| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09189392B1 |
Opportunistic defragmentation during garbage collection
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for opportunistically defragmenting a data storage device during garbage collection. During garbage collection, valid data is identified and cached in a buffer assigned to the garbage collection process. When the buffer has been filled or reached a threshold, the valid data in the buffer is then coalesced and rewritten back to the data storage medium. In addition, a translation table is reduced by updating its entries to indicate the new locations of the coalesced valid data. |
| US09189388B2 |
Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus including a NAND type flash memory; circuitry configured to control writing/reading of data to/from the NAND type flash memory; and an interface configured to connect the information processing apparatus to a host apparatus. The circuitry is configured to determine whether to erase data stored in a specific area within the NAND type flash memory by overwriting the data based on whether an overwrite command is received from the host apparatus via the interface; and erase a physical block including the specific area when it is determined to erase the data by removing electric charges in the NAND type flash memory in the physical block including the specific area. |
| US09189386B2 |
Dynamically allocating number of bits per cell for memory locations of a non-volatile memory
Systems and methods are provided for dynamically allocating a number of bits per cell to memory locations of a non-volatile memory (“NVM”) device. In some embodiments, a host may determine whether to store data in the NVM device using SLC programming or MLC programming operations. The host may allocate an erased block as an SLC block or MLC block based on this determination regardless of whether the erased block was previously used as an SLC block, MLC block, or both. In some embodiments, to dynamically allocate a memory location as SLC or MLC, the host may provide an address vector to the NVM package, where the address vector may specify the memory location and the number of bits per cell to use for that memory location. |
| US09189384B2 |
Memory system and memory managing method thereof
A memory managing method is provided for a memory system, including a nonvolatile memory device and a memory controller controlling the nonvolatile memory device. The memory managing method includes determining whether a program-erase number of a memory block in the nonvolatile memory device reaches a first reference value; managing a life of the memory block according to a first memory managing method when the program-erase number of the memory block is determined to be less than the first reference value; and managing the life of the memory block according to a second memory managing method different from the first memory managing method when the program-erase number of the memory block is determined to be greater than the first reference value. |
| US09189381B2 |
Managing CPU resources for high availability micro-partitions
A primary processing unit entitlement is determined for a logical partition. A smaller secondary processing unit entitlement is also determined. A partition manager allocates primary processing units to the logical partition from a primary shared processor pool, and the logical partition is activated. The secondary processing units are reserved for the logical partition from a secondary shared processor pool, and the logical partition can be relocated to the secondary shared processor pool in response to a condition such as a hardware failure. The logical partition can continue to process its workload with the fewer processor resources, and can be restored to the primary processing unit entitlement. |
| US09189377B1 |
Automation testing using descriptive maps
Apparatus and methods for automation testing of a user interface (“UI”) using descriptive UI Maps are provided. A UI Map may list related UI controls, properties and functionality of the UI controls. A Data Sheet may provide test parameters used for each control in a particular test step. An Instructions Sheet may specify an automation test scenario to be applied. The Instruction Sheet may include a reference to the test parameters of the Data Sheet. Use of descriptive UI maps may provide a modular framework. Each UI Map may describe a group of functionally or logically linked controls on a UI page. As a result of description details being provided in the UI map, standard code may be written once to interpret and make use of those details. Typically no additional coding is required to automate test scenarios related to control groups associated with the UI. |
| US09189374B2 |
Automatic test system for distributed comprehensive service and method thereof
An automatic test system and method for a distributed comprehensive service are disclosed. The system has a client (101), a scheduling server (102) and testing subsystems (103) which are in a distributed deployment and used to test tested systems (104) that are also in a distributed deployment. The scheduling server (102) receives and analyzes test tasks sent from the client (101), schedules test items according to the logical relationship and distributes them to the corresponding testing subsystems (103). The test subsystems (103) analyze and execute the test items to test the tested systems (104), collect test item execution reports and send the execution reports to the scheduling server (102). The scheduling server (102) generates a test task report and sends to the client (101) for examination. The system supports complicated multi-service test scenarios and multi-test task execution. |
| US09189373B2 |
Automated top down process to minimize test configurations for multi-feature products
Systems and methods of conducting interoperability assessments provide for generating a feature interoperability matrix based on feature data and interoperability data, wherein the feature data defines a plurality of features of a product and the interoperability data indicates levels of interoperability of the plurality of features. A validation set can be generated based on the feature interoperability matrix, wherein the validation set includes a plurality of feature combinations. A subfeature interoperability matrix can be used to convert the validation set into a test plan for the product, wherein the test plan minimizes test configurations for the product. |
| US09189371B2 |
Dynamic load testing
A system includes sending of requests to a computing system based on a first number of users associated with a load test, evaluation of one or more characteristics of the computing system while sending the requests, determination to modify the first number of users to a second number of users based on the one or more evaluated characteristics, and sending of requests to the computing system based on the second number of users. |
| US09189370B2 |
Smart terminal fuzzing apparatus and method using multi-node structure
The present invention relates to a smart terminal fuzzing apparatus and method using a multi-node structure. The smart terminal fuzzing apparatus includes a fuzzing command management unit for managing fuzzing instructions corresponding to performance of fuzzing. An algorithm management unit creates fuzzing commands based on the fuzzing instructions, and distributes the fuzzing commands to a plurality of fuzzing nodes connected to a fuzzing client depending on a distribution algorithm. A fuzzing client management unit performs control such that fuzzing is performed by the plurality of fuzzing nodes in compliance with the fuzzing commands through the fuzzing client. A log management unit receives results of performance of fuzzing from the plurality of fuzzing nodes and manages the fuzzing results. |
| US09189369B1 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for an automated test framework
A first input, a first function and a corresponding first output type of a first test of programming code are stored. The first output type results from execution of the first function with the first input for the first test of programming code. It is determined whether a second input type for a second test of programming code matches the first output type stored in the data source. If the second input type matches the first output type, the first function is executed with the first input so that the second test is performed using an output of the first function as the second input. |
| US09189368B2 |
System and method for testing a user application using a computing apparatus and a media playback apparatus
The present invention relates to a system and method for testing a user application using a computing apparatus and a media playback apparatus. According to the present invention, the media playback apparatus tests the user application which is generated by executing a developer application in a computing apparatus, wherein the computing apparatus is connected to the media playback apparatus through a network. Thus, applications stored in a plurality of computing apparatuses can be tested using a single media playback apparatus. |
| US09189367B2 |
Methods and systems for debugging bytecode in an on-demand service environment
Described herein are means for debugging byte code in an on-demand service environment system including a system for simulating execution debug in a multi-tenant database environment. Such means may include: receiving a request at a web-server of the system, determining one or more trace preferences are active for the request, sending the request to a logging framework communicatively interfaced to the multi-tenant database implementation, processing the request via the logging framework, and capturing at least a portion of the execution data emitted responsive to execution of the plurality of events for use in simulating execution debug of the events. Other related embodiments are additionally described. |
| US09189363B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for monitoring an execution flow of a function
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for monitoring an execution flow of a function. In use, data associated with a function is identified within a call stack. Additionally, a call stack frame is determined from freed memory in the call stack. Further, an execution flow of the function is monitored, utilizing the call stack frame from the freed memory. |
| US09189362B2 |
Method for measuring the performance of a target server housing a dynamic monitoring tool
A method for measuring the performance of at least one target server housing a dynamic monitoring tool which can be controlled by scripts, the dynamic monitoring tool having predefined probes for acquiring the data relating to the behavior of an operating system and applications of the target server, the method including, from a remote management server, the following steps: a dynamic monitoring tool within the target server is accessed via a communication network, at least one script to be executed by the dynamic monitoring tool is remotely transmitted, and at predetermined times, the target server is automatically accessed so as to retrieve the performance data resulting from the execution of the script by the dynamic monitoring tool. |
| US09189360B2 |
Processor that records tracing data in non contiguous system memory slices
A method is described that involves referring to first information from a directory table in system memory. The first information includes location information and size information of a first slice of system memory where first tracing data is to be stored. The method also includes tracking the amount of tracing data stored in the first slice of system memory and comparing the amount against the size information. The method also includes, before the first slice of system memory is filled, referring to second information from the directory table in system memory, where, the second information includes location information and size information of a second slice of system memory where second tracing data is to be stored. The first slice is not contiguous with the second slice of system memory. |
| US09189359B2 |
Computer product, control apparatus, and control method
A computer-readable recording medium stores a control program causing a processor of a first terminal to execute a process that includes detecting that a remaining battery level of the first terminal has become less than or equal to a first threshold while a task is under execution by the first terminal; suspending execution of the task upon detecting that the remaining battery level of the first terminal has become less than or equal to the first threshold; transmitting identification information of the task to a second terminal upon detecting that the remaining battery level of the first terminal has become less than or equal to the first threshold; receiving from the second terminal and after transmitting the identification information of the task, information related to a potential of executing the task; and transmitting to the second terminal, information corresponding to the information related to the potential of executing the task. |
| US09189358B2 |
Apparatus and method for verifying operating system of host device in portable terminal
An apparatus and method for determining an Operation System (OS) of a host device connected through USB in a portable terminal. The apparatus includes a connection port for receiving a descriptor request from the host device, an analysis unit for analyzing the received descriptor request and providing the analyzed result, an OS determining unit for determining the OS of the host device using information received from the analysis unit, and a controller that controls the analysis unit and the OS determining unit to analyze the descriptor request of the host device and determine the OS of the host device. |
| US09189355B1 |
Method and system for processing a service request
A method for processing a service request, including receiving, from a client application, the service request which includes a header which includes transmission metadata and a client trace ID. An internal trace ID is appended to the service request and a request trace log including the client trace ID, the internal trace ID, and a time stamp corresponding to receiving the service request is generated. The method further includes selecting a cloud server including functionality to process the service request. The cloud server determines a dedicated computing cluster of a plurality of distributed cloud computing clusters to handle the service request and sends the service request to the dedicated computing cluster. Finally, the method includes recording, in the request trace log, an interaction of the dedicated computing cluster with the service request. |
| US09189353B2 |
Voltage testing device and voltage testing method for CPU
The disclosure provides a voltage testing device and a method. A voltage testing device includes a PCB, a computer, and a detecting chip. The PCB includes a CPU socket, a signal producing chip, and a voltage regulator. The computer sets predetermined data. The detecting chip is inserted in the CPU socket. The detecting chip includes a reading module, a converting module, a sending module, and a control module. The signal producing chip sends a start-up signal to the control module. The converting module converts the predetermined data to SVID data. The sending module sends the SVID data to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator sends a CPU voltage to the CPU socket. The voltage value testing device calculates a value of the CPU voltage to determine if the value of the CPU voltage associates with a voltage corresponding to the predetermined data. |
| US09189351B2 |
Method of obtaining instruction for triggering function
A method of obtaining a function triggering instruction is provided. The method is adapted to a computer system using a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI). In the present method, a variable in a read-only memory (ROM) of a basic input/output system (BIOS) is accessed during power-on self test (POST) of the computer system, wherein the variable has a first element, a second element, and a third element. Whether values of the first element and the second element respectively match a variable name and a globally unique identifier (GUID) corresponding to an instruction is determined. If the values of the first element and the second element respectively match the variable name and the GUID corresponding to the instruction, a function triggered by the instruction is executed according to the value of the third element. |
| US09189345B1 |
Method to perform instant restore of physical machines
A method of performing data restore includes connecting, using a boot capable network communication interface, to a backup server over a data network, the backup server having stored thereon a block based backup data volume; accessing the block based backup data volume via the data network as a remotely readable storage resource; and using operating system data read from the block based backup data volume to perform a network boot operation. |
| US09189344B2 |
Storage management system and storage management method with backup policy
An embodiment of this invention is a storage management system including a processor and a storage device to manage a storage system having one or more copy functions. The processor locates data designated to determine a backup method. The storage device stores copy function management information on the one or more copy functions of the storage system. The processor refers to the copy function management information to ascertain the unit of copy operation of each of the one or more copy functions. The processor determines a candidate for a copy function of the storage system to be used to back up the designated data depending on the data configuration in a volume holding the designated data and the unit of copy operation of the candidate for the copy function. |
| US09189343B2 |
Frequent data set captures for volume forensics
Techniques, including systems and methods, take frequent captures of data sets for the purpose of forensic analysis. The data set captures are taken at the block level in various embodiments. Data set captures are used to instantiate forensic storage volumes that are attached to computing instances. The computing instances can access data in the forensic storage volumes at a state corresponding to a specified capture time. A user can select different capture times to re-instantiate the forensic storage volume to see how the forensic storage volume changed between captures. |
| US09189342B1 |
Generic process for determining child to parent inheritance for fast provisioned or linked clone virtual machines
A method for backing up virtual machine (VM) data is described, and includes, in response to a request to back up a first VM of a first storage system, determining a disk layout of a VM disk associated with the first VM, the disk layout having nodes in a hierarchical structure, each node corresponding to a VM. The method includes traversing the disk layout to derive a first storage location of a first VM configuration data of the first VM and a second storage location of a second VM configuration data associated with a second VM that is a parent VM to the first VM, identifying a first VM snapshot from the first configuration data and a second VM snapshot from the second configuration data, determining a list of changed blocks representing data blocks that are different between the first and second VM snapshots, and backing up the changed blocks. |
| US09189341B1 |
Method and apparatus for multi-copy replication using a multi-splitter
Conventional methods of multi-site replication require a data protection appliance (DPA) to split IOs arriving at a volume from a host to a plurality of replica volumes. However, in example embodiments of the present invention, a splitter in the data path may split the IOs to a plurality of replica volumes. In order to create multiple, independent copies of a volume, the splitter will expose the volume to the production site DPA as a plurality of volume instances. Each volume instance may be part of a separate consistency group to be replicated to separate replication sites. Thus, the DPA may attach the splitter to several consistency groups and thus create multiple replicas at one or more replication sites of the same volume. |
| US09189340B2 |
Secure recovery apparatus and method
A system and method is disclosed for recovering a boot image from a secure location. Hardware instructions initiate a sequence of boot cycles to launch a computer operating system on a computer-enabled device. During the boot cycles, multiple levels of boot code are verified and a determination is made whether each level is usable by the device. If a level of boot code is determined to be unusable, a secure copy of the boot code is loaded from a secure read-only location to repair the unusable code to launch the computer operating system. |
| US09189339B1 |
Replication of a virtual distributed volume with virtual machine granualarity
In one aspect, a method includes intercepting an I/O sent by a virtual machine at a first site, sending the I/O to a first data protection appliance (DPA) at the first site, sending I/O metadata to a first service layer at the first site, sending I/O data down the I/O stack after receiving acknowledgement that the I/O metadata arrived at the first service layer, intercepting the I/O at the first service layer, sending the I/O metadata from the first service layer to a second service layer at a second site and sending I/O data to the second service layer at the second site by ensuring that I/O metadata mirroring between the first site and the second site is completed before I/O data mirroring occurs between the first site and the second site. |
| US09189331B2 |
Programmable address-based write-through cache control
This invention is a cache system with a memory attribute register having plural entries. Each entry stores a write-through or a write-back indication for a corresponding memory address range. On a write to cached data the cache the cache consults the memory attribute register for the corresponding address range. Writes to addresses in regions marked as write-through always update all levels of the memory hierarchy. Writes to addresses in regions marked as write-back update only the first cache level that can service the write. The memory attribute register is preferably a memory mapped control register writable by the central processing unit. |
| US09189318B2 |
Path-sensitive analysis framework for bug checking
A method for performing path-sensitive data-flow analysis for use in error checking functions includes identifying at least a first instruction and a second instruction in a control flow graph of a function. The identified first instruction and second instruction are connected by at least a first control flow path and a second control flow path. The method further includes defining a path condition between the first instruction and the second instruction as a complex disjunction including a first conjunction of predicates for the first control flow path and a second conjunction of predicates for the second control flow path. The method further includes converting the path condition into conjunctive normal form to obtain a converted path condition that includes a disjunction of atomic constraints, generating a simplified path condition by simplifying the disjunction of atomic constraints in the converted path condition to a value, analyzing the function using the simplified path condition to detect an error, and presenting the error. |
| US09189313B2 |
Memory system having NAND-type flash memory and memory controller with shift read controller and threshold voltage comparison module
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a NAND-type flash memory and a memory controller. A comparison module of the memory controller compares a first threshold voltage distribution of a first memory area with a second threshold voltage distribution of the first memory area acquired earlier than the first threshold voltage distribution, if an error is detected in data read from the first memory area. An error factor determination module of the memory controller determines a cause of the error based on the comparison result, and inhibits a data move operation of moving data of the first memory area to the second memory area based on the determination result. |
| US09189311B2 |
Rebuilding a storage array
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for rebuilding a storage array. The method comprises: replacing, in response to a failing storage device occurs in the storage array, the failing storage device with a first spare storage device; performing component rebuild by using other storage devices in the storage array than the first spare storage device, so as to restore within the first spare storage device data in the failing storage device; performing, in parallel with the component rebuild, smart rebuild by using a second spare storage device, so as to copy data in the failing storage device to the second spare storage device; replacing the first spare storage device with the second spare storage device in the storage array upon completion of the smart rebuild. |
| US09189305B2 |
Durable subscriptions in publish/subscribe messaging
Durable subscriptions in publish/subscribe messaging are provided. A durable subscription is received for a subscribing application. The durable subscription includes a parameter defining persistence for which a subscription is to be durable. It is detected whether the subscribing application is disconnected. In response to detecting that the subscribing application is disconnected, a filter is applies to messages to determine whether a message meets a defined persistence requirement. Only persistent messages are retained for delivery once the subscribing application is reconnected. |
| US09189302B2 |
Technique for monitoring activity within an integrated circuit
A technique to monitor events within a computer system or integrated circuit. In one embodiment, a software-accessible event monitoring storage and hardware-specific monitoring logic are selectable and their corresponding outputs may be monitored by accessing a counter to count events corresponding to each of software-accessible storage and hardware-specific monitoring logic. |
| US09189299B2 |
Framework for system communication for handling data
Techniques for making internal data from a source application available through an application programming interface (“API”). Embodiments may analyze a source application to determine a storage location and a first storage format of internal data, wherein the source application does not provide an API through which the internal data is accessible. Embodiments may then extract the internal data from the storage location, and convert the extracted data from the first storage format to a common storage format. Embodiments may then provide an API to make the converted data available. |
| US09189297B2 |
Managing shared memory
Systems, methods, and computer-readable and executable instructions are provided for managing shared memory. A method for managing shared memory can include statically assigning a first number of locks to the shared memory during compile-time and dynamically assigning a second number of locks to the shared memory during runtime. |
| US09189294B2 |
Environment preserving cloud migration and management
A system and method of operation is disclosed describing migration, management, and operation of applications and servers from customer data centers to cloud computing platforms without modification to existing environments or user access procedures. A cloud isolation layer operates as a virtual layer on the cloud platform, enabling server operation in a virtual environment that appears the same as the prior local environment. A cloud software image and a local cloud gateway act to redirect existing addressing from the local environment to the cloud implementation through secure network and data paths. A local management application provides a control interface and maps and manages the local environment and utilized cloud resources. |
| US09189293B2 |
Computer, virtualization mechanism, and scheduling method
Computer including a plurality of physical CPUs, a plurality of virtual computers which execute predetermined processing and to which one of the plurality of physical CPUs is assigned, and a virtual computer control component able to cause the plurality of physical CPUs to execute overhead processing required by plurality of virtual computers. Virtual computer control component configured to: (A) upon causing the physical CPU, in which processing of the virtual computer is in a running state, to execute overhead processing, measure a run time used by the physical CPU to manage a cumulative run time, for each of the physical CPUs; and (B) upon causing the overhead processing to be executed subsequent to the (A), select a physical CPU in which the cumulative run time is smallest as the physical CPU to execute the overhead processing. |
| US09189291B2 |
Sharing a kernel of an operating system among logical partitions
Sharing a kernel of an operating system among logical partitions, including installing in a partition manager a kernel of a type used by a plurality of logical partitions; installing in the partition manager generic data structures specifying computer resources assigned to each of the plurality of logical partitions; and providing, by the kernel to the logical partitions, kernel services in dependence upon the generic data structures. |
| US09189283B2 |
Task launching on hardware resource for client
A system includes a client management component, a monitor component, and a hardware resource component, each of which is implemented in hardware. The client management component chooses a selected client from one or more clients for which a given task is to be fulfilled by a selected hardware resource of one or more hardware resources. The monitor component receives the given task and an identifier of the selected client from the client management component and monitors completion of the given task for the selected client by the selected hardware resource. The hardware resource management receives the given task from the monitor component, chooses the selected hardware resource that is to fulfill the given task, and launches the given task on the selected hardware resource. |
| US09189282B2 |
Thread-to-core mapping based on thread deadline, thread demand, and hardware characteristics data collected by a performance counter
Techniques for thread mapping in multi-core processors are disclosed. An example computing system is disclosed having a multi-core processor with a plurality of processor cores. A performance counter may be configured to collect data relating to the performance of the multi-core processor. A core controller may be configured to map threads of execution to the processor cores based at least in part on the data collected by the performance counter. |
| US09189281B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for providing fairness in task servicing
A storage system that is configured to fairly service requests from different host systems particularly in congested situations. To balance the processing of tasks between different clients, the system sorts tasks received from different clients into task lists. In particular, the system sorts the incoming tasks based on the ITL (Initiator, Target, LU) nexus information associated with each task. In some instances, a new task list is created for each ITL nexus. The sorting of tasks may provide for a more even distribution of tasks and thus a more fair processing of tasks. More specifically, because tasks from each list are processed in round-robin fashion, tasks arriving from even the slowest clients are given a substantially equal chance of being processed as the tasks arriving from the faster clients. |
| US09189276B2 |
Background collective operation management in a parallel computer
Background collective operation management in a parallel computer, the parallel computer including one or more compute nodes operatively coupled for data communications over one or more data communications networks, including: determining, by a management availability module, whether a compute node in the parallel computer is available to perform a background collective operation management task; responsive to determining that the compute node is available to perform the background collective operation management task, determining, by the management availability module, whether the compute node has access to sufficient resources to perform the background collective operation management task; and responsive to determining that the compute node has access to sufficient resources to perform the background collective operation management task, initiating, by the management availability module, execution of the background collective operation management task. |
| US09189271B2 |
Operation transfer from an origin virtual machine to a destination virtual machine while continue the execution of the operation on the origin virtual machine
Technologies and implementations for transferring operation from an origin virtual machine to a destination virtual machine while the origin virtual machine continues to execute an origin executable are generally disclosed. |
| US09189263B1 |
Object synchronization in shared object space
A shared object space in a computer system provides synchronized access to data objects accessible to a plurality of concurrently running applications in the computer system. The shared object space is allocated a portion of memory of the computer system and concurrently running applications are able to connect to the shared object space. The shared object space restricts simultaneous access to data objects by the concurrently running applications by associating locks with the data objects. |
| US09189261B2 |
Saving, transferring and recreating GPU context information across heterogeneous GPUs during hot migration of a virtual machine
A system and method are disclosed for recreating graphics processing unit (GPU) state information associated with a migrated virtual machine (VM). A VM running on a first VM host coupled to a first graphics device, comprising a first GPU, is migrated to a second VM host coupled to a second graphics device, in turn comprising a second GPU. A context module coupled to the first GPU reads its GPU state information in its native GPU state representation format and then converts the GPU state information into an intermediary GPU state representation format. The GPU state information is conveyed in the intermediary GPU state representation format to the second VM host, where it is received by a context module coupled to the second GPU. The context module converts the GPU state information related to the first GPU from the intermediary GPU state representation format to the native GPU state representation format of the second GPU. Once converted, the GPU state information of the first GPU is restored to the second GPU in its native GPU state representation format. |
| US09189254B2 |
Translating text to, merging, and optimizing graphical user interface tasks
A system and method that enables a plurality of lay users to collaborate on automating computer tasks is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system automatically performs these tasks, rather than just documenting how to perform them. The system allows a database of solutions to be built for every important computer task. A key characteristic of this system is that users contribute to this database by simply performing the task. The system records the graphical user interface (GUI) actions as the user performs the task. It aggregates GUI traces from multiple users into a canonical sequence of GUI actions parameterized by user-environment that will successfully accomplish the task on a variety of different configurations. A classifier is used to predict which steps are likely to be misinterpreted and requests human intervention to properly perform them. This process can be done iteratively until the translation is believed to be correct. |
| US09189246B2 |
Method and apparatus to support separate operating systems in partitions of a processing system
A processing system with multiple processing units may support separate operating systems (OSs) in separate partitions. During an initialization process, a preboot manager in the processing system may copy software to a sequestered area of memory in the processing system. The preboot manager may also configure the processing system to hide the sequestered area of memory from a first partition of the processing system. Also, the preboot manager may use a first processing unit in the processing system to boot an OS on the first partition, and the preboot manager may transmit a boot trigger from the first processing unit to a second processing unit in the processing system. The boot trigger may cause the second processing unit to use the software in the sequestered area of memory to boot a second partition of the processing system. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09189245B2 |
Motherboard in a server
A server comprises a first motherboard module. The first motherboard module comprises a first motherboard, a first CPU, at least one first memory module, a chipset, input/output units, a BIOS unit and a first QPI connector. The first CPU is disposed on the first motherboard. The first memory module electrically couples with the first CPU. The chipset electrically couples with the first CPU. The input/output units electrically couple with the chipset. The BIOS unit electrically couples with the chipset. The first QPI connector electrically couples with the first CPU through a QPI bus. The first QPI connector is connected to a second motherboard module. |
| US09189244B2 |
Methods and systems for managing data service specifications
Development of network-based computing resources can be enhanced through the use of methods and systems that allow for controlled editing of specification data used in an automated build process in a user-friendly way. Particularly, one or more software tools can be used to allow editing of application programming interfaces (API) specification data such as Web Application Description Language (WADL) or Web Service Description Language (WSDL) and/or to allow editing of elements used to generate software development kit (SDK) documentation relied upon by an automatic build system. For example, a first interface may be configured for editing parameter values and parameter types related to functionality of the API while a second interface may restrict use to editing descriptive aspects of the API such as the SDK. |
| US09189243B2 |
Efficient rollback and retry of conflicted speculative threads with hardware support
A method for rolling back speculative threads in symmetric-multiprocessing (SMP) environments is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting an aborted thread at runtime and determining whether the aborted thread is an oldest aborted thread. In the event the aborted thread is the oldest aborted thread, the method sets a high-priority request for allocation to an absolute thread number associated with the oldest aborted thread. The method further detects that the high-priority request is set and, in response, clears the high-priority request and sets an allocation token to the absolute thread number associated with the oldest aborted thread, thereby allowing the oldest aborted thread to retry a work unit associated with the absolute thread number. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed. |
| US09189241B2 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling the issue of instructions in a multithreaded microprocessor
A method is provided for dynamically determining which instructions from a plurality of available instructions to issue in each clock cycle in a multithreaded processor capable of issuing a plurality of instructions in each clock cycle. The method includes the steps of: determining a highest priority instruction from the plurality of available instructions; determining the compatibility of the highest priority instruction with each of the remaining available instructions; and issuing the highest priority instruction together with other instructions compatible with the highest priority instruction in the same clock cycle. The highest priority instruction cannot be a speculative instruction. The effect of this method is that speculative instructions are only ever issued together with at least one non-speculative instruction. |
| US09189240B2 |
Split-word memory
Method, process, and apparatus to efficiently store, read, and/or process syllables of word data. A portion of a data word, which includes multiple syllables, may be read by a computer processor. The processor may read a first syllable of the data word from a first memory. The processor may read a second syllable of the data word from a second portion of memory. The second syllable may include bits which are less critical than the bits of the first syllable. The second memory may be distinct from the first memory based on one or more physical attributes. |
| US09189238B2 |
Bitstream buffer manipulation with a SIMD merge instruction
Method, apparatus, and program means for performing bitstream buffer manipulation with a SIMD merge instruction. The method of one embodiment comprises determining whether any unprocessed data bits for a partial variable length symbol exist in a first data block is made. A shift merge operation is performed to merge the unprocessed data bits from the first data block with a second data block. A merged data block is formed. A merged variable length symbol comprised of the unprocessed data bits and a plurality of data bits from the second data block is extracted from the merged data block. |
| US09189233B2 |
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a hardware and software system to automatically decompose a program to multiple parallel threads
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a hardware and software system to automatically decompose a program into multiple parallel threads are described. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: analyzing a single-threaded region of executing program code, the analysis including identifying dependencies within the single-threaded region; determining portions of the single-threaded region of executing program code which may be executed in parallel based on the analysis; assigning the portions to two or more parallel execution tracks; and executing the portions in parallel across the assigned execution tracks. |
| US09189232B2 |
RISC processor and its register flag bit processing method
The present invention discloses a RISC processor and a method of processing flag bits of a register in the RISC processor. Said RISC processor comprises a physical register stack, an operating component connected to the physical register stack and an decoder connected to the operating component; the physical register stack comprises an emulation flag register for emulating to realize flag bits of a flag register in a CISC processor; the operating component comprises a flag read-write module for reading and writing the values of the flag bits of the emulation flag register. The operating component further comprises an operating controller for performing an operation control according to the values of the flag bits of the emulation flag register when the RISC processor is in the working mode of X86 virtual machine during an operation process. |
| US09189229B2 |
Self-diagnosing processes using quick response codes
Method for diagnosing consistency of a software cluster utilizing a machine parsable code includes a deployment manager configured to function as a master node of the software cluster, a plurality of nodes connected to the deployment manager, and an electronic device or devices registered with the deployment manager. The deployment manager can be configured to generate a master quick response code and each of the plurality of nodes can be configured to generate a node quick response code. The electronic device(s) may be associated with a system administrator and may also be installed with application software. Embodiments may allow the system administrator to encode, manage and analyze diagnostic information of the nodes in the software cluster utilizing the master quick response code and the node quick response code in an efficient manner. |
| US09189221B2 |
Consistent operating system servicing for distributed nodes
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for deploying an updated image to nodes propagated throughout a distributed computing platform are provided. Upon receiving an indication to install a patch to an operating system residing on the nodes, an existing image of the operating system is accessed at a staging service. The staging service generates the updated image by applying the patch to the existing image. The process of applying the patch includes mounting the existing image of the operating system to a virtual machine, copying the patch to the mounted existing image, setting a command within the existing image that executes upon activating the virtual machine, and activating the virtual machine, thereby executing the command. This directs the patch to be installed. The updated image is pushed to the nodes. The nodes are configured to utilize the updated image as the operating system without performing an individual installation of the patch. |
| US09189219B2 |
Deciding whether to install a first application within one of a plurality of candidate environments
A mechanism is provided for deciding whether to install a first application within one of a plurality of candidate environments. An environment comprising one or more other applications. The first application and a candidate environment are analyzed to determine whether there is the potential for the first application to interact in an unintended manner with an application in the candidate environment. If there is no such potential, then the environment is identified as a suitable environment into which to install the first application. An unintended interaction is when a rule would be broken by an interaction between the first application and an application in the candidate environment. |
| US09189216B2 |
Power consumption design-optimization of a communication device software program
A calculation unit performs statistical analysis of functions used in a software program under development. From the result of this statistical analysis, the calculation unit calculates indicators of possibility that executing a plurality of functions in combination improves power consumption, relative to the case of executing these functions separately, thus producing a table that associates combinations of functions with such indicators. The produced table is stored in a storage unit. A searching unit searches source code of the software program under development to find a source code portion that includes one of the combinations of functions in the stored table. A displaying unit displays the found source code portion in a manner distinguishable from other portions of the source code. |
| US09189215B1 |
Convergence analysis of program variables
System and method for convergence analysis. One or more state variables of a first program may be determined based on dependencies of variables in a first program. A second program corresponding to the first program is created based on the state variables and their dependencies, and executed multiple times. Each execution may include recording values of the state variables, determining an execution count, comparing the values to corresponding values from previous executions of the second program, and terminating the executing in response to the values matching corresponding values from at least one previous execution of the second program. A convergence property for the first program is determined based on the execution count, and indicating a number of executions of the first program required to generate all possible values of the one or more variables. The convergence property is stored, and may be useable to optimize the first program. |
| US09189208B2 |
Inline display and preview of related information for elements in a document
Disclosed herein is a system and method for optimizing a developer's ability to find and navigate relevant documents, relationships, and other information related to an identifier in the code they are developing. An inline viewport is presented to the user in response to the user selecting an identifier in the code whereby the user is able to see relevant information related to the identifier in a spatially consistent location with the code they are investigating. Further, the developer has the ability to make changes to the code in the viewport without leaving the current editor. |
| US09189202B2 |
Generate random numbers using metastability resolution time
A mechanism is provided for a circuit for generation of a random output. A bistable circuit has two stable states as an output and a clock signal as an input. The bistable circuit includes a first logic circuit and a second logic circuit cross-coupled connected together, which transition into a metastable state before resolving to the two stable states. The second logic circuit resolves to a stable state at a resolution time. A digitization circuit is configured to generate random bits corresponding to a variance of the resolution time of the second logic circuit resolving from the metastable state to the stable state for cycles of the clock signal. The resolution time randomly varies according to noise. An actual value of the stable state is eliminated as factor in generating the random bits. |
| US09189193B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof for editing second gallery image using editing information used for printing first gallery image
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes a user interface unit configured to receive a user input and a user action, a controller configured to generate a first gallery including a first image saved in the mobile terminal included in a first application and generate a second gallery in response to the user input or the user action by linking the first application to a second application based on printing information on the image, the controller controlling an image printing by controlling a connection to a printable device, an output unit configured to output a second image of the generated second gallery, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit a signal including the outputted second image and a request for printing the second image to the connected printable device. |
| US09189190B2 |
Print system, printing method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stored with print program
A print system including a first printing apparatus subjected to color setting using a color sample, a second printing apparatus not subjected to color setting using a color sample, and a server computer generating a printing setting. The printing setting is used to cause the first printing apparatus to execute printing of a number of copies assigned to the first printing apparatus and proxy printing of a page that includes an object that requires strict color accuracy and is included in a number of copies assigned to the second printing apparatus, cause the second printing apparatus to execute printing of the number of copies assigned to the second printing apparatus except for the printing of the page, and merging the proxy printed page into the paper printed in the second printing apparatus. |
| US09189187B2 |
Service providing system and service providing method for providing a service to a service usage device connected via a network
A service providing system includes an information processing device and provides a service to a service usage device connected via a network. The service providing system includes a storage unit for storing management information, in which service identification information, user identification information, and service usage device identification information are associated; an authentication unit for performing authentication, by using authentication information of the user or the device acquired from the service usage device; a service specification unit for specifying the service associated with the authentication information, based on the authenticated authentication information and the management information; and an execution unit configured to execute a process according to a usage request to use the service, when the usage request specified by the service specification unit is acquired, and to execute control of output, based on contents of an output request from the service usage device instructed by the user. |
| US09189185B2 |
Data management system, data management method, and data management apparatus
A data management system, which is implemented by one or more information processing apparatuses, includes a program storage unit that stores an operation management program, a generating unit that embeds the operation management program in first data and thereby generates second data including the operation management program. When an operation is performed on the second data at an external apparatus, the operation management program sends operation information indicating the operation from the external apparatus to the data management system. |
| US09189181B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and computer program product comparing number of color conversions considering object attributes
An information processing apparatus calculates a number of times of color conversion performed for an object included in an original document data as a first number of color conversions as the; generates tag bits including attribute information for each pixel of raster data and calculates a number of pixels that are included in the raster data and that have an object attribute indicated by the tag bits as a second number of color conversions; compares, when generating new raster data with color adjustment performed for the original document data, the first number of color conversions with the second number of color conversions; performs color conversion either for the original document data when the first number of color conversions is smaller than the second number, or for the generated new raster data when the second number of color conversions is smaller than the first number. |
| US09189174B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of operating the same
Provided are a nonvolatile memory device and a method for operating the nonvolatile memory device. The method for operating the nonvolatile memory device includes generating a first program voltage, applying the generated first program voltage to a first word line to which a first memory cell is connected for performing a first program operation on the first memory cell, determining whether a number of pulses of a pumping clock signal for generating the first program voltage is greater than or equal to a predetermined critical value n (where n is a natural number), and stopping the performing of the first program operation on the first memory cell when the number of pulses of the pumping clock signal is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined critical value n. |
| US09189169B2 |
Common contiguous memory region optimized virtual machine migration within a workgroup
Embodiments of the invention relate to scanning, by a first processor in a work group, a memory associated with the first processor for data. The first processor updates a first data structure to include at least a portion of the data based on the scanning. The first processor transmits a representation of the first data structure to one or more peer processors of the first processor included in the work group using a dedicated link. The first processor receives a representation of a second data structure associated with at least one of the one or more peer processors of the first processor. The first processor updates the first data structure based on the received representation of the second data structure. |
| US09189167B2 |
Shared library in a data storage system
The library server according to certain aspects can manage the use of tape drives according to the data requirements of different storage operation cells. The library server according to certain aspects can also facilitate automatic management of tape media in a tape library by allocating the tapes and slots to different cells. For instance, the library server can manage the positioning and placement of the tapes into appropriate slots within the tape library. |
| US09189166B2 |
Multi-host SATA controller
Described herein is a system having a multi-host SATA controller (102) configured to provide communication and control between two or more independent host processors (104) and a single SATA device (108). In one implementation, the multi-host SATA controller (102) includes the device switching layer (206), the device control layer (208), the link layer (210), and the physical layer (212). The device switching layer (206) allows the host processors (104) to issue commands concurrently rather than in sequential order. For this, the device switching layer (206) has independent set of host device registers (214) corresponding to each of the host processors (104). The device switching layer (206) also has independent DMA engines (216) to perform a command pre-fetching from respective host system memories (105). Further, a command switch engine (220) may arbitrate commands in case both the host processors (104) wish to access the SATA device (108) simultaneously. |
| US09189158B2 |
Methods, devices and systems for entering textual representations of words into a computing device by processing user physical and verbal interactions with the computing device
Example embodiments relate to processing user interactions with a computing device, comprising receiving a user-initiated action performed on a character button, the character button representing a character, determining whether the user-initiated action is performed in a normal or abnormal operating manner. When a normal operating manner is determined, displaying the character on a graphical display. When an abnormal operating manner is determined: identifying a previously entered character preceding the character, activating a microphone and receiving, by the microphone, a spoken word, searching a subset of a database for a textual form of the received spoken word, the subset based on one or more of the character and the previously entered character, and displaying a correct textual form of the spoken word on a graphical display by amending one or more of the character and the previously entered character when one or more of the character and the previously entered character is inconsistent with the textual form of the spoken word found in the searching. |
| US09189150B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and computer-readable medium that determine an area of a display screen to which an input operation belongs
An information processing device includes an input operation function identification unit configured to identify an input operation and a function performed on a display screen including at least two areas; an area determination unit configured to determine an area among the at least two areas of the display screen to which the input operation belongs; a function process unit configured to execute a process of the function corresponding to the input operation, with respect to the area determined by the area determination unit; and a display output unit configured to display, on the display screen, a result obtained by the process executed by the function process unit. |
| US09189147B2 |
Ink lag compensation techniques
Ink lag compensation techniques are described. In implementations, an input is recognized by a computing device as an ink stroke to be rendered on a display device of the computing device. An extension is predicted, by the computing device, to be applied to the ink stroke that is likely to be subsequently input in conjunction with the ink stroke. The ink stroke and the extension are output for concurrent display on the display device of the computing device. |
| US09189144B2 |
Multi-touch gesture-based interface for network design and management
Methods, computing devices, and computer-readable media are provided for interpreting gestures and triggering actions on a graph when the gestures are detected. The triggered actions may include the addition or deletion of nodes, connections between nodes, or connections between node ports; the expansion or collapse of a set of nodes; or the copying of nodes. The input may describe an action of selecting, dragging, holding, flicking, shaking, pinching, unpinching, or spinning a graphical object such as a node or a connection. Gesture interpretation logic determines whether the input matches a stored or known gesture. If the input matches a gesture, then the gesture interpretation logic may perform an action mapped to the gesture instead of or in addition to the normal action that would otherwise be caused by each individual input. |
| US09189139B2 |
Likelihood-based personalized navigation system and method
A system may be configured to provide a user interface on a mobile device for a social network having a plurality of functions. The system may include a display, configured to display a representation of each of a subset of the plurality of functions, wherein each function of the subset is implementable upon selection of a representation corresponding to the function by a user and a processor, configured to dynamically generate the subset of the plurality of functions based, at least in part, on a likelihood for each of the functions that the user will select a corresponding representation. The display may be configured to display the subset as dynamically generated. |
| US09189136B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that records predetermined information about a first user and a second user registered by the first user; a data control unit that generates a video signal that displays objects corresponding to the first user and the second user in a two-dimensional display screen at a distance calculated based on the predetermined information; and a display control unit that displays the video signal in the two-dimensional display screen. |
| US09189135B2 |
Three-dimensional GUI object stores in automation test tools
A method for storing graphical user interface (GUI) object properties includes: storing GUI object properties for each GUI object for a starting version of an application in an object map; associating the stored GUI object properties for each GUI object with a starting version identifier; determining that at least one of the GUI objects is changed; in response to determining that the at least one GUI object is changed, storing modifications of the GUI object properties for the at least one GUI object in the object map; and associating the modifications of the GUI object properties for the at least one GUI object with a new version identifier of the application. Over time, the object map contains multiple variants of the GUI objects. An automation test tool may use this object map to intelligently select appropriate GUI object version for recognition at script run time. |
| US09189133B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically resizing windows
The present invention provides a method for resizing windows and an apparatus for resizing windows. The method, in one embodiment, involves selecting a seam bordering a window, building a list of windows, and resizing more than one window in response to a single seam movement by a user. The apparatus, in one embodiment, is a computer readable medium comprising a computer program for resizing windows. |
| US09189131B2 |
Context menus
Provided is a method of displaying a context menu. A triggering event related to selection of an object on a computing device is recognized. A direction observed during the selection of the object is recognized. A context menu based on the direction observed during the selection of the object is displayed. |
| US09189127B2 |
Apparatus and method of user-based mobile terminal display control using grip sensor
User-based control over the operation of a mobile terminal is provided in response to detecting a user's touched position on one or more grip sensors in the mobile terminal. At least one icon set by the user to be displayed in response to detection of at least a predetermined amount of pressure on an actuated grip sensor is displayed depending on the detected touch position. |
| US09189126B2 |
Virtual world teleportation
The present invention is directed to teleporting avatars between disparate virtual worlds. A system is disclosed that includes a facility for creating a persona profile for an avatar in a first virtual world when the avatar wants to be teleported out of the first virtual world; a facility for transferring persona profiles to and from a disparate virtual world; and a facility for instantiating an inbound avatar based on a received persona profile. Persona profiles may include, e.g., rendering information, trait information, and inventory information. |
| US09189118B2 |
Linear system coefficient estimation method, integrated circuit employing same, touch panel system, and electronic apparatus
A noise removing section (101) is provided which removes noise superimposed on each of N linear sum signals of target coefficients by filtering the N linear sum signals. An estimating section (105) estimates values of the M target coefficients by calculating an inner product of (i) signals which vary in accordance with the N linear sum signals from each of which the noise has been removed and (ii) N M-dimensional vectors. |
| US09189114B2 |
Face detection with transcapacitive sensing
A processing system configured to detect large objects includes a sensor module with sensor circuitry coupled to transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes, and configured to transmit transmitter signals with the transmitter electrode and receive resulting signals with the receiver electrodes, the resulting signals including effects corresponding to transmitter signals. The processing system further includes a determination module configured to determine a transition condition is present using a capacitive image, based on the resulting signals, having capacitive pixel values, and operate in large object mode based on the transition condition being present. |
| US09189113B2 |
Capacitive touch panel sensor synchronized with display driving operation and touch panel display device having the same
A capacitive touch panel sensor includes a plurality of driving-lines in a first direction, a plurality of sensing-lines in a second direction, a scan signal generator configured to generate a scan signal corresponding to at least one scan pulse, and to output the scan signal to the driving-lines, and a capacitance detector configured to receive a capacitance sensing signal output from the sensing-lines, and to detect a touched location based on the capacitance sensing signal, wherein the scan signal generator is configured to output the scan signal during first noise avoidance time periods, each first noise avoidance time period being in a respective horizontal time period of a display driving operation, and wherein the capacitance detector is configured to receive the capacitance sensing signal during the first noise avoidance time periods. |
| US09189105B2 |
Touch sensor
Disclosed herein is a touch sensor, including: a window; a transparent substrate having a first electrode part formed on one surface thereof; and a first adhesive layer allowing the window and one surface of the transparent substrate to adhere to each other, wherein a first protrusion part is formed on an edge of one surface of the transparent substrate. |
| US09189104B2 |
Electronic apparatus
A control unit causes a first display and a first vibration when a finger has continued to exist in a first X-Y region of a touch panel and a first Z region for a prescribed time. When the finger being in a second X-Y region of the touch panel enters a second Z region from the first Z region, the control unit activates a prescribed function and causes a second display and a second vibration. When the finger being in the second X-Y region enters the second Z region before the finger continues to exist in the first Z region for the prescribed time, the control unit causes only a third display and a third vibration without activating the prescribed function. |
| US09189101B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
The present invention relates a mobile terminal capable of controlling contents displayed on a display unit, and a control method thereof. A mobile terminal according to one exemplary embodiment includes a terminal body, a transparent display unit having first and second transparent substrates both configured to sense touch inputs, a sensing unit to sense at least one of motion and rotation of the terminal body, and a controller to determine whether or not the sensed at least one of the motion and the rotation of the terminal body meets a preset condition information when an event is generated while a content is output on the first transparent substrate, and decide whether or not to display information relating to the generated event on the second transparent substrate based on the determination result. |
| US09189100B2 |
Touch screen panel with integrated touch and data drivers
A touch screen panel is disclosed. The touch screen panel includes a pixel unit, a touch sensing unit, and a data driver configured to provide data voltages to the pixel unit and to provide driving signals to the touch sensing unit. |
| US09189097B2 |
Display device with integrated in-cell touch screen and method of driving the same
Discussed is a display device with integrated touch screen including a panel including a plurality of electrodes; a data driver for converting RGB data inputted from a timing controller into a data voltage, and supplying the data voltage to data lines; a gate driver for sequentially supplying a gate signal to gate lines so as to apply the data voltage to pixels of the panel during a high logic period of a horizontal sync signal; and a touch IC for supplying the touch scan signal to the plurality of electrodes every low logic period of the horizontal sync signal, wherein the touch IC applies the touch scan signal, at least once, to each of the electrodes during one frame. |
| US09189091B2 |
Assignment of control of peripherals of a computing device
Techniques for enabling software-assisted assignment of control of peripherals (e.g., assigning ownership of or assigning access to the peripherals) by a computing device. In accordance with techniques described herein, assignment of control of peripherals is aided by input from software facilities that instruct a peripheral management facility regarding assignment of peripherals. Software facilities may instruct the peripheral management facility in different ways. In some cases, a software facility may instruct the peripheral management facility how to assign control of a peripheral in a particular way, while in other cases a software facility may instruct the peripheral management facility how to assign control of a group of peripherals. In other cases, a software facility may not instruct a peripheral management facility how to assign control of peripherals, but may identify one or more groups of peripherals for which control should be assigned as a group. |
| US09189088B2 |
Electronic device and touch operating method thereof
An electronic device and a touch operating method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a touch screen, a storage unit and at least one processing unit, and the touch operating method includes following steps. A touch object above the touch screen is detected by using the touch screen, and a distance between the touch object and the touch screen is estimated. A relative angle of a pointing direction of the touch object with respect to a normal direction of the touch screen is detected. According to the distance and the relative angle, a function is performed on an object displayed by the touch screen. |
| US09189082B2 |
Enhanced handheld screen-sensing pointer
Enhanced handheld screen-sensing pointing, in which a handheld device captures a camera image of one or more fiducials rendered by a display device, and a position or an angle of the one or more fiducials in the captured camera image is determined. A position on the display device that the handheld device is aimed towards is determined based at least on the determined position or angle of the one or more fiducials in the camera image, and an application is controlled based on the determined position on the display device. |
| US09189079B2 |
Method, system, and graphical user interface for providing word recommendations
One aspect of the invention involves a method that includes: in a first area of the touch screen, displaying a current character string being input by a user with the keyboard; in a second area of the touch screen, displaying the current character string or a portion thereof and a suggested replacement for the current character string; replacing the current character string in the first area with the suggested replacement if the user activates a delimiter key on the keyboard; replacing the current character string in the first area with the suggested replacement if the user performs a first gesture on the suggested replacement displayed in the second area; and keeping the current character string in the first area if the user performs a second gesture on the current character string or the portion thereof displayed in the second area. |
| US09189078B2 |
Enhancing keycap legend visibility with optical components
Techniques and apparatus to provide improved visibility to user input devices, such as keys, are disclosed. In low light conditions, key legends can be difficult to distinguish. For example, often keys have legends on them to visually distinguish them from one another, but in low light conditions it can be difficult for users to visually identify the different keys. The legends can be textual and/or graphic. Hence, according to one embodiment, light from a nearby (e.g., attached) display device can be used to provide illumination to the user input devices (e.g., keys). The user input devices can be configured to include reflective optical components to enhance reflection of light and thereby improve visibility of the keys or the legends thereon. |
| US09189074B2 |
Optical sensor system
An optical sensor system is disclosed. The optical sensor system comprises a panel and a sensing unit. The panel comprises a plurality of transparent areas. The sensing unit locates at one side of the panel and the sensing unit senses a plurality of first light signals reflected by an object and senses a plurality second light signals of an ambient light. The reflected first light signals and the second light signals pass through one of the plurality of transparent areas of the panel. The sensing unit further comprises a light sensor and a plurality of gesture sensors. The light sensor locates at the center of the sensing unit, and the light sensor senses the second light signals. The plurality of gesture sensors surrounds the light sensor, and the gesture sensors senses the reflected first light signals and then produce gesture signals corresponding to motions of the object. |
| US09189068B2 |
Apparatus and a method for gesture recognition
The present invention relates to a method for gesture recognition and an apparatus for gesture recognition carrying out the method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for gesture recognition recognizing a finger gesture by using depth information and an apparatus for gesture recognition carrying out the method. |
| US09189066B2 |
Touch panel and electronic device including the same
A touch panel and an electronic device having the same are provided. The touch panel includes a first substrate; a second substrate that is spaced apart from the first substrate by a gap, the second substrate including a touch surface; an array of driving electrode pairs that is arranged on the first substrate and the second substrate, and induces an electrical field locally between the first substrate and the second substrate when a driving voltage is applied thereto; and electro-rheological fluid that is filled in the gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, a viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid changing depending on the electrical field induced by the driving electrode pairs. An operating force or a return force is adjusted by controlling an application or release of the driving voltage. |
| US09189061B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing split view in portable device
An apparatus and a method for processing a split view in a portable device. The method of processing a split view in a portable device, includes: displaying a plurality of applications as a split view corresponding to split display regions of a display unit; displaying an input panel on a display region of an application of the plurality of applications that did not call for the input panel when the input panel is called; and processing data input through the input panel by an application calling the input panel. |
| US09189060B2 |
Method of controlling information processing apparatus and information processing apparatus
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus causes contents in a first terminal to be shared with a second terminal. The method includes receiving sharing information for sharing the content from the second terminal, sending, by a processor, an acquisition request of the contents to the first terminal on a basis of the sharing information, acquiring the contents from the first terminal after the sending an acquisition request, and transmitting acquisition completion notification to the second terminal after the acquiring the contents. |
| US09189057B2 |
Adaptive real-time power and performance optimization of multi-core processors
An apparatus, method, and program product for optimizing core performance and power in a multi-core processor. The apparatus includes a multi-core processor coupled to a clock source providing a clock frequency to one or more cores, an independent power supply coupled to each core for providing a supply voltage to each core and a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) circuit coupled to each core for dynamically adjusting the clock frequency provided to each core. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to each core and being configured to collect performance data and power consumption data measured for each core and to adjust, using the PLL circuit, a supply voltage provided to a core, such that, the operational core frequency of the core is greater than a specification core frequency preset for the core and, such that, core performance and power consumption is optimized. |
| US09189056B2 |
Mixed cell type battery module and uses thereof
Various embodiments are generally directed to operation of a computing device powered with first and second sets of energy storage cells, the cells of the first set structurally optimized for higher density storage of electric power, and the cells of the second set structurally optimized for providing electric power at a high electric current level. A battery module includes a casing, a first cell disposed within the casing to store electric energy with a high density, and a second cell disposed within the casing to provide electric energy stored therein with a high current level. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein. |
| US09189055B2 |
Method for performing power consumption management, and associated apparatus
A method and an apparatus for performing power consumption management are provided, where the method is applied to an electronic device. The method includes: obtaining current information corresponding to an application from a database, the current information being of at least one current on at least one current path between a battery and at least one portion of the electronic device; and performing battery drain prediction corresponding to the application according to the current information. The method may further include: performing sampling operations to generate a plurality of samples of the current, and more particularly, utilizing an ADC to perform analog-to-digital conversion on a voltage difference corresponding to the current to generate the plurality of samples. The voltage difference can be obtained by probing two terminals of a resistor or a Hall component. |
| US09189054B2 |
Electronic apparatus that controls switching to energy-saving mode
Provided is an electronic apparatus including: a network interface configured to receive data via a network; a communication processing unit configured to notify of a network communication type and a network communication amount of the received data; and an operation mode control unit configured to switch an operation mode from a normal mode to an energy-saving mode when a network communication does not occur in the network interface before a waiting time based on the network communication amount for each network communication type notified of from the communication processing unit has elapsed. |
| US09189053B2 |
Performance based power management of a memory and a data storage system using the memory
Power control circuitry for a data processor supplies a memory array with a supply voltage corresponding to a memory performance level. The performance levels include a full performance level and a power-saving performance level. Voltage sensing circuitry senses a voltage level of the memory array and outputs a power status signal. The power status signal is used to determine when the memory array is awake and can be accessed. |
| US09189049B2 |
Power management in a device
Implementations of power management in a device are described. The device includes a power driver configured to manage power supply to one or more components in system-on-chip (SOC) hardware. The device further includes power subsystems configured as drivers for controlling the components of the SOC hardware and a user interface configured to receive a selected power mode as an input and identify profiles of one or more applications being executed in the device. Based on the selected power mode, the power driver directs the power subsystems to change a mode of operation of at least one component determined from the profiles of the one or more applications being executed. |
| US09189047B2 |
Organizing databases for energy efficiency
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for optimizing database queries for energy efficiency. In general, a query optimizer is configured to compare energy requirements of query plans, and to select a query plan requiring minimal energy to execute. In one embodiment, the query optimizer may also compare time performance of the query plans, and may select a query plan by matching to a user preference for a relative priority between energy requirements and time performance. |
| US09189044B2 |
Motion sensing apparatus and mobile terminal
A motion sensing apparatus provided. The apparatus includes a sensing module and a processing module, wherein the sensing module includes at least two outputs, the processing module includes at least two signal ports, each signal port of the processing module is connected with one of the outputs of the sensing module respectively, and the sensing module outputs sensing signals from different outputs according to sensed different motions, and the processing module performs corresponding processes according to the sensing signals received from different signal ports. The apparatus simplifies a hardware circuit to some extent, saves the cost, and reduces the consumption of electric energy. |
| US09189041B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling terminal power
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for controlling terminal power. The method includes the following steps of: determining whether a power control level set in the terminal is reached or not when controlling the terminal power; if yes, then adjusting a power of the power control level based on a calibration parameter configured in the terminal within a rated output power range corresponding to the power control level; wherein the calibration parameter is 1 dBm; controlling an output power of the terminal according to the adjusted power. The present invention can further perform an accurate terminal power control for reducing power consumption, conserving resources, and increasing system capacity based on a compatibility with conventional power control. |
| US09189038B2 |
Cooling fan suspension vibration filter
An information handling system cooling fan has a vibration filter that tunes out predetermined fan vibration frequencies to reduce fan vibration transfer from the cooling fan to an information handling system chassis in a targeted frequency range. For example, a leaf spring and damper are biased between the cooling fan and a fan bay support so that stiffness of the spring attenuates selected vibration frequency ranges of the cooling fan bay subsystem, such as frequency ranges where the vibrations have the greatest amplitude or frequency ranges where the vibrations tend to damage other components of the information handling system. |
| US09189034B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a casing to accommodate a display panel having front and back surfaces, a portion of the display surface being an effective display area; an antenna, disposed in back of a closed area of the effective display area, oriented to exhibit a directivity from the back of the effective display area toward the front surface, and to perform near field communication with an external terminal in a non-contact manner when the external terminal is close to the display panel; a scanner, disposed in the back of the effective display area, having a digitizer scanning film for accepting an input of a digitizer pen, to detect a position of the digitizer pen on the front surface of the display panel; and a shielding plate disposed in back of the scanner and the antenna such that the antenna is disposed between the digitizer scanning film and the shielding plate. |
| US09189029B2 |
Information processing unit
An information processing unit of the present invention includes a display panel capable of displaying a video image; and a casing having a rear face panel that covers at least a back side of the display panel, the back side being opposite to a display face of the display panel. In the information processing unit, the rear face panel has an opposed face opposed to the display panel, and the opposed face includes a wall-thinned portion having a small thickness, and a wall-thickened portion that is a part of the wall-thinned portion having a thickness increased in a direction toward the display panel, and the wall-thickened portion is formed continuously from one side to an opposite side of the opposed face, the one side and the opposite side forming a perimeter of the opposed face and being opposite to each other. |
| US09189027B2 |
Foldable display device
A foldable display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the foldable display device includes a display panel and a window panel provided on a front surface of the display panel. The window panel includes a flexible area and a rigid area provided adjacent to at least one side of the flexible area. The elastic modulus of the flexible area of the window panel is lower than that that of the rigid area. |
| US09189026B2 |
Waterproof structure
A waterproof structure including a housing, a display element assembled to the housing, and a sealing member is provided. The housing has a frame and an opening located on a plane. A portion of the display element is exposed out of the opening. The sealing member disposed between the housing and the display element has a first portion extending toward the opening from the frame and parallel to the plane and a second portion squeezed by the housing and the display element. A first end of the second portion next to the opening leans against the housing, and a second end of the second portion far away from the opening leans against the display element. A gap along a direction between the first portion and the display element is equal to or greater than deformation of the second portion along the direction, wherein the direction is orthogonal to the plane. |
| US09189024B2 |
Dock for portable electronic devices
This document generally describes docking stations for portable computing devices with one or more of a variety of features, such as a near horizontal tray into which a portable computing device can be placed (e.g., a tray with an angle between 5-25 degrees from horizontal), embedded microphones and/or speakers, and/or input jacks for external microphones and/or speakers. |
| US09189021B2 |
Wearable food nutrition feedback system
A see-through, head mounted display and sensing devices cooperating to provide feedback on food items detected in the device field of view. Feedback can include warnings based on personal wearer needs, general nutrition information, food consumption tracking and social interactions. The system includes one or more processing devices in communication with display and the sensors which identify food items proximate to the apparatus, determine feedback information relevant to a wearer of the apparatus; and render feedback information in the display. |
| US09189019B2 |
Support component for an apparatus
A support component for an apparatus is described. In at least some implementations, a support component is attached to an apparatus (e.g., a computing device) via a hinge mechanism. The support component can serve as a “kickstand” that can be positioned via the hinge mechanism to support the apparatus in a variety of orientations relative to an adjacent surface. In at least some embodiments, a support component includes hinge mounts via which the support component is attached to hinges of an associated apparatus. The support component and associated hinge mounts, for instance, can be manufactured separately and/or via different manufacturing processes, and attached during a production process. |
| US09189018B2 |
Windows position control for phone applications
Methods and devices for selectively presenting a user interface for a phone application are provided. More particularly, a change in the display mode of a multiple screen device can be determined. More particularly, a presentation of a user interface for an in-process call of a phone application can be retained after the device is rotated or opened. However, the user interface may move from a first screen to a second screen (or vice versa) in response to receiving the device open signal. The user interface provides detail information about a phone call that is currently in-process. |
| US09189017B2 |
Portfolio cover for portable information handling systems
A portfolio cover for a portable information handling system may include a display portion and an input device portion and a cover portion separated by two hinge sections. The display portion, the input device portion and the cover portion may be reinforced with a polymer laminate and laminated together, while the hinge sections may remain unlaminated. |
| US09189010B2 |
Method and apparatus to receive, play, and provide audio content in a multi-zone system
A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines there from a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task. |
| US09189009B2 |
Accelerator pedal feedback system
An accelerator pedal feedback system is provided that supplies the driver with a tactile indicator, via a change in pedal resistance, when a monitored vehicle characteristic such as battery pack capacity falls below a preset level. The change in pedal resistance is achieved by preloading the accelerator pedal's spring assembly. |
| US09189004B2 |
Control circuit, control method used in PFC circuit and power source system thereof
A control circuit, control method used in a PFC circuit and the power source system thereof are disclosed herein. The control circuit comprises: a zero current detection circuit having a polarity detection circuit for outputting a first and a second digital signals and a signal conversion circuit for generating an analog signal; a feedback circuit for generating a driving pulse signal; and a pulse distribution circuit for distributing the driving pulse signal to a first and a second switches according to the first and the second digital signal. After a switch cycle, one of the first and the second switch performs an ON operation for the next switch cycle when the current flowing through the inductor decreases to a predetermined threshold value, wherein an ON time of the first switch is equal in each switch cycle, and an ON time of the second switch is equal in each switch cycle. |
| US09189002B1 |
Single-inductor power converter with buck-boost capability
A power converter includes an inductor, a first switch and a second switch. A summing module generates a voltage sum based on a ramp voltage and a first voltage based on a sensed inductor current. Error amplifier modules generate error voltages. A comparing and control signal generating module generates first and second switching signals and skip signals. A state machine module switches the first and second switches based on the first switching signal, the second switching signal and the skip signals. The state machine module, during a single clock period, operates in one of a two phase mode with a TON phase during which the inductor is charged and one TOFF phase during which one of a first load and a second load is fed and a three phase mode with the TON phase and two TOFF phases during which both the first load and the second load are sequentially fed. |
| US09189001B2 |
Semiconductor device and DC-to-DC converter
In general, according to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a device main body, a semiconductor substrate. The device main body includes a semiconductor substrate mounting part and a first conductor provided around the semiconductor substrate mounting part. The semiconductor substrate includes a DC-to-DC converter control circuit having a detector to detect at least one of a current flowing through the first conductor and a voltage supplied to the first conductor. The semiconductor substrate is disposed on the semiconductor substrate mounting part so that the detector comes close to the first conductor. |
| US09188998B2 |
Constant voltage circuit
In a constant voltage circuit including: an error amplifier circuit amplifying a difference voltage between an output voltage and a reference voltage; and an output transistor controlling the output voltage based on an output of the error amplifier circuit, a voltage proportional to a leakage current detected by a monitoring transistor is generated by an oscillation circuit and a charge pump circuit and is supplied to a back gate of the output transistor. |
| US09188996B2 |
System and method for controlling computer system fan speed
Computer system fans having fixed operating states corresponding to discreet operating speeds may be controlled by collecting temperature information upstream or downstream of the fans and commanding the fans to switch between the fixed operating states based on the temperature information at a frequency sufficient to controllably achieve speeds between the discreet operating speeds. |
| US09188995B2 |
Managed transmission line coupled cooling system
Described embodiments include a system, a method, and a computer program product. A described system includes an air-pump-based cooling apparatus configured to mount on and cool a portion of a live transmission line of a power transmission system, wherein the power transmission system is configured to transport electric power from one place to another. The described system includes a temperature management device configured to assess a temperature condition of the transmission line and actuate the air-pump-based cooling apparatus in response to the assessment. |
| US09188994B2 |
System and method for optimizing use of plug-in air conditioners and portable heaters
Thermostatic HVAC and other energy management controls that are connected to a computer network. For instance, remotely managed load switches incorporating thermostatic controllers inform an energy management system, to provide enhanced efficiency, and to verify demand response with plug-in air conditioners and heaters. At least one load control device at a first location comprises a temperature sensor and a microprocessor. The load control device is configured to connect or disconnect electrical power to the an attached air conditioner or heater, and the microprocessor is configured to communicate over a network. In addition, the load control device is physically separate from an air conditioner or heater but located inside the space conditioned by the air conditioner or heater. |
| US09188993B2 |
Systems and methods for sensing dew point in a building space
A method of maintaining a temperature of a surface in a building space to be above a dew point of the building space includes calculating a dew point based on a temperature measurement and a relative humidity measurement. The method further includes estimating a safety margin associated with the dew point calculation, determining a minimum temperature of the surface, wherein the minimum temperature is a function of the dew point and the safety margin, and commanding a first component of a building automation system to adjust a current temperature of the surface to be greater than the minimum temperature. |
| US09188989B1 |
Flow node to deliver process gas using a remote pressure measurement device
A flow node includes characterized restrictor in series and adjacent with the valve seat to provide a primary flow restriction with a minimized volume between the two. A conductance of the characterized restrictor is low enough relative to the valve seat to cause a pressure drop that is sufficiently large relative to the pressure drop across the valve seat that a pressure measurement device is located upstream of the valve seat and poppet assembly is used to determine the pressure to the inlet of the restrictor. A vent can be included to reduce bleed time. Multiple flow nodes in parallel increase a dynamic range. |
| US09188988B2 |
Product dispensing system
A flow sensor includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly is configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber. |
| US09188982B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient scheduling for multiple automated non-holonomic vehicles using a coordinated path planner
A method for coordinating path planning for one or more automated vehicles is described, including receiving an executable task for an automated vehicle, providing a multi-level graph comprising high-level nodes, connection nodes, roadmap nodes, and one or more local paths, constructing a grid corresponding with the multi-level graph, selecting grid squares corresponding to a start position, a goal position, or both if they are off the multi-level graph, determining joining paths from the start position, goal position, or both to the multi-level graph, constructing a solution set of roadmap graphs from the multi-level graph, selecting a coordinate path plan, communicating at least a portion of the coordinate path plan to each automated vehicle, and controlling the automated vehicle in accordance with the coordinate path plan. |
| US09188980B2 |
Vehicle with high integrity perception system
The illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus for processing sensor data and controlling the movement of a vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, an operating environment around the vehicle is identified and sensor data is selected from a set of sensors. The movement of the vehicle is controlled based on the operating environment identified. In another illustrative embodiment, a sensor system has some sensors that are more accurate in a particular environment than other sensors. A dynamic condition is identified by the sensor system and commands are sent to the steering system, the propulsion system, and the braking system to move the vehicle using the sensor data detected by the sensor system. The environment is identified using the plurality of different types of sensors on the vehicle. |
| US09188978B2 |
Method for aiding navigation for an aircraft during descent and during approach at reduced thrust
A method for aiding navigation for an aircraft between a descent start point and a computation end point, comprises the computation steps of: collecting a flight plan consisting of a succession of waypoints and of the associated vertical constraints; determining a corridor consisting of a floor trajectory and of a ceiling trajectory defining the minimum and maximum altitudes permitted to the aircraft; splitting the corridor into several cells defined between two waypoints furthest apart and between which the ceiling trajectory is distinct from the floor trajectory; determining for at least one cell a vertical trajectory complying with the altitude constraints and comprising the longest possible IDLE segment; and a step consisting in determining and displaying maneuvering points of the aircraft making it possible to follow the target vertical trajectory. |
| US09188977B2 |
Methods and devices for managing maintenance information in an aircraft
A method and a device for management of maintenance information items in an aircraft comprising a centralized maintenance system is disclosed. After a maintenance message has been received, the value of an impact attribute associated with the message received is determined according to predetermined configuration data. In response to the message received and to the value of the impact attribute associated with the at least one message received, the message received is processed. A determination of configuration data for the management of maintenance information items in an aircraft is also explained. |
| US09188975B2 |
Method for controlling the movement of building members of a tyre in a process for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels
Method and apparatus for controlling the movement of building members of a tyre in a process for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels includes: providing a first device of a first electromagnetic radiation on a first tyre building member; detecting, during a movement of the first building member, a first image in which the first electromagnetic radiation defines a trajectory followed, in the movement, by the first emitter device; carrying out a first comparison between the first image and one or more first reference data; and generating a first notification signal as a function of the first comparison. |
| US09188974B1 |
Methods for improved monitor and control of lithography processes
Various computer-implemented methods are provided. One method includes determining errors across a field of a lens of a lithography system based on wafer measurements. In addition, the method includes separating the errors into correctable and non-correctable errors across the field. The errors may include dose errors, focus errors, or dose and focus errors. In another embodiment, the method may include determining correction terms for parameter(s) of the lithography system, which if applied to the parameter(s), the correctable errors would be eliminated resulting in approximately optimal imaging performance of the lithography system. Another method includes controlling one or more parameters of features within substantially an entire printed area on a product wafer using a limited number of wafer measurements performed on a test wafer. The wafer measurements may be performed on a first feature type, and the features that are controlled may include a second, different feature type. |
| US09188973B2 |
Calibration and transformation of a camera system's coordinate system
Systems and methods are disclosed that determine a mapping between a first camera system's coordinate system and a second camera system's coordinate system; or determine a transformation between a robot's coordinate system and a camera system's coordinate system, and/or locate, in a robot's coordinate system, a tool extending from an arm of the robot based on the tool location in the camera's coordinate system. The disclosed systems and methods may use transformations derived from coordinates of features found in one or more images. The transformations may be used to interrelate various coordinate systems, facilitating calibration of camera systems, including in robotic systems, such as an image-guided robotic systems for hair harvesting and/or implantation. |
| US09188972B2 |
Numerical control apparatus having vibration suppression capabilities
A numerical control apparatus includes a program analyzing unit 19 that extracts a command rotational speed of a rotary shaft from a machining program, an optimum rotational speed recording unit 16 that stores a plurality of optimum rotational speeds that are suitable to suppress chattering vibrations, and a command rotational speed substitutability determination unit 17. The command rotational speed substitutability determination unit obtains a substitute rotational speed range that represents a range of a substitutable optimum rotational speed based on the command rotational speed extracted from the machining program, and selects an optimum rotational speed from among the plurality of optimum rotational speeds stored in the optimum rotational speed recording unit, which falls within the substitute rotational speed range, as a command rotational speed to be actually used in processing. |
| US09188971B2 |
Programmable terminal system
A Programmable Terminal (PT) system, a PT device and a PT system management method having a function of displaying a screen having a content on a display screen while at the same time positively preventing the leakage of confidential content are disclosed. When a part read from a screen data file corresponds to the part including a content acquired from a server device, a transmission request command including a information indicating a storage location of a content data corresponding to the contents in the server device is transmitted to the server device through a communication circuit, the content data arriving as a response from the server device is acquired through the communication circuit and stored in a volatile memory. The part is plotted and displayed using the content data stored in the volatile memory and a part configuration information contained in the screen data file in a nonvolatile memory. |
| US09188969B2 |
Arrangement and method for accessing data of a building automation system component
A method of providing access to information on a controller in a building automation system includes providing an external definition file, the external definition file including a first section that includes an application interface definition that defines a set of user interface displays and a second section that defines a functionality of objects using protocol-specific data. The method also includes employing a host application to create a first node comprising one or more objects based upon the protocol-specific data, the first node configured to communicate and exchange information with the controller. The method further includes employing the host application to create a user interface element based on the application interface definition, the user interface element configured to provide a user interface to data relating to the controller received from the first nodes. |
| US09188968B2 |
Run-time characterization of on-demand analytical model accuracy
A method of determining accuracy of predicted system behavior can include creating a plurality of noise adjusted analytical models, wherein each noise adjusted analytical model is associated with a set of predefined analytical model parameters. A set of inferred analytical model parameters for each noise adjusted analytical model can be derived. Each set of inferred analytical model parameters can depend upon a current noise adjusted analytical model and each prior noise adjusted analytical model. For each set of inferred analytical model parameters, a measure of error between the set of inferred analytical model parameters and the set of predefined analytical model parameters associated with the noise adjusted analytical model from which the set of inferred analytical model parameters was derived can be determined. |
| US09188966B2 |
Host controller generating position control gain
A reference value generating unit (14b) generates a reference value which is equal to a speed command value taken when an override value is 1. A speed command value generating unit (14c) generates a speed command value taken when an override value is a set value. A position control gain generating unit (14d) generates a position control gain to be used by a motor controller (12) on the basis of the ratio of the speed command value to the reference value and a gain-related value relating to a gain which is set in accordance with an upper die (9a), and outputs the generated position control gain to a memory (11). |
| US09188965B2 |
Control device including a protocol translator
Disclosed is a control device for remotely controlling other devices. The control device comprises a first device interface for transmitting control signals to a first device that is remote from the control device, a second device interface for receiving an input signal from a second device, a user interface corresponding to a function of the first device, and a protocol translator. The control signal is in accordance with a first communication protocol. The input signal is in accordance with a second communication protocol. The user interface is operable by a user so as to cause a control signal to be transmitted by the first device interface, for use by the first device. The protocol translator is configured to convert signals received by the second device interface from being in accordance with the second communication protocol to being in accordance with the first communication protocol. |
| US09188964B2 |
Safety controller for controlling an automated installation and method for generating a user program for a safety controller
A safety controller for controlling an automated installation in accordance with a user program has a plurality of control components. At least some of the control components have a respective data bus interface. The data bus interface is designed to receive and send data. The safety controller also has a data bus to which the plurality of control components are connected via the respective data bus interfaces for the purpose of interchanging data. A configuration interface is designed to receive configuration data ascertained on the basis of association data generated by a programming tool. The configuration data determine at least one characteristic of the data bus or of at least one data bus interface. |
| US09188961B1 |
Time-to-digital converter
A time-to-digital converter (TDC) incorporates a resistor-stabilized delay line, a sampling circuit and a processing circuit. The resistor-stabilized delay line operates to limit the variation in delay values for the delay elements in the delay line due to fabrication process variations. In some embodiments, the resistor-stabilized delay line limits the delay variation of each delay element to a fraction of the delay. |
| US09188959B2 |
Watch case with orientable and indexed bezel
A watch case (9; 19; 29) has a middle (2; 12; 22), a bezel (3; 13; 23) mounted to turn on the middle, a ring (5; 15; 25) interfacing between the middle and the bezel, and a first indexing element (1; 11) and a second indexing element (3a; 13a; 23a) which collaborate in such a way as to index the bezel in position relative to the middle, a first elastic element (4b, 4c, 4d; 15; 25) pressing the bezel against the middle and a second elastic element (4a) pressing the first indexing element against the second indexing element (3a; 13a; 23a), the ring comprising an opening (5a; 15a) through which the first or the second indexing element is arranged. |
| US09188957B2 |
Circuit for autoregulating the oscillation frequency of an oscillating mechanical system and device including the same
A single electronic module includes a autoregulating circuit that regulates an oscillation frequency of an oscillating mechanical system, such as a balance having a balance spring. A piezoelectric element is mounted on the oscillating balance spring and connected to the autoregulating circuit to generate an alternating voltage. The autoregulating circuit rectifies the alternating voltage and regulates the alternating voltage frequency. The rectified voltage is stored in a capacitor to power the autoregulating circuit. The autoregulating circuit includes an oscillator connected to a mirco-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) resonator that supplies a reference signal, and compares the frequency of the alternating voltage to the reference signal frequency. The autoregulating circuit supplies frequency adaptation signal to the piezoelectric element according to the result of the comparison, in order to regulate the oscillation frequency of the balance. |
| US09188956B2 |
Balance, timepiece movement, timepiece and manufacturing method of balance
A balance includes a balance staff pivotally supported rotatably and a balance wheel arranged around the balance staff. The balance wheel has one end portion fixed to a connection arm radially connected to the balance staff and a free end portion configured to be radially deformed. The balance wheel has a first rim connected to the connection arm and a second rim in overlapping relation with the first rim and formed of a material having a linear expansion coefficient different from the first rim. The first and second rims are arranged in a circumferential direction and are bonded together by melting portions formed of melted materials of the first and second rims. The melting portions are formed on upper and lower surfaces of and in an intermediate position between the first and second rims. |
| US09188952B2 |
Toner collecting device and image forming apparatus including the same
A toner collecting unit includes a housing, an inlet, a first fan, a lower duct, a first filter, and an oscillation motor. The inlet is provided in the housing. Toner flows into the inlet together with an air flow. The first fan is arranged in the interior of the housing and is configured to suck the air flow flowing from the inlet and to exhaust the air outside the housing. The lower duct guides the air flow upward from below. The first filter is arranged in an upper part of the lower duct so that its approach surface, which the air flow enters, faces downward. |
| US09188949B2 |
Image forming apparatus and developer cartridge
A support member that supports developer cartridges is configured to be moved in a predetermined direction between a mounted position and a pulled-out position. A moving mechanism is configured to move a supply member in the developer cartridge between a communication position and an interrupt position when the support member is in the mounted position. When the supply member is in the communication position, a supply opening and a reception opening are in communication with each other and the support member is incapable of moving in the predetermined direction. When the supply member is in the interrupt position, the supply member is moved away from a corresponding image forming unit in the axial direction to interrupt communication between the supply opening and the reception opening and the support member is movable toward the pulled-out position in the predetermined direction. |
| US09188946B2 |
Image forming apparatus including drawer with variable length cable holder
The image forming apparatus includes an image forming section; a conveyance path to convey a recording medium to the image forming section; a drawer unit including the conveyance path and configured to be pulled out relative to the apparatus; an electrical cable to electrically connect the drawer unit and an interior of the apparatus even when the drawer unit is pulled out from the apparatus; and a cable holder (a first regulating member) to ensure that that the cable is securely prevented from protruding from the drawer unit. According to the present invention, the electric cable is prevented from running off from the drawer unit due to the folding of the cable caused by the regulating member, so that the electric cable is prevented from getting hung up on the parts disposed in the body. |
| US09188944B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus in which developers are detachably coupled to a main body. The image forming apparatus includes: a developer mount member on which the developers are mounted and that is attachable to and detachable from the main body; an input contact member disposed on the developers; a power supply unit that is provided in the main body; an output contact member that is disposed in the main body to face a front end of the developer mount member in a mount direction in which the developer mount member is mounted and is electrically connected to the power supply; and intermediate contact members disposed on the front end of the developer mount member in the mount direction and are electrically connected to a respective input contact member, and electrically contacts the output contact member as the developer mount member is mounted. |
| US09188943B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit, a resin-made first frame, a first beam, and a second beam, is provided. The first frame is formed in a shape of a plate. The first beam is formed in an elongated shape. The first beam is arranged along and fixed to a planar face of the first frame. The second beam is formed in an elongated shape and arranged along the planar face of the first frame to intersect with the first beam when viewed along an axial direction of a photosensitive drum. The first beam and the second beam are arranged on an opposite side from the image forming unit across the first frame. The first beam and the second beam are fixed to each other at a mutual intersection, where the first beam and the second beam overlap each other when viewed along the axial direction. |
| US09188940B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge and drum unit
A developing device for use with an image forming apparatus, includes: a developer carrying member for carrying a developer; a developer regulating member for regulating an amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member; a first frame for supporting the developer regulating member; a fixing member for fixing the developer regulating member to the first frame; a second frame mounted to the first frame; and a molded resin portion formed by injecting a melted resin material into a space defined by the first and second frames. The molded resin portion is engaged with a first limiting portion provided as a part of the fixing member and projected into the space and is engaged with a second limiting portion provided as a part of the second frame to connect the first and second frame. |
| US09188937B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a photoreceptor refresh unit to detect a deteriorated photoreceptor drum and perform a photoreceptor-refresh control process
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photoreceptor drums, a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of polishing members, an endless intermediate transfer component, a primary transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a development refresh unit, and a photoreceptor refresh unit. The photoreceptor refresh unit is configured such that, in executing the photoreceptor-refresh control process, if the development refresh unit detects a toner-deteriorated developing device, the circumferential surface of the deteriorated photoreceptor drum is polished, by the polishing member provided for the deteriorated photoreceptor drum, using the polishing-agent contained in the toner discharged from the toner-deteriorated developing device by the development refresh unit executing the development-refresh control process. |
| US09188933B2 |
Power supply device and image forming apparatus
A power supply device to electroconductively connect a power-fed terminal included in a power-fed unit and a power supply terminal of a power supply board. The power supply device includes a unit contact portion to contact the power-fed terminal; a board contact portion to contact the power supply board; a connector to connect the unit contact portion and the board contact portion; and a support member to support the unit contact portion, the board contact portion, and the connector. The unit contact portion is held on an inner face of the support member opposed to the power-fed unit; the board contact portion is held on an outer face of the support member opposed to the power supply board; and the connector connects the unit contact portion and the board contact portion through the support member. |
| US09188922B2 |
Image forming apparatus with sensor unit assembly cover member
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a sensor unit assembly including a sensor unit and a holder attached to the sensor unit, and a cover member attached to the sensor unit assembly. The sensor unit includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The cover member includes a light transmission portion covering a light emitting side of the light emitting element and a light receiving side of the light receiving element and an engaging portion sandwiched between the sensor unit and the holder. |
| US09188918B1 |
Image forming apparatus, control method and non-temporary recording medium
In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus, comprises an image forming section configured to include at least one decolorable toner and at least one non-decolorable toner, and form a toner image selectively using the decolorable toner and the non-decolorable toner; a mode determination section configured to determine, from a plurality of image forming modes including a first image forming mode in which a toner image is formed on a sheet with one decolorable toner and a second image forming mode in which a toner image is formed on a sheet with two or more toners of the decolorable toner and the non-decolorable toner, a designated image forming mode; and a preheating control section configured to execute the preheating of the sheet before image formation in the second image forming mode, and execute no preheating of the sheet before image formation in the first image forming mode. |
| US09188908B2 |
Wet-type image forming apparatus with adjusting device to adjust amount of carrier liquid contained in toner image
An infiltration amount measuring unit is provided to measure the amount of carrier liquid infiltrated in recording paper. An output signal of the infiltration amount measuring unit is input to a control device to be used to calculate a voltage supplied to a heat source (heater) in a pre-fixing unit. A signal of a paper temperature measuring unit is input to the control device, which determines whether a target temperature is reached. The control device estimates the amount of carrier liquid in a toner layer based on the information from the infiltration amount measuring unit. Then, the pre-fixing unit is controlled such that the amount of carrier liquid in the toner layer falls within an appropriate range, based on the estimation result of the amount of carrier liquid. |
| US09188906B2 |
Cartridge, developing cartridge, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A cartridge includes: a toner chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a toner; and a seal member including a sealing portion, elongated in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge, for unsealably sealing the opening and a mounting portion for being mounted on an unsealing member to unseal the opening. The sealing portion includes a first sealing portion located at a longitudinal end portion and a second sealing portion located at a longitudinal central portion. With respect to a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, a length between the first sealing portion and the mounting portion of the seal member is shorter than a length between the second sealing portion and the mounting portion. |
| US09188903B2 |
Image forming device, bias voltage control method for image forming device, and computer program product
An image forming device includes a charging power supply used in applying, to a charging unit, a charging voltage for the purpose of electrostatic latent image formation and a charging bias voltage during a cleaning operation; a developing power supply that is capable of outputting a developing bias voltage of positive polarity and negative polarity to a developing unit; a constant-voltage generating-holding unit that is used in generating and holding a constant potential difference between the charging unit and the developing unit; a developing power control unit that performs output control of a developing bias voltage with respect to the developing unit; and a charging power control unit that, when the developing power control unit performs control to output a developing bias voltage of reverse polarity to the charging unit, performs output control of the charging bias voltage of a predetermined level with respect to the charging power supply. |
| US09188902B2 |
Image forming apparatus and correction data generation method
There is provided an image forming apparatus that reduces an operation speed of a unit configured to generate pieces of correction data with which the light intensity of laser light is corrected. Pieces of first correction data in a scanning direction of a photoconductor drum are associated with light sources and stored in memories. For a plurality of regions of the surface of the photoconductor drum, a CPU outputs, for each of the regions, pieces of correction data including pieces of second correction data for correction of electric potential characteristics of the region. The positions of pieces of first correction data match some of the positions of pieces of second correction data. A laser driver IC controls light intensity of laser light at the timing of the pieces of second correction data in accordance with a piece of first correction data and a piece of second correction data. |
| US09188901B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a covered retracting mechanism
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier unit that includes an image carrier and is configured to be capable of being housed in and removed from an image-forming-apparatus main body; an exposure device that is arranged close to the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image; a retracting mechanism that holds the exposure device close to the image carrier when the image carrier unit is housed in the image-forming-apparatus main body, and holds the exposure device away from the image carrier when the image carrier unit is being removed from the image-forming-apparatus main body; a covering member that covers the retracting mechanism in a state where backlash of the exposure device at least in a main-scanning direction is allowed; and a guide mechanism that positions the exposure device in the main-scanning direction when the exposure device comes closer to the image carrier through the retracting mechanism. |
| US09188900B2 |
Light beam emitting apparatus, light scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A light beam emitting apparatus including: a light source having plural light emitting points emitting beams; and a holding member configured to hold the source and having first, second, and third abutment portions, an emission direction of the beams being regulated by the abutment portions in abutment with the source, wherein as viewed along an optical path of the beams, an angle formed by a first line connecting two farthest light emitting points with a second line connecting the first and second abutment portions is smaller than angles formed by the first line with a third line connecting the second and third abutment portions and formed by the first line with a fourth line connecting the third and first abutment portions, and a distance between the first and second abutment portions is larger than distances between the second and third abutment portions and between the third and first abutment portions. |
| US09188897B2 |
Transfer device, image forming apparatus, and power supply control method
A transfer device includes a power supply control unit, a direct-current (DC) power supply, an alternating-current (AC) power supply, and a transfer unit. The power supply control unit controls a first control signal for controlling a DC voltage and a second control signal for controlling an AC voltage based on a condition relating to image formation. The DC power supply outputs the DC voltage based on the first control signal. The AC power supply selectively outputs, with a particular waveform, either of the DC voltage output from the DC power supply or a superimposed voltage obtained by superimposing the AC voltage determined based on the second control signal on the DC voltage output from the DC power supply. The transfer unit transfers a developer onto a sheet using a voltage output from the AC power supply. |
| US09188896B2 |
Electrostatic ink composition
The present invention provides an electrostatic ink composition comprising a carrier liquid, a resin, a pigment and a conductive polymer. Method for producing the electrostatic ink composition and methods for printing the composition are also disclosed. |
| US09188891B2 |
Super low melt toner having crystalline aromatic ethers
A toner includes a polymeric resin, optionally a colorant, and a small molecule crystalline aromatic ether having a molecular weight less than 1,000 g/mol. The polymeric resin may be an amorphous resin and a mixture of the amorphous resin and the crystalline aromatic ether may be characterized by a reduction in glass transition temperature from that of the resin and by the lack of a melting point for the crystalline aromatic ether as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, the enthalpy of fusion for the crystalline aromatic ether in the mixture being measured to be less than 10% of the enthalpy of fusion of the crystalline aromatic ether in pure form. Furthermore, the toner may be configured to have a crease fix minimum fusing temperature (MFT) less than or equal to the crease fix MFT of a benchmark ultra-low-melt emulsion aggregation toner. Suitable crystalline aromatic ethers may include benzyl 2-naphthyl ether. |
| US09188890B1 |
Method for managing triboelectric charge in two-component developer
Disclosed is a method for managing the triboelectric charge potential of a two-component xerographic developer over a wide range of variables. In particular, the present embodiments uses the addition of second and third carrier particles to a developer comprising toner particles and first carrier particles to adjust the tribo electric charge potential of the developer. Various parameters (system responses), including Vmag, laser power, relative humidity, toner and carrier age, and image scan data, are used to determine the requisite amounts of the second and third carrier to achieve a desired shift in tribo electric charge potential of the developer. |
| US09188888B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, electrophotographic apparatus and method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive member
A charge-transporting layer, which is a surface layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, has a matrix-domain structure having a matrix containing constituent β (a polycarbonate resin having a predetermined repeating structural unit) and a charge-transporting substance, and a domain containing constituent α (a polycarbonate resin having a repeating structural unit having a predetermined siloxane moiety). |
| US09188881B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and method for reducing stray radiation
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system for providing a beam of extreme ultra-violet radiation, a masking device for controlling the illumination of a patterning device by the beam of radiation, a support for supporting the patterning device, the patterning device configured to impart a pattern to the beam of radiation, a substrate table for holding a substrate, and a projection system for projecting the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of the substrate. The masking device includes a masking blade including a masking edge configured to delimit a boundary of an illumination region on the patterning device. The masking blade is configured to reflect extreme ultra-violet radiation incident on the masking blade such that at least a portion of the reflected radiation is not captured by the projection system. |
| US09188879B2 |
Substrate holding apparatus, pattern transfer apparatus, and pattern transfer method
According to one embodiment, a substrate holding apparatus includes a main unit and a plurality of first support units. The main unit has a major surface. The main unit has a plate configuration. The first support units are disposed on the major surface. Each of the first support units includes a suction-holding unit capable of holding a substrate by suction. The suction-holding unit is movable along a first direction perpendicular to the major surface and a second direction parallel to the major surface. |
| US09188874B1 |
Spot-array imaging system for maskless lithography and parallel confocal microscopy
In a scanned-spot-array lithography system, a modulated array of radiant-energy source spots is imaged by a projection lens onto a printing surface, which is scanned in synchronization with the spot modulation to print a synthesized, high-resolution raster image. Similarly, in a scanned-spot-array microscopy system, an array of radiant-energy source spots is imaged by a projection lens onto an inspection surface, and radiation reflected from or transmitted through the image spots is collected and detected to acquire a synthesized, high-resolution raster image of the surface. In either case, the spot-generation optics can be configured to counterbalance and neutralize imperfect imaging characteristics of the projection lens, enabling perfectly flat-field, distortion-free, and aberration-free point imaging of the entire spot array. The spot-generation optics can also be further configured to achieve narrow-band achromatization of the optical system, and to optimally control the intensity and polarization characteristics of the image-plane radiation. |
| US09188873B2 |
Substrate having etching mask and method for producing same
Provided are a substrate with an etching mask which enables high definition patterning and a method of manufacturing the same. A photosensitive material is applied on a surface of a substrate, exposure and development of the photosensitive material are carried out to form a resist pattern, a DLC coating film is formed on the surface of the substrate and a surface of the resist pattern, and the DLC coating film formed on the resist pattern is separated together with the resist pattern to form a DLC pattern on the surface of the substrate. |
| US09188867B2 |
Solution composition for passivation layer, thin film transistor array panel, and manufacturing method for thin film transistor array panel
A passivation layer solution composition is provided. A passivation layer solution composition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an organic siloxane resin represented by Chemical Formula 1 below. In Chemical Formula 1, R is at least one substituent selected from a saturated hydrocarbon or an unsaturated hydrocarbon having from 1 to about 25 carbon atoms, and x and y may each independently be from 1 to about 200, and wherein each wavy line indicates a bond to an H atom or to an x siloxane unit or a y siloxane unit, or a bond to an x siloxane unit or a y siloxane unit of another siloxane chain comprising x siloxane units or y siloxane units or a combination thereof. |
| US09188861B2 |
Photopolymerizable compositions for electroless plating methods
A photopolymerizable composition has five essential components: (a) a photopolymerizable epoxy material, (b) a photoacid generator such as an onium salt, (c) electron donor photosensitizer having an oxidation potential of at least 0.4 V and up to and including 3 V vs. SCE, and (d) metal particles. This photopolymerizable composition can be applied or printed onto one or both sides of various substrates to form articles that can be used to form electrically conductive materials. Methods for using the photopolymerizable compositions include electroless plating methods that can be carried out in roll-to-roll printing systems once various photocured patterns are formed from the photopolymerizable compositions. |
| US09188860B2 |
Method for producing polyamide and resin composition
Disclosed is a method for producing polyamide, wherein a diimidazolide compound represented by the general formula (1) shown below is reacted with a diamine compound represented by the general formula (2) shown below. The present invention provides a method for producing a chlorine-free high molecular weight alkali-soluble polyamide by simple process. |
| US09188858B2 |
Radiation-sensitive resin composition, method for forming resist pattern, acid generating agent and compound
A radiation-sensitive resin composition includes an acid generating agent to generate a compound represented by a following formula (1) by irradiation with a radioactive ray. In the formula (1), R1 represents a monovalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The compound represented by the formula (1) is preferably a compound represented by a following formula (1-1). In the formula (1-1), R2 is as defined in the above formula (1). X represents an electron attractive group. R3 represents a monovalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. |
| US09188856B2 |
Type of fine metal mask (FFM) used in OLED production and the method of manufacturing it
A new type of fine metal mask (FMM) used in OLED production and the method of manufacturing it, wherein the FMM includes a frame made of a metal substrate with a plurality of through holes, a layer of fine mask electroformed on the surface of the frame so that said fine mask and said frame are seamlessly integrated, said fine mask is divided into a pattern area and a border area, and the pattern area corresponds to the through holes on the frame, and the method of manufacturing such an FMM comprising the steps of: A. providing a metal substrate by cutting an invar alloy or stainless steel plate to a desired size; B. providing an fine mask by adding a photoresist layer on the metal substrate, exposing a desired pattern onto said photoresist layer, and electroforming a metal base layer and a metal layer with a low thermal expansion coefficient; and C. etching the metal substrate by etching out a pattern area of the metal substrate that corresponds to the pattern area of said fine mask using a chemical etching method to form a plurality of through holes, and creating an outer border area and internal separation area for support of said fine mask. |
| US09188854B2 |
Transfer apparatus and method of manufacturing device
A transfer apparatus, for molding a resin on a substrate using a mold on which a pattern is formed and releasing the mold from the resin to transfer the pattern onto the substrate, includes a charge removing device configured to remove a charge of the mold, and a detector configured to detect an electric potential of the mold. The charge removing device is configured to remove the charge of the mold if the electric potential of the mold detected by the detector is not less than a predetermined value. |
| US09188850B2 |
Display system for high-definition projectors
A display system is provided to surround a user with an out-the window scene. The system includes a screen structure that is a facetted back-projection dome made up of a polygonal polar top facet surrounded by trapezoidal facets angulated downward from it in an upper facet row. A middle row of facets extends angulated downward therefrom, and a lower row of trapezoidal facets extends down from them. Each facet has video projected thereon by a high definition projector, and to maximize resolution and efficiently use the projector output, the vertical height of each facet makes use of the full vertical field of pixels available from the associated projector. The facets are all tangent to a sphere about a design eyepoint of the dome. The projector resolutions and the size, position and material of the facets are such that the imagery visible on the inside of the dome on the facets is at resolution corresponding to a visual acuity of 20/50 or higher, preferably 20/20, and at or near eye-limiting resolution. |
| US09188849B2 |
3D imaging device and 3D imaging method
A 3D imaging device determines, during imaging, whether the captured images will be perceived three-dimensionally without causing fatigue while simulating actual human perception. In a 3D imaging device, a display information setting unit obtains a display parameter associated with an environment in which a 3D video is viewed, and a control unit determines during 3D imaging whether a scene to be imaged three-dimensionally will be perceived three-dimensionally based on the viewing environment. |
| US09188847B2 |
Screen and screen manufacturing method
Since a screen contains a diffusion agent, the diffusion agent changes polarization characteristics of picture light and degrades the stereoscopic image. Provided is a screen comprising a substrate shaped as a flat board; a reflective layer made of metal arranged on one surface of the substrate; and an exposure layer that is arranged on a surface of the reflective layer facing away from the substrate, is optically isotropic and transparent with respect to visible light, and has bumps and depressions formed in an exposed surface thereof. Also provided is a screen manufacturing method comprising providing a reflective layer on a substrate shaped as a flat board; and forming an exposure layer on a surface of the reflective layer facing away from the substrate, the exposure layer being optically isotropic and transparent with respect to visible light and having bumps and depressions formed in an exposed surface thereof. |
| US09188843B2 |
Photography supporting frame
A photography supporting frame comprises a base seat and supporting legs sequentially arranged around the base seat. Connecting bosses are arranged around the base seat; clamping teeth are sequentially arranged on the peripheries of the connecting bosses. The supporting legs each comprise a locating hook, a ball, a spring, an insertion piece, a foot shaft sleeve and a supporting leg rod. The ball and the spring are sequentially arranged in a cavity of the insertion piece from up to down; the locating hook is arranged in the middle of the upper portion of the insertion piece and connected to the ball. The insertion piece is arranged in the foot shaft sleeve. One end of the foot shaft sleeve is connected to one of the connecting bosses, and the other end of the foot shaft sleeve is arranged on the supporting leg rod. |
| US09188824B2 |
Display device
According to an aspect, a display device includes: a first substrate; a second substrate arranged opposite to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix on the first substrate; a first scan line arranged between a first row of the pixels and a second row of the pixels adjacent to the first row; a second scan line arranged between the second row of the pixels and the first scan line; and a spacer for maintaining a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. A first area on which the spacer is disposed overlaps at least part of a second area partitioned by the first scan line and the second scan line. |
| US09188822B2 |
Chip on glass type LCD device including testing thin film transistors, testing lines and testing pads and inspecting method of the same
A COG type LCD device includes a first substrate including a display area and first, second, third and fourth non-display areas, gate and data lines in the display area on the first substrate and defining pixel regions, switching thin film transistor at each crossing portion of the gate and data lines and connected to the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode in each pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor, first testing thin film transistors in the second non-display area connected to the data lines and spaced apart from each other with a constant interval therebetween, first, second and third data testing lines connected to one ends of the data lines through the first testing thin film transistors, first, second and third data testing pads connected to the first, second and third data testing lines, respectively, data link lines in the first non-display area and connected to another ends of the data lines, second testing thin film transistors in the first non-display area and connected to the data link lines, gate link lines connected to the gate lines, third testing thin film transistors connected to the gate link lines, gate testing lines connected to the gate lines through the third testing thin film transistors, gate testing pads connected to the gate testing lines, a common testing line and a common pad in the non-display area, a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate, a color filter layer and a common electrode sequentially formed on the second substrate, wherein the common electrode is connected to the common testing line, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, wherein a driving IC is attached in the first non-display area. |
| US09188816B2 |
Color filter substrate, liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device
Embodiments of the invention provide a color filter substrate, a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display device. The color filter substrate comprising a substrate; a plurality of sets of electrode structure formed on a side of the substrate, each set of electrode structure comprises a pixel electrode and a common electrode for generating a horizontal electric field between the pixel electrode and the common electrode by applying a voltage. |
| US09188808B2 |
Display device having reflective polarizer
A display device including a transmission display panel, a first backlight module, a first polarizer, and a reflective polarizer is provided. The first backlight module includes a first light guide plate and a light emitting unit. The first light guide plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first light incident surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The first surface is between the second surface and the transmission display panel. The light emitting unit is disposed beside the first light incident surface. The transmission display panel is between the first polarizer and the first surface. The second surface is between the first surface and the reflective polarizer. |
| US09188807B2 |
Hard-screen polarizing plate for liquid crystal screen
A hard-screen polarizing plate for a liquid crystal screen includes a polyvinyl alcohol film (1) and a protective film (2). The protective film (2) is adhered to a surface of the polyvinyl alcohol film (1) facing a light emitting surface (41) of a liquid crystal cell (4). The hard-screen polarizing plate further includes a glass substrate (3). The glass substrate (3) is adhered to a light emitting surface (12) of the polyvinyl alcohol film (1) for serving as a protective layer of the second light emitting surface (12) of the polyvinyl alcohol film (1). The hard-screen polarizing plate is adhered to a light emitting surface (41) of the liquid crystal cell (4). |
| US09188805B2 |
Liquid crystal display and production method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes: first and second transparent substrates located such that inner main surfaces face each other with a gap being provided therebetween and a liquid crystal layer is held between the substrates; a parallax barrier provided on an outer main surface of the first transparent substrate and optically separating pixels displaying an image into pixels visually recognized in a specific direction and pixels visually recognized in another specific direction; and a plurality of switching elements, arrayed on the inner main surface of the second transparent substrate, for applying voltage to drive the liquid crystal; wherein the parallax barrier includes a plurality of transmissive portions arrayed to transmit light and a plurality of light blocking portions provided respectively around the transmissive portions to block light, and each of the light blocking portions includes two or more layered light blocking films. |
| US09188803B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel includes a substrate, a shielding layer, a first electrode layer, a first insulation layer, a second electrode layer, a lead layer and a second insulation layer. The substrate has a touch section and a non-touch section. The shield layer and the lead layer are disposed on the non-touch section. The first and second electrode layers are disposed on touch section. The first insulation layer is disposed between the first and second electrode layers corresponding to the second electrode layer. The second insulation layer is overlaid on the second electrode layer and the lead layer. In the touch panel, the number of leads is reduced. Moreover, the touch panel is free from the problems of interference and signal interference between the electrodes. |
| US09188797B2 |
Eyeglass system and method of engagement
An eyeglass system including primary glasses and detachably engageable auxiliary glasses. The auxiliary glasses include a first and second auxiliary lens connected together by a bridge. Each lens has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a peripheral edge extending between the interior and exterior surfaces. An aperture is defined in each of the lenses and this aperture extends between the interior and exterior surfaces, and originates in the peripheral edge and extends for a distance into the lens. A connector is engaged in the aperture in each of the lenses and this connector detachably engages the primary glasses. Preferably, the aperture is keyhole-shaped and the connector includes a boss that is a complementary keyhole shape. The connector may be provided with a magnet that is attracted to a magnet embedded in a lens of the primary glasses. |
| US09188796B2 |
Screw-less joint structure for eyeglass frames and temples
The present disclosure provides a joint structure for eyeglass frames and temples. An eyeglass frame and two temples are connected by the joint structure, which has two bases and a bidirectional screw rod. Since the assembly of the bases and the bidirectional screw rod is simple and quick, labor and cost of assembly is saved and the joint structure is an innovative eyeglass structure. |
| US09188794B2 |
Eyeglasses support
The Auxiliary Eyeglasses Support is a support arm that is firmly attached to a person's ear, and extends forward to support the front portion of the eyeglasses. This will prevent the eyeglasses from slipping down on a person's nose. The Auxiliary Eyeglasses Support maybe used singly on only one side of the head, or as a pair on both sides of the head. |
| US09188793B2 |
Eyewear having angle adjustable nose pads
An eyewear having angle adjustable nose pads includes a main body and a pair of nose pads. The main body has a nose pad frame. The nose pad frame has two pad arms, corresponding to two sides of a nose bridge, extending therefrom. The two pad arms each has peripheral portions defining a through hole, and two oppositely arranged peripheral portions each have a plurality of grooves arranged thereon. The nose pads and the two pad arms are correspondingly coupled. The nose pads each includes a padding, a plurality of latching members extended from the padding, and two stoppers respectively arranged on outer sides of two latching members. The latching members of the nose pads pass through a side of a pad arm through a through hole and couple to the other side of the pad arm. The two stoppers of each nose pad correspondingly abut two grooves. |
| US09188791B2 |
Electronic binoculars
An electronic binoculars includes: first and second imaging units with a predetermined horizontal distance therebetween disposed in a housing; optical members that guide image light beams to the first and second imaging units; a sensor that detects angular acceleration or acceleration acting on the housing; an image processor that processes image signals produced by the first and second imaging units and corrects the image signals in terms of the change in motion of the housing in accordance with the angular acceleration or acceleration detected by the sensor; and first and second displays with a horizontal distance therebetween disposed in the housing, the first and second displays displaying the image signals processed by the image processor. |
| US09188788B2 |
3-dimensional displaying apparatus and method for driving 3-dimensional displaying apparatus
A 3-dimensional displaying apparatus includes an image displaying panel having a plurality of pixels and a backlight panel spaced apart from one surface of the image displaying panel. The backlight panel includes a first line source set having a plurality of line sources arranged at regular intervals and a second line source set having line sources arranged spaced apart from the respective line sources of the first line source set by a predetermined interval. The first line source set and the second line source set are driven alternately. Thus, in a case where a horizontal location of an observer varies, the change of brightness of image information and the crosstalk between adjacent visual fields are minimized, and pseudo-stereoscopic vision is prevented. Also, the irregularity of brightness distribution in a visual field may be solved. |
| US09188787B2 |
Touch grating, display device and method of realizing stereoscopic display and touch functions
A touch grating, a display device and a method of realizing stereoscopic display and touch functions. The touch grating includes: a first substrate (101); a second substrate (102), disposed in opposition to the first substrate (101); a planar electrode (103), disposed at an inner side of the first substrate (101) facing the second substrate (102); a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes (104), being parallel to each other and disposed at an inner side of the second substrate (102) facing the first substrate (101); and liquid crystal (108), disposed between the first substrate (101) and the second substrate (102) and driven by the planar electrode (103) and the strip-shaped electrodes (104), wherein wirings (105) are provided at four terminals of the planar electrode (103), respectively, and the wirings (105) provided at the four terminals are used to determine a touch position. |
| US09188786B2 |
Optical compensation film
An optical compensation film includes: a first layer having positive birefringence; a second layer on the first layer and having negative birefringence; and a third layer on the second layer and having positive birefringence. A retardation value of the optical compensation film for incident light having a wavelength of about 550 nm is about 135 nm to about 145 nm, and a ratio of a thickness of the first layer or of the third layer to a thickness of the second layer is about 1.1 to 2.2. |
| US09188785B2 |
Single-pixel camera architecture with simultaneous multi-band acquisition
A system is provided comprising: a light field emanating from a scene and a positive imaging lens focusing light from the light field onto a DMD array. A first collector lens directs the spatially modulated light to a first photodetector having a spectral sensitivity to a first spectral band. The first photodetector senses the directed light from the first pixel-wise multiplication and produces a signal representing a first inner product between the light incident on the DMD and the first basis function for the first spectral band. A second collector lens directs the spatially modulated light to a second photodetector having a spectral sensitivity to a second spectral band. The second photodetector senses the directed light from the first pixel-wise multiplication and produces a signal representing a first inner product between the light incident on the DMD and the first basis function for the second spectral band. |
| US09188778B2 |
Display device
Provided is a display device characterized in that a display area can be prevented from appearing darker when the position of light-shielding sections are moved, while the control of voltages applied to electrodes is simplified. In the case where electrodes to which a specific voltage is applied are changed from a first electrode group (e.g., 52a) to a second electrode group (e.g., 52b, 58a, 58b), the voltage applied to the first electrode group is switched from the specific voltage to a reference voltage first, and thereafter, the voltage applied to the second electrode group is switched from the reference voltage to the specific voltage. |
| US09188775B2 |
Optical scanning and measurement
Apparatus and methods for optical scanning, including an optical probe capable of motion for optical scanning with respect to both the interior and the exterior of a scanned object, the optical probe also including light conducting apparatus disposed so as to conduct scan illumination from a source of scan illumination through the probe; light reflecting apparatus disposed so as to project scan illumination radially away from a longitudinal axis of the probe with at least some of the scan illumination projected onto the scanned object; optical line forming apparatus disposed so as to project scan illumination as a line of scan illumination with at least some of the scan illumination projected onto the scanned object; and a lens disposed so as to conduct, through the probe to an optical sensor, scan illumination reflected from the scanned object. |
| US09188774B2 |
Microelectrofluidic device and method of driving the same
A microelectrofluidic device includes: a chamber; a first fluid and a second fluid which are contained in the chamber and are not mixable with each other; and a first electrode group including a plurality of electrodes that are disposed on an inner side of the chamber, and to which a voltage is applied to change an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid, wherein the plurality of electrodes are connected to form a first electrode unit, a second electrode unit, and a third electrode unit that are independently turned on or off, and the plurality of electrodes are annular and coated with an insulating material, and adjacent electrodes are connected to different electrode units. |
| US09188773B2 |
Endoscope
An endoscope comprising, in a part of an insertion portion having flexibility, a bending portion formed by covering an outermost circumference with a covering rubber. Respective end portions of the covering rubber being tightly bound to a rigid portion near the bending portion with a thread and fixed by applying an adhesive. In at least one end portion of both fixed end portions of the covering rubber, hardness of at least a portion in a range from an end portion in a center portion side of a portion tightly bound with the thread to an end portion in a center portion side of a portion to which the adhesive is applied is set higher than hardness in a center portion of the covering rubber. |
| US09188771B2 |
Reflective optical imaging system
An optical imaging system serving for imaging a pattern arranged in an object plane of the imaging system into an image plane of the imaging system with the aid of electromagnetic radiation from a wavelength range around a main wavelength λ0 has a multiplicity of mirrors. Each mirror has a mirror surface having a reflective layer arrangement having a sequence of individual layers. |
| US09188764B2 |
Lenses for communication devices
Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a lens component having one or more lenses attached to a retainer portion configured to removably attach to communication devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, media players, and the like. The retainer portion may be configured so as not to interfere with a user's view of a display panel of the communication device. In some embodiments, a plurality of lenses may be provided, and the lenses may be removably attached to the retainer portion and may be interchangeable. A structure for providing a flash may also be provided. In some embodiments, additional features may be provided, such as attachment components to facilitate attachment to stability devices, such as tripods, and to user-wearable accessories. |
| US09188759B2 |
Optical connection terminal having port mapping scheme
A fiber optic network device for optically coupling a fiber optic distribution cable with a fiber optic drop cables is disclosed. Disposed within the fiber optic network device is a plurality of optical fibers optically coupled to the distribution cable. A plurality of ports opens into the fiber optic network device. Predetermined ones of the plurality of ports are operable for optically coupling respective predetermined ones of the plurality of optical fibers each to at least one drop cable external to the fiber optic network device. At least one of the predetermined ones of the plurality of ports is a pass-through port operable for optically coupling at least one of the respective pre-determined ones of the plurality of optical fibers to the at least one drop cable through another fiber optic network device. A pass-through connector comprising a plurality of connection ports adapted for receiving in a predetermined alignment the respective pre-determined ones of the plurality of optical fibers may be seated within the pass-through port. The fiber optic network device may be an optical connection terminal and/or a distribution closure. The fiber optic network device may further include one or more splitters. The predetermined ones of a plurality of ports may be operable for optically coupling at least one of the respective predetermined ones of the plurality of optical fibers to a drop cable through one or more splitters. |
| US09188752B2 |
Optical-electrical connector having inproved heat sink
An optical-electrical connector (100) having an end for mating with an electrical connector and an opposite end coupling with an optical medium, includes a thermal conductive shell (10), a printed circuit board assembly (20) received in the thermal conductive shell, and an optical-electrical module (50). The printed circuit board assembly includes a printed circuit board (21) including a thermal conductive layer (214) thermal conductively connected with the metal shell. The optical-electrical module is mounted on the printed circuit board and is in contact with the thermal conductive layer, heat produced by the optical-electrical module being transmitted to the thermal conductive shell by the thermal conductive layer. |
| US09188751B2 |
Flip-chip assembly comprising an array of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELSs), and an optical transmitter assembly that incorporates the flip-chip assembly
A plurality of flip-chips, each having a plurality of optoelectronic elements formed therein, are flip-chip mounted on a top surface of a substrate that is comprised of a material that is transparent to the operating wavelength of the light produced by optoelectronic elements of the flip-chips. The combination of flip-chips comprises an array of precisely-aligned optoelectronic elements. When the substrate comprising the array of optoelectronic elements is mounted on a PCB, electrical contact pads disposed on the bottom and/or top surface of the substrate are in contact with the respective electrical contact pads disposed on the top surface of the PCB to electrically interconnect the PCB with the flip-chips. Mating features on the substrate that have been precisely positioned by semiconductor fabrication steps are disposed for mating with respective mating features of a multi-optical fiber ferrule device that have been precisely formed in the ferrule device at precise locations. |
| US09188749B2 |
Crimp for an optical cable connector
A crimp (30) comprises a hollow crimp body (31) that is open at each end (32, 33) and includes, at a first end (32), a first crushable crimp tube (34) for crimping onto a connector; and at a second end (33) a second crushable crimp tube (36) for crimping onto a cable, the portion (39) of the crimp between the said ends including a recess (37) for engagement by a closure housing (38). |
| US09188744B1 |
Multimode optical tap filters without dispersion for high-speed data communications
Techniques for monitoring optical power, dispersion and mode distribution in high speed multimode fiber are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a multimode optical tap filter is disclosed. The tap filter is dispersionless and tap ratio independent, and packaged in a 3-port form factor. To be efficient in cost, at least two such optical tab filters are packaged in one device while sharing a single thin film filter provided to reflect a predefined portion of a signal being monitored. |
| US09188742B2 |
Teraherz-wave connector and teraherz-wave integrated circuits, and wave guide and antenna structure
The terahertz-wave connector includes: a 2D-PC slab; lattice points periodically arranged in the 2D-PC slab, the lattice points for diffracting the THz waves in PBG frequencies of photonic band structure of the 2D-PC slab in order to prohibit existence in a plane of the 2D-PC slab; a 2D-PC waveguide disposed in the 2D-PC slab and formed with a line defect of the lattice points; and an adiabatic mode converter disposed at the edge face of the 2D-PC slab to which the 2D-PC waveguide extended, the 2D-PC waveguide extended to the adiabatic mode converter. There is provided also the THz-wave IC to which such a terahertz-wave connector is applied. |
| US09188741B2 |
Adjustable multiple-channel optical switch
An apparatus includes a wavelength-selective switch having an optical demultiplexer having N optical outputs, a first optical multiplexer having N optical inputs, a second optical multiplexer having N optical inputs, and a plurality of controllable 1×P optical switches. Integer P is greater than or equal to 2. Each of the optical switches is connected to a corresponding one of the optical outputs of the optical demultiplexer and is connected to corresponding ones of the optical inputs of the respective first and second optical multiplexers. The optical AWG demultiplexer has an optical AWG sampling coefficient of one or more for light with a wavelength in the optical telecommunication C-band, L-band, or S-band. |
| US09188736B2 |
Low bend loss optical fiber
An optical fiber having both low bend loss. The fiber has a central core region having refractive index Δ1, an inner cladding region having an outer radius r2>17 microns and refractive index Δ2 and a second cladding region surrounding the inner cladding region having refractive index Δ3. The fiber profile segments may be arranged so that Δ1>Δ3>Δ2. The fiber may exhibit a profile volume, V2 of the inner cladding region, calculated between r1 and r2, is at least 30% Δmicron2. |
| US09188735B2 |
Optical fiber, optical transmission line, and method for manufacturing optical fiber
An optical fiber (1) includes (i) an inner core (111) whose refractive index distribution has an α profile, (ii) an outer core (112) which surrounds the inner core (111), and (iii) a clad (12) which surrounds the outer core (112). In the optical fiber (1), Rd is set to not less than 0.15, where Rd is a ratio of a refractive index difference between the outer core (112) and the clad (12) to a refractive index difference between a center part of the inner core (111) and the clad (12). |
| US09188730B2 |
Light source module using laser as light source
A light source module comprises a plurality of laser light sources, a lens module, a plurality of optical components, and a light guiding plate. The lens module includes a first lens having a rear arced plane and a plurality of second lenses each having a front arced plane, and the second lenses are positioned on the first lens and protruded forwardly from the first lens toward the optical components. The optical components are positioned on light path of light emitted from the laser light sources in sequence and each correspond to one second lens, and the optical components are, except the farthest one from the laser light sources, beamsplitters, respectively and used for reflecting a part of the light emitted from the laser light sources to the second lenses and permitting another part of the light to penetrate therethrough to a next optical component. |
| US09188729B2 |
Prism sheet, backlight unit including the same, and method of manufacturing the same
A prism sheet includes: a first portion including a prism elongated in a first direction; and a second portion including a prism elongated in a second direction different from the first direction. The second direction is vertical to a light incident surface of a light guide plate of a backlight unit, a light source of the backlight unit faces the light incident surface of the light guide plate, and the prism sheet overlaps a light emitting surface of the light guide plate. |
| US09188728B2 |
Illuminating device and display device
An illuminating device 20 includes a plurality of light sources 21 and a light guide plate 30 guiding light incident on an incident surface 30a that opposes the light sources 21 and emitting illuminating light from an emission surface 30b. The light guide plate 30 includes a plurality of prisms 32 that extend in an optical axis direction Y and are arranged next to each other in a longitudinal direction X, the prisms 32 scattering the guided light in the longitudinal direction X. At least a top portion 32a of each prism 32 includes a curved portion 32c having a curved shape in cross section. A bottom portion 32b of each prism 32, the bottom portion 32b extending upward from a surface of the light guide plate 30, has a radius of curvature greater than that of the top portion 32a. |
| US09188724B2 |
Image viewing device
A viewing device includes an interior assembly includes an interior frame having an exterior surface, an exterior assembly coupled to the interior assembly including an exterior lens, the exterior lens having an interior surface, wherein the interior surface of the exterior lens faces the exterior surface of the interior frame. The viewing device includes a reflective surface on the exterior lens, and an object located on the interior assembly adapted to project an image onto the reflective surface. The reflective surface is configured to reflect the projected image toward the interior assembly. |
| US09188717B2 |
Light acquisition sheet and rod, and light receiving device and light emitting device each using the light acquisition sheet or rod
A light-trapping sheet of the present invention includes: a light-transmitting sheet 2 having first and second principal surfaces; and a plurality of light-coupling structures 3 arranged in an inner portion of the light-transmitting sheet at a first distance or more and a second distance or more from the first and second principal surfaces, respectively, wherein: each of the plurality of light-coupling structures 3 includes a first light-transmitting layer, a second light-transmitting layer, and a third light-transmitting layer arranged therebetween; a refractive index of the first and second light-transmitting layers is smaller than a refractive index of the light-transmitting sheet 2; a refractive index of the third light-transmitting layer is larger than the refractive index of the first and second light-transmitting layers; and the third light-transmitting layer has a diffraction grating parallel to the first and second principal surfaces of the light-transmitting sheet. |
| US09188715B2 |
Retroreflective sheeting including cube corner elements
The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting. |
| US09188714B2 |
Method and apparatus to control a focal length of a curved reflector in real time
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to control a focal length of a curved reflector in real time. An energy generation system includes curved reflectors, a tower, and an energy storing unit connected to the tower. The curved reflectors reflect and concentrate light from a light source onto the tower. The tower converts the received light into usable energy which is stored in the energy storing unit. Each of the curved reflectors can include a curved body, a stand, and/or an actuation unit. The curved body reflects the light from the light source to concentrate it onto the tower. When the light source moves, the curved body pivots about the stand to track the light source. The actuation unit is activated to adjust a focal length of the focal point of the curved body to ensure that the reflected light is concentrated at the tower. |
| US09188707B2 |
Optical lens with anti-reflection film and lens module
An optical lens includes a lens body and an anti-reflection film. The lens body includes an optically effective portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the optically effective portion. The optically effective portion is configured for transmitting light therethrough. The optically effective portion has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first and second surfaces each have a curvature of greater than zero. The anti-reflection film is formed on the first surface of the optically effective portion. A reflectivity of the anti-reflection film to light rays has wavelengths in a range from about 400 nm to about 850 nm being lower than 2%. |
| US09188706B2 |
Optical element
An optical element includes a substrate and an infrared anti-reflective film. The substrate is made of ZnSe, and the infrared anti-reflective film is formed on at least one surface of the substrate. The infrared anti-reflective film includes a low-refractive-index layer made of BaF2, a high-refractive-index layer made of ZnSe, ZnS, or Ge, and an intermediate layer made of an amorphous or anisotropic material. With this structure, an optical element having a high transmittance and a small surface roughness can be produced without using ThF4. |
| US09188705B2 |
Cover glass for photoelectric conversion devices and method for producing the same
In order to eliminate non-uniformity in the appearance of a cover glass for photoelectric conversion devices, the reflectance curve of the cover glass is extremely flattened. Provided is a cover glass for photoelectric conversion devices that includes a glass sheet having an uneven surface such as a figured glass, and a reflection-reducing film formed on the uneven surface. The reflection-reducing film includes silica fine particles and a binder for the silica fine particles. The silica fine particles are arranged in a single layer on the top portion of the uneven surface of the glass sheet, while the silica fine particles are arranged in stacks to a thickness equivalent to at least three layers on the bottom portion of the uneven surface. The uneven surface of the glass sheet has an average spacing Sm of at least 0.4 mm but not more than 2.5 mm and an arithmetic average roughness Ra of 0.5 μm to 5 μm. The cover glass has a reflectance of at least 1.5% but not more than 3% over the entire wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm for incident light from the side on which the reflection-reducing film is formed. |
| US09188692B2 |
Seismic data acquisition
A method is proposed for acquiring seismic data relative to an area of the subsoil, wherein at least one seismic source is moved and seismic waves are emitted in successive shooting positions of the source so as to illuminate said area of the subsoil, and the signals resulting from this emissions are picked up using a set of cables having a substantially zero buoyancy and provided with receivers. The cables have a substantially zero speed or a speed substantially slower than the source in the terrestrial reference frame. And said successive shot positions are determined as a function of the position of the receivers relative to the terrestrial reference frame to optimize at least one quality criterion relating to the set of seismic signals acquired by the receivers in respect of said area. Such a method enables improved seismic data acquisition. |
| US09188687B2 |
Pressure activated linear locking mechanisms and related methods
Pressure activated linear locking mechanisms and related methods. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems including: a first and second cover defining an inner and outer surface, a length, and a locking portion, respectively; a first and second hollow defined in the locking portion of the first and second cover member, respectively, the hollows extending along the length of the first and second cover members, respectively; a locking member defining first and second appendages extending along a first and second side, respectively, each appendage defines a cross-section and an internal volume; said first and second appendages disposed within the first and second hollows, respectively, and when the releasable cover is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the first and second appendages in an inflated condition; and the first and second appendages are configured to transition to a deflated condition in response to a predetermined pressure greater than the initial pressure. |
| US09188686B2 |
Radiation detector assembly and sample analyzer
Disclosed is a radiation detector assembly which can easily make a decision as to whether an energy calibration is needed. The radiation detector assembly detects radiations, creates pulse signals having pulse heights corresponding to the energies of the radiations, converts the pulse heights of the pulse signals into energies, and creates a radiation spectrum. The radiation detector assembly includes a qualitative analysis portion for assigning peaks appearing in the radiation spectrum, a conversion value calculating portion for calculating energy conversion values for converting the pulse heights into the radiation energies based on the assigned peaks, and an energy calibration decision portion for making a decision as to whether an energy calibration is needed, based on the calculated energy conversion values. |
| US09188684B2 |
Count rate measurement device and associated fission chamber calibration device
A fission chamber count rate measurement device and to the associated fission chamber calibration device; the count rate measurement device comprises: (1) a measurement cell, which contains the fission chamber (CH); (2) a neutron generator, which emits neutrons in the form of periodic pulses towards the fission chamber; (3) a neutron counter (K), which detects and counts the neutrons emitted by the neutron generator; and (4) a computing circuit, which delivers, over a predetermined time interval, a fission chamber count rate normalized with reference to the number of neutrons counted by the neutron counter (K). |
| US09188682B2 |
Computed radiography (CR) system
A computed radiography system includes a stimulating light source, a imaging plate (IP), a light collector having a bundle of optical fibers, a light detector, a mechanism providing relative movement in two orthogonal directions between the IP and the stimulating light source while maintaining the perpendicular relationship between the IP and the stimulating light, and a mechanism including an analog to digital converter for converting the collected and detected PLL to a diagnostic readout. |
| US09188681B2 |
Ion detector
An ion detector (1) comprising a semi-conductor avalanche photodiode (4) and a scintillation layer (2), the scintillation layer having a thickness in the range 0.1 mm to 00 mm, the scintillation layer arranged to generate photons towards the photodiode resulting from ions impinging on the scintillation layer. |
| US09188679B2 |
Electronic apparatus and power supply control program for position measuring
There is obtained a communication terminal and a position measuring power source control program capable of reducing power consumption associated with position measurement in relation to use of a position measuring system by a user. A CPU 101 of an arithmetic processing module 102 activates, when a position measurement processing module 105 conducts position measurement by use of a position measuring antenna 106, a particular application program to implement, for example, a navigation system. The CPU 101 assumes that the user has no intention to use the particular application program, when the user closes a folding-type cellular 100 to turn a folding detection switch on, thereby the CPU 101 activates a timer 108, and terminates the position measurement processing after a lapse of a predetermined period of time; and a power supplying module 112 suspends supply of power to the position measurement processing module 105. |
| US09188677B2 |
Imaging doppler lidar for wind turbine wake profiling
An imaging Doppler lidar (IDL) enables the measurement of the velocity distribution of a large volume, in parallel, and at high spatial resolution in the wake of a wind turbine. Because the IDL is non-scanning, it can be orders of magnitude faster than conventional coherent lidar approaches. Scattering can be obtained from naturally occurring aerosol particles. Furthermore, the wind velocity can be measured directly from Doppler shifts of the laser light, so the measurement can be accomplished at large standoff and at wide fields-of-view. |
| US09188670B2 |
Interferometric inverse synthetic aperture radar and method
An interferometric inverse synthetic aperture radar (IFISAR) is described that can provide a height measurement of moving objects on a surface using a small radar aperture. The IFISAR includes a two-dimensional antenna array including a plurality of elements that are configured to receive a plurality of return signals carrying energy of a transmitted RF signal that are reflected from the target. A first antenna group and a second antenna group of the plurality of elements respectively located at opposite ends of the array are enabled, and a third antenna group of the plurality of elements located between the first antenna group and the second antenna group are disabled. A processor of the IFISAR is operatively coupled to the plurality of elements and configured to determine height characteristics of the target according to interferometric processing of the return signals received by the first antenna group and the second antenna group. |
| US09188668B2 |
Electromagnetic reflection profiles
Methods, systems, and products determine electromagnetic reflective characteristics of ambient environments. A wireless communications device sends a cellular impulse and receives reflections of the cellular impulse. The cellular impulse and the reflections of the cellular impulse may be compared to determine the electromagnetic reflective characteristics of an ambient environment. |
| US09188667B2 |
Moving object detecting apparatus, moving object detecting method, and computer readable recording medium
There is provided an apparatus that detects a moving object which includes an interface unit to receive, from a radar, measurement data of a distance from the radar and a reception level signal reflected by an object located at the distance from the radar; a background data updating unit to detect the reception level signal that is greater than or equal to a first threshold from each of a plurality of the measurement data, a background value that indicates a generation frequency for levels of the reception level signal that become greater than or equal to the first threshold; a moving object detecting unit to detect the object as a moving object, the object having the background value that is less than a background value of a stationary object that is located in same distance of the object. |
| US09188666B2 |
System and method for distribution free target detection in a dependent non-Gaussian background
A method for target detection includes: receiving input data via an input signal; generating a histogram from the received data by a processor; rank-ordering the received data based on power or amplitude of the received input signal; comparing the ranked data received in a current time period to the ranked data received in a previous time period to calculate a Bivariate Conditional Exceedance function (BCEF); utilizing the calculated BCEF to estimate a Gumbel Copula parameter; accumulating a log-likelihood statistic from the estimated Gumbel Copula parameter and the generated histogram; comparing the log-likelihood statistic with a threshold value; and determining a detection of the target, when the log-likelihood statistic is below the threshold value. |
| US09188664B2 |
Ultrasound image enhancement and super-resolution
Techniques to improve resolution in an ultrasound system are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus is a portable ultrasound probe having transducer elements and supporting electronics within the probe. The beam is shaped to split the resolution to sub-pixel accuracy. Super resolution sample technique based on interpolation can be used to further increase resolution. In one embodiment the ultrasound system supports ½ crystal physical resolution and ¼ crystal digital resolution. |
| US09188659B2 |
Methods and network nodes for positioning based on displacement data
Methods, a radio network node (110), a wireless device (120) and a positioning node (130) for obtaining a location estimate are disclosed. The location estimate indicates a location of a target radio node (110, 120). The wireless device (120) is operated to obtain the location estimate by use of functionality provided by a cellular telecommunication system (100). A node (110, 120, 130) refers to any one of the radio network node (110), the wireless device (120) and the positioning node (130). The node (110, 120, 130) obtains (308, 312, 316) a reference point for the target radio node (110, 120). The node (110, 120, 130) obtains (309, 313, 317) displacement information indicating displacement, in relation to the reference point, of the target radio node (110, 120). The node (110, 120, 130) sends (314a, 318a)) the displacement information and/or obtains (310, 314b, 318b) the location estimate by dead reckoning based on the displacement information and the reference point. |
| US09188656B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit, an eddy magnetic field measuring unit and an imaging unit. The data acquisition unit is configured to acquire magnetic resonance signals at mutually different timings with applying a gradient magnetic field for generating an eddy magnetic field. The eddy magnetic field measuring unit is configured to acquire eddy magnetic field information including a time constant of the eddy magnetic field based on phase information of the magnetic resonance signals acquired at the timings. The imaging unit is configured to perform imaging under an imaging condition or a data processing condition according to the eddy magnetic field information. |
| US09188649B2 |
Voltage calibration method
In a rechargeable battery set, an average voltage is computed from average voltage drop produced by the sum of internal resistances of each battery cell. A calculated internal resistance of each battery cell is then computed from a measured voltage of each battery cell and the average voltage. Finally, the measured voltage of each battery cell is calibrated according to the calculated internal resistance and a calibrated voltage of each battery cell may be computed. In such way, the calibrated voltage of each battery cell is much closer to a real voltage of the battery cell, which provides a battery control unit more precise information when charging/discharging the battery cells. |
| US09188648B2 |
Method and arrangement for determining inductances of synchronous reluctance machine
A method and an arrangement of determining inductances of a synchronous reluctance machine are provided. The method includes supplying a voltage pulse in the quadrature-axis or direct-axis direction of rotor, sampling currents generated by the supplied voltage pulse, and calculating values of flux at the sampling instants from the value of the supplied voltage pulse, the sampled current values and a value of the stator resistance. The method also includes calculating synchronous inductance of the machine by dividing the calculated flux values by the corresponding sampled currents, and/or calculating transient inductance of the machine as a derivative of the flux with respect to current, and storing the calculated values as a function of current. |
| US09188642B2 |
Reconfigurable memory interface circuit to support a built-in memory scan chain
A method of operating an apparatus in a functional mode and an ATPG scan mode and an apparatus for use in a functional mode and an ATPG scan mode are provided. The apparatus includes a set of latches including a first latch and a second latch. The first latch is operated as a master latch and the second latch is operated as a master latch in the functional mode. The first latch is operated as a master latch of a flip-flop and the second latch is operated as a slave latch of the flip-flop in the ATPG scan mode. In one configuration, the apparatus includes a plurality of latches including at least the first and second latches, an output of each of the latches is coupled to a digital circuit, the apparatus includes a plurality of functional inputs, and each of the functional inputs is input to the digital circuit. |
| US09188641B2 |
IC tap/scan selecting between TDI/SI and a test pattern source
An integrated circuit has controller circuitry having coupled to a test clock and a test mode select inputs, and having state a register clock state output, a register capture state output, and a register update state output. Register circuitry has a test data in lead input, control inputs coupled to the state outputs of the controller circuitry, and a control output. Connection circuitry has a control input connected to the control output of the register circuitry and selectively couples one of a first serial data output of first scan circuitry and a second serial data output of second scan circuitry to a test data out lead. Selection circuitry has an input connected to the serial data input lead, an input connected to a test pattern source lead, a control input coupled to the scan circuitry control output leads, and an output connected to the scan input lead. |
| US09188637B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus including plurality of chips being divided into plurality of planes
A semiconductor apparatus includes a control chip including a first selection unit configured to output one of signals which are inputted through a first normal port and a shared test port, in response to a test mode signal; and a second selection unit configured to output one of signals which are inputted through a second normal port and the shared test port, in response to the test mode signal, wherein the control chip is configured to transmit an output of the first selection unit to a first chip and transmit an output of the second selection unit to a second chip. |
| US09188629B2 |
Electronic device and printed circuit board testing method
An exemplary printed circuit board testing method includes determining whether there is an open shielding box every a time interval. The method then transmits a first control signal including a first predetermined path to a robot when there is an open shielding box. Next, the method obtains an image captured by a camera and recognizes a unique identifier of a to-be-tested PCB in the obtained image. The method then determines a second predetermined path corresponding to the determined open shielding box, and transmits a second control signal comprising the determined second predetermined path to the robot. Next, the method closes the determined shielding box when a duration after transmitting the second control signal reaches a predetermined time, and controls a testing software to test the to-be-tested PCB, to generate a testing result corresponding to the unique identifier of the to-be-tested PCB. |
| US09188626B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and test method thereof
A semiconductor apparatus includes a test voltage application unit, a first pad and a second pad. The test voltage application unit is configured to apply a test voltage to first and second TSVs in response to a test mode signal. The first pad is configured to output a first test signal outputted from the first TSV. And the second pad is configured to output a second test signal outputted from the second TSV. |
| US09188625B2 |
Semiconductor device test structures and methods
Semiconductor device test structures and methods are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a test structure includes a feed line disposed in a first conductive material layer, and a stress line disposed in the first conductive material layer proximate the feed line yet spaced apart from the feed line. The stress line is coupled to the feed line by a conductive feature disposed in at least one second conductive material layer proximate the first conductive material layer. |
| US09188624B2 |
Inspection apparatus
An inspection apparatus includes a probe substrate, a socket secured to the probe substrate, a heating element wire wound around the socket, a probe tip detachably connected to the socket, a stage on which an object to be measured is mounted, and a heating unit for heating the stage. |
| US09188622B1 |
Power spectrum analysis for defect screening in integrated circuit devices
A device sample is screened for defects using its power spectrum in response to a dynamic stimulus. The device sample receives a time-varying electrical signal. The power spectrum of the device sample is measured at one of the pins of the device sample. A defect in the device sample can be identified based on results of comparing the power spectrum with one or more power spectra of the device that have a known defect status. |
| US09188618B2 |
System for simulating electromagnetic environments including a network of a plurality of probes
The invention concerns a system for simulating electromagnetic environments, including a network of emitting and/or receiving probes to test at least one test antenna, channels for connecting the probes to a channel emulator, a signal emitting unit, a signal receiving unit, one of the units being connected to the emulator. The invention is characterized by a switching device having a first measurement position, in which the device connects the emulator respectively to at least one of the probes via the associated channel and connects the other unit to the test antenna, and a second position for calibrating the channels, in which the switching device connects the emulator to the other unit via the associated channel without passing through the network of probes. |
| US09188615B2 |
Microfluidic feedback using impedance detection
Methods comprising measuring the impedance of the electrode produced by the excitation signal, wherein the impedance indicates presence of liquid at the electrode are disclosed. Computer readable mediums storing processor executable instructions for performing the method, and systems are also disclosed. The systems comprise a processor, memory and code stored in the memory that when executed cause the processor at least to: receive an output voltage signal, superimpose an excitation signal onto the output voltage signal to produce a superimposed signal, connect the superimposed signal to an electrode in a droplet actuator, suppress the output voltage signal, when detecting an impedance of the electrode, and measure the impedance of the electrode produced by the excitation signal, wherein the impedance indicates presence of liquid at the electrode. |
| US09188613B2 |
Electronic circuit and method for determining an impedance
An electronic circuit is arranged in an external programming device and is used for contactless programming of a circuit to be programmed. The electronic circuit has a series resonant circuit that includes a transmitter coil and a capacitor. The transmitter coil of the series resonant circuit is used for inductive coupling to a receiver coil in the circuit to be programmed. For the purpose of evaluating the impedance that actually exists in the circuit to be programmed, there is provided a device for determining the value of the impedance from a phase difference between the control voltage of the series resonant circuit and the capacitor voltage of the series resonant circuit. |
| US09188611B2 |
Resampling a signal to perform power quality measurement
Performing power quality and synchrophasor analysis on a resampled signal. A first signal may be initially received which corresponds to a power system. The first signal may have a plurality of cycles and may have a frequency that varies over time. One or more parameters may be determined from the first signal. Based on the one or more parameters, the first signal may be resampled to produce an even angle signal. Various power quality measurements may be performed on the even angle signal. Similarly, further processing may be performed to perform synchrophasor measurements, e.g., to determine phasor, frequency, and/or rate of frequency change for the first signal. In some embodiments, the resampling processing elements (e.g., circuitry, programmable hardware elements, processors and memories, etc.) may be shared between the two analysis. |
| US09188610B1 |
Apparatus for measuring multiple electric currents utilizing multiple current transformers
Apparatus for measuring multiple primary electric currents in a non-contact manner by utilizing multiple current transformers. Each current transformer is coupled with one of the primary electric currents. Each current transformer comprises a magnetic core and a secondary winding. The apparatus comprises: A current-sensing means for sensing current transformer secondary currents and for producing an information signal; a voltage control and selection circuit for periodically connecting each current transformer secondary winding to the current-sensing means and for periodically controlling the voltage across each secondary winding; a power supply circuit for providing operating power to the voltage control and selection circuit; and a control circuit for receiving and processing the information signal and for controlling the voltage control and selection circuit. The control circuit and the voltage control and selection circuit function to select and control the multiple current transformers for periodic measurement of the multiple primary electric currents. |
| US09188607B2 |
Substrate and method for manufacturing the same, and probe card
A substrate and a method for manufacturing the same, and a probe card employing the substrate as a space transformer. The substrate includes: a substrate body; a key forming groove formed in one surface of the substrate body; and an alignment key formed on the key forming groove. The recognition rate of the alignment key formed on the substrate can be increased, resulting in improved accuracy in a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) process for forming micro probes on the substrate, thereby improving productivity and reliability of the substrate and the probe card including the same. |
| US09188599B2 |
Adjustable motion detector
The invention relates to a motion detector comprising at least of one accelerometer and corresponding control electronics encapsulated in an enclosure with means for attaching the enclosure to a moving body. In accordance with the invention the motion detector includes means for turning, aligning and locking the detector in any desired direction relative to the moving body with the help of the enclosure. |
| US09188597B2 |
Detection of restenosis risk in patients receiving a stent by measuring the characteristics of blood clotting including the measurement of maximum thrombin-induced clot strength
Provided is a method of selecting a stent for implantation in the circulatory system of a human being. The method comprises obtaining a blood sample from a patient who requires implantation of a stent and testing said blood sample to determine a platelet coagulability level. The determined platelet coagulability level of said blood sample is compared with a threshold level of blood platelet coagulability. A determined platelet coagulability level above said threshold level indicates that a risk of restenosis is relatively high. If the determined platelet coagulability level is below said threshold level, a bare metal stent is selected. If the determined platelet coagulability level is at or above said threshold level, a drug-eluting stent is selected. |
| US09188596B2 |
Quantitative analysis of vitamin D3, vitamin D2, and metabolites thereof
Quantification of vitamin D2, vitamin D3, and the monohydroxy and diihydroxy metabolites of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3, can comprise labeling analytes with mass spectrometry (MS) tagging reagents and performing LC-MSMS analysis of the labeled analytes. The labeled analytes can include a labeled standard and can have distinct retention times on a reversed phase column, as well as distinct masses. Under high energy collisions, reporter groups can be generated. The intensity or the peak area detected for each reporter group can be used for quantitation. In some embodiments, a one-step tagging reagent is used that is a dienophile-containing, labeled m Diels Alder reagent. |
| US09188593B2 |
Methods for assaying cellular binding interactions
There are provided methods, and devices for assaying for a binding interaction between a protein, such as a monoclonal antibody, produced by a cell, and a biomolecule. The method may include retaining the cell within a chamber having an aperture; exposing the protein produced by the cell to a capture substrate, wherein the capture substrate is in fluid communication with the protein produced by the cell and wherein the capture substrate is operable to bind the protein produced by the cell; flowing a fluid volume comprising the biomolecule through the chamber via said aperture, wherein the fluid volume is in fluid communication with the capture substrate; and determining a binding interaction between the protein produced by the cell and the biomolecule. |
| US09188591B2 |
Use of precursors of tachykinins and/or their fragments in medical diagnostic
The present invention relates to the use of protachykinin and/or fragments thereof that can be isolated from body fluids, tissues or other biological samples and therefore, serves as a marker peptide for medical diagnosis of diseases/disorders of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression and/or conditions of pain, neurological, endocrinological, cerebral, muscular, local, systemic, chronic, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases comprising bacterial and viral infections, meningitis, sepsis, Crohn's disease, colitis ulcerosa, sickle cell anemia, ischemia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, arthritis comprising rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis, hyperalgesia, asthma, intoxication comprising bacterial intoxication, immunological disorders, poly/-trauma comprising cranio-cerebral trauma, tumors/cancer, stroke, stress, atopis dermatitis, HIV, Huntington's disease, burns, schizophrenia, Hirschsprung's disease, allergies, familial dysautononmia (Riley Day syndrome), hematopoietic disorders, gliomas comprising glioblastomas and astrocytomas, disorders of the blood brain barrier. The invention further provides antibodies for binding to certain proteins and their fragments, more specifically protachykinin and protachykinin peptides. In accordance with the invention, a kit useful for the above-mentioned diagnosis is also provided. |
| US09188580B2 |
Gene reporter assay, kit, and cells for determining the presence and/or the level of a molecule that activates signal transduction activity of a cell surface protein
The present invention relates to a commercializable cell and to a gene reporter assay method and a kit which use this cell to determine the presence and/or the level of a molecule that activates signal transduction activity of a cell surface protein. This cell is treated in such a manner that it will have a sufficiently long shelf life for its intended purpose, whereupon at the end of its useful shelf life or at the end of its use, i.e., in an assay, the cell undergoes cellular death. |
| US09188573B2 |
Multichannel ion chromatography system and method
An ion chromatography housing for easy insertion and removal of a plurality of component cartridges is disclosed. Various components of the IC system are provided in the separate component cartridges. The IC housing includes a capillary separation column and may be connected to conventional-scale components of an IC system. A plurality of IC housings may be provided in a compartment with one or more separation columns. The columns may be capillary columns or conventional-scale columns. A method of using the ion chromatography system is also disclosed. The IC system may be utilized to perform two-dimensional ion chromatographic separation. |
| US09188572B2 |
Liquid chromatography analyzing device
A liquid chromatograph analyzing device, which without an analyst having to set complicated processing conditions before measuring a sample, is able to processes unaffected by fluctuations in room temperature and appearance of ghost peaks. In a liquid chromatograph analyzing device, an automatic sampler, a liquid sending pump, a column oven and a detection device are controlled by a calculation processing device. In addition to chromatograph creation unit, which creates chromatograms of a sample based on input detection signals, the calculation processing device has a correction parameter holding section and correction formula setting unit. The correction formula setting unit provides to the liquid chromatograph analyzing device a functionality for the analyst to set correction formulas for incorporating in the chromatograms created by the chromatograph creation unit changes to environmental conditions such as fluctuations in temperature around the liquid chromatograph analyzing device. |
| US09188570B2 |
Photo ionization detector for gas chromatography having at least two separately ionizing sources
A detector for gas chromatography using two or more ionization sources within a single body to separately provide ionization energy to a column gas eluent to provide electrical discharge to two or more collecting electrodes provides improved selectivity and may be so used. Use is made of combined bias/collecting electrodes or of sets of separated bias and collecting electrodes. The use of multiple ionization sources permits generation of multiple detector outputs from within a common body and of a common constituent flow. The ionization sources and any applicable discharge gas and dopant may be selected based on desired selectivity. |
| US09188567B2 |
Ultrasonic inspection method
A method for ultrasonically inspecting components with wavy or uneven surfaces. A multi-element array ultrasonic transducer is operated with a substantial fluid layer, such as water, between the array transducer and the component surface. This fluid layer may be maintained by immersing the component in liquid or by using a captive couplant column between the probe and the component surface. The component is scanned, measuring the two dimensional surface profile using either a mechanical stylus, laser, or ultrasonic technique. Once an accurate surface profile of the component's surface has been obtained, data processing parameters are calculated for processing the ultrasonic signals reflected from the interior of the component that eliminate beam distortion effects and reflector mis-location that would otherwise occur due to the uneven surfaces. |
| US09188565B2 |
High field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) methods and devices with voltage-gas composition linked scans
Improved methods and devices for analysis of gas phase ions via ion mobility type analyzers, particularly high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility analyzers (FAIMS), by linking gas composition and/or flow rate with the scanning of compensation voltage or asymmetric waveform amplitude are provided. Linking these parameters results in improvements in resolution, sensitivity, and selectivity. The methods and devices according to the presently disclosed subject matter provide for the improvement in resolution for specific ions without affecting the entire FAIMS spectrum. |
| US09188556B2 |
Temperature sensing analyte sensors, systems, and methods of manufacturing and using same
An analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor has a base, a first electrode and a second electrode wherein a thermocouple portion is provided integral with the second electrode thereby enabling on-sensor temperature measurement capability. In some embodiments, two and only two electrical contact engagement portions are provided thereby simplifying electrical contact. Manufacturing methods and systems utilizing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects. |
| US09188555B2 |
Automated EDS standards calibration
This invention relates to a method and system for determining the composition of an unknown sample. The present invention is directed to a method of calibrating an x-ray spectrometer that does not require measuring all possible elements under the operating conditions used to measure the unknown sample to be analyzed. According to a preferred embodiment, the local instrument can be calibrated from an x-ray spectrum of a single elemental standard. The instrument will have a stored library containing high quality spectra for all elements being analyzed. The analysis of the single element is compared to the library spectra for that element to define a transformation that is used to create a calibrated spectra library that includes a calibrated spectrum for each spectrum in the original library. The spectra generated by the local instrument can be compared to the calibrated library spectra to determine the elements in an unknown mineral. |
| US09188554B2 |
Pattern inspection device and pattern inspection method
Provided is a pattern inspection device for accurately simulating an electron beam image of a circuit pattern on a wafer from design data, and implementing high-precision defect detection based on the comparison between the simulated electron beam image and a real image. A pattern inspection device comprises: an image capturing unit for capturing an electron beam image of a pattern formed on a substrate; a simulated electron beam image generation unit for generating a simulated electron beam image using a parameter indicating the characteristics of the electron beam image on the basis of design data; and an inspection unit for comparing the electron beam image of the pattern, which is the image captured by the image capturing unit, and the simulated electron beam image generated by the simulated electron beam image generation unit, and inspecting the pattern on the substrate. |
| US09188549B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling dose in computed X-ray imaging
The present invention pertains to a system and method for X-ray imaging wherein a targeted fluence at the detector for projection images can be achieved at a plurality of projection angles around the imaging subject by control of exposure times implemented during image acquisition. Exposure time for a second projection image may be determined by the fluence in a first projection image, and in a third projection image by the fluence in a second projection image, where projection images are acquired within two degrees of one another. An acquisition parameter calculation can be configured to calculate acquisition parameters, such as said exposure times, to achieve the targeted fluence in projection images and can be coupled to a rotation controller that implements the acquisition parameters by controlling a relative angle between the imaging subject and X-ray image acquisition device. |
| US09188544B2 |
Protective fluorine-doped silicon oxide film for optical components
An optical component includes a substrate and a fluorine-doped thin film formed on the substrate. This fluorine-doped thin film is dense, and thus very low absorbing and insensitive to various vacuum, temperature, and humidity conditions. This dense film has a high refractive index, which remains stable irrespective of environmental conditions. The fluorine-doped thin film can advantageously ensure low scattering, low reflectance, and high transmittance. Moreover, the fluorine-doped thin film is damage resistant to incident radiation density. The fluorine-doped thin film may be a fluorine-doped silicon oxide film having a thickness of approximately 1-10 nm and a fluorine concentration of 0.1% to 5%. |
| US09188541B2 |
Explosive or drug detection reporting system
A police tester to detect the presence of a target substance includes a housing adapted to be mounted in a police cruiser; a chemical reservoir insertable into the housing; a test swipe in a disc or an automated cartridge, the test swipe adapted to receive a chemical from the chemical reservoir, the test swipe including one or more chemically treated pads; a camera to capture an image from the test swipe; a processor coupled to the camera to process the image to detect the target substance; and a transmitter coupled to the processor to transmit a test result to a remote computer at a police headquarter. |
| US09188540B2 |
Integrated circuit and manufacturing method
Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10); and an optical CO2 sensor comprising: first and second light sensors (12, 12′) on said substrate, said second light sensor being spatially separated from the first light sensor; and a layer portion (14) including an organic compound comprising at least one amine or amidine functional group over the first light sensor; wherein said integrated circuit further comprises a signal processor (16) coupled to the first and second light sensor for determining a difference in the respective outputs of the first and second light sensor. An electronic device comprising such a sensor and a method of manufacturing such an IC are also disclosed. |
| US09188536B2 |
Photoluminescent pressure probe
A self-contained, remotely interrogatable, autonomously positionable, pressure probe and methods of manufacturing and using. The probe (10) includes (i) a hermetically sealed, flexible, gas impermeable sachet (50) capable of equilibriating to a surrounding pressure, (ii) an optically-active, target-analyte partial pressure sensitive material (20) within the sachet, and (iii) a gaseous headspace (58) within the sachet containing a known concentration of the target-analyte (A). |
| US09188535B2 |
Single particle detection device, single particle detection method, and computer program for single particle detection, using optical analysis
There is provided a single particle detection technique based on the scanning molecule counting method which individually detects single particles using light measurement with a confocal or multiphoton microscope, where the existences of a non-light-emitting particle and a light-emitting particle can be detected while being discriminated from one another in a sample solution. The inventive technique of detecting a single particle detects light from a light detection region during moving the position of the light detection region of the microscope in a sample solution containing a non-light-emitting particle and a light-emitting particle to generate time series light intensity data; and detects in the time series light intensity data a light intensity increase relative to background light intensity as a signal indicating the existence of the light-emitting particle and a light intensity reduction relative to the background light intensity as a signal indicating the existence of the non-light-emitting particle. |
| US09188532B2 |
Inspection apparatus
An inspection apparatus includes a light emitting device, a first lens, a second lens, a light receiving device, and an inspection device. The light emitting device emits a light beam. The first lens is disposed such that an optical axis thereof extends in one direction and changes divergence of the light beam having been emitted from the light emitting device and passing therethrough. The second lens is disposed such that an optical axis of the second lens extends in the one direction. The light beam having exited the first lens and passing through the second lens is condensed on the inspection object by the second lens. The light receiving device is disposed between the first lens and the second lens and receives at least part of the reflected light beam. The inspection device detects a reflection characteristic in accordance with a result of light reception. |
| US09188530B2 |
Sensor and image-forming apparatus
A sensor is configured to include an optical sensor including a light source and a plurality of light receivers which receive light emitted from the light source and light regularly reflected and diffusely reflected by an object, a database including output data regarding multiple objects of known and different types from the plurality of light receivers when an incident direction of light emitted from the light source forms a first direction to the object and when the incident direction of light emitted from the light source forms a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, and a processor which controls the light emitted from the light source to illuminate an object of unknown type and specifies the type of the object by matching the output data of the plurality of light receivers to the database. |
| US09188524B2 |
Particle detecting system and particle detecting method
A particle detecting system includes an airborne particle detecting device that detects scattered light and/or fluorescent light produced through illuminating with light a particle included in a gas, a gas inspection flow path that introduces, into the airborne particle detecting device, a particle included in a gas that is subject to inspection, an aerosol generating portion that generates an aerosol from a liquid that is subject to inspection, and a liquids inspection flow path that introduces a particle included in the aerosol into the airborne particle detecting device. |
| US09188519B2 |
Multiple specimen testing
Systems and methods are described for concurrently applying loads to multiple test specimens. The systems and methods are useful for cyclical tensile loading of specimens such as in fatigue strength evaluations. The systems and methods are also useful for low frequency cyclical loading evaluations. |
| US09188515B2 |
Method and apparatus for non-destructive measurement of a composite material
Disclosed is an integrated measurement apparatus that may perform measurement of various material characteristics (e.g., thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, magnetic inductivity, etc.) and defects of a composite material in a non-destructive manner. The apparatus may include: a jig chamber having a door; a first jig device for measuring electrical characteristics, a second jig device for measuring magnetic characteristics, and a third jig device for measuring magnetic characteristics, the three jig devices interchangeably mounted in the jig chamber so that either the first, second, or third jig device may be used to measure a composite material sample. |
| US09188510B2 |
Test swipe for portable explosive or drug detection system
A portable chemical analytical apparatus to analyze a test swipe having a base; a chemically treated pad containing the swiped sample positioned in a white zone above the base; and a tab attached to one side of the base. The apparatus includes a heater to warm the test swipe to a predetermined temperature; a clamp to secure the test swipe to the heater; one or more pumps to dispense one or more chemicals onto the test swipe from a disposable cartridge; a fan to remove chemical vapors rising a predetermined distance from the test swipe; and a camera to capture an image of the test swipe for un-biased automated analysis, and displayed on an LCD screen. |
| US09188507B2 |
Systems and methods for testing a steering control unit including a test stand
A steering test stand has a first steering device with a measurement unit measuring the steering device torque value and applies forces to the steering device and control unit and has a control unit connected to a computer for controlling actuators. The computer simulates static and/or dynamic properties of a motor vehicle and transmits simulated target values to the control unit. A test driver unit comprises a second steering device as a force feedback steering wheel and a connection between the test driver unit and the computer, transmits a second steering angle set on the force feedback steering wheel. A second connection between the test driver unit and computer transmits steering torque measured on the first steering device to the test unit, such that the second steering device sets a second steering torque value on the force feedback steering wheel as a function of the first value. |
| US09188505B2 |
Method and system for cylinder compression diagnostics
Methods and systems are provided for performing a non-intrusive engine compression test. When compression testing is requested, a hybrid vehicle engine may be spun unfueled using energy from a battery driven electric motor. Changes in battery current over multiple engine cycles is used to infer cylinder compression parameters and assess cylinder compression degradation. |
| US09188502B2 |
Pipeline leak detector
The pipeline leak detector travels through a pipeline passively due to the flow of liquid through the pipeline. The device includes leading and trailing rings shaped to produce hydrodynamic resistance in order for the device to be carried through the pipeline. Wheels are provided about each ring, with at least one wheel having an odometer to measure distance traveled through the pipe. The rings are joined by a plurality of axially oriented connecting rods. A plurality of sensing elements extend between the rings. Each sensing element has a thin laminate of a piezoelectric film sandwiched between two electrically conductive layers, with an electrically insulating coating on the outside of each conductive layer. One of the rings includes microelectronic circuitry for data acquisition and storage. |
| US09188500B2 |
Internal fault indicator for electrical equipment
A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a rapid pressure surge within a housing of an electrical device has: a barrel capable of being mounted in an aperture of the housing; an actuating mechanism having a chamber with at least one orifice communicating between interior and exterior surfaces of the chamber within the housing and an actuating member movable in response to a pressure differential between the interior and exterior surfaces of the chamber; a plunger within the bore of the barrel biased outwardly in the barrel and normally retained in an armed position by the actuating member; and a radial seal disposed between the plunger and the barrel. When the pressure differential exceeds a positive threshold value, the actuating member is moved and thereby permits the plunger to move outwardly into a triggered position. The radial seal may be a dual-lip seal. |
| US09188499B2 |
Subsea retrievable pressure sensor
A subsea retrievable pressure sensor for measuring fluid pressure at a well or other subsea fluid system. In one embodiment, a pressure sensor assembly includes a subsea pressure housing, a first pressure sensor, an electrical connector, a first hydraulic connector, and a latching mechanism. The first pressure sensor is disposed within the housing, and the electrical connector and first hydraulic connector are disposed in wall of the housing. The electrical connector is electrically coupled to the first pressure sensor to communicate electrical power though the housing to the first pressure sensor and to communicate pressure measurement values from the first pressure sensor through the housing. The first hydraulic connector is hydraulically coupled to the first pressure sensor to communicate hydraulic pressure to the first pressure sensor through the housing. The latching mechanism extends through the housing to secure the housing to a subsea receptacle. |
| US09188497B2 |
Differential pressure sensor
There is provided a differential pressure sensor capable of measuring a pressure fluctuation with a simple structure. The differential pressure sensor includes a main body formed with an air chamber, and an opening that causes an interior of the air chamber to be in communication with an exterior, and a detector provided at the opening. The detector includes a cantilever provided in a manner tiltable so as to block off the opening, and the cantilever is formed with a Piezo resistor layer. |
| US09188494B2 |
Measurement of fluid temperatures
A method, device, and system for improved measurement of fluid temperatures are provided. In one embodiment, a temperature probe structure comprises a header having a cavity; a longitudinal probe disposed at least partially within the cavity of the header; a temperature detector disposed within the longitudinal probe; and an insulator disposed between the header and the longitudinal probe for insulating the longitudinal probe from the header. |
| US09188492B2 |
Apparatus for detecting fluid temperature and level in a container
A fluid monitoring apparatus to simultaneously detect the temperature and level of fluid within a container includes a translucent tube with a proximal end, a distal end, an aperture within the wall of the tube proximate the proximal end of the tube, the distal end able to extend into the fluid container, a thermocouple secured within the tube and tethered via a wire disposable through the aperture in the tube wall, the wire including a first end secured to the thermocouple and a second end secured to a display device to display the temperature of the fluid, and a cap secured to the proximal end of the tube to create a pressure within the tube sufficient to cause the fluid that fills the distal end of the tube to remain in the tube, thereby permitting a user to determine the fluid level of the container. |
| US09188491B2 |
Semiconductor device including a temperature sensor circuit
A semiconductor device including a temperature sensor includes a pull up circuit, a pull down circuit, a first additional current path, and a second additional current path. The pull up circuit is configured to generate a pull up current that contributes to generation of a first output current. The pull down circuit is operably coupled to the pull up circuit at an output node and configured to generate a pull down current that contributes to generation of a second output current. The first additional current path, when enabled, is configured to combine a first additional current with the pull up current to comprise the first output current. The second additional current path, when enabled, is configured to combine a second additional current with the pull down current to comprise the second output current. Respective enablement of the first additional current path and the second additional current path is complementary. |
| US09188490B2 |
Thermowell insert
A temperature sensing system comprises a thermowell, a sensor, and a solid insert. The thermowell extends into a sensing region of a fluid flow. The sensor has a probe housed in the thermowell to sense a temperature in the sensing region. The solid insert is configured to removably support the probe within the thermowell and to provide a thermal contact between the thermowell and the probe. |
| US09188489B2 |
Twisted sensor tube
A sensor tube for protecting a sensor inserted into a moving process fluid is provided. The sensor tube includes a process interface section for mounting to a process vessel and an extended section extending from the process interface section to a sealed end. The extended section includes a twisted section having a longitudinal axis. The process interface section and the extended section define a sensor bore configured to receive a sensor therein. The twisted section has a cross section that includes at least three equally sized walls and wherein the walls form helixes along the longitudinal axis of the twisted section. |
| US09188484B2 |
Apparatus and method for calibrating extreme ultraviolet spectrometer
Provided are an apparatus and method for calibrating an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometer in which a wavelength of a spectrum of EUV light used for EUV lithography and mask inspection technology can be measured accurately. |
| US09188481B2 |
Sensing/emitting apparatus, system and method
A number of apparatuses are provided, for sensing and/or emitting energy along one or more desired apparatus line of sights (LOS) with respect to the respective apparatus. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes an assembly that is rotatably mounted on a base with respect to a switching axis. The assembly has two or more sensing/emitting units, each having a respective sensing/emitting unit line of sight (ULOS). Each sensing/emitting unit has an operative state, wherein the respective unit ULOS is pointed along a LOS of the apparatus for sensing and/or emitting energy along the LOS, and a corresponding inoperative state, where the respective unit ULOS is pointed along a direction different from this LOS. A switching mechanism enables switching between the sensing/emitting units to selectively bring a desired sensing/emitting unit exclusively into its respective operative state while concurrently bringing a remainder of the sensing/emitting units each to a respective non-operative state. |
| US09188477B2 |
Radar system and method for providing information on movements of object's surface
A system for producing an output signal representing movement of an object's surface has a continuous wave (CW) signal source for producing an CW signal directed at the object's surface. The CW signal is produced at a first frequency. A receiving element receives a signal reflected from the object's surface when the CW signal hits this surface. A down-converting frequency mixer converts the received signal into a signal of a second frequency lower than the first frequency. The frequency mixer is configured to produce an output signal representing an amplitude-modulated (AM) component of the received signal and having a parameter representing movement of the object's surface. |
| US09188473B2 |
Apparatus and method for the automated detection of phases for automated analysis
An apparatus and a method are provided for the detection of the level of the different phases present in at least one tube or vessel intended for filling the different wells of a microplate-format container for an automated analysis system. The apparatus is equipped with a fixing portion arranged to allow it to be itself held and/or handled instead of a microplate-format container, and carries out this detection by measuring the variation in wavelength of light reflected on a point zone of the content of the tube, during a displacement of the tube along an optical reader or of the optical reader along the tube in a rectilinear movement in a known manner.Such a device or method is also operated by illumination with monochromatic light and detection of the amount of reflected light, with the phase differences being recognized by the sudden variation in the amount of reflected light. |
| US09188468B2 |
Portable ultrasonic flow measuring system having a measuring device with adjustable sensor heads relative to each other
The invention relates to a measuring device for a portable ultrasonic flow measuring system, which measuring device comprises two sensor heads. Each of the sensor heads comprises a sensor housing on which there is provided a sensing surface intended to be placed on or against a measuring tube. An ultrasonic transceiver is provided in each sensor housing for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves through the sensing surface. Additionally, the measuring device comprises a control and evaluation device for measuring a transit time difference for ascertaining the velocity of flow of a medium flowing through a measuring tube. Provision is made for each ultrasonic transceiver in the sensor head to be disposed therein parallel to the sensing surface in the sensor housing. The invention further relates to a measuring tube adapted for use with the measuring device of the invention and an information carrier that contains information concerning the measuring tube. |
| US09188466B2 |
Biological sample measuring device
This biological sample measuring device has a finger groove (6) provided in the short-side direction of a main body case (1) at a position that is closer to a sensor mounting portion (4) than a display section (5) on the rear side of the main body case (1). An interface unit (7) is provided on the front side portion of the main body case (1) corresponding to the finger groove (6). The interface unit (7) has an enter key (7b) and a plurality of cross keys (7ca), etc., disposed at a specific spacing around the outer periphery of the enter key (7b). The enter key (7b) is provided so that it protrudes farther than the cross keys (7ca), etc., on the front side of the main body case (1). A controller (13) performs a reset operation when a plurality of keys are pressed. |
| US09188458B2 |
Positional information providing system, navigation system, and terminal device
A positional information providing system is provided in which positional information including altitude can be highly accurately acquired even though a user is located outdoors or indoors. A system includes a server device including a map data storage unit, an altitude storage unit, a reference position coordinates receiving unit, a reference point altitude information generating unit locating reference position coordinates and reference point altitude, a map data transmitting unit and a reference point altitude information transmitting unit, and a terminal device including a positional information acquiring unit, a reference point information transmitting unit, a reference point altitude information receiving unit, a map data receiving unit and a reference point altitude detecting unit detecting altitude at a reference point. The terminal device includes a calibration unit for the altitude data acquired at the reference point altitude detecting unit and a map display unit displaying map data and altitude data. |
| US09188452B2 |
System and method for improved routing that combines real-time and likelihood information
A system and method for improved routing that combines real-time and likelihood information. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a digital map/map information; a likelihood routing information; a route processor; wherein, when a request is received from a user/driver, or from another system, to receive a routing information, the system receives real-time information from a traffic-monitoring device or service providing real-time information; wherein the route processor adjusts the received real-time information based on the system's likelihood routing information; and wherein the routing information based on the combination of real-time and likelihood information can then be provided to the user/driver or other system in response to the original request. |
| US09188446B2 |
Agile acquisition of location services in a device
Aspects of the disclosure permit agile acquisition of a location service in a device. In one aspect of such acquisition, the device can rely on location signals available globally in order to determine a region associated with the device, and in response to determination of the region, the device can acquire service information representative or otherwise indicative of the location service based at least on the region. In another aspect, the device can be configured to consume the location service. The agility of such acquisition can stem from the absence of (i) scanning for location services associated with the area in which the device is present and/or (ii) a predefined pool of location services established in production of the device. |
| US09188441B2 |
Rotary laser level with theft detection
A theft detection method for a rotary laser tool includes using a motion sensor incorporated into a base unit of the rotary laser tool to detect movement of the base unit, monitoring duration of movement of the base unit as indicated by the motion sensor using a control system of the rotary laser tool, and activating an alarm indicator in response to the duration of movement being greater than a predefined threshold. |
| US09188438B2 |
Method for detecting shifts in line images obtained by a sensor that is airborne or moving in space
Method for estimating shifts of line images obtained by an airborne or spaceborne scanning sensor. The invention relates to a method for estimating shifts in line images of an image, referred to as a “composite image”, made up of the juxtaposition of J line images. The line images show portions of a scene on the surface (S) of a celestial body that are different and successively acquired by a row of sensitive cells of a sensor (10) on board a vehicle flying over the celestial body. The shifts in the line images are induced by sighting errors of the sensor (10) during the acquisition of the line image Lj. The lateral and/or longitudinal shift of a line image Lj relative to a line image Li, where j is different from i, is estimated according to a local model of lateral and/or longitudinal variation of the similarity between different line images. |
| US09188436B2 |
Gradient measuring apparatus and system
A gradient measuring apparatus includes a gimbal assembly operably supported in a vehicle for viewing by an operator to see gradient indications. The gimbal assembly includes a support housing (such as outer orb with transparent portion) and a multi-axis gravity-biased-to-center inner orb weighted to return to gravitational center. The outer orb includes ring gradient indicators, and the inner orb includes a center indicator. By this arrangement, the center indicator accurately reflects on the gradient indicators a grade at which a surface is being cut in an excavating process when viewed in combination with the gradient indicators due to multi-axis gravitation movement of the inner orb. |
| US09188433B2 |
Code in affine-invariant spatial mask
A method for generating codes for a code mask is provided. A plurality of symbols may be arranged into an n1 by n2 symbol structure, where n1 and n2 are integer values. A plurality of codewords may be defined from different overlapping k1 by k2 windows within the symbol structure, wherein co-linear and spatially overlapping windows define unique codewords, and the codewords are unique in a first direction of the symbol structure but are repeated in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. A plurality of the symbol structures as a code mask, wherein symbols in two adjacent k1 by k2 windows are selected so as to avoid codeword aliasing of codewords in the two adjacent k1 by k2 windows. |
| US09188428B2 |
Coordinate measuring machine with selectively active white light sensor
A coordinate measuring machine for measuring a measurement object, comprising a workpiece support for supporting the measurement object and a measuring head carrying an optical sensor. The measuring head and the workpiece support are movable relative to one another. The optical sensor has an objective and a camera for capturing an image of the measurement object. The objective has a light entrance opening and a light exit opening, and comprises a multitude of lens-element groups arranged in the objective between the light entrance opening and the light exit opening one behind another along a longitudinal axis of the objective. A clearance is provided in the objective between the first and second lens-element groups. The coordinate measuring machine furthermore has a white light sensor and a partly reflective coupling element that is selectively moveable into the clearance for coupling the white light sensor into the objective. |
| US09188426B2 |
Non-contact visual measurement device
A positional measuring device has a reference laser pointer and at least one measurement laser pointer. These laser pointers are positioned at a first end and a second end of a variable-length defining mechanism, a common example being a tape measure. The lasers are oriented in a direction which is perpendicular to the measurement axis of a user-specified length of the variable-length defining mechanism. The emission axis of each laser is thus parallel with each other. The lasers project onto a remote object. The laser pointers provide visual reference points that help a user ensure they are correctly measuring dimensions of an object. The distance between the laser pointers can easily be read via the variable-length defining mechanism. Because the lasers need to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the user-specified length, a dual-axis liquid level is provided to ensure proper orientation of the positional measuring device. |
| US09188419B2 |
Method and device for calibrating a reference system for vehicle measurement
A calibration frame for calibrating a reference system for vehicle measurement has setting elements, which enable a precise spatial orientation of the calibration frame, and multiple defined points of support, which are designed to accommodate a reference system carrier. In one specific embodiment, the points of support are designed in such a way that the reference system carrier is situatable on the points of support in at least two different orientations. In a second specific embodiment, a leveling element is provided which indicates the spatial orientation of the calibration frame in relation to the earth's gravitation field. |
| US09188417B2 |
Separable sabot for launching payload
A sabot is used for enclosing a payload, such as a missile or projectile, during launch. The sabot includes a series of panels that are held together prior to launch by engagement with a cap having protrusions or delay pins that maintain the panels in a closed condition. When the launch is initiated, the cap begins to slide out of engagement with the panels. The cap is configured such that the disengagement does not occur immediately upon movement of the cap; instead the protrusions are sized to delay opening of the panels until the sabot and missile have cleared the launcher. Then the panels rotate outward and drop away from a base the sabot, for example using self-releasing hinges. The base of the sabot may be configured to disengage from the payload by introduction of pressurized gases into a space between the base and an aft end of the missile. |
| US09188415B2 |
Device and method for airtight covering of a tracer or the like
A part of a cover is pressed radially into a circumferential groove contour in a projectile body by a preferably rigid die, which need only be moved axially and which is provided with a special outer contour. An outer contour should be matched to the groove contour or vice versa, so that the material of the cover that is formed radially by the forward-moving die can be pressed into the groove contour of the projectile body, and the cover no longer has any degrees of freedom after the forming, so that it is secured with respect to the tracer or the like. The cover is preferably a cover ring. |
| US09188410B2 |
Armor having prismatic, tesselated core
An armor includes a core that, in turn, includes a first layer of prismatic elements arranged in a tessellated fashion and a second layer of prismatic elements arranged in a tessellated fashion. The armor further includes a smart component operably associated with a component of the armor. The first layer of prismatic elements is nested into the second layer of prismatic elements. |
| US09188409B2 |
Multi-row panel active blast system
A countermeasure system is provided including a frame and two or more rows of countermeasures disposed on the frame. Each row of the countermeasures may be configured to be initiated substantially simultaneously along the length of the row. Additional countermeasure systems may include elongated explosive charges and or masses disposed along the length of the rows. The frame may include two or more ridges on a side opposite to the two or more rows of countermeasures, the ridges being configured to engage with corresponding ridges on a vehicle when the countermeasure panel is mounted to the vehicle. |
| US09188408B2 |
Auto-locking adjustment device
A dial for adjusting an adjustable portion of a device includes an actuator that moves substantially transverse to an axis of rotation to unlock the dial for rotation. When the actuator is released, the dial automatically locks in place. |
| US09188407B2 |
Gun with side mounting plate
An accessory is mountable to the side plate of a gun. The accessory may be a sighting device including a light source (preferably a laser), and a power source connectable to the light source. The side plate is positioned on the gun, which is preferably a revolver, preferably by being screwed to it. The side plate includes an attachment mechanism that is preferably located behind the trigger guard and behind the gun cylinder, wherein the accessory is attachable to the attachment mechanism. |
| US09188406B2 |
Hand gun shoulder-supported shooting platform
A handgun shoulder support platform includes a shoulder support stably supporting a handgun to a shooter's shoulder when shooting the handgun, thus providing greatly improved shot accuracy. The support is preferably made of an elongated strip of metal with a rear section shaped to engage the shooter's shoulder and a front section, and a grip-engaging bracket (“perch”) on the front section shaped to matably engage a grip of the handgun. The bracket is vertically open and shaped to engage and stably support a grip of the handgun without the use of mechanical fasteners. Multiple removable brackets can be provided for receiving differently shaped handgun grips. |
| US09188402B2 |
Live-round prevention with built-in blank firing adapter
The invention relates to safety components/modifications for a firearm barrel for preventing discharge of live ammunition from the firearm. The invention includes one embodiment of a modified barrel including a rod member transversely positioned within a portion of the bore of the barrel adjacent to the chamber to prevent chambering or loading of a live round. The modified barrel further includes a standard blank-firing adapter (BFA) fixedly coupled to the distal or muzzle end of the barrel. |
| US09188400B2 |
System and method for charging a weapon
A system and method for charging a weapon. In an illustrative embodiment, a charging assembly attaches to the side of an MK19 grenade launcher. The charging assembly includes a chain that attaches at one end to the charging bolt of the MK19 grenade launcher. The other end of the chain attaches to a crank assembly. The crank assembly includes a handle and a sprocket that rotate around a pivot axis, pulling on the chain and the charging bolt. The sprocket is large enough that the charging bolt is fully drawn by rotating the handle and the sprocket less than one full rotation around the pivot axis. |
| US09188394B2 |
Thin heat pipe having recesses for fastener
The heat sink includes a fastener and a heat pipe. The fastener has a receiving space, an upper claw and a lower claw. The upper claw and the lower claw are formed in the receiving space. The heat pipe has a first end and a second end. The first end is received in the receiving space and clipped between the upper claw and the second claw, and the upper claw or the lower claw is partially embedded in the heat pipe to be flush with each other. |
| US09188385B2 |
Container coating system and process
A coating system (1) for blown containers (9) made of plastic material, with high production rate and flexibility so as to allow an efficient coupling with the most advanced one-stage or blowing machines. Such coating system (1), despite its high production rate, envisages a compact global structure with low implementation costs and contained energy consumption. Along with the system, a corresponding coating process is described, which consists in the effective and rapid application of several paint layers on plastic containers (9). |
| US09188381B2 |
Method and apparatus for initiating coil defrost in a refrigeration system evaporator
A system for controlling the defrost cycle of an evaporator comprising a sensor in the coil of an evaporator or downstream of the coil, the sensor configured to determine changes in the liquid mass ratio of the refrigerant in the evaporator. The difference in liquid mass ratio relating to frost buildup on the outside of said evaporator. When the difference in liquid mass ratio reaches a predetermined amount, corresponding to an unsatisfactory frost buildup, a defrost cycle is initiated. When the liquid mass ratio returns to a value that corresponds to a defrosted evaporator, the defrost cycle is discontinued. |
| US09188380B2 |
Aircraft galley liquid cooling system
A storage compartment cooling apparatus includes a liquid circulation system that circulates a liquid coolant, a heat exchanger that cools an interior of a storage compartment using the liquid coolant, a bypass line through which the liquid coolant selectively bypasses the heat exchanger, one or more valves that controllably increase and decrease the flow of the liquid coolant through the heat exchanger and the bypass line, and a controller that controls the one or more valves. A storage compartment cooling system includes a liquid coolant distribution loop that distributes a chilled liquid coolant to a plurality of the storage compartment cooling apparatuses coupled in series and a recirculation cooling device that includes a chiller that chills the liquid coolant to have a temperature lower than an ambient temperature and a circulation unit that circulates the chilled liquid coolant through the liquid coolant distribution loop. A method of controlling the storage compartment cooling system includes reversing a direction of flow of the liquid coolant in the liquid coolant distribution loop. |
| US09188379B2 |
Ice chest insert and apparatus
The present invention provides a food organizing insert for placement within an ice chest. The food organizing insert comprises a top shelf arranged for placing food items, drinks and ice, a bottom shelf attached to the top shelf by way of a plurality of posts, a plurality of threaded plugs designed to secure the plurality of posts in position and a plurality of holes positioned on the top shelf and the bottom shelf to insert the plurality of posts. Each of the plurality of posts is surrounded by a spring and the top shelf is provided with a perforated natural drip dry system on a top surface. The perforated natural drip dry system allows melted ice water to drip from the top shelf. The food organizing insert is placed within the ice chest to maintain the food items, drinks and ice in a chilled condition and elevated above the dirty water. |
| US09188377B2 |
Ice maker and method, and refrigerator having the same
Disclosed herein are an ice maker and method including an ice container to store ice, and a refrigerator having the same. The ice maker includes an ice making unit that receives water and produces ice from the water, a first ice container that receives the ice separated from the ice making unit, and an ice forwarding unit disposed at one side of the first ice container to guide the ice to be discharged to the outside. |
| US09188376B2 |
Refrigerant charge assisting device, air-conditioning apparatus, and refrigerant charge assisting program
Operation data of a refrigerant circuit is acquired after an initial refrigerant charge amount of refrigerant is charged in the refrigerant circuit and operation of the refrigerant circuit is started, an internal volume of a high-pressure pipe 6 is computed from the obtained operation data and the initial refrigerant charge amount input in a input unit 112, a target refrigerant charge amount is computed from the computed internal volume of the high-pressure pipe 6 and a standard operating state acquired in advance, the standard operating state being operation data of the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant circuit is in a standard operating state that satisfies a preset condition, and an additional refrigerant charge amount is computed from the target refrigerant charge amount and the initial refrigerant charge amount. |
| US09188370B2 |
Mounting arrangement for an eccentric shaft in a refrigeration compressor
The compressor of the invention includes a block (B) defining a shaft hub having a first and a second end portion and housing an eccentric shaft having a median portion radially journalled in the shaft hub, and a free end portion carrying the rotor of an electric motor. The first and the second end portions of the shaft hub define radial bearings for the shaft and a support member is formed by a coupling portion, affixed to the free end portion of the shaft, and by a mounting portion, projecting axially and radially from the coupling portion, externally to the shaft hub and around the median portion of the shaft. The rotor is affixed to the mounting portion, concentrically to the eccentric shaft and surrounding the shaft hub. |
| US09188369B2 |
Fin-coil design for a dual suction air conditioning unit
An evaporator system that includes: a first evaporator coil at a first evaporator temperature and pressure; a second evaporator coil at a second evaporator temperature and pressure that is less than the first evaporator temperature and pressure where the first evaporator and second evaporator are configured to be thermally disjointed; and a plurality of thermally conductive spaced apart evaporator fins having a plurality of spaced apart thermal break portions positioned between the first evaporator coil and the second evaporator coil that thermally disjoin the first evaporator and the second evaporator. |
| US09188368B2 |
Geothermal flexible conduit loop single pass installation system for dense soils and rock
A geothermal flexible conduit loop single pass installation system for dense soil or rock. A conduit loop attachment is secured behind the soil penetrating head and has an engageable element adapted to hook a loop end portion of a flexible conduit loop and draw the conduit loop in a bore hole as it is being formed by the soil penetrating head as it descends in a soil under the influence of a downward force applied to a hollow force transmission shaft. A pressurized medium is released in the bore hole as it is formed. At least the force transmission is withdrawn with the flexible conduit loop retained in the bore hole by surrounding soil or a cement released through the shaft as it is withdrawn. |
| US09188367B2 |
Solar power generation apparatus capable of tracking sunlight
The present invention relates to a solar power generation apparatus, which comprises: torque tubes which are arranged to form a plurality of columns; a plurality of solar panels which are installed along each torque tube; posts which rotatably support each torque tube; lever arms which are coupled with each torque tube; a linkage which is disposed on the lower side of the torque tubes and is connected to each lever arm; an actuator which reciprocates the linkage in the longitudinal direction of the linkage, thereby rotating the torque tubes around an axis based on the longitudinal direction of the torque tubes; and a bed frame which is installed between some of the plurality of posts, wherein the actuator is supported thereon. |
| US09188360B2 |
Silencer for a vehicle air conditioning system
A silencer for a vehicle air conditioning system is designed to reduce a noise and a vibration of a compressor transmitted into a vehicle room along coolant pipes. The silencer includes a silencer body tube and an external resonance tube. The silencer body tube is installed between the coolant pipes wherein a coolant gas flowing along the coolant pipes passes through the silencer body tube, the silencer body tube including one or more resonance holes formed on an outer circumferential surface of the silencer body tube. The external resonance tube is installed on the outer circumferential surface of the silencer body tube wherein a resonance chamber for absorbing a vibration and a noise of a coolant gas flowing through the silencer body tube is defined between the outer circumferential surface of the silencer body tube and the external resonance tube. |
| US09188357B2 |
Vehicle air conditioner
A vehicle air conditioner includes a heating heat exchanger, a first temperature adjustment mechanism for adjusting a temperature of air to be blown toward a driver's seat side in a vehicle compartment, and a second temperature adjustment mechanism for adjusting a temperature of air to be blown toward a front-passenger's seat side in the vehicle compartment. In the vehicle air conditioner, the first and second temperature adjustment mechanisms are controlled to perform a one-seat priority mode control such that the temperature of air to be blown toward the front-passenger's seat side is lower than the temperature of air to be blown toward the driver's seat side, when only the driver is in the vehicle compartment and the heating condition is determined as the air conditioning state. |
| US09188354B2 |
Control of exhaust systems
Exhaust capture and containment are enhanced by means of automatic or manual side skirts, a sensitive breach detector based on interference effects, a combination of vertical and horizontal edge jets, and/or corner jets that are directed to the center diagonally from corners. Associated control functions are described. |
| US09188345B1 |
Electric fireplace having multi-function flame
An electric fireplace having multi-function flame includes a housing, a projection screen, a plastic screen, plastic crystals, a first illuminating device, a flame image plate, a reflection assembly, and a second illuminating device. The first illuminating device can shoot a single color or two colors or a combination of more than two colors of light. The second illuminating device includes a plurality of second lights disposed on a second circuit board. Each of the second lights includes at least two different chips. The second illuminating device can shoot a single color or two colors or a combination of more than two colors of light. The present invention can generate single or multi-color flame to achieve a multi-function purpose. The change effect of the movement and color of the flame can be more perfect and realistic and appreciation. |
| US09188342B2 |
Systems and methods for dampening combustor dynamics in a micromixer
Embodiments of the present application can provide systems and methods for dampening combustor dynamics. According to one embodiment, the system may include a micromixer. The system may also include at least one annular resonator disposed within the micromixer adjacent to a cap face plate or an impingement plate of the micromixer. The at least one annular resonator may include a first side including a number of holes forming a cold side hole pattern, a second side including a number of holes forming a hot side hole pattern, and a cavity substantially defined by the first side and the second side. |
| US09188341B2 |
Fuel nozzle
A fuel distributor is disclosed comprising a body having a unitary construction, a fuel conduit located within the body, a fuel flow path located within the body that is oriented in a circumferential direction around an axis and in flow communication with the fuel conduit, and at least one orifice located in the body in flow communication with the fuel flow path such that a fuel entering the fuel conduit exits through the orifice. |
| US09188337B2 |
System and method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor via a non-uniform distribution manifold
A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle and a combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle. A flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber, and fuel injectors provide fluid communication to the combustion chamber. A distribution manifold circumferentially surrounds the fuel injectors and defines an annular plenum. A fluid passage through the distribution manifold provides fluid communication through the distribution manifold. A radial cross-sectional area of the annular plenum varies around the flow sleeve. A method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through a combustion chamber, diverting a portion of the working fluid through a distribution manifold that circumferentially surrounds fuel injectors circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber, and changing at least one of a pressure or flow rate of the diverted portion of the working fluid. |
| US09188332B2 |
Device and method for electrostatically spraying a liquid
A spray device includes a nozzle that forms a channel for supplying liquid to at least one opening for spraying the liquid outside the device, and, close to the opening, a first and a second electrode arranged in such a way as to inject electric charges into the liquid. The edge of the opening includes, on one side of the channel, at least one projecting end of the first electrode that projects into the channel and is to be brought into contact with the liquid, and on the other side of the channel, an electrically insulating nozzle body in which the second electrode is embedded adjacently to the first electrode, in such a way that the intensity of the electrostatic field in the or each projecting end is maximized. |
| US09188331B2 |
Supplemental fuel to combustor of dual fluidized bed gasifier
A method of gasification by introducing a feed material to be subjected to gasification into a dual fluidized bed gasifier comprising a pyrolyzer fluidly connected with a combustor such that a circulation stream comprising a heat transfer material can be continuously circulated between the pyrolyzer, in which the temperature of the circulation stream is reduced, and the combustor, in which the temperature of the circulation stream is increased, wherein the pyrolyzer is operable to convert at least a portion of the feed material into a gasifier product gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and wherein the combustor is operable to increase the temperature of the circulation stream via combustion of char introduced thereto with the circulation stream and at least one supplemental fuel. A system for carrying out the method is also provided. |
| US09188330B1 |
Apparatus and method for mixing tube assembly
A mixing tube assembly having an inlet end and an outlet end and being adapted for use in a burner assembly. The mixing tube assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical outer wall which defines an interior open space. The mixing tube assembly also comprises a turbulator that is disposed in the interior open space defined by the substantially cylindrical outer wall. A method for mixing fuel and air in a burner assembly comprising providing a mixing tube assembly. The preferred method also comprises conveying fuel and air from the inlet end of the mixing tube assembly to the outlet end of the mixing tube assembly. |
| US09188328B2 |
Helical coil steam generator
A steam generator includes a lower integrated tubesheet and plenum (ITP) configured to receive feedwater and a first set of heat transfer tubes fluidly coupled to a plurality of stubs protruding from a first side of the lower ITP. A second set of heat transfer tubes fluidly couples to plurality of stubs protruding from a second side of the lower ITP. The first set of heat transfer tubes is coiled in a substantially clock-wise direction, and the second set of heat transfer tubes is coiled in a substantially counter-clockwise direction. The steam generator further includes an upper ITP fluidly coupled to the first and second set of heat transfer tubes, wherein the feedwater entering the lower ITP is converted to steam in the first and second sets of heat transfer tubes. The upper ITP is configured to transport the steam away from the steam generator. |
| US09188324B2 |
Modular LED light
A light comprising at least a housing for a light module and a controller being electrically connected to a cable and to the light module may be mounted very easily if the housing comprises a cable duct for housing the at least one cable, wherein the cable duct comprises at least a first electrical connector being attached to the cable duct and if the controller comprises at least a second electrical connector and a third electrical connector, wherein the second electrical connector is complementary to the first electrical connector, and if the cable duct and/or the controller comprise a first support structure for attaching the cable duct with the controller, wherein the first support structure attaches the cable duct with the controller, when the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector get plugged. |
| US09188321B2 |
Light-emitting device and lighting device provided with the same
A light-emitting device capable of ensuring an electric connection between a light-emitting element and an electrode without generating any problem in practical use, by both connecting methods with a solder and a connector, and a lighting device provided with the light-emitting device are provided. The light-emitting device according to the present invention has a plurality of LED chips, and a soldering electrode land and a connector connecting electrode land electrically connected to the chips, on a ceramic substrate. The soldering electrode land is formed of a first conductive material having a function to prevent diffusion to a solder, and the connector connecting electrode land is formed of a second conductive material having a function to prevent oxidation. |
| US09188317B1 |
Streetlight mounting base with collar
A streetlight mounting system can fix a streetlight pole to a street side surface, such as a slab of concrete or a sidewalk. The system can comprise a base that attaches on one end to the street side surface and on the other end to the streetlight pole. A collar can provide a transition between the base and the streetlight pole. The collar can have a top that is slanted to shed water. The collar can comprise multiple elements that are urged together by clips. The clips and other fasteners that hold the streetlight pole, the collar, and the base together can be hidden from view, with access provided by a door in the base. |
| US09188316B2 |
LED socket assembly
A socket housing is provided for light emitting diode (LED) packages having an LED printed circuit board (PCB). The socket housing includes first and second housing segments that define a recess therebetween for receiving an LED package therein. The first and second housing segments are configured to engage the LED PCB of the LED package to secure the LED package within the recess. A relative position between the first and second housing segments is selectively adjustable such that a size of the recess is selectively adjustable for receiving differently sized LED packages therein. |
| US09188307B2 |
High intensity LED illumination device with automated sensor-based control
A light fixture includes a light emitting diode (LED) structure, a housing with one or more sensors, and control circuitry that is configured to receive data from the sensor and automatically alter characteristics of light emitted by the LEDs in the fixture in response to the received data. |
| US09188305B2 |
Cooling device for vehicle headlights
A cooling device for cooling an LED of vehicle headlight without restricting a design of a housing is provided. The cooling device is comprised of an LED held in a housing sealed with a lens, a reflector that reflects a light emitted from the light source, a heat collector on which the LED is mounted, a heat sink disposed behind the reflector, and a pair of heat pipes thermally connecting the heat collector and the heat sink. The heat sink is arranged inside of the housing. |
| US09188304B2 |
Automotive light
An automotive light including a substantially basin-shaped rear body structured so to be fixed onto the vehicle body; a front lenticular semi-shell provided with at least one band-like, transparent or semi-transparent portion; and at least a first lighting assembly, which is structured so as to emit light when electrically powered and is arranged so as to backlight the band-like; the first lighting assembly including: a first light-guiding plate made of photoconductive material which extends from the bottom of the rear body up to/close to the front lenticular semi-shell, while remaining perpendicular to the front lenticular semi-shell; and a second light-guiding plate made of photoconductive material, which laterally rests on/is joined with one of the two larger faces of the first light-guiding plate, close to the front lateral side of the same first light-guiding plate, so as to form an L-shaped structure which extends tangentially to the front lenticular semi-shell. |
| US09188303B2 |
Automotive headlamp
An automotive headlamp includes: a light source; a movable shade configured to be movable between a first position shielding a part of light emitted from the light source and a second position having a different light shielding volume; a motor configured to generate a driving force to move the shade from the first position to the second position; and a stopper for high beam to fix the movable shade, which has been moved from the first position to the second position, at the second position. The motor is configured such that a motor phase is lag when the motor moves the movable shade to the second position by the driving force generated by supplied power and fixes the same, and an electric current is applied to the motor when the movable shade is fixed at the second position. |
| US09188293B1 |
Lighting device embedded in vehicle panel and method for making the same
A body panel is provided for use in the body of a vehicle, comprising: a main panel having a first side and a second side, the main panel including a recess in the first side, the recess having a set shape and a depth less than a thickness of the main panel, and a hole from a bottom of the recess to the second side; a flexible lighting strip formed in the recess, the flexible lighting strip having the set shape and a thickness within ±10% of the depth of the recess, the flexile lighting device being secured in the recess; a power connector connected to the flexible lighting strip; a control connector connected to a device controller; and a clear coating formed on the first side of the main panel over the main panel and the flexible lighting strip, the clear coating having a smooth top surface. |
| US09188288B2 |
LED emitter with improved white color appearance
A lighting apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting dies, a continuous encapsulation structure, and a gel. The plurality of light-emitting dies are disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from one another. The light-emitting dies each are covered with a respective individual phosphor coating conformally. The continuous encapsulation structure has a curved surface disposed over the substrate and encapsulates the light-emitting dies within. The gel is disposed between the encapsulation structure and the phosphor coating for each of the light-emitting dies. The gel contains diffuser particles. The lighting apparatus has a substantially white appearance in an off state when the plurality of light-emitting dies is turned off. |
| US09188281B2 |
Adjusting device for making X-Y adjustments from a single point
An adjusting device for making x-y adjustments of a repositionable member from a single point includes first and second extendable members each defining an extension axis and including an extension rod, an extendable portion operatively attached to and adjustable relative to the extension rod along the extension axis to an extended length, and a clamping member attached to the extendable portion and configured to receive a rotatable member including the repositionable member. The clamping members define a rotation axis perpendicular to the extension axes and are lockable to prevent rotation of the rotatable member around the rotation axis. The adjusting device includes a synchronizing mechanism connected to the first and second extendable members and operable to simultaneously adjust the extended length of the first and second extendable portions such that the extended length of the first extendable portion and the extended length of the second extendable portion are equal. |
| US09188280B2 |
Mounting device
A mounting device typically used for mounting line-of-site equipment, that allows easy, steady, and incremental rotation of the device in the vertical axis, and 360° rotation in the horizontal axis, while also allowing rotation and tilt of the mounted equipment. |
| US09188277B2 |
Cabinet installation device
A method for installing objects such as cabinets on a vertical surface such as a wall includes the use of a novel support device having an adjustable leg and an upper portion including two vertically spaced support surfaces. Two of the support devices are first placed at a selected height at an angle to the wall for initially supporting the object on a first support surface. The support devices are then sequentially moved to extend between a front portion of the object and the floor so that the object rests on the second support surface thus freeing both hands of the installer. |
| US09188272B2 |
Display device with variable height and angles of view by virtue of rotatable stand
A stand, rotatable through approximately 180 degrees, supports a display device in such a way that whilst the height of the display device above a supporting surface is variable, a full range of viewing angles is also available at any height. |
| US09188270B2 |
Monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline
Monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline, comprising: providing an inspection device (1) in expanded polymeric or elastomeric material comprising at least one measurement instrument (2, 3), said measurement instrument including at least one casing and at least one sensor; introducing said inspection device into the pipeline (5); recovering said inspection device; wherein said casing is made of polymeric or elastomeric material, having a density, measured according to the regulation ASTM D3574, higher than or equal to 30 kg/m3, preferably ranging from 700 to 2,000 kg/m3. Said method allows the continuous registration and storage of useful parameters for revealing defects and/or anomalies inside the pipeline (5) that transports gas and/or liquids, as well as possible variations in the internal diameter of the same. |
| US09188264B2 |
Flange pipe coupling
Apparatus and method for clamping a flanged joint, comprising a clamp having first and second clamp devices applied to circumferentially separate portions of the flanges, each device having a foot to engage an outer face of a flange, and a force driver adapted to press the flanges together from opposite sides of the flanged connection. The clamping devices are circumferentially spaced apart on the flange, and a foot portion is adapted to engage the outer face of each flange circumferentially between the bolts, to allow transmission of forces to the flanges without applying forces to the bolts, or the nuts or other fixings attached thereto. The clamping force is applied not through the existing bolts passing through the flanges, but through the clamping device of the invention. |
| US09188262B2 |
High pressure pipe joint
A pipe joint between two metallic pipes which have been internally and/or externally coated with a material to prevent corrosion. The pipe joint includes a spigot terminating in an inverted hump supporting an elastomeric seal wherein the inverted hump is spaced from a protruding hump. The pipe joint further includes a socket adapted to fit over the spigot, the socket having an outwardly flared forward end terminating in an annular lip that engages an exterior of the protruding hump wherein the lip is welded to an exterior of the spigot. |
| US09188261B2 |
Safety connecting device, in particular for piping, an end-coupler for such device, and a method for manufacturing a nut therefor
The device connects a first end-coupler with a second end-coupler, in particular of a piping. A nut is provided with a threaded bore in which the first end-coupler is screwed along a longitudinal axis. In a tightening position, the first end-coupler is in axial stress with a second end-coupler accommodated in the nut. Anti-rotation means are provided between the nut and at least one of the end-couplers to prevent relative rotation except when a torque exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied thereto. The anti-rotation means consist of at least one tab made in the material of the nut to lockingly interfere with substantially planar faces formed on the second end-coupler. |
| US09188258B2 |
Multilayer reinforced hose
This invention pertains to an umbilical hose comprising in order a thermoplastic inner liner, at least one fibrous reinforcement layer having a layer thickness no greater than 1.5 mm, comprising continuous filament yarns having a yarn tenacity of at least 13 g/dtex and a linear density no greater than 6667 dtex, and a thermoplastic outer cover. |
| US09188254B2 |
Unbonded flexible pipe
An unbonded flexible pipe for transportation of fluids and comprising a tubular inner sealing sheath defining a bore. At least one armor layer surrounds the inner sealing sheath and a carcass is arranged in the bore to support the inner sealing sheath. The carcass comprises at least one profiled elongate element, which is helically wound to form directly and/or indirectly engaging elongate element windings along the length of the pipe. The carcass provides a quasi fluid permeable inner wall of the bore with discontinuities between successive turns of the wound elongate element(s). The discontinuities have an average width in the axial direction of the pipe which is about 3 mm or less when the pipe is in an unloaded and unbent condition, and the pipe can bend with a minimum bending radius of about 10 m or less in an unloaded condition. |
| US09188253B2 |
Oil country tubular goods with dual phase structure and producing method thereof
A steel pipe with dual phase structure includes, as chemical composition, by mass %, C: 0.07% to 0.15%, Si: 0.1% to 0.5%, Mn: 0.8% to 1.9%, Nb: 0.020% to 0.10%, P: limited to 0.05% or less, S: limited to 0.01% or less, Al: limited to 0.1% or less, and a balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities, wherein, when [X] is amount of element X in mass %, carbon equivalent Ceq defined by Equation of Ceq=[C]+[Mn]/6 is 0.25 to 0.40 and [Nb]×[C]≧0.002 is satisfied, and includes, as metallographic structure, by area %, ferrite of 80% to 98% and martensite, residual austenite, or mixture thereof of 2% to 20% in total, wherein average grain size of ferrite is 1 μm to less than 8 μm and average grain size of martensite, residual austenite, or mixture thereof is 0.1 μm to 2 μm. |
| US09188247B2 |
Cable securing device
The subject of the invention is a cable securing device comprising a base, a housing having an interior and an exterior surface and two spaced-apart edges allowing a plurality of cables to be inserted into the said housing, and a tongue connecting the two edges so as to hold the cables in the housing. The said tongue is connected removably at one end, known as the free end, to the first edge. The tongue comprises at least one orifice capable of engaging with a pin provided on the exterior surface of the housing. The interior surface of the tongue comprises a touch-and-close structure capable of engaging with a touch-and-close structure provided on the exterior surface of the housing. |
| US09188235B2 |
Plug counter, fracing system and method
A valve includes a tubular having at least one port, and a sleeve in operable communication with the tubular configured to uncover the at least one port in response to moving from a first position to a second position. The valve also has a seat that is configured to be passed a selected number of times without shifting the sleeve from the first position to the second position and is further configured to be passed one additional time after the selected number of times after shifting the sleeve from the first position to the second position. |
| US09188233B2 |
Positioning device for pressure regulator
A control assembly for converting a “fail-close” regulator to a “fail-open” regulator, or vice versa, without having to modify or reconfigure a casing of the regulator includes a control member, a central rod, and a spring disposed between first and second spring seats. A regulator including the control assembly includes a valve body and an actuator casing, the valve body defining a fluid flow-path. The control member is slidably disposed within the actuator casing and adapted for displacement relative to the valve body for controlling the flow of fluid through the flow-path. The spring and spring seats are disposed about the central rod, such that the spring biases the control member into a predetermined position relative to the regulator casing. |
| US09188224B2 |
Gear shift arrangement with parking block and method for its activation
A gear shift arrangement for a motor vehicle gear mechanism comprises at least one clutch arrangement by means of which a gear of the gear mechanism can be engaged and disengaged. An actuator arrangement is coupled with the clutch arrangement via a first force transmission device. A parking block arrangement is coupled with the actuator arrangement via a second force transmission device. The actuator arrangement can be moved into a parking block position in which the parking block arrangement is activated. The actuator arrangement is configured to engage the gear on its travel to the parking block position and/or in the parking block position via the first force transmission device. The first force transmission device has a decoupling device which is configured to move or to let move the actuator arrangement into the parking block position even when the clutch arrangement is blocked. |
| US09188222B2 |
Negative torque upshift control
A vehicle includes a prime mover, input clutch, transmission, and controller. The transmission, which is selectively connected to the output shaft via the input clutch, has multiple friction clutches, including respective offgoing and oncoming clutches for a negative torque upshift. The controller includes a torque request module, offgoing clutch module, and oncoming clutch module. The torque request module limits input torque into the transmission during the negative torque upshift. The offgoing control module determines actual offgoing clutch torque capacity of the offgoing clutch, calculates an actual offgoing clutch pressure using the actual offgoing clutch torque capacity, and controls the offgoing clutch through the shift using the actual offgoing clutch pressure. The oncoming control module controls the oncoming clutch through multiple stages of control of the oncoming clutch, including a fill, staging, ramp, and quick-lock stage. Closed-loop pressure correction is provided via PID logic through the inertia and torque shift phases. |
| US09188221B2 |
Adaptive control of a flow control solenoid valve
A vehicle includes an engine, first clutch, transmission, and controller. The transmission includes a gearbox, position sensors, and a fluid circuit. The gearbox contains a second clutch. The fluid circuit includes a pump and a flow control solenoid valve. The controller opens the valve via flow control signals to allow fluid to pass into or from the particular clutch it feeds. The controller executes steps of a method to determine an actual flow rate through the valve as the clutch moves, and also calculates a compensation scale factor as a ratio of the commanded and actual flow rates. The controller modifies the flow control signals in a subsequent clutch actuation using the compensation scale factor, such as by multiplying a commanded flow rate corresponding to the flow control signals by the compensation scale factor. A system includes rotatable members connected by a clutch, the controller, valve, and position sensor. |
| US09188219B2 |
Procedure for operating a transmission device, particularly a 9-speed-transmission
A method of operating a transmission device. At least one of the shift elements is a form-locking shift element. A sensor is associated with the form-locking shift element which can determine an operating state of the form-locking shift element. When a request to disengage the form-locking shift element occurs, a disengagement control signal is generated and the form-locking shift element is actuated in the direction of disengagement, depending on the disengagement control signal. The transmission device is transferred to a safe operating state in which the transmission output shaft can rotate, when an actuating pressure that changes the operating state of the form-locking shift element is determined with the sensor, even though a disengagement control signal was not generated, and/or when the sensor is associated with at least two form-locking shift elements and the form-locking shift elements are subjected to actuating pressure to implement a requested operating state change. |
| US09188218B2 |
Methodology for controlling a hydraulic control system of a continuously variable transmission
A hydraulic control system for a CVT may include a pressure regulator subsystem, a ratio control subsystem, a torque converter control (TCC) subsystem, a clutch control subsystem, and is enabled for automatic engine start/stop (ESS) functionality. A system and method are provided for performing an engine auto-stop in a vehicle having a CVT transmission and using an accumulator to fill the pulleys and clutches of the CVT, at least in part, during engine restart. |
| US09188216B2 |
Method and device for the internal oiling of a gear shaft that is arranged coaxially to the oil pump of a gearbox and drives the oil pump
A method for the internal oiling of a transmission shaft (1) which is positioned coaxially with the oil pump (2) of a transmission (13) and drives the oil pump (2). The transmission shaft (1) is internally oiled or lubricated using leakage oil which is already present from the oil pump (2) which is integrated in the transmission (13). |
| US09188214B2 |
Motor apparatus and manufacturing method thereof
A seal member is attached to a cover which occludes a gear case as a housing unit. The seal member is formed of elastomer and integrally formed with: a plate-shaped portion formed into a disc shape which covers the inner surface of the cover; an inner seal portion which is positioned on the inner peripheral edge of a through-hole, and comes into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of an output member; an outer seal portion which is positioned on the periphery of the cover, and comes into contact with the opening end of the housing unit; and anchor portions which latch onto the front surface of the cover via mounting holes provided to the cover. The boundary between the seal member and the cover extends only to the outside of the gear case, and does not extend to the inside of the gear case. |
| US09188212B2 |
Two-piece flow separation hub
A flow separation hub including a first hub component, a second hub component affixed to the first hub component, a first passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a first fluid to flow through the flow separation hub, a second passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a second fluid to flow through the hub, wherein the hub prohibits fluid communication between the first and second fluids when the first and second fluids flow through the hub. |
| US09188205B2 |
Moon gear assembly
A moon gear assembly is provided that includes a moon arm assembly having a driving moon gear. A pivot pin is connected to the moon arm assembly, and an adjustment arm is connected to the moon arm assembly. The moon arm assembly may also include a body that defines a chamber, a worm gear disposed in the chamber and arranged to interact with the driving moon gear, and a motor disposed in the chamber and couple to the worm gear. |
| US09188204B2 |
Safety apparatus for use with a sheave
A safety apparatus safety apparatus for use with a sheave has a first plate suitable for placement over one side of the sheave, a second plate suitable for placement on an opposite side of the sheave, and a carriage positioned at a periphery of the first and second plates. The carriage extends across a gap between the plates. The carriage is movable along the peripheries of the first and second plates. The carnage includes a first carriage and a second carriage which are independently movable with respect to each other. The carriage includes a first body, a second body, and a discoidal member pivotally mounted to the first and second bodies. The discoidal member has a hole suitable for allowing the cable of the sheave to pass freely therethrough. |
| US09188198B2 |
Drive train and systems for a three-wheeled vehicle
An apparatus includes a housing, an input portion including an input gear, an idler portion including an idler gear, and an output portion including an output gear and an output member disposed outside of the housing and substantially coplanar with a drive portion of a rear wheel assembly. The housing can couple to an engine assembly such that rotation of an engine output member rotates the input gear. The input gear can move within the housing between a first position, in which the input gear engages the idler gear and is spaced apart from the output gear to indirectly rotate the output gear in a first direction via the idler gear, and a second position, in which the input gear engages the output gear and is spaced apart from the idler gear to directly rotate the output gear in a second direction. The output member rotates with the output gear. |
| US09188197B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A vehicle transmission includes first, second, third and fourth meshing gear-pinion pairs. The transmission produces a first speed ratio through a power path that includes first and second input shafts, a gear coupler and the first, second and third gear-pinion pairs. The transmission also produces a second speed ratio through a power path that includes the second input shaft, the gear coupler and the second, third and fourth gear-pinion pairs. |
| US09188193B2 |
Cable locking device
A device is used for gripping and securing cable for the purpose of suspending objects or loads. The device may be a two-barrel device that allows the user to create a loop of cable to secure to a hanging load, or to a structural member. The user of the locking device feeds the cable through one barrel, around an object to be suspended, and through the other barrel. The device has carriers installed in sockets in a housing, with wedge-shape jaws in openings in the carriers able to engage the cable and hold the cable within the device. Pushing or pulling of the carrier is used to release the spring force pressing the jaws inward, allowing the cable to be removed from the device. |
| US09188187B2 |
Gas spring assembly with pre-paint protective sleeve
A gas spring assembly includes a gas spring enclosed within a flexible, liquid-impermeable protective sleeve. The sleeve protects the gas spring against contamination during painting and pre-paint processes, and is then removable to leave the gas spring as a permanent component of the installation subject to the painting. |
| US09188186B2 |
Pressure regulator comprising an actuator
A pressure regulator is provided for adjusting a pressure in a hydraulic flow, which pressure can be at least partially regulated using a solenoid. The solenoid can adjust a position of a driver that comprises a solenoid armature, a solenoid armature rod, and a delimiting part. The solenoid armature can be arranged around a solenoid armature rod and can be axially displaceable inside a solenoid chamber in a housing. The solenoid armature rod can have one or more holes that fluidly interconnect a first chamber to a solenoid chamber of the regulator. The delimiting part can be arranged around the solenoid armature rod adjacent to the housing and be configured such that clearances between the delimiting part, the solenoid armature rod, and the housing enable a certain radial movement between the driver and the housing. |
| US09188182B2 |
Electro-mechanical brake with differential gear
Provided is an electro-mechanical brake with a differential gear which includes a driving unit that generates a rotational force by a power that is selectively applied along with the operation of the brake pedal, a differential gear unit that is connected to the driving unit through a gear and in which a first shaft and a second shaft that are disposed in a straight line, an external braking unit that is connected to the first shaft of the differential gear unit through a gear, and an internal braking unit that is connected to the second shaft of the differential gear unit through a gear. |
| US09188180B2 |
Brake rotor and method of manufacturing the same
A brake rotor for an automotive vehicle braking system includes a brake rotor hat having a generally circular mounting portion, a generally cylindrical wall connected to the mounting portion and being generally symmetrical about an axis, and first and second pluralities of fingers extending radially outward from the wall. Each of the first plurality of fingers and each of the second plurality of fingers has a respective terminal end portion. The terminal end portions of the first plurality of fingers are coplanar about a first plane. The terminal end portions of the second plurality of fingers are not coplanar about the first plane, and are coplanar about a second plane that is parallel with the first plane. A rotor cheek may be cast around the fingers. |
| US09188178B2 |
Protection clip for torque receiving part and method of forming attaching recess thereof
There is provided a protection clip for a torque receiving part. The protection clip is fitted into a concave portion of a torque receiving part of a caliper body, into which a lug part of a brake pad of a disc brake is inserted. The protection clip includes first and second separation preventing claws. The first separation preventing claw is bent from an outer periphery-side wall surface of the concave portion toward an upper attaching surface of the torque receiving part, and is configured to be fitted into one of a pair of recesses formed over an opening of the concave portion. The second separation preventing claw is bent from a lower attaching surface of the torque receiving part toward the concave portion, and is configured to be fitted into the other of the pair of recesses. |
| US09188177B2 |
Brake disc
A brake disc is provided capable of effectively reducing the generation of noise such as brake noise by making specifications relating to lightening holes different from each other between two brake disc plates. In the brake disc, two brake disc plates are laminated so as to slide on each other by vibration during braking, and specifications relating to one or more selected from lightening holes, plate thickness, diameter, and warpage are made different from each other between the brake disc plates. In addition, lightening holes are formed on at least one of the brake disc plates, and one or more specifications selected from the number of lightening holes, the shapes of the lightening holes, the sizes of the lightening holes, and the arrangement positions of the lightening holes are made different from each other between the brake disc plates. |
| US09188172B2 |
Compact overrunning coupling and control assembly having reduced part count and manufacturing complexity
A compact overrunning coupling and control assembly having reduced part count and manufacturing complexity is provided. An actuator arm moves a control element from a first position which corresponds to a first mode of the assembly to a second position which corresponds to a second mode of the assembly. An actuator piston is disposed within the bore of a housing and has an outer surface in sliding contact with the inner surface of the housing and a groove formed in the outer surface of the piston to receive and retain a free end portion of the actuator arm therein. A control pressure signal within the housing causes the piston to slide within the bore against a biasing force to move the actuator arm. |
| US09188171B2 |
Axial actuating device
An actuating device for exerting a force that causes two components arranged to be rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation to be urged axially away from each other comprising a radial support element forming a first hydraulic pressure chamber and a second hydraulic pressure chamber, each of the pressure chambers surrounding the axis of rotation and the first pressure chamber being in fluid connection with the second pressure chamber. The actuating device further comprises a first piston axially supported on the first component for sealing the first pressure chamber in an axially displaceable way and a second piston axially supported on the second component for sealing the second pressure chamber in an axially displaceable way. |
| US09188168B2 |
Clutch plate
In a clutch plate of an annular shape and a wet type, a plurality of lubrication grooves each taking a U-shape in cross-section are formed on a friction engaging surface on at least one end side. The groove is provided with a groove forming portion crossing the circumferential direction and blunt portions extending along both sides of the groove forming portion and connecting the friction engaging surface with the groove forming portion. Where a straight line passing across one side end of the groove and extending in a radial direction is assumed as a virtual straight line, in a section of the groove taken along a plane that is orthogonal to the virtual straight line and that includes the one side end, the width of the blunt portion on one side is in a range of 0.12 to 0.35 mm, and the depth of the blunt portion is in a range of 25 to 50 μm. |
| US09188166B2 |
Return stop
A return stop limiting torque, particularly for conveyer systems, including an internal ring, a concentric external ring, and several retaining elements arranged in the annual gap between the rings, which allow a relative rotation between the rings in one direction, and block it in the other direction through form-fitting or frictional engagement. The external ring has friction areas at its radially extending faces, which can axially be clamped against the corresponding friction disks, with the friction disks being supported in a torque-proof fashion but at least partially axially displaceable. Here the external ring is divided into several axially adjacent partial rings, each being axially spaced from one another by an annular gap such that another friction disk is arranged respectively in this annular gap, which is supported in a torque-proof fashion but axially displaceable, and all of the partial rings and friction disks are axially clamped to each other. |
| US09188165B2 |
ABS encoder arrangement
An ABS encoder arrangement including an annular disk core which bears a multipole structure, and a sealing ring element including an angular ring and an elastomer body forming a sealing lip structure, the angular ring including a lateral surface portion and an annular disk portion which protrudes radially inwards, the annular disk core being designed so as to project radially inwards beyond the inner circumferential surface of the lateral surface portion of the angular ring so as to form an annular projection, and a filling ring formed from an elastomer material being attached to the inner circumferential surface, the thickness of said filling ring being larger in radial direction than the size of the projection of the annular disk core in radial direction. |
| US09188159B2 |
Half thrust bearing and bearing device
A half thrust bearing having a semicircular ring shape for receiving an axial force of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided. The half thrust bearing includes thrust reliefs formed adjacently to end surfaces on both sides in a circumferential direction on a slide surface side which receives the axial force so that wall thicknesses become thinner toward the end surfaces. The thrust relief on a rear side in a rotational direction of the crankshaft or both thrust reliefs are formed so that a length of the thrust relief in an inner end portion in a radial direction of the half thrust bearing is longer than a length of the thrust relief in an outer end portion in the radial direction of the half thrust bearing. |
| US09188157B2 |
Axial sliding bearing
An axial sliding bearing has a sliding ring disposed between two planar, ring-shaped sliding surfaces pressure-stressed against one another. The axial sliding bearing is overload-proof, in particular by about 30% to 80% with regard to the average pressure stress of about 30 to 40 bar per wedge segment that is usual in the case of wedge segment bearings, and at the same time, is not susceptible to axial vibrations, and, in this connection, can be easily produced in terms of production technology, and easily installed, and furthermore does not permit the “snap-over effects” that drastically impair the lubricant wedge effect, so that even under more difficult operating conditions, targeted optimal variation of the wedge angle, adapted to the operating conditions, in each instance, is always guaranteed, and great reliability of the axial sliding bearing, at a long useful lifetime, can be guaranteed, while simultaneously expanding the optimal dynamic supporting range. |
| US09188154B2 |
Rolling bearing, notably used in a wind turbine
A rolling bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring and at least one row of angular contact rollers disposed between raceways provided on the rings, each roller comprising a rolling surface in contact with said raceways and two opposite end faces. The inner and outer rings having guiding faces coming into contact with the end faces of the rollers. |
| US09188153B2 |
Synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing
A synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing 1 includes a synthetic resin-made upper casing 100, a synthetic resin-made lower casing 200, and a synthetic resin-made thrust bearing piece 300 interposed between the upper and lower casings 100 and 200. If it is assumed that the radial length of the thrust bearing piece 300 up to its outer peripheral surface 303 is (r), and the thickness of an upper annular plate portion 102 at its inner peripheral surface is (t), the upper casing 100 has on its upper surface 108 an annular flat surface 109 having a circular outer peripheral edge with R in a range of R=r±t. |
| US09188149B2 |
Tamper-proof locking fastener
Locking fastener consisting of a threaded fastener having a head of noncircular contour, a lock plate having an opening in which the head of the fastener is received and constrained from rotating, and a retaining screw threadedly attached to the head of the fastener to retain the lock plate in position on the head. In the disclosed embodiments, the retaining screw is a tamper-proof security screw that requires a special tool or key for installation and removal. The fastener is particularly suitable for use in securing covers to utility boxes, and an adapter is included for use on existing boxes. |
| US09188140B2 |
Bypass arrangement for valve actuator
A bypass arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes an actuator movable in a first direction and a second direction, a volume booster in fluid communication with the actuator, the volume booster having a supply passage, an exhaust passage, and a volume booster output bypass connection in fluid communication with the supply passage, and a bypass valve in fluid communication with the volume booster output bypass connection. |
| US09188139B2 |
Accumulator
In order to provide an accumulator equipped with an emergency safety mechanism that is capable of being activated at a lower pressure than when a rupture disk is disposed on part of the circumference of the peripheral surface of a stay, the accumulator has an emergency safety mechanism that immediately releases pressure inside a housing to an oil port side when the inside of the housing reaches a high temperature and high pressure in an emergency such as a fire. The emergency safety mechanism allows a fluid chamber and the oil port to communicate via a first pressure release flow passage, which is formed due to a seal holder provided with recesses and projections on part of the circumference being seated on a seating surface, and a second pressure release flow passage formed due to a rubber-like elastic body of the seal disappearing as a result of the high temperature. |
| US09188137B2 |
Blower housing
A blower housing has a discharge direction, an axis of rotation, a polar axis that intersects the axis of rotation and is substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction, an angular sweep of increasing fluid flow area, and an axial contraction located at an angularly greater value than the angular sweep. |
| US09188134B2 |
Flow machine for a fluid having a radial sealing gap and a stationary wear ring
A flow machine 10 for a fluid shown contains a radial sealing gap (9) which is formed between stator parts (4, 4a, 4b) and a closed impeller (3) of the flow machine, with at least one wear ring (5) arranged in a stationary manner being provided at the sealing gap and having an inner side facing the impeller, an outer side and two axially spaced apart side surfaces. A concentrically extending recess (6) in the form of a radial gap or of a radial incision is formed in the wear ring (5), with the recess 6, starting from one of the side surfaces, extending in the axial direction over more than a fifth of the axial length of the wear ring and with the wear ring (5) being produced from metal, hard metal or a ceramic material. |
| US09188126B2 |
Hermatic compressor having a fluid guide disposed in an intermediate chamber
A hermetic compressor is provided that may include a fluid guide disposed in an inner space of an intermediate chamber, so as to guide oil, discharged from a first compression chamber of a first compression device into the inner space of the intermediate chamber, to a second compression chamber of a second compression device without remaining in the inner space of the intermediate chamber, whereby noise generated due to an excessive amount of oil remaining in the inner space of the intermediate chamber may be reduced, and simultaneously a shortage of oil in the second compression device may be prevented. |
| US09188122B1 |
Valve and seat assembly for high pressure pumps and method of use
An assembly and method for engaging fluid pumps can include a seat assembly having a body with a central bore, a suction face, a discharge face, fluid openings in the body, a tapered portion with fluid exits, and valve seats. The assembly can include a suction valve with a guide and valve bore engaged within the central bore, a tapered surface, an outer spring stop, and a spring guide. When the assembly is in a closed position the tapered surface can be engaged with the valve seats, allowing fluid to flow through the valve bore and the central bore. When the assembly is in an opened position the fluid openings can receive and flow the fluid in a laminar flow to the fluid exits to push the suction valve away from the suction face and create a venturi effect with the fluid. |
| US09188115B2 |
Electric motor for a motor-driven compressor and said motor-driven compressor
An electric motor for a motor-driven compressor is provided. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator is fixed to a housing. The rotor is arranged outward of the stator. The rotor is mounted on a rotary shaft to rotate integrally with the rotary shaft. The stator includes slots and a stator coil wound about the slots. The rotor includes a rotary support and a magnet. The rotary support is fixed to the rotary shaft to rotate integrally with the rotary shaft. The magnet is supported by the rotary support. The arrangement of the magnetic poles of the magnet in the circumferential direction is a Halbach array. |
| US09188113B2 |
Actuation of valves using electroosmotic pump
A method of actuating a valve, comprises operatively coupling the valve with an electroosmotic pump; flowing a fluid through the electroosmotic pump; and generating a fluidic pressure of at least 0.75 PSI to actuate the valve, wherein the electroosmotic pump comprises one or more thin, porous, positive electroosmotic membranes and one or more thin porous, negative electroosmotic membranes; a plurality of electrodes comprising cathodes and anodes, and a power source; wherein each of the positive and negative electroosmotic membranes are disposed alternatively and wherein at least one of the cathodes is disposed on one side of one of the membranes and at least one of the anodes is disposed on the other side of the membrane and wherein at least one of the cathodes or anodes is disposed between a positive and a negative electroosmotic membrane. |
| US09188105B2 |
Strut driveshaft for ram air turbine
A driveshaft for an aircraft ram air turbine includes a substantially cylindrical elongate portion, a first end extending from the elongate portion, and a second end extending from the elongate portion opposite the first end. The first and second ends each include a substantially frusto-conical section having a curved generatrix, such that distal portions of each of the first and second ends have smaller outer diameters than an outer diameter of the elongate portion. The elongate portion provides relatively high lateral stiffness and the first and second ends provide relatively low torsional stiffness, such that the driveshaft has a lateral natural frequency higher than an operating range of the driveshaft and has a torsional natural frequency below the operating range of the driveshaft. |
| US09188104B2 |
System and method for controlling power output from a wind turbine or wind power plant
A LIDAR or other remote sensing apparatus is mounted on a wind turbine to sense one or more wind parameters. An extreme event detector processing signals from the LIDAR to determine whether a given sensed parameter will, when it arrives at the turbine, exceed a predetermined value and represent an extreme event. On detection of an extreme event, the detector outputs an extreme event signal to a controller. The controller controls overrating of the turbine in response to a variety of sensed parameters and selectively operates the turbine at above rated wind speed. On receipt of the extreme event signal the overrating is overridden to prevent damage to turbine components. The controller may be a power plant controller and the override signal may override only over-rating at the turbine which has detected the extreme event, or a plurality of turbines. |
| US09188103B2 |
Wind energy systems and methods of use
Systems and methods to generate power using wind and controlled air movement and related structures to more cost effectively produce energy and protect system components. |
| US09188100B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for hybrid system
The invention relates to a control apparatus for a hybrid system that output engine drive force and electric motor drive force, and selectively performs an engine operation mode in which at least the engine is operated, and an engine operation stop mode in which engine operation is stopped. In cases where release of vaporized fuel captured in a vaporized-fuel capturing/releasing device is required, when the engine is being operated, release of vaporized fuel is started if there is no abnormality in the vaporized-fuel capturing/releasing device, and operation of the engine is continued to release the vaporized fuel until condition for terminating release of the vaporized fuel is satisfied; and in cases where release of the vaporized fuel is required, when the engine is not being operated, operation of the engine is started and release of the vaporized fuel is started if there is no abnormality in the vaporized-fuel capturing/releasing device. |
| US09188093B2 |
Two-stage fuel injection valve
The present invention relates to a two-stage fuel injection valve. The two-stage fuel injection valve of the present invention is configured such that the pressure of main fuel delivered from an injection pump is applied to a plunger in a main fuel chamber, and subsequently delivered to an ancillary fuel pressure chamber via the plunger so as to compress ancillary fuel, such that a needle is retracted in a manner similar to those of slide valves by means of the pressure of the ancillary fuel so as to open an ancillary fuel nozzle hole and inject the ancillary fuel, and a main fuel nozzle hole is opened after the injection of the ancillary fuel so as to inject the main fuel, thereby conducting two-stage fuel injection. |
| US09188091B2 |
Flexible tubular molded body, such as bellows, and method for the manufacture thereof
The flexible tubular molded body (10) comprises an unprofiled or profiled straight or bent shaped and a circumferential wall (11) provided with a corrugated profile (12), which is formed from a strength support insert embedded in a thermoplastic material comprising cord surfaces running in the longitudinal direction of the molded body as pressure support elements and fixing threads running transversely to the threads and holding these in position. |
| US09188086B2 |
Coupled thermochemical reactors and engines, and associated systems and methods
Coupled thermal chemical reactors and engines, and associated systems and methods. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a reactor vessel having a reaction zone, a hydrogen donor source coupled in fluid communication with the reaction zone, and an engine having a combustion region. The system can further include a transfer passage coupled between the combustion region and the reaction zone to transfer a reactant and/or radiate energy to the reaction zone. The system can further include a product passage coupled between the reaction zone and the combustion region of the engine to deliver to the combustion region at least a portion of a constituent removed from the reaction zone. |
| US09188084B2 |
Fuel system having a cooled injector
A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system may have a gaseous fuel injector configured to inject gaseous fuel radially into a cylinder of the engine. The fuel system may also have a primary cooling line configured to circulate coolant through the engine. The fuel system may also have an auxiliary cooling line fluidly connecting the primary cooling line with the gaseous fuel injector. |
| US09188081B2 |
Thrust reverser actuator with primary lock
Actuator assembly includes a housing assembly, a ball screw, a ball nut, and a lock. The ball screw is rotationally mounted on and extends from the housing assembly, is coupled to receive an actuator drive torque, and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to rotate. The ball nut is rotationally supported on the ball screw and is configured, in response to rotation of the ball screw, to translate thereon between a stowed position and a deployed position. The lock is disposed at least partially within the housing assembly and is configured to move between a lock position and an unlock position. The lock prevents the ball nut from translating out of the stowed position when the lock is in the lock position and the ball nut is in the stowed position. |
| US09188076B2 |
Fuel injection control system
A fuel injection control system is provided. The fuel injection control system comprises a first injector and a second injector positioned upstream of the first injector; a memory section which contains a map for defining a correspondence between a running state of an engine and first and second fuel injection ratios; a fuel injection ratio setting section for setting the first fuel injection ratio as a first set value and the second fuel injection ratio as a second set value; and a fuel injection ratio compensation section for making compensation such that the first set value is greater than a value of the first fuel injection ratio derived from the map, when a condition in which the second fuel injection ratio read out from the map is greater in magnitude than a predetermined determination criterion is met. |
| US09188074B2 |
Fuel injector control system and component for piecewise injector signal generation
A system and component for generating a drive signal suitable to operate a fuel injector. The drive signal includes one or more injector pulses. Each injector pulse is characterized by a desired pulse profile. The system includes an injector driver and a controller. The injector driver is operable to apply a supply voltage to the fuel injector. The controller is configured to store a plurality of state definitions that determine an operation state of the injector driver when a selected definition of the plurality of state definitions is communicated to the injector driver. The controller is further configured to receive a sequence of state values that determine an order that the state definitions are communicated to the injector driver to generate piecewise an injector pulse exhibiting the pulse profile, and thereby generate the drive signal. |
| US09188070B2 |
Vehicle stop control system
A vehicle stop control system capable of finely and properly determining traveling of a vehicle in a traffic jam to permit or inhibit automatic stop according to the determination result to ensure the effect of fuel economy improvement by automatic stop and avoiding inconveniences caused by frequent execution of automatic stop and restart. The system sets a precondition vehicle speed satisfaction flag to 1 when a vehicle speed becomes not lower than a precondition speed after an internal combustion engine was automatically stopped to permit automatic stop. Further, time after the vehicle speed passed a jam determination speed and until the vehicle speed passes the same again is acquired as passing time. When the passing time is shorter than a predetermined time period, the system determines that the vehicle is traveling in a jam, and resets the flag to 0 to inhibit automatic stop. |
| US09188069B2 |
Gaseous fuel system, direct injection gas engine system, and method
The disclosure describes an engine system having liquid and gaseous fuel systems, each of which injects fuel directly into an engine cylinder. A controller controls pumping of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the gaseous fuel system. In a pump cycle, a pumping piston is moved in an intake direction over an intake stroke such that the pumping piston produces a negative pressure that draws LNG from a tank fluidly connected to the pumping element into a pumping chamber of a body of the pumping element. The pumping piston is moved in an opposing power direction over a power stroke such that the pumping piston pumps compressed LNG out of the pumping chamber away from the tank. The pumping piston is moved over the intake stroke with an average intake velocity and over the power stroke with an average power velocity, which is greater than the average intake velocity. |
| US09188064B2 |
Fuel injection system for turbojet engine and method of assembling such an injection system
A fuel injection system for a turbojet engine including a fixed part and a sliding lead-through, the fixed part and the sliding lead-through extending along a reference axis, the fixed part including a cavity that has a bottom and a closure cup, the sliding lead-through being provided with a sole plate contained inside the cavity. The injection system has increased resistance to wearing of the injector on which it is mounted. To achieve this it further includes a spring arranged in such a way as to apply to the sole plate a force capable of preventing the vibration-induced micro-movements of the sliding lead-through with respect to the fixed part in the absence of thermal expansion. |
| US09188058B2 |
Method for controlling a turbocharger arrangement with an electric actuator and spring
Various methods for controlling a wastegate with an electric actuator including a bias are provided. In one example, the actuator is supplied with a first current when moving a wastegate valve toward a fully open position, and is supplied with a second current when moving a wastegate toward a fully closed position. The methods may ensure appropriate supply of boost to an engine even in the event of wastegate degradation while enabling engine downsizing. |
| US09188057B2 |
Turbocharger system having an air-cooled wastegate actuator
A turbocharger system is provided herein. The turbocharger system includes a turbine positioned downstream of a combustion chamber, a turbine bypass conduit in fluidic communication with a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet, a wastegate positioned in the turbine bypass conduit, and an air-cooled wastegate actuator adjusting the position of the wastegate, the air-cooled wastegate actuator receiving cooling airflow from an intake conduit positioned upstream of a compressor mechanically coupled to the turbine. |
| US09188051B1 |
System and method of thermal management for an engine
An engine thermal management system for a vehicle having an exhaust gas system and an engine with an integrated exhaust manifold and a method for controlling the same are provided. The engine thermal management system may include a coolant pump, an engine water jacket, and a controller. The engine water jacket expels coolant from an IEM coolant outlet, which is directly cast into the integrated exhaust manifold. The coolant flowing through the engine water jacket and expelled from the IEM coolant outlet is in heat exchange relation with a heated exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas system, via an engine cylinder head and an exhaust gas septum, to thereby extract heat therefrom, resulting in a heated coolant, which is expelled from the IEM coolant outlet and selectively routed, by the controller, to one of a heater core, an engine oil heat exchanger, a transmission heat exchanger, and a radiator. |
| US09188048B2 |
Vehicle having an auxiliary exhaust pipe
A muffler for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine has a muffler body, an inlet pipe, a primary exhaust pipe and an auxiliary exhaust pipe. The inlet pipe has an inlet outside the muffler body and an outlet inside the muffler body. The primary exhaust pipe has an inlet inside the muffler body, a main outlet outside the muffler body, and at least one auxiliary outlet defined in a side of the primary exhaust pipe between the inlet and the main outlet of the primary exhaust pipe. The auxiliary exhaust pipe fluidly communicates the at least one auxiliary outlet with an exterior of the muffler. A vehicle having a primary exhaust pipe and an auxiliary exhaust pipe is also disclosed. |
| US09188047B2 |
Silencer arrangement
A silencer arrangement for exhaust systems of motor vehicles having internal combustion engines includes at least one rear exhaust silencer having at least one exhaust pipe for guiding the exhaust gas and at least one actuatable adjustment device. At least one adjustment body, which can be displaced between an exhaust closing position and an exhaust opening position, is associated with the at least one rear exhaust silencer. The silencer arrangement also includes an exhaust bypass device having at least one connection piece. It is arranged upstream of the at least one rear exhaust silencer for connecting to an exhaust manifold device. The bypass device includes at least one exhaust bypass pipe body which is fluidly connected to the at least one connection piece and has at least one exhaust bypass outlet for releasing the exhaust gas from the silencer arrangement. |
| US09188043B1 |
Techniques for thawing a reductant injector and reductant tank prior to an injection attempt
A method includes determining, at a controller having one or more processors, whether an ambient temperature is less than a predetermined temperature indicative of frozen reductant in an exhaust system of an engine. The method includes determining an injector thaw period for a reductant injector in the exhaust system when the ambient temperature is less than the predetermined temperature. The method includes determining a tank thaw period for a reductant tank associated with the exhaust system, the reductant tank being configured to supply reductant to the reductant injector. The method also includes controlling (i) a heater to heat the reductant tank for the tank thaw period and (ii) a current provided to the reductant injector for the injector thaw period, such that the tank thaw period and the injector thaw period end at a same time. |
| US09188039B2 |
Device for exhaust-gas treatment near an engine and motor vehicle having the device
A device for exhaust-gas treatment near an engine includes an annular structure and a guide structure disposed in an exhaust line. An inner wall forms an inner flow passage and an outer flow passage in the annular structure. The inner wall and the guide structure form a gap in such a way that only a limited secondary flow of the exhaust gas is conducted through the inner flow passage. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided. |
| US09188038B2 |
Pumping device
A pumping device having an identifying function is provided to allow cost reduction. A return channel and a delivery channel of a pump are connected to a suction tube equipped with a flowmeter, a return tube is connected to the return channel, a solenoid valve is disposed between the suction tube and the delivery channel, and a control unit identifying a fluid by a flow velocity difference of the flowmeter is disposed. The solenoid valve closes the delivery channel when a fluid flows in, the flowmeter measures a flow rate of a fluid sucked through the suction tube, and the fluid is returned to the return tube via the return channel. The control unit opens the solenoid valve to supply the fluid also to the delivery channel when it is identified that a fluid is an intended fluid. |
| US09188032B2 |
Blowby gas handling assembly for internal combustion engine
An engine includes: a first part that is provided in a first passage that interconnects an inside of a crankcase and a part of an intake passage at a downstream side of an adjustment part adjusting an intake air amount and changes gas flow in the first passage; and a second part that is provided in a second passage that interconnects the inside of the crankcase and a part of the intake passage located at an upstream side of the adjustment part and changes gas flow in the second passage. If an engine temperature is higher than a given value, and the degree of fuel decreasing correction exceeds a given value, the first part decreases the gas flow rate through the first passage and the second part restricts a flow direction in the second passage to a direction in which gas flows to the crankcase from the intake passage. |
| US09188025B2 |
Apparatus for facilitating access to a nacelle interior
A nacelle for housing an engine includes a fan cowl sized to cover at least a first axial portion of the engine. The engine includes an inlet end, an exhaust end, and an axis extending through the engine from the inlet end through the exhaust end. The fan cowl is coupled to an engine mounting pylon via a mounting assembly including at least one power drive system. The fan cowl is movable with respect to the engine along the axis toward at least one of the inlet end and the exhaust end. |
| US09188024B2 |
Exhaust section for bypass gas turbine engines
A turbine exhaust section comprises a turbine exhaust case having radially outer and inner ducts defining therebetween an annular exhaust portion for the hot exhaust gases, and an exhaust mixer projecting axially rearwardly from the turbine exhaust case for mixing the hot exhaust gases with a cooler bypass duct flow. The upstream end of the exhaust mixer surrounds a downstream end of the outer duct and defines therewith an axially extending overlap joint with a radial play between the outer duct and the exhaust mixer. A sliding attachment in the radial direction is provided between the outer duct and the exhaust mixer for accommodating differences in thermal growth during engine operation. The sliding attachment includes a circumferential array of sliding guides extending radially through the axially extending overlap joint. A resilient sealing ring seals the radial play between the outer duct and the exhaust mixer at the overlap joint. |
| US09188022B2 |
Electrical power transfer system for propeller system
A propeller system for an aircraft includes a propeller assembly rotatable about a central axis and a reduction gearbox operably connected to the propeller assembly via a propeller shaft. An electrical power transfer system is positioned such that the gearbox is located axially between the electrical power transfer system and the propeller assembly. The electrical power transfer system includes a slip ring assembly operably connected to an oil transfer tube extending to the propeller assembly and a brush block interactive with the slip ring assembly to transfer electrical power to a plurality of lead wires extending from the slip ring assembly to the propeller assembly. The brush block is positioned such that brush block tips of the brush block extend toward the slip ring assembly in a substantially axial direction relative to the central axis. |
| US09188020B2 |
Variable turbine geometry
A variable turbine geometry may have guide blades rotatably mounted in a blade bearing ring. An adjusting ring may be arranged on the bearing ring and an actuator may be configured to adjust the adjusting ring via a link lever. An adjustable eccentric may be arranged on the link lever and guided in a groove arranged on the blade bearing ring. The eccentric may be configured to stop on at least one end of the groove to limit at least one minimal flow through the variable turbine geometry. |
| US09188016B2 |
Multi-orifice plate for cooling flow control in vane cooling passage
An impingement plate for a turbine vane with an integrated cooling flow metering device is disclosed. The impingement plate—which covers the outer end of the vane and allows some cooling air to pass through to the vane's top surface—is re-designed to incorporate an orifice plate for metering the amount of cooling air flow which enters a cooling passage in the vane. The multi-hole orifice pattern in the metering device is designed to optimize the downstream airflow pattern, thus improving heat transfer from the vane to the cooling air. The reduced cooling air flow through the vane results in increased turbine engine efficiency, and the re-designed impingement plate can be used with the existing vane design. |
| US09188014B2 |
Vibration damper comprising a strip and jackets between outer platforms of adjacent composite-material blades of a turbine engine rotor wheel
A vibration damper between outer platforms of adjacent composite-material blades of a rotor wheel of a turbine engine, the damper including a strip for inserting lengthwise in tangential cavities that are formed facing each other in the outer platforms of two adjacent composite-material blades of a turbine engine rotor wheel. |
| US09188011B2 |
Blade for a gas turbine, method for manufacturing a turbine blade, and gas turbine with a blade
A blade (30′) for a gas turbine has an airfoil (31) and a blade root (32) for mounting the blade (30) on a rotor shaft of the gas turbine. The airfoil (31) is provided with cooling channels (33, 35) in the interior thereof, which cooling channels (33, 35) preferably extend along the longitudinal direction and can be supplied with cooling air (45) through cooling air supply passages (40-43) within the blade root (32). The blade root (32) includes a blade channel (40) running transversely through the blade root (32) and is connected to the cooling channels (33, 35), and an insert (41) is inserted into the blade channel (40) for determining the final configuration and characteristics of the connections between the blade channel (40) and the cooling channels (33, 35). |
| US09188003B2 |
Variable valve universal bracket design
A universal multi-orientation bracket design for attaching solenoids to a housing of a hydraulically actuated variable valve system. The bracket having at least two sidewalls, an upper cross member, a cupped lower surface and at least one mounting flange. The cupped lower surface is shaped to insert a solenoid main body and gaps included in the side walls for a protruding solenoid connector. |
| US09187997B2 |
System, method and apparatus for reducing shock and vibration in down hole tools
A snubber for reducing shock and vibration in down hole tools includes a housing having an axis and a chamber. A piston is mounted in the chamber for axial movement therein. The piston includes a shaft extending therefrom to an exterior of the housing. An axial spring element is mounted between the piston and the housing. Both the piston and the chamber include non-cylindrical portions. |
| US09187993B2 |
Methods of employing and using a hybrid transponder system for long-range sensing and 3D localizaton
Methods of employing and using a hybrid transponder system to determine the size, extent, and orientation of a hydraulic fracture of a reservoir, are provided. An exemplary method can include the steps of inserting a plurality of transponders into a fluid, injecting the fluid carrying the transponders through casing perforations and at least one fracture aperture in a wellbore and into a hydraulic fracture, actuating each of the transponders by a reader to provide an acoustic return signal to the reader, determining a three-dimensional position of each of the transponders, mapping the location of the each of the transponders, and determining characteristics of the hydraulic fracture responsive to the three-dimensional position of each of the plurality of transponders. The method can be implemented utilizing a reader including an RF transmitter and one or more acoustic receivers along with typically a substantial plurality of transponders each containing an RF receiver and an acoustic transmitter. |
| US09187991B2 |
Downhole fluid flow control system having pressure sensitive autonomous operation
A downhole fluid flow control system is operable to be positioned in a wellbore in a fluid flow path between a formation and an internal passageway of a tubular. The system includes a flow control component positioned in the fluid flow path that is operable to control fluid flow therethrough. The system also includes a pressure sensitive valve positioned in the fluid flow path in parallel with the flow control component. The valve autonomously shifts from a first position to a second position responsive to a change in a pressure signal received by the valve, thereby enabling fluid flow therethrough. |
| US09187989B2 |
Packer apparatus
A packer apparatus usable in a well casing to provide an annular seal in the well casing. The packer apparatus includes an activation member mounted to the body wherein the activation member is moveable relative to the body to deform an elastomeric packer element outwardly relative to the body to form an annular seal in the well casing. A plurality of pistons is arranged to move the activation member relative to the body, each piston being disposed in a respective pressure chamber arranged to be filled with fluid in response to an increase in fluid pressure in the body. |
| US09187988B2 |
Compliant cone system
The present invention generally relates to a cone system having a cone segment capable of deflecting in response to a restriction or obstruction encountered while expanding a tubular. In one aspect, an expansion cone system is provided. The expansion cone system includes a mandrel and two or more pockets disposed circumferentially around the mandrel. Each pocket is at least partially defined by a fin member. The expansion cone system further includes a cone segment coupled to each pocket. Additionally, the expansion cone system includes a biasing member disposed between the mandrel and the respective cone segment. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided. |
| US09187983B2 |
Downhole electrical energy conversion and generation
A procedure and device for electric energy generation from electrochemical use of substances for powering downhole devices and a procedure and device for electric energy generation from nuclear decay for powering downhole devices. The types of devices being powered are untethered or otherwise cannot benefit from direct power transmission from the surface. |
| US09187980B2 |
System and method of providing high pressure fluid injection with metering using low pressure supply lines
An apparatus that includes a chemical-injection management system of a sub-sea oil and gas extraction system. The chemical-injection management system may include a flow path having an inlet and an outlet. The chemical-injection management system may also include a pump disposed in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet; wherein the pump is configured to increase the pressure of a fluid flow through the flow path. |
| US09187978B2 |
Expandable ball seat for hydraulically actuating tools
A downhole tool has a housing, a mandrel, a seat, and a piston. The housing defines a first bore, and the mandrel is movably disposed in the first bore and defines a second bore. The mandrel has first and second mandrel sections or upper and lower cones, and the first mandrel section defines a cross-port communicating the second bore with an annular space between the mandrel and the housing. The seat is disposed in the first bore of the housing between the first and second mandrel sections. The seat is movable to a constricted state in the first bore to catch a dropped ball and is movable to an expanded state in the first bore to pass a dropped ball. The piston is disposed in the annular space and at least temporality supports the seat in its constricted state. |
| US09187976B2 |
Apparatus and methods for releasing drilling rig and blowout preventer (BOP) prior to cement bonding
Apparatus and methods for managing cementing operations are provided. An example method includes connecting a cementing adapter atop a casing head itself positioned atop a surface casing landed within a conductor pipe, connecting a drilling adapter atop the cementing adapter, connecting a blowout preventer to the drilling adapter, and drilling for and running production casing. The method also includes positioning a casing hanger at least partially within a bore of the cementing adapter to be immobilized therein to retain back pressure of cement within an annulus located between the production casing and the surface casing, cementing the production casing within the surface casing, and removing the drilling adapter and blowout preventer after running the cement, but typically prior to cement bonding. |
| US09187971B2 |
Oilfield downhole wellbore section mill
A section mill features extendable cutting blades and centering blades that are pressure actuated for sequential extension of the centering blades before the cutting blades. Applied pressure results in flow through a flow restriction that creates a force on return springs associated with the centering and the cutting blades. The springs allow extension of the centering blades before the cutting blades. Another spring returns a mandrel to the run in position on cessation of flow. The blades are extended or retracted with a rack and pinion drive system. |
| US09187969B2 |
Safety device for retrieving component within wellhead
A system is provided that include a safety device configured to mount in a mineral extraction system and block axial movement of a plug in the mineral extraction system while the plug is released from a retainer. The safety device may be a sleeve configured to receive screws or other retention mechanism in a tubular. A method is provided that includes installing a plug safety catch into a tubular of a mineral extraction system in which the plug is configured to block axial movement of a plug in response to a pressure differential while the plug is released from a mount position. |
| US09187966B2 |
Drilling a well with predicting sagged fluid composition and mud weight
Methods of drilling or treating a well including the steps of: designing a fluid with high-gravity solids (e.g., barite); calculating the sagged fluid mud weight after allowing for sag according to formulas; forming a fluid according to the sagged fluid mud weight; and introducing the fluid into the well. The methods can be used to help control the well or to avoid excessive drilling torque or pressure, kick, or lost circulation due to sag of high-gravity solids such as barite. |
| US09187963B2 |
Low profile clamp for a wellbore tubular
A clamp system for use with a wellbore tubular comprises a wellbore tubular having a circumferential groove and a clamp, and the circumferential groove is configured to retain the clamp within the circumferential groove. The clamp system can be used to secure a control line to a wellbore tubular, which can comprise retaining the control line to an outside of a wellbore tubular that comprises the circumferential groove and resisting a force applied to the control line by transferring the force to the circumferential groove. |
| US09187960B2 |
Expandable reamer tools
Expandable reamer tools include an outer body, a fluid passageway extending through the outer body, and at least one blade configured to slide relative to the outer body between a retracted position and an expanded position. In some embodiments, the tools may include a formation-engaging surface comprising a gage area. In other embodiments, the tools may include a radially recessed area extending from a back edge of the formation-engaging surface. Methods for removing such expandable reamer tools from a borehole are also disclosed. |
| US09187958B2 |
Reamer with improved performance characteristics in hard and abrasive formations
A reamer is designed to enhance operation of a bottom hole assembly in which it is included. One or more capabilities and/or characteristics of the cutters carried by the reamer blocks of the reamer may be varied even in the same profile portion to enhance the functionality and/or durability of the reamer. |
| US09187955B2 |
Locking clutch for downhole motor
A locking clutch to selectively transmit torque from a stator of a downhole tool to a rotor of the downhole tool includes at least one locking pawl disposed upon the rotor, wherein the at least one locking pawl comprises a load path, at least one pivot axis, and a mass center, wherein the at least one locking pawl is biased into an engaged position by a biasing mechanism, wherein the at least one locking pawl transmits force from the stator to the rotor along the load path when in the engaged position, and wherein centrifugal force urges the at least one locking pawl into a disengaged position when the rotor is rotated above a disengagement speed. |
| US09187954B1 |
Angle configuring stabilizing assembly for extension ladders
A ladder stabilizing assembly for extension ladders has two length adjustable legs attached to opposing sides of the ladder at substantially the midpoint of the working distance of the ladder and two length adjustable braces attached to opposing sides of the ladder near the bottom and are securely attached to the legs. Rods through the hollow rungs attach the legs and braces to the ladder. Heim joints at one end of each leg and brace attach securely to the rods and enable the legs and braces to pivot and swivel for optimum stability placement. The ladder and stabilizer function as a single unit with a wide four point base. The legs and braces are calibrated to assist in setting the ladder at the standard angle for safe use. The stabilizing assembly prevents the ladder from sliding, tipping or other movement and enables the user to work wearing a safety harness. |
| US09187941B2 |
Roller assembly for sliding door
A roller assembly for use with a sliding door, the roller assembly comprising upper and lower housings, a roller mounted in the upper housing, a shaft extending between the upper and lower housings with a spring extending about the shaft, and a screw-threaded member for securing the lower housing to the shaft at a desired location. The arrangement permits self adjustment of the door within a channel. |
| US09187930B2 |
Arresting and interlocking unit for a partition wall system, as well as a partition wall system
An adjusting and interlocking unit for displaceable and pivotable doors and/or walls, which are guided to be movable at and/or in a roller rail via rollers, includes an upper part, attachable to the roller rail, a central part attachable to a movable carriage profile of a door respectively of a wall, and a lower part attachable to the door, respectively to the wall. A locking element allows for releasing or interlocking the doors and/or wall. |
| US09187929B2 |
Electronic cabinet/drawer lock system
An electronic wireless locking system comprising an external assembly and an internal assembly disposable on respective sides of a door or drawer. The external assembly includes a cover housing, a knob having a shaft, a card/credential reader, a status indicator, a wireless communication capability, a wire harness and a jump port plug. The internal assembly comprises a rotation link matable with the external shaft, a latch bolt, a circuit board and controller, and a locking mechanism including a rack and pinion gear set linking the rotation link with the latch bolt. A blocker inhibits the latch bolt from unlocking until authorized to rotate 90°, permitting the latch bolt to be withdrawn from a strike plate by manual rotation of the knob. An optional mechanical key override feature may also be provided. The system may further include a preload sensor and a device locked sensor. |
| US09187928B2 |
Door lock indicator
A door lock indicator and method for use by occupants in an interior space to confirm if a lock of a door handle of a door is in a locked or an unlocked position. An inside handle of the door handle must always be free to open the door for immediate exit. When a locking mechanism is in a first position, the locking mechanism aligns with an indicator mechanism to provide an indication that the door handle is in the unlocked position. When the locking mechanism is in a second position, the locking mechanism does not align with the indicator mechanism to provide an indication that the door handle is the locked position. |
| US09187926B2 |
Partition assembly
A screening for separating a protected area has a plurality of vertical supports with removable panels between the supports. Upper attachment members on the supports have a vertical channel for slideably receiving a complementary attachment member on the panel. A hook on one attachment member engages a catch on the other to retain the attachment members together. The lower end of the panel is retained between parallel flanges on the vertical supports. A tool is provided to release the hook for removal of the panel from the vertical supports. |
| US09187924B1 |
Hoop house anchoring system and kit
An anchoring system for a hoop house includes a horizontal member. The horizontal member includes an anchor connector and a hoop connector. An anchor can be removably affixed to the anchor connector of the horizontal member. Moreover, an end of a hoop can be connected to the hoop connector. The anchor can include an attachment member that defines a non-vertical passage, where a post member can be inserted into the non-vertical passage and driven into the ground at an angle. |
| US09187917B2 |
Wire binding machine
A machine (4) for tying a length of wire (46) around one or more objects (2) comprising a wire feed mechanism adapted to feed wire (46) from a spool during a first phase; and to withdraw the wire (46) during a second phase, said wire feed mechanism comprising a gripping mechanism (102, 103) including a pair of rollers urged together to grip the wire (46) therebetween and drive it in the appropriate direction, said gripping mechanism (102, 103) being configured such that during said second phase, increasing tension in the wire (46) automatically increases the gripping force on the wire (46). |
| US09187916B2 |
Boom system, engineering machinery, and a method for acquiring boom system distal end position parameter
The present invention provides a boom system, comprising a plurality of joint arms sequentially hinged through a horizontal hinge shaft, and further comprising: mounting two length sensors on each joint arm, wherein one length sensor measures the length of a corresponding joint arm after deformation, and the other length sensor measures the length between it and the distal end of the corresponding joint arm, and there is a preset distance between the two length sensors; mounting a dip angle sensor on each joint arm, and obtaining the angle between the connection line between the two length sensors and a reference plane; a processor which obtains boom system distal end position parameters according to the detection results of the dip angle sensor and the length sensors. The boom system according to the present invention, for a single joint arm, uses a single dip angle sensor and double draw line coders to obtain the distal end position parameters of the joint arm, and can more accurately obtain the boom system distal end position parameters. The present invention also provides an engineering machinery and a boom system distal end position parameter obtaining method. |
| US09187915B2 |
Method for constructing building made of dried soil and temporary frame used in same
The technical features of the present invention are for a method for quickly and easily constructing a building made of soil such as a house or a retaining wall by means of a process of installing a temporary mold in a frame member made of a mesh, compacting pugging clay into the temporary mold in a bottom-up method by a mechanical extruder, and immediately removing the temporary mold and drying the pugging clay. |
| US09187914B2 |
Advanced standing seam roof panel bracket
A roofing bracket is configured to securely and removeably attach to a standing seam of a roofing panel. The roofing bracket has a first section and a plurality of second sections, each section having a base that defines a top and bottom face. A pressure clamping device extends between the first section and each of the plurality of second sections. A plank support system is selectively mountable onto the first section and configured to receive and retain a plank therein. The plank support system defines a plank support face and an angle lift mechanism configured to place a plank in a substantially horizontal position. A clamping adjustment mechanism is mounted onto each of the plurality of second sections and is configured to apply a torque to the first section and each of the second sections. |
| US09187904B2 |
Protective enclosure for a wellhead
A protective enclosure for protecting well head equipment at a surface location is made up of an open framework of structural members which surround and protect the well head. Individual steel panels are assembled to form a series of upstanding walls which are covered by a series of roof panels and which together define the quasi-enclosed area surrounding the well head. The roof panels are covered with a steel grating which forms a covered roof for the protective enclosure. The tubing which makes up the steel panels is spaced to allow access to the enclosed area by a worker needing to access the well head. Upright legs of the steel panels are joined together by hinged brackets. The panels can also be secured to the surrounding terrain by a cemented retainer arrangement. |
| US09187902B2 |
Nonwoven cementitious composite for in-situ hydration
One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a cementitious composite material for in-situ hydration that includes a mesh layer, a cementitious material, a sealing layer, and a containment layer. The mesh layer includes a plurality of fibers arranged in a nonwoven configuration and forms a mat having a first side and an opposing second side. The cementitious material is disposed within the mesh layer and includes a plurality of cementitious particles. The sealing layer is disposed along the first side of the mesh layer and is coupled to the plurality of fibers. The containment layer is disposed along the opposing second side of the mesh layer and is configured to prevent the plurality of cementitious particles from migrating out of the mesh layer. |
| US09187898B1 |
Perimeter trim clip for suspended ceilings
A perimeter trim attachment clip formed as a single piece sheet metal stamping, the clip having a base, top and bottom rearwardly extending trim engaging grips on the base, the grips having a free edge distal from the base adapted to engage respective top and bottom hems of a perimeter trim channel, a standoff projecting rearwardly of the base beyond the grip edges, the standoff being adapted to abut the side of a grid runner extending parallel along the periphery of a free edge of a ceiling, a squaring tab connected to the base and configured to extend over the parallel extending grid runner and be attached to a reinforcing bulb of a grid runner intersecting the parallel grid runner. |
| US09187896B1 |
Assembly for supporting ceiling panels and ceiling system incorporating the same
A mounting bracket assembly for a ceiling panel, and a ceiling panel apparatus and ceiling system incorporating the same. The mounting bracket assembly may be coupled to the ceiling panel and comprise a mounting bracket and a torsion spring mounted to a hook member of the mounting bracket. A multi-purpose fastener is included that is alterable between: (A) a locked state in which the multi-purpose fastener: (i) extends through a multi-purpose aperture of the mounting bracket and fastens the mounting bracket to the ceiling panel; and (ii) prohibits the torsion spring from being removed from the hook member; and (B) an unlocked state in which the multi-purpose fastener does not obstruct the torsion spring from being removed from the mounting bracket. |
| US09187895B2 |
Self-locking block and complementary pieces for the raising of pillars and free-standing walls
The disclosure concerns to rooms or buildings constructed by raising walls using prefabricated blocks made of Portland cement mortar reinforced with steel fibers. The prefabricated blocks are stable without requiring a mortar mixture, or any additional internal or external structural support for the construction of the walls. |
| US09187893B2 |
Method and apparatus for under mounted skirt for a mobile home
A top rail secures skirting to a mobile home and comprises a panel back support portion and a top front rail connector portion spaced from one another by an under mount portion. The under mount portion extends between the top front rail connector portion and the panel back support portion. The top front rail connector portion and panel back support portion are generally parallel. The under mount portion extends transversely to the top front rail connector portion and the panel back support portion. The under mount portion is generally flat and allows mounting of the top rail to the underside of a mobile home. The top rail also includes a top front rail that is connectable with the top front rail connector portion. The top front rail and top front rail connector portion have interlocking geometry. The top front rail and top front rail connector portion are connectable. |
| US09187891B2 |
System and apparatus for evacuation of contaminated fluids from flexible hulled vessels
A system for collection, containment, and disposal of contaminated fluids includes a flexible hulled containment vessel having at least one resilient deformable wall and a flow directing apparatus with a body that extends into the containment vessel during use, and an exterior portal that extends from the containment vessel in use. The flow directing apparatus provides fluid communication from an interior of the containment vessel while resisting collapse of the deformable wall during removal of contaminated fluid therefrom. A body of the flow directing apparatus includes side wall apertures spaced along a length thereof, sized to accommodate solids expected to be in the contaminated fluids. Bridge structures help resist collapse. A diameter of the body may be larger than a diameter of the exterior portal, which may further resist collapse. The containment vessel may be foldable for transport or storage. |
| US09187890B2 |
Separator and separation method
A problem is to solve problems on removal of solids by a screen and on an installation space and pipe connection in a separator. A solution to the problem is as follows. A separator 1, which is a device for separating solids contained in influent liquid, has a separation tank 2; a partition plate 5 partitioning an inside space of the separation tank 2 into an inflow chamber 3 and an outflow chamber 4; a screen 8 provided at the partition plate 5; a liquid inlet 6 formed at the inflow chamber 3; and a discharge outlet 7 formed at the outflow chamber 4; the inflow chamber 3 is provided with a guide unit 9, 10, 10a for forming a vertical swirling flow in the inflow chamber 3 by reversing the influent liquid from the liquid inlet 6; the screen 8 is disposed along a side face of the swirling flow thus formed. This configuration permits the solids to be removed, without clogging the screen with the solids. |
| US09187889B2 |
Tank with a tilting bucket
The invention relates to a tank (100) provided with at least one effluent-filling opening and at least two effluent-emptying openings, a bucket capable of tilting between a filling position, in which it can be filled with an incoming effluent through said at least one filling opening, and a discharge position, in which it can discharge the contents thereof through one or more of said emptying openings. According to the invention, the tank (100) includes means for modifying the position of the bucket (200, 200′) so as to change the direction thereof or to enable the replacement thereof with another bucket of a different type.It is thus possible to modify the effluent outlet direction by a simple change in the bucket position. It is also possible to replace a bucket with a bucket of a different type.In this way greater versatility of the adaptation to the connection of the tank on the installation site is afforded. |
| US09187888B2 |
Drain, in particular shower drain
A drain for a wet room, in particular for a shower, includes a drain housing at which an outlet for connecting a drain pipe. In order for a drain of this type to offer a higher drainage capacity in the case of a given drain pipe of standard diameter, the drain housing has a pump for conveying water towards the outlet. The pump is provided with a hydraulic drive. The wet room, in particular a shower, includes a water supply line and a drain of the above-mentioned type. |
| US09187885B2 |
Plumbing fixture and system
A plumbing system includes a tub having a drain fixture lodged within a floor drain opening. The drain fixture comprises a body member beneath the floor and a drain cap member inserted into an exposed open inlet of the body member. The body member has a passageway extending between the open inlet and a downstream open outlet in communication with a sewer. A pipe connected to the body member between the inlet and outlet has one end in communication with the passageway and another end in communication with an overflow opening in the tub above the drain opening to vent the passageway. The drain cap member moves between a first position allowing liquid to flow through the passageway and a second position preventing the flow of liquid through the passageway. |
| US09187883B2 |
Fitting main body for a sanitary fitting
Proposed is a fitting main body in which are arranged receptacles for the connections of the sanitary fitting to the water line, receptacles for a thermostat valve and a flow-rate regulating valve, and all water channels. The water channels are formed at least in part as flat ducts open towards one side of the fitting main body, wherein the longitudinal direction of the cross section through the flat ducts runs perpendicular to the side of the fitting main body. The ducts are closed off by a cover which is connected to the fitting main body. As a result, that part of the sanitary fitting which comprises all of the water channels is composed of the fitting main body and a cover. |
| US09187879B2 |
Method for controlling operation of dump for construction machinery
A method for controlling dump driving for a construction machine is disclosed, which can improve operability through simultaneous operation of boom-up and swing according to an operation of a swing joystick during a dumping work. |
| US09187876B2 |
Detection system, joint system provided with such a detection system and automotive vehicle equipped with such a joint system
This detection system (40) comprises a detection assembly (50) for detecting a rotation parameter of one of the two parts with respect to the other, electrical connecting means (150, 160) adapted to connect the detection assembly (50) to a control unit. The electrical connecting means comprise at least one electric cable (150) extending outside the detection assembly (50) and outside a pin, between the detection assembly and the control unit. The detection system (40) also comprises a bracket (200) adapted to connect the detection assembly (50) to the second part when the detection assembly is mounted within a housing of the pin (30). The electric cable has a first portion (154) which extends parallel to the central axis (X90) of the pin when the detection assembly (50) is mounted on the pin. The detection system (40) also includes means (212) to arrange a second portion (156) of the electric cable (150) and/or a connector (160) provided at the end of this second portion along a first arm (202) of the bracket, on a first side (2022) of the arm oriented towards the detection assembly (50). |
| US09187874B1 |
Receiver plate-coupler plate assembly
A receiver plate-coupler plate assembly for attaching an implement to a machine. The assembly includes a receiver plate member comprising a vertical plate section with at least three perimeter walls extending in a common direction to form a downward facing cavity there between. The vertical plate member attaches to a tool on a plate section surface opposite the perimeter walls. A coupler plate member comprises a vertical plate section positioned against the receiver plate member within the downwardly facing cavity thereof. At least one locking assembly on the coupler plate member reversibly engages the receiver plate member to maintain the coupler plate member within the downward facing cavity thereof. At least one connector assembly secured to the coupler plate member opposite the receiver plate member connects the receiver plate-coupler plate assembly to a machine. |
| US09187872B1 |
Shuvalot
A push shovel assembly facilitates pushing snow in a desired direction by permitting limited pivoting of a shovel blade in a selectable direction left or right during use. The assembly includes a blade and a pair of arms. Each arm has a lower end pivotally coupled to the blade. Each of a pair of wheels is rotatably coupled to an associated one of the arms. A brace is pivotally coupled to and extends between the arms. Each of a pair of stop pins is coupled to the brace proximate an associated one of the arms wherein pivoting of the brace relative to the arms is restricted by each stop pin when each stop pin abuts the associated arm. |
| US09187862B2 |
Bagasse fractionation for cellulosic ethanol and chemical production
A process is defined for the continuous steam pretreatment and fractionation of bagasse to produce a concentrated cellulose solid stream that is sensitive to enzymatic hydrolysis. Valuable chemicals are recovered by fractionating the liquid and vapor stream composed of hydrolysis and degradation products of the hemicellulose. Cellulosic derived glucose is produced for fermentation to biofuels. A hemicellulose concentrate is recovered that can be converted to value added products including ethanol. |
| US09187860B2 |
Lint filter apparatus
A lint filter apparatus is provided. The lint filter apparatus includes a chute with an intake passage and an output passage. The intake passage may be connected with an input duct of a dryer and the output passage may be connected with an exhaust duct. A filter system may be connected to the chute. The filter system may include a filter receiver that extends through an internal portion of the chute. A filter may be removably insertable into the filter receiver, thereby covering the internal portion of the chute. |
| US09187857B2 |
Laundry machine
A laundry machine is disclosed. A laundry machine includes a tub (120) to hold water therein, a drum (320) provided in the tub (120), a shaft (351) connected to the drum (320), passing the tub (120), a bearing housing (400) secured to the tub (120), the bearing housing (400) supporting the shaft (351) and a motor (M) rotating the shaft (351), and a water seal (10) provided between the tub (120) and the bearing housing (400) to maintain gas tight of the bearing housing (400) and of the shaft (351). As a result the laundry machine may improve capacity of the tub (120) and maintain gas tight of the tub (120) efficiently. |
| US09187850B1 |
Pom-pom
A pom-pom has a plurality of flexible sheets with each sheet including fingers on opposite edges, two side-by-side strips between the fingers, a plurality of spaced links joining the strips and openings or slits between the links. A tie tightly surrounds the links to form the pom-pom. |
| US09187843B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing semiconductor crystal, and semiconductor crystal
A method of producing a semiconductor crystal is provided. The method includes the steps of preparing a longitudinal container with a seed crystal and an impurity-containing melt placed in a bottom section and with a suspension part arranged in an upper section and suspending a dropping raw material block made of a semiconductor material having an impurity concentration lower than the impurity concentration of the impurity-containing melt, and creating a temperature gradient in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal container to melt the dropping raw material block, and solidifying the impurity-containing melt from the side that is in contact with the seed crystal (8) while dropping a produced melt into the impurity-containing melt, thereby producing a semiconductor crystal. |
| US09187841B2 |
Method of forming skid-proof leather-texture surface on metallic substrate
A method of forming a skid-proof leather-texture surface on a metallic substrate, including the following steps of: providing a metallic substrate; roughening the surface of the metallic substrate by performing sand-blasting; performing a first pretreatment to clean the surface of the metallic substrate; etching the surface of the metallic substrate through an etchant while using a etch-moderating agent to moderate the condition of etching performing a second pretreatment, such as pickling or chemical polishing, on the surface of the metallic substrate; performing an anodic treatment on the surface of the metallic substrate to form an oxidized film having micro-porous structure thereon; activating the surface of the metallic substrate after the anodic treatment; dyeing the surface of the metallic substrate; sealing the micro-porous structure formed on the surface of the metallic substrate; and ash-removing to clean the metallic substrate. |
| US09187835B2 |
Electrochemical systems and methods using metal and ligand
There are provided methods and systems for an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode where the anode is contacted with a metal ion that converts the metal ion from a lower oxidation state to a higher oxidation state. The metal ion in the higher oxidation state is reacted with hydrogen gas, an unsaturated hydrocarbon, and/or a saturated hydrocarbon to form products. |
| US09187832B2 |
Extended lifetime ion source
An ion source includes an ion source chamber, a cathode disposed within the ion source chamber and configured to emit electrons to generate an arc plasma, and a repeller configured to repell electrons back into the arc plasma. The ion source chamber and cathode may comprise a refractory metal. The ion source chamber further includes a gas source configured to provide a halogen species to the ion source chamber. The reactive insert is interoperative with the halogen species to yield a first etch rate of the refractory metal material within the ion source chamber under a first set of operating conditions that is less than a second etch rate of the refractory metal material within the ion source chamber under the first set of operating conditions when the reactive insert is not disposed within the ion source chamber. |
| US09187831B2 |
Method for coating sliding surface of high-temperature member, high-temperature member and electrode for electro-discharge surface treatment
A sliding surface of a high-temperature portion is subjected to an electro-discharge surface treatment with one or both of a high-temperature hard material (4) and a material having a lubricating property at a high temperature (6). The high-temperature hard material (4) is any or a mixture of cBN, TiC, TiN, TiAlN, TiB2, WC, Cr3C2, SiC, ZrC, VC, B4C, Si3N4, ZrO2, and Al2O3. The material having the lubricating property at the high temperature (6) contains chromium and/or chromium oxide (Cr2O3) and/or hexaboron nitride (hBN). An electrode formed by compression molding of the high-temperature hard material, and the high-temperature lubricating material containing at least one of Cr and hBN and having the lubricating property at the high temperature is used as the electrode for the electro-discharge surface treatment. |
| US09187828B2 |
Coated filaments and their manufacture
A coating is formed by chemical vapor deposition an electrically heated filament which is passed through an end plate into a deposition chamber and leaves the deposition chamber through a similar end plate. The filament slides through an entrance passage into the deposition chamber. The entrance passage is formed from misaligned portions which press the filament into direct electrical contact with their walls. A tube communicates with a chamber between the ends of the passage and acts as a sealing means to prevent gas escaping from the deposition chamber through the entrance passage. The end plate operates in exactly the same manner. As no mercury or a low-melting point eutectic alloy is used, no contaminants associated therewith are produced and the resultant coated filament is free of such contaminants. |
| US09187827B2 |
Substrate support with ceramic insulation
Embodiments of the present invention generally relates to substrate supports for use in a plasma processing chamber. The substrate supports, which are metallic, have ceramic inserts to prevent arcing between the substrate support and the shadow frame used to protect the edges of the substrate support during processing. In large area substrate processing chambers, the shadow frame may comprise multiple pieces. The individual pieces may be coupled together, but spaced slightly apart by a gap to permit thermal expansion. Ceramic inserts are positioned on the substrate support so that when a shadow frame is positioned adjacent thereto, the ceramic inserts are located adjacent the gaps in the shadow frame. The ceramic inserts adjacent the gap prevent and/or reduce the arcing because the gaps are located over electrically insulating material rather than electrically conductive material. |
| US09187826B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: (a) forming a first film containing a metal element on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including: (a-1) supplying a first precursor gas being a fluorine-free inorganic gas containing the metal element to the substrate; and (a-2) supplying a first reactant gas having reducibility to the substrate; (b) forming a second film containing the metal element on the first film by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including: (b-1) supplying a second precursor gas containing the metal element and fluorine to the substrate; and (b-2) supplying a second reactant gas having reducibility to the substrate; and (c) forming a film containing the metal element and obtained by the first film and the second film being laminated on the substrate by performing the (a) and (b). |
| US09187825B2 |
Method of depositing and electrically conductive titanium oxide coating
A method of depositing an electrically conductive titanium oxide coating on a glass substrate, preferably by atmospheric chemical vapor deposition in a float glass manufacturing process, utilizes a precursor gas mixture including a halogenated, inorganic titanium compound, an organic oxygen containing compound, a reducing gas and one or more inert carrier gases. |
| US09187823B2 |
High electric field fabrication of oriented nanostructures
A method of growing carbon nanostructures on a conductive substrate without the need for a vacuum or low-pressure environment provides high electrical field strengths to generate the necessary carbon ions from a feedstock gas and to promote alignment and separation of the resulting structures. In one embodiment, substantially uniform “vertical” nanostructures may be formed around the periphery of an extended wire for use in corona discharge applications or the like. Growth on a planar substrate may provide use with a variety of apparatus requiring a high specific surface conductor such as capacitors, batteries, and solar cells. |
| US09187822B2 |
Method for forming Ge-Sb-Te film and storage medium
Disclosed is a method for forming a Ge—Sb—Te film, in which a substrate is disposed within a process chamber, a gaseous Ge material, a gaseous Sb material, and a Te material are introduced into the process chamber, so that a Ge—Sb—Te film formed of Ge2Sb2Te5 is formed on the substrate by CVD. The method for forming a Ge—Sb—Te film comprises: a step (step 2) wherein the gaseous Ge material and the gaseous Sb material or alternatively a small amount of the gaseous Te material not sufficient for formed of Ge2Sb2Te5 in addition to the gaseous Ge material and the gaseous Sb material are introduced into the process chamber so that a precursor film, which does not contain Te or contains Te in an amount smaller than that in Ge2Sb2Te5, is formed on the substrate; and a step (step 3) wherein the gaseous Te material is introduced into the process chamber and the precursor film is caused to adsorb Te, so that the Te concentration in the film is adjusted. |
| US09187818B2 |
Hardened titanium structure for transmission gear applications
A method and apparatus are present for manufacturing a part. The part is comprised of a metal alloy and is positioned to form a positioned part. An electromagnetic field is generated that heats the positioned part. A surface of the positioned part is exposed to an inert gas, while the electromagnetic field is generated to create an inverse thermal gradient between an exterior of the positioned part and an interior section of the positioned part to form a heat treated part. |
| US09187817B2 |
Mask assembly for thin film vapor deposition and manufacturing method thereof
A mask assembly for a thin film deposition includes: a frame main body forming an opening; a plurality of unit masks having both ends fixed to the frame main body in a state that a tension force is applied in a first direction; and an end tension unit installed to the frame main body. The end tension unit moves according to a second direction crossing the first direction between two neighboring unit masks among a plurality of unit masks for tensioning of the unit mask in the second direction. |
| US09187816B2 |
Methods of resizing holes
Methods of reducing an initial cross-sectional area of a hole in a component to a predetermined cross-sectional area including preparing a composition comprising at least an aluminum alloy with a melting temperature higher than aluminum, applying the composition to an interior surface of the hole, and then heating the component to cause a metal within the component to diffuse from the component into the composition and react with the aluminum alloy in the composition to form a coating on the interior surface of the hole. The heating step is performed to selectively modify the initial cross-sectional area of the hole and thereby directly attain the predetermined cross-sectional area thereof. |
| US09187815B2 |
Thermal stabilization of coating material vapor stream
A coating system includes a work piece, a coating delivery apparatus configured to apply a coating material to the work piece in a plasma-based vapor stream, and a first electron gun configured to direct a first electron beam at the plasma-based vapor stream for adding thermal energy to the coating material in the plasma-based vapor stream. |
| US09187814B2 |
Hot-dip aluminum alloy plated steel having excellent shear cut edge corrosion resistance and processed part corrosion resistance, and method of manufacturing the same
The hot-dip aluminum alloy plated steel has a base steel and a plated layer, in which the composition of the plated layer contains, by % by mass, Fe: 25% to 75%, Mg: 2% to 20%, and Ca: 0.02% to 2% with a remainder of Al and inevitable impurities, the plated layer contains one or both of an α-Mg phase and an Al3Mg2 phase, and the sum of the partial volume fraction of the α-Mg phase and the partial volume fraction of the Al3Mg2 phase in a range of a depth of 5 μm from a surface of the plated layer is 1% to 40%. |
| US09187813B2 |
Method and device for removing metal fumes inside snout in continuous hot-dip plating plant
A method and device for removing metal fumes inside a snout in a continuous hot-dip plating plant are provided, which are capable of reliably removing metal fumes causing unplating from the snout without heating an outer wall of the snout. Heated inert gas is supplied to an inside of a snout which is formed between a continuous annealing furnace outlet and a hot-dip metal plating bath. Atmospheric temperature of the inside of the snout and temperature of an inner wall of the snout are maintained, gas having a flow rate greater than a gas supply flow rate is exhausted. A gas stream is formed which flows from the continuous annealing furnace to a surface of the hot-dip metal plating bath, which prevents quality defect from occurring caused by metal fumes generated from molten metal surface. |
| US09187812B2 |
Thermoplastic joining and assembly of bulk metallic glass composites through capacitive discharge
Systems and methods for joining BMG Composites are disclosed. Specifically, the joining of BMG Composites is implemented so as to preserve the amorphicity of their matrix phase and the microstructure of their particulate phase. Implementation of the joining method with respect to the construction of modular cellular structures that comprise BMG Composites is also discussed. |
| US09187809B2 |
Tough coated hard particles consolidated in a tough matrix material
Consolidated materials comprising a plurality of coated particles dispersed in a tough matrix material are disclosed. The coated particles include a plurality of core particles having an intermediate layer that substantially surrounds each of the core particles. An optional outer layer may be present on the intermediate layer. A matrix contains or substantially contains each of the coated particles, and is formed from at least one third compound including a mixture of W, WC, and/or W2C with Co. The amount of Co in the at least one third compound may range from greater than 0 to about 20 weight %. Methods for providing consolidated materials, and articles comprising such consolidated materials are also disclosed. |
| US09187808B2 |
Ni-base dual multi-phase intermetallic compound alloy containing Ti and C, and manufacturing method for same
The present invention provides an Ni-base dual multi-phase intermetallic compound alloy which has a dual multi-phase microstructure including: a primary precipitate L12 phase and an (L12+D022) eutectoid microstructure, and which comprises more than 5 atomic % and up to 13 atomic % of Al; at least 9.5 atomic % and less than 17.5 atomic % of V; between 0 atomic % and 5.0 atomic % inclusive of Nb; more than 0 atomic % and up to 12.5 atomic % of Ti; more than 0 atomic % and up to 12.5 atomic % of C; and a remainder comprising Ni. |