| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09212864B2 |
Paintball loader
A paintball loader for use on a paintball gun for feeding paintballs is provided. The paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball agitator rotatably mounted in the container, the paintball agitator including at least two fins extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the fins spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween large enough to accommodate more than one paintball. At least two paintballs are positioned in the gap between the fins. A motor is configured to rotate the paintball agitator. The container includes an exit tube exiting from the bottom portion of the container and leading to an inlet tube of the paintball gun. A microprocessor in communication with a sensor may also be provided for controlling the motor. A deflector for deflecting paintballs may also be provided, the deflector movably attached to the interior surface of the container. |
| US09212861B2 |
Feedback-controlled re-targeting apparatus for automatic firearm
An apparatus having a body that attaches to a barrel of a firearm and a chamber disposed in the body that receives combustion gases from the barrel during a firing sequence of the firearm. Sensors, mounted on the body, capture a measurement of an initial line-of-sight to a target prior to the firing sequence and measure deviation from the initial line-of-sight after capture of the measurement of the initial line-of-sight and during the firing sequence. Ports, in communication with the chamber, are controllable to vary discharge of the combustion gases from the chamber. A feedback control unit receives the measurement of the initial line-of-sight and the deviation from the sensors and controls the ports to vary discharge of the combustion gases from the chamber during the firing sequence to generate forces on the barrel to drive the deviation to a minimum. |
| US09212859B1 |
Self-raising magazine loader
A magazine loader (10) facilitates loading loose rounds into a firearm magazine. The loader comprises a body (12) with finger rests (14), a plunger tooth (18), a pusher element (20), and a spring (22). The body includes an opening (16) to accept the magazine. The tooth pushes down the topmost round (50). The pusher element and the spring push the loader up after each round is partially loaded. To load a round, the loader is fitted on the magazine and forced down so its tooth pushes the topmost round down sufficient to insert a new round, rim first, until it engages the plunger. Then, the user reduces force on the loader to allow the pusher to lift the loader up so that the plunger is cleared from the magazine, whereupon the partially inserted round can be forced rearwardly to its final position in the magazine. |
| US09212858B2 |
Non-detachable magazine
A non-detachable magazine configured to be used for new manufacture of firearms or configured to replace a detachable magazine of an existing firearm is disclosed. The magazine may be pivotally mounted on a firearm using a hinge pin, allowing the feed end of the magazine to enter and retreat from the magazine well of the firearm. The magazine includes a magazine body and at least one arm connecting the magazine body to the hinge pin. In some embodiments, a firearm can be made compatible with the disclosed non-detachable magazine such that removal of the magazine is tantamount to disassembly of the firearm, and/or removal of the magazine renders the firearm inoperable. |
| US09212857B2 |
Firearm magazine with round counting circuit
A device for displaying the number of rounds remaining in a firearm magazine includes a digital counter with a voltage source. A voltage flows from the digital counter, through a magazine connection, and to a follower conductor in the magazine. The follower conductor contacts binary coded conductive strips, which return a binary representation of the number of rounds in the magazine to the digital counter. |
| US09212854B2 |
Plate and gasket for a plate heat exchanger
The invention relates to a heat exchanger plate for a plate heat exchanger, whereby the heat exchanger plate has a number of ports, distribution regions, adiabatic regions, a heat transfer region, and an edge region which extends outside the ports and the regions, whereby the heat exchanger plate includes a gasket groove extending in the edge region outside the regions and round the ports, whereby the gasket groove accommodates a gasket for sealing abutment against an adjacent heat exchanger plate in the plate heat exchanger where the gasket groove creates at least a recess of the heat transfer region along each side of the heat transfer region and that the recess enables a clip-on tab to be securely fastened to an edge region of the heat exchanger plate at the recess. |
| US09212852B2 |
Support mechanism for a heat exchanger in an air-conditioning system
A heat exchanger is provided that may include a shell; a first pipe that guides a first fluid into the shell; a tube, through which a second fluid that exchanges heat with the first fluid may pass; a second pipe, through which the first fluid is guided outside of the shell; and a base including a fastening portion to which the shell may be fastened and a support portion that supports the fastening portion. The fastening portion may have a tube hole, through which the tube may pass, and a pipe hole, through which at least one of the first pipe or the second pipe may pass, so that it is possible to increase availability of space at a side of and above the shell, and at least one of the first pipe, the second pipe, or the tube may be protected by the base, resulting in high reliability. |
| US09212850B2 |
Vacuum storage method and device for crystalline material
The present invention provides a method for storing a raw material inside a mold or a crucible, comprising the steps of: closing an opening of the mold filled with the raw material of a sintered metal or an opening of the crucible filled with the raw material for encouraging growth of a crystal for a semiconductor of a gallium arsenide crystal and a silicon single crystal or a polycrystalline silicon by a cap provided with a supply pipe and a vacuum evacuation pipe; vacuuming the inside the mold or crucible to a high vacuum state of 10−4 torr or less via the vacuum evacuation pipe; drying by heating the raw material in the mold or crucible filled with a heated inert gas in the range of 50 C. to 200 C. via the supply pipe; and storing the raw material in the mold or the crucible covered with the cap. |
| US09212848B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for storage in a refrigerated appliance
An apparatus, system, and method for storage in a refrigerated appliance. One aspect includes glides or slides underneath and within the bottom perimeter dimensions of any bin or bin carrier relative to its supporting structure in the refrigerated appliance. This allows adjacent bins to more efficiently utilize lateral storage space in the refrigerator. It also promotes hiding of the glide or slides from view. |
| US09212845B2 |
Casing of outdoor unit in air conditioning device
A casing of an outdoor unit includes support pillars, each of the support pillars having standing wall portions arranged along the up and down direction, and a top plate mounted on upper ends of the support pillars. Substantially horizontal abutment portions extending upward from at least a part of the standing wall portions and being brought into surface contact with a lower surface of the top plate in a state where the top plate is floated up from upper ends of the standing wall portions are provided in the upper end of each of the support pillars. |
| US09212840B2 |
Apparatus for pelletizing ice within a refrigerator
An apparatus and refrigerator for creating ice pellets is disclosed. The apparatus and refrigerator include a compartment, an ice storage bin positioned in the compartment and configured to store whole ice cubes therein, and a pellet ice dispenser. The pellet ice dispenser includes a first motor, a first axle drivingly connected to a shaft of the first motor, a first ice cube auger drivingly connected to the first axle, a blade downstream of the first ice cube auger and configured to shave whole ice cubes into ice pieces, and an ice pelleter. The ice pelleter includes an extrusion die disposed downstream of the blade, a shaved ice auger disposed between the blade and the extrusion die and configured to move and compress the ice pieces through the extrusion die to form pellet ice. |
| US09212838B2 |
Cooling device for vehicles and method for controlling and/or regulating a cooling device
A cooling device and to a method for controlling a cooling device for vehicles is provided, the cooling device including a refrigerant compressor, a condenser downstream of the refrigerant compressor in the flow direction of the refrigerant, a first evaporator downstream of the condenser for cooling air to be supplied to the passenger compartment, a second evaporator arranged parallel to the first evaporator for cooling an electric accumulator, and a control unit which is configured to control the refrigerant compressor as a function of the cooling demands for the passenger compartment and/or the electric accumulator on the basis of the higher cooling demand requirement. The cooling device may further include electric valves between the condenser and the first and second evaporators to control a cooling capacity of the first and/or second evaporator to meet the cooling demands of the passenger compartment and/or the electric accumulator. |
| US09212835B1 |
Heating and cooling system utilizing a water source heat pump and a swimming pool
A heating and cooling system includes a swimming pool, a pump connected to the swimming pool, a pool cooler connected to the pump so as to cool water passing from the pump, a water source heat pump cooperative with the pump so as to receive water as passed by the outlet pipe of the pump, a valve mechanism connected to the outlet of the pump so as to control the flow of water toward the pool cooler and the water source heat pump, and a pressure control valve cooperative between the valve mechanism in the inlet line of the pool cooler so as to limit a pressure of the water flowing from the valve mechanism toward the inlet line of the pool cooler. A pressure control is connected to the outlet line of the pool cooler so as to reduce a pressure of the water flowing from the outlet line to the pump. |
| US09212833B2 |
Power grip button
A roof mounting system for mounting one or more roof-mounted fixtures to a roof includes a roofing system having a top surface and a roof attachment assembly that includes a first plate having a first plate aperture, a second plate connected to the first plate, a third plate including a third plate aperture, the third plate connected to the second plate, a nut, and a first fastener including a first head positioned between the second plate and the third plate and a first shaft extending through the third plate aperture and the nut. A second fastener has a head positioned between the first and second plates and a shaft extending through the first plate aperture and through the roofing system top surface. The force required to separate the first plate and the second plate is greater than the force required to separate the second plate and the third plate. |
| US09212832B2 |
Photovoltaic systems, methods for installing photovoltaic systems, and kits for installing photovoltaic systems
The present invention relates particularly to photovoltaic systems for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. One aspect of the invention is a photovoltaic roofing system disposed on a roof deck, including a plurality of photovoltaic elements contiguously disposed on the roof deck arranged in at least two horizontal rows, defining a photovoltaic area; a plurality of roofing elements disposed adjacent the contiguously-disposed photovoltaic elements, along their side edges; side flashing disposed along the side edges of the contiguously-disposed photovoltaic elements, the side flashing having a flange facing away from the photovoltaic area at least partially disposed between a roofing element and the roof deck, and a structure at least partially disposed on the surface of the photovoltaic element or at least partially disposed between a photovoltaic element and the roof deck. |
| US09212830B2 |
Method and system for optimizing and protecting solar panels
A system and a method for optimizing and protecting solar panels, the system comprising a driving unit, a solar panel connected to the driving unit, a micro-controller controlling movements of the driving unit, a sun tracking unit sending data about the position of the sun to the micro-controller; and a shelter receiving the solar panel when the solar under control of the microcontroller. The method comprises connecting a solar panel to a driving unit connected to a microcontroller; connecting the microcontroller to a sun tracking unit sending data about the position of the sun to the microcontroller; providing a shelter; and monitoring, by the microcontroller, the driving unit into orienting the solar panel in relation to the position of the sun by rotation about at least one axis and into moving the solar panel from a deployed operating position to a sheltered non operating position into the shelter. |
| US09212824B2 |
Filter unit for an extractor hood
A filter unit for an extractor hood includes at least one filter element, and at least one protection plate which is arranged in a flow direction upstream of the filter element. The protection plate is made of at least two layers and can have a thickness in a range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm. |
| US09212823B2 |
Systems and methods for suppressing combustion driven pressure fluctuations with a premix combustor having multiple premix times
A combustor having a combustion chamber is provided with an external flow sleeve and a combustor liner surrounding the combustion chamber. A plurality of flow channels are provided on the combustor liner and a plurality of nozzles are disposed at predetermined locations on the flow channels. The locations of the nozzles are selected to provide different mixing times for fuel injected through the nozzles. |
| US09212815B2 |
Computer display with bottom illumination to illuminate key-based input device
A computer display includes a row of lamps such as LEDs arranged along the bottom edge of the display to project light forwardly and downwardly from the display to the typical location at which a keyboard is positioned to provide balanced, non-glaring illumination of the keyboard. |
| US09212810B2 |
Lighting apparatus
According to one embodiment, a lighting apparatus includes a board, a base, a globe, a housing, and a cap part. The board is provided with a light emitting element to emit light. The board is thermally connected to the base. The globe is provided on the base to cover the light emitting element. The globe includes a maximum diameter part in which an external diameter of the globe is maximum. The housing is thermally connected to the base. The housing includes a cylindrical radiator through which air flows. The cap part is attached to the housing. One end part of the radiator is located between the cap part and the maximum diameter part. |
| US09212806B2 |
Luminance adjustment film and illuminating device including a photoisomerizable compound
Luminance adjustment films that include at least one microcapsule containing at least one photoisomerizable compound which selectively decreases luminance of visible light in reaction to ultraviolet light having an intensity distribution which reflects a luminance distribution of the visible light are described. |
| US09212801B2 |
Electrical connections for a light-emitting diode lamp
An LED lamp comprises: a lamp base having live and neutral contacts for supplying electrical power to the LED lamp; a substantially hollow lamp holder; a PCB assembly comprising: first and second connection pins; a table portion attached to the top of each of the first and second connection pins; and at least one connecting structure formed at a top surface of the table portion and electrically coupled to the first and second connection pins; an LED PCB comprising at least one LED affixed to a PCB and an LED PCB connector having connector pins electrically coupled to the at least one LED and to the at least one connecting structure of the table portion; and a heat sink being configured to thermally couple to the at least one LED, and a globe having a bottom portion which is thermally coupled to an outer surface of the heat sink. |
| US09212799B2 |
Lamp unit
A lamp unit for a vehicle lamp can include: a lens having an aspherical shape, including a first lens portion, and a second lens portion disposed adjacent to the first lens portion and forming a concave portion on at least a part of a rear side surface thereof; a first reflective surface disposed rearward of the first lens portion; a second reflective surface disposed rearward of the second lens portion; a first light source configured to emit light to be reflected by the first reflective surface, pass through the first lens portion and be emitted forward; and a second light source configured to emit light to be reflected by the second reflective surface, pass through the second lens portion and be emitted forward. A shape of a rear side surface of the second lens portion can be configured to diffuse the light from the second light source vertically and horizontally. |
| US09212793B1 |
Portable cordless multipurpose lighting system
Systems and methods for lighting body panels of automobiles to facilitate repair of the body panels, where one embodiment is a portable lighting apparatus that includes a light board, a base and an extension member that connects the light board to the base. The light board is supported by the extension member, which is supported by the base. A battery in the base provides power through conductors in the extension member to light sources in the light board. The extension member has a conduit that holds the conductors therein and can rotate, thereby allowing the light board to rotate with respect to the base. A suction cup mount on the base enables the base to be secured to an automobile body panel, and the extension member allows the light board to be positioned as desired. |
| US09212792B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices providing a quick-release mechanism for a modular LED light engine
A light emitting diode module is removably coupled to a heat sink with screws and includes slots configured to receive at least a portion of the screw therethrough, the width of the slot being greater than the thread-width of the screw but less than the width of the screw head. Some slots also include a keyhole having a diameter greater than the width of the screw head. For embodiments without keyholes, the module is coupled to a heat sink by loosening the screws, sliding them into the slots, and tightening the screws to hold the LED module in place. For embodiments with one or more keyholes, the keyhole is vertically aligned with the screw, the module is moved down over the screw, and the screw is moved into the narrower portion of the slot. Then, the screws are tightened to hold the module in place against the heat sink. |
| US09212789B2 |
Expandable liquid volume in an LED bulb
An LED bulb includes a shell, one or more LEDs, a thermally conductive liquid, and a liquid-volume compensator mechanism. The one or more LEDs are disposed within the shell. The thermally conductive liquid is held within the shell. The liquid-volume compensator mechanism is configured to compensate for expansion of the thermally conductive liquid. |
| US09212787B1 |
Leak-detecting shut-off device
A leak-detecting shut-off device has a holding mount, a valve seat and an operating set. The holding mount has a connecting segment, a mounting segment, an expansion element and a pushing rod. The expansion element is mounted in the mounting segment. The pushing rod is mounted in the mounting segment, is mounted around the expansion element, and has a mounting cover and multiple pushing panels. The valve seat is connected to the holding mount and has a body, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. The body is mounted in the connecting segment and has two connecting boards. The operating set is connected to the valve seat and has a valve shaft, a spring and an operating tab. The valve shaft is movably mounted in the body. The operating tab is connected to the connecting boards, is selectively moved above the pushing rod and abuts against the valve shaft. |
| US09212784B2 |
Medical gas cylinder coupling system
The invention relates to a coupling system for a gas container, in particular a gas cylinder (9), comprising a base (1) which is designed to be fixed on a support (10), wherein the base (1) comprises a first arm (3a) and a second arm (3b), at least one of which is mobile in pivoting relative to the other, and an activation unit (4) which co-operates with at least one of said first and second arms (3a, 3b), such as to pivot at least one of said first and second arms (3a, 3b) to bring them towards one another, when said activation unit (4) is activated. The invention also relates to a support/cylinder assembly comprising a coupling system of this type, and a gas cylinder (9) retained by the arms (3a, 3b) of said coupling system. |
| US09212781B2 |
Fluid divider block suitable for use at high pressures
The invention is a divider block assembly suitable for use at high fluid pressures. Applicant has found that a sufficiently deep counterbored hole allows a mounting bolt to apply the sealing pressure well below the divider block surface, which can reduce or eliminate the compressive force on the metal around the piston bore, thereby reducing or eliminating distortion of the piston bore of the divider block and providing. |
| US09212779B2 |
Pump having diagnostic system
Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication sites. Embodiments include a pump with venting and non-venting piston return, a pump with stirrer and direct feed mechanism, a pump with CAN system and self-diagnostics, a pump with heated housing and reservoir and a pump with stepper motor and overdrive control. |
| US09212777B2 |
Quick clamping device
A quick clamping device, including a semi-circular base and a screw running through the bottom part of the base. One end of the screw extends out of the base and is connected to an eccentric wheel via a conical shaft pin. The eccentric wheel is provided with a handle. On the screw, a fixture block and a wedged sliding block are provided, with the wedged sliding block being adjacent to the eccentric wheel and the fixture block being adjacent to the wedged sliding block. The top part of one end of the base is connected to a buckle via two connecting blocks and the top part of the other end of the base is connected to a top cover. A protruding block is provided on the top of the top cover. The free end of the buckle is provided with a groove that matches the protruding block. The connections between the top part of one end of the base and each connecting block, between each connecting block and the buckle, and between the top part of the other end of the base and the top cover are all movable through a quick removal pin. Two springs are provided on the upper surface of the top part of one end of the base. |
| US09212776B2 |
Method and apparatus for installation and repair of insulated line pipes
A method for installation and repair of insulated piping includes placing a sleeve coupling, made of a weldable polymer material incorporating a slit that runs lengthwise along the piping, and whose length exceeds the distance between the outer pipes' ends, over the exposed section of the inner pipe so as to overlap the ends of the outer pipes, and welding the sleeve coupling to the outer pipe at the ends of the outer pipes, by placing an electrically conductive band between the outer pipe and the sleeve coupling, ensuring that free ends of the band project upward through the slit. A power converter which has a quasi-resonant converter is employed to produce the electric current that is to be connected to the band. |
| US09212775B2 |
Valve, pipe and pipe component repair
In some implementations, an injection system that injects sealant into a pipe, pressure component or valve while containing the pipe, pressure component or valve repair that significantly reduces or eliminates release of hazardous material from inside the pipe, pressure component valve or injection system and thus significantly reduces emission of the hazardous material from inside the pipe, pressure component or valve into the environment and protecting the repair technicians. |
| US09212774B2 |
Connector for fuel tank
A connector to connect a fluid path to a fuel tank includes a main portion made of a synthetic resin through which a gas produced from fuel hardly passes, and a shell formed outside the main portion and made of a synthetic resin through which the gas passes easier than the main portion and which can be melt-bonded to the outer surface of a fuel tank. The main portion includes a flange part in the outer periphery. The shell has a wall section for a melt-bonding portion which extends around from the top surface side of the flange part and covers the bottom side of the flange part. The undersurface of the flange part is provided with an inclination having the peripheral edge side of the flange part upside thereof. |
| US09212769B2 |
Clamp having joggles
The clamping collar comprises a metal belt (10), two tightening lugs (12, 14), and a bridging plate (20) for bridging the gap between the lugs. The belt includes an overlap portion (22) that has its inside face provided with a setback (24) into which a first end (20A) of the plate penetrates during tightening of the collar. The setback is defined by a first joggle (26) having an end wall that forms two surfaces on either side of the longitudinal midline of the belt, which surfaces are disposed substantially symmetrically about said midline, and are inclined both relative to the longitudinal direction and relative to the transverse direction of the belt, and each of which surfaces extends over a substantial fraction of the half-width of the belt. |
| US09212768B2 |
Coupling with uniform circumferential tightening
A pipe coupling includes an annular clamp housing that has ends which are provided with two opposing clamp members. One or more tightening elements are provided for tightening the clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to an axial length of the annular clamp housing so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on a pipe being clamped in the annular clamp housing. An annular seal is mounted in the annular clamp housing. The annular clamp housing includes one or more enhanced circumferential stiffening elements. |
| US09212765B1 |
Modular cable management system
A set of modular bracket units are mountable end-to-end in series on a support structure adjacent a cable interface area of an electronic equipment assembly, the form a composite cable management bracket. The bracket units are mountable in interchangeable positions in the series to define longitudinally extending series of segregated cable management openings through which cables are receivable for connection to respective electronic equipment ports, to restrain the cables against transverse escape from the respective cable management openings. The set of modular bracket units comprises at least one single-opening bracket unit that defines a single cable management opening, and at least one multi-opening bracket unit that defines, when mounted as part of the composite cable management bracket, two or more cable management openings. The bracket units that define different numbers of cable management openings are of equal modular length and has identical connection formations, to allow mounting of the bracket units in any desire sequence. |
| US09212762B2 |
Multi-port stopcock valve and flow designating system
A stopcock is provided with multiple ports joining multiple fluid conduits leading between fluid sources and fluid destinations. A central hub manifold resides within a valve body supporting the ports, and can rotate relative to the valve body. Fluid flow paths within the central hub are selectively aligned or not aligned with the ports. The stopcock indicates which ports are open by providing marks corresponding with positions of the ports. When the marks are visible, the corresponding ports are open. With different positioning of ports and different configurations of fluid flow paths within the central hub, stopcocks having different numbers of operable positions are provided including two, three, four, six and eight way stopcocks. By providing an axial flow path through a central axis of the central hub intersecting the embedded fluid flow paths within the central hub, still further numbers of operational states are provided. |
| US09212760B2 |
Rotary actuator interface and method
A rotary actuator (10) rotates a drive shaft (40), which in turn rotates a stem (76) between an actuator housing (32) and a central body (48). Drive pins (50, 52) extend between the central body of a rotary sleeve (42), and move within helical guide slots (80, 82) to linearly raise and lower the central body (48), which is connected to the linear controller (18). |
| US09212755B2 |
Fluid control device
A fluid control device includes two opening and closing valves 2, 3 disposed symmetrical to each other and having an identical shape, two fluid discharge passages 6, 7, 11, 12 having an equal length and provided in parallel with each other in outlets of the opening and closing valves 2, 3, and a connection member 10 attachable to a chamber and having two fluid passages 25, 26 formed in an equal length to and communicating with the two fluid discharge passages 6, 7, 11, 12, the connection member being provided in outlets of the two fluid discharge passages 6, 7, 11, 12. |
| US09212754B2 |
Shape memory alloy valve
A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member. |
| US09212753B2 |
Slam shut safety device with guided valve disc
A slam-shut safety device includes a valve body, a valve disc, a reset pin, and a guide collar. The valve disc is disposed within the valve body and shiftable along a slam-shut axis between an open position and a closed second position. The reset pin is operatively coupled to the valve disc and shiftable along the slam-shut axis relative to the valve body between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed position. The guide collar includes a hollow cylindrical portion extending away from the valve disc at least partly over the reset pin and being slidably disposed in a guide bore of a slam shut body that is connected to the valve body and supporting the reset pin, thereby providing added structural integrity to the rest pin and valve disc. |
| US09212751B2 |
Valve system and method
A flow control valve includes a housing forming internal passages in fluid communication with a port of the valve, and an internal cavity. A flow direction block is disposed in the internal cavity and forms at least one flow passage extending through a portion thereof. The flow direction block is moveable within the internal cavity such that the free ends of the least one flow passage can be selectively aligned with a respective internal passage along an interface as the flow direction block is moved from a first, closed position to a second, open position. A seal is disposed around each interface and includes an internal face, which presses against an outer surface of the flow direction block, and an external face, which presses against the housing. Sealing function is improved, at least in part, by a differential fluid pressure that acts on the seal. |
| US09212745B2 |
Sealing frame for cells in a battery with a thermally active compensating element
Sealing frame (1) for utilization in a battery, encompassing a base body (2) whereby the base body (2) encompasses an opening (3), whereby the base body (2) features a first sealing surface (4) and a facing second sealing surface (5) and whereby the first sealing surface (4) and/or the second sealing surface (5) are implemented elastically compressible. During normal operation, the frame provides an optimal operating temperature and a reliable leak tightness, in the event of failure however the frame permits the electrolyte to escape, effortlessly and directed, characterized by cooling passages (22) that are integrated in the base body (2) and/or a heating device (23) which interfuse the base body (2) at least partially along the lengthwise expansion of the sealing surfaces (4, 5). |
| US09212743B2 |
Containment control for a continuously variable transmission
A speed ratio containment process limits the speed ratio of a variator for a CVT for a motor vehicle when rolling backward by commanding a speed ratio that is higher than the actual speed ratio in an overdrive direction. Accordingly, the actual speed ratio moves to a lowest limit, which provides maximum torque when a driver of the motor vehicle steps on the accelerator pedal to resume forward motion of the motor vehicle. |
| US09212736B2 |
Holding structure of intervening member, intervening member, and wobbling-prevention member
A holding structure of an intervening member is provided for preventing the dropping-out of a wobbling-prevention member at an assembly time, and to extend an applicable range of rigidity of the intervening member to a low-side range. The holding structure of the intervening member includes a baffle plate intervened between a torque converter housing wall and an intervening member, and a wobbling-prevention member interposed between the baffle plate and the torque converter housing wall in a compressed state. A bottom portion of a concave portion is clamped between a head portion and a bulging portion of the wobbling-prevention member. Also, an inside of the head portion is hollow, so when the head portion is crushed and deformed, the air inside the head portion is discharged to the outside through an annular gap to reduce a compressive load relative to the baffle plate. |
| US09212733B2 |
Linear actuator
A linear actuator includes a housing, a motor, a decelerator and an actuating rod. The housing includes an outer sleeve, a motor sleeve, a connecting sleeve, and at least a motor bolt. The connecting sleeve is connected to one end of the outer sleeve, the motor bolt longitudinally penetrating the motor sleeve and connected to the connecting sleeve. The motor is arranged in the motor sleeve. The decelerator is arranged in the motor sleeve. The decelerator is connected to the motor. The actuating rod is arranged in the outer sleeve. The actuating rod is connected to the decelerator through the motor sleeve, and the actuating rod is driven by the motor through the decelerator. The elements of the linear actuator are thereby firmly assembled by simple structure. |
| US09212731B2 |
Tensioner with multiple nested torsion springs
A tensioner is disclosed that may be part of a power system where the tensioner provides tension to an endless power transmitting element such as a belt, chain, or other continuous loop. The tensioner has an arm that is rotatable about a first axis. The tensioner also includes an outer spring and at least one inner spring. The outer spring has an outer coil that defines an outer diameter. The inner spring has an inner coil that defines an inner diameter. The inner diameter of the inner coil is less than the outer diameter of the outer coil such that at least a portion of the inner spring is received by the outer spring. The outer spring and the inner spring both urge the arm to rotate about the first axis and into tensioning engagement with the power transmitting element. |
| US09212728B2 |
Gear assembly for motor vehicle
A gear assembly for a motor vehicle includes first clutch configured to selectively couple an input shaft to an output shaft and a second clutch configured to selectively couple the input shaft to a planetary gear train. When the first clutch is activated and the second clutch is not activated, the input torque is transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft such that the output torque relative to the input torque is a first gear ratio. When the second clutch is activated and the first clutch is not activated, the input torque is transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft through the planetary gear train such that the output torque relative to the input torque is a second gear ratio. When neither the first clutch nor the second clutch are activated, the input torque is not transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft. |
| US09212720B2 |
Liquid sealed vibration isolating device
A partition member for partitioning a primary liquid chamber and a secondary liquid chamber is provided with a damping orifice passage and an elastic partition member. A stopper leg portion is integrally formed with and projects from a lower wall of an elastic diaphragm portion provided in a central region of the elastic partition member 30 so as to be pressed on a pressed surface of a support wall of a frame member. A third liquid chamber is defined by the support wall, the elastic partition member and the stopper leg portion and is opened in the vicinity of a primary liquid chamber side opening of the damping orifice passage through a relief passage. The pressed surface is increased in diameter as it goes upward. |
| US09212719B2 |
Shock absorber
In a high-frequency mode (a small-amplitude mode), a shock absorber opens a guide member to reduce a damping force. In a low-frequency mode (a large-amplitude mode), the shock absorber prevents the guide member from being opened by increasing a pressure of a second pressure chamber formed between a second piston (lower piston) and a pilot valve through a groove (passage) formed in an outer periphery of a piston rod. A main damping force is generated through the second pressure chamber and a disk valve assembly. Therefore, it is possible to provide a round ride comfort having a damping feeling and ensure a steering stability through a linear vehicle control. |
| US09212717B2 |
Gas spring end member as well as gas spring assembly including same
A gas spring assembly (200) with a flexible wall (206) being a rolling lobe (240) with an end member (204) including a side wall (238) and a plurality of corrugations disposed along the side wall. A cover (246) can be secured across a cavity (248) formed in the gas spring end member. |
| US09212716B2 |
Active roll-rod for vehicle
An active roll rod for a vehicle may include a rod portion, a fastening unit, insulators, an end plate and a damper unit. The rod portion may have a main body portion with a front end connected to a power train, and an inner pipe formed at a rear side of the main body portion. The fastening unit may be mounted to a sub-frame, slidably coupled to the inner pipe and have a partition wall portion formed on an inner circumferential surface. The insulators may be mounted at front and rear sides of the partition wall portion and made of an elastic material. The end plate may be coupled to a rear end of the inner pipe. The damper unit may have a cooperating unit on which a permanent magnet is mounted, and a coil portion which generates electromagnetic force and controls an operation of the cooperating unit. The damper unit may be embedded in the fastening unit. |
| US09212714B2 |
Fiber reinforced plastic spring
A fiber reinforced plastic spring is provided, in which broken pieces can be prevented from being scattered when breaking without using any additional member and variation in load when breaking can be reduced. FRP spring has a layered structure having basic unit consisting of a positive direction orientating layer and a negative direction orientating layer 22. By appropriately setting an absolute value of orientating angles of each layer, fibers in the positive direction orientating layer and the negative direction orientating layer can be entangled mutually, and thus, the spring as a whole exhibits pseudo-ductility in a breakage condition. Elastic modulus and strength available for use as a spring can be obtained and breaking at a resin portion between fibers can be prevented in each layer. |
| US09212713B2 |
Caliper body for disk brake
A caliper body (1) of a disc brake caliper, said body being adapted to arrange astride of a brake disc, said body (1) comprising a first (5) and a second (11) wheel side elongated portion, the second wheel side portion comprises at least one wheel side opening (21; 22; 45) which places a channel for receiving the disc in communication with the outside of the wheel side caliper body (23), and wherein said at least one opening (21; 22; 45) is an axial central opening (45) which places said channel for receiving the disc in communication with the outside of the wheel side caliper body (23), and wherein said axial central opening (45) has a closed edge which delimits said opening at a face thereof substantially in axial direction, and wherein said at least one axial central opening (45) is arranged at least partially substantially radially overlapping at least one wheel side cylinder (12; 33), wherein said at least one axial central opening (45) is arranged substantially in the center of said second wheel side elongated portion. |
| US09212710B2 |
Vehicle disc brake
One embodiment discloses a vehicle disc brake including: a disc rotor; a pair of friction pads disposed on both side portions of a disc rotor; and a pads returning spring suspended over radially outer sides of the friction pads and over an outer circumferential side of the disc rotor and configured to pull the friction pads away from the disc rotor when brakes are released and hydraulic pressure is removed. The pads returning spring has a base portion extending in an axial direction of the disc rotor, first spring portions extending from both end portions of the base portion, and engagement portions provided individually at distal ends of the first spring portions so as to engage with the friction pads. Further, a middle portion of the base portion is depressed in a direction in which the first spring portions extend as a second spring portion. |
| US09212709B2 |
Half-engage clutch point learning device for wet multiple disk clutch
A power transmission device for a vehicle equipped with a wet multiple disk clutch for disconnecting the power at the time of gearshift by using a clutch controller, wherein the amount of engagement where the clutch is half-engaged is learned maintaining precision. In the present invention, the clutch controller of the wet multiple disk clutch moves a clutch piston over the whole stroke thereof by using the working fluid for varying the amount of engagement at the start of learning the amount of engagement at a point where the clutch starts half-engaging and, immediately thereafter, the amount the clutch is half-engaged is detected. Upon moving the clutch piston, the working fluid present among the friction disks of the wet multiple disk clutch is drained and is replaced by the new working fluid avoiding detection error caused by the fluctuation in the temperature of the working fluid and eliminating unstable operation of the clutch piston caused by static friction of a large resistance. The amount of engagement at the point where the clutch starts half-engaging is determined by gradually increasing the amount of engagement after the clutch is disengaged and detecting a change in the rotational speed of the clutch input shaft. |
| US09212706B2 |
Retrofit assembly and method for installing a hydraulic drive motor to a pressurized vessel
A hydraulic drive assembly for a large pre-existing pressurized digester vessel and a method of installation of the hydraulic drive assembly have been conceived. Such a device includes a stub shaft which has a lower end and an upper end. The lower end engages with a hydraulic drive and the upper end is coupled to a drive shaft. The coupling further includes a top coupling and a bottom coupling. The top coupling is coupled to the drive shaft, and the bottom coupling is coupled to the stub shaft. A drive support bracket is attached to the hydraulic drive and then attached to the drive support bracket by at least one sole plate that is fixed to a foundation. The hydraulic drive assembly installation method is utilized when removing an electric motor and mechanical transmission device and replacing it with a hydraulic drive assembly. |
| US09212703B2 |
Torque-transmitting device having a dimpled friction plate
A clutch including a reaction plate configured to exert a compression force. The clutch further includes a friction plate having a surface opposing the reaction plate. A friction material layer has a first surface attached to the surface of the friction plate, and a second surface opposing the reaction plate. The second surface of the friction material layer has a plurality of dimples formed therein. Further, a lubrication fluid is disposed between the reaction plate and the friction material layer for transferring the compression force and providing a lubrication layer between the reaction plate and the friction plate. |
| US09212701B2 |
Clocked retaining assembly and technique
A clocked retaining assembly for use in an automotive powertrain is provided. The clocked retaining assembly includes an inner component and an outer component. The inner component has an outer side having a plurality of inner spline teeth separated by a plurality of inner grooves formed in the outer side. The outer component has an inner side having a plurality of outer spline teeth separated by a plurality of outer grooves formed in the inner side. The outer component forms a continuous inner circumferential slot through the outer spline teeth around the inner circumference of the inner side. The inner spline teeth are disposed in the inner circumferential slot. A pin extension is disposed in an inner groove an outer groove. The pin extension prevents the inner component from rotating with respect to the outer component. A method for retaining the inner and outer components is also provided. |
| US09212700B1 |
High efficiency and durable ball bearing system with reduced turbine end heat transfer
A product for use with a turbocharger is disclosed. According to a number of variations, the product may include a bearing housing with a bearing assembly positioned in the bearing housing. A shaft may extend through the bearing assembly for rotation. A turbine wheel may be exposed to high temperature exhaust gases and may be connected to the shaft. The product may include a number of features to manage heat transfer and protect the bearing assembly from excessive temperatures that may otherwise result from exposure to the exhaust gases. |
| US09212698B2 |
Bearing unit for a turbocharger
A bearing unit (1) for a turbocharger is provided having a bearing housing (5) extending in an axial direction and having a through-hole, and a rolling-contact bearing (3) arranged coaxially within the through-hole and having a bearing inner ring (7), a bearing outer ring (13) divided axially into first and second part rings (9, 11), and a number of rolling-contact elements (15). The bearing outer ring (13) is mounted in a vibration-damping oil film (23), and the two part rings (9, 11) are spaced axially apart from each other by a pretensioning spring (19). The first part ring (9) has a first groove (43) with a first securing ring (39) arranged therein, and the first securing ring (39) is supported axially from the outside against the bearing housing (5). |
| US09212697B2 |
Ring element, particularly a race ring for a thrust roller bearing
A ring element, particularly a thrust bearing race ring, which has a peripheral wall, through which a radial load exerting an interference fit occurs. The peripheral wall is configured such that it forms zones with a large overlap and zones with a reduced overlap that succeed each other in a peripheral direction. |
| US09212694B2 |
Linear guide
A linear guide (1) having at least two rail elements (2, 2′) which are movable counter to each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein each rail element (2, 2′) has running surfaces (3, 3′) which, together with running surfaces (3, 3′) of a rail element (2, 2′) moveable counter thereto, form tracks (4) for receiving rolling bodies (10) and sliding bodies (11) between the two rail elements which are moveable counter to each other, characterized in that at least one sliding body (11) and at least two rolling bodies (10) are provided in each track (4) between two rail elements (2, 2′), wherein at least one rolling body (10) is arranged in each case on both sides of a sliding body (11) in the longitudinal direction of the track (4). |
| US09212688B2 |
Snap ring having multiple rollers
Disclosed herein is a snap ring which is configured such that pressure which is applied from a purse line to the snap ring or multiple rollers is distributed to two rollers rather than being focused on one roller. A first side part and a second side part of a frame are formed diagonally such that the purse line that is disposed on the first side roller or the second side roller is easily moved towards an intermediate roller along the first side part or the second side part. Thereby, pressure which is applied from the purse line to the snap ring or the multiple rollers can be evenly distributed to the first side roller and the intermediate roller or to the second side roller and the intermediate roller rather than being focused on only one roller. As a result, the lifetime of the snap ring can be increased. |
| US09212683B2 |
Method of fastening a captive screw to a panel
A method for securing a captive screw assembly within a hole in a panel cover with a press. The press is centered over a hole in the panel and clamped to the panel. A force arm on the press is lowered to drive the captive screw into the hole and then the press is released from the panel. |
| US09212682B2 |
Fastening member
A fastening member for appropriately ensuring strength of a peripheral edge part of a tapered-ring-body-shaped part and appropriately reducing external dimensions. A bolt, a nut or a washer employed for fastening a body is fastened by a screw tightening action The fastening member has a tapered-ring-body-shaped part formed into a ring body shape with a gradually increasing diameter toward a seating surface formed into a circular-planar-band-ring-shape concentric with an axis so as to press against the body being fastened. The taper angle of the tapered-ring-body-shaped part is an acute angle, and an upright surface is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the tapered-ring-body-shaped part and vertically erected from the body being fastened. |
| US09212681B2 |
Fastening device
A device comprising a shaft and a fastener. The device requires substantially no tools to apply while generally maintaining the basic shape of a common clevis pin and the robustness of a common cotter pin. The fastener passes through a bore hole in the shaft. A cap positions onto a shaft head, and includes a ridge that engages a slot in the shaft head. The cap and head have low profiles and are non-protuberant, so as to minimize snagging, inadvertent release, and/or damage to contacting objects. A plunger positions inside the shaft, passing through a plunger spring. The plunger spring provides a compressive force that presses against the fastener to hold it in place. Removing the cap reduces the compressive force. The shaft cannot be released by external pressure on the shaft head. A compressive element helps secure the fastener in a shaft cross bore. |
| US09212680B2 |
Tie bar for purposes of connecting equipment fitting of an equipment module, in particular an overhead compartment, to a structure fitting of a fuselage cell structure of an aeronautical vehicle
A tie bar for connecting an equipment fitting of an equipment module to a structure fitting of a fuselage cell structure. At each end the tie bar has a fork head each with a fork head hole for a bolt. The spacing between the fork heads can be continuously adjusted. A captive bushing is utilized for sound and vibration decoupling. The bushings which are a press fit in the fork head holes can no longer fall out during the handling of the tie bars 10. The dimensions of the bushings made of plastic are adapted to the respective application scenario by a tolerance calculation and guarantee an effective sound and vibration decoupling between the structure fitting and the equipment fitting. |
| US09212677B2 |
Blind hole anchor, cable tie and method of securing an anchor in a blind hole
An anchor, cable tie combination having a barrel with slatted sections for insertion into the hole, a flange positioned on a first rearward end of the barrel for setting the depth the barrel may be inserted into the hole, at least one locking buckle positioned approximate the flange having a channel and a locking pawl located within the locking buckle, an elongated strap having a stopper positioned on a first end of the strap, and wherein one or more cross-bars are formed crosswise on the strap and, wherein the second end of the strap is inserted through the second forward end of the barrel, the first rearward end of the barrel, the flange and the channel of the locking buckle, wherein the locking pawl of the channel engages the cross-bars formed on the strap, until the stopper of the strap contacts a second forward end of the barrel. |
| US09212676B2 |
Fastener
A fastener in combination with an ornamental piece of wood and a furniture substrate wherein the fastener includes a first portion with branches. Each of the branches of the first portion of the fastener include an arc-shaped end surface. The fastener includes a threaded portion. The fastener includes a flange portion positioned intermediate the first portion and the threaded portion. The ornamental piece of wood includes an aperture therein. The threaded portion of the fastener is threaded into the aperture in the ornamental piece of wood. The flange of the fastener engages the ornamental piece of wood. The furniture substrate includes a slot therein. The first portion of the fastener interengages the slot in the furniture substrate securing the ornamental piece of wood to the furniture substrate. The first portion of the fastener is slidable with respect to the slot positioning the ornamental piece of wood with respect to the furniture substrate. |
| US09212667B2 |
Variable-speed oil-free refrigerant centrifugal compressor with variable geometry diffuser
A refrigerant compressor includes a housing providing a refrigerant outlet having a throat. An electric motor is provided in the housing to directly drive an impeller via a shaft about an axis in response to a variable speed command. The impeller includes an outlet end aligned with variable geometry diffuser. A magnetic bearing assembly rotationally supports the shaft relative to the housing in response to a magnetic bearing command. A member is arranged to adjust the throat area, and which can move in a direction generally parallel to the axis in response to an actuator receiving a compressor regulation command. A controller is configured to respectively provide the variable speed command, the magnetic bearing command and the compressor regulation command to the electric motor to vary throat area, the magnetic bearing assembly and the actuator to obtain a desired compressor operation without the need of variable inlet geometry. |
| US09212666B2 |
Annular casing for a turbine engine compressor
A metal annular casing (16) for a turbine engine compressor, the casing having at least one annular row of radial chimneys for receiving outer cylindrical pivots of variable-pitch vanes, together with an outer cylindrical centering track (28) that is continuous or interrupted and against which runners carried by an annular ring for controlling the pitch of the vanes are to come to bear, the casing being characterized in that the track is formed by blocks (30) of plastics material fitted onto the casing and that are fastened or held on the casing. |
| US09212660B2 |
Vane pump apparatus and method
A vane pump includes an electric drive unit with an electric motor and a motor shaft, a pump chamber attached on the electric drive unit, and a rotor having a plurality of blades. The rotor is arranged concentrically to the motor shaft within the pump chamber, and the motor shaft is engaged with the rotor by way of a tappet which is connected torsionally rigid with the motor shaft. The tappet has at least one tappet peg, which is engaged in a rotor recess, that corresponds to the tappet peg, wherein the at least one rotor recess has an oval shape, and the tappet peg is contoured in such a way that two first slightly curved contoured sections each form one contact area with one oblong planar section corresponding with one each of the rotor recesses. |
| US09212658B2 |
Pump facility for a hearing device and method of inflating and deflating an earmold member
A pump facility for an earmold of a hearing device communicates by way of a channel facility with a variable-volume element of the earmold. A medium can flow through the channel facility to the variable-volume element and away from the variable-volume element. A filling mechanism is embodied for pumping the medium through the channel facility to the variable-volume element. In addition a drainage mechanism is embodied for actively pumping and conveys the medium away from the variable-volume element through the channel facility. |
| US09212655B2 |
Pump aggregate
A pump aggregate (A) comprises a housing (1, 2, 4), a high-pressure pump (5) and a low-pressure pump (6) disposed in the housing, an oil-immersed electric motor (7), a return connection point (8) connected to a return line (9), and a valve arrangement (V) mounted between separated discharge outlet ports of both pumps (5, 6) and a pressure connection point (P). The valve arrangement (V) comprises at least a low-pressure change-over valve (U), a check valve (R) for combining discharge flows of both pumps (5, 6), and a system pressure-limiting valve (DB). At least the low-pressure change-over valve (U) and the check valve (R) are arranged in an interior of the housing (1, 2, 4) and are connected so that the discharge flows of both pumps (5, 6) are combined in the housing interior for a single pressure outlet (13, P′) of the housing, and wherein the system pressure-limiting valve (DB) is connected to the pressure outlet and is mounted on an exterior of the housing. |
| US09212653B2 |
Power generator utilizing fluid flow around an airfoil
A power generating apparatus may use fluid flow which may include intermittent fluid flow. Such a power generating apparatus may harness electric power from intermittent wind sources but may also be deployed in near constant winds. The apparatus includes airfoils that are pivotally attached to vertical supports. The supports are attached to power generating devices. As wind blows, the airfoils lift upward relative to the horizontal. The motion may be transferred by actuating a hydraulic cylinder. This motion pressurizes the cylinder and the pressurized hydraulic fluid may later be transferred into electric power via a hydraulic generator. The upward motion may also be transferred to a permanent magnet alternator. |
| US09212648B2 |
Laser spark plug
A laser ignition plug, comprising a pumped light source and a longitudinally pumped laser resonator, which are each arranged in the housing of the laser ignition plug, characterized by a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet and a cooling region connecting the cooling air inlet with the cooling air outlet, wherein the cooling region is surrounding the pumped light source at least in certain sectors. |
| US09212642B2 |
Fuel rail-cooled engine control system
A method for cooling an ECU and an ECU or ECU module mounted to be cooled by fuel flow through a fuel rail. In a preferred embodiment, the ECU has a decentralized distributed processing configuration, with a main ECU module and at least one remote module. The remote ECU module is packaged in an assembly with an elongate hollow metal fuel rail having injector seats. Fuel injectors are received into and seal against the seats and are supplied with fuel via the fuel rail. A printed circuit board carries electronic ECU components. One or more connector assemblies are connected to printed circuit board for electrically connecting the ECU circuitry and may pass through notches formed in the fuel rail. The electronics are potted and mounted to the fuel rail. A thermally conductive wetting compound may be disposed between the electronic assembly and the fuel rail. |
| US09212640B2 |
Method for determining the injection law of a fuel injector using a roller-test bench
A method determines an injection law of a fuel injector to be tested in an injection system and includes steps of: completely interrupting feeding of fuel from a fuel pump to a common rail; avoiding opening of all injectors except for one to be tested; measuring initial pressure of the fuel inside the rail before starting the opening of the injector; opening the injector for consecutive openings with a same test-actuation time; measuring final pressure after ending the opening; determining a pressure drop in the rail during the opening (equal to a difference between the initial and final pressures); estimating, according to the pressure drop, a fuel quantity that is actually injected by the injector when the injector is opened for the time; and causing an internal-combustion engine using the system to rotate by an external actuator during the openings to allow execution of consecutive openings with the same time. |
| US09212638B2 |
Fuel injection apparatus
A liquefied gas fuel is supplied to a fuel gallery of a high-pressure pump through a feed pipe. A fuel injection apparatus includes a passage expansion pipe of which passage area is greater than that of the fuel gallery. The passage expansion pipe is arranged between the feed pipe and the fuel gallery. When the fuel is supplied to the fuel gallery during a suction stroke of a plunger, the passage expansion pipe functions as an accumulator accumulating the fuel therein. The replenishing fuel from the passage expansion pipe is added to the fuel supplied from the feed pump. A pressure drop in the fuel gallery becomes small, so that the pressure pulsation in the fuel gallery is reduced. |
| US09212637B2 |
Intake pipe structure for internal combustion engine
An intake pipe structure for an internal combustion engine is provided. The intake pipe structure includes an air flow meter arranged in an intake pipe and a pair of flow regulating plates. The air flow meter has an entrance and exits. The flow regulating plates are located at positions separated from the air flow meter and extend in a direction of flow of intake air to cover the exits of the air flow meter from opposite sides. |
| US09212634B2 |
Engine enhancement method and system
The present invention provides an engine enhancement system and method which utilizes hydrogen as a combustion catalyst within an internal combustion engine, the hydrogen preferably being obtained and/or replenished from a supply of HHO gas fed to combustion chambers of the engine, and being located at interstitial sites in the walls of the combustion chambers. |
| US09212633B2 |
Device for selectively regenerating or performing tank leakage diagnosis of a tank ventilation system
A device for selectively regenerating and performing tank leakage diagnosis of a tank ventilation system has a sorption filter and a pump. The sorption filter is configured to temporarily store fuel evaporating from a fuel tank. The pump is arranged at a fresh-air side of the sorption filter and is connected in fluid-conducting fashion to the sorption filter. The pump is configured to generate a fluid flow to regenerate the sorption filter. |
| US09212629B2 |
Equipment and method for controlling air system of diesel engine
An equipment (200) for controlling an air system of a diesel engine, comprises an operation condition acquiring device (202), an objective flow determining device (204) and a signal generating device (206). The operation condition acquiring device (202) is used to acquire actual operation condition parameters of the diesel engine. The objective flow determining device (204) is used to determine objective flow parameters on the basis of the actual operation condition parameters from the operation condition acquiring device (202), through a non-linear physical model which characterizes the air system. The signal generating device (206) is used to generate signals for controlling an EGR system and a turbocharge system on the basis of the objective flow parameters from the objective flow determining device (204). A method for controlling an air system of a diesel engine and a computer program medium recording the computer program code for performing the method are also disclosed. |
| US09212628B2 |
Abnormality detection device for exhaust gas recirculation apparatus
An abnormality detection device for an exhaust gas recirculation apparatus is provided that can perform abnormality detection with respect to an EGR valve while suppressing the influence of a size relationship between an intake pressure and an exhaust pressure. An ECU (Electronic Control Unit) executes processing for extracting a pulse from an intake pipe pressure value. The ECU executes arithmetic processing for performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) with respect to an output waveform of an intake pressure sensor obtained by sampling processing, and also executes extraction processing that extracts a “frequency component corresponding to a period of an exhaust pulse”. The ECU executes processing that determines, in steps, whether or not the size of the extracted pulse (amplitude size) exceeds a threshold value. If the amplitude size exceeds the threshold value, the ECU executes processing that determines that a totally closed abnormality is occurring in the EGR valve. |
| US09212627B2 |
Diesel engine water in fuel separator and reservoir automatic drain system and control strategy
Methods and systems are provided for draining water separated from diesel fuel into an EGR system. In response to the water volume in the fuel system and EGR flow at pre-determined levels, water may be introduced into the EGR system. EGR flow may also be controlled in response to introducing water into the EGR system and engine operating conditions. |
| US09212626B2 |
Engine propulsion system
An engine propulsion system is configured to utilize bursts of pressurized media in order to transmit mechanical energy. The engine propulsion system includes at least one cannon, wherein each cannon is configured to displace the pressurized media and further includes a casing configured to accommodate a rotational firing pin. The rotational firing pin is configured to transmit the mechanical energy. |
| US09212623B2 |
Heat exchanger arrangement for turbine engine
A turbine engine cooling arrangement includes a core passage for receiving a core flow for combustion, a first airflow source including a first passage adjacent the core passage for conveying a first airflow, and a second airflow source including a second passage adjacent the first passage for conveying a second airflow. A heat exchanger is thermally connected with the first passage and the second passage for transferring heat between the first airflow and the second airflow. |
| US09212621B2 |
Piston and method of construction thereof
A piston and method of construction are provided. The piston has a piston body with an insert forming at least a portion of an upper combustion surface. The piston body is constructed from a first material having a first thermal conductivity and the insert is constructed from a second material having a second thermal conductivity. The first thermal conductivity is less than the second thermal conductivity. The piston body has an upper crown and a pair of pin bosses depending from the upper crown with the pin bosses presenting pin bores aligned with one another along a pin bore axis. The upper crown includes a recess in which the insert is fixed. |
| US09212617B2 |
Method for recognising irregular combustion processes in an internal combustion engine
A method for recognizing irregular combustion in an internal combustion engine includes supplying fuel directly to a combustion chamber of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine using an injector. The injector is connected to a fuel supply line that includes a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the fuel supply line. The pressure in the fuel supply line is measured during the supply of fuel into the combustion chamber. It is then ascertaining whether irregular combustion is occurring based on the measured pressure in the fuel supply line. |
| US09212611B2 |
Method for controlling the movement of a component that moves towards a position defined by a limit stop in an internal combustion engine
A method for controlling the movement of a component that moves towards a position defined by a limit stop in an internal combustion engine; the control method comprises the steps of detecting, by means of at least one acoustic microphone, the intensity of the microphonic signal generated by the impact of the component against the limit stop; and determining the impact instant and/or the impact speed of the component against the limit stop by analyzing the intensity of the microphonic signal generated by the impact. |
| US09212609B2 |
Combination air assist and pilot gaseous fuel circuit
When starting a dual fuel turbine engine on liquid fuel, a flow of air assist into a combined pilot gaseous fuel and air assist tube is supplied. The velocity of the flow of air assist is increased as it is expelled through an outlet of the tube. The flow of air assist is directed into a first end of a pilot injector barrel. Additional air is drawn into the first end of the pilot injector barrel from an enclosure containing both the first end of the pilot injector barrel and the tube outlet. Liquid pilot fuel is supplied at a second end of the pilot injector barrel, and this fuel is atomized by the flow of the air assist and additional air. The atomized pilot liquid fuel may then be combusted. |
| US09212607B2 |
Intermediate structure for independently de-mountable propulsion components
An intermediate structure of an aircraft configured to mechanically attach an engine core and an engine fan module to each other and to the aircraft. The intermediate structure may have a ring-shaped portion and/or an elongated mount beam extending substantially perpendicularly from the ring-shaped portion. The ring-shaped portion may have a forward edge and an aft edge opposite of the forward edge, and may include a first attachment portion for attaching to a flange of the engine core, a second attachment portion for attaching to a flange of the engine fan module, and a mounting portion configured for mounting directly to a pylon or airframe of an aircraft. The engine core and/or the engine fan module may independently mechanically attach to and detach from the intermediate structure. The intermediate structure may have a gearbox mounted thereto for interfacing with rotary components of the engine core and the engine fan module. |
| US09212606B2 |
Bird strike prevention device for jet engine, and airplane incorporating the same
A bird strike prevention device for covering an air intake of a jet engine of an airplane includes a plurality of stays arranged to form a conical shape as a whole; and a joining portion configured to connect the plurality of stays to each other on an apex side of the conical shape. The plurality of stays is mounted on the jet engine near an outer edge of the air intake at a base of the conical shape. An axis of the conical shape coincides with a rotation axis of the jet engine. The number of the stays included in the plurality of stays is determined based on a minimum size of target birds to be prevented from striking the jet engine. |
| US09212602B2 |
Electric motor control apparatus and electric supercharging apparatus using electric motor control apparatus
An electric motor control apparatus includes a phase correction portion that generates and outputs an amount of phase correction with which to correct a phase of a signal from a position sensor detecting a position of a magnetic pole of an electric motor. The phase correction portion generates and outputs an energization stop signal in a case where a rotation speed of the electric motor is within a predetermined range and stores an amount of phase correction generated therein according to a comparison between a signal from the position sensor or a first phase and an induced voltage of the electric motor to output the amount of phase correction. |
| US09212598B2 |
Modular cooling unit for automotive vehicle
A modular cooling unit particularly useful for an automotive vehicle is configured with a heat exchanger having a tunnel port extending at least part way through the core of the heat exchanger. The case of a cooling fan motor is mounted within the tunnel port, so as to minimize the overall length of the cooling unit. |
| US09212593B2 |
Structure of dual exhaust system for CDA engine
A structure of a dual exhaust system for a cylinder deactivation (CDA) engine, may include two inlet pipes, two outlet pipes, each of which protrudes and extends from an inside of a corresponding main muffler to an outside of the corresponding main muffler, wherein each of the two outlet pipes releases the exhaust gas passing through the corresponding main muffler to an outside of the vehicle therethrough, a connecting pipe disposed in a vehicle width direction and connecting between the two main mufflers, and a valve mounted on one outlet pipe of the two outlet pipes to open and close the one outlet pipe, wherein when the valve may be closed, the exhaust gas passing through one of the main mufflers may be introduced into the other main muffler of the two outlet pipes through the connecting pipe and then may be emitted to the outside of the vehicle. |
| US09212589B2 |
Honeycomb filter
A honeycomb filter 100 includes honeycomb segments 4, plugging portions 5, and joining layers 7, area of outflow end surface 12 of honeycomb segment is larger than area of inflow end surface 11, and shape of cross section of honeycomb segment vertical to axial direction X has a similarity in axial direction X. Moreover, thickness of joining layer decreases in at least a part of joining layer in direction from inflow end surface side toward outflow end surface side, and length L2 of joining layer in axial direction X is smaller than 95% of length L1 of honeycomb segment in axial direction X. Furthermore, a region of honeycomb segments 4, 5 mm or more from outflow end surface 12 in axial direction X, is not provided with joining layers 7 which join side surfaces of honeycomb segments 4 to each other. |
| US09212587B2 |
Exhaust throttle control for aftertreatment system thermal management
Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for thermal management of an SCR catalyst in an exhaust aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine that includes an exhaust throttle but lacks a particulate filter. The thermal management can include interpreting, initiating, and/or completing a thermal management event for the SCR catalyst for removal of contaminants such as hydrocarbons and urea deposits. The thermal management event includes at least one of closing the exhaust throttle and increasing the thermal output of the engine to expose the SCR catalyst to a sufficiently high temperature over a time period that desorbs a sufficient amount of the hydrocarbons and/or removes a sufficient amount of the urea deposits to restore SCR catalyst performance. |
| US09212583B2 |
Air-fuel ratio control device for internal combustion engine
An air-fuel ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of the invention (the present control apparatus) sets a target air-fuel ratio to a target rich air-fuel ratio when it is determined on the basis of the output value Voxs of a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor 67 that the oxygen adsorption amount of a catalyst 43 tends to be excessive, and sets the target air-fuel ratio to a target lean air-fuel ratio when it is determined on the basis of the output value Voxs that the oxygen adsorption amount of the catalyst 43 tends to be insufficient. Further, the present control apparatus determines whether or not an operation state in which a large amount of nitrogen oxide flows into the catalyst 43 is reached on the basis of “whether a predetermined condition is fulfilled”, and makes the target rich air-fuel ratio obtained when the predetermined condition is fulfilled less than the target rich air-fuel ratio obtained when the predetermined condition is not fulfilled. As a result, the concentration of a reducing agent inside the catalyst 43 can be increased before a large amount of NOx flows into the catalyst 43. Therefore, when a large amount of NOx flows into the catalyst 43, most of the NOx can be eliminated. |
| US09212578B2 |
Exhaust manifold for preventing condensate and gas leakage in engine
The present invention relates to an exhaust manifold for preventing condensate and gas leakage in an engine, and more particularly, to an exhaust manifold for preventing condensate and gas leakage in an engine, capable of preventing peripheries of the engine from being contaminated by condensate and/or exhaust gas leaking from interiors of a plurality of exhaust manifolds to the outside through connection portions of the exhaust manifolds. |
| US09212576B2 |
Filter device
A filter may include a cover defining a chamber and an annular filter element arranged within the chamber. The filter may also include a housing and at least one intermediate piece arranged between the cover and the housing when the cover is screwed to the housing. An inlet duct may be in communication with an untreated side of the filter element and an outlet duct may be in communication with a clean side of the filter element. A drainage duct may be arranged in the housing for draining the chamber during removal of the cover. A closure device may be arrange in the intermediate piece and have a closure element configured to close the drainage duct. |
| US09212575B2 |
Gear device and vehicle having same mounted thereon
A gear device in which lubricating oil for cooling and lubricating gears to be driven therein is adjusted to a temperature and an amount suitable for the speed of a vehicle, and a vehicle having the gear device mounted thereon. A transmission adjusts the temperature of lubricating oil by supplying the lubricating oil from a lower part of a housing of the transmission into a heat exchanger by a circulation pump and causing the lubricating oil and engine cooling water to exchange heat with each other in the heat exchanger. A level of the lubricating oil retained in an oil pan when the circulation pump is stopped is defined as a highest oil level, while the level of the lubricating oil retained in the oil pan when the amount of the lubricating oil pumped up by the circulation pump is maximum is defined as a lowest oil level. The heat exchanger is disposed at a position outside the housing and higher than the highest oil level. The transmission includes a device which controls the amount of the oil to be pumped up by the lubricating pump to adjust the height of the level of the oil which varies between the highest oil level and the lowest oil level. |
| US09212573B2 |
Internal combustion engine having electrohydraulic valve control and method for operating said internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine (4) having an electrohydraulic valve control (1) for the variable lift drive of a gas exchange valve (3) is provided. The hydraulic valve (15) is actuated by an electronic control module (16) such that a gas exchange valve stroke (19) required for a charge change is adjusted during the cold start phase of the internal combustion engine (4) within a minimum stroke height (h-min) and a maximum closing time (α-max). A method for operating the internal combustion engine (4) is also provided. |
| US09212572B2 |
Sintered valve guide and production method therefor
A sintered valve guide exhibits a metallic structure having a mixed structure and a hard phase in which hard particles are dispersed in an alloy matrix. The mixed structure consists of pearlite, an Fe—P—C ternary eutectic phase, a ferrite phase, a copper phase, and pores, and the mixed structure consists of, by mass %, 0.075 to 0.525% of P, 3.0 to 10.0% of Cu, 1.0 to 3.0% of C, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities. The hard phase is dispersed at 2 to 15 mass % in the mixed structure. |
| US09212568B2 |
Control system for matching the output of a steam turbine to a changed load
The invention relates to a control system for matching the output of a steam turbine (2) to a changed load, in particular for the short-term matching of the output of a power plant steam turbine (2) to changed network loads within the context of primary control. The control system according to the invention is characterized by a heat store (33) which, when there is an increased volume of steam tapped off from the steam turbine (2) under a correspondingly reduced load, extracts heat from the steam and which, when there is a reduced quantity of steam tapped off from the steam turbine under a correspondingly increased load, gives up heat to a steam/feed water circuit supplying the steam turbine (2). |
| US09212565B2 |
Rear mounted wash manifold retention system
A retention system includes a structure clamp to connect the retention system to another structure; and a manifold clamp connected to the structure clamp, the manifold clamp including a trough to receive a pipe, a plurality of tube clamps with split cylinders extending through the trough, a collar to clamp around the pipe, and a spring to bias the trough from the collar. |
| US09212564B2 |
Annular anti-wear shim for a turbomachine
A turbomachine compressor or turbine including annular anti-wear shims mounted against hooks of a stator, each shim being substantially of channel-section defining an annular groove for engaging on a hook, the shim mounted against the downstream hook bearing axially via its middle annular wall on the stator, or on the casing, and one of its side walls includes a bearing device at its end remote from the middle annular wall for bearing against the casing or the stator, respectively, which bearing device is elastically deformable in an axial direction so as to urge the stator upstream. |
| US09212560B2 |
CMC blade with integral 3D woven platform
A method of forming a component for use in a gas turbine engine includes the steps of forming an airfoil/root assembly; creating a platform assembly structure having an opening; inserting the airfoil/root assembly into the opening; and bonding the platform assembly structure to the airfoil/root assembly to form the component. |
| US09212559B2 |
Electrical grounding for blades
A rotor in a gas turbine engine has a rotor body with at least one slot receiving a blade. The blade has an outer surface formed of a first material and an airfoil extending from a dovetail. The dovetail is received in the slot. A grounding element is in contact with a portion of the dovetail formed of a second material that is more electrically conductive than the first material. The grounding element is in contact with a rotating element that rotates with the rotor and is formed of a third material. The first material is less electrically conductive than the third material. The grounding element and rotating element together form a ground path from the portion of the dovetail into the rotor. |
| US09212558B2 |
Endwall contouring
An airfoil array is disclosed. The airfoil array may include an endwall, and a plurality of airfoils radially projecting from the endwall. Each airfoil may have a first side and an opposite second side extending axially in chord between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil array may further include a convex profiled region extending from the endwall adjacent the first side of at least one of said plurality of airfoils and near the leading edge of the at least one of said plurality of airfoils. The airfoil array may further include a concave profiled region in the endwall adjacent the first side of said at least one of said plurality of airfoils and aft of the convex profiled region. |
| US09212557B2 |
Assembly and method preventing tie shaft unwinding
A gas turbine engine has a plurality of compressor rotors, as well as a plurality of turbine rotors. A tie shaft of the engine is constrained to rotate with the compressor and turbine rotors during normal operating conditions. Further, an upstream hub is in threaded engagement with the tie shaft. The threads of the upstream hub are handed in a first manner when viewed from an upstream location. A downstream abutment member is positioned downstream of the turbine rotors and is also in threaded engagement with the tie shaft. Threads of the downstream abutment member are handed in the first manner when viewed from a downstream location. Accordingly, the compressor and turbine sections of the engine are reliably held together, and the tie shaft is substantially prevented from unwinding. |
| US09212547B2 |
Monitoring device for plug assembly
A monitoring tool, including an obstructor portion operatively arranged to impede fluid flow past the monitoring tool when the obstructor is engaged with a corresponding seat member. A disintegrable portion is included formed from a material operatively arranged to disintegrate upon exposure to a selected fluid. A gauge is coupled with the obstructor portion and the disintegrable portion. The gauge is operatively arranged to monitor one or more parameters and released from the obstructor portion when the disintegrable portion is disintegrated by the selected fluid. A method of monitoring one or more parameters is also included. |
| US09212546B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for obtaining at-bit measurements for an earth-boring drilling tool
An earth-boring drilling tool comprises a cutting element. The cutting element comprises a substrate, a diamond table, and at least one sensing element formed from a doped diamond material disposed at least partially within the diamond table. A method for determining an at-bit measurement for an earth-boring drill bit comprises receiving an electrical signal generated within a doped diamond material disposed within a diamond table of a cutting element of the earth-boring drill bit, and correlating the electrical signal with at least one parameter during a drilling operation. |
| US09212545B2 |
Use of tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane derivatives for tertiary mineral oil production
A process for mineral oil production, in which an aqueous formulation comprising tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane of the general formula (I) is injected into a mineral oil deposit through an injection well and the crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through a production well, where the R1, R2 and R radicals in the formula (I) are each defined as follows: R is independently 1 to 2 hydrocarbyl radicals per phenyl ring, R1 is preferably H or OH, R2 are independently radicals of the general formula (III), —(R5—O—)n—R6—X (III) where n is a number from 1-50, and where the R5 radicals are R7 groups R6 is a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, X is H or an acidic end group, R10 is, for example, C1-C6-hydrocarbyl radical, enables improved mineral oil production. |
| US09212544B2 |
Apparatus and method for preventing damage to a downhole pump impeller
A method for preventing damage to a downhole pump impeller of a downhole pump includes setting a rotatable part of a downhole pump to a selected depth, monitoring the depth of the rotatable part, determining that the depth of the rotatable part has significantly changed, and taking a corrective action to return the depth of the rotatable part to said selected depth in order to prevent damage to an impeller that is liable to be caused by a change in depth of the rotatable part. The downhole pump further has a line shaft, an impeller engaged with the line shaft for pressurizing fluid to be extracted from a well, and monitoring apparatus for monitoring the depth of a distal end of the line shaft in order to prevent damage to the impeller that is liable to be caused by a change in depth of the distal end. |
| US09212543B2 |
Apparatus and methods for conducting well-related fluids
Apparatus and methods for conducting well-related fluids are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may be used to mitigate erosion of fluid handling equipment by fluids associated with hydrocarbon wells. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an upstream conduit including an upstream fluid passage for receiving and conducting well-related fluid; a choke member including a choke fluid passage; and a downstream conduit including a downstream fluid passage in fluid communication with the upstream fluid passage via the choke fluid passage. A cross-sectional area of the downstream passage may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the upstream passage to allow expansion of the fluids passing through the choke such that the average velocity of such fluids may not exceed a threshold velocity selected to mitigate erosion of the downstream conduit. |
| US09212541B2 |
System and apparatus for well screening including a foam layer
An apparatus for screening earth formation components and a method of making the apparatus, the apparatus including a base pipe configured to allow the passage of formation fluid therethrough, and a foam layer disposed radially outwardly of the base pipe and configured to allow the passage of formation fluid therethrough and minimize the passage of formation solids therethrough, the foam layer-including a plurality of hollow structures forming windows therebetween. |
| US09212540B2 |
Wellbore fluid treatment and method
A cartridge-type wellbore screen includes a fluid tracing material carried by the wellbore tubular and mounted at a mounting site spaced from an opening through the screen wall to the screen's inner diameter and outwardly of the inner diameter, the mounting site being positioned such that a fluid flow path is restricted to be from the mounting site, along the outer surface of the screen and through the opening before entering the inner diameter. The screen can be used for treating wellbore fluids. |
| US09212539B2 |
Gravel packer assembly and method
A packer and screen assembly for a gravel or filter-packed well including a cylindrical shaped screen and a packer ring attached to an upper portion of the screen, with the packer ring positioned above an annular space surrounding the cylindrical-shaped screen and including an access opening having a closed configuration that substantially closes off the annular space and an open configuration that permits access to the annular space to fill the annular space with gravel or filter material. A method of filling or refilling a well with gravel or filter pack material is also provided including the steps of accessing the packer and screen assembly positioned within the well, transitioning the access opening in the packer ring from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and delivering gravel or filter pack material through the access opening and into the annular space surrounding the cylindrical-shaped screen. |
| US09212536B2 |
Device having a hard seat support
A device having a hard seat support disposed with a hard seat to reduce or prevent buckling, bursting, and/or permanent deformation of the hard seat that compromises the seal across the hard sealing surface and flapper sealing surface interface. The hard seat support may be positioned along an inner periphery of the hard seat or in direct contact with an outer periphery of the hard seat. |
| US09212535B2 |
Diversion by combining dissolvable and degradable particles and fibers
In downhole treatments in the oilfield, ball sealers seated in perforations may not fully seal and may leak fluid through gaps and asperities between the balls and the perforations. A method is given for improving the sealing of ball sealers in perforations by adding a sealing agent that forms a plug in the gaps and severely restricts or eliminates fluid flow. The sealing agent is preferably degradable or soluble, malleable fibers slightly larger than the gaps. Optionally, the particles may be non-degradable, rigid, of different shapes, and smaller than the gaps but able to bridge them. Mixtures of sealing agents may be used. The sealing agent may be added with the ball sealers, after the ball sealers, or both. |
| US09212534B2 |
Plugging and abandoning a well using a set-delayed cement composition comprising pumice
Disclosed herein are cement compositions and methods of using set-delayed cement compositions in subterranean formations. In one embodiment a method of plugging a wellbore is described. The method comprises providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising pumice, hydrated lime, a cement set retarder, and water; activating the set-delayed cement composition to produce an activated set-delayed cement composition; introducing the activated set-delayed cement composition into the wellbore; and allowing the activated set-delayed cement composition to form a plug in the wellbore that has a permeability of less than 0.1 millidarcy. |
| US09212531B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing cementing operations
A remotely operated lifting top drive cement head has a high tensile strength and the ability to swivel or rotate. The cement head permits selective launching of darts, setting plugs, balls or other objects which can be held in place within the cement head without being damaged or washed away by slurry flow, but which can be beneficially launched as desired. The cement head can be remotely operated without requiring personnel to be lifted off the rig floor to actuate the tool or observe tool status. |
| US09212530B2 |
Assembly and method for wide catch overshot
A grapple for use in an overshot has a tension ring with a reduced helix diameter. However, the helix diameter is not reduced on either sides of the control finger slot to allow the grapple to remain in contact with the control. In the alternative, a composite helix member may be utilized. Another embodiment comprises the inclusion of expansion blades on the inner diameter (“ID”) of the tension ring which allow the grapple to expand substantially before the fish reaches the segments. Another embodiment provides for a control with an offset finger to allow the guide thread ID to be smaller than the bowl helix major ID. Yet another embodiment provides a spiral grapple having grooves along its axis to provide the ability to catch a larger range of fish. |
| US09212528B2 |
Lock assembly with cageless dogs
A lock assembly including a plurality of dogs, each dog being circumferentially adjacent to at least one other dog in the plurality and each dog including a load bearing surface. An extender body is operatively arranged to transition the plurality of dogs between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The load bearing surface of each dog is operatively arranged in the extended configuration for engaging against a shoulder of a radially adjacent structure for supporting the lock assembly. The load bearing surfaces of the dogs together form a substantially circumferentially continuous shape when arranged in one of the retracted or extended configurations. And method of locking radially adjacent components. |
| US09212526B1 |
Portable moveable horizontal to vertical pipe handler
A portable moveable horizontal to vertical pipe handler for a drilling rig having a high load non-deforming frame; a plurality of hydraulic lifting cylinders secured between the high load non-deforming frame and a hydraulic power unit; a tapered beam attached to the frame, a plurality of bottom and top securing grippers for grabbing a tubular; a pinion allowing the tapered beam with grippers holding a tubular to pivot from a horizontal position to a vertical position using the hydraulic lifting cylinders; a pair of moveable skates connected to the tapered beam to elevate the tubular and a controller communication with the hydraulic lifting cylinder, the securing grippers and the skates. The controller has a processor with computer instructions for operating the hydraulic cylinders, moveable skates, and securing grippers synchronously or independently. |
| US09212519B2 |
Bottom rail level adjustor
A level adjusting device for the bottom rail of a window covering is disclosed. This device has a housing having a base, a top and a sidewall extending between the base and the top. The top has an opening through which a lift cord passes. The base has a first opening through which a lift cord passes and a second opening. A spindle is positioned within the housing, such that the bottom end of the spindle is positioned over the second opening in the bottom of the housing. That bottom end is configured to receive a tool for turning the spindle. The spindle has a peripheral edge with spaced apart notches that are engaged by a projection extending from the housing. Turning the spindle causes the lift cord to be wound around or unwound from the spindle which shortens or lengthens that lift cord to level the bottom rail. |
| US09212514B2 |
Glazing with encasement pivotally mounted about an axis in a fixed opening frame
In order to pivot the encasement provided with glass panes about the pivotal axis thereof in an opening frame, a mobile blade at the bottom of the frame is pressed down and the pivotal movement is initiated in one direction or the other after unlocking the spring blocks bearing the blades covering the grooves of the vertical profiles of the frame. The seal having a U profile slightly lifts the blade and the covering blade of the upper profile of the frame, whereby the pivoting of the frame is continued until, if the lower blade has been released in the meantime, the ledge of the flange of the upper profile of the encasement abuts the side edge of this same blade while the ribbed blade enters the opening of the U seal of the upper profile. |
| US09212510B2 |
Sealing systems and associated devices for sealing loading dock doors and the like
Systems, devices and components for the sealing of doors, including overhead doors at loading docks, and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. A door sealing system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a seal extension having a body with a first edge and a second edge. The seal extension can include a bulb seal portion extending from the first edge to form a first seal between the door and a first surface extending adjacent to a side edge of the door. The seal extension can also include a blade seal portion extending from the second edge to form a second seal between the door and a second surface extending adjacent to an upper edge of the door. |
| US09212508B2 |
Security link
A device adapted to secure at least one securing member with a security link with a lock having a body and a shackle. The security link comprising a body with a surface and a hasp, the surface having a first and a second opening through the body, the hasp enabled to be captured by the shackle of the lock. The first opening enabled to secure the securing member when the lock is secured in the second opening. The securing member enabled to be removed from the security link when the lock is removed from the second opening. The shackle does not directly hold at least one securing member. |
| US09212506B2 |
System and method for adjusting the spring torque of a lock chassis
A latch assembly configured to attach to a door includes one of a knob and a lever. The latch assembly further includes a latch extending from the door. A spindle is rotatable from a first position to a second position to move the latch from an extended position to a retracted position. A first biasing member is selectively operable to bias the spindle toward the first position. A second biasing member is selectively operable to bias the spindle toward the first position. An actuator is movable between a knob position in which only one of the first biasing member and the second biasing member biases the spindle toward the first position and a lever position in which both the first biasing member and the second biasing member cooperate to bias the spindle toward the first position. |
| US09212503B1 |
Adjustable shade greenhouse device
An adjustable shade greenhouse device selectively controls light exposure within a greenhouse. The device includes a frame having spaced cross members arching between lateral sides of the frame. Outermost cross members are positioned at respective ends of the frame. Spacers are each coupled to outermost cross members and spaced longitudinal supports are coupled to and extend between associated pairs of the spacers such that each longitudinal support extends along the frame in inwardly spaced relationship to the cross members. An interior cover is supported by the longitudinal supports. A shade has a lower edge coupled to one of the lateral sides of the frame. A transport bar coupled to the frame is selectively movable along the cross members with a top end of the shade wherein the shade is selectively extendable and retractable over the frame by movement of the transport bar. |
| US09212501B2 |
Pole mounting system
A pole mounting system comprises a support mounting and a pole base. The support mounting has a receiving aperture that tapers conically inwardly from a receiving aperture, and at least one helical guide channel is formed in a wall of the receiving recess and extends axially away from the receiving aperture. Each guide channel has a terminal reverse bend. The pole base has an insertion end tapering conically inwardly toward a tip thereof and having guide post(s) extending laterally therefrom. The insertion end and the receiving recess are of complementary shape. The insertion end of the pole base is inserted into the receiving recess with each guide post aligned with the entrance of a corresponding guide channel and rotated in one direction and then the other to drive the guide post(s) along the guide channel(s) until the outer surface of the insertion end engages the wall of the receiving recess. |
| US09212500B2 |
Device and method for wind loss prevention
A loss prevention device, method and system for a structure subject to aerodynamic lift upon exposure to a wind event is disclosed having at least one tensioner coupled to the structure, at least one anchor attached to a fixed surface, and at least one barrier semipermeable to airflow connected between the at least one anchor and the at least one tensioner and exposed to said wind event. A fraction of a wind energy of said wind event is divided between the structure and the barrier, such that a lift force induced in the structure by the wind energy is at least partially counteracted by a strain induced in the barrier by the wind energy. |
| US09212497B2 |
Portable and collapsible pool chair
A collapsible portable pool chair is provided that can adapt to a pool wall and enable a user to be partially submerged while in a stable, upright position. The pool chair comprises a pool wall attachment assembly and a seat assembly pivotally connected to each other. |
| US09212490B1 |
Gutter cover with front louver drains
A gutter cover for covering a gutter supported by gutter hangers is disclosed. The gutter cover has a central portion and a front portion configured to extend downward from the central portion to contact front portions of the gutter hangers. The front cover portion includes a plurality of louver drains, each of which comprises a drain opening and a raised louver above the drain opening. |
| US09212485B2 |
Modular building panel
An improved modular building panel and system for building construction is disclosed. The improved modular building panel comprises a novel honeycomb or lattice core comprising multiple layers of corrugated, preferably metal, components mechanically connected by any means known in the art, but which may be chemical bonding. External cladding layers comprising a novel cement mix comprising, in a preferred embodiment, Portland cement, silica sand, perlite, glass beads, and water, in combination with the honeycomb structure, provide a lightweight, highly durable, low-cost, projectile resistant, highly insulating, water, mold and mildew resistant, wind resistant novel modular wall system which is adapted for use in commercial, residential, and other construction and which provides superior security to the user. The modular building panel and system of the invention may be utilized for walls, roofs, floors, bridges, or other structures. |
| US09212484B2 |
Support metal structure for a false ceiling
A steel article for false ceilings or for supporting false ceilings and process for making the article is described. The article has the following combination of features: maximum tensile strength Rm greater than 500 N/mm2 and elongation from 0% to 15%. |
| US09212483B2 |
Double-floor design
A double-floor design with flooring panels and a support structure to be placed on a sub-floor on which the flooring panels can be laid abutting one another edge to edge and spaced from the sub-floor. The support structure includes support rails which extend below the joints between the flooring panels along the joints. The flooring panels and support rails include devices for vertically fitting the flooring panels onto the support rails, wherein the edge faces of the flooring panels forming the joints are pressed together horizontally. |
| US09212479B1 |
Supporting framework having connection nodes
The invention is about a supporting framework, having nodes and at least one framework component. The framework components are either panels or diagonal braces or a combination of them. At least one node has a connector and at least one bar. At least one connector has a plurality of bar receiving members that are located in a corresponding plurality of faces of an imaginary polyhedron and at least one bar has a first end, fixed to the one of the bar receiving members of the connector of a first node and a second end, fixed to the corresponding bar receiving member of the connector of another node. |
| US09212477B2 |
Electronic automatically adjusting bidet with visual object recognition software
An electronic bidet system that uses one or more internal cameras to capture one or more images or video of a user as he or she sits on the bidet prior to use. The images or video are analyzed using object recognition technology to identify and segment/bound the types, sizes, shapes, and positions of the lower body orifices, and conditions (e.g. hemorrhoids), in the user's genital and rectal areas. Based on these analyzed images or video, the system automatically adjusts the bidet settings for the specific conditions (e.g. hemorrhoids) and types of orifices, locations of orifices, sizes of orifices, shapes of orifices, gender, body type, and weight of the user. |
| US09212475B2 |
Self disinfecting drain trap
A drain trap U-bend which includes a molded housing for a re-usable disinfecting tablet dispenser (FIG. 1). The disinfecting tablet dispenser contains a disinfecting tablet (FIG. 4), which is released into the U-bend molding (FIG. 6: showing the tablet inside the housing molding) by a spring loaded tension device (FIG. 9: Showing the whole device including u bend, housing, rubber spur, and indicator). The tablet is stabilized within the housing of the dispenser by twin toothed rubber seals. (FIG. 10: Showing the sealant mechanism and that the water level is at the bottom sealer and with additional sealer higher up insuring no infections). The tablet is held in place by an upper ribbed rubber spur (FIG. 5). The dispenser is made water-tight by rubber O-ring that deforms to seal the branch between the dispenser and the molded housing of the U-bend. |
| US09212474B2 |
Quick assembly and disassembly mechanism for faucet
A quick assembly and disassembly mechanism for a faucet includes a main body, a movable lock block disposed in the main body, a press plate which is movably disposed on the main body, and push blocks which are movably disposed on the main body and driven by the press plate. When the main body is moved to the counter top to compress the press plate, the press plate will hold against the push blocks to push the lock block to mesh with the bolt tightly, so that the faucet can be mounted and dismounted quickly. The assembly and disassembly of the faucet and the related parts is more convenient and quick. |
| US09212470B2 |
Quick release hose guide
Disclosed embodiments provide various quick release hose guide designs which can be attached to, or removed from, a work machine with less effort than conventionally required. Exemplary embodiments of the hose guides include a sleeve which slides over a post on the work machine when hydraulic hoses of an attachment are to be connected to the hydraulic system of the work machine. A quick release pin is inserted through apertures in the sleeve and in the post to secure the hose guide in place. A snap clip connected to the pin can then be used to help insure that the pin remains in place. In some embodiments, unlike conventional hose guide designs, the hose guides remain with the attachment or implement hoses when the attachment is removed from the work machine. |
| US09212467B2 |
Rotating parking brake control device for construction machinery
The disclosed rotating parking brake control device obviates the need for an operator to operate an emergency-stop switch. A hybrid controller, to which a brake is connected, outputs a drive control signal to a rotating electric motor to control drive of an upper rotating body and also controls the brake by generating a brake release command signal and outputting the brake release command signal to the brake. A pump controller also generates a brake release command signal, and the brake release command signal generated by the pump controller is transmitted to the hybrid controller through an inter-controller signal line. The brake release command signal is outputted to the brake only when the brake release command signal is generated by the hybrid controller and the brake release command signal is transmitted from the pump controller through the inter-controller signal line. |
| US09212461B2 |
Snow shovel
An improved snow shovel for reducing the suction of snow to shovel while still maintaining the overall strength of the shovel. The improved snow shovel has a face or blade scoop portion that has an array of vertical or longitudinally extending slots or slits that penetrate through the entire blade scoop portion of the snow shovel. The array is arranged with the slots aligned vertically in a top to bottom arrangement. The slots are disposed in a set of preferably one to two slots per set. The sets of slots are arranged in a symmetric pattern on the face of the shovel to ensure uniform distribution of the reduction of snow to the shovel and to ensure uniformity of the overall strength of the shovel. The shovel face can be flat or curved. |
| US09212456B2 |
Automatic rail fastener orienter
A rail fastener orienter is provided for orienting rail fasteners to a desired orientation, the fasteners having a head, an opposite tip and a shank connecting the head to the tip, and being sequentially provided to the orienter in one of a head right, head left, head up and head down orientation. The orienter includes a frame having an upper end and an opposite lower end, and defining a track with an inlet adjacent the upper end, and an outlet adjacent the lower end, the track dimensioned for slidingly and rotatingly accommodating the shank. At least one stage holder is provided for accommodating the fastener in the track as the head is at least partially engaged by at least one bumper for repositioning to a desired one of the orientations, such that the fastener reaches the outlet in the desired orientation after axial rotation. |
| US09212452B2 |
Ironing board
An ironing board having a leg base operable to provide increased lateral stability and further having an integrated electrical interface. The ironing board includes a support frame having a center support member that is generally cylindrical and hollow. Slidably coupled to the second end of the center support member is a mounting sleeve. The mounting sleeve has pivotally secured thereto opposing and rotatable leg sections. An upper support member is slidably secured to the center support member proximate the first end of the center support member for height adjustment. The upper support member has secured thereto a mounting rod and sleeve. The mounting rod and sleeve are operably coupled with an ironing surface. An iron holding member is releasably secured to the upper support member being configured to retain a clothes iron. Further included is a hanging rod underneath the ironing surface for hanging of clothes. |
| US09212447B2 |
Tub section for a washing machine
A method of manufacturing a tub section for a washing machine, wherein the tub section has a bearing housing of a bearing. The method includes manufacturing a first pre-product having the bearing housing and a plastic cover covering a side surface of the bearing housing; manufacturing a plastic second pre-product; and joining the first pre-product and the second pre-product to form the tub section. The plastic cover of the first pre-product has a greater material strength than the second pre-product and the plastic cover of the first pre-product and the plastic second pre-product include the same base product. |
| US09212446B2 |
Laundry machine and washing method with steam for the same
Disclosed herein are a washing method and a laundry machine adopting the same, and more particularly, a steam washing method and a laundry machine that is capable of washing laundry only using steam and effectively performing a washing operation under the optimum operation condition. The steam washing method includes a selection step of allowing a user to select a steam washing course, in which a washing operation is performed only using steam, through an input unit, and an operation step of performing an operation based on the steam washing course while controlling at least one of a steam supply unit, a water supply unit, and a drum drive unit. The laundry machine includes an input unit for selecting a steam washing course, in which a washing operation is performed only using steam, among various washing courses, a steam supply unit for generating steam and supplying the generated steam to a tub or a drum, and a control unit for performing a control operation such that laundry received in the drum can be washed only using the steam when the steam washing course is inputted by the input unit. |
| US09212445B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling the liquid filling in a laundry treating appliance
Disclosed is a method of operating a horizontal axis laundry treating appliance to correct for an error in sensing an amount of supplied liquid caused by a determined change in the attitude of an associated wash tub. |
| US09212437B2 |
One-piece fiber reinforcement for a reinforced polymer combining aligned and random fiber layers
A one-piece fiber reinforcement for a reinforced polymer is described. In an embodiment, a one-piece reinforcement is fabricated by first assembling an interior randomly oriented fiber layer between two exterior aligned fiber layers. With all layers in face to face contact, a preselected number of fibers from the aligned layer is conveyed out of its aligned layer and threaded into at least the random fiber layer so that the conveyed fibers engage and mechanically and frictionally interfere with the random fibers. The fibers may be conveyed from one aligned layer to the other for yet greater interference. The interfering fibers serve to secure and interlock the layers together, producing a one-piece reinforcement which, when impregnated with a polymer precursor, shaped and cured may be incorporated in a polymer reinforced composite article. |
| US09212435B2 |
Pulp and fibrillated fiber composite
A cellulose pulp sheet is provided that is formed from never-dried kraft pulp and fibrillated fibers, such as lyocell. The pulp sheet provides several beneficial features as a result of both the use of fibrillated fibers and never-dried kraft pulp, particularly when the pulp sheet is used to form air-laid absorbent materials that include superabsorbent polymers. |
| US09212429B2 |
Gold plating solution
A gold plating bath and a plating method is disclosed where gold cyanide or salts thereof provide the source of gold, a cobalt compound, and a reaction product of compound containing at least a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound and an epihalohydrin. The gold plating bath has high deposition selectivity. |
| US09212428B2 |
Steel sheet for container and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a steel sheet for a container including a cold-rolled steel sheet and a composite film formed on the cold-rolled steel sheet through an electrolysis process in a solution containing: at least one metal ion of an Sn ion, an Fe ion, and an Ni ion; Zr ion; a nitric acid ion: and an ammonium ion, in which the composite film contains at least one element of: Zr of 0.1 to 100 mg/m2 in equivalent units of metal Zr; Sn of 0.3 to 20 g/m2 in equivalent units of metal Sn; Fe of 5 to 2000 mg/m2 in equivalent units of metal Fe; and Ni of 5 to 2000 mg/m2 in equivalent units of metal Ni. |
| US09212424B1 |
Flame-assisted flash sintering
The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method of sintering inorganic powder coatings on substrates, and includes a flame and an electric plasma. The method is capable of being used in an open atmospheric environment. The substrate is electrically conductive and is used as one electrode while the flame is used as the other electrode that is moved over the areas of the powder coating to be sintered. An electrical current is used to cause a plasma produced through the flame, resulting in a combined energy and temperature profile sufficient for inorganic powder-powder and powder-substrate bonding. This method is referred to as “flame-assisted flash sintering” (FAFS). |
| US09212422B2 |
CVD reactor with gas flow virtual walls
A chemical vapor deposition reactor has one or more deposition zones bounded by gas flow virtual walls, within a housing having closed walls. Each deposition zone supports chemical vapor deposition onto a substrate. Virtual walls formed of gas flows laterally surround the deposition zone, including a first gas flow of reactant gas from within the deposition zone and a second gas flow of non-reactant gas from a region laterally external to the deposition zone. The first and second gas flows are mutually pressure balanced to form the virtual walls. The virtual walls are formed by merging of gas flows at the boundary of each deposition zone. The housing has an exhaust valve to prevent pressure differences or pressure build up that would destabilize the virtual walls. Cross-contamination is reduced, between the deposition zones and the closed walls of the housing or an interior region of the housing outside the gas flow virtual walls. |
| US09212420B2 |
Chemical vapor deposition method
A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for depositing a thin film on a surface of a substrate is described. The CVD method comprises disposing a substrate on a substrate holder in a process chamber, and introducing a process gas to the process chamber, wherein the process gas comprises a chemical precursor. The process gas is exposed to a non-ionizing heat source separate from the substrate holder to cause decomposition of the chemical precursor. A thin film is deposited upon the substrate. |
| US09212416B2 |
Low temperature carburization under soft vacuum
Low temperature carburization of stainless steel using acetylene as the carburizing specie is carried out under soft vacuum conditions in the presence of hydrogen or other companion gas. As a result, formation of soot and the undesirable thermal oxide film that normally occurs during low temperature carburization is eliminated virtually completely. |
| US09212412B2 |
Lean duplex stainless steel excellent in corrosion resistance and toughness of weld heat affected zone
The present invention provides a lean duplex stainless steel able to suppress the drop in corrosion resistance and toughness of a weld heat affected zone comprising, by mass %, C: 0.06% or less, Si: 0.1 to 1.5%, Mn: 2.0 to 4.0%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.005% or less, Cr: 19.0 to 23.0%, Ni: 1.0 to 4.0%, Mo: 1.0% or less, Cu: 0.1 to 3.0%, V: 0.05 to 0.5%, Al: 0.003 to 0.050%, O: 0.007% or less, N: 0.10 to 0.25%, and Ti: 0.05% or less, having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities. An Md30 value is 80 or less, an Ni-bal is −7.1 to 4, an austenite phase area percentage is 40 to 70%, and a 2×Ni+Cu is 3.5 or more: Md30=551−462×(C+N)−9.2×Si−8.1×Mn−29×(Ni+Cu)−13.7×Cr−18.5×Mo−68×Nb; Ni-bal=(Ni+0.5Mn+0.5Cu+30C+30N)−1.1(Cr+1.5Si+Mo+W)+8.2 and N(%)≦0.37+0.03×(Ni-bal). |
| US09212410B2 |
Steel rod and high strength steel wire having superior ductility and methods of production of same
The present invention inexpensively provides with high productivity and good yield a steel rod superior in drawability and a steel wire superior in twistability using the same as a material, that is, draws a high strength steel rod superior in ductility where the chemical components contain C: 0.80 to 1.20%, Si: 0.1 to 1.5%, Mn: 0.1 to 1.0%, Al: 0.01% or less, Ti: 0.01% or less, one or both of W: 0.005 to 0.2% and Mo: 0.003 to 0.2%, N: 10 to 30 ppm, B: 4 to 30 ppm (of which, solute B is 3 ppm or more), and O: 10 to 40 ppm, which has a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, has an area percentage of pearlite structures of 97% or more, has a balance of non-pearlite structures, and has a total of the area percentage of the non-pearlite structures and the area percentage of the coarse pearlite structures of 15% or less, to obtain high strength steel wire superior in ductility having a tensile strength of 3600 MPa or more and a number density of voids of lengths of 5 μm or more at the center of 100/mm2 or less. |
| US09212409B2 |
Mixture of powders for preparing a sintered nickel-titanium-rare earth metal (Ni-Ti-RE) alloy
A mixture of powders for preparing a sintered nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti—RE) alloy includes Ni—Ti alloy powders comprising from about 55 wt. % Ni to about 61 wt. % Ni and from about 39 wt. % Ti to about 45 wt. % Ti, and RE alloy powders comprising a RE element. |
| US09212407B2 |
Soldering process
A process by which molten solder is purified in-situ, making the soldering process more efficient and yielding better results, particularly for lead-free soldering. Lead-free solder becomes practical for use since the temperature for reliable soldering is reduced. A layer of active additive is maintained on the surface of molten solder for scavenging metal oxide from the solder and assimilating metal oxide into a liquid layer. The active additive is an organic liquid having nucleophilic and/or electrophilic groups. As an example, a layer of dimer acid maintained on a wave soldering apparatus scavenges metal oxide from the bath, and assimilates dross that may form on the surface. Scavenging metal oxide cleanses the bath and lowers viscosity of the solder, and PC boards or the like soldered on the wave have reliable solder joints. |
| US09212406B2 |
Valuable metal recovery method
Provided is a method for improving the recovery rate of valuable metals such as cobalt when drying the battery waste of lithium ion batteries and the like. A second alloy excellent in terms of iron-cobalt separation performance and containing a small amount of iron is obtained by performing: a pre-oxidation step (ST20) for roasting and pre-oxidizing battery waste containing aluminum and iron; a melting step (ST21) for obtaining a molten product by melting the battery waste after the pre-oxidation step; a first slag separation step (ST22) for separating and recovering first slag containing aluminum oxide from the molten product; a second oxidation step (ST23) for oxidizing a molten first alloy after the first slag separation step; and a second slag separation step (ST24) for separating and recovering a second slag containing iron from a second alloy after the second oxidation step (ST23). |
| US09212400B2 |
Torque teno virus diagnostics
The present invention relates to methods for the detection of the presence of swine Torque Teno virus in a sample, for the detection of replication of swine Torque Teno virus in a sample, to Torque Teno virus (RT)-PCR primers and probes, and to diagnostic test kits for the detection of the presence and replication of swine Torque Teno virus in a sample. |
| US09212399B2 |
Biological specimen collection and transport system and method of use
Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for presenting the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis. |
| US09212398B2 |
Cross priming amplification of target nucleic acids
The present invention relates to methods of amplification of nucleic acid sequences; more particularly, it relates to methods of amplifying target sequences by utilizing cross priming isothermal amplification. The present invention relates to methods of marking the amplification target sequence during the amplification reaction and rapid detection of the target sequence. The present invention also relates to reagent kits for rapid nucleic acid diagnosis and the nucleic acid detection of pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, as well as to diagnoses related to human genetic diseases. |
| US09212392B2 |
Normalization of polymerase activity
Provided herein is technology relating to the amplification-based detection of nucleic acids and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and compositions for minimizing variability in the activity between different samples or manufacturing lots of DNA polymerases, such as Taq DNA polymerase. |
| US09212391B2 |
Method for determining DNA fragmentation in microorganisms
The present invention relates to a process for determining the DNA integrity in microorganisms and a kit for evaluating the DNA integrity therein. Due to the fact that cell death means DNA fragmentation, with the present process the DNA fragmentation levels in microorganisms can be clearly discriminated in a simple, quick and accurate manner. |
| US09212385B2 |
Fluorinated resorufin compounds and their application
The invention provides novel fluorinated resorufin compounds that are of use in a variety of assay formats. Also provided are methods of using the compounds and kits that include a compound of the invention and instructions detailing the use of the compound in one or more assay formats. |
| US09212384B2 |
Microbial culture medium and microbial culture method using acid/activated clay
There is provided a microbial culture medium and a microbial culture method for adequately growing a target bacterium contained in an antibacterial test sample.The microbial culture medium for growing a target bacterium contained in an antibacterial test sample is composed of a basal medium for microbial culture, and acid clay or activated clay contained in the basal medium. The microbial culture method for growing a target bacterium contained in an antibacterial test sample using a microbial culture medium includes adding acid clay or activated clay to a solution of the test sample. It is preferred that the acid clay or activated clay be combined with activated carbon. |
| US09212376B2 |
DNA encoding novel enzyme having D-serine synthase activity, method of producing the enzyme and method of producing D-serine by using the same
This invention relates to DNA encoding a novel enzyme having activity of synthesizing D-serine from formaldehyde and glycine, recombinant DNA constructed by integrating such DNA into a vector, a transformant transformed with the recombinant DNA, and a method for producing D-serine from formaldehyde and glycine with the use of the enzyme. |
| US09212374B2 |
Vectors
The present invention relates to a transfer vector for inserting a gene into a genetic locus of a baculovirus sequence. The transfer vector comprises an expression cassette comprising a eukaryotic promoter operably linked to the gene and a bipartite selection cassette. The present invention also relates to methods of using the transfer vector and derived bacmids and baculoviruses. |
| US09212373B2 |
Control of targeted turnover of key ethylene hormone signaling pathway proteins to modulate ethylene sensitivity in plants
A gene expression system for controllable expression of ethylene response in a plant cell includes an activation cassette comprising a DNA-binding domain that recognizes a response element; an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain; and an activation domain; and a target cassette comprising an inducible promoter, which comprises, in operative association, the response element and a minimal promoter responsive to the activation domain. The inducible promoter controls the expression of a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a selected regulatory protein that modifies sensitivity to ethylene of certain signal proteins in the plant. Interaction among the components of the activation cassette and target cassette, when in a plant cell, in the presence of an inducing composition, increases expression of the selected regulatory protein, and in turn decreases expression and accumulation of the signal protein in the plant, thereby and decreasing ethylene sensitivity in the plant cell. This increase in the expression of the regulatory protein, particularly in the presence of ethylene, is controlled by the timing, the concentration and the duration of the application of the inducing composition. Transgenic plant cells, tissues, organs and entire plants are provided, which in the presence of the inducing composition control ethylene sensitivity. Ethylene sensitivity and/or ethylene production in such transgenic plants and tissues may be controlled for purposes of manipulating ripening, flower senescence and other ethylene sensitive functions of the plant. |
| US09212366B2 |
Immune modulating oligonucleotides in connection with chemotherapeutic measures
The invention relates to the use of immune modulators on the basis of DNA in the form of covalently closed nucleic acid molecules comprising immune stimulatory sequence motifs, for the production of a pharmaceutical for the therapeutic treatment of tumor diseases in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs. |
| US09212361B2 |
Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of hypertension
The present invention relates to an inhibitor of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) activity or expression for use in a method for treating or preventing hypertension in a subject in need thereof. |
| US09212360B2 |
Human micrornas and methods for inhibiting same
The invention relates to isolated DNA or RNA molecules comprising at least ten contiguous bases having a sequence in a microRNA shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1-94; 281-374; 467-481; 497-522; or 549, except that up to thirty percent of the bases may be wobble bases, and up to 10% of the contiguous bases may be non-complementary. The invention further relates to modified single stranded microRNA molecules, isolated single stranded anti-microRNA molecules and isolated microRNP molecules. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for inhibiting microRNP activity in a cell. |
| US09212359B2 |
Systems for induction of gene expression and protein depletion in yeast
A system allows for rapid and specific induction of individual genes in eukaryotic cells using a chimeric transcriptional activator that is responsive to hormone inducer. Upon addition of the hormone, cytoplasmic transcriptional activator localizes to the nucleus and subsequently binds to promoters containing sequences that bind to its DNA-binding domain. Genetic modifications allow for rapid and specific degradation of a targeted protein upon addition of hormone by means of a regulated degron method that utilizes a protease variant. This system is useful for discovering new compounds by high throughput screening when introducing compound libraries to these protein-depleted cells. |
| US09212357B2 |
Thrombin solution and methods of use thereof
Provided are methods for lyophilization of an aqueous thrombin solution, thrombin solutions for use in such lyophilization methods, and solid thrombin compositions produced by such methods. |
| US09212350B2 |
Method of cloning stable stress tolerant superoxide dismutase using universal primers
The present invention relates to a method of cloning stable stress tolerant superoxide dismutase from diverse plant species using universal primers. |
| US09212348B2 |
Method for producing hematopoietic stem cells using pyrazole compounds
An expanding agent for hematopoietic stem cells and/or hematopoietic progenitor cells useful as a therapy for various hematopoietic diseases and useful for improvement in the efficiency of gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells for gene therapy is provided.A method of producing hematopoietic stem cells and/or hematopoietic progenitor cells, which comprises expanding hematopoietic stem cells by culturing hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo in the presence of a compound represented by the formula following (I), a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound or a solvate thereof (wherein R1 to R8 are as defined in the description). |
| US09212346B2 |
Substrate-selective co-fermentation process
Biological method for conversion of a sugar-containing organic material into a desired biochemical product. Use of a plurality of substrate-selective cells allows different sugars in a complex mixture to be consumed concurrently and independently. The method can be readily extended to remove inhibitory compounds from hydrolysate. |
| US09212345B2 |
System and method for producing tissue-engineered material
A system for producing a tissue-engineered material includes a hollow member and a mechanical stimulating unit. The hollow member is adapted to be implanted in a peritoneal cavity, and is to be positioned in the peritoneal cavity in a manner that a part of the hollow member contacts an inner wall surface of the peritoneal cavity for enabling formation of a biological tissue that encapsulates the hollow member. The mechanical stimulation unit is coupled to the hollow member and configured to provide a periodic mechanical stimulus to the biological tissue by periodically causing the hollow member to expand and contract. A method for producing the aforesaid tissue-engineered material is also disclosed. |
| US09212336B2 |
3-methyl-benzofuran-5-ol and its use in perfume compositions
The present invention is directed to a novel fragrance compound, 3-methyl-benzofuran-5-ol, and a method of improving, enhancing or modifying a fragrance formulation through the addition of an olfactory acceptable amount of 3-methyl-benzofuran-5-ol. |
| US09212333B2 |
Dispersant, dispersion, method for adjusting viscosity of dispersant, mobile device, surface treatment agent, electrolytic solution, separator, and rechargeable lithium ion battery
A dispersant of the present invention is used after being added to a dispersant obtained by dispersing fine particles of a crystalline polymer as a dispersed particle and is characterized by containing a copolymer of a first monomer and a second monomer, the first monomer being a monomer that can be crystallized as a polymer having the molecular structure identical to that of the dispersed particle. |
| US09212331B2 |
Additive mixture for the bactericidal and anticorrosive additization of fuels
An additive mixture for fuels including a) at least one N-formal, b) at least one antioxidant and c) at least one corrosion inhibitor. The additive mixture ensures that the additized fuels and lubricants have biocidal and corrosion-inhibiting additization, especially when they include proportions of renewable raw materials, such as biodiesel, and when they are in contact with copper-containing surfaces. |
| US09212328B2 |
Apparatus and method for converting biomass to feedstock for biofuel and biochemical manufacturing processes
The present invention includes improved systems and methods for producing biomass-derived feedstocks for biofuel and biochemical manufacturing processes. The systems and methods use components that are capable of transferring relatively high concentrations of solid biomass utilizing pressure variations between vessels, and allows for the recovery and recycling of heterogeneous catalyst materials. |
| US09212324B2 |
Hydroprocessing catalyst, preparation method thereof and use of same
The invention relates to a hydrocarbon hydroprocessing catalyst comprising a support based on at least one refractory oxide, at least one metal from group VIII and at least one metal from group VIB. The inventive catalyst is characterized in that it also comprises at least one organic compound having formula (I) or (II) in which each R1 represents independently an alkyl group at C1-18, an alkenyl group at C2-18, an aryl group at C6-18, a cycloalkyl group at C3-8, an alkylaryl or arylalkyl group at C7-20, or the two R1 groups together form a divalent group at C2-18, and R2 represents an alkylene group at C1-18, an arylene group at C6-18, a cycloalkylene group at C3-7, or a combination of same. The invention also relates to a method of preparing one such catalyst and to the use thereof for hydroprocessing or hydrocracking. |
| US09212322B2 |
Selective separation of Heavy Coker Gas Oil
Embodiments of the invention are directed to the improvement of the design of coker systems and processes in order to improve the yields and separation of heavy coker gas oils derived therefrom. |
| US09212319B2 |
Enhancement of Fischer-Tropsch process for hydrocarbon fuel formulation in a GTL environment
An enhanced natural gas processing method using Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. A selection of natural gas, separately or combined with portions of natural gas liquids and FT naphtha and FT vapors are destroyed in a syngas generator and used or recycled as feedstock to an Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. The process enhancement results is the maximum production of formulated syndiesel without the presence or formation of low value by-products. |
| US09212312B2 |
Method for reducing silicone antifoam usage in delayed coking processes
The current invention provides an improved petroleum coking process wherein the risk of silicone poisoning of units downstream of the coke drums is reduced. The method of the current invention controls the foam layer within the coke drum by injection of a silicone anti-foam agent in a highly aromatic carrier fluid such as slurry oil. |
| US09212309B2 |
Liquid crystalline medium and liquid crystalline display
The present invention relates to dielectrically positive liquid-crystalline media comprising one or more compounds of the formula I in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated in the specification, and optionally one or more further dielectrically positive compounds and optionally one or more further dielectrically neutral compounds, and to liquid-crystal displays containing these media, especially to active-matrix displays and in particular to TN, IPS and FFS displays. |
| US09212307B2 |
Stabilizer composition, resin composition, and molded product using same
The present invention provides a stabilizer composition comprising a monoester and diester of alkylmercapto carboxylic acid of bisphenol sulfide, which is capable of maintaining good ease of handling without causing precipitation of solids even in low temperature environments. The stabilizer composition according to the present invention comprises: a diester represented by the following Formula (1): (wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like; and R4 and R5 each independently represent a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted); and a monoester represented by the following Formula (2): (wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like; and R6 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted) wherein the content of the diester represented by the Formula (1) is more than 65 parts by mass and less than 80 parts by mass in a total of 100 parts by mass of the diester represented by the Formula (1) and the monoester represented by the Formula (2). |
| US09212304B2 |
Use of high ratio aqueous alkali silicates in drilling fluids
An improved drilling and completion fluid can be used in subterranean drilling for oil and gas. Sodium silicate and potassium silicate-based drilling fluids are commonly used drilling fluids with the notable attributes of exceptional shale stabilization characteristics coupled with exceptional environmental performance Environmental and wellbore stabilization characteristics are improved by using high ratio aqueous silicates wherein ratio is defined as the molar ratio of SiO2:Me2O, where Me is an alkali and is most commonly sodium or potassium (i.e. Na2O and K2O). For high ratio aqueous alkali silicates, the molar ratio of SiO2:Me2O can range from just over 4.0 to about 12.0. |
| US09212301B2 |
Composition for preparing polysaccharide fibers
This invention pertains to a novel solution composition useful for preparing fibers from poly(α(1→3) glucan). The fibers prepared according to the invention, have “cotton-like” properties, are useful in textile applications, and can be produced as continuous filaments on a year-round basis. The solution comprises a 5-20% solids concentration of poly(α(1→3) glucan) in an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide, in particular NaOH at concentration of 2 to 10 weight-%. |
| US09212295B2 |
Production method for obtaining fiber-reinforced composite material, and epoxy resin composition used therein
Provided is a method for producing a good epoxy resin composition for obtaining fiber-reinforced plastics. A production method for obtaining a fiber-reinforced composite material by impregnating a fiber assembly with an epoxy resin composition and then curing the epoxy resin composition, wherein the epoxy resin composition contains a component [A], a component [B] and a component [C] respectively satisfying the conditions described below. When the blending amount of the component [B] is set to b parts by mass and the blending amount of the component [C] is set to c parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the component [A] contained in the epoxy resin composition, formula (2) is satisfied within the range of formula (1), formula (4) is satisfied within the range of formula (3), and formula (6) is satisfied within the range of formula (5). |
| US09212291B2 |
Use of meltable acrylate polymers for producing contact adhesive layers
The present invention relates to the use of meltable acrylate polymers for producing contact adhesive layers in resealable packagings. Moreover, the invention relates to multiple-layer films which have a contact adhesive layer on the basis of meltable acrylate polymers, to a method for producing said multiple-layer films, and to the use of said multiple-layer films for producing resealable packagings. |
| US09212289B2 |
Non-aqueous pigment ink
A non-aqueous pigment ink is provided, wherein the non-aqueous pigment ink comprises a pigment complex including a pigment, a dispersant comprising a functional group having reactivity with a polyvalent isocyanate compound, and a polyvalent isocyanate compound, and a non-aqueous solvent. |
| US09212277B2 |
Cable and production process thereof
A cable comprising a semiconductive layer and an insulation layer with improved DC electrical properties is provided. |
| US09212266B2 |
Hydrophilic gels from polyalkylether-based photoinitiators
The invention provides a method for the manufacture of a catheter comprising a hydrophilic gel. The method comprising the steps of combining a polymeric photoinitiator of the general formula (I): R1(A1)r-(R2(A2)m-O)o—(R3(A3)n-O)p—R4(A4)s (I) with one or more gel-forming polymers and/or gel-forming monomers to form a matrix composition, curing the matrix composition by exposing it to UV radiation, exposing the matrix composition to a swelling medium and incorporating the hydrophilic gel into a catheter. |
| US09212263B2 |
Reactive ionic liquid, and ion-immobilized metal oxide particle, ion-immobilized elastomer, and transducer using same
A reactive ionic liquid to be used as an ionic component that is contained in an ion-containing layer in a transducer arranged in contact with a high-resistance layer as a dielectric layer of the transducer, and is restrained from migrating from the ion-containing layer to the high-resistance layer on application of a voltage is provided. The reactive ionic liquid comprises an ion pair that consists of an anion and a cation. In the reactive ionic liquid, (a) the anion comprises (a1) a reactive group that consists of an alkoxysilyl group and (a2) an anionic group consisting of a carboxylate (—COO−) group or a sulfonate (—SO3−) group. (b) The cation (b1) consists of an imidazolium, ammonium, pyrrolidinium, morpholinium, or phosphonium cation, and (b2) does not comprise an N—H group or a P—H group. |
| US09212261B2 |
Polymers, their method of manufacture and use thereof
A method for the manufacture of a polymer is provided, the method comprising: Providing a first monomer, the first monomer comprising a bicyclic diamine moiety, a first nucleophilic group provided on a carbon atom of an aromatic moiety, and a second nucleophilic group provided on a carbon atom of an aromatic moiety; Providing a bridging compound comprising at least two sites vulnerable to nucleophilic attack; and Contacting the first monomer with the bridging compound. Polymers made by said method and uses of such polymers are also disclosed. |
| US09212258B2 |
Amphiphilic dendron-coils, micelles thereof and uses
The invention generally relates to the fields of drug delivery and cell capture. In particular, the invention relates to amphiphilic dendron-coils, micelles thereof and their use for drug delivery vehicles and/or cell capture. |
| US09212255B2 |
Resist underlayer film-forming composition
A composition forms a resist underlayer film showing improved adhesiveness to a resist pattern. A resist underlayer film-forming composition for lithography, including: a polymer that has a structure of Formula (1a), Formula (1b), or Formula (2) below on an end of the polymer; and an organic solvent: (where R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; each of R2 and R3 is independently a hydrogen atom or an organic group such as a hydrocarbon group, etc., the hydrocarbon group optionally has at least one of a hydroxy group and a methylthio group as substituent(s); R4 is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group; Q1 is an arylene group; v is 0 or 1; y is an integer of 1 to 4; w is an integer of 1 to 4; x1 is 0 or 1; and x2 is an integer of 1 to 5). |
| US09212254B2 |
Copolymer, organic semiconductor material, organic electrical device, photovoltaic module
A copolymer containing a repeating unit having a dioxopyrrole condensed ring skeleton and a repeating unit having a dithieno condensed ring skeleton and also having a specific substituent is provided. |
| US09212238B2 |
Microparticle, addition agent and filtering membrane
Provided is an electronic microparticle, including a first copolymer copolymerized from a first monomer and a second monomer or a second copolymer copolymerized from the first monomer, the second monomer and a third monomer. The first monomer includes an alkenyl group and excludes a sulfonic group, a carboxylic group, a hydroxyl group and an amino group. The second monomer includes an alkenyl group and further includes a sulfonic group or a carboxylic group. The third monomer includes an alkenyl group and further includes a hydroxyl group or an amino group. Either the first monomer or the second monomer has a ratio of the repeating units of the first monomer to the repeating units of the second monomer between about 200:1 and 20:1. In addition, an addition agent and a filtering membrane which include the electronic microparticle illustrated above are provided. |
| US09212234B2 |
Process for producing high molecular weight polyethylene
In a process for producing high molecular weight polyethylene, ethylene is contacted with a slurry of a catalyst composition comprising a Group 4 metal complex of a phenolate ether ligand under polymerization conditions comprising a temperature of about 20° C. to less than 90° C. and a pressure of about 4 bar to about 40 bar. |
| US09212233B2 |
Polysaccharide compositions and methods of use for the treatment and prevention of disorders associated with progenitor cell mobilization
Polysaccharide preparations lacking substantial anticoagulant activity are provided herein. Methods of making and using such preparations are provided. |
| US09212232B2 |
Reduction of endotoxin in polysialic acids
The present invention relates to process for reducing the endotoxin content of a sample of fermentation broth containing polysialic acid and endotoxin comprising the sequential steps: (i) adding to the sample a base having a pKa of at least 12 to form a basic solution having a pH of at least 12, incubating the solution for a pre-determined time at a pre-determined temperature; and (ii) recovery of PSA, suitably by (iii) passing the sample through an anion-exchange column whereby polysialic acid is absorbed on the ion exchange resin; (iv) washing the column with one washing buffer, whereby polysialic acid remains absorbed on the ion exchange resin; and (v) eluting the polysialic acid from the column using an elution buffer to provide a product solution of polysialic acid having reduced endotoxin content. |
| US09212230B2 |
Bispecific antibodies and methods for production thereof
The invention relates to an ex vivo method for the generation of a bispecific antibody, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first antibody having a first binding specificity, wherein said first antibody comprises an IgG4-like CH3 region, b) providing a second antibody having a second binding specificity which differs from said first binding specificity, wherein said second antibody comprises an IgG4-like CH3 region, c) incubating said first and second antibodies together under reducing conditions which allow the cysteines in the core hinge region to undergo disulfidebond isomerization, and d) obtaining a bispecific antibody. The invention furthermore relates to bispecific antibodies obtainable by the method of the invention. |
| US09212228B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies against claudin-18 for treatment of cancer
The present invention provides antibodies useful as therapeutics for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing CLD18, including tumor-related diseases such as gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, hepatic cancer, head-neck cancer, and cancer of the gallbladder. |
| US09212222B2 |
Anti-NGF antibodies and methods using same
The invention concerns anti-NGF antibodies (such as anti-NGF antagonist antibodies), and polynucleotides encoding the same. The invention further concerns use of such antibodies and/or polynucleotides in the treatment and/or prevention of pain, including post-surgical pain, rheumatoid arthritis pain, and osteoarthritis pain. |
| US09212221B2 |
Form-specific antibodies for NAG-1 (MIC-1, GDF-15), H6D and other TGF-β subfamily and heart disease and cancer diagnoses
A method of producing form-specific anti-peptide antibodies for a wild type protein and its one amino acid mutated protein using a peptide antigen, by obtaining a protein sequence of the wild type protein and its one amino acid mutated protein, selecting a continuous amino acid sequence without any internal cysteine residues that includes the one amino acid mutated sequence and wild type sequence corresponding to the mutated site at the end of the sequence to obtain a synthetic mutation peptide and a synthetic wild type peptide, conjugating the synthetic peptides to a carrier protein, and immunizing an animal to produce antibodies. Methods of detecting cancer and methods of treating cancer. |
| US09212220B2 |
Methods, devices, kits and compositions for detecting roundworm
Methods, devices, kits and compositions for detecting the presence or absence of roundworm in a mammalian sample are disclosed herein. The methods, devices, kits and compositions of the present invention may be used to confirm the presence or absence of roundworm in a fecal sample from a mammal that may also be infected with one or more of hookworm, whipworm, and heartworm. Confirmation of the presence or absence of roundworm in the mammal may be made, for example, for the purpose of selecting an optimal course of treating the mammal and/or for the purpose of determining whether the mammal has been rid of the infection after treatment has been initiated. |
| US09212218B2 |
Vmp-like sequences of pathogenic Borrelia
The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding Vmp-like polypeptides of pathogenic Borreliae, the use of the DNA sequences in recombinant vectors to express polypeptides, the encoded amino acid sequences, application of the DNA and amino acid sequences to the production of polypeptides as antigens for immunoprophylaxis, immunotherapy, and immunodiagnosis. Also disclosed are the use of the nucleic acid sequences as probes or primers for the detection of organisms causing Lyme disease, relapsing fever, or related disorders, and kits designed to facilitate methods of using the described polypeptides, DNA segments and antibodies. |
| US09212211B2 |
Trail collectin fusion proteins
The present invention refers to a fusion protein comprising a TNF-superfamily (TNFSF) cytokine or a receptor binding domain thereof fused to a collectin trimerization domain, to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein, and to a cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule. The fusion protein is present as a trimeric complex or as an oligomer thereof. The fusion protein, the nucleic acid, and the cell is suitable as pharmaceutical composition or for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications. |
| US09212207B2 |
Computationally optimized broadly reactive antigens for H5N1 and H1N1 influenza viruses
Described herein is the generation of optimized H5N1 and H1N1 influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to influenza virus isolates. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on H5N1 and H1N1 influenza isolates. Provided herein are optimized H5N1 and H1N1 influenza HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides. Further provided are codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides. Methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject are also provided by the present disclosure. |
| US09212200B2 |
Nanostructure having metal nanoparticles and method of assembly thereof
A nanostructure and method for assembly thereof are disclosed. An exemplary nanostructure includes a photocatalytic nanoparticle; a first tier of metal nanoparticles, each metal nanoparticle of the first tier being linked about the photocatalytic nanoparticle; and a second tier of metal nanoparticles, each metal nanoparticle of the second tier being linked to one of the metal nanoparticles of the first tier and located a distance from the photocatalytic nanoparticle greater than a distance between a metal nanoparticle of the first tier and the photocatalytic nanoparticle. |
| US09212197B2 |
Phosphorescent heteroleptic phenylbenzimidazole dopants
Novel phosphorescent heteroleptic iridium complexes with benzimidazole and phenylpyridine ligands are provided. These iridium complexes can improve OLED properties, and are useful in white light applications. |
| US09212196B2 |
Hypophosphorous acid derivatives having antihyperalgic activity and biological applications thereof
The invention relates to hypophosphorous acid derivatives of formula (I) wherein —X is H or OH, —R represents one or several radicals R1-R5, identical or different, two of R1-R5 optionally occupying the same position on the phenyl group, one to four of R1-R5 being H and the others being selected in the group comprising -0-(CH2)n—COOH; —S—(CH2)n—COOH; —NH—(CH2)n—COOH; -0-(CH,R′)—COOH; —O—(CH2)n—OH; OR′, —R′ being a C1-C3 alkyl radical; —OH; —COOH; halogen, particularly —F, —CI, —Br, —I, —CF3; —OCF3; —N02; —CH═CH—COOH; —(CH2)n—COOH; O—(CH2)n—P03H2; O—(CF2)n—P03H2; O—(CH2)n—S03H; O—(CH2)n—CONHOH; O—(CH2)n-tetrazol; O—(CH2)n-hydroxyisoxazol—n=1 to 5, preferably 1-3; said hypophosrous acid derivatives being diastereoisomers or enantiomers. |
| US09212195B1 |
Monophosphite ligands having a carbonate group
A monophosphite ligand having a carbonate group is useful for hydroformylation. |
| US09212191B2 |
6-(2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrido-[2,3-b][1,4]oxazin-7-yl)-N-(4-morpholinophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a] pyrazin-8-amine as a spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Provided are imidazopyrazine compounds, particularly including 6-(2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrido-[2,3-b][1,4]oxazin-7-yl)-N-(4-morpholinophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-8-amine, structure below, and methods and formulations for their use in inhibiting Spleen Tyrosine Kinase in treating conditions including B-cell lymphomas or leukemias and inflammatory conditions: |
| US09212184B2 |
6-thio-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines as Mps-1 inhibitors
The present invention relates to substituted imidazopyrazine compounds of general formula (I): (I) in which R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the claims, to methods of and intermediates for preparing said compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising said compounds and to the use of said compounds for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease, in particular of a hyper-proliferative and/or angiogenesis disorder, as a sole agent or in combination with other active ingredients. |
| US09212181B2 |
Substituted 2,4-diaminopyrimidines as kinase inhibitors
The present invention provides 2,4-diaminopyrimidine compounds useful as kinase inhibitors, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, and methods of using the same. |
| US09212176B2 |
Polyketal adducts, methods of manufacture and uses thereof
Disclosed herein is a polyketal adduct obtained by forming an ester between a hydrocarbon polyol and a ketocarboxylic acid to produce an intermediate polyketocarboxylic ester. The intermediate polyketocarboxylic ester can be purified via crystallization to achieve purities of greater than 99.0% and then ketalized to produce the polyketal adduct, which can be used in polymer compositions. The polyketal adduct I is obtained at high purity and at high yield. |
| US09212169B2 |
Benzimidazole derivative and use thereof
The present invention aims to provide a compound capable of inhibiting PCA-1 that can be a target for a novel treatment method of various diseases, and pharmaceutical use of the compound. A compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the DESCRIPTION, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US09212168B2 |
Hepatitis C virus inhibitors
The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein the variables are defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, that are inhibitors of replication of the hepatitis C virus. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat hepatitis C viral infections, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds. |
| US09212165B2 |
Bicarbocyclic and tricarbocyclic ethynyl derivatives and uses of same
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I): where R1, R2, X, Y and n are as described herein, and pharmaceutical compositions, uses and methods comprising same. |
| US09212163B2 |
Pesticidal compositions and processes related thereto
This document discloses molecules having the following formula (“Formula One”): and processes associated therewith. |
| US09212162B1 |
Process for the preparation of polymorphs of imidacloprid
A process for the preparation of a Form I crystalline polymorph of imidacloprid, including: (i) dissolving imidacloprid in an appropriate amount of aqueous solvent or mixture of solvents to obtain an aqueous solution; (ii) cooling the aqueous solution slowly, thereby forming crystals of polymorph Form I of imidacloprid; (iii) isolating the crystals. A process for the preparation of a Form II crystalline polymorph of imidacloprid, comprising: dissolving imidacloprid in an appropriate amount of non-aqueous solvent or mixture of non-aqueous solvents to obtain a non-aqueous solution; (ii) cooling the solution rapidly, thereby forming crystals of polymorph Form II of imidacloprid; (iii) isolating the crystals. |
| US09212160B2 |
Photoinitiators
The present invention provides novel photoinitiators for polyurethane formation, in which a photoinitiator moiety and a tertiary amine are incorporated into the photoinitiator structure, and thus the polyurethane polymer. |
| US09212157B2 |
Catalyst for the oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene to phthalic anhydride
The present invention relates to a catalyst for the oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene to phthalic anhydride, which has a plurality of catalyst zones which are arranged in series in the reaction tube and have been produced using an antimony trioxide which comprises a significant proportion of valentinite. The present invention further relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation, in which a gas stream comprising at least one hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through a catalyst produced using an antimony trioxide which comprises a significant proportion of valentinite. |
| US09212153B2 |
Inhibitors of beta-secretase
The present invention is directed to a compound represented by the following structural formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions and method of use of the compounds are also described. |
| US09212151B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds useful for kinase inhibition
Provided herein are compounds useful for kinase inhibition. |
| US09212146B2 |
Substituted pyridazinones for the treatment of tumors
The present invention relates to a class of pyridazinones of formula I, which comprises 6-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridazin-3(2H)-one as a mother nucleus, the preparation method thereof and the use thereof in manufacturing medicaments against tumors, especially liver cancer. |
| US09212144B2 |
2-aminoquinoline-based compounds for potent and selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibition
Various 2-aminoquinoline compounds as can be used, in vivo or in vitro, for selective inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase. |
| US09212137B2 |
Crystallization of (20R,22R)-2-methylene-19-nor-22-methyl-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and related precursors
Disclosed are methods of purifying the compound (20R,22R)-2-methylene-19-nor-22-methyl-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to obtain the compound in crystalline form. The methods typically include the steps of dissolving a product containing the compound in a solvent comprising hexane and 2-propanol, cooling the solvent and dissolved product below ambient temperature for a sufficient amount of time to form a precipitate of crystals, and recovering the crystals. Certain diol precursors formed during the synthesis of the compound and its diasteromers also may be obtained in crystalline form using ethyl acetate as a solvent. |
| US09212118B2 |
Synthesis of intermediates for preparing anacetrapib and derivatives thereof
The present invention relates to the field of organic chemistry, more specifically to the synthesis of intermediate compounds which can be used in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active agents such as anacetrapib or derivatives thereof. |
| US09212117B2 |
Process for producing acetic acid and dimethyl ether using a zeolite catalyst
Process for the production of acetic acid and dimethyl ether by contacting methanol and methyl acetate with a catalyst composition at a temperature in the range 140 to 250 ° C. The catalyst composition contains a zeolite having a 2-dimensional channel system comprising at least one channel which has a 10-membered ring. |
| US09212116B2 |
Method for producing cresol from phenol and methanol via gas phase alkylation
The present invention relates to a method for producing cresol from phenol and methanol via gas phase alkylation, in which phenol and methanol are preheated and mixed with diluent gas, then the mixture continuously go through a catalyst bed comprising the catalyst for alkylation of phenol with methanol, to produce cresol by gas phase reaction at the reaction temperature of 200˜500° C. and the weight hourly space velocity of 0.5˜20 h−1. The catalyst for alkylation of phenol with methanol is obtained by modification steps and using ZSM-5 zeolite, MCM-22 zeolite or Beta zeolite as an active composition. Using phenol and methanol as feedstock, the cresol selectivity can reach to 90%, and the p-cresol selectivity can reach to 58%. The catalyst is environmental friendly and non-corrosive to the equipment with a good stability and a broad prospect in industrial application. |
| US09212113B2 |
Method and system for producing a synthesis gas using an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system with secondary reforming and auxiliary heat source
A method and system for producing a synthesis gas in an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system is disclosed that carries out a primary reforming process within a reforming reactor, and a secondary reforming process within an oxygen transport membrane reactor and in the presence of heat generated from a oxygen transport membrane reactor and an auxiliary source of heat. The auxiliary source of heat is disposed within the reactor housing proximate the reforming reactors and may include an auxiliary reactively driven oxygen transport membrane reactor or a ceramic burner. |
| US09212109B2 |
Catalytic processes for making hydromonochlorofluorobutane and hydromonochlorofluoropentane compounds
Disclosed is a process involving contacting a hydrohalobutane selected from the group consisting of CF2HCHClCH2CCl2H, CF3CHClCH2CCl2H, CF3CHClCH2CCl3, CF3CClHCHFCCl2H and CF3CClHCHFCCl3, with HF in a reaction zone in the presence of an antimony halide catalyst selected from SbCl5 and SbF5 to form a first product mixture containing a hydromonochlorofluorobutane. Also disclosed is a process involving contacting a hydrohalopentane selected from the group consisting of CF2HCHClCH2CX2CX3 and CF3CHClCH2CX2CX3, wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of F and Cl, and not all X are fluorines, with HF in a reaction zone in the presence of an antimony halide catalyst selected from SbCl5 and SbF5 to form a first product mixture containing a hydromonochlorofluoropentane. A compound of the formula CF3CHClCH2CHF2 is also disclosed. |
| US09212107B2 |
Process for producing cumene
In a process for producing cumene, isopropanol containing nitrogenous impurities is reacted with benzene in an alkylation reactor to produce an effluent stream comprising cumene, unreacted benzene and water. Water is removed from the effluent stream and an aliquot of the resultant dried effluent stream is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities and produce a purified recycle stream. At least part of the purified recycle stream is then recycled to the alkylation reactor. In an alternative embodiment, the isopropanol is combined with fresh and/or recycled benzene and the combined stream is treated to remove nitrogenous impurities before being fed to the alkylation reactor. |
| US09212104B2 |
Organo-catalytic biomass deconstruction
The present invention provides processes for catalytic deconstruction of biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction. |
| US09212103B2 |
Pyrotechnic pressure accumulator
A pyrotechnic pressure accumulator includes an elongated body extending from a first end of a pyrotechnic section to a discharge end of a hydraulic section. A propellant charge located in a gas chamber of the pyrotechnic section, a piston movably disposed the hydraulic section, and a fluid disposed in a hydraulic chamber between the piston and the discharge end, wherein the fluid is exhausted under pressure through a discharge port in response to ignition of the propellant charge. |
| US09212097B2 |
Molten grains of alumina-zirconia
The invention relates to a fused grit having the following chemical analysis, in wt %: ZrO2+HfO2: 38.0-46.0%; Al2O3: the remainder up to 100%; SiO2: 0.20-0.60%; Y2O3: 0.45 to 0.70%; TiO2: 1.00 to 2.00%; other oxides: <1.00%, the ratio of Y2O3/SiO2 being 0.80 to 2.00, and the tetragonal phase being 60 to 90% of the weight of the zirconia, the remainder being in monoclinic form. |
| US09212091B2 |
Method and additive for increasing early strength
The present invention relates to a method for accelerating the hardening of hydraulic or latent hydraulic binders, wherein ternesite and an aluminum component are added to the binder, and relates to an additive that increasing early strength for hydraulic or latent hydraulic binders that contain ternesite and a non-hydraulically reactive aluminum component, and relates to the use of an additive comprising ternesite and an aluminum component for the purpose of accelerating the hardening of hydraulic or latent hydraulic binders. |
| US09212084B2 |
Aluminosilicate glass for touch screen
An aluminosilicate glass for touch screens is provided. The glass includes, calculated based on weight percentage: SiO2, 55 to 65%; Na2O, 12 to 17%; Al2O3, 15 to 20%; K2O, 2 to 6%; MgO, 3.9 to 10%; ZrO2, 0 to 5%; ZnO, 0 to 4%; CaO, 0 to 4%; Na2O+K2O+MgO+ZnO+CaO, 15 to 28%; SnO2, 0 to 1%; TiO2+CeO2, ≦1%. A chemical strengthening method for glass also provided that includes ion exchange strengthening in a 100% KNO3 salt bath, wherein a preheating temperature ranges from 370° C. to 430° C. and the treatment time is from 0.5 to 16 hours. |
| US09212083B2 |
System and method to coat glass gobs with a lubricating dispersion during the drop to blank molds
A system and method for coating glass gobs with a liquid-based lubricating dispersion during their drop to blank glass container molds which provides sufficient lubrication to the glass container molds without requiring swabbing of the glass container molds. The lubricating dispersion is sprayed onto hot glass gobs as they fall from the gob supply system prior to their distribution by the gob distribution system into blank molds. The lubricating dispersion coats the falling glass gobs to lubricate the glass gobs as well as the molds. |
| US09212082B2 |
System and method for fabricating optical fiber preform and optical fiber
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber preform or an optical fiber is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a glass tube and a glass core rod; (b) inserting the glass core rod into the glass tube to form an assembled body; (c) heating the assembled body to cause the glass tube to collapse on and adhere to the glass core rod; and (d) treating an interface gap between the glass core rod and the glass tube during heating of at least a portion of the assembled body. Treating of the interface gap involves: (i) establishing a vacuum pressure in the interface gap, (ii) increasing a pressure of the interface gap by a treatment gas through the interface gap for a predetermined time, and (iii) re-establishing a vacuum pressure in the interface gap after the predetermined time has elapsed. |
| US09212081B2 |
Methods of cutting a laminate strengthened glass substrate
Methods of cutting laminate strengthened glass substrates are disclosed. A method is disclosed which includes providing a laminate strengthened glass substrate having a glass core layer with first and second surface portions, and at least one glass cladding layer fused to the first surface portion or the second surface portion of the glass core layer. The glass core layer has a core coefficient of thermal expansion that is larger than a cladding coefficient of thermal expansion. The method further includes forming an edge defect on the laminate strengthened glass substrate, heating first and second regions of the laminate strengthened glass substrate on the at least one glass cladding layer. The first and second regions are offset from first and second sides of a desired line of separation, respectively. The method further includes propagating a crack imitated at the edge defect between the first and second regions. |
| US09212073B2 |
Ballast water treatment agent and method of treating ballast water of ship using the same
A ships' ballast water treatment agent is obtained by blending phosphate and sodium hydroxide into a hypochlorite solution and has pH of 10 to 13. A blending amount of phosphate is preferably such that a weight ratio of effective chlorine to phosphate acid (PO4) (effective chlorine:phosphate acid) is 30:1 to 2:1. A ships' ballast water treatment agent as such has excellent performance in killing bacteria and microorganisms, such as plankton, included in ships' ballast water and has stability and an anticorrosion property. |
| US09212071B2 |
System and method for filtering
A filtering method using a filtering system is disclosed, which is capable of accomplishing a first water bath into which a first membrane cassette and a first membrane cassette for concentrate are submerged, a second water bath into which a second membrane cassette and a second membrane cassette for concentrate are submerged, a first pump for supplying a first negative pressure to the first membrane cassette, a second pump for supplying a second negative pressure to the second membrane cassette, and a common pump for supplying a third negative pressure to the first and second membrane cassettes for concentrate, stopping an operation of the first pump; interrupting the third negative pressure supplied from the common pump to the first membrane cassette for concentrate; and cleaning the first membrane cassette and the first membrane cassette for concentrate. |
| US09212069B2 |
Fluid treatment systems, methods and applications
A fluid (i.e., generally water or wastewater) treatment system and associated methods provide for effectively treating the fluid (i.e., generally water or wastewater containing at least a plurality of salts) to provide a separated pure fluid (i.e., generally water) and a separated impurity (i.e., generally a salt). Also provided are a method for detecting or determining the need for a controlled process intervention to prevent the plugging of system components in a fluid (i.e., generally water) treatment system, and a process for preventing the plugging of the system components in the fluid (i.e., generally water) treatment system. |
| US09212067B2 |
Water bottle with flow meter
According to the present invention, a fluid and/or aqueous additive delivery system is provided. According to the present invention, a modular fluid container is described for consumption of liquids. Fluid containers according to the present invention include any combination of four distinct modular components; (1) an end-point filter purification module for removal of impurities from water, (2) a UV purification module for emitting ultraviolet (UV) light in a germicidal spectrum for disinfection, (3) a tablet storage and dispensing module to emit ultraviolet (UV) light in a germicidal spectrum for disinfection of a volume of drink liquid held in the container, (4) a flow meter module for quantitatively monitoring hydration in real time. The user can personalize the bottle with any or all modules that are required. |
| US09212066B2 |
Process of preparing titanates
Processes of preparing metal titanate from one or more metal compounds, and a product provided by the process. In one embodiment, sodium titanate and an ionic metal compound are mixed into an aqueous mixed slurry, which is allowed to react into metal titanate at the boiling point of the mixed slurry or below, by mixing it at normal pressure and in a normal gaseous atmosphere. After this, the metal titanate product is optionally washed, and/or filtered and dried. |
| US09212063B2 |
System for producing graphene in a magnetic field
An improved system for generating graphene involves producing a plurality of ionized carbon atoms in a plasma generation chamber and providing the plurality of ionized carbon atoms to a graphene generation chamber having a magnetic structure. The graphene generation chamber generates graphene from said plurality of ionized carbon atoms over said magnetic structure such that said graphene floats over said magnetic structure due to said graphene being diamagnetic. The rate at which the plurality of ionized carbon atoms is produced is controlled to control the rate of graphene generation. The magnetic field of the magnetic structure can be controlled to control the rate at which the generated graphene moves through the graphene generation chamber until it exits as a recovered graphene product. |
| US09212062B2 |
Porous carbon product and method for producing an electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery
A known method for producing a porous carbon body comprises providing a template of inorganic template material which comprises interconnected pores, providing a precursor substance for carbon, infiltrating the pores of the template with the precursor substance, carbonizing the precursor substance and removing the template with formation of the porous carbon product. Starting therefrom, to provide a method which allows a cost-effective production of a porous carbon structure also with thick wall thicknesses, it is suggested according to the invention that precursor substance particles of fusible material and template particles are provided and a powder mixture is formed from the particles, and that the powder mixture is heated before or during carbonization according to method step (d) in such a manner that precursor substance melt penetrates into the pores of the template particles. |
| US09212060B2 |
Safety means against pressure exceedance
A safety means for protecting a plant section located on the pressure side of a jet compressor connected with a propellant system against the exceedance of an admissible pressure, comprising a controlled safety valve actuated by external energy, whose control means measures is connected with the plant section to be protected via at least one pressure tapping line, wherein the safety valve is arranged such that upon exceedance of the pressure in the protected plant section it can vent propellant from the propellant system. |
| US09212059B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of an SMR process for producing syngas while reducing the CO2 in a gaseous stream
A system and method for increasing the production of Syngas from an SMR (Steam Methane Reforming) processing plant by providing CO2 as an additional feedstock, such as from an exhaust stream of a Corn-to-Ethanol plant, or from a power plant or industrial plant, like a cement plant. The CO2 steam and methane are introduced into the SMR reactor heated to about 870° C. and at about one atmosphere such that a reaction takes place that produces Syngas comprising CO, Hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The Syngas is then cleaned and provided to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor or other Bio-catalytic synthesis reactor to produce Ethanol or other high value liquid fuel. |
| US09212056B2 |
Nanoparticle including multi-functional ligand and method
A nanoparticle including an inorganic core comprising at least one metal and/or at least one semi-conductor compound comprising at least one metal includes a coating or shell disposed over at least a portion of a surface of the core. The coating can include one or more layers. Each layer of the coating can comprise a metal and/or at least one semiconductor compound. The nanoparticle further includes a ligand attached to a surface of the coating. The ligand is represented by the formula: X-Sp-Z, wherein: X represents: a primary amine group, a secondary amine group, a urea, a thiourea, an imidizole group, an amide group, a carboxylic acid or carboxylate group, a phosphonic or arsonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, a phosphate group, a phosphite group, a phosphinic acid group, a phosphinate group, a phosphine oxide group, a phosphinite group, a phosphine group, an arsenic acid group, an arsenate group, an arsenous acid group, an arsenite group, an arsinic acid group, an arsine oxide group, or an arsine group; Sp represents a group capable of allowing a transfer of charge or an insulating group; and Z represents a multifunctional group including three or more functional groups capable of communicating a specific property or chemical reactivity to the nanoparticle, wherein at least three of the functional groups are chemically distinct, and wherein Z is not reactive upon exposure to light. Compositions including a nanoparticle in accordance with the invention are also disclosed. Devices including nanoparticle and/or composition in accordance with the invention are disclosed. Methods for preparing nanoparticles in accordance with the invention are disclosed. Other products including a nanoparticle in accordance with the invention are also disclosed. |
| US09212055B2 |
Aligned, coated nanowire arrays for gas sensing
Aligned nanowire arrays were coated with semiconductor shell layers, and optionally with noble metal nanoparticles for use as three dimensional gas sensors. The sensors show room-temperature responses to low concentrations of various gases. Arrays containing different sensor types can discriminate among different gases, based upon changes in conductivity and response times. |
| US09212054B1 |
Pressure sensors and methods of making the same
A pressure sensor assembly comprising: three stacked silicon wafers which form a support, a sensor and a cover wherein the sensor includes a cavity extending from the bottom of the sensor up towards the top of the sensor to form a cavity bottom and a diaphragm; a dielectric layer covering the bottom of the sensor and the cavity and wherein the support is coupled to the dielectric layer along the bottom of the sensor; a plurality of ports located on a top of the support within an area defined by the cavity, the plurality of ports extending through the support to its bottom and wherein the cover is coupled to the top of the sensor covering the diaphragm; and, a second cavity cut into a bottom of the cover wherein the second cavity is sized and positioned to surround the diaphragm. |
| US09212050B2 |
Cap and substrate electrical connection at wafer level
A cap and substrate having an electrical connection at a wafer level includes providing a substrate and forming an electrically conductive ground structure in the substrate and electrically coupled to the substrate. An electrically conductive path to the ground structure is formed in the substrate. A top cap is then provided, wherein the top cap includes an electrically conductive surface. The top cap is bonded to the substrate so that the electrically conductive surface of the top cap is electrically coupled to the path to the ground structure. |
| US09212047B2 |
Electromagnetically actuated microshutter
The invention relates to an electromagnetically actuated microshutter comprising: a moveable plate that can rotate about an axis, connected to a stationary frame by two arms aligned on both sides of the plate to said axis, and comprising on its periphery a conductive loop and below the assembly formed by the stationary frame and the moveable plate, a group of magnets having distinct magnetic orientations, arranged in such a manner so as to create, with respect to the moveable plate, a lateral magnetic field, in the plane of the frame, oblique in relation to the axis of rotation. |
| US09212045B1 |
Micro mechanical structure and method for fabricating the same
A micro mechanical structure includes a substrate and a functional structure arranged at the substrate. The functional structure includes a functional region which is deflectable with respect to the substrate responsive to a force acting on the functional region. The functional structure further includes a conductive base layer having a conductive base layer material. The conductive base layer material includes sectionally in a stiffening section a carbon material such that a carbon concentration of the carbon material in the conductive base layer material is at least 1014 per cubic cm and at least higher by a factor of 103 than in the conductive base layer material adjacent to the stiffening section. |
| US09212038B1 |
Automated portable personal lift
The disclosed principles provide a personal moveable, automated lift mechanism. In one embodiment of an automated personal lift as disclosed herein, the lift may comprise an outer frame comprising a horizontal base support and an outer handrail supported above a perimeter of the horizontal base support by a plurality of outer vertical supports coupled to the horizontal base support, the outer handrail comprising a first opening having a width sufficient for a human user to step through. Such an exemplary lift may also comprise an inner frame positioned within the outer frame and comprising a horizontal platform configured to support the user and an inner handrail supported above a perimeter of the platform by a plurality of inner vertical supports coupled to the platform, the inner handrail comprising a second opening aligned with the first opening in the outer handrail. |
| US09212033B2 |
Extruded drum surface for storage of tether
A drum for storing an electrically conductive tether having a first end secured to an aerial vehicle and a second end secured to a ground station that includes a drum frame rotatable about a drum axis, a drum surface positioned over the drum frame comprising a spiral extrusion wrapped around the drum frame, wherein the extrusion has a cross-section having an upper surface that is shaped to conform to an outer surface of the electrically conductive tether, and wherein the extrusion is adapted for dissipating heat generated through a transfer of electricity from the aerial vehicle to a ground station through the electrically conductive tether. |
| US09212031B2 |
Crane control apparatus
The present invention relates to a crane control apparatus for a crane where a load is suspended on a crane cable from a cable suspension point of the crane, comprising an observer for estimating at least the position and/or velocity of the load from at least one sensor input of a first sensor by using a physical model of the load suspended on the crane cable, whereby the physical model of the observer uses the load position and/or the load velocity as a state variable. |
| US09212029B2 |
Traction sheave elevator
The object of the invention is a method for modernizing an elevator, and a traction sheave elevator, which elevator comprises at least an elevator car and a traction sheave that moves the elevator car by means of elevator ropes, the rim of which traction sheave comprises one or more rope grooves. In connection with modernization a traction sheave is installed as the traction sheave of the elevator, the rope grooves of which traction sheave comprise a material, the frictive traction achieved by which is greater than the frictive traction between the parent material of the metallic traction sheave and the elevator ropes. |
| US09212027B1 |
Gate system for residential elevators
A sliding gate assembly for an elevator comprises a track having a flat upper surface. A connecting block is secured to a portion of the flat upper surface. A wheel carriage is operable to ride on the track, the wheel carriage including two arms oriented orthogonally to the flat upper surface of the track and extending upwardly around an outside portion of the track and beyond the flat upper surface. A set of wheels is also provided, each wheel being rotatably coupled to one of the two arms of the wheel carriage above the upper surface of the track, each wheel rotating about a rolling axis that is substantially parallel to the flat upper surface of the track. |
| US09212025B2 |
Kit for the guide of a stairlift
The invention provides a kit and method for the assembly of a stairlift guide rail, the kit comprising a plurality of sections of guide rail wherein the sections have predetermined standard dimensions, wherein the kit preferably includes a plurality of sections of straight guide rail and a plurality of sections of curved guide rail and when fitted together according to the method of the invention, the plurality of sections of guide rail facilitates the construction of a stairlift guide rail assembly and a stairlift assembly, such that an operative is able to complete the full assembly on site. |
| US09212023B2 |
Webbing take-up device
If a V-gear abruptly rotates in a pulled-out direction due to reaction generated by rotation in a take-up direction being stopped when rotating in a take-up direction, a restriction body restricts swinging of a W-pawl in operation direction, so that lock of pulling-out of a webbing from a spool is suppressed. An insertion portion of a frictional spring of the restriction body is caught by an abut portion and a catching portion of a support hole. At an opening-side portion of the support hole, an enlarged portion is formed such that a position other than a position of the catching portion at the opening-side portion is enlarged compared to that of the catching portion. Even if the minimum-diameter of the support hole is small, strength of a molding portion for the support hole in a mold for the V-gear can be improved and lifetime thereof can be longer. |
| US09212017B2 |
Medium discharge device and image forming apparatus
A medium discharge device includes: a discharge tray having a placing surface on which a medium is to be placed; a first pair of discharge rollers configured to rotate about axes to discharge the medium through a first nip onto the discharge tray; a second pair of discharge rollers configured to rotate about the axes to discharge the medium through a second nip onto the discharge tray; and a discharge guide for guiding the discharged medium. The discharge guide includes a first projection between the first and second pairs of discharge rollers, and a second projection on an opposite side of the first projection with respect to the first pair of discharge rollers. Each of the first and second projections projects to the placing surface side relative to the first and second nips and has a guide surface opposite to the placing surface. |
| US09212011B2 |
Stacking device and method of production of web member
A stacking device which stacks together web members which drop down while drawing a parabolic arc, this is provided with a horizontal movement limit part which limits movement of web members in a horizontal direction, a temporary supporting unit which can take a projecting position where it projects from the horizontal movement limit part and a retracted position where it is pulled in from the projecting position and does not stick out from the horizontal movement limit part, and a receiving table which is positioned under the temporary supporting means at the projecting position and stacks the web members. The temporary supporting unit temporarily supports a web member at the projecting position and, after that, shifts to the retracted position to make the web member drop under the temporary supporting unit, so that the stacking device stacks the web members on the receiving table. |
| US09212009B2 |
Laminated board
A conveyor system for re-orienting strips of laminated corrugated board which includes: a first conveyor assembly; and a second conveyor assembly, wherein the first conveyor assembly conveys a plurality of adjacent strips having an upright orientation to the second conveyor assembly; wherein the second conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt configured to convey the plurality of adjacent strips at a faster speed to that at which the strips are delivered to the second conveyor assembly by the first conveyor assembly; and wherein the acceleration of each strip upon contacting the second conveyor assembly causes that strip to move away from the adjacent strip and tip over from the upright orientation to a flat orientation. |
| US09212001B2 |
Debris chute
Devices, systems and methods for debris removal are provided comprising a flexible chute having a mouth, a body, and an exit. The flexible material can be collapsible. The flexible material is rip-stop nylon. When the chute is used, a user can take the chute in a collapsed form and scale a tree for pruning. Upon reaching a top area of the tree, the user secures the chute to the tree and allows the body and exit portions to deploy by releasing those sections. Gravity allows the body and exit portions to fall to towards the ground. As debris is removed from the tree, it is placed into the mouth and passes through the body and out exit. If desired the exit can be placed in other desired locations such as proximate to a wood chipping device for shredding debris or proximate to a truck bed, dump box or trailer for catching the debris as it exits the chute. Thus, the chute can safely collect, control and direct debris generated from pruning vegetation. |
| US09212000B1 |
Method and apparatus for bagging trash
Method and apparatus for an inlet scoop having a larger inlet end and an oppositely disposed smaller outlet end designed so that a conventional trash bag opening can be placed over the smaller end of the inlet scoop and hooked over a protuberance disposed on each corner of the smaller end so that the trash bag can be secured to the inlet scoop. The inlet scoop is generally rectangular shaped so that it can be placed on the surface of the ground and maintain itself in an upright position and has an enlarged portion disposed on each corner to provide additional clearance for the protuberance when the inlet scoops are stacked on top of each other so that no damage is done to the protuberance. |
| US09211997B2 |
Container and method for storage and transport of supported contents
A container for transporting an item is provided having an outer case member and a pair of partition members. The container is erectable from a collapsed configuration, in which the container is substantially flat, to an erected configuration in which the partition members form a support structure within an interior cavity of the outer case member to support a portion of the item to be transported. Methods of packaging and transporting an item in a container are also provided. |
| US09211994B2 |
Shroud and dispensing system for a handheld container
A dispensing system has a central longitudinal axis and includes a shroud adapted to receive a container. The shroud includes a gripping portion adapted to be gripped by a hand of a user. The dispensing system also includes an actuation member adapted to rotate about a rotation point on a rotation axis toward an interior of the shroud in response to a force applied to the actuation member by the user. The actuation member is configured such that a rotation distance is at least about 6 centimeters. The rotation distance is measured in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis between a location where the user can apply the force to the actuation member and the rotation point of the actuation member. |
| US09211991B2 |
Packaging for active substance-containing films and method for producing them
A packaging for active substance-containing films. The packaging comprises a carrier layer and a covering layer connected releasably to the latter, has in a paired arrangement two opposite surface regions which are separated from one another by a web and within which the covering layer is not connected to the carrier layer. Two spaces are formed, separate from one another and enclosed on all sides, for receiving the films in pairs. Within the web, a further surface region is present, in which the carrier layer is not connected to the covering layer, with the result that a cavity enclosed on all sides is formed. At least one perforation line is present within the web. |
| US09211987B2 |
Flexible pouch and dock system
The present disclosure provides a flexible pouch for bottom-dispensing a liquid. A dock for holding the flexible pouch is also provided. Further disclosed herein is a system for dispensing a liquid. The system includes the pouch for placement in the dock. |
| US09211985B2 |
Adjustable strap
An adjustable strap assembly comprises a cincture and a band. The cincture and the band preferably include attachment components on end and are adjustably connected such that the overall length of the strap assembly can vary in length from as little as approximately just the length of the cincture to as long as approximately the length of the cincture and band together. In addition the embodiments may include a securing mechanism to maintain the adjustable strap assembly at the desired length even under stress. In one embodiment the band is made from elastic material to ensure that when the adjustable strap assembly is used to cinch a bundle, the adjustable strap assembly will remain tight. |
| US09211984B2 |
Dispensing cap for beverage container
A dispensing cap sealingly mountable within the throat of a beverage container has an open-bottomed flow tube connected to a surrounding skirt by a resilient diaphragm, forming a storage chamber surrounding the flow tube. An annular base cap at the base of the flow tube is releasably engageable with the skirt to close off the bottom of the storage chamber. A downward force applied to the flow tube will resiliently deform the diaphragm and downwardly disengage the base cap from the skirt, thus releasing the contents of the storage chamber into the container. The flow tube extends above the storage chamber and terminates in a flow assembly having a cap sleeve movable between a closed position and a “consume” position in which the contents of the container can flow through the flow tube and out an opening in the cap sleeve. |
| US09211982B2 |
Closure device and corresponding container
A closure device for a container, and preferably for a water decanter, comprising a frame comprising a closure opening and which is preferably round and configured for insertion into a pouring opening of the container, a lid, which is connected to a pendulum and which is suspended in the closure opening of the frame, and configured to swing therein, wherein the lid is configured to close and seal the closure opening when the container is substantially upright, and wherein the lid and pendulum are configured to rotate with respect to the closure opening when the container is held in a slanted or horizontal manner. The closure device preferably comprises at least one cantilever arm secured to an inner wall of the frame at a first end and connected to the lid at a second end so that the lid is configured to swing with respect to the closure opening. |
| US09211980B1 |
Microfluidic delivery system for releasing fluid compositions
A microfluidic refill includes a reservoir having a hollow body and an opening; a transport member in fluid communication with the reservoir; and a lid enclosing the opening of the reservoir. The lid is in fluid communication with the transport member. The lid comprises a rigid microfluidic delivery member. The rigid microfluidic delivery member includes a die and electrical traces that are in electrical communication with the die, wherein the electrical traces terminate at electrical contacts, wherein the electrical traces are disposed on only one plane. The die has a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the transport member at an inlet of the fluid chamber and with an orifice at an outlet of the fluid chamber. |
| US09211979B2 |
Slitting tool
A tamper-evident closure is disclosed, having a skirt, threads on an interior of the skirt, and a tamper-evident band secured to the closure body by frangible bridges along a circumferential lower surface of the closure. The band and the closure have a plurality of equidistant vertical upper and lower teeth along an interior wall. Further the subject invention includes a mandrel for use in cutting slits in tamper-evident closures. The mandrel is supported for rotational movement within a closure, and comprises a disc with a circumferential surface with a plurality of equidistant slots for meshing with complementary teeth on the interior surface of the closure. |
| US09211974B2 |
Container assemblies having collapsible and erectable containers containing a packaging material and methods of production and use thereof
A container assembly is provided which includes a container selectively moveable between an erect condition and a collapsed or substantially flattened condition. A packaging material for support objects is disposed within an object receiving space of the container and secured thereto so that the packaging material remains in the object receiving space of the container when the container is in either the erect condition or the collapsed or substantially flattened condition. |
| US09211973B2 |
Informative packaging and wrapping product
An informative packaging and wrapping product is described. The informative packaging and wrapping product includes a presentation surface and an informational surface coupled to the presentation surface that together form a packaging insert. The packaging insert is configured to reside within a shipping container. The packaging insert is configured to cover at least a portion of goods within the shipping container. |
| US09211971B2 |
Carton with inspection feature
A carton for carrying a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels for forming an interior of the carton. At least one of the plurality of panels has an inspection feature for inspecting at least one article of the plurality of articles. A carton for containing at least one article, the carton comprising a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. A plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The plurality of end flaps being configured to at least partially close an end of the carton. At least one panel of the plurality of panels comprising at least one inspection feature for inspecting the at least one article. |
| US09211970B2 |
Food tray
A food tray formed of a unitary sheet of material includes a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, first sidewall, and a second sidewall that define an opening through which an item is placed in the food tray. First and second flaps extend from respective top edges of the first and second sidewalls and are configured to be folded toward an interior of the food tray. The first and second flaps each define slots. First and second lid members extend from respective top edges of the front wall and the rear wall and are configured to be folded toward the interior of the food tray. The first and second lid members define a pair of tabs on respective side edges that are configured to engage the slots defined by the first and second flaps. |
| US09211966B2 |
Pressure label applicator
An improved pressure label applicator provides increased speed, quality, and/or reliability in the labeling of containers. |
| US09211959B2 |
UAV launching from moving platform
A system for launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a moving platform, the system including: a platform configured to carry the UAV; one or more sensors configured to measure forces acting between the platform and the UAV in one or more directions; a mooring mechanism configured to moor the UAV to the platform; and a controller configured to: transmit at least one trimming command to the UAV based on measurements of the one or more sensors, and cause the mooring mechanism to release the UAV from the platform following the transmitting of the at least one trimming command, when the measurements of the one or more sensors indicate that a lift force is sufficiently close to a weight of the UAV. |
| US09211953B2 |
Equipment module for a vehicle and vehicle with a vehicle body comprising a cargo space
An equipment module for a vehicle comprises a floor element, at least one first inductive coupling element and at least one electronics unit. The floor element comprises at least one attachment means, which can be reached from the top, for attaching items of equipment, and on the underside at least one retaining means for attaching the floor element at a positioning space in a vehicle. The first inductive coupling element is arranged on the floor element and is connected to at least one electronics unit. The electronics unit is adapted for providing an identification signal by way of the first inductive coupling element, which identification signal makes it possible to identify the equipment module. The invention makes it possible to quickly reconfigure a cabin of a vehicle, and makes it possible for the vehicle to quickly identify all the reconfigurable installations for adapting items of equipment on the vehicle side. |
| US09211950B2 |
Multi-element rotor blade
A main rotor assembly for a rotary wing aircraft includes a blade assembly secured to a rotor hub. The blade assembly includes a rotor blade and a slat positioned to define a slat gap between the rotor blade and the slat. One or more struts extend from the rotor blade to the slat to position the slat and control motion of the slat. The rotor blade and the slat are secured to a common rotor cuff such that the rotor cuff acts as a centrifugal force support. |
| US09211947B2 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle angular reorientation
A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having wing elements and tail elements configured to roll to angularly orient the UAV by rolling so as to align a longitudinal plane of the UAV, in its late terminal phase, with a target. A method of UAV body re-orientation comprising: (a) determining by a processor a boresight angle error correction value bases on distance between a target point and a boresight point of a body-fixed frame; and (b) effecting a UAV maneuver comprising an angular role rate component translating the target point to a re-oriented target point in the body-fixed frame, to maintain the offset angle via the offset angle correction value. |
| US09211933B2 |
Steering shaft modifier
There is provided a steering shaft modifier, capable of fundamentally preventing distortion generated in a new steering shaft, being easing aligned, and being simply assembled, including: a frame having a steering shaft penetrating portion formed in a front surface thereof and having a contact surface covering a portion of the steering head and disposed to be in contact with an upper bearing installation portion of a steering shaft installation portion; a shaft including a head portion caught by a lower bearing installation portion of the steering shaft installation portion of the steering head, a body portion passing through the steering shaft installation portion, and a connection portion connected to the frame; and a frame block including a lower contact surface tightly attached to a lower surface of the steering head in the rear of the lower bearing installation portion and coupled to the frame when installed. |
| US09211931B2 |
Canister arrangement structure of motorcycle
A motorcycle is provided with a vehicle body frame including a pair of left and right main frames and a pair of left and right seat rails disposed on the rear sides of the pair of left and right main frames, and the motorcycle is also provided with a canister for collecting evaporated fuel in a fuel tank supported by the main frames, the canister being arranged in an intermediate area in a width direction of the pair of left and right seat rails. |
| US09211924B2 |
Side-by-side vehicle
A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air inlet for an air intake system coupled to the CVT unit or the power source which requires ambient air may be provided in a side of a cargo carrying portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a rear radius arm suspension. |
| US09211911B2 |
Method for steering assistance during an emergency maneuver
A method for steering assistance of a motor vehicle driver of a motor vehicle in dangerous situations. The vehicle is equipped with a mechanism which influences its steering device and a vehicle environment detection mechanism. A trajectory calculation unit calculates driving cases of all drivable and stable movement trajectories on the basis of the data of the vehicle environment detection mechanism. A mechanism detects and evaluates a current steering wheel actuation with regard to the presence of a dangerous situation, wherein, when a dangerous situation is detected, the movement trajectory from the currently determined driving case is determined which corresponds to the driving maneuver that is indicated by the associated current steering wheel actuation, and the driver is assisted, by way of the mechanism which influences the steering device, in continuing the driving maneuver as a function of the determined movement trajectory. |
| US09211908B2 |
Steering spindle arrangement
A steering spindle arrangement includes a spindle bolt (2), an axle beam (1) that is secured to a central part (2b) of the spindle bolt (2), a stub axle (5) that has a first arm (6) that is rotatable around a first part (2a) of the spindle bolt (2) via a first bearing (11) and a second arm (8) that is rotatably arranged around a second part (2c) of the spindle bolt (2) via a second bearing (22). An adjusting mechanism (4, 18) makes it possible to adjust a variable rotation resistance for the stub axle (5) when it is rotated around the spindle bolt (2). |
| US09211906B2 |
Vehicle suspension device, automobile using the same, and turning control method
A vehicle suspension device includes first lower link member and a second lower link member configured to individually couple a vehicle side support part and the axle carrier having an axle of rotatably supporting a turning wheel, a first upper link member and a second upper link member, and a component of moving a virtual lower pivot point represented by a cross point of the first lower link member and the second lower link member, in a planer view, toward an outer side and frontward in a vehicle width direction, when the turning wheel is turned from a straight travel state, and moving a virtual upper pivot point represented by a cross point of the first upper link member and the second upper link member at least toward the outer side and frontward in the vehicle width direction, when the turning wheel is turned from the straight travel state. |
| US09211903B2 |
Smart stroller
A smart stroller includes at least one armrest, a processor, a flexible touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an automatic brake unit. The flexible touch sensor detects whether the at least one armrest is grasping by a person; if no, the processor controls the acceleration sensor to detect whether the smart stroller is moving. If the processor determines that the armrest is not grasped by the person and the smart stroller is moving, the processor control the at least one automatic brake unit to block the smart strolling to stop the smart stroller from moving. |
| US09211900B2 |
Tugger and rider cart assembly
A tugger cart that has a first side, a second side and a locking portion is provided. The first side and second side may include guide wheels aligned in an upward slant. The locking portion may include a rocking arm that is pivotally attached to the tugger cart. The rocking arm may include a lock pedal and an unlock pedal. A rider cart may include a first side and a second side. The first and second side may include wings that are slanted upward, similar to the guide wheels. The rider cart may be pushed onto the tugger cart and the wings may roll along the guide wheels. The rider cart may apply pressure to the lock pedal and the unlock pedal may pivot upward, locking the rider cart onto the tugger cart. To unlock the rider cart, the unlock pedal may be pushed downward, and the rider cart may be removed. |
| US09211899B2 |
Shopping cart with folding legs
A four-wheel shopping cart includes a substantially rectangular base surrounded by vertical side, front and rear walls to form an open-topped, cargo basket. The front wall opens fully to provide access to the cargo area, while the rear wall is shorter than the others to allow easy access from behind while shopping. A transverse axle mounted below the rear wall supports hinged legs that fold upwards alongside the side walls so the cart can be placed conveniently into a vehicle for transportation. The legs unfold and lock to support the cart on castors for shopping, and may include height adjustment means for lowering the basket to a comfortable level for usage and for raising it to place it into the shopper's vehicle. A pair of small, adjustable wheels mounted on opposite front corners of the base pivot partially to facilitate maneuvering the cart within the vehicle. |
| US09211898B2 |
Golf trolley
A golf trolley configured with a foldable chassis, a plurality of wheels for engagement with the ground, the wheels being movable between an operative position and a stowed position, and a handle. The trolley incorporates a gear train in connection with the foldable chassis for folding elements of the chassis with respect to one another and for moving the wheels between the operative and stowed positions. The handle is pivotally mounted to the chassis and includes a first gear, the first gear being in meshing engagement with the gear train for controlling the folding of the chassis by movement of the handle. |
| US09211897B2 |
Collapsible wagon and method of collapsing a wagon
A collapsible wagon comprises a frame, four wheels, a pliable liner, and a telescoping tow handle. The frame has four sides that are each formed by a respective scissor-bar assembly. The frame also has a vertically oriented telescoping pole assembly at the intersection of each pair of the scissor-bar assemblies. The frame is configured such that, as the wagon is altered from its expanded to its collapsed configuration, the scissor-bar assemblies and the telescoping pole assemblies increase in height and the scissor-bar assemblies decrease in width. Each of the four wheels is attached to a bottom end portion of a respective one of the telescoping pole assemblies. The pliable liner is connected to the frame and defines an open-top interior compartment of the wagon when the wagon is in its expanded configuration. The telescoping tow handle is adjustable between collapsed and expanded configurations. |
| US09211890B2 |
Vehicle control device, vehicle and vehicle control method
There is a need to further improve the fuel consumption of a vehicle. There is provided a vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle having: an engine; a battery that is chargeable with an amount of electric power generated by a generator which is driven with power of the engine; and auxiliary machinery that are operated with electric power of the battery. The vehicle control device comprises an idle reduction controller, an SOC detector, a current value obtaining section, a current correcting section, an idle reduction capacity setting section and a remaining capacity controller. The current correcting section comprises: a smoothing process section that makes the current value obtained by the current value obtaining section subject to a smoothing process; a specific auxiliary machine operation detecting section that determines whether a specific auxiliary machine, which is included in the auxiliary machinery and is likely to have a temporary abrupt change of the current value, is in an operating state; and a current change suppressing section that suppresses an effect of a latest current value obtained by the current value obtaining section, in the smoothing process, when the specific auxiliary machine is determined to be in the operating state. |
| US09211889B1 |
Enhanced blind spot detection for vehicle with trailer
A driver assistance method and system senses the presence of a trailer secured to a host vehicle and provides an indication thereof. When a yaw rate for the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value during turning of the host vehicle, the system determines the length of the trailer. To determine trailer length, reflection points from an output of a rear sensor unit are sensed to detect a side wall of the trailer. The farthest reflection point of the trailer is utilized to determine a longitudinal distance and a transverse distance of the trailer with respect to the reflection sensor. The longitudinal distance corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the host vehicle and the transverse axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The trailer length is estimated from the yaw rate that provides a trailer angle relative to the host vehicle, and the longitudinal and transverse distances. From the trailer length, the system provides combined blind spot detection zones adjacent the host vehicle, and adjacent to the side of and extending beyond the rear of the trailer. The system also provides lane change assistance. |
| US09211886B2 |
Hybrid vehicle drive control device
A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. The drive control device comprises an electric motor operation control portion configured to control the first and second electric motors to generate reaction torques in a drive mode of the hybrid vehicle in which the engine is operated in an engaged state of the clutch and in a released state of the brake; and a torque assignment ratio control portion configured to control a ratio of the reaction torques to be generated by the first and second electric motors, without a change of a drive force for driving the hybrid vehicle. |
| US09211885B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
In an apparatus for controlling a vehicle having driving sources, a driver request torque command is calculated based on driver operation information, driving-source commands used to control the sources are calculated by dividing the request torque command among the sources, a driver request torque monitor value used to monitor an abnormality in the request torque command is calculated, driving-source monitor values used to monitor an abnormality in the driving-source commands are calculated, a driver request torque monitor margin used to determine the abnormality in the request torque command based a difference between the request torque command and monitor value is calculated, driving-source monitor margins used to determine the abnormality in the driving-source commands based on differences between the driving-source commands and monitor values are calculated based on the request torque monitor margin, and the abnormality in the driving-source commands is determined based on the driving-source monitor margins. |
| US09211882B2 |
Drive control device
In a drive control device in a drive system including a four joint link mechanism type continuously variable transmission having a one-way clutch (OWC) which can transmit only power from a power source to driving wheels, the drive control device is configured to limit a transmission ratio or an output of the power source when an output speed of the continuously variable transmission is lower than a threshold value. The threshold value is represented as an output speed of the continuously variable transmission at an intersection point of a line that represents an output torque where a maximum driving force is achieved and a line that represents a torque outputted when a swing angle of an input member of the OWC which converts rotational power from the power source into swing power becomes a maximum torsion angle. |
| US09211876B2 |
Hydraulic brake device for vehicle
A vehicle brake system includes a first fluid chamber whose volume changes corresponding to the amount of advancement and retraction of the input piston, a second fluid chamber into which hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic pressure source is introduced after adjustment in a pressure regulator, a third fluid chamber kept at the atmospheric pressure, a stroke simulator which generates a reaction force to the brake operation corresponding to a change in volume of the first fluid chamber, a master cylinder, a partition member partitioning each of the second and third fluid chambers from the first fluid chamber, first and second seal members disposed in respective fitting gaps, and an annular member having both ends abutting respective seal members. The annular member divides a space into first and second space portions whose volumes respectively increases and decreases by the same amount when the annular member moves in one axial direction. |
| US09211875B2 |
Suspension control apparatus
To control a wheel load of a wheel according to a lateral acceleration of a vehicle so as to enhance stability of the vehicle, provided is a suspension control apparatus, which is configured to control a wheel-load adjusting mechanism in at least one of the following manners: the wheel load of a front wheel is increased or is made unlikely to be reduced relative to the wheel load of a rear wheel when an absolute value of the lateral acceleration of the vehicle is increasing; and the wheel load of the rear wheel is increased or is made unlikely to be reduced relative to the wheel load of the front wheel when the absolute value of the lateral acceleration of the vehicle is reducing. |
| US09211874B2 |
Brake system having simultaneous or partially simultaneous pressure generation and reduction in the wheel brakes from differing wheel cylinder pressure levels
A braking system may include a brake booster, the piston-cylinder system of which is driven by an electric motor, wherein at least one working chamber of the piston-cylinder system is connected by hydraulic lines to at least two wheel brakes, a wheel brake being allocated a 2/2-way switching valve in each case and the hydraulic connection lines between the wheel brakes and the piston-cylinder system being closable, optionally separately or jointly, by means of the 2/2-way switching valves, so that a pressure can be adjusted in the wheel brakes one after the other in terms of a multiplex method and/or simultaneously. The electric motor and switching valves may be activated by a control device configured to adjust or control the piston movement and piston speed during the pressure generation and pressure reduction as a function of the pressure-volume characteristic of the wheel brakes. |
| US09211872B2 |
Composite accumulator having metal insert
A composite accumulator includes a base defining a first cavity and having a closed end, an open end, and a fluid port in communication with the first cavity for communicating a hydraulic fluid in or out of the first cavity, a cover disposed over the open end of the base, the cover defining a second cavity, an insert disposed within the second cavity, a piston disposed within the first cavity and the second cavity, the piston sealed to the insert and translatable along an axis, and a biasing member disposed axially between the piston and the insert, the biasing member configured to bias the piston towards the base. Both the base and the cover are a plastic and the insert is a metal. |
| US09211869B2 |
Wiper blade for cleaning vehicle windows
The invention relates to a wiper blade (10) for cleaning vehicle windows, with a wiper blade body (11) connected to a wiper blade adapter (13), wherein the wiper blade adapter (13) consists of an adapter element (18) on the wiper arm side and an adapter element (17) on the wiper blade side, which are arranged pivotably with respect to one another in an axis (19), and with a distributor element (30; 30a) arranged pivotably in the axis (19) for a washing fluid connection and/or an electrical connection for the wiper blade body (11), wherein the distributor element (30; 30a) is received between two side walls (24, 25) of the adapter element (17) on the wiper blade side, wherein an aperture (26, 27), round in cross-section, is formed respectively on the two side walls (24, 25) of the adapter element (17) on the wiper blade side, aligned to the axis (19), and wherein the distributor element (30; 30a) on the side facing the side wall (24, 25) respectively has a conical bearing extension (37; 37a, 38; 38a), which engages into the aperture (26, 27). |
| US09211867B2 |
Wiper blade
The invention is based on a wiper blade (12) with an elongated, spring-elastic carrier element (36) which is pre-curved concavely with respect to a vehicle window (22) and has at least one spring rail, and with a wiper strip (24) which is held by the carrier element (36), wherein the wiper blade (24) is secured relative to the carrier element (36) by an end cap (44) at least near to one end in the longitudinal direction (20), which end cap (44) has, on one longitudinal side, an opening which can be closed off by a flap (46) which can pivot about a pivoting axis (84) running in the longitudinal direction (20) into an open position and into a closed position. It is proposed that securing means (56, 58, 66) be provided on the end cap (44) or the flap (46), which securing means (56, 58, 66) can be moved by the activation of the flap (46) with the wiper blade (24) or with an element (120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 142) connected thereto into an operative connection or out of an operative connection, wherein the securing means (56, 58) are supported in the longitudinal direction (20) on the carrier element (36) or an element (52) which is permanently connected thereto, and said securing means (56, 58) and/or become detached therefrom. |
| US09211866B1 |
Seatbelt and adjustable buckle presenter assembly
A seatbelt assembly includes a seatbelt buckle that is disposed along a retractable belt webbing and configured for tethered movement about a vehicle interior. The seatbelt buckle includes a housing which contains a latch mechanism which releasably latches a seatbelt tongue to the seatbelt buckle. The housing further includes one or more light sources powered through the belt webbing or through a power cell in the housing which are used to illuminate the vehicle interior as tethered to the vehicle on the belt webbing and which are further used to facilitate a vehicle occupant in locating the seatbelt tongue when fastening the seatbelt assembly. |
| US09211865B2 |
Woven fabric and process of producing same
A woven fabric includes a synthetic fiber multifilament yarn as a ground yarn, and in a selvage weave portion present in an end portion of the woven fabric: a binding yarn constructed of a filament having a fineness of 33 dtex or less; an additional yarn constructed of a filament having a fineness of 33 dtex or less; and a selvage-tightening yarn constructed of a multifilament having a total fineness that is 80% or greater of the total fineness of the ground yarn. |
| US09211862B2 |
Airbag apparatus
An inflation portion of an airbag, which is inflated by inflation gas, is partitioned into an upstream inflation portion and a downstream inflation portion via a partition member. When being tensioned in a planar manner, the partition member has a length in a longitudinal direction that is longer than a length in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A pressure regulating valve that is closed at an early stage of a supply period of the inflation gas to the inflation portion and is opened from the middle of the supply period includes a slit-like inner opening that is provided on the partition member and extends in the transverse direction and a pair of valve body portions that are provided around the inner opening and are selectively positioned close to and separated from each other. |
| US09211861B2 |
Airbag deployment device
An airbag system for a vehicle seat having an airbag module coupled to a vehicle seat frame by a fastener assembly and substantially surrounded by a force cloth. An isolator is substantially disposed between the force cloth and the frame. The isolator generally includes a sheet of material and a spacer positioned, in proximity to the fastener assembly, between the airbag module and seat frame. |
| US09211860B2 |
Knee side face restraint airbag device
A knee side face restraint airbag device comprising an inflator that generates gas upon actuation; and a knee side face restraint airbag that is disposed in a folded state at an outside in a vehicle width direction at an inside of a vehicle interior member, that inflates and deploys towards a vehicle cabin inside upon being supplied with gas generated from the inflator, and that restrains an outer lateral-side of a knee of a seated occupant. |
| US09211850B2 |
License plate frame and method of use
A license plate frame comprising a license plate frame body defining a centrally located substantially unobstructed registration plate viewing area therethrough. The unobstructed viewing area is defined by a continuous interior peripheral edge. In one embodiment, a license plate peripheral support wall extends rearward from a mounting or rear surface of the frame body. The peripheral support wall is sized and shaped to nest with a peripheral edge of a registration plate. The peripheral support wall may be setback from the interior peripheral edge forming a plate surface retention lip. One or more retention tabs extend inwardly from the support wall, each forming a gap between a tab exterior surface and the retention lip or the continuous peripheral edge. The registration plate is positioned between the tab exterior surface and the retention lip. The assembly is affixed to a vehicle by inserting fasteners through apertures in each of the registration plate and the retention tabs. |
| US09211846B2 |
Receiver mounted sporting equipment rack with longitudinal load bars
A sporting goods carrier combines the standardized racks and flexibility of a car top carrier with the ease of access and gas conservation of a hitch mounted carrier by providing standard roof rails extending parallel to the mount (and thus parallel to the vehicle) so that sporting equipment such as bicycles, skis and so on may be carried cross-wise to the vehicle at the rear. Using standardized load bars allows the hitch mounted device to accept the many types of roof rack sports equipment carriers already on the market. Load bars may be tilted, U-shaped, moved in and outward and the mount may be rotated below bumper level to allow easy loading and unloading of the vehicle. |
| US09211845B2 |
Doors for console boxes
Embodiments of the present invention may include a door for a console box having a door outer, a door inner and a lock mechanism. The door inner is mounted to the door outer, and has a pair of mounting walls. The lock mechanism releasably locks the door at a position where the door closes an opening of a box main body of the console box. The lock mechanism has a knob that is pivotably mounted between the pair of mounting walls and is operated when releasing the lock mechanism. The door outer has a pair of ribs that push the pair of mounting walls away from each other to detach the knob from the mounting walls when the door outer receives a shock toward the door inner. |
| US09211842B2 |
Cargo floor for a vehicle
A cargo floor for a vehicle having a first section and at least one second section, which is arranged behind the first section in the direction of travel, whereby the second section is connected to the first section in an articulated manner and pivotable about an axis, and a closure member, whereby at least one part of the cargo floor can be fastened releasably via the closure member to the vehicle. The cargo floor in an unlocked state of the closure member can be removed from the vehicle, whereby the first section and the second section in the fastened state are arranged in the same plane, and whereby the first section of the cargo floor can be locked via the closure member. |
| US09211841B2 |
Step apparatus for vehicle
A step apparatus for a vehicle includes a step panel facing an opening formed at a body of a vehicle and fixed to a step support portion which is provided at the body, the step panel made of resin and securing a moving path of an opening and closing member, the moving path being secured at a void defined between the step panel and the step support portion in a height direction of the vehicle, and a leg member connected to the step panel and configured to extend between the step panel and the step support portion at a predetermined position on the moving path in an open state of the opening and closing member, the leg member moving away from the moving path for clearing the moving path before the opening and closing member reaches the leg member during a closing operation of the opening and closing member. |
| US09211836B2 |
Headlamp assembly of a vehicle with headlamp fastening device
A headlamp assembly of a vehicle with a headlamp fastening device is described. The headlamp assembly has a transparent headlamp cover on a front side. A headlamp housing is closed on the front side by the headlamp cover. The headlamp assembly is configured to mechanically connect with the vehicle body via the headlamp fastening device. The headlamp fastening device has a guide rail, on which the headlamp assembly is arranged so as to be pivotable contrary to the direction of travel and so as to be able to be withdrawn in the direction of travel. |
| US09211833B2 |
Hard roll-up tonneau
A tonneau system for a pickup bed comprising a bracket system connectable with a sidewall of the pickup bed and a plurality of hingeable sections pivotally coupled to each other to define a continuous surface. Each of the plurality of hingeable sections being connected to adjacent hingeable sections to permit at least some of the plurality of hingeable sections to be rolled together into a generally circular cross-section to selectively reveal the pickup bed. |
| US09211832B1 |
Salvage hold down attachment for excavators
A salvage hold down attachment for excavators preferably includes a pivot boom base and a pair of boom arms. The pivot boom base preferably includes a boom base, a bottom arm plate, a plurality of cylinder plates and an arm cross tube. The bottom arm plate is attached to the arm cross tube. First and second outer cylinder plates are attached to the first and second boom frame members. First and second inner cylinder plates are attached to the cross tube. Each boom arm preferably includes an arm tube, a plurality of staggered teeth and a front projection. Each boom arm is attached to the bottom arm plate and one of the boom frame members. The salvage hold down attachment for excavators is connected to an undercarriage dozer attachment bracket of an excavator and operated by the dozer controls of the excavator. |
| US09211830B1 |
Low center of gravity feeding transport trailer
A feed transport trailer with a low center of gravity is particularly useful for transportation of particulate material. A storage vessel is attached to a frame assembly which is lower than the attachment point on a tractor. The storage vessel has a central low conveyor mechanism that extends to the rear of the trailer and is used for unloading. The conveyor extends beyond rear axles that have center depressed areas to allow the vessel and conveyor to be located close to the ground. |
| US09211828B2 |
Cup holder
The present invention provides a cup holder that is capable of preventing a drawing portion from being pushed and retracted while maintaining a state in which a cup is held. A retraction preventing portion is formed on an interior face of a bottom face of the holder case, and a protrusion is formed so as to be oriented to the bottom face's side of the holder case at a rear end part of a turnable holding arm portion that is provided at a drawing portion. In the case where an attempt is made to retract the drawing portion while maintaining the state in which the cup is held, the protrusion abuts against the retraction preventing portion, and retraction of the drawing portion can be prevented. |
| US09211827B2 |
Seat cushion structure
A seat cushion structure for use in a vehicle seat including a first outer wall and a second outer wall joined to form a plurality of chambers. The seat cushion includes an energy absorption substance disposed within the chambers to absorb occupant load. The seat cushion also includes a plurality of springs disposed within the chambers to further facilitate occupant support and comfort. |
| US09211826B2 |
Frame structure for seat back
A frame structure for a seat back to be provided in the seat back having a seatbelt retractor and a seatbelt guide at a frame top, wherein the frame structure includes an oblique frame and a vertical frame, the oblique frame obliquely extending upward to a seatbelt guide installation section from a first support point located at an end side of a lower part of the seat back in a seat width direction, the vertical frame extending upward from a second support point located at another end side of the lower part of the seat back in the seat width direction and connecting to the oblique frame at a top. |
| US09211825B2 |
Conveyance seat
A conveyance seat includes: a seat cover; a seat pad foamed so as to be integrated with part of the seat cover; and an interrupting portion provided in part of the seat cover and inhibiting integration of the seat pad with the seat cover. |
| US09211824B2 |
Adjustable firmness vehicle seat
A vehicle seat includes a seat back and a seat for supporting an occupant. A cushion is coupled to the seat and has at least one inflatable upper bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. The seat further includes an inflatable lower bladder positioned beneath the upper bladder. The seat is configured such that a vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively increased. |
| US09211823B2 |
Pillow holder systems
Pillow holders that have a sleeve for receiving and retaining a pillow coupled, optionally releasably, to a flexible and resilient enclosure (optionally less than a complete enclosure) for a headrest. The enclosure stretches over the headrest. The sleeve is made of a flexible and resilient material, and is coupled to the enclosure at a position that places the pillow in position to support the neck of the user of the headrest. The enclosure may optionally have a strap. The strap may be releasably and/or slidingly coupled to the enclosure. Optionally, the tube or sleeve may also be slidingly coupled to the strap. The pillow holder is designed for pillows of various shapes and sizes, including standard-sized pillows and stuffed toys. The enclosure may additionally be coupled to headrest supports. More than one enclosure may be coupled to one strap. The strap may optionally be worn as a shoulder strap. |
| US09211813B2 |
Seat cushion arrangement and vehicle seat with the seat cushion arrangement
A seat cushion arrangement is provided for a vehicle seat with a first and a second pad region. The first pad region has a first pad cover and the second pad region has a second pad cover. The first and second pad region in a base position of the second pad region are arranged adjacent to one another. A gap is arranged between the first and the second pad region. The second pad region is able to be transferred relative to the first pad region from the base position into a distance position, in which a distance is formed between the first and second pad region, so that the seat cushion arrangement is enlarged in a seat depth. The second pad cover comprises a bridging section, which in the distance position of the second pad region is constructed for bridging the distance. |
| US09211808B2 |
Power management for a drive system
A power machine having an engine that generates a torque output and a power conversion system configured to receive the torque output and provide a drive power signal in response to actuation signals for propelling the machine is disclosed. An engine controller provides an engine torque data signal indicative of a torque load on the engine. A user input device generates an input signal indicative of intention to propel the machine. An electronic controller is in communication with the user input device, the power conversion system, and the engine controller. The electronics controller receives the input signal and provides actuation signals to the power conversion system. The electronic controller further provides the actuation signals as a function of the engine torque data signal to limit the engine torque load. |
| US09211807B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for electrically driven vehicle
Even when the effective radii of wheels differ from each other because of a change in tire pneumatic pressure, the difference in driving force between left and right drive wheels are substantially zeroed to suppress a turning force to thereby increase the traveling stability. The use is made of a corrector for correcting a command value to be outputted to a drive circuit for an electric drive motor for each of the drive wheels. This corrector receives the steering angle, the respective numbers of revolutions of the drive wheels and an electric drive motor current and corrects with the use of the steering angle as measured with respect to a traveling direction so that command values relative to the drive wheels may have such a relation that the turning force induced in a vehicle as a result of the difference in effective radius between the drive wheels can be suppressed. |
| US09211803B2 |
Electric vehicle control device
Provided is an electric vehicle control device in which a power supply device has a simple structure. A BMU power supply device (110) lowers a battery voltage to be suitable for the control voltage of a BMU (109). A flyback down-regulator (80) lowers the battery voltage to be suitable for an input of a CPU power supply device (111) which forms a control voltage for a CPU (108). A contactor (90) is disposed on a plus-side line which connects a battery (40) to a motor drive circuit (100), and is opened and closed in response to an instruction from the CPU (108). Control power for the down-regulator (80) is formed by the BMU power supply device (110), and a main switch (113) is disposed to open and close a path through which the voltage of the control power is input to the down-regulator (80). |
| US09211798B2 |
Multistage power supply system and method for providing uninterrupted power to vehicle circuitry
A multistage power supply system and method for providing uninterrupted low voltage electrical power to control circuitry in an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle. A first stage includes a converter for receiving a low voltage input from a vehicle battery and converting the vehicle battery low voltage input to a high voltage output. A second stage provided in series communication with the first stage includes a converter for receiving one of a rectified AC high voltage input and the first stage high voltage output and converting the one of the rectified AC high voltage input and the first stage high voltage output to a low voltage output for use in powering the vehicle control circuitry. The low voltage output is produced by the second stage from the rectified AC high voltage input when the rectified AC high voltage input is present, and the low voltage output is produced by the second stage from the first stage high voltage output when the rectified AC high voltage input is absent. |
| US09211796B2 |
In-vehicle controller
A control device for a vehicle includes: a plurality of controllers, each of which executes a plurality of energy saving control modes for restricting reduction of driving energy of the vehicle; a selector for displaying the plurality of energy saving control modes at the same time and for prompting an user of the vehicle to select execution or rejection of one of the plurality of energy saving control modes; and a central control device for controlling one of the plurality of controllers to execute a corresponding energy saving control mode, of which the execution is selected by the user, so that a maximum cruising range of the vehicle is expanded without providing a feeling of discomfort. |
| US09211794B2 |
Vehicular display unit
A vehicular display unit includes: a main display disposed in a forward position of a driver and adapted to display vehicle information; an external display, other than the main display, disposed in the forward position of the driver, and switchable between a touch panel display mode for displaying vehicle information and capable of making a touch panel operation and an ordinary display mode for displaying the vehicle information and incapable of making the touch panel operation; a display mover mechanism configured to move the external display in a vehicular forward-rearward direction; and a controller for controlling the moving of the display mover mechanism based on a display movement request from the driver, vehicle speed information and a touch panel display request of the external display. |
| US09211784B2 |
Lock device of roof member of open car
A slide member to lock a roof member stored in a storage space by its rearward sliding and unlock the roof member by its forward sliding is provided. An operational member to rotate around a first rotational axis includes an operational portion to be operated from an inside of a vehicle compartment. A slide member slides longitudinally when a middle member rotates around a second rotational axis. The middle member is linked with the operational member such that it rotates in an opposite direction to a rotational direction of the operational member. The second rotational axis is located at a lower level than the first rotational axis such that the slide member slides forward to an unlock position when the middle member rotates according to an upward rotation of the operational portion. |
| US09211782B2 |
Motor vehicle rear module intended to be affixed to a rear hatch module
A motor vehicle rear module for fastening on a structure of a rear door, the module has a light unit, an outer bodywork skin, this skin being adjacent at least in part to the light unit, and a shaper element arranged so as to shape the skin around the light unit. |
| US09211778B2 |
Vehicle air conditioning device
A vehicle air conditioner (1A) includes a heat pump circuit (2) including a compressor (11), an outdoor heat exchanger (13), an expansion mechanism (14), a first indoor heat exchanger (15), and a second indoor heat exchanger (16). The flow direction of a refrigerant in the heat pump circuit (2) is switched, by a switching member (12A), between a first direction in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) passes through the outdoor heat exchanger (13), the expansion mechanism (14), the first indoor heat exchanger (15), and the second indoor heat exchanger (16) in this order and returns to the compressor (11), and a second direction in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) passes through the first indoor heat exchanger (15), the expansion mechanism (14), the outdoor heat exchanger (13), and the second indoor heat exchanger (16) in this order and returns to the compressor (11). In the above-described configuration, the control of the expansion mechanism can be simplified during a heating operation and a cooling operation by handling a single expansion mechanism. |
| US09211775B1 |
Adjustable suspension height modification apparatus
A coil spring suspension height modification apparatus includes a frame connection plate securable to a vehicle frame, a coil spring brace plate for locating a coil spring, and an adjustment member for selectively adjusting the axial spacing between the frame connection plate and the coil spring brace plate. The selective axial spacing adjustment correspondingly adjusts the suspension height of the vehicle. |
| US09211772B2 |
Vehicle towing apparatus and method of towing a vehicle in a test
A vehicle tow bar assembly having a latch assembly and a remotely operated actuator for unlatching the tow bar assembly from a tow line. The latch assembly may have a pivot lever that is retained by a latch pin until released. Alternatively, the latch assembly may have a pair of jaws that are opened by a linear motor and a set of cams. A method of towing a vehicle with a tow bar assembly that is unlatched and released when the vehicle is moving at a selected speed in a test procedure. |
| US09211765B2 |
Winter tyre with improved traction on snow surfaces
A winter tire with improved traction on snow surfaces; the tire has a tread with a raised pattern defined by a number of longitudinal and transverse grooves which form at least one longitudinal row of blocks projecting radially from a base surface of the tread. Each block has two longitudinal lateral surfaces bounding two corresponding longitudinal grooves, and two transverse lateral surfaces bounding two corresponding transverse grooves. At least one of the blocks has lateral channels, each of which is formed on the lateral surface of a corresponding block, extends from the base surface of the tread to a top surface of the block, and is designed to impede radial spin-out of snow trapped inside the lateral channel. |
| US09211764B2 |
Pneumatic tire
Provided is a pneumatic tire having excellent durability and driving stability during high-speed running of the vehicle (that is, during high-speed rotation of the tire). The pneumatic tire includes: a carcass; an intersecting belt which is provided on the outer circumference side of a crown portion of the carcass and formed of two inclined belt layers having cords inclined and extending in a direction intersecting each other across a tire equatorial plane; and a circumferential belt layer which is provided on either one of the inner side and the outer side of the intersecting belt in the tire radial direction and includes a spiral cord arranged as being spirally wound at an inclination angle of equal to or smaller than 5 degrees to the tire equatorial plane. Of the two inclined belt layers forming the intersecting belt, the cords in a first inclined belt layer are inclined at an inclination angle that falls within the range of 45 to 90 degrees relative to the tire equatorial plane, while the cords in a second inclined belt layer are inclined at an inclination angle that falls within the range of 15 to 45 degrees relative to the tire equatorial plane and is smaller than the inclination angle of the cords in the first inclined belt layer. |
| US09211762B1 |
Castor with two braking functions
A castor includes a castor body provided with an upper slideway, a lower slideway and a projection, two rollers mounted on the castor body, a first braking member pivotally connected with the castor body and provided with a protrusion, a second braking member mounted in the lower slideway, a sliding block mounted in the upper slideway of the castor body, a compression spring biased between the castor body and the sliding block, and a linear spring mounted between the projection of the castor body and the protrusion of the first braking member. Thus, the linear spring provides a restoring force to the protrusion of the first braking member and eliminates the stress applied on the protrusion of the first braking member and the projection of the castor body. |
| US09211761B2 |
Brake dust seal
A brake dust seal is configured to protect a wheel with a rim from brake dust coming from a brake proximate the wheel. The brake dust seal includes a solid panel covering a back of the wheel and connected to the wheel with a pliable seal that prevents the brake dust from getting to an outside of the rim. |
| US09211759B2 |
Writing instrument holder
A writing instrument holder that includes an adhesive base that includes a generally shape, a plurality of holding notches and a holding slot and an adhesive backer insert with a vertical planar base and a perpendicular planar insert. The writing instrument holder also includes a peel away cover with a front facing, a back facing and a generally square planar shape, the peel away cover is placed over the front facing of the vertical planar base to protect an adhesive. |
| US09211756B2 |
Liquid applicator device
A liquid applicator device is disclosed for applying a liquid from a container to a surface. A closure defining a closure aperture is secured the closure to the container. A sealing member sealingly engages with the closure mounting. The sealing member has a tubular sleeve with an applicator slidably disposed within the tubular sleeve. The applicator comprises a hollow interior with an applicator tip defined by an outer applicator portion of the applicator. A biasing member coacts between the closure and the applicator for urging the applicator to form a seal with the sealing member. A depression of the outer applicator portion against the surface displaces the applicator from the sealing member to enable the flow of the liquid from the container to the applicator tip of the applicator. |
| US09211755B2 |
Printing table assembly, method for operating a printing table assembly
A printing table arrangement includes at least one printing device for printing of substrates, at least one printing table, a first transport device to transport the substrates being printed in a first plane, and a lifting device to move the first transport device with the first plane between a printing plane assigned to the printing device and a transport plane lying underneath. The printing table has a second transport device to transport substrates in a second plane beneath the first plane, in which the fixed spacing between the first plane and the second plane corresponds to the spacing between the printing plane and transport plane. |
| US09211751B2 |
Media-tracking system using marking laser
A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A laser provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a physical property of the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A sensor at a downstream position along the media path is adapted to sense the reference mark providing a sensed signal. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium as the receiver medium passes through the second position along the media path by detecting a position of the reference mark. |
| US09211746B1 |
Hybrid printer for printing on non-porous media
A hybrid inkjet printer for printing on a non-porous medium includes a data processing system provides a tone value of a half-tone pattern in a pre-determined function of an image-wise lay-down of an inkjet image; toner printer for pre-coating a non-porous medium with toner resin particles in a half-tone pattern to create a patterned toner coated medium in accordance with the tone value; inkjet ejectors for applying the image-wise lay-down of the inkjet image to said half-tone patterned toner coated media to provide an image on said half-tone patterned toner coated medium; and a fuser for fusing said image on said toner coated medium. |
| US09211745B2 |
Image erasing apparatus and image forming apparatus
According to an embodiment, an image erasing apparatus includes an erasing unit, an input unit, and a control unit. The erasing unit erases an image formed on a recording medium. The input unit inputs identification data which identifies an apparatus which forms the image on the recording medium. The control unit controls an operation of the erasing unit based on the identification data input by the input unit. According to another embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit which forms an image on a recording medium, the erasing unit, the input unit, and the control unit. |
| US09211744B2 |
Media processing device with enhanced media and ribbon loading and unloading features
A device for processing media may include a system and method for loading and unloading consumable supplies of a printer, and more particularly, a system and method for providing a compact form factor printer which provides convenient access to the replaceable components of the printer. A printer may include a base and a lid hingedly attached to the base, moveable between a closed position in which the lid is secured to the base, and an open position. A cavity may be defined between the lid and the base, where the cavity is inaccessible when the lid is in the closed position and the cavity is accessible when the lid is in the open position. The printer may include a ribbon positioning assembly disposed within the cavity. |
| US09211743B2 |
Droplet discharge device and droplet discharge method
A printer includes a control section that is capable of executing a first process for forming an image on a sheet by discharging ink droplets from a liquid ejection head on the basis of image data and a second process for forming, on the sheet, a test pattern for determination of a shift in ink droplet adhesion position by discharging droplets on the basis of test data. The control section executes the second process in a state in which a print gap between the liquid ejection head and a support is longer than the shortest adjustable print gap. |
| US09211741B2 |
Position encoder systems
A position encoder signal control system is disclosed. A position encoder input line receives a position encoder signal and a diagnostic input line receives a position encoder diagnostic signal. An output line is couplable to a position encoder output channel and a controller selectively connects one of the position encoder input line and the diagnostic input line to the output line. |
| US09211736B2 |
System and method for reducing electrostatic fields underneath print heads in an electrostatic media transport
Embodiments described herein are directed to a system for reducing electrostatic fields underneath print heads in a direct marking printing system. The system includes: one or more print heads for depositing ink onto a media substrate; a media transport for moving the media substrate along a media path past the one or more print heads; a conductive platen contacting the media transport belt; and an electrostatic field reducer that includes an alternating current corona device positioned upstream of the one or more print heads. The media transport includes a media transport belt and, when the media substrate is on the transport belt it has an electrostatic field, which can cause printing defects. The electrostatic field reducer reduces the electrostatic field on the surface of the media substrate and thereby reduces printing defects. |
| US09211734B2 |
Paper width detection method for a label printer, printing control method for a label printer, and a label printer
When a label printer detects the paper width, the paper width detection operation scans the transportation path in the paper width direction by the paper width detector not once but twice, and conveys the recording medium transportation distance L, which is longer than the gap length of the gap between labels and is shorter than the label length of each label, between the first and second paper width detection operations. Of the two positions detected as the left edge of the recording medium in the first and second detection operations, the position that is farthest left is used. Likewise, of the two positions detected as the right edge of the recording medium in the first and second detection operations, the position that is farthest right is used. |
| US09211733B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
A printer includes a transportation unit that transports a continuous form paper, an ejecting unit that ejects ink onto the continuous form paper, a continuous form paper supporting unit that includes a supporting surface capable of supporting the continuous form paper so as to be opposite to the ejecting unit, a light-transmitting glass that is mounted at a position in the medium supporting unit which faces the continuous form paper transported by the transportation unit, an imaging unit that captures an image of the continuous form paper which passes over a front surface of the light-transmitting glass, a control unit that controls a transportation amount of the continuous form paper based on the image captured by the imaging unit, and a suction fan that generates an airflow onto the front surface of the light-transmitting glass. An antistatic film is formed on the front surface of the light-transmitting glass. |
| US09211724B2 |
Adjustable stenographic keyboard device and method for electronically adjusting key depth sensitivity
A stenographic device includes a display, a memory, keys of a stenographic keyboard, each key having a resting position where the key is un-actuated, a depressed position where the key is actuated to register a key stroke, and a range of depression positions therebetween, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, memory, and the keys. The processor causes the display to graphically show a respective depression indicator of a current one of the depression positions for each of the keys, stores in the memory a respective key-press registration point for each of the keys, the registration point being a depression position located within the range of depression positions and indicating when the respective key is in the actuated state, and causes the display to graphically show a respective registration indicator corresponding to the stored registration point for each of the keys. |
| US09211720B2 |
Fluid container having first and second key set
A fluid container usable with an image forming apparatus including a receiving unit having a plurality of receiver slots is disclosed. The fluid container includes a housing unit including a plurality of wall portions and a fluid chamber to store fluid therein. The housing unit is to removably attach to a respective receiver slot of the receiving unit. The fluid container includes a first key set disposed on an exterior surface of one wall portion of the housing unit. The first key set is to form a first key pattern corresponding to a conforming first receiver key pattern of a respective receiver slot. The fluid container includes a second key set disposed on an exterior surface of an other wall portion of the housing unit. The second key set is to form a second key pattern corresponding to a conforming second receiver key pattern of the respective receiver slot. |
| US09211718B2 |
Print bar and print bar shroud
In one example, a shroud to protect a printhead in a print bar includes: an elongated body having an opening therein through which a printhead may dispense liquid past the shroud when the shroud is affixed to the print bar; and a bump on an exterior surface of the body next to the opening. The bump is configured to guide a leading edge of print media away from the printhead during printing when the shroud is affixed to the print bar and the print bar is installed in a printer. |
| US09211717B2 |
Cap of liquid discharge head and liquid discharge apparatus
The invention provides a cap of a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from nozzle holes, can come in contact with a nozzle hole surface, and has an opposite surface opposite the nozzle hole surface, in which the opposite surface has protrusions. |
| US09211712B2 |
Injection molded ink jet modules
A print head includes an aperture plate and a plurality of duplicate, injection molded, jet modules that are coupled to the aperture plate. Each of the jet modules includes a plurality of jets and corresponding ink supply cavity that seals against the aperture plate and provides ink to the jets. Each jet module further includes a registration member and an edge alignment feature. The registration member holds the jet module in place relative to a corresponding registration member of the aperture plate. The edge alignment feature overlaps a corresponding alignment feature on a neighboring one of the jet modules in a z-direction and minimizes misalignment between the jet module and the neighboring jet module. |
| US09211707B2 |
Method for manufacturing inkjet recording head
A method for manufacturing an inkjet recording head includes preparing a substrate having a mold to become an ink flow passage and an orifice layer covering the mold, and immersing the substrate in a solvent, whereby in immersing the substrate in the solvent, the mold at the substrate immersed in the solvent is irradiated with deep-UV light. |
| US09211705B2 |
Printer with printhead assembly, clutch assembly, and printer ribbon transport assembly
A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension. |
| US09211701B2 |
Ink jet printer
An ink jet printer includes an image control unit that controls rotation of image data so that a direction of a short side of a rectangular area in a printing sheet becomes a print width direction that is orthogonal to a sheet transport direction if a first warm-up time calculated by a warm-up time calculation unit is shorter than a warm-up time until an ink temperature of an overall ink discharge target width of an ink jet head reaches an appropriate temperature range. |
| US09211700B1 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus, method of controlling liquid ejecting apparatus, and program for controlling liquid ejecting apparatus
A apparatus including a head unit that includes first nozzles which eject a first liquid, second nozzles which eject a second liquid, third nozzles which eject a third liquid; and a control unit that controls driving of the head unit, in which, when an amount of the first liquid to be ejected from the first nozzles in order to form an image on the medium is a first ejection amount and an ejection state of the liquid ejected from the first nozzles is abnormal, the control unit increases the amount of the second liquid ejected from the second nozzles by a second ejection amount which is smaller than the first ejection amount and increases the amount of the third liquid ejected from the third nozzles by a third ejection amount which is smaller than the first ejection amount instead of allowing the first nozzles to eject the first liquid. |
| US09211698B2 |
Charge control type ink jet printer and printing method
The visibility of a printing object using a photo-curable ink is improved. A charge control type ink jet printer includes a nozzle which continuously forms ink droplets, a charging electrode which charges each of the ink droplets, a deflection electrode which deflects the charged ink droplet, and a print head which discharges the deflected ink droplet to print the droplet onto a printed substrate. The print head has a UV light source. The UV light source has a focusing member which focuses UV light onto at least part of a flying path of the ink droplet between the print head and the printed substrate and onto a landed region of the printed substrate, and a light emission source. |
| US09211693B2 |
Strip-shaped body cutting position adjustment method and system for cutting apparatus
A printing press control device and a cut-off register control device forcibly move a compensator roller by a set moving amount each time a set time elapses during a period from the start of speed acceleration to the end of speed acceleration. |
| US09211692B2 |
In-line shell processing
A method of printing and assembling a printed product including unrolling a continuous web of paper from a roll on a printing line, printing non-personalized information on the paper on the printing line, printing personalized information on the paper on a finishing line, performing at least one paper conversion step after printing the personalized information to create a personalized signature on the finishing line, and feeding the personalized signature into a pocket on the finishing line. |
| US09211691B2 |
Delamination device
Provided is a delamination device of delaminating a laminated substrate obtained by bonding a first substrate and a second substrate, the laminated substrate being disposed in an opening of a frame, the opening having a diameter larger than that of the laminated substrate, and the laminated substrate being held by the frame with a non-bonding surface of the first substrate attached to a tape provided in the opening. The delamination device includes: a first holding unit configured to hold the second substrate of the laminated substrate from above; a second holding unit configured to hold the first substrate of the laminated substrate from below through the tape; and a moving mechanism configured to move the first holding unit in a direction away from the second holding unit. |
| US09211689B2 |
Composite material structures with integral composite fittings and methods of manufacture
Composite material structures prepared from at least one reinforcement material and at least one matrix material are disclosed. The invention provides a simple solution for combining two or more components made of a composite material into a monolithic “fastener free” structure of a composite material having a smooth contour. The composite material structure includes a main frame with at least one load bearing beam having at least one beam surface. To this beam surface at least one composite material fitting is integrally attached. The main frame and the composite material fitting are conjoined by at least one matrix material. In addition, the disclosed technique provides for methods of production of a composite material structure with fittings made of a composite material. |
| US09211683B2 |
Method for manufacturing gas tank
The present invention is a method of manufacturing a gas tank, this method including: a step of forming a fiber reinforced plastics layer by winding a fiber that is impregnated with thermosetting plastics around at least part of a mouthpiece and around a liner; and a step of thermally curing the fiber reinforced plastics layer through induction heating, wherein the mouthpiece is heated by a heating unit that is distinct from the induction heating while the fiber reinforced plastics layer is thermally cured. |
| US09211682B2 |
Controlling crystalline morphology of a bioabsorbable stent
Methods to expand polymer tubing with desirable or optimum morphology and mechanical properties for stem manufacture and fabrication of a stent therefrom are disclosed. |
| US09211679B1 |
Systems and methods of forming a skin for a composite structure and composite structures including the same
Systems and methods of forming a skin for a composite structure and composite structures including the same. The systems and methods include operatively attaching a charge of composite material to a flexible substrate to define a composite-substrate assembly. The systems and methods further include deforming the composite-substrate assembly by conforming the composite-substrate assembly to a non-planar pre-forming surface of a pre-forming mandrel to define a non-planar skin surface contour on the charge of composite material. The systems and methods further include maintaining the charge of composite material in tension in a direction that is parallel to an interface between the charge of composite material and the flexible substrate during the deforming. |
| US09211678B2 |
Method and apparatus for three-dimensional fabrication
A method of forming a three-dimensional object, is carried out by (a) providing a carrier and a build plate, the build plate comprising a semipermeable member, the semipermeable member comprising a build surface with the build surface and the carrier defining a build region therebetween, and with the build surface in fluid communication by way of the semipermeable member with a source of polymerization inhibitor; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid contacting the build surface, (c) irradiating the build region through the build plate to produce a solid polymerized region in the build region, while forming or maintaining a liquid film release layer comprised of the polymerizable liquid formed between the solid polymerized region and the build surface, wherein the polymerization of which liquid film is inhibited by the polymerization inhibitor; and (d) advancing the carrier with the polymerized region adhered thereto away from the build surface on the build plate to create a subsequent build region between the polymerized region and the build surface while concurrently filling the subsequent build region with polymerizable liquid as in step (b). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described. |
| US09211676B2 |
Three-dimensional printing apparatus
A three-dimensional (3-D) printing apparatus includes a base, a printing head module and a control unit. The base includes a carrying surface and a guiding mechanism. The guiding mechanism extends along a long-axis direction of the base. The printing head module movably disposed on the guiding mechanism. The length of the base is greater than the length of the printing head module, such that the printing head module is suitable for moving relatively to the guiding mechanism. The control unit coupled to the base and the printing head module controls the printing head module to move relatively to the base according to extensional information of the digital 3-D model along the long-axis direction, such that the printing head module dispenses a material on the carrying surface to form a 3-D object when moving relatively to the base. |
| US09211674B2 |
Method for bonding a thermoplastic polymer to a thermosetting polymer component
The invention relates to a method for bonding a thermoplastic polymer to a thermosetting polymer component, the thermoplastic polymer having a melting temperature that exceeds the curing temperature of the thermosetting polymer. The method comprises the steps of providing a cured thermosetting polymer component comprising an implant of a thermoplastic polymer at least at the part of the thermosetting polymer component to be bonded, locating a thermoplastic polymer in contact with at least the part to be bonded, heating the assembly to the melting temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, whereby the thermoplastic polymer of the implant melts and fuses with the thermoplastic polymer, and cooling the assembly. The thermoplastic polymer has a melting temperature that exceeds the curing temperature of the thermosetting polymer, and the implant is designed such that heating above the maximum operating temperature of the thermosetting polymer at the interface of the implant with the thermosetting polymer component is avoided during the bonding step. |
| US09211672B2 |
Method for molding thermoplastic resin product and molding apparatus therefor
An apparatus for molding a thermoplastic resin product includes a heating apparatus which conducts heating by radiation of infrared rays by using a light source; a stamper which is radiation heated by infrared rays radiated from the light source; a cooling member which cools the stamper by contacting the stamper which is radiation heated; a first mold which holds the stamper and/or the cooling member in a movable manner, thereby enabling the stamper and the cooling member to be in contact with or remote from with each other; and a second mold which holds a thermoplastic resin to which a structure of a shape-forming surface of the stamper is transferred. The stamper is radiation heated at least in the state where it is remote from the cooling member. |
| US09211669B2 |
Injection mould component for preforms made of plastic material
An injection mould component for moulding the outer surface of a preform neck, which allows improved cooling of the preform neck inside the mould, while at the same time reducing the mould cycle time. A related production process of said injection mould component, which allows the section of the cooling channels to be optimised, determining a more effective cooling, is also described. |
| US09211667B2 |
Method and device for molding soft and thin resin molded product
The present invention relates to a method and a device for molding a soft and thin resin molded product, in which molten resin is injected into a molding space between a concave mold and a convex mold to mold the soft and thin resin molded product. The convex mold or the concave mold is opened while the soft and thin resin molded product is left in the concave mold in such a way as to become open in its concave-shaped portion. Then, at least two chuck tabs formed outside the concave-shaped portion of the soft and thin resin molded product left in the concave mold are each held by a chuck of a molded product removing machine, and the concave-shaped portion of the soft and thin resin molded product is supported by a support arm of the molded product removing machine. |
| US09211660B2 |
Adjustable support for preformed mold
An adjustable support is used to support a preformed mold in a molding operation. The adjustable support includes an aggregate or particulate material that in a now stressed or reduced stress state is flowable to allow shaping thereof to effectively support a back face of the preformed mold. The adjustable support is then jammed to rigidify or fix the shape thereby effectively supporting the preformed mold. The adjustable support is changed from an adjustable state to a support state preferably by applying a vacuum pressure to the aggregate material. In the adjustable state an airflow can be introduced to the aggregate material to allow movement and/or displacement of the material. |
| US09211656B2 |
System and method of removing beads from tires
A system and method for removing steel beads from large diameter tires by lifting a tire into a position adjacent an extraction hook and a pair of stripping dyes. The hook is positioned adjacent the tire bead and is then withdrawn through a narrow opening in the stripping dyes, which removes the bead from the tire. The machine is capable of removing both rubber-encased inner beads from the tire without repositioning the tire within the system. A plurality of lifting platforms position the tire and the stripping mechanisms with respect to one another throughout the extraction process. |
| US09211653B2 |
Method to produce a translucent layer composite construction element with integrated front plate
Method for producing a heat insulating, light conducting multilayer composite construction element for facades of building structures and the like, in which the multilayer composite construction element consists of at least one layer of a curable casting compound and at least one heat insulating layer of insulating material, and all layers are penetrated by light conducting elements, whereby a.) in a first process step the light conducting elements are fixed in an insulating body forming the heat insulating layer, b.) in a second step the light conducting elements fixed in the insulating body are inserted in a formwork space of a formwork formed by formwork panels and c.) in a third step the formwork space is filled with a curable casting compound, forming at least one support layer, whereby b1.) the formwork panels used in the second step are designed as permanent (“lost”) formwork elements consisting of facade panels provided with drill holes or recesses, in which the front sides of the light conducting elements are received at least partially. |
| US09211652B2 |
Apparatus and method for producing layered mats
The invention relates to an apparatus for forming a layered mat of non-oriented particles in a particle board production process, comprising first rollers for size-fractionating a continuous stream of particles into a first and a second fraction; second rollers arranged lower than the first rollers, to receive the first fraction, the second rollers being capable of further size-fractionating said first fraction; and third rollers arranged lower than the second rollers, for receiving said second fraction, the third rollers being capable for further size-fractionating said second fraction; the apparatus further comprising a receiving surface, movable along a longitudinal dimension of the apparatus, and arranged to receive said fractionated first fraction and said fractionated second fraction from said second and third rollers, at different longitudinal positions; wherein the first rollers and the third rollers are pin-type rollers. |
| US09211651B2 |
Slicing guide
A slicing guide includes a shell including a first side wall and an opposing second side wall, a first door received in the shell between the first side wall and a second side wall, and a base or spring connected with the shell. The base, the spring or the shell biases or urges the first door toward the second side wall. |
| US09211649B1 |
Knife with folding guard
A guard for a folding knife which guard protects the fingers of the user when the blade is open. The guards may be lifted by the movement of the blade by a link, spring, lifting pin, gears, underside of the blade or hooked by thumb stud or back of blade or by a flipping motion due to the contour of the handles. The guards may be of various shapes and may be recessed in an out-of-the-way position when the blade is closed. The guards may extend at opposite sides of the blade and opposite sides of the handle. The guards are adaptable to a wide variety of folding knife styles. |
| US09211645B2 |
Apparatus and method for selecting lasting feeling of machine
An optimal behavior combination of a robot in consideration of the robot's previous feeling is generated. In other words, the robot may express its feelings by combinations of its behavioral express elements which reflect its previous feelings. In particular, it has a continuity determination unit for determining whether a behavior to be expressed should be same as or different from a currently expressed behavior. |
| US09211644B1 |
System and method for instructing a device
A system and method of instructing a device is disclosed. The system includes a signal source for providing at least one visual signal where the at least one visual signal is substantially indicative of at least one activity to be performed by the device. A visual signal capturing element captures the at least one visual signal and communicates the at least one visual signal to the device where the device interprets the at least one visual signal and performs the activity autonomously and without requiring any additional signals or other information from the signal source. |
| US09211643B1 |
Automatic in-situ registration and calibration of robotic arm/sensor/workspace system
Various technologies described herein pertain to automatic in-situ calibration and registration of a depth sensor and a robotic arm, where the depth sensor and the robotic arm operate in a workspace. The robotic arm can include an end effector. A non-parametric technique for registration between the depth sensor and the robotic arm can be implemented. The registration technique can utilize a sparse sampling of the workspace (e.g., collected during calibration or recalibration). A point cloud can be formed over calibration points and interpolation can be performed within the point cloud to map coordinates in a sensor coordinate frame to coordinates in an arm coordinate frame. Such technique can automatically incorporate intrinsic sensor parameters into transformations between the depth sensor and the robotic arm. Accordingly, an explicit model of intrinsics or biases of the depth sensor need not be utilized. |
| US09211640B2 |
Teaching device for robot, robot apparatus, method of controlling teaching device for robot, and control program of teaching device for robot
In a teaching device for robot that moves a flexible body holding unit holding a flexible body and performs teaching of a fitting task of the flexible body to a thing to generate teaching data, a reaching decision unit decides that a front end of the flexible body reaches the thing, a curvature acquiring unit acquires information of evaluation of a degree of curvature of the flexible body when the reaching decision unit decides the reaching, and a notification unit performs predetermined notification about teaching on the basis of the acquired information of evaluation. |
| US09211638B2 |
Resilient ring-shaped clip installation method and apparatus
Disclosed herein is an installation method and apparatus for installing a resilient ring-shaped clip into engagement with a recess of a recipient channel. The apparatus generally comprises a clip delivery structure having a delivery channel formed therein and comprising an input for receiving the clip, a converging portion for radially biasing the clip, and an output for delivering the radially biased clip to the recipient channel. A clip stabilization mechanism may also be present for stabilizing the clip in the delivery channel, and for disengaging the clip upon application of an axial force to the clip that results in its passage through the delivery channel. Also disclosed is a clip delivery mechanism for displacing a clip through such a delivery channel and the recipient channel until engagement of the clip with the recess, wherein the clip stabilization mechanism disengages upon axial displacement of the clip by the clip delivery mechanism. |
| US09211636B2 |
Power tool having rotary input control
A power tool includes a housing, an output member that rotates about a longitudinal axis, and a motor drivably connected to the output member. A rotational motion sensor is arranged in the housing and operable to detect a user input that includes a rotational motion of the housing in a desired rotational direction about the longitudinal axis of the output member. A controller is configured to receive a first input indicative of a user-desired rotational motion of the output member, and a second input, from the rotational motion sensor, indicative of an actual rotational motion of the power tool. The controller determines a user-desired rotational direction of the output member about the axis from the first input, determines an actual rotational direction of the housing about the axis from the second input, and causes the motor to drive the output member to simulate ratcheting movement in the user-desired rotational direction. |
| US09211635B2 |
Self-adjusting bar clamp
A self-adjusting bar clamp includes a body defining an elongated channel and an actuating lever pivotally coupled to the body and movable between an open position and a closed position. An elongated bar is carried by the body for reciprocal sliding movement therethrough. A self-adjusting toggle mechanism carried by the body includes a locking element carried by the bar and an element pivotally coupled to the actuating lever. A cam element is pivotally coupled between the element and the locking element. The cam element is movable between a first condition permitting movement and a second condition. A biasing member biases the locking element in a first direction. |
| US09211634B2 |
Abrasive articles including abrasive particles bonded to an elongated substrate body having a barrier layer, and methods of forming thereof
An abrasive article including a substrate in the form of an elongated member having a core and a barrier layer in direct contact with an peripheral surface of the core. The barrier layer consists essentially of tin. A bonding layer is overlying the elongated substrate and abrasive particles are secured in the bonding layer. |
| US09211626B2 |
Semiconductor device and grinding method of semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, and a grinding-processed layer laminated on one surface of the semiconductor chip. Further, the semiconductor device includes a sealing resin that seals the semiconductor chip and the grinding-processed layer; and a metal remaining-thickness checking portion provided adjacent to the grinding-processed layer, sealed by the sealing resin, and having a inclined plane that is inclined with respect to a laminating direction of the grinding-processed layer. |
| US09211625B2 |
Sapphire substrate flattening method
A sapphire substrate flattening method including an ingot slicing step of slicing a sapphire single-crystal ingot to obtain a sapphire substrate, an annealing step of annealing the sapphire substrate, a wafer mounting step of mounting the sapphire substrate processed by the annealing step on a stage having a holding surface in the condition where a first surface of the sapphire substrate is in contact with the holding surface of the stage through a liquid resin, a resin curing step of curing the liquid resin, a first grinding step of grinding a second surface of the sapphire substrate opposite to the first surface, a resin removing step of removing the liquid resin cured on the first surface of the sapphire substrate, and a second grinding step of grinding the first surface of the sapphire substrate. |
| US09211621B2 |
Machining apparatus
A frame defines a workpiece-transfer station, a machining station, and a tool station all centered on a common vertical plane. A carousel in the tool station carries a plurality of tools having shanks. A slide movable vertically and horizontally in the plane carries a tool head rotatable about a vertical axis itself having a tool socket adapted to fit shanks of the tools and a workpiece grab. This tool head can move horizontally in the plane to pick up and drop off tools and move workpieces between the transfer and the machining station, and can also move vertically during machining of a workpiece rotating in the machining station. |
| US09211620B2 |
Hand power tool having a drum-type tool change magazine
A hand power tool has a tool receiver which is configured to receive a tool and which has an inner receiver. The tool receiver is provided on an associated tool housing, in which there is disposed a drum-type tool change magazine having at least one tool chamber for storing the tool. The tool chamber is configured to be aligned so as to be flush with the inner receiver to enable the tool to slide from the tool chamber into the inner receiver or from the inner receiver into the tool chamber. A braking device is configured to brake the tool as the tool slides from the tool chamber into the inner receiver. |
| US09211619B2 |
Method and machine tool for machining a workpiece
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and machine tool for machining a workpiece on the machine tool comprising at least 5 axes with a tool by using an NC program, the machine tool comprising a clamp for clamping a workpiece and a work spindle including a tool holder for holding a workpiece. The workpiece is clamped on the tool holder of the work spindle of the machine tool, the tool is clamped in the clamp of the machine tool, and the workpiece clamped in the tool holder of the work spindle is controlled in a program-controlled manner in relation to the tool clamped in the clamp for removing material from the workpiece. |
| US09211607B2 |
Device for simultaneously processing the circumference of a workpiece with laser beams
A device for simultaneously processing a circumference of a workpiece includes a plurality of laser-lens modules and a waveguide. The modules each include a diode laser and a lens system and is configured to emit a laser beam radially in a shared radiation plane. The waveguide includes a lower part and an upper part that together form a cavity enclosing the radiation plane. The laser-lens modules are configured so that the laser is reflected repeatedly between a bottom surface and a cover surface and propagates in an unaffected manner within the radiation plane so as to form a beam spot that strikes the workpiece with a homogeneous energy distribution. The beam spot has a height based on a distance between the surfaces and a width based on a divergence angle in the radiation plane and a distance of the module from the workpiece surface. |
| US09211604B2 |
Resistance welding method and resistance welding jig
In resistance welding, an end portion and a flange portion are welded together at contact surfaces thereof by applying a voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode while an inner casing and a main metal piece are pressed in directions toward each other. When a shearing stress due to the pressure is applied to a ceramic guide pin, the guide pin is more resistant to wear compared to a phenolic resin guide pin. In addition, a clearance is between a large-diameter portion of the guide pin and an inner surface of a guide-pin insertion hole. Accordingly, the guide pin is capable of tilting in the radial direction, so that the guide pin can tilt so as to partially absorb the shearing stress. Therefore, the guide pin is more resistant to breakage compared to a guide pin made of ceramic that is not capable of tilting. |
| US09211585B2 |
Plate fixing structure and plate
The invention provides a plate-fixing structure designed for use with a sliding nozzle device to fix a plate to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate-fixing structure is usable in a concavo-convex fitting technique with respect to fitting a convex or concave portion of a plate to a corresponding convex or concave portion of a plate-receiving metal frame to easily achieve alignment between the convex or concave portion of the plate and the corresponding convex or concave portion of the plate-receiving metal frame. A plate for use with the plate-fixing structure is also provided. |
| US09211584B2 |
Water jacket core
A water jacket core (10) includes a base part (11) and is provided with an intermediate female thread part (15) in that base within a region surrounded by tangent lines (18, 19) that are parallel to a center line (17) passing through the centers of a plurality of bore pin insertion bores (12) for forming cylinder bores and are in contact with the bore pin insertion bores and by an intermediate position for the adjacent bore pin insertion bores. |
| US09211582B2 |
Clamp ring and method for manufacturing a clamp ring
A clamp ring and process for manufacturing a clamp ring to effectively reduce, if not eliminate, waste scrap from the manufacturing process. The clamp ring and process for manufacturing the same, results in clamp ring having a seam formed by a metal joining technique such as welding, brazing, bolting, soldering, and clinching. |
| US09211579B2 |
Method of producing L-shaped product
A method of producing an L-shaped product (10) which includes an L-shaped flat top wall (12), an inside wall (14) extending and connected along an inside edge (12c) of the top wall, and an outside wall (16) extending and connected along an outside edge (12d) of the top wall, each of the inside and outside walls being terminated by flange (18, 20) substantially parallel to the top wall, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing sheet metal material; providing a drawing die assembly; and stamping the sheet metal material by the drawing die assembly to produce an intermediate product. The method further comprises the steps of: providing a bending die assembly; and stamping the intermediate product by the bending die assembly to produce an L-shaped product completed. |
| US09211577B2 |
Extrusion press for making profiles of nonferrous metal
An extrusion press for making profiles of nonferrous metal has a ram, a hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly for moving the ram, a pump connected to the assembly for pressurizing same, and an electric motor connected to the pump for driving same. A multiphase source of electricity is connected via a controller to the electric motor for a soft start of the motor. |
| US09211572B2 |
System and method for sanitizing pneumatic conveying piping
A system and method for sanitizing pneumatic conveying piping is provided. The system includes a motorized hose reel with a pig attached to the end of the hose. The pig is smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the pipe through which it is conveyed. The decreased size of the pig keeps the conveying speed of the pig through the pipes down, while at the same time providing sufficient force to pull the supply hose attached to the pig through the pipes with the pig. The pig of some embodiments of the inventive concept is shaped as a hollow cone or frustoconical shape. Such a shape reduces weight of the pig and also allows the hose to be inserted through the body of the pig with a spray nozzle at the end. The hollow cone shape deflects relatively easily to allow the pig to go around corners or other obstructions. Also, such a pig design automatically centers the nozzle within the pipe during spraying. The pig of some embodiments is further made of a urethane material that is easily washable and non-porous to maximize sanitary conditions. |
| US09211566B2 |
Method of preparing opto-electronic device
A method is provided to produce an opto-electronic device comprising a substrate, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer of opposite polarity to said first electrode layer, any interlayers and, between said first and second electrode layers, a first functional material in interfacial contact with a second functional material, wherein the first functional material has the structure of a laterally porous film and the second functional material is a film disposed over and interpenetrating with the film of the first functional material. |
| US09211564B2 |
Methods of fabricating a layer of metallic glass-based material using immersion and pouring techniques
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement layers of metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a layer of metallic glass includes: applying a coating layer of liquid phase metallic glass to an object, the coating layer being applied in a sufficient quantity such that the surface tension of the liquid phase metallic glass causes the coating layer to have a smooth surface; where the metallic glass has a critical cooling rate less than 1000 K/s; and cooling the coating layer of liquid phase metallic glass to form a layer of solid phase metallic glass. |
| US09211559B2 |
Dispensers
Pump dispenser, particularly a movable-nozzle pump dispenser, is intended especially for use in dispensing oral medicines e.g. to children. One feature disclosed is a tooth or ratchet structure engageable between the plunger head and the pump cylinder body. This enables optional holding of the plunger at an intermediate position during a dispensing stroke, so that a dose can be given bit by bit. Other proposals are formations around the top of the cylinder body which interact with the inside of the plunger to control or limit movement of the plunger according to their relative rotational orientation. For example the plunger may be locked up unless turned forcibly past a rotational stop. A related feature is a spring lock tab preventing rotation of the plunger unless the tab is pressed to release it. The product container may contain balls to cause agitation. |
| US09211557B2 |
Spray dispenser
A spray dispenser is provided, the spray dispenser comprising a container for holding a liquid to be dispensed and a dispensing assembly for extracting liquid from said container, the dispensing assembly comprising a pressure-relief valve for release of excessive pressure in the container and a filter arranged to permit egress of gas through the filter, inhibit egress of liquid from the container and to inhibit ingress of contaminants into the container through the pressure relief valve. A dispensing assembly for use is a spray dispenser is also provided. |
| US09211555B2 |
Device for spraying and/or mixing fluids in proximity to a surface
The invention relates to an applicator tip for spraying and/or mixing at least two fluids that react together, the tip comprising: at least two fluid conduits for carrying the at least two fluids, each conduit having at least one outlet opening, the openings are positioned substantially on a same plane; at least two gas conduits for carrying a gas volume, each gas conduit comprises a proximal gas tube and a distal gas tube, each distal gas tube is bent as compared to the position of the proximal gas tube, and each distal gas tube has one gas opening positioned distal from the plane of the outlet openings; and a housing for accommodating the at least two fluid conduits and the at least two gas conduits. The device allows efficient spraying in close proximity to a surface. |
| US09211552B2 |
Foam dispensing gun
A foam spray gun is illustrated in which a third hose is attached to the gun for the application of either a liquid or a gas. |
| US09211548B2 |
Apparatus for sample introduction, chip for sample introduction, and method for sample introduction
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for sample introduction including a flow channel, a sample inlet, a metering unit, a separating unit, cell dischargers and, and a pressure controlling unit. The sample inlet is given a sample fluid such as blood. The sample inlet has a constricting hole that communicates with the flow channel for passage of a carrier fluid. The constricting hole has a diameter large enough for passage of a single cell contained in the sample fluid. The sample fluid is introduced into the flow channel through the constricting hole, and the cells in the sample fluid pass one by one through the constricting hole. The constricting hole does not exist inside the flow channel for passage of the carrier fluid, so that the diameter of the constricting hole does not affect the flow rate of the carrier fluid passing through the flow channel. |
| US09211547B2 |
Classifier
A classifier including a housing, a body, a vane assembly, and an outlet. The housing extends along a longitudinal axis between opposing first and second ends, and includes a lower portion provided at the first end and including an inlet, an upper portion provided at the second end and including a reclaim outlet, and an intermediate portion provided between the upper and lower portions. The body is disposed within the housing that defines a chamber therebetween. The vane assembly includes a plurality of blades and is provided between an outer surface of the body and an inner surface of the intermediate portion dividing the chamber into first and second chambers. The outlet is provided at the second end and is fluidly connected to the second chamber to allow fine particles separated from coarse particles to flow through the outlet. The reclaim outlet is fluidly connected with the second chamber and a pulverizer to allow coarse particles separated from the fluid flow to be directed back to the pulverizer. |
| US09211545B2 |
System and method for reclaiming waste carpet materials
The present invention relates generally to the reclaiming of carpet waste material. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for reclaiming carpet components such as yarn, tufting primary, binder, and secondary backing from post-industrial and post-consumer carpet waste in a substantially continuous flow process. |
| US09211544B2 |
Organic shredder apparatus and method for operating an organic shredder
An apparatus and method is provided for organic material reduction and preparation for subsequent recycling or disposal in a self-contained system which is safe for equipment operators, and highly cost and floor-space efficient. The apparatus includes a preferably-shaped hopper for receiving organic materials to the reduced, preferably a floating auger, a solids pump and a macerator. The system preferably generates a processed organic material discharge with a particle size on the order of ⅛″ without concern as to the liquid content of the incoming organic material. The apparatus may be operated by a method which is completely automated following operator initiation, including automatically attempting self-clearing actions in the event of detecting clogs or jams in the processing components. |
| US09211542B2 |
High-density sample support plate for automated sample aliquoting
A sample support plate (100) for a variety of possible applications, including MALDI mass spectrometry, is disclosed. A plurality of spatially separated sample recipient sites (101) are arranged on the surface of a substrate. The recipient sites are mutually separated by areas having a different wettability than the recipient sites. They are arranged in a plurality of rows consisting of a plurality of recipient sites whose centers are regularly spaced along a first direction with a predetermined periodicity (D1), the rows being regularly spaced along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with a predetermined centerline distance (D2). Each recipient site has a maximum lateral dimension that is preferably smaller than the diameter of a beam spot (104) of a desorption laser beam (103). In order to enable unsupervised splitting of bulk liquid samples into droplets at the sample recipient sites, the periodicity along the first direction and the centerline distance along the second direction are chosen such that each recipient sites has a next neighbor at a distance that is less than or equal to three times the minimum lateral dimension of each recipient site. In preferred embodiments, the sample recipient sites are arranged in a checkerboard-type pattern or in rows that are inclined relative to the edges of the sample support plate. |
| US09211538B2 |
Microfluid storage device
The invention relates to a microfluid storage device having at least one supply chamber (5) formed by bulging a film (7) or membrane (19), a target break point (10) for forming an opening in the supply chamber (5), and a transport path (9) leading from the supply chamber (5) to an opening (11) in the supply chamber, for example, an interface between the storage device and a microfluid processing unit (2). According to the invention, the initially closed transport path (9) may be opened to form a transport channel (15) corresponding to the fluid stream escaping from the supply chamber (5), preferably by the escaping fluid itself, which allows the fluid to be removed from the storage device in a bubble-free manner. |
| US09211535B2 |
Process for producing dispersion of particles of rutile titanium oxide
The invention provides a process for producing an aqueous dispersion of particles of rutile titanium oxide, which comprises: a first step in which after a chloride ion concentration of an aqueous solution of titanium tetrachloride is adjusted to 0.5 mole/L or more and less than 4.4 mole/L, the aqueous solution of titanium tetrachloride is heated at a temperature in a range of from 25° C. to 75° C. to hydrolyze the titanium tetrachloride, thereby obtaining a slurry containing the thus precipitated particles of rutile titanium oxide; a second step in which the slurry obtained in the first step is filtered and washed with water to remove water-soluble salts dissolved therein from the slurry; a third step in which the slurry obtained in the second step is subjected to a hydrothermal reaction in the presence of an organic acid; a fourth step in which the slurry obtained in the third step is filtered and washed with water to remove water-soluble salts dissolved therein from the slurry; a fifth step in which an acid is added to the slurry obtained in the fourth step to deflocculate the slurry, and the resulting slurry is subjected to wet dispersion treatment, thereby obtaining a dispersion; and a sixth step in which excess acid and water-soluble salts are removed from the dispersion obtained in the fifth step. |
| US09211534B2 |
Metalloporphyrin complex, manufacturing process therefor and carbon dioxide fixation catalyst therefrom, as well as process for manufacturing cyclic carbonate
There is provided a metalloporphyrin complex represented by general formula (1): wherein M is a metal; A1 to A4 are independently of each other a substituent represented by general formula (2): -D-E+X− (2) wherein D is a divalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; E+ is a quaternary ammonium group or quaternary phosphonium group having 3 to 60 carbon atoms; and X is a halogen atom. There is thus provided a metalloporphyrin complex which, when used as a carbon dioxide fixation catalyst, exhibits high catalytic activity, has a small environmental burden and can be easily synthesized. |
| US09211532B2 |
Catalyst for the hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds
Homogeneous catalyst based on titanium compounds of the type (R1Cp)(R2Cp)Ti(PhOR3)2, where Cp is a cyclopentadienyl group, R1 and R2 are identical or different alkyl radicals (C3-C10), Ph is a phenyl group and OR3 is an alkoxyl group. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of said catalyst in a method for the hydrogenation of double bonds in unsaturated compounds, preferably polymers and/or copolymers of conjugated dienes, under mild reaction conditions. |
| US09211529B2 |
Conversion of ethanol to a reaction product comprising 1-butanol using hydroxyapatite catalysts
Catalytic processes to produce a reaction product comprising 1-butanol by contacting a reactant comprising ethanol with a catalyst composition under suitable reaction conditions are provided. The catalyst composition may comprise a hydroxyapatite of the Formula (MwM′xM″yM′″z)5(PO4)3(OH), wherein M is Mg; M′ is Ca; M″ is Sr; M′″ is Ba; w is any number between 0 and 1 inclusive; x is any number from 0 to less than 0.5; y is any number between 0 and 1 inclusive; z is any number between 0 and 1 inclusive; and w+x+y+z=1. Base-treated catalyst compositions may be used. Also provided are processes for contacting an initial catalyst composition comprising the hydroxyapatite with a base to produce a base-treated catalyst composition, and the base-treated catalyst compositions so obtained. |
| US09211521B2 |
Fluidic channel coated with metal catalysts and devices and methods relating thereto
The invention provides a method for coating fluidic channels, particularly millifluidic channels, with a catalyst coating having controlled dimensions and morphology, and methods for preparing such channels, and devices that can be used in combination with the channels. The invention further provides portable, hand-held millifluidic devices applicable for a wide variety of uses including molecular reduction reactions, in situ material characterization, in situ reaction catalysis characterization, in situ reaction mechanism characterization, nanomaterial synthesis, nanostructured metal and metal oxide growth and coating of channels, continuous flow cell culturing, enzymatic catalysis, biomolecular catalysis, combinatorial chemistry, reactions involving homogeneous catalysts bound to channel walls, peptide synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, biofunctionalization of nanomaterials or a combination thereof. |
| US09211520B2 |
Modular radiochemistry synthesis system
A modular chemical production system includes multiple modules for performing a chemical reaction, particularly of radiochemical compounds, from a remote location. One embodiment comprises a reaction vessel including a moveable heat source with the position thereof relative to the reaction vessel being controllable from a remote position. Alternatively the heat source may be fixed in location and the reaction vial is moveable into and out of the heat source. The reaction vessel has one or more sealing plugs, the positioning of which in relationship to the reaction vessel is controllable from a remote position. Also the one or more reaction vessel sealing plugs can include one or more conduits there through for delivery of reactants, gases at atmospheric or an elevated pressure, inert gases, drawing a vacuum and removal of reaction end products to and from the reaction vial, the reaction vial with sealing plug in position being operable at elevated pressures. The modular chemical production system is assembled from modules which can each include operating condition sensors and controllers configured for monitoring and controlling the individual modules and the assembled system from a remote position. Other modules include, but are not limited to a Reagent Storage and Delivery Module, a Cartridge Purification Module, a Microwave Reaction Module, an External QC/Analysis/Purification Interface Module, an Aliquotting Module, an F-18 Drying Module, a Concentration Module, a Radiation Counting Module, and a Capillary Reactor Module. |
| US09211518B2 |
Process and apparatus for production and filtration of aminoalcohols using a continuous stirred tank slurry reactor
Disclosed are processes and apparatuses for producing a reaction product and enabling the reaction product to be removed from a reactor operating at an elevated pressure, while simultaneously maintaining the gas pressure and retaining the catalyst inside the apparatus. |
| US09211514B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing paint
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for producing an aqueous paint from a plurality of premixed compositions at the point of sale wherein the apparatus is cleaned during the paint production. The premixed compositions include a pigment composition, a dispersant-thickening agent composition, a high resin content binder, and a low resin content binder. The dispersant-thickening agent, when supplied in a cleaning amount, effectively cleans the nozzles and valves, used to supply the premixed compositions to a receiving reservoir for the desired aqueous paint. |
| US09211513B1 |
Handheld shaker assembly
A handheld shaker assembly for mixing a container of fluid includes a cylindrical holder that may insertably receive the container of fluid. A tubular housing is operationally coupled to the cylindrical holder. A motor is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. A primary gear is operationally coupled to the motor so the motor rotates the primary gear. A secondary gear is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. The secondary gear engages the primary gear so the primary gear rotates the secondary gear. A cam shaft is operationally coupled to the secondary gear so the secondary gear rotates the cam shaft. A first and second linkage are operationally coupled to the cam shaft so the cam shaft moves the first and second linkage. The second linkage engages the cylindrical holder so the second linkage moves the cylindrical holder. An actuator is coupled to the tubular housing to actuate the motor. |
| US09211512B2 |
Microfluidic apparatus and method of enriching target cells by using the same
A microfluidic apparatus capable of being mounted on a rotation driving unit. When mounted on the rotation driving unit and rotated, a fluid flow is induced in the apparatus due to a centrifugal force. the microfluidic apparatus includes a sample supplying unit that comprises a sample chamber to house a sample and provides a fluid including a target material in which fine beads are bound to a target cell in the sample; a density-gradient separation unit that houses a density gradient material with a lower density than the target material, and receives the fluid from the sample supplying unit to separate the target material from the fluid based on a density difference; a fluid supplying channel connecting the sample supplying unit to the density-gradient separation unit to form a passage of the fluid; and a fluid supplying valve provided to the fluid supplying channel to selectively allow a flow of the fluid. |
| US09211511B2 |
Magnetic attachment system for securing vessels to a shaker
A magnetic attachment system for securing vessels to a shaker includes a base having an upper side and a lower side; a plurality of flanges on the upper side of the base, each flange having an arm that extends away from the base and engages with the vessel so that the arms retain the vessel to the base; and a magnet on the lower side of the base that magnetically attaches the base to the platform, thereby releasably retaining the vessel to the platform. Each flange may be repositioned at a common distance from the center of the base to accommodate different sizes of vessel. |
| US09211510B2 |
Method for producing nanoparticles by forced ultrathin film rotary processing
The present invention provides a method for producing nanoparticles, which comprises maintaining a minute space of 1 mm or less between two processing surfaces capable of approaching to and separating from each other and being rotating relative to each other, allowing the minute space maintained between the two processing surfaces to serve as a flow path of a processed fluid thereby forming a forced thin film of the processed fluid and separating nanoparticles in the forced thin film. |
| US09211508B2 |
Polybenzoxazole membranes from self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide membranes
A method of making a polybenzoxazole (PBO) membrane from a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane is provided. These membranes are useful in the separation of gas mixtures and liquid mixtures. The PBO membrane is made by fabricating a self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide polymer membrane comprising both hydroxyl functional groups and carboxylic acid functional groups; cross-linking the polymer to form a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane by heating the membrane at 250° to 300° C. under an inert atmosphere; and thermal heating the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane at a temperature from about 350° to 500° C. under an inert atmosphere to convert the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane into a PBO membrane. A membrane coating step may be added by coating the selective layer surface of the PBO membrane with a thin layer of high permeability material. |
| US09211505B2 |
Use of a functionalized mineral filler for chemically stabilizing a polymer, membrane thus stabilized, process for preparing same and uses thereof
The present invention concerns the use of at least one mineral filler functionalized by at least one group comprising at least one sulfur atom for chemically stabilizing a polymer matrix and/or for increasing the durability thereof. The present invention also concerns a membrane such as an ion exchange membrane and in particular a proton exchange membrane thus stabilized, its method of preparation and uses thereof. |
| US09211503B2 |
Preparation method of perfluorinated polymer hollow fiber membrane
A preparation method of a perfluorinated polymer hollow fiber membrane comprises: evenly mixing a first mixture that is mixed by a perfluorinated polymer, PS, a polymer additive, and a composite pore-forming agent; evenly mixing a second mixture that is mixed by the first mixture and an organic liquid; under 300° C.-350° C., processing the second mixture with a melt to spin by a twin-screw extruder; extruding a hollow fiber by a hollow fiber spinneret; dipping the hollow fiber membrane into deionized water for 48 hours; putting the hollow fiber membrane aired into a concentrated sulfuric acid to process with a sulfonation; washing the hollow fiber membrane by deionized water; and drying the hollow fiber membrane; in such a manner that the hydrophilic perfluorinated polymer hollow fiber membrane is obtained. |
| US09211498B2 |
Functional desiccants
A device includes a desiccant and an enclosure having an interior surrounding the desiccant. The enclosure may include a moisture vapor permeable membrane with a moisture permeability sufficient to pass moisture from outside the enclosure to the desiccant. The device may further include a functional device within the enclosure having processing circuitry to perform at least one function associated with the desiccant. |
| US09211496B2 |
Absorbent, CO2 or H2S reducing apparatus, and CO2 or H2S reducing method using absorbent
An absorbent according to the present invention absorbs CO2 or H2S contained in flue gas emitted from a power generating plant such as a thermal plant, and contains three or more amine compounds selected from linear or cyclic amine compounds having a primary amino group, and linear or cyclic amine compounds having a secondary amino group. By way of a synergetic effect of the mixture of these compounds, the absorption speed of CO2 or H2S absorption is improved. A small amount of CO2 contained in a large amount of boiler flue gas can be absorbed efficiently. |
| US09211485B2 |
Method for producing crystalline active ingredient particles
A method and device for producing crystalline active ingredient particles. The active ingredient is crystallized from a supersaturated solution on the surface of particles of the active ingredient. A suspension of active ingredient particles is subjected to wet grinding in a supersaturated solution of the active ingredient in a first module. At least a part of the suspension is fed from the first module into the second module where it is cooled and simultaneously subjected to ultrasound. The suspension is fed back into the first module after cooling and being subjected to ultrasound. Active ingredient solution and optionally antisolvent are added to the suspension and active ingredient particles and liquid phase are extracted. A relative supersaturation of the active ingredient in the liquid phase of the suspension, relative to the entire liquid phase, is ≦90%, and the extracted active ingredient particles comprise a mean particle size of 10-500 μm. |
| US09211484B2 |
Plant for recovering degraded heat transfer oil from a solar thermal facility and method for said recovery
The present invention relates to a plan and a process for regenerating degraded heat transfer oil. The plant includes a distillation column for separating heavy components. The distillation column has an upper part and a lower part, the upper part having: a first inlet for receiving degraded oil, and a head having a first outlet for expelling light component vapor. The plant also includes a rectifier, for receiving the vapor, and having: an upper part having a second outlet for expelling light components; and a lower part having a third outlet for expelling regenerated oil. The distillation column further includes a fourth outlet for letting heavy components out in the lower part of the distillation column, a pressure transmitter at the first inlet, a pressure and temperature transmitter at the first outlet, temperature transmitters inside the distillation column, level switches, an automatic valve at the fourth outlet, and an electric resistance for maintaining the oil in a liquid state. |
| US09211483B2 |
Low temperature production of 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene
Disclosed is a method for the production of 1233xf comprising the continuous low temperature liquid phase reaction of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane and anhydrous HF, without the use of a catalyst, wherein the reaction takes place in one or more reaction vessels, each one in succession converting a portion of the original reactants fed to the lead reaction vessel and wherein the reactions are run in a continuous fashion. |
| US09211482B2 |
Methods and apparatus for purifying liquid using regenerating heat exchange
A method and apparatus for liquid purification using regenerating heat exchange are disclosed. An apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a liquid receptacle, a heat exchanger, a heating mechanism, a compressor, and a condenser. While the liquid receptacle is able to receive a stream of liquid such as water, a heat exchanger pushes the liquid through the heat exchanger to increase temperature of the liquid. The heating mechanism is capable of facilitating phase transition of the liquid from liquid to vapor. The compressor is operable to guide the vapor and the condenser is configured to condense the vapor into liquid or purified liquid. |
| US09211479B2 |
Doll having fastening surface head with interchangeable hair sections
An interchangeable hair doll for enabling a plurality of different hair styles, textures, and colors to be worn as releasably attached hair parts comprises a modified doll head and a plurality of discrete hair parts which employ a hook and loop fastener. The modified doll head includes a hair fastening surface defined by a layer of a hook component material which covers the entire scalp area of the head. Each individual hair part includes three discrete hair tracks permanently attached at one end to one side of a fastening strip in a bottom up, sequential orientation so as to obscure from view the side of the fastening strip to which the hair tracks are attached. The other side of the fastening strip defined by layer of a loop component material. The loop component enables the hair parts to be removably attached to any area of the hair fastening surface. |
| US09211478B1 |
Cheering device grip
A cheering device includes an upper head portion resembling an upper jaw and head of an animal and a lower head portion resembling a lower jaw and head of an animal. Each of the upper and lower head portions has a back side having a hand receiving well therein. The lower head portion has a planar upper surface and the upper head portion has a planar lower surface. Each of the upper and lower portions may be positioned on a person's hands and the upper surface of the lower head portion struck against the lower surface of the upper head portion to create an audible sound. |
| US09211477B1 |
Folding trapdoor drop mechanism
A trapdoor mechanism and method of providing a trapdoor mechanism for initiating descent into a slide ride is disclosed. Aspects of invention are directed to an trapdoor mechanism utilizes a folding and unfolding support structure so that the folding of the trap door provides a platform to stand on and the unfolding provides an opening into a slide. Embodiments of the trapdoor drop amusement mechanism utilize a downward and unfolding motion instead of rotary swing motion to remove the trap door from the ride path. A control device may be utilized to apply force to the trapdoor during its transit between the open position and closed position. This apparatus allows for less deck foot print area as no trap door swing thru or large shock absorber that is normally required to dissipate the large amount of energy stored in a heavy rotating trap. |
| US09211474B2 |
Online card games using multiple online player preferences
A method, computer system, and computer program product to assign player-entries in an online card game. The method commences by receiving preference parameters corresponding to a player, then receiving a player command corresponding to the player to fold out of a current hand of a particular game. For alacrity of play and for supporting a large number of concurrently open tables for an online player to play a large number of games, the method proceeds to identify an open table that satisfies player preference parameters, and wherein the open table is an open table (e.g., with fewer player-entries than the open table's capacity). The preferred game and/or the player's preferred seating arrangement can be determined by using a second preference parameter. The method can respond to a fold-out command by the player and can open a new table on the basis of the player's preference parameters. |
| US09211466B2 |
Pivotable boom golf swing improvement device
A golf swing practice and improvement device and system or process is disclosed for better training the golfing enthusiast to make straighter shots when hitting a golf ball, without hooking or slicing the ball. The device of the invention is provided with an adjustable boom assembly supported to provide three-dimensional positioning to a head guide subassembly attached to the boom assembly and used by the Golfer for proper stance and head position. The head guide is provided so that it can be placed from a frontal position at lateral or side portions of a golfer's head to guide and keep the head in position relative to the golf ball while the golfer is making their golf club swing to the golf ball. The boom assembly is made to be withdrawn frontally from the golfer's head just after the golfer makes contact in swinging their golf club with the ball. In so doing the golfer moves or trips a leg movement sensing switch of the invention providing power to a triggering assembly, when following through with the golf shot, thus providing an activating force or signal to move the head guide assembly away from the golfer's head, while permitting the golfer to make a natural follow-through with their swinging club after hitting the golf ball. |
| US09211463B2 |
Body position feedback apparatus
A body positioning feedback apparatus is securable to a foot or other body part for which it is beneficial to ensure proper alignment between body parts. The body positioning feedback apparatus may be implemented as a mechanical device or as an electronic device that provides visual, audio, and/or tactile feedback when the user is employing improper form. As a particular non-limiting example, the body positioning feedback apparatus can be used to assist users in performing stationary or walking lunges and single-legged and two-legged squats. |
| US09211457B2 |
Golf-club protective cover having an opening and closing holder for protecting a golf club
Disclosed herein is a golf-club protective cover having an opening and closing holder for protecting a golf club. The protective cover includes a main body having a pair of opening and closing plates that have a semi-circular section to receive a shaft of the golf club and a hinged joint portion on an end thereof so as to be hinged to each other, with a coil spring provided on the hinged joint portion to elastically bias the main body in a closing direction. A locking part is secured to one of the pair of opening and closing plates of the main body, thus locking or unlocking the opening and closing plates. The protective cover can reduce the number of manufacturing processes, simplify manufacturing work, and reduce labor. Further, a shape frame corresponding to each of golf clubs with various shapes is mounted to the main body. |
| US09211454B2 |
Golf club shaft
Provided is a golf club shaft. When a distance from a front end of the shaft to a center of gravity of the shaft is LG and when a full length of the shaft is LS, 0.54≦LG/LS≦0.65 is satisfied. A shaft weight is not larger than 55 g, and a torque value is not higher than 6.5. |
| US09211453B1 |
Golf club head with adjustable center of gravity
A golf club head comprising multiple means of adjusting the location of the center of gravity, and the bias, is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the golf club head comprises a non-metal medallion comprising a channel that is affixed to one of the crown and the sole, a slidable weight sized to fit within the channel, and a cover that attaches to the medallion and locks the slidable weight within the channel at a location selected by a user. The cover preferably includes at least one cutout so that the slidable weight is at least partially visible to the user when it is locked within the channel. The cover also includes additional cutouts that receive protrusions extending from the medallion to more securely attach the cover to the medallion. |
| US09211451B1 |
Weighted golf club head
A golf club head having a center of gravity located at a point close to the face and the sole is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf club head comprises a hollow body including a weight lip and face component, and the weight lip extends from the sole inside the body towards the face component without making contact with the face component. The golf club head is preferably an iron-type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head, which may be an iron-type golf club head, comprises a weight bar disposed within the hollow body proximate the face component, and the weight bar bridges at least a portion of the sole. The weight bar may be movable within the hollow body to allow for center of gravity adjustment. |
| US09211449B2 |
Golf club head
A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61), and a sound modifying sole and crown design is disclosed herein. The face component, which may be composed of a metal material, (60) has a striking area portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which may be composed of a non-metal material such as composite or thermoplastic material, is composed of a crown portion (62) and a sole portion (64). The sound modifying design, which may include deep pockets or pillars extending from the sole portion (64) to the crown portion (62), alters the sound of the golf club head (42) when it impacts a golf ball. |
| US09211448B2 |
Golf club head with flexure
A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The face is configured to provide varying stiffness while minimizing the change in thickness across the face. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball. |
| US09211442B2 |
Anti-slice golf ball construction
A golf ball has a cover and a core which is made as a single piece or of two or more parts (for example an inner core covered by an outer core or mantle layer). The ball has non-spherical aspects in at least some parts and may also have different specific gravities in different parts of the ball. The different shaped ball parts combined with the different specific gravities of the materials for different ball parts results in a differential between the moments of inertia of the different spin axes. The golf ball is spherical, but the inner layers are not necessarily completely spherical or symmetrical layers or parts. |
| US09211441B1 |
Inflatable swim fin apparatus
An inflatable swim fin apparatus includes a foot portion having a lower wall with a peripheral edge and having an upper wall extending upwardly from the peripheral edge of the lower wall, the lower wall and the upper wall defining a foot pocket and a rear opening allowing a user's foot to be received into the foot pocket. The swim fin apparatus includes a fin blade portion coupled to the upper wall of the foot portion, the fin blade portion including a bladder defining an interior space configured to hold a volume of air. |
| US09211438B2 |
Neck muscle exerciser and method of assessing neck muscle performance
Training neck muscles in such a way as to improve responsiveness to head acceleration forces, and to help prevent concussion and/or screen subjects who are at high risk of concussion, especially from contact sports, the neck muscles may be trained to improve strength and responsiveness to head acceleration. This may be accomplished by a device and/or method of training that incorporates an adjustable centripetal force about a fixed axis on the head. The centripetal force may be adjusted through varying the weight and/or length of a force arm. Neck muscle performance may be measured by the number of revolutions of the force arm completed over a pre-determined time period or the time required to complete a pre-determined number of revolutions of the force arm. |
| US09211435B2 |
Linear bearings and alignment method for weight lifting apparatus
A weight system having at least one weight stack moveable in a vertical direction on a lift rod, and a bearing block for housing a linear bearing. The invention further includes a method and apparatus for aligning the linear bearing. |
| US09211433B2 |
Swimming resistance trainer
A swimming resistance trainer including, for example, a frame assembly and a torso support structure attached to the frame assembly. The torso support structure includes a bench rail generally in parallel with a plurality of elongated slide rails of the frame assembly. The torso support structure also includes a bench assembly slidably attached to the bench rail and positioned to elevate a user's torso generally above the bench rail. The trainer further includes armrest mechanisms, a pair of arm resistance members elastically connecting corresponding armrest mechanisms to a portion of the frame assembly, and a pair of leg resistance members elastically connecting corresponding user's legs to a portion of the frame assembly proximate the rear side. The arm resistance members are positioned to resist sliding movement of the armrest mechanisms toward the rear side, and the leg resistance members are positioned to resist movement of the user's legs. |
| US09211432B1 |
Chair exercise systems
A chair-mounted exercise device to provide a more convenient means of exercising while in a seated position to enhance an individual's quality of life. A user attaches a chair-mounted exercise device to an office chair, dining chair, wheelchair, or the like and engages the handle of the device to perform exercises with various body members. A tubular casing encloses a resistance assembly that employs pulleys, a spring, a tensioning mechanism, and an elastic band to provide resistance to a user for the purpose of exercising. The chair-mounted exercise device is repositionable and easy to use. |
| US09211431B2 |
Exercise machine
An exercise machine for supporting a user during exercise includes a base and a platform assembly coupled to the base. The base is adapted to be supported on a floor and the platform assembly is mounted to the base so that the platform is supported above the floor. The platform assembly is configured to support a user performing an exercise. |
| US09211423B2 |
Radiotherapy treatment device comprising image acquisition device and irradiation device, and radiotherapy method
A radiotherapy treatment device comprising an image acquisition device, in particular a magnetic resonance device, an irradiation device comprising in particular a linear accelerator, and a patient positioning device having a patient positioning platform, wherein a movement device is provided for jointly moving the image acquisition device and the irradiation device between an irradiation position, in which a radiotherapeutic treatment of a patient located on the patient positioning platform is possible by means of the irradiation device, and an image acquisition position, in which an image acquisition of the patient located on the patient positioning platform is possible by means of the image acquisition device is provided. A radiotherapy method for treating an irradiation target in a patient by means of such a radiotherapy treatment device is also disclosed. |
| US09211421B2 |
Infant warming assembly with radiant heater and heater surface temperature sensor
An infant warming assembly includes a heater assembly having a heater surface temperature sensor, a skin temperature sensor, and a user interface to input a commanded skin temperature value. The skin temperature sensor and the commanded skin temperature value are used in controlling a temperature component of a control loop. The heater surface temperature sensor is used in controlling a power component of the control loop that powers the heater based at least in part upon the heater surface temperature sensor and a control signal from the temperature component. |
| US09211419B2 |
Treatments of disease or disorders using nanoparticles for focused hyperthermia to increase therapy efficacy
Methods are provided for the treatment of diseases and disorders using systematically-introduced nanoparticles to create a focused localized hyperthermia in a target area to enhance the effect of additional treatment therapies such as ionizing radiation. Advantages include an enhancement of the therapeutic effect of other therapies by increasing perfusion or reducing hypoxia in the treatment area, further, the methods herein may also result in the disruption of the vasculature, which provide further impetus for such treatments, singly and in combination with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Methods for treating a target area may comprise systemically introducing nanoparticles into an organism; allowing the nanoparticles to preferentially accumulate in the target area, applying an external energy where the nanoparticles are adapted to transduce at least a portion of the external energy into a heat energy so as to create a focused localized hyperthermia; and applying a subsequent additional therapy. |
| US09211412B2 |
Closed loop neural stimulation synchronized to cardiac cycles
Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to a method. According to various method embodiments, cardiac activity is detected, and neural stimulation is synchronized with a reference event in the detected cardiac activity. Neural stimulation is titrated based on a detected response to the neural stimulation. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US09211407B2 |
Implantable vestibular prosthesis
An implantable nerve stimulation device has a sensor system, a data processor in communication with the sensor system, and a nerve stimulation system in communication with the data processor and constructed to provide electrical stimulation to at least one branch of at least one vestibulocochlear nerve. The nerve stimulation system includes an electrode array that has a first plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a superior branch of the vestibular nerve, a second plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a horizontal branch of the vestibular nerve, a third plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a posterior branch of the vestibular nerve, and a common crus reference electrode structured to be surgically implanted into a common crus of the vestibular labyrinth. |
| US09211404B2 |
Method and apparatus for predicting and controlling the percepts induced by a visual prosthesis
Here we present the first model that quantitatively predicts the apparent spatial position and shape of percepts elicited by retinal electrical stimulation in humans based on the known anatomy of the retina. This model successfully predicts both the shape of percepts elicited by single electrode stimulation and the shape and relative positions of percepts elicited by multiple electrode stimulation. Model fits to behavioral data show that sensitivity to electrical stimulation is not confined to the axon initial segment, but does fall off rapidly with the distance between stimulation and the initial segment. Using the model, it is possible to compensate, preferably with a look up table, to match percepts to a desired image. |
| US09211403B2 |
Steerable stylet
A stylet for inserting an electrode array into a cochlea includes a first sensor insertable within a lumen of the electrode array and sensitive to force applied by a lumen wall to the first sensor and a first actuator adapted to move the electrode array in response to the force sensed by the first sensor. |
| US09211402B2 |
Deep brain stimulation current steering with split electrodes
A device for brain stimulation includes a lead having a longitudinal surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a lead body. The device also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead near the distal end of the lead. The plurality of electrodes includes a first set of segmented electrodes comprising at least two segmented electrodes disposed around a circumference of the lead at a first longitudinal position along the lead; and a second set of segmented electrodes comprising at least two segmented electrodes disposed around a circumference of the lead at a second longitudinal position along the lead. The device further includes one or more conductors that electrically couple together all of the segmented electrodes of the first set of segmented electrodes. |
| US09211401B2 |
Cubic silicon carbide implantable neural prosthetic
An implantable neuronal prosthetic and method of manufacture thereof includes at least one elongated electrode shank adapted for arrangement in the brain having at least one electrode contact disposed on its surface and arranged to electrically couple with said brain. The at least one elongated electrode shank is formed form a single crystal cubic silicon carbide. An insulation layer of amorphous, polycrystalline, or single crystal silicon carbide is disposed over the elongated electrode shank; the insulation layer of amorphous, polycrystalline, or single crystal silicon carbide is removed from the at least one electrode contact. Signal control electronics are attached to the at least one elongated electrode shank and are in electrical communication with the at least one electrode contact. In an embodiment, a plurality of the at least one elongated electrode shanks are arranged into a matrix. |
| US09211399B2 |
Disposable electrode and automatic information recognition apparatus
A disposable electrode includes: an electrode pad; and a connector, connecting the electrode pad to a defibrillator, and including an information holder that can be provided with a transmissive opening or a light reflective member, the information holder holding information about at least an expiration date, depending on presence or absence of the transmissive opening or the light reflective member, the information holder allowing the information to be notified from the defibrillator when the connector is connected to the defibrillator. |
| US09211396B2 |
Devices and methods for vascular recanalization
In some embodiments, a medical device for recanalizing a vessel having a blockage and restoring blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes an expandable member coupled to a core wire and a hypotube that are movable relative to each other to manipulate the expandable member between various configurations. The expandable member having a capture structure in an expanded configuration. The expandable member can include multiple interstices formed by woven mesh filaments or braided strands through which the material blocking the vessel can pass. The capture structure can include a shape on its external surface that facilitates dislodgement and capture of the material within capture spaces created by the expandable member. Some embodiments include a capture sack or cap for capturing material and preventing material from migrating down stream of the blockage. Superoxygenated blood can be infused distal to the blockage to minimize loss of function during an ischemic event. |
| US09211395B2 |
Expandable sheath
A medical device includes an elongate member and an expandable member. The elongate member has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a lumen. The elongate member has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and is biased to its collapsed configuration. The expandable member is coupled to the outer surface of the elongate member. The expandable member is configured to move the elongate member from its collapsed configuration to its expanded configuration. |
| US09211391B2 |
Balloon with variable pitch reinforcing fibers
A medical balloon includes a generally cylindrical barrel wall having proximal and distal ends disposed between tapered cone walls and neck walls with a fiber layer comprised of circumferentially wrapped ribbon-shaped fiber embedded in a continuous matrix of polymer material defining the tapered cone walls and barrel wall, wherein the distance between the fiber wraps defines a fiber pitch or density that varies over the working length of the barrel wall in non-linear increments, for example in step-wise increments over the length of the barrel wall. |
| US09211389B2 |
Offset soft tip with proposed tooling
A medical catheter device is disclosed that comprises a tubular shaft member, a soft tip member, and a wire guide lumen extending longitudinally within the tubular shaft member and the soft tip member. The wire guide lumen is offset relative to the centerline within the soft tip member. By offsetting the inner diameter of the soft tip member in such a way as to not change the outward profile of the catheter, the soft tip will have improved tracking across existing stents and eccentric lesions. |
| US09211387B2 |
Infant nasal interface mask
An infant nasal interface mask for use with a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) system including a mask body and a base. The mask body forms a cavity and is defined by a leading portion, an intermediate shell portion, and a trailing portion. The leading portion terminates in a leading edge forming an aperture open to the cavity and having a generally triangular shape for placement over a patient's nose. The trailing portion includes a bellows segment characterized by an increased flexibility as compared to a flexibility of the intermediate shell portion. The base extends from the trailing portion opposite the leading portion and forms at least one longitudinal passage extending through a thickness of the base and fluidly connected to the cavity. The intermediate shell portion is laterally pivotable relative to the base via the bellows segment. |
| US09211377B2 |
Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
Embodiments are directed to portable infusion devices, systems, and methods of using the same for dispensing materials. In some cases, the devices, systems and methods may be used for infusing a material such as medicament, e.g., insulin, into a body in need thereof. |
| US09211376B2 |
Infusion pump drug delivery system for delivering at least two medicaments
The infusion pump drug delivery system and corresponding method disclosed herein allow for continuous delivery of a first fluid and/or medicament from a reservoir operably connected to a pump and selective delivery of a second fluid and/or medicament from a separate reservoir, where the second fluid and/or medicament may be delivered sequentially or simultaneously with the first fluid and/or medicament at the command of the user. Both fluids and/or medicaments are delivered via a single dispense interface. |
| US09211368B2 |
Heart assist device
A heart assist device comprising a rotary pump housing having a cylindrical bore, a pumping chamber and a motor stator including an electrically conductive coil located within the housing and surrounding a portion of the cylindrical bore. A rotor has a cylindrical shaft, at least one impeller appended to one end of the shaft, and a plurality of magnets located within the shaft. The rotor shaft is positioned within the housing bore with the magnets opposite the motor stator, and the impeller is positioned within the pumping chamber. The housing bore is closely fitted to the outer surface of the shaft forming a hydrodynamic journal bearing, with the pumping chamber and journal bearing connected by a leak path of blood flow between the pumping chamber and the journal bearing. A backiron of the motor stator attracts the rotor magnets to resist longitudinal displacement of the rotor within the housing during operation. The relative orientation of positions of the inflow, outflow, and leakage flow paths may be varied within the pump, such as to accommodate different intended methods for implantation and/or use. |
| US09211367B2 |
Transseptal cannula, tip, delivery system, and method
A cannula assembly, further comprising a cannula body for directing blood from the heart of a patient, having distal and proximal ends and a lumen therebetween. A tip coupled to the distal end of the body, the tip having an opening. A pump for drawing blood into the cannula assembly and dispensing the blood from the cannula assembly and into the patient circulatory system. The lumen of the cannula body further comprises a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. A tapered portion defined as a decrease in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter between the proximal and distal ends, the tapered portion configured to prevent cavitation of the blood within the cannula. |
| US09211366B1 |
Nursing monitor and associated use thereof
A nursing bra for monitoring a child's milk intake during breast feeding procedures preferably includes a body adapted to be worn about a user breast, an electronic scale attached to the body for detecting a weight of the user breast, a monitor communicatively coupled to the electronic scale for receiving the weight of the user breast, a power source communicatively coupled to the scale and the monitor respectively. In this manner, the monitor displays a weight of the user breast before and after breast feeding procedures. |
| US09211365B2 |
Reduced pressure treatment system
A wound treatment apparatus is provided for treating tissue damage, which comprises a fluid impermeable wound cover sealed over a site for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the site. The apparatus also can include a cover with protrusions on its surface for purposes of monitoring pressure at the site. One or more sensors can be positioned under the cover to provide feedback to a suction pump controller. The apparatus can have a miniature and portable vacuum source connected to the wound cover. |
| US09211361B2 |
Thin collagen tissue for medical device applications
This invention relates to processes of preparing heterogeneous graft material from animal tissue. Specifically, the invention relates to the preparation of animal tissue, in which the tissue is cleaned and chemically cross-linked using both vaporized and liquid cross-linking agents, resulting in improved physical properties such as thin tissue and lowered antigenicity, thereby increasing the ease of delivering the tissue during surgery and decreasing the risk of post-surgical complication, respectively. |
| US09211360B2 |
Bone graft
A method for producing a bone matrix scaffold has the steps of providing at least one sheet material and cross-linking the at least one sheet material using fibers. The sheet material has a surface pattern that enhances osteo-conductivity and potentially supports inductivity. The surface pattern is a 3-dimensional substantially continuous network having voids. The combination of the at least one sheet and fibers form a macrostructure having substantially continuous network and voids. |
| US09211358B2 |
Dressing compositions and methods
Described is a spray-on hydrogel comprising water-soluble PEG polymers that cross-link in situ to form a hydrogel such that the cross-links are reversible. The hydrogel can be useful as a drug delivery composition, wound dressing or surgery adjuvant. Polyethylene glycol polymer and cross-linker solutions are sprayed simultaneously through a common orifice. Cross-linking via formation of thioether or disulfide bonds is initiated upon mixing, providing rapid gelation. The hydrogel components can be derivatized with RGD peptides or analogs thereof to promote retention in/on a body compartment such as the skin, surface of the eye, or a mucosa such as the vaginal mucosa. The cross-links are reversed using a reducing solution enabling easy removal of the hydrogel by dissolution. Processes for preparation of the cross-linker, RGD derivatized PEG and RGD-linked agents are also disclosed. |
| US09211357B1 |
Pump type aroma diffuser
The present invention provides a pump type aroma diffuser including an essential oil bottle for containing essential oil and a gasification assembly connected with an open end of the essential oil bottle. The gasification assembly includes a gasification cavity, as well as an air nozzle and an essential oil nozzle which are installed on the cavity wall of the gasification cavity. The air nozzle and the essential oil nozzle are interconnected with the gasification cavity. The pump type aroma diffuser also includes a guide assembly which covers the gasification cavity and is configured to guide aroma. The guide assembly has a concentrated fog outlet for exhausting aroma, a first intake backflow channel and a second intake backflow channel which extend from the concentrated fog outlet to two different directions. The tail ends of the first intake backflow channel and the second intake backflow channel extend into the gasification cavity. |
| US09211348B2 |
Targeted gas-filled microvesicles
Gas-filled microvesicles associated with a polypeptide comprising a sequence of amino acids, said sequence exhibiting binding affinity for selectins, particularly p-selectin. The gas-filled microvesicles can be used in ultrasound imaging. |
| US09211344B2 |
Polypeptides
The present disclosure relates to a class of engineered polypeptides having a binding affinity for albumin. It also relates to new methods and uses that exploit binding by these and other compounds to albumin in different contexts, some of which have significance for treatment or diagnosis of disease in mammals including humans. |
| US09211335B2 |
Stabilized pharmaceutical formulations comprising antineoplastic compounds
The present invention relates to stabilized pharmaceutical formulations prepared from solutions comprising an antineoplastic compound having a cyclic or non-cyclic hydrazine, triazine, or tetrazine group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer is an antioxidant and/or more susceptible to nucleophilic attack than the antineoplastic compound. |
| US09211334B2 |
Use of testosterone and a 5-HT1A agonist in the treatment of sexual dysfunction
The invention relates to the field of male and/or female sexual dysfunction. The invention specifically relates to the use of testosterone and a 5-HT1A agonist. |
| US09211331B2 |
Mineral based composition and methods of use
The invention provides a process for producing a composition comprising natural alumino-silicate minerals having improved reactivity for use in methods of animal husbandry, veterinary and pharmaceutical treatment, comprising irradiating natural alumino-silicate minerals in a liquid suspension with transverse electromagnetic wave radiation in the range of 1,800 MHz to 3,000 MHz, the liquid suspension having a boiling temperature of below 120° C. The invention also provides a method of treating digestive ailments in animals comprising administering to an animal in need of same an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one natural alumina-silicate mineral which has been irradiated with transverse electromagnetic wave radiation in the range of 1,800 MHz to 3,000 MHz. |