| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09207906B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a microphone configured to receive a first voice input; a touchscreen display; a controller configured to convert the first voice input into first text, display the first text on the touchscreen display, receive a selection signal indicating a selection of the displayed first text, receive a second voice input via the microphone, convert the second voice input into second text, combine the first text and the second text, and display the combined text on the touchscreen display. |
| US09207904B2 |
Multi-panel display with hot swappable display panels and methods of servicing thereof
A method includes providing access to a multi-panel display including a plurality of display panels. Each panel of the plurality of display panels is mounted onto a mechanical support structure. The method further includes identifying a defective panel from the plurality of display panels. Without powering down the multi-panel display, electrical connection to the defective panel is disconnected and the defective panel is removed from the mechanical support structure. The method also includes attaching a replacement display panel to the mechanical support structure at the location of the defective panel, and connecting power to the replacement display panel. One or more of the remaining of the plurality of display panels continue to display during the time the defective panel is disconnected and removed, and the replacement display is attached. |
| US09207898B2 |
Apparatus and methods for image processing optimization for variable data printing
Apparatus and methods for providing a pre-rasterized print job for variable data printing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a set of printer characteristics may be determined and then transferred to a typesetting system. The typesetting system may then pre-rasterize objects of the print job based in part on the received printer characteristics. A pre-rasterized print job, including the pre-rasterized objects and print layout instructions may then be generated, such as in the form of a PostScript file, which may then be transferred to a raster image processor (RIP) for generation of printed output. In another embodiment, a printer characterization file may be used for execution on a printing system to determine the set of printer characteristics that may include native resolution, rotation angle, compression data and/or other data or information characterizing the printing system. |
| US09207897B2 |
Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and data conversion method
An information processing system, which is implemented by one or more information processing apparatuses, includes an electronic data receiving unit configured to receive electronic data via a network from an external apparatus; and a data conversion unit configured to identify at least one of an output setting and a data format corresponding to attribute information of a user operating the external apparatus by referring to a storage unit storing at least one of the output setting and the data format in association with the attribute information of the user, and convert the received electronic data into output data according to at least one of the output setting and the data format. |
| US09207895B2 |
Image forming apparatus that stores data of print job in memory area, method of controlling image forming apparatus, and storage medium
A image forming apparatus capable of performing reservation printing, even when incapable of storing print data in a memory unit due to an insufficient free space, by securing a memory area which is not used by other users. Print data is input from a PC to an MFP so as to be reserved in a memory area of an auxiliary memory of the MFP, and is printed out by the MFP in response to an instruction from a user who has logged in the MFP. The auxiliary memory has a reservation printing area and a reservation printing emergency area for storing print data. If print data of the logged-in user cannot be stored in the reservation printing area due to an insufficient free space, the print data is stored in the reservation printing emergency area in response to an instruction from the logged-in user. |
| US09207894B2 |
Print preview with page numbering for multiple pages per sheet
A sheet preview system generates a print preview of a sheet that has a layout specifying a position and orientation for each page. To generate the print preview of the sheet, the sheet preview system displays a representation of the sheet that includes an image of each page of the sheet. The sheet preview system positions and orients the images in accordance with the layout of the sheet. The sheet preview system then displays in association with each displayed image of a page the page number of that page. The sheet preview system may orient the page number of the page in accordance with the orientation of the page. |
| US09207891B1 |
Hidden information at flush pattern locations for print jobs
Systems and methods are provided for inserting hidden information into flush patterns. One embodiment is a system comprising a marking engine that includes multiple printheads, an interface that receives print data for a print job, multiple Raster Image Processors (RIPs), and a print controller. The print controller divides the print data into logical pages, inserts printable information into the logical pages that distinguishes each logical page from other logical pages, and transmits the logical pages to the RIPs for rasterization. The print controller determines that a RIP has completed rasterizing a logical page, transmits the rasterized logical page to a Print Verification System (PVS), directs the printheads of the marking engine to print the rasterized logical page onto a physical page, and directs the printheads of the marking engine to apply a flush pattern onto the physical page at the location of the inserted printable information. |
| US09207889B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus and method includes determining whether print data is limited in a number of times of printing, determining whether a setting of storing the print data in the information processing apparatus is valid, and stopping transmission of the print data in a case where it is determined that the print data is limited in the number of times of printing and it is determined that the setting is valid. |
| US09207887B1 |
Presentation of predicted steps in a print workflow
System and methods for presentation of predicted steps in a print workflow. One embodiment is a system that identifies a print workflow with interconnected steps of multiple potential paths. The system identifies a print job, generates a copy of the print job, and simulates execution a step in the print workflow with the copy of the print job. The execution comprises: determining whether the step includes conditional branching, and, when the step includes conditional branching, predicting a subsequent step by evaluating conditions of the step against property values of the copy of the print job. The execution also comprises updating the property values based on the execution of the step. The system repeats the execution for each subsequently predicted step to predict a path of the print job. The system includes a graphical user interface to display the path that is predicted for the print job in the print workflow. |
| US09207884B1 |
Methods and systems for dispatch of documents
Methods and systems facilitating a first user to receive printed documents via a second user are provided. A method at a digital printer includes registering second users with the printer based on a list of the second users and identity information. The disclosure detects one or more of the second users present in proximity of the printer. When a job request along with a selection of a dispatch mode is received from the first user, the printer detects the second users based on the identity information. The disclosure further includes sending a first message to one or more second computing devices of the second users for requesting to collect documents on behalf of the first user. Upon executing the request, at least one second user collects the documents from the printer. After collection of the documents, the printer can send a second message informing the first user about document collection. |
| US09207883B2 |
Indication of a destructive write via a notification from a disk drive that emulates blocks of a first block size within blocks of a second block size
A disk drive receives a request to write at least one block of a first block size, wherein the disk drive is configured to store blocks of a second block size that is larger in size than the first block size. The disk drive stores a plurality of emulated blocks of the first block size in each block of the second block size. The disk drive generates a read error, in response to reading a selected block of the second block size in which the at least block of the first block size is to be written via an emulation. The disk drive performs a destructive write of selected emulated blocks of the first block size that caused the read error to be generated. The disk drive writes the at least one block of the first block size in the selected block of the second block size. |
| US09207882B2 |
System and method for in-band LUN provisioning in a data center network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes instantiating a virtual adapter on a network device connected to a storage array, the virtual adapter capable of communicating with the storage array; determining storage configuration properties for the network device; and provisioning a portion of the storage array to the network device in accordance with the determined storage configuration properties. The method may further comprise associating the network device with a service profile, where the storage configuration properties are specified in the service profile. Still further, the method may comprise configuring the network device in accordance with the associated service profile, where the instantiating is also performed in accordance with the associated service profile. |
| US09207880B2 |
Processor with architecturally-visible programmable on-die storage to store data that is accessible by instruction
A processor of an aspect includes an on-die programmable architecturally-visible storage. The processor also includes a decode unit to receive a data access instruction of an instruction set of the processor. The data access instruction to indicate a data address that is to be associated with data to be stored in the on-die programmable architecturally-visible storage, to indicate a data size associated with the data to be stored in the on-die programmable architecturally-visible storage, and to indicate a destination storage location of the processor. An execution unit is coupled with the decode unit and the on-die programmable architecturally-visible storage. The execution unit is on-die with the on-die programmable storage. The execution unit is operable, in response to the data access instruction, to store the data, which is associated with the data address and the data size, in the destination storage location that is to be indicated by the instruction. |
| US09207879B2 |
Redundant array of independent disk (RAID) controlled semiconductor storage device (SSD)-based system having a high-speed non-volatile host interface
Embodiments of the invention provide a RAID controlled SSD-based system having a high-speed, non-volatile host interface. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a RAID-controlled device is provided that comprises a high-speed host interface that is coupled to a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) controller. The RAID controller itself is coupled to a set of controlled memory units that each comprises: a main controller coupled to cache memory; and a set of SSD memory units (each having a set of blocks of memory) coupled to the main controller. |
| US09207877B1 |
Detection and avoidance of stalled filesystems to prevent stalling of virtual tape drives during tape mounts
A method for operating a virtual tape emulator that receives a request to access a directory in a disk array including a set of directories. The method includes determining whether the directory is stalled, and if so, preventing access to the directory. In another embodiment, a virtual tape emulator includes a request reception module configured to receive a request to access a directory in a disk array including a set of directories. The virtual tape emulator further includes a stall determination module configured to determine whether the directory is stalled, and an access prevention module configured to prevent access to the directory if the directory is stalled. |
| US09207874B2 |
Synchronous extent migration protocol for paired storage
Extent migration is provided in a data storage environment configured for synchronous replication between a primary and secondary pair of storage entities, each having tiered storage devices. In one embodiment, by way of example only, a migration instruction is sent, by the primary storage entity, to the secondary storage entity, the migration instruction including a relative priority based on a primary ordered heat map of the tiered storage devices of the primary storage entity. The relative priority is used against a secondary ordered heat map of the tiered storage devices of the secondary storage entity to perform the extent migration, regardless of whether the primary and secondary storage entities are identical. |
| US09207870B2 |
Allocating storage units in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a processing module detecting a new storage unit within a dispersed storage network DSN. The method continues with the processing module determining to affiliate the new storage unit with a virtual memory vault, where the virtual memory vault is mapped to a set of storage units of the DSN, where data objects are dispersed storage error encoded into pluralities of sets of encoded data slices that are stored in the set of storage units. The method continues with the processing module determining virtual DSN addresses of the virtual memory vault to allocate the new storage unit. The method continues with the processing module updating vault information regarding the virtual memory vault to include the allocation of the virtual DSN addresses to the new storage unit. |
| US09207869B2 |
Reuse of host hibernation storage space by memory controller
A method for data storage includes, in a host system that operates alternately in a normal state and a hibernation state, reserving a hibernation storage space in a non-volatile storage device for storage of hibernation-related information in preparation for entering the hibernation state. While the host system is operating in the normal state, a storage task other than storage of the hibernation-related information is performed using at least a portion of the reserved hibernation storage space. |
| US09207867B2 |
Adaptive record caching for solid state disks
A storage controller receives a request that corresponds to an access of a track. A determination is made as to whether the track corresponds to data stored in a solid state disk. Record staging to a cache from the solid state disk is performed, in response to determining that the track corresponds to data stored in the solid state disk, wherein each track is comprised of a plurality of records. |
| US09207866B2 |
Chunk-level client side encryption in hierarchical content addressable storage systems
Techniques for chunk-level client side encryption are provided. In a content addressable storage system, a plurality of chunks is used to implement a hierarchical file system. The hierarchical file system supports both encrypted and non-encrypted volumes. A folders and files layer makes calls directly to a chunk system layer for operations involving non-encrypted volumes. The folders and files layer makes calls to a volume encryption layer for operations involving encrypted volumes. The volume encryption layer receives calls from the folders and files layer through an API that matches the API through which the chunk system layer receives calls from the folders and files layer. |
| US09207865B2 |
Information processing method and terminal device
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing method and a terminal device, where the method includes: receiving an input character input by a user; displaying, according to the input character and in a ring arrangement around the input character, candidate characters corresponding to the input character; receiving selection information so as to select one candidate character as a to-be-processed character; receiving, according to correspondence between the selection information and a candidate character position, a candidate character in the position corresponding to the selection information as the to-be-processed character; and processing the to-be-processed character. |
| US09207864B2 |
Method and apparatus for area-efficient graphical user interface
A user operates a GUI with a thumb and an index finger while holding an information processing device with left and right hands. The GUI screen image displays a directional keys input area at the lower left on the screen image, a button input area at the lower right on the screen image, an L1/L2 button input area at the upper left on the screen image, and an R1/R2 button input area at the upper right on the screen image. The L1/L2 and the R1/R2 button input areas are in the form of circle sectors, whereby the center angles of the circle sectors are at right angles of the two upper corners of the screen, and by internally dividing the center angles further so as to divide the sectors into two sectors respectively, the L1 and L2 buttons, and the R1 and R2 buttons are distinguished. |
| US09207863B2 |
Input device and input method
Provided are an input device including at least one key to which a plurality of symbols are allocated, and a method of determining a symbol input by a user in the input device. The method includes tracking a plurality of input objects, receiving a key input from any one of the plurality of input objects, and determining a symbol input by a user on the basis of a relative position, which is a position of the input object in the input objects, of the input object that has generated the key input and the input key. Accordingly, it is possible to output different symbols using one key according to relative positions of an input object that has generated a key input, so that a desired symbol can be easily input through a small input device. |
| US09207862B2 |
Motion sensor data processing and interface and method thereof
A motion sensor comprises a touch screen, and a motion indictor proximate to the touch screen, the touch screen displaying: an adjusting bar indicating a threshold at which motion is detected, and a level bar indicating an amount of currently measured motion. |
| US09207857B2 |
Methods and devices for presenting interactive media items
An electronic device with processor(s), memory, and a touch screen display presents a media item, where the media item is associated with a metadata structure that includes first information identifying at least a portion of an audio track, second information identifying one or more media files, and third information identifying one more audio and/or video effects. The presenting includes: displaying one or more media files associated with the media item; and playing back at least a portion of an audio track associated with the media item in synchronization with the one or more media files. While presenting the media item, the device: detects a touch input gesture; and, in response to detecting the touch input gesture, applies an audio and/or video effect specified by the third information to the audio track being played back and/or at least a portion of the one or more media files being displayed. |
| US09207855B2 |
Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for adjusting an insertion point marker
In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is performed at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. The method includes: displaying graphics and an insertion marker at a first location in the graphics on the touch screen display; detecting a finger contact with the touch screen display; and in response to the detected finger contact, expanding the insertion marker from a first size to a second size on the touch screen display and expanding a portion of the graphics on the touch screen display from an original size to an expanded size. The method further includes detecting movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display and moving the expanded insertion marker in accordance with the detected movement of the finger contact from the first location to a second location in the graphics. |
| US09207854B2 |
Mobile terminal and user interface of mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a display, and a controller coupled to the display, the controller configured to display information on the display, scroll the displayed information in response to a touch and moving input applied on the display in a direction, and refresh the displayed information if the touch and moving input is released subsequent to the scrolling of the displayed information. |
| US09207849B2 |
Start and application navigation
Described herein are techniques to facilitate efficient application navigation by a user. In one embodiment, two or more scrollable surfaces contain application icons. One surface may have a first type of application icon and may be a user-customized surface akin to a desktop. Usually, only one of the surfaces is active and displayed at a given time. The user can swap one surface into view and the other surface out of view. The active surface is independently scrollable; when a given surface is swapped out and then swapped back in, despite any scrolling of the intervening surface, when the given surface is swapped back into view it returns at the same position it had before being swapped out. Another embodiment may provide optimizations to enhance performance and responsiveness by pre-rendering imagery of an off-screen surface. Caching logic may be used to assure that the imagery is correct. |
| US09207848B2 |
Text display device, text display program, and text display method presenting tactile sensations in accordance with displayed text
The text display device includes: a display control section that displays, on a display device, a text containing a predetermined feature position; an input section that receives an operation performed by a finger of the operator on an input device, and detects a presence of a contact with the finger and XY-coordinates corresponding to a finger position; a calculation section that, when a contact with the finger is detected, associates the detected XY-coordinates with an emphasis display position in the displayed text, calculates a relative distance between the emphasis display position and the feature position, and calculates coordinate values corresponding to the feature position based on the relative distance and the detected XY-coordinates; and a tactile sensation presentation section that provides the operator with a tactile sensation of a protrusion or a depression at a position in the input area indicated by the calculated coordinate values. |
| US09207847B2 |
Image display device, image display method and program
In the image display device, The touch operation detection unit detects the touch operation of the user input through the touch panel; The image selection unit selects images in the category corresponding to the tag information specified through the touch operation from among the images stored in the image storage unit based on the tag information; and the display control unit extracts main subject areas of the images in the category selected by the image selection unit based on the frame information, and displays the extracted main subject areas on the screen of the touch panel in a predetermined order according to an image display procedure corresponding to the tag information specified through the touch operation. |
| US09207846B2 |
Set value input device, image forming apparatus, set value input method, and recording medium
A set value input device, comprising: a display in which a screen having at least one set value input area can be displayed; a touch detection portion; a first input portion which is displayed when the touch detection portion detects the set value input area is touched and which is to input a set value in the set value input area; a judging portion for judging, whether a second input portion is in an enabled state or in a disabled state, the second input portion being operable of the set value input screen, and inputting a set value when the set value input area is selected; and a control portion which disables the first input portion, makes one of the set value input areas selected if the second input portion is enabled, and which makes all the set value input areas non-selected if the second input portion is disabled. |
| US09207843B2 |
Method and apparatus for presenting content via social networking messages
An example approach is provided for presenting content in a user interface associated with social networking messages based on gaze tracking information. A content presentation platform determines a rendering of a user interface presenting one or more social networking messages. The content presentation platform further determines a selection of at least one of the one or more social networking messages based, at least in part, on gaze tracking information. The content presentation platform also causes, at least in part, a presentation of content at the user interface based, at least in part, on the selection. |
| US09207840B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying a scrollbar handle according to characteristics of displayed items being scrolled
A method of navigating content items presented in a graphical user interface of an electronic device is provided. The content items of a content item list are displayed on the electronic device with a navigation list associated with a characteristic defined in each of the content items. The content list is sorted by the characteristics, for example by time, alphabetically or numerically. A navigation element in the navigation list is modified based upon the measure of the displayed content items within the content item list providing a sense of measure relative to the overall navigation list. |
| US09207836B2 |
Virtual world teleportation
The present invention is directed to teleporting avatars between disparate virtual worlds. A system is disclosed that includes a facility for creating a persona profile for an avatar in a first virtual world when the avatar wants to be teleported out of the first virtual world; a facility for transferring persona profiles to and from a disparate virtual world; and a facility for instantiating an inbound avatar based on a received persona profile. Persona profiles may include, e.g., rendering information, trait information, and inventory information. |
| US09207835B1 |
Message user interfaces for capture and transmittal of media and location content
A device provides user interfaces for capturing and sending media, such as audio, video, or images, from within a message application. The device detects a movement of the device and in response, plays or records an audio message. The device detects a movement of the device and in response, sends a recorded audio message. The device removes messages from a conversation based on expiration criteria. The device shares a location with one or more message participants in a conversation. |
| US09207834B2 |
Layered multimedia interactive assessment system
Generally, a computer implemented layered multimedia assessment system which provides one or more server computers that allow one or more client devices and one or more administrator devices access to an layered multimedia assessment application which provides an administrator user interface and client user interface which serially provide one or more assignment events each having a first step in which the client user interacts with the client user interface to perform an assessment of assignment content and performs an interactive examination and a second step in which the client user participates to evaluate the performance of other client users. |
| US09207833B2 |
Collaboration system
A collaboration system provides enhanced user interface to enable users to interact with electronic devices. In one embodiment, users can add content to a digital system by using a pen that streams coordinates so that input to the digital system may be based on conventional pen and paper handwriting. In another embodiment, a pie-based menu system is used for input to large display area digital devices in which an occluded portion of the pie-based menu system is not used for direct input by the user. The selection of which areas of the pie-based menu system should be omitted from use is adaptive and responsive to whether the user is left-handed or right-handed, and the wrist angle defined by the user's posture. In still another embodiment, an ergonomic open-shaped pie menu system is provided to facilitate selection of options on a digital surface. |
| US09207830B2 |
Physical health application and method for implementation
A physical health application is accessible via a computer network. The application has a dynamic user interface with an interactive chart. The interactive chart displays a physical parameter over time. The interactive chart is adapted to set a physical progress goals. |
| US09207829B2 |
Smartly navigating hierarchical structure strings
A method, device, and computer program product for smartly navigating hierarchical structure strings are provided. The method may include tokenizing a hierarchical structure string by a delimiter, reading a hierarchical path to a string pointed by a pointer device between two adjacent delimiters, and fetching and displaying all available sibling hierarchical paths at the level next to the current level. |
| US09207827B1 |
Multi-touch surface extension using conductive traces and pads
There is provided an interactive board for use with a user device having a touch screen. The interactive board includes a plurality of board pads, each of the plurality of board pads including a ground region interdigitated with a sense region, a user device region configured to receive the touch screen of the user device, the user device region including device region pads configured to transmit signals to the touch screen of the user device, a plurality of traces coupling the plurality of board pads to the device region pads, and a ground flap coupled to the ground region of each of the plurality of board pads, the ground flap configured to at least partially cover a back area of the user device. |
| US09207819B2 |
Touch sensing display panel and touch sensing liquid crystal display panel
A touch sensing display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a touch sensing device, a patterned electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a sealant. The first substrate has a touch sensing region, and a sealant region surrounding the touch sensing region. The touch sensing device is disposed on an inner surface of the first substrate in the touch sensing region. The patterned electrode layer is disposed on the inner surface of the substrate in the sealant region, and the patterned electrode layer includes a plurality of connecting lines electrically connected to a touch sensing device, and an auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode is not directly electrically connected to the connecting lines and the touch sensing device. The sealant is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate in the sealant region, and at least one of the connecting lines and the auxiliary electrode overlap the sealant. |
| US09207817B2 |
Capacitive touchscreens for thermostats using smaller capacitors in standby mode
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of touchscreen devices for thermostats and other electronic devices. In an exemplary embodiment, a capacitive touchscreen device includes a touchscreen having touch regions. Each touch region is coupled with at least one first capacitor and at least one second capacitor. The second capacitors are connected in parallel and have smaller capacitance than the first capacitors. The capacitive touchscreen device may be configured to be operable in a standby mode in which the second capacitors are charged and an active mode in which the first capacitors are charged. |
| US09207816B2 |
Method of distinguishing objects on touch panel by referring to induced capacitance signal distributions, and related computer readable medium thereof
A method of distinguishing a plurality of objects on a touch panel includes: scanning the touch panel to obtain a plurality of positions corresponding to the objects on the touch panel and a plurality of induced capacitance signals corresponding to the positions; identifying a plurality of maximum induced capacitance signals corresponding to the objects respectively; and distinguishing the objects by referring to induced capacitance signal distributions around the maximum induced capacitance signals. |
| US09207812B2 |
Interactive input system and method
A method for adjusting the position of a light curtain emitted by an illumination assembly over a surface, comprises determining a position of the light curtain; calculating a difference between the determined position of the light curtain and a desired position of the light curtain; and adjusting the position of the illumination assembly based on the calculated difference. |
| US09207810B1 |
Fiber-optic touch sensor
A set of optical fibers can be used to enable touch input for a computing device. One or more light sources, such as infrared (IR) light emitting diodes (LEDs), can direct radiation into one or more fibers that propagates down the fibers and is detected by one or more sensors. If a user places a finger at a position where a portion of a fiber is exposed, a portion of the light propagating down the fiber will not undergo total internal reflection (TIR) and instead will be transmitted out of the fiber, causing a reduction in the amount of light received from that fiber to one of the sensors. By monitoring losses for the fibers and knowing the area at which each fiber is exposed, locations at which the losses occur can be determined. These locations can correspond to various types of user input. |
| US09207807B2 |
Vehicular optical touch apparatus
A vehicular optical touch apparatus includes a screen, an elastic layer, a detection light source, and an image detector. The elastic layer is disposed on the screen and includes a first surface facing away from the screen and a second surface facing the screen. The second surface includes a plurality of inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the first surface. The inclined surfaces totally reflect at least one portion of ambient light entering the elastic layer through the first surface, so that the portion of ambient light leaves the elastic layer through the first surface. The detection light source emits detection light toward the elastic layer. When an object presses the first surface to deform the second surface, the detection light sequentially passes through the elastic layer, is reflected by the object, passes through the elastic layer again, and is transmitted to the image detector. |
| US09207806B2 |
Creating a virtual mouse input device
A virtual mouse input device is created in response to a placement of a card on a touch surface. When the card is placed on the touch surface, the boundaries of the card are captured and a virtual mouse appears around the card. The virtual mouse may be linked with a user through an identifier that is contained on the card. Other controls and actions may be presented in menus that appear with the virtual mouse. For instance, the user may select the type of input (e.g. mouse, keyboard, ink or trackball) driven by the business card. Once created, the virtual mouse is configured to receive user input until the card is removed from the touch surface. The virtual mouse is configured to move a cursor on a display in response to movement of the card on the touch surface. |
| US09207804B2 |
System and method for altering interactive element placement based around damaged regions on a touchscreen device
An apparatus for avoiding a damaged region on a touchscreen is disclosed. A method and a computer program product also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a damage location module that determines a location of an area of damage on a touchscreen of a computing device. The area of damage includes damage to the touchscreen. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a display location module that determines a location of one or more display items commanded to be displayed on the touchscreen. Each display item includes a location to be displayed on the touchscreen. The apparatus includes, in one embodiment, a rearrangement module that alters a location of a display item to be displayed in the area of damage where the display item is moved to a location on the touchscreen outside the area of damage on the touchscreen. |
| US09207803B2 |
Touch panel control circuit
A voltage generating unit includes an output transistor arranged as a first-terminal side extension of a path that includes a first terminal, a first resistive film, and a second terminal, and is configured to apply a first bias voltage to the first terminal. A current detection unit includes a detection transistor connected to the output transistor such that they form a current mirror circuit, a detection resistor arranged on a path of the detection transistor, and an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the difference between a voltage drop across a detection resistor and a predetermined voltage, and to output the difference thus amplified as a value which represents a panel current. |
| US09207802B2 |
Suppression of unintended touch objects
An apparatus includes a touch sensor operable to sense objects that touch the touch sensor. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller operable to detect a first object and determine that the first object is an object that a user intends to touch the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller also defines an intended touch area associated with the first object and suppresses detection of touches that are outside of the defined intended touch area. |
| US09207798B2 |
Touch panel
A touch sensor (touch panel) which can be formed over the same substrate as a display portion is provided. Alternatively, a touch sensor (touch panel) which does not cause degradation in the quality of an image displayed on a display portion is provided. The touch panel includes a light-emitting element and a microstructure in which a pair of electrodes facing each other is isolated with an insulating material. As the insulating material, an elastic material or a material having a hole is used so that a filler layer formed using the insulating material can be deformed when a movable portion operates. It is preferable to use a material which is softened or hardened by certain treatment (e.g., heat treatment or chemical treatment) after formation. |
| US09207797B2 |
Flat panel display screen operable for touch position prediction methods
A system and method are disclosed that determines the location of an object touching a display screen. The system and method modifies already existing display technology, including using the underlying structure of many types of existing displays as the touch detecting structure. The systems and methods are applicable to virtually all LCD and LCD-like displays, including emissive displays (OLED, PLED, quantum dot displays, etc.), electronic paper, and others. |
| US09207793B2 |
Touch panel and touch detecting method therefor
A touch panel, which includes a plurality of signal input ends and a plurality of signal output ends, where the touch panel further includes at least one signal detecting unit which includes: a signal inputting unit, a preamplifier, and a signal separating unit; where the signal inputting unit is configured to input driving signals respectively having n frequencies, where n is an integer not less than 2; the preamplifier is configured to acquire the output signals outputted from the touch panel, and amplify and output the signals to the signal separating unit; the signal separating unit, which includes n band-pass filters, is configured to separate the signals respectively having n frequencies. In the touch panels according to embodiments of the present invention, the blind zone of the touch panel can be decreased or even eliminated, thus enlarging the detectable region and greatly improving the detection sensitivity of the touch panel. |
| US09207791B2 |
Heat sensitive touch panel, detecting method and manufacturing method thereof
The present disclosure provides a heat sensitive touch panel that comprises a substrate and a sensing layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the sensing layer comprises heat sensitive blocks and conductive wires. The heat sensitive blocks are made of a heat sensitive material and disposed on the substrate. The conductive wires are disposed on the substrate to electrically connect the heat sensitive blocks with a controller. If a finger or a dedicated stylus touches the heat sensitive touch panel, resistance of the heat sensitive blocks will change correspondingly such that the output signals generated when the touch panel is touched by a finger or a dedicated stylus are different from those when untouched, thereby being able to determine the touch location. The heat sensitive touch panel can detect a touch location of a conductive object or a non-conductive object on the touch panel. |
| US09207788B2 |
Decorative film on transparent substrate, a touch sensor device and method of manufacturing the same
A decorative film on a transparent substrate is provided. The decorative film includes a color transparent layer, a reflective layer and a protective layer. The color transparent layer is on a surface of a transparent substrate. The reflective layer is disposed on the color transparent layer and the protective layer is disposed on the reflective layer. The disclosure also describes a touch sensor device and a method of manufacturing a touch sensor device. |
| US09207784B2 |
Pressure-sensitive electromagnetic pointer and control method thereof
An electromagnetic pressure-sensitive pointer is disclosed. The electromagnetic pointer comprises a pen core and an oscillating circuit. The pointer core has a pointer tip. The oscillating circuit comprises a plurality of conductive terminals and a conductor. A capacitance of the oscillating circuit is increased through the contact between the conductive terminals and the conductor as a force is applied upon the pointer tip. When pointer's tip is been pressed, the pointer's frequency will have an obvious transition while its pressure-sensitivity is maintained. |
| US09207783B2 |
Synchronous light pen electronic whiteboard system
The synchronous optical pen electronic whiteboard system in the present invention introduces an image sensor with a global shutter, optical pen pulsing light-emission and synchronizing signal transmitter and receiver. The light pulsing of the optical pen and the exposure of the image sensor coincide by synchronizing signal so as to realize the object of increasing signal-to-noise-ratio. A synchronizing signal sender can be arranged in the optical pen and a synchronizing signal receiver arranged in a signal receiving device, or a synchronizing signal sender can be arranged in the signal receiving device and a synchronizing signal receiver arranged in the optical pen. The coincidence of light pulsing and the exposure can be realized in the two solutions, thereby realizing the object of the present invention. By using the solution of the present invention, the power consumption of the optical pen can be reduced effectively and the signal to noise ratio of the system can be effectively increased in the meanwhile. |
| US09207779B2 |
Method of recognizing contactless user interface motion and system there-of
A contactless user-interface (UI) motion recognizing device and method of controlling the same are provided. The method includes: obtaining a left-eye image and a right-eye image; determining an object position of an object in the obtained left-eye image and the obtained right-eye image; determining an object brightness of the object; determining depth information of the object using the determined object brightness; determining a three-dimensional (3D) object position of the object using the determined object position and the determined depth information; determining an object moving velocity based on the determined 3D object position and a previous 3D object position; and determining a UI pattern based on the determined 3D object position and the determined object moving velocity, and executing an operation according to the determined UI pattern. |
| US09207778B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing high precision signal using infrared light
A high precision signal sensing system and method using an infrared light is provided. The high precision signal sensing system may receive, from a light emitting device, a plurality of lights including a first light and a second light, may measure intensities of the first light and the second light, and may measure a light emitting intensity of the light emitting device based on an intensity difference between the measured light receiving intensities. |
| US09207776B2 |
Input system and its input method
A man-machine interface is disclosed. The circle is divided into several angle cells. The required inputted content is placed in the cells, the inputted option direction of motion is detected in real time, the content which the user want to input is forecasted and inputted according to the content in the angle cell directed by the extension line of the direction of motion. |
| US09207775B2 |
Systems and methods for positioning keys in limited key space of handheld mobile wireless devices
A method for positioning keys in a limited key space in handheld computing and communication devices for efficient finger operation, has the steps of, (i) selecting a set of keys from a full set of keys, where the selected set is useful for use in small handheld devices based on their mode of use and operation, (ii) partitioning the selected keys in two groups of more-used and less-used keys, (iii) positioning the more-used keys in a top center area of the keypad space and the less-used keys in a remainder key space including a bottom, a left, and a right area of the key space, and (iv) adjusting the layout of the keys in the key space based on the size and the orientation of the key space with an correspondingly adjusted key size. |
| US09207773B1 |
Two-dimensional method and system enabling three-dimensional user interaction with a device
User interaction with a display is detected substantially simultaneously using at least two cameras whose intersecting FOVs define a three-dimensional hover zone within which user interactions can be imaged. Separately and collectively image data is analyzed to identify a relatively few user landmarks. A substantially unambiguous correspondence is established between the same landmark on each acquired image, and a three-dimensional reconstruction is made in a common coordinate system. Preferably cameras are modeled to have characteristics of pinhole cameras, enabling rectified epipolar geometric analysis to facilitate more rapid disambiguation among potential landmark points. Consequently processing overhead is substantially reduced, as are latency times. Landmark identification and position information is convertible into a command causing the display to respond appropriately to a user gesture. Advantageously size of the hover zone can far exceed size of the display, making the invention usable with smart phones as well as large size entertainment TVs. |
| US09207769B2 |
Processing method and electronic device
A processing method and an electronic device are provided. The processing method includes: acquiring a first image which contains an instruction object by the image acquisition unit, wherein the instruction object is directional; analyzing the first image and acquiring first parameter information represented by the instruction object, where the first parameter information indicates a direction of the instruction object; generating a first instruction based on the first parameter information; and executing, in response to the first instruction, an operation corresponding to the instruction object. |
| US09207767B2 |
Guide mode for gesture spaces
A gesture system executes actions or commands based on gesture inputs. The system includes a detection subsystem and a gesture processing device. The detection subsystem monitor a plurality of gesture spheres, including a participant gesture sphere and a guide gesture sphere. The participant gesture sphere corresponds to a first user and a participant domain on a display device. The guide gesture sphere corresponds to a second user. The gesture processing device implements a guide mode to execute an action within the participant domain based on a gesture from the guide gesture sphere. |
| US09207755B2 |
Method and system for emotion tracking, tagging, and rating and communication
A system provides a user an interactive graphic software interface to navigate to an image representative of any particular emotion from within a matrix containing representations of a continuous range of emotional states. The user can then send the selected image to one or more other users or to aggregator servers in order to communicate emotions or to tag or rate various things with emotional significance, so that quantitative statistics on emotional significance can be computed for those things. The system can also be used to track emotional state through a range of time periods or geospatial locations. |
| US09207744B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting device power consumption
The present invention discloses a method for adjusting device power consumption including: grouping multiple devices into at least one device group, setting a group power consumption ceiling threshold (PCCT) for the device group, and setting a device PCCT for each device in the group; obtaining current total power consumption of the group, and when the current total power consumption of the group exceeds the group PCCT, determining whether current power consumption of each device in the group exceeds the device PCCT of the device; when the current power consumption of each device exceeds the device PCCT of the device, reducing power consumption of each device to the device PCCT of the device; and when current power consumption of a device exceeds a device PCCT of the device, setting a new PCCT for the device, and reducing power consumption of the device to/or less than the new PCCT. |
| US09207740B2 |
Network interface with low power data transfer and methods for use therewith
A network interface includes a physical layer device coupled to a network link. A media access control module communicates with a link partner over the network link. An energy controller monitors a link utilization level of the network link and transitions, in response to the monitoring, the media access control module and the physical layer device to a low power idle mode, wherein the low power idle mode includes periodic transmission of a plurality of refresh frames in a refresh cycle and wherein at least one of the plurality of refresh frames is modified to include at least one first data payload. |
| US09207736B2 |
Apparatus and method for preventing malfunction
An apparatus for preventing a malfunction of a peripheral device in a portable terminal with multiple processors includes a battery, a peripheral device electrically connected to a switch through a I/O pins, a first processor in which a control port for the peripheral device is electrically connected to the switch through the GPIO method, and which controls driving of the peripheral device through generation of a normal high signal, a second processor electrically connected to the switch through the GPIO method, and the switch driven by the battery, configured to operate such that the control port of the first processor is grounded when it is determined that an unintended high signal is generated from the second processor before the portable terminal is completely booted. |
| US09207731B2 |
Data switch with power budgeting
A controller of a data switch determines a power budget based upon respective capacities of power supplies coupled thereto. Operating power is allocated to requesting network devices in accordance with the power budget. The power budget can be re-determined periodically, in response to changes in operating temperature, or in accord with other factors and the power allocation adjusted accordingly. Operating power provision to network devices can be managed so as to maintain a greatest allowable level of system operation while protecting power supplies against thermally-related or overload damage. |
| US09207728B2 |
Computer input/output interface
An internal component and external interface arrangement for a cylindrical compact computing system is described that includes at least a structural heat sink having triangular shape disposed within a cylindrical volume defined by a cylindrical housing. A computing engine having a generally triangular shape is described having internal components that include a graphics processing unit (GPU) board, a central processing unit (CPU) board, an input/output (I/O) interface board, an interconnect board, and a power supply unit (PSU). |
| US09207723B2 |
Television receiving box docking station rack and system
A cable box docking station rack includes a frame carrying a series of shelves, and each shelf including a series of docking stations for connection with cable boxes. Each docking station includes a fixed back plate and a slide plate in sliding relation. The back plate includes a series of connectors that correspond with communications ports on the rear portion of a cable box, and after the cable box is placed into the sliding plate, it slides inwardly until the connectors engage the communication and power ports on the cable box. The rack houses a computer system, video monitors, and data entry tools, together with the docking stations, which is used for inspection and diagnostic analysis of cable boxes. |
| US09207721B2 |
Geared latch apparatus
In at least some embodiments, an apparatus is provided that comprises a frame and a cover removably attached to the frame. The apparatus further comprises a geared latch assembly attached to the cover, the geared latch assembly having a geared latch. If the geared latch is rotated from a first position to a second position, the cover moves linearly from a closed state to an open state. |
| US09207719B2 |
Screen control module of a mobile electronic device and controller thereof with multiple dielectric layers
A screen control module of a mobile electronic device has at least one controller formed on a circuit board. The circuit board has multiple solder pads formed on the circuit board and respectively aligning along a first direction and a second direction. A count of the solder pads along the first direction is greater than that along the second direction. The controller is formed by an integrated circuit with a package, and the aspect ratio of the package is not less than 2. The package has multiple electrical contacts respectively aligning along a length direction and a width direction. Each electrical contact aligns with and is electrically connected to a corresponding solder pad. Accordingly, the screen control module mounted within a side frame of a display of the mobile electronic device can increase the aspect ratio to meet the demand for narrowing the side frame of the display. |
| US09207717B2 |
Dragging an application to a screen using the application manager
A dual-screen user device and methods for revealing a combination of desktops on single and multiple screens are disclosed. Selected desktops and/or running applications are displayed on dual screen displays. Desktops and applications can be shifted between screens by user gestures, and/or moved off of the screens and therefore hidden. Hidden desktops and screens can be re-displayed by yet other gestures. The desktops and applications are arranged in a window stack that represents a logical order of the desktops and applications providing a user with an intuitive ability to manage multiple applications/desktops miming simultaneously. One user gesture launches an applications management window that provides visual indications of all applications and desktops running at the time. Other gestures rearrange the order of the applications and desktops in the window stack. One particular gesture drags a selected application or desktop appearing in the applications management window to a selected screen. |
| US09207716B2 |
Electronic device with display
An electronic device includes a base, a display, and a connecting member. The base includes a motherboard. The display is rotatably mounted to the base and includes a cover and a screen. The connecting member is configured for connecting the display and the motherboard and includes a second group of connecting wires and a FPCB with a first group of connecting wires. A gap is defined between the cover and the screen. The first group of connecting wires is electronically connected to the screen. The second group of connecting wires is electronically connected to the motherboard. The FPCB extends into the gap. |
| US09207715B2 |
Personal cloud with a plurality of modular capabilities
A personal cloud structure for a portable computing device such as a tablet personal computer (PC), mobile phones, portable media players, or the like. The personal cloud structure may be fitted with memory, a network connection, two-way wireless charging, external memory slots, external connections and other components to create a portable personal cloud. |
| US09207712B1 |
Notebook computer with improved display positioning
A portable computer that includes an upper surface, disposed between the keyboard and the back edge, a portion of which is indented with respect to adjacent portions of the upper surface. The portable computer also includes a lid assembly that has a display viewable thereon and a lower edge. The lid assembly further has a cover surface and a side surface. A hinge structure is configured to affix the lid assembly to the base assembly such that the lid is moveable between a closed position and an open position wherein the display is disposed at an angle with respect to the upper surface. In the open position at least portions of the cover surface and the side surfaces are received within the indented portion of the upper surface, and the lower edge of the screen is adjacent both the upper surface outside the indented portion and the keyboard. |
| US09207708B2 |
Abnormal clock rate detection in imaging sensor arrays
Various techniques are provided to detect abnormal clock rates in devices such as imaging sensor devices (e.g., infrared and/or visible light imaging devices). In one example, a device may include a clock rate detection circuit that may be readily integrated as part of the device to provide effective detection of an abnormal clock rate. The device may include a ramp generator, a counter, and/or other components which may already be implemented as part of the device. The ramp generator may generate a ramp signal independent of a clock signal provided to the device, while the counter may increment or decrement a count value in response to the clock signal. The device may include a comparator adapted to select the current count value of the counter when the ramp signal reaches a reference signal. A processor of the device may be adapted to determine whether the clock signal is operating in an acceptable frequency range, based on the selected count value. |
| US09207705B2 |
Selectable phase or cycle jitter detector
Embodiments of a jitter detection circuit are disclosed that may allow for detecting both cycle and phase jitter in a clock distribution network. The jitter detection circuit may include a phase selector, a data generator, a delay chain, a logic circuit, and clocked storage elements. The phase selector may be operable to select a clock phase to be used for the launch clock, and the data generator may be operable to generate a data signal responsive to the launch clock. The delay chain may generate a plurality of outputs dependent upon the data signal, and the clocked storage elements may be operable to capture the plurality of outputs from the delay chain, which may be compared to expected data by the logic circuit. |
| US09207704B2 |
Glitchless clock switching that handles stopped clocks
An integrated circuit receives a first and second clock signal and a select signal that selects one of the clock signals. A glitchless switching circuit supplies an output clock signal according to which of the first and second clocks is selected by the select signal. A reset circuit coupled to the glitchless switching circuit responds to a direction of a transition of the select signal and generates a first reset signal in response to a first direction of the transition and generates a second reset signal in response to a second direction of the transition. The reset pulses are supplied respectively to first and second paths in the glitchless switching circuit to reset the state machine formed by the first and second paths in the event one of the input clocks is absent. |
| US09207702B2 |
Circuit breaker and handle locking device thereof
Disclosed is a handle locking device including a first frame, a first hook and a second frame, wherein a second hook is provided on the first frame. The first and second hooks are rotatably installed on the first frame, and the second frame capable of fixing the first hook and the first frame. Since the handle locking device is only be installable on a circuit breaker by mating between the first hook and a first installation part of the circuit breaker and mating between the second hook and a second installation part of the circuit breaker, an operator is prevented from unintentionally setting an “OFF” position of the handle locking device in an “ON” position of the circuit breaker during installation. The first hook is rotatably installed on the first frame, so that the handle locking device can be conveniently and rapidly installed on or demounted from the circuit breaker. |
| US09207698B2 |
Method and apparatus for actively managing electric power over an electric power grid
Systems and methods for managing power supplied over an electric power grid by an electric utility and/or other market participants to multiple power consuming devices, each of which having a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energy consumption and/or reduction in consumption. Power flow to the power consuming devices is selectively enabled and disabled, or power-reduced thereto, by one or more controllable devices controlled by the client device. Power control messages from a controlling server indicate amounts of electric power to be reduced and an identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable or reduce a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. |
| US09207696B1 |
Robust sink / source output stage and control circuit
Multi-stage amplifiers, such as linear regulators, configured to provide a constant output voltage subject to load transients, are described. The multi-stage amplifier includes a first amplification stage which activates or deactivates a first output stage in response to an input voltage at an input node. The first output stage is configured to source a current at an output node of the multi-stage amplifier from a high potential, when activated. Furthermore, the multi-stage amplifier includes a second amplification stage configured to activate or to deactivate a second output stage in response to the input voltage at the input node. The second output stage is configured to sink a current at the output node of the multi-stage amplifier to a low potential, when activated. The first amplification stage and the second amplification stage are configured to activate the first output stage and the Second output stage in a mutually exclusive manner. |
| US09207693B1 |
Method and apparatus for compensating PVT variations
A method and device for compensating PVT (process, voltage temperature) variations are disclosed. In some embodiments an integrated circuit includes a buffer circuit and a PVT (process, temperature, voltage) compensation circuit configured to compensate a PVT variation of the buffer circuit, wherein the PVT compensation circuit includes adders and subtractors. |
| US09207691B2 |
Control apparatus for semiconductor switches of an inverter, and method for driving an inverter
A control apparatus for driving a semiconductor switch of an inverter. A drive circuit generates a driver signal on the basis of a switching signal generated by a control regulation system of the inverter. A driver circuit which is coupled between the drive circuit and a control input of the semiconductor switch is configured to receive the driver signal and to generate, on the basis of the driver signal, a control signal which drives the semiconductor switch. The control signal is fed into the control input of the semiconductor switch. A regulation circuit is coupled to the drive circuit and is configured to detect a voltage signal dependent on the voltage across the semiconductor switch, to generate a regulation signal which is dependent on the voltage signal and is intended to regulate the driver signal, and to feed the regulation signal into the drive circuit. |
| US09207689B2 |
Substrate temperature control method and plasma processing apparatus
Provided are a substrate temperature control method and a plasma processing apparatus using the method. The method includes: disposing a substrate on a placing table provided in a vacuum processing chamber; supplying a heat conduction gas between a rear surface of the substrate and the placing table; detecting a pressure of the heat conduction gas; comparing the detected pressure value with a set pressure value; controlling the supply of the heat conduction gas so that the detected pressure value becomes the set pressure value; and alternately repeating a first period where the set pressure value is set to be a first set pressure value that is higher than a low pressure value and equal to or higher than the lowest limit pressure value and a second period where the set pressure value is set to be a second set pressure value that is lower than the low pressure value. |
| US09207686B2 |
Versatile systems for continuous in-line blending of butane and petroleum
A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site. |
| US09207684B2 |
Microfluidic surface processing systems with self-regulated distance-to surface control
A microfluidic surface processing system includes a microfluidic probe head having a processing fluid circuit configured to dispense a surface processing fluid from a processing fluid aperture thereof; a linkage mechanism, configured to apply a force to or modulate a force applied to the microfluidic probe head towards a surface to be processed; and a lifting fluid circuit integral with the microfluidic probe head and distinct from the processing fluid circuit, the lifting fluid circuit designed for dispensing a lifting fluid from a lifting fluid aperture thereof, with pressure such as to counter the force applied or modulated by the linkage mechanism, at the level of the surface. |
| US09207682B2 |
Electronically controlled hot water recirculation pump with data logging
A water pump controlled by a microcontroller and operated to pump hot water for specific recirculation periods during a multi-day cycle. The recirculation periods are determined from hot water usage data logged by the microcontroller during a logging period occurring in the previous multi-day cycle. A preferred cycle is during a seven-day, or one-week, period. |
| US09207681B2 |
Automatic recovery method for an unmanned aerial vehicle
A vision-based automatic recovery method including steps of: generating a reference trajectory connecting an align point and a recovery point that is provided through wireless communication; taking an image containing a target through a front vision camera, determining a position and a size of the target in the taken image, and calculating a distance between the target and the unmanned aerial vehicle; generating an attitude command for changing a direction of the unmanned aerial vehicle so as to center the target in an image taken by the front vision camera; and generating a virtual trajectory by combining the generated reference trajectory and the generated attitude command, a weight of the attitude command being increased as the unmanned aerial vehicle moving from the align point to the recovery point. |
| US09207678B2 |
Method and apparatus for constructing map for mobile robot
A method and apparatus for constructing a map for a mobile robot to be able to reduce a data amount and increase an approach speed. The method includes: searching for a plurality of feature data occupying an arbitrary space by scanning a surrounding environment of the mobile robot; performing quadtree segmentation on first feature data of the plurality of feature data to generate a plurality of first node information as a result of the quadtree segmentation; determining a position of second feature data of the plurality of feature data with respect to the first feature data; and performing a neighborhood moving algorithm for generating a plurality of second node information of the second feature data according to the position of second feature data by using the plurality of first node information. |
| US09207677B2 |
Vehicle positioning method and its system
A vehicle positioning method and its system are disclosed. The vehicle positioning method has a camera adapted to be mounted in front of a vehicle, multiple visible marks mounted in a photographing-available range of a camera, and a vehicle positioning system. Each visible mark contains a position information related to a location of the visible mark. The vehicle positioning system receives an image of the visible mark captured from the camera and image-processes the image to read the position information of the captured visible mark. The vehicle positioning system further calculates a distance between the captured visible mark and the vehicle and then further corrects the position information of the captured visible mark to have GPS coordinates of the vehicle. |
| US09207675B1 |
Event sensor
An automatic timing measurement system that provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a water course. Algorithms based on inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed/position measurements and/or image processing techniques on images provided by one or more cameras are used to track position of a watercraft. The position estimates and image processing techniques are used to allow the locations of water courses to be mapped and memorized. Algorithms are then used to allow the system to automatically detect passage of a watercraft through mapped courses for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage of said watercraft past key points in said course, and for modifying the behavior of the speed control portion of the apparatus if necessary at certain points in the mapped course. A measure of accuracy of driver steering can be provided along with the ability to automatically steer the watercraft through the course if “steer-by-wire” mechanism is available. GPS speed control is augmented with a secondary velocity measurement device that measures speed over water resulting in an optional user selectable real-time compensation for water current. Furthermore, GPS is used as the key input to produce boat speed-based pull-up profiles. |
| US09207671B2 |
Error diagnostics and prognostics in motor drives
An automation network that utilizes motor drives to diagnose faults, and provide potential solutions to a user. The fault status and/or diagnostic remedies may be displayed via a user display integrated with (e.g., in a single cabinet with) the motor drives and/or coupled to (e.g., in an external device separate from) the motor drives. As such, a logic process or other algorithm may be executed by the motor drive to determine a potential set of solutions for any given fault, based on, for example, determined errors and likelihood of causes for presentation to a user. In this manner, motor drives may allow for user corrective actions to be communicated to a user. |
| US09207670B2 |
Degrading sensor detection implemented within a transmitter
A process variable transmitter includes a memory that stores a filtered sensor value that is calculated based on a prior received sensor value and a filtered rate of change value that is calculated based on a prior rate of change value. The process variable transmitter also includes a controller that receives a sensor value and compares it to the filtered sensor value to obtain a rate of change value. The controller also compares the rate of change value to the filtered rate of change value to obtain a deviation value, and generates an output indication, such as a sensor failure warning output, based on the deviation value. This is done within the process variable transmitter. |
| US09207668B2 |
Method of and apparatus for automated path learning
A robot having a force sensor and a tool fixture for operating on a workpiece that may have a complex surface contour is programmed by an operator first teaching the robot by a suitable technique such as lead through teaching a few gross points of the contour. These points, known as guiding points, are used to generate a program to be followed by the robot under the control of the robot controller and using force control during which the robot finalizes the guiding points and teaches one or more points on the contour intermediate adjacent guiding points. The controller or other computing device uses the points so taught to generate the path the robot tool fixture will follow when the tool is to operate on the workpiece. |
| US09207667B2 |
Automatic generation of robotic processes for symmetric products
Methods for producing a robot program for a substantially-symmetric product and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a first-side robot program. The first-side robot program is a robot program for processing a first side of the substantially-symmetric product. The method includes identifying one or more resources of the first-side robot program by and producing corresponding mirrored resources in a second-side robot program. The method includes identifying one or more robots for the first-side robot program and producing corresponding mirrored robots in the second-side robot program. The method includes processing machine data files of the first-side robot program and updating logic block signal connections from the first-side robot program to the second-side robot program. The method includes replacing references to objects in the second-side robot program and assigning tool mounts to the second-side robot program. The method includes producing and storing the second-side robot program. |
| US09207664B2 |
User interface devices for control of machine systems
What is disclosed is a system for controlling a process, where the process is implemented by a machine system. The system includes a user interface device and a first transceiver coupled to the user interface device. The first transceiver is configured to receive communications from the user interface device and transfer the communications. The system also includes a second transceiver in communication with the first transceiver and configured to transfer power to the first transceiver, receive the communications from the first transceiver, and transfer the communications to control the process implemented by the machine system. |
| US09207662B2 |
Systems and methods for machining materials
Embodiments of systems, methods, and computer-readable media for machining materials are disclosed. For example, one embodiment of the present invention includes a method for machining a feature on a work piece (100) along a curving tool path having the steps of controlling a relative translational movement between a tool table and the work piece (100) along the curving tool path and controlling a corresponding angle of rotation of the tool table with respect to the work piece (100) to maintain a substantially constant angle between the tool table and the corresponding relative translational movement between the tool table and the work piece (100) along the curving tool path. In another embodiment, a computer-readable media includes code for a carrying out such a method. |
| US09207657B2 |
Manufacturing system with interchangeable tooling heads and tooling nests
A manufacturing center configured for use with a plurality of tools and a plurality of nests. The manufacturing center includes a base configured for coupling with one of the plurality of nests. The base includes a base electrical connector. The manufacturing center also includes an arm configured for coupling with one of the plurality of tools. The arm has an end movable with respect to the base, and the end includes an arm electrical connector. A controller is operable to control movement of the arm and is in communication with the base electrical connector and the arm electrical connector. The controller is operable to identify which one of the plurality of tools is coupled with the arm and which one of the plurality of nests is coupled with the base at least in part by way of communication with the arm electrical connector and the base electrical connector. |
| US09207656B2 |
Method for controlling the deposition of semifinished elements for tyre production
A method of controlling the deposition of semifinished elements for tire production, includes: sending a first radiation onto one tire being processed, consisting of one forming support with at least one portion of the tire component laid on the support, the tire component being at least partly formed of a plurality of semifinished elements defining a radially external layer of the tire being processed; receiving a first reflected radiation from a radially external surface of the tire being processed; determining, as a function of the reflected radiation, parameters representative of the thickness of the layer; comparing the parameters with reference values; and generating an alarm signal as a function of the comparison. |
| US09207655B2 |
Electronic stabilizer device and method for stabilization of objects
In a method for stabilization of an object using an electronic stabilizer device, which includes an electric gyroscope, a driver device and a counterweight device. The method measures orientation data of the object using the electric gyroscope, analyzes the orientation data of the object to obtain a current obliquity of the object, and generates a first control signal to drive the driver device according to the current obliquity when the current obliquity is equal to a reference angle. The method controls the counterweight device to change a center of gravity of the object through the driver device, and measures an adjusted obliquity of the object using the electric gyroscope. The method generates a second control signal to drive the driver device when the adjusted obliquity changes, and controls the counterweight device to dynamically adjust the center of gravity of the object. |
| US09207653B2 |
Control system auto-tuning
A control system includes a controller. The controller repeatedly excites a control loop characterized by parameters having randomly selected values for each excitation and scores a response of the control loop to each excitation relative to a target signal until the scores no longer achieve a value less than a minimum of the scores for a predefined number of excitations occurring after the excitation yielding the minimum of the scores to auto-tune the control system. |
| US09207651B2 |
Connection aware power control of network displays
Controlling the power state of an internet protocol (IP) network display device using the cumulative connection status of one or more client devices to presentation a gateway. The first client device to connect to the presentation gateway causes it to transmit an instruction over the IP Network to the display device to turn-on. When the last of the client connections to the presentation gateway has terminated, the presentation gateway transmits either a sleep or power-down instruction over the IP network to the display device, optionally, after a countdown timer expires. |
| US09207649B2 |
Analog electronic timepiece and hand movement controlling method thereof
An analog electronic timepiece including: a radiowave receiver that receives radiowaves from positioning satellites, acquires preassigned target data from the received radiowaves and outputs the acquired target data; a hand that is provided to be rotatable; a time calculator that calculates a turnaround time from input of a reception command for the radiowaves to the radiowave receiver to output of the acquired target data; and a notification controller that instructs the hand to carry out a predetermined notification movement during reception of the radiowaves and finish the notification movement at a timing when the turnaround time elapses. |
| US09207645B2 |
Acoustic radiating membrane for a musical watch
The acoustic radiating membrane is provided to equip a musical watch or a striking watch. The dome-shaped membrane comprises an active central portion, a lateral wall and a peripheral edge portion for holding the membrane in a watch case. The central portion includes a central base connected by connecting elements to a peripheral ring, the central base, the connecting elements and the peripheral ring being of dimensions determined to amplify a first vibration mode of one or more notes in a frequency range from 500 Hz to 3.5 kHz. |
| US09207644B2 |
Method of manufacturing a watch plate
The present invention relates to a method of making a timepiece plate. This method is characterized in that it includes the following steps: a) taking (A1, A2) the material forming the plate including at least one metallic element; b) forming (B1, B2) the plate; c) cooling (C) everything so as to obtain the timepiece plate in an at least partially amorphous state; and d) retrieving (D) the plate. |
| US09207643B2 |
Striking mechanism provided with a means of selecting the mode of vibration of a gong
A striking mechanism, particularly for a watch, includes at least one gong fixed to a gong-carrier, at least one hammer for striking the gong at predetermined times, and a device to select at least one mode of vibration of the gong. The selection device includes at least one selector element arranged in contact on a part of the gong and held on a vibration node of a mode of vibration of the gong to be selected so as to block other modes of vibration. The selector element can be moved on the gong by a mechanical or magnetic movement device. |
| US09207642B2 |
Timepiece able to indicate the sunrise or sunset anywhere in the world
The timepiece includes sunrise and sunset indicating means taking account of seasonal variations, said means include a sphere reproducing the terrestrial globe, a shell arranged concentrically to the sphere and arranged to demarcate one portion of the terrestrial globe where it is night from another portion where it is day by indicating the position of the earth's terminator. The sphere is arranged to be driven by the movement so as to rotate at the rate of one revolution per 24 hours about a first axis of rotation oriented parallel to the plane of the dial, and the shell is mounted to pivot about a second axis perpendicular to the plane of the dial. The sunrise and sunset indicating means also include an annual cam arranged to be driven in rotation by the movement at the rate of one revolution per year, the cam having a profile representative of the tilt of the sun relative to the equatorial plane. |
| US09207639B2 |
Transforming A-scan data samples into a three-dimensional space for facilitating visualization of flaws
Various approaches are described for visualizing one-dimensional A-scan data samples in a three-dimensional space. Each of the data samples represents ultrasonic signals received from a test material. The data samples are transformed into the three-dimensional space as a geometric shape corresponding to a relative amount of ultrasonic energy reflected back from the test material. The data samples as transformed into the three-dimensional space with the geometric shapes rendered therein can be displayed. |
| US09207638B2 |
Off-axis interferometer
An Interferometer for off-axis digital holographic microscopy includes a recording plane, and a grating located in a plane optically conjugated with the recording plane. The grating defining a first and a second optical path, the optical path corresponding to different diffraction order. |
| US09207637B2 |
Apparatus for recording and reproducing hologram
A hologram recording and reproducing apparatus including: a coherent light source; a beam splitter which splits a beam emitted from the coherent light source into a signal beam and a reference beam; a signal beam forming unit which modulates the signal beam split and directs the modulated signal beam onto a hologram recording medium; and a reference beam forming unit which directs the reference beam to be irradiated onto a location on the hologram recording medium which overlaps with a location on the hologram recording medium on which the signal beam is incident, wherein the signal beam forming unit includes: a first light guide member which transmits the signal beam split by the beam splitter; a spatial light modulator (SLM) which modulates the signal beam transmitted through the first light guide member; and a holographic Fourier transformation optical device which focuses the modulated signal beam onto the hologram recording medium. |
| US09207636B1 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a fusing device in which a recording medium carrying an unfused toner image is nipped at a fusing nip formed between a heated member and a pressing member to fuse and fix the unfused toner image to the recording medium, and an exhaust duct unit through which air around the fusing device is expelled outside. The exhaust duct unit allows a choice between a first exhaust path through which outside air sucked into the image forming apparatus is passed through a space around the fusing device and is then expelled out of the image forming apparatus, and a second exhaust path in which a filter for collecting particles contained in an air stream is arranged and through which the air around the fusing device is passed through the filter and is then expelled out of the image forming apparatus. |
| US09207633B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a rotary fixing member, a sensor, a grinder, and a controller. The rotary fixing member fixes an image on a recording medium. The sensor detects a surface state of the rotary fixing member. The grinder is disposed opposite the rotary fixing member to slide against a surface of the rotary fixing member and grind the surface of the rotary fixing member. The controller controls the grinder to contact or separate from the rotary fixing member, in accordance with a detection result of the surface state detected with the sensor in a recording medium edge passage area of the rotary fixing member over which an edge of a recording medium passes in a direction perpendicular to a feed direction of the recording medium fed with rotation of the rotary fixing member. |
| US09207631B2 |
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, one or more of the developing electrode and supply electrode may have an angled surface that extends toward the other. |
| US09207629B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a biasing member having a release state and a locked state in which a detachable attachable unit is secured to an apparatus body
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including positioning faces; a detachably attachable unit including receiving parts and contact parts; and a biasing member to press the receiving parts of the detachably attachable unit to the positioning faces disposed on the apparatus body. The biasing member is rotatably disposed to the apparatus body, contacts the contact parts disposed on the detachably attachable unit, presses the receiving parts against the positioning faces, and is elastically deformable in a direction separating from a rotary supporting point of the biasing member; and when the biasing member is rotated to a locked state from a release state, the biasing member is hooked to the contact parts, so that the receiving parts are pressed toward the positioning faces by the biasing member. |
| US09207627B2 |
Frame-enhancing structure for a frame to support an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit comprising a photosensitive drum configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis and a developer device configured to supply a developer agent to the photosensitive drum; a first frame made of a resin and formed in a shape of a plate, while the first frame is 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 made of a metal and formed in an elongated shape, while the first beam is arranged along and fixed to a planar face of the first frame, is provided. The first beam is arranged to overlap the image forming unit at a longitudinal central part thereof, when projected along the axial direction, while longitudinal ends of the first beam are arranged on outer sides of the image forming unit. |
| US09207626B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming units arranged in parallel with each other at intervals in a predetermined direction toward a first side from a second side of the image forming apparatus, each image forming unit including a photoconductive drum, and a charger configured to charge the photoconductive drum, a frame body configured to support the plurality of image forming units, and a regulating member disposed between a first-side image forming unit of the plurality of image forming units that is closest to the first side in the predetermined direction and a first-side end portion of the frame body in the predetermined direction, the regulating member configured to regulate an air current and urge the first-side image forming unit. |
| US09207624B2 |
Cleaning blade, method for preparing the cleaning blade, and image forming apparatus and process cartridge using the cleaning blade
A cleaning blade is provided. The cleaning blade includes a strip-shaped elastic blade. At least the tip edge portion of the elastic blade, which is to be contacted with the surface of a moving object to remove a powdery material from the surface of the moving object, includes an ultraviolet crosslinked resin, which includes an acrylate or methacrylate unit including a fluorine-containing group, and another acrylate or methacrylate unit having a tricyclodecane or adamantane skeleton, from the surface of the tip edge portion to a depth of not less than 5 μm. |
| US09207621B2 |
Printer, data processing apparatus, and method of controlling data processing apparatus
A method of controlling a data processing apparatus including: a drive system device; a data processing device configured to perform data processing; and a power supply circuit configured to generate a drive system voltage to be supplied to the drive system device and a data processing system voltage to be supplied to the data processing device, from an input voltage from an external power supply. The method comprises: when an interruption of the input voltage is detected, switching an operation mode to a power saving mode in which the drive system device is stopped or restrained from driving, and then executing a protective operation for the data processing device. |
| US09207620B2 |
Combined units and image forming system
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a post-processing apparatus, a fixed member, a first connector, a connecting member, and a second connector. The mage forming apparatus includes the fixed member on which the first connector is mounted and the post-processing apparatus includes connecting member on which the second connector is mounted. The connecting member is movable in a front-back direction and configured so as to be displaced between an engaging position in which the connecting member is engaged with the fixed member and a disengaging position in which the connecting member is disengaged from the fixed member. The first connector and the second connector are disconnected from each other when the connecting member is set to the disengaging position, and connected to each other when the connecting member is set to the engaging position. |
| US09207615B2 |
Digital printing method and system with left/right correction
Digital printing method for printing an image, using a printing system capable of printing a plurality of density levels, including: printing at least one left control strip in a left zone of a print medium and at least one right control strip in a right zone of said print medium, said left control strip including at least one left patch and said right control strip including at least one right patch, wherein settings are used which are intended for printing the same color and/or density level for a left patch of said at least one left patch and for a corresponding right patch of said at least one right patch; measuring a density level and/or color of at least said printed left patch and right patch; adjusting said printing system based on a difference between the measured density levels and/or colors of said left patch and said right patch in order to perform a left-right correction in said image to be printed; and printing the image using said adjusted printing system. |
| US09207613B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided that includes an image forming unit including a process unit, a frame configured to hold the process unit detachably attached thereto, the frame including a first communication portion communicating with an outside of the frame in a first direction to detach the image forming unit from the frame, and a second communication portion communicating with the outside of the image forming apparatus in a second direction different from the first direction, and a material holder configured to hold material for image formation by the image forming unit and detachably attached to a predetermined portion of the frame that is close to the second communication portion relative to the voltage output terminal, so as to close the second communication portion. |
| US09207611B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus and method which reduces time taken for color registration and reflects misregistration of colors in real time to correct color misregistration of prints are provided. Image forming apparatus may include photoconductor elements corresponding to colors; first sensing unit arranged between first and second photoconductor elements among photoconductor elements, and sensing toner images transferred to intermediate transfer body; final sensing unit arranged after final photoconductor element among photoconductor elements, and sensing transferred toner images; and controller calculating fixed errors of remaining colors except for first color among colors, with respect to first color corresponding to first photoconductor element, based on output values of final sensing unit before printing, calculating variable error based on output value of first sensing unit during printing, and adjusting scanning time of at least one color of remaining colors in real time in consideration of fixed errors and variable error. |
| US09207604B1 |
Image forming apparatus
In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a fixing section, a pressing section, a plurality of nips, a plurality of conveyance paths, a switch section and a control section. The fixing section is heated through a heat source. The pressing section is pressed against the fixing section to form a nip. The plurality of nips are formed by at least one fixing section and at least one pressing section. The plurality of conveyance paths pass through at least one of the plurality of nips. The switch section switches the plurality of conveyance paths. The control section controls the switch section. |
| US09207601B2 |
Control method, fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a rotary fuser member, a rotary pressure member, and a cleaning system. The rotary fuser member is subjected to heating. The rotary pressure member is disposed opposite the fuser member. The fuser member and the pressure member are pressed against each other to form a fixing nip therebetween. The cleaning system is disposed adjacent to the pressure member to clean the pressure member, and includes a cleaning web, a web supply mechanism, and a controller. The cleaning web is disposed in contact with the pressure member to wipe the pressure member. The web supply mechanism is operatively connected to the cleaning web to supply a new, unused portion of the cleaning web to the pressure member. The controller is operatively connected to the web supply mechanism to control a web supply amount by which the cleaning web is supplied to the pressure member. |
| US09207597B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a rotator having a heat generation layer, an excitation coil to inductively heat the heat generation layer, ferromagnetic cores to direct magnetic flux arising from the excitation coil to the rotator, and a holder to hold the excitation coil and the ferromagnetic cores. In the fixing device, the ferromagnetic cores include multiple cores disposed astride the excitation coil at a turning part on each end of the excitation coil in a longitudinal direction of the excitation coil. |
| US09207590B2 |
Fixing apparatus and image-forming apparatus
A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image borne on a sheet-like recording medium onto the sheet-like recording medium, including: a fixing member relatively moving in a first direction with respect to the sheet-like recording medium, and having a surface in contact with the toner image during a fixing operation; a surface-information-detecting device for obtaining surface information of the fixing member; a surface-condition-changing device arranged to abut on and separate from the fixing member, and abrading the surface of the fixing member in contact with the fixing member; and a surface-condition-change controller for controlling an abutting and separating of the surface-condition-changing device with respect to the fixing member according to a detection result of the surface-information-detecting device. The surface-condition-change controller controls the surface-condition-changing device according to the detection result of the surface-information-detecting device with a criteria which varies before and after the surface-condition-changing device abrades the fixing device. |
| US09207585B2 |
Endless belt, belt driving device and image forming apparatus
An endless belt includes an endless belt body, and a plurality of first tapes each wound around an outer peripheral surface of the belt body. Each of the first tapes has a length shorter than a full circumference of the endless belt, and the first tapes are superposedly applied onto the belt body so that positions of first edges of the first tapes and positions of second edges of the first tapes are different from each other, respectively. A recessed portion is formed in a region between the first edges and the other edges second. In addition, a second tape having a length longer than the length of a full circumference of the endless belt is wound around the first tapes so as to extend along the recessed portion, wherein a winding end edge of the second tape overlaps a winding start edge of the second tape. |
| US09207584B2 |
Image forming apparatus for controlling a steering operation of an intermediate transfer belt
An improved image forming apparatus is described which can inhibit the quality of printed images from being degraded. A control unit performs a steering operation to shift an intermediate transfer belt toward a target belt position by controlling the inclination angle of a steering roller. Also, a memory stores the inclination angle of the steering roller in association with the operational states of rotary members facing the intermediate transfer belt. The control unit updates the values stored in the memory with an update value. When the result of detecting the belt edges indicate that the intermediate transfer belt falls in a predetermined range around the target belt position during the steering operation, the control unit determines the update value on the basis of the steering duration time and the inclination angle of the steering roller. |
| US09207582B1 |
Reducing toning spacing sensitivity
A method for reducing toning spacing sensitivity in an electrophotographic process is disclosed. The method includes providing a rotating magnetic member within a conductive non-magnetic development sleeve; providing a developer to the non-magnetic development sleeve for use with the rotating magnetic member including: (i) composite magnetic particles comprising strontium ferrite and lithium ferrite phases and (ii) toner particles. The method further includes moving a charged receiving medium into a toner transfer relationship with the developer on the non-magnetic development sleeve so as to provide a developed image on the receiving medium with reduced toning spacing sensitivity. |
| US09207578B2 |
Powder container and image forming apparatus
A powder container includes a body and a pair of walls that blocks one longitudinal end of the body and the other longitudinal end of the body. Powder is accommodated within the powder container which is mounted to an apparatus using the powder in a posture where a longitudinal direction of the body is a transverse direction of the apparatus. The powder container has an opening, through which the powder is supplied to the apparatus, formed in a lower position of the body in a posture where the powder container is mounted to the apparatus. The powder container includes a shutter and a shield. The shutter is, prior to mounting the powder container to the apparatus, in a closed location to block the opening and, when the powder container is mounted, is moved along an outer peripheral surface of the body to an opened location to open the opening. |
| US09207575B2 |
Developer container, developing device, developing supply device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A developer container includes: an accommodating frame, provided with an opening through which a developer is passable, for accommodating the developer; a first shutter and a second shutter which are movable between an open position where the opening opens and a closed position where the opening is closed; a first lever, provided on the first shutter, for moving the first shutter by being urged and moved; and a second lever, provided on the second shutter, for moving the second shutter by being urged and moved. Each of the first shutter and the second shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position by moving the first shutter and the second shutter in mutually spacing direction to open the opening. |
| US09207570B2 |
Developing device, image forming apparatus and toner concentration detecting method using LC oscillator circuit
A developing device includes multiple developing units, and multiple toner concentration sensors. The multiple developing units contain respective developers. The multiple toner concentration sensors have respective LC oscillator circuits and are disposed at the respective multiple developing units. A capacitor constituting the LC oscillator circuit differs in capacitance at each of the toner concentration sensors installed on the multiple developing units. |
| US09207568B2 |
Developing unit adopting a two component agent and electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing the same
A developing unit employing a two-component developing agent is shown. The developing unit includes a first regulating member, a second regulating member, and a third regulating member forming first, second, and third regulating gaps respectively with a developing roller. The third regulating member forms a recovery path for recovering excessive developing agent that may not pass through the first and second regulating gaps to an agitating region between the third and second regulating members. A distance between a vertical line passing through an upstream side end portion of the second regulating member based on a rotating direction of the developing roller and a center of the developing roller is greater than a radius of the developing roller, and a downstream end of the third regulating member is located between a regulating pole and a catch pole. |
| US09207566B2 |
Development device and image formation apparatus
A development device includes: a developer carrier configured to develop an electrostatic latent image with a developer while rotating, the electrostatic latent image being carried on a surface of a rotating electrostatic latent image carrier; and first and second developer supply members configured to, while rotating, supply the developer carrier with the developer contained in a developer container. The first developer supply member and the second developer supply member are disposed at positions opposed to the developer carrier, and in contact with the developer carrier. The first developer supply member is disposed downstream of the second developer supply member in a rotational direction of the developer carrier. A first contact amount at which the first developer supply member is in contact with the developer carrier is set smaller than a second contact amount at which the second developer supply member is in contact with the developer carrier. |
| US09207559B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a light scanning device, tranparent window for passing a laser beam and a mechanism for moving a shutter
A structure in which a shutter is moved in a first direction by a motor, an opening is provided in the shutter, and the shutter is moved in a second direction using an elastic force of a spring connected to an upper cover of a light scanning device and an inside wall at the opening of the shutter increases the size of the structure of the shutter and the structure of the light scanning device due to the position of the spring. Therefore, a recess 218b is provided in an opposing surface 218g of a cover 218 opposing a shutter 300, and a spring 310 for sliding the shutter 300 is connected to a connection portion 218e provided at the recess 218b. The recess 218b is provided at a side opposite to the light source units with a polygon mirror 203 being interposed therebetween. |
| US09207558B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes photosensitive drums, charging devices, an exposure unit configured to expose surfaces of photosensitive drums to generate a non-image portion potential and expose the surfaces to generate an image portion potential, developing members configured to make a developer adhere to an area where the image portion potential is generated to form a developer image on the photosensitive drums, a control unit configured to control an intensity of the charging voltage, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire thicknesses of photosensitive layers of the respective plurality of photosensitive drums, wherein the control unit is configured to set the intensity of a charging voltage applied to the common charging devices according to a maximum thickness among the thicknesses acquired by the acquisition unit, and individually control the output of the first laser power for the photosensitive drum according to surface potentials of the charged photosensitive drums. |
| US09207557B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member (drum); a rotatable charging member for electrically charging the drum; a bias applying device for applying a charging bias to the charging member in the form of a DC voltage biased with an AC voltage; a current detector for detecting an AC current passing between the charging member and the drum; a temperature and humidity detector; a setting device for setting a condition of the charging bias on the basis of a plurality of detected AC currents passing between the charging member and the drum when a plurality of AC voltages depending on an output of the temperature and humidity detector are applied to the charging member; and a corrector for correcting the set condition of the charging bias on the basis of an output of the current detector when a predetermined AC voltage is applied to the charging member. |
| US09207556B2 |
Image formation apparatus having cleaning mode to clean charging device configured to charge image carrier
An image formation apparatus includes an image carrier, a charge device configured to charge the surface of the image carrier, a development device configured to pass a developer to an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier formed by exposure, a transfer device configured to transfer a developer image formed on the image carrier onto a medium, a remover device configured to remove the developer on the image carrier, and a controller configured to control a cleaning mode for removing extraneous matter adhered to the surface of the charge device at a time other than the time for the process of exposing the image carrier, and to change the execution frequency of the cleaning mode in accordance with an environmental condition. |
| US09207555B1 |
Charge roll mounting assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device
An assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a charge roll and a bracket that extends along an axial length of the charge roll. First and second bearing retainers are positioned on a first axial end and a second axial end of the bracket, respectively. First and second bearings are pivotally mounted to the first and second bearing retainers, respectively. Each of the first and second bearings has a charge roll opening that supports a respective axial end of a shaft of the charge roll. First and second biasing members act on the first and second bearings, respectively. The first and second biasing members bias the charge roll toward an operative position for charging a photoconductive drum. A direction of force from the first biasing member on the first bearing and from the second biasing member on the second bearing is toward the bracket. |
| US09207553B2 |
Toner, developer and image forming apparatus
To provide a toner including a binder resin and a colorant, wherein the toner has a glass transition temperature by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of 20° C. or greater and less than 50° C., an endothermic peak temperature by DSC of 50° C. or greater and less than 80° C. and an amount of compressive deformation at 50° C. by a thermomechanical analysis of 5% or less. |
| US09207551B2 |
Brilliant toner, electrostatic charge image developer, toner cartridge, and process cartridge
A brilliant toner includes flake shape toner particles containing a binder resin and a flake shape metallic pigment. The brilliant toner further includes tabular particles containing a Ti element. |
| US09207550B2 |
Process for producing electrophotographic photosensitive member
Provided is a process for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having high uniformity of the surface of its undercoat layer by which the usage of an organic solvent is reduced and the stability of an application liquid for an undercoat layer after its long-term storage is improved in the step of forming the undercoat layer. The process for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member includes the steps of: preparing a solution containing a liquid whose solubility in water at 25° C. and 1 atmosphere is 3.0 mass % or less and an electron transporting substance; preparing an emulsion by dispersing the solution in water; forming a coat of the emulsion on a support; and forming the undercoat layer by heating the coat. |
| US09207549B2 |
Exposure apparatus and exposure method, and device manufacturing method with encoder of higher reliability for position measurement
An exposure apparatus is equipped with a table which holds a wafer and is movable along an XY plane and has a grating provided on its rear surface, an encoder which irradiates a first measurement beam on the grating from below, receives a return light, and measures a first position information of the table when the table moves in a predetermined range, and another encoder which has a head section provided in a frame and irradiates a second measurement beam on a different grating on the table from the head section, receives a return light, and can measure a second position information of the table, concurrently with measurement of the first position information by the encoder when the table moves in predetermined range. A controller drives the table, based on position information having a higher reliability of the first and the second position information. |
| US09207548B2 |
Radiation source with a debris mitigation system, lithographic apparatus with a debris mitigation system, method for preventing debris from depositing on collector mirror, and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus includes a radiation source configured to produce extreme ultraviolet radiation, the radiation source including a chamber in which a plasma is generated; a collector mirror configured to reflect radiation emitted by the plasma; and a debris mitigation system including a gas supply system configured to supply a first gas flow toward the plasma, the first gas flow being selected to thermalize debris generated by the plasma, and a plurality of gas manifolds arranged at a location proximate the collector mirror, the gas manifolds configured to supply a second gas flow in the chamber, the second gas flow being directed toward the plasma to prevent thermalized debris from depositing on the collector mirror. |
| US09207547B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus includes a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a measurement system with a measurement radiation system to provide a measurement beam of radiation, at least two reflectors to reflect a portion of the measurement beam between the reflectors; and a detector to detect a wavelength of at least a portion of the measurement beam transmitted through one of the reflectors. |
| US09207546B2 |
Exposure method and exposure apparatus
An exposure method includes a step of moving a photomask by a predetermined distance and switching a first mask pattern group to a second mask pattern group when an exposure to a first exposure area on an object to be exposed by the first mask pattern group of the photomask formed by arranging the first and the second mask pattern groups corresponding to an exposure patterns at predetermined intervals in a conveying direction of the object to be exposed is completed, and a step of performing an exposure on the second exposure area on the object to be exposed by the second mask pattern group, in which a moving speed of the photomask is controlled so that a moving distance of the object to be exposed is longer than a moving distance of the photomask in a period of time when switching the first and the second mask pattern groups. |
| US09207545B2 |
Invisible dummy features and method for forming the same
A method and apparatus for alignment are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes an overlay mark formed on a substrate; and a plurality of dummy features formed nearby the overlay mark. The dummy features have dimensions below a minimum resolution of an alignment detection tool. A minimum distance separating the overlay mark from its closest dummy feature is correlated to a semiconductor fabrication technology generation under which the overlay mark is formed. |
| US09207537B2 |
Lithographic printing original plate
A presensitized plate having a long press life and excellent resistance to scum and corrosive micro-stains and capable of on-press development is provided. The presensitized plate includes a photosensitive layer containing (A) a sensitizing dye, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound, and (D) a binder polymer; and a protective layer which are formed on a support in this order. The support is prepared from an aluminum alloy plate containing intermetallic compound particles with a circle equivalent diameter of 0.2 μm or more at a surface density of 35,000 pcs/mm2 or more and aluminum carbide particles with a maximum length of 1 μm or more in an amount of up to 30,000 pcs/g. |
| US09207533B2 |
Photopolymerizable compositions for electroless plating methods
A photopolymerizable composition has seven essential components: (a) a photopolymerizable epoxy material, (b) a photoacid generator such as an onium salt, (c) electron acceptor photosensitizer, (d) an electron donor co-initiator having an oxidation potential of 0.1 V to 3 V vs. SCE, (e) metal particles, and in some embodiments, (f) one or more free radically polymerizable compounds, and (g) one or more free radical photoinitiators. This photopolymerizable composition can be applied or printed onto one or both sides of various substrates to form articles that can be used to form electrically conductive materials. Methods for using the photopolymerizable compositions include electroless plating methods that can be carried out in roll-to-roll printing and plating systems once various photocured patterns are formed from the photopolymerizable compositions. |
| US09207532B2 |
Photoinitiated olefin methathesis polymerization
The present invention provides photosensitive compositions and methods of patterning a polymeric image on a substrate, said methods comprising; (a) depositing a layer of photosensitive composition of any one of claims 15 to 22 on the substrate; and (b) irradiating a portion of the layer of photosensitive composition with a light comprising a wavelength in a range of from about 220 to about 440 nm. The invention also relates to methods of metathesizing an unsaturated organic precursor comprising irradiating Fischer-type carbene ruthenium catalysts with at least one wavelength of light in the presence of at least one unsaturated organic precursor so as to metathesize at least one alkene or one alkyne bond. |
| US09207531B2 |
Pattern forming method
According to one embodiment, a pattern including first and second block phases is formed by self-assembling a block copolymer onto a film to be processed. The entire block copolymer present in a first region is removed under a first condition by carrying out energy beam irradiation and development, thereby leaving a pattern including the first and second block phases in a region other than the first region. The first block phase present in a second region is selectively removed under a second condition by carrying out energy beam irradiation and development, thereby leaving a pattern including the first and second block phases in an overlap region between a region other than the first region and a region other than the second region, and leaving a pattern of second block phase in the second region excluding the overlap region. The film is etched with the left patterns as masks. |
| US09207529B2 |
Reflective mask blank for EUV lithography, and process for its production
A process for producing a reflective mask blank for EUV lithography (EUVL), which comprises forming a multilayer reflective film for reflecting EUV light on a film-forming surface of a substrate, then forming a protective layer for protecting the multilayer reflective film, on the multilayer reflective film, and forming an absorber layer for absorbing EUV light, on the protective layer, to produce a reflective mask blank for EUVL, wherein the multilayer reflective film is a Mo/Si multilayer reflective film, the protective layer is a Ru layer or a Ru compound layer, the absorber layer is a layer containing at least Ta and N, and after forming the Mo/Si multilayer reflective film, the protective layer is formed, and after forming a Si thin film or Si oxide thin film having a thickness of at most 2 nm on the protective layer, the absorber layer is formed. |
| US09207525B2 |
Phosphor wheel and white light illumination device utilizing the same
Disclosed is a phosphor wheel including a substrate, a first phosphor region on the substrate, and a second phosphor region on the substrate. The first phosphor region and the second phosphor region are concentric patterns without any space between their interface. Moreover, the second phosphor region is set to surround the first phosphor region. |
| US09207523B2 |
Projector with fan and heat sinks
A projector includes a case, an optical engine, a heat sink, a circuit board, and a fan. The case includes two sidewalls, and each sidewall defines an air hole. The optical engine is received in the case. The heat sink is positioned on the optical engine. The circuit board is positioned between the heat sink and one of the sidewalls. The fan is received in the case. The air holes of the two sidewalls and the fan form a dissipating passage. The heat sink and the circuit board are positioned in the dissipating passage. |
| US09207520B2 |
Projector apparatus having a foldable filter device
A filter device which may include first and second filter elements allowing air to pass therethrough, and first and second filter holding members holding the first and second filter elements such that they are linearly connected side by side. The holding members being connected to be foldable in the position where the filter elements are connected. |
| US09207515B2 |
Variable-emittance electrochromic devices and methods of preparing the same
Variable-emittance, electrochromic devices utilizing IR-active conducting polymers and methods of preparing the same are disclosed. |
| US09207512B1 |
Method of manufacturing transparent display device using pre-tilted liquid crystal molecules
A manufacturing method of a transparent display device including: forming a pixel between a first substrate and a second substrate facing the first substrate, the pixel including a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates, applying a first voltage having a frequency lower than a reference frequency to the liquid crystal layer to drive liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer as positive liquid crystal molecules, applying a second voltage having a frequency higher than the reference frequency to the liquid crystal layer to drive the liquid crystal molecules as negative liquid crystal molecules, and pre-tilting the liquid crystal molecules operated as the negative liquid crystal in a predetermined direction. |
| US09207510B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a first gate line and a second gate line respectively extending in a first direction. A main pixel electrode is arranged between the first gate line and the second gate line and extending in a second direction orthogonally crossing the first direction. A pair of sub-common electrodes respectively faces the first gate line and the second gate line through an insulating layer and extends in the first direction. The second substrate includes a main common electrode electrically connected with the sub-common electrode and arranged on both sides sandwiching the main pixel electrode. A liquid crystal layer is held between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US09207508B2 |
TFT array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and display apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention provide a TFT array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display apparatus. The TFT array substrate comprises upper and lower layer electrodes insulating from each other, wherein the upper layer electrode has slits, the slits comprising at least one pair of angles of less than or equal to 90°; the lower layer electrode is a whole-plane electrode. The lower layer electrode has absent regions, and each of the absent regions corresponds to the corresponding angle of less than or equal to 90° of the slits of the upper layer electrode. |
| US09207502B2 |
Liquid crystal optical device and display apparatus
A liquid crystal optical device includes a liquid crystal optical unit and a drive unit. The liquid crystal optical unit includes a first and second substrate unit, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate unit includes a first substrate, a plurality of first electrodes, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The second substrate unit includes a second substrate, a plurality of first opposing electrodes, a second opposing electrode, and a third opposing electrode. The drive unit is configured to implement a first operation including subjecting the first electrodes to a first potential, subjecting the second electrode to a second potential, subjecting the third electrode to a third potential, subjecting the first opposing electrodes to a first opposing potential, subjecting the second opposing electrode to a second opposing potential, and subjecting the third opposing electrode to a third opposing potential. |
| US09207498B2 |
Photo-alignment exposure device and photo-alignment exposure method
A photo-alignment exposure device that includes a first mask and a first exposure device that independently proximity-exposes a first divided area, a second mask and a second exposure device that independently proximity-exposes a second divided area adjacent to the first divided area, and a third mask and a third exposure device that exposes an area on a side of the first divided area near a boundary between the first divided area and the second divided area. The third exposure device is provided with a photo-irradiation angle same as that of the first exposure device or the second exposure device with respect to an exposed surface. A condensing element that condenses the mask transmitted light on the area on a side of the first divided area near the boundary is provided between the mask opening of the third mask and the exposed surface. |
| US09207497B2 |
Method for preparing alignment film, method for implementing orientation, and liquid crystal display device
A method for preparing an alignment film (6), a method for performing alignment of the alignment film (6), as well as a multi-dimensional liquid crystal display device manufacture using the alignment film (6). The alignment film (6) generated by the preparation method is a light sensitive alignment film (6), which can generate directions of orientation perpendicular or parallel to the polarization direction under different dosages of linearly polarized ultraviolet light (10). By adjusting the polarization direction or dosage of the linearly polarized ultraviolet light (10), multi-dimensional orientations of the alignment film (6) is achieved. Manufacture of a multi-dimensional liquid crystal display device using a substrate (1) having the alignment film (6) with multi-dimensional orientations avoids the manufacture of the multi-dimensional electrode, and reduces costs and difficulty of process. |
| US09207496B2 |
Manufacturing method of display panel
A manufacturing method for a display panel includes: forming a first display panel including a plurality of pixel electrodes, gate lines and data lines connected to the pixel electrodes, a first pad unit connected to the gate lines, and a second pad unit connected to the data lines; forming a second display panel including a common electrode; forming a first short point connected to the first pad unit; forming a second short point connected to the second pad unit; adhering the first display panel and the second display panel; dividing the second display panel into a plurality of regions insulated from each other, a first region corresponding to the first short point, a second region corresponding to the second short point, and a third region; and applying a first voltage to the first region, a second voltage to the second region, and a third voltage to the third region. |
| US09207490B2 |
Backlight apparatus and display apparatus including the same
A backlight apparatus includes a substrate which includes a plurality of layers. A plurality of light emitting modules are arranged on a top layer of the plurality of layers closest to a light guide panel, and a plurality of wires penetrates through the plurality of layers to electrically connect the light emitting modules and a plurality of driving units. Accordingly, the width of the substrate of an edge type backlight apparatus which can provide local dimming is reduced. Therefore, the display apparatus using the edge type backlight apparatus can be slim even if it is designed to provide local dimming. |
| US09207487B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a first substrate, a first organic insulating film is arranged in an active area, and includes a first surface and a first concave portion in a peripheral area outside the active area. The first concave portion is located more close to a substrate end side than the first surface. In a second substrate, a shield layer is arranged in the peripheral area facing the first substrate. A second organic insulating film includes a second surface facing the first surface and a second concave portion facing the first concave portion. The second organic insulating film overlaps the shield layer in the peripheral area. A pillar-shaped spacer is arranged between the first surface and the second surface in the peripheral area. A seal material contains the pillar-shaped spacer and is arranged between the first surface and the second surface, and between the first concave portion and the second concave portion. |
| US09207484B2 |
Computer LED bar and thermal architecture features
The described embodiments relate generally to liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and more particularly to thermal management of heat produced by an illumination source in an LCD module. High temperatures generated by the illumination source can cause color shifts in the LCD due to changes in any included LEDs and liquid crystals. One solution is to house the LCD module in a metal chassis and thermally couple the LED light bar to the metal chassis. Furthermore, the LCD module can be kept at a uniform temperature by transferring heat from a region near the LED light bar to a relatively cooler region of the LCD module. These approaches can minimize any alterations or shifts in color resulting from heat from the LED light bar. |
| US09207480B2 |
Liquid crystal display with built-in touch panel and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a built-in touch screen panel in which the touch screen panel is built-in the LCD. The LCD with the built-in touch screen panel includes a lower substrate on whose upper surface a pixel electrode is formed, an upper substrate on whose bottom surface facing the lower substrate sensing patterns, color filters, and a common electrode are sequentially formed, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. |
| US09207475B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus that accommodates a display panel of displaying an image in a housing, the display apparatus comprises: a transparent protective member that covers a part of the housing and is arranged at a display face of the display panel; a transparent adhesive member that is arranged at a position corresponding to a display area of the display panel on a face of the transparent protective member, which faces the display panel, so that the display panel is stuck; and an adhesive member that is arranged at a peripheral area, which is provided from an outside of the display area of the display panel up to an end portion of the transparent protective member. |
| US09207473B2 |
Method of disassembling liquid crystal display
A method of disassembling a liquid crystal display comprising a plastic frame having two inner walls and two loading planes, an optical film, a LCD panel and a double-sided tape. One side of the double-sided tape respectively adheres the optical film, One inner wall and the two loading planes, and the other side thereof adheres the LCD panel, and the optical film and the LCD panel are together installed in the plastic frame. The method comprises a protruding part is pressed, so the plastic frame is deformed, and the side of the double-sided tape still adheres the optical film and the plastic frame, with the deformation of the plastic frame, one corner of the LCD panel is released from the other adhering surface of the double-sided tape; and the released corner of the LCD panel is lifted till the LCD panel is totally removed. |
| US09207472B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device includes a substrate, a cover layer, a liquid crystal layer, at least one electrode, and a sealant layer. The cover layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a tunnel-shaped cavity. The liquid crystal layer is disposed in the tunnel-shaped cavity. The at least one electrode is configured to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer. The sealant layer is configured to seal the tunnel-shaped cavity. The liquid crystal layer includes a plurality of domains defined by liquid crystal molecules pre-aligned in different directions. |
| US09207467B2 |
Methods of making lenses with regressive and non-regressive rotationally symmetric optical design elements
Aspects of the present invention provide an ophthalmic lens comprising at least one regressive and at least one non-regressive rotationally symmetric optical design element. The regressive and non-regressive optical design elements can be combined so as to form a desired optical power profile for the lens while simultaneously exploiting the different relative orientation of the astigmatic vectors of the constituent regressive and non-regressive design elements, thereby resulting in reduced unwanted astigmatism. The regressive and non-regressive rotationally symmetric optical design elements can be positioned on different lens surfaces and in optical communication or can be collapsed onto the same lens surface. The regressive and non-regressive rotationally symmetric optical design elements can each contribute to the total add power of an ophthalmic lens. The regressive and non-regressive rotationally symmetric optical design elements can be combined with any other optical design feature positioned on the same or a different surface of the lens. |
| US09207465B1 |
Thin eyeglasses joint structure
A thin eyeglasses joint structure includes a glasses frame, a temple, and a joint member. The glasses frame includes a first joint portion having a joint section and a fixture section formed at an outer end of the joint section. The temple includes a second joint portion. The joint member includes two spaced connecting slots and a fixing slot. The joint section and the fixture section of the glasses frame are held in the connecting slots and the fixing slot of the joint member, respectively. The joint member has an axle hole penetrated by and coupled with the second joint portion of the temple to develop the thin eyeglasses joint structure without requirement of any screw. |
| US09207464B2 |
Spectacles with exchangeable lens
The invention relates to a pair of spectacles, in particular sports spectacles, comprising a spectacle frame, at least one spectacle lens which is detachably locked by the spectacle frame and a locking means for securing the spectacle lens to the spectacle frame. The locking means is displaceable relative of the spectacle frame between a spectacle lens locking position and a spectacle lens unlocking position, wherein the locking means interacts with the spectacle lens in the spectacle lens locking position for the spectacle lens to be secured to the spectacle frame. In the spectacle lens unlocking position, the locking means unlocks the spectacle lens in such a way that the spectacle lens is removable from the spectacle frame. The gist of the invention is a locking counter-means interacting with the locking means, the locking counter means being arranged on the spectacle frame. Each of the locking means and the locking counter-means comprises a magnetic element, wherein the first magnetic element of the locking means interacts with the second magnetic element of the locking counter-means. |
| US09207458B2 |
Backlight driving board and LCD device
The present invention discloses a backlight driving board for driving a backlight source, comprising a microprocessor and a constant current driver chip. The microprocessor receives a display mode switching signal and a synchronization signal from a liquid crystal driving board, and generating a first pulse width modulation signal corresponding to the backlight source according to the display mode switching signal and the synchronization signal. The constant current driver chip controls an operation state of the backlight source according to the first pulse width modulation signal. The present invention can reduce the signal lines between the backlight driving board and the liquid crystal driving board in order to avoid the backlight driving board from external interference because of too many signal lines, and thus be able to enhance the stability of the LCD device when operating. |
| US09207456B2 |
Virtual image display device
In a virtual image display device, since the frame section has the support section for detachably fixing the auxiliary mounting member, which is disposed adjacent to the optical members, on the observer side of the optical members, by providing a variety of functions such as an optical function to the auxiliary mounting member, the usefulness of the virtual image display device can be enhanced. Specifically, in the case of, for example, providing the auxiliary mounting member with a diopter correction function, it is possible for any observers with a variety of levels of vision to observe the image obtained by the video display element in a good condition without blur without using eyeglasses. |
| US09207451B2 |
Actuator, optical reflecting element, and image forming device using optical reflecting element
An actuator includes a frame, a driver portion having one end connected to an inside of the frame, a movable portion connected to another end of the driver portion, and an electrode provided at the movable portion. The driver portion vibrates the movable portion by being driven by a driving signal. The electrode receives a high-frequency signal higher than that of the driving signal. This actuator is driven at a high speed by a large deflection angle, and can prevent dust from adhering to the movable portion. |
| US09207450B1 |
Insulated notch design for pixels in an electrowetting device
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to arrangements and techniques that provide for controlling motion of an electrowetting oil within an electrowetting display device. An electrowetting display device comprises a substrate, an electrode on the substrate, a dielectric layer on a first portion of the electrode. The electrode extends along the substrate one of either entirely from a first end of a pixel area to a second end of the pixel area, or from the first end of the pixel area to the second end of the pixel area such that a portion of the substrate is an electrode free portion to thereby define a notch. A first fluid is disposed on a hydrophobic layer and a second fluid is disposed on the first fluid, the second fluid being immiscible with the first fluid. A dielectric constant of the dielectric layer is greater than a dielectric constant of the first fluid. |
| US09207448B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting aperture using microelectrofluidic method
Provided is an aperture adjusting apparatus for adjusting an aperture through which light transmits. The aperture adjusting apparatus includes: a chamber configured to have space in which fluid flows, the chamber including a lower channel, an upper channel, and a plurality of reservoir regions connecting the lower channel and the upper channel and each having a non-uniform width crossing a flow direction of a fluid to form a space in which fluid flows; a photo-interceptive first fluid and a photo-transmissive second fluid having a property that the photo-transmissive second fluid does not mix with the first fluid and that are prepared in the chamber; and a first electrode unit in which one or more electrodes to which a voltage is applied are arrayed to form an electric field in the chamber, wherein an aperture through which light transmits is adjusted by a location change of an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid according to the electric field. |
| US09207447B2 |
Cell driven by electric field and operation method thereof
There is provided a cell driven by an electric field including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from each other and an actuator moving between the first electrode and the second electrode. The actuator does not have permanent electric charges and a DC voltage or a pulse voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US09207444B2 |
Focusing device, focusing method, focusing program and microscope
In one example embodiment, a focusing device generates a first image associated with a sample having a first irregularity. The focusing device determines a second irregularity based on the generated first image. In this embodiment, the determined second irregularity corresponds to the first irregularity. For a lens, the focusing device determines a focusing position based on the determined second irregularity. |
| US09207443B2 |
Optical see-through free-form head-mounted display
A see-through free-form head-mounted display including a wedge-shaped prism-lens having free-form surfaces and low F-number is provided. |
| US09207441B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with same
A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. The first lens unit includes a negative lens and a positive lens. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (1): Σd13/ft<0.4 (1) where Σd13 is the total sum of the thickness of the lenses included in the first to third lens units of the zoom lens on the optical axis, and ft is the focal length of the entire zoom lens system at the telephoto end. |
| US09207440B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus including the same
The imaging lens substantially consists of a negative first lens group in which a biconvex lens, a cemented lens, a plurality of lenses including a positive lens and a negative lens are arranged; a positive second lens group including a cemented lens; a negative third lens group in which a single lens forming a meniscus lens with a convex surface toward the object side or a plurality of lenses constituted in such a manner that the absolute value of the radius of curvature of a lens surface disposed on the most image side is smaller than the absolute value of the radius of curvature of a lens surface disposed on the most object side; and a positive fourth lens group including a positive lens in this order from the object side. This imaging lens is configured in such a manner that conditional expression (1) is satisfied: 0.7<|f3|/f<4.0. |
| US09207439B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens, including, in order from object side, a positive first unit, a negative second unit, a positive third unit, a negative fourth unit, and a positive fifth unit. The first unit includes, in order from object side, a negative first sub unit which does not move for focusing, a positive second sub unit which moves during focusing, and a positive third sub unit which does not move for focusing and includes a negative lens. 1.6 |
| US09207437B2 |
Imaging lens
According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an imaging lens includes, in an ordered way from an object side, a first lens having negative (−) refractive power, a second lens having negative (−) refractive power, a third lens having positive (+) refractive power, a fourth lens having positive (+) refractive power, a fifth lens having negative (−) refractive power, and a sixth lens having negative (−) refractive power, wherein, a conditional expression of 0.5 |
| US09207435B2 |
Imaging optical lens system, imaging device and mobile terminal
An imaging optical lens system 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 and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The imaging optical lens system has a total of five lens elements with refractive power. |
| US09207434B2 |
Dual-band passively athermal optical lens system
An optical lens system for focusing light on a focal plane for detection by a detector device. The optical lens system comprises a series of optical materials including first and last optical materials with a plurality of other optical materials located therebetween. A housing accommodates the series of optical materials, and each of the optical materials is spaced a desired distance from one another. An external entrance pupil supplies infrared light to the series of optical materials of the optical lens system, and the entrance pupil is located in front of the first optical material. A Dewar window and a filter are located between the last optical material and the focal plane. The optical materials are selected and arranged to focus simultaneously both mid-wave infrared light and long-wave infrared light on the focal plane over a wide temperature range. |
| US09207432B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging device provided with the same
An imaging lens substantially consists of five lenses consisting of, in order from the object side: a first lens having a positive refractive power and having a meniscus shape with a convex surface toward the object side; a second lens having a biconcave shape; a third lens having a positive refractive power and having a meniscus shape with a convex surface toward the image side; a fourth lens having a meniscus shape with a convex surface toward the image side; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power and having a concave surface toward the object side. |
| US09207431B2 |
Imaging lens system and electronic apparatus employing the same
An imaging lens system includes a first lens that includes a convex object-side surface and has a positive refractive power; a second lens that includes a concave image plane-side surface and has a negative refractive power; a third lens; a fourth lens that includes two spherical surfaces and has a negative refractive power; a fifth lens that includes a convex image plane-side surface and has a positive refractive power; and a sixth lens that has a negative refractive power, wherein the first through sixth lenses are arranged in order from an object side to an image plane side. |
| US09207430B2 |
Image-forming lens, and imaging apparatus and information device using the image-forming lens
An image-forming lens includes, from an object side to an image side in order: a first lens group; an aperture; and a second lens group with a positive refractive power, the first lens group including, from the object side in order: a first F lens group with a negative refractive power; and a first R lens group with a positive refractive power, the first F lens group including, from the object side in order: a first negative lens; and a second negative lens, and the first R lens group including: any one of a positive lens and a cemented lens with a positive refractive power as a whole, wherein a distance from a surface on a most object side of the first lens group to an image plane in a state of focusing on an object at infinity: L, and a maximum image height: Y′ satisfy Conditional expression 1: 2.8 |
| US09207428B2 |
Lens barrel including a correction lens to move for zoom tracking, and imaging apparatus
A lens barrel includes a correction lens to move for zoom tracking, a zoom lens driver to mechanically move a zoom lens according to an amount of turn of a zoom ring, a storage unit to store relational information associating a zoom lens position with a focus position of the correction lens, and a controller to control the correction lens driver. The controller determines a focus position of the correction lens corresponding to a position distant by a predetermined amount from a detected zoom lens position, by referring to the relational information, and controls the correction lens driver to drive the correction lens to a target position set to the determined focus position. A formula varying with the change rate of the zoom lens position is used to calculate the predetermined amount, and is set according to positions of the zoom lens and the focus lens. |
| US09207427B2 |
Optical apparatus
An optical apparatus includes an operator rotationally operable about an optical axis of an image pickup optical system and configured to move, when rotationally operated, part of the image pickup optical system in an optical axis direction of the image pickup optical system and to change a focal length, an adjustor rotationally operable about the optical axis and configured to change, when rotationally operated, a pressure applied to the operator so as to change an operating load necessary to rotationally operate the operator, and an indicator prohibited from rotating about the optical axis and configured to move in the optical axis direction of the image pickup optical system, the indicator including part disposed between the operator and the adjustor. The operator indicates a plurality of zoom states, the part of the indicator has a pointer configured to select one of the plurality of zoom states. |
| US09207426B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging signal correcting method
An imaging apparatus includes: a lens mount section; an imager having an imaging plane on which an image having an image height obtained through a lens device mounted to the lens mount section is formed; an imaging process section correcting transverse chromatic aberration of an imaging signal obtained by the imager; and a control section determining an imager size in accordance with the diameter of the lens device mounted to the lens mount section and correcting a correction coefficient for the correction of transverse chromatic aberration at the imaging process section according to the size thus determined. |
| US09207425B2 |
Lens barrel and lens module
An exemplary lens barrel includes a hollow main body and an abutting portion formed on an outer wall of the hollow main body. The hollow main body includes a first upper end at an object side, and a first lower end at an image side. The hollow main body also includes a central axis passing through the first upper end and the first lower end. The hollow main body further includes an outer screw thread. The outer screw thread is located between the first upper end and the abutting portion. The outer screw thread is spaced apart from the abutting portion. The abutting portion is a closed ring-shaped protrusion extending outwardly from the outer wall along a circumstance of the hollow main body. |
| US09207423B2 |
Repairable fiber optic cable
A repairable fiber optic cable is disclosed. The repairable fiber optic cable can include an outer protective housing, a connector associated with the outer protective housing, and a fiber optic core removably disposed in the outer protective housing. The fiber optic core can have an optical fiber and an insert coupled about an end of the optical fiber. An attachment feature of the connector can be operable with an attachment feature of the insert to facilitate removable coupling of the insert with the connector. |
| US09207422B2 |
Holders for optical fiber splice sleeves and passive optical components
A modular assembly for supporting fiber optic splices includes a tray, cradle, and splice holder. A splice holder is mounted to the first face of the cradle base and defines a plurality of fiber optic splice slots positioned over the depression. The splice holder has parallel upright members extending from a splice holder base to define the slots between the members. The members have internal sidewalls incorporating at least one pair of grooves defining passages in which fiber splices fit. The passages have a tapered shape to accommodate varying sizes of fiber splices, and the holder utilizes alternating orientations for the passages to flexibly fit fiber splices therein. The members define an internal cavity with thinned end walls and a bubble formation at a face of the member that add to the flexibility of the members. |
| US09207420B2 |
Enclosure for fiber optic splitter
An enclosure cabinet for connecting optical fiber from a head end to each of the premises of multiple dwellings has a door on an opening in a front wall of the cabinet and a support member on top and bottom slides that supports both a compartment in a container for fiber optic splitter modules and a vertical support panel for premise drop components. The slide out support member moves from a position retracted within the hollow interior for closing of the door to an extended position where the vertical panel is presented at least partly forwardly of the front wall to allow unencumbered access to both sides of the panel where the premise drop components are installed across an opening in the panel for installation, testing and visual inspection. |
| US09207419B2 |
Fiber optic overhead ground wire cables and processes for the manufacturing thereof
A process for manufacturing fiber optic overhead ground wire cable may include: providing an optical core; providing a reinforcing structure consisting of at least one layer of wires onto the optical core, wherein at least part of the wires are clad with first metallic material; extruding an outer layer onto the reinforcing structure, wherein the outer layer is made of second metallic material having a softening point substantially similar to a softening point of the first metallic material; and cooling the outer layer immediately after extruding the outer layer. A fiber optic overhead ground wire cable may include: an optical core comprising a plurality of optical fibers housed in an inner tube; and a reinforcing structure consisting of at least one layer of wires stranded onto the optical core. The cable may be substantially devoid of interstices between the at least one layer of wires and the inner tube. |
| US09207418B2 |
Partially impregnated, fiber reinforced thermoplastic strength member
Fiber bundles (10) comprise loose fibers (11) encased within a fiber/resin composite (12). The bundles are useful as strength members for fiber optic cables. In one embodiment the bundles are prepared by a method comprising the steps of (A) bundling fibers together such that a portion of the fibers form an interior part of the bundle and a portion of the fibers form an exterior part of the bundle, and (B) impregnating the exterior part of the bundle with a resin such that (1) the fibers that form the exterior part of the bundle and the resin form a fiber/resin composite that encases the fibers that for the interior part of the bundle, and (2) the fibers that form the interior part of the bundle are not impregnated with the resin. |
| US09207417B2 |
Physical layer management for an active optical module
Embodiments described herein are directed to a cable assembly including at least a first optical fiber extending from a first end to a second end and an active optical module (AOM) attached to the first end of the first optical fiber and including a first storage device that is electrically connected to the electrical connector. The cable assembly also includes a passive optical connector terminating the second end of the first optical fiber and including a second storage device. The first storage device includes an AOM identifier stored therein identifying the active optical module and the second storage device includes first information stored therein indicating that the first end of the first optical fiber is associated with the AOM identifier. |
| US09207415B2 |
Cable connector assembly with two printed circuit boards
A cable connector assembly includes a connector and a cable electrically connected with the connector. The connector includes a shell, a first and a second printed circuit boards received in the shell, and an opto-electronic conversion module, the second printed circuit board including a first end electrically connected with the first printed circuit board and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end comprising a first connecting portion electrically connected with the opto-electronic conversion module and a second connecting portion. The cable includes a number of electrical wires electrically connected with the second connecting portion for transmitting electrical signal and a number of optical fibers or wires coupling with the opto-electronic conversion module for transmitting optical signal. |
| US09207407B2 |
Fiber optic connector and bonded cover
A fiber optic assembly includes a connector and a cover bonded to an end face of the connector. The connector includes a ferrule, where an optical fiber extends through the ferrule and to the end face of the connector. An end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face. The cover is bonded directly to the end face of the connector, and overlays the polished end of the optical fiber such that the cover protects the optical fiber, limits access of dust to the end face of the connector, and draws loose particulates from the end face upon removal of the cover. |
| US09207405B2 |
Hybrid fiber-optic and fluid rotary joint
A hybrid rotary joint provides both optical and fluid channels for applications such as optogenetic research. The rotary joint has a stationary component and a rotating component. The optical channel and fluid channel permit simultaneous and rotation-insensitive passage of light and fluid from the stationary to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint. The input to the optical channel is provided via an input optical fiber and the input to the fluid channel is fluid from a fluid source. The outputs are an optical fiber output and a fluid channel output. As light passes from the stationary side to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint, it is deflected off a beam deflector having an angular orientation that is passively aligned and made independent of the angular orientation of the rotating component via the interaction between magnets attached to each of the beam deflector and the stationary component. |
| US09207404B2 |
Compound optical circuit switch
A compound optical circuit switches and methods are disclosed. Two or more 1st-tier switches may be coupled to one or more 2nd-tier switches. Each of a plurality of input ports may be connected to a respective input of one of the 1st-tier switches and each of a plurality of output ports may be connected to a respective output of one of the 1st-tier switches. Each connection between an input port and an output port connected to the same 1st-tier switch may be made within the 1st-tier switch. Each connection between an input port and an output port connected to two different 1st-tier switches is made along a respective connection path through the 1st-tier switch connected to the input port, through a selected 2nd-tier switch, and through the 1st-tier switch connect to the output port. |
| US09207403B2 |
Total reflection type optical switch using polymer insertion type silica optical waveguide and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention relates to a total reflection type optical switch using polymer insertion type silica optical waveguides and a manufacturing method thereof. The total reflection type optical switch forms a trench in an intersecting point of the silica optical waveguides having two optic routes, and inserts a polymer into the trench. A total reflection type optical switch has a heater which heats the polymer. The polymer is made of thermo-optic material, and totally reflects an optical signal as a refraction index falls when heated by the heater. In addition, when not heated by the heater, the polymer transilluminates the optical signal. When the polymer is made of electric-optic material, the total reflection type optical switch may have upper and lower electrodes for applying an electric field in the polymer instead of the heater. In this case, the total reflection type optical switch is capable of high speed switching, and is not limited to usages of an optical switch, and may be used as a variable optical attenuator by adjusting the voltage and current being applied. According to the present invention, it is possible to use the difference of the refraction indexes of the silica optical waveguides and the polymer due to temperature changes to transilluminate or totally reflect an optical signal according to changes of the refraction index of the polymer, thereby improving loss characteristics of the optical signal. |
| US09207401B2 |
Intra-link spatial-mode mixing in an under-addressed optical MIMO system
The outage probability in an under-addressed optical MIMO system may be reduced by configuring an intra-link optical mode mixer to dynamically change the spatial-mode mixing characteristics of the link on a time scale that is faster than the channel coherence time. Provided that the MIMO system employs an FEC code that has a sufficient error-correcting capacity for correcting the amount of errors corresponding to an average state of the MIMO channel, this relatively fast dynamic change tends to reduce the frequency of events during which the number of errors per FEC-encoded block of data exceeds the error-correcting capacity of the FEC code. |
| US09207398B2 |
Multi-core optical fibers for IR image transmission
An optical fiber comprising non-silica, specialty glass that has multiple fiber cores arranged in a square registered array. The fiber cores are “registered” meaning that the array location of any fiber core is constant throughout the entire length of the fiber, including both ends. Optical fiber bundles are fabricated by combining multiple multi-core IR fibers with square-registration. Also disclosed is the related method for making the optical fiber. |
| US09207396B2 |
Single mode optical fiber with large effective area
A single-mode fiber with a large effective area comprises a core layer and a cladding layer. The core layer is cladded with an intermediate cladding layer, and a depressed cladding layer is provided outside the intermediate cladding layer. The core layer comprises a first fiber sub core layer having a radius r1 of 1.5-5 μm and a relative refractive index difference Δn1 of 0.05-0.22%, and a second sub core layer having a unilateral radial width (r2−r1) of 1.5-5 μm and a relative refractive index difference Δn2 of 0.15-0.34%, where Δn1 is less than Δn2. Accordingly, the optical fiber can reach an effective area equal to or greater than 120 μm2 when the related parameters thereof are optimized. |
| US09207395B2 |
Large mode area optical fibers with bend compensation
A LMA, single-mode optical fiber comprises a core region, an inner cladding region surrounding the core region, and an outer cladding region surrounding the inner cladding region. The inner cladding region is configured to provide bend compensation. In one embodiment the index profile of the inner cladding region is graded with a slope of γncore/Rb, where ncore is the refractive index of the core region, Rb is the bend radius, and γ=0.6-1.2. In addition, the inner cladding is annular and the ratio of its outer radius to its inner radius is greater than 2. In a preferred embodiment this ratio is greater than 3. The overall index profile may be symmetric or asymmetric. |
| US09207389B2 |
Light emitting module and illumination system including the same
A light emitting module is disclosed. The light emitting module includes a circuit board, a plurality of light emitting devices mounted on the circuit board and spaced apart from each other, molding parts wrapping the respective light emitting devices, and a reflective member disposed on the circuit board to surround the light emitting devices. The reflective member has a height greater than that of each of the molding parts. The reflective member has a plurality of openings exposing the light emitting devices, and each of the openings has a reflective side wall extending upward from the circuit board. |
| US09207380B2 |
Display device
Provided is a display device. The display device includes a light guide plate, a light source disposed on a side surface of the light guide plate, a light conversion member disposed between the light source and the light guide plate, and a plurality of light path change particles disposed between the light conversion member and the light guide plate. |
| US09207379B2 |
Light guide plate, backlight module and display device both with the light guide plate
A light guide plate, a backlight module and a display device both comprising the light guide plate are disclosed. The light guide plate comprises a light emitting surface and multiple side surfaces perpendicular to and connected to the light emitting surface, the side surfaces including at least one first side surface and at least one second side surface. The light guide plate further comprises at least one set of folded surfaces perpendicular to and connected to the light emitting surface. Each set of folded surfaces is connected between a pair of first side surface and second side surface which are adjacent with each other. Each set of folded surfaces includes multiple light incident surfaces which are connected one by one. In the light incident surfaces in same set of folded surfaces, any two adjacent light incident surfaces form an acute angle opened toward inside of the light guide plate. |
| US09207378B2 |
Backlight module, display device and method for eliminating hotspot effect
Disclosed are a backlight module and a display device and method using the same, the backlight module comprises light-guide plate (302), an optical film (303) attaching to a side of a light emitting face of the light-guide plate (302), and a strip-like assembly (301) of point light source disposed at the side of the light incident face of the light-guide plate (302), the strip-like assembly (301) of point light source comprises point light sources toward the light incident face of the light-guide plate (302) thereon, an edge of one side of the optical film (303) corresponding to the light incident face of the light-guide plate (302) is provided with indents (303a). |
| US09207375B2 |
Display panel and liquid crystal display comprising the same
A display panel and a liquid crystal display device, in which one of a plurality of color filters is a net-shaped color filter and the other color filters are island-shaped color filters, are provided. According to this approach, a thickness uniformity of the display panel may be achieved. |
| US09207372B2 |
Light reflective material, and preparation method thereof
Disclosed are a light reflective material which shows the color and texture of a base material thereof in the daytime and acts as a light reflector at night, and a preparation method thereof. According to embodiments of the present invention, the preparation method includes preparing an extrusion base material such as plastic or synthetic wood, and supplying a light reflecting element such as glass beads on the surface of the extrusion base material and passing the extrusion base material through an extruder to form a light-reflective layer on the surface of the extrusion base material. |
| US09207371B2 |
Solar concentrator
A solar concentrator is composed of the cascading of the first light guiding module and a second light guiding module. The solar light is collected and guided simultaneously toward the light propagation destination by the light guiding modules. By cascading the light guiding modules in the direction of guiding, the solar concentrator has thinner thickness than the traditional concentrator and has a zero back focal distance to reduce the assembly cost. The solar concentrator utilizes the optical design concept of coincident image points from both the relay and converging optics such that the optical flux is increased in the cascading light guiding modules while the light propagation direction within the concentrator is maintained. |
| US09207370B2 |
Anti-glare film, polarizing plate and image display device
The present invention aims to provide an antiglare film that can be thinned without lowering the hard coat properties and antiglare properties, highly suppress scintillation and white muddiness, and provide display images with a high contrast. The antiglare film includes a light-transmitting substrate and an antiglare layer with surface roughness on one face of the light-transmitting substrate, wherein the antiglare layer contains silica fine particles, organic fine particles, and a binder resin, part of the silica fine particles form agglomerates and the agglomerates are contained in the antiglare layer sparsely and densely, the agglomerates of the silica fine particles are densely distributed around the organic fine particles, and part of the agglomerates densely distributed around the organic fine particles are attached to the surface of the organic fine particles and/or have some of the silica fine particles contained in the agglomerates impregnate the inside of the organic fine particles. |
| US09207364B2 |
Optical lens and method of making the same
An optical lens includes a lens member and two shade layers on opposite sides of the lens member. The lens member respectively has a lens portion on each side thereof. Each shade layer has an aperture above the corresponding lens portion of the lens member to serve the function of aperture. A method uses optical lithography technique to make such optical lens in a fast way, and the shade layers will have a strong bonding strength with the lens member. |
| US09207361B2 |
Composition for polarizing film, and polarizing film and display device
A composition for a polarizing film including a polyolefin and a dichroic dye represented by Chemical Formula 1: wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, Ar1 to Ar3, R1, R2, and n are defined in the detailed description. |
| US09207360B2 |
Polymerizable compound, polymerizable composition, polymer, and optically anisotropic body
The present invention relates to a polymerizable compound represented by a formula (I). The present invention provides a polymerizable compound, a polymerizable composition, a polymer, and an optically anisotropic article that are capable of obtaining an optical film having a low melting point, having excellent solubility, capable of being manufactured at low cost, and capable of uniform polarized light conversion across a broad wavelength region. [In formula: Y1 to Y6 are independently a chemical single bond, —O—, —O—C(═O)—, —C(═O)—O— etc.; G1 and G2 are independently a divalent C1-C20 aliphatic group etc.; Z1 and Z2 are independently C2-C10 alkenyl group that is substituted with a halogen atom etc.; Ax is a C2-C30 organic group that includes at least one aromatic ring selected from a group consisting of an aromatic hydrocarbon ring and an aromatic hetero ring; Ay is a hydrogen atom, a C1-C20 alkyl group, a C2-C20 alkenyl group, a C3-C12 cycloalkyl group etc.; A1 is a trivalent aromatic group etc.; A2 and A3 are independently a divalent C6-C30 aromatic group etc.; and Q1 is a hydrogen atom, or a C1-C6 alkyl group etc.] |
| US09207359B2 |
Polarizing film and display device including the polarizing film
Disclosed are a polarizing film including a polyolefin and a dichroic dye having a solubility parameter difference between the polyolefin and the dichroic dye is less than 7.4, and a display device including the polarizing film. |
| US09207358B2 |
Surface electromagnetic waves in photonic band gap multilayers
A device and associated methods for using surface electromagnetic waves (SEWs) generated at the surface of photonic band gap multilayers (PBGMs) in place of surface plasmons (SPs) in metal films. One device is a photonic circuit comprising a multilayer apparatus to generate surface electromagnetic waves, wherein the surface electromagnetic waves comprise the signal medium within the circuit. The circuit may be formed or etched on the surface of the multilayer apparatus. |
| US09207355B2 |
Method for physical modeling of reservoirs
Disclosed is method for simulating materials subsurface to the earth. The method includes: receiving dimensions of each subsurface material to be simulated; receiving a value of a property for each of subsurface materials to be simulated; and constructing a three-dimensional physical model of the subsurface materials using a three-dimensional printer, the three-dimensional printer being configured to print one or more layers of a print material for each of the subsurface materials being represented in the model wherein dimensions and a property value of the print material for each subsurface material being represented corresponds to the dimensions and the property value for that subsurface material. |
| US09207351B2 |
Constructing resistivity models from stochastic inversion
Embodiments described herein use stochastic inversion (460) in lower dimensions to form an initial model (458) that is to be used in higher-dimensional gradient-based inversion (466). For example, an initial model may be formed from 1.5-D stochastic inversions, which is then processed (464) to form a 3-D model. Stochastic inversions reduce or avoid local minima and may provide an initial result that is near the global minimum. |
| US09207350B2 |
Buried object locator apparatus with safety lighting array
Buried object locators including various antenna configurations and safety features are disclosed. In one embodiment a locator includes a body, one or more antenna nodes coupled to the body, and a safety light assembly disposed on or within the body. The locator may further include a surface light assembly and camera and/or one or more GPS and/or ISM antennas and receiver/sensor modules. The antenna nodes may be gradient and/or dodecahedral antenna nodes. |
| US09207349B2 |
Methods and apparatus for determining seismic streamer array geometry and seismic sensor response
A method for marine seismic surveying includes determining at least an initial depth of a plurality of spaced apart seismic sensors in a body of water. The sensors each include a substantially collocated pressure responsive sensor and motion responsive sensor. A ghost time delay is determined for each sensor based on the at least an initial depth. Seismic signals detected by each motion responsive sensor and each pressure responsive sensor are cross ghosted. The at least initial depth is adjusted, and the determining ghost time delay and cross ghosted seismic signals are repeated until a difference between the cross ghosted motion responsive signal and the cross ghosted pressure responsive signal falls below a selected threshold. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
| US09207348B2 |
Collision avoidance for instrumented probes deployed from a seismic vessel
One embodiment of the invention concerns a probe that couples to a seismic vessel via a tow cable. When deploying probes from a seismic vessel that is towing source arrays and streamers, the probe and its tow cable can tangle with elements of the towed seismic spread. However, a cable guide may be used to lessen the risk for such entanglement by guiding the tow cable into the water at a distance removed from the seismic spread. Also, the probe may be steerable to steer the probe and tow cable away from the seismic spread. Other embodiments are described herein. |
| US09207347B2 |
Determining the structure of a towed seismic spread element
A technique includes obtaining a plurality of sets of measurements of distances between nodes located on a seismic spread element while the element is in tow. Each set is acquired in response to the operation of a different set of sources. The technique includes determining a three-dimensional structure of the seismic spread element while in tow based at least in part on the sets of measurements. |
| US09207343B2 |
Model-based time-preserving tomography
A system and method for modeling seismic data using time preserving tomography including storing an initial set of parameter values representing an initial seismic data model. The initial seismic model may correspond to at least two or more ray pairs. Each ray pair may have a traveltime. An altered model may be generated by altering two or more parameter values in the initial set of parameter values for each of two or more ray pairs in the initial model. Altering one parameter value without altering the remaining of the two or more parameter values may correspond to a change in the traveltime of each of the ray pairs, while altering the two or more parameter values in combination typically corresponds to no net change in the traveltime of each of the ray pairs. |
| US09207342B2 |
Correction of shear log for elastic anisotropy
A method is described for determining a shear wave velocity of a transversely isotropic region of an earth formation traversed by a wellbore with a non-zero relative dip angle between a longitudinal axis of the wellbore and an axis of symmetry of the TI region. A sonic tool is used to measure shear velocities in the TI region with polarizations orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the wellbore. One of the shear velocities is identified as a quasi-shear velocity. A shear wave velocity is calculated, as a function of the quasi-shear velocity, for propagation in a direction along the axis of symmetry of the TI region. Where the orientation of the sonic tool is not known and the measured shear velocities comprises a fast shear velocity and a slow shear velocity, the method comprises identifying either the fast or the slow shear velocity as a quasi-shear mode. |
| US09207341B2 |
Combination motion and acoustic piezoelectric sensor apparatus and method of use therefor
Sensors used in mapping strata beneath a marine body are described, such as used in a flexible towed array. A first sensor is a motion sensor including a conductive liquid in a chamber between a rigid tube and a piezoelectric motion film circumferentially wrapped about the tube. A second sensor is a traditional acoustic sensor or a novel acoustic sensor using a piezoelectric sensor mounted with a thin film separation layer of flexible microspheres on a rigid substrate. Additional non-acoustic sensors are optionally mounted on the rigid substrate for generation of output used to reduce noise observed by the acoustic sensors. Combinations of acoustic, non-acoustic, and motion sensors co-located in rigid streamer housing sections are provided. |
| US09207335B2 |
Self powered neutron detector
A self-powered neutron detector having an emitter with a slightly negative bias voltage that assures that an increase in the electrons that enter the insulator are counted and decreases or eliminates the gamma induced prompt signal. Variations in the size of the bias is used as a diagnostic tool to estimate the gamma induced prompt signal. |
| US09207334B1 |
Methods and systems for a light sensor in gamma ray detectors
Methods and systems for a light sensor for a gamma ray detector of a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system is provided. The methods and systems include a plurality of micro-cells forming a micro-cell array. The methods and systems include a set of signal traces electrically coupling the plurality of micro-cells to the pin-out. The set of signal traces are configured to define a non-orthogonal signal path from each of the micro-cells to the pin-out. |
| US09207333B2 |
Geometry for PET imaging
A positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, including a first detector portion arranged circumferentially around a patient pallet, the first detector portion having a predetermined axial extent and transaxially subtending more than 180 degrees, but less than 360 degrees with respect to a central axis of the scanner defined by the first detector portion; and a second detector portion arranged separately from and opposing the first detector section, the second detector portion having a radius of curvature smaller than a radius of curvature of the first detector portion, wherein the second detector portion transaxially subtends less than 180 degrees with respect to the central axis of the scanner. |
| US09207330B2 |
Positioning device and positioning method thereof
A positioning device and a positioning method thereof are provided. The positioning device can cooperate with a first satellite group and a second satellite group, and it comprises a storage, a receiver and a processor. The receiver is configured to receive a first satellite group signal from the first satellite group and a second satellite group signal from the second satellite group. The processor is electrically connected to the storage and the receiver, and configured to calculate a positioning offset value according to one of the first satellite group signal and the second satellite group signal. In addition, the processor is configured to calculate a positioning result according to the second satellite group signal and the positioning offset, and store the positioning result in the storage. |
| US09207325B2 |
System and method for polythene infrastructure monitoring
The various embodiments herein provide a method and system for obtaining geospatial data on infrastructure networks. The system comprises mobile laser scanner mounted on top of a vehicle with Global Positioning System, a floating inertial measurement unit and cameras. The method of mobile laser scanning process comprises verifying all components of laser scanning system for their functionality after collecting permissions; performing real data validation of the laser scanner; conducting mobile laser scanning by transmitting and receiving laser pulses; correcting the geometrical errors using GNSS reference data; generating LAS file by combining surveyed laser data and GNSS data; constructing 3D surfaced based model; analyzing the surface model and extracting the layout of polyethylene infrastructure to observe the diameter and shape of the polyethylene pipes using the equation S = Prm × 726.35 7708.38 . |
| US09207324B2 |
Device for vehicle measuring
A device for measuring a vehicle on a roadway, comprising a carrier structure, which has a support axis that can be oriented transversely over the roadway, a plurality of transmitter elements, which are distributed along the support axis on the carrier structure and each downwardly emit a light measuring beam, each light measuring beam being located in an emission direction extending normal to the support axis, at least one receiver element, which is installed on the carrier structure and receives reflected light measuring beams, and an evaluation unit, which is connected to the transmitter and receiver elements for the time of flight measurement and, based thereon, measurement of a vehicle, wherein the emission directions of at least two transmitter elements are not parallel to each other. |
| US09207323B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting weather conditions including wet surfaces using vehicle onboard sensors
Example methods and systems for detecting weather conditions including wet surfaces using vehicle onboard sensors are provided. An example method includes receiving laser data collected for an environment of a vehicle. The method also includes determining laser data points that are associated with one or more objects in the environment, and based on laser data points being unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment, identifying an indication that a surface on which the vehicle travels is wet. The method may further include receiving radar data collected for the environment of the vehicle that is indicative of a presence of the one or more objects in the environment of the vehicle, and identifying the indication that the surface on which the vehicle travels is wet further based on laser data points being unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment indicated by the radar data. |
| US09207322B1 |
Compact mounting for local oscillator laser launch
A compact LIDAR pointing assembly can comprise a body, first and second ferrules, and a clip component that can be used to maintain an engagement between the first and second ferrules and an alignment of light emanating from the first and second ferrules relative to received light propagating along an optical axis of the assembly. The ferrules can be pivoted to adjust the orientation of the light emanating from the ferrules. |
| US09207320B2 |
Method and system for producing classifier for recognizing obstacle
The present invention provides a method and a system for producing a classifier for recognizing an obstacle, including a processor configured to: display surface data of a plurality of obstacles measured by a distance measurement sensor in a two-dimensional (2D) coordinate system; group and classify the surface data displayed in the 2D coordinate system for each obstacle; setting a plurality of feature references to analyze region based features displayed for each obstacle in the 2D coordinate system and calculate the respective feature references for each obstacle grouping; and producing the classifier by applying a weight to each of the feature references. |
| US09207311B2 |
Radar apparatus
The present invention relates to a radar apparatus. More particularly, the present invention is a radar apparatus having a front end structure that is reduced in size and the number of parts. |
| US09207305B2 |
Methods and devices for channel identification
This invention relates to methods and devices for channel identification. The invention is particularly concerned with techniques for non-line of sight channel identification. In embodiments of the invention the methods and devices are used for channel identification in wireless geolocation systems. Embodiments of the invention make use of an entropy estimation of the channel to distinguish channel conditions and in particular to identify line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight channels and which can be used to solve the NLOS problem of determining relative distances between transmitter and receiver. In particular embodiments an entropy estimation of the channel impulse response (CIR) is used to construct a robust entropy-based channel identification technique. As a result, more accurate localization in indoor and other multipath environments may be possible. |
| US09207304B2 |
Radio access point location verification using GPS location and radio environment data
Techniques are provided to perform location verification of a radio access point (RAP) device such as femtocell. The RAP is configured to receive signals from global positioning system (GPS) satellite transmitters to produce GPS location data representing a GPS location of the RAP. The RAP is also configured to receive wireless signals at one or more specified channels and to generate radio environment data representing characteristics of received wireless signals at the specified channels in a vicinity of the RAP. A comparison is made between the GPS location data and reference GPS location data for an expected location of the RAP. When the GPS location data substantially matches the reference GPS location data, operations of the RAP are enabled and the radio environment data is stored to be used as reference radio environment data for purposes of subsequent location verification of the RAP. |
| US09207301B2 |
Apparatus and method for compensating artifact in higher order diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
An apparatus and method for compensating for an artifact of higher order diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. The apparatus includes a construction unit configured to construct a diffusion q-space matrix, a correction unit configured to correct an image shift in a phase encoding direction in the constructed diffusion q-space matrix, a reconstruction processing unit configured to reconstruct a q-space of a Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI) based on the corrected image shift, and a tracking processing unit to process a DSI fiber tracking using the reconstructed q-space of the DSI. |
| US09207300B2 |
Automatic system for timing in imaging
An imaging system automatically determines a cardiac timing parameter for acquiring a cardiac image in a heart phase. An interface receives data identifying a heart image orientation for image acquisition. A repository of data associates, for acquisition of an image in a particular heart phase, different image orientations with corresponding different data items identifying respective corresponding particular acquisition points within an individual heart cycle relative to a start point of the heart cycle. An acquisition timing processor determines from the repository of data, a particular acquisition point within an individual heart cycle relative to the start point of the heart cycle, in response to the received data identifying the heart image orientation and uses the determined particular acquisition point to provide a synchronization signal for triggering acquisition of an image at the particular heart phase. |
| US09207296B2 |
Methods and apparatus for pasadena hyperpolarization
The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for using hyperpolarization to improve imaging. Am exemplary embodiment, a PASADENA polarizer, is capable of delivering 2.5-5 ml of highly hyperpolarized biological 13C and 15N imaging reagents in less than one minute, and capable of repeated delivery every 5-8 minutes. Exemplary quality control sequences are also provided to create versatile methods, systems, and apparatuses for a variety of biomolecules, capable of undergoing reaction with parahydrogen necessary for effective PASADENA. The subject matter simplifies the technology for routine liquid state generation of hyperpolarized molecules for 13C and 15N subsecond imaging and spectroscopy in vivo and further advance the clinical application of this technology. Methods and systems for providing magnetic shielding are also provided. |
| US09207295B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and control method thereof
An MRI apparatus provided with a support panel on which a subject is placed, the MRI apparatus including a noise cancelling unit movably installed at the support panel in a longitudinal direction of the support panel and configured to output a sound wave to cancel noise that reaches a target position, and a controller configured to control the noise cancelling unit to be moved to a target position and output the sound wave to cancel the noise. |
| US09207293B2 |
Method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor
A magnetic sensor having no sensitivity differences between sensitivity axes, and an easy manufacturing method therefor are provided. The method includes a process of forming first stacked films for a magnetoresistive element on a substrate. This element has a sensitivity axis in a certain direction and includes a self-pinned ferromagnetic pinned layer in which first and second ferromagnetic films are antiferromagnetically coupled through an antiparallel coupling layer, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a soft magnetic free layer. The method further includes a process of removing a region of the first stacked films from the substrate. The remaining region of the films includes at least a region to be left to form the element. The method furthermore includes a process of forming second stacked films for a magnetoresistive element, which has a sensitivity axis in a direction different from the certain direction and has the same structure, on the exposed substrate. |
| US09207288B2 |
Electrical current sensor
An electrical current sensor includes a magnetic detection element whose characteristics are changed by an inductive magnetic field from a current to be measured, a plurality of coils that are connected in series with each other and which are arranged in the vicinity of the magnetic detection element, and generates a canceling magnetic field for canceling the inductive magnetic field by a feedback current flowing in the coils, and a switch circuit that selects a coil electrically connected with an input terminal and/or an output terminal of the feedback current from the plurality of coils, and controls a coil for allowing the feedback current to flow. |
| US09207283B2 |
Universal battery charger and method of use thereof
A system and method for charging batteries. Stops are adjusted for each of the batteries to secure the number of batteries in place. The batteries are placed to abut the stops. Adjustable contacts of the battery charger are positioned against terminals of the batteries. The batteries are secured within the receptacles of the battery charger. The batteries are charged. |
| US09207282B2 |
Smooth vi mode crossover method at compliance limit threshold
Source measure units may operate as a voltage/current (V/I) source for a load, such as a device under test (DUT). Source measure units having a voltage controlled mode and a current controlled mode are described. The source measure units may have a suitable configuration to transition between the voltage controlled mode and current controlled mode in a smooth manner, and may be operated accordingly. |
| US09207281B2 |
Channel control circuit and semiconductor device having the same
A channel control circuit having a plurality of channels according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a channel control signal generating block configured to generate a channel control signal capable of selectively controlling an activated state of a channel in response to a combination of a first test mode signal and a second test mode signal; a scan buffer control signal generating block configured to generate a scan buffer control signal in response to the first test mode signal and a scan signal; a clock buffer control signal generating block configured to generate a clock buffer control signal in response to the channel control signal and the scan buffer control signal; and a clock input buffer configured to generate a clock output signal, which is used as an internal clock of a semiconductor device, in response to the clock buffer control signal. |
| US09207280B2 |
First/second die, channel interfaces, TAPs, and TLMs with common clock
Testing of die on wafer is achieved by; (1) providing a tester with the capability of externally communicating JTAG test signals using simultaneously bidirectional transceiver circuitry, (2) providing die on wafer with the capability of externally communicating JTAG test signals using simultaneously bidirectional transceiver circuitry, and (3) providing a connectivity mechanism between the bidirectional transceiver circuitry's of the tester and a selected group or all of the die on wafer for communication of the JTAG signals. |
| US09207279B2 |
Inspection tool and methodology for three dimensional voltage contrast inspection
A system and method for improved voltage contrast inspection is disclosed. In one embodiment the temporal response to voltage contrast is considered to find an optimal acquisition time. In another embodiment, multiple optimal acquisition times are identified. The identified acquisition times are used in voltage contrast inspection of semiconductor fabrication, and are well-suited to SOI technology. |
| US09207278B2 |
Testing integrated circuit packaging for shorts
An electronic package that has an array of pins may be tested for shorts and continuity in a parallel manner. The array of pins are allocated to four or more groups of pins such that each pin in each group is not adjacent to a pin from its own group of pins. One of the groups of pins is tested for continuity while placing a reference voltage level on all of the pins in the other groups of pins. A separate current source is coupled to each pin and a resultant voltage is measured. A short between one of the pins in the first group and a pin in one of the other groups can be detected when the resultant voltage on one of the pins in the first group is approximately equal to the reference voltage. Group-wise testing is repeated until all groups have been tested. |
| US09207276B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing a semiconductor wafer
A method for testing a semiconductor wafer comprises providing a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer comprises a protruding annular rim, a first redistribution structure disposed on the front side of the semiconductor wafer, a second redistribution structure disposed on the rear side of the semiconductor wafer within the protruding annular rim and a plurality of vias extending from the front side to the rear side. A first probe is contacted to the first redistribution structure on the front side and a second probe is contacted to the second redistribution structure on the rear side. The first probe is in contact with the first redistribution structure and the second probe is in contact with the second redistribution structure at the same time. |
| US09207275B2 |
Interconnect solder bumps for die testing
A semiconductor chip may include a die having one or more circuits. The semiconductor chip may include a plurality of die bumps, each having a first geometry, a first vertical profile, and a first volume. The die bumps may be coupled to the die and in electrical communication with the one or more circuits. The semiconductor device may include a plurality of test bumps each having a second geometry, a second vertical profile, and the first volume. The test bumps may be coupled to the die and in electrical communication with the one or more circuits. The first geometry and the second geometry may be adapted for the plurality of test bumps to make connection with a wafer probe to the test bumps without making a connection to any of the die bumps during a die test. |
| US09207271B2 |
Test method for sense circuit
Embodiments are directed to coupling a first transformer to a first load, coupling a second transformer to a second load, applying a single phase power source to the first transformer, applying an inverted version of the power source to the second transformer, coupling a sensing circuit to the first and second transformers, and monitoring, by the sensing circuit, signal contributions associated with the first and second transformers. |
| US09207270B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring negawatt usage of an appliance
The present invention may include measuring energy usage of one or more appliances for a selected usage metric, receiving reference energy usage data indicative of energy usage of one or more reference appliances for the selected usage metric, comparing the measured energy usage of the one or more appliances for the selected usage metric to the one or more received sets of reference energy usage data for the selected usage metric, and reporting an amount of energy savings based on the comparison of measured energy usage of the one or more appliances and the one or more received sets of reference energy data. |
| US09207268B2 |
Type determination apparatus, type determination method, and computer-readable storage medium
A type determination apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to chronologically acquire power consumption consumed by an electrical device; and a determination unit configured to determine that a type of the electrical device is a type to be determined in accordance with a reference pattern representing a predetermined pattern of a power fluctuation when a fluctuation pattern of the power consumption acquired for a duration equal to or more than a reference period of time is matched with the reference pattern. |
| US09207267B2 |
Determining energy consumption in a structure
Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for measuring the supply of a consumable product/energy source, such as electrical power, to a facility over time and analyzing the measurements to determine the consumption or supply of the product by one or more loads and/or sources in the facility, and to determine induced and residual heat flow through the facility's envelope. Various aspects compare the measured supply of the consumable product to a database of consumption signatures, which characterize access to the consumable product by particular users. Operating conditions and facility characteristics, such as temperatures, load factors, insulation factors, etc., may be further considered in determining a particular user's access of the consumable product. To aid in the controlling of energy use, thermal resistance factors of the building are determined, which are based on the induced and residual heat flow through the facility. |
| US09207262B2 |
Voltage detection device
A voltage detection device includes: a plurality of voltage-detecting ICs installed in order to detect voltages of a plurality of blocks of a secondary battery, each of the voltage-detecting ICs being installed for each of the blocks; and an interruption control unit that controls interruption operations of the voltage-detecting ICs. After resetting all of the voltage-detecting ICs by transmitting a trigger signal to all of the voltage detecting ICs, the interruption control unit transmits a control signal in which an address of a voltage-detecting IC allowed to execute an interruption operation is designated. Each of the voltage-detecting ICs receives the control signal within a designated time set in advance, executes the interruption operation when an address of its own is designated, and is left reset when the address of its own is not designated. |
| US09207259B2 |
Probe card for probing integrated circuits
An apparatus includes a metal housing, and a pogo pin penetrating through the metal housing. The pogo pin has a first end extending out of a first surface of the metal housing, and a second end extending out of a second surface of the metal housing, with the first and the second surfaces being opposite surfaces of the metal housing. A membrane is attached to the metal housing, wherein the membrane includes a metal line embedded therein. A metal pad is in physical contact with the pogo pin, wherein at least a portion of the metal pad is inside the membrane. |
| US09207257B2 |
Inspection apparatus
An inspection apparatus includes an insulating substrate, a socket in which a body portion having a through-hole in a wall thereof is integrally formed with a connection portion secured to the insulating substrate, and a contact probe detachably secured to the socket. |
| US09207255B2 |
Signal processing device and amplifier
A signal processing device includes: an amplifier, a bandwidth of which can be switched, and a controller which is configured to perform control to operate the amplifier in a wide bandwidth for a constant time after start of a signal input to the amplifier and then operate the amplifier in a narrow bandwidth thereafter. |
| US09207253B2 |
Ice resistant pitot tube
A pitot tube includes a substantially cylindrical body portion and a tip portion extending along a pitot tube axis from the body portion. The tip portion includes an inlet opening and a radially tapering outer surface extending from the body portion toward the inlet opening. Another pitot tube includes a substantially cylindrical body portion and a tip portion extending along a pitot tube axis from the body portion. The tip portion includes an inlet opening. One or more electrical coils including one or more coil wraps are located at an interior of the pitot tube. One or more bulkheads are located between a forwardmost coil wrap and a drainage feature to limit travel of particles ingested into the interior. |
| US09207250B2 |
Reagent preparing device, reagent preparing method and specimen processing system
A reagent preparing device for preparing a reagent to be supplied to a measurement section for measuring a specimen; the reagent preparing device comprising: a reagent preparing section for preparing a reagent including a first liquid and a second liquid, different from the first liquid; a reagent storage container, connected to the measurement section, for storing the reagent prepared by the reagent preparing section; and a controller configured for determining whether or not the reagent stored in the reagent storage container is suppliable to the measurement section based on reagent expiration date information related to an expiration date of the reagent stored in the reagent storage container, is disclosed. A reagent preparing method and a specimen processing system are also disclosed. |
| US09207244B2 |
Systems and methods for detection and quantification of analytes
Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. In some embodiments, the reader component communicates with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample. |
| US09207242B2 |
Cadherin-17 as diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for liver cancer
Compositions and methods for diagnosing, treating and/or preventing cancers characterized by CDH17 overexpression based on the detection of CDH17 or the use of CDH17 as a target for therapeutic intervention or prophylactic intervention are provided. Methods for diagnosing and/or monitoring liver cancers using the expressing of CDH17 involve detecting and/or quantitating the CDH17 protein or encoding nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) in a biological sample such as urine from the subject. Methods for treating liver cancers using CDH17 as a target and of sensitizing cells with aberrant expression of CDH17 have also been developed. The methods include suppression or knockdown of the expression of CDH17 by administering an effective amount of a CDH17 inhibitor. |
| US09207241B2 |
Devices for the detection of multiple analytes in a sample
The present invention relates generally to an assay for detecting and differentiating multiple analytes, if present, in a single fluid sample, including devices and methods therefore. |
| US09207237B2 |
Systems, methods, and workflows for optogenetics analysis
The invention provides methods for characterizing cellular physiology by incorporating into an electrically excitable cell an optical reporter of, and an optical actuator of, electrical activity. A signal is obtained from the optical reporter in response to a stimulation of the cell. Either or both of the optical reporter and actuator may be based on genetically-encoded rhodopsins incorporated into the cell. The invention provides all optical methods that may be used instead of, or as a complement to, traditional patch clamp technologies and that can provide rapid, accurate, and flexible assays of cellular physiology. |
| US09207230B2 |
Method for preparing human neoplastically transformed cells
A method for preparing neoplastically transformed cells from human-derived cells, including the step of introducing human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) gene, SV40 small T antigen (SV40ST) gene, and an antisense oligonucleotide derived from human 28S rRNA into the human-derived cells. The method for preparing neoplastically transformed cells from human-derived cells can be utilized when a variety of human normal cells are induced to be neoplastically transformed in order to elucidate cancer onset mechanisms, so that the method can be effectively utilized in search of target molecules for a new medicament. |
| US09207229B2 |
Cartridge for storing biosample plates and use in automated data storage systems
In one embodiment, a biosample storage cartridge includes an enclosure having a same form factor as a data tape cartridge configured for use in an automated tape library; and a holder disposed in the enclosure. In another embodiment, a biosample storage cartridge includes an enclosure and a holder disposed in the enclosure; the holder is configured to receive one or more biosamples, the cartridge is structurally configured to be picked by a picker of an access robot that is configured to pick a data tape cartridge in an automated tape library. In still another embodiment, an analytical system includes a bioanalysis drive configured to perform bioanalysis on one or more biosamples received from at least one biosample storage cartridge. |
| US09207227B2 |
Composition of multiphase flow
In a method for determining a total hydrocarbon composition of a multiphase flow including gas and liquid, the method includes taking different samples of the gas and liquid at at least two different thermodynamic states of the multiphase flow. The method further includes analyzing the different samples, and using a molar balance of the different samples at the at least two different thermodynamic states to calculate a gas molar fraction and a liquid molar fraction. The gas molar fraction and liquid molar fraction may be used for deriving an overall composition of the multiphase flow and for deriving the gas and liquid volume fractions. |
| US09207225B2 |
Method for detecting a concentration of chlorate-ions in an aqueous solution, apparatus for detecting a concentration of chlorate-ions and control unit
An apparatus, a control unit and a method are provided for detecting a concentration of chlorate-ions in an aqueous solution containing different types of chlorine oxidants. By applying energy to a defined volume of the aqueous solution to trigger a transformation of substantially all chlorine oxidants and/or chlorine therein to chloride and/or chlorate, and detecting the concentration of chlorate-ions contained in the defined volume, a solution can be provided that enables a simple and cheap measurement for a concentration of chlorate ions in an aqueous solution and that is capable for online measurement of such chlorate concentrations. |
| US09207223B2 |
Cartridge based breath alcohol calibration device
A calibration device for a breath alcohol testing device includes a pump providing a controlled air flow at a predetermined rate, a chamber in fluid communication with the pump that receives the air flow from the pump, and an outlet opening in fluid communication with the chamber that allows the air flow to exit the chamber in which the chamber and/or outlet opening can be heated to a predetermined maintainable temperature during operation of the pump. The calibration device is releasably connected to or brought in fluid communication with a breath alcohol testing device such that the air flow exiting the outlet opening passes into the testing device. The calibration device receives a sealed cartridge containing a predetermined alcohol concentration in the chamber and further includes a lid for opening/closing the chamber wherein the cartridge can be pierced such that the air flow provided by the pump to the chamber will pass through the cartridge. |
| US09207219B1 |
Fully automated analytical method for determination of chloroethers in water and urine sample
A fully automated flow assisted-solid-phase microextraction (FA-SPME) is developed for the determination of chloroethers in aqueous samples. A CTC CombiPAL autosampler coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is used to automate the extraction process. In this method, the SPME fiber is exposed to a sample in direct immersion. After exposure, the fiber is desorbed at the injection port of GC-MS. |
| US09207217B2 |
Access hole cover ultrasonic inspection tooling
This invention relates generally to ultrasonic inspection of welds and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for ultrasonic inspection of welds on access hole covers found in boiling water reactors having jet pumps. The apparatus includes a base, a center frame coupled to the base and projecting vertically relative to the access hole cover, a radial arm structured to rotate on the center frame and having attached thereto a first pneumatic linear thruster and a second pneumatic linear thruster, and a skew motor assembly and transducer are attached to the first pneumatic linear thruster for scanning the access hole cover weld. The skew motor assembly is structured to control the angle of the transducer and the first pneumatic linear thruster is structured to raise and lower the transducer. |
| US09207210B2 |
Method and a device for attracting magnetic particles to a surface
Magnetic particles (1) are attracted to a contact surface (11) in an associated sensor device (100) by generating a pulsed magnetic field (B) according to an actuation protocol. The protocol includes a “local attraction phase” during which the duty cycle of the pulsations is smaller than about 10%, preferably ranging between 2% and 5%. These small duty cycles are advantageous in bringing magnetic particles (1) into actual contact with the contact surface (11). |
| US09207207B2 |
Drift tube ion mobility spectrometer for aerosol measurement
A drift tube ion mobility spectrometry sample introduction scheme allows introduction of a sample packet at ground voltages. The sample packet of ionized particles is captured by subjecting particles within a defined region to an electric field at an elevated voltage. The ionized particles in the captured packet then migrate through the drift tube down the voltage gradient according to their electrical mobility. The particles are directed to a high sensitivity detector, such as a condensation particle counter (CPC), for detection. |
| US09207200B2 |
Biosensor strip
A biosensor strip with improved sample area design is disclosed, in which a specimen flowing in a flow channel is siphoned into another flow channel which has two hydrophilic layers attached to two respective sides of the same for enhancing the siphoning of the specimen. In an embodiment, by the doping of a hydrophilic material into an enzyme layer of the biosensor strip, the specimen that is being siphoning rapidly is able to mixed with the enzyme fully so as to enhance the measurement accuracy of a biological instrument using the biosensor strip. |
| US09207198B2 |
Electrical tomography apparatus and method and current driver
Electrical tomography apparatus comprises: a first electrode; a second electrode; and current driving means for driving an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode through a medium, wherein the current driving means comprises: a first transformer having a first winding and a second winding, the second winding having a first terminal and a second terminal; and means for generating an alternating current through the first winding so as to generate an alternating voltage between said first terminal and said second terminal. The apparatus further comprises connecting means arranged to connect the first terminal to the first electrode and the second terminal to the second electrode. Generation of the alternating current in the first winding results in generation of an alternating voltage between the first and second electrodes. In certain embodiments, a current sensing transformer provides an indication of current driven through the medium. |
| US09207197B2 |
Coil for magnetic induction to tomography imaging
A coil for facilitating magnetic induction tomography imaging of a specimen, such as a human tissue specimen, using a single coil is provided. The coil can include a plurality of concentric conductive circular loops. The concentric conductive loops can be connected in series with connection traces without allowing the connection traces to distort the fields produced by the plurality of concentric conductive circular loops. The plurality of concentric conductive loops can be arranged in multiple planes (e.g. on a multilayer printed circuit board) as a two layer stack. The spacing between the planes or the plane separation distance can be selected such that mathematically the plurality of conductive loops can be treated as being located in a common plane for purposes of a quantitative analytical model used for magnetic induction tomography imaging. |
| US09207196B2 |
Transmission electron microscopy for imaging live cells
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a microfluidic chamber. In one embodiment, the microfluidic chamber has a first sub-chamber and at least one second sub-chamber. The first sub-chamber has a first window and a second window. Both the first window and the second window are transparent to electrons of certain energies. The second window is positioned substantially parallel and opposite to the first window defining a first volume therebetween. The first window and the second window are separated by a distance that is sufficiently small such that an electron beam that enters from the first window can propagate through the first sub-chamber and exit from the second window. The at least one second sub-chamber is in fluid communication with the first sub-chamber and has a second volume that is greater than the first volume of the first sub-chamber. |
| US09207193B2 |
Systems and methodologies for proton computed tomography
Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies relating to proton computed tomography. In some implementations, detection of protons can yield track information before and after an object for each proton so as to allow determination of a likely path of each proton within the object. Further, measurement of energy loss experienced by each proton allows determination that a given likely path results in a given energy loss. A collection of such data allows characterization of the object. Such a characterization can include an image map of relative stopping power of the object. Various reconstruction methodologies for obtaining such an image can include superiorization of a merit function such as total variation. Various forms of total variation superiorization methodology can yield excellent results with reduced computing time. In some implementations, such a methodology can result in high quality proton CT images using relatively low dose of protons. |
| US09207188B2 |
System and method for monitoring painting quality of components, in particular of motor-vehicle bodies
A system and a method for monitoring painting quality of components, for example of motor-vehicle bodies, comprises a robot which moves a monitoring head to follow the components to be monitored while they move along a production line. The monitoring head moves with respect to the surface to be monitored and comprises both a source of light and a camera which receives the light emitted by the source of light which is reflected by the monitored surface. An electronic processing unit receives the signals coming from the camera and processes them according to different processing algorithms for detecting various categories of defects, specifically small defects, medium defects, and large defects. |
| US09207177B2 |
Optical sensor for bromide ion
Methods and systems to determine a concentration of bromide ions in an aqueous sample are disclosed. The method involves the oxidation of bromide ions to bromine, followed by bromination of a colored or fluorescent reporter compound which may be detected by spectrophotometric means. The relative change in color or fluorescence upon bromine binding to the reporter compound may then be used to determine a quantitative concentration of bromide ions in the sample. The system utilizes a photocatalytic coating in a sample chamber, a source of reporter compound in fluid communication with the sample chamber, light sources that may activate the photocatalyst and excite the reporter compound, an optical detection unit capable of receiving a light signal from the second light source after it has passed through the sample chamber, and various pumps, valves or injection syringes that regulate the flow of sample and reporter compound into and out of the sample chamber. |
| US09207176B2 |
Concentration measurement using luminescence
A method of measuring the concentration of a substance, using a sensor (2) comprising a luminescent material, an LED light source (14) which supplies a pulse of light to the sensor to cause luminescence of the material, a detector (26) for detecting the emitted light and a data processing module (28) for analysing the signals and indicating the concentration of the substance. In a measuring sequence there is a series of pulses of light spaced apart sufficiently to permit the luminescence to decay between pulses. The signals which are analysed are those generated after each pulse of light has terminated and the luminescence is decaying. The data processing module (28) comprises a plurality of accumulators (52A, 52B, 52C and 52D) which are controlled to be operable over a corresponding plurality of different periods of time during decay of the luminescence. Each accumulator accumulates values indicative of the intensity of the luminescence from the series of pulses in the measuring sequence. The parameters regarding the accumulators are stored in a configuration memory (42) which is part of the sensor. |
| US09207175B2 |
Condensing-type portable fluorescence detection system
A condensing-type portable fluorescence detection system which detects antigens using fluorescence includes: a light source generating light to excite a fluorescent substance; a first filter selecting a proper wavelength range from the light generated from the light source; a spherical mirror including two hemispherical mirrors having different curvature radiuses and connected to each other, and condensing the light excited and emitted from the light source; a second filter selecting a proper wavelength range of the light condensed by the spherical mirror; and a photodetector detecting fluorescence from the light condensed by the spherical mirror and passing through the second filter. |
| US09207174B2 |
Apparatus and method for characterizing a replica tape
An apparatus and method are provided for characterizing a replica tape which has been embossed, compressed or cast on a surface of a material to be measured to replicate that surface. The replica tape is secured between first and second holding components such that a compressible surface of the replica tape is secured against the first holding component. A light source transmits light through the second holding component, the replica tape and the first holding component. An image sensor measures intensity of the light respectively transmitted through at least two measurement points of the compressible surface of the replica tape. A processing unit converts the measured light intensity transmitted through the at least two measurement points into at least two data values each respectively relating to a measurement statistic of the replica tape at a corresponding one of the at least two measurement points, respectively. |
| US09207173B2 |
Surface plasmon resonance based sensing devices and methods for real-time analysis of analyte secretion from living cells
The present invention provides surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based sensing systems and methods for rapid, sensitive, and real-time analysis of analyte secretion from living cells. In one embodiment, the SPR based sensing device of the present invention comprises at least one cell culture module for culturing living cells, wherein the cell culture module is configured so that analytes secreted from the living cells can be released onto a SPR sensing surface. |
| US09207171B2 |
Methods for increasing transmission through scattering random media
The method, system, and computer-readable medium increase transmission of waves through a highly scattering random medium. Transmission is increased by iteratively refining wavefronts using measurements of the backscatter wavefronts resulting from transmission of waves into the medium. The process of double phase conjugation by time-reversing a wavefront, transmitting the time-reversed wavefront into the medium, and time-reversing the reversing backscatter wavefront is leveraged to implement the method in a physical system using a phase conjugate mirror. In an embodiment, transmission may be increased by phase-only modulation of the wavefronts. In an embodiment, the invention may be used to focus transmission through the medium to a location opposite the wave source. |
| US09207170B2 |
Gas detector system
A gas detector system includes a transmitter (1), which has a light source (3), which emits an analytical light beam (5). A transmitter lens assembly (7), to focus the analytical light beam (5) in an emission direction (9), includes a receiver (19, 19′) with a receiver lens assembly (21), defining a receiver focal point (27, 27′) and a receiver axis (23). A light mixing rod (29) defines a first rod axis (35) that extends from an inlet end (31), pointing toward the receiver lens assembly (21), to an outlet end (33) facing an analytical detector (39) and a reference detector (45). An analytical filter (43, 43′) is arranged in front of the analytical detector (39) as viewed from the receiver lens assembly (21). A reference filter (49, 49′) is arranged in front of the reference detector (45) as viewed from the receiver lens assembly (21). |
| US09207167B2 |
Peak force photothermal-based detection of IR nanoabsorption
An apparatus and method of performing photothermal chemical nanoidentification of a sample includes positioning a tip of a probe at a region of interest of the sample, with the tip-sample separation being less than about 10 nm. Then, IR electromagnetic energy having a selected frequency, ω, is directed towards the tip. Using PFT mode AFM operation, absorption of the energy at the region of interest is identified. Calorimetry may also be performed with the photothermal PFT system. |
| US09207165B2 |
Sample chamber for laser ablation analysis of fluid inclusions and analyzing device thereof
The present invention relates to a sample chamber for laser ablation analysis of fluid inclusions, comprising a sample cell having a sample cell through-hole extending along the vertical direction and a sample channel extending through the sample cell in a direction transverse to the vertical direction and communicating with the sample cell through-hole. A transparent element is arranged on each of the top and bottom sides of the sample cell through-hole, and is fixed to the sample cell through a fixing ring. The sample chamber further comprises a base comprising a viewing hole and a receiving portion for receiving the sample cell, wherein the viewing hole is coaxially aligned with the sample cell through-hole when the sample cell is placed within the receiving portion. According to the sample chamber of the present invention, it is only necessary to change the sample cell during replacement of the sample chamber, which leads to a convenient operation. At the same time, light from the microscope can pass through the viewing hole, so that the effect of observation is improved. |
| US09207163B2 |
Glass-cell vial for examining slight amount of specimen
A glass-cell vial is provided which can examine specimen without causing any hindrance even when as minimum as possible specimen is used, and prevents mixture of foreign substances from causing examination errors.A vial is provided which comprises function of cell capable of optical examination, and the inner surface of bottom of the vial is formed to be a round-state convex part upwardly and the outer surface of the bottom is formed to be in convex state. When a small amount of liquid specimen is introduced into this cell vial, a part which can be a light irradiation part for optical examination can be positioned between the meniscus part of the liquid specimen and the upper end of the inner bottom. Consequently, it becomes possible to examine light quantity variation even though the specimen is in small amount. |
| US09207160B2 |
Apparatus and microchip for sorting micro particles
A micro-particle sorting apparatus is provided including a microchip in which a flow path through which liquid containing a micro particle flows and an orifice; an oscillating element configured to transform the liquid into a liquid drop; a charge means for adding an electric charge to the discharged liquid drop; an optical detection means; paired electrodes sandwiching the moving liquid drop; and at least a container that collects the liquid drop, and wherein the flow path is configured to gradually decrease, from upstream of the orifice, in cross-section area perpendicular to the liquid-delivering direction between the location at which the optical property is detected and the location of the orifice. |
| US09207159B2 |
Particle analyzer for analyzing particles
A particle analyzer may include a sampling unit configured to collect samples containing particles; a sample preparing unit configured to prepare different sub-samples; a reaction unit configured to incubate the sub-samples and one or more corresponding reagents respectively and provide them to the injecting unit; an injecting unit configured to inject the sub-samples to the optical unit; an optical unit configured to irradiate the sub-samples to obtain particle information; a processing unit configured to process and output the particle information; and a threshold value unit configured to compare a total number of particles with a pre-determined threshold value and to output a result of the comparison to the injecting unit to control subsequent injection of one or more sub-samples. |
| US09207155B1 |
Cured-in-place-pipe liner inspection system and method
A cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) liner inspection system used to inspect a resin level in a CIPP liner that has been impregnated with resin using an inspection chamber having an optical sensor. The CIPP liner inspection system is also used to identify zones within an installed CIPP liner having lower mechanical strength due to inadequate distribution of resin using a robotic unit having an optical sensor. The optical sensor measures an optical property, which is used to determine a resin level or a mechanical property based on predetermined correlations between the optical property and the resin level and predetermined correlations between the optical property and the mechanical property. |
| US09207151B2 |
Method and apparatus for desorption of a blood sample from a medical test sheet
A method for desorption of a blood sample from a dried blood spot on a medical test sheet, for the purpose of biomedical analysis, comprises the steps of: interposing the test sheet inbetween first and second clamping heads; clamping the first and the second clamping heads onto the interposed test sheet; and flushing a desorption area of the clamped test sheet with a sample elution fluid. The clamping heads are transmitting compressive forces to parts of the test sheet. The compressive forces create an imprinted sealing area of the test sheet, which imprinted sealing area has a closed loop shape surrounding a desorption area of the test sheet. The desorption area is contained in a space enveloped by first and second outer surfaces of the first and second clamping heads, respectively, and sealed by the imprinted sealing area. |
| US09207146B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring an electromagnetic hydraulic valve for a variable valve timing system
A method monitors an electromagnetic hydraulic valve for controlling a hydraulically adjustable valve gear of a reciprocating piston engine. The hydraulic valve includes an electromagnetic coil and a moving armature configured to connect a control port hydraulically to a high-pressure port or a low-pressure port, depending on an energization of the coil. The method includes detecting a movement of the armature, using a control unit, in response to an energization of the coil based on a mutual induction in the coil and identifying a defect, using the control unit, if the expected mutual induction does not occur. |
| US09207144B2 |
Pinhole inspection apparatus for can bodies
Provided is a pinhole inspection apparatus for can bodies capable of effectively preventing entrance of ambient light to a photodetector side through a gap between a movable plate and a rotating turret that may be formed due to a surface condition or the like. The pinhole inspection apparatus of the present invention includes: a rotating turret having a penetrating through hole; a movable plate provided on a stationary frame opposite the rotating turret; a can body holding member supporting a can body; a photodetector detecting light leaking inside the can body; and a light source irradiating the can body with light. The pinhole inspection apparatus is characterized in that a detour path formed by a pair of shield parts spaced apart a predetermined distance and opposite from each other is provided as a shield mechanism in an entire outer peripheral region of the rotating turret. |
| US09207139B2 |
Mass flow control monitoring
A method of monitoring a Mass Flow Controller (MFC) connected to a pressure chamber for supplying gas to the chamber, which is an unpumped condition, includes cyclically switching the MFC to create successive fill cycles for a test period and measuring the chamber pressure at intervals during the test period. The method is characterised in that the total switch time of the MFC is at least 10% of the fill cycle and in that the method includes obtaining the average of the pressure measurements and comparing them with historical data to determine whether or not the MFC is functioning properly. |
| US09207137B2 |
Physical quantity sensor, pressure sensor, altimeter, electronic apparatus, and moving object
A physical quantity sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a diaphragm section that is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and is flexurally deformed when receiving pressure, a sensor element that is disposed on the diaphragm section, an element-periphery structure member that is disposed on one surface side of the semiconductor substrate and forms a cavity section together with the diaphragm section, and a semiconductor circuit that is provided on the same surface side as the element-periphery structure member of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09207134B2 |
Electronic device and quad-axial force and torque measurement sensor thereof
A quad-axial force and torque measurement sensor is disclosed in the invention. The quad-axial force and torque measurement sensor includes a sensor main body which includes a polyvinylidene layer, a first circuit layer, and a second circuit layer. The polyvinylidene layer is located between the first circuit layer and the second circuit layer. The polyvinylidene layer includes a first polyvinylidene layer surface, a second polyvinylidene layer surface, a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes and a plurality of third electrodes. The first electrodes are located on the first polyvinylidene layer surface. The second electrodes and third electrodes are located on the second polyvinylidene layer surface, and the third electrodes are located around each of the second electrodes. |
| US09207133B2 |
Mass sensing platform
An apparatus is disclosed comprising a platform operable to support a human. The apparatus also includes at least one cable suspending the platform. The apparatus also includes an elongation sensor engaged with the at least one cable. The elongation sensor is operable to emit a signal in response to elongation of the at least one cable. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed. The method includes the step of positioning the platform adjacent to one of a machine and a path along which the machine moves. The method also includes the step of detecting a mass on the platform by emitting the signal from the elongation sensor in response to elongation of the at least one cable. The method also includes the step of disengaging the machine in response to the detecting step. |
| US09207131B2 |
Method and apparatus for load and additional property measurement
A system and method for measuring load and an additional property using a sensor gasket embedded between two components. The sensor gasket may include a sensor layer and a conductive layer. A gap between the sensor layer and conductive layer may be filled with a load sensitive material. The thickness of the load sensitive material varies with the load applied to the two components between which the sensor gasket sits. The sensor operates in a first mode to obtain a sensor measurement that depends on the distance between the sensor layer and conductive layer. The sensor measurement then used to estimate the applied load. The sensor operates in a second mode to estimate a property of one or both of the components. The property of interest may be cracking, material loss due to corrosion, temperature, or another property of the component. |
| US09207130B2 |
Sensor and method for manufacturing the same
A sensor and method of manufacturing the same. A plurality of conductors (33) constituting an electricity conduction wire (37) are fused and joined for unification by a first resistance welding operation. Subsequently, a terminal wire (20) and the electricity conduction wire (37) are caused to overlap in the axial direction and connected by a second resistance welding operation. |
| US09207128B2 |
Dynamic fiber temperature sensing package and method of assembling the same
A dynamic fiber temperature sensing package is provided herein. The sensing package includes a support structure, a holder coupled to the support structure, a sheath coupled to the support structure via the holder, and a fiber optic temperature sensor positioned within the sheath. The holder includes a material having a first thermal conductivity and the sheath includes a material having a second thermal conductivity, wherein the second thermal conductivity is greater than the first thermal conductivity. |
| US09207126B2 |
Infrared light sensor chip with high measurement accuracy and method for producing the infrared light sensor chip
An infrared light sensor chip comprises a substrate (2), an infrared light sensor (9), which has a base electrode (10) that is in direct contact with one side (8) of the substrate (2) and which is used to attach the infrared light sensor (9) to the substrate (2), and a resistance thermometer (13), which has a resistance path (14) in direct contact with the side (8) of the substrate (2) adjacent to the infrared light sensor (9) and configured to measure the temperature of the substrate (2) via the resistance thermometer (13). The resistance path (14) is made of the same material of which the base electrode (10) is made. |
| US09207124B2 |
Colorimetry apparatus
A colorimetry apparatus includes a light projection unit that irradiates a surface under measurement with light and an imaging unit that captures an image of the surface under measurement. The light projection unit includes a light source, a collimator lens that converts light emitted from the light source into parallelized light, and a traveling direction changer that changes the traveling direction of the parallelized light while maintaining parallelism of the parallelized light. The traveling direction changer is disposed in parallel to the surface under measurement, and the direction of the optical axis of the collimator lens coincides with the direction of a normal to the surface under measurement. |
| US09207123B2 |
Athermal channeled spectropolarimeter
A temperature insensitive (athermal) channeled spectropolarimeter (CSP) is described. The athermal CSP includes a crystal retarder formed of a biaxial crystal. The crystal retarder has three crystal axes, wherein each axis has its own distinct index of refraction. The axes are oriented in a particular manner, causing an amplitude modulating carrier frequency induced by the crystal retarder to be thermally invariant. Accordingly, a calibration beam technique can be used over a relatively wide range of ambient temperatures, with a common calibration data set. |
| US09207113B2 |
Sound pressure prediction apparatus, sound pressure prediction method, and information storage medium
A sound pressure level prediction apparatus includes a storage unit for storing measured sound pressure levels. The sound pressure level prediction apparatus also includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire sound pressure levels measured at a plurality of locations for a first fan and at least one sound pressure level for a second fan, and the at least one sound pressure level being measured at the same location as at least one of the plurality of locations used for measuring the sound pressure levels for the first fan. The sound pressure level prediction apparatus further includes a prediction unit configured to predict, based on the acquired sound pressure levels of the first fan and the at least one sound pressure level for the second fan, a sound pressure level for the second fan at a location where the sound pressure level for the second fan has not yet been measured. |
| US09207112B2 |
Scale with pivoting spacer element for vertical adjustment
The apparatus serves for weighing and has a placement surface (3) for the object to be weighed. The placement surface (3) is provided by a placement element (2) which is supportable by at least two carrying elements (6) with respect to a steepening surface. The carrying elements (6) are configured identically relative to one another. Each of the carrying elements (6) has at least one load cell (17) for weight acquisition and a levelling device for height adjustment. |
| US09207111B2 |
Method for determining the fill level of a medium and corresponding device
A method for determining the fill level of a medium, wherein a transmission signal is transmitted, a return signal is received, and the return signal is evaluated in view of the process variable in a manner which allows a general and flexible handling of interfering signals in the received signals. This result is obtained by filtering at least one of the return signal, a signal derived from the return signal and an envelope curve formed from the return signal into at least one sub-signal, and using said at least one sub-signal for evaluating the return signal for at least determining the fill level. |
| US09207107B2 |
Accessory apparatus for hindering ultrasonic wave propagation in flowmeters
An accessory apparatus for flowmeters, especially for ultrasonic flowmeters having at least two successively arranged, plate-shaped or disk-shaped flow influencing elements (1, 2) which are provided with recesses and which are located downstream and/or upstream of the flowmeter, the recesses in the flow influencing elements (1, 2) being made and/or the flow influencing elements (1, 2) being arranged in a manner eliminating an unobstructed line of sight in the flow direction. The recesses in the flow influencing elements (1, 2) of the accessory apparatus are slots (3, 4) which are offset so that a line of sight through the accessory apparatus is eliminated. |
| US09207105B2 |
System and method for incident detection with spatiotemporal thresholds estimated via nonparametric quantile regression
Systems and methods for incident detection are provided. A system for incident detection includes a network including at least one detector for detecting events in the network, a detection module capable of processing data from the at least one detector, and a calibration module capable of calibrating a plurality of bands for the incident detection based on a plurality of decision variables, wherein the plurality of bands define thresholds that are time-varying for all measurement locations in the network, and the thresholds are estimated using nonparametric quantile regression. |
| US09207101B2 |
Optical displacement encoder
An optical encoder includes a light source fiber holder holding a light source fiber and a collecting lens therein, and a nut. The light source fiber holder includes an end fitting together with a light source base. An outer circumferential surface of the end includes an inclined surface inclining such that a cross-sectional area increases as the surface approaches the light source fiber; and a projection capable of advancing into a groove of the light source base. The optical encoder includes a light source connector and the light source fiber holder. |
| US09207098B2 |
Short-term travel-time prediction modeling augmented with radar-based precipitation predictions and scaling of same
A framework for estimating short-term travel times for one or more roadway links of a transportation network infrastructure models traffic speed predictions from collected traffic speed data and augments these predictions with precipitation predictions for the links being modeled. The framework employs strategies for scaling these augmented models for larger segments and areas of a roadway to minimize processing and training time. The travel time estimates generated by the framework are utilized to provide accurate routing information and recommendations to motorists, and to conduct more efficient traffic monitoring and infrastructure planning and maintenance activities. |
| US09207096B2 |
Map magnifier
A method of magnifying a portion of a map displayed on a computing device includes displaying the map at a first zoom level and displaying a magnified portion of the map at a second zoom level. The magnified portion comprises an interactive map element. The magnified portion acts as a localized map magnifier. The magnified portion may be round to resemble a virtual magnifying glass. In certain implementations, multiple map magnifiers may be displayed simultaneously. Map magnifiers may be displayed, for example, at waypoints along a route, at map markers corresponding to points of interest or at the locations associated with search results. |
| US09207093B2 |
Navigation based on calendar events
An example embodiment disclosed herein includes a predictive vehicle navigation system. The predictive vehicle navigation system includes an abstraction and communication device (hereinafter “device”) and a mobile device. The device includes an adaptor configured to interface with a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus of a vehicle and to abstract vehicle data from the vehicle. The mobile device includes an operation determination module configured to determine that an operator is operating the vehicle based on a subset of the data, a clock configured to track actual time, and a navigation module configured to receive the actual time and the determination that the operator is operating the vehicle, to access a calendar event that includes an address and a scheduled time, and when the actual time is within a predetermined threshold of the scheduled time, to predict that the address is a destination of the operator. |
| US09207092B1 |
Displaying navigation information within a secondary user interface of a mobile device
Computer-implemented methods and systems of displaying navigation information on a mobile device include determining navigation directions to a destination location and providing related navigation information for display on a primary user interface while the mobile device is operated in an active operating mode. Upon detecting a transition of the mobile device from the active operating mode to a passive operating mode, a subset of location information is configured for display on a secondary user interface. The passive location information can include one or more of a semantic place label associated with the mobile device's current location and a directions indicator in which a user of the mobile device should travel along the navigation directions in order to reach the destination location from the mobile device's current location and/or device orientation. The navigation information can be updated continuously, periodically and/or upon reaching turn points within the navigation directions. |
| US09207090B2 |
System and method for dynamic path optimization
Techniques of dynamic path optimization are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving an instruction to determine an optimal path from a source geographical location to a destination geographical location, and determining an optimal path from the source geographical location to the destination geographical location using corresponding historical traffic information for each one of a plurality of sub-paths. The historical traffic information for each sub-path may correspond to an estimated arrival time at a start location for the corresponding sub-path and be used to select sub-paths from the plurality of sub-paths. The selected sub-paths may define the optimal path. In some embodiments, the historical traffic information comprises an indication of traffic flow for the corresponding sub-path. In some embodiments, the indication of traffic flow comprises an average speed of traffic flow. |
| US09207089B2 |
Mobility route optimization
A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product guides mobility-impaired pedestrians. Mobile tracking readings are received from multiple mobility assistance devices, each of which has an affixed tracking device. Based on these mobile tracking readings, multiple pedestrian routes for mobility-impaired pedestrians, including an optimal pedestrian route that has the highest tracking history to a desired destination, are generated. |
| US09207088B2 |
Method for operating a motor vehicle and motor vehicle
A method for operating a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes determining of a current position of the motor vehicle and accessing a data of map data stored in at least one vehicle-external storage device. The accessed data set contains map data of surroundings of the determined current position of the motor vehicle. The method further include, classifying objects contained in the map data according to stationary objects and moveable objects, and transmitting data contained in the map data of the accessed data set regarding objects classified stationary to at least one interface of the motor vehicle. |
| US09207085B2 |
Navigation system and method for different mobility modes
A system and method enable calculation of navigation data as a function of mobility mode and to transmit the calculated data to devices accordingly. The system and method calculate first navigation data based on a first mobility mode at a first device; receive a mobility mode change indication to a second mobility mode; calculate second navigation data based on the second mobility mode; and then transmit the second navigation data to a second device. The calculations can be done at the first device (e.g., a navigation system installed in a vehicle), the second device (e.g., a mobile device), and/or at a third device (e.g., server). |
| US09207084B2 |
Dynamic alerts for calendar events
A computing device can access a calendar entry having an associated time and an associated location, in a calendar application. The computing device can dynamically determine an estimated travel time to the location associated with the calendar entry. The computing device can provide an alarm indication for the calendar entry at a time based on the estimated travel time. |
| US09207083B2 |
Electronic device and navigation method for tracking target device
In a navigation method for tracking a second electronic device using a first electronic device, the first electronic device receives position information of the second electronic device. A position of the second electronic device is marked on a navigation map stored in the first electronic device. The first electronic device is directed to track the second electronic device according to the marked position on the navigation map. |
| US09207081B2 |
Electrode arrangements for quadrature suppression in inertial sensors
A substrate for an inertial sensor system includes a plurality of electrode arrangements, each electrode arrangement including an acceleration sensor electrode and a pair of quadrature adjusting electrodes on opposite sides of the acceleration sensor electrode, where each electrode arrangement is capable of being overlaid by a corresponding plate of a shuttle such that the plate completely overlays the acceleration sensor electrode and partially overlays the pair of quadrature adjusting electrodes on opposite sides of the acceleration sensor electrode such that capacitive coupling between the plate and each of the quadrature adjusting electrodes is dependent upon the rotational position of the at least one shuttle while capacitive coupling between the plate and the acceleration sensor electrodes is substantially independent of the rotational position of the at least one shuttle. |
| US09207077B2 |
Construction laser system comprising a rotation laser and a laser receiver, and method
A construction laser system comprising at least one rotation laser which has a laser unit and a rotatable deflection means, a laser receiver has a laser beam detector which is designed to generate an output signal when the laser beam impinges on the laser beam detector. An evaluation unit for determining the position of the laser receiver relative to the reference surface and an indicator for the determined position. A controller where a known emission pattern is generated over a sequence of a plurality of revolutions by varying the emission of the laser beam in a manner temporally coupled to the revolution period of the deflection means, and the evaluation unit is designed to identify the reference surface using a sequence of output signals which are each generated by the laser beam detector when the rotating laser beam repeatedly successively impinges, which sequence corresponds to the known emission pattern. |
| US09207071B2 |
Accessory adapter for laser alignment tool
A pulley alignment apparatus is disclosed that includes a target component or a sighting component having a first contact surface shaped to detachably interface with a first pulley having a first diameter. The apparatus further includes an adaptor with a second contact surface shaped to detachably interface with a second pulley having a second diameter and a receiving surface shaped to detachably interface with the first contact surface of the target component or the sighting component. The target component or the sighting component is seated on the adaptor with the first contact surface detachably interfaced with the receiving surface of the adaptor, and the first diameter and the second diameter are different. |
| US09207062B2 |
Distortion corrected optical coherence tomography system
An axial motion distortion-corrected optical coherence tomography system. The system can include an optical coherence tomography sensor, a light source, a fiber-optic system arranged to provide a reference beam and an observation beam, an optical detection system arranged to receive combined light from the reference beam and the observation beam and to provide detection signals, and a data processing system arranged to receive said detection signals, construct a plurality of A-scans from said detection signals, and construct one or more images from said plurality of A-scans. The data processing system can be configured to correct distortion in the images caused by net axial motion of at least one of said optical coherence tomography sensor or a target of said optical coherence tomography sensor by calculating an estimate of the net axial motion using Doppler shift, and then shifting the A-scans according to the estimate. |
| US09207061B2 |
Magnetic-pole position detection apparatus for synchronous machines
An object is to provide a magnetic-pole position detection apparatus for synchronous machines that allows a desired accuracy of magnetic-pole position detection regardless of variation in DC voltage of a DC voltage source. Calculation means (2a) changes a pulse width (tp) and a pulse-quiescent width (tn) in accordance with a DC voltage detection value (Vdc), using a pulse width determination section (22a), such that a desired accuracy of magnetic-pole position detection can be obtained regardless of variation in DC voltage of a DC voltage source (5). The calculation means (2a) also performs control such that a sampling timing is fixed at the end point of the pulse width (tp) of voltage vectors regardless of the DC voltage detection value (Vdc). |
| US09207058B2 |
Measuring tape rule device
A measuring tape rule device includes a tape rule housing, the housing having a connection portion. The device also includes an axle within the housing, the axle configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The device also includes a reel within the housing, the reel configured to rotate about the axis of rotation and the axle. The device additionally includes an elongated tape having gradations thereon and wound on the reel. The device further includes a first spring coupled between the axle and the connection portion of the housing, and a second spring coupled between the axle and the reel. Rotation of the reel relative to the housing in a direction tending to tension the second spring transmits rotational movement to the axle through the tensioning of the second spring. Such rotational movement of the axle is applied to the first spring to tension the first spring. |
| US09207055B2 |
Systems for delivering explosives and methods related thereto
Systems for delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of delivering explosives with variable densities and methods of varying the energy of explosives in a blasthole are disclosed herein. |
| US09207053B2 |
Harmonic shuttered seeker
A dual-mode, semi-active, laser-based and passive image-based seeker for projectiles, missiles, and other ordnance that persecute targets by detecting and tracking energy scattered from targets. The disclosed embodiments use a single digital imager having a single focal plane array sensor to sense data in both the image-based and laser-based modes of operation. A shuttering technique allows the relatively low frame-rate of the digital imager to detect, decode and localize in the imager's field-of-view a known pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from a known designator in the presence of ambient light and other confusing target designators, each having a different PRF. |
| US09207052B2 |
Three component bullet with core retention feature and method of manufacturing the bullet
A three component bullet with a core retention feature and a method of forming the bullet is described. The bullet can include a jacket surrounding a core and a locking band disposed around a circumference of the jacket and the core. The locking band can be received in a circumferential depression formed in the jacket and the core such as by compressing the core to cause the core and the jacket to expand radially fore and aft of the locking band. The circumferential depression can include shoulders that are in compressive engagement with the locking band to help secure the locking band in place. The circumferential depression can include an inwardly-extending annular band of jacket material which embeds itself into the core material with the result that the core is locked inside the jacket. |
| US09207051B2 |
Apparatus for deploying stowed control surfaces of a projectile
An apparatus for deploying stowed control surfaces of a projectile is disclosed. The apparatus for deploying stowed control surfaces of a projectile includes a first and second hot gas generators, a first and second gas chambers, a piston wedge, a piston and a barrel. Initially, the first hot gas generator discharges a surge of hot gas into the first gas chamber. In response to the surge of hot gas being discharged into the first gas generator, the piston wedge displaces at least one of the control surfaces to break an environmental seal covering the projectile. After a predetermined amount of time has lapsed, the second hot gas generator discharges a surge of hot gas into the second gas chamber. The surge of hot gas displaces the piston and barrel for deploying the control surfaces completely. |
| US09207049B2 |
Anti-rocket system
A counter-flying object system that includes a sensor array including an active sensor for detecting and tracking the flying object. An interceptor missile launcher for launching an interceptor to intercept the flying object, wherein upon launching of the interceptor, the sensor array determines the location of the interceptor and sends the object's and interceptor's locations to a control system. The control system provides mission data to the interceptor based on the object's and interceptor's locations for guiding the interceptor toward the flying object and activating a fragmentation warhead on or in the vicinity of the flying object when a lethality criteria is met. |
| US09207044B2 |
Sight adapter for handheld mortar system
A sight adapter for a handheld mortar that is secured directly to the mortar tube and provides a standardized mounting system for a weapon sight. The sight adaptor is for battlefield mortars not having a bipod. The sight adaptor of the current invention can be easily retrofit onto any handheld field mortar and includes a capability for determining projectile firing range and for correcting changes in the inclination of the mortar tube caused by rotation of the mortar tube on the ball joint of the base plate. The sight adapter a tilt sensor and provides for quick, easy and accurate targeting of a handheld mortar by comparing the target range determined from the sighting device with target range determined using projectile ballistic data and providing simple aim correction indicators to the mortarman. |
| US09207043B2 |
Target marking system
A method of controlling a target marking system includes emitting a beam with a beam source associated with a target marker. The method also includes sensing movement of the target marker, and modifying operation of the beam source based on the sensed movement. Such modification changes a characteristic of the emitted beam. |
| US09207042B1 |
Removable device for firearm with reciprocating finger hold
Apparatus and methods relating to a device for increasing the firing rate of a firearm that may be retrofit to an existing firearm. The device includes an anchor mechanism affixed to a slidable butt stock of the firearm and also includes a finger hold connected to the anchor mechanism that translates forward to remove a user's finger from the trigger and translates backward to allow the user's finger to activate the trigger and fire the firearm. |
| US09207041B1 |
Magazine well grip
A magazine well grip is configured to be self-retained on the front portion of the magazine well of the lower receiver for an AR type rifle or pistol. The magazine well grip includes a body that generally tapers outward from top to bottom, and includes a rib on an inner surface to contact the magazine well and maintain space between the magazine well and the inner surface of the magazine well grip. At least some of the ribs include an integrally formed retaining feature for engaging the lip of the magazine well which, in conjunction with a retaining tang that protrudes from the top of the body to engage a hinge pin boss, operates to retain the magazine well grip on the magazine well. |
| US09207039B1 |
Rapid-firing spear gun with retained projectile
Spear gun for killing venomous fish is powered by compressed gas such as from SCUBA tank. Spear is attached to a base plate that retains spear partially inside body of spear gun. Discharge of spear gun compresses a spring as spear moves forward, causing spear to automatically return to cocked position after firing. Sliding spear cover makes transport of spear gun safer and helps to dislodge fish from spear. |
| US09207030B2 |
Firearm magazine and method of making same
A box magazine (10) has a body portion 11 formed from a first section (12) including a side (14) and spaced-apart, upstanding edges (16) and (18) and a second section (20) that has a side (22) and spaced-apart, upstanding rims (24) and (26). A “Z” shaped keys (28) are formed in each of the spaced-apart, upstanding edges (16) and (18) and matching “Z: shaped keyways (30) are formed in each of the spaced-apart, upstanding rims (24) and (26). The keys (28) and keyways (30) engage one another via a sliding action to form the body portion (11). A follower (32) is positioned between the first section (12) and the second section (20), a follower spring (34) is positioned between the first section (12) and the second section (20) and has a first end (36) in contact with the follower (32) and a second end (38) in contact with a floor plate (40) that seals a bottom (42) of the body portion (11) to form the box magazine (10). |
| US09207015B2 |
Dryer having evaporator equipped with second condenser
A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a second condenser integrally provided with an evaporator and employing a heat pump to maximize a condensation effect so as to enhance heat exchange efficiency, thereby enhancing dehumidifying capability. The dryer may be a circulation type heat pump dryer including a cabinet, a drum, a drying duct to circulate dry air back to the drum, an evaporator having a heat pump, a first condenser, a compressor, an expansion apparatus, and a second condenser to condense refrigerant condensed by the first condenser again so as to supercool the refrigerant during the refrigerant cycle, thereby enhancing dehumidifying capability in the evaporator. |
| US09207014B2 |
Dehumidifying apparatus for dryer
A dehumidifying apparatus for a dryer is provided that includes a case, a drum disposed inside the case that receives objects to be dried therein, and a hot air supplier that supplies hot air into the drum and dries the objects to be dried. The dehumidifying apparatus includes a heat exchanger that heat exchanges with air flowing from the drum, and an injection nozzle portion disposed between the hot air supplier and the heat exchanger so as to inject a certain jet. When gas introduced into the dehumidifying apparatus from the drum passes through the jet, foreign substances such as lint, contained in the gas may be separated, thereby preventing accumulation of the foreign substances on the dehumidifying apparatus. |
| US09207013B2 |
Method of using a moisture meter during a laundering process
A method of processing at least one garment involves a local environment with ambient moisture, a garment having a moisture content, a plurality of work stations, and a threshold amount of moisture. The plurality of work stations operate according to a plurality of parameters. The threshold amount of moisture is the amount of ambient moisture naturally absorbed by the garment. The method includes a processing step, a measuring step, a determining step and an adjusting step. The garment is processed through at least one of the work stations during the processing step. During the measuring step, the moisture content of the garment is measured. The relationship between the measured moisture content and the threshold amount of moisture is determined during the determining step. And, at least one parameter is adjusted based on the relationship between the measured moisture content and the threshold amount of moisture during the adjusting step. |
| US09207009B2 |
Ice compartment assembly for refrigerator
An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency. |
| US09207006B2 |
Method for accurately recharging A/C systems
A refrigerant recovery unit for accurately filling a refrigerant system with a refrigerant is provided which includes a storage vessel for holding refrigerant, sensors to assist in determining the pressure of the refrigerant in the storage vessel, a controller to control the flow of refrigerant from the storage vessel to the refrigerant system to be serviced, and a heating device to heat the refrigerant, which is activated only if heating is required, as determined by data received by the controller. |
| US09206997B2 |
Curved transpired solar air heater and conduit
An air heating system is for use with a mechanism for flowing air. The system includes a plenum and a solar absorber. The solar absorber defines a first boundary of the plenum. The solar absorber is permeable to air. The mechanism for flowing air is for pulling air into the plenum through the permeable solar absorber. The plenum has an axial direction, wherein along a cross section of said plenum normal to the axial direction the permeable absorber has an average shape that is substantially convex when the permeable absorber is viewed from outside of the plenum. |
| US09206996B2 |
Water heater appliance
Water heater appliances are provided. A water heater appliance includes a tank defining a chamber, the tank further defining an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture. The water heater appliance further includes a cold water conduit extending through the inlet aperture and in fluid communication with the chamber of the tank, the cold water conduit configured for directing a flow of water into the chamber of the tank. The water heater appliance further includes an alignment feature configured on the cold water conduit for orienting the cold water conduit within the chamber, the alignment feature corresponding to a mating alignment feature configured on the inlet aperture. |
| US09206994B2 |
Heat source system
Upon newly installing a system or installing an additional heat source apparatuses, manual adjustment of a number-of-units control device should be eliminated. Provided is a heat source system including a plurality of heat source apparatuses connected in parallel; and a number-of-units control device that controls on and off of the plurality of the heat source apparatuses and allocates a load to an active heat source apparatus according to a load demand, wherein the heat source apparatuses each possess COP map unique to the respective heat source apparatuses that indicates a relationship among operating status, coefficient of performance, and load factor, each of the heat source apparatuses sets the appropriate operating region in correspondence to the operating status from the COP map and sends it to the number-of-units control device, and the number-of-units control device performs number-of-units control of the heat source apparatus and load allocation on the basis of the appropriate operating region that is sent from each of the heat source apparatuses. |
| US09206992B2 |
Storage configuration with predeterminable storage atmosphere
The invention relates to a storage configuration having a predeterminable storage atmosphere, comprising a storage chamber for receiving a plurality of storage product carriers for storage product, which can be delivered to a feeding and removal opening for the storage and removal of the storage product using a transport apparatus, and further comprising an air-conditioning apparatus, which associated with the storage chamber and exhausts air from the storage chamber, treats it, and injects it back into the storage chamber via exhaust and injection openings provided on the storage chamber. The exhaust and injection openings are disposed such that the air flows through the storage chamber in the vertical direction. |
| US09206991B2 |
System and method for monitoring and reporting energy recovery ventilator power consumption and service and maintenance needs
A system for, and method of, monitoring and reporting ERV power consumption and service and maintenance needs. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a processor configured to carry out a plurality of monitoring and reporting functions related to ERV power consumption and service and maintenance needs based on a model, and types and locations of sensors, of the ERV, (2) a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store data gathered from the sensors and (3) a commissioning database associated with the memory and configured to contain commissioning data regarding the model of the ERV and the service and maintenance needs. |
| US09206990B2 |
Device and method for absorbing water from gas
The present invention relates to a device, a method and the use of the same for production or purifying of water. Present invention is based on the use of hygroscopic materials and heating thereof. |
| US09206986B2 |
Burner
A burner is provided. The burner may include a burner head having mixing pipes through which an air-gas mixture may flow, and a burner cap seated on the burner head and having an opening formed therein. The burner head may include a support wall along its periphery supporting the burner cap thereon and an inner wall formed within the periphery of the support wall, the inner wall having a plurality of flame holes. The center of the burner cap may be positioned within the opening. |
| US09206982B2 |
Gas valve unit comprising a lift deflection system
A gas valve unit for setting a gas volume flow supplied to a gas burner of a gas appliance includes a valve housing, and an actuation pin having an operating segment which projects from the valve housing. Received in the valve housing is a shutoff valve which is configured for actuation by axially displacing the actuation pin, and at least two on-off valves which are configured for actuation by rotating the actuation pin. The shutoff valve has a movable shutoff element. A deflection device converts an axial movement of the actuation pin into an axial movement of the shutoff element of the shutoff valve essentially at a right angle thereto. |
| US09206980B2 |
Gradual oxidation and autoignition temperature controls
Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber. |
| US09206979B2 |
Oxy-fuel burner arrangement
An oxy-fuel burner arrangement having a first conduit having a nozzle aperture with an aspect ratio, D1/D2, of greater than or equal to about 2.0. The first conduit is arranged and disposed to provide a first fluid stream, where the first fluid stream is a combustible fuel. The burner arrangement further includes at least one second conduit arranged and disposed to provide a second gas stream circumferentially around the first fluid stream, where the second gas stream includes oxygen. A precombustor is arranged and disposed to receive the first fluid stream and second gas stream where an oxy-fuel flame is produced. The geometry of the nozzle aperture and the cross-sectional geometry of the first conduit are dissimilar. |
| US09206978B2 |
Pressurized water reactor compact steam generator
A steam generator system for a pressurized water reactor which employs an external to containment steam drum and recirculation loop piping. The steam generator system changes the arrangement of a typical pressurized water reactor recirculation steam generator by relocating the functions of steam separation and feedwater preheating outside of the reactor coolant system. The steam generator system and thermal hydraulic conditions are selected in order to minimize the size of the steam generator heat exchanger component volume inside of the containment. The external steam drum component can be isolated in accident conditions when desired and is used as a source of secondary fluid inventory for improved decay heat removal capability and tolerance for loss of feedwater events. Thus, the steam generator component volume inside of the containment is reduced and the amount of maintenance required for the reactor coolant system components are similarly reduced. |
| US09206974B2 |
LED luminaire having front and rear convective heat sinks
Disclosed is a luminaire, comprising a front convective heat sink, a rear convective heat sink, and a removable thin printed circuit board. The front convective heat sink has at least one optical aperture. The removable thin printed circuit board has an electrically-insulated back surface and a selectively electrically-insulated front surface. The front surface has exposed electrical contacts in at least one area corresponding to the at least one optical aperture. The removable thin printed circuit board is sandwiched between the front and rear convective heat sinks with a compressive force. |
| US09206969B2 |
Long life compact lighting system
A compact lighting assembly includes a circuit board having a battery, a light, a switching circuit and a push button switch selectively powering the light with the battery via the switching circuit. The operating life of the compact lighting assembly is increased by using a rechargeable battery charged by a photovoltaic device such as a solar cell. Even greater operating life is achieved with the use of a light-actuated switch, such as a photocell or photodiode, which limits or cuts off battery draw and illumination of the light in daylight or lighted ambient conditions and enables illumination of the light in dark ambient conditions such as nighttime and low light environments. |
| US09206968B2 |
Recessed light fixture with two-axis rotational arm
An illustrative embodiment of a light fixture, which may be a type of recessed downlight called a wallwasher, includes a light housing and has a power supply, such as a driver and/or electrical junction box, mounted on or forming an arm. The arm is rotationally coupled to the light housing, with the arm having two axes of rotation relative to the light housing. That is, the arm freely rotates laterally about a first axis, and freely rotates in elevation about a second axis. |
| US09206967B2 |
Display device using semiconductor light emitting device
Discussed is a display device including a substrate having at least one of a first and a second electrode, a conductive adhesive layer configured to cover the wiring substrate, and a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices coupled to the conductive adhesive layer, and electrically connected to the first and second electrode, wherein the conductive adhesive layer has a first conductive adhesive layer disposed in a first region and a second conductive adhesive layer disposed in a second region adjoining to the first region such that the conductive adhesive layer is partitioned into a plurality of regions on the wiring substrate. |
| US09206966B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimized plant growth
A system for enabling controlled plant growth of plants in containers includes linear tracks spaced apart from each other by intervening supporting plates. Each track includes an array of blue and red LEDs affixed to heat sink that can slide along the track to be positioned in a desired arrangement to the container beneath it. A controller for the LEDs is positioned between every other pair of tracks to control adjacent arrays of LEDs. The controller controls the LEDs to provide light to the plants in the containers of desired intensity and wavelength. |
| US09206963B2 |
Aroma diffusing night lamp assembly
An aroma-diffusing night lamp assembly includes a body holding a coupling socket at the top, a lamp bulb inserted into the coupling socket and electrically connected to the body, a lampshade defining a bottom coupling hole coupled to the coupling socket and a top opening for holding an aroma capsule, and an aroma capsule including a disposable heat-transfer container mounted in the top opening of the lampshade and an aromatic substance contained in the disposable heat-transfer container and heatable by the radiating heat energy of the lamp bulb to release an aromatic smell. |
| US09206960B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light-emitting display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate that face each other, a pixel between the first substrate and the second substrate and the pixel emitting primary light toward one of the first and second substrates, and a black film arranged on another of the first and second substrates. The other of the first and second substrates being opposite to the one of the first and second substrates toward which the primary light is emitted. |
| US09206955B2 |
Optical lens, optical lens module, and method for forming curved surface of optical lens
An optical lens includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface. The first curved surface is for receiving a light ray, and includes a first curve, a second curve, a first symmetrical curve and a second symmetrical curve disposed on a first plane, and a third curve and a fourth curve disposed on a third plane. The second curved surface is opposite to the first curved surface, and includes a fifth curve, a sixth curve, a fifth symmetrical curve and a sixth symmetrical curve disposed on the first plane, and a seventh curve and an eighth curve disposed on the third plane. The first plane is perpendicular to the third plane, and the curvatures of all the curves are controlled by a weight factor, so that the light ray is emitted onto a preset area through the optical lens. |
| US09206951B2 |
Rechargeable clip-on light with male USB connector
A portable light may comprise: a light body; a source of electrical power disposable in the light body; a light head supported by the light body and including a light source; a switch for selectively actuating the light source; a USB connector on the light body for connecting to a source of electrical power; and an electronic circuit in the light body for controlling operation of the light source responsive to the electrical switch and for coupling electrical power received at the USB connector to the source of electrical power. |
| US09206950B1 |
Light emitting diode (LED) sports lighting luminaire assembly
An assembly of LED luminaires is distributed at a sports venue, includes key, back, and fill light sources in such a way as to provide modeling within a significant portion of the playing area of the sports venue, uses beam types narrower than previously used, and achieves efficiencies higher than previously attained, while also reducing glare and spill light. |
| US09206946B2 |
Pressure accumulator
A pressurized storage tank arrangement having at least two pressurized storage tanks, the at least two pressurized storage tanks being configured for connection to one another in a fluid-conducting manner via a connecting device. The at least two pressurized storage tanks are configured for connection to the connecting device in a fluid-conducting manner at a first and a second connecting section. |
| US09206945B2 |
System and method for hydrogen storage
In one aspect, a hydrogen storage system includes a sealed container including an inner temperature of 77 degrees Kelvin or greater, a sorbent material enclosed within the sealed container and including a sorbent substrate and a hydrogen splitting catalyst connected to the sorbent substrate via a chemical bond, and one or more hydrogen atoms enclosed within the sealed container. In certain instances, the one or more hydrogen atoms are connected to the sorbent material via interactions greater than Van der Waals interactions. In another aspect, a method of storing hydrogen includes: inputting molecular hydrogen to a sorbent material to form a charged sorbent material, the sorbent material including a sorbent substrate and a hydrogen splitting catalyst connected to the sorbent substrate via a chemical bond; and storing the charged sorbent material at a temperature of greater than 77 degrees Kelvin. |
| US09206944B2 |
Lubrication system with passive drain valve
A lubrication system is disclosed. The lubrication system may have a collection area for collecting lubricating media and a pumping system for transporting the lubricating media from a withdrawal location of the collection area to a distribution location of the collection area. The lubricating media may collect in the collection area to a static level when the pumping system is off and to a dynamic level when the pumping system is on. The lubrication system may also include a drain valve located between the static level and the dynamic level. The drain valve may operable to open to drain a portion of the lubricating media in response to the lubricating media reaching a predefined threshold temperature and level. The valve may comprise a thermally-activated material, and the material may substantially change phase or volume upon reaching a predetermined temperature. |
| US09206942B2 |
Instrument mounting apparatus
An instrument mounting apparatus having a flexible vertical strap, a magnet attached near the top of the vertical strap, wherein the magnet is operable to couple the strap to an external member, and the strap is operable to be attached to an instrument near the bottom of the strap. |
| US09206941B2 |
Apparatus and method for clamping
The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus structured and arranged to securely clamp an object to a support structure. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a clamping apparatus configured to secure a long rifle or other firearm to a tripod, using a standard camera mounting bracket. In this embodiment, the clamping apparatus comprises a base with a pair of substantially L-shaped interlocking brackets and a pair of spring-loaded cam locking mechanisms used to fix the L-shaped brackets in position. Additional preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise rubber pads or other protective material affixed to the surface of the clamping apparatus to minimize damage to the object being clamped. A method of using the clamping apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US09206939B2 |
Mounting bracket for frame assembly and method of use
A mounting bracket is provided that can be used with off the shelf steel tubing to make sturdy and secure frames securing for heavy equipment to a floor or other structure. Different sizes and shapes of frames are easily made by cutting the steel tubing to different lengths and assembling frames using the cut tubing and brackets. The mounting bracket includes two pairs of sidewalls respectively defining first and second channels set at an angle to one another. The mounting bracket further includes a base protrusion and may be configured such that the first and second channels receive a standard tubular member and the base protrusion fits into an end of the tubular member. The mounting bracket may also include a flange that is integral or part of a mounting bracket assembly. |
| US09206938B2 |
Pipeline inspection apparatus
This invention relates to a pipeline inspection apparatus and to a method of inspecting the internal surfaces of a pipeline using a pipeline inspection apparatus. A pipeline inspection apparatus comprises a main body having a front end and a rear end relative to a direction of travel of the apparatus along a pipeline in use; sealing means for sealing against an internal surface of the pipeline, the sealing means being attached to the main body; an imaging module mounted proximate the front end of the main body, the imaging module comprising a camera and a light source, the light source being arranged to emit light in a direction towards the internal surface of the pipeline, and the camera being arranged such that, in use, the camera captures image data of the internal surface of the pipeline; and control circuitry located within the main body, the control circuitry including a power supply and memory means for storing data captured by said camera, wherein the sealing means forms a seal against the internal surface of the pipeline such that, in use, a fluid flowing along the pipeline applies a driving force to the pipeline inspection apparatus to propel the apparatus along the pipeline. |
| US09206936B2 |
Pipe compression clamp
Disclosed herein is a high compression pipe clamp which in one embodiment has an inner housing and an outer housing. The hollow rigid inner housing may have a first end, an outer diameter, and a first strap bracket. The hollow rigid outer housing may have a first end, and inner diameter and a second strap bracket wherein the inner diameter of the outer housing is larger than the outer diameter of the inner housing to fit thereover. A tensioning device such as for example threaded rod is also disclosed, the threaded rod passing through the inner housing and outer housing and a threaded nut engaging the threads on the threaded rod. |
| US09206935B2 |
Quick acting pipe clamp
A quick acting, adjustable pipe repair apparatus, comprises, a first shell portion having an inner and outer surface, a second shell portion having an inner and outer surface, a hinge connecting the first shell portion and the second shell portion, and two or more adjustable latch assemblies on the outer surface of the first and second shell portions. A gasket may be included covering substantially the entire inner surface of the first and second shell portions. |
| US09206933B2 |
Connection device for a supply line
The invention relates to a connection device for a supply line with a jacket pipe and at least two inner lines arranged therein, wherein a housing with a first connection region for the jacket pipe and a second connection region for the inner lines is provided. According to the invention the first connection region comprises at least one holding element which is mounted, for the purpose of holding or releasing the jacket pipe, so that it can be radially fed thereto or returned therefrom. The second connection region is arranged axially spaced apart from the first connection region and comprises axially actuated plug connection elements for the inner lines. |
| US09206928B2 |
Sealing gland
A sealing gland for sealing between an elongate member and a surface through which the member extends, the gland comprising a sealing body having an inner membrane for sealing about the elongate member and an outer peripheral region for sealing against the surface. The inner membrane has one or more cut guides on an underside of the membrane arranged to locate adjacent the surface in use. Each cut guide represents a known elongate member option and facilitates the formation of an aperture through the membrane for suitably receiving the associated elongate member option there through in use. A compression ring is also provided to couple the surface over the sealing body to compress the sealing body in use and form an effective seal. |
| US09206925B2 |
Gangable conduit hanger assembly
A conduit hanger assembly that supports at least one conduit is disclosed. The conduit hanger assembly includes a first member and a second member extending from the first member. The first member has a U-shaped clamp that engages a building structure to support the hanger assembly. The second member has a base with arms extending therefrom. The U-shaped clamp, base and arms define a channel to support the conduit therein. The conduit hanger assembly may include gangable add-on conduit hangers that connect to the conduit hanger assembly to support additional conduits in the assembly. |
| US09206921B1 |
Sealed solenoid and solenoid valve
A sealed solenoid provides an improved actuator for valves and other devices, particular such devices used in extreme environments and/or with corrosive media. For example, the improved solenoid construction can be used to drive a precision flow control valve used in air and space applications, such as to control fuel and oxidizer combustion media in rocket and other thrust components. The solenoid is retained in a solenoid retainer to which is attached a rigid barrier that isolates the solenoid pole piece and coil from the media. A clapper disposed outside the barrier from the solenoid serves as the armature, receiving magnetic flux from the solenoid through the barrier without interference from the barrier. The barrier may be extremely thin and magnetically inert. |
| US09206918B2 |
Metering valve
A metering valve includes a valve main body consisting of a body and a cover, a sliding rod and an elastic member. The body has a positioning hole, a metering chamber, a containing space, and two sealing pads disposed on two end portions of the metering chamber. The containing space is for assembling the gas cylinder. A groove is disconnected with the positioning hole, the metering chamber and the containing space. The sliding rod has two ends, wherein a gas channel is formed from one end toward an inner of the sliding rod, the sliding rod has a flange and a through hole, the through hole under the flange is for connecting the gas channel, and the sliding rod blocks a gas from the metering chamber by cooperating with the sealing pads. The elastic member in the groove is connected to the flange and the groove. |
| US09206915B2 |
Grease valve for pressure devices
An improved greasing valve (10, 10′) for pressure devices especially suitable for being applied on plants for applications on pressure devices/plants/containers such as valves, pumps, conduits, compressors, turbines, boilers, tanks and the like, containing liquid or gas with the function of preventing leaks of liquid or gas and allowing pressure control in the plant in case of maintenance work and prior to removing components, the valve comprising devices for cutting off the fluid or gas, lubrication devices and control devices, with said axial and ball/pin sealing devices integrated and/or assembled to a body (12, 12′) of the same safety valve. |
| US09206913B2 |
Check valve having petals with lift generating elements
A check valve is provided. The check valve includes a petal pivotably coupled to a hinge to occupy respective open and closed positions in accordance with a pressure differential of a fluid flow across the check valve and a lift generating element coupled to the petal and configured to aerodynamically interact with the fluid flow to generate a lift force on the petal. |
| US09206911B1 |
Shutter valve with seals
A shutter comprising an actuator ring that rotates about a midpoint and three obturator elements movably coupled to the actuator ring. A housing defines a cavity for holding the actuator ring and the obturator elements. The system also includes a plurality of wipers. Each wiper comprises a seal material and acts as a seal disposed between a first or second surface of the obturator elements and a first or second planar surface of the housing. The system also includes curved grooves adapted for receiving a wall seal when valve moves between an open and closed position. When the valve moves between an open and closed position, one end of the obturator element contacts the wall seal and the plurality of wall seals prevent egress of fluid into at least a portion of the cavity of the housing. |
| US09206909B2 |
Anti-rotation assemblies for use with fluid valves
Anti-rotational assemblies for use with fluid valves are disclosed herein. An example anti-rotation assembly includes an anti-rotation retainer to couple to a flow control member of a valve and an anti-rotator to engage the anti-rotation retainer. The anti-rotator prevents rotation of the anti-rotation retainer relative to a longitudinal axis of the anti-rotation retainer when the anti-rotation retainer is disposed in the valve. |
| US09206905B2 |
Leaf seal
A leaf seal for effecting a seal between coaxials and relatively rotating components. The seal has annular pack of stacked leaves, the pack mountable to first one of components at leaves root portions and extending towards other component end edges of leaves presented for air-riding interaction with other component during relative rotation between components. In use, pressure drop is maintained axially across the pack, which includes first set of leaves arranged around the pack, each to present an end edge at least part in relationship with other component. The pack includes second set of leaves circumferentially interspersed throughout the first set. The first and second sets, leaves help define, around the pack, circumferential spaces between end edges of first set's successive leaves, the spaces create circumferential variation in pressure around the pack contributing to the generation of hydrodynamic lift between pack and other component during relative rotation between components. |
| US09206901B2 |
Spherical annular seal member
A spherical annular seal member 35 for use in an exhaust pipe joint includes: a spherical annular base member 33 defined by a cylindrical inner surface 29, a partially convex spherical surface 30, and large- and small-diameter side annular end faces 31 and 32 of the partially convex spherical surface 30; and an outer layer 34 formed integrally on the partially convex spherical surface 30 of the spherical annular base member 33. |
| US09206900B2 |
Assembly for sealing a sliding interface
An assembly is disclosed for sealing the sliding interface between two objects capable of sliding or moving with respect to one another, but where the sliding interface must provide a substantial seal against pressure loss therethrough, such as where an assembly seals the sliding interface between a piston and a cylinder or between a rod and a bushing. The sliding interface includes a seal located in a seal groove, wherein the seal ring height is less than the height of the seal groove and the inner diameter of the seal is greater than the base of the groove. In one aspect, the difference in height is set by a shim and a piece of material of the same height as that of the seal ring. |
| US09206898B2 |
Apparatus and method for operating a clutch in a transmission
A method to control a clutch in a transmission includes monitoring a frequency response of the clutch including monitoring a response repeating one time per revolution of the clutch a response repeating more than one time per revolution of the clutch. A ratio of the response repeating more than one time per revolution of the clutch to the response repeating one time per revolution of the clutch is determined and compared to a first threshold ratio. A likely shudder condition is indicated based upon the comparing. |
| US09206895B2 |
Auxiliary oil pump integrated with a vehicle transmission
An assembly for an automotive vehicle transmission includes a case containing a fluid sump and valve body, a pump supported on the case, a passage formed in the case for carrying fluid from the pump to a transmission control element, and a second passage formed in the case for carrying fluid from the oil sump to the pump. |
| US09206893B2 |
Method for operating a vehicle powertrain
A method of operating a vehicle powertrain, includes: sensing a vehicle velocity; selecting at least two of a plurality of control strategies; activating the at least two control strategies, said two control strategies including: (i) operating the vehicle in a stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is below a first threshold; and (ii) operating the vehicle in a rolling stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is above a second threshold. |
| US09206892B2 |
Isolating decoupler
An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft (1), a pulley (2) journalled to the shaft, a torsion spring (10) engaged between the pulley and a carrier (9), the torsion spring loaded in an unwinding direction, a wrap spring (11) engaged between the carrier and the shaft, the wrap spring comprising a cylindrical inner portion (94) and a planar outer portion (93) connected by a tapered portion (155), and the inner portion frictionally engaged with the shaft in a winding direction. |
| US09206890B2 |
Swash plate
This swash plate comprises a resin film layer formed on the front surface and the rear surface, and said resin film layer serves as the sliding surface which slides on a shoe. The inner periphery of the resin film layer is a tilted surface which a lubricant can easily cross over. In other words, angle θ1 is 10° or less and angle θ2 of the rising part is set to 20° or less, and when the lubricant is supplied from the inner periphery side of the swash plate, said lubricant easily crosses over said inner periphery which is a tilted surface, and is quickly supplied to the surface (the sliding surface) outside of said inner periphery. Because the lubricant is quickly supplied to the front surface and the rear surface (the sliding surface) of the swash plate, seizure of the swash plate can be prevented. |
| US09206889B2 |
Drive force distributing apparatus
A drive force distributing device includes first and second rollers rotatable jointly with main a drive wheel system and a subordinate drive wheel system, respectively. Control of the drive force distribution between the main drive wheels and the subordinate drive wheels is performed by adjusting an inter-roller pressing force. A structural body suppresses turning of one of the first and second rollers at a predetermined position. A reference position setting mechanism turns either one of the first and second rollers to turn in one direction, detects a position at which the turn is suppressed by the structural body, and sets a reference position based on the detected position. A turning amount of one of the first and second rollers is detected with respect to the reference position set by the reference position setting mechanism and the control of drive force distributing is performed based on the detected turning amount. |
| US09206888B2 |
Auto-tensioner
An auto-tensioner includes: a stationary member having a first cylindrical portion; a rotatable member having a second cylindrical portion at least partially overlapping the first cylindrical portion in a radial direction; and a drainage mechanism provided at a boundary part of the first and second cylindrical portions, including a water inlet configured by a gap between an outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion and an outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion and being open along a peripheral direction, a water passage which is configured by a gap between a water collecting groove formed along the peripheral direction in the outer peripheral surface of one of the two cylindrical portions and the other cylindrical portion, and communicates with the water inlet, and at least one drainage port formed in a peripheral wall on an outside in the radial direction of the water passage. |
| US09206887B2 |
Chain guide and chain transmission device
The present invention is to suppress wear of outer diameter surfaces of chain guiding rollers (41) in a chain guide and extend the life. Respective shaft ends of a plurality of roller shafts (31) are supported by pairs of facing side plate portions (22) of guide bases (21) arranged to face each other in a one-side part of a timing chain (5) for transmitting torque. Each of the rollers (41) formed by a plurality of chain guiding roller bearings is rotatably supported by each of the plurality of roller shafts (31). Rollers whose surface hardness is greater than surface hardness of the timing chain (5) by 4 points or more of Rockwell hardness are used as the rollers (41), so as to prevent earlier wear of the outer diameter surfaces of the rollers (41) due to contact with the timing chain (5). |
| US09206882B2 |
Wind power plant, having coupling means arranged between the planetary transmission and the generator for the purpose of compensating axial, radial and angular misalignment
A wind power plant has a rotor, an integrated medium-speed electric generator, and a planetary transmission. The planetary transmission is arranged to convert a slow rotary motion of the rotor into a rapid rotary motion to operate the generator. The planetary transmission includes a transmission input shaft connected indirectly to the rotor and includes a transmission output shaft connected to the generator indirectly via a generator shaft. A coupling mechanism is arranged between the generator shaft and the planetary transmission to compensate axial, radial and angular misalignment. |
| US09206880B2 |
Electric machine including an axial retainer
An electric motor includes a gear assembly having at least one gear arranged within a stationary gear support. The stationary gear support includes an outer surface having an axial retainer mounting element. A drive shaft is operatively coupled to the at least one gear. An output shaft includes a first end and a second end. The second end is operatively coupled to the drive shaft. The output shaft is axially shiftable relative to the drive shaft in a first direction and in an opposing second direction. A clutch assembly is supported on the second end of the output shaft. The clutch assembly includes a clutch shell having a first end and a second end. An axial retainer is detachably mounted to the axial retainer mounting element. The axial retainer is configured and disposed to engage the second end of the clutch shell to limit axial travel of the clutch assembly. |
| US09206879B2 |
Balancer
[Problem to be Solved]To provide a balancer that can correct dynamic imbalance in rotatable bodies such as machine tools. The correction for low-speed rotation is possible to the same extent as that for high-speed rotation.[Solution to Problem]The balancer, attachable via its attaching portion to a rotatable body, and rotatable together therewith about its rotation axis, includes: weights of same mass and shape; and a weight holder with storage chambers for housing the weights, respectively, such that the weights can oscillate in arbitrary directions. The weight is shaped similar to and smaller than the chamber. The chamber is a cylindrical space extending alongside its central axis; and has concave curved ends perpendicular to the central axis. Midpoints of the central axes of the chambers are contact points on a circumference of a circle having the rotation axis as its center and being on an arbitrary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis; and are positioned so that they create a rotational symmetry around the rotation axis. |
| US09206876B2 |
Damping force control type shock absorber
For the extension and compression strokes of a piston rod, a damping force generating mechanism generates a damping force by controlling the flow of hydraulic oil caused by the sliding movement of a piston in a cylinder. The damping force generating mechanism has a pilot-type main valve, a pilot-type control valve, and a pilot valve. The main valve has a pilot chamber into which the oil is introduced to adjust the valve-opening pressure of the main valve by the pressure in the pilot chamber. The control valve has a pilot chamber into which the oil is introduced to adjust the valve-opening pressure of the control valve by the pressure in the pilot chamber. The pilot valve controls the pressure in the pilot chamber of the control valve. The control valve controls the pressure in the pilot chamber of the main valve. |
| US09206875B2 |
Rotary damper
The present invention provides a rotary damper comprising a hollow housing (10) which is opened at its one end and completely closed at the other end by an end wall (11), a bearing (13) formed at the end wall (11), a shaft (20) fitted to the bearing (13), a plug (30) made of metal, having an aperture (31) supporting the shaft (20) and closing an opening in the housing (10), partitions (40) arranged inside the housing (10) for rotation in accordance with rotation of the housing (10), viscous liquid filling chambers (71 and 72) defined by the partitions (40), and metal vanes (51 and 52) arranged in the chambers (71 and 72) for rotation in accordance with the rotation of the shaft (20), wherein the vane (51 and 52) includes a check valve, the check valve includes a valve body (84), and the valve body (84) includes a stop 84c made of resin and arranged between the plug (30) and the vanes (51 and 52). |
| US09206870B2 |
Brake disc and method for checking the wear of a brake disc
The invention relates to a brake disc (1) having a first (2) and a second friction surface (3), wherein the brake disc has at least one first blind hole (4), in particular one first blind bore, and is configured for making reliable wear monitoring of the brake disc possible in such a way that the first blind hole (4) emanates from the first friction surface (2) and ends within the brake disc (1) at a predetermined spacing from the second friction surface (3). |
| US09206864B2 |
Torque converter lug
A lug for a torque converter includes a first radial segment, a second radial segment, and an axially extending connector segment. The first radial segment has a first aperture and respective first and second circumferential ends. The second radial segment has a second aperture aligned with the first aperture, a third circumferential end fixed to the first circumferential end, and a fourth circumferential end fixed to the second circumferential end. The axially extending connector segment joins the first and second radial segments. In an example embodiment, a pre-formed blank for the lug includes a line of symmetry passing through the connector segment. |
| US09206861B2 |
Integrated switchable shaft bearing
An integrated switchable shaft bearing having an inner ring, a circumferentially extending clutch groove, and axially extending cam pin openings. An outer ring is located about the inner ring, and rolling elements are located therebetween. A clutch ring with clutch fingers is located in the clutch groove. Cam pins are located in pin openings and extend beneath the clutch fingers. An actuator moves the cam pins from an engaged position, where cam portions each engage a respective one of the clutch fingers forcing it outwardly above a race surface of the inner ring into engagement with the rolling elements to transfer torque from the outer ring to the inner ring, to a released position, in which cam pins are disengaged from the clutch fingers, which move beneath the race surface of the inner ring so that the outer ring is rotatable relative to the inner ring via the rolling elements. |
| US09206860B2 |
Clutch plate and method of producing same
A clutch plate in an annular shape, the clutch plate includes: a plurality of lubricating grooves on one end face and the other end face of the clutch plate in an axial direction; and a plurality of windows passing through the clutch plate in the axial direction. The lubricating grooves are formed with plastic deformation, in a same phase on both the end faces, and extended up to outer peripheral edges and inner peripheral edges of both the end faces. A plurality of intersection points where the lubricating grooves intersect with each other are positioned in other areas than at least one of the outer peripheral edges, radially outer edges of the windows, radially inner edges of the windows, and the inner peripheral edges, of both the end faces. |
| US09206859B2 |
Mechanical protection device
A mechanical protection device including: a transmission shaft having a main axis of rotation and an element that is frangible under a torsional overload; a movable member secured to the transmission shaft to rotate about the main axis and configured to move radially outwards relative to the main axis from a first position to a second position; a spring urging the movable member towards the first position; and a tangential abutment configured to stop rotation of the movable member about the main axis when the movable member is in the second position. The movable member and the spring are calibrated so that from a predetermined trigger angular speed the movable member moves from the first position to the second position under effect of centrifugal force greater than prestress of the spring. |
| US09206854B2 |
Tolerance ring assembly
A tolerance ring has a band with outwardly extending corrugated protrusions forming waves that engage an outer surface of a shaft. At one end of the tolerance ring is an inwardly flared guide surface extending axially and radially from the band. The guide surface acts as a tapered entrance to a bore of a housing to assist during assembly. |
| US09206852B2 |
Shaft coupling assembly and method
A shaft coupling assembly retains a shaft end in a coupling element channel using a fastener inserted through a coupling element bore and a recess in an engagement segment of the shaft end to engage the coupling element to exert a clamping force on a shaft interface of the engagement segment. A projection having a smaller cross section than that of the shaft interface extends axially from the engagement segment and has sufficient length to protrude into the bore to interfere with fastener engagement prior to engagement of the shaft interface in the channel. A projection upper surface further interferes with the fastener bore to prevent engagement of the fastener when the shaft end has been engaged to the channel but not inserted to an installed position. The upper surface may be defined by an arcuate portion of the projection which may have a teardrop shaped cross section. |
| US09206847B2 |
Roller bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and related methods of manufacture
In an embodiment, a roller bearing assembly may include superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis, with gaps located between adjacent ones of the superhard bearing elements. Each of the superhard bearing elements may include a bearing surface and a pair of side surfaces intersecting the bearing surface. Each of the side surfaces may form a respective oblique angle relative to the axis. The roller bearing assembly may include a support ring having the superhard bearing elements affixed thereto. The bearing surfaces of the superhard bearing elements may be positioned and configured to form at least a portion of a superhard raceway for rolling elements to roll over. The oblique angle may be selected to at least partially inhibit the gaps from impeding the rolling elements during operation. |
| US09206846B2 |
Ball bearing assembly
A ball bearing assembly having a bearing ball recirculation arrangement. The ball bearing assembly includes an outer ring having an inner surface, an inner ring having an outer surface and insertable inside the outer ring along a common longitudinal axis, and an insert removably fixed in a position between the outer ring and the inner ring. The outer ring, inner ring and insert define at least one ball bearing recirculation path. At least one set of bearing balls is disposed to travel along the at least one ball bearing recirculation path. |
| US09206842B2 |
Crossed roller bearing
A crossed roller bearing, including: an inner element and an outer element that relatively rotate, the inner element including an annular inner V-groove that is provided along an outer peripheral surface of the inner element and that has a V shape that opens towards the outer element, the outer element including an annular outer V-groove that is provided along an inner peripheral surface of the outer element, that has a V shape that opens towards the inner element, and that faces the inner V-groove; a plurality of cylindrical rolling elements that are placed between the inner V-groove and the outer V-groove, that roll while being in contact with the inner V-groove and the outer V-groove, and adjacent rolling elements of which have rolling axes that are perpendicular to each other; and a retainer that are placed between the adjacent rolling elements that includes a flat section that is a projecting central section on an area which faces either one of the rolling elements and that is capable of contact with the rolling element, and a tilt section whose degree of projection becomes smaller as it goes from the flat section to an end section of the retainer. |
| US09206841B2 |
Rolling bearing comprising a housing having two parts and method of manufacturing such a bearing
A rolling bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, at least one row of rolling elements between the inner and outer rings, and an annular housing surrounding at least one of the rings, said outer ring comprising two separate parts, the housing comprising two distinct parts for retaining the parts of said outer ring and fixing means for fixing the distinct parts together. The first part of the housing comprises an inner axial cylindrical portion for retaining radially said outer ring and the second part of the housing comprises an outer axial cylindrical portion surrounding said inner axial cylindrical portion. |
| US09206832B1 |
Connection node and method of use
A connection node comprising a base member and plug member. The plug member retracts into, and extends out of, the base member which can be installed in a floor, wall and/or ceiling. When the plug member is retracted, a cap may be used to conceal the base unit and plug member within the floor, wall and/or ceiling. The base member and plug member may be cylindrical whereby the plug member has a threaded exterior surface which mates with a threaded interior cavity of the base member. In such a configuration, the plug member may be removed from or inserted into said base member allowing a connection member (e.g., eye-hook) to be inserted. A series of connection nodes may be installed within the floor, walls and/or ceiling of a subject environment to create a system for connecting articles. |
| US09206817B2 |
Centrifugal blower
A centrifugal blower provided with a spiral shaped scroll chamber where a bottom part of the scroll chamber gradually expands downward in the axial direction of the fan well along with expansion of the spiral and where a flow area gradually expands toward an air outlet from a spiral start part of the casing, the centrifugal blower having an initial slant angle θ0 at the spiral start part of the bottom part of the scroll chamber of a range of angle of 5.2° to 27.5° or setting a backflow prevention rib at the fan outlet. |
| US09206814B2 |
Energy saving pump with multiple impellers
A centrifugal pump incorporates multiple impellers which are driven by a shaft at constant speed. To engage an impeller, a ball end rod is operated, which interacts with an integral structure which comprises a disc, connector or a support collar, and face gear as linking means. The integral structure is further coupled with the impeller. During engagement, a linking means which is mounted on the impeller and also on the integral structure get coupled together resulting in engaging the impeller for rotation. The impellers can be engaged and disengaged according to the flow requirements thereby saving the energy. |
| US09206813B2 |
Centrifugal fan
A centrifugal fan comprises an impeller and a casing. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades. The casing comprises an upper casing, a lower casing, at least one protrusion, a first inlet opening and a second inlet opening. The lower casing is disposed opposite to the upper casing and connected to the upper casing to form an accommodation room for receiving the impeller. The protrusion is formed on the upper casing and/or the lower casing inside the casing and immediately surrounds the blades. The first inlet opening is defined on the upper casing and comprises a primary inlet opening augmented by a secondary inlet opening. The second inlet opening is defined on the lower casing. The protrusion surrounds the first inlet opening and/or second inlet opening. |
| US09206805B2 |
Air regulator, in particular for screw compressors
An air regulator for compressor, in particular for a screw compressor, of the type that has an oil separator device comprising a pre-separator, is provided in a regulator housing containing a valve element which is spring-loaded on one side and can be actuated by means of a piston arrangement. A control device is operatively connected to the air regulator and includes a control piston which, depending on the pre-separator pressure, actuates the valve element of the air regulator in co-operation with a pre-control device in such a way that the regulator immediately and forcibly assumes the closed position upon starting the compressor, while the regulator assumes the open position in an unloaded initial state. |
| US09206796B2 |
Check valve and method and apparatus for extending life of check valve
A device and method are described for extending the life of check valves. An improved check valve having a double poppet and tapered guides is more robust, and a check valve protection device between the check valve and the environment into which fluid is injected protects the valve from a contaminating or corrosive environment. The check valve and check valve protection device are small and light weight to prevent vibration-induced failures. The check valve protection device preferably has an interior volume that fills quickly by relatively few cycles of the lubricant pump to reduce delay of lubricant to the injection point. |
| US09206794B2 |
Microfluidic pump with metal electrode having variable oxidation state
A microfluidic pump comprises a plurality of metal electrodes (10) which oxidise in air, a liquid droplet (14) to be moved by the pump, which is in contact with a least one metal electrode, and a controller for controlling the oxidation state of the metal electrodes in order to vary the electrode wettability. This arrangement enables full integration with a semiconductor device, and with low drive voltages. |
| US09206786B2 |
Method for acoustically monitoring a wind turbine, acoustic monitoring system for a wind turbine and re-equipment kit
A method for acoustically monitoring a wind turbine, in particular for monitoring the existence of loose objects inside the wind turbine is provided. A sound generated in a rotating part of the wind turbine is monitored during operation of the wind turbine which sound is analyzed with respect to specific parameter values of the sound within at least one specific frequency range and if such specific parameter values are detected, a signal for possible further actions is generated. An acoustic monitoring system for a wind turbine and a re-equipment kit are also disclosed. |
| US09206783B2 |
Ignition coil for internal combustion engine
An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine is equipped with an assembly of a connector casing and a coil body. The coil body includes a primary winding wound around a primary spool. The connector casing has terminals each of which is equipped with a conductor fastener. The conductor fastener has a slit in which one of ends of the primary winding is fit to make an electric connection between the terminal and the primary winding. The primary spool has conductor guides and a backup support to establish alignment of each of the ends of the primary winding with one of the conductor fasteners and also to facilitate insertion of each of the ends of the primary winding into one of the conductor fasteners when the coil body is fitted into the connector casing, thereby ensuring the stability of electric connection between the primary winding and the terminal. |
| US09206782B2 |
Alternator and starter tester with active load control
A diagnostic system configured to testing a performance of a vehicle component may include a processor configured to process test information from the vehicle component and control the vehicle component to be tested. The diagnostic system may also include a memory configured to store the test information of the vehicle component and software that operates the vehicle component. The diagnostic system may further include a monitoring module configured to monitor a power supply provided to perform the testing of the vehicle component and cuts off the power supply when the power exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US09206778B2 |
Dual fuel injector with F, A and Z orifice control
A dual fuel injector utilizes first and second control valves to open and close first and second nozzle outlet sets to inject a first fuel and a second fuel, respectively. The first and second fuels may be natural gas and liquid diesel, respectively. Control over liquid and diesel fuel injection events includes control lines that include F, A, and Z orifices. |
| US09206776B2 |
Fuel feeding system and method of operating a fuel feeding system
A fuel feeding system for storing liquefied gas and feeding gaseous fuel to be used in a piston engine, which fuel feeding system includes at least two cryogenic fuel tank arrangements having a first tank arrangement and a second tank arrangement in connection with each other. The fuel feeding system includes a gaseous fuel feed line connected at its first end to at least one piston engine, in which system the first tank arrangement is provided with a pressure build-up system having a first heat exchanger unit. The inlet of the heat exchanger unit is connected to a bottom section of the first tank arrangement the outlet of which is connectable to the top section of the first tank arrangement. The first tank arrangement and the second tank arrangement are both pressure vessels, and the first tank arrangement is selectively connectable to the fuel feed line by a gas line extending from an outlet in the top section of the first tank arrangement. |
| US09206771B2 |
Canister purge valve with modular lower body having integral check valves
A canister purge valve for a vehicle includes a valve member constructed and arranged to control vapor purge flow from a fuel tank and canister structure to an air intake manifold. A modular body is removably coupled to a housing of the valve member. The body defines an internal volume in communication with the valve member to receive vapor purge flow. The body includes at least one outlet port. A check valve is disposed in the body and is associated with the at least one outlet port so that under certain conditions, the check valve permits vapor purge flow to flow from the volume through the outlet port and, under different conditions, prevents flow into the volume. |
| US09206766B2 |
Jet engine device with a bypass duct
A jet engine has a bypass duct limited by an inner wall and an outer wall and inside which a fluid flows. Between the inner and outer walls of the bypass duct a support unit is provided that includes strut-like support elements connected at opposite ends to the inner and outer walls, respectively. Central longitudinal planes of the support elements describe in the areas of the support elements facing the inner wall a positive acute angle with an engine axis, and in the areas of the support elements facing the outer wall a negative acute angle with the engine axis. Flow cross-sections are each enlarged in the area between the side surfaces of the support elements each describing an acute angle with the walls, starting from the areas facing the fluid flow in the direction of the areas of the support elements facing away from the fluid flow. |
| US09206762B2 |
Device and method for starting an internal combustion engine arranged in a vehicle
A device and a method are provided for starting a vehicle internal-combustion engine. An electric machine at least temporarily drives the internal-combustion engine, and a storage unit at least temporarily supplies the electric machine with electric energy. A number of consumer assemblies in the vehicle are drivable at least temporarily by the engine via a respective process-specific connection. A control unit controls at least one consumer assembly in the presence of a consumer assembly control condition in order to generate or increase a load acting upon the internal-combustion engine, and subsequently controls the electric machine for driving the internal-combustion engine in the presence of an internal-combustion engine start condition. |
| US09206761B2 |
Open-valve port fuel injection of alcohol in multiple injector engines
An engine having two or more fuel injectors is disclosed, where at least one of the injectors is used to port fuel inject fuel into the cylinder when the air intake valve is open. The open valve port fuel injector is used to inject a fuel that has alcohol as a constituent and is the same fuel injected by another fuel injector. In other embodiments, the open valve fuel injector is used to inject an anti-knock fuel containing alcohol while a primary fuel, is introduced by another injector. The operation of the open valve fuel injector can be optimized to maximize the vaporization cooling. In other embodiments, the open valve fuel injector may be used in conjunction with direct injection of the primary fuel or the anti-knock fuel. Heavy EGR can be optimally used with the various embodiments. |
| US09206760B2 |
Vehicle control device
When a state in which fuel supply to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is cut is recovered, since a vehicle control device starts the fuel supply by controlling the internal combustion engine at the time that a requested driving force that is being requested becomes the same as an actual driving force that is being actually generated, the vehicle control device can appropriately start the fuel supply when the fuel cut state is recovered. When, for example, the deviation between the requested driving force and the actual driving force becomes within a preset and predetermined range, as the time at which the requested driving force that is being requested becomes the same as the actual driving force that is being actually generated, the vehicle control device starts the fuel supply. |
| US09206757B2 |
Particulate detection system
A particulate detection system (1, 2, 3) detects the quantity of particulates S contained in exhaust gas EG discharged from an internal combustion engine ENG and flowing through an exhaust pipe EP. The system (1, 2, 3) includes a detection section (10) attached to the exhaust pipe EP; and a drive processing circuit (201) electrically connected to the detection section (10), driving the detection section (10), and detecting and processing a signal Is from the detection section 10. The drive processing circuit (201) includes drive start delay means (S2, S3, S11, S12, S13, S22, S23) for delaying start of the drive of the detection section (10) until a start condition determined by the drive processing circuit (201) is satisfied after startup of the internal combustion engine ENG. |
| US09206756B2 |
Closed loop NOX reference management for DPF regeneration based on engine out particulate matter variation controller
A method and related apparatuses and systems for operating an engine that provides a high level of NOX to regenerate particulate matter deposited on a particulate filter. The method includes producing NOX in response to a NOX excess capacity value of a NOX reduction device. The method optionally includes determining that particulate matter exceeds an enhanced passive regeneration threshold amount before providing a high level of NOX. The method optionally includes producing a higher particulate emissions output value to warm the engine exhaust to bring an aftertreatment catalyst to an optimal operating temperature. The method can be implemented with a closed loop feedback controller, which may be configured to reduce particulate matter variation. |
| US09206754B2 |
Control device of internal combustion engine
A control device of an internal combustion engine according to the present invention has units configured to inject fuel at a first predetermined ratio from first and second fuel injection valves which are provided in each of cylinders to calculate a first value indicating a degree of variation in air-fuel ratios between the cylinders based on a output of the engine, and inject fuel at a second predetermined ratio therefrom to calculate a second value in the same manner. Furthermore, the control device has a unit configured to select one mode from modes relating to abnormality in the first fuel injection valve or the second fuel injection valve on the basis of the first and second values, and calculate a value indicating the degree of the variation in the air-fuel ratios between the cylinders, thereby calculating a fuel amount of the basis of them. |
| US09206749B2 |
Variable compression ratio systems for opposed-piston and other internal combustion engines, and related methods of manufacture and use
Various embodiments of methods and systems for varying the compression ratio in opposed-piston engines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an opposed-piston engine can include a first phaser operably coupled to a first crankshaft and a second phaser operably coupled to a corresponding second crankshaft. The phase angle between the crankshafts can be changed to reduce or increase the compression ratio in the corresponding combustion chamber to optimize or at least improve engine performance under a given set of operating conditions. |
| US09206746B2 |
Method of controlling speed transients in a turbine engine
A method of controlling an engine in which a fuel flow setpoint is determined is provided. The method includes implementing a steady speed regulation loop in which the fuel-flow-rate setpoint is determined as a function of a difference between a setpoint parameter that depends on the position of a control lever and an operating parameter of the engine; detecting an intended speed transient; and implementing a speed transient regulation loop in which the fuel-flow-rate setpoint is determined as a function of a difference between a speed of the engine and a speed setpoint varying over time with the speed trajectory as generated in predetermined manner, if a speed transient is detected. |
| US09206745B1 |
Model-based optimal control for stall margin limit protection in an aircraft engine
A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) module, the HMPC module receiving power goals and operability limits and determining a multi-variable control command for the gas turbine engine, the multi-variable control command determined using the power goals, the operability limits, actuator goals, sensor signals, and synthesis signals. The control system may further include system sensors for determining the sensor signals and a non-linear engine model for estimating corrected speed signals and synthesis signals using the sensor signals, the synthesis signals including an estimated stall margin remaining. The control system may further include a goal generation module for determining actuator goals for the HMPC module using the corrected speed signals and an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the multivariable control command. |
| US09206744B2 |
System and method for operating a gas turbine engine
A system includes a gas turbine engine, which includes a compressor configured to generate compressed air and a turbine. The turbine includes a stationary component and a conduit configured to convey the compressed air from the compressor to the stationary component in a forward direction. The gas turbine engine also includes a flow control device coupled to the conduit. The conduit is configured to convey a gas path air from the stationary component in a reverse direction opposite from the forward direction when the flow control device is in a startup mode. The gas turbine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the compressor and the turbine. |
| US09206741B2 |
Fluid system with gravity controlled valve
A fluid system for use with a gas turbine engine includes a reservoir having a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet and includes a supply assembly positioned in the reservoir. The supply assembly includes a first passage, a second passage, and a valve disc. The first and second passages are fluidically connected to the reservoir outlet. The valve disc is positioned in the first passage. The valve disc is pivotable about an axis and is weighted to have a center of gravity offset from the axis. |
| US09206737B2 |
System control strategy and methods for multi-physics fuel atomizer
A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fuel atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fuel atomizer, starting the engine using an air/fuel mixture provided by the fuel atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fuel atomizer after the engine starts. |
| US09206732B2 |
Exhaust pulse energy divider
An exhaust gas turbocharger housing (10) for an engine includes a main turbine housing portion (14) and a throat portion (12) defining an exhaust gas passageway (20) that is in upstream fluid communication with the main turbine housing. The exhaust passageway (20) communicates exhaust gases (EG) to the main turbine housing portion (14). A flow divider (22) generally bisects the exhaust gas passageway (20) forming a first inlet passageway (24A) and a second inlet passageway (24B). A flow hole (26) is disposed through the flow divider (22) for permitting the fluid communication of exhaust gas (EG) from the first inlet passageway (24A) to the second inlet passageway (24B). |
| US09206730B2 |
Method for encasing a body of an exhaust gas system
A method for encasing a body of an exhaust gas system with a housing which is wound around the body. Using a winding method, the body is placed in a loop formed by a belt-shaped conveyor element that can be driven in a conveyor device, wherein the conveyor element is seated against the outer casing face at a wrapping angle u of at least 270 degrees. Starting with a first edge, the metal strip is then introduced in a conveyor device between the body and the conveyor element, is drawn into the gap between the body and the conveyor element and is bent around the body until the body is encased at least twice by the metal strip. |
| US09206727B2 |
Regeneration diagnostic methods and systems
A method of monitoring an exhaust treatment system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: determining a modeled resistance of exhaust flow in the exhaust treatment system; determining a measured resistance of exhaust flow in the exhaust treatment system; evaluating the modeled resistance and the measured resistance to determine a fault status; and generating at least one of a warning signal and a message based on the fault status. |
| US09206724B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas purification system is equipped with a burner in an exhaust passage upstream of an exhaust gas purification apparatus and having a burner combustion chamber in which flame is produced. When the temperature of the exhaust gas purification apparatus is raised, the burner produces flame that extends from the interior of the burner combustion chamber to the interior of the exhaust passage when the flow rate of the exhaust gas is not higher than a predetermined flow rate, and the burner causes the size of the flame to be smaller than when it is determined that the flow rate of the exhaust gas is not higher than the predetermined flow rate or to produce flame only in the interior of the burner combustion chamber when it is determined that the flow rate of exhaust gas is higher than the predetermined flow rate. |
| US09206723B2 |
NH3 emissions management in a NOX reduction system
A system includes an internal combustion engine producing an exhaust gas, an aftertreatment system receiving the exhaust gas, the aftertreatment system including a particulate filter positioned upstream of an SCR catalyst component, and a urea injector operatively coupled to the aftertreatment system at a position upstream of the SCR catalyst component. The system further includes a controller that interprets an exhaust temperature value, an ambient temperature value, and a urea injection amount. The controller determines a urea deposit amount in response to the exhaust temperature value, the ambient temperature value, and the urea injection amount, and initiates a desoot regeneration event in response to the urea deposit amount. The desoot regeneration event includes operating the engine at a urea decomposition exhaust temperature. |
| US09206722B2 |
Method for reducing nitrogen oxide levels in diesel engine exhaust gases
A method is described for reducing the nitrogen oxide levels in diesel engine exhaust gases with the aid of an exhaust gas treatment system, which includes a device for feeding ammonia and/or a compound decomposing to form ammonia, and two SCR units. An ammonia sensor is situated between the first and second SCR unit. A nitrogen oxide sensor is located in the exhaust pipe downstream from the second SCR unit. The signals of the ammonia sensor and the NOx sensor are combined in a defined manner to form the actual value of a virtual NOx/NH3 sensor, which is used as the input variable for a PI or PID controller, which regulates the quantity of reducing agent to be fed into the exhaust gas as needed. |
| US09206721B2 |
Cyclonic air cleaner
An air cleaner device for filtering intake air including a housing defining a chamber, a filter element disposed within the chamber, and a duct element having a passageway in fluid communication with the chamber. Further, the duct element extends along and downwardly from about a portion of the housing and further includes an inlet for drawing intake air into the chamber. The air cleaner having a base member in fluid communication with the chamber and an outlet, where the air drawn into the chamber is filtered by first and second filtering operations to obtain filtered air, with the first and the second filtering operations accomplished at least in part due to a cyclonic motion of the air and passage of the air through the filter element, respectively; and where the filtered air from the chamber of the housing is released through the outlet in the base member. |
| US09206720B2 |
Burner for exhaust gas purification devices
A burner for exhaust gas purification devices, comprising a base section, a first pipe section, and a second pipe section. The first pipe section has abase end section, a tip section, a combustion chamber, and a discharge port from which combusted gas is discharged. The base end section and the tip section are fixed to the base section. The second pipe section has a base end section and a tip section, and said base end and tip sections are fixed to the base section. The first pipe section also comprises an expansion/contraction section capable of expanding and contracting in a direction parallel to the central axis. The first pipe section and the second pipe section mutually overlap in the radial direction so as to form a multilayer tube structure. |
| US09206714B2 |
Control valve for hydraulic device
Control valve for a device, in particular for a hydraulic control device, for variably setting the control times of gas exchange valves in internal combustion engines, including a housing component, a control piston and a retaining ring, the control piston being movably mounted, loaded by a spring, on the one hand, and limited with the aid of the retaining ring, on the other hand, the retaining ring projecting over the control piston in the radial direction and being fixable in the axial direction in a recess in the housing component, and a control sleeve and a plastic shell surrounding the control sleeve being provided between the control piston and the housing component, and the retaining ring being axially attachable to the plastic shell in addition to being fixable to the housing component, and limiting the movement of the control piston and/or the control sleeve. |
| US09206707B2 |
Method and a system of arranging turbine stages for saturated steam applications
The various embodiments herein provide a safety system for multiple turbine stages for saturated steam applications. The system comprises an isolating system having the inter-stage pipes for isolating the turbine stages and for transferring steam from one stage to another stage. A draining system is connected to each seal housing, inlet casing, exit casing and inter stage pipe to drain out a condensed steam vapor during a passage of steam between two successive stages. The draining system comprises drain pipes and a condensate pot for collecting and storing condensed steam. A thermodynamic trap is attached to the drain pipes and condensate pot for removing the condensed steam vapors collected in the condensate pot and drain pipes without significant steam leakage. A control system is provided for detecting and stopping high speed rotation of rotor disk in turbine assembly. |
| US09206703B2 |
Jet engine cleaning system
A system and method for washing a jet engine of an aircraft are disclosed. The method comprises creating a collecting bowl under the jet engine by coupling a suit to the jet engine of the aircraft and coupling an apron of the suit to the jet engine. After the suit is coupled to the jet engine, a cleaning cycle is performed, which includes injecting cleaning fluid into the jet engine, turning over the jet engine, and collecting resultant effluent in the bowl. Further, the effluent remains in the bowl until actively removed by a user. The suit may be coupled to the aircraft by wrapping a strap around a pylon that couples the jet engine to the aircraft. |
| US09206699B2 |
Mid-section of a can-annular gas turbine engine with a cooling system for the transition
A cooling system is provided for a transition (420) of a gas turbine engine (410). The cooling system includes a cowling (460) configured to receive an air flow (111) from an outlet of a compressor section of the gas turbine engine (410). The cowling (460) is positioned adjacent to a region of the transition (420) to cool the transition region upon circulation of the air flow within the cowling (460). The cooling system further includes a manifold (121) to directly couple the air flow (111) from the compressor section outlet to an inlet (462) of the cowling (460). The cowling (460) is configured to circulate the air flow (111) within an interior space (426) of the cowling (460) that extends radially outward from an inner diameter (423) of the cowling to an outer diameter (424) of the cowling at an outer surface. |
| US09206698B2 |
Turbine
Disclosed is a turbine for a machine for projecting abrasive for the surface treatment of objects. The turbine includes a first flange and a second flange, at least one blade element provided with a guide surface for receiving, guiding and projecting the abrasive, and a mounting system for releasable mounting of the blade element on the flanges. The mounting system includes a support element arranged between the blade element and the flanges and configured for a releasable mounting on the flanges and for supporting the blade element. |
| US09206697B2 |
Aerofoil cooling
An aerofoil component of a gas turbine engine is provided. The component has a longitudinally extending aerofoil portion which spans, in use, a working gas annulus of the engine. The aerofoil portion contains an internal chamber for a flow of coolant. The chamber includes a helical passage which spirals in a plurality of turns around an axis that extends in the length direction of the aerofoil portion. |
| US09206695B2 |
Cooled turbine blade with trailing edge flow metering
A cooled turbine blade having a base and an airfoil, the base including cooling air inlet and an internal cooling air passageway, and the airfoil including an internal heat exchange path beginning at the base and ending at a cooling air outlet at the trailing edge of the airfoil. The airfoil also includes a “skin” that encompasses a tip wall, an inner spar, a plurality of trailing edge cooling fins, and a perforated first and second trailing edge rib configured to meter cooling air passing there thorough. |
| US09206690B2 |
Variable displacement pump
A variable displacement pump includes: side walls provided on both sides of the cam ring in an axial direction; and an introduction passage which is formed on one of the separation walls across which the hydraulic chambers pass when the hydraulic chambers are moved from the suction portion to the discharge portion, which is arranged to shut off a connection between one of the hydraulic chambers and the control hydraulic chamber by an axial end surface of the cam ring when the cam ring is in a maximum eccentric state, and which is arranged to connect the one of the hydraulic chambers and the control hydraulic chamber by a movement of the cam ring in the direction to decrease the eccentric amount of the cam ring, and thereby to introduce the discharge pressure within the control hydraulic chamber to the one of the hydraulic chambers. |
| US09206683B2 |
Oil and gas well fracture liquid tracing using DNA
Tracing fracking liquid in oil and gas wells using unique DNA sequences. For each of the DNA sequences, bonding to magnetic core particles, and encapsulating them with silica. Pumping the volumes of fracking liquid, each marked with one of the unique DNA sequences, into the well. Pumping fluids out of the well while taking fluid samples. For each of the plural fluid samples, gathering the silica encapsulated DNA using magnetic attraction with the magnetic core particles, dissolving away the silica shells, thereby separating the plural unique DNA sequences form the magnetic core particles, and analyzing the concentration of the unique DNA sequences in each of the plural fluid samples. Then, calculating the ratio of each of the volumes of fracking liquid recovered for each of the fluid samples, and thereby establishing the quantity of the volumes of fracking liquids removed from the fracture zones. |
| US09206666B2 |
Annular barrier with external seal
The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole, comprising a tubular part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, said tubular part having a longitudinal axis, an expandable sleeve surrounding the tubular part and having an outer face, each end of the expandable sleeve being fastened by means of a connection part to the tubular part, and an aperture in the expandable sleeve or the connection part, wherein a first connection and a second connection are fastened on the outer face of the expandable sleeve, and a safety sleeve having an opening is fastened to the expandable sleeve by means of the first and the second connections, the safety sleeve and the expandable sleeve defining a space being in fluid communication with the annulus. |
| US09206665B2 |
Coatings for downhole seal materials and method of making the same
Disclosed herein is a seal element comprising a seal coating. The seal element comprises a substrate, and a seal coating disposed on a surface of the substrate, wherein the seal coating comprises a layer of a nanoparticle material. |
| US09206662B2 |
Underground annular blowout preventer and assembly process thereof
An underground annular blowout preventer, which belongs to the technical field of underground blowout prevention, includes an upper joint and a lower joint are sleeved outside a central barrel. The lower end of the central barrel is fixedly connected with the lower joint. The lower end of the upper joint is sleeved on the inner side of the upper end of the lower joint. The upper joint is matched with the lower joint through a spline. The lower end of the upper joint can freely move relative to the lower joint along a spline pair. At least one rubber barrel is sleeved on the outer side of the upper joint. The rubber barrel can be extruded and expanded by the upper joint and the lower joint. The underground annular blowout preventer of the present invention can transmit large torque, has a simple structure, long service life, is convenient to use, and can be repeatedly used. The underground annular blowout preventer is used in coordination with a check valve of a near drill in the well drilling process, so that quick sealing of a well can be ensured, and well blowout accidents can be effectively prevented. A pipe column is lowered to seal the well and is lifted to open the well, and the inside of the drill rod is in communication with an annular space after the well is sealed, which facilitates replacement for heavy mud lubrication operations. |
| US09206660B2 |
Casing fill-up fluid management tool
A fluid management tool for introducing fluids into a casing string incorporates a mud saver valve configured to open and allow fluid flow in response to fluid flow pressure reaching a predetermined opening pressure, and will automatically close when fluid flow pressure is reduced to or below a predetermined closure pressure, thereby preventing fluid spillage when the tool is withdrawn from the casing. The mud saver valve includes a mud saver spool having a slotted spool cage and being axially movable within a longitudinal bore in the main body of the tool, between an upper or open position in which fluid can flow out of the spool cage and into a discharge bore at the lower end of the main body, and a lower or closed position in which the lower end is seated against the exit bore to prevent flow therethrough. A check valve may be incorporated into the lower end of the mud saver spool. The fluid management tool also may incorporate a main seal and air bleed valve subassembly and a secondary suction seal and check valve subassembly. |
| US09206656B2 |
Tubulars storage device
The invention relates to a tubulars storage device (1) for storing a plurality of tubulars (2a-e), said tubulars storage device comprising spaced apart fingers (3, 4) forming therebetween a slot (5), and a plurality of pivotably mounted latch members (9a-e) arranged at spaced apart locations along the slot (5). A rotary camshaft (11) is provided for pivoting the latch members (9a-e) between a closed position and an opened position. A drive (12) is provided for driving the rotary cam shaft (11) and thus pivot the latches (9a-e), one after the other, from their closed position into their opened position. In a final angular position of the cam shaft, all latch members (9a-e) are retained, preferably by opening cams, in their opened position, and are thus all effectively locked in this position, located out of the path of displacement of tubulars (2a-e), thereby allowing displacement of the tubulars along the slot (5). |
| US09206651B2 |
Coupling members for coupling a body of an earth-boring drill tool to a drill string, earth-boring drilling tools including a coupling member, and related methods
Coupling members for coupling an earth-boring drill tool to a drill string, drilling tools including a coupling member attached to a body of an earth-boring drill tool, methods for forming drilling tools including a coupling member, and methods for forming coupling members are disclosed. A coupling member may include a distal region comprising a first material composition and a proximal region comprising a second, different material composition. A drilling tool may include a body that is attached to a coupling member with a varied material composition for coupling the body to a drill string. |
| US09206649B1 |
Systems and methods for drilling wellbores having a short radius of curvature
Systems and methods for drilling a wellbore with a portion having a short radius of curvature. A drill assembly having a motor and a tubular housing. An actuator is at least partially disposed within the tubular housing and couples the motor to the tubular housing. The actuator is configured to selectively articulate the drill assembly between a straight configuration and a bent configuration. At least one torque anchor is fluidly-coupled to a trailing end of the drill assembly. |
| US09206646B2 |
Methods and apparatus for drilling wells
A well fluid additive having a heavier first bead and a lighter second bead, with the first bead having a specific gravity that exceeds the specific gravity of the second bead by at least 1 percent. |
| US09206640B1 |
Clutch for a roller shade including a ribbed spindle
A roller shade clutch is disclosed. In exemplary embodiments the clutch may comprise a housing, a ribbed post extending axially from the housing, a sprocket wheel mounted for rotation around the post, at least one torsion spring mounted for rotation on the ribbed post, a chain guard, a boss extending axially from the sprocket wheel, and a drum disposed over the ribbed post, the torsion spring and the boss. |
| US09206638B1 |
Motorized blind control devices, methods of use thereof
Systems and methods for controlling blind systems and other systems with moving parts are disclosed. Certain systems and methods couple to a blind system, and include one or more transceiving, processing, sensor, motion delivery, power delivery, and various other components for collectively or individually controlling a blind system to open or close its blinds. Certain systems and methods utilize preprogrammed control instructions stored locally, or user-initiated control signals received from remote devices to control the blind system. |
| US09206636B2 |
Closing hinge
A closing hinge for the pivotable articulation of a first part, in particular a door leaf, on a second part, in particular a door frame, includes a center longitudinal axis, a rotating receiver unit that can be rotated about the center longitudinal axis for fastening to the first part, which can be rotated, in particular, about the center longitudinal axis, and a freely rotating closing unit, which is connected to the rotating receiver unit in a torque-transmitting manner, for fastening to the second part, which is fixed, in particular, with respect to the center longitudinal axis, the closing hinge being displaceable between a closing arrangement and a freely rotating arrangement, the rotating receiver unit being freely rotatable, in particular in a torque-free manner, about the center longitudinal axis relative to the freely rotating closing unit in the closing arrangement. |
| US09206629B1 |
Gate securing device fully controllable from each gate side and method therefor
A device and method, for use with a striker bar to secure an object to an adjacent structure, the device operable from each side of the object. The device includes a latching member and a locking member. The latching member and the locking member are adapted for at least indirect mounting on the structure. The latching member has a leading edge cam and a grapple for engaging the striker bar to establish a latched state. The locking member has a closure portion and both pivots with and slides to engage with the latching mechanism. The members together include a multipart locking assembly operable alone or in combination with a separate lock device. The members secure the striker bar to the device when the members are locked together, thereby securing the object to the structure for establishment of a locked state. |
| US09206628B2 |
Security device
An anti-theft security device is particularly useful with bottles and is typically secured to a bottle neck. The device may carry an onboard alarm. The device typically includes a catch member which engages the bottle neck to secure the device to the bottle and a blocking structure to help block access to the catch member. |
| US09206624B2 |
Electronic cable lock system
An electromechanical cable lock system comprising an electromechanical locking mechanism including a cable having at least one plug end receivable in the locking mechanism and a plurality of slidable locking plates engageable with the plug in said locking mechanism. At least one of the locking plates is capable of movement in a first direction different from the movement of a second of said locking plates in a second direction. The locking plates are driven by a motor-driven cam mechanism. The system includes a card reader or other credential verifying device and an electronic controller for activating the locking mechanism, The system also includes a barrel lock for over-riding the electronic controller. A plurality of features can detect and alarm in the event of tampering or unauthorized entry. |
| US09206623B2 |
Burglar alarm arrangement
The invention relates to a burglar alarm arrangement, which can be installed in a mechanical lock, which mechanical lock comprises at least a lock cylinder (204), a lock frame (208) and a turn knob (214). A burglar alarm arrangement according to the present invention can be installed in a mechanical lock without a need to change keys, rekeying the lock or without adding code systems. Additionally, the burglar alarm arrangement can identify an authorized opening of the door by use of the key or the turn knob, and deactivate the alarm system for that time. The burglar alarm arrangement comprises an alarm system and first means (206) and second means (212), which first and second means (206 and 212) are functionally connected to the alarm system. |
| US09206621B2 |
Tractor cab
A tractor cab has an access door with an associated door latch to hold the door in a shut position and an openable panel such as a window which is secured in a closed position by a window latch mechanism which acts between the window and cab. The window latch mechanism includes resilient means which, when the window is secured in its closed position, allows the window to move outwardly relative to the cab when the door is slammed shut thus ensuring that the door latch can be engaged. |
| US09206619B1 |
Apparatus and method for securing posts to retaining walls
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for securing a fence post to the top of a completed retaining wall. A wall system is provided that comprises interconnected wall blocks that define a wall structure. The wall structure includes at least one internal chamber that is defined between a front face and a back face. The retaining wall system may include a support structure that is positioned at least partially between the interconnected wall blocks. The retaining wall system also includes a post bracket that is securable to the top of the wall structure. The post bracket comprises a shank portion that is extendible through the top surface and into the at least one chamber. The post bracket further comprises a flange portion that abuts the top surface. The post bracket further comprises a receptacle that extends away from the top surface for receiving a post member. |
| US09206617B2 |
Tower and foundation
A method of erecting a pylon, in particular a pylon of a wind power installation, which has a foundation with segment anchors, wherein connecting elements project beyond the top side of the foundation by a predetermined amount. A ring is leveled, aligned and fixed at the top side of the foundation. A gap produced by leveling, aligning and fixing of the ring is underlaid with a grouting material. The grouting material is set and a lower pylon segment is placed on the leveled, aligned and fixed ring and connected thereto. |
| US09206613B2 |
Siding installation tool
An improved panel siding installation device enables a worker installing panel siding on a building structure such as a house to accurately and efficiently measure the distance between edges of adjacent siding panels. This distance is known as the “reveal distance” of the lap siding. In addition to accurately measuring the distance between edges of siding panels, the present invention also supports the siding panel while it is being installed. This support provides some assistance to the installation worker and enables an installation working to more quickly and accurately install siding panels on a structure. |
| US09206611B2 |
Floor panel assembly and floor panel for use therein
A floor panel assembly includes sheet-shaped floor panels joinable by joining members, each panel being provided on a first edge with a first joining member and, on a second edge, with a second joining member. The first and second joining members of two panels are configured to be joined by a movement of the panels towards to each other. The joining members lock the panels vertically and horizontally. The joining members are provided with a locking element which is deformable, during said joining, from a first position allowing the joining members to be joined, to a second position in which it locks the joining members to each other at least horizontally. |
| US09206604B2 |
Rod hanger for securing a rod to a substrate
A rod hanger for securing a rod to a substrate includes a mounting portion configured for engaging the substrate, a rod receiving portion configured for receiving the rod and a connecting element configured for vertically displacing the mounting portion and the rod receiving portion. In addition, at least one anti-rotation element configured for engaging the substrate is provided on the mounting portion. |
| US09206603B2 |
Grid system for supporting a suspended ceiling and ceiling mounted equipment
A grid system for supporting a suspended ceiling and ceiling mounted equipment includes a plurality of grid elements which are interconnected in a orthogonal grid pattern. The grid elements have a wire raceway located at their upper end which is accessible from above the grid element. Flanges located at lower portions of the grid elements engage the equipment supported by the grid system. |
| US09206602B2 |
Loft flooring system
The present invention provides a loft flooring system that comprises: a plurality of bridging supports each adapted to bridge between an adjacent substantially parallel pair of joists of a loft floor and having a first upright leg with a foot to mount onto a first of the joists and a second upright leg with a foot to mount onto a second of the joists, and a spanning element therebetween onto which flooring boards/panels may be laid. The insulation can be laid between the joists to a required depth rising above the joists and the bridging support mounted in place accommodating the laid insulation thereunder so that the insulation remains substantially un-compacted and fully effective. |
| US09206596B1 |
Expansion joint seal system
An expansion joint seal system which includes intumescent to protect uncoated edges of substrates. A fire rated compressed expansion joint sealant is provided having an intumescent proximate, but below the water-resistant top of the fire-retardant foam, so that when exposed to fire, the intumescent expands to protect the exposed vertical surface of the adjacent concrete substrate. The end of the concrete is therefore protected in a manner which does not require joint overlap between the horizontal fire resistant coating and the compressible sealant. |
| US09206594B1 |
Hanger with locator tooth
A hanger for connecting a structural member to a structural support includes a base sized and shaped for receiving the structural member thereon. First and second side panels extend upward from the base, and first and second back panels extend from a respective one of the side panels. First and second top flanges extend from a respective one of the back panels, each of the top flanges having a free end opposite the back panel. The free end has free corner margins, at least one corner margin of at least one top flange depending downward from an adjacent portion of the top flange to form a locator tooth configured to penetrate the structural support for at least temporarily locating the hanger on the structural support. |
| US09206588B2 |
Shovel provided with electric swiveling apparatus and method of controlling the same
A swiveling body is installed on a base in a swivelable manner. An electric motor for swiveling swivels the swiveling body. An inverter supplies electric power to the electric motor for swiveling. An obstacle detector detects an obstacle around the base and transmits a detected result to a control unit. When the obstacle detector detects the obstacle, the control unit determines whether or not the obstacle is present within a monitoring region, and when the obstacle is present inside the monitoring region, the control unit stops the electric motor for swiveling. In order to avoid danger, the swiveling operation can be stopped more safely. |
| US09206585B2 |
Working machine having console box
Provided is a working machine capable of preventing excessive force from being exerted on a hydraulic hose connected to a console box by movement of the console box. The working machine includes a machine body including an operation space on a floor surface, a seat stand in the operation space and including a side wall portion defining an accommodation space, an operator's seat, a console box capable of moving between a fall-down position and an upturn position, and a hydraulic hose including an over-floor region extending upward from the floor surface to be connected to a front part of the console box and accommodated in the accommodation space so as to have a curved portion. The side wall portion has an oblique guide surface which guides the curved portion to make the curved portion slide along the oblique guide surface by turning of the console box. |
| US09206584B2 |
Hybrid working machine and method of controlling hybrid working machine
A hybrid excavator includes an engine, a generator motor, a capacitor, a swing motor, a transformer, a transformer temperature sensor, a capacitor temperature sensor, and a hybrid controller. An overheat suppression control unit of the hybrid controller changes the amount of power regenerated by the swing motor supplied to the capacitor and the amount of power regenerated by the swing motor supplied to the generator motor based on a temperature of the transformer detected by the transformer temperature sensor and a temperature of the capacitor detected by the capacitor temperature sensor. |
| US09206581B2 |
Modular and reconfigurable playground support structure
A modular grid structure and method of construction for a playground, wherein the position of playground modules is easily established and rearranged within a array of securement locations and in relation to surrounding modules. The grid comprises a permanent or temporary foundation having a plurality of playground module support locations aligned in a grid or array, such that the playground may be constructed by placing the support posts of the module in connection with the foundation support locations. The disclosed support locations comprise embodiments that permanently secure the posts of a playground module using a pin-locking support hole, or alternatively a temporarily support means to movement for a shorter period while allowing swift setup and breakdown of the entire assembly, such as for temporary playgrounds. |
| US09206580B2 |
Side wall support pier and method for foundation of manufactured building
An apparatus for supporting a lateral portion of a manufactured building having a support beam, comprising a ground member for being received on a ground surface and a joist bracket attached to at least one joist in a lateral portion of the manufactured building. A pivotably attached joist tube disposed in a first position between the ground member and the joist bracket is longitudinally movable to a second position for bearing forcibly therebetween and thereby supporting the lateral portion of the manufactured building. A method of supporting a lateral portion of a manufactured building having a support beam is disclosed. |
| US09206579B2 |
Apparatus for forming a protected region in a body of water and method for assembling an apparatus
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for forming a protected region in a body of water with a wall (2) and an internal region (4) delimited from the body of water by means of the wall (2), wherein the wall (2) is formed from a plurality of hollow bodies (3) which are connected to one another and arranged in a stacked structure. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for assembling an apparatus (1) for forming a protected region in a body of water. |
| US09206575B2 |
Onboard oil containment system
An oil containment system aboard a vessel which includes a pneumatic system to provide power to a winch and reel assembly containing boom whereby the pneumatic supply is capable of simultaneously powering the winch-reel assembly for boom deployment through inflatable gas fed to a pneumatic motor while also inflating the boom. The system would be utilized to confine a discharge of a floating material such as hydrocarbons floating on the surface from a vessel or structure. |
| US09206574B2 |
Aggregate replacement
An aggregate replacement device may be used to take replace rock aggregate in underground drainage systems. An aggregate replacement device may include a structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one face. The at least one face may have a plurality of first openings. A second opening in the structure may extend from the proximal end to the distal end of the structure continuing uninterrupted through at least one of the at least one faces. The second opening may receive a pipe inserted in a radial direction of the pipe. The aggregate replacement device may also include a pipe retainer. An additional embodiment of the aggregate replacement device may include a stake which may be used to secure the aggregate replacement device in position. |
| US09206569B1 |
Ice chopper assembly
An ice chopping assembly includes at least a blade, shaft, handle, and force enhancing assembly. The blade may includes at least one face and at least one edge cooperatively structured to break ice formed on a solid surface, but may otherwise be appropriately configured to break ice. The shaft is rigidly affixed to the blade opposite the edge. The handle may be rigidly mounted to a bushing, through which a restricting device may travel. The restricting device includes a stop structure about which the bushing may be concentrically disposed. At opposite ends of the stop structure may be stop segments which limit the reciprocal travel of the blade relative to the handle. |
| US09206567B2 |
Air-blow working machine
The air-blow working machine comprises a fan provided in a fan casing and a drive unit to drive the fan, and discharges an airflow generated by the rotating fan. The fan casing has an inner wall disposed between the fan and the drive unit. A smooth surface is formed on the face of the inner wall on the side of the fan. A first concavo-convex portion is formed on the face of the inner wall on the side of the drive unit. Thereby, a noise is reduced without an influence upon performance for blowing air. |
| US09206565B2 |
Heating process and device for thermally regenerating waste asphalt mixture
A hot recycling heating method for old asphalt mixture, includes the steps of: mixing old asphalt mixture with hot asphalt, with the temperature of the hot asphalt being higher than the temperature of the old asphalt mixture, but not higher than the standard temperature of heating asphalt; and heating the old asphalt mixture by heat exchange between the hot asphalt and the old asphalt mixture. The method is essentially described as mixing the old asphalt mixture with the hot asphalt to result in a new mixture of the old asphalt mixture and the hot asphalt, thus the purpose of heating the old asphalt mixture by a gapless heat exchange environment between the hot asphalt and the old asphalt is reached; in addition, the method revolutionizes the traditional recycling heating modes for old asphalt, significantly reduces the degree of degradation in the performance of the old asphalt mixture during a heating process, improves the pavement performance of the old asphalt mixture, greatly reduces generation and emission of asphalt fumes during a heating process, and avoids or reduces pollution and damage to the natural environment. |
| US09206564B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring accelerating drum
A drum assembly for a vibratory compactor and method of retrofitting a vibratory compactor to measure the acceleration and/or vibratory movement of a drum rotatably mounted on the frame of the vibratory compactor. The drum assembly may comprise a drum including a shell, a mounting wall disposed inside the drum and a bulkhead disposed inside the drum and attached to the shell, a first bearing disposed between the frame and the mounting wall, a second bearing, a sensor, and a strap. The first bearing may include an inner race fixedly mounted to the frame. The second bearing may comprise a hub and a bearing shaft circumscribed by the hub and mounted to the bulkhead of the drum. The strap may be attached to the inner race and the hub. |
| US09206563B1 |
Adjustable spinner for a particulate material spreader
An improved particulate material spreader includes an adjustable spinner apparatus which is incrementally adjustable forwardly and rearwardly to a plurality of operating positions relative to the discharge end of the material conveyor. The adjustment may be manual or automatic to adjust the drop point of the material onto the spinners, thereby accommodating varying application rates of the particulate material on a field, lawn, road, or other area. The spreader may be operatively connected to a microprocessor to receive data input and sensor feedback for variable rate technology. |
| US09206562B2 |
Grade propulsion system and method
A grade propulsion system provided herein includes: a propel pump; a brake system; an operator control configured to receive and transmit a propel command and a Hill Mode activation; and a controller electronically coupled to the propel pump, the brake system, and the operator control, the controller configured, after activation of the Hill Mode and the propel command, to transmit a propel current to the propel pump and disengage the brake system when the propel current is equal to or greater than a cracking current plus an offset current. |