| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09195372B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for grouping tabbed portion of a display object based on content relationships and user interaction levels
Methods, systems, and computer program products for grouping tabbed portions of a display object based on content relationships and user interaction levels are disclosed. According to one method, a display object including one or more tabbed portions is provided for display via a computer display device. A level of user interaction associated with each of the tabbed portions is monitored. User input for adding new information to the display object is received. A level of content relationship between the new information and the information including in the at least one of the tabbed portions is determined. A new tabbed portion is created and grouped with the at least one tabbed portion based on the determined level of content relationship and the level of user interaction associated with the at least one tabbed portion. |
| US09195370B1 |
Fishing analysis based on geographical location
Example techniques are disclosed for leveraging outdoor data. For example, an analysis engine can be trained based on fishing reports or hunting reports to learn various information about hunting or fishing. As another example, data reports can be provided to various agencies based on received hunting reports or fishing reports. As another example, fish reporting menus can be populated on a client device based on location. As another example, a trail camera can be configured to provide hunting analyzes to a user. |
| US09195368B2 |
Providing radial menus with touchscreens
The subject technology discloses configurations for providing a radial menu on one or more computing devices with a touch-sensitive screen. In one example, a user activates the radial menu after touching a first finger at a first or anchor point on a touchscreen that serves as a center of the radial menu. While the first finger is disposed, the user then touches a second finger at a second point some distance from the anchor point corresponding to the first finger on the touchscreen. The radial menu is generated based on a distance calculated between the anchor point and the second finger at the second point. The radial menu is not a complete circle and instead displayed as a partial circle, and the radial menu is generated so that the display area is bisected from the anchor point to the second point in some configurations. |
| US09195365B2 |
Automatic configurator of display objects
A system for configuring objects such as buttons for screens presented in a touch screen display. The configuration may be automatically based on preset styles. The graphical elements or icons and textual elements may be created once but used multiple times in various places. Multiple graphical and textual elements may be displayed on any button of the screens. The system may be based on the use of a predefined set of button styles that define the layout of each textual and graphical element in basic terms, such as left, right, and center. These styles do not necessarily prescribe a size, but a layout of the elements. The sizing, layout, justification, and clipping of each element may be determined by the button style. For each button style, the assigned textual and graphical elements may be automatically placed for the best or optimal layout and fit. |
| US09195364B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating dynamic wallpaper
The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for generating a dynamic wallpaper, including: a basic visual effect control parameter is initialized and a 3D transformation parameter is set; a background and particles are rendered based on the 3D transformation parameter and the basic visual effect control parameter to generate a dynamic wallpaper; the 3D transformation parameter and the basic visual effect control parameter are updated based on a touch mode and a touch position upon detection of a user's touch action on a screen; and the background and the particles in the dynamic wallpaper are re-rendered based on the updated 3D transformation parameter and basic visual effect control parameter. |
| US09195360B2 |
Position detecting method and system
A position detecting method includes: transmitting to a position indicator a first excitation signal that has a variable frequency and then receiving a first response signal therefrom, via a target antenna unit including a target antenna; determining, based on the first response signal, a target frequency of the first excitation signal at which the first response signal has a maximum energy level; continuously transmitting to the position indicator a second excitation signal that has the target frequency and then receiving a second response signal from the position indicator, via a group of antenna units including the target antenna unit individually and successively; and obtaining position information corresponding to the position indicator based on the second response signal. |
| US09195352B2 |
Touch sensor panel controller and semiconductor device
Provided is a touch sensor panel which can increase the detection sensitivity of a touch relatively readily. The touch sensor panel controller supplies drive electrodes of a touch sensor panel with a high-voltage AC drive signal with its low level set to a negative voltage and drives them. The time of change of a drive waveform supplied to the drive electrodes of the touch sensor panel is shifted relative to the time of change of a drive waveform supplied to a display scan electrode. The touch sensor panel controller uses a charge pump in synchronization with clock signals of more than one phase to produce a high drive voltage to activate drive electrodes of the touch sensor panel, and the clock signals of more than one phase are initialized each time the drive electrode is subjected to AC pulse driving. |
| US09195342B2 |
Touch screen sensor integrated circuits, methods of operating the same, and systems having the touch screen sensor integrated circuits
At least one example embodiment discloses a sensor circuit capable of processing a second input signal received via a sensing line by using a demodulation path for performing a demodulation operation or processing the second input signal by using a non-demodulation path that does not perform the demodulation operation, according to a level of a first input signal, for example, a noise signal, received via the sensing line. |
| US09195341B2 |
Touchscreen controller and method for charger noise reduction through noise shaping
Touch screen controllers and methods are presented for removing charger noise and other high frequency noise from touch screens in the presence of aliasing in which a digital low pass filter rejects the high frequency noise, a noise tracker determines whether noise is being aliased into the low pass filter pass band, and a noise shaper artificially induces or modifies aliasing in the system by adjusting an analog-to-digital converter sampling frequency and/or a panel scan frequency to try to move the aliased noise outside the low pass filter pass band. |
| US09195339B2 |
System and method for determining object information using an estimated rigid motion response
The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved performance. Specifically, the devices and methods provide the ability to determine object information for objects causing rigid motion on a capacitive sensor device. In one embodiment, the device and method is configured to determine an estimated rigid motion response associated with a substantially rigid motion of the at least one sensing electrode using a set of sensor values, where the substantially rigid motion was caused by one or more objects in contact with the input surface. The estimated rigid motion response at least partially accounts for effects of capacitive coupling with the object(s) in contact with the input surface. The device and method may determine object information using the estimated rigid motion response. Where the input device is used to direct an electronic system, the object information may be used to facilitate a variety of interface actions. |
| US09195334B2 |
Electronic device and method for controlling the electronic device
A sensor-integrated display panel including an operation surface for performing an input operation and an image display surface which are formed integrally with a sensor as one piece. A data transfer device supplies the sensor-integrated display panel with a drive signal for driving the sensor and outputs sensing data corresponding to a potential of a sensor signal output from the sensor. A contact electrode is provided in a frame formed around the sensor-integrated display panel to vary the potential of the sensor signal when a conductor touches or does not touch to the frame. An application executing device receives and analyzes the sensing data and generates a signal to select an operating function in accordance with an analysis result. |
| US09195329B2 |
Touch-sensitive device
These needs, and others, are met by at least one embodiment of the disclosed invention which provides for a touch sensitive screen for an electronic device wherein there is a sparse pattern of sensors disposed within the active area and a dense pattern of sensors disposed within the viewing area. In this configuration, the pixels in the active area may have a larger aspect ratio and provide a more pleasing image while the dense sensors disposed within the viewing area provide more accurate touch sensitivity. Further, the software, or other electronics, used to create the image, may be structured to position menus or other selectable images adjacent to the viewing area. Similarly, certain images, such as icons, can be programmed to be displayed directly under the sensors in the active area. Generally, this configuration provides for the best of both worlds; a bright, clear image with some touch sensitivity in the active area and a sensitive sensor grid in the viewing area where there are no pixels. |
| US09195327B2 |
Touch panel and display device employing the same
The present invention provides a touch panel with features enabling the external form to be downsized without degrading a detection accuracy of a touch input area and applying an electric voltage to a pair of the electrodes and detecting the output electric voltages inverting the polarity of the voltage. A touch panel of the present invention uses the principle of Apollonius' circle for the touch position detection. Said touch panel is fabricated so that two substrates having a transparent conductive film thereon are place in a manner that said each transparent conductive film is facing each other. A first substrate has one electrode and a second substrate has two pairs of point electrodes. Said two pairs of the point electrodes are arranged in a circumference region of said second substrate. An insulation layer is formed in said circumference region excluding the region where said two pairs of the point electrodes are formed, and wirings extracting said two pairs of the electrodes outwards are formed on said insulation layer and arranged in the region inner than said two pairs of point electrodes are formed. |
| US09195326B2 |
Input apparatus
An input apparatus includes a detection portion, a processor, and a memory. The detection portion is configured to detect a position. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes that include acquiring a plurality of first positions, determining whether a combination and a sequence of the plurality of first positions satisfy a specified first condition, acquiring a plurality of second positions after it has been determined that the combination and the sequence satisfy the first condition, determining whether a combination and a sequence of the plurality of second positions satisfy any of a plurality of second conditions, and identifying, in a case where it has been determined that the combination and the sequence of the plurality of second positions satisfy one of the plurality of second conditions, format information associated with the one of the plurality of second conditions. |
| US09195325B2 |
Method and system for obtaining positioning data
A position detection system for use in association with computing applications, the system comprising: a positional element for attaining a position and comprising a first emitter for emitting a substantially continuous ultrasonic waveform decodable to fix said position, and a detector arrangement for detecting said waveform in a manner permitting fixing of said position and outputting said waveform for computation, in a manner retentive of said position fixing ability. |
| US09195324B2 |
Interactive whiteboard system and whiteboard writing instrument thereof
An interactive whiteboard system and a whiteboard writing instrument thereof are provided. The interactive whiteboard system comprises a whiteboard, a whiteboard writing instrument, a detection device and a projection device. The whiteboard writing instrument comprises a housing and an internal element that has a writing terminal. The writing terminal receives a pressure from the whiteboard when a user holds the whiteboard writing instrument to write contents on the whiteboard. The housing presents a pattern, which experiences a variation according to the pressure so that the detection device detects the variation of the pattern to get information corresponding to the contents. The projection device projects an image corresponding to the contents onto the whiteboard according to the information. |
| US09195320B1 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic signage using a painted surface display system
A method and apparatus for generating dynamic signage using a painted surface display system is described. The method may include capturing image data with at least a camera of a painted surface display system. The method may also include analyzing the image data to determine a real-world context proximate to a painted surface, wherein the painted surface is painted with a photo-active paint. The method may also include determining electronic signage data based on the determined real-world context. The method may also include generating a sign image from the determined electronic signage data based on the determined real-world context, and driving a spatial electromagnetic modulator to emit electromagnetic stimulation in the form of the sign image to cause the photo active paint to display the sign image. |
| US09195318B2 |
Method and handheld electronic device for displaying and selecting diacritics
A handheld electronic device includes a keypad having up plurality of keys and a selection member; a display component; and a processor cooperating with the keypad and the display component to provide a display at the display component. The display includes a first representation of a plurality of the keys, and at least one of: (a) a second representation of an activated one of the input members (b) a third representation including a plurality of diacritics disposed about an activated one of the input members, and (c) a fourth representation including a plurality of diacritics disposed about an activated one of the input members, and a direction of selection between the activated one of the input members and one of the diacritics. The processor cooperates with the selection member to adjust the direction of selection, and select one of the diacritics for display by the display component. |
| US09195316B2 |
Evaluating typeability of domain names
Methods and systems are disclosed for assessing an identifier. The method comprises receiving, via an interface, a string of characters making up the identifier and determining a keyboard type for a keyboard. The method further comprises calculating, by a calculator module, a typeability score for the identifier based on the string of characters and the keyboard type, wherein the typeability score signifies a difficulty of typing the identifier on the determined keyboard type. In certain embodiments, the method further comprises determining a finger positioning corresponding to a position of a typer's fingers on the keyboard, and the typeability score is further based on the finger positioning. In some embodiments, the finger positioning is based on the typer's typing habits. |
| US09195313B2 |
Information processing apparatus capable of recognizing user operation and method for controlling the same
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention can improve the operability when a user performs a gesture operation relating to a target object. |
| US09195310B2 |
Camera cursor system
An apparatus and method for controlling a portable device are provided. The method includes a method for controlling a portable device, the method including finding at least one object to be tracked in view of a camera, differentiating motion of the at least one object from changes in camera input other than the at least one object in the camera's view, tracking the motion of the at least one object, and executing a function according to the tracked motion. |
| US09195305B2 |
Recognizing user intent in motion capture system
Techniques for facilitating interaction with an application in a motion capture system allow a person to easily begin interacting without manual setup. A depth camera system tracks a person in physical space and determines a probabilistic measure of the person's intent to engage of disengage with the application based on location, stance and movement. Absolute location in a field of view of the depth camera, and location relative to another person, can be evaluated. Stance can include facing a depth camera, indicating a willingness to interact. Movements can include moving toward or away from a central area in the physical space, walking through the field of view, and movements which occur while standing generally in one location, such as moving one's arms around, gesturing, or shifting weight from one foot to another. |
| US09195303B2 |
Input device, method and medium
An input device comprises: a detection unit that detects as detection data an oscillation generated by tapping a body of a user and transmitted via the body; and an input information identification unit that refers to the detection data, identifies a tap site based on a fact that the detection data varies depending on a physical property of a body tissue associated with the tap site, and outputs an operation command allocated to the identified tap site. |
| US09195302B2 |
Image processing system, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
There is provided an image processing apparatus including: a communication unit receiving first feature amounts, which include coordinates of feature points in an image acquired by another image processing apparatus, and position data showing a position in the image of a pointer that points at a location in a real space; an input image acquisition unit acquiring an input image by image pickup of the real space; a feature amount generating unit generating second feature amounts including coordinates of feature points set in the acquired input image; a specifying unit comparing the first feature amounts and the second feature amounts and specifying, based on a comparison result and the position data, a position in the input image of the location in the real space being pointed at by the pointer; and an output image generating unit generating an output image displaying an indicator indicating the specified position. |
| US09195299B2 |
Sequential power up of devices in a computing cluster based on relative commonality
A method of powering on a plurality of devices includes identifying a plurality of power distribution units (PDUs) disposed in a rack, wherein each PDU receives power from a main power source and includes a circuit breaker. A plurality of devices disposed in the rack are identified, wherein each device receives power from one of the PDUs, and wherein the plurality of devices are server nodes, network switches or external data storage devices. Vital product data (VPD) is obtained from a service processor in each device, wherein the VPD identifies the device by a model identification code. For each PDU, the plurality of devices connected to the PDU are powered on in a sequence to prevent an inrush current from tripping the circuit breaker within the PDU, wherein the sequence powers on devices in order of ascending commonality of the model identification code. |
| US09195293B1 |
User controlled data storage device power and performance settings
Adjusting power and/or performance settings of a data storage device (DSD) in a system including the DSD and a host in communication with the DSD. A driver executed on the host defines user settings for the DSD and determines a state of the system. The driver commands the DSD to adjust power and/or performance settings for the DSD based on the state of the system and the user settings. |
| US09195289B2 |
Touch screen interface and infrared communication system integrated into a battery
Apparatuses and methods relating to interfacing and controlling external batteries are described. In one embodiment, an external battery is integrated with a touch screen display. In one embodiment, the external battery provides an infrared communication link with a detachable device or system controller. In one embodiment, the external battery touch screen interface provides data received from a detachable device or system controller. |
| US09195287B2 |
Power supply system has relaxation circuit which is enabled simultaneously with the outputting of reset signal to relax an output voltage
This invention is directed to a power supply apparatus and a printing apparatus, which have a function of easily relaxing an output voltage rise caused by an abrupt decrease in load current by a simple arrangement. In an embodiment of the invention, a dummy load is connected to some of power supply circuits included in the power supply apparatus. When an input voltage from a DC power supply falls below a predetermined threshold value, a power supply from the power supply circuit to an integrated circuit to which an electric power is supplied is stopped in synchronism with a reset signal output to the integrated circuit. At this time, an electric power from the power supply circuit is partially supplied to the dummy load, thereby relaxing an abrupt variation of the output voltage. |
| US09195283B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a motherboard, at least one heat dissipation module, a fan module and a wind scooper. The heat dissipation module is arranged on the motherboard and provided with a first positioning component. The fan module is arranged on one side of the motherboard and faces the heat dissipation module. The wind scooper has a second positioning component corresponding to the first positioning component. The wind scooper is fixed on the heat dissipation module through the cooperation between the first positioning component and the second positioning component. The wind scooper is connected between the fan module and the heat dissipation modules, so that the airflow provided by the fan module can flow through the heat dissipation module. |
| US09195282B2 |
Vertically-oriented immersion server with vapor bubble deflector
An immersion server includes: a first surface that is exposed when the server is submerged within a cooling liquid; and at least one vapor bubble deflector physically abutting the first surface and extending away from the first surface at an angle. The deflector divides the first surface into an upper segment and a lower segment when the server is upright. When the server is submerged, the cooling liquid surrounding the lower segment absorbs sufficient heat to evaporate and generate vapor bubbles rising to the liquid surface. The vapor bubble deflector deflects the rising vapor bubbles away from the surface of the upper segment. This enables superior liquid contact with heat dissipating components at the upper segment and better cooling of those components. The deflector can be a device-level deflector separating two or more components or a component-level deflector separating a lower segment from an upper segment of a single component. |
| US09195277B2 |
Touch panel with proximity sensor
A touch panel includes a cover window with an active area and an inactive area; a first sensing electrode having a first sensitivity in the active area; and a second sensing electrode having a second sensitivity in the inactive area, wherein the first sensitivity is different from the second sensitivity. |
| US09195275B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable computer device includes a host having a target member, a display device pivoted to the host, a pivot member pivoted to the display device, an optical device connected to the pivot member, and a driving device. The driving device is disposed on the display device and includes a circuit board electrically connected to the host and the optical device, an angle obtaining unit and a driving unit installed on the circuit board, and a processing unit installed on the circuit board and electrically connected to the driving unit and the angle obtaining unit. The angle obtaining unit is for obtaining an included-angle information of the display device relative to the host. The driving unit is for driving the pivot member to rotate the optical device to point to the target member or a user's face according to the included-angle information. |
| US09195273B2 |
Detachable dual mobile terminal
A detachable dual mobile terminal including a first mobile terminal having a first display unit; a second mobile terminal having a second display unit; a coupling portion provided to couple or detach the first and second mobile terminals; a coupling sensor configured to sense whether the first and second mobile terminals are coupled or detached; and a controller included in each of the first and second mobile terminals and configured to unlock at least one of the first and second mobile terminals when an unlocking a code is input and when the coupling sensor senses the first and second mobile terminals are coupled to each other. |
| US09195271B2 |
Touch panel, method of manufacturing the same, and display apparatus
In one aspect, a touch panel comprising a substrate and a first conductive patterned portion that is formed on the substrate is provided. The first conductive patterned portion may include: a first direction conductive portion that is formed on the substrate, the first direction conductive portion including a plurality of first body members, a first intermediate member formed between the first body members, and a first connection member which is electrically connected to the first body members; and a second direction conductive portion that is formed on the substrate and is insulated from the first direction conductive portion, the first intermediate member including a plurality of second body members and a second connection member which is electrically connected to the second body members. |
| US09195268B2 |
Electronic device with a foldable cover for covering a user operable device
The invention provides an electronic device including a user operable device and a foldable cover flexibly connected to the user operable device and capable to cover a whole top of the user operable device. The foldable cover includes a plurality of sections and a plurality of foldable lines, so that the foldable cover can be folded along the plurality of foldable lines formed between different sections. The sections are connected through the flexible foldable lines to allow the adjacent sections foldable with respective to one another to make the foldable cover in a supporting state, so that a first fastening section and a second fastening section are releasably fastened together so as to fasten a first supporting section and a second supporting section, and a first attachment section and a second attachment section are placed flatly on a plane. |
| US09195262B2 |
Information processing apparatus and computer program product
According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a selector. The selector is configured to acquire a first time obtained by converting a measurement time of a first piece of measurement data based on a clock of a first time server, a second time obtained by converting the measurement time of the first piece of measurement data based on a clock of a second time server, a third time obtained by converting a measurement time of a second piece of measurement data based on the clock of the first time server, and a fourth time obtained by converting the measurement time of the second piece of measurement data based on the clock of the second time server. The selector is also configured to select a time server with the largest number of combinations of the converted times resulting in no error among pieces of measurement data and time servers. |
| US09195258B2 |
System and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices
A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group 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 the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task. |
| US09195254B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-level de-emphasis
A distribution current is split into a first control current, a second control current, and a third control current, in an apportionment according to a distribution command. A first control voltage is generated in response to the third control current. A second control voltage is generated as indication of the first control current, and a third control voltage is generated as indication of the second control current. Optionally, de-emphasis contribution of a first driver, a second driver and a third driver to an output is controlled based, at least in part, on the first control voltage, the second control voltage and the third control voltage, respectively. |
| US09195252B1 |
Method and apparatus for current sensing and measurement
A method and apparatus for current sensing and measurement employs two cascaded MOSFET current mirrors, wherein the mirrored current leaving the first current mirror is fed to the input of the second current mirror. Each current mirror contains a high current MOSFET and a low current MOSFET, connected source-to-source and gate-to-gate. The MOSFETs are matched so that drain-to-source current flowing in the high current MOSFET is proportional to the drain-to-source current flowing in the low current MOSFET. The ratio of high current to low current for each current mirror is M, where M is 100 or less. Voltage biasing networks are employed to maintain constant drain-to-source voltages for both MOSFETs in each current mirror. |
| US09195249B2 |
Adaptive phase-lead compensation with Miller Effect
An adaptive phase-lead compensation (zero) circuit is disclosed that can be added to a circuit (e.g., a CMOS-based LDO) to ease the compensation and increase the phase margin of the circuit. By using the disclosed adaptive phase-lead compensation circuit, an adjustable resistance can be connected to any nodes in the compensated circuit rather than just to the voltage source (VDD) or ground (GND), allowing the Miller Effect to be used via a Miller capacitor. |
| US09195243B2 |
System and method of safe and effective energy usage and conservation for data centers with rack power distribution units
A system and method for improving energy usage and conservation of at least one air-management unit in a data center where a multiplicity of rack mounted power distribution units are used for power distribution to a multiplicity of electronic devices mounted on a plurality of racks in at least one computer room of the data center. A group of power load, temperature, humidity and differential pressure sensors are provided throughout the racks, and coupled to a computer through a network interface for automatically calculating multiple air-management effectiveness and energy efficiency indices (e.g., rack cooling index RCI, rack humidity index RHI, rack airflow index RAI, rack differential pressure index RPI and return temperature index RTI) based on the data from the sensors, such that the operation of the air-management unit can be adjusted accordingly to achieve an optimal efficiency of safe energy usage and conservation. |
| US09195240B2 |
Valve assembly
A valve assembly adapted to be used in an environment having an environment pressure includes a body having an end adapted to connect to a pipe having a first fluid line at a first pressure and a coaxial second fluid line at a second pressure. A primary passageway defined through the body is adapted to be connected to the first fluid line. A secondary passageway defined in the body is adapted to be connected to the second fluid line. A valve is disposed on the primary passageway. The valve is movable between a first position where the passageway is open and a second position where the passageway is closed in response to the second pressure in the secondary passageway. The first pressure in the primary passageway is greater than the second pressure in the secondary passageway, and the environment pressure is greater than the second pressure in the secondary passageway. |
| US09195236B1 |
Road flare detection
Methods and systems for road flare detection are described. A computing device configured to control the vehicle, may be configured to receive, from an image-capture device, images; image portions of the images may depict an area within a predetermined distance from a surface of a road on which the vehicle is travelling. Also, the computing device may be configured to determine, based on characteristics of an object depicted in the image portions such as color spectrum of the object, brightness of the object, and whether the object is stationary or moving with respect to the road, a likelihood that the object represents a road flare. Based on the likelihood, the computing device may be configured to modify a control strategy associated with a driving behavior of the vehicle; and control the vehicle based on the modified control strategy. |
| US09195235B2 |
Beam directed motion control system
A method and apparatus comprising an energy source, a position system, and a movement system. The energy source is configured to generate a beam of energy directed at an area on a target for a vehicle. The position system is configured to identify a first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed. The movement system is configured to move the vehicle in a manner that reduces a difference between the first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed and a reference position on the target. |
| US09195233B2 |
General purpose robotics operating system
The present invention provides a general purpose operating system that shows particular usefulness in the robotics and automation fields. The operating system provides individual services and the combination and interconnections of such services using built-in service extensions, built-in completely configurable generic services, and a way to plug in additional service extensions to yield a comprehensive and cohesive framework for developing, configuring, assembling, constructing, deploying, and managing robotics and/or automation applications. |
| US09195232B1 |
Methods and systems for compensating for common failures in fail operational systems
Methods and systems for compensating for common failures in fail operational systems are described herein. An example system may include a primary controller configured to perform functions of a vehicle such as propulsion, braking and steering and a secondary controller configured in a redundant configuration with the primary controller. The controllers may perform cross-checks of each other and may each perform internal self-checks as well. Additionally, the system may include a control module configured to transfer control of the vehicle between the controllers based on detecting a fault. The control module may detect a common fault of the controllers that causes the control module to output a common fault signal. In response, the system may transfer of control to a safety controller configured to perform the vehicle functions until the system may transfer control back to the primary controller. |
| US09195231B2 |
System and method of operation for remotely operated vehicles with superimposed 3D imagery
The present invention provides a system and method of utilizing superimposed 3D imagery for remotely operated vehicles, namely 3D, reconstructed images of the environment of the ROV. In another aspect, it includes generating a virtual video of 3D elements in the operation environment, synchronizing the angle and position of the camera of a virtual video with the angle and position of a real camera, superimposing the virtual video and the real video from the real camera; superimposing these video feeds such that one is manipulated to show transparencies in areas of less interest, in order to show through the other video. It furthermore may include superimposing information, whether graphic, textual or both on to the hybrid virtual-real 3D imagery. The subject invention is also networked, such that the immersive visual interface described above is accessible to a plurality of users operating from a plurality of locations. |
| US09195230B2 |
Electronic path entering for autonomous or semi-autonomous trailer backing
A method of controlling a backing system for a vehicle and trailer assembly comprises initiating a path input mode on an electronic input device associated with an electronic control unit in the vehicle. An intended backing path is input into the electronic control unit by defining the intended backing path with an input control mechanism for the electronic input device. The path input mode on the electronic input device is ended. |
| US09195228B2 |
Monitoring pharmaceutical manufacturing processes
Methods of monitoring data generated by a device adapted for use in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment are described and disclosed herein. The method creates a historic record of the pharmaceutical manufacturing process and provides it to an end user or a plurality of end users. Consequently, the methods provide a means to track the frequency of hazards associated with said device and thereby perform quality control on an integrated level whereby a pharmaceutical manufacturer can ensure data and product integrity and minimize cost. |
| US09195227B2 |
Motor control device for compensating backlash
A motor control device includes a position command generating unit, a difference calculating unit for calculating a difference between a positional detection value of a movable unit and a positional detection value of a driven unit, a retaining unit for retaining, as an engaging difference, the difference when the movable unit is moved in a first or second direction to engage with the driven unit, in association with the first direction and the second direction, and a compensation amount calculating unit for calculating a backlash compensation amount based on the difference calculated by the difference calculating unit and the engaging difference retained by the retaining unit. It is determined whether or not the movable unit is engaged with the driven unit by comparing a movement amount of the driven unit with a threshold. |
| US09195225B1 |
Graphical user interface virtual handwheel for a controller of a motor
Graphical user interface virtual control for a controller of a motor. In one example embodiment, one or more programs that are configured, when executed, to cause one or more processors to generate and visually present a graphical user interface (GUI) virtual handwheel for a controller of a motor. In this example embodiment, the GUI virtual handwheel includes a depiction of a physical handwheel that is oriented with a perspective orientation. The depiction of the physical handwheel is configured, upon receipt of a first input from a user along the length of the depiction in a first direction, to send a first electronic signal to the controller of the motor to cause the motor to cause a first effect that corresponds to physically rotating the physical handwheel in a first rotational direction that corresponds to the first direction. |
| US09195220B2 |
Clock device with automatic simulation of sunrise or sunset
A clock comprises an alarm clock housing having a front face, a clock display occupying at least a portion of the front face, a control on the housing for activating a shade positioning function, and a processor within the housing. The processor is responsive to the control for generating at least one shade positioning command to be transmitted to at least one motorized window shade, so as to cause the motorized window shade to move to one or more position at one or more corresponding predetermined interval relative to an alarm time. |
| US09195214B2 |
Image forming apparatus with air blowing portion
An image forming apparatus includes a toner containing portion, an air blowing portion, and an air blowing control portion. The toner containing portion contains toner that is used in image formation. The air blowing portion generates an airflow that contacts an outer side surface of the toner containing portion. The air blowing control portion narrows a vertical range of the airflow, which is generated by the air blowing portion and contacts the outer side surface of the toner containing portion, downward in a vertical direction in correspondence with reduction of toner amount in the toner containing portion. |
| US09195213B2 |
Image forming apparatus including fan to generate air flow in conveyance path in sheet conveyance direction
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier configured to carry a toner image. A transfer unit is configured to transfer the toner image on the image carrier onto a recording sheet. A fixing unit is configured to fix the toner image transferred at the transfer unit onto the recording sheet. Through a conveyance path, the recording sheet is conveyed from the transfer unit to the fixing unit. A conveyance guide member is disposed in the conveyance path on an image formation surface side of the recording sheet. A fan is configured to send air from the transfer unit to the conveyance path toward a gap defined between the conveyance guide member and the transfer unit so as to form a flow of air in the conveyance path from an upstream side to a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the recording sheet. |
| US09195211B2 |
Process cartridge having a link member, electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a link member, and assembly method of process cartridge having a link member
A process cartridge configured to be removably mounted on an apparatus body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive unit including a photosensitive drum; a developing unit including a developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, and configured to be rotatably coupled with the photosensitive unit around only a single center of rotation at one end side of the process cartridge in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; and a link member provided at the other end side of the process cartridge in the axial direction, and configured to be rotatably coupled with the photosensitive unit and the developing unit and promote relative movement between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum. |
| US09195210B2 |
Developer container, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A developer container includes: a developer accommodating chamber provided with an opening; a first shutter, including a first portion-to-be-urged, movable between a closing position and an opening position; a second shutter, including a second portion-to-be-urged and being provided outside the first shutter with respect to the opening, movable between a closing position and an opening position; and a partitioning portion provided so as to block between the first and second portions-to-be-urged along moving ranges of the first and second portions-to-be-urged. Movement distances, when the first and second shutters are moved simultaneously from the closing positions, of the first and second shutters from the closing positions to the opening positions are different from each other so that after one of said first and second shutters reaches the opening position, the other shutter is moved to the opening position. |
| US09195209B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including: a plurality of image forming units arranged to align along a direction orthogonal to rotation axes of photosensitive drums; a first frame made of resin and arranged on one side of the photosensitive drums along the direction of rotation axes to support the plurality of image forming units; a first beam made of metal, formed in an elongated shape longitudinally along a direction to intersect with the aligning direction, and arranged along and fixed to a planar face of the first frame; and a second beam formed in an elongated shape extending along the aligning direction, arranged along the planar face of the first frame to intersect with the first beam, and fixed to the planar face of the first frame, is provided. Rigidity of the first beam is higher than rigidity of the second beam. |
| US09195208B2 |
Developing cartridge
A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another. |
| US09195207B2 |
Cartridge having detection body
In a cartridge, a developing roller is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis extending in a predetermined direction and to carry developer thereon, the developing roller having a first end and a second end apart from each other in the predetermined direction, a from-first-to-second direction being defined along the predetermined direction as being directed from the first end to the second end. A developing electrode is formed of a conductive material and is configured to be electrically connected to the developing roller, the developing electrode including a main part and a protruding portion protruding from the main part in the from-first-to-second direction. A detection body is formed of an insulating material and is rotatably supported by the protruding portion, the detection body including a first opening that exposes part of the protruding portion and a covering portion covering part of the protruding portion. |
| US09195206B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit having a photosensitive drum and a developer device; a first frame made of a resin, formed in a shape of a plate, and arranged on one end, along an axial direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, of the image forming unit; a first beam formed in an elongated shape, arranged along and fixed to a planar face of the first frame; and a second beam formed in an elongated shape, arranged along the planar face of the first frame to intersect with the first beam, and fixed to the first frame, is provided. The first beam and the second beam are unfixed to each other at a mutually intersecting part thereof. |
| US09195205B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit with a photosensitive drum and a developer device; a first frame made of a resin, formed in a shape of a plate, arranged on one end, along an axial direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, of the image forming unit; and a first beam formed in an elongated shape, arranged along and fixed to a planar face of the first frame, is provided. The first beam is made of a material different from the first frame and includes a first attachment portion, at which the first beam is immovably fixed to the first frame, and a second attachment portion, at which the first beam is attached to the first frame movably with respect to the first frame along a longitudinal direction of the first beam. |
| US09195193B2 |
Fixing device having flexible fusing member
A fixing device includes a tubular flexible metallic fusing member, a heater, a nip member, and a backup member. The fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space. The nip member is disposed in the internal space for receiving radiant heat from the heater and has a contact surface in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface. At least the contact surface is provided with a protection layer having a hardness higher than that of the inner peripheral surface. The backup member nips the fusing member in cooperation with the nip member. |
| US09195191B2 |
Fixing member for electrophotographic fixing, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A fixing member for electrophotographic fixing includes a base body; an elastic layer; and an outermost surface releasing layer. The elastic layer and the outermost surface releasing layer are laminated on the base body. The elastic layer is a continuous layer including fibrous filler distributed in a portion of the elastic layer towards the outermost surface releasing layer. |
| US09195190B2 |
Fixing apparatus and film for use in fixing apparatus
A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material, while conveying the recording material bearing the toner image, at a nip portion includes a tubular film, a heater configured to heat the film, and a pressure member configured to form the nip portion with the film, wherein the film has a property that a resistance value per unit area between an outer surface of the film and an inner surface of the film becomes 5×1011 (Ω·cm2) or more when a voltage of 500 V or less is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface, and a resistance value per unit area between the outer surface and the inner surface becomes 5×109 (Ω·cm2) or less when a voltage of 1000 V or more is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface. |
| US09195188B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus provided therewith
A fixing device is provided with a fixing belt, a fixing roller inserted inside the fixing belt, a pressure roller that is pressed against the fixing belt, a coil that generates magnetic flux for induction heating of the fixing belt, and a belt regulating plate that is disposed at a side of an end surface of the fixing roller in a predetermined direction and regulates movement of the fixing belt in the predetermined direction. The belt regulating plate has a multi-layer structure including a resin plate disposed at a fixing belt side and a nonmagnetic metal plate disposed at a side opposite to the fixing belt side. |
| US09195186B2 |
Image heating apparatus having an excitation coil configured to generate a magnetic flux for electromagnetic induction heating of a rotatable heating member
An image heating apparatus includes: a rotatable heating member of magnetism-adjusted alloy configured to heat a toner image on a sheet; an excitation coil configured to generate a magnetic flux for electromagnetic induction heating of the rotatable heating member; a voltage source configured to supply an AC current to the excitation coil; a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the rotatable heating member at a first peripheral speed in an operation in a first image heating mode and configured to rotate the rotatable heating member at a second peripheral speed lower than the first peripheral speed in an operation in a second image heating mode; and a controller configured to control the voltage source in which the maximum current supplied to the excitation coil in the second image heating mode is smaller than the maximum current supplied to the excitation coil in the first image heating mode. |
| US09195185B1 |
Apparatus and method for thermally processing an imaging material employing a multi-drum processor
A method of thermally developing an image from a latent image recorded in an image formation layer of a photothermgraphic imaging media. The method includes heating the imaging media to a development temperature as the imaging media is transported along a surface of a first heated drum, the first heated drum having a diameter providing the imaging media with a radius of curvature that provides the imaging media with cross-web stiffness sufficient to prevent wrinkling of the imaging media when being heated to the development temperature. The method further includes maintaining the imaging media at the development temperature for a first portion of a development duration of the imaging media, transferring the imaging media to at least one second heated drum at the development temperature, and maintaining the imaging media at the development temperature for a remaining portion of the development duration as the imaging media is transported along a surface of the at least one second heated drum. |
| US09195184B2 |
Image forming apparatus sequentially outputting a sheet having been subjected to image formation processing to a paper output tray
An image forming apparatus capable of effectively cooling down a sheet having been subjected to fixing processing while preventing an apparatus from becoming larger in size and a sheet conveyance failure from occurring is provided. The image forming apparatus (10) includes a sheet conveyance path (16), a fixing device (22), a conveyance roller (26), an upper sheet guide (60), a lower sheet guide (62), and a cooling fan (40). The conveyance roller (26) is disposed downstream of a heat-treatment portion in the sheet conveyance path and configured so as to convey a sheet passing the heat-treatment portion to the paper output tray. At a position corresponding to the position of the conveyance rollers (26), the upper sheet guide (60) is provided with a ventilation portion (604) configured so as to make the cooling air from the cooling device (40) pass through. At a position opposed to the ventilation portion (604) of the upper sheet guide (60), the lower sheet guide (62) is provided with a ventilation portion (624) configured so as to make the cooling air from the cooling device (40) pass through. |
| US09195183B2 |
Image forming apparatus with conveyance unit to regulate passage of recording medium
An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance passage unit, a fixing device, an optical sensor, a fixing condition adjuster, and a regulator. A recording medium passes through the conveyance passage unit. The fixing device fixes a toner image onto the recording medium. The optical sensor includes a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device to detect smoothness of the recording medium according to strength of light received. The fixing condition adjuster adjusts fixing conditions according to the smoothness detected. The regulator is disposed in the conveyance passage unit to regulate conveyance of the recording medium, such that at least a part of the recording medium passes through an irradiated area including an intersection that is determined by an emission angle of a first optical axis of light emitted by the light-emitting device and a reflection angle of a second optical axis of light received by the light-receiving device. |
| US09195182B2 |
Image heating apparatus, lubricant application system, lubricant application method, and lubricant container-applicator
An image heating apparatus to which a lubricant application container is dismountably mountable, the image heating apparatus including: an endless belt configured to heat, in a nip, a toner image on a sheet; a rotatable member cooperative with the belt to form the nip; an urging member extending in a widthwise direction of the belt and configured and positioned to urge the belt toward the rotatable member; and a guide portion configured and positioned to guide a sliding movement of the lubricant application container while substantially preventing dismounting of the lubricant application container during the sliding movement. The lubricant application container applies a lubricant to a sliding surface of the urging member relative to the belt along a longitudinal direction, when the belt is dismounted from the image heating apparatus. |
| US09195181B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for forming an image on recording media with different gloss levels
An image forming apparatus includes a noncontact heating device, a pressurizing and heating mechanism, and a control unit. The control unit switches an operation of the pressurizing and heating mechanism based on gloss level information of a recording medium. According to the image forming apparatus, assuming that a temperature of the recording medium after noncontact heating is T1, a temperature of the recording medium after pressurizing and heating is T2 and a toner concentration after noncontact heating is Tc1 when the gloss level information shows high gloss, and assuming that a temperature of the recording medium after noncontact heating is T3 and a toner concentration after noncontact heating is Tc2 when the gloss level information shows low gloss, the conditions of T1 |
| US09195178B2 |
Rotary endless belt unit for use in an image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus having same
A belt unit includes an endless belt, a tension roller, at least one extension roller, a first bearing portion supporting a first end of the tension roller such that the first end is movable in a tension direction and is detachably mounted to be able to release the tension force by the first end coming off from the first bearing portion, a second bearing portion supporting a second end of the tension roller to be movable in the tension direction, a first urging portion urging the first end of the tension roller, a second urging portion urging the second end of the tension roller, a first frame portion integrally supporting the first bearing portion, the first urging portion, and the extension roller, and a second frame portion integrally supporting the second bearing portion, the second urging portion, and the tension roller and detachably mounted on the first frame portion. |
| US09195175B2 |
Transfer device
A Transfer device (10) includes an intermediate transfer belt (41), a plurality of intermediate transfer roller (34A-34D) and a transfer member moving mechanism (20). The transfer member moving mechanism moves the intermediate transfer rollers (34A-34D) between pressing positions causing the intermediate transfer belt (41) to be pressed against respective photoreceptor drums (31A-31D) and separate positions causing the intermediate transfer belt (41) to be separate from the respective photoreceptor drums (31A-31D). The transfer member moving mechanism (20) causes a second pressing position of the intermediate transfer roller for monochrome (34A) in monochromatic image forming to be different from a first pressing position of the intermediate transfer roller for monochrome (34A) in full-color image forming so that an amount of pressing of the intermediate transfer belt (41) by the intermediate transfer roller for monochrome (34A) becomes greater in monochromatic image forming than in full-color image forming. |
| US09195166B2 |
Developer storage container having improved workability with mounted developer agitation member and manufacturing method thereof
In order to achieve an improvement in terms of workability when mounting a developer agitation member and a drive transmission member to a container portion storing developer, there is provided a method of mounting a developer storage container in which, when mounting a developer agitation member to a developer storage portion, a drive transmission member is inserted for connection from an end portion of the developer agitation member, the developer agitation member exhibits a first phase and a second phase. The first phase allows connection of the developer agitation member and the drive transmission member in the insertion path of the drive transmission member, whereas the second phase does not allow connection of the developer agitation member and the drive transmission member in the insertion path of a support member. |
| US09195164B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier which carries thereon a developer image, a holding roller which holds thereon developer attached on the image carrier, a collection device which collects the developer on the holding roller via at least the image carrier, and a control device which executes a holding control of applying to the holding roller a holding bias having a polarity opposite to the developer such that the holding roller holds developer and a collection control of applying to the holding roller a discharge bias having a polarity same as the developer such that the developer held on the holding roller is moved to the image carrier and the collection device collects the developer via the image carrier. The control device starts the collection control at a timing after a predetermined point of time according to an estimated charge amount of the developer. |
| US09195161B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the same
An angle formed between a first beam light ray D1 and a second beam light ray D2 is θ12, an angle formed between the second beam light ray D2 and a third beam light ray D3 is θ23, and an angle formed between the third beam light ray D3 and a fourth beam light ray D4 is θ34, where the first, second, third, and fourth beam light rays D1, D2, D3, and D4 have been reflected by a reflective surface of a rotating polygon mirror, θ23 is the smallest, of the three angles, that is, θ12, θ23, and θ34. |
| US09195160B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for correcting registration deviation
Since memory access is performed on a large number or discontinuous address regions, the performance of memory access is significantly degraded; in a system that performs high speed image formation, registration deviation cannot be corrected. Sub scanning position information corresponding to the profile of registration deviation is set, and image correction processing is divided into two stages, high resolution correction processing using line buffers formed with a memory which allows high speed random access and low resolution correction processing using a memory whose capacity is easily increased. |
| US09195155B2 |
Toner processes
A method for preparing toner particles is disclosed. In embodiments, a suitable method includes aggregating a mixture comprising at least one resin, an optional pigment and an optional wax to form aggregated particles, freezing aggregation of particles by adjusting the pH of the aggregated particles to a freezing aggregation pH; coalescing the aggregated particles to form toner particles at a first pH that is higher than the freezing aggregation pH; and recovering the toner particles. |
| US09195153B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A map of the surface of a substrate is generated at a measurement station. The substrate is then moved to where a space between a projection lens and the substrate is filled with a liquid. The substrate is then aligned using, for example, a transmission image sensor and, using the previous mapping, the substrate can be accurately exposed. Thus the mapping does not take place in a liquid environment. |
| US09195148B2 |
Side seal for wet lens elements
A method for protecting a wet lens element from liquid degradation is provided. The method includes applying a thin coating of an organoxy-metallic compound to the side portions of a wet lens element to leave behind an optically inert, light absorbing metal oxide film. A liquid shield coating is applied on top of the metal oxide coating. The two coating layers protect the wet lens element from liquid degradation when the side portion of the wet lens element is submerged into a liquid. In an embodiment, the wet lens element is an immersion lithography wet lens element and the liquid is an immersion lithography liquid. |
| US09195143B2 |
Mask plate and exposing method
A mask plate comprises a light transmitting region; a light absorbing region; and a light reflecting region provided in the light absorbing region on one side of the mask plate. An exposing method using the mask plate comprises placing a first substrate coated with a first photosensitive resist layer under and parallel to the mask plate; having first light vertically strike on an upper surface of the mask plate from above, pass through the light transmitting region of the mask plate, and strike on the first photosensitive resist layer; placing a second substrate coated with a second photosensitive resist layer under and parallel to the mask plate; and having second light reflected by the lens device onto the surface of the mask plate where the light reflecting region is provided, then reflected by the light reflecting region and strike on the second photosensitive resist layer. |
| US09195142B2 |
Lithography masks, systems, and manufacturing methods
Lithography masks, lithography systems, methods of manufacturing lithography masks, methods of altering material layers of semiconductor devices, and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lithography mask includes a first pattern for at least one material layer of at least one die, the first pattern being oriented in a first position. The lithography mask includes a second pattern for at least one material layer of the at least one die, the second pattern being oriented in a second position. The second position is different than the first position. |
| US09195141B2 |
Plate surface protecting liquid composition for lithographic printing plate using same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a plate surface protecting liquid composition which enables an improvement in adhesion of a printing ink onto a lithographic printing plate at the beginning of printing, and to provide a method for treating a lithographic printing plate using the plate surface protecting liquid composition, which can reduce the generation of waste paper immediately after the beginning of printing. Disclosed is a plate surface protecting liquid composition for lithographic printing plate, including a polysiloxane compound having a polyether chain in the side-chain. |
| US09195140B2 |
Developing apparatus and developing method
A joint nozzle that delivers a developer, a rinsing liquid and nitrogen gas is disposed adjacent the spin center of a substrate in plan view. A controller operates electromagnetic switch valves to continue supply of the developer, while spinning the substrate, in a developing process, and to start supply of the rinsing liquid in a rinsing process, immediately after the supply of the developer ends, thereby achieving a shortened period of the developing process. A switching is made to a drying process by starting supply of the nitrogen gas immediately after completion of the rinsing process. Thus, even if the substrate has a large angle of contact, formation of droplets of the rinsing liquid is inhibited to prevent post-develop defects. |
| US09195139B2 |
Apparatus and method of direct writing with photons beyond the diffraction limit using two-color resist
Methods of and apparatus for performing direct-write lithography in a two-color photoresist layer are disclosed. The method includes exposing the two-color photoresist layer with transducer and inhibition images that respectively define bright spots and dark spots. The transducer image generates excited-state photo-molecules while the inhibition image converts the exited-state photo-molecules to an unexcited state that is not susceptible to conversion to an irreversible exposed state. The dark spots and bright spots are aligned, with the dark spots being smaller than the bright spots so that a portion of the excited-state photo-molecules adjacent the periphery of the bright spots absorb the inhibition radiation and transition to the unexcited state while a portion of the excited photo-molecules at the center of bright spots are not exposed to the inhibition light and transition to an irreversible exposed state. This forms in the two-color photoresist layer a pattern of sub-resolution photoresist pixels. |
| US09195138B2 |
Liquid processing apparatus, liquid processing method and storage medium
There is provided a liquid processing apparatus including a first and a second processing regions provided in a left-right direction, each for accommodating a substrate and performing a process on the substrate by a processing solution from a nozzle; a rotary body rotatable about a vertical axis; a plurality of nozzles provided at the rotary body while kept in a standby state at an outside of the processing regions, commonly used for the processing regions; a nozzle transfer device, having a nozzle holder moving back and forth, provided at the rotary body and configured to transfer a nozzle into a selected one of the processing regions while holding the selected nozzle by the nozzle holder; and a rotation driving unit configured to rotate the rotary body so as to allow a front of the nozzle holder in a forward/backward direction thereof to face the selected one of the processing regions. |
| US09195132B2 |
Mask structures and methods of manufacturing
A lithography mask structure is provided, including: a substrate; at least one reflective layer over the substrate; and an absorber film stack over the at least one reflective layer, the absorber film stack including a plurality of first film layers of a first material and at least one second film layer of a second material. The second material is different from the first material, and the second film layer(s) is interleaved with the plurality of first film layers. In one embodiment, the total thickness of the absorber film stack is less than 50 nm. In another embodiment, the reflectivity of the absorber film stack is less than 2% for a pre-defined wavelength of EUV light. In a further embodiment, the second film layer(s) prevents the average crystallite size of the first film layers from exceeding the thickness of the first film layers. |
| US09195129B2 |
Substrate holding device, lithography apparatus using same, and device manufacturing method
The substrate holding device of the present invention includes a holding unit that adsorbs and holds the substrate, a measuring section that measures a physical quantity relating to a adsorption force of the holding unit with the substrate mounted on the holding unit; and a control section that carries out a first determination based on a first condition and a measurement result obtained by the measuring section and a second determination based on a second condition that is different from the first condition and a measurement result obtained by the measuring section to select one of at least three preset operations based on the result of first and second determinations to thereby execute processing depending on the selected operation. |
| US09195128B2 |
Enhancing alignment in lithographic apparatus device manufacture
In a lithographic apparatus, a scanning mechanism is coarse compared with precise patterns to be exposed onto a substrate. In order to ensure that the image and the substrate are aligned at some point in time, an oscillation is imparted to either the substrate table, or to a device that aligns the image, such as a mask table. The oscillation frequency is chosen to compliment a maximum alignment error. The frequency of a radiation pulse is arranged to coincide with the image and the substrate being most accurately aligned. The radiation pulse of the image may be timed to coincide with the alignment without the use of the imparted oscillation. |
| US09195121B2 |
Markerless geometric registration of multiple projectors on extruded surfaces using an uncalibrated camera
A method for registering multiple projectors on a vertically extruded three dimensional display surface with a known aspect ratio includes recovering both the camera parameters and the three dimensional shape of the surface from a single image of the display surface from an uncalibrated camera, capturing images from the projectors to relate the projector coordinates with the display surface points, and segmenting parts of the image for each projector to register the projectors to create a seamlessly wall-paper projection on the display surface using a representation between the projector coordinates with display surface points using a rational Bezier patch. A method for performing a deterministic geometric auto-calibration to find intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of each projector is included. |
| US09195120B2 |
Universal adjustable lens adapter
A universal adjustable lens adapter and rig system for smartphones, or similar electronic devices, that is modular in nature. The universal adjustable lens adapter includes a clamp mount assembly, a lens mount assembly, and a handle assembly. The clamp mount assembly provides a means for securing a smartphone, while the lens mount assembly provides a means for securing a camera lens. The clamp mount assembly includes a spring loaded first clamp and a fixed second clamp mounted to a clamp base and between which the smartphone is secured. Both the clamp mount assembly and the lens mount assembly are slidably connected to the handle assembly, such that the camera lens of any smartphone can be properly aligned with the camera lens attached to the lens mount assembly. Additionally, the handle assembly provides a means for manipulating and stabilizing the smartphone while taking pictures. |
| US09195118B2 |
Camera apparatus
A camera apparatus includes a camera unit that is provided with a camera lens, a camera body that rotatably holds the camera unit, and a rotating mechanism that rotates the camera unit in response to an emergency signal so as to be switched from a first state where the camera lens is stored inside the camera body to a second state where the camera lens is exposed to an outside of the camera body. |
| US09195117B2 |
Modified system and method for obtaining photographic and/or videographic images
A light-supporting structure and methods of using same that includes a central hub including a suspension point, a plurality of arms extending from the central hub, a separate support rod extending from each of the plurality of arms distal to the central hub, a separate lighting element mounted to each support rod, and a control system configured to orient each lighting element using motors with respect to a photographic zone. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting elements can be oriented with respect to a photographic zone in response to a user input selection based on a desired photographic result selected at a user interface. |
| US09195115B2 |
Image projection device, image protection method, distance measuring device and distance measuring method
An image projection device includes: a variable-focus lens (2) in which focal length can be changed; scanning means (3) that scans a projection surface (12) by means of a light beam that is condensed by the variable-focus lens (2); distance-measuring means (9) that measures the distance from the variable-focus lens (2) to the projection surface (12); and control means (4) that controls the variable-focus lens (2) such that the focal length of the variable-focus lens (2) is greater than the distance measured by means of the distance-measuring means (9). |
| US09195114B2 |
Optical device
The invention is directed to the provision of an optical device in which provisions are made to form a gap between an optical waveguide and a substrate without having to form a groove or the like in the substrate and to prevent any stress from being applied to an optical element even when it is heated by a heater for temperature adjustment. More specifically, the invention provides an optical device includes a substrate, an optical element with an optical waveguide formed in a surface thereof that faces the substrate, bonding portions formed on the substrate at positions that oppose each other across the optical waveguide, a heater, formed on at least one of the optical element and the substrate, for heating the optical waveguide, and a micro bump structure formed from a metallic material, wherein the optical element is bonded to the bonding portions via the micro bump structure in such a manner that a gap is formed between the optical waveguide and the substrate. |
| US09195112B2 |
Electro-optic modulator
An electro-optic modulator for the modulation of optical radiation of a predetermined wavelength, the electro-optic modulator having at least one optical resonator in which a standing optical wave can be formed for the predetermined wavelength. In the resonator, at least two doped semiconductor sections—as seen in the longitudinal direction of the resonator —are arranged at a distance from one another, and the at least two doped semiconductor sections respectively lie locally at an intensity minimum of the standing optical wave. |
| US09195110B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and process for producing the same
A liquid crystal display comprising: a vertically aligned liquid crystal layer located between a first and a second substrate, a first and a second polarizing layer, and an optical compensation plate having negative biaxial optical anisotropy; wherein at least either the first or the second substrate has protrusions having approximately the same first height and protruding into the liquid crystal layer, the protrusions being formed only inside of the sealing material, the liquid crystal layer in the protrusion-free position having a second height, and the area of the region in which the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is equal to the value obtained by subtracting the first height from the second height as a result of the existence of the protrusions accounting for α%, which belongs to 5% to 50%, of the area of the region where the liquid crystal layer exists on the substrate with protrusions. |
| US09195107B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: first and second gate lines disposed on the first substrate and which respectively transmit first and second gate signals; first, second and third data lines disposed on the first substrate; a first switching element connected to the first gate line and the first data line; a second switching element connected to the first gate line and the second data line; a third switching element connected to the second gate line and the second data line; a fourth switching element connected to the second gate line and the third data line; first and second pixel electrodes respectively connected to the first and second switching and which form a first liquid crystal capacitor; and third and fourth pixel electrodes respectively connected to the third and fourth switching elements and which form a second liquid crystal capacitor. |
| US09195106B2 |
Display device including electrostatic protection circuit and method of manufacturing the same
A display device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept includes a data line transferring a drive signal to a display area; and an electrostatic transistor portion including a plurality of thin film transistors connected in parallel between the data line and a common ESD electrode. A cut-off voltage for turning off each of the thin film transistors is provided to a gate of each of the thin film transistors. |
| US09195105B2 |
Liquid crystal display (LCD)
A liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided that comprises a rearward LCD substrate sheet that has an array of vias formed, where the vias provide electrical conduction between both sides of the rearward LCD substrate sheet. The number of vias in the array is substantially equal to or at least equivalent to a combination of a number of column drive lines and a number of row drive lines. The respective drive lines are connected to a corresponding via, such as on one side of the rearward LCD substrate sheet, and respective patterned conductors are connected to a corresponding via, such as on the other side of the rearward LCD substrate sheet. The patterned conductors provide a connection between respective drive lines and one or more corresponding drivers. In one example, this allows a “full bleed” display to be generated. |
| US09195102B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and electronic apparatus including pixel electrode connection portion
A liquid crystal panel includes: first and second substrates arranged to be opposite each other at a predetermined gap; a liquid crystal layer filled between the first and second substrates; alignment films; a counter electrode pattern formed on the first substrate; and a pixel electrode pattern formed on the first substrate so as to have a plurality of electrode branches, the pixel electrode pattern having a partial connection branch formed around a contact so as to transversely connect a plurality of electrode branches extending from the contact from among the plurality of electrode branches. |
| US09195099B2 |
Display device
A display includes a plurality of pixel columns and a plurality of pixel rows including a first pair of pixel rows and a second pair of pixel rows adjacent to each other. The LCD also includes a first gate line and a second gate line positioned between the first pair of pixel rows and the second pair of pixel rows, a microcavity layer including a plurality of liquid crystal injection holes, and a common electrode positioned on the microcavity layer. The LCD also includes a supporting member positioned on a common electrode and a capping layer positioned on a supporting member to cover the liquid crystal injection holes. The plurality of liquid crystal injection holes may be positioned between the first pair of pixel rows and the second pair of pixel rows. |
| US09195098B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, manufacturing method of the same and electronic equipment
A liquid crystal display device includes: a plurality of scan lines and signal lines on one of a pair of substrates arranged to be opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, the scan lines and signal lines extending in different directions; and an orientation film, pixel electrode, insulating layer and common electrode, the orientation film being rubbed in a rubbing direction having a given inclination with respect to a pixel arrangement direction. The pixel electrode is partitioned by the scan lines and signal lines and has subpixels made up of first and second regions. The first region has a plurality of slit-shaped openings having a given inclination in a first direction with respect to the rubbing direction. The second region has a plurality of slit-shaped openings having a given inclination in a second direction with respect to the rubbing direction. |
| US09195096B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer and a phase difference compensation film disposed on the first substrate, where the phase difference compensation film includes a fluorine resin. |
| US09195095B2 |
LED lighting devices incorporating waveguides
A LED lighting device includes at least one waveguide element and multiple light-emitting sources such as LEDs or LED packages, which may be optically coupled though different light entry regions to the at least one waveguide. Multiple light solid state sources may be arranged in strips. A waveguide system includes first and second body structures each positioned to illuminate at least a portion of a target surface. One or more waveguides may be arranged to illuminate a LCD panel. |
| US09195089B2 |
Liquid crystal display touch panel structure
A liquid crystal display touch panel structure includes first and second substrates configured therebetween a liquid crystal layer, a TFT layer, and a common electrode layer. The TFT layer is disposed on one surface of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer. The TFT layer has plural gate driving lines and plural source driving lines for driving corresponding transistors and capacitors according to a display pixel signal and a display driving signal so as to perform a display operation. The common electrode layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The common electrode layer has a plurality of polygon apertures, wherein the plurality of polygon apertures are arranged at positions corresponding to at least part of the gate driving lines and at least part of the source driving lines of the thin film transistor layer. |
| US09195088B2 |
Operating device for an electric appliance
An operating device for an electric appliance has a plurality of display elements, a plurality of operating elements below a translucent operating surface in order to operate by applying a finger and drawing the finger over the operating surface. The operating elements are flat capacitive sensor elements and together with the display elements have common accommodation housings. The sensor elements are placed on top of the accommodation housings and the display elements are arranged in through-holes in the housings. The operating device has at least two accommodation housings that are arranged next to each other. |
| US09195085B2 |
Back plate capable of resisting external forces, backlight module having the same, and liquid crystal display using the same
A back plate includes a first vertical wall, a second vertical wall, and a back plate bottom portion. The first vertical wall is connected with the second vertical wall by a first horizontal wall, and the back plate bottom portion is disposed corresponding to the first horizontal wall, such that the first vertical wall, the second vertical wall, the first horizontal wall, and the back plate bottom portion constitute a square structure. The structure of the back plate not only increase the strength of the back plate but also lower manufacturing cost and weight of the back plate. |
| US09195082B2 |
Break separation apparatus and break separation method
A break separation apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises a vibration stage for holding at least one liquid crystal panel to be separated and vibrating the liquid crystal panel so that glass substrate of the liquid crystal panel breaks along a cutting groove. According to the apparatus and method, the cutting grooves cut on the glass substrate are substantially extended in thickness direction of the glass substrate by vibration method so as to achieve separation, which can be readily controlled and avoid contamination and damage to the liquid crystal panel. |
| US09195081B2 |
Touch liquid crystal grating, 3D touch display device and driving method of touch liquid crystal grating
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a touch liquid crystal grating, its driving method and a 3D touch display device. The touch liquid crystal grating comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer; grating electrodes, located on a side of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer and extend along a first direction, each being located within each of strip-like regions with spacing regions being provided therebetween; touch driving electrodes, extending along the first direction and being located within the spacing regions between adjacent strip-like regions; and touch sensing electrodes, extending along a second direction, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction, and when the plurality of grating electrodes are electrified, liquid crystal molecules corresponding to each of the strip-like regions are deflected, and liquid crystal molecules corresponding to each of the spacing regions are not deflected. |
| US09195079B2 |
Three port transceiver
An optical coherent transceiver comprising a polarization and phase-diversity coherent receiver and a polarization and phase-diversity modulator on the same substrate interfaced by three grating couplers, on grating coupler coupling in a signal, one grating coupler coupling in a laser signal, and a third grating coupler coupling out a modulated signal. |
| US09195068B2 |
Optical scanner manufacturing method, optical scanner, image display device, and head-mounted display
An optical scanner manufacturing method includes overlapping a first substrate including a base portion region that becomes a base portion, a shaft portion region that becomes a shaft portion, and a support portion region that becomes a support portion, and a second substrate in which a frame-like concave portion, a first portion that is positioned inside the concave portion, and a frame-like second portion that is positioned outside the concave portion and has a light reflectance reduction function are formed on one surface, to bond the base portion region to the first portion and to bond the support portion region to the second portion, patterning the first substrate to form the base portion, the shaft portion, and the support portion, and cutting the second substrate from the other surface side to separate the first portion and the second portion from each other. |
| US09195067B1 |
Wearable device with input and output structures
An electronic device includes a display and a band configured to be worn on the head of a user. The band defines a display end to which the display is affixed and extends from the display end to a free end. The band is adjustable such that it can be configured by a user to contact the head of the user at a first location near a temple, a second location along a portion of the user's ear adjacent the temple, and at a third location along a rear portion of the head of the user. The display end is positionable away from the head such that the display element is suspended over an eye adjacent the temple. The band is further configured to maintain the configuration. The device also includes image generating means within the band for generating an image presentable to the user on the display. |
| US09195064B1 |
Versatile glare reducer
A device for shielding a user from undesired light includes a flexible arm that can be adjusted to hold different configurations. The device includes at least one fixing assembly with a suction cup for securing the device to a smooth surface. The device also includes at least one shield assembly with a shield member for shielding light. The fixing and shield assemblies are securable to an end of the flexible arm or along the length of the flexible arm. A receptacle interfaces with the fixing assembly and allows the device to be secured to (for example) a sun visor. A user may secure the device to the windshield or dashboard of a vehicle using a fixing assembly. The flexible arm with one or more shielding assemblies may be adjusted/shaped to position shield members, and readjusted/reshaped as undesired light shifts position relative to the user. |
| US09195063B2 |
Light scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
A light scanning apparatus, including: a light source; a deflector configured to deflect the light beam from the light source to scan a photosensitive member; an optical member configured to guide the light beam; a housing including a housing engaging portion and a supporting portion configured to support the optical member; a leaf spring including a pressing portion and a leaf spring engaging portion; and an abutment portion, wherein, in a process in which the housing engaging portion and the leaf spring engaging portion are moved from a second state in which the leaf spring engaging portion is not engaged with the housing engaging portion to a first state in which the leaf spring engaging portion is engaged with the housing engaging portion, the pressing portion is moved from the abutment portion to the optical member. |
| US09195062B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
Each scanning optical system includes a first scanning lens and a second scanning lens through which a light beam is incident onto the first scanning lens. The second scanning lens of each scanning optical system is disposed at the optically most downstream side in the scanning optical system and has an optical plane that has the strongest power in a sub-scanning corresponding direction. In addition, the optical plane of each second scanning lens, which has the strongest power in the sub-scanning corresponding direction, is located under the shaft bearings of neighboring polygon mirrors in the vertical direction. |
| US09195057B2 |
Illumination optical unit for a projection exposure apparatus
An illumination optical unit for a projection exposure apparatus serves for guiding illumination light toward an illumination field, in which a lithography mask can be arranged. A first facet mirror has a plurality of individual mirrors that provide illumination channels for guiding illumination light partial beams toward the illumination field. The individual mirrors each bear a multilayer reflective coating. A second facet mirror is disposed downstream of the first facet mirror in the beam path of the illumination light. A respective facet of the second facet mirror with at least one of the individual mirrors of the first facet mirror completes the illumination channel for guiding the illumination light partial beam toward the illumination field. |
| US09195054B2 |
Cascaded micromechanical actuator structure
A cascaded micromechanical actuator structure for rotating a micromechanical component about a rotation axis is described. The structure includes a torsion spring device which, on the one hand, is attached to a mount and to which, on the other hand, the micromechanical component is attachable. The torsion spring device has a plurality of torsion springs which run along or parallel to the rotation axis. The structure includes a rotary drive device having a plurality of rotary drives which are connected to the torsion spring device in such a way that each rotary drive contributes a fraction to an overall rotation angle of a micromechanical component about the rotation axis. |
| US09195051B2 |
Multi-state shutter assembly for use in an electronic display
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a multi-state shutter assembly. The multi-state shutter assembly can be used in an electronic display. The shutter assembly can include a movable light obstructing component. The shutter assembly also can include first and second actuators configured to move the light obstructing component between three states, including a fully light obstructive state, a substantially transmissive state, and a partially transmissive state. At least one of the three states is a neutral state in which both the first and second actuators are in an unactuated state. The shutter assembly also can include a controller configured to control the first and second actuator to selectively move the light obstructing component into each of the three states. |
| US09195047B2 |
Optical filter and optical module having optical filter
An optical filter includes a first substrate, a first mirror formed on the first substrate, a second substrate coupled to the first substrate, the second substrate including a concave portion, a second mirror formed on the concave portion and facing the first mirror, and an electrode formed on the second substrate and around the second mirror. The first substrate includes a plurality of first hinge portions and a plurality of second hinge portions inside the plurality of first hinge portions. |
| US09195046B2 |
Protective magnification film for electronic devices
A protective film for a cellular phone screen that is operable to protect the screen and further functions to provide image magnification of images displayed on the screen. The protective film further includes a body that is generally planar in manner having four contiguous walls operable to define an interior volume. Disposed within the interior volume are a first lens and a second lens. The first lens and the second lens are configured in a bi-convex arrangement. The body further includes disposed on one side thereof a pressure sensitive adhesive that is operable to releasably secure the protective film to a screen of a cellular phone. |
| US09195038B2 |
Omnidirectional lens, optical devices utilizing the lens and method for optical measurement
The invention relates to an omnidirectional lens, an optical measuring device, and a method for optical measurement. The lens comprises a central portion, collecting optically in a first direction, and an edge portion, which surrounds the central portion, and which is arranged to guide the light arriving at the edge portion omnidirectionally relative to the said first direction essentially transversely relative to the said first direction. According to the invention, the edge portion is arranged to guide the light through the central portion. With the aid of the invention, it is possible to create, for example, a simpler laser radar. |
| US09195037B2 |
Projection display apparatus
A projection display apparatus includes an image display element for displaying an image on a reduction side conjugate plane and a projection optical system for magnifying and projecting the image onto a screen which is a magnification side conjugate plane as a conjugate image. The projection optical system substantially consists of a dioptric system and a catoptrics system having a common axis. The center of a display surface of the image display element is disposed eccentrically with respect to the optical axis and, when a magnification side conjugate position of the center of the display surface is vertically above the optical axis, an intersection point between a lower light ray of a light flux focused on the bottom center of the conjugate image and an upper light ray of a light flux focused on the top center of the conjugate image falls within a predetermined range. |
| US09195035B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens includes, in order from object side: a positive first unit immovable for zooming; a negative second unit moving during zooming; a third unit moving during zooming; a stop; and a positive fourth unit immovable for zooming. The first unit includes, in order from object side, a fixed negative front first unit, a positive middle first unit moving for focusing, and a fixed positive rear first lens unit. Each of the front first and the second units includes at least one positive lens and two negative lenses. Average of Abbe constants and average of partial dispersion ratios of positive lenses in the front first unit, average of Abbe constants and average of partial dispersion ratios of negative lenses in the front first unit, combined focal length of the positive lenses in the front first unit and focal length of the front first unit are appropriately set. |
| US09195034B2 |
Lens for projection and projection-type display apparatus
A lens for projection substantially consists of a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group and a positive third lens group in this order from a magnification side. A reduction side is telecentric, and a most magnification-side lens is an aspheric plastic lens. The third lens group consists of a negative front group and a positive rear group in this order from the magnification side with an air space therebetween. The front group consists of a negative lens and a positive lens in this order from the magnification side with an air space therebetween, and the air space being narrower than the air space between the front group and the rear group. Conditional formula (1): −0.7 |
| US09195032B2 |
Image pickup apparatus equipped with zoom lens with bent optical path
A zoom lens with a bent optical path includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit including the reflecting member and having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, a third lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power. During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens unit moves closer to the first lens unit only toward the object side, the third lens unit moves in such a way that it becomes closest to the second lens unit at an intermediate focal length position in the course of zooming as compared to the state at the wide angle end and the state at the telephoto end, and the fourth lens unit moves. The zoom lens satisfies a certain condition. |
| US09195031B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens forms an image on a solid-state image sensor. The constituent elements are arranged in order from an object side: an aperture stop, positive first lens having a convex object-side surface, negative second lens having a concave image-side surface, positive or negative double-sided aspheric third lens, positive fourth lens having a convex image-side surface, and negative double-sided aspheric fifth lens having a concave image-side surface. In addition, all of the lenses are made of plastic, and conditional expressions (1) through (4) below are satisfied: 2.0 |
| US09195030B2 |
Imaging lens assembly, imaging device and mobile terminal
An imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has refractive power. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has negative refractive power. The fifth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the sixth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof. The imaging lens assembly has a total of six lens elements with refractive power. |
| US09195026B1 |
Step response suppression structure of lens driving apparatus
According to one exemplary embodiment, a step response suppression structure of lens driving apparatus is provided and adapted to a lens driving apparatus with a fixed portion and a movable portion. The step response suppression structure includes a cantilever element and a damping element; a first connector end of the cantilever element is directly secured to the movable portion, the damping element is connected with a second connecting end of the cantilever element to the fixed portion. When the movable portion performs any movement, the cantilever element and the damping element reduce setting time by the movable portion through setting the step response suppression structure between the movable portion and the fixed. |
| US09195023B2 |
Removable optical devices for mobile electronic devices
Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to an optical device with one or more optical components (e.g., lenses) attached to a retainer portion or clip. The optical device can be removably attached to mobile electronic 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 mobile device. The optical device may include one or more energy conveying paths to allow energy to be conveyed to and/or from various components of the mobile device, such as flashes or microphones. In some embodiments, additional features may be provided, such as optical components tilted to complement a tilt of an onboard camera of a mobile device, and structures or adapters to reduce friction or allow an optical device to be attached to mobile devices of varying thicknesses. |
| US09195022B2 |
Stand for a medical device
The invention relates to a stand for a medical device. The stand includes a first support arm and a second support arm, which is connected to the first support arm via a first joint connection having a first degree of freedom of motion and on which the medical device can be held. The first joint connection has a first switching device, which can be put into a first switching state and into a second switching state, wherein, in the first switching state, the first degree of freedom of motion is blocked or disabled and wherein, in the second switching state, the first degree of freedom of motion is open or enabled. |
| US09195020B2 |
Splice tray rail system
A splice tray rail system includes a splice tray assembly which includes a splice tray and a tray holder and a rail having a first portion and the second portion. The splice tray assembly is disposed in a first direction when the splice tray is engaged with the first portion of the rail, and the splice tray assembly is disposed in a second direction when the splice tray is engaged with the second portion of the rail. |
| US09195019B1 |
Low-shrink reduced-diameter buffer tubes
Disclosed is a low-shrink buffer tube having a reduced diameter. The buffer tube provides adequate crush resistance and is suitable for deployments requiring mid-span access. |
| US09195016B2 |
Optical connector
An optical connector has: a holding member having an accommodating portion formed at an end thereof for accommodating a collimator lens and an insertion hole formed at an opposite end thereof for inserting an optical fiber; and a resin joint having a first insertion hole formed at an end thereof for inserting the holding member and a second insertion hole formed at an opposite end thereof for inserting the optical fiber. The collimator lens and the optical fiber are positioned by making at least one of the collimator lens and an end surface of the optical fiber abut against a recess formed in the holding member near the accommodating portion. The resin joint has a fixing portion formed therein for fixing a part of the optical fiber positioned in the holding member inserted via the first insertion hole into the resin joint, the part being exposed from the holding member. |
| US09195015B2 |
Bi-directional fiber optic transceivers, housings therefor, and methods for making and using the same
A bi-directional fiber optic transceiver includes a laser diode, a photodiode, first and second lenses, all of which share a common linear optical axis, and a housing. The first lens may have transmission increasing film thereon. The second lens may have a reflection increasing film thereon. An optical splitter may be between the first and second lenses. The first and/or second lenses may be spherical, hemispherical or aspheric. The transceiver size is reduced so that a circuit board can accommodate more components or be smaller in size. Utilizing hemispherical lenses can greatly increase the coupling ratio of the optical links between the photodiode, fiber and laser diode. Utilizing aspheric lenses with high coupling can serve high power output requirements. Use of spherical lenses (which extend the focal length) with aspheric lenses enables LD TO assemblies in individual housings to serve in various products. |
| US09195013B2 |
Optical connector plug
Disclosed an optical connector plug to be fitted into a LC type adapter having a wide width opening and a narrow width opening. The optical connector plug includes a square cylindrical front housing; a plug frame for retaining a ferrule and slidable in the front housing, a locking housing connected to the plug frame and fitted in and locked with the LC type adapter. The guide portion on an upper part of the front housing has side wall surfaces coming in sliding contact with the opening having a narrow width at the upper part of the adapter and locking projections on the sidewall surfaces. The locking projections abut against an edge portion of an opening of the adapter when the locking housing is fitted into the adapter, so that the front housing is moved rearward, and a distal end portion of the ferrule projects outward from the opening. |
| US09195011B2 |
“Secured” fiber optic connecting system and method using offset fiber position in a single-fiber connector
Provided is a single-fiber connector including a housing; and a single-position ferrule disposed within the housing, the single-position ferrule including a single fiber hole which extends though the housing parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the ferrule and is configured to receive a fiber. The fiber hole is disposed in the ferrule at a fiber position located according to a predetermined distance offset from the longitudinal center axis of the ferrule and a rotation of a predetermined number of degrees around the longitudinal center axis of the ferrule in a predetermined direction. |
| US09195009B2 |
Microfluidic optical switching device and method
Improved systems and methods for optical switching are provided. These devices and methods can be used to improve the effectiveness of a wide variety of different optical systems and techniques. One embodiment provides a device and method for optical switching using a microfluidic chamber and droplets of liquid. Specifically, the droplets of liquid are controllably passed through the microfluidic chamber to switch the passing of light between different optical outputs. Thus, the optical switch can switch the light from one output to another by controllably passing droplets of liquid through the microfluidic chamber. |
| US09195006B1 |
Fiber termination assembly
A fiber termination assembly includes an optical fiber inserted into an optical ferrule disposed in an optical passageway of a heat conductive housing, the optical passageway providing an optical path aligned with the openings of the housing, the optical ferrule including a central bore concentrically disposed about the optical path and configured to receive a portion of a proximal end of the optical fiber therein, the optical ferrule and optical fiber secured in relation to the heat conductive housing with epoxy at a distal end of the optical ferrule, wherein the optical ferrule is transparent at a predetermined wavelength of light such that for light coupled into an input surface of the proximal end of the optical fiber at least a portion of the light propagating as cladding modes is stripped out of the optical fiber and transported to and dissipated in the heat conductive housing. |
| US09195004B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming structures of polymer nanobeads
The disclosure relates to providing printed structures of polymer that have substantially flat printed surfaces. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a post-printing treatment apparatus for receiving a substrate supporting a polymer printing thereon. The polymer can be PMMA or other suitable polymer. In a related embodiment, the polymer defines a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature. The apparatus can comprise of a chamber, and input manifold, an exhaust manifold, a solvent reservoir and a gas reservoir. The solvent reservoir provides one or more solvent systems adapted to chemically bind, and potentially react, with the polymer. The gas reservoir provides one or more gases for drying the substrate and printed polymer after the solvent treatment step. In one application, a substrate having printed surface thereon is placed in the chamber and exposed to the solvent system for sufficient period of time to provide substantially flat print surfaces. |
| US09195001B2 |
Spot size converter, optical transmitter, optical receiver, optical transceiver, and method of manufacturing spot size converter
The spot size converter includes a first cladding layer, a first core layer and a second core layer arranged side by side on the first cladding layer so as to extend from a first end which receives/outputs light along a direction from the first end toward a second end, a third core layer which is disposed on the first cladding layer between the first and second core layers, is a member different from the first and second core layers, and extends to the second end along the direction from the first end toward the second end, and a second cladding layer disposed on the first, second, and third core layers. |
| US09194996B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display device using same
The present invention provides a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device using the backlight module. The backlight module includes: a backplane (2), a light guide plate (4) arranged in the backplane (2), a backlight source (6) arranged in the backplane (2), an optic film assembly (8) arranged above the light guide plate (4), and a reflection plate (9) arranged between the backplane (2) and the light guide plate (4). The backlight source (6) includes a PCB (62) and a plurality of LED lights (64) mounted on and electrically connected to the PCB (62). The backplane (2) includes a bottom plate (22) and a plurality of side plates (24) perpendicularly connected to the bottom plate (22). The bottom plate (22) of the backplane (2) includes a snap-engagement structure (220) formed thereon. The PCB (62) is snap-fit into and retained by the snap-engagement structure (220). The reflection plate (9) is directly positioned on and supported by the PCB (62). |
| US09194995B2 |
Compact illumination module for head mounted display
An illumination module includes a light source to output lamp light and a mixing light guide having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The mixing light guide includes a spatial homogenization section and an emission section. The spatial homogenization section includes a first end coupled to receive the lamp light having a first cross-section profile from the light source and a second end to deliver the lamp light with a second cross-section profile substantially conforming to the substantially rectangular cross-section of the mixing light guide. The emission section is adjacent to the second end. The emission section includes an emission surface through which the lamp light is emitted with a substantially uniform intensity profile. The emission surface faces a different direction than an input surface of the first end through which the lamp light is received into the mixing light guide. |
| US09194993B2 |
Three-dimensional display apparatus and backlight module thereof
A three-dimensional display apparatus and a backlight module thereof are provided. The display apparatus further includes a display panel disposed on the backlight module. The backlight module has a light guide plate, a plurality of microstructures, a first light source, and a second light source. The light guide plate has a bottom surface and a light emitting surface opposite to the bottom surface, wherein the microstructures are disposed on at least one of the two surfaces. The first light source is at a first corner of the light guide plate while the second light source is at a second corner opposite to the first corner. A first surface and a second surface of the microstructure define an orientation direction (or form a distribution direction) along or parallel to the diagonal line through the first and second corners. |
| US09194991B2 |
Fiber optic sensor manufacturing method and structure thereof
A fiber optic sensor structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a third substrate, a first fiber optic sensor and a second fiber optic sensor. The first substrate has a first groove, while the second substrate has a second groove. A manufacturing method includes: arranging the first fiber optic sensor in the first groove and arranging the second fiber optic sensor the second groove; and stacking the second substrate on the first substrate and stacking the third substrate on the second substrate. When assembled, the first fiber optic sensor is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the second fiber optic sensor is provided between the second substrate and the third substrate to form a double-layer fiber optic sensor. |
| US09194988B2 |
Light-polarizing article and dye dispersion and method for making same
A polarizing dye dispersion, a light-polarizing article and a process for making light-polarizing article utilizing the polarizing dye dispersion. The aqueous polarizing dye dispersion comprises, in addition to a polarizing dye material, a non-ionic surfactant material comprising a plurality of surfactant molecules represented by the following general formula (I): wherein: the average of the number n of all the surfactant molecules ranges from 9 to 200; m is 1 or 2; R, identical or different for each surfactant molecule and each occurrence, independently is an alkyl; at least one R on each surfactant molecule is a C6-C12 straight-chain or branched alkyl; and X, identical or different for each surfactant molecule, independently is an H or a C1-C4 alkyl. |
| US09194975B2 |
Method and system for identifying a liquid product in luggage or other receptacle
A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for determining if a piece of luggage contains a liquid product comprised of a container holding a body of liquid. The piece of luggage is scanned with an X-ray scanner to generate X-ray image data conveying an image of the piece of luggage and contents thereof. The X-ray image data is processed with a computer to detect a liquid product signature in the X-ray image data and determine if a liquid product is present in the piece of luggage. A detection signal is released at an output of the computer conveying whether a liquid product was identified in the piece of luggage. The detection signal may, for example, be used in rendering a visual representation of the piece of luggage on a display device to convey information to an operator as to the presence of a liquid product in the piece of luggage. |
| US09194974B2 |
Method to predict dense hydrocarbon saturations for high pressure high temperature
A method for characterizing one or more properties of a geological formation including brine and a dense vapor phase includes inputting at least one first property of the geological formation including resistivity of a vapor phase into a model including an equation of state (EOS) model, the model accounting for a high temperature effect on the dense vapor where that the dense vapor has a non-infinite resistivity. At least the EOS model is solves to provide data relating to at least one second property of the geological formation. The data relating to the at least one second property is output to a display device for visual inspection. |
| US09194972B2 |
Method of adjusting properties of drilling fluids and apparatus for use in such methods
The present invention provides a method of determining a physiochemical property of a drilling fluid at a drilling site during a drilling phase, said method comprising detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal from out-of-hole drilling fluid at said site and calculating therefrom a value indicative of said property. |
| US09194969B2 |
Method and system for adjusting vessel turn time with tension feedback
Disclosed are methods and systems for using tension feedback from steerable deflectors to adjust vessel turn time. In one example, a maximum tension for a second steerable first towed on a first side of the survey vessel may be determined. A radius of a turn of the vessel at a preselected speed may further be selected such that the tension on the first steerable deflector is less than the maximum tension. The vessel may be turned while moving at the preselected speed, wherein the turning of the vessel has the selected radius. Tension may be measured on the first steerable deflector during the step of turning the vessel. |
| US09194967B2 |
Tomographic imaging of fracture-fault permeability zones during drilling operations
Disclosed are various embodiments of methods for identifying faults and fractures, and other permeable features, within geologic layers during a drilling operation comprising; recording microseismic data during a drilling operation; recording times and positions of a drill bit in a well bore during the drilling operation; processing microseismic data at a plurality of selected times and locations to image microseismic events and identifying faults and fractures, and other permeable features, from corresponding images of microseismic events. In other embodiments, the integrity of a cementing operation may be verified by recording microseismic data during a cementing operation; recording times and positions of a cementing operation in a well bore during the cementing operation; processing microseismic data at a plurality of selected times and locations to image microseismic events and identifying faults and fractures, and other permeable features, within the cemented zone from corresponding images of microseismic events. |
| US09194964B2 |
Radiographic imaging device, method for achieving pixel value, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A radiation imaging device including: a radiation amount detection pixel that generates charges in amounts corresponding to irradiated radiation amounts, a charge amplifier that accumulates charges provided from the radiation amount detection pixel, and that outputs output signals with signal levels corresponding to accumulated charge amounts; an acquisition section that acquires an output value of the charge amplifier at a time when a first accumulation duration has passed from an accumulation being started, as a first detection value, and that acquires an output value of the charge amplifier at a time when a second accumulation duration has passed from an accumulation being started, as a second detection value; and a derivation section that derives a difference between the first detection value and the second detection value as a pixel value of the radiation amount detection pixel. |
| US09194962B2 |
Enclosure pressure relief mechanism inherent to case design
A radiation detection assembly includes an ionization chamber for detecting radiation. The ionization chamber includes a volume of pressurized gas. An exterior enclosure houses the ionization chamber within an interior volume. The exterior enclosure includes a frangible section. A relief assembly defines a gas flow path from the ionization chamber to the frangible section of the exterior enclosure. The frangible section releases pressure from within the ionization chamber when the pressurized gas within the ionization chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure such that at least some of the pressurized gas flows through the relief assembly and through the frangible section of the exterior enclosure. The pressurized gas is then released to an exterior of the exterior enclosure. A method of reducing pressure within a radiation detection assembly is also provided. |
| US09194961B2 |
Method for assessing an alpha particle emission potential of a metallic material
A method for assessing an alpha particle emission potential of a metallic material. A metallic material is initially subjected to a secular equilibrium disruption process, such as melting and/or refining, to disrupt the secular equilibrium of the radioactive decay of one or more target parent isotopes in the material. A sample of the material is treated to diffuse target decay isotopes within the sample such that the measured alpha particle emission directly corresponds to the concentration or number of target decay isotope atoms within the entirety of the sample, enabling the concentration of target decay isotopes in the sample to be determined. The concentration of target parent isotopes in the material may then be determined from the concentration of target decay isotopes and time elapsed from the secular equilibrium disruption process, and may be used to determine a maximum alpha particle emission that the metallic material will exhibit. |
| US09194960B2 |
Pet detector scintillation light guiding system having fiber-optics plates
A positron emission tomography scanner system that includes detector modules arranged adjacent to one another to form a cylindrical detector ring. Each of the detector modules includes an array of scintillation crystal elements, a plurality of photosensors arranged to cover the array of crystal elements and configured to receive light emitted from the array of crystal elements, and a fiber optics plate arranged between the array of scintillation crystal elements and the plurality of photosensors, the fiber optics plate including a plurality of fibers configured to guide the light emitted from the scintillation crystal to the plurality of photosensors. |
| US09194958B2 |
Stabilized thallium bromide radiation detectors and methods of making the same
According to one embodiment, a crystal includes thallium bromide (TlBr), one or more positively charged dopants, and one or more negatively charged dopants. According to another embodiment, a system includes a monolithic crystal including thallium bromide (TlBr), one or more positively charged dopants, and one or more negatively charged dopants; and a detector configured to detect a signal response of the crystal. |
| US09194952B2 |
Visual display with illuminators for gaze tracking
A visual display includes hidden reference illuminators adapted to emit invisible light for generating corneo-scleral reflections on an eye watching a screen surface of the display. The tracking of such reflections and the pupil center provides input to gaze tracking. A method for equipping and an LCD with a reference illuminator are also provided. Also provides are a system and method for determining a gaze point of an eye watching a visual display that includes reference illuminators. The determination of the gaze point may be based on an ellipsoidal cornea model. |
| US09194950B2 |
Handheld locating device
A locating device disposable on a surface has a housing, a capacitance sensor, a radar sensor, and an inductance sensor. The locating device also has a motion sensor disposed for detecting at least one motion parameter. A controller receives data from the capacitance sensor, the radar sensor, the inductance sensor and the motion sensor, and determines from the data a presence of objects disposed within or behind the surface. A display is used for displaying a graphical representation of the objects disposed within or behind the surface. |
| US09194949B2 |
Methods and systems for precise vehicle localization using radar maps
A method for determining a location of a vehicle. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of sensor data from a radar sensor associated with the vehicle; obtaining an approximate location of the vehicle using a GPS unit; comparing the sensor data to a database of geo-referenced sensor data; and based on the comparison, determining a location of the vehicle. |
| US09194945B2 |
Open loop power oscillator doppler radar
Described are radar systems and methods. A transmit pulse is generated by the radar system. A first portion of the transmit pulse is processed by the radar system to form transmit pulse data. A second portion of the transmit pulse is directed by the radar system into a monitored volume. A return signal is received by the radar system, the return signal at least partially comprising a portion of the second portion of the transmit pulse reflected by one or more objects in the monitored volume. The return signal is processed, by the radar system, to form return signal data. |
| US09194942B2 |
Deriving image data from data received from an ultrasound probe
Apparatus for producing image data representing a specimen being imaged using ultrasound includes a processor and memory. The processor receives input data representing output from an ultrasound probe, and performs an iterative algorithm on the input data until a converged estimate of the mean of the distribution of the image data is reached. This estimate is used to produce output image data for display. The algorithm updates estimates for the image data, the echogenicity of the image data, and the variance of the noise of the image data. The step of updating the variance of the noise of the image data uses an update rule that assumes the noise to be varying across the image data but locally invariant for any small enough region of the image data. |
| US09194940B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, radar apparatus, and signal processing method
Provided is a signal processing apparatus configured to calculate an angle of a detection point corresponding to an object on the basis of received signals of a plurality of array antennas. A beat signal is generated by a difference between a transmitted signal and a received signal. Digital data is derived through AD conversion of the beat signal. The digital data is divided into a plurality of data groups. A fast Fourier transform is performed on the data groups to acquire a plurality of transformed data corresponding to the number of the data groups. The transformed data are divided into a plurality of sets, correlation matrices for the respective sets are acquired, and an average value of the correlation matrices is calculated. The angle of the detection point is calculated on the basis of the average value of the correlation matrices. |
| US09194937B2 |
Computational systems and methods for locating a mobile device
Systems and methods are described relating to detecting an indication of a person within a specified proximity to at least one mobile device; and presenting an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of the person within the specified proximity. Additionally, systems and methods are described relating to means for detecting an indication of a person within a specified proximity to at least one mobile device; and means for presenting an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of the person within the specified proximity. |
| US09194931B2 |
Length measurement method and device of the same
The present invention proposes a length measurement method and a length measurement device. The length measurement method includes steps of emitting the laser via a laser ranging module in a reference direction to order to detect a reference distance between a reference point on a target and the laser ranging module, taking the reference direction as a the measurement direction, taking the reference distance as a first distance, executing a border detecting procedure according to the measurement direction and the first distance in order to detect a border of the target, and calculating measurement distance between the border and the reference point according to border location information of the laser ranging module corresponding to the border, the reference direction and the reference distance. |
| US09194929B2 |
Camera-supported movement detection for movement compensation in real time in magnetic resonance imaging
The invention relates to a method for compensating patient movements in MRI scans in real time and to a device suitable for carrying out said method. The method involves the following steps: optically sensing a marking element (5) connected to a patient (3) by means of an image sensor module (7) of an MRI-compatible camera (2) which is positioned inside an MRI device; transferring the image data detected by the image sensor module (7) to a micro-controller module (11) which is integrated in the MRI-compatible camera (2); calculating position data of the marking element (5) in the micro-controller module (11); and transmitting the position data to an external analyzing unit or to the MRI device in real time. |
| US09194928B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit, a data acquisition unit and an image data generating unit. The imaging condition setting unit sets respective imaging conditions corresponding to plural imaging regions. The respective imaging conditions include at least one non-contrast-enhanced imaging condition. The data acquisition unit acquires respective pieces of data corresponding to the plural imaging regions according to the respective imaging conditions. The image data generating unit generates image data based on the respective pieces of data corresponding to the plural imaging regions. |
| US09194927B2 |
Simple method to denoise ratio images in magnetic resonance imaging
A simple method to denoise ratio images in magnetic resonance imaging, includes generating a MRI sequence provided for acquiring data from an object to be imaged, wherein the MRI sequence is configured for generating at least two different standard images, respectively a first standard image and a second standard image, acquiring the two different standard images, and combining the two different standard images in a ratio image. The ratio image is obtained by calculating a ratio of the first standard image and the second standard image that is tunable by a parameter γ wherein the parameter γ is automatically chosen for maximizing the negentropy of the ratio image. |
| US09194925B2 |
Fat and iron quantification using a multi-step adaptive fitting approach with multi-echo magnetic resonance imaging
A computer-implemented method for quantifying fat and iron in anatomical tissue includes acquiring a plurality of multi-echo signal datasets representative of the anatomical tissue using a magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequence. A plurality of multi-echo signal datasets are selected from the plurality of multi-echo signal datasets and used to determine a first water magnitude value and a first fat magnitude value. In response to determining that the multi-echo signal datasets include at least three multi-echo datasets, a first stage analysis is performed. This first stage analysis comprises selecting a first effective transverse relaxation rate value. Next, first algorithm inputs comprising the first water magnitude value, the first fat magnitude value, and the first effective transverse relation rate value are created. Then, a non-linear fitting algorithm is performed based on the first algorithm inputs to calculate a second water magnitude value, a second fat magnitude value, and a second effective transverse relaxation rate value. A first proton density fat fraction value is then determined based on the second water magnitude value and the second fat magnitude value. |
| US09194924B2 |
MRT local coil
A local coil for a magnetic resonance tomography device includes an elastic antenna support part with several antennas and an electronic part with electronic components connected to the antennas via supply lines. At least one part of the electronic part is located outside of the antenna support part. |
| US09194918B2 |
Leakage detection circuit with integral circuit robustness check
An electrical leakage detection circuit detects electrical leakage of a battery in an electric vehicle. A first transistor switch coupled between a first and second resistor is actuated for coupling the first resistor and the second resistor. A second transistor switch coupled between a third and fourth resistor is actuated for electrically coupling the third and fourth resistor. A controller generates control signals for actuation of the first transistor switch and the second transistor switch. A first voltage is measured across the traction battery cell string. A second voltage is measured across the second resistor. A third voltage is measured across the third resistor. The controller detects electrical leakage by measuring the first, second, and third voltages and applying them in equations utilizing these voltages with constants of the first, second, third, and fourth resistances. |
| US09194915B2 |
Control test point for timing stability during scan capture
A control test point (CTP) of an integrated circuit scan chain includes a scan latch and an integrated clock gate (ICG). The ICG includes clock, functional enable (FE) and scan enable (SE) inputs, and a gated clock output. The ICG can respond to an SE input active state, in a serial scan mode allowing the gated clock output to change. The ICG can also be operated in a scan capture mode, responding to an SE input inactive state, in which the gated clock output is inhibited from changing in response to a low FE input level. The ICG's gated clock output is coupled to the scan latch clock input, which holds its data output at a fixed level in response to ICG's gated clock output being inhibited from changing during the scan capture operation. |
| US09194914B2 |
Power supply monitor for detecting faults during scan testing
Some embodiments of a power supply monitor include a measurement circuit to measure a voltage provided to the power supply monitor, a comparator to compare the voltage to a predetermined voltage threshold, and an interface to provide, during a scan test of a processing device including the power supply monitor, a fault signal in response to the voltage being below the voltage threshold. Some embodiments of a method include providing a first test pattern to one or more power supply monitors associated with one or more circuit blocks in the processing device and capturing a first result generated by the power supply monitor(s) based on the first test pattern. The first result indicates whether a voltage provided to the circuit block(s) is below a voltage threshold. |
| US09194912B2 |
Circuits for self-reconfiguration or intrinsic functional changes of chips before vs. after stacking
A method and system for testing one or more semiconductor structures, for example, chips or wafers, in a three-dimensional stack. The method and system includes controlling a logic signal of a first circuit in a first chip or wafer connected to a supply voltage to indicate a first state during pre-assembly testing of the first chip or wafer. The method and system further includes controlling the logic signal to indicate a second state when the first circuit is connected to a second circuit of a second chip or wafer resulting in a combined circuit. The combined circuit is in a three-dimensional chip or wafer stack during post-assembly testing of the three-dimensional chip or wafer stack. |
| US09194907B1 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus includes: an output timing controller configured to delay an applied external read command by a predetermined time and generate a normal output enable flag signal, during a normal mode, a test output timing controller configured to generate a DLL clock signal from an external clock signal, delay the applied external read command in synchronization with the DLL clock signal, and output the delayed applied external read command as a test output enable flag signal, during a test mode, and a multiplexer (MUX) configured to output any one of the normal output enable flag signal or the test output enable flag signal as an output enable flag signal. |
| US09194906B2 |
Probe apparatus
A probe apparatus is provided, comprising a card clamp mechanism configured to detachably clamp a probe card equipped with a plurality of probes; a wafer chuck configured to mount a semiconductor wafer thereon and configured to provide contact between electrodes formed in the semiconductor wafer with the probes of the probe card clamped by the card clamp mechanism with an operation of a drive mechanism; and a card movement mechanism configured to move the card clamp mechanism and the probe card clamped by the card clamp mechanism to at least two positions spaced at a predetermined distance. |
| US09194902B2 |
Noise variance estimation and interference detection
Noise variance estimation and interference detection is described. In one example, a method of estimating noise variance is described in which the pilots within a received OFDM signal are divided into bands and then a noise variance estimate is calculated on a per-band basis by averaging the noise estimates for those pilots within the band. In some examples, the pilots are divided into bands in frequency and in other examples, the pilots are divided into bands in frequency and time, such that noise estimates from more than one OFDM symbol are used in calculating the per-band noise variance estimates. The noise variance estimate for a pilot is then set to the noise variance estimate for the band which contains the pilot. The noise variance estimate for a data sub-carrier can then be determined by interpolating between the values for the pilots. |
| US09194899B2 |
Utility network and revenue assurance
A system and method for detecting anomalies in the measurement and distribution of utilities is disclosed. Utility metering data obtained at a utility meter is received through a communications network. A utility consumption associated with an entity is then measured based on the utility metering data. The utility consumption can then be monitored for anomalies based on entity profile characteristics associated with the entity. The utility analytics system and method can be applied to the electrical utility industry, but also applicable to gas and water distribution, and other utilities. |
| US09194898B2 |
Intelligent electronic device and method thereof
An intelligent electronic device (IED) having a gain control unit adapted to selectively regulate operating ranges of output signals of a sensing circuit of the device is described. In one embodiment, the IED is a digital electric power and energy meter, which operating ranges for supply voltages and supply currents of electrical services may be adjusted to match pre-determined ranges for input signals of a data acquisition system or a data processing module of the meter. |
| US09194897B2 |
Electronic watt-hour meter and electronic watt-hour measuring method
An electronic watt-hour meter of according to an aspect of the invention includes: a first multiplexer receiving a plurality of detected currents detected in respective polyphase power lines in parallel; a first signal converter converting a signal output from the first multiplexer into a digital signal; a first demultiplexer outputting a serial input from the first signal converter in parallel; a line voltage generator generating a plurality of line voltages from the plurality of detected voltages; a second multiplexer receiving the plurality of line voltages in parallel, to output the received line voltages in series; a second signal converter converting a signal output from the second multiplexer into a digital signal; a second demultiplexer outputting a serial input from the second signal converter in parallel; and an calculating unit calculating a power value from a signal output from the first demultiplexer and a signal output from the second demultiplexer. |
| US09194894B2 |
Compressor sensor module
A sensor module for a compressor having an electric motor connected to a power supply is provided. The sensor module includes an input that receives current measurements generated by a current sensor based on a current of the power supply. The sensor module also includes a processor. The processor is connected to the input, determines a maximum continuous current for the electric motor, and selectively compares the current measurements with a value equal to the maximum continuous current multiplied by a predetermined value. The maximum continuous current is set based on at least one of a type of refrigerant used by the compressor and actual refrigeration system conditions. |
| US09194892B2 |
Matching positive transitions in a time trace disaggregation process
A method can include detecting a positive transition in a time trace disaggregation process (TTDP), creating a new instance j, capturing a positive transition data block for the instance j, creating a time trace feature description for power, reactive power, and current, and matching the instance j to a device type by performing a quick match based on at least one quick match parameters. Responsive to a positive identification based on the quick match, the instance j may be assigned to the device type. |
| US09194891B2 |
Root mean square detector and circuit breaker using the same
The present disclosure relates to a RMS detector for directly computing a signal detected through an analog circuit to measure its RMS value, and a circuit breaker using the same. For this purpose, a RMS detector according to the present disclosure may include a plurality of voltage/current sensing units configured to detect a voltage or current shaped analog signal for an arbitrary load; a plurality of square circuit units configured to compute square function units, respectively, based on a voltage output from the plurality of voltage/current sensing units; a summing circuit unit configured to sum a plurality of output voltages output from the plurality of square circuit units, respectively; and a root circuit unit configured to compute a RMS value based on a voltage output from the summing circuit unit. |
| US09194889B2 |
Probe card and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a probe card including a plurality of unit plates including pad areas and contact probe areas, a plurality of electrode pads formed in the pad areas, a plurality of contact probes formed in the contact probe areas, and a plurality of interconnecting layers electrically connecting the electrode pads and the contact probes. The plurality of unit plates has different sizes and are arranged and laminated so as to expose all the pad areas of each unit plate. |
| US09194888B2 |
Automatic probe ground connection checking techniques
A test system can include a probe suitable to be coupled between a test measurement device and a device under test (DUT). The probe can include a signal input to receive an active signal from the DUT and a signal output to provide the active signal to the test measurement device. The probe can also include an input ground to connect to the DUT ground and an output ground to connect to the test measurement device ground. A probe ground connection checking device can automatically determine whether the probe ground connections to the DUT ground and test measurement device ground are solid. |
| US09194882B2 |
Inertial and pressure sensors on single chip
In one embodiment, the process flow for a capacitive pressures sensor is combined with the process flow for an inertial sensor. In this way, an inertial sensor is realized within the membrane layer of the pressure sensor. The device layer is simultaneously used as z-axis electrode for out-of-plane sensing in the inertial sensor, and/or as the wiring layer for the inertial sensor. The membrane layer (or cap layer) of the pressure sensor process flow is used to define the inertial sensor sensing structures. Insulating nitride plugs in the membrane layer are used to electrically decouple the various sensing structures for a multi-axis inertial sensor, allowing for fully differential sensing. |
| US09194880B2 |
Apparatus and methods for aimpoint correction
In order to determine crosswind effects between a weapon and its intended target (204) a crosswind gradient measuring apparatus (600) directs a first pulsed coherent light beam (646) and a second pulsed coherent light beam (648) to the target (204). Light of both beams scattered back by aerosols in the air is measured by using a detector (652) thus generating a beat frequency in the detector signal. The beat frequency indicates a Doppler-shift due to crosswind as a function of range between weapon and target wherein the range is determined by the time of flight. The information determined by such a Doppler differential interferometer, DDI, is utilized by a signal processor (608) to calculate the bullet's crosswind offset which enables manual of automatic adjustment of an aiming mechanism. |
| US09194878B2 |
Automatic analysis device
An automatic analysis device has a light scattering photometer incorporated therein, and improved accuracy resulting from reducing the influences from external light. The automatic analysis device includes a scattered light measurement unit disposed inside the main-body casing, and openable/closable protective covers to cover the top face of the main-body casing. A first protective cover at the center includes a light-shielding part to block external light. The protective covers include see-through parts enabling viewing of the inside. The light-shielding part is configured to cover an area of the reaction disk at least corresponding to the area above the scattered light measurement unit, thus reducing external light leaking into the scattered light measurement unit, and thus removing influences from external light on the scattered light measurement. The protective cover may have a divided structure. |
| US09194876B2 |
Sample inspection system and operating method for management server thereof
A management server of a sample inspection system includes sample processing information generated on the basis of inspection request data, facility data, a simulation execution portion and a window generation portion for generating a monitor window. The inspection request data contains a priority, an order time, a required time and inspection items and the sample processing information contains an inspection start time and an inspection estimate finish time. The monitor window has a work area in which the samples represented by sample bars parallel to the abscissa are arranged in a vertical direction and a past record and a future schedule are allocated to this abscissa with the present time as the base. The sample bars display a simulation execution portion for executing simulation on the basis of the inspection start time, the inspection estimate finish time and a delay time. The management server displays the simulation result. |
| US09194875B2 |
Platelet aggregation test and device
An assembly for testing platelet aggregation including an electrode subassembly that is mounted in a cuvette subassembly for use with relatively small samples containing platelets. |
| US09194872B2 |
Potentiation of nanopharyngeal cancer radiotherapy by inhibitors of leukemia inhibitory factor
A method for evaluation of cancer diagnosis following cancer radiotherapy, comprising: providing a serum sample of a cancer patient prior to the cancer radiotherapy; and measuring a leukemia inhibitory factor concentration in the serum sample. Also provided is a method for potentiation of cancer radiotherapy, comprising: administrating a leukemia inhibitory factor inhibitor or a leukemia inhibitory factor receptor inhibitor to a subject in need of the cancer radiotherapy. |
| US09194869B2 |
Method for evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of fast malaria-diagnosis test kits
The invention relates to a method for evaluating kits for rapid diagnosis of malaria, in order to determine or to test the sensitivity and specificity thereof. To that end, the reactive strips of the diagnostic kits are exposed to different concentrations of the malaria parasite in a method that allows data on sensitivity and specificity indicated on the technical sheet of the kit to be ascertained. |
| US09194868B2 |
Flow cytometry-based systems and methods for detecting microbes
In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods and systems for detecting microbes in a sample. The methods are generally applicable to quantifying the number of target bacteria in a sample counted from a detection region of a flow cytometer histogram. The detection methods can be employed in the presence of other microorganisms and other non-target microbe components to selectively quantify the amount of a target microbe. The methods are advantageous over those presently existing for testing of foodstuffs and diagnostic evaluation in their speed, accuracy and ease of use. Various swab collection devices and kits useful for practicing the present disclosure are also described herein. |
| US09194864B2 |
Screening methods employing insects with blood brain barrier
There is provided insect models that are aimed to reflect vertebrate blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Investigation of BBB penetration is extremely important in drug discovery; successful CNS drugs have to cross the BBB, while BBB penetration may cause unwanted side effects for peripheral acting drugs. Specifically, the present invention relates to the use of insects in screening for substances with a biological effect on the brain or central nervous system and/or effect on a disease or disorder of the brain or central nervous system. It further relates to use of such insects in screening for substances that have a desired biological activity and which do not cross the blood brain barrier. |
| US09194863B2 |
Treatment of pain
The present invention relates to the use of an antagonist of the non-selective cation channel TRPM3 as a medicine for the treatment of pain. The present invention further relates to a method for identification of novel compounds for the treatment of pain, such as TRPM3-antagonists and compounds that modulate the activity or expression of TRPM3. The present invention relates to the use of TRPM3 antagonists as analgesics and the use of the compounds of this invention for the treatment of pain such as but not limited to inflammatory hyperalgesia. |
| US09194862B2 |
Compositions and methods for determining cancer stem cell self-renewal potential
In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods for determining the self-renewal potential of a cancer stem cell (CSC) through analysis of the cross-talk between cell self-renewal pathways leading to deregulation and enhanced self-renewal of the CSC, or for predicting the drugability (susceptibility to a drug) of a CSC, and/or for predicting the progression of a cancer that corresponds to the CSC, the method comprising detecting and quantifying in CSCs one or more B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family protein isoform(s) or transcripts (mRNAs, messages) encoding one or more Bcl-2 family protein(s) or protein isoform(s) thereof. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods to determine and measure the levels of Wnt, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3 beta), glycogen synthase kinase-3 alpha (GSK-3 alpha), and/or Sonic Hedgehog Homolog (SHH or Shh) family proteins and alternatively spliced transcripts (mRNAs), and Wnt, GSK3beta, GSK3alpha and/or Shh family protein and alternatively spliced transcript ratios in cancer cells, e.g., stem cells, e.g., CSCs, for diagnostic, drug discovery and prognostic purposes. |
| US09194860B2 |
Integrated nanopore and paul trap mechanism for DNA capture and motion control
A mechanism is provided for capturing a molecule via an integrated system. An alternating voltage is applied to a Paul trap device in an electrically conductive solution to generate electric fields. The Paul trap device is integrated with a nanopore device to form the integrated system. Forces from the electric fields of the Paul trap device position the molecule to a nanopore in the nanopore device. A first voltage is applied to the nanopore device to capture the molecule in the nanopore of the nanopore device. |
| US09194853B2 |
Use of cyclic azaboronates as sensitive materials in sensors for detecting the presence of peroxides in a gaseous environment
The invention concerns the use of cyclic azaboronates as sensitive materials in sensors for the detection of the presence of peroxides, in particular hydrogen peroxide, in a gaseous environment. It further concerns new cyclic azaboronates, as well as sensors comprising these azaboronates as sensitive materials. Applications for the invention include the following: fight against terrorism, monitoring for security purposes of sites in which peroxides or peroxidable compounds are manufactured, stored, and/or used, monitoring of atmospheric pollution, etc. |
| US09194846B2 |
Needle adaptor and automatic sampler using the same
A needle adaptor mounted to one of a plurality of pipe connecting ports provided to a flow path switching valve to form an injection port into which a needle is inserted to inject a sample from a tip end of the needle is described. The needle adaptor comprises a dummy pipe having the same outer diameter as a normal pipe connected to the flow path switching valve, a port fixing portion for fixing the dummy pipe to the port, a needle seal for retaining the tip end of the needle to connect the needle and the dummy pipe and a needle seal housing mounted to the port fixing portion to retain the needle seal. The port fixing portion has the same shape as a port fixing portion of a pipe connecting member for connecting the normal pipe to the pipe connecting port. |
| US09194842B2 |
Thermal acoustic imaging methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting defects in an object
Thermal Acoustic Imaging (TAI) methods and systems are provided for detecting defects in an object. The TAI system may include a plurality of acoustic wave transceivers (AWTs), which are positioned around the object at different locations, and a broadband frequency signal generator, which is coupled to each of the AWTs. The system may further include an acoustic processor configured to utilize the AWTs to gather acoustic data pertaining to the object, process the acoustic data to generate spectral response data, and then process the spectral response data to determine an optimized setup. The optimized setup may include optimized excitation frequencies and optimized inspection positions for positioning a plurality of infrared imaging devices at different locations around the object. A plurality of infrared imaging devices may then be selectively positioned with respect to the object at the optimized inspection positions and utilized to further inspect the object for defects. |
| US09194837B2 |
Analyte sensors and systems including retention tab and methods of manufacturing same
In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a biological fluid sample. The analyte sensor has a base including a top and bottom side, a lid, and an attachment member including one or more retention tabs coupled proximate the top side so that the analyte sensor can be grasped by the sensor's top side. Manufacturing methods and systems adapted to use and dispense the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects. |
| US09194835B2 |
Method and device for determining a fuel portion in a motor oil of a motor vehicle
A method and device for determining a fuel portion in a motor oil of a motor vehicle. The motor oil is brought between at least two electrodes forming a capacitor. The capacitance of the capacitor is determined while the motor oil is located between the electrodes, and the fuel portion in the motor oil is determined from the capacitance of the capacitor. |
| US09194829B2 |
Process for performing automated mineralogy
A method and system for determining the mineral content of a sample using an electron microscope. The method includes directing an electron beam toward an area of interest of a sample, the area of interest comprising an unknown composition of minerals. The working distance between the backscattered electron detector of the microscope and the area of interest of the sample is determined. Compensation is made for the difference between the working distance and a predetermined working distance in which the predetermined working distance being the working distance that provides desired grayscale values for detected backscattered electrons. One way of compensating for working distance variation is to used an autofocus feature of the microscope to adjust the working distance. Backscattered electrons from the area of interest of the sample are then detected. |
| US09194826B2 |
Electron beam apparatus and sample observation method using the same
The electron beam apparatus is provided with a stage for mounting a sample thereon, a primary optical system for generating an electron beam having an irradiation area and irradiating the electron beam onto the sample, a secondary optical system for detecting electrons which have been generated through the irradiation of the electron beam onto the sample and have acquired structural information of the sample and acquiring an image of the sample about a viewing area and an irradiation area changing section for changing the position of the irradiation area with respect to the viewing area. |
| US09194825B2 |
Imaging apparatus using talbot interference and adjusting method for imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes a diffraction grating which diffracts electromagnetic waves from an electromagnetic wave source, a shield grating which shields a part of the electromagnetic waves diffracted by the diffraction grating, a detector which detects an intensity distribution of the electromagnetic waves through the shield grating, and an adjusting unit which adjusts the attitude of at least one of the diffraction grating and the shield grating on the basis of the detection result by the detector, wherein the adjusting unit divides the intensity distribution detected by the detector into a plurality of regions and adjusts the attitude of at least one of the diffraction grating and the shield grating on the basis of the intensity distributions of the plurality of regions. |
| US09194824B1 |
Anvils and ultra-high pressure apparatuses using the same
Polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) anvils and associated ultra-high pressure apparatuses employing such anvils. The PCD anvils include an anvil body defining an anvil face. The anvil body comprises a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions, with a metal-solvent catalyst occupying at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality and diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst of the PCD collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oe or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 G·cm3/g or less. |
| US09194820B2 |
Method for manufacturing a turbine rotor
An inspection method for a welded joint formed between a pair of base metals (10, 20) with a groove part (12, 22) and an abutment face (14, 24) being formed on a joint surface Wc between the pair of base metals. The method includes the steps of: forming a recessed groove (32) opening to a surface of the base metals in advance at one end of the abutment face; irradiating the joint surface Wc with an X-ray generator (34) placed on a groove part formation side (an exterior space O side) toward the joint surface Wc after at least one pass P1 of build-up welding is performed on the groove parts (12, 22); and determining the presence or absence of incomplete penetration in the welded joint part W based on an image formed on a photosensitive film (42) by radiation penetrating the joint surface Wc. |
| US09194819B2 |
Systems and methods for inspecting reinforced concrete structures
An inspection system for a metal-reinforced concrete structure is described. The system includes a radio frequency (RF) system configured to be movable with respect to a surface of the concrete structure while transmitting radio signals into the interior of the structure, and receiving reflected radio signals. The system also includes a processor configured to process the reflected radio signals, so as to obtain a focused image of the reinforcement in at least one selected region within the concrete structure. The image corresponds to the physical condition of the reinforcement. A method for determining the condition of a reinforced concrete structure is also described, utilizing the inspection system. |
| US09194818B2 |
Distance measurement system and optical resolution improvement apparatus
A distance measurement system includes: an irradiating means for irradiating two coherent electromagnetic waves having frequencies different from each other to an object under measurement in a partially displacing manner while having a same area; an electromagnetic wave detecting means for detecting electromagnetic waves from at least two or more areas on the object under measurement with a boundary line being interposed therebetween to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the displacement direction; a signal generating means for generating a difference signal or a summation signal of respective outputs of the electromagnetic waves detected in the electromagnetic wave detecting means at symmetrical positions with respect to the boundary line; and a measuring means for obtaining a phase difference or intensity difference of the difference signal or summation signal to obtain measurement values. |
| US09194812B2 |
Illumination energy management in surface inspection
The disclosure is directed to a system and method of managing illumination energy applied to illuminated portions of a scanned wafer to mitigate illumination-induced damage without unnecessarily compromising SNR of an inspection system. The wafer may be rotated at a selected spin frequency for scanning wafer defects utilizing the inspection system. Illumination energy may be varied over at least one scanned region of the wafer as a function of radial distance of an illuminated portion from the center of the wafer and the selected spin frequency of the wafer. Illumination energy may be further applied constantly over one or more scanned regions of the wafer beyond a selected distance from the center of the wafer. |
| US09194811B1 |
Apparatus and methods for improving defect detection sensitivity
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for detecting defects in a semiconductor sample. The system includes an illumination optics module for simultaneously scanning two or more structured illumination (SI) patterns across the sample in a scan direction. The SI patterns have a phase shift with respect to each other, and the SI patterns are parallel to the scan direction. The system also includes a collection optics module for collecting output light from the sample in response to the SI patterns that are scanned across the sample and two or more detectors for individually detecting the output light collected for individual ones of the SI patterns. The system includes a controller to generate two or more SI images for the SI patterns based on the individually detected output light and detect defects on the sample by performing a comparison type inspection process based on the two or more SI images. |
| US09194808B2 |
Ink composition for detecting hydrogen peroxide and indicator for detection of hydrogen peroxide
An indicator for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. It undergoes a color change according to the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and this color change can be visually recognized with higher certainty. An ink composition for hydrogen peroxide detection is provided which comprises 1) at least one of styrene-acrylic resins and styrene-maleic acid resins and 2) a methine dye. A color change layer formed from the ink composition for hydrogen peroxide detection produces an effect that a color change according to, e.g., the concentration of hydrogen peroxide can be visually recognized. |
| US09194803B2 |
Method for typing and identification of micro-organisms
The invention relates to a method for typing or identification of a micro-organism using vibrational spectroscopy, characterised in that, differences in one or more vibrational spectroscopic signal contributions from one or more bleachable components between different spectra obtained of a sample of said micro-organism, and/or between spectra of different samples of said micro-organism, and/or between spectra of samples of different micro-organisms, are substantially eliminated as a source of signal variance in a dataset of said spectra, said bleachable components being molecules possessing vibrational spectral bands that upon exposure to light show a reduction in signal intensity. |
| US09194802B2 |
Luminescent probes having a phenanthridinyl antenna, and methods of use
A molecular probe for the luminescent detection of nucleotides (e.g., adenosine nucleotides) is presented. In certain embodiments, the probe can readily distinguish between the three adenosine nucleotides in buffered aqueous conditions at neutral pH, a need for the direct monitoring of enzymatic reactions converting ATP to ADP or AMP. The probe is most efficient under millimolar concentrations of ATP, which are relevant to intracellular conditions. In preferred embodiments, the long luminescence lifetime of the probe readily enables time-gating experiments. |
| US09194801B2 |
Systems and methods for a DNA-based thermometer
DNA-based temperature sensor for measuring temperature through a transition of one or more strands of DNA from a coupled configuration to a decoupled configuration at a temperature threshold, and a fluorescent dye adapted to emit fluorescence when the DNA is in the coupled configuration, includes a receptacle adapted to receive the DNA and the fluorescent dye in a solution, an imaging device adapted to acquire an image of fluorescence emitted from the solution, the image having a plurality of regions, and a processor adapted to determine a plurality of fluorescence levels corresponding to each of the plurality of regions of the image and to generate a temperature map based on the determined fluorescence levels. A method for measuring temperature and a DNA-based temperature sensing solution are also provided. |
| US09194800B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods employing angular-resolved scattering and spectrally resolved measurements for classification of objects
Systems, devices, and methods are described for identifying, classifying, differentiating, etc., objects. For example a hyperspectral imaging system can include a dark-field module operably coupled to at least one of an optical assembly, a dark-field illuminator, and a hyperspectral imaging module. The dark-field module can include circuitry having one or more sensors operable to acquire one or more dark-field micrographs associated with scattered electromagnetic energy from an object interrogated by the dark-field interrogation stimulus. The hyperspectral imaging module can be operably coupled to the dark-field module, and can include circuitry configured to generate an angular-resolved and spectrally resolved scattering matrix based on the one or more dark-field micrographs of the object. |
| US09194796B2 |
Concealed dangerous articles detection method and device
A method and an apparatus for detecting hidden hazardous substance including the steps of: performing terahertz imaging for a detected object; judging whether there is a suspicious area containing the hidden hazardous substance in a terahertz image of the detected object obtained by the terahertz imaging; performing a multi-wavelength spectroscopy measurement to the suspicious area, determining whether the hazardous substance is contained in the suspicious area according to results of multi-wavelength spectroscopy measurement; and outputting the image of the detected object and hazardous substance detecting result. Also disclosed is an apparatus for implementing the method for detecting the hidden hazardous substance according to the present invention. Determination of the hidden hazardous substance can be performed from the perspectives of shape features and substance composition, thus the accuracy of detection is greatly increased. |
| US09194784B1 |
High pressure, high temperature lubricity tester
A method and apparatus for monitoring lubricity consists of a cylindrical cell assembly (80) capable of withstanding high pressure and high temperature with a movable rotor (26) abrading a solid sample (28) while submerged in a liquid sample (74). A loading device (42) moves a bottom shaft (46) supporting the solid sample (28) as said solid sample (28) abrades and is moved upwards, and its movement is measured by a displacement sensor (40). Liquid sample (74) is drained through solid sample (28) into receiver (38) to measure filtration of solid sample (28). Heat is provided via a heater (64) and pressure is controlled via pressurization media (72). |
| US09194779B2 |
Method for automated processing and embedding of tissue samples
An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation. |
| US09194773B2 |
Sampling and blockage removal tool
A sampling and blockage removal tool for mounting at a drain point of a pipeline or vessel isolation has a body, a connection valve mounted on the body and having a threaded fitting for threadably engaging in a threaded opening provided in the isolation valve of a pipeline and for securing the tool in fluid communication with the isolation valve, and a sampling tube extendable into the body. The tube is formed as hollow rod having an outer thread. A hand wheel is rotatably secured to the body without a possibility of longitudinal displacement relative thereto and has an inner thread cooperating with the outer thread of the sampling tube for longitudinally displacing the tube in opposite directions. At an end of the sampling tube remote from the body a valve structure is provided for controlling fluid flow through the sampling tube. |
| US09194769B1 |
Systems and methods for environmental testing and evaluation of non-destructive inspection sensors
A system and method for environmental testing and evaluation of non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensors is provided. The system has a structure having a plurality of NDI sensors to be tested. The system further has an environmental chamber containing heating elements and cooling elements for heating and cooling the NDI sensors when the structure is secured to the environmental chamber. The system further has an impact testing assembly positioned over the structure for impacting the structure. The system further has a data acquisition computer subsystem coupled to the environmental chamber and coupled to the NDI sensors. The data acquisition computer subsystem controls and monitors the heating and cooling elements, and collects and processes temperature and impact data acquired by the NDI sensors. |
| US09194768B2 |
Rim assembly and tire testing machine
A rim assembly includes a first rim on which a first reference surface is formed, a second rim on which a second reference surface is formed, a through-hole that extends to intersect the first reference surface of the first rim and into which an inserting part is inserted, pins erected on one of the first and second reference surfaces, protruding portions formed on the other of the first and second reference surfaces, first supporting members provided for the first reference surface, and second supporting members provided for the second reference surface. Groove portions with which the protruding portions are engaged are formed around the outer peripheral surfaces of the pins. The first and second supporting members come into contact with each other when the protruding portions are separated from the groove portions, and are separated from each other when the protruding portions are engaged to the groove portions. |
| US09194762B2 |
Machining head for a laser machining apparatus
A machining head of a laser machining apparatus comprises focusing optics which focus laser radiation. A measuring device measures changes of the focal length of the optics. The measuring device has a light source for generating measuring light different from the laser radiation. A light-exit window for the measuring light is imaged, with assistance of the focusing optics or a part thereof, onto a reflecting reference surface arranged to be stationary relative to the exit window and the focusing optics. A light sensor detects measuring light that has emerged from the exit window, has passed through the focusing optics or the part thereof, was reflected on the reflecting surface, and has again passed through the focusing optics or the part thereof. An evaluating device ascertains the change in the focal length of the focusing optics from measuring signals made provided by the light sensor. |
| US09194761B2 |
Cable condition monitoring device
A cable condition monitoring device for monitoring a damaged condition of a cable including a conductor part including a plurality of element wires and an insulating material part formed on a periphery of the conductor part includes a gas feeding device configured to feed a compressed gas into the conductor part, a pressure gauge configured to measure a pressure in the conductor part, and an insulating material part damage judgment part configured to judge whether the insulating material part is damaged or not based on the pressure measured by the pressure gauge. |
| US09194760B2 |
Capacitive pressure sensor with reduced parasitic capacitance
System, apparatus and method for capacitive sensing, where a sensor includes an upper and lower housing, each respectively equipped with upper and lower pressure ports. The lower housing is electrically coupled to an active shield. An insulating material is provided on or near a conductive diaphragm for insulating the conductive diaphragm from the lower housing. The insulating material may be an insulator or a dielectric material, where a sensing electrode is positioned such that the sensing electrode extends laterally across at least a portion of the insulating material, and is separated from the insulating material by a predetermined distance to form an air gap. |
| US09194754B2 |
Power up of semiconductor device having a temperature circuit and method therefor
A semiconductor device that may include at least one temperature sensing circuit is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various operating parameters to improve the operation of the semiconductor device over a wide temperature range. In this way, operating specifications of a semiconductor device at worst case temperatures may be met without compromising performance at other operating temperatures. The temperature sensing circuit may provide a plurality of temperature ranges for setting the operational parameters. Each temperature range can include a temperature range upper limit value and a temperature range lower limit value and adjacent temperature ranges may overlap. The temperature ranges may be set in accordance with a count value that can incrementally change in response to the at least one temperature sensing circuit. |
| US09194747B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method of estimating spectrum of object
An apparatus or system of estimating a spectrum of an object includes a plurality of filters or a plurality of filter areas that respectively have spectral characteristics different from one another, wherein at least two filters or filter areas have transmittance greater than a predetermined value throughout a wavelength range subject for estimation. The image capturing apparatus or system estimates a line spectrum of an object using spectral images of the at least two filters or filter areas having transmittance greater than the predetermined value. |
| US09194741B2 |
Device having light intensity measurement in presence of shadows
A device and method for detecting lighting conditions to enable brightness control of a display are disclosed. The device includes a display and a first photodiode array to detect light in a visible spectrum and a non-visible spectrum that is incident on the first photodiode array. The device also includes a second photodiode array to detect light in the non-visible spectrum that is incident on the second photodiode array, and a processor to determine the lighting conditions based on a first output of the first photodiode array and a second output of the second photodiode array. The processor adjusts the first output used to determine the lighting conditions based on detecting that the first photodiode array includes a shadowed region, and controls the brightness of the display based on the lighting conditions. |
| US09194740B2 |
Image retrieving apparatus and optical displacement estimating apparatus
An image capturing apparatus comprising: a light source, for transmitting incident light to an objective without utilizing any medium besides air, such that the light emits from the objective to generate passing-through light; and a sensor, for capturing an image of the objective according to the passing-through light. |
| US09194737B2 |
Method of determining vehicle scale health and suitability for use via weight transfer pattern analysis
Methods of determining vehicle scale health and suitability for use via weight transfer pattern analysis. Dynamically changing patterns of measurement values are seen at each load cell of a vehicle weighing scale as a vehicle enters, remains on, and leaves the scale platform thereof during a normal vehicle weighing operation. These patterns may be analyzed to provide an indication of whether a given load cell is operating properly and/or being manipulated to produce a false weight reading. |
| US09194736B2 |
Method of estimating the electrostatic force on an object to be weighed by applying charges of opposite polarity to alternating electrodes and measuring the resultant forces
A method estimates the effect on the weighing result of a balance (1) that is caused by electrostatic charges on an object (2) received on a load receiver (6) thereof. A first predefined positive voltage (U1) and a second predefined negative voltage (U2) of equal magnitude are alternatingly applied to a first electrode (12) in the vicinity of the weighing object. The forces acting on a force-measuring cell (17) are measured and are registered as the first and second measurement results. The difference between the respective measurement results represents the magnitude of the influence that the electrostatic charges residing on the weighing object are having on the weighing result. The difference also represents an essentially proportional part of the force resulting from electrostatic charges on the weighing object which causes a change in the weighing result and is sent as a signal to a processor unit. |
| US09194735B2 |
Combination weighing device initialization
A combination weighing device facilitates the performance of operation using optimal operational settings. The combination weighing device includes a dispersion feeder, a plurality of radial feeders and a plurality of weighing hoppers. The dispersion feeder is disposed in an upper portion, and conveys and disperses supplied articles. The radial feeders are arranged radially on the periphery of the dispersion feeder, and convey the articles that are discharged from the dispersion feeder. The weighing hoppers receive the articles discharged from the radial feeders. The combination weighing device performs a combination weighing based on the weight of the articles in the weighing hoppers. In the combination weighing device, the operational settings are performed automatically. |
| US09194733B2 |
Photoelectric-type continuous liquid level measurement method and device
A photoelectric-type continuous liquid level measurement method is applied to a photoelectric-type continuous liquid level measurement device which comprises at least one sensor module formed by cascading a plurality of sensors, and comprises: driving the sensors one by one from bottom to top to take a liquid level measurement; after detecting the light intensity of a detection light returned from the position where the sensors are located, the sensors which are currently in a driving state conducting analog-to-digital conversion on a voltage value corresponding to the detected light intensity to obtain current analog-to-digital conversion data; according to the correlation between a preset liquid level and the analog-to-digital conversion data, determining the liquid level of the position where the sensors are located; and summarizing to a transmitter module the liquid level measured by each of the sensors to obtain the total liquid level of a currently measured. |
| US09194732B2 |
Metered dispensing closure with indexing formations
A closure for dispensing a metered amount of dry product from a container includes a dispensing cap and a metering drum rotatably mounted on the dispensing cap. The dispensing cap has an upper deck with a dispensing aperture and a skirt engaging the neck of the container. The metering drum has an upper deck, a lower deck, and a metering chamber therebetween. The metering chamber has an entrance aperture in the lower deck and an exit aperture in the upper deck. The metering drum is rotatable relative to the dispensing cap between a filling position, where the metering chamber is aligned with the dispensing aperture and dry product fills the chamber, and a dispensing position where the metering chamber is not aligned with the dispensing aperture and dry product can be dispensed. The dispensing cap and the metering drum include formations to index a position of the metering drum. |
| US09194730B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the phase compositions of a multiphase fluid flow
Systems and methods are provided that relate to determining the phase compositions of a multiphase fluid flow in a fluid line, including determining a flow velocity parameter which is related to the flow velocity of the fluid flow in the fluid line using a flow sensor and obtaining a vibration signal from the fluid flow using a vibration sensor comprising a target disposed in the fluid flow which vibrates in response to fluid flow in the fluid line. The signal may be analyzed to determine an energy parameter which is related to the energy of the vibration signal within a frequency band, and a phase composition parameter, such as a dryness parameter, relating to the phase compositions of the fluid flow is determined using the flow velocity parameter and the energy parameter. An apparatus for determining the phase compositions of a multiphase fluid flow in a fluid line is disclosed. |
| US09194724B2 |
Gas sensor
In a gas sensor (100), a base end portion (175b) of a second outer wall (175) of an outer protector (171) is airtightly connected to a forward end portion (164c) of a first inner wall (164) of an inner protector (161). The outer protector (171) has a taper wall (172) which is located on the axially forward end side of the second outer wall (175). The taper wall (172) has the shape of a tapered tube whose diameter decreases toward the axially forward end side, and has a second outer hole (176), which is a forward end opening. The entire taper wall (172) is disposed on the axially forward end side in relation to the inner bottom wall (162) of the inner protector (161). |
| US09194721B2 |
Device and method for the inductive detection of a position
A position sensor for the inductive detection of a position of a first component comprising a reference coil with respect to a second component comprising a reference body. A control and processing unit of the position sensor is coupled to the reference coil and is designed for issuing an output signal generating a current impulse in the reference coil. In addition, the control and processing unit is designed for evaluation of an oscillation generated by the current impulse in the reference coil as an input signal indicating the position of the reference body. |
| US09194718B2 |
Field device for process instrumentation
A field device for process instrumentation comprising a measurement transducer having an analog output to which a two-wire line can be connected for transmitting an analog output signal, wherein a unit galvanically separates the processor from an analog output circuit. A read-back channel for a pulse-width modulated digital signal, which is tapped behind an element for galvanic separation, is provided for monitoring generation of the analog output signal, and a unit is provided for monitoring the analog output signal to maintain a specifiable maximum deviation from a reference signal, which is generated in the same manner as the analog output signal by low-pass filtering from the pulse-width modulated digital signal. In the case of transient signals, the monitoring unit advantageously detects error states quickly and appropriate measures for reacting to the error states can therefore be implemented in less time. |
| US09194717B2 |
Providing transit information
Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining transit routes through crowd-sourcing, for determining an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of a vehicle of the transit route at a given location, and for providing predictive reminders to a user for catching a vehicle of the transit route. A server receives signal source information about wireless signal sources detected by user devices, including information about a first wireless signal source detected by some devices. The server determines that the first wireless signal source is moving. The server determines that the first wireless signal source is associated with a public transit route upon determining that the signal source information satisfies one or more selection criteria. The server stores information associating the first wireless signal source with the public transit route as transit movement data corresponding to the public transit route. |
| US09194713B2 |
Logo-enabled interactive map integrating social networking applications
A logo-enabled interactive map integrating social networking applications is provided. The interactive map may be configured to help end users discover and share information (e.g., events, deals, news occurrences, etc.) associated with a plurality of venues. |
| US09194708B2 |
Navigation device and method for display of position in text readable form
A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for display of a location of a navigation device; determining at least one of a last known and a current GPS location of the navigation device; comparing the determined GPS location to stored map information and converting the determined GPS location into a text readable form; and displaying the text readable form of the determined GPS location on an integrated input and display of the navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to receive a request for display of a location of a navigation device, to determine at least one of a last known and a current GPS location of the navigation device, to compare the determined GPS location to stored map information and to convert the determined GPS location into a text readable form; and an integrated input and display device to display the text readable form of the determined GPS location. |
| US09194706B2 |
Method and system for identifying a directional heading of a vehicle
A system for confirming a direction of travel of a vehicle includes a location determining system and a control unit. The location determining system is configured to be coupled to a vehicle that travels in a network of plural route segments having fixed positions. The location determining system also is configured to obtain data representative of a measured heading of the vehicle. The measured heading represents a direction of travel of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to receive a designated route segment that is at least one of selected by operator input or provided by a trip plan that designates operational settings of the vehicle for a trip. The control unit is configured to compare the measured heading of the vehicle with one or more designated headings associated with the route segments to verify whether the vehicle is actually traveling on the designated route segment. |
| US09194705B2 |
Method for routing in a network, routing system, and transport system
A method for routing in a network including a plurality of nodes and links between nodes, includes the steps of: setting a start node and a destination node; for each node, assigning a waiting time distribution for at least one means of transport for at least one intermediate node between the start node and the destination node; and providing a list of alternative means of transport linking the intermediate node to a subsequent node as a function of the waiting time distribution assigned to the at least one means of transport at the intermediate node. |
| US09194704B2 |
Angular rate sensor having multiple axis sensing capability
An angular rate sensor (20) includes a single drive mass (24) and distributed sense masses (36, 38, 40, 42) located within a central opening (30) of the drive mass (24). The drive mass (24) is enabled to rotate around the Z-axis (64) under electrostatic stimulus. The sense masses (36, 38, 40, 42) are coupled to the drive mass by spring elements (44, 46, 48, 50) such that oscillatory rotary motion (90) of the drive mass imparts a linear drive motion (92, 94) on the sense masses. The distributed sense masses form two pairs of sense masses, where one pair senses X- and Z-axis angular rate and the other pair senses Y- and Z-axis angular rate. The sense masses are coupled to one another via a centrally located coupler element (34) to ensure that the sense masses of each pair are moving in anti-phase. |
| US09194702B2 |
Methods and apparatus for adjusting heading direction in a navigation system
A mobile device is described. The mobile device includes an electronic compass that generates compass data corresponding to an orientation of the mobile device relative to true north. A global positioning system (GPS) module receives a GPS signal from multiple satellites. The GPS module determines a heading direction of a vehicle transporting the mobile device relative to true north based on the position data when the vehicle is moving above a threshold velocity. A motion sensor generates motion data corresponding to a motion of the mobile device when the mobile device is moved. A processor adjusts the heading direction of the vehicle relative to true north based on the compass data when the vehicle is moving below the threshold velocity. |
| US09194699B2 |
Method for controlling a measuring system and measuring system for implementing the method
In a method for controlling a measuring system in a chassis measuring station, the motor vehicle is detected automatically in the measuring station by at least one detection unit and its position is ascertained with respect to at least one measuring device which is controlled on the basis of a signal of the detection unit in that an operating state of the measuring device is activated. The measuring system includes at least two mutually opposite measuring devices, which respectively have one image acquisition unit and one transverse referencing unit, and at least one detection unit, which is a light barrier having at least one transmitter and receiver. |
| US09194698B2 |
Geodetic device and a method for determining a characteristic of the device
A geodetic device comprises three device components, two axes of rotation, and two angle sensors such that the device components are rotatable with respect to each other and their rotational positions are determinable, and an inclination sensor system. A method for determining a characteristic of the device comprises an alignment of the second device component with respect to the first device component into a plurality of different rotational positions, whereby in each rotational position of the plurality of rotational positions a measurement value is determined from the first angle sensor, a measurement value is determined from the second angle sensor, and a measurement value is determined for the orientation of the inclination sensor system. |
| US09194696B2 |
Apparatus and method for imaging feet
An apparatus and method for determining contours of a patient's foot. The apparatus includes an alignment section that orientates the foot relative to an optical imaging section. The alignment section includes at least one support member located proximate a focal length of the imaging section, that engages the plantar surface substantially only in the immediate area of the fifth metatarsal head of the foot. The support generates a dorsally-directed load that locks the midtarsal joint. The alignment section further includes a heel stirrup and a laser beam or other reference line for aligning the second metatarsal head with the distal one-third of the lower leg, to place the subtalar joint in a neutral condition. The foot is thus suspended in space such that the imaging section is able to obtain an accurate measurement of the plantar surface without distortion of the soft tissues or bone structure of the foot. |
| US09194691B2 |
High-speed volume measurement system and method
Disclosed is a volume sensor having first, second, and third laser sources emitting first, second, and third laser beams; first, second, and third beam splitters splitting the first, second, and third laser beams into first, second, and third beam pairs; first, second, and third optical assemblies expanding the first, second, and third beam pairs into first, second, and third pairs of parallel beam sheets; fourth, fifth, and sixth optical assemblies focusing the first, second, and third beam sheet pairs into fourth, fifth, and sixth beam pairs; and first, second, and third detector pairs receiving the fourth, fifth, and sixth beam pairs and converting a change in intensity of at least one of the beam pairs resulting from an object passing through at least one of the first, second, and third parallel beam sheets into at least one electrical signal proportional to a three-dimensional representation of the object. |
| US09194688B2 |
Inductive proximity sensor
The invention relates to an inductive proximity sensor for determining the presence and/or the distance of an electrically conductive object which is designed to evaluate an oscillation in the form of an analog signal whose amplitude depends on the presence or absence and/or on the distance of an electrically conductive object. In accordance with the invention, the inductive proximity sensor includes at least one A/D converter which converts this analog signal into a digital input signal and includes at least one mixer which multiplies the digital input signal by a digital reference signal to form a digital output signal, wherein the digital reference signal is identical to the digital input signal or only differs from the digital input signal by a constant factor. The invention further relates to a method for determining the presence and/or the distance of an electrically conductive object with the aid of a proximity sensor. |
| US09194683B1 |
Tape measure attachment device and method for measuring and cutting drywall
A tape measure attachment device selectively couplable to a tape measure for measuring and cutting a piece of material includes a securing portion shaped to receive a portion of a tape member of a tape measure. An extension member is coupled to the securing portion to form a joint and is disposed at a substantially perpendicular orientation to the securing portion. A tab is coupled to and disposed at a substantially perpendicular orientation to the extension member, the tab having an upper face defining at least one elongated aperture. A tool placement zone is defined by the outer face of the extension member and the upper face of the tab and terminates at the joint and is free of any obstructions so as to allow a tool to be removably placed in the tool placement zone and inserted into the aperture. |
| US09194682B2 |
Safety and arming device for a projectile and using micro electro-mechanical technology
The invention consists of a safety and arming device for a projectile and using micro electro-mechanical technology that incorporates at least three layers of substrate: a bottom, a top and at least one intermediate layer incorporating at least one mobile part with respect to the different layers of substrate wherein the bottom and top incorporate raised patterns, the raised patterns being evenly spaced over the bottom and the top such that the mobile part is always, when in movement, held immobile between the raised patterns of the bottom and those of the top, the raised patterns of the bottom being in contact with a lower face of the mobile part and the raised patterns of the top being in contact with an upper face of the mobile part. |
| US09194681B2 |
Inertially operated electrical initiation devices
An all-fire detection circuit for an electrically initiated inertial igniter munition. The all-fire detection circuitry including: an input configured for receiving an input voltage over a duration responsive to an acceleration of the munition; an electrical storage device configured to receive a portion of the input voltage over the duration and to thereby accumulate a charge, an output coupled to the electrical storage device; a first diode having a first anode coupled to the input and a first cathode coupled to the electrical storage device; and a comparator configured to compare a voltage at the output and a reference voltage and to produce a result based on the comparison. |
| US09194674B2 |
Firearm cleaning shell
An apparatus including a bore cleaning projectile can be configured to clean a bore of a firearm as the projectile is propelled down the bore. The projectile includes a frangible capsule, a frame, a propellant providing a force to push the projectile down the bore of the firearm, and a collapsing feature configured to crush the frangible capsule when the force is applied to the frame. |
| US09194670B2 |
Apparatus for maximizing damage caused by a projectile to a hunted animal
An apparatus disclosed to maximize damage from a projectile to a hunted animal. The apparatus, a hunting projectile, includes an outer shaft assembly comprising an outer shaft, fletches, and a plurality of retention fins extending outwardly radially from the outer shaft. The apparatus further includes an inner shaft assembly fitting slidably inside the outer shaft and comprising an inner shaft and a piercing tip. |
| US09194665B2 |
Optimized bent bar grille
An optimized grille design that narrows the louver pitch and narrows the louver construction so as to maintain the air flow through the grille. An aerodynamic shape is applied to the leading edge of the louver thus lowering drag and reducing the pressure drop at the inlet. |
| US09194664B1 |
Main gun shield for battle tank
A shield for mounting a 120 mm gun to a tank turret includes a casting with a through hole configured to receive the 120 mm gun. A mounting flange is disposed in the through hole for fixing the 120 mm gun to the casting. A pair of trunnions are defined by a combination of the casting and a pair of respective trunnion caps. A shroud is removably fixed to the casting and includes a pair of bosses that interlock with a pair of protrusions in an interior of the casting. |
| US09194661B1 |
Ballistic armor assembly for vehicle-mounted explosive carrier
A ballistic armor assembly for a vehicle-mounted explosives carrier includes an assembly substrate and a ballistic composite. The assembly substrate is adapted for covering at least a portion of the explosives carrier, and has opposing inside and outside surfaces. The ballistic composite is secured to the outside surface of the assembly substrate. The ballistic composite includes a hard armor facing proximate a threat side of the ballistic armor assembly, and a flexible fabric backing proximate a protection side of the ballistic armor assembly. |
| US09194655B1 |
Adjustable gun holster
An adjustable gun holster is described. Embodiments of the holster include a first member for receiving a buttstock of a gun and a second member for receiving a forestock/barrel of the gun. The holster can further include a pair of attachment structures to removably couple to a shoulder strap of a pack. The holster can be adjusted to fit guns having differing lengths. For instance, the holster can be adapted for a short barreled shotgun and a long barreled rifle. To holster varying sized guns, a strap connecting the first member to the second member can be lengthened and shortened. |
| US09194653B1 |
Trigger guard tool
A tool providing a means to safely extract and/or insert a roll pin from the trigger guard assembly of a lower receiver unit of an automatic or semiautomatic rifle. Current tools fail to provide positive engagement and support of the trigger guard region, particularly the trigger guard lips which can easily be snapped or fractured during a roll pin extraction or insertion process. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an improved means to align and support a lower receiver unit by means of complementary mating and stop regions that secure the lower receiver in position while providing one or more cutouts that accommodate protruding levers and buttons on the lower receiver. Some embodiments feature a contoured top section having at least one of a plurality of surface features selected from a cutout, a mating region and a stop region; and a roll pin receiving port. |
| US09194651B2 |
Rail mount offhand recoil grip
An offhand recoil grip is described. In one disclosed embodiment, an offhand recoil grip has a mounting portion including a picatinny rail attachment portion, an attachment system to secure the mounting portion to a picatinny rail, and a lateral grip pad extending from the mounting portion with a substantially planar surface adjacent to the lateral grip pad, the lateral grip pad including a contoured portion to provide a thumb contact point for a non-trigger hand to reduce recoil when fired. Other embodiments are described involving a method of using a recoil grip, recoil grips with different attachments, for different weapons, etc. |
| US09194647B2 |
Toy gun and toy gun gas cartridge loading device
A toy gun includes a toy gun body and a toy gun gas cartridge loading device. The toy gun body includes a housing, a gun body first lock and a gun body second lock. The gas cartridge loading device is detachably housed in the housing and is locked with the gun body first lock. The gas cartridge loading device includes a loading device second lock which is housed in the loading device housing when an end of the gas cartridge loading device is housed in the housing. The loading device second lock is located on a lateral side of the gas cartridge loading device. When the gun body first lock is disengaged, the loading device second lock engages with a gun body second lock. |
| US09194646B2 |
Toy projectile launcher apparatus
A toy launch apparatus for projectiles having a soft exterior and an open bottom with a bordering strong inner wall. The projectile's open bottom is positioned atop a slot, with respect to a launch deck and a carriage in a housing assembly. A cocking assembly includes a pivotal launch arm and a launch spring connected to the carriage movable with an engaged slide, a slide link and carriage lock, which are cocked when a user pulls the slide rearward. At a first rearward position of the slide the carrier is restrained in a cocked configuration. On the way to a second rearward position of the slide, the slide, slide link and carriage lock disengage from the carriage, launch arm and launch spring. When the carriage and launch arm are triggered, the launch spring releases and the launch arm impacts the inner wall of the projectile for discharge. |
| US09194643B2 |
Crossbow
A crossbow is provided which has forward and rearward ends, a firing assembly having a finger-pull mechanism, and a butt member having a rear end. The crossbow has a length of pull that is positioned forward of the rearward end of the crossbow, where the length of pull is defined as a distance between the finger-pull mechanism and the rear end of the butt member. |
| US09194634B2 |
Cooling system with coolant circulation duct
A cooling system that includes a heat exchange plate defining a coolant circulation duct and equipped with connector elements each having a closure member for opening and closing the connector elements to the coolant circulation duct, a volume compensating device including a piston mounted to slide, relative to the plate, between a first retracted position and a second forward position, and wherein the system includes a coolant supply for the duct and a coolant discharge for the duct each of which includes connecting elements complementary to the connector elements of the plate, and wherein a maintaining member is secured to at least a first complementary connector element to lock the piston in the first position, when a first connector element of the plate and the first complementary connecting element are coupled, and retains the piston in the first position, during separation of the first connector element of the plate and the first complementary connecting element and until the closure member of the first connector element close any flow through the connector element. |
| US09194629B2 |
Condensation chamber cooling system
A condensation chamber cooling system of a condensation chamber for a boiling water reactor has a heat exchanger outside the condensation chamber. An elongate cooling module is provided in the condensation chamber with an evaporation space in its upper region. The cooling module is configured such that the evaporation space is located above a maximum filling level of the condensation chamber. The cooling module includes at least one riser pipe and one downpipe that issue with their upper ends into the evaporation space and with their lower ends in the condensation chamber. A first pressure line leads from the evaporation space to the heat exchanger and, from there, a second pressure line which issues in the condensation chamber below the minimum filling level. Thus, the condensation chamber, the pressure lines, the cooling module and the heat exchanger form a passive closed cooling circuit. |
| US09194628B2 |
Carbon baking oxygen preheat and heat recovery firing system
Contemplated devices and methods reduce heat loss and energy demand in a ring furnace by heating an additional oxygen containing stream in a supplemental oxygen conduit that is thermally coupled to a flue duct of a cooling zone. The so heated additional oxygen containing stream is then fed to the firing and/or pre-heat zones to increases combustion of volatiles and to reduce fuel demand by recycling waste heat to the firing and/or pre-heat zones. |
| US09194624B2 |
Device and method for drying film
A film drying device includes a chamber, a film fixing unit in the chamber and configured to fix a film, and a heater in the chamber and configured to apply heat to the film. |
| US09194617B2 |
Intermittent absorption refrigeration system equipped with a waste energy storage unit
A solar powered intermittent absorption refrigeration system utilizes helical coil heat exchangers for generation, absorption, dephlegmation, condensation and heat recovery. The thermo-siphon effect is used to supply and reject heat from the system, to recover and utilize heat from a waste energy unit, to reject heat of absorption, and to pressurize and depressurize the system. The system produces ice blocks during the nighttime without any requirement of electrical energy for the operation of the system. |
| US09194615B2 |
CO2 cooling system and method for operating same
There is provided a CO2 cooling system which comprises: a compression stage in which CO2 refrigerant is compressed; a cooling stage in which the CO2 refrigerant releases heat; and an evaporation stage in which CO2 refrigerant, having released heat in the cooling stage, absorbs heat. The CO2 refrigerant exiting the evaporation stage is directed to at least one of the compression stage, before being directed to the cooling stage, and the cooling stage by at least one of gravity and natural convection. There is also provided a method for operating a CO2 cooling system. |
| US09194614B2 |
Air-conditioning loop provided with a solenoid valve and operating as a heat pump
An air-conditioning loop, in which a refrigerant flows, is capable of operating as a heat pump. The air-conditioning loop includes a compressor. The air-conditioning loop further includes a first solenoid valve connected to the compressor, to a radiator, and to an external heat exchanger. The radiator is connected to the external heat exchanger via a first pressure-release device and to an evaporator via a second pressure-release device. The evaporator is connected to the compressor. The external heat exchanger is connected to the compressor and to the evaporator via a second solenoid valve. The external heat exchanger, the first solenoid valve, and the second solenoid valve constitute a unitary part. |
| US09194612B2 |
Stand for supporting solar panels on a flat roof
A stand for supporting solar panels on a flat roof is disclosed. The stand has a foot part, which has a base plate for support on the flat roof, and a head part, which has a support area for solar panels, wherein the head part and the foot part are two separate parts. The foot part has integral lock bars and the head part has integral lock bars. The lock bars connect the head part and the foot part to one another in a form-fitting manner. |
| US09194607B2 |
Solar concentrating wedge, compact and ventilated
Solar concentrating wedge can potentially deliver twice the output of a CPC trough. The wedge uses a new optic that turns light sharply allowing the collector to have a very compact profile. In this way, the focal zone is made shorter and hotter for solar thermal applications and the maximum flux density is doubled for photovoltaics. The collection optics are self-cooling. A simple and sturdy non-tracking frame ensures that collected light will follow the intended path to the absorber. |
| US09194605B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger has an exchanger unit, including at least one first coiled conduit and one second coiled conduit that are substantially coaxial, and a casing for housing the exchanger unit. The casing has a first end wall, a second end wall, and a peripheral part between the two end walls. Each conduit has an inlet and an outlet, where the outlet of the first conduit is connected substantially in series to the inlet of the second conduit. The exchanger unit is supported by the first end wall of the casing, with the inlet of the first conduit and the outlet of the second conduit which are substantially at the first end wall of the casing. |
| US09194604B2 |
Burner for gas-fired air heater
A burner assembly for a grain bin for heating air moving through the assembly to dry grain in the bin. The burner assembly has a collector adapted to receive fuel from a fuel line. A burner housing attaches to the collector receives fuel from the fuel line. A nozzle is secured to the burner. A flame diverter downstream from the burner housing diverts the flame outwardly from the burner nozzle toward the housing wall. A flame cone having a slope generally similar to the slope of the diverter is positioned near the burner to define a gap between the inside face of the diverter and the outer surface of the flame cone so as to provide a path for the burning fuel to travel from the burner outwardly toward the housing walls for a more complete combustion of the fuel. |
| US09194596B2 |
Ducted ceiling mounted fan
A fan assembly for generating an air flow within a room includes an air inlet section having an air inlet, an impeller, and a motor for rotating the impeller about an impeller axis to draw an air flow through the air inlet, and an annular nozzle having an inner wall, an outer wall extending about the inner wall, an air inlet for receiving the air flow, an air outlet for emitting the air flow, and an interior passage located between the inner wall and the outer wall for conveying the air flow to the air outlet, the inner wall defining a bore through which air from outside the nozzle is drawn by the air flow emitted from the air outlet. A support assembly supports the air inlet section and the nozzle on a ceiling of the room. |
| US09194594B2 |
Multiple tanks water thermal storage system and its using method
A multiple-tank water thermal storage system and its using method belong to energy saving technology. The multiple-tank water thermal storage system includes at least two water tanks. There are an upper diffuser (2) and a lower diffuser (5) provided in each said water tank. The upper and lower diffusers (2, 5) are connected with a chiller (heater) unit (4) and a heat exchanger (11) after connecting in parallel, respectively. Control valves (8) are set on pipes of the upper and the lower diffusers (2, 5), respectively. A thermal energy-charging pump (1) is set on the water-inlet pipe of chiller (heater) unit (4). A thermal energy-releasing pump (10) is set on the water-inlet pipe of the heat exchanger (11), and temperature sensors (6) are set in the water tanks. |
| US09194593B2 |
Icing protection for a heat pump
A protective housing is provided for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit having a fan therein. The fan comprises a plurality of blades, each blade having a proximal and distal end. The housing comprises a plurality of side panels, each side panel comprising openings enabling airflow into the housing. The housing further comprises an access panel that is coupled between two of the plurality of side panels wherein the access panel and the plurality of side panels form an enclosure. An orifice ring is mounted within the housing, wherein a running clearance between the distal end of the fan blades and the orifice ring has a first spacing. A cover fastens atop the enclosure, the cover comprising a grill having a plurality of grill members, wherein the grill members are separated by a second spacing, the second spacing being smaller than the first spacing. |
| US09194591B2 |
Method and apparatus for cooking using coded information associated with food packaging
A cooking apparatus capable of reading or detecting coded information printed on or otherwise associated with food packaging is provided. Food packaging capable of being read or detected by a cooking apparatus is also provided. The cooking apparatus sets cooking time and cooking temperature as a result of reading or detecting coded information printed on or otherwise associated with food packaging. The cooking apparatus is capable of interacting with a user of the cooking apparatus to further assist the cooking process started as a result of reading or detecting coded information printed on or otherwise associated with food packaging. The cooking apparatus capable of connecting to a remote computer and server and receiving and displaying web pages generated by the remote server to further assist the cooking process. |
| US09194588B2 |
Appliance airflow detection using differential heating of electronic devices
Apparatus and methods are disclosed to measure airflow within a chassis-cooling pathway of an appliance. The rate of airflow is determined based on the differential heating among a pair of sensor devices, such as thermistors, transistors, diodes or resistive thermal devices operating at distinctly different power levels. The appliance utilizes the calculated airflow rate to perform safety-related tasks, such as de-energizing heating elements when low or no airflow is detected. |
| US09194587B2 |
Gas turbine combustion chamber
A gas turbine combustion chamber is provided including a pilot fuel nozzle arranged in the central section of a cylinder that opens at one end towards a combustion chamber. The pilot fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle and a cylindrical outer casing around the outer circumference of the fuel nozzle. A pilot swirl element is arranged between fuel nozzle and outer casing, including a plurality of main burners which are arranged around the pilot fuel nozzle, and including a pilot cone having an inner side and an outer side. The pilot cone is arranged on the pilot fuel nozzle and an opening, such that a pilot flame is formed in the pilot cone by mixing air and pilot fuel in order to ignite a fuel injected by the main burners, wherein the pilot cone has turbulence generators on the inner side and/or outer side thereof. |
| US09194583B2 |
Mixed fuel vacuum burner-reactor
A mixed-fuel vacuum burner-reactor includes a primary combustion chamber having a conical interior and a first set of directing blades. The conical interior is connected to an intake manifold on one end and a reduction nozzle on the other end. Injectors are mounted perpendicularly to the reduction nozzle to inject a second fuel into the primary combustion chamber. The reduction nozzle is connected to a cylindrical secondary combustion chamber having a second set of directing blades configured to direct air into the secondary combustion chamber. Methods of efficiently burning mixed fuels in a triple-vortex vacuum burner-reactor are also disclosed. Vacuum conditions are created and fuels are introduced into a conical primary combustion chamber. The fuels are passed over a first set of directing blades to form three vortices before additional fuels are injected in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the first set of fuels. |
| US09194579B2 |
Aerodynamic radiant wall burner tip
A radiant wall burner apparatus. The apparatus includes an inlet and primary fuel tip for introduction of fuel gas and air mixing in a mixing chamber. The fuel and air mixture are subject to a substantially uniform flow area from the point of discharge from a downstream portion of the mixing chamber up to the exit gap of the burner tip. The fuel gas and combustion air mixture terminate through the burner tip at a substantially uniform velocity. The radiant wall burner apparatus and burner tip allow for the substantially uniform velocity of the fuel gas and air mixture, reducing the potential for flashback of the burner tip. |
| US09194575B2 |
Thermal management in optical and electronic devices
A thermal management system for electronic devices is provided. The thermal management system includes a plurality of synthetic jets provided in a stacked arrangement and separated by respective spacers within the stacked arrangement. The stack of synthetic jets may be used to facilitate airflow in the thermal management system, such as to facilitate air flow over a heat sink in one implementation. |
| US09194566B2 |
Lamp unit and vehicle lamp apparatus using the same
A lamp device including a surface light source and a vehicle lamp apparatus including the lamp device are provided. The lamp device may include a substrate including a plurality of supporting portions each having a light source mounted thereon, and connecting portions disposed between neighboring supporting portions. Each of the supporting portions may support a corresponding light source on a supporting surface thereof, with a perpendicular line passing through the supporting surface of the supporting portion forming an angle with respect to a reference line facing a predetermined reference direction. Multiple supporting portions each having light sources mounted thereon may form respective angles, and may be arranged so as to produce a desired level and pattern of light emission. |
| US09194560B2 |
Light source device and projector
A light source device includes first to third light sources, a fluorescent material, and a dichroic mirror. The dichroic mirror is constituted so that excitation light emitted from the first light source is transmitted through the dichroic mirror and applied to the fluorescent material, light of a first wavelength bandwidth emitted from the second light source is transmitted through the dichroic mirror and emitted in a predetermined emitting direction, generated light emitted from the fluorescent material is reflected by the dichroic mirror and emitted in the predetermined emitting direction, and at least a part of light of a second wavelength bandwidth from the third light source passes the outside of the dichroic mirror without entering the dichroic mirror, and is emitted in the predetermined emitting direction. |
| US09194554B2 |
LED lighting fixture assembly
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture and methods of installing the same. In various embodiments, an LED lighting fixture may comprise: at least one socket comprising a socket opening; at least one LED positioned substantially within the socket opening; at least one shield member positioned adjacent the at least one socket such that the shield substantially encloses the socket opening; at least one decorative light shade; at least one cover comprising a neck portion having an internal surface, the internal surface defining a cover opening. The cover opening is configured to receive there-through at least a portion of a socket and substantially engage the socket. At least a portion of the cover is configured to substantially engage the decorative light shade. Also, at least a portion of the cover is configured to substantially enclose the LED and shield. |
| US09194553B2 |
Vehicle lamp with laser lighting source
An exemplary vehicle lamp includes a laser lighting source for emitting a laser beam, a rotor, and a reflector having a reflecting surface. The laser lighting source is mounted on the rotor. The laser beam function as a spot light and illuminates each time a part of the reflecting surface. The laser lighting source rotates rapidly with the rotor to change the illuminated part of the reflecting surface. Human eyes have visual lag. The laser lighting source rotates fast enough to have the laser beam illuminates sequentially every parts of the reflecting surface rapidly. The laser beam is reflected to form a surface illumination recognized by the human eyes to illuminate a front of the vehicle. |
| US09194552B2 |
Optical article for directing and distributing light
An optical article for directing and distributing light including an optically transmissive light diffusing sheet and a reflective grid disposed in energy exchange relationship with the diffusing sheet. The reflective grid includes one or more parallel arrays of reflective surfaces configured to partially transmit and partially redirect a parallel beam of light into one or more directions that are not coincident with the original propagation direction of the incident light beam. |
| US09194547B2 |
Flashlight with integrated clip in handle
A flashlight having a handle with a clip or clamp integrated therein, so that the flashlight can be used in either hands-free or in a portable mode. A battery compartment is disposed within the head. |
| US09194544B2 |
Light emitting device, illuminating apparatus, and display apparatus
There are provided a light-emitting device, an illuminating apparatus, and a display apparatus in which, in order to apply light to an object to be illuminated with uniformity in light intensity, the quantity of light which is applied to a part of an edge of a to-be-illuminated region of the to-be-illuminated object located near a light-emitting section can be lessened. A backlight unit includes a printed substrate, a plurality of light-emitting sections each of which has a base support, an LED chip and a lens, and reflective members each of which is placed around the light-emitting section and has a first wall portion and a second wall portion. |
| US09194543B2 |
Floodlight comprising light-emitting diodes
A floodlight having a plurality of light-emitting diode arrangements which are arranged on a light-emitting surface on the front face of a support plate so as to be laterally spaced from one another. The light-emitting diode arrangements are retained directly or indirectly on the support plate by mechanically releasable retaining elements which can be actuated without tools. The retaining elements are designed such that the retaining elements can be actuated from the front face of the support plate, and the light-emitting diode arrangements can be removed from the front face of the support plate when the retaining elements are in the released position. At the same time, the retaining means press the light-emitting diode arrangements onto a heat sink arrangement in a retaining position in order to ensure a good heat transfer between the light-emitting diode arrangements and the heat sink arrangement. |
| US09194537B2 |
System and method for storage
A storage system includes a rail system, and a container. The container has an inner compartment. The container further includes an apparatus for supporting the container which also interacts the rail system, and a hoist coupled to the apparatus for supporting the container. |
| US09194535B2 |
Supporting apparatus for electronic device
A supporting apparatus for electronic device includes a sliding bracket and a mounting bracket. The sliding bracket includes a first mounting portion, a rotating axle, and a limiting block. The mounting bracket includes a second mounting portion and a pivoting hole. The rotating axle of the sliding bracket is inserted in the pivoting hole of the mounting bracket. The rotating axle can be rotated relative to the mounting bracket from a closed state to an opened state. In the closed state, the sliding bracket is coplanar with the mounting bracket in the supporting apparatus, and the first mounting portion attracts the second mounting portion by a magnetic force. In the opened state, the sliding bracket is rotated on the mounting bracket, the limiting block resists against the mounting bracket to stop the sliding bracket rotating, and the sliding bracket is kept at a require angle on the mounting bracket. |
| US09194532B2 |
Security sensor having adjustable retaining arms
A merchandise display security device for displaying and protecting articles of merchandise includes a security sensor having adjustable retaining arms for securely retaining articles of merchandise having various dimensions. Each of the opposed retaining arms includes a grip portion at a first end and a rack portion at a second end opposite the grip portion that operatively engages a rotatable pinion gear. The rack portions are disposed about the pinion gear such that the retaining arms are moveable in a lateral direction in opposite directions to accommodate articles of merchandise having various widths. The retaining arms are rotatably disposed within a base portion and a cap portion removably attached to the base portion such that the retaining arms are rotatable about a lateral axis to accommodate articles of merchandise having various thicknesses. |
| US09194528B2 |
Pipe rehabilitation method
In a pipe rehabilitation method, segments are linked in the circumferential and pipe-length directions to install a rehabilitation pipe inside an existing pipe. Nuts are secured to the segments along the circumferential direction thereof. Linking members each configured to be screwed into one of the secured nuts are inserted into each segment. Each linking member is temporarily locked to the segment to prevent the inserted linking member from falling out of the segment. The segment into which the linking members are inserted and temporarily locked and one of the segments to which the nuts are secured are aligned relative one another, and the linking members are screwed into the respective nuts to fasten both segments together and link them in the pipe-length direction. |
| US09194526B2 |
Flow control
The invention relates to a flow control (1) for reducing the flow velocity of a liquid heating medium flowing into an accumulator tank (2) or a boiler. The flow control (1) comprises an inner tubular member (5) and an outer cylindrical member (6), The inner tubular member (5) has an inlet opening (8) and at least one outlet opening (9). A deflector means (10) deflects the flow of liquid heating medium out of the inner tubular member through said outlet opening. A perforated member (12) covers the outlet opening (9) such that the flow of liquid heating medium from said outlet opening passes through said perforated member. The outer cylindrical member (6) comprises a solid part (14) and a perforated part (15). The outer cylindrical member (6) is positioned such that the solid part (14) deflects the flow of liquid heating medium from said inner tubular member towards the perforated part (15) of the outer cylindrical member and through that into the accumulator tank (2) or boiler. |
| US09194525B2 |
Method and apparatus of hot tapping multiple coaxial or nested strings of underwater piping and/or tubing for overturned wells or platforms
A method and apparatus for tapping into a pressurized multiple strings of coaxially situated tubulars for wells and/or platforms which have overturned wherein the tapping occurs underwater via a diver or remotely operated vehicle. The assembly includes a tapping tool connectable to the tubular via a saddle connection and an adjustable tapping clamp with adjustable support/locking feet, compression plate with view ports, and angularly adjustable hot tapping system, along with a drill/saw system. |
| US09194524B2 |
Rapid-connect coupler with vent-stop
An embodiment includes a rapid-connect coupler including a coupler body configured to convey a fluid; a coupling head at a first end of and communicating with the coupler body, the coupling head configured to transition between a coupled configuration and a de-coupled configuration. The coupler may further include a stop apparatus configured to allow the coupling head to transition from the de-coupled configuration to the coupled configuration without obstruction, and the stop apparatus may be configured to provide a hard-stop as the coupling head transitions from the coupled configuration to the de-coupled configuration. |
| US09194522B2 |
Connector fitting
A fluid coupling including an annular adapter with a cam receiving groove and an annular coupler slidable onto the adapter with cam levers movable to engage cams within the cam receiving groove. The adapter is made of Ultra High Density Polyethylene and has a metal insert or collar defining the cam receiving groove. |
| US09194513B2 |
Exhaust subsystem with polymer housing
A vehicle exhaust system includes a subsystem having an exterior pipe formed of a polymer. A rigid liner extends along the length of the exterior pipe and defines a passageway. A fiber insulating layer is formed between the rigid liner and the exterior pipe. The liner is formed to define at least one groove circumscribing the periphery of the passageway. The groove defines a region of increased volume of the exhaust passage along the length. The liner is further formed to define at least one void extending between the wall of the liner and the insulating layer, around the periphery of the passageway. A plurality of apertures in the liner, allow sound waves to pass from the passageway into the fiber insulating layer, and into the void. |
| US09194507B2 |
Air release valve with elastic rolling shutter
An air release vent valve used to vent air from a liquid filled pipeline, the air release vent valve having a float valve deployed in a float valve housing extending from the pipeline and a surge suppressing shutter valve deployed in a vent passageway extending from said float valve housing such that said surge suppressing shutter valve is downstream from said float valve. The surge suppressing shutter valve includes an elastic shutter element that is pre-shaped to a normally open position and is configured to gradually deform to a closed position as a velocity of air flowing through said vent passageway increase so as to dampen the force of the closure of air release vent valve and prevent a pressure surge within the pipeline. Once a liquid level in the pipeline reaches the float valve, a float is raised so as to fully closes the vent passageway. |
| US09194503B2 |
Draining device for machine tool
A draining device for a machine tool, which is assembled in a drain hole of a base of the machine tool, includes a ball, an outer shell, a sealing member and a flat head screw. The ball has a through hole defined therein. The outer shell has a receiving hole and the ball is received in the receiving hole of the outer shell. The sealing member has a guiding hole defined therethrough. The sealing member is inserted in the receiving hole of the outer shell and abutting against the ball with one end. The flat head screw is screwed in the base and a head portion of the flat head screw presses a top end of the outer shell. Under this arrangement, the ball is rotatable relative to the outer shell so as to adjust an angle of the through hole of the ball. |
| US09194502B2 |
Methods and apparatus for removing fluid from fluid valves
Methods and apparatus for removing fluid from fluid valves are described. An example apparatus for controlling fluid flow includes a fluid regulator having a body defining an inlet port, an outlet port and an aperture therebetween. The body further defining a bore fluidly coupled to a valve and at least one of the outlet port or the inlet port. The valve is to enable fluid contained within the body to be removed therefrom. |
| US09194501B2 |
Pressure balanced spring loaded overtravel sealing apparatus
An apparatus includes a cage and a main plug disposed in the cage. The main plug is movable between a main plug closed position and a main plug open position. A seal assembly disposed on the main plug, the seal assembly having a seal that is configured to contact the cage when the main plug is in the main plug closed position, and configured to reduce contact with the cage when a pressure differential across the seal is reduced. The apparatus includes a pressure balancing assembly movable between a closed position, an overtravel position and an open position. The pressure balancing assembly is configured to balance the pressure differential across the seal when in the overtravel and open position. |
| US09194500B2 |
Floating seal
A floating seal material comprises C, Si, Mn, Ni, Cr, and B with the remainder being made up of Fe and unavoidable impurities. The contents of the C, Si, Mn, Ni, Cr, and B are: C: 2.2 to 3.8 wt %, Si: 0.5 to 3.5 wt %, Mn: 0.1 to 2.0 wt %, Ni: 2.0 to 5.5 wt %, Cr: 0.9 to 4.0 wt %, and B: 0.02% to 0.4 wt %. The content of Cr in the parent phase is 0.30 to 1.07 wt %. The content of graphite is 0.35 to 2.33% of the surface area. The content of carbon boride is 14 to 40% of the surface area. |
| US09194498B2 |
Sealing device
A sealing device for sealing an annular gap between a housing having a shaft inserted into a shaft hole for preventing leaking of a fluid on one side in an axial direction to another side in the axial direction that is capable of stabilizing the posture of the sealing lip of the first sealing member made of rubber-like elastomer and exhibiting a good sealing performance. The sealing device includes a first sealing member (120) made of rubber-like elastomer, a second sealing member (140) made of resin, and an adaptor (160) that positions the first sealing member (120) in the axial direction, and a bent portion (163) in which an edge portion (165) is bent toward an outer peripheral side so as to be spaced apart from an outer peripheral surface of a sealing lip (123). |
| US09194497B2 |
Elastic seals with dynamic lips and related methods
Seal assemblies and methods that include a seal lip that comprises an extended portion with generally constant cross-sectional width for low and generally constant friction during wear are described. The seal lip is loaded against a dynamic member by the aid of a spring energizer. The extended portion of the seal lip maintains constant torque resistance during movement of the dynamic member. |
| US09194492B2 |
Piston ring having a thermally sprayed coating and method for producing same
A method for producing a piston ring for an internal combustion engine includes providing, a substrate and applying a coating by means of thermal spraying of a powder including solid lubricants on the substrate, having the elemental proportions of 15-30% by weight of iron, Fe; 15-30% by weight tungsten, W; 25-35% by weight of chromium, Cr; 10-35% by weight of nickel, Ni; 1-5% by weight of molybdenum, Mo; 0.2-3% by weight of aluminum, Al; 3-20% by weight of copper, Cu; 1-10% by weight of carbon, C; 0.1-2% by weight of sulfur, S; and 0.1-2% by weight of silicon, Si. The resultant piston ring and coating are also provided. |
| US09194491B2 |
Multi-part piston
A piston includes an outer shell having a receptacle at one end and a link retainer. The link retainer is configured to be positioned within the receptacle and affixed to the outer shell. The link retainer and the outer shell each define an opposing wall of a sealing ring groove, and one of the link retainer and the outer shell has an outer surface defining a base of the sealing ring groove. |
| US09194487B2 |
System and method for automatically downshifting an automatic transmission with alternate forward launch gear
An electronic control system for an automatic transmission having an alternate forward start gear, a lower forward start gear and a lower forward start gear lock our feature, in which the electronic control system can sense from various conditions when more power to the drive train is needed and cause the automatic transmission to automatically downshift to the lower forward start gear. |
| US09194480B2 |
Planetary gear alignment and indexing method and associated tool
A method is disclosed for assembly of a planetary gear drive, wherein the gear drive includes a ring gear, a sun gear, and a plurality of planet gears engaged with the ring gear and sun gear. The method includes mounting the planet gears within a carrier, with the planet gears freely rotatable relative to the carrier. A gear alignment tool is inserted through a bore in a front face of the carrier and is used to index the planet gears into an aligned rotational position for proper subsequent engagement with the ring gear and sun gear. |
| US09194477B2 |
Wearing monitoring device for motion guide device
A motion guide device includes a movable member attached onto an elongated member for forming a ball guiding passage and for receiving ball bearing members between the elongated member and the movable member, a detecting device includes a magnetic member and an insulated tube engaged into a hole of the movable member, and a warning device is coupled between the movable member and the magnetic member for generating a warning signal when the movable member and the magnetic member are electrically connected together with worn particles and for allowing the user to examine and to repair the motion guide device or the ball screw device when required. |
| US09194475B2 |
Work vehicle
Controlling means of a work vehicle includes, as speed change output setting data indicative of relationship between operational positions of the operational pedal and outputs from a stepless speed change device, first data for setting a deceleration completion position of the operational pedal where the output from the stepless speed change device is zero to provide a larger operational amount of the operational pedal from a stepping release position and second data for setting the deceleration completion position to provide a smaller operational amount of the operational pedal from the stepping release position. |
| US09194472B2 |
Ball type continuously variable transmission
A variable transmission includes an input shaft, a planetary gear set drivingly engaged with a variator comprising, a variator carrier assembly, a first ring assembly, and a second ring assembly; and the output shaft, arranged to produce transmissions with continuously variable or infinitely variable output ratios. |
| US09194470B2 |
Nut of a planetary roller screw drive, and method for producing such a nut
A nut (1, 13, 21, 25) for a planetary roller screw drive is provided. A sleeve (14) which is produced by metal forming is provided, and two rings (16) that lie at a fixed distance with respect to each other in the axial direction are provided in this sleeve. In order to engage planets (3), the one ring (16) has the one groove profile (18), and the other ring (16) has the other groove profile (18). |
| US09194468B1 |
Slider-crank mechanism with L-shaped connecting rod
This invention is a device and method for avoiding dead centers in an in-line slider-crank mechanism when it is used to convert linear to rotary motion. The usual straight connecting rod is replaced by an L-shaped connecting rod operating in conjunction with two deflecting pillars. The side-arm of the L-shaped connecting rod travels between the two pillars which are strategically sized and placed, and intended to deflect the side-arm. As a consequence, the crankpin end of the connecting rod is automatically deflected away from the dead center positions, thus avoiding them, and enabling the rotation to become continuous and un-interrupted. |
| US09194463B2 |
10-shift power train of automatic transmission for vehicle
The present invention provides a 10-shift power train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle, comprising: a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear selectively connected to a transmission casing, a first ring gear selectively connected to the transmission casing, and a first planetary carrier for integrally connecting a plurality of single pinions engaged between the first sun gear and the first ring gear; a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear directly connected to the first sun gear, a second planetary carrier directly connected to an input shaft and selectively connected to a third sun gear, and a second ring gear selectively connected to a fourth ring gear; a third planetary gear set including a third sun gear selectively connected to the second planetary carrier, a third planetary carrier selectively connected to the second ring gear, and a third ring gear selectively connected to the second ring gear; and a fourth planetary gear set including a fourth sun gear directly connected to the third planetary carrier, the fourth ring gear being directly connected to an output shaft, and a fourth planetary carrier directly connected to the first planetary carrier and to the third ring gear. |
| US09194462B2 |
Handheld power tool having a planetary gear set
In a handheld power tool having a planetary gear set which is at least switchable between a first and a second gear and which is assigned a switching annulus gear which is at least shiftable between a first and a second switching position and which has the first switching position in the first gear and the second switching position in the second gear, the switching annulus gear is assigned a synchronization unit which is designed to enable a synchronization of the switching annulus gear with a planet carrier or with a blocking element of the planetary gear set when the switching annulus gear is shifted between the first and the second switching position to switch over the planetary gear set. |
| US09194449B2 |
Suspension device for use with low temperature refrigerator
A suspension device for use with a low temperature refrigeration system, such as an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator is provided. A support ring is provided with three spring-loaded tension assemblies equally spaced about the periphery of the support ring. The tension assemblies each have a pulley, about which is entrained a band of material. Connected to this band is a ring that laterally supports a cylindrical salt pill. Undesired variations in the amount of slack in the band as the salt pill cools are compensated for by the spring loading of the tension assemblies. |
| US09194448B2 |
Disc brake for a commercial vehicle
A disc brake for a commercial vehicle includes a brake caliper which extends over a brake disc, a brake application device which is arranged in the brake caliper for pressing brake pads against the brake disc, and at least one adjustment spindle which is rotatably mounted in a bridge via a threaded coupling. A wear adjusting device is positioned in the brake caliper by which a wear-induced change of the clearance between the brake pad and the brake disc can be substantially compensated for via an axial movement of the adjusting spindle. The disc brake is designed such that the adjusting spindle has at least one axial groove on an outer side, the length of the groove being limited in the direction of the brake application device. A stop, which is axially fixed relative to the bridge, engages into the axial groove in a relatively displaceable manner. |
| US09194443B2 |
Synchronising device between two revolving components
The invention relates to a synchronizing device between two revolving components, comprising a clutch (3) between a hub (4) arranged on a shaft (1) in a rotationally fixed manner and a coupling member (2) that is rotatably mounted in relation to the hub (4), the clutch (3) having a selector sleeve (5) with an internal claw gear (6) which extends along the axial length of the selector sleeve (5) and by means of which claw gear the selector sleeve (5) is mounted in an axially displaceable manner on a claw rim (9) of the hub (4) and can be slid up onto a claw rim (9) of the coupling member (2) for coupling purposes. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the hub (4) forms at least one stop (19) for the selector sleeve (5) on the front side facing away from the coupling member (2), the stop (19) protruding radially over the claw rim (7) and the selector sleeve (5) receiving the stop (19) in a frontal stop recess (20). |
| US09194441B2 |
Clutch device
A clutch device includes an input rotor, a first clutch, a second clutch, a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism. A first clutch is disposed switchably between a first transmitting state of transmitting power and a first blocking state of blocking power transmission. A second clutch is disposed switchably between a second transmitting state of transmitting power and a second blocking state of blocking power transmission. The first drive mechanism includes a first drive support member and the second drive mechanism includes a second drive support member. A drive clearance is configured to be produced axially between the first drive support member and the second drive support member in the first blocking state and the second blocking state. The drive clearance is less than a sum of the first stroke and the second stroke. |
| US09194439B2 |
Variator bypass clutch
A dog clutch operable to bypass a variator of a transmission is disclosed. The dog clutch includes a housing engaged with an input ring of the variator. The dog clutch also includes a piston engaged with the housing and movable from a first position in which the piston is disengaged from an output ring of the variator to a second position in which the piston is engaged with the output ring. The variator input ring and output ring are locked together when the dog clutch is in the second position to prevent the variator from producing continuously variable torque output. The variator is operable to produce continuously-variable torque output when the dog clutch is in the first position. |
| US09194438B2 |
Decoupler
A decoupler that includes a drive member, a hub and an isolator that is configured to transmit rotary power between the drive member and the hub in a predetermined rotational direction. The isolator includes a wrap spring, a plurality of helical coil springs, and a carrier assembly. The wrap spring includes a plurality of helical coils and a proximal end. The helical coil springs are disposed between the hub and the carrier assembly. The carrier assembly includes a carrier plate and a spring shell. The carrier plate has a plate member with a rim and a spring groove. The rim abuts an axial end of the wrap spring. The proximal end of the wrap spring is received in the spring groove. The spring shell is assembled to the carrier plate and has a toric inner surface into which the helical coil springs are received. |
| US09194437B2 |
Mounting structure of drive-shaft
A mounting structure of a drive-shaft may include a shaft, a housing, a spring guide slidably disposed inside the housing having one end facing the shaft, and a spring with one end supported by a spring guide and the other end supported by the housing, in which a transmission has a companion flange with a cup-shaped coupling portion at an end, so when the housing enters the coupling portion, an elastic force of the spring biases the housing into the coupling portion. |
| US09194431B2 |
Suspension thrust bearing device and suspension strut equipped with such a thrust bearing
A suspension thrust bearing (1) including at least one rolling bearing (7) forming an axial thrust bearing disposed on a lower cap (6) is provided. The lower cap (6) includes a body (8) with an annular rolling bearing portion (8a) for a spring (2) and a tubular portion (8d) including a bore (8e) in which a shock absorber bump stop (4) is inserted. An axial contact surface (8h) is defined on the lower portion of the bore (8e) of the tubular portion (8d) against which the shock absorber bump stop (4) when deformed exerts a radial force (F2). The tubular portion (8d) includes a reinforcing insert (10) located at the level of this axial contact surface (8h). |
| US09194427B2 |
Bearing device
Disclosed is a bearing device including: a bearing housing made of an Al alloy and having a bearing holding hole; a sliding bearing having a cylindrical shape and forced into the bearing holding hole; and a shaft supported with an inner circumferential surface of the sliding bearing, wherein in the sliding bearing to be forced into, a plurality of hardened convex portions projecting toward the second circumferential direction end surface being formed on the first circumferential direction end surface, a plurality of hardened concave portions corresponding to the plurality of hardened convex portions being formed on the second circumferential direction end surface, a first hardened area being formed on each of the hardened convex portions of the first circumferential direction end surface and its vicinity, and a second hardened area being formed on each of the hardened concave portions of the second circumferential direction end surface and its vicinity. |
| US09194425B2 |
Device of the axial-directional oil chamber of hydrostatic spindle
A device of the axial-directional oil chamber of hydrostatic spindle comprises integrated oil seal structures at both the axial direction and the radial direction. The oil seal structures increase the work area of the oil chamber by extending and thus connecting an axial-directional oil seal edge to a radial-directional oil seal edge. Then, the rigidity of the axial hydrostatic bearing can be increased, and thus the application capability of the hydrostatic spindle can be upgraded to perform the multi-task machining from the mono-task machining. |
| US09194424B2 |
Circumferential back-to-back seal assembly with bifurcated flow
A circumferential seal assembly capable of separating a gas into two separate flow paths before communication onto a pair of seal rings is presented. The seal assembly includes an annular seal housing, a pair of annular seal rings, a rotatable runner, and a plurality of groove structures. The seal housing is interposed between a pair of low pressure compartments. The seal rings are separately disposed within the seal housing and separately disposed around the rotatable runner. The groove structures are disposed along an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable runner. The gas is communicable onto the groove structures. Each groove structure bifurcates the gas before communication onto the seal rings. Flow within each groove structure may be further separable before the gas is communicated onto the seal rings. The gas forms a thin-film layer between the rotatable runner and each seal ring. |
| US09194421B2 |
One-piece self-locking nut
A one-piece, self-locking nut is formed with a threaded nut body integrally formed with crush-locking lips on a forward contact face of the nut body spaced by an internal relief cut for accommodating deformation of the crush-locking lips therein. When the nut is tightened down on an object on a fastener bolt, the crush-locking lips are forced inwardly and deformed on the threaded shaft of the fastener bolt into the space of the internal relief cut in order to form a permanent lock on the fastener bolt. The one-piece, self-locking nut can be fabricated by conventional nut manufacturing methods. In use it threads on quickly like a conventional nut and installs with conventional tools. |
| US09194420B2 |
Nut rotation prevention structure
A nut rotation prevention structure is provided with a shaft member, a nut, and a rotation prevention member. A wheel hub is supported by the shaft member. The nut is engaged through threads with a first portion of the shaft member, the first portion protruding from the wheel hub. The rotation prevention member is mounted to a second portion of the shaft member and prevents the rotation of the nut, the second portion protruding from the nut. A key groove is formed in the second portion. The rotation prevention member has a tube-shaped section and a connection section. A portion of the shaft member, the portion having the key groove formed therein, is inserted in the tube-shaped section. The connection section connects the tube-shaped member to the nut. The tube-shaped section is affixed to the key groove by staking. |
| US09194416B2 |
Self-drilling screw and use thereof
A self-drilling screw made of an austenitic or other stainless steel, is provided having a drilling tip. The shank is integrally formed of an austenitic or other stainless steel and has a galvanically applied thin coating at least in the tip region, with the coating being harder than a non-coated region. The thin coating has a pearl-like or columnar surface, a coating thickness of at least 2 μm and a hardness in a range of from 500 to 1500 HV0.3. The self-drilling screw can be produced more simply than a typical self-drilling screw, in which the drilling tip consists of a harder material than the shank and is welded to the shank made of stainless steel. The coating ensures the drilling capacity and thread formation. |
| US09194414B2 |
Fastener
A fastener (1) is provided for clamping a first component (25) to a second component (27). The fastener has at least one resiliently deformable snap-fit member (5) which, in use, is inserted from a first side of the components through a channel (29, 31) extending thereacross. The snap-fit (5) member has an abutment surface (7) which, on emerging from the channel (29, 31), enters into snap-fit engagement with an opposing second side of the components to prevent retraction of the snap-fit member (5). The fastener (1) further has a spring arrangement which presses on the first side of the components on the insertion of the snap-fit member (5) to apply a compressive clamping force across the components between the spring arrangement and the abutment surface (7). |
| US09194408B2 |
Mechanical method for improving bond joint strength
A method for improving joint strength between a first and second member comprising the steps of: applying a sealant material including a matrix material at least partially encasing rigid components to the first and second members; joining the first and second members upon an application of force that is applied through the use of one or more fasteners; wherein a compressive force is applied to the exterior surface of both the first and second members by the one or more fasteners while the rigid components apply an internal tension force acting opposite of the compression force to the interior surface of both the first and second members proximate to the fastener to form a mechanical lock thereby reducing slippage and generally maintaining the joint in position. |
| US09194406B2 |
Position detecting device for fluid pressure cylinder
A sensor holding member holding a position sensor and an attachment member that attaches the sensor holding member to a cylinder tube are formed separately. The sensor holding member is placed with a sensor attachment groove oriented in the direction of the axis of the cylinder tube and in contact with the outer surface of the cylinder tube. The attachment member is placed so as to straddle the sensor holding member. By tightening an attachment screw and fixing the attachment member with an attachment band, the sensor holding member is pressed against and fixed to the outer surface of the cylinder tube by the attachment member. Loosening the attachment screw allows the sensor holding member to be displaced relative to the attachment member in the direction of the axis of the cylinder tube. |
| US09194405B2 |
Electro-hydraulic actuator with an integrated brake
An electro-hydraulic actuator has a master cylinder, an electric motor and an electro-mechanical brake. The master cylinder has a hydraulic cylinder and an actuation piston slidably received within the hydraulic cylinder to vary pressure within a hydraulic circuit. The electric motor is adapted to drive the actuation piston into the hydraulic cylinder. The motor has a stator and a rotor. The electro-mechanical brake is arranged to selectively and releasably hold the rotor with respect to the stator to prevent relative rotational motion there between. |
| US09194404B2 |
Oil hydraulic system for moving a gate
An oil-hydraulic system for moving a gate, comprises a double-acting oil-hydraulic cylinder (11), which is intended to be kinematically connected to the gate to move it, and an electro-hydraulic pump (12) to feed and actuate the cylinder upon command. A switching valve (13) interconnects the cylinder (11) alternatively with the pump (12) or with a tank (14) of oil-hydraulic fluid. In rest conditions, the valve (13) connects the cylinder (11) to the tank (14), to allow free manual movement of a gate connected to the cylinder, and it is automatically controlled by the pressure variations in the system that are produced by the actuation of the pump (12) to disconnect the cylinder (11) from the tank (14) and connect it to the pump (12). |
| US09194402B2 |
Axial piston motor and method for operating an axial piston motor
To provide an axial piston motor (1), comprising at least one main burner (2), which has at least one main combustion space (21) and at least one main nozzle space (23), and comprising at least one pre-burner (3), which has at least one pre-combustion space (31) and at least one pre-nozzle space (33), wherein the pre-combustion space (31) is connected to the main nozzle space (23) by way of at least one hot gas feed (30), that has improved operating and control characteristics even under non-steady-state operating conditions, the pre-nozzle space (33) of the pre-burner (3) has at least one auxiliary hot gas feed (40). |
| US09194401B2 |
Ultra lightweight and compact accumulator
An accumulator assembly comprises an accumulator cylinder formed of a cylindrical, gas-impermeable shell and a cylindrical gas-impermeable sleeve disposed within and substantially concentric with the shell. An interstitial space is formed between the sleeve and the shell. A piston slidably is disposed within the sleeve, the piston separating an interior of the sleeve into a first chamber configured to contain a compressed gas, and a second chamber configured to contain a pressurized fluid. A pair of removable axial closures retained to the gas-impermeable sleeve at opposing ends and sealingly engaged with corresponding opposing ends of the gas-impermeable shell is configured to provide maximum resistance to the tensional stress of the sleeve. |
| US09194398B2 |
Centrifugal fan
There is provided a centrifugal fan including an upper casing which has an air suction opening, a lower casing, and an impeller which is disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing. The impeller includes an upper shroud which is provided on an upper casing side, and a plurality of blades which are arranged along a circumference direction below the upper shroud, and is rotatable around a rotary shaft. The upper casing and the lower casing configure an open-type casing. A surface of the upper shroud facing the upper casing includes a first portion which becomes closer to the lower casing as separating further from the rotary shaft. A surface of the upper casing facing the upper shroud includes a second portion which faces the first portion of the upper shroud and becomes closer to the lower casing as separating further from the rotary shaft. |
| US09194397B2 |
Aircraft gas turbine with adjustable fan
The present invention relates to an aircraft gas turbine having a fan rotatable about an engine axis in the inflow region of the aircraft gas turbine, with the fan having several fan blades, with each fan blade being moveably mounted on a hub rotatable about the engine axis by means of its blade root on an area which is at the front in the flow direction, and with each fan blade being moveably mounted on an area at the rear in the flow direction, on an adjusting disk axially displaceable relative to the engine axis and non-rotatable with the hub, with the pitch angle of the fan blades being variable by the axial movement of the adjusting disk. |
| US09194395B2 |
Scroll refrigeration compressor with a delivery valve and a bypass valve
A compressor including: a stationary volute and a moving volute each including a plate provided with a scroll, said scrolls defining variable-volume compression chambers; a delivery line provided in the plate of the stationary volute; a delivery port arranged such as to establish a communication between the delivery line and a delivery chamber; and a non-return device including (i) a valve seat surrounding the delivery port and (ii) a delivery valve which can move between delivery port opening and closing positions. The compressor includes: at least one bypass passage having a first end opening into the delivery line at a point between the central compression chamber and the valve seat and a second end opening into an intermediate compression chamber or into a low-pressure portion of the compressor, and at least one bypass valve which can move between bypass passage closing and opening positions. |
| US09194394B2 |
Motor-driven compressor and method for manufacturing the same
A motor-driven compressor includes an electric motor having a stator core, a compression mechanism driven by the electric motor, a motor housing accommodating the electric motor, and a cluster block engaged with the stator core in the motor housing. The stator core of the electric motor and the motor housing are assembled by shrink fit. The cluster block accommodates a connecting terminal for electrical connection between a conductor connected to a motor drive circuit and a lead wire drawn from the electric motor. The cluster block has a terminal hole for receiving the connecting terminal and has an opening that is provided separately from the terminal hole. |
| US09194389B2 |
Highly airtight gas pump
A gas pump is composed of a gas suction member and a gas exhaust member. The gas suction member includes a gasbag having a hollow retractable portion being drivable by a motor for oppression or expansion, an intake valve allowing the air to pass therethrough when the hollow retractable portion is oppressed, and a flexible tube having two crosscuts, by which the flexible tube is divided into two vent valvular pieces. Each of the vent valvular pieces has a reinforcing strip formed on an internal wall thereof for forcing each of the vent valvular pieces to seal the exhaust passage. The gas exhaust member is mounted to the gasbag and includes a venthole and a guide slot. The venthole can receive the flexible tube therein. The guide slot communicates the hollow retractable portion and the intake valve for guiding the air into the hollow retractable portion. |
| US09194387B2 |
Refrigeration device, hydrogenation device for nitrogen, and leaked gas removing method
A refrigeration device of an embodiment includes: a heat-insulating vacuum chamber; a refrigerator cryogenic unit that is provided in the heat-insulating vacuum chamber and is cooled to a lower temperature than 195 K; a catalytic electrode that is provided in the heat-insulating vacuum chamber and contains a transition metal at least in part of a surface thereof; a power supply that applies a voltage to the catalytic electrode; and a heating unit that is provided in the heat-insulating vacuum chamber and heats the catalytic electrode. In this refrigeration device, the catalytic electrode is insulated from the heat-insulating vacuum chamber and the heating unit, and the heating unit is insulated from the heat-insulating vacuum chamber and the catalytic electrode. |
| US09194383B2 |
Device and method for pumping flowable masses
A device for pumping a flowable mass, such as a consumable item, has a main body with a hollow space that is fluidically connected with a mass source through an inlet opening and with a mass destination through an outlet opening in the surroundings of the main body. The inlet opening and the outlet opening are disposed along a direction at a distance from each other on the main body. A first body and a second body can each be moved in the hollow space relative to the main body and relative to each other along the direction. The first and second bodies are sealed against an inside wall and slidable on the inside wall to define a chamber. Moving the first body and/or the second body varies the volume of the chamber and its position relative to be main body. |
| US09194380B2 |
Radial hydraulic pump with a variable eccentricity and delivery
The disclosure of the present invention describes a hydraulic pump including a frame, a pump shaft capable of being rotated by a thermal or electric motor around an axis which is stationary with respect to the frame, an eccentric sleeve engaged with the pump shaft, at least one stage of pistons arranged to be stationary with respect to the frame and radially extending in pump cylinders defining chambers, and at least one tappet extending in a housing made in the eccentric sleeve and cooperating with at least one resilient means, having a resilience varying according to the load of the downstream circuit emerging at the level of the pump chambers, the tappet actuating means which decrease the piston stroke. |
| US09194378B2 |
Electromagnetic radiation collector
An electromagnetic radiation collection apparatus includes an exterior including a bottom portion and first and second walls extending from the bottom portion, the exterior defining a cavity in the bottom portion, the cavity being configured to receive a thermally absorbing material; and a radiation collector. The radiation collector includes a first surface on an interior of the first wall, the first surface being at least partially reflective and positioned to reflect radiation that is incident on the first surface into the cavity; and a second surface on an interior of the second wall, the second surface being at least partially reflective and positioned to reflect radiation that is incident on the second surface into the cavity, where the first and second surfaces face each other to at least partially define an interior region of the radiation collector, and the cavity defines an opening to the interior of the radiation collector. |
| US09194377B2 |
Auxiliary steam supply system in solar power plants
An auxiliary steam supply system in a solar power plant includes a solar receiver having a superheater section, a turbine, a steam circuit, a thermal energy storage arrangement and an auxiliary steam circuit. The thermal energy storage arrangement, including a thermal energy storage medium, is configured for the steam circuit to receive a portion of the steam to heat the thermal energy storage medium. The thermal energy storage arrangement may receive the steam from any location across the superheater section. Moreover, the auxiliary steam circuit generating auxiliary steam flow, which thermally communicates with the thermal energy storage arrangement to be heated, is introduced to any location across the superheater section. Capacity of the thermal energy storage arrangement may be relatively small as compared to the solar receiver and may be compact for placement on top of a tower. |
| US09194376B2 |
System and method for estimating remaining life for a device
A system and method for estimating a remaining life period for a device. The system includes a sensor coupled to the device, wherein the sensor is configured to facilitate measuring an operating parameter of the device and generate a measurement signal that is representative of the operating parameter. The system includes a database comprising an upper limit value, a lower limit value and a reference parameter. A processor of system includes circuitry coupled to the sensor and coupled to the database The processor is configured to correlate measurements of the operating parameter with the reference parameter to facilitate estimating a remaining life period of the device. |
| US09194374B2 |
Locking device of a wind turbine auxiliary drive
An auxiliary drive system for driving a wind turbine component is described. The drive system includes a motor, gearing operationally connected with the motor, and an actuator operationally connected with the gearing for actuating the wind turbine component. The auxiliary drive system is provided with one or more locks. The one or more locks are able to interlock with a component of the gearing to lock the auxiliary drive system. |
| US09194370B2 |
Wind-power generator control system, and method
A wind-power generator control system is provided. The wind-power generator control system includes a wind turbine, a power generator, a normally closed relay, and a control unit. The wind-power generator has a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and outputs a power output via the first and second output terminal when the wind turbine rotates. The normally closed relay is connected between the first and second output terminals. The control unit transmits a control signal to the normally closed relay by grid power. Also, when the normally closed relay does not receive the control signal, the first output terminal short-circuits the second output terminal by the normally closed relay for protecting the wind-power generator. When the normally closed relay receives the control signal, the first output terminal open-circuits the second output terminal by the normally closed relay for providing the power output. |
| US09194367B1 |
Wind turbine
A wind turbine built on a vertical axle rotationally mounted within a base. A plurality of frame assemblies mounted to the axle in spaced apart radial positions where each frame assembly engages a plurality of vertically oriented peaked screens, the peaked screens arranged in radially directed side-by-side fixed positions. A plurality of light-weight flexible fabrics, each one of said flexible fabrics pivotally engaged adjacent to one of the peaked screens and of sufficient size for covering the peaked screen. |
| US09194351B2 |
Injection valve
An injection valve for injecting a liquid includes an electromagnetic actuator and a movable valve needle and a valve closing element that with a valve seating surface forms a sealing seat, and includes a perforated disc situated downstream from the sealing seat, the perforated disc having at least one inlet area and at least one outlet opening. An upper functional plane having the at least one inlet area has a different opening geometry in cross-section than a lower functional plane having the at least one outlet opening. The perforated disc has inlet areas, each provided, as a locally limited cavity, with a rectangular or bathtub-shaped contour, a respective outlet opening going out from each in the direction of flow, the outlet openings, going out from the midpoint of the respective inlet areas, and drawing an imaginary longitudinal axis and transverse axis through these, having an asymmetry as to both axes. |
| US09194347B2 |
Pole body for solenoid valves produced by multi-component MIM
An injector having a valve opening, a cylindrical pipe, a valve opening, a valve needle situated inside the pipe in the radial direction and guided to allow axial displacement; a solenoid coil situated outside the pipe in the radial direction; a solenoid core disposed inside the pipe in the radial direction; and a magnetic armature situated inside the pipe, opposite the solenoid core in the radial direction, the magnetic armature being disposed on the valve needle. The pipe is a magnetic first material in a first pipe region and a third pipe region, the first region facing the valve opening in the axial direction, and the third pipe region facing away from the valve opening in the axial direction. The pipe is a non-magnetic second material in a second pipe region, the second pipe region being between the first pipe region and the third pipe region in the axial direction. |
| US09194346B2 |
Electromagnetic fuel injection valve
In an electromagnetic fuel injection valve including a magnetic coil housing (31) having a coil assembly (28) housed therein, the coil housing (31) includes the first and second coil housing half bodies (31a, 31b) whose cross sections are each shaped like an inferior arc, and which are oppositely disposed so as to interpose the coil assembly (28) and a coupler (34), each of the coil housing half bodies (31a, 31b) includes: a barrel portion (44) for covering an outer peripheral surface of the coil assembly (28); a front-end wall portion (45) and a rear-end wall portion (46) which are in contact with front-end and rear-end surfaces of the coil assembly (28); a front connection cylindrical portion (47) welded to the outer peripheral surface of the magnetic cylindrical body (4); and a rear connection cylindrical portion (48) welded to the outer peripheral surface of the fixed core (5); both the coil housing half bodies are formed symmetrically; and one half part and the other half part of each of the coil housing half bodies (31a, 31b) in an axial direction are formed symmetrically. Thus, it is possible to provide an electromagnetic fuel injection valve which enables the coil housing to be formed from two identical components, and is inexpensive and good in assembling efficiency, as well as has a better magnetic efficiency. |
| US09194343B2 |
Water separator, in particular for fuel supply systems of internal combustion engines in motor vehicles
The invention relates to a water separator (1), in particular for fuel supply systems of internal combustion engines in motor vehicles, comprising a housing (2) having a separation chamber (11) designed therein and a separation element (18). A collection chamber (12) for the water separated out of the fuel is arranged under the separation chamber. An inlet (8) and an outlet (14) for the fuel are furthermore provided on the housing (2). The housing (2) is substantially designed as a tube-shaped element (3) having a horizontal longitudinal axis (LA), wherein a partition (10) extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (LA), separating the separating chamber (11) from the collection chamber (12). The separating element (18) comprises a tube element (19) lying horizontally in the separation chamber (11) having radial openings (21) through which the fuel is conducted, wherein the tube element (19) extends at least approximately parallel to the partition (10). |
| US09194342B2 |
Internal combustion engine having an intake device
An internal combustion engine has an intake device having an air filter and at least one port. Combustion air is sucked in from the clean side of the air filter to the internal combustion engine via the port. The intake device has air trunking, in which at least a first section and a second section of the port are guided. The air trunking has a longitudinal center axis, wherein combustion air flows in the first section of the port in a first direction of flow running in the direction of the longitudinal center axis. The combustion air flows in the second section of the port in a second direction of flow oriented in an opposite direction to the first direction of flow and in the direction of the longitudinal center axis. As a result, a compact overall size is achieved with port length. |
| US09194341B2 |
Multistage turbocharging system
A multistage turbocharging system (1) in which the thickness of at least either one of a valve body (51a) that opens and closes a bypass flow passage opening and a washer (51b) that fixes the valve body (51a) to a mounting portion (52) is greater than the minimum width of a flow passage from a valve assembly (51) to a turbine impeller (2d) of the first turbocharger (2). |
| US09194336B2 |
Starting device and carburetor supplying fixed amount of fuel
A starting device for feeding a quantity of fuel from the fixed-quantity fuel chamber to an intake passage during start-up having a manually operated primary pump for suctioning/pumping fuel and arranged on a fuel introduction path connected along a fuel-feeding path; and a fixed-quantity fuel chamber for temporarily storing fuel delivered from the primary pump. An internal wall of the fixed-quantity fuel chamber undergoes elastic displacement, allowing its internal capacity to expand/shrink within a predetermined range; the fixed-quantity fuel chamber is connected to a fuel delivery path that communicates with the intake passage side and has a manually operated open/close valve; the valve is opened in a state in which, due to the primary pump being operated, the fixed-quantity fuel chamber is filled with a predetermined quantity of fuel while enlarging its internal capacity, whereby it shrinks due to an elastic contraction force and the fuel. |
| US09194335B2 |
Rocket engine coolant system including an exit manifold having at least one flow guide within the manifold
An exit manifold is disclosed which includes a manifold body that includes a plurality of inlets. The manifold body provides communication between the inlets and a discharge port. At least one of the inlets directs flow in a first direction and at least one of the inlets directs flow in a second direction. The first and second directions are opposite and the material flowing in these opposite directions collides in front of the discharge outlet. The collision of these two oppositely-directed flows creates a high pressure stagnation region that may block or impede flow from one or more inlets that may be in alignment with the discharge port. |
| US09194331B2 |
Flow conducting assembly for cooling the low-pressure turbine housing of a gas turbine jet engine
A gas turbine jet engine having a main flow channel and a housing structure which radially surrounds this main flow channel. A housing gas flow flows in the same direction as the main flow in the main flow channel, the housing structure having a flow conducting assembly. The flow of the housing gas flow to and/or along the main flow channel may be adjusted by adjusting a flow conducting sheet. |
| US09194330B2 |
Retrofitable auxiliary inlet scoop
A gas turbine engine includes a fan nacelle and a core nacelle spaced radially inwardly of the fan nacelle to define a bypass flowpath. The engine includes a scoop to direct air from the bypass flowpath into an engine core. The scoop is comprised of a first piece extending outwardly of an outer surface the core nacelle to define an air inlet and a second piece extending inwardly of the core nacelle to define an air outlet. |
| US09194328B2 |
Fan variable area nozzle for a gas turbine engine fan nacelle with sliding actuation system
A fan variable area nozzle (FVAN) includes a flap assembly which varies a fan nozzle exit area. An actuator system drives a sliding drive ring relative a multitude of slider tracks mounted to a fan nacelle to adjust each flap of the flap assembly through the flap linkage to pitch the flap assembly about a circumferential hinge line to vary the diameter of the annular fan nozzle exit area between the fan nacelle and the core nacelle. The FVAN may be separated into a multiple of drive ring sectors which are each independently adjustable by an associated actuator of the actuator system to provide a low profile drag asymmetrical fan nozzle exit area. |
| US09194326B2 |
Method for controlling the start-up of a vehicle comprising an engine start-stop system
The invention relates to a method for controlling the start-up of a vehicle comprising an engine start-stop system, wherein the method includes the actuation of the start-up of the vehicle. The invention is characterized in that the method comprises the steps: an autonomous engine state is indicated in response to the simultaneous occurrence of (i) the injection of fuel into the combustion chambers of the engine and (ii) an engine speed above a pre-defined threshold S1 which is equal to an engine speed that cannot be achieved without combustion in the combustion chambers during the start-up of the vehicle; and, in response to the aforementioned autonomous engine state indication, the closing of a clutch is controlled according to a pre-defined engine speed set value in order to control the engine speed to the pre-defined set value. |
| US09194320B2 |
Fuel tank system
A fuel tank system includes an ECU receiving an open signal Sa of a fuel supply SW. The ECU has a main control unit controlling a power unit of a vehicle, a main relay control circuit turning off a main relay when IGSW for causing the power unit to start or stop is turned off, SOAK time measurement circuit measuring an input time and no input time, the input time being a time during which the open signal Sa is continuously inputted to the ECU while the IGSW is off, the no input time being a time during which the open signal Sa is not inputted to the ECU while the IGSW is off with the fuel supply SW on, and a failure determination unit determining that the fuel supply SW has an abnormality when SOAK time is longer than a failure determination time. |
| US09194318B2 |
System and method of DPF passive enhancement through powertrain torque-speed management
This disclosure provides a method and system for determining recommendations for vehicle operation that reduce soot production in view of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) of an exhaust aftertreatment system. Recommendations generated can reduce excessive particulate matter (PM) production during transient engine events and provide for operating conditions favorable for passive regeneration. In this way, less frequent active regeneration of the DPF is needed and/or more opportunities are provided for passive regeneration. The system and method can utilize location and terrain information to anticipate and project a window of operation in view of reducing soot production and soot loading of the DPF, or provide the operator with instruction when such opportunities are present or will soon be encountered. |
| US09194316B2 |
Inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance determining apparatus for internal combustion engine
An inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance determining apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an air-fuel ratio sensor; fuel injection valves; an instructed fuel injection amount control unit; and an imbalance determination unit configured: to acquire a time-differential-value corresponding value that is an amount of change per predetermined time in an output value of the sensor or a detected air-fuel ratio represented by the output value; to acquire a positive gradient corresponding value based on a positive value of the time-differential-value corresponding value; to acquire a negative gradient corresponding value based on a negative value of the time-differential-value corresponding value; to determine an imbalance determination threshold based on a magnitude of a ratio of the negative gradient corresponding value to the positive gradient corresponding value; and to determine whether inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance has occurred by comparing a magnitude of the negative gradient corresponding value with the imbalance determination threshold. |
| US09194315B2 |
Air-fuel ratio imbalance among cylinders determining apparatus for an internal combustion engine
An air-fuel ratio imbalance among cylinders determining apparatus (a determining apparatus) according to an aspect of the present invention, obtains a parameter X for imbalance determination which becomes larger as a variation of an air-fuel ratio of an exhaust gas passing through a position at which the air-fuel ratio sensor is disposed becomes larger, based on an output value Vabyfs of an air-fuel ratio sensor 67. At the same time, the determining apparatus changes a target air-fuel ratio which is a target value of an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to an engine to “an air-fuel ratio (a target rich air-fuel ratio AFrich or a target lean air-fuel ratio AFlean) other than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio” from the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. Accordingly, the determining apparatus can obtain the parameter X for imbalance determination in a state in which a responsivity of the air-fuel ratio sensor 67 is not low. As a result, it can make a determination on the air-fuel ratio imbalance among cylinders with high accuracy. |
| US09194314B2 |
Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine
A method and a device for controlling a fuel-operated internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having a tank venting system associated with a fuel tank and having at least two operating states, in which the internal combustion engine is shut off automatically according to a shut-off strategy. The shut-off strategy takes into account the instantaneous operating state of the tank venting system. |
| US09194313B2 |
Spark-ignition engine and method of controlling the spark-ignition engine
A method of controlling a spark-ignition engine including an ignition plug for spark-igniting mixture gas inside a cylinder in an engine body, and an effective compression ratio changing module for changing an effective compression ratio of the engine body is provided. The method includes estimating, based on engine speed, engine load, and environmental conditions, a limit effective compression ratio serving as a maximum effective compression ratio where pre-ignition does not occur, calculating a current effective compression ratio, calculating a value obtained by subtracting the effective compression ratio from the limit effective compression ratio, as a margin before pre-ignition occurs, and decreasing, when the margin is below a predetermined minimum margin, the effective compression ratio of the engine body by using the effective compression ratio changing module so that the margin is increased to be above the minimum margin, which is set constant regardless of at least environmental conditions. |
| US09194312B2 |
Control unit for vehicle driving device
A control device of a vehicle drive device includes an engine having a supercharger and an automatic transmission outputting power of the engine to drive wheels. When an upshift of the automatic transmission is performed by executing an acceleration operation, if a progress status of a supercharging pressure increase in a supercharger pressure increasing process by the supercharger is a status in an initial period of the increasing process, a supercharging pressure increase degree before start of an inertia phase of the upshift is made smaller than a supercharging pressure increase degree after a predetermined timing subsequent to the start of the inertia phase, while if the progress status of the supercharging pressure increase is a status in an ending period of the increasing process, the supercharging pressure increase degree before the start of the inertia phase is made larger than the supercharging pressure increase degree after the predetermined timing. |
| US09194310B2 |
Control apparatus for vehicle, vehicle and method of controlling vehicle
A control apparatus for a vehicle that suppresses degradation of the durability performance of a battery, while improving the fuel consumption of a vehicle. The control includes an engine, a battery that is chargeable with power of the engine, a configurator that sets a start condition for starting an engine according to a state of the battery; and a starter that starts the engine when the start condition is satisfied. |
| US09194309B2 |
System and method for route identification using a low cost GPS system
A system and method for identifying and analyzing a route using an inexpensive GPS system is provided. The system and method provides a location for storing GPS and vehicle operating data for at least one route, requiring a plurality of runs over the at least one route. Once a predetermined minimum number of runs have been reached, the system and method define a route segment, interpolate additional data points using the GPS and vehicle operating data, synchronize the data over the plurality of runs, and analyze the data. The analyzed data is then provided to a module capable of controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine. The analyzed data is forward-looking in that it permits anticipation of vehicle operation, and more particularly, engine and transmission operation. |
| US09194304B2 |
Engine braking method and system
During engine braking of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas pressure increases and this is used to pressurize the seals between the turbocharger shaft and the bearing housing so as to prevent oil leakage into the compressor housing. Immediately after engine braking, stored exhaust gas pressure is used to pressurize the seals at the turbine end so as to prevent oil leakage into the turbine housing. In an alternative arrangement the exhaust gas is used to generate a reduced pressure in the bearing housing to increase the pressure gradient across the seals. |
| US09194300B2 |
Aircraft control and monitoring system
A system for bleeding air on an aircraft, including: at least one air bleed valve that can bleed a flow of air on the aircraft, a first temperature information module, a second temperature information module, at least one control module, and at least one data processing module coupled to the control module. |
| US09194299B2 |
Anti-torsion assembly
An anti-torsion assembly for positioning and securing a thermally conforming liner within a fan containment case is provided. The anti-torsion assembly minimizes the amount of machining that must be done prior to assembly. The anti-torsion assembly comprises a torque block with outwardly-opposing side surfaces and a pair of L-brackets. Each L-bracket has a bracket surface that faces one of the outwardly-opposing side surfaces of the torque block. A wear pad is affixed to each bracket surface. The L-brackets are positioned onto the thermally conforming liner using a spacer having a spacer width within a predetermined tolerance. A method of assembling a fan case assembly is also provided. |
| US09194297B2 |
Multiple circuit fuel manifold
Provided is a fuel manifold with more than one fuel circuit for connecting a fuel source or fuel sources to at least one fuel injector, the fuel manifold having an inner tube for conveying fuel through a first fuel passage formed interiorly of the inner tube and an outer tube forming with a slot along a length of the inner tube a second fuel passage. If one of the fuel passages is in a low flow or no flow condition, fuel flowing through the other of the fuel passages acts to cool the fuel passage in the low flow or no flow condition to prevent stagnant fuel in the passage from heating up and coking. |
| US09194295B2 |
Lubrication cut-off at high speed
A mechanical system has a component to be lubricated that requires greater lubrication at lower speed conditions than would be required at higher speed conditions. A lubricant tower is biased to a position allowing a greater flow of lubrication to the component at lower speed conditions, then moved to a position at higher speed conditions where there is a lesser flow of lubrication. |
| US09194293B2 |
Air inlet noise attenuation assembly
An air inlet assembly comprising an entrance region configured to receive an airflow, an exit region configured to output the airflow, and an attenuation region disposed between the entrance region and the exit region. The attenuation region has a cross section aspect ratio of at least about 5-to-1, and comprises acoustic absorbing material. |
| US09194291B2 |
Turbomachine windmill bypass valve
An example bypass valve includes a sleeve providing a bore that extends along an axis. The sleeve has at least one window. The bypass valve also includes a spool received within the bore. The spool is configured to move within the bore between a first position that restricts flow through at least one window and a second position that permits flow through the at least one window of the sleeve. An outer diameter of the spool is from 99.90 to 99.95 percent of a diameter of the bore. |
| US09194290B2 |
Counter-rotating low pressure turbine without turbine exhaust case
A gas turbine engine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation. An inner rotor directly drives the shaft and includes an inner set of blades. An outer rotor has an outer set of blades interspersed with the inner set of blades. The outer rotor is configured to rotate in an opposite direction about the axis of rotation from the inner rotor. A gear system is engaged to the outer rotor and is positioned upstream of the inner set of blades. |
| US09194287B1 |
Double cam axial engine with over-expansion, variable compression, constant volume combustion, rotary valves and water injection for regenerative cooling
An axial engine includes a cam assembly housing moveable away from a cylinder head to reduce a compression ratio during conditions giving rise to detonation and movable towards the cylinder head to raise the compression ratio when operation allows the higher compression ratio. Piston rod ends ride in counter rotating slots balancing lateral forces on the piston rods. Piston dwell at Top Dead Center (TDC) provides for constant volume combustion and extended piston travel during the power stroke allows for over-expansion. Rotary valves improve volumetric efficiency and water injection supports increased compression ratio leading to improved thermodynamic efficiency. |
| US09194284B2 |
Reservoir pressurization
A vehicle comprises a forced induction engine, fluid reservoir, engine controller, and sensor. The fluid reservoir is pneumatically connected to intake air of the forced induction engine. The engine controller is in communication with the forced induction engine and configured to control the forced induction engine. The sensor is in communication with the engine controller and is configured to measure a pressure within the fluid reservoir and communicate it to the engine controller. The controller is configured to derate the engine when the pressure within the fluid reservoir is above a first pressure. |
| US09194283B2 |
System and method of transducing energy from hydrogen
A method of transducing energy from hydrogen, the method comprising: providing a chamber; maintaining a pressure of 75 psi to 30 in. vacuum within the chamber; injecting fuel into the chamber, where the fuel is hydrogen or a mix of hydrogen and oxygen; and igniting the fuel within the chamber. |
| US09194281B2 |
Internal combustion engine with a cylinder head having an integrated drainage channel and method for producing the internal combustion
An internal combustion engine is provided. The engine includes a cylinder head having a cylinder having an exhaust valve opening and an intake valve opening, an intake port in fluidic communication with the intake valve opening and configured to flow intake air to the cylinder through the intake valve opening, and a condensate drainage channel extending into a wall of the intake port and including an inlet positioned downstream of an outlet, the inlet positioned vertically above the outlet. |
| US09194278B2 |
Engine
An engine is disclosed of the V-configuration having an integrated engine and transmission. The engine has a crankshaft which directly couples to drive the water pump, oil pump and transmission clutch. The water pump has a drive shaft coupled to the crankshaft that extends across the crankcase from a first to a second side. The water pump includes a housing where at least a portion is defined in the face of the crankshaft. |
| US09194277B2 |
Exhaust manifold
An exhaust manifold maintains the EGR ratio constant irrespective of a change in shape of the exhaust manifold and includes exhaust gas inlet sections connected to the exhaust ports of respective cylinders of the engine; a main pipe section configured so that exhaust gas entering from the exhaust gas inlet sections is collected inside the main pipe section; an EGR gas taking-out section for extracting, as EGR gas, a part of the exhaust gas; and an exhaust gas discharge section for discharging the exhaust gas. The main pipe section has formed thereon a curved section provided between the exhaust gas inlet sections and curved in a shape protruding to the side opposite the exhaust gas inlet sections. The curved section has a recess which is formed by causing a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved section to be recessed toward the inside of the main pipe section. |
| US09194275B2 |
Vehicle
A vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine is supported on a vehicle body by a plurality of support members. A support member positioned on the mostdownstream side of the exhaust pipe, among the plurality of the support members, is a buffer member functioning as a resonance suppression mechanism that suppresses the resonance of the exhaust pipe. |
| US09194273B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for aftertreatment control and diagnostics
A method includes providing an exhaust stream for an internal combustion engine, where the exhaust stream is fluidly coupled to an aftertreatment component. The method includes optically determining an amount of an exhaust gas constituent in the exhaust stream. The method further includes modifying a model stored on a computer readable medium in response to the amount of the exhaust gas constituent. The model is an engine NOx generation model, a catalyst NOx storage model, a catalyst NOx conversion model, a catalyst NO to NO2 conversion model, a catalyst conversion efficiency model, an engine soot generation model, and/or a urea hydrolysis model. |
| US09194267B2 |
Arrangement for introducing a liquid medium into exhaust gases from a combustion engine
Arrangement for introducing a liquid medium into exhaust gases from a combustion engine, comprising a mixing duct, a first flow guide for creating a first exhaust vortex in the mixing duct such that the exhaust gases in this first exhaust vortex rotate in a first direction of rotation during their movement downstream in the mixing duct, an injector for injecting the liquid medium in the form of a finely divided spray into exhaust gases which are led into the liquid medium in an exhaust flow at the center of the first vortex, and a second flow guide for creating a second exhaust vortex in the mixing duct concentrically with and externally about the first vortex, such that the exhaust gases in this second vortex rotate in a second direction of rotation, which is opposite to said first direction of rotation, during their movement downstream in the mixing duct. |
| US09194262B2 |
Multi-valve actuating valve bridge
A multi-valve actuating valve bridge for an engine is provided. The valve bridge includes a rocker arm engaging tappet head and at least two arms extending transversely of the rocker arm and engaging the tappet head. The valve bridge further includes a valve stem guide pocket provided on each of the arms. The valve stem guide pocket includes a valve stem contact face and a tapered surface extending from the valve stem contact face towards an opening of the valve stem guide pocket. The tapered surface defines an inverted frusto-conical cavity. A first inner diameter of the valve stem guide pocket at the valve stem contact face is greater than a second inner diameter of the valve stem guide pocket at the opening. |
| US09194256B2 |
Rotating machine with shaft sealing arrangement
A rotating machine comprising such as an axial power turbine or a turbocharger has a housing with a bearing cavity and a chamber separated by a first wall. A shaft is rotatable about an axis in the bearing cavity, extends through an opening in the first wall and is mounted for rotation on a bearing assembly provided in the bearing cavity. An oil sealing arrangement including an oil diffuser device is arranged on the shaft for displacing oil away from the shaft as it rotates. This restricts the flow of oil to the opening. The oil diffuser device defines a diffuser passage between the bearing assembly and the first wall, the passage extending outwardly of the axis. |
| US09194255B2 |
Oil baffle for gas turbine fan drive gear system
A turbine engine comprises compressor and turbine sections. An epicyclic gear train includes a carrier, a sun gear and intermediate gears arranged about and intermeshing with the sun gear. The intermediate gears are supported by the carrier. A baffle includes a lubrication passage near at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears. A method of designing a turbine engine is also disclosed. |
| US09194254B2 |
Reduced velocity valve
A lube system is provided and includes an air-oil tank including a deaerator configured to remove a first quantity of oil from a first air-oil supply to generate a second air-oil supply having a second quantity of oil, which is smaller than the first quantity of oil, the air oil tank being configured to output the second air-oil supply to an air vent line, a de-oiler disposed along the air vent line and configured to remove from the second air-oil supply oil mist including oil droplets of a minimum size and a pressure regulating valve (PRV) disposed along the air vent line between the air-oil tank and the de-oiler to regulate fluid pressures within the air-oil tank, the PRV being configured to encourage formation of the oil droplets of at least the minimum size. |
| US09194250B1 |
Embedded wireless sensors for turbomachine component defect monitoring
Various embodiments include detection systems adapted to monitor at least one physical property of a component in a turbomachine. In some embodiments a detection system includes at least one sensor configured to be affixed to a component of a turbomachine, the at least one sensor for sensing information regarding at least one physical property of the turbomachine component during operation of the turbomachine, a signal converter communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and at least one RF communication device configured to be affixed to a stationary component of the turbomachine, the radio frequency communication device configured to communicate with the at least one signal converter via an RF antenna coupled to the signal converter. |
| US09194247B2 |
Rotating seal configuration and method of sealing a rotating member to a housing
A seal configuration includes a housing and a rotatable member rotationally mounted relative to the housing. The rotatable member has at least one portion defining an outer perimetrical face that is configured to contact the housing during operational conditions that cause a radial dimension of the at least one portion to increase. The at least one portion has opposing axial surfaces with each of the opposing axial surfaces being dimensionally axially nearer to the other of the opposing axial surfaces immediately radially inwardly of the outer perimetrical face than a furthest part of the outer perimetrical face. |
| US09194246B2 |
Steam turbine LP casing cylindrical struts between stages
An arrangement is disclosed in which deflections and mechanical stresses in turbine low pressure casings are controlled by inserting struts between the turbine diaphragm ledge ring stages. Preferably, the struts are cylindrical in shape, although other different shapes can be used in accordance with the needs of different applications. The struts can be solid or hollow in construction, although preferably they are hollow to reduce the material needed to fabricate them. The struts are located around the turbine casing, as is required to connect together two ledge rings where there is high axial deflection in the casing. |
| US09194245B2 |
Process for friction welding blades to the drum of an axial compressor and a corresponding device
The present disclosure provides a process and a device for the orbital friction welding of blades to the drum of an axial compressor. The process consists of holding the drum on a cradle via an indexing table, the cradle being able to pivot and vertically movable so as to present different regions of its outer surface parallel to the plane of orbital motion of the blade. The blade is held in the orbital motion device by a clamping device. The inner surface of the drum is braced by supports carried by a core fixed to the cradle. The drum comprises a series of protrusions which have a blade-shaped cross section. These protrusions form faying surfaces for the blades. The blades have a plate to ensure they are satisfactorily clamped by the clamping device. |
| US09194244B2 |
Drum rotor dovetail component and related drum rotor system
Systems and devices adapted to retain dovetail components (e.g., buckets) in a turbine drum rotor and reduce rotor component displacement are disclosed. In one embodiment, a turbine bucket includes: a bucket base portion shaped to complement a bucket shank slot in a rotor of a turbine, the bucket base portion including: a forward portion shaped to extend upstream of a first stage circumferential slot of the rotor in to a first rotor post of the rotor; a circumferential protrusion formed in an aft end of the bucket base portion and shaped to connect to the rotor, and a set of axial protrusions formed on tangential sides of the bucket base portion and shaped to connect to the rotor; and a bucket platform extending radially outboard from the bucket base portion, the bucket platform configured to complement a vane. |
| US09194240B2 |
Vibration damper comprising a peg 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 turbine engine rotor wheel, the damper including a peg having a substantially spherical portion at each of its two ends, and two hollow inserts for being received in tangential cavities that are provided facing each other in outer platforms of two adjacent composite-material blades of a turbine engine rotor wheel, each spherical portion of the peg coming to bear with point contact against the inside of one of the inserts. |
| US09194239B2 |
Turbine rotor blade and turbo machine
A rotor blade includes a blade main body having a proximal end connected to the blade root, and a tip shroud connected to a tip end of the blade main body so as to constitute a part of an annular shroud, a tip end side of a leading edge of the blade main body is made continuous to an outside surface of the tip shroud via a curved portion curved toward a trailing edge, fillets are provided between the tip end of the blade main body and an inside surface of the tip shroud, and the curved portion is located closer to the leading edge than the fillets, whereby the turbine rotor blade and the turbo machine can realize weight reduction and suppress performance degradation. |
| US09194236B2 |
Turbine blade
Disclosed is a turbine blade capable of being cooled by a coolant gas supplied to a hollow region, wherein a plurality of meandering flow paths that guide the coolant gas between the suction wall surface and the pressure wall surface while causing the coolant gas to repeatedly meander are continuously arranged from the hub side toward the tip side of the turbine blade, and the meandering flow paths adjacent to each other cause the coolant gas to meander in different repetitive patterns. |
| US09194225B2 |
Systems and methods for sensing a fluid level within a pipe
A system, method and device may be used to monitor fluid levels in a drill pipe in borehole. The system includes an electromagnetic (EM) generator to generate a traveling wave of electromagnetic energy to propagate along a linear path through the drill pipe towards a surface of the fluid, a detector to detect a portion of the electromagnetic wave reflected from the surface of the fluid and propagated through the drill pipe towards the detector, a processor to analyze detected signals to determine a level of the surface of the fluid. In an embodiment, the system includes a pump controller to control the operation of a pump located in the wellbore or at the mudline based on the fluid surface level. |
| US09194223B2 |
Method of fracturing subterranean formations with crosslinked fluid
Subterranean formations, such as tight gas formations, may be subjected to hydraulic fracturing by introducing into the formation a fracturing fluid of an aqueous fluid, a hydratable polymer, a crosslinking agent and proppant. The fluid enters the reservoir through an entrance site. The apparent viscosity of the fluid decreases distally from the entrance site such that at in situ conditions: (a) the apparent viscosity of the fracturing fluid 100 feet from the entrance site is less than 10 percent of the apparent viscosity of the fracturing fluid at the entrance site; (b) the apparent viscosity of the fracturing fluid 15 minutes after introduction into the entrance site is less than 15% of the apparent viscosity of the fracturing fluid at the entrance site; and/or (c) the apparent viscosity of the fracturing fluid is less than 10 cP within 15 minutes after being introduced through the entrance site. |
| US09194220B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining fluid interface proximate an electrical submersible pump and operating the same in response thereto
A production system placed inside a wellbore has a production tubing and an ESP for flowing fluid from the wellbore into the production tubing. A sensor string including distributed sensors is placed along the sensor string and provides temperature measurements along the production tubing uphole of the ESP. A controller determines from the temperature measurements a change in temperature that exceeds a threshold and determines therefrom level of a liquid in the wellbore. |
| US09194219B1 |
Wellbore gun perforating system and method
A wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun. |
| US09194212B2 |
Actuator and method
A downhole actuator or valve for inclusion in a downhole drill string used in a well includes an obstructing member, such as a piston, moveable between: a first position and a second position; and a retaining member, such as a ball, moveable between: a retaining position which retains the obstructing member in the first position; and, a release position which does not retain the obstructing member in the first position and/or allows or causes the obstructing member to move to the second position. The retaining member is moved in use between the retaining position and release position at least in part by centrifugal forces caused by rotation of the entire drill string within which the downhole actuator/valve is included. Thus, at least some control of the actuation of the downhole actuator/valve may be afforded by rotation thereof. |
| US09194210B2 |
Downhole power delivery tool powered by hydrostatic pressure
Certain aspects are directed to downhole power delivery tools using hydrostatic pressure within the wellbore. In one aspect, a downhole power delivery tool is provided that can be disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The downhole power delivery tool includes a body defining an inlet proximate to a chamber in the body, an actuation mechanism in the body and adjacent to the inlet, and a piston proximate to the chamber. The actuation mechanism can allow communication of hydrostatic pressure via the inlet to the chamber from an annulus external to the body in response to an actuation force being applied to the actuation mechanism. The hydrostatic pressure communicated to the chamber applies a first force to the piston. The piston applies a second force to a rod movable relative to the body in response to the first force being applied to the piston. |
| US09194207B2 |
Surface wellbore operating equipment utilizing MEMS sensors
A method comprising mixing a wellbore servicing composition comprising Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in surface wellbore operating equipment at the surface of a wellsite. An interrogator retrieves data regarding a parameter sensed by the MEMS sensor. |
| US09194206B2 |
Easy drill slip
A design for a bridge plug wherein the slip elements include an outer contact portion to engage a surrounding tubular member and an inner body portion designed to easily disintegrate during removal of the bridge plug by subsequent milling. The inner body portion is formed of a softer material than the outer contact portion. Also, the inner body portion is made up of a plurality of segments that are readily separated and dispsersed during milling out. |
| US09194205B2 |
Device for a plug construction for conducting well tests
A device is described for a system for conducting tests of a well, pipe or the like, where a plug of a removable material is inserted in a pipe through a well to carry out said tests. The device is characterized in that the wall parts of the pipe comprise channel borings (3,4,8) that set up fluid connections between the well space (70) and the well space (72) above and below, respectively, the plug, and that it comprises a closing body that can close the fluid connection permanently. The channel boring is preferably defined by an axial hollow space/chamber (4) in which a piston is arranged, said piston can be readjusted by an axial movement from a first position where there is fluid connection through the channel and a second position where the connection is permanently closed and can not be reopened. |
| US09194195B2 |
Control equipment for controlling drill rod
Control equipment for guiding a drill rod. The control equipment including a frame and two guide jaws provided with guide surfaces and mounted movably in relation to the frame. The drill rod is set between the guide jaws during drilling. Actuators move the guide jaws in relation to the drill rod. Synchronization means are coupled between the guide jaws, such that the guide jaws always move in opposite directions to one another and at the same speed. A detector detects that the guide surfaces of the guide jaws are in contact with the drill rod. |
| US09194193B1 |
Pipe handling apparatus and method
A pipe handling apparatus has a boom pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, a riser assembly pivotally connected to the boom, an arm pivotally connected at one end to the first portion of the riser assembly and extending outwardly therefrom, a gripper affixed to an opposite end of the arm suitable for gripping a diameter of the pipe, a link pivotally connected to the riser assembly and pivotable so as to move relative to the movement of the boom between the first and second positions, and a brace having a one end pivotally connected to the boom and an opposite end pivotally connected to the arm between the ends of the arm. The riser assembly has a first portion extending outwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the second portion. |
| US09194192B2 |
Apparatus and methods for limiting movement of gripping members
Apparatus and method for limiting movement of gripping members of an elevator are provided. The apparatus includes a locking arm coupled to one or more of the gripping members and configured to move in a first direction when the gripping members move toward engagement with a tubular and to move in a second direction when the gripping members move away from engagement with the tubular. The apparatus also includes a first engagement member configured to move between a disengaged position, in which the first engagement member and the locking arm are relatively moveable, and an engaged position, in which the first engagement member allows the locking arm to move in the first direction but restrains the locking bar from moving in the second direction by more than a selected distance. |
| US09194191B2 |
Link carrier apparatus for a drilling rig
An apparatus, a system, and a method to secure a link in a drilling rig. The apparatus includes a carrier configured to removably secure at least a portion of the link therein, in which the carrier is configured to have a first end of the link accessible outside of the carrier. Further, the system includes a tool having a link ear and suspended within the drilling rig, the link ear configured to attach a first end of the link thereupon, and a carrier configured to removably secure at least a portion of the link, in which the first end of the link is accessible to attach to the link ear. |
| US09194189B2 |
Methods of forming a cutting element for an earth-boring tool, a related cutting element, and an earth-boring tool including such a cutting element
A method of forming a cutting element for an earth-boring tool. The method includes providing diamond particles on a supporting substrate, the volume of diamond particles comprising a plurality of diamond nanoparticles. A catalyst-containing layer is provided on exposed surfaces of the volume of diamond nanoparticles and the supporting substrate. The diamond particles are processed under high temperature and high pressure conditions to form a sintered nanoparticle-enhanced polycrystalline compact. A cutting element and an earth-boring tool including a cutting element are also disclosed. |
| US09194186B2 |
Methods and system for lubrication pressure relief for a roller cone drill bit
According to one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a roller cone drill bit including a bit body having at least one support arm extending therefrom, a cone assembly containing bearings or retaining balls and rotatably mounted on a journal extending from each support arm, a lubricant reservoir disposed in each support arm, a lubricant chamber disposed in each support arm and fluidly coupled to the bearings or retaining balls, a bore disposed in each support arm to communicate lubricant between the lubricant reservoir and the lubricant chamber, and a pressure release mechanism disposed within the bore. The pressure release mechanism may be operable to relieve lubricant from the lubricant reservoir into the lubricant chamber when lubricant pressure within the lubricant reservoir exceeds pressure of the lubricant in the lubricant chamber. According to another embodiment, the disclosure relates to methods of relieving lubricant in such a bit. |
| US09194185B2 |
Guiding device for a drilling device
The invention relates to a guide device for a drilling device, comprising a housing having deflection means for generating a side force, and a shaft rotatably supported within the housing, wherein the shaft comprises connection means at a first end for connecting to a drilling rod, and connection means at a second end for connecting to a drilling head, and wherein coupling means are provided for connecting the shaft to the housing in a rotationally fixed manner as needed. |
| US09194184B2 |
Control system and method for a well completion system
A control system and method for operating a well completion system utilizing at least one computer programmed in one embodiment to automatically operate the movement of pipe from a pipe tub to the mast and into the well and/or for movement of the pipe out of the well and/or back into the pipe tub. In one embodiment, the computer is programmed and/or configured to coordinate operation of a top drive, and/or a pipe tong, and/or a pipe moving member for moving pipe into and out of a mast, and/or a pipe transfer system for moving pipe to the pipe moving member. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the at least one computer is mounted within a control van which may be positioned so that an operator within the control van can oversee operation of the well completion system. |
| US09194182B2 |
Hydraulic rotary percussive device intended to drill boreholes
The rotary percussive device includes a casing forming a support, a striking mechanism equipped with a longitudinal body, rotatably mounted in the casing along the axis of the body, including a cylinder extending along the axis of the body, a striking piston slidingly mounted inside the cylinder and intended to strike a shank coupled to a drill rod, and a distribution device arranged to control an alternating movement of the striking piston along the axis of the body, and a motor arranged to drive the body of the striking mechanism in rotation along an axis of rotation substantially coinciding with the axis of the body. The striking mechanism includes a closing lid mounted on the body and arranged to close one of the ends of the body, the closing lid being coupled in rotation to an output shaft of the motor and at least partially including the distribution device. |
| US09194179B2 |
Motorized shade with the transmission wire passing through the support shaft
A roll shade system is disclosed. The roll shade system includes a motor configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, a support shaft supporting the motor wherein the support shaft is configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, and a roll shade tube configured to be rotatable about the motor and the support shaft during operation of the motor. The roll shade system further includes stationary components including a wiring connector, an input wiring system, a bearing, an antenna, a coaxial cable, a motor controller, a counterbalance spring. The roll shade system also includes rotatable components including a bearing housing and one or more O-rings. |
| US09194177B2 |
Operating cord system for retractable coverings for architectural openings
An operating control system for a retractable shade including a roller reversibly rotatable within a headrail includes a clamp system for gripping an endless operating cord in a neutral position to prevent rotation of the roller and a tensioner if properly mounted in a fixed position will release the clamp system to permit rotation of the roller while positioning the runs of the endless cord in a closely spaced relationship to minimize the risk of an infant or child becoming entangled in the cord. |
| US09194175B2 |
Interchangeable breech lock for glove boxes
A breech lock for a glove box is provided that may be used to transfer one or more items into the glove box. The breech lock can be interchangeably installed in place of a plug, glove, or other device in a port or opening of a glove box. Features are provided to aid the removal of items from the breech lock by a gloved operator. The breech lock can be reused or, if needed, can be replaced with a plug, glove, or other device at the port or opening of the glove box. |
| US09194174B2 |
Structural arrangement for access window to fuel tank with composite coating
There is disclosed a structural arrangement (10) for an access window (30) to a fuel tank (20) with composite coating (40), this structural arrangement (10) comprising an external lid (11) associated to the access window (30) by fastening means (12), the structural arrangement (10) for an access window (30) to a fuel tank (20) with composite coating (40) further comprising a continuous metal frame (31) disposed on an internal portion of the fuel tank (20), fastened to the composite coating (40) internally and perimetrally circumventing the access window (30), the continuous metal frame (31) being cooperative with the external lid (11) in the conduction of an electric current. |
| US09194173B2 |
System and method for installing trim with a hidden fastener system
A trim system for securing trim adjacent an edge of a building penetration, the trim system including at least one bracket that is attachable to a wall. The bracket having a center channel having opposed first and second side walls, at least one locking wedge located along each opposed side wall, and at least one tab extending outwardly from a side wall for gauging bracket distance from the edge of the penetration. The trim system also including at least one trim piece that is attachable to the bracket, the trim including at least two longitudinally extending slots disposed within the hidden surface of the trim for receiving the at least one locking wedge located along each opposed side wall of the bracket. |
| US09194170B2 |
Jamb installation device and method
Provided herein are devices for installing jamb assemblies and like structures within a rough opening. In certain embodiments, the installation device comprises a guide portion attached to a jamb assembly and a spacer portion operatively connected to the guide portion and configured to selectively move relative to the guide portion to provide adjustment of the jamb assembly relative to the rough opening. |
| US09194167B2 |
Method for the individualized and automated control of the means for closing off at least one window, control assembly for implementing said method, and parameter-setting tool for said assembly
A method for individualized control of means for closing off at least one window, by: determining coordinates of a dazzle cone associated with a window and with a dazzle-sensitive zone, the dazzle cone defined by a vertex positioned at the dazzle-sensitive zone and a directrix curve superimposed on the perimeter of the window; determining the orientation of direct rays of sunlight, and defined by a solar azimuth and a solar elevation; periodically checking whether the orientation falls within a predetermined dazzle cone; the directions of the rays of sunlight being parallel to one of the directions within the dazzle cone and passing through the vertex of the cone; and acting on closing-off means associated with the window for which orientation of rays of sunlight falls within a dazzle cone. |
| US09194163B2 |
Door latch with opening memory feature
A closure latch for a vehicle door is provided. The closure latch includes an emergency lock actuator to permit a person to lock the door in the event that the power lock actuator is unusable. The latch also includes an ‘impatient passenger’ feature, which permits the doors to be unlocked using the remote keyless-entry feature on the key fob even in a situation where an ‘impatient passenger’ had prematurely lifted the door handle of the vehicle. In some prior art latches, such an action by an ‘impatient passenger’ would prevent the drive motor on the latch from unlocking the latch, thereby necessitating the owner to press the unlock button on the key fob a second time. There is some overlap in the components that used for the ‘impatient passenger’ feature and the components used for the emergency lock actuator, thereby reducing cost and complexity of the latch. |
| US09194162B2 |
Vehicle door latch
A vehicle door latch assembly is disclosed herein, having: a fork bolt movably secured to the latch assembly; a detent lever movably secured to the latch assembly, the detent lever being capable of movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the detent lever retains the fork bolt in a latched position when the detent lever is in the engaged position and an engagement surface of the detent lever contacts an engagement surface of the fork bolt; an inertia block out assembly for preventing the detent lever from moving into the disengaged position when the inertia block out assembly is in a blocking position; and a manual override mechanism for the inertia block out assembly, wherein the manual override mechanism requires at least three independent actions to be performed to move the inertia block out assembly from the blocking position to an unblocking position. |
| US09194161B2 |
Integrated plastic restraint
An apparatus includes an elongated peg and box tube, the peg and box tube are coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the respective peg and are concentric, first and second apertures extending through the peg and box tube, first and second respective arms within the peg each with a plurality of teeth from an exterior wall towards a second, opposing side of the peg directly adjacent one of the first and second apertures and a strap extending from each of the peg and box tube and from opposing longitudinal ends, wherein each of the straps has a plurality of notches extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the strap, where each of the plurality of teeth of the respective arms engages one of the plurality of notches of a respective strap inserted through a corresponding one of the first and second apertures. |
| US09194160B1 |
Security device with a magnet-based release mechanism
A security device for securing a male contact of a cable plug within a female port. A base has a receptacle configured to receive a boot. The base and the boot house a female and a male electric contacts. The boot and the receptacle have complimentary threads enabling the boot to be screwed into the receptacle. A movable pin resides within the boot. The receptacle has a channel adapted to receive the pin. The pin and the channel align when the boot is fully screwed into the receptacle, and the pin enters the channel, thereby securing the boot within the receptacle. In this configuration, the male contact is within the female port. A magnet key is used to retract the pin to release the boot. |
| US09194156B2 |
Cover trim for a push bar of an exit device
An easily installable and preferably antimicrobial cover trim for a push bar of an exit device for a door, as well as a method for increasing fingerprint resistance of metal touch surfaces. |
| US09194152B1 |
Cantilever canopy
A cantilever canopy is disclosed for extending over a surface. The cantilever canopy includes a first telescoping support member and a second telescoping support member. A telescoping coupling member is secured between the first telescoping support member and second telescoping support member. A first pivot hinge pivotably couples the first telescoping support member with a first telescoping cantilever member. A second pivot hinge pivotably couples the second telescoping support member with a second telescoping cantilever member. A screen extends between the first telescoping cantilever member and the second telescoping cantilever member for providing shelter under the screen. |
| US09194147B2 |
Modular swimming pool
A modular swimming pool is constructed of one or more floor sections and a plurality of wall sections, with water-tight seams between the sections. Grooves formed in the sides of each section mate with corresponding grooves on adjacent sections and thereby form hollow channels that hold elastomeric seals. A plurality of fasteners applies compressive force to the seals, which results in formation of a water-tight seam. A skirt, also provided in sections, is attached to the wall sections and forms a structural and decorative part of the pool. |
| US09194146B2 |
Wake surf pool with central rotating foils
A wave pool configured to generate waves from a center portion of the wave pool towards the outer perimeter of the wave pool. A motor is positioned substantially at a center of the wave pool and is connected to a foil via an arm extending outwardly from the motor. The motor causes rotation of the arm and the foil for generating waves that travel away from the motor and towards an outer edge of the pool. The foil may be formed in the shape of a scoop and configured to adjust its angle relative to the arm via one or more angular adjustment connections with the arm. Multiple arms and/or foils may be used to generate waves in the wave pool. The wave pool has a deeper body of water located adjacent to the motor and a shallower body of water adjacent to the outer perimeter. |
| US09194145B2 |
Powered telescopic seating riser assembly
A non-permanent seating system includes a first and second riser assembly each having a deck mounted thereto. Each deck having an upper deck skin and a lower deck skin which sandwiches a core. A drive system engaged with the first riser assembly and the second riser assembly telescopes the first riser assembly relative to the second riser assembly. |
| US09194138B2 |
Drywall installation tool and a method for its use
The present drywall installation tool is configured to facilitate the installation of drywall panels to wall or ceiling structures and to avoid the necessity of having more than one person to install each drywall panel. Specifically, the installation tool can comprise a clamping section and a shelf section. The clamping section can be used to secure the installation tool to wall studs or ceiling joists and can comprise at least one fixed-arm and at least one sliding-arm. The shelf section can be configured to support a drywall panel horizontally or vertically, relative to the ground, depending upon how the installation tool is positioned. The shelf section can comprise a shelf having a flange that can help support the drywall panel. The installation tool can be configured to support the weight of a drywall panel, allowing a single person to install drywall panels comprising either wall or ceiling structures. |
| US09194135B2 |
Floorboards for floorings
Floorboards for making a floating floor have a core (30) which includes at least two layers of material (L1, L2), which are arranged at different distances from the surface layer (31), and which differ in respect of material properties or material composition. Semi manufactures for making such floorboards are also disclosed. |
| US09194131B2 |
Exterior finish system
Disclosed is an exterior finish system for building structures that includes a water pervious adhesive for securing an insulation layer to a water resistive barrier applied to a building wall substrate. Also disclosed is a building structure such as a building column or wall that includes the finish system and a method of using the finish system to assemble a building structure such as a column or wall. |
| US09194130B1 |
Elongated rail system for mounting objects to roof structures
A system and method to attach an object to a support structure, the system includes an elongated rail, an elastic membrane bonded to the elongated rail, a riser removably attached to the elongated rail, and a plurality of fastener configured to secure the elongated rail to the roof structure. |
| US09194129B2 |
Safety roof anchors
This invention relates to safety anchors for roof workers and in particular to a gutter ladder anchor, a ridge anchor, a rafter anchor, and a truss anchor. In a one aspect the invention is a gutter ladder anchor formed from a metal plate, and comprising a flat base, having left, right, rear, and front ends; a fold at the front end of the base; one or more legs extending from the fold; a flange at the end of each leg, folded upwards; one or more holes located in each leg for mounting a vertical eye or a ladder location attachment; a first pattern of spaced apart holes through the base for fixing the anchor to a batten or purlin, said first pattern extending from the left end to the right end; and one or more holes through the flange of each leg for fixing the anchor to a gutter. |
| US09194128B1 |
Exterior mounted solar shade screen for skylights
Some embodiments of the invention include an exterior mounted skylight solar shade configured to reduce solar heat gain and glare into the interior space of a building. The skylight shade may have a support skeleton including a plurality of side frame sections, arced frame sections engaging with and extending upwardly from the side frame sections, arced supports attached to the side frame sections, and a center support configured to engage with the arced frame sections and the arced supports, and a solar shade material stretched over the support skeleton. The assembly is configured to attach to a skylight frame such that the shade material is kept a distance from a skylight lens, creating an airflow passageway between the skylight lens and the solar shade material and may have a height of from about 1.5 to about 2 inches between the skylight lens and the shade material at its tallest point. |
| US09194123B2 |
Ceiling system
A ceiling system in one embodiment includes a grid support member, a ceiling panel, a torsion spring mounted on the ceiling panel, and a spring clip slideably mounted on the grid support member and configured to retain the spring. The spring clip includes a pair of resilient locking tabs engaging the grid support member to lock the clip to the member, thereby preventing withdrawing the clip from the support member. In one embodiment, the locking tabs form a snap-fit to the grid support member. The spring clip is positionable in a plurality of axial mounting positions on the grid support member to facilitate mounting the ceiling panel. In one embodiment, the grid support member may have a T-shaped cross section. |
| US09194120B2 |
Method for recycling sheet material coated with a release agent and uses of the thus recycled material
The present invention concerns a method for treating waste material comprising: —Collecting release coated cellulose or polymeric sheets from producers and end-users thereof in the form of dense, bulky masses, such as rolls and stacks; —Pre-shredding the dense, bulky masses of release coated sheets into smaller, less dense masses in preparation to the following process steps; —Preparing the pre-shredded material by mixing, separating foreign bodies like metals, etc., and feeding it to a primary grinding station (3); —Grinding the materials into small pieces, of the desired size, preferably down to less than 1 mm; —Adding additives selected from flame retardant, hydrophobic material, pesticide and mixtures thereof and mixing them with the recycled material; —Optionally forming a batt or a sheet by a wet process and/or by adding a binder. |
| US09194118B2 |
Brick bracket for installation of a ledger on the brick facing or veneer of a structure and associated methods for the installation of the brick bracket on the brick facing
A brick bracket which is installed in a recess provided by removal of brick of a brick veneer in order to be attached to studs of a framework of the building without contacting the bricks. The brick bracket has a front wall which extends outwardly and covers the brick facing and carries carriage bolts to which a ledger can be affixed such that the ledger is able to support an attached structure so that the brick bracket will not apply any force to the bricks of the brick facing. |
| US09194117B2 |
System and method for structure design
Complex curved structures and methods of making the same without requiring specially made frames or the like. These structures may include complex multi-axis, spherical, semi-spherical, twisted, or other like curves, for example. In this illustrative embodiment, individually sized boxes are stacked or assembled to form the structure. |
| US09194106B2 |
Working unit control system, construction machine and working unit control method
A working unit control system includes a working unit, an operating tool, a work type determining part, and a drive controlling part. The operating tool is configured to receive a user operation to drive the working unit, and to output an operation signal in accordance with the user operation. The work type determining part is configured to determine to which of a shaping work and a cutting edge aligning work a work type of the working unit corresponds based on the operation signals. The drive controlling part configured to move the bucket along a designed surface when the work type corresponds to the shaping work, the drive controlling art being configured in a predetermined position set with reference to the designed surface when the work type corresponds to the cutting edge aligning work, the designed surface indicating a target shape of an excavation object. |
| US09194101B2 |
Method and apparatus for earth moving and surface grading
A tandem system having multiple fluid-powered cylinders for operation of motor graders and other earth-moving equipment that is capable of interfacing with and being controlled by conventional two dimensional (“2-D”) and three dimensional (“3-D”) grade control systems, responds to encountered grade changes and adjusts elevation and a cross-slope to match predetermined project design specifications. Each cylinder member has at least one master area and at least one slave area. |
| US09194096B2 |
System and method for constructing modular concrete ducts
Modular mold equipment for producing concrete culverts with tight tolerances. Modular mold equipment having a coupling plate is used to align and interconnect components of the mold. The components being aligned may have recesses for receiving the coupling plate. Modular mold equipment system with an extended size range to cover all standard concreted duct product sizes. Modular mold equipment having a pallet guide adjustment mechanism adapted for setting the pallet at a desired location in relation to a form. The desired location is based on a wall thickness of a concrete culvert to be produced. Modular mold equipment having a core that includes a core corner and another core component adapted to be coupled to the core corner, and locking apparatus adapted to lock the core corner to the other core component via a mechanism that extends outside the core. |
| US09194095B2 |
Unitized precast grillage foundation and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention discloses a unitized precast grillage foundation for supporting a structure comprising: a plurality of anchoring elements defining a grid for resting on an underlying surface; a base connected on the grid, the base comprising at least a first footing and a second footing spaced apart and at least one connecting member between and connected to the at least first footing and the second footing; and a beam-column projecting upwardly from the base, and a method of making same. |
| US09194094B1 |
Oil collection assembly
An oil collection assembly is provided for skimming oil from water. The assembly includes a vacuum having a suction port. A hose has a first end and a second end. The first end of the hose is coupled to the suction port. A nozzle has a first end and a second end. The first end of the nozzle is coupled to the second end of the hose. A bowl is coupled to the nozzle. The bowl has a perimeter wall extending around the second end of the nozzle. The second end of the nozzle is positioned adjacent to an interior surface of the perimeter wall of the bowl. A top edge of the perimeter wall of the bowl is positioned in vertically spaced relationship to the second end of the nozzle whereby the vacuum is configured for sucking contents of the bowl into the second end of the nozzle. |
| US09194092B2 |
Mechanism for automated mixing of liquid solutions and granular materials
Disclosed is a mixing mechanism. The mixing mechanism includes an auger, a fluid handling portion, and at least one discharge hole. The auger configured to receive granular materials from a granular material source and capable of moving the granular material along a predetermined path. The fluid handling portion is coupled to a fluid supply source and has an inlet within an interior section of the auger. The size and positioning of the discharge hole (or holes) along the auger are specifically configured to allow for optimum mixing of the materials prior to being discharged. |
| US09194085B2 |
Method of installing a paving system
A method for installing a paver system includes positioning a first grid substrate adjacent to a second grid substrate. The first grid substrate and the second grid substrate are flexibly bridged with a first paver piece. A first portion of the first paver piece is movably coupled with the first grid substrate at a first joint, and a second portion of the first paver piece is movably coupled with the second grid substrate at a second joint, the first and second grid substrates and the first paver piece forming an articulated paver linkage. A second paver piece is coupled with the second grid substrate. A third paver piece is coupled with the first grid substrate. The articulated paver linkage is fit within the specified area by movement of at least one of the first, second and third paver pieces and the first and second grid substrates. The movement is transmitted along the articulated paver linkage to maintain a specified alignment and spacing of the first, second and third paver pieces. |
| US09194084B2 |
Method of producing a hydroentangled nonwoven material
A method of producing a nonwoven material by hydroentangling a fiber mixture containing spunlaid filaments, natural fibers and synthetic staple fibers, wherein a fibrous web of natural fibers and at least 10% by fiber weight of manmade staple fibers is wetlaid by means of an inclined wire formation, the wetlaid fibrous web is hydroentangled in a first hydroentangling station and spunlaid filaments are laid on top of said hydroentangled wetlaid fibrous web to form a combined web. The combined web is hydroentangled in a second hydroentangling station. |
| US09194082B2 |
Multi-pin nonwoven seaming element
A seaming element for seaming an industrial textile, an industrial textile, and a method of seaming. A first region of the seaming element comprises at least one securing member, and a second region is securable to the textile. Spaced-apart protrusions in the securing members are interdigitatable with corresponding protrusions in an opposing element, or the other seamable edge of the textile. Opposing protrusions are interdigitated to define first and second channels for securing means. Where the seaming element has two or more securing members, the protrusions of the outer securing member are aligned with those of an inner securing member of the opposing element, and the protrusions of an inner securing member are aligned with those of the outer securing member of the opposing element. Where the securing means is a pintle, the free ends can be inserted back into the channel to secure the seam. |
| US09194080B2 |
Two vessel reactor system and method for hydrolysis and digestion of wood chips with chemical enhanced wash method
A reactor vessel system including: a first reactor vessel having a hydrolysate and liquid extraction screen, a first region above the extraction screen that is maintained at conditions promoting a hydrolysis reaction in the cellulosic material, a second region below the extraction screen in which the hydrolysis is substantially suppressed and a wash liquid inlet below the extraction screen providing wash liquid at a temperature below a hydrolysis temperature; a transport pipe having an inlet coupled to the first reactor vessel and an outlet coupled to a second reactor vessel, and the second reactor vessel includes a liquid discharge that extracts a portion of liquid from the second reactor vessel and directs the portion of liquid to the first reactor vessel or to the transport pipe. |
| US09194077B2 |
Detachable steaming component connected to a steaming system
A system for steaming clothes is disclosed. A steamer is connected through a hose to a steaming component having a plurality of connecting tubes, where the steaming component having the plurality of connecting tubes, where the plurality of connecting tubes connects to a plurality of detachable ventilating tubes, where the plurality of the detachable ventilating tubes have a plurality of holes to expel steam. The steaming component with the plurality of connecting tubes are configured to hold an article of clothing that fits around the steaming component and the plurality of connecting tubes, where the steaming component is configured to receive the steam from the steamer to expel the steam through the plurality of holes to entirely steam an entire portion of the article of clothing. |
| US09194075B2 |
Drum of a machine for treating laundry and machine having said drum
A drum (1; 1′) of a machine for treating laundry, in particular for washing and/or drying laundry, includes a substantially cylindrical shape and is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis (X; X′). The drum includes a plurality of compartments (10; 10′) having the shape of a circular crown sector, each compartment (10; 10′) being adapted to contain at least one laundry item to be treated, so that a controlled mechanical action is exerted on the at least one laundry item. |
| US09194069B2 |
Overlock sewing machine
An overlock sewing machine includes a main shaft fixing operating arm provided with a shaft pin engaging portion that engages with a fixing inner shaft pin and an arm provided to be operable by a user which are integrally rockable within a specified range, and further includes a main shaft fixing operating spring which urging direction is switched in both directions of an rocking direction by exceeding a neutral point by the rocking movements of the main shaft operating arm and the arm. |
| US09194067B2 |
Sewing machine
A sewing machine includes a coordinate indicator, a processor, and a memory. The coordinate indicator includes a cylindrical housing, a rod-shaped indicating member, a switch, a single transmitter, a receiver, and a flat surface. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the sewing machine to perform processes that include computing a plurality of sets of first coordinates based on a plurality of times at which the receiver receives a ultrasonic wave, computing a movement direction based on at least some of the computed plurality of sets of the first coordinates, computing a movement distance based on at least some of the computed plurality of sets of the first coordinates, and computing second coordinates based on at least some of the plurality of sets of the first coordinates, the movement direction, and the movement distance. |
| US09194064B2 |
Tubular elasticated net with inextensible weft
A tubular elasticated net used for cooking layered or rolled meat products such as cooked ham has independent elastic (12) and inextensible (13) weft threads. The inextensible threads (13) limit the diametral expansion of the tube to the desired shape of the finished product, while the elastic thread (12) squeezes the meat during cooking. |
| US09194062B2 |
Carbon fiber surface oil changing method
A changing method includes the steps of supplying a carbon fiber material with a surface covered by a thermosetting resin oil, performing a desizing step to remove the thermosetting resin oil from the surface of the carbon fiber material, performing a surfactant coating step to coat a surfactant onto the surface of the carbon fiber material, and performing a sizing step to cover a surface of the surfactant by a thermosetting resin oil, so as to obtain a carbon fiber material with a thermosetting resin oil coated onto the surface of the carbon fiber material. |
| US09194058B2 |
Electrospinning process for manufacture of multi-layered structures
Devices and methods for high-throughput manufacture of concentrically layered nanoscale and microscale fibers by electrospinning are disclosed. The devices include a hollow tube having a lengthwise slit through which a core material can flow, and can be configured to permit introduction of sheath material at multiple sites of Taylor cone formation formation. |
| US09194056B2 |
Film-forming apparatus and method
A film-forming apparatus and method comprising a film-forming chamber for supplying a reaction gas, a cylindrical shaped liner provided in the film-forming chamber, a straightening vane provided above the liner for the reaction gas to pass through, wherein the outside of the film-forming chamber connects the inside of the liner via a substrate transfer portion provided at the wall of the film-forming chamber by moving the straightening vane from the position that the straightening vane closes the upper opening of the liner. A substrate supporting portion provided in the liner, for supporting the substrate before the film-forming to move the substrate in a vertical direction, a substrate transfer unit capable of moving inside the film-forming chamber through the substrate transfer portion, wherein the substrate is transferred between the substrate supporting portion and the substrate transfer unit. |
| US09194054B2 |
ZnO structures and methods of use
ZnO structures comprising crystalline ZnO micro or nanorods and methods for making and using these ZnO structures are provided. The side surface of the central portion of each rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 −1 0}, {0 1 −1 0}, {−1 1 0 0}, {−1 0 1 0}, {0 −1 1 0} and {1 −1 0 0}, with central edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 −1 −1 0} or {−2 1 1 0}. The tip of the rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 −1 1} {0 1 −1 1}, {−1 1 0 1}, {−1 0 1 1}, {0 −1 1 1} and {1 −1 0 1} with tip edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 −1 −1 2} or {−2 1 1 2}. The rods may be joined at or near their bases to form the “flower-like” morphology. In an embodiment, a synthesis mixture is prepared by dissolving a zinc salt in an alcohol solvent, followed by addition of at least two additives. The zinc salt may be zinc nitrate hexahydrate, the first additive may be benzyl alcohol and the second additive may be urea. |
| US09194049B2 |
Method for simultaneous elimination of orthophosphate and ammonium using electrolytic process
The present invention provides a method for the treatment of nitrogen-rich effluent and production of struvite comprising introducing the effluent in an electrolytic system and performing a first electrolytic treatment to the effluent in a first electrolytic reactor in order to organic matter that impact on nucleation of struvite, followed by a second electrolytic treatment in a second electrolytic reactor, thereby injecting Mg ions which react with NH4+ and orthophosphates from the effluent to form a struvite precipitate. |
| US09194045B2 |
Continuous plasma and RF bias to regulate damage in a substrate processing system
Methods of processing a substrate include supplying process gas to a processing chamber including the substrate. Plasma is created in the processing chamber. After performing a first substrate processing step, the plasma is maintained in the processing chamber and at least one operating parameter is adjusted. The operating parameters may include RF bias to a pedestal, a plasma voltage bias, a gas admixture, a gas flow, a gas pressure, an etch to deposition (E/D) ratio and/or combinations thereof. One or more additional substrate processing steps are performed without an interruption in the plasma between the first substrate processing step and the one or more additional substrate processing steps. |
| US09194042B2 |
Jig for semiconductor production and method for producing same
The present invention relates to: a jig for semiconductor production which is used for a CVD device in a semiconductor production process and contains a jig base and an SiC coating film formed on the jig base, in which the SiC coating film has a surface area ratio (surface area S2/surface area S1) between an apparent surface area S1 as calculated on the assumption that the surface is flat and free from unevenness and an actual surface area S2, of from 1.4 to 3.2; and a method for producing the jig for semiconductor production. |
| US09194036B2 |
Plasma vapor deposition
A plasma vapor deposition system is described for forming a feature on a semiconductor wafer. The plasma vapor deposition comprises a primary target electrode and a plurality of secondary target electrodes. The deposition is performed by sputtering atoms off the primary and secondary target electrodes. |
| US09194033B2 |
Method for producing steel material for friction welding
A chemical composition includes, in mass percent, C: 0.30 to 0.55%, Si: 0.05 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.05 to 0.9%, P: 0.001 to 0.030%, S: 0.005 to 0.12%, Cr: 0.05 to 2.0%, Al: 0.005 to 0.05%, N: 0.0050 to 0.0200%, and the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, an amount of N in solid solution being not less than 0.0020%, wherein the contents of Mn and S satisfy relationships expressed by the following expressions: 2.6≦Mn/S<15 (1) and Mn+6S<1.2 (2). |
| US09194026B2 |
Electric and electronic part copper alloy sheet with excellent bending workability and stress relaxation resistance
An electric and electronic part copper alloy sheet with excellent bending workability and stress relaxation resistance is made from a copper alloy containing 1.5 to 4.0 percent by mass of Ni, Si satisfying a Ni/Si mass ratio of 4.0 to 5.0, 0.01 to 1.3 percent by mass of Sn, and the remainder composed of copper and incidental impurities, wherein the average crystal grain size is 5 to 20 μm, the standard deviation of the crystal grain size satisfies 2σ<10 μm, and the proportion of the number of particles having a particle diameter of 90 to 300 nm in Ni—Si dispersed particles having a particle diameter of 30 to 300 nm is 20% or more, where the particles are observed in a cross-section defined by a direction perpendicular to a sheet surface and a direction parallel to a rolling direction. |
| US09194023B2 |
Recovery of gold from roaster calcine leach tailings
A method to recover gold lost in roaster calcine-leach tailings, due to the formation of cyanide refractory compounds or morphologies during the roasting process. The process can include acid leaching of magnetic concentrate from roaster leach tailings, combining the acid leach slurry to the pre-acidulation tank for pressure oxidation feed, acid pressure oxidation of the pressure oxidation feed, and recovery of gold. |
| US09194022B2 |
Upgrading of precious metals concentrates and residues
A process for upgrading a precious metals-containing concentrate or residue results in near-quantitave removal of base metals and several impurity elements at elevated temperatures. The precious metals-containing concentrate or residue is exposed to oxygen or an oxygen-containing environment in an oxidative pre-treatment step followed by treatment with a hydrochlorinating agent in a hydrochlorination step to form an upgraded concentrate or residue. |
| US09194021B2 |
Leaching of minerals and sequestration of CO2
A method for leaching of minerals and sequestration of CO2 is disclosed, wherein the method comprises forming a rock pile; injecting exhaust gas containing CO2 in the lower part of the rock pile; spraying leaching liquid on top of the rock pile; collecting enriched leaching liquid from a lower part of the rock pile; precipitating mineral carbonates from the enriched leaching liquid, or further extracting dissolved elements or compounds. |
| US09194013B2 |
Hot blast stove dome and hot blast stove
A hot blast stove dome comprises a first dome portion adapted for support on a combustion chamber wall of a hot blast stove, and a second dome portion adapted for support on a checker chamber wall of a hot blast stove, wherein a vertical expansion joint is provided between the first dome portion and the second dome portion and is adapted to allow the first dome portion and the second dome portion to independently accommodate vertical expansion of their respective supporting walls. The dome is suitably provided in a hot blast stove which comprises a combustion chamber, a checker chamber, a cylindrical housing comprising a combustion chamber wall and a checker chamber wall. |
| US09194011B2 |
Stabilized alpha-galactosidase and uses thereof
Multimeric protein structures comprising at least two alpha-galactosidase monomers being covalently linked to one another via a linking moiety are disclosed herein, as well a process for preparing same, and methods of treating Fabry disease via administration of a multimeric protein structure. The disclosed multimeric protein structures exhibit an improved performance, in terms of enhanced activity and/or a longer lasting activity under both lysosomal conditions and in a serum environment. |
| US09194010B2 |
Phytase having improved enzymatic activity
A phytase having improved enzymatic activity is disclosed. The phytase has a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of Valine at position 90 with Threonine. Alternatively, the phytase has a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, wherein the modification is a substitution of Asparagine at position 204 with Alanine or a substitution of Serine at position 206 with Alanine. |
| US09194006B2 |
Direct amplification and detection of viral and bacterial pathogens
Provided herein are methods for identifying the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid from a microorganism using direct amplification without a step of extraction of the nucleic acids, but retaining substantially the same specificity and sensitivity of methods assaying extracted nucleic acids. |
| US09194005B2 |
Methods and biomarker for evaluating cancer metastasis, pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting cancer metastasis, and method for analyzing secretome
The invention relates to methods and biomarker for evaluating cancer metastasis, pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting cancer metastasis, and method for analyzing secretome. By combining a hollow fiber cartridge (HFC) culture system with quantitative proteomics technology, cancer metastasis-related secrectomes can be found. Furthermore, this is the first time to use PARK7 as a biomarker for judging the process of non-small cell lung cancer. |
| US09193996B2 |
Integrated optoelectronic read head and fluidic cartridge useful for nucleic acid sequencing
A detection apparatus having a read head including a plurality of microfluorometers positioned to simultaneously acquire a plurality of the wide-field images in a common plane; and (b) a translation stage configured to move the read head along a substrate that is in the common plane. The substrate can be a flow cell that is included in a cartridge, the cartridge also including a housing for (i) a sample reservoir; (ii) a fluidic line between the sample reservoir and the flow cell; (iii) several reagent reservoirs in fluid communication with the flow cell, (iv) at least one valve configured to mediate fluid communication between the reservoirs and the flow cell; and (v) at least one pressure source configured to move liquids from the reservoirs to the flow cell. The detection apparatus and cartridge can be used together or independent of each other. |
| US09193994B2 |
Polynucleotide and use thereof
A first polynucleotide including at least two complementary regions that are complementary to a target nucleic acid and have a reverse configuration, a second polynucleotide complementary to the first polynucleotide, and uses thereof, are provided. |
| US09193991B2 |
Systems and methods for multiplex analysis of PCR in real time
The present invention provides methods and systems for real-time measurements of PCR with multiplexing capability. Certain embodiments relate to methods and systems that use fluorescently encoded superparamagnetic microspheres for the immobilization of amplification products during the PCR process, and an imaging chamber of a measurement device that is also capable of controllable thermal cycling for assisting the PCR process. |
| US09193990B2 |
Bioluminescent metal ion assay
A method for determining metal ions, both qualitatively and quantitatively, is disclosed. The method utilizes emission from fluorescence resonance energy transfer from a luciferase-carbonic anhydrase conjugate or fusion protein to an acceptor ligand in the presence of metal ion bound to the protein to measure free metal ion concentrations down to picomolar concentration ranges. The method is relatively insensitive to contaminants, and so can be used to measure metal ion concentrations in cells, body fluids or environmental samples without extensive sample preparation. |
| US09193988B2 |
Lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same
Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region. |
| US09193986B2 |
Method for marking or immobilising a target structure
Method for marking a target structure, comprising the following steps: a) providing a compound V that includes at least one dihydroxy- or trihydroxyphenyl group, b) providing a means for converting the dihydroxy- or trihydroxyphenyl group to a quinone group, c) providing a target structure, d) oxidizing the dihydroxy- or trihydroxyphenyl group of the compound V to the quinone group, and e) contacting the compound V with the target structure, so that a covalent bond can be formed, wherein in step e) the compound V is used in a concentration such that the maximum concentration of dihydroxy-, trihydroxyphenyl groups and quinone groups that are introduced by the compound V is ≦500 μM, preferably ≦300 μM, and more preferably ≦100 μM. |
| US09193985B2 |
Device and method for microbiological analysis of biological samples
The device for microbiological analyzes on samples of body fluids comprising: an incubation area for containers containing said samples; an analyzer for analyzing the inner atmosphere of said containers; a sorting system to sort the containers according to the carbon dioxide content detected by said analyzer. |
| US09193984B2 |
Method for detecting interactions between two and more biological macromolecules
Disclosed is a novel method for detecting interactions of biomolecules. More particularly, the disclosed method includes (a) preparing a cell comprising (i) a first construct comprising a bait, a first labeling material and a translocation module; and (ii) a second construct comprising a prey and a second labeling material; (b) detecting the distribution of the first construct and the second construct in the cell. the present invention provides a method capable of detecting bindings and interactions occurring in a living cell in real time, and a method for screening a material that alters the binding and the interaction. The method of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages including inaccuracy and complexity of existing biomaterial interaction detection techniques. By labeling both constructs to promote accuracy, the present invention provides a novel real-time, antibody-free analysis. |
| US09193983B2 |
Assays for mutagenesis detection
The disclosure provides methods, systems, and kits for assaying an agent for mutagenic properties. The methods systems and kits utilize a DEL selectable marker and a colorimetric detection systems. Also included are methods systems and kits that utilize a DEL selectable marker and a regent that detects mitochondrial activity. |
| US09193980B2 |
Triterpene oxidase derived from plant belonging to genus Glycyrrhiza, gene encoding the same, and method of using the same
Identification of a protein having an activity of oxidizing oleanane-type triterpene, and a gene encoding the protein, the protein and the gene, and use thereof are provided. For example, a protein having an activity of oxidizing oleanane-type triterpene obtained from a plant in the family Fabaceae, a gene encoding the protein and use thereof are provided. The protein is shown in, for example, SEQ ID NO: 4, 14 or 18, and the gene encoding the protein is shown in, for example, SEQ ID NO: 3, 13 or 17. A transformant into which the gene is introduced can be produced, and thereby a triterpene oxidase can be obtained. |
| US09193977B2 |
Non-human animals having a humanized signal-regulatory protein gene
Genetically modified non-human animals and methods and compositions for making and using the same are provided, wherein the genetic modification comprises a humanization of an endogenous signal-regulatory protein gene, in particular a humanization of a SIRPα gene. Genetically modified mice are described, including mice that express a human or humanized SIRPα protein from an endogenous SIRPα locus. |
| US09193973B2 |
Compositions and methods for increasing erythropoietin (EPO) production
The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting one or more EGLN genes, EGLN1, EGLN2 and/or EGLN3 and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to inhibit expression of these genes. |
| US09193972B2 |
Combined hairpin-antisense compositions and methods for modulating expression
A nucleotide construct comprising a nucleotide sequence that forms a stem and a loop, wherein the loop comprises a nucleotide sequence that modulates expression of a target, wherein the stem comprises a nucleotide sequence that modulates expression of a target, and wherein the target modulated by the nucleotide sequence in the loop and the target modulated by the nucleotide sequence in the stem may be the same or different. Vectors, methods of regulating target expression, methods of providing a cell, and methods of treating conditions comprising the nucleotide sequence are also disclosed. |
| US09193966B2 |
Nitrile hydratase
Provided is an improved nitrile hydratase with improved catalytic activity. Also provided are DNA for coding the improved nitrile hydratase, a recombinant vector that contains the DNA, a transformant that contains the recombinant vector, nitrile hydratase acquired from a culture of the transformant, and a method for producing the nitrile hydratase. Also provided is a method for producing an amide compound that uses the culture or a processed product of the culture. The improved nitrile hydratase contains an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 50 (GX1X2X3X4DX5X6R) in a beta subunit, and is characterized in that X4 is an amino acid selected from a group comprising cysteine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, asparagine, proline, glutamine, serine and threonine. |
| US09193964B2 |
Highly functional enzyme having alpha-galactosidase activity
The present invention provides, as an enzyme which can be used for enzyme replacement therapy for Fabry disease, a protein having α-galactosidase activity, which shows no allergic adverse side effect, shows a high stability in blood, and can be easily incorporated into a cell of an affected organ. The protein of the present invention is a protein which has acquired α-galactosidase activity by changing the structure of the active site of wild-type human α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase. |
| US09193961B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding enantioselective carboxylesterases and methods of making same
The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having carboxylesterase [E.C.3.1.1.1] activity. |
| US09193959B2 |
T7 RNA polymerase variants with enhanced thermostability
The present invention provides improved variants of T7 RNA polymerase by introducing novel mutations which lead to improved thermostability of the enzyme. According to the invention, amino acid substitutions at the positions Val426, Ser633, Val650, Thr654, Ala702, Val795, and combinations thereof are advantageous. |
| US09193958B2 |
Method of enzymatically synthesizing 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate
The invention provides a method for producing 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS), the method including subjecting ATP to sulfation and phosphorylation by use of adenosine 5′-triphosphate sulfurylase (ATPS) and adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate kinase (APSK), wherein an adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) supply/regeneration system including adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP), polyphosphate, polyphosphate-driven nucleoside 5′-diphosphate kinase (PNDK), and polyphosphate:AMP phosphotransferase (PAP), or an adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) supply/regeneration system including adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP), polyphosphate, polyphosphate-driven nucleoside 5′-diphosphate kinase (PNDK), and adenylate kinase (ADK) is employed instead of ATP. |
| US09193951B2 |
Differentiation method for production of glial cell populations
The present invention provides methods for generating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from pluripotent cells, as well as methods for sustaining these oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in relatively pure cultures for long periods of time. The present invention also provides methods for further differentiating these oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into various glial cells. |
| US09193944B2 |
Method for obtaining concentrated polyphenol extracts from a stirring process
The present invention proposes methods for obtaining concentrated polyphenol extracts resulting from the stirring process, through a step in which a partially purified beer is placed into contact with a resin that adsorbs the polyphenols, followed by a step in which the polyphenols adsorbed onto said resin are recovered. The invention also relates to the extracts thus obtained, which feature remarkable properties, as well as to several applications for these extracts. |