derived from fatty acids; R3 is selected from hydrogen and small alkyl groups. The synthetic route involves production of novel cyclic plasmalogen precursors of Formula A and their conversion to plasmalogens and plasmalogen derivatives of Formula B. Also disclosed is the therapeutic use of plasmalogens and derivatives thereof as produced by the synthetic route of the present invention. |
| US09169279B2 |
Crystallization method and bioavailability
Preparation and in vitro and in vivo characterization of novel forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients, suitable for pharmaceutical compositions in drug delivery systems for humans. |
| US09169278B2 |
Method of making hydroxymethylphosphonate, polyurethane foam-forming compositions, polyurethane foam and articles made therefrom
A method of making hydroxymethylphosphonate comprising heating paraformaldehyde in a solvent to a desired reaction temperature, wherein the solvent is present in at least an amount necessary to solvate or suspend the paraformaldehyde; adding at least one alkyl phosphite to the heated paraformaldehyde, to provide hydroxymethylphosphonate, the alkyl phosphite being added to the heated paraformaldehyde at a rate which will avoid or inhibit the production of a significant exotherm and resulting high/significant level of acid by-product(s), there being present in the reaction medium at least one hindered amine catalyst in which the nitrogen in the amine is directly bound to a secondary and/or tertiary carbon of an organic group; and, optionally, following the completion of the addition, heating the reaction mixture to an elevated temperature. |
| US09169277B2 |
Epoxidation catalysts
The present invention generally relates to methods for the synthesis of catalysts, including epoxidation catalysts, and related compounds and catalyst compositions. Embodiments described herein may provide efficient processes for providing catalysts (e.g., epoxidation catalysts) in large quantities and using simplified methods. |
| US09169276B2 |
Ethynylphenylamidine compound or salt thereof, method for producing same, and fungicide for agricultural and horticultural use
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel fungicide having an excellent fungicidal activity. The compound used as the fungicide of the present invention is an ethynylphenylamidine compound or a salt thereof, the compound being represented by Formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are each hydrogen or C1-12 alkyl, or R1 and R2 may be bonded together to form C1-7 alkylene; R3 is hydrogen or C1-4 alkylthio; R4, R5, R6, and R7 are each hydrogen, halogen, etc.; and R8 is hydrogen, C1-20 alkyl, C3-8 cycloalkyl, C1-4 haloalkyl, phenyl, a heterocyclic group, or —(CH2)n-Si(R9)(R10)(R11) wherein R9, R10, and R11 are each C1-6 alkyl, and n is an integer of 0 or 1. |
| US09169268B2 |
Use of 7-alkoxy fangchinoline compounds in preventing, alleviating and/or treating depression
The present invention provides a method of preventing, alleviating and/or treating depression, comprising the step of administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a 7-alkoxy fangchinoline compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof. |
| US09169267B2 |
Quaternary ammonium salts, method for preparation and applications thereof
The invention relates to a novel class of quaternary ammonium salts containing tetra-hydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-b][1,3]oxazol-4-ium moiety in the structure, in particular the new derivatives of 4-methyltetrahydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-b][1,3]oxazol-4-ium, 4-(2-oxoethyl)tetrahydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-6][1,3]oxazol-4-ium, bis{4-methyltetrahydro[1,3]oxazoio[2,3-6][1,3]oxazol-4-ium}, bis{4-(2-oxoethyl)tetrahydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-b][1,3]oxazol-4-ium} and tris{4-methyltetrahydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-b][1,3]oxazol-4-ium} salts, process for the preparation of a novel class of quaternary ammonium salts and applications thereof. |
| US09169266B2 |
Salt of fused heterocyclic derivative and crystal thereof
An objective of the present invention is to improve the solubility of 3-[2-fluoro-5-(2,3-difluoro-6-methoxybenzyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrothieno[3,4-d]pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid.The present invention provides 3-[2-fluoro-5-(2,3-difluoro-6-methoxybenzyl-oxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrothieno[3,4-d]pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid choline salt has excellent solubility and storage stability. |
| US09169265B2 |
Process for preparing pharmaceutical compounds and intermediate compounds
The object of the present invention is a process for preparing the 2-acetoxi-5-(2-fluor-α-cyclopropyl-carbonyl-benzyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine (prasugrel) of the formula (I). The process starts from crystalline 5-trityl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine of the formula (VI).Further objects of the present invention are two novel crystalline forms of 5-trityl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine of the formula (VI) and the use thereof for preparing the compound of the formula (V) and process preparing thereof. |
| US09169262B2 |
Crystalline salts of Asenapine with organic di-acids and tri-acids
Novel crystalline salts of Asenapine (I) with organic di-acids and tri-acids and to methods of their preparation are disclosed along with related pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating psychotic diseases or disorders. |
| US09169259B2 |
Imidazopyridazine compounds
The present invention relates to the use of novel compounds of formula I: wherein all variable substituents are defined as described herein, which are SYK inhibitors and are useful for the treatment of auto-immune and inflammatory diseases. |
| US09169254B2 |
Spiroimidazolone derivative
The present invention relates to a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein W, X, Y, R1, R2, R33, R34, m and n are as defined in the claims, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US09169253B2 |
Tricyclic quinoline and quinoxaline derivatives
The present invention relates to tricyclic quinoline and quinoxaline derivatives, to a pharmaceutical composition containing such compounds, to their use as modulators, especially agonists or partial agonists, of the 5-HT2C receptor, their use for preparing a medicament for the prevention or treatment of conditions and disorders which respond to the modulation of 5-HT2C receptor, and to a method for preventing or treating conditions and disorders which respond to the modulation of 5-HT2C receptor. |
| US09169251B2 |
Pyrrolopyridine derivatives and their use as CRTH2 antagonists
There are provided according to the invention compounds of formula (I) in free or salt form, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, Q, W, X, m, n and p are as described in the specification, process for preparing them, and their use as pharmaceuticals. |
| US09169246B2 |
Pyrazoloquinolinone derivatives, preparation thereof and therapeutic use thereof
The invention relates to compounds corresponding to formula (I) in which R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in Claim 1, and also to the process for preparing them and to their therapeutic use. |
| US09169245B2 |
Inhibitors of PDE4 enzyme and antagonists of muscarinic M3 receptor
Compounds of formula (I) described herein are both inhibitors of the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme and muscarinic M3 receptor antagonists, and are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract characterized by airway obstruction. |
| US09169244B2 |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors containing a zinc binding moiety
The present invention relates to tyrosine kinase inhibitors that contain a zinc-binding moiety and their use in the treatment of tyrosine related diseases and disorders such as cancer. The said derivatives may further act as HDAC inhibitors. |
| US09169238B2 |
Solid pharmaceutical composition
The present invention relates to a solid preparation containing a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof, a pH control agent and a diuretic, which is superior in the stability and dissolution property of the compound represented by the formula (I) and the diuretic. |
| US09169235B2 |
Phthalazinone derivatives
Compounds of the formula (I): wherein A and B together represent an optionally substituted, fused aromatic ring; X can be NRX or CRXRY; if X═NRX then n is 1 or 2 and if X═CRXRY then n is 1; RX is selected from the group consisting of H, optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, C5-20 aryl, C3-20 heterocyclyl, amido, thioamido, ester, acyl, and sulfonyl groups; RY is selected from H, hydroxy, amino; or RX and RY may together form a spiro-C3-7 cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group; RC1 and RC2 are both hydrogen, or when X is CRXRY, RC1, RC2, RX and RY, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, may form an optionally substituted fused aromatic ring; and R1 is selected from H and halo. |
| US09169226B2 |
Process and assembly for producing alkylene oxides and glycol ethers
There is provided a process for manipulating the amount of alkyl alcohol in a product stream, e.g., such as an alkylene oxide product stream. More particularly, and in contrast to conventional processes wherein substantially all of the alkyl alcohol must be separated and desirably recycled, in the present process, a greater amount of alkyl alcohol may be allowed to remain in a partially refined alkylene oxide product stream. The residual alkyl alcohol is subsequently substantially entirely reacted to form a downstream product, e.g., a glycol ether, which is more easily separated from the alkylene oxide product stream. Indeed, the amount of alkyl alcohol in the partially refined alkylene oxide product stream can be selected based upon the output of glycol ethers, if desired. |
| US09169225B2 |
Method for producing hexafluoropropylene oxide
The present invention provides a novel method for producing hexafluoropropylene oxide, which can attain a high HFPO selectivity without using a phase transfer catalyst. Hexafluoropropylene (HFP), a water-soluble and aprotic organic solvent, and an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent are introduced into a small space, thereby bringing into contact with each other and reacting hexafluoropropylene with the oxidizing agent to obtain hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO). |
| US09169222B2 |
Process for making alkoxylated piperazine compounds
The present invention relates to an improved process for making mono- and di-alkoxylated piperazine compounds especially dihydroxyethylpiperazine. The improvement comprises the addition of an acid to the piperazine compound prior to the addition of an alkylene oxide to a reactor wherein the alkoxylated piperazine compound is prepared. Said improvement reduces the concentration of undesirable glycol ether byproducts which contribute undesirable color and foaming of the alkoxylated piperazine compounds. |
| US09169221B2 |
Dihydro 1,4-benzoxazines and method of synthesizing the same using sulfonium salts
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to benzoxazines having various N-protecting groups. An R1 functional group is at least one selected from the group consisting of H and a halogen, an R2 functional group is at least one selected from the group consisting of H, an amide, or a carbamate, and a Z functional group is at least one selected from the group consisting of a phenyl, substituted phenyl group, methyl, and t-butyl group. The exemplary embodiments provide compounds with benzoxazines having various cleavable protecting groups such as amides and carbamates. |
| US09169219B2 |
Herbicidally active 4-nitro-substituted N-(tetrazol-5-yl)-, N-(triazol-5-yl)-, and N-(1,3,4-0XADIAZOL-2-yl)aryl carboxylic acid amides
Herbicidally active 4-nitro-substituted N-(tetrazol-5-yl)-, N-(triazol-5-yl)- and N-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)arylcarboxamidesThere are described 4-nitro-substituted N-(tetrazol-5-yl)-, N-(triazol-5-yl)- and N-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)arylcarboxamides of the general formula (I) as herbicides. In this formula (I), X, Y and W are radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen. A is N and CY. Z is a tetrazolyl, triazolyl or oxadiazolyl radical |
| US09169211B2 |
8-hydroxy quinoline derivatives
The present invention describes a method for the treatment of a neurological condition in a subject which comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effect amount of a compound of the formula or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, or solvates thereof. |
| US09169210B2 |
Bioavailable diacylhydrazine ligands for modulating the expression of exogenous genes via an ecdysone receptor complex
The present invention relates to non-steroidal ligands for use in nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system, and a method to modulate exogenous gene expression in which an ecdysone receptor complex comprising: a DNA binding domain; a ligand binding domain; a transactivation domain; and a ligand is contacted with a DNA construct comprising: the exogenous gene and a response element; wherein the exogenous gene is under the control of the response element and binding of the DNA binding domain to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of the gene. |
| US09169209B2 |
Compounds and compositions for the inhibition of NAMPT
The present invention relates to compounds and composition for inhibition of NAMPT, their synthesis, applications and antidotes. An illustrative compound of the invention is shown below. |
| US09169207B2 |
Curaxins for use in treating carcinogen-induced cancer
The present invention relates to the treatment of breast cancer which is estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and/or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2) and/or progesterone receptor positive (PR) and/or facilitates chromatin transcription positive (FACT+) with a curaxin, including curaxin 137. The present invention also pertains to a method of identifying a subject who has a breast cancer tumor and is likely to respond to treatment with a curaxin. |
| US09169200B2 |
Polymer supported reagents and methods or reducing aromatic nitro compounds by using the same
The present invention relates to a polymer supported reagent comprising a novel crosslinked mesoporous polymer, enabling a simple and easy production of an azoxy compound or an azo compound from an aromatic nitro compound, and a method of selectively reducing an aromatic nitro compound by using the same. The polymer supported reagent comprises a certain acrylamide mesoporous crosslinked polymer. |
| US09169196B2 |
4-(p-quinonyl)-2-hydroxybutanamide derivatives for treatment of mitochondrial diseases
Methods of treating or suppressing mitochondrial diseases, such as Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactacidosis, and stroke (MELAS), Kearns-Sayre Syndrome (KSS), are disclosed, as well as compounds useful in the methods of the invention, such as 4-(p-quinolyl)-2-hydroxybutanamide derivatives. Methods and compounds useful in treating other disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and pervasive developmental disorders such as autism are also disclosed. Energy biomarkers useful in assessing the metabolic state of a subject and the efficacy of treatment are also disclosed. Methods of modulating, normalizing, or enhancing energy biomarkers, as well as compounds useful for such methods, are also disclosed. |
| US09169195B2 |
Amides, use of amides as solvents for organic compounds, compositions and emulsions containing amides, and method for treating a plant
The present invention relates in general to the use of amides of the following general formula (I) wherein R1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbyl group containing 9 to 14 carbon atoms; R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and benzyl; and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl, as solvents for organic agriculturally active ingredients, compositions comprising organic agriculturally active ingredients and such amides, methods for treating a plant utilizing such compositions, as well as some of the amides as such and methods for their production. |
| US09169193B2 |
Method for producing O-Alkylated aminoalcohols
A process for preparing O-alkylated amino alcohols by reacting N-unsubstituted or N-monosubstituted amino alkoxide salts with alkyl halides, the amino alkoxide salts being formed by means of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxides. |
| US09169192B2 |
Hydrogenation catalyst, process for its production and its use
To provide a hydrogenation catalyst which does not contain chromium oxide, unlike conventional copper/chromium oxide catalysts, and therefore does not cause any environmental contamination or health hazard, and which shows an activity, selectivity and durability at equivalent or higher levels to or than those of conventional copper/chromium oxide catalysts. A hydrogenation catalyst which comprises, as the main components, (1) copper and (2) at least one member selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, calcium oxide and calcium silicate, wherein the content of the copper is from 20 to 60 wt % based on the entire amount of the hydrogenation catalyst, and in the calcium silicate, the molar ratio of calcium oxide (CaO) to silicon oxide (SiO2) is less than 1. |
| US09169179B2 |
Methods for hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids using a glycerol solvent system
Hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids in a glycerol solvent system can convert both the cellulosic biomass solids and the glycerol into a glycol reaction product for subsequent processing without the need for further solvent separation. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids in a glycerol solvent system can comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids and a slurry catalyst in a hydrothermal digestion unit, the slurry catalyst being capable of activating molecular hydrogen; heating the cellulosic biomass solids in the hydrothermal digestion unit in the presence of the slurry catalyst, molecular hydrogen, and a solvent system comprising glycerol, thereby forming soluble carbohydrates; and at least partially converting the soluble carbohydrates and the glycerol into a reaction product comprising a glycol within the hydrothermal digestion unit. |
| US09169178B2 |
Manufacturing of stabilized propargyl bromide
This invention provides a process for obtaining propargyl bromide in high yield from propargyl alcohol and phosphorus bromide, in the form of a stable composition with alkylbromide. |
| US09169173B2 |
Liquid phase alkylation process
The present invention provides a process for producing a monoalkylated benzene comprising the step of contacting benzene with an alkylating agent in the presence of a catalyst composition under effective alkylation conditions to form said monoalkylated benzene and polyalkylated benzene, said catalyst composition comprising MCM-56 and a binder, such that the crystal/binder weight ratio in said catalyst composition is from about 20/80 to about 80/20, wherein said polyalkylated benzene comprises dialkylated benzene and trialkylated benzene, and the weight ratio of trialkylated benzene to dialkylated benzene is in the range from about 0.08 to about 0.12. |
| US09169168B2 |
Process for producing ethylene by chlorination of ethane and dehydrochlorination of ethyl chloride
Ethylene is produced from ethane in three steps: first, ethane is oxychlorinated to produce ethyl chloride and water; second, ethyl chloride from the first step is cracked to produce ethylene and hydrogen chloride; and third, the hydrogen chloride from the second step is recycled to the front step. |
| US09169166B2 |
Single loop multistage fuel production
Synthetic fuels are produced from synthesis gas in a four-stage reactor system with a single recycle loop providing the requisite thermal capacity to moderate the high heat release of the reactions and to provide the reactants and reaction environments for the efficient operation of the process. The first reactor converts a portion of the synthesis gas to methanol; the second reactor converts the methanol to dimethylether; the third reactor converts the methanol and dimethylether to fuel; and the fourth reactor converts the high melting point component, durene, and other low volatility aromatic components such as tri- and tetra-methylbenzenes to high octane branched paraffins. A large part of the gas stream of the fourth reactor is recycled to the inlet of the first stage and mixed with the fresh synthesis gas stream. Alternatively, the fresh synthetic gas stream is mixed with the product of the second stage. |
| US09169165B2 |
Foliar nutrient compositions
A liquid foliar nutrient composition comprising oil, essential element(s) and optionally, a surfactant to enable a stable useable dispersion of the oil and the essential element(s) to be formed. |
| US09169164B2 |
Polymers useful in agricultural applications
Methods of coating seeds with polymers and seeds coated with such polymers are disclosed herein. The polymers can be phosphonates, sulfonates, polymers of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonate, polysuccinic oligomers, acrylic acid/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, blends of acrylic acid/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid with polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonate, sulfomethylated acrylic acid/acrylamide, blends of sulfomethylated acrylic acid/acrylamide with polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonate, polymaleic acid, acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers, polyacrylic acid, trimethylglycine hydrochloride, blends of polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonate with trimethylglycine hydrochloride, and any combination or salt of such polymers. Methods of monitoring, determining, and controlling the concentration of scale inhibitors in an agricultural irrigation system are also disclosed herein. |
| US09169163B2 |
Method of treating a preceramic material
A method of treating a preceramic material includes providing a preceramic polycarbosilane or polycarbosiloxane material that includes a moiety Si—O-M, where Si is silicon, O is oxygen and M is at least one metal, and thermally converting the preceramic polycarbosilane or polycarbosiloxane that includes the moiety Si—O-M material into a ceramic material. |
| US09169162B2 |
Large refractory article and method for making
A method of sintering large refractory ceramic articles is disclosed. The method includes supporting a green refractory body on a plurality of support plates, the support plates in turn being supported by a plurality of support members having arcuate upper and lower surfaces. A setter material is disposed between the green refractory body to be sintered and the support plates. As the refractory body is sintered, the density of the article increases. Concurrently, the dimensions of the body decrease, which shrinkage, unless otherwise accommodated, may cause fracture of the body. The support plates and the structure of the support members, move to prevent the development of detrimental stresses in the refractory body as it sinters. |
| US09169158B2 |
Non-chemical air entrained admix
An improved concrete is provided having a concrete formed from a wet concrete mixture; and a non-chemical admix added to the wet concrete mixture and configured to contain bubbles in order to control the amount of entrained air formed in the concrete when the wet concrete mixture cures into the improved concrete. The non-chemical admix includes a multiplicity of hollow objects, bodies, elements or structures, each configured with a respective cavity, unfilled space, or hole to trap and maintain a bubble inside. The hollow objects, bodies, elements or structures include hollow cylinders, or spheres, or capillary tubes, or some combination thereof. Each hollow object, body, element or structure is configured with a dimension so as not to absorb liquid, including water, including where the dimension is in a range of about 20-30 microns, and is made of glass or a glass-like material. |
| US09169152B2 |
Optical glass and optical element
The invention provides an optical glass, which includes 6 wt % to 10 wt % of B2O3; 10 wt % to 15% of B2O3 and SiO2, wherein the content of B2O3 is more than that of SiO2; 27 wt % to 32 wt % of La2O3; 0 wt % to 5 wt % of Gd2O3, Y2O3 and Yb2O3, wherein the content of Gd2O3 is 0 wt % to 3 wt %; more than 19 wt % but less than 25 wt % of TiO2; more than 8 wt % but less than 15 wt % of Nb2O5; 0.5 wt % to 5 wt % of ZnO; 0 wt % to 2 wt % of WO3; 2 wt % to 10 wt % of ZrO2; more than 10 wt % but less than 15 wt % of BaO; 0 wt % to 5 wt % of CaO, SrO and MgO, wherein the content of SrO is 0 wt % to 3 wt %; and 0 wt % to 0.1 wt % of Sb2O3. |
| US09169150B2 |
Device and method for trimming a float glass strip that has a normal or structured surface
The invention relates to a device and a method for trimming a float glass strip that has a normal or structured surface, comprising the following features: a) a cutting slide having a lower running rail and a cutting slide having an upper running rail for a bottom cut for a structured surface or a top cut for a normal surface, wherein both running rails are arranged at an acute angle to the running direction of the glass strip and this angled position can be adjusted; b) a number of counter pressure rollers for the lower cutting slide; c) a hold-down apparatus (6) having a breaking roller (20) and a front hold-down roller (21) for a bottom cut; d) a hold-down apparatus (15) having a breaking roller (14) and a rear hold-down roller (18) for a top cut; e) apparatuses (10, 11, 12) for measuring the advance speed of the glass strip (11) and the current length of the glass strip. |
| US09169147B2 |
Precision lime stabilization system and method for treatment of sewage sludge
A lime stabilization system for treatment of sewage sludge, and method is provided in which dewatered sludge and lime are provided to a mixer. Lime and sludge are mixed to raise the pH during which volatiles are driven off with or without supplemental heat. A forced air draft prevents steam from backing up into the lime supply. The sludge goes to a discharge station via a transfer apparatus, and air containing any dust, odors, steam or ammonia is cleaned via a scrubber. The system is computer-controlled via gravimetric load cells and/or volumetric means. The system includes computer controlled means for dissolving scale resulting from exposure of surfaces to lime, using acid, water or combinations thereof. |
| US09169139B2 |
Use of magnetic carbon composites from renewable resource materials for oil spill clean up and recovery
A method of separating a liquid hydrocarbon material from a body of water, includes: (a) mixing magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites with a liquid hydrocarbon material dispersed in a body of water to allow the magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites each to be adhered by the liquid hydrocarbon material to form a mixture; (b) applying a magnetic force to the mixture to attract the magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites each adhered by the liquid hydrocarbon material; and (c) removing the body of water from the magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites each adhered by the liquid hydrocarbon material while maintaining the applied magnetic force. The magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites is formed by subjecting one or more metal lignosulfonates or metal salts to microwave radiation, in presence of lignin/derivatives either in presence of alkali or a microwave absorbing material, for a period of time effective to allow the carbon-metal nanocomposites to be formed. |
| US09169138B2 |
Apparatus for compression of a stack and for a water treatment system
The present disclosure is directed at a compression device for compressing a stack to prevent leaks and at an apparatus including the stack and the compression device. The stack includes a pair of rigid end plates located at opposing ends of the stack, a plurality of membrane bounded compartments layered between one of the rigid end plates and the other of the rigid end plates and fluid manifolds extending through the membrane bound compartments. The compression device is fixedly coupled to opposing ends of the pair of rigid end plates and includes compression members movable to compress one of the rigid end plates towards the other of the rigid end plates. The compression members are positioned to apply force to the stack in the vicinity of the fluid manifolds. |
| US09169136B1 |
Water purification and softening system and method for beverage dispenser
A water purification and softening system includes a water softening system, connected to a water supply, a temperature stabilization unit, connected to the water softening system, and a dispenser, connected to the temperature stabilization unit. The temperature stabilization unit is configured to adjust a temperature of the softened water to a range of 32° F. to 65° F., and the dispenser is configured to dispense the water. The water can also be carbonated. |
| US09169135B2 |
Method and apparatus for hydrolyzing organic solid
A method and an apparatus for hydrolyzing an organic solid are described. The method includes mixing an organic solid and a nanobubble water having a plurality of nanobubbles, to form an organic liquid, in which the nanobubbles contain a combustible gas; and applying an ultrasonic wave on the organic liquid, such that the nanobubbles generate an additional cavitation effect. A preprocessor is applicable to an organic solid processing system having an anaerobic digestion tank, in which the anaerobic digestion tank has anaerobic microbes for generating a combustible gas. The preprocessor includes a nanobubble water generator, a digestion tank, and an ultrasonic wave generator. With the method and the structure, the nanobubbles are used to increase the probability of generation of the additional cavitation effect, and the combustible gas is used to improve an impact force of bursts produced by the cavitation effect. |
| US09169127B2 |
Method for preparing an organic-compatible and water-compatible composition of metal nanocrystals, and resulting composition
A method for preparing a composition of metal nanocrystals from at least one organometallic precursor in a solvent medium in the presence of a PEG ligand, including a carbon chain, at least one end of which is functionalized by a coordination grouping including at least one hetero atom, and having at least one [OCH2CH2]n grouping, n being an integer higher than 1, so as to be soluble both in the solvent medium and in water. The water-compatible and organic-compatible composition of metal nanocrystals thus obtained is also described. |
| US09169125B2 |
Method for producing high-purity lithium carbonate
Disclosed is a method for producing high-purity lithium carbonate. The method includes: removing magnesium and boron from a brine; separating and removing the remaining magnesium and calcium; concentrating the resulting brine by spray drying to form a powder; washing the powder to concentrate lithium; and carbonating the lithium ions with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). |
| US09169124B2 |
Crystallization system and method for producing sodium aluminum fluoride cryolite from hydrofluoric acid waste
A crystallization system for producing sodium aluminum fluoride cryolite from hydrofluoric acid waste includes a crystallization reaction tank, a sodium aluminate tank, a high concentration hydrofluoric acid waste tank, a pH value/fluoride detecting section, a dehydrator, a low concentration hydrofluoric acid waste tank, and a control device. The crystallization reaction tank includes a dispersing plate and the control plate to control the flow rate and liquid form of the sodium aluminate and the hydrofluoric acid waste. The loop-like pH value/fluoride detecting section is in communication with the reaction tank to detect the pH value/fluoride concentration of the water sample which is the aqueous mixture of sodium aluminate and hydrofluoric acid waste. Therefore, the crystallization system is capable of controlling factors affecting the cryolite purity during the operation process, and consequently, the crystallization system can produce cryolite whose purity is good enough for recycling. |
| US09169119B2 |
Apparatus and method for on-board production of fuel for a fuel cell car
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for producing fuel for a fuel cell car which includes: a main reaction chamber including an aluminum coil and configured to produce gas; a sub-chamber including a sodium aqueous solution, the sub-chamber in fluid communication with the main reaction chamber to communicate the produced gas; a circulation pump configured to supply a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution in the sub-chamber to the main reaction chamber when producing the fuel, and further configured to return the sodium hydroxide aqueous solution in the main reaction chamber to the sub-chamber when stopping production of the fuel; and a separator configured to separate hydrogen gas from the produced gas, and supply the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell. |
| US09169115B2 |
Method and device for reducing the likelihood of theft at a gas station or a charging station for motor vehicles
A method for preventing fuel theft at a gas station or a charging station for motor vehicles is provided. The method includes determining whether a refueling process or recharging process of a motor vehicle is taking place and activating an emergency operating mode of the motor vehicle until a payment for the refueling process or the recharging process has taken place, the emergency operating mode configured to limit vehicle speed. |
| US09169114B2 |
Automated system for fueling vehicles
An automated fueling system in which an operator remains in their vehicle. The fueling system is configured to obtain transaction information from the operator, align the vehicle relative to a fuel pump, and to deliver the fuel to the vehicle. Once the process is complete, the operator can drive their vehicle away from the station. |
| US09169112B2 |
Beverage dispenser with multi-chambered carousel and automatic coordination of flavorant flow rate
An appliance includes a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of a diluent and a consumable. The mixture may be a beverage wherein the diluent is water and the consumable is a flavorant. The dispenser includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The rate at which the consumable is added to the diluent is dependent upon the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The consumable may be provided in a single container, or a user may specify a particular type of consumable from a plurality of containers provided on a rotation carousel. |
| US09169106B2 |
Coupling system of an elevator car door drive
A coupling system of an elevator car door drive includes a traction device, at least one coupling unit coupled to the traction device, and an adapter element which has a first interlocking adjustment structure which, together with interlocking elements of the traction device, forms a first interlocking unit that secures a relative position of the adapter element with respect to the traction device, which relative position can be adjusted in defined interlocking adjustment positions. The coupling unit has a second interlocking unit which secures a relative position of the adapter element with respect to the coupling unit, which relative position can be adjusted in defined interlocking adjustment positions, wherein, in the second interlocking unit, the distance between directly adjacent interlocking adjustment positions is smaller than the distance between directly adjacent interlocking adjustment positions of the first interlocking unit. |
| US09169098B2 |
Deviation device for a web of film
A deviation device for a film web has at least one deviation element, which operatively interacts with the film web at the point of deviation of the film web and guides the film web on an air cushion. The deviation element can be rotated and has a drive device, which sets the deviation element into rotation so that the peripheral speed of the deviation element differs from the transport speed of the film web. |
| US09169095B2 |
Method and device for winding of fiber webs, especially of paper and board webs
A method and apparatus for winding fiber webs, particularly paper and board webs, in which partial web rolls (R1, R2) are wound in a winding device having at least two winding stations (21, 22), where partial webs (W1, W2) are guided to rolls (R1, R2) via a nip between a winding roll(s) (12, 41, 42) and the partial web rolls (R1, R2). The partial webs (W1, W2) are guided on the surface of the winding roll(s) (12, 41, 42) before entering the nips creating a wrap angle (A1, A2) on the winding drum(s) (12, 41, 42). The wrap angles (A1, A2) of the partial webs onto the surface of the winding roll (12, 41, 42) is at least 120° and the wrap angle ratio, i.e. the relation of the larger wrap angle to the smaller wrap angle, is at least 1 and at most 1.25. |
| US09169092B2 |
Sheet feeding device, image forming apparatus provided with the same, and image reading device provided with the same
A sheet feeding device includes a housing, a conveyor roller, a first shaft, a second shaft, and drive units. The conveyor roller includes a first side portion and a second side portion. The first shaft has a first engaging portion. The second shaft has a second engaging portion. The drive units drive and rotate the first and second shafts. The first side portion has an engaged portion to be engaged with the first or second engaging portion. The second side portion is formed with a bearing portion configured to be supported by the first or second engaging portion in relatively rotatable manner. The conveyor roller is mountable in the housing in a first mounted state, in which the conveyor roller is integrally rotated with the first shaft, and in a second mounted state, in which the conveyor roller is integrally rotated with the second shaft. |
| US09169091B2 |
Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus provided with same
A sheet feeder includes a casing, a sheet stacking portion, a sheet conveyance path, a feed roller, a separation pad, a holder, a mounting portion and a guiding member. The sheets are placed on the sheet stacking portion and fed in a predetermined direction in the sheet conveyance path. A nip portion, through which the sheet passes, is formed between the feed roller and the separation pad. The holder fixedly supports the separation pad and is mountable into and removable from the mounting portion of the casing. The guiding member guides the holder. The posture of the holder is changeable between a first posture in which a predetermined clearance is formable between the guiding member and the holder when the holder is mounted into the mounting portion and a second posture in which the holder is pressed against the guiding member when the sheet passes through the nip portion. |
| US09169085B2 |
Compliant vacuum transfer starwheel
A transfer assembly includes a transfer starwheel having recesses to receive an article. Each recess includes a vacuum port and at least one insert formed from a compliant material. The at least one insert at least partially defines a shape of the recess, which corresponds to an aspect of the article. The transfer assembly includes a mounting hub including a plurality of circumferential sets of vacuum openings extending axially along the mounting hub and coupled to a vacuum source. A vacuum is delivered to the vacuum openings. The transfer starwheel is mounted on a mounting hub to align the vacuum ports of the transfer starwheel with a selected set of vacuum openings on the mounting hub. The mounting hub rotates so that the transfer starwheel receives the article into one of the recesses at a first position and rotates to a second position while holding the article with the vacuum. |
| US09169075B2 |
Conveyor having dual-direction drive
A conveyor includes a frame having first and second spaced frame elements having outer sides and facing inner sides, first and second drive rollers between the first and second frame elements, a flexible belt mounted on the first and second drive rollers, first and second drive wheels connected to the first and second drive rollers, and a drive operably connected to the first and second drive wheels and configured to drive the belt in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. |
| US09169072B2 |
Conveying device with a planar conveying element
A conveying device with a revolving, extensively extended conveying member having an upper run section and a lower run section, wherein the conveying member is deflected in two head-end regions that lie opposite one another. The conveying device includes a drive device arranged in a head-end region and having an electric drive motor and a drive shaft coupled thereto. The drive motor includes a motor shaft that leads away from the motor at both sides and that is connected to drive shafts arranged on both sides. The motor shaft and the drive shafts are arranged coaxially, and the drive device is arranged within the conveying device between side limitation devices, the upper run section, and the lower run section and, in the conveying direction is arranged between the two head-ends of the conveying member. |
| US09169070B2 |
System and apparatus for handling deposit beverage containers
A system including a load assembly configured to hold a plurality of deposit beverage containers, a tray configured to receive the deposit beverage containers from the load assembly, and one or both of a sort bar and a chute be disposed on the tray. The sort bar is configured to stop individual deposit beverage containers from sliding across the tray long enough to allow a user to sort individual deposit beverage containers and the chute is configured to direct the deposit beverage containers in a path across the tray. The system further includes a feed channel that receives the deposit beverage containers from the tray, with the feed channel being coupleable to one or both of the following components: a count module configured to receive and count the containers from the feed channel and a holding module configured to receive and hold the containers from the feed channel. |
| US09169068B2 |
Rack storage and retrieval device for a rack storage facility, rack storage facility with a rack storage and retrieval device of this type and method for the separate removal of goods from a rack storage facility of this type
Rack storage and retrieval device for a rack storage facility, the rack storage and retrieval device comprising a carriage with a carriage drive to move the carriage on a base, a loading/removing rod that can be displaced by means of a lifting drive transverse to the base, at least one loading drive arranged on the loading/removing rod to load the rack storage facility with goods, and a separating unit for a separate removal of the goods from the rack storage facility. |
| US09169065B2 |
Container lid latch
The present invention is a latching mechanism and a container employing that latching mechanism, where the container has a lid that is attached to the rear of the container and can be rotated upward from the front. The latch includes an arm that attaches to the walls of the container with a protrusion extending above and abutting a portion of the top of the lid to latch it in place. The latch includes an arm abutment attached to the container above the arm attachment point so that when inward force is applied to the container below the arm, the arm rotates about the arm abutment causing the protrusion to no longer abut the lid, so that the lid can be opened. Such pressure may be applied by lifting arms attached to a garbage truck. |
| US09169064B2 |
Bag reloading garbage unit
A bag reloading garbage unit includes a base with a compartment therein for containing a plurality of separably interconnected garbage bags. The base includes a slot through which the garbage bags can be pulled into position for use. The base includes at least two articulable guide arms with guide channels therein for engaging with a garbage bag being pulled into position. When the garbage bag top arrives at the top of each articulable guide arm, the top of the garbage bag is secured in position within the unit. The guide arms operate to open and close the garbage bag. When the garbage bag is full, it is closed and removed by pulling upward and pulling with it a connected garbage bag into position in the garbage unit. |
| US09169062B2 |
Lock hopper mass flow arrangement
Methods, systems, and apparatus for mass flow are provided. The apparatus can include a housing, an inlet disposed at a first end of the housing, and an outlet disposed at a second end of the housing. The housing can include a first section and a second section. The second section can have at least one tapered sidewall that slopes away from an inner surface of the first section toward the outlet. The apparatus can also include a divider disposed at least partially within the first and second sections of the housing. The divider can have at least one tapered surface disposed proximate the at least one tapered sidewall of the second section. An edge of the divider can be located between the outlet and a point within the second section where the cross-sectional area of the second section is about three times or less a cross-sectional area of the outlet. |
| US09169057B2 |
Footwear carrier: shoe holding support structure
A light weight, molded foot wear carrier consists of a body forming two open cavities with a dividing wall between the cavities. Each body formed cavity is open on a top end there of for easy footwear insertion. The carrier has straps, which may be adjustable, to hold the footwear in a secure position inside the carrier, with one strap extending across each opening for each cavity. The footwear is held upright for ease of insertion and removal. The straps may be formed as elastomeric straps that may be adjustable to hold footwear of various geometries. |
| US09169055B1 |
Desiccant container
The container for storing a desiccant material includes a flexible housing having a front panel, a back panel, a sealed end, and an opened end. The side edges of the front panel attach to side edges of the back panel so as to form a sleeve. An insert member mounted within the sleeve forms a first chamber and a second chamber. The desiccant material is stored in the first chamber, and water absorbed from the atmosphere is collected in the second chamber. A drain connects the first chamber and the second chamber through the insert member. The top of the first chamber can have a lid member and vapor permeable membrane for exposing the desiccant material of the first chamber to the atmosphere. A retractable hook in the lid member supports the container when hanging. The container is foldable and flexible for convenient storage for re-use or disposal. |
| US09169054B2 |
Laminated material and method of production thereof
A flexible laminated packaging material (100) comprises a plurality of layers, at least two of which are bonded together by a layer of adhesive (108). A first layer (113) comprises a continuous metallic foil (110) and a second layer (111) comprises a continuous web of material incorporating or coated with a laser retardant additive (106). The material may be scored or cut with a laser (114, 118) so as to produce offset scores or cuts (122, 124) wherein a first cut (124) is made through the first layer (113), but not past the second layer (111) and a second cut (122) is made through the second layer (111), but not past the first layer (113). The laser retardant additive (106) attenuates the power of the laser to help control the depth of the cuts. A method of producing the material by laminating the first and second layers using an adhesive is also disclosed. The method may comprise applying a laser beam to the first web so as to score or cut the first web, but not the second web; and applying a laser beam to the second web so as to score of cut the second web, but not the first web. |
| US09169051B2 |
Package for lock and key
A package includes a body with a key position and a lock position on one side thereof, and multiple positioning members on the other side of the body. The positioning members position a card. The body has at least one installation hole which has at least one contact portion. A hasp has at least one contact member. When the hasp extends through the at least one installation hole, the contact member is engaged with the at least one contact portion. The shackle of the lock is connected to the hasp and the hasp is adjustable relative to the installation hole according to the size of the lock. The body and hasp are modularized so as to be cooperated with different locks and reduce manufacturing cost. |
| US09169048B2 |
Hinged closure
A hinged closure for a container, particularly a drinking bottle, includes a lower part and an upper part, a hinge section, with which the upper part can be pivoted from a first position to a second position, in which the upper part is pivoted away from the lower part by an opening angle, and a retaining device, having a first retaining section and a second retaining section, both being detachably connected when the upper part is moved into the second position. |
| US09169047B2 |
Hot beverage container lid-insert constructions
A hot beverage lid construction is used in combination with a hot beverage container for enhancing the safety of the outfitted beverage container and for selectively cooling the beverage prior to consumption and preventing spillage. The lid construction includes an inner container wall-engaging, lid-to-wall locking structure. The lid construction is outfitted upon a beverage container such that the inner container wall-engaging, lid-to-wall locking structure engages and effectively locks the lid construction to inner container wall surfacing of the beverage container. The lid construction, being outfitted upon the beverage container, defines a lower beverage-receiving compartment and at least one upper beverage flow channel. Each beverage flow channel effectively functions to receive heat from channel-received beverage before the channel-received beverage exits the primary beverage outlet. A bypass element is selectively removable from a lower-inner material layer of the lid construction so as to enable the user to bypass flow channel functionality. |
| US09169044B2 |
Methods and apparatus for containing hazardous material
Methods and apparatus for containing a hazardous material according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a container having two compartments. The first compartment is configured to contain the hazardous material within a non-rigid bladder and the second compartment contains a hazard control material within a two-piece container configured to enclose the first compartment. The container may further comprise a wall separating the first compartment from the second compartment that is configured to open upon occurrence of a trigger event to release the hazard control material. |
| US09169042B2 |
Energy absorbing container
An embodiment of an energy absorbing container may include a shell formed of a plastic material, one or more energy absorbing components for absorbing energy resulting from impact loads, and an opening mechanism for opening the container and allowing the placement or removal of a bottle therefrom. The energy absorbing components securing a bottle stored within the container to may inhibit or prevent movement of the bottle within the container. |
| US09169040B2 |
Nestable pallet and stackable sleeve pack
A nestable pallet includes a first frame, at least one corner foot extending away from the frame, and at least one off-set corner foot extending away from the frame. The at least one corner foot being complementary with the at least one off-set corner foot, such that the pallet is nestable with a substantially identical pallet in a first nesting configuration and a second nesting configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the first frame includes a structural sheet fixed to the frame. |
| US09169039B2 |
Displayable shipping container
A container blank includes a front panel, a first-end panel, a back panel, a second-end panel, a plurality of first-side flaps, a plurality of second-side flaps, and a door. Each of the plurality of first-side flaps and each of the plurality of second-side flaps extend from a respective one of the front panel, the first-end panel, the back panel, and the second-end panel. The door includes a door-front portion formed in the front panel, a first-door-side portion formed in the first-side flap extending from the front panel and a second-door-side portion formed in the second-side flap extending from the front panel. The first-door-side portion and the second-door-side portion include a first crushed zone on an interior surface of the blank. The first-side flap extending from the front panel and the second-side flap extending from the front panel each include a second crushed zone on an exterior surface of the blank. |
| US09169037B2 |
Carton with recloseable features
A carton for containing a product. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first end panel, a first side panel, a second end panel, and a second side panel. A plurality of end flaps is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels for closing an end of the carton. The plurality of end flaps comprises a first end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a second end flap foldably connected to second side panel. The first end flap and the second end flap have cooperating features for interlocking engagement of the end flaps in a closed configuration of the carton. |
| US09169034B2 |
Label application devices
Label application devices and methods of printing and applying labels are described herein. One label application device can comprise a feed component configured to deliver a sheet of label material to a position, a product identification component configured to identify a type of a product that is approaching the position, a printing component configured to print data onto the sheet of label material, the data based on the identified type of product, a stripping component configured to remove a liner portion of the sheet of label material from a label portion of the sheet, and an applicator component configured to apply the label portion to the product. |
| US09169029B2 |
Conductive coupling assembly
A method and apparatus for conducting an electrical current between a first transport member and a second transport member. In one illustrative embodiment, a coupling assembly comprises a first fitting associated with a first end of a first transport member, a second fitting associated with a second end of a second transport member, and a seal. The seal is configured for placement around the first fitting and the second fitting when the first end of the first transport member is positioned relative to the second end of the second transport member. The seal is further configured to seal an interface between the first transport member and the second transport member. The seal is comprised of a material configured such that the seal has a level of conductivity within a selected range and such that a conductive pathway is formed between the first transport member and the second transport member. |
| US09169028B2 |
Fuel storage tank, an aircraft, and a method
A tank (10) having a casing (20) with a bottom (21) together with a side wall (23) and a top wall 22. The tank (10) has at least one sloping wall (30) for providing at least one slope (30) for directing fuel towards a predetermined zone (100) of the tank (10) by gravity, the sloping wall (30) subdividing the inside volume of the tank into a main volume (V1) and an under-slope volume (V2) both of which are to receive fuel. The tank (10) is provided with a fuel transfer system (40) for transferring fuel from the under-slope volume (V2) to the main volume (V1), and from the main volume (V1) to the under-slope volume (V2). |
| US09169025B2 |
Method for inflight deicing of landing gear and wheel bays in aircraft with onboard drive means
A method is provided for removing ice, snow, slush, and frozen contaminants from landing gear, wheel wells, and associated structures while an aircraft is in flight and preventing the accumulation of frozen contaminants during flight in an aircraft equipped with onboard drive means powered to drive at least one landing gear wheel and selectively controllable to move the aircraft on the ground during taxi in winter and other weather conditions. |
| US09169020B2 |
Aircraft passenger suite seating arrangement
An aircraft passenger suite including one or more privacy walls arranged to define a seating area and a living area positioned to the side of the seating area, the seating area including a seat configured to achieve a horizontal bed position and the living area including at least one amenity for use by a passenger in the suite, the living area having a length substantially less than a length of the seating area such that the suite overlaps another suite in a longitudinal direction, and wherein an entrance to the suite is defined by a break in the one or more privacy walls. |
| US09169016B2 |
Method and device for the installation of systems, and a freight loading system
Disclosed is a method for the installation of systems in an aeroplane fuselage, a device with a rails system for the execution of the method, and a freight loading system, which uses the rails system as a guidance system for cargo. |
| US09169012B2 |
Coaxial counter-rotating rotor system
A system and method to tilt coaxial counter-rotating rotor hub assemblies relative to a fuselage. The system includes a first rotor hub assembly and a second rotor hub assembly spaced apart from the first hub assembly and carried by the fuselage. The method includes pivotally attaching the first rotor hub assembly and the second rotor hub assembly to a pivot joint and thereafter tilting the first rotor hub assembly and the second rotor hub assembly about the pivot joint with a driver. |
| US09169011B2 |
Rotor with blades including outer blade shell and inner structural member
A rotor for use in an aircraft includes an inner hub; and a plurality of blades arranged around the inner hub, each of the plurality of blades comprising an inner structural member; an outer blade shell surrounding the inner structural member; and a centering block located at a base of the inner structural member proximal to the inner hub, wherein the centering block is located between a first lateral portion of the inner structural member and a second lateral portion of the inner structural member, wherein the centering block is further connected to the outer blade shell, and wherein the centering block allows the outer blade shell to rotate about an axis approximately corresponding to the inner structural member. |
| US09169010B2 |
Offset stacked yoke hub for tiltrotor aircraft
A tiltrotor rotor hub comprises first and second configurations of yokes arranged in two parallel and axially offset planes, each having an equal number of two or more yokes substantially equally spaced about a mast, wherein a portion of each yoke overlaps with a portion of each azimuthally adjacent yoke. Another tiltrotor rotor hub is selectively positionable for operation in helicopter/airplane/transition modes and comprises substantially parallel and axially offset first and second planes, each containing a plurality of blade yokes arranged about a central axis and a portion of each yoke overlaps with a portion of each azimuthally adjacent yoke. Another tiltrotor rotor hub is coupled to a tiltrotor mast and comprises a stacked arrangement of blade yokes wherein a portion of each yoke overlaps with a portion of each azimuthally adjacent yoke, and a plurality of mounting components coupling each yoke to the overlapping azimuthally adjacent yoke. |
| US09169006B2 |
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. |
| US09169005B2 |
Drive unit for aircraft running gear
A drive unit (16) for an aircraft running gear (2) having at least a first wheel (4) and a second wheel (6) on a common wheel axis (A) is characterized in that the drive unit (16) is drivingly coupleable to the first and second wheels (4, 6) such that a direction of longitudinal extension (C) of the drive unit (16) is in a plane orthogonal to the common wheel axis (A). |
| US09169001B2 |
Zonal hydraulic systems and methods
The present disclosure relates to isolation and reconfiguration schemes, architectures and methods for use in aircraft hydraulic systems. The main hydraulic system of each hydraulic section of the aircraft hydraulic system can be isolated from one or more consumers in the event of a leak without the use pressure from the backup system. Further, in some embodiments, the main hydraulic system of each hydraulic section of the aircraft hydraulic system can be isolated from one or more consumers in the event of a leak without the use pressure from the backup system and the main system. |
| US09169000B2 |
Leading edge rib assembly
An aircraft wing has a main wing element with a spar and a leading edge rib supported by the spar, a high lift device movably mounted to the main wing element, and an actuation mechanism with a drive shaft and a gear train. The gear train has a drive cog carried by the drive shaft, an actuator cog coupled to the high lift device, and one or more intermediate cogs mounted to the rib and coupled in series with the drive cog and the actuator cog so as to transmit torque from the drive cog to the actuator cog which moves the high lift device between a retracted position and an extended position in which the high lift device increases the camber of the wing. Sizes of the cogs in the gear train are selected so that the drive shaft rotates at a higher rate than the high lift device. |
| US09168999B2 |
Propeller blade with internal stiffener
A propeller blade includes a foam core having a slot formed through it from a camber side to a face side, an internal stiffener disposed through the slot and including flanges in contact with both the camber and face sides and a structural layer that surrounds at least a portion of the foam core and in contact with the flanges on both the camber and face sides. |
| US09168992B2 |
Fuel supply system of outboard motor
A fuel supply system of an outboard motor for supplying a fuel stored in a fuel tank to an intake port of an engine includes: a vapor separator which is disposed on one of left and right sides of the engine in terms of a traveling direction of a hull and to whose upper portion a vapor vent pipe having a tip open to an atmosphere is connected; and an in-line high-pressure fuel pump which is connected to the vapor separator via a fuel pipe and to whose upper portion an air vent pipe passing a position higher than the fuel pipe is connected, wherein the vapor vent pipe includes a folded portion formed so as to extend toward the other side out of the left and right sides of the engine and thereafter return to the one side. |
| US09168991B2 |
Motorized water vehicle adapted for supplying a pressurized fluid and associated system
The invention relates to a Motorized Water Vehicle (MWV) adapted so as to operate as a fluid-compression station in addition to the primary transport function thereof. Such an MWV can thus supply compressed fluid to a third device. In a preferred and non-exhaustive manner, such an MWV can supply a passenger propulsion device allowing the latter to move through the air or through a fluid. The invention thus preferably relates to a propulsion system in which a remote station is a motorized water vehicle adapted such as to engage with a propulsion device. |
| US09168989B2 |
Underwater robot based on flapping
Disclosed is an underwater robot based on flapping comprising: an actuator including a smart material and directional material, wherein the smart material is changed in its shape according to an external signal, and the directional material restricts a deformation in a specific direction; a body connected with the actuator; and a controller which makes the actuator perform a first stroke in a direction, and a second stroke in another direction being different from that of the first stroke; wherein the actuator performs at least one deformation of bending and twisting according to position of the smart material and directionality of the directional material, and furthermore enables to simultaneously perform the smooth bending and twisting motion with the simple structure by adjusting the position of the smart material functioning as the active component, and the directionality of the directional material functioning as the passive component. |
| US09168983B2 |
RV barge
A vessel for carrying an RV (recreational vehicle) through the water, thereby effectively converting the RV to a houseboat. The barge-like vessel includes ramps for loading and unloading an RV at a boat ramp. The barge is powered by the drive wheels of the RV, wherein the drive wheels are each resting on two rotatable cylinders similar to a dynamometer cradle. The wheels spin the cylinders which in turn rotate the propellers so that the speed is controlled by the speed at which the drive wheels turn. Direction is controlled by a knob on a fly-by-wire type device which in turn controls the rudder. An alternative directional control includes two turntables onto which the front wheels rest. One of the turntables is mechanically connected to the rudder so that the steering wheel controls the rudder. Ballast tanks are provided at each side of the front and back of the barge to keep the barge level. |
| US09168981B2 |
Boat with a stern hatch having two opening options
A boat includes a hull having an aft stern hatch located in an inner aft compartment of the aforesaid hull, the hatch having a body with opposing flanks or sides pivoted on the hull, and upper and lower edges. The hatch includes pivot members associated with the flanks or sides in the proximity of the upper edge and in the proximity of the lower edge, the pivot members being movable towards the inside and towards the outside of these flanks so they can protrude from the flanks in combination or alternatively to each other, thereby allowing the hatch to assume, alternatively, a position in which it is closed on to the compartment, a first position of opening to an upper part of the hull, or a second position of opening to a lower part of the hull. |
| US09168978B2 |
High speed surface craft and submersible craft
A marine vessel comprising: at least one buoyant tubular foil; at least one venturi injection ring positioned adjacent to the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil so as to create a passageway between the at least one venturi injection ring and the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil, wherein the passageway is characterized by a fore opening, an aft opening, and an intermediate opening disposed between the fore opening and the aft opening, and wherein the intermediate opening is smaller than the fore opening and the aft opening; at least one fluid opening formed in the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil adjacent to at least one of the intermediate opening and the aft opening; and at least one passageway connecting the at least one fluid opening to a source of fluid. |
| US09168972B2 |
Control device for the rear shock absorber of a bicycle
A control device, for the rear shock absorber of a bicycle, includes a first air chamber, a second air chamber, a third air chamber, an auxiliary air chamber, and a sliding rod. An air piston is arranged inside one of the first, second and third air chambers. However, those air chambers are respectively provided with an air hole communicating with the auxiliary air chamber. The sliding rod is configured with air tight rings, which are arranged top-to-bottom and tightly touch the inner wall of the auxiliary air chamber. Moreover, the sliding rod is provided with grooves between the air tight rings, so that the axially movement of the sliding rod may manage the first, second and third air chambers to be disconnected or to communicate with one other via the grooves to adjust the damping coefficient of the rear shock absorber. |
| US09168970B2 |
Flywheel assemblies and vehicles including same
A vehicle includes a frame, an engine, a steering assembly, a steerable wheel, a flywheel assembly, and a controller. The frame has a front end and a rear end and defines a roll axis extending between the front end and the rear end. The engine is supported by the frame. The steering assembly is pivotally coupled with the frame and is pivotable about a steering axis. The steerable wheel is rotatably coupled with the steering assembly. The flywheel assembly comprises an inertial mass and is coupled with the frame. The inertial mass is rotatable about a flywheel axis. The controller is in communication with the flywheel assembly and is configured to facilitate rotation of the inertial mass in one of a counterclockwise direction and a clockwise direction in response to pivoting of the steering assembly in a leftward direction and a rightward direction, respectively. Methods are also provided. |
| US09168969B2 |
Eccentric bottom bracket assembly
A bottom bracket assembly of a bicycle that cooperates in an eccentric or off-center manner with a bottom bracket shell of a bicycle frame. The eccentric bottom bracket assembly has a cylindrical insert with an off-centered opening for receiving a spindle that connects to cranks of the crankset. Rotating the cylindrical insert repositions the off-centered opening relative to at least the longitudinal direction of the bicycle and thus can be used to adjust the tension in the flexible drive member of the bicycle. A worm gear arrangement provides controlled manipulation of the position of the insert relative to the bicycle frame. |
| US09168968B2 |
Anti-rotation surrogate bicycle top tube
A detachable top tube assembly includes inner and outer tube members telescopically received by one another. Each inner and outer tube member includes one or more of an elliptical cross-sectional shape or is arced along a longitudinal axis thereof to prevent rotation of the inner and outer tube members relative to one another. Each of a pair of yoke assemblies is disposed at opposite ends of the inner and outer tube members and include a rotatable gate assembly for opening and closing the yoke assemblies. A pair of spring biased members is provided for engagement with the rotatable gate assemblies to maintain the gate assemblies in a closed position. A pair of button covers is provided for depressably engaging each spring biased member so to allow the gate assemblies to be rotated relative to a respective inner and outer tube member. |
| US09168960B2 |
Spoiler apparatus of rear bumper for vehicle
A spoiler apparatus for a rear bumper of a vehicle may include a spoiler rod that is selectively movable forward/backward through a hole of a rear back beam, and a spoiler panel coupled to a rear end of the spoiler rod and selectively engaged with the rear bumper, wherein the spoiler panel separates and protrudes backward from the rear bumper, as the spoiler rod moves backward. |
| US09168958B2 |
Automotive wheel separation mechanism
An automotive wheel separation mechanism may include a hitting member that hits and breaks a lateral arm connecting a wheel to a vehicle body by being pushed back in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle due to a shock force from the outside in a front collision, and an anti-sliding protrusion that is disposed on the lateral arm to prevent the hitting member hitting the lateral arm from sliding on the lateral arm. |
| US09168957B2 |
Vehicle body rear structure
A vehicle body rear structure includes an upper back cross-sectional portion which forms a skeleton frame cross member that is elongated in a vehicle width direction, a bracket package tray which is located on a vehicle rear side of the upper back cross-sectional portion and joined to the upper back cross-sectional portion, a roof side inner which is located on a vehicle top side of a wheel house, a roof side outer which is located outside an extended portion and the roof side inner in a vehicle width direction and which has a front end portion which is joined to the upper back cross-sectional portion and a rear end portion which is joined to a bracket package tray, and a bulk connector which couples the roof side outer and the upper back cross-sectional portion. |
| US09168954B2 |
Method for parking a vehicle and corresponding parking assistance system and vehicle
A method to park a vehicle using a parking assistance system, a target position of the vehicle within a parking space is automatically determined. A parking process of the parking assistance system is considered successfully ended when the vehicle reaches the target position. In order to carry out the parking process of the parking assistance system, a steering intervention in a steering system of the vehicle is automatically activated. A state that prevents the target position from being reached is automatically detected during the parking process. Depending on the state, the target position is newly determined and the parking process is continued with the newly determined target position. |
| US09168953B2 |
Vehicle travel track control device
A vehicle travel track control device which includes a forward image capture device which captures an image ahead of a vehicle, and side image capture devices which capture an image on the left side and/or the right side of the vehicle. When it is possible to properly execute a travel track control on the basis of captured forward image information ahead of the vehicle, the travel track control is executed on the basis of the captured forward image information sent from the forward image capture device, and when it is not possible to properly execute a travel track control on the basis of the captured forward image information, the travel track control is executed on the basis of at least captured side image information sent from the side image capture devices. |
| US09168950B1 |
Banked curve detection using vertical and lateral acceleration
A banked curve detection system determines the presence of a vehicle on a banked curve by sensing a vertical acceleration and a lateral acceleration of a vehicle. A banked curve is determined when the vertical acceleration and lateral acceleration are each greater than previously sensed vertical and lateral accelerations, the lateral acceleration is less than an expected reference lateral acceleration value, and the vertical acceleration is greater than gravity. The reference lateral acceleration value is based on yaw rate, steering angle, and wheel speed. When the acceleration conditions are met, the electronic stability control adjusts the parameters due to the vehicle being driven on a banked curve. Once the acceleration condition is no longer valid, the electronic stability control returns to normal operation. |
| US09168948B2 |
Steering system
In an electric power steering system, rotation of a motor is transmitted to a rack shaft via a drive pulley, a belt, a driven pulley and a ball nut. A ball bearing and the driven pulley are fitted to the outer periphery of the ball nut. A flange is formed at a first end portion of the ball nut, and an internal thread portion is formed at a second end portion of the ball nut. An external thread member is connected to the internal thread portion. The external thread member has an external thread portion and a flange. By fastening the external thread portion to the internal thread portion, the ball bearing and the driven pulley are held between the two flanges. |
| US09168942B2 |
Vehicle
The vehicle a pair of left and right wheels includes a seating section configured such that a driver is able to take a seat by straddling the same, foot placement sections located beneath the seating section to be respectively provided at left and right positions with the seating section interposed therebetween, the foot placement sections being respectively supported by lower arms connected to the wheels, feet of the driver being placed on the foot placement sections, and a grip section gripped with a hand of the driver. Left and right steering may be performed by twisting the feet placed on the foot placement sections by the driver. |
| US09168939B2 |
Baby carriage
The invention discloses a baby carriage comprising a frame, a seat disposed on the frame, and a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly arranged at the bottom of the frame. The frame comprises a push rod, a front wheel bracket with an upper portion being rotatably connected with the push rod and a lower end being provided with the front wheel assembly, a rear wheel bracket with a lower end being provided with the rear wheel assembly; and a seat rod with a front portion being connected with the front wheel bracket and a rear portion being rotatably connected with the rear wheel bracket. The seat is located above the seat rod. A sliding element is is slidably disposed on the push rod along the push rod, and the sliding element is rotatably connected with the rear wheel bracket. The push rod has a first working position and a second working position, in the first working position, an upper portion of the push rod is located above the seat at it's back side, and in the second working position, the upper portion of the push rod is located above the seat at it's front side. During the conversion of the push rod, the push rod is rotated relative to the front wheel bracket, the sliding element on the push rod is moved under the traction of the rear wheel bracket, and the rear wheel bracket is rotated relative to the seat rod under the traction of the sliding element. The baby carriage of the invention has simple configuration, and the folding of the frame will not be hindered by any parts. |
| US09168936B2 |
System and method of transforming movement authority limits
A computer-implemented method of transforming movement authority limits for a train traveling in a track network, which includes determining authority of tracks associated with a switch, based at least partially on authority data and/or train authority data for the train, and providing authority on a switch leg of the switch based at least partially on the authority of the associated tracks. The computer-implemented method also includes determining authority of tracks associated with switches on at least two tracks, based at least partially on authority data and/or train authority data for the train, and providing authority on a crossover track between the at least two tracks based at least partially on the authority of the associated tracks. |
| US09168933B2 |
Railway vehicle steering truck
A steering truck for steering a wheel axle of a truck has a solid lubricant application device at a position facing a flange of a wheel on the outer side of the wheel axle in the direction of travel in a truck frame. A solid lubricant is applied to freely make contact with and move away from the flange and a spring impels the solid lubricant towards the flange. A stopper restrains the solid lubricant from approaching the flange, By utilizing a forward and backward movement of the wheel axle in the travel direction caused by steering, the solid lubricant 3 makes contact only on the outer rail side toward which the wheel approaches when passing through a curved section. No contact occurs on the inner rail side from which the wheel moves away when passing through a curved section and when traveling through a straight section. |
| US09168930B2 |
Ceiling transport vehicle
A ceiling transport vehicle in which articles may be transferred precisely while allowing its travel portion to travel smoothly along a set travel path is provided. The ceiling transport vehicle has a pair of guiding bodies which guide the travel portion along a set travel path by contacting each of right and left lateral sides of a guide rail with a pair of contacting members that are supported by the travel portion such that the contacting members can be moved away from each other and moved toward each other in a lateral width direction. The ceiling transport vehicle also has a switching portion for moving each of the pair of contacting members away from each other and toward each other to switch between a holding state and a holding release state. |
| US09168926B2 |
Driving concentration level calculating apparatus and method, and system and method for warning of vehicle collision using the same
A driving concentration level calculating apparatus is provided and includes a controller configured to acquire an acceleration of a traveling vehicle and measure a relative velocity to a preceding vehicle. In addition, noise is removed from the acquired acceleration of the traveling vehicle and from the measured relative velocity to the preceding vehicle. A plurality of correlation values are calculated based on the acceleration of the traveling vehicle and the relative velocity to the preceding vehicle from which noise has been removed. In addition, the controller is configured to detect a time at which a maximum correlation value is calculated as a driving concentration level from among the calculated correlation values. |
| US09168920B2 |
Vehicle power transmission device and control system for power transmission
A power transmission apparatus for a vehicle which includes a first, a second, and a third rotor which split power among a motor-generator, an internal combustion engine, and a driven wheel of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a torque transmission control mechanism which selectively transmits torque between the first rotor and the engine. When the torque transmission control mechanism establishes the transmission of torque between the first rotor and the engine, powers, as produced by the second and third rotors, are opposite in sign to each other. This enables the speed of the first rotor to be set to zero (0) or a very low speed. Therefore, when an initial torque is applied to the engine through the first rotor to start the engine, the mechanical vibration which usually arises from the application of initial torque and is to be exerted on the power transmission apparatus is minimized. |
| US09168916B2 |
Method and system for controlling acceleration torque of hybrid vehicle
A method and a system for controlling acceleration torque of a hybrid vehicle that can give sufficient acceleration without imposing burden on a battery by changing a maximum torque of a vehicle according to environmental variables are disclosed. The method sets a creep torque as a minimum torque; calculates a maximum torque that can be output from an engine considering of engine environmental variables; calculates a maximum torque that can be output from a motor considering of motor environmental variables; calculating maximum torque of the vehicle by adding up the maximum torque that can be output from the engine and the maximum torque that can be output from the motor; and calculates acceleration torque by using a position of an accelerator pedal, the minimum torque, and the maximum torque of the vehicle. |
| US09168912B2 |
Operating process for a fuel cell system
A process for operating a fuel cell system (2), which is arranged in a vehicle (1) having a tachograph (6) and an internal combustion engine (3), and used for power supply of at least one electrical component (10) of the vehicle (1) with the internal combustion engine (3) switched off. With the fuel cell system (2) switched off, the control device (4) receives from the tachograph (6) a foreseeable break start time of an operating break following a drive mode, which is legally prescribed and/or planned by the driver of the vehicle (1), at which the internal combustion engine (3) is switched off. The control device (4) determines a start time such that a start procedure of the fuel cell system (2) ends at the break start time and the fuel cell system (2) is ready for operation, when the fuel cell system (2) is started at the start time. |
| US09168911B2 |
Drive control device for hybrid vehicle
A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle which is provided with: a first differential mechanism and a second differential mechanism which have a total of five rotary elements; and an engine, a first electric motor, a second electric motor and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to four rotary elements of said five rotary elements, and which has at least a first drive mode and a second drive mode in which the engine is operated and which are established by selectively connecting a rotary element of said five rotary elements which is connected to said engine, and a rotary element of said five rotary elements which is not connected to any of said engine, said first electric motor, said second electric motor and said output rotary member, to each other through a clutch, or selectively fixing the rotary element connected to said engine and the rotary element not connected to any of said engine, said first electric motor, said second electric motor and said output rotary member, to a stationary member through a brake, the drive control device comprising: a drive mode control portion configured to place the hybrid vehicle selectively in the first drive mode in which said engine is operated, in an engaged state of said brake and in a released state of said clutch, and the second drive mode in which said engine is operated, in a released state of said brake and in an engaged state of said clutch, said drive control portion inhibiting the hybrid vehicle from being placed in said second drive mode when an operating point of said engine lies in a predetermined region, and permitting the hybrid vehicle to be placed in said first drive mode when the operating point of the engine lies in said predetermined region. |
| US09168910B2 |
Control apparatus for vehicle
A control apparatus controls a vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine, an oil pump actuated by the engine for pressurizing operation oil, and a belt-type continuously variable transmission to which the pressurized operation oil is supplied. An automatic stop of the engine is performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission is detected, and a continuable time period of the automatic stop of the engine is set according to the detected transmission ratio upon automatically stopping the engine. The automatic stop is controlled to end when a continuation time period of the automatic stop of the engine expires. Good vehicle start performance can be obtained when restarting the engine after the automatic stop, regardless of the brake operation manner and the like upon stopping the vehicle. |
| US09168906B2 |
Method of analyzing stopping distance performance efficiency
Provided is a method for determining the efficiency of an ABS controller. The method may comprise performing a first test on a first tire using a first ABS controller at a first inflation pressure, gathering a first data set, using a digital computer to generate a first function from the first data set, and using a digital computer to calculate a first efficiency based on the first function. The first data set may comprise data about the first test. The first function may describe normalized mu versus time for a first time period. |
| US09168905B2 |
Sensor unit for a disc brake
A sensor device for the detection of the lining wear at a disc brake having a brake caliper and a brake actuation mechanism being arranged in the brake caliper, which includes a thrust piece which cooperates directly or indirectly with a brake lining so that a movement of the brake lining corresponds to the movement of the thrust piece, in which the sensor device can be inserted as a unit into the housing of the brake caliper from the rear. |
| US09168904B2 |
Input and output rods for vacuum brake booster
An input rod for connecting a vacuum brake booster to a pedal linkage member, wherein the input rod includes a connecting portion adapted to be connected to the pedal linkage member. The input rod further including a hollow body portion formed from a stamped flat blank. |
| US09168903B2 |
Vehicle brake hydraulic controller
One embodiment provides a vehicle brake hydraulic controller including a wheel speed acquiring section; a wheel deceleration calculator; a vehicle velocity calculator; and a locking tendency determination section. The vehicle velocity calculator calculates a vehicle deceleration based on a temporary vehicle deceleration corresponding to an acceleration sensor value and calculates a vehicle velocity based on the calculated vehicle deceleration. The vehicle velocity calculator calculates the temporary vehicle deceleration by offsetting a first correction amount to a deceleration side in relation to the acceleration sensor value. When a brake pedal operation amount by a driver is equal to or smaller than a first threshold and that an absolute value of the wheel deceleration is equal to or larger than an absolute value of a second threshold are met, the first correction amount is set to be smaller than when the conditions are not met. |
| US09168902B2 |
Method and system for controlling braking of vehicle
A method and a system controls braking of a vehicle. The method includes: detecting a pedal stroke, booster negative pressure, and master cylinder hydraulic pressure; setting target master cylinder hydraulic pressure on the basis of the detected pedal stroke and the detected booster negative pressure in a case in which a magnitude of the detected booster negative pressure is smaller than a magnitude of predetermined reference booster negative pressure; and compensating for the master cylinder hydraulic pressure in a case in which the detected master cylinder hydraulic pressure is smaller than the predetermined target master cylinder hydraulic pressure. |
| US09168899B2 |
Fluid pressure booster and fluid pressure brake apparatus having the same
A fluid pressure booster and a fluid pressure brake apparatus having the fluid pressure booster are provided. The fluid pressure booster includes an auxiliary fluid pressure source including a power-operated pump and a pressure accumulator, a pressure adjusting device which adjusts fluid pressure supplied from the auxiliary fluid pressure source to a value corresponding to an operating amount of a brake operation member by displacement of a spool valve and introduces the adjusted fluid pressure into a boost chamber, a boost piston which receives the fluid pressure introduced into the boost chamber to generate assist force and operates a master piston of a master cylinder by assisted force, and a damper chamber which communicates with one or both of the boost chamber and a pressure chamber of the master cylinder. |
| US09168898B2 |
Movable vehicle roof sweeper
The invention is a vehicle roof sweeper for the roofs of trucks and trailers that is rollable along the ground. The vehicle roof top sweeper that has retractable wheels and can be rolled using a pickup truck, car, tractor, forklift, or two or three people on foot. An embodiment of the invention is a vehicle roof sweeper having a pair of vertical supports, an upper crossbar connecting the pair of vertical supports, a plow assembly movable along the pair of vertical supports and positionable below the upper crossbar by a first lifting device, a base structure disposed on each of the pair of vertical supports, and retractable wheels positioned on opposite ends of the base structure. |
| US09168895B2 |
Key fob security copy to a mobile phone
A vehicle computing system configured to program a mobile device as a key fob. The vehicle computing system includes a processor and a user interface. The user interface is configured to receive input from a user. The processor is configured to detect a valid key fob configured to control one or more vehicle control functions. The processor may transmit vehicle security codes for programming a connected mobile device to implement the one or more vehicle control functions based on a request to create a mobile device key fob via the user interface and a detected valid key fob. Once programmed, the mobile device may implement one or more vehicle control functions on the mobile device when the valid key fob is not present. |
| US09168894B2 |
Methods and systems for closure notification
Apparatus are provided for notifying a driver of an open vehicle access. The apparatus includes an electronic control module for informing a vehicle driver that a vehicle access is not secured, the electronic control module configured to determine if a transmission of the vehicle is in either a park status or a neutral status, determine if all keys for the vehicle are located outside a predetermined distance from the vehicle and determine if a displacement sensor indicates that a vehicle access is not closed. When the vehicle is in the park or neutral status, the key is located at a distance greater than the predetermined distance from the vehicle, and at least one vehicle access is indicated as being not closed, then an access open message is generated and sent to the driver. |
| US09168889B2 |
Method for releasing a restraint device for a rider on a vehicle and a corresponding vehicle
A method for releasing a restraint device for a rider on a vehicle, the restraint device having a connecting element by which the rider is detachably connected to the vehicle, includes: ascertaining an inclination angle and/or a slope angle of the vehicle; ascertaining a rotational rate about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and/or a transverse axis of the vehicle; comparing each ascertained rotational rate with an associated critical rotational rate which is a function of the inclination angle and/or the slope angle; and releasing the connecting element if the ascertained rotational rate is at least equal to the associated critical rotational rate. |
| US09168885B2 |
Method for power management of wireless automotive modules
A satellite sensor system for a vehicle includes an application motion sensor for sensing vehicle motion for the purpose of activating a vehicle safety system, a low power consumption motion sensor for monitoring vehicle motion when the vehicle is parked or otherwise not in a driving mode, and an RF communications interface to allow the satellite sensor system to communicate with the vehicle's electronics control unit. The system withholds power from the application sensor until the low power consumption motion sensor indicates that the vehicle is about to enter a driving mode. |
| US09168884B2 |
Vehicle having actuator for door and methods for same
A vehicle includes a body, a door, an actuator, and a controller. The body includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a pillar member. The actuator is coupled with the pillar member and includes a movable member that is movable between deployed and retracted positions. The controller is electrically coupled with the actuator and is configured to facilitate movement of the actuator from the retracted position to the deployed position in response to detection of a collision. When the movable member is in the deployed position with the door closed, the movable member is in an abutting relationship with the door. When the movable member is in the retracted position, the movable member is spaced from the door. |
| US09168883B1 |
Rail assembly for a frame of a vehicle
A rail assembly for a frame of a vehicle includes a rail defining a cavity. The cavity extends along an axis for receiving an energy absorbing member of a bumper assembly. A brace is fixed to the rail and includes a side wall extending along the axis in the cavity. The brace includes an end wall extending from the side wall in the cavity transversely to the axis adjacent to the energy absorbing member in the cavity. The rail defines a hole and the brace defines a hole aligned with the hole of the rail for receiving a fastener to engage the energy absorbing member. |
| US09168878B2 |
Roof ditch molding retainer assembly
A multi-piece molding retainer assembly including a female stud engagement latch which is held in floating snap-fit relation within a molding engagement clip adapted to engage and retain the overlying molding. The stud engagement latch and the molding engagement clip are moveable in relation to one another in both the longitudinal and lateral directions after attachment. The retainer assembly accommodates variations in stud position and height such that the attached molding may be properly positioned despite variations in the studs. |
| US09168876B2 |
Electronic device support for vehicles
A support for portable electronic devices increases passenger convenience and comfort. The support may comprise an elongated cavity or slot configured to accept one or more portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices may be held at various viewing angles relative to the passenger. In some embodiments, the support may be rotatable. In this manner, a passenger may be permitted to adjust the angle at which his or her portable electronic device is positioned. Likewise, an operator or the like may rotate the support for cleaning or other maintenance. |
| US09168872B1 |
Step assembly for a motor vehicle having a bed
A step assembly for a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment including a driver side and a passenger side and a cargo bed having first and second side portions includes a step member extending from a first end configured to be mounted at one of the driver side and the passenger side of the passenger compartment to a second end configured to be mounted at a corresponding one of the first and second side portions of the cargo bed. |
| US09168868B2 |
Collision Warning System
A method of estimating a time to collision (TTC) of a vehicle with an object comprising: acquiring a plurality of images of the object; and determining a TTC from the images that is responsive to a relative velocity and relative acceleration between the vehicle and the object. |
| US09168865B2 |
Organic electro-luminescence lighting device for vehicle
An organic EL lighting device for a vehicle is provided, which includes an organic EL lighting portion provided in a matrix form on a ceiling of the vehicle, an organic EL touch portion provided on the organic EL lighting portion, an organic EL detection portion for detecting a position in which the organic EL touch portion is touched, an organic EL determination portion for determining a lighting area of the organic EL lighting portion based on the position detected by the organic EL detection portion, and an organic EL driving portion for lighting the lighting area of the organic EL lighting portion determined by the organic EL determination portion. |
| US09168860B2 |
Vehicle display device
A vehicular indicator device for a hybrid vehicle which is provided with vehicle drive power sources in the form of an engine and an electric motor and which is driven in one of a plurality of vehicle drive modes including an EV drive mode, a series HV drive mode and a parallel HV drive mode that is automatically selected according to a vehicle drive power, said indicator device being configured to indicate the selected vehicle drive mode and said vehicle drive power, the vehicular indicator device being configured to indicate a running state of the hybrid vehicle as represented by said vehicle drive power and said selected vehicle drive mode, in a two-dimensional coordinate system on a display screen, which coordinate system is defined by said vehicle drive power and said selected vehicle drive mode. |
| US09168857B2 |
Auto-rack railroad car vehicle wheel chock
A vehicle wheel chock for a vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which secures a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The vehicle wheel chock is configured to be positioned on a grating adjacent to a tire of the vehicle. |
| US09168852B2 |
Climate comfort seat assembly
A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat structure. A carrier is disposed on the seat structure and includes a matrix of fluid transfer lines. A spacer material is positioned over the carrier. A trim cover is disposed over the spacer material. A desiccant is made from a volcanic ash and is supported by the seat structure. The matrix of fluid transfer lines thermodynamically influences a relative temperature of the trim cover through both the carrier and the desiccant. |
| US09168850B2 |
Utility seat assembly
A vehicle seating assembly is provided which includes a second row center seating unit including a seatback and a seat that includes a front and a rear. A slide assembly is coupled with the rear of the seat, and the seating unit is operable between a first position wherein a seat is proximate the slide assembly and a second position wherein the seat is slid forward and rotated upward such that the seatback is proximate the slide assembly. A support surface extends over the seat and is openable to expose a storage compartment when the seating unit is in the second position. A retaining feature is disposed in the front of the seat in order to secure items extending through the vehicle over the seating unit. |
| US09168849B2 |
Child car safety seat
A child car safety seat includes: a base having a shell body that defines an inner space therein and that is formed with a viewing window for permitting a user to view therethrough into the inner space; a seat body detachably mountable on and engageable with the base; and an indicator disposed in the inner space in the shell body and having an indication. The indicator is operatively associated with the base and the seat body such that the indication is disposed at the viewing window upon engagement between the seat body and the base so as to permit the user to see the indication through the viewing window and is not disposed at the viewing window upon disengagement between the seat body and the base. |
| US09168848B2 |
Vehicle seating assembly
A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback having a panel movable to a reclined position and a cushion slidably coupled with the panel to slide down in the reclined position. A base is pivotally supporting the panel and has a concave portion. A seat has a bottom portion slidably coupled with the concave portion for sliding the seat to an upward angle when the panel moves to the reclined position. |
| US09168847B2 |
Horizontal action seat tilt mechanism and bezel
A seat tilt mechanism comprising a cam connected to a lever wherein the lever moves horizontally from a first position to a second position to actuate the cam; a latch configured to engage with the at least one detent and disengage with the cam when the lever is in the first position and configured to engage with the cam and disengage with the at least one detent when the lever is in the second position; said detent includes at least two positions which can be selectively engaged by the latch; and a seat rod configured for attachment between a seat frame and the at least one detent such that when the latch is engaged with the selected position, the tilt of the seat is defined. |
| US09168846B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat is equipped with a base frame, a seatback and a seat cushion. A lower end side of a seatback frame is joined to the base frame via a recliner shaft. A cushion joining portion is provided at a front end side of the lower end side of the seatback frame relative to the recliner shaft. The cushion joining portion turns to a seat lower side and seat rearward side about the recliner shaft when the seatback is tilted forward. A rear end side of a seat cushion frame is joined to the cushion joining portion to be turnable about a joining shaft. A front portion side of the seat cushion frame is supported at the base frame to be movable to follow the turning of the cushion joining portion when the seatback is tilted forward. |
| US09168841B2 |
Method of receiving charge, method of controlling charge, charge control unit and charging equipment
Charging equipment and a charge control unit are provided, in which a plurality of devices mounted with battery can be simultaneously charged by the single charging equipment. Further, a method of controlling charge and a method of receiving charge are also provided. The charging equipment supplies electric power to the battery for charging, comprising a power output part which outputs DC power used for charging, a plurality of user operation units which can be connected with a vehicle equipped with a battery as a device mounted with battery, and the charge control unit which controls a power supply from the power output part to the user operation unit. Herein, the charge control unit distributes the electric power outputted from the power output part to supply the distributed power to the user operation unit connected with the vehicle. |
| US09168836B2 |
Non-traction battery controller and applications thereof
A non-traction battery controller, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the non-traction battery controller includes a main processor, a battery management module, a vehicle communication module, and a charge control module. During operation, when the vehicle communication module signals the processor that an engine of a vehicle is operating and the battery management module signals the processor that a connected battery has a value less than a first control value, a computer program code stored in a memory coupled to the processor causes the processor to signal the charge control module to charge the connected battery. When the vehicle communication module signals the processor that the vehicle engine is operating and the battery management module signals the processor that the connected battery has a value between first and second control value, the computer program code causes the processor to signal the charge control module to selectively charge the connected battery. |
| US09168832B2 |
System for controlling speed of vehicle on curved road and method thereof
Disclosed is a system and method for controlling a speed of a vehicle on a curved road according to the present invention. The system for controlling a speed of a vehicle on a curved road according to the present invention includes: a trace corrector configured to correct a trace of a curved road on which the vehicle is to be driven; a curvature calculator configured to calculate a curvature based on feature points of the corrected driving trace; a proper speed calculator configured to calculate a proper speed for each feature point of the driving trace based on the calculated curvature; and a curved road goal acceleration calculator configured to determine a speed control point for controlling a speed based on the calculated proper speed, and to calculate a curved road goal acceleration of the determined speed control point. |
| US09168830B2 |
Plastic fuel tank comprising a noise reduction baffle and process for manufacturing it
Plastic fuel tank comprising a noise reduction baffle and interference sections for suppressing tank deformation in the case of application of negative pressure to said tank, the interference sections projecting inward in the tank from an upper surface and a lower surface thereof respectively, and being disposed so as to be substantially opposed with a specified interval between them, one of these sections being part of a fixation device which secures the baffle to the tank wall. |
| US09168829B2 |
Vapor storage device having a diffuser plate and dome
A vapor storage device is provided. The vapor storage device includes a diffuser plate positioned on an axis of an inlet port and comprising one or more openings extending through the plate from a leading edge to a trailing edge and a dome coupled to the inlet port of the device and the diffuser plate, where the dome includes side walls spaced away from the diffuser plate. |
| US09168827B2 |
Variable or stepped louver activation for active grille system
An active grille system which is mounted to a fascia, grille, or carrier, or is part of the carrier of an automobile. Two sets of louvers are rotatably mounted to a frame, and a camming mechanism provides selective actuation of both sets of louvers, and an actuator controls the camming mechanism such that the actuator moves the camming mechanism between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the camming mechanism is in the first position, both the first set and second set of louvers are in a closed position, when the camming mechanism is in the second position, the first set of louvers are in an open position and the second set of louvers are in a closed position, and when the camming mechanism is in the third position both the first set and second set of louvers are in an open position. |
| US09168824B2 |
Power transmission system of hybrid electric vehicle
A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine, a first planetary gear set having at least three rotation elements, a second planetary gear set having at least three rotation elements, a clutch selectively connecting two rotation elements among the at least three rotation elements of the second planetary gear set, a brake selectively connecting a rotation element of the second planetary gear set to the transmission housing, and an output gear connected to a second motor/generator and the a rotation element of the second planetary gear set. |
| US09168819B2 |
Electricity-storage device arrangement structure of vehicle
An arrangement structure of an electricity-storage device of a vehicle, which comprises a pair of right-and-left front side frames, a dash panel partitioning a vehicle-compartment front portion at rear end portions of the front side frames, and a pair of front tires arranged on an outside, in a vehicle width direction, of the front side frames. The electricity-storage device is arranged on the outside, in the vehicle width direction, of the front side frame at a position between the dash panel and the front tire in a vehicle longitudinal direction such that the electricity-storage device overlaps a rear end portion of the front side frame (the kick-up portion, the protrusion portion) in a vehicle side view. |
| US09168818B2 |
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle includes: a body that includes a body frame; a driving module that includes a sub-frame detachable from the body frame, driving wheels, a driving device provided with a motor mounted on the sub-frame and applying driving force to the driving wheels to start or accelerate the electric vehicle, a driving-wheel suspension device attached to the sub-frame, a driving-wheel brake device stopping or decelerating the electric vehicle, and some other components; a connection unit that maintains the relative position relationship between the body and driving module upon attachment of the sub-frame to the body frame and connects the body to the driving module with signal lines; and a control unit that controls the driving module under an input signal input from the body side through the signal lines connected with the connection unit. |
| US09168816B2 |
Open roof construction for a vehicle
An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a roof opening provided in a stationary roof part, a movable panel for opening and closing said roof opening and a wind deflector assembly proximate a forward edge of the roof opening. The wind deflector assembly comprises a frame part extending substantially in a transverse direction and movable between a retracted position and extended position below and above, respectively, the level of the stationary roof part and a flexible member attached to said frame part at a first end and attached to a stationary part of the vehicle at a second end. The wind deflector assembly further comprises a guide rod for the flexible member extending in a transverse direction and movable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The guide rod is moves so that the flexible member is maintained in a taut state in all positions of the frame part. |
| US09168814B2 |
Tunable sound dampening system
A sound dampening system having at least two acoustic deflection pads separated by a distance and an actuator operable to alter the distance in response to a stimulus. In some embodiments, the actuator is a shape memory alloy wire. The system is capable of alternating between a compact mode and a superior sound blocking mode. A door of an automotive vehicle incorporating such a system and a method of fabricating such a system. |
| US09168812B2 |
Decorative ring device for free-floating interface of aircraft interior sidewall window lining
An interior lining interface incorporates a decorative interface ring having a substantially flat flange with multiple bearing ring bosses on an inner surface of the flange for engagement of an inner surface of a rim of a window ring. Multiple friction fit legs extend from the flange and are received within and constrained by the interface ring to the widow ring rim. A window reveal has a mating surface contacting the flange. |
| US09168810B2 |
Heating and cooling system for occupants of the rear portion of a vehicle
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is configured for use in a vehicle. A first air moving device blowing air through a heat exchanger provides a first airstream having a first temperature to a second air moving device configured to generate a second airstream having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The second airstream is a mixture of the first airstream and cabin air that is drawn from a rear portion of the vehicle cabin. The second air moving device may be disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle. The HVAC system further includes a nozzle that is configured to direct the second airstream toward an occupant in the rear portion of the vehicle cabin to provide spot conditioning. |
| US09168808B2 |
Continuously variable damper device
The present invention is related to a damper device (1). More in particular, the present invention is related to a damper device for which the damping force can be varied using a magnetically actuated closing member (33) with which a bypass channel (15) can be closed or opened. According to the present invention, the magnetic reluctance of the magnetic loop for guiding the magnetic field (8) is configured such that a too strong of an upward bending of the magnetic force versus closing member displacement curve is prevented. This prevents the system from obtaining multiple settling points for the closing member for a given current value. Consequently, the damper device is more stable and the damping force offered by it can be controlled more accurately. |
| US09168804B2 |
End members, gas spring assemblies and suspension systems
An end member for a gas spring assembly can include a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a plurality of reflector surfaces formed along the first end. A first reflector surface can extend from the first end toward the second end. A second reflector surface can extend from adjacent the first reflector surface toward the second end. One or more of the plurality of reflector surfaces can include a plurality of facets or reflector zones. A gas spring assembly including at least one of such end members and a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also disclosed. |
| US09168794B2 |
Testing device for a tire inflation device
Disclosed is a testing device for a tire inflation device, comprising a housing (10) which includes a bottom (11) and an annular outer wall (12) with a cylindrical inner surface (16), a piston (15) which is movably guided on the cylindrical inner surface (16), is sealed and has an annular engagement surface (20) for sealingly engaging an inflation ring (3) and a central piston opening (19), a spring (26) arranged between the bottom (11) and the piston (15), its spring force seeking to move the piston (15) away from the bottom, and sensors detecting the pressure in an inner chamber (18) adapted to be filled with compressed gas and the temperature of the housing (10). |
| US09168793B2 |
Tire with improved resistance to sidewall damage
A tire with improved resistance to sidewall damage such as splitting or puncture is provided. More particularly, the present invention provides a tire with tread features positioned along the sidewall in a manner that improves the protection of the sidewall against damage when contacting obstacles during operation of the tire. |
| US09168792B2 |
Pneumatic vehicle tire with tread having circumferential grooves having projections
A pneumatic vehicle tire has peripheral grooves with outer edges on a tread periphery, running peripherally parallel and substantially linearly. A groove base path on a groove base is wavy or zigzags and narrower than a peripheral groove. Projections of groove sides assigned to inward pointing corners of the groove base path are parts or sections of bodies with a base surface having at least four free sides. The base surface runs near the periphery at an angle of at least 60° and is inclined to the radial. The base surface has boundary surfaces running from the free sides toward the groove base at a smaller angle and being inclined to the radial. Two side surfaces run between adjacent projections in peripheral direction, toward the groove base path and have an angle of inclination to the radial larger than the boundary surface angle and smaller than the base surface angle. |
| US09168791B2 |
Heavy duty tire
An off the road tire comprising a carcass, a tread located radially outward of the carcass, the tread having a plurality of lugs, the lugs extending radially outward from an inner tread and being located between first and second lateral tread edges, a first row of lugs extending from the tread lateral edge axially inwards toward the centerplane, a second row of lugs extending from the opposite tread lateral edge and axially inwards toward the centerplane and wherein the lugs of the first and second rows are separated by a plurality of shoulder grooves, a third row of lugs located between the first and second row of lugs, wherein all of the lugs in each row are aligned circumferentially, wherein the lugs in the third row have two or more ends formed by grooves. |
| US09168786B2 |
Mobile robot
A mobile robot configured to be widely versatile in its use. For example, the mobile robot can be configured for being used on a wide assortment of surfaces, regardless of the orientation and/or shape of the surfaces. Alternatively or in combination, the mobile robot can be configured for effective and efficient movement on the surfaces it traverses. In some cases, the mobile robot is configured with two or more component units. In some cases, the component units are configured with magnets and a control system for orientating the magnets. In some cases, one or more component couplings join the component units. In some cases, the mobile unit is configured with Mecanum wheels. |
| US09168784B2 |
Self-propelled windrower tailwheel non-zero caster for stability
A non-zero caster angle for the rear axle swivel caster wheels on a self-propelled agricultural harvesting machine wherein steering is accomplished by varying speed and/or direction of forward drive wheels. The non-zero caster angle may be fixed or an adjuster mechanism may be provided to allow adjustment within a range of caster angles. The adjuster mechanism incorporates a fixed portion connected to the tractor frame and a pair of rotating portions, one connected to each caster wheel which allows rotation of the caster axis in a plane parallel to the machine longitudinal axis. Also disclosed is an actuator mechanism for providing powered adjustment of the caster angle, even including a control system for active caster angle adjustment. |
| US09168783B2 |
Pivot hanger assembly secured to a tubular support location associated with a vertically actuating vehicle lift
A pivot hanger assembly adapted to being mounted to a structural supporting location associated with a vehicle lift. A clamp subassembly includes a plurality of assembleable and inter-adjustable brackets adapted to being affixed around a rectangular tubular perimeter corresponding to the structural supporting location of the vehicle lift. A selected one of the brackets exhibits at least a first hinge collar support extending along a vertically extending edge, with an elongated arm exhibiting at least a second hinge collar support along a proximal end which aligns with the first collar support in order to define a continuous channel. A hinge pin inserts through the continuous channel and in order to hingedly mount the arm to the clamp subassembly in a load bearing permitting fashion. |
| US09168780B1 |
Removable insert for a file folder
A divider for a file folder includes a primary sheet made of transparent plastic and having an integrally formed tab that protrudes from a top of the primary sheet. The divider further includes a secondary sheet made of transparent plastic and welded to a surface of the primary sheet to define at least one accessory compartment and a tertiary sheet made of transparent plastic and welded to the surface of the primary sheet to define a business card compartment. A portion of the business card compartment is located adjacent to the tab of the primary sheet and is sized to accommodate a business card. |
| US09168776B2 |
Method of increasing ink crystallization
The present embodiments relate to methods of increasing ink crystallization. In particular, there is provided a method for increasing the ink crystallization rate comprising providing a substrate; applying a first crystalline compound on the substrate to form a first layer; and printing an image using an ink comprises a second crystalline compound dispose on the first layer, wherein nucleation sites are formed between the first crystalline compound and the second crystalline compound. |
| US09168774B2 |
Tri-state detector for detecting types of light
Provided herein are devices, systems, methods and various means, including those related to printer systems and, more particularly, relate to methods, apparatuses, systems and other means for monitoring a printer ribbon. Some embodiments use a multi-element detector, which is configured to detect a particular type of light emitted from a light emitter. The multi-state detector can include two sensors, one of which includes a polarizer filter that blocks polarized light. Embodiments can be used to determine, among other things, whether or not a printer ribbon is installed in a printer without the use of a snap plate. |
| US09168771B2 |
Printer
This disclosure discloses a printer comprises a roll storage part, a platen roller, a printing head, a separation plate, a first discharging exit, a pinch roller, a second discharging exit, and a first rib member. The platen roller contacts and feeds a print-receiving tape. The printing head is provided above the platen roller. The separation plate is provided on the other side than the platen roller and loops back a separation material layer toward a downward side and peel the print-receiving layer and the adhesive layer from the separation material layer. The first rib member is provided to a first section of a feeding path of the print-receiving tape and contacts the print-receiving tape from above, the first section being between a sandwiching position by the platen roller and the printing head and a support position of an end part of the separation plate. |
| US09168764B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid ejecting method
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes (A) a carriage that moves a nozzle ejecting a liquid which is cured by irradiation of an electromagnetic wave in a moving direction, (B) a first irradiation section that is installed on the carriage and irradiates electromagnetic waves on dots formed by landing the liquid which is ejected from the moving nozzle, on a medium, and (C) a second irradiation section that is installed on the carriage and irradiates electromagnetic waves on the dots which are irradiated by the electromagnetic waves from the first irradiation section, in which an irradiance level of the electromagnetic waves from the second irradiation section is different from that of the electromagnetic waves from the first irradiation section. |
| US09168763B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes: a holding unit that holds a liquid receptacle containing a liquid; a recording head that ejects, onto a recording medium, the liquid supplied from the liquid receptacle held by the holding unit; a heating unit that heats the recording medium; and a suction unit that includes a suction port for sucking air to the heating unit. Here, the suction port is disposed in a location that enables the atmosphere around the liquid receptacle to be sucked. |
| US09168762B2 |
Image forming system having intermediate apparatus that does not have a reverse unit
An image forming system of one aspect of the present invention includes a first image forming apparatus arranged on the upstream side in a sheet conveyance direction, a second image forming apparatus arranged on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and an intermediate apparatus arranged between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. The image forming system includes a sheet conveyance path through which a sheet is conveyed from the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus through the intermediate apparatus. The sheet conveyance path is formed so that the rear end of a sheet having stopped on the sheet conveyance path is located on the sheet conveyance path within the intermediate apparatus. |
| US09168759B2 |
Method and apparatus for printhead control
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are described herein for controlling a printing device. In an example embodiment, a print line is divided into frames and frame dot states are determined based on neighboring frame dot states. Maximum motor speeds of the printing device may be adjusted so that actual motor speeds change gradually during printing. The print engine may detect a printhead type by sending a signal to the printhead and receiving a response. |
| US09168757B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
Color separation processing is performed on the input image data to generate material amount data representing the recording amount of each recording material. Halftone processing of generating binary data for each recording scan in an image recording apparatus is performed based on the material amount data. A discharge of a colored material in a first recording scan of recording the colored material and a discharge of a high transmissivity material in a second recording scan of recording the high transmissivity material are represented by the binary data for each recording scan. The high transmissivity material is recorded at a predetermined thickness on a recording layer of the colored material after the first recording scan. |
| US09168755B2 |
Inkjet printhead assembly
An inkjet printhead assembly includes: an elongate ink supply structure having a plurality of longitudinally extending ink supply channels corresponding to a plurality of different colored inks and a plurality of outlet openings; and a plurality of individual printhead modules arranged along a length of the ink supply structure. Each printhead module includes: a carrier having a plurality of inlets for receiving ink from a respective set of the outlet openings, a mounting surface having a plurality of ink supply slots defined therein and a plurality of converging walls extending from the inlets towards the ink supply slots, the converging walls defining a plurality of converging ink galleries for supplying the plurality of different colored inks. A printhead segment is bonded to each mounting surface, the printhead segment receiving the different colored inks from the plurality of ink supply slots. |
| US09168754B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection unit including a nozzle formation surface in which an opening of a nozzle for ejecting liquid is formed; a wiper disposed so that the wiper can come in contact with the nozzle formation surface; and a liquid collection portion, which is capable of collecting liquid adhered to the wiper, disposed on an end side of the nozzle formation surface of the liquid ejection unit so as to be spaced apart from the nozzle formation surface in a wiping direction. The liquid collection portion includes a scraper having a scraping surface that scrapes off the liquid adhered to the wiper by coming in contact with the wiper, and a liquid absorbing material disposed at a position that does not come in contact with the wiper and at a position that comes in contact with an end portion of the scraping surface. |
| US09168751B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a plurality of liquid receiving portions in which the same kinds of liquid are received, a switching unit which switches the liquid receiving portion that supplies the liquid to a liquid ejecting head, and a controller which performs a maintenance process including discharging the liquid through the liquid ejecting head, in which, when a liquid residual amount of the liquid receiving portion that supplies the liquid to the ejecting head, which is calculated by a residual amount estimation portion, is less than a determination value, the controller performs the maintenance process in a state where the liquid receiving portion to supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting head is selected among the plurality of liquid receiving portions and the liquid is supplied from the selected liquid receiving portion to the liquid ejecting head. |
| US09168750B2 |
Manufacturing method of liquid discharging head
A manufacturing method of a liquid discharging head includes: preparing a substrate having an energy-generating element and a resin layer on a first face side; irradiating a laser beam on the substrate so as to pass through the resin layer to form a hole serving as a liquid supply port in the substrate; removing a portion of the resin layer including a region which the laser beam has passed through, thereby forming a portion from which the resin layer has been removed as a channel, and forming a portion in which the resin layer remains as a side wall; and forming a discharge port forming member on a far side from the substrate of the side wall, and to form the channel forming member using the side wall and the discharge port forming member. |
| US09168743B1 |
Nozzle device
A nozzle device includes an upper cover module having a cavity, a plurality of stacked piezoelectric plate modules, a plug module, and a lower cover module. Each piezoelectric plate module includes a substrate, a piezoelectric material, an electrical connection, an upper electrode, and a lower electrode. The substrate includes multiple first through holes disposed correspondingly to the cavity. The piezoelectric material is located on the upper surface of the substrate. The electrical connection extends from the lower surface of the substrate, through the substrate, and to the bottom of the piezoelectric material. The lower electrode is located below the lower surface of the substrate and electrically connects to the electrical connection. The plug module includes plugs and second through holes corresponding to the first through holes. The lower cover module includes openings disposed according to the plugs of the plug module. |
| US09168742B2 |
Liquid ejection head
A liquid ejection head includes a substrate including a first supply port row in which a plurality of supply ports are arranged, a first energy generating element row in which a plurality of energy generating elements are arranged, a second supply port row in which a plurality of supply ports are arranged, a second energy generating element row in which a plurality of energy generating elements are arranged, a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer for driving the energy generating elements, and a through hole configured to electrically connect the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer. The first energy generating element row, the first supply port row, the second supply port row, and the second energy generating element row are arranged in parallel in this order and the through hole is arranged between the first supply port row and the second supply port row. |
| US09168736B2 |
Recording device, method of controlling a recording device, and storage medium storing a program executed by a control unit that controls a recording device
The time required for a nozzle check is minimized without reducing the accuracy of the nozzle check. An inkjet line printer has a nozzle check control unit that performs a nozzle check to detect ejection problems in the nozzles of plural nozzle rows of the inkjet line head. The nozzle check control unit applies the nozzle check to a portion of the nozzles in the group of nozzles in a specific range where two mutually overlapping nozzle rows overlap. |
| US09168735B2 |
Inkjet recording material
An inkjet recording material that contains a supporting substrate and an image-receiving layer formed on at least one side of the supporting substrate, said layer including at least one inorganic pigment, and a latex binder having the formula (I). Also disclosed herein are the method of making said inkjet recording material and a method for producing printed images that encompasses using said recording material. |
| US09168732B2 |
Method for imparting different visually detectable features to a plurality of items, and a package comprising items each having a different visually detectable feature
A method of continuously imparting different visually detectable features to a plurality of items using a printing and/or embossing roll is provided. The circumference of the roll differs from the whole number of the item lengths. In a production series, the number of items each having a different visually detectable feature provided before said visually detectable features repeat themselves is greater than the number of items imparted after one full turn of the roll. Also disclosed is a package including a plurality of items each having a visually detectable feature that is different from the visually detectable features of all other items within the package, such that a first item includes a first visually detectable feature, and a second item includes a second visually detectable feature including at least a portion of the first visually detectable pattern element, wherein the first and second visually detectable features are different. |
| US09168729B2 |
Method for engagement of cylinders with different revolution rates in correct phase and sheet-fed rotary printing press having the cylinders
An apparatus and a method for correct phase engagement of mechanically coupled rotatably drivable components in printing material processing machines, include a coupling for mechanically connecting at least two of the rotatably drivable components. The at least two rotatably drivable components are operated at a different rotational speed in a transmission ratio in a mechanically coupled state, and a control computer has access to the transmission ratio for controlling an engagement operation and taking the transmission ratio into consideration during the correct phase engagement. |
| US09168727B2 |
Inking unit with adjustment of rollers by bending plate and method for adjustment
A printing unit (1) has a first roller (2) and a second roller (3) provided substantially parallel and facing each other for transporting of printing sheets between the first roller (2) and the second roller (3). The first roller (2) is rotationally mounted at only one end (10) of the first roller (2) and this end (10) is mounted to a deflector (9). The deflector (9) has a connection (11) to a support (12) for resiliently changing the angle of the first roller (2) relatively to the second roller (3) by bending the connection (11). |
| US09168725B2 |
Method for transferring nanostructures
A method for transferring nanostructures includes providing a growth substrate and a number of nanostructures located on the growth substrate. The nanostructures are transferred by an adhesive layer from the growth substrate to a target substrate. The nanostructures are between the target substrate and the adhesive layer, and at least partial of nanostructures is in contact with a surface of the target substrate. The adhesive layer is covered by a metal layer. The adhesive layer together with the metal layer is separated from the plurality of nanostructures and the target substrate in an organic solvent, wherein the organic solvent permeates into an interface between the adhesive layer and the nanostructures. |
| US09168723B2 |
Device for reversibly fastening a panel to a structure so as to obtain a window in that structure, a vehicle, and a method
A device (10) for reversibly fastening a panel (5) to a structure (2) in order to close off a window (3) in said structure (2). Said device (10) is made up of a plurality of studs (15) suitable for being embedded in a bead of adhesive (50), each stud (15) being provided with two longitudinal orifices (16), said device having two extraction wires (30), each of which passes through a longitudinal orifice (16) in each stud (15). |
| US09168720B2 |
Biaxially elastic nonwoven laminates having inelastic zones
Disclosed is a method of imparting constraint in a biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate, and the constrained laminate itself, the method comprising providing a biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate comprising at least one meltspun elastic fabric and at least one extensible fabric or film; and fusing at least, or preferably, only a portion(s) of the at least one meltspun elastic fabric to at least one of the extensible fabrics to create at least one inelastic zone. Desirably, the at least one meltspun elastic fabric and at least one extensible fabric or film is biaxially elastic, and referred to as being “nonwoven” due to the at least one layer of meltspun elastomer. The meltspun elastic fabric may comprise a polyolefin-based elastomer or blend of an elastomer with a thermoplastic. |
| US09168718B2 |
Method for producing temperature resistant nonwovens
Temperature resistant multilayer composites, methods for making same, and articles made therefrom. The method can include extruding one or more polyolefin polymers having a MFR from less than 90 dg/min through at least one die having a plurality of nozzles to form a plurality of continuous fibers, at least one die operating at a melt pressure from greater than 500 psi (3447 kPa) to form at least one elastic meltblown layer; adhering the at least one elastic meltblown layer to at least one extensible layer to form a multilayer composite; and at least partially crosslinking the elastic meltblown layer or the extensible layer or both. |
| US09168717B2 |
Solid state nanopore devices for nanopore applications to improve the nanopore sensitivity and methods of manufacture
Solid state nanopore devices for nanopore applications and methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. The method includes forming a membrane layer on an underlying substrate. The method further includes forming a hole in the membrane layer. The method further comprises plugging the hole with a sacrificial material. The method further includes forming a membrane over the sacrificial material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material within the hole and portions of the underlying substrate. The method further includes drilling an opening in the membrane, aligned with the hole. |
| US09168716B2 |
Metallic sandwich structure having small bend radius
An acoustic-attenuating wall panel for a nacelle of a turbine engine may include a radiused portion. The radiused portion may include an airflow surface having a concave configuration and which may be exposed to an airflow passing through the nacelle. The radiused portion may include an acoustic attenuating section. |
| US09168715B2 |
Packaging pillow device with upstream components
The disclosure describes a device for inflating and cutting a material web. The device can include a web advancement mechanism to advance a material web in a longitudinal path, an inflation mechanism for inserting a fluid into the material web to create one or more inflated pillows, a fluid inlet for providing the fluid to the inflation mechanism, and a cutting mechanism configured to cut the material web in the longitudinal path. |
| US09168710B2 |
Motor-vehicle top
The invention relates, among other aspects, to a motor-vehicle top (10) comprising a flexible cover layer (11) that provides an outer face of the top with a cutout provided therein, and at least one window is provided in the cutout, particularly a rear window (12), a circumferential edge region of the cover layer being connected to an outer window edge by a polyurethane bead (13), and wherein the polyurethane bead is synthesized by reacting an isocyanate component with a polyol component, the polyol component comprising at least the following constituents: a) polyols, herein polyetherols and/or polyesterols; b) a propellant; c) a lead-free catalyst. |
| US09168703B2 |
Curable compositions, processes for using such compositions to prepare composites and processes for preparing composites having superior surface finish and high fiber consolidation
Curable compositions, such as oxazine-based ones, are useful in applications within the aerospace industry, such as for example as a thermosetting resin composition for use as a matrix resin in processes, such as resin transfer molding, vacuum assisted transfer molding, resin film infusion, prepregging and towpregging, where the composites or laminates so prepared have superior surface finish and high fiber consolidation. |
| US09168702B2 |
Composite structural member
A method of manufacturing a composite structural member (1), comprising the step of laying up a stack of fiber reinforced laminate plies (12), wherein at least one of the plies is laid up as discrete first (13) and second ply (14) portions, and the fibers of the second portion (14) have a different characteristic from those of the first portion (13). Also, a composite structural member (1) manufactured according to the method. |
| US09168701B2 |
Fiberglass reinforced plastic lightweight heavy-duty ladder and method of making same
A fiberglass reinforced lightweight heavy-duty ladder, and method of making the same, is presented. The method includes impregnating rovings with a resin system and forming the impregnated rovings into a set of rails having a center portion, a left sidewall portion, and a right sidewall portion, where the left sidewall portion and the right sidewall portion each have an article roving density at least 10% greater than that of the center portion. |
| US09168697B2 |
Additive manufacturing system with extended printing volume, and methods of use thereof
An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional parts, the system comprising a heatable chamber with a port, a print foundation, a print head configured to print a three-dimensional part onto the print foundation in a layer-by-layer manner along a printing axis, and a drive mechanism configured to index the print foundation along the printing axis such that, while the print head prints the three-dimensional part, the print foundation and at least a portion of the three-dimensional part pass through the port and out of the heated chamber. |
| US09168695B2 |
Biaxially stretched polyamide resin film and production method thereof
Disclosed is a biaxially stretched polyamide resin film which is a biaxially stretched film having a layer of a polyamide resin with caproamide as a repeating unit thereof and has an amount of the caprolactam monomer extracted from the biaxially stretched polyamide resin film of 0.1% by mass or less, and also disclosed is a packaging material including the biaxially stretched polyamide resin film. |
| US09168694B2 |
Transparent resin composition
The present invention relates to a transparent resin composition which comprises (a) a (meth)acrylate based resin comprising one or more (meth)acrylate based derivatives; and (b) an aromatic based resin having a chain having the hydroxy group containing portion and an aromatic moiety. |
| US09168691B2 |
Device for fiber excess length stable control in optical cable loose tube
The present invention relates to a device for fiber excess length stable control in an optical cable loose tube, which is disposed between a loose tube extruder and a loose tube tractor. The device forms the following structures: an extrusion section connected to the extruder, a traction section connected to the tractor, and a transition section connecting the extrusion section and the traction section, where loose tube displacement generated at the extrusion section is greater than loose tube displacement generated at the traction section. The present invention provides a device for fiber excess length stable control in optical cable loose tube with a simple structure and an excellent excess length control effect. |
| US09168683B2 |
Highly crystalline cross-linked oxidation-resistant polyethylene
The present invention relates to methods for making highly crystalline cross-linked polymeric material, for example, highly crystalline cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped highly crystalline cross-linked polymeric material using high pressure and high temperature crystallization processes, medical implants made thereof, and materials used therein. |
| US09168679B2 |
Programmable soft lithography: solvent-assisted nanoscale embossing
A method of forming a nanoscale pattern on a substrate is provided, wherein the method increases or decreases the spacing of patterns on the substrate relative to a master, while keeping the pattern feature size constant. The method can alternatively reduce the pattern feature size of the substrate relative to a master, while keeping the spacing patterns constant. |
| US09168678B2 |
Flexible mat for providing a dynamically reconfigurable double-curved moulding surface in a mould
A flexible mat (1) for providing a dynamically reconfigurable double-curved moulding surface (40) in a mould. The flexible mat (1) comprises a system of rhomboid flat elements (10, 10′, 26, 26′) of an elastic deformable material arranged mutually movably in two or more relatively rotated layers (10, 10′), surrounded by a first upper cloth (6) of an elastic deformable material and a second lower cloth (8) of an elastic deformable material. The cloths (6, 8) are imperviously joined along their lateral limits and form an adjustable impervious chamber. The flexible mat (1) is adapted to be mechanically connected to the free ends (42) of a number of actuators (3) in such a way that the position of a given point on the surface (40) formed by the flexible mat (1) is determined on the basis of the position of the free end (42) of an associated given actuator (3). The mat (1) is capable of forming a uniform, continuous double-curved surface. |
| US09168675B2 |
Method for producing resin composition
A method for producing a resin composition using an extruder, the extruder having a cylinder and a screw disposed inside the cylinder, the cylinder being provided with a main feed port and further optionally provided with a side feed port disposed downstream in an extrusion direction from the main feed port, and the method comprising: supplying a resin (A) in the total amount to the extruder from the main feed port; supplying a fibrous filler (B), whose a weight average fiber length is 1 mm or more, in the total amount to the extruder from the main feed port, or, with the extruder being provided with the side feed port, supplying the fibrous filler (B) partly to the extruder from the main feed port and the remainder to the extruder from the side feed port; melt-kneading the supplied resin (A) and the fibrous filler (B); and extruding the melt-kneaded material. |
| US09168671B2 |
Method and arrangement for a sawchain
The invention concerns a method for a sawchain and a sawchain. According to the method according to the invention, a sawchain intended to be used for a sawing arrangement for a forestry harvester in order to prevent the whip-like movement of a sawchain that breaks during sawing, is achieved through a method that comprises the steps: —that the sawchain (1) is provided with a means (20) of limiting pivoting that allows a forwardly located link (3, 4, 5, 2) of the sawchain to pivot in a first direction relative to the subsequent link (3, 4, 5, 2) while limiting the ability of the forwardly located link to pivot in an opposite second direction relative to the subsequent link, —that the sawchain (1) is driven around a guide bar (9) with the aid of a driving wheel that is located at one end of the guide bar, —that sawing of a tree trunk is carried out through the guide bar (9) being turned around an axis of rotation. |
| US09168667B2 |
Handheld power tool
The invention relates to a handheld power tool (1), including: a mobile element (100) and a stationary element (102); a rotatable actuator; a ball nut (200); a ball screw (202) having a first end (202a) connected to the mobile element (100); and a universal joint (10, 12, 14) arranged so as to be driven by the rotatable actuator and so as to rotate the ball nut (200) on said ball screw (202) in order to move the ball screw (202), and thus the mobile element (100), relative to the stationary element (102). The universal joint can be advantageously retained inside two concentric spherical bearings (50a, 60a, 70a, 80a), thus making it possible to take up the axial forces in two directions. It is thus possible to eliminate any radial force on the ball screw (202) and have angularly variably rotational output. |
| US09168659B2 |
Tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator
A tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator is provided performing robotic-like movements when acquiring a payload. The manipulator design can be adapted for use in-space, lunar or other planetary installations as it is readily configurable for acquiring and precisely manipulating a payload in both a zero-g environment and in an environment with a gravity field. The manipulator includes a plurality of link arms, a hinge connecting adjacent link arms together to allow the adjacent link arms to rotate relative to each other and a cable actuation and tensioning system provided between adjacent link arms. The cable actuation and tensioning system includes a spreader arm and a plurality of driven and non-driven elements attached to the link arms and the spreader arm. At least one cable is routed around the driven and non-driven elements for actuating the hinge. |
| US09168658B2 |
Panel pickup and placing method and combined pickup device for performing the method
A panel pickup and placing method includes providing a liquid crystal panel, a machine table, a panel pickup device, and a vacuum suction device; coupling the panel pickup device and the vacuum suction device together; moving the panel pickup device to have the vacuum suction device engaging a surface of the liquid crystal panel; the vacuum suction device sucking and adhering to the liquid crystal panel; moving the panel pickup device to have the vacuum suction device lifting the liquid crystal panel for transfer to the machine table; the vacuum suction device releasing the liquid crystal panel; and moving the panel pickup device to have the vacuum suction device departing from the liquid crystal panel in order to position the liquid crystal panel on the machine table. The combined panel pickup device includes a panel pickup device and a vacuum suction device mounted to the panel pickup device. |
| US09168650B2 |
Oscillating rotary electric power tool
An oscillating rotary electric power tool, in which a spindle with a distal end tool attached thereto is projected downward from a front end portion of a housing accommodating a motor, and the housing also accommodates a coupling member rotatable integrally with an output shaft of the motor, a crankshaft fitted with the coupling member in a depression and projection fitting structure, and a link member to which the spindle is fixed and power is transmitted from the crankshaft to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in an oscillating manner so that the link member will be driven by the motor to rotate the spindle clockwise and counterclockwise in the oscillating manner, wherein an elastic body is interposed between the coupling member and the crankshaft in the same axial direction as the output shaft. |
| US09168648B2 |
Vibration dampened hammer
A hammer that includes a handle and a head is provided. The head disposed on an upper end of the handle. The handle includes a core member; a rigid material layer molded on the core member; and a grip member molded on at least a portion of the rigid material layer. The grip member includes a first elastomeric material layer molded on the rigid material layer and a second elastomeric material molded on the first elastomeric material layer. The head has an eye portion extending through the head. The handle has at least a portion of its upper end extending into the eye portion. An epoxy resin material is positioned within the eye portion and is at least partially disposed between the handle and the head to secure the handle to the head. An elastomeric portion is at least partially disposed between the handle and the head. |
| US09168647B2 |
Automobile rim hammer
Methods and apparatus for removing a dent from an automobile rim are described herein. A hammer having a hammer head containing lead, antimony and aluminum is applied to pound an automobile rim. The dent is removed from the rim without breaking the rim. Different compounds of lead for the hammer head are provided. In one embodiment the hammer weighs between 10 and 12 pounds. In another embodiment the hammer head has a cylindrical shape. The hammer head may chip away during hitting the rim. |
| US09168645B2 |
Hand-operated pressing tool
A hand-operated pressing tool, which is suitable in particular for producing pipe connections, for pressing cable lugs, and/or for actuating cutting jaws, comprises a drive device arranged in a housing. The drive device is connected to an energy source. Furthermore, a start button, a display device, and a diagnostic connector are provided. The start button as well as the display device are arranged under a transparent housing cover. Preferably, the housing cover can be opened in order to reach the diagnostic connector. |
| US09168643B2 |
Driving rotation tool
A driving rotation tool includes a socket base, a socket clearance hole inside the socket base and surrounded by three first gripping surfaces, three second gripping surfaces and six third gripping surfaces for development of edge planes around the socket clearance hole wherein the third gripping surface is located between the first gripping surface and the second gripping surface for circular permutation of first gripping surface, third gripping surface and second gripping surface. The first gripping surface is a cambered surface. The second gripping surface is an angled surface consisting of two adjoining planes which form an obtuse angle. As such, the tool facilitates not only normally driving a nut or a bolt head but also screwing or unscrewing the nut or the bolt head with edges or corners worn out or damaged and further promotes overall convenience, practicability and market competitiveness. |
| US09168641B2 |
Bar clamp with ratchets
A clamp with a fixed jaw; a groove with the fixed jaw mounted thereon; a moveable jaw slidably mounted on the groove; a connecting member having one end secured to the moveable jaw and including a hollow cylinder at an other end disposed in the fixed jaw, and a strap interconnecting the cylindrical element and the hollow cylinder; a gear including a plurality of teeth disposed on the fixed jaw; a biasing member disposed on the fixed jaw opposite to the gear; a bifurcated handle put on the fixed jaw to cover both the gear and the biasing member; a first pawl in the handle; a lever secured to the first pawl; a rotatable pin with the hollow cylinder fastened thereon, the pin being for fastening the handle, the biasing member, the fixed jaw, the hollow cylinder, and the gear together; and the second pawl in the fixed jaw. |
| US09168634B1 |
Waterjet removal of coverings from tangled wire and loose coils
A system for impacting a flow of fluid onto a wire, a bundle of wires, coil of wires and/or cables or other electrical/electronic materials/components that are oriented in a tangle or loose coils etc., and having one or more outer covering materials, and methodology of its use to remove the one or more outer coverings. |
| US09168632B2 |
Power honing/grinding machine for the finishing of cylindrical gears with external toothing tools
Power honing/grinding machine for the finishing of cylindrical gears with external toothing tools, comprising a workpiece clamping unit having a first electrospindle rotatable about a first axis, and a tool-holder unit having a second electrospindle rotatable about a second axis, in which the movement of rotation of the second electrospindle about the second axis is synchronized with the movement of rotation of the first electrospindle about the first axis, wherein the first electrospindle has an external stator and an internal rotor and the second electrospindle has an internal stator and an external rotor. |
| US09168631B2 |
Two-part retaining ring with interlock features
A retaining ring includes an annular lower portion and an annular upper portion. The annular lower portion has a main body with a bottom surface for contacting a polishing pad during polishing, an inner rim projecting upward from the main body, an outer rim projecting upward from the main body and separated from the inner rim by a gap, and a plurality of azimuthally separated interlock features positioned between the inner rim and the outer rim, each interlock feature projecting upwardly from the main body. The annular upper portion has a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of azimuthally separated recesses in the bottom surface, the recesses defining thin portions of the upper portion, the plurality of interlock features fitting into the plurality of recesses. The lower portion is a plastic and the upper portion is a material that is more rigid than the plastic. |
| US09168630B2 |
User-input functions for data sequences in polishing endpoint detection
A method of controlling polishing includes receiving user input through a graphical user interface selecting a function, the function including at least one parameter that can be varied, polishing a substrate, monitoring a substrate during polishing with an in-situ monitoring system, generating a sequence of values from measurements from the in-situ monitoring system, fitting the function to the sequence of values, the fitting including determining a value of the at least one parameter that provides a best fit of the function to the sequence of values, determining a projected time at which the function equals a target value, and determining at least one of a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate based on the projected time. |
| US09168628B2 |
Device for blocking a lens
A device and a method for blocking of an optical lens and to release the blocked lens by an expelling pulse being applied off-center to a block ring which is assigned to the lens. |
| US09168626B2 |
Cutting tool sharpener
A tool sharpening assembly suitable for sharpening cutting tools. In accordance with some embodiments, the apparatus has a rotatable abrasive surface, and a tool support structure which contactingly supports a body portion of a tool while a cutting surface of the tool is presented against the abrasive surface during a sharpening operation. A cooling mechanism operates to reduce a temperature of the tool. |
| US09168617B2 |
Mold for hot stamping and method of manufacturing the same
A mold for hot stamping is disclosed. The mold may include: a base plate configured to receive and exhaust coolant, at least one lower mold and at least one upper mold. The at least one lower mold may be mounted at a surface of the base plate, and configured to receive the coolant from the base plate. The lower mold may also have the same shape as a lower shape of a product so as to form the lower shape of the product during hot stamping. The upper mold is made of material different from that of the lower mold, coupled to an upper portion of the lower mold, has the same shape as an upper shape of the product so as to form the upper shape of the product, and is configured to receive the coolant from the lower mold such that the coolant flows in the upper mold. |
| US09168616B2 |
Rotating module for clamping device
A rotating module for a clamping device is disclosed. More specifically, the rotating module includes a housing including a first connecting section having an end rotatably connected to an upper portion of a base frame and a second connecting section formed vertically to the first connecting section. An end portion of a connecting plate is connected to the second connecting section and a clamping device mounted at the other end of the connecting plate and configured to clamp a panel. A gear unit in the housing is rotated by receiving torque of the operating motor. Clutch units are mounted respectively in the first connecting section and the second connecting section, connected to the gear unit, and configured to selectively transmit torque of the gear unit to the first connecting section or the second connecting section so as to rotate the housing or the connecting plate. |
| US09168614B2 |
Method of generating high quality hole, recess or well in substrate
A method of generating a hole or well in an electrically insulating or semiconducting substrate, a hole or well in a substrate generated by this method, and an array of holes or wells in a substrate generated by the method. |
| US09168610B2 |
Laser apparatus for welding
A laser apparatus for welding is disclosed. The laser apparatus includes: a laser optic head adapted and configured to modify a spot size of a laser beam oscillated by a laser oscillator and to project the laser beam into a joining portion of joining members, wherein the laser optic head is adapted and configured to modify the spot size to selectively perform brazing or welding. A method of selectively brazing or welding according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: providing a laser apparatus of as described herein; and actuating the laser optic head to modify the spot size of the laser beam and project the laser beam into the joining portion of the joining members to selectively perform brazing or welding. |
| US09168608B2 |
Welding head for rail welding
This invention concerns a welding head for welding the extremities of two sections of rail and comprises two half-heads (10) aligned and sliding with regard to one another in a longitudinal direction. Each half-head comprises grip means (12, 13) to grasp a respective section of rail and two electrodes (16) suitable for contact with respective sections of rail in order to carry out a flash butt weld. The head also comprises traction actuator means (20) which extend in a longitudinal direction and are connected to the two half-heads (10) to shift the two half-headsin a longitudinal direction one towards the other, said traction actuator means (20) having a stroke suitable for allowing, during a cycle of welding two sections of rail, simultaneous regulation of rail tensions. |
| US09168605B2 |
Soldering assembly for detachable tip
A soldering assembly comprises a heater, a lock member, and a bias member. The lock member is moveable relative to the heater, includes a ramp feature, and is configured to receive a tip or a tip holder. The bias member is configured to urge movement of the lock member away from a distal segment of the heater. |
| US09168602B2 |
Gear grinding machine and gear grinding method
The actual axial center position of a helical gear relative to the axial center position of a rotary table is calculated on the basis of input gear dimensions and information from a touch probe. Correction values for the positions and motions of the rotary table and a grindstone are calculated on the basis of the actual axial center position of the helical gear.Operation values for the rotary table, a column, a saddle, and a grindstone head are calculated by adding the correction values to reference values for the positions and motions of the rotary table and the grindstone. Motors are controlled in such a way that operation is carried out at the operation values to thereby carry out form grinding. |
| US09168599B2 |
Saw disk with improved chip discharge
A cutting disk for a rotary cutting machine includes a disk body having a central axis of rotation and a circumferentially extending outer periphery. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart cutting teeth is mounted to the outer periphery of the disk body. A chip pocket is defined in the circumferential outer periphery of the disk body between each of the circumferentially spaced apart cutting teeth. Each chip pocket is formed by a chip clearance surface extending radially inwardly into the disk body to form the chip pocket between circumferentially adjacent cutting teeth. The chip pocket is adapted to receive a tooth-produced chip therein, thereby providing more room for chip discharge and thus reducing disk wear. |
| US09168597B2 |
Table saw with foldable tabletop and legs
Provided is a table saw assembly including a base portion, a saw blade opening, a saw assembly and a first leg assembly. The base portion includes a base work piece support surface which defines a support plane. The base portion includes a lower surface opposite the base work piece support surface. The saw blade opening is defined in the base work piece support surface. The saw assembly includes a saw blade which is positionable to extend upwardly through the saw blade opening. The first leg assembly includes a first foot portion. The first leg assembly is pivotable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first foot portion is positioned lower than the lower surface of the base portion. In the second position, the first foot portion is positioned above the lower surface of the base portion. |
| US09168594B2 |
Toolholder with externally mounted tunable absorber mass
A toolholder includes an absorber mass externally mounted to a body portion of the toolholder. A spacer is disposed within one or more recesses formed in a bottom wall of the absorber mass. One or more resilient members are disposed between the body portion and the absorber mass, and one or more resilient members are disposed between the absorber mass and the spacer. A clamping bolt passes through each spacer, through the absorber mass and is threaded into the body portion of the toolholder. A rigidity of the one or more resilient members can be selectively adjusted by the clamping bolts so as to tune the absorber mass for optimum dampening of vibration of the toolholder. |
| US09168588B2 |
Cutting insert having a coolant duct
A cutting insert having a main lip, a rake face and at least one coolant duct, which is formed on the top side of the cutting insert, is disclosed. The at least one coolant duct runs at least partially in the rake face towards the main lip and the width increases towards the main lip. |
| US09168586B2 |
Stopper rod
Stopper rod having an elongate body with an inlet at an upper first end and an outlet at a lower second end. The second end of the body defines a nose for insertion into a tundish outlet. A continuous axial bore extends through the body from the inlet in the first end to the outlet in the second end. A restrictor having an inlet, an outlet and a passageway therebetween is positioned in the axial bore such that the inlet of the restrictor is closer to the first end than the second end. A gas supply conduit is arranged to supply gas into the axial bore above the inlet of the restrictor. |
| US09168582B2 |
Machine for forming metal bars
There is provided a machine for forming metal bars particularly suitable for melting and the subsequent continuous solidification of precious metal such as gold, silver, precious alloys, as well as other pure metals or different alloys, in the form of powder, grits or swarf of various sizes, for producing ingots having weights varying from 50 g to 50 kg. The machine having six operating stations arranged in succession. |
| US09168579B2 |
Punching tools and related machines and methods
In some aspects of the invention, a punching tool includes a punching stamp including a stamp shaft and an axial stop; and an adjustment ring having a center opening configured to receive the stamp shaft and abut the axial stop, where a first mark is located along a cylindrical portion of the stamp shaft adjoining the axial stop, and at least a portion of the first mark remains visible when the adjustment ring is abutted against the axial stop. |
| US09168577B2 |
Bending machine for helically bending an elongated workpiece
A bending machine for helically bending an elongated workpiece (T) has at least three bending rollers (2) that, being rotatable integrally with respective supporting shafts (3) with parallel axes (y), co-operate in bending the elongated workpiece (T). Each bending roller (2) is arranged to shift along its own supporting shaft (3) by way of a prismatic coupling for a limited stroke and to swing with respect to the axis of the supporting shaft (3) by way of a partially spherical body (8) forming a rotary coupling with the supporting shaft (3) in a limited amount of angular displacement according to an arc of meridian of the partially spherical body (8), so that each bending roller (2) is orientated coplanar to the elongated workpiece (T) that takes an inclined position on the basis of a desired helix pitch. |
| US09168574B2 |
Thixotropic gel for vadose zone remediation
A thixotropic gel suitable for use in subsurface bioremediation is provided along with a process of using the gel. The thixotropic gel provides a non-migrating injectable substrate that can provide below ground barrier properties. In addition, the gel components provide for a favorable environment in which certain contaminants are preferentially sequestered in the gel and subsequently remediated by either indigenous or introduced microorganisms. |
| US09168571B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlled access to pressurized fluid lines and to exhausted lines
A method and apparatus for controlled access to pressurized fluid lines and to exhausted lines. The apparatus includes a rod body having a bore; a packing fitting attached to a first end of the rod body and a ball valve attached to a second end of the rod body; a transverse arm between the first and second ends of the rod body, the transverse arm having a bore communicating the rod body bore; and a slideable rod in the bore of the rod body, in a first position of the rod a first end extends through the packing fitting to outside of the rod body and a second end is completely within the rod body, in a second position of the rod the first end extends through the packing fitting to outside of the rod body and the second end of the rod extends through and past the ball valve. |
| US09168567B2 |
Polymer membranes, processes for production thereof and use thereof
The invention relates to improved polymer membranes, to processes for production thereof and to the use thereof. |
| US09168565B2 |
Method of reducing dust with self-assembly composites
Well treatment particulates are coated with polyionic material and a composite is formed comprising multiple layers of polyelectrolyte, each layer composed of polyionic material counter to the polyionic material of the polyelectrolyte layer to which it is adjacent. |
| US09168564B1 |
Device and materials fabrication and patterning via shaped slot electrode control of direct electrostatic powder deposition
An object fabricating apparatus is comprised of at least one charged powder cloud generating system, at least one electrode proximate to the powder cloud generating system and comprising at least one shaped slot, and a voltage supply in communication with each electrode to electrostatically modulate the flow of charged powder to a conductive substrate electrically biased to provide an electrostatic attraction of the charged powder to the substrate. An object fabricating method is also disclosed that uses the object fabricating apparatus. |
| US09168559B2 |
Facility and method for coating the inside of a pipe element
A facility suitable for coating the inside of a pipe element with a mortar that comprises a transport device (32) for feeding dry matter of the mortar that includes a transport chamber (48) and a transport member (54) for transporting the dry matter arranged in the transport chamber, the transport chamber being provided with a dry matter inlet (50) and a dry matter outlet (52); a mixing and projection device (34) for mixing the dry matter with liquid matter to obtain the mortar having a mixing member (82) and a mixing chamber (74) wherein the mixing chamber has a dry matter inlet (76) fed by the dry matter outlet (52), a liquid matter inlet (78) and a mortar outlet (80). |
| US09168558B2 |
Glue dispensing apparatus with heating unit and glue dispensing method
A glue dispensing apparatus includes a container, a glue dispensing head and a heating unit. The container receives glue, and the glue dispensing head is connected to the container. The heating unit is mounted on the container. The heating unit includes a temperature sensor, a heating component, and a controller electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the heating component. The controller compares the temperature of the glue with a predetermined temperature range, controls the heating component to heat the glue when the temperature of the glue is equal to or less than a lower limit of the predetermined temperature range, and controls the heating component to stop heating when the temperature of the glue is equal to or greater than an upper limit of the predetermined temperature range. |
| US09168557B2 |
Coating apparatus
Certain embodiments provided a coating apparatus includes an applicator, material supply unit, and first, second, and third moving mechanisms. The applicator includes a meniscus pillar forming portion configured to form a meniscus pillar of the material in conjunction with a surface to be coated of the object to be coated and a recess. The material supply unit supplies the material to the applicator. The first moving mechanism moves the position of the applicator relative to the surface along the surface. The second moving mechanism moves the position of the applicator relative to the surface so that the meniscus pillar between the surface and the recess. The third moving mechanism moves the position of the applicator relatively toward and away from the surface. |
| US09168552B2 |
Spray system for application of adhesive to a stator tube
Spray assemblies for use in coating a regular or irregular internal surface of a cylinder, and methods for coating the inside of a cylinder are disclosed. The spray assemblies may include: a spray head comprising a nozzle for spraying a coating material on an internal surface of a cylinder; a support wand coupled to the spray head; and a roller sleeve rotatably connected to the support wand and configured to contact the internal surface of the cylinder and to rotate radially as the cylinder is rotated. The spray assemblies may be used to provide a consistent and repeatable coating thickness, regardless of cylinder internal diameter. In some embodiments, the spray assemblies may be used to coat the internal surface of a stator tube. |
| US09168548B2 |
Liquid dispensing device
A liquid dispensing device for a trash container spray system may be provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the liquid dispensing device is activated upon the trash receptacle being lifted and placed back on the ground, moving a piston and actuator component of the liquid dispensing device from a first to second position, back to the first position, and providing the force needed to spray the liquid compound into the interior of the trash receptacle. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a manually activated pump feature may be provided for spraying a liquid compound into the interior of a trash receptacle via the liquid dispensing device. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a float valve feature may be provided for spraying the liquid compound into the interior of the trash receptacle via the liquid dispensing device. |
| US09168543B2 |
Rotary switch shower and its control method
A rotary switch shower with a handheld component has a waterway connected to a water outlet eccentrically arranged on a first counterface of the connecting end of the handheld component. The handheld component includes: an outlet component with an essential body, at least two outlet terminals, and a plurality of independent cavities. The outlet terminals are assembled on the essential body and communicate with the independent cavities respectively. Every independent cavity is has a water inlet on the second counterface of the essential body. The water inlets are assigned along an arc whose center is at the rotation axis. The essential body can be rotatably assembled to the handheld component, and switching of the waterways is achieved by rotating the handheld component, so that a water inlet is chosen to communicate with the water outlet, and then a independent cavity is chosen to communicate with the waterway. |
| US09168541B2 |
Shield assembly of low-flow sprinkler
The invention relates to a shield assembly of low-flow sprinkler comprises: a support body, a low-flow sprinkler assembly arranged in the support body and a plurality of shield units sequentially combined to form an arc-shaped shield to be easily installed on the low-flow sprinkler and convenience to adjust sprinkling orientation for the required sprinkling area and to increase or decrease the number of shield units for adjusting the sprinkling angle in order to enhance sprinkling orientation and angle precision. |
| US09168540B2 |
Outlet mechanism with pulsatile splash
An outlet mechanism with pulsatile splash has a main waterway comprising an inlet waterway, two branch waterways and two back-flow waterways; the two branch waterways communicate with the outlet end of the inlet waterway and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the inlet waterway. The outlet directions of the outlet ends of the two branch waterways intersect; the two back-flow waterways are arranged symmetrically with respect to the inlet waterway, and one end of the back-flow waterway communicates with the branch waterway. Another end of that communicates with the inlet end of the inlet waterway. Part of water in the branch waterway is returned to the inlet end of the inlet waterway by the back-flow waterway. The remain water in the two branch waterways intersect when water comes out of the outlet, so that the left-and-right-swing outlet effect, and then the pulsatile splash outlet effect are generated. |
| US09168537B2 |
Magnetic rack
The present application provides a magnetic rack for separating magnetic particles from a non-magnetic medium. The magnetic rack comprises a supporting housing having a top side, a bottom side, two opposite lengthwise sides, and a cavity, wherein at least one magnet is disposed in the cavity, each lengthwise side is attached with a receiving member, and the top side has at least two sockets. The magnetic rack further comprises a pair of supporting walls, wherein each supporting wall has a fixing member introduced onto or into the receiving member to tightly connect the supporting housing with the pair of supporting walls. With the coupling of the receiving member and the fixing member, the supporting wall and the supporting housing can be tightly connected together, therefore the shake of the magnetic rack or the sample vials inserted in the magnetic rack can be significantly avoided. In this way, the magnetic particles can be effectively separated from a non-magnetic medium in the sample vial. |
| US09168528B2 |
Fluids concentration cup assembly with hourglass shape
A biological fluid collection cup for use with a centrifuge bucket to separate a biological fluid into its component parts is disclosed. It includes an hourglass shape with a large upper and lower portion and a narrow middle portion. A piston is to slide into and slideably be received in the lower portion and a side port is provided for withdrawal of a fluid from the narrow portion. |
| US09168526B2 |
Hinged cap for diagnostic device
A hinged cap for engaging a housing of a diagnostic device comprises a central body; two arms extending from opposing sides of one end of said central body, said arms being substantially parallel; each of said arms comprising a cap hinge member for engaging a housing hinge member on said housing, wherein said cap hinge member and said housing hinge member define a hinge axis around which said cap is pivotable between an open and a closed position with respect to said housing. |
| US09168525B2 |
Method for producing a fluidic device
A method for producing a microfluidic device includes: a) forming a carrier plate in an injection compression molding tool; b) arranging at least one functional element on one side of the carrier plate; c) forming a cover plate in an injection compression molding tool, wherein the injection compression molding tool is the same or different than that used to form the carrier plate; and d) arranging the cover plate on the carrier plate to cover the at least one functional element and to seal the fluidic device in an airtight manner. |
| US09168522B2 |
Pipette
A pipette includes a cylinder having a distal end portion to which a pipette tip is removably fitted; and a piston fitted to be freely advanced and retreated in a cylinder chamber. The piston is retreated to suck liquid and advanced to eject the liquid thus sucked. The piston includes, on an outer periphery thereof, a communication groove for allowing an inside of the cylinder chamber to communicate with an outside of the cylinder chamber when the piston is advanced by an amount corresponding to a dimension larger than a predetermined dimension. The communication groove is located on the outside of the cylinder chamber when the piston is located at a retreated position. When the piston is advanced by the amount corresponding to the dimension larger than the predetermined dimension, a seal between the cylinder chamber and the piston is released so that pressure in the cylinder chamber becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure, and a suction/ejection effect is eliminated. |
| US09168519B2 |
Hydroconversion multi-metallic catalyst and method for making thereof
In a process for forming a bulk hydroprocessing catalyst by sulfiding a catalyst precursor made in a co-precipitation reaction, up to 60% of the metal precursor feeds do not react to form catalyst precursor and end up in the supernatant as metal residuals. In the present disclosure, the metals can be recovered in a chemical precipitation step, wherein the supernatant is mixed with at least one of an acid, a sulfide-containing compound, a base, and combinations thereof to precipitate at least 50% of metal ions in at least one of the metal residuals, wherein the precipitation is carried out at a pre-select pH. The precipitate is isolated and recovered, yielding an effluent stream. The precipitate and/or the effluent stream can be further treated to form at least a metal precursor feed which can be used in the co-precipitation reaction. The process generates an effluent to waste treatment containing less than 50 ppm metals. |
| US09168514B2 |
Microwave catalyst and preparation process and use thereof
Provided is a microwave catalyst. The microwave catalyst comprises: i) an active catalyst component comprising a metal and/or a metal oxide; ii) a microwave-absorbing component comprising at least one of CuO, ferrite spinel, and active carbon; and iii) a support. The microwave catalyst can be used for denitration by microwave catalysis, and has advantages such as high denitration efficiency, low energy consumption, environmental friendliness, and low costs. Also provided is a process for preparing the microwave catalyst and the use thereof. |
| US09168511B2 |
Catalyst for hydrogen production
The invention provides a catalyst for the production of hydrogen by steam reforming. The catalyst is a porous catalyst which is based on at least aluminum oxide and preferably magnesium oxide, and further comprises boron and nickel. The porous catalyst comprises pores having an average pore size in the range of 0.1-50 nm. The activity of the catalyst may be further enhanced by addition of a noble metal such as Rh, Ru, Pd, Ir or Pt. The catalyst can be broadly used in hydrogen production processes, and is especially suitable for reforming using a membrane which is selective for a predetermined reaction product. Such process can be operated at relatively low temperatures of about 450-700° C. |
| US09168508B2 |
Method for producing biodiesel fuel and biodiesel fuel composition
Provided is a method for producing biodiesel fuel having an excellent oxidative stability and fluidity at low temperature, wherein the method provides selective hydrogenation of a poly-unsaturated fatty acid alkyl ester to the mono-unsaturated fatty acid alkyl ester while inhibiting the formation of the trans-isomer, and a biodiesel fuel composition. In the method for producing biodiesel fuel, a fatty acid alkyl ester prepared from fat and/or waste edible oil by transesterification reaction, and/or (2) a fatty acid alkyl ester treated by esterification reaction of a fatty acid is hydrogenated in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst containing at least one of noble metals selected from those of Groups 8-10 in the periodic table under low hydrogen pressure. |
| US09168503B2 |
Reaction system and process for preparing polymethoxy dimethyl ether
The invention relates to a reaction system and process for continuously preparing polymethoxy dimethyl ether (DMM3-8) by a continuous acetalization reaction between an aqueous formaldehyde solution or paraformaldehyde and methanol in the presence of a functionalized acidic ionic liquid as a catalyst. The reaction system of the invention preferably comprises a formaldehyde-concentrating unit, a vacuum-drying unit, an acetalization reaction unit, a product-separating unit and a catalyst-regenerating unit. The process of the invention uses aqueous formaldehyde solution as an initial raw material, which is concentrated in the formaldehyde-concentrating unit to a concentrated formaldehyde of 50˜80 wt. %, and vacuum-dried to paraformaldehyde, or uses paraformaldehyde as raw material directly, then obtains DMM3-8 by an acetalization reaction. The raw materials of the reaction used in the invention are cheap and available easily, and the utilization rate of formaldehyde is high; an efficient separation between the catalyst and product, as well as the reuse of the catalyst and raw materials, are realized by a separation mode of combining extraction and rectification together. |
| US09168490B2 |
Combination membrane system for producing nitrogen enriched air
A system for providing nitrogen enriched air (NEA) from ambient air uses at least two gas separation membranes that are selectively gas permeable for oxygen and nitrogen. The oxygen/nitrogen selectivity and oxygen permeance of two of the membranes are different such that (1) the selectivity of first membrane is less than the second membrane and the oxygen permeance of first membrane is greater than the second membrane, or (2) the selectivity of first membrane is greater than the second membrane and the oxygen permeance of first membrane is less than the second membrane. The system is very compact, is energy efficient, and highly effective for generating NEA. It is ideally suited for mobile, remote and specialized end use applications, such as automotive vehicles, marine vessels, off-shore platform fuel storage and especially for supplying NEA to blanket ullage of onboard aircraft fuel storage tanks. |