| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09213329B2 |
System and method for vendor release independent reusable customized function block libraries
A method includes obtaining instructions for a customized function block in a parametric block type. The method also includes developing, at a parametric block engine, the customized function block based on the instructions in the parametric block type. The method further includes executing the customized function block. Executing the customized function block may include executing the customized function block using firmware associated with a controller in a process control system. The parametric block engine may be pre-loaded into the controller before the controller is activated in the process control system. |
| US09213326B2 |
Servo selection system
A servo selection system includes a replacement-information display unit that displays at least a portion of replacement information corresponding to an input servo product before being replaced and a selected new-model servo product, and the replacement information includes a difference between a specification of the servo product before being replaced and a specification of the new-model servo product, and an operation guideline for replacing the servo product before being replaced with the selected new-model servo product. |
| US09213314B2 |
Two-directional date corrector mechanism for a date mechanism, date mechanism, timepiece
A two-directional date corrector mechanism controlled by a pull-out piece for a date mechanism. The mechanism includes a 24 hour wheel, a date updating finger pivoting integrally therewith, a date driving star-wheel, and a corrector star-wheel meshing therewith and located between the date driving star-wheel and the finger and configured to be uncouplable from the finger under action of an uncoupling mechanism controlled by the pull-out piece, the uncoupling mechanism having a coupling position where the corrector star-wheel meshes with the finger, and an uncoupling position where it is released from the finger to allow the date to be corrected. A date mechanism can include such a date corrector mechanism and a timepiece can include such a date corrector mechanism. |
| US09213304B2 |
Cartridge provided with cover member including a plurality of covers separable from each other
A cartridge includes: a frame; an agitator; a coupling; a first transmission gear; a closing member; and a cover member. The frame has a first wall having a developer filling port, and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall. The agitator is supported to the first and second walls. The coupling is provided at the first wall and receives a drive force from an external drive source. The first transmission gear is provided at the first wall and transmits the drive force received by the coupling to the agitator. The closing member is provided at the first wall and closes the developer filling port. The cover member is provided at the first wall. The cover member includes: a first cover to cover the first transmission gear; and a second cover provided separately from the first cover and to cover the closing member. |
| US09213291B2 |
Control system for forming image, image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus control method, and recording medium storing image forming apparatus control program
A control apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms and outputs an image on paper, a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and a program for controlling the image forming apparatus stored on a recording medium are described. The image forming apparatus includes a pair of rollers that sandwich the paper and the center of an axle of at least one of the rollers is displaceable. The control apparatus includes a roller position detection signal generator that generates a detection signal indicating a position of the roller, a roller position detection signal acquisition unit to acquire multiple detection signals in chronological order, a paper thickness calculator to calculate paper thickness based on the multiple detection signals acquired in chronological order, and a vibration detector to detect vibration of the image forming apparatus based on the multiple detection signals acquired in chronological order. |
| US09213290B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of changing the number of light receiving elements of a light receiving unit
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an image forming unit configured to form a patch image on the image carrier, and a light emitting unit. In addition, a light receiving unit receives light reflected by the patch image when the patch image that moves with movement of the image carrier is irradiated with light by the light emitting unit, and includes one or more light receiving elements. A setting unit sets a first subset of light receiving elements for receiving reflected light from a first patch image and sets a second subset of light receiving elements for receiving reflected light from a second patch image, with the number of light receiving elements in the first subset differing from that in the second subset. |
| US09213289B2 |
Image formation apparatus, display method, and computer readable recording medium storing display program
An image formation apparatus is configured to display a category object indicating each of a plurality of categories in a selectable manner, accept selection of a first category among the plurality of categories, display a function object indicating each of functions corresponding to the selected first category among the plurality of functions in a selectable manner, accepting a setting related to a first function among functions corresponding to the first category, determining whether the setting of a second function corresponding to a second category other than the first category has changed or not in response to a setting entered related to the first function, and when a setting of the second function corresponding to the second category has changed, displaying information indicating that the setting of the second function has changed. |
| US09213287B1 |
Document registration using registration error model
A method for correcting color registration errors for a print job including one or more documents having a plurality of color planes. A color registration error model is used to predict a color registration error value for a document as a function of ink coverage characteristics for the document, wherein the color registration error model is a parametric model having one or more parameters. An image plane correction value is determined based on the predicted color registration error, and the document is printed using the determined image plane correction value. |
| US09213285B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus capable of increasing the speed of successively discharging printed printing media in order to increase the overall print speed and a control method thereof. The image forming apparatus includes a first discharge roller to feed printed printing medium rearward from a print unit disposed at an inner front portion of a main body, a reverse roller to reverse a moving direction of the printed printing medium fed from the first discharge roller from a rear to a front of the main body, a second discharge roller to discharge the printed printing medium whose moving direction is reversed outside, and an intermediate discharge roller unit which is provided between the first discharge roller and the reverse roller, the intermediate discharge roller unit including a main roller, a sub discharge roller and a sub supply roller which are in contact with the main roller. While a preceding printed printing medium fed from the reverse roller is discharged between the main roller and the sub discharge roller, a following printed printing medium fed from the first discharge roller is supplied between the main roller and the sub supply roller. Accordingly, since the interval between the preceding printed printing medium and the following printed printing medium becomes shorter than that of a conventional image forming apparatus, the speed of successively discharging printed printing media increases, and as a result the overall print speed increases. |
| US09213279B2 |
Fixing apparatus
The fixing apparatus includes a first rotary member that comes into contact with the unfixed toner image, a second rotary member that is heated by the first rotary member and forms the nip portion together with the first rotary member, and an air supply unit that supplies air to the second rotary member. The fixing apparatus is configured to execute a first mode of warming the first rotary member and the second rotary member as a warm-up while rotating the first rotary member and the second rotary member before the fixing process and supplying air with the air supply unit in the fixing process, and a second mode of performing the warm-up for a longer period than in the first mode and supplying air with the air supply unit in the fixing process. |
| US09213274B2 |
Grinding roller, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
There is provided a grinding roller for use in a fixing device including a pair of rotary fixing members that rotate while being pressed against each other to form an area of contact, and heat and press a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image and fed to the area of contact, to thereby fix the unfixed toner image on the recording medium. The grinding roller is configured to grind a surface of a toner image-side rotary member of the pair of rotary fixing members that comes into contact with the unfixed toner image. The grinding roller includes an abrasive grain layer including abrasive grains, forming a surface layer of the grinding roller, and having a surface with irregularities including projections each formed by an aggregate of some of the abrasive grains and larger in size than each of the abrasive grains and recesses formed between the projections. |
| US09213271B2 |
Cleaner, and image forming apparatus using the cleaner
A cleaner includes a cleaning member electrostatically removing toner on an object; a first electricity supplier supplying a first voltage (or current) with polarity opposite to that of toner to the cleaning member; a toner collecting member collecting toner from the cleaning member; and a second electricity supplier supplying a second voltage with the polarity greater than the first voltage to the toner collecting member. The first and second electricity suppliers set plural setting values of the first and second voltages smaller than the targeted values of the first and second voltages, and first and second control members of the first and second electricity suppliers output first and second control signals while changing in step-by-step manner so that first and second output members of the first and second electricity suppliers apply the first and second voltage in step-by-step manner before the first and second voltages reach the targeted voltages. |
| US09213269B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
There is provided a developing device including a first developing roller that is disposed to be rotatable with a desired distance set between the first developing roller and an outer circumferential surface of a rotatable latent image holding member, transports a developer onto an outer circumferential surface thereof while holding the developer by magnetic force, and has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a second developing roller that is disposed to be rotatable with desired distances set between the second developing roller and the respective outer circumferential surfaces of the corresponding latent image holding member and the corresponding first developing roller at a position on the downstream side of the first developing roller in a rotation direction of the latent image holding member, transports the developer onto an outer circumferential surface thereof while holding the developer by magnetic force, and has a substantially cylindrical shape. |
| US09213266B2 |
Development apparatus and cartridge with sealing member to prevent leakage of developer
A developing apparatus for an image forming apparatus includes a frame having a developer container; a developing roller; a blade for regulating a developer layer thickness on the roller, the blade including a base end portion supported by the frame, and a free end portion contacted to the roller; and an elastic seal provided between the frame and the blade to prevent leakage of the developer from the developer container in an axial direction of the roller at an end portion, wherein in a state before the roller is mounted to the frame, a thickness of the seal, measured in a compression direction in which the seal is compressed by the blade, is larger in a free end portion side than in a base end portion side with respect to a direction crossing with the axial direction. |
| US09213262B2 |
Developer supply container and developer supplying system
A developer supply container includes a developer accommodating portion for accommodating developer; a discharge opening for discharging the developer from said developer accommodating portion; a pump portion capable of changing an internal pressure of said developer accommodating portion so as to discharge the developer through said discharge opening; a venting portion for permitting venting between an inside and an outside of said developer accommodating portion while preventing flowing of the developer out of said developer accommodating portion; and a ventilation blocking portion for blocking venting of said venting portion at least when said pump portion operates. |
| US09213253B2 |
Image forming apparatus having image carrier and belt member
An image forming apparatus which is capable of reducing downtime while preventing generation of friction between an image carrier and a belt member when the image carrier or the belt member is replaced. Whether or not a photosensitive drum should be replaced is determined based on usage conditions of the photosensitive drum, and when it is determined that the photosensitive drum should be replaced, a separating operation of separating an intermediate transfer belt from the photosensitive drum is carried out after an image formed on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to a recording medium. When it is not determined that the photosensitive drum should be replaced, the separating operation is not carried out after the image formed on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the recording medium. |
| US09213249B2 |
Electrostatic latent image developing toner, production method of the toner for electrostatic latent image development and electrophotographic image formation method
A toner for electrostatic latent image development of the present invention includes toner particles containing toner mother particles and an external additive. The external additive contains fatty acid metal salt particles, and a volume based particle diameter (size) distribution of the fatty acid metal salt particles has two peaks on a side of smaller size and a side of larger size, respectively. A volume based mean particle diameter of the fatty acid metal salt particles having the peak on the side of smaller size is 3.0 μm or smaller and a volume based mean particle diameter of the fatty acid metal salt particles having the peak on the side of larger size is larger than a volume based mean particle diameter of the toner mother particles. |
| US09213247B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between a projection system of the lithographic projection apparatus and a substrate. A sensor positioned on a substrate table, which holds the substrate, is configured to be exposed to radiation when immersed in liquid (e.g., under the same conditions as the substrate will be exposed to radiation). By having a surface of an absorption element of the sensor, that is to be in contact with liquid, formed of no more than one metal type, long life of the sensor may be obtained. |
| US09213246B2 |
Fluid extraction system, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithographic apparatus typically includes a fluid handling system. The fluid handling system generally has a two-phase fluid extraction system configured to remove a mixture of gas and liquid from a given location. Because the extraction fluid comprises two phases, the pressure in the extraction system can vary. This pressure variation can be passed through the immersion liquid and cause inaccuracy in the exposure. To reduce the pressure fluctuation in the extraction system, a buffer chamber may be used. This buffer chamber may be connected to the fluid extraction system in order to provide a volume of gas which reduces pressure fluctuation. Alternatively or additionally, a flexible wall may be provided somewhere in the fluid extraction system. The flexible wall may change shape in response to a pressure change in the fluid extraction system. By changing shape, the flexible wall can help to reduce, or eliminate, the pressure fluctuation. |
| US09213239B2 |
Methods of forming patterns for semiconductor device structures
Methods of forming a pattern in a semiconductor device structure include deprotecting an outer portion of a first photosensitive resist material, forming a second photosensitive resist material, exposing portions of the first and second photosensitive resist materials to radiation, and removing the deprotected outer portion of the first photosensitive resist material and the exposed portions of the first and second photosensitive resist materials. Additional methods include forming a first resist material over a substrate to include a first portion and a relatively thicker second portion, deprotecting substantially the entire first portion and an outer portion of the second portion while leaving an inner portion of the second portion protected, and forming a second resist material over the substrate. A portion of the second resist material is exposed to radiation, and deprotected and exposed portions of the first and second resist materials are removed. |
| US09213232B2 |
Reflective mask and method of making same
A reflective mask is described. The mask includes a low thermal expansion material (LTEM) substrate, a conductive layer deposited on a first surface of the LTEM substrate, a stack of reflective multilayers (ML) deposited on a second surface of the LTEM substrate, a capping layer deposited on the stack of reflective ML, a first absorption layer deposited on the first capping layer, a main pattern, and a border ditch. The border ditch reaches to the capping layer, a second absorption layer deposited inside the border ditch, and where the second absorption layer contacts the capping layer. In some instances, the border ditch crosses the capping layer and partially enters the reflective multilayer. |
| US09213231B2 |
Reflective original, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
A reflective original includes: a reflection layer which has a multilayer film configured to reflect extreme ultraviolet light; a base material configured to support the reflection layer; and a thermal diffusion layer interposed between the reflection layer and the base material, and configured to diffuse heat of the reflection layer. A heat capacity, per unit area, of a structure constituted by both the reflection layer and the thermal diffusion layer is not lower than 1.1 (J/(K·m2)). |
| US09213230B1 |
Collaborative configuration of a media environment
A system and method for collaboratively providing configurations for a media environment are provided. In general, configuration events from a number of media environments are collected and provided to a Collaborative Configuration System (CCS) server. Based on the configuration events, the CCS server generates and provides recommended configurations to a media environment. The recommended configurations may be generated prior to or after receiving a request for recommended configurations from the media environment. In one embodiment, the recommended configurations are provided as a recommended configuration profile providing a set of configurations to be applied at the media environment. In another embodiment, the recommended configurations are provided as a CCS track associated with a particular media presentation. The CCS track includes configuration changes to be applied to the media environment for a number of time slices of the media presentation during playback of the media presentation. |
| US09213220B2 |
Camera control
A system including a camera that includes a lens having an aperture, a tripod configured to support the camera, a mount configured to be coupled the tripod and to the camera, the mount including a pivot that is configured such that the camera is rotatable around an axis that is aligned with the aperture of the camera, a motor configured to control the rotation of the mount, a memory containing computer readable instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to, calculate a desired position of the camera using sensor information, control the motor such that the camera is moved to the desired position, control the shutter of the camera to capture an image, and store the captured image. |
| US09213219B2 |
Inner focus lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
An inner focus lens system, in order from an object side, comprising: a first lens unit including a most-object-side negative first lens element; a positive second lens unit; and a negative third lens unit, wherein an aperture diaphragm is included, the first lens unit, the third lens unit, and the aperture diaphragm are fixed relative to an image surface in focusing, the second lens unit moves relative to the image surface in the focusing, and the conditions: BF/Y<1.7 and TH/f>1.6 (BF: distance from an apex of an image-side surface of a most-image-side lens element to the image surface; Y: maximum image height; TH: distance from an apex of an object-side surface of a most-object-side lens element to the apex of the image-side surface of the most-image-side lens element; f: focal length of the lens system) are satisfied. |
| US09213215B2 |
IR fiber broadband mid-IR light source
A method of generating a supercontinuum in chalcogenide fiber with a pump light comprising a short pulse fiber laser or diode laser operating with a wavelength of 1.0 μm or greater that is wavelength shifted through a nonlinear fiber one or more times and amplified one or more times and launched into a chalcogenide fiber whereby the spectrum is broadened in the chalcogenide fiber through various nonlinear processes to generate a supercontinuum within the mid-IR from 1.5 to greater than 5 μm. |
| US09213213B2 |
Three-dimensional image display apparatus
A three-dimensional image display apparatus includes a display panel which receives light and displays an image, a liquid crystal lens panel which refracts the light exiting from the display panel, a lens driver which drives the liquid crystal lens panel, a timing controller which controls the lens driver, a power supply unit which provides the liquid crystal lens panel with a driving voltage in response to a control of the timing controller, and a driver data value storage unit which stores a driver data value and applies the driver data value stored therein to the lens driver when the data driver storage unit is turned on, where the lens driver operates the liquid crystal lens panel using the driving voltage and the driver data value in response to the control of the timing controller. |
| US09213208B2 |
Liquid crystal display device comprising voltage fluctuations
A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates; a liquid crystal layer placed between the first and second substrates; gate lines; source lines; a first insulation film covering the gate lines and the source lines; a light-shielding film covering the source lines; a second insulation film covering the gate lines, the source lines, and the light-shielding film; a signal electrode disposed on the second insulation film; and a common electrode disposed on the second insulation film, a shield electrode being placed so as to lie between the signal electrode and the source line as seen in a plan view, as well as to lie between the first insulation film and the light-shielding film as seen in a sectional view, and a third insulation film being placed between the shield electrode and the light-shielding film. |
| US09213207B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, an electro-optical device comprises a pixel electrode and a transistor corresponding to the pixel electrode. A data line is electrically connected to the transistor. A storage capacitor is provided between the pixel electrode and the transistor. The storage capacitor has a first capacitance electrode and a second capacitance electrode facing each other. A capacitance isolation film is interposed therebetween. An additional capacitor is electrically connected to the data line. The additional capacitor has a first additional capacitance electrode and a second additional capacitance electrode facing each other. An additional capacitance isolation film is interposed therebetween. The first additional capacitance electrode is provided on a same layer as the first capacitance electrode. The second additional capacitance electrode is provided on a layer different from the layers of the first and second capacitance electrodes. |
| US09213203B2 |
Three-dimensional image display
A 3D image display includes a display panel operated in 2D and 3D driving modes and a barrier panel turned off in the 2D driving mode and turned on in the 3D driving mode to separate an image output from the display panel to left and right-eye images. The barrier panel includes a reference electrode, first barrier electrodes arranged in a first direction, second barrier electrodes alternately arranged with the first barrier electrodes along the first direction, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the reference electrode and the first and second barrier electrodes. Each first barrier electrode includes first electrode pieces arranged in a zigzag fashion along a second direction different from the first direction, and each second barrier electrode includes second electrode pieces arranged in the zigzag fashion. |
| US09213200B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and the liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display are disclosed. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal cell having a light incident side and a light emitting side, a first polarizer arranged on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel, a second polarizer arranged on the light emitting side of the liquid crystal panel, and a half wave plate arranged between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal cell. An absorbing axis of the first polarizer is parallel to the absorbing axis of the second polarizer, and an angle between a slow axis of the half wave plate and the absorbing axis of the first polarizer is 45 or 135 degrees. In this way, the liquid crystal display with the two polarizers parallel to each other can be in all-black state when no voltage is applied. In addition, the contrast is greatly enhanced. |
| US09213195B2 |
Display device
A display device (50aa) includes a display panel (30) which has a display region (D) for image display and a non-display region (N) surrounding the display region (D), and has flexibility, wherein a reinforcing member (35a) is bonded to in the non-display region (N) of the display panel (30) such that the display region (D) is exposed. |
| US09213193B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of driving
There is disclosed a lightweight and small liquid crystal display which achieves low power consumption and in which the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal material is compensated for in order to enhance the viewing angle characteristics and the response speed of the liquid crystal material. Display electrodes and a common electrode are formed on one of the substrates. The orientation of the liquid crystal material is of the HAN (hybrid alignment nematic) type. This compensates for the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal material and improves the response speed. |
| US09213192B2 |
System and method for manipulating color changing materials
Systems and methods of manipulating a color displayed by an article of wear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains are described. Steps may include forming the article of wear from a raw material that include the chains of nanocrystals, applying a magnetic field to the raw material, applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals to soften materials within the raw material immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied, adjusting a strength of the magnetic field to control the color displayed by the raw material, removing the energy to allow the materials within the raw material immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to harden and fix a location of the nanocrystals within the chains, and removing the magnetic field. |
| US09213190B2 |
Sparse aperture optical alignment and related methods
A method for configuring an alignment of a plurality of optical segments in a sparse aperture configuration of an optical device includes providing at least one beam of light from at least one light source located on the sparse aperture optical device, directing the at least one beam of light toward at least one segment of the plurality of optical segments, detecting a reflection or transmission of the at least one beam of light off of the at least one segment of the plurality of optical segments, determining a characteristic of the reflected or transmitted light, and based on the characteristic of the reflected or transmitted light, determining an alignment of the at least one segment of the plurality of optical segments. |
| US09213183B2 |
Mounting auxiliary member and optical scanning device including the same
A mounting auxiliary member includes a rotary member and a stationary member. The rotary member is provided in an optical scanning device, and interposed between a light source holding member holding a light source and a head part of a screw. The rotary member has a first through hole through which a shaft part of the screw penetrates and is configured so as to co-rotate with the screw as the head part of the screw comes into contact with a peripheral edge part of the first through hole. The stationary member is interposed between the rotary member and light source holding member, has a second through hole into which the shaft part of the screw penetrating through the first through hole is movably inserted, and is configured to hold the rotary member while permitting the rotary member to slidably rotate. |
| US09213178B1 |
Lens with lightguide insert for head wearable display
An eyepiece for a head wearable display includes a first lens body having a first interface side in which a first recess is disposed and a second lens body having a second interface side in which a second recess is disposed. The first and second lens bodies are mated together along the first and second interface sides and the first and second recesses are aligned to form a cavity. A lightguide insert is provided that has a shape and a size to fit within the cavity defined by the first and second recesses. The lightguide insert includes an in-coupling region to receive display light into the lightguide insert and an out-coupling region to direct the display light out of the lightguide insert through the first lens body. |
| US09213176B2 |
Imaging arrangement and microscope
An embodiment of the present invention is an imaging arrangement that includes imaging optics, a fiducial light source, and a control system. In operation, the imaging optics separate light into first and second tight by wavelength and project the first and second light onto first and second areas within first and second detector regions, respectively. The imaging optics separate fiducial light from the fiducial light source into first and second fiducial light and project the first and second fiducial light onto third and fourth areas within the first and second detector regions, respectively. The control system adjusts alignment of the imaging optics so that the first and second fiducial light projected onto the first and second detector regions maintain relatively constant positions within the first and second detector regions, respectively. Another embodiment of the present invention is a microscope that includes the imaging arrangement. |
| US09213174B2 |
Microscope and controlling method
A microscope includes a light source, a condenser lens disposed on an optical path of the light source to illuminate a specimen, an objective lens disposed on the optical path on an opposite side of the specimen from the condenser lens, a first polarizing plate disposed between the light source and the condenser lens, a compensator disposed between the condenser lens and the first polarizing plate to adjust retardation of light transmitted through the first polarizing plate, a second polarizing plate for transmitting only one-directional polarization component of the light transmitted through the specimen according to a relative positional relationship with the first polarizing plate, a driving unit for changing retardation of the compensator, and a control unit for causing the driving unit to drive the compensator to increase or decrease the retardation within a range including a position where the retardation is zero as a reference. |
| US09213172B2 |
Zoom lens unit and camera
A zoom lens unit comprises a first and fourth lens groups with positive refractive power, a second and third lens groups with negative refractive power. The first and the fourth lens groups are fixed, the second lens group moves toward an image side and the fourth lens group moves when changing a magnification ratio from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. The fourth lens group includes a positive lens L41 having a convex surface on the object side, a negative lens L42 having a concave surface on an image side, positive lenses L43, L45, and a negative lens L44. A following condition is fulfilled: 0.1<(R411−R422)/(R411+R422)<0.6 where R411 represents a curvature radius of the object-side surface of the positive lens L41, and R422 represents a curvature radius of the image-side surface of the negative lens L42. |
| US09213169B2 |
Optical unit
The invention relates to an optical unit comprising. The present invention further relates to the use of such an optical unit. Such an optical unit comprises, seen in a direction from the object side to the imaging surface, a first substrate, a first lens element, a second lens element and a second substrate, characterized in that the first substrate includes a diaphragm function. |
| US09213168B2 |
Optical image capturing system
An optical image capturing system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element and a seventh lens element. The first, the second and the third lens elements all have refractive power. The fourth lens element with refractive power has both surfaces being aspheric. The fifth lens element with refractive power has both surfaces being aspheric. The sixth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface having at least one convex shape at a peripheral region thereof and both surfaces being aspheric. The seventh lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface having at least one convex shape at a peripheral region thereof, wherein both surfaces being aspheric, and at least one surface has at least one inflection point thereon. |
| US09213165B2 |
Photographic lens optical system
In a lens optical system having first, second, and third lenses that are arranged between an object and an image sensor where an image of the object is formed, in order from an object side, the first lens has a positive (+) refractive power and is convex toward the object, the second lens has a negative (−) refractive power and is convex toward the image sensor, and the third lens has a positive (+) refractive power and at least one of an incident surface and an exit surface of the third lens has at least one inflection point between a center portion and an edge thereof. The lens optical system satisfies the following inequality that 0.5 |
| US09213162B2 |
Lens barrel and image capturing apparatus
To decrease operating noise of actuators in a lens barrel, provided is a lens barrel comprising a first optical member that moves in an optical axis direction prior to image capturing and during image capturing; a first drive member that causes the first optical member to move in the optical axis direction during image capturing; a second optical member that has the first drive member fixed thereto, moves in the optical axis direction prior to image capturing, and is fixed at a position in the optical axis direction during image capturing; and a second drive member that causes the second optical member, the first optical member, and the first drive member to move in the optical axis direction prior to image capturing. Also provided is an image capturing apparatus comprising the lens barrel and an image capturing section that captures image light from the lens barrel. |
| US09213160B2 |
Adjustable trough-couplers
A telecommunications infrastructure includes first and second trough members for routing signal-carrying fibers. Latching members may be used to adjustably couple coupling members adjustably coupled with a trough members. Support members may also be used to adjustably couple trough members together with coupling members. |
| US09213159B2 |
Fiber optic module and system including rear connectors
A telecommunications assembly including a housing and a plurality of modules mounted within the housing. The modules includes a rear face in which is mounted at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the housing are positioned at least one fiber optic adapters. Inserting the module through a front opening of the housing at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the housing. The adapters within the interior of the housing are mounted to a removable holder. A method of mounting a telecommunications module within a chassis. |
| US09213157B2 |
Connector modules to optically connect to electronic devices
A modular connector infrastructure includes device connector modules having optical connectors to optically connect to respective subsets of electronic devices in a system. The device connector modules are removably connected to the electronic devices. |
| US09213156B2 |
Optical receiver with reduced cavity size and methods of making and using the same
Methods for manufacturing and using an optical or optoelectronic device are disclosed. The optical or optoelectronic device and related methods may be useful as an optical or optoelectronic transceiver or for the processing of optical signals. The optical or optoelectronic device generally comprises a light-transmitting medium configured to transmit a first light beam; a light-receiving unit configured to receive and process a focused, reflected light beam; a first mirror or beam splitter configured to reflect at least a first portion of the transmitted light beam away from the light-receiving unit; a lens configured to focus the reflected light beam; and a second mirror configured to reflect the focused, reflected light beam towards the light-receiving unit. |
| US09213151B2 |
Tracking jumper cable assembly
A tracking jumper cable assembly includes an electrical connection device at each of two opposite ends of a duplex fiber optic patch cable thereof. The electrical connection device includes bottom cover member, a light transmissive top cover member covering the bottom cover member and defining an inside chamber therebetween, a circuit board mounted in the inside chamber and carrying a LED, two metal conducting plates electrically connected to the LED at the circuit board and respectively extended out of two back holes of the top cover member back hole to facilitate tracking remote connective portions of the cable with a pair of electronic component testing tweezers. |
| US09213149B2 |
Cleaning device
A cleaning device includes a cleaning portion and a driving portion. One end of the cleaning portion includes a cleaning head configured to clean an object to be cleaned. A spiral shaped guide groove is defined in an outside surface of the cleaning head. The driving portion includes a protruding portion. The protruding portion is movably received in the spiral shaped guide groove. When the cleaning head is resisted to the object to be cleaned, and the driving portion moves toward the object to be cleaned, the protruding portion slides along the spiral shaped guide groove to drive the cleaning head to rotate to clean the object to be cleaned. |
| US09213145B2 |
Cable guide boot assembly
A cable guide boot assembly for attachment to a connector and guiding a cable is provided, including a boot portion and a connector portion. The connector portion is configured to be non-rotary fixed to the connector and to extend from the connector in a first direction relative to a mating direction of the connector, and includes a first connection portion having a non-circular circumferential shape relative to the first direction. The boot portion a second connection portion mated to the first connection portion. The second connection portion is configured to receive the first connection portion, such that the boot portion is attachable to the connector portion in a discrete number of twisting angles with respect to the first relative direction. |
| US09213144B2 |
Systems and methods for providing optical signals through a RF channel of a rotary coupler
Optical and RF energy may be provided simultaneously or otherwise across a rotary coupler using separate communication paths. The rotary coupler may be provided with an optical transmission line that passes inside or through the center of an inner conductor of a coaxial RF transmission line that itself extends across the rotational interface/s of the rotary coupler. Both the optical transmission line and the RF transmission line may be positioned at, or close to, the axis of rotation of the rotary coupler. The rotary coupler may be configured to transfer optical and RF energy across rotational interface/s of the rotary coupler using an optical rotary joint positioned inside the inner conductor of a RF channel transmission line that itself is substantially centered at, and in line with, the rotational axis of the rotary coupler. |
| US09213141B1 |
Optical interconnect and connector devices
Methods and systems for optical interconnection. |
| US09213140B2 |
Fiber component and laser device
The fiber component of the present invention has a fusion splice section for connecting optical fibers. The optical fiber as the receiver of transmitted light is coated with at least two-layer resin. In the vicinity of the fusion splice section for connecting optical fibers, the innermost layer of a resin-coat section is uncovered with other resin coat at the boundary between the resin-coat section and resin-coat removed section of the optical fiber coated with two-layer resin. The structure effectively releases light and suppresses increase in temperature of the resin-coat section, protecting the optical fibers from burn-out. |
| US09213138B2 |
Packaging an arcuate planar lightwave circuit
A package for an arcuate planar lightwave circuit (PLC) chip includes a heater plate coupled to a base by a thick and soft support layer. The arcuate PLC is attached to the heater plate by soft adhesive. A hard adhesive is applied to a multi-waveguide end of the arcuate PLC, to additionally strengthen the attachment of the arcuate PLC to the heater plate. The structure allows the mechanical stress due to fiber pull/shock/vibration to be dissipated in the support layer without introducing large wavelength shifts in the arcuate PLC. The support layer also serves as a heat insulator, facilitating uniform heating of the arcuate PLC. |
| US09213133B2 |
LED tube with light guiding plate arranged in a triangle
An LED tube includes an envelope, three light guiding plates received in the envelope, three LEDs mounted on the light guiding plates, and two covers fixed to two opposite ends of the envelope. The three light guiding plates each have an end face confronting a corresponding LED, an inner face having a plurality of dots formed thereon and an outer face opposite to the inner face. Light emitted by each LED is diffused by the dots of a corresponding light guiding plate to radiate outside uniformly. |
| US09213132B2 |
Directional backlight unit
Provided is a directional backlight unit that enables a three-dimensional (3D) image to be viewed at various viewing angles. The directional backlight unit includes a light source configured to emit light, a first reflector configured to reflect light emitted from the light source, a second reflector configured to additionally reflect the light reflected by the first reflector, a light guide plate configured to accommodate the light reflected by the first reflector or the second reflector and output the light to an outside, and an angle adjustor configured to rotate the first reflector or the second reflector to a reflective angle. The angle adjustor rotates the first reflector or the second reflector to change an incident angle of the light incident on the light guide plate and a refractive angle of the light output to the outside. |
| US09213119B2 |
Marine seismic acquisition
A method of conducting multiple source, multiple signal seismic surveys in a marine environment are provided. |
| US09213113B2 |
Clock synchronization over fiber
The present disclosure relates methods and apparatus for conducting a seismic survey using a fiber optic network. The method may include synchronizing a plurality of seismic devices over a fiber optic network where at least one of the seismic devices is separated from a master clock by at least one other seismic device. The method may also include encoding the master clock signal, transmitting the encoded master clock signal, and recovering the master clock signal. The apparatus may include a fiber optic network with seismic devices. The seismic devices may be arranged in a linear or tree topology. |
| US09213094B2 |
In-field configuration of land survey sensors
Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for in-field configuration of land survey sensors. One or more planned positions of the sensors may be received. One or more actual positions of the sensors may be determined. The actual positions may be sent to the sensors while the sensors are powered off. |
| US09213091B2 |
Radar device
A radio frequency transmission signal is transmitted from a transmission antenna with a predetermined transmission period, and a signal of a reflected wave reflected from a target is received by a reception antenna. A code generator generates a first code sequence and second code sequence that constitute a pair of complementary codes. A first modulator modulates the first code sequence to generate a first transmission signal. A second modulator modulates the second code sequence to generate a second transmission signal. A quadrature modulator performs quadrature modulation by using the generated first and second transmission signals. The radio frequency transmission signal is generated from a signal that is quadrature modulated, and transmitted from the transmission antenna. |
| US09213090B2 |
Surveillance system with radio-wave camera
Surveillance system for detecting the position, movement, nature of one or more objects and even communicate with it, that is adaptive to any extent and suitable for any mobile or fixed structure and even for persons, because of its flexible open architecture, which is fully modular to develop self-contained compact radar devices of special performances when working either autonomously, like conventional video-cameras nevertheless operating also with microwaves and therefore called microwave-cameras or radar-cameras, or jointly to form more complex interactive systems. |
| US09213089B2 |
Radar clutter suppression system
Sidelobe suppression methods and systems for use in processing radar video streams generated by rotational radar antenna scanners. The sidelobe suppression methods function in parallel with traditional Sensitivity Control (SC) processing by selectively reducing sensitivity where necessary depending on sidelobe suppression schemes that can be either directional, omni-directional (non-directional), or a combination of these. |
| US09213088B2 |
Radar clutter suppression system
Sidelobe suppression methods and systems for use in processing radar video streams generated by rotational radar antenna scanners. The sidelobe suppression methods function in parallel with traditional Sensitivity Control (SC) processing by selectively reducing sensitivity where necessary depending on sidelobe suppression schemes that can be either directional, omni-directional (non-directional), or a combination of these. |
| US09213085B2 |
System and method for measuring the phase of a modulated optical signal
The invention is related to phase detection in lidar systems using single photon detectors (SPDs). The frequency at which the SPDs are time gated is related to but not an integer multiple of the frequency of the transmitted optical pulses. Each return optical pulse arrives with a particular temporal position with respect to the nearest gate, and thus is detected with a related detection efficiency. The SPD output can be segmented into multiple time-multiplexed signals whose relative detection efficiency reveals the phase of the optical return pulses, and no such phases have negligible detection efficiency for all the time-multiplexed signals. To mitigate the impact of afterpulsing and other saturation effects, when a first optical pulse is detected with high detection efficiency the next optical pulse that is detected with high detection efficiency is separated by a time period about equal to or greater than the detector dead time. |
| US09213083B1 |
Hyperbolic positioning method using broadcast digital television signals and monitor receiver ranging
A system and method involve determining a time difference of arrival between two robust broadcast digital television (DTV) signals received at a mobile receiver and a monitor receiver from at least two DTV transmitters, determining a pseudorange between the mobile receiver and each of the DTV transmitters, and determining a position of the mobile receiver using the determined pseudoranges and the distance between the monitor receiver and the mobile receiver. |
| US09213075B2 |
Apparatus and method for magnetic resonance imaging
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a sequence controlling unit that, by controlling an execution of a pulse sequence, acquires magnetic resonance (MR) signals corresponding to a plurality of channels in the pulse sequence executed as a series, the MR signals being configured to be arranged into a first region of a k-space at first intervals and into a second region larger than the first region at second intervals larger than the first intervals; an arranging unit that arranges the MR signals corresponding to the channels into the k-space as k-space data; and an image generating unit that generates first-interval k-space data corresponding to the channels based on the second-interval k-space data acquired by executing the pulse sequence and generates a magnetic resonance image based on the generated first-interval k-space data, the first-interval k-space data acquired by executing the pulse sequence, and sensitivity distributions corresponding to the channels. |
| US09213070B2 |
Calculation method, calculation system, and calculation apparatus
A calculation method causing a calculation apparatus configured to calculate a voltage of a battery to implement a computation capability includes: referring to a detection value database configured to store a charge amount of a battery and a voltage of the battery, the voltage being generated when the battery is charged, while associating the charge amount of the battery with the voltage of the battery, and a function information database configured to store a function representing a relationship between the voltage and a charge amount of each of a plurality of active materials included in the battery; and performing a regression calculation on the voltage of the battery that is stored in the detection value database, with an amount of the active materials of the function stored in the function information database being set as a variable. |
| US09213068B2 |
Method and system for determining a battery element voltage
A method for estimating the voltage of a battery element of a vehicle battery system is provided. The method comprises providing a balancing/sensing circuit having a series combination of a balancing switch and a balancing resistive element electrically connected in parallel with the battery element, and measuring the voltage across the combination of the balancing switch and balancing resistive element when the balancing switch is presumed to be in a “closed” state. The method further comprises deriving a compensated value for the measured voltage using empirically-derived data, wherein the compensated value compensates for a voltage drop occurring in the balancing/sensing circuit when the balancing switch is in the “closed” state and represents an estimate of the voltage of the battery element. A battery system is also provided that includes a battery element, a balancing/sensing circuit, a sensor, and a control module configured to perform the method described above. |
| US09213066B2 |
Multiple cell battery voltage measurement
A method and apparatus to detect cell voltage of each of a plurality of battery cells in a rechargeable battery pack is disclosed. The method comprises generating a wave form with a positive phase and a negative phase by a current limited square wave generator. The wave form is a square wave having a maximum peak-to-peak voltage when the square wave generator is not loaded to be current limited. Then, sending the positive phase of the wave form to a first loop from a capacitor to the positive side of a battery cell. And, sending the negative phase of the wave form to a second loop from the negative side of the battery cell toward the capacitor. Finally, detecting a change of an electrical signal from the square wave generator. The voltage detection method and apparatus of this invention can be applied to detect whether a rechargeable battery cell has voltage lower than a low voltage limit or to measure the voltage of the battery cell in order to check its status. |
| US09213063B2 |
Reset generation circuit for scan mode exit
A reset generation circuit of an integrated circuit uses a scan data input pin as a scan mode exit control, which is enabled only when the IC reset pin of the device is active. The reset generation circuit allows a TAP controller to be scan testable yet at the same time the circuit provides a method to exit scan mode without requiring a power-up sequence or an extra pin. |
| US09213061B2 |
Operating state machine from reset to poll in to reset
An optimized JTAG interface is used to access JTAG Tap Domains within an integrated circuit. The interface requires fewer pins than the conventional JTAG interface and is thus more applicable than conventional JTAG interfaces on an integrated circuit where the availability of pins is limited. The interface may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related integrated circuit test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations. |
| US09213060B2 |
Probe-able voltage contrast test structures
Test structures and method for detecting defects using the same. A probe-able voltage contrast (VC) comb test structure that includes first, second and third probe pads, a comb-like structure including grounded tines, floating tines between the grounded tines, switching devices coupled with an end portion of each floating tine, and connecting the floating tines to the second probe pad, and the third probe pad being a control pad which controls the switching devices. A probe-able VC serpentine test structure that includes first, second, third and fourth probe pads, a comb-like structure including grounded tines, floating tines between the grounded tines and each floating tine connected together between the second and third probe pads, switching devices connected to an end portion of each floating tine and connecting the floating tines to the second and third probe pads, and the fourth probe pad being a control pad which controls the switching devices. |
| US09213059B2 |
Using test elements of an integrated circuit for integrated circuit testing
In some examples, a system, such as an integrated circuit device (IC), includes functional elements interspersed with access elements and associated test elements. The access elements and associated test elements may be used to determine a health status of the IC or an area of the IC. A health status determination can include, for example, identification of an area of the IC where performance may have degraded (e.g., has degraded or is about to degrade beyond desirable levels of performance). For example, a test element can be configured to generate a parametric output in response to an electrical stimulus, where the parametric output indicates a health status of one or more functional elements of the IC. |
| US09213055B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of cells in a main region, a plurality of cells in a sensing region, a transistor, and a gate shut-off time for the sensing region. The transistor is configured to drive each of the plurality of cells in the main region and each of the plurality of cells in the sensing region. The gate shut-off time for the sensing region is set according to D=(Cgs/Cgm)*(Rgs/Rgm) to be earlier than a gate shut-off time for the main region. D indicates a CR delay ratio, Rgm indicates a gate resistance value for the main region and Rgs indicates a gate resistance value for the sensing region in the transistor, and Cgm indicates a parasitic capacitance for the main region and Cgs indicates a parasitic capacitance for the sensing region in the transistor. |
| US09213052B2 |
Peak detection schemes for touch position detection
Apparatuses and methods of peak detection are described. One method measures touch data on a sense array, the touch data represented as multiple cells. The method performs multiple different peak-detection schemes on each of the cells to generate a list of one or more possible peaks in the touch data. The method selects one or more actual peaks from the list. The actual peaks are used to determine locations of touches proximate to the sense array. |
| US09213049B2 |
Power device interface arranged to detect amount of power available
A powered device interface arranged as an interface between power received over a structured communication cabling and a powered device, the powered device interface constituted of: a class event counter; a logic circuit in communication with the class event counter; and a plurality of flag outputs each responsive to the logic circuit, each of the flag outputs associated with a predetermined powering level of a power sourcing equipment connected over the structured communication cabling, the logic circuit arranged to: output an active signal at the flag output associated with a detected powering level of the connected power sourcing equipment; and output an active signal at all other flag outputs associated with powering levels less than the detected powering level of the connected power sourcing equipment. |
| US09213048B2 |
System and method for testing an electronic device
Adapters for electrostatic discharge probe tips are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the adapter includes an attachment device that is attachable to the tip of the probe. A first conductor is affixed to the attachment device so that the first conductor contacts the tip when the attachment device is attached to the tip of the probe. A second conductor extends between the first electrical conductor and a point external to the attachment device. |
| US09213044B2 |
Deviational plane wrist input
A method comprising causing display of at least one interface element on a display that is configured to be oriented on a wrist of a user, receiving information indicative of a deviational plane wrist input indicative of physical movement in a deviational plane direction with respect to the deviational plane, determining an interaction operation based, at least in part, on the interface element and an interaction direction; and causing performance of the interaction operation is disclosed. |
| US09213037B2 |
Sample analyzer and sample analyzing method
Disclosed is a sample analyzer including a transporting part configured to transport a sample rack holding one or more samples, a measuring part configured to perform a measurement on the sample of the transported sample rack and a controller. The controller is programmed to perform an analysis of a predetermined item that requires at least first and second measurement results derived respectively from first and second samples obtained from the same subject and preprocessed in different ways, and if a measurement of the predetermined item is requested and a set of first and second samples obtained from the same subject and preprocessed in different ways are transported to the measuring part, the controller controls the measuring part to perform measurements on both of the first and second samples to derive the first and second measurement results and processes them to generate an analysis result of the predetermined item. |
| US09213036B2 |
Method for fluid clotting time determination on a microfluidic device
A microfluidic passive device and a method for determining clotting time are described, of a fluid medium such as blood, of low production cost which can therefore be disposable. When optimized to determine blood clotting time, it requires a minimal whole blood sample (<5 μL) and it is particularly suited to INR and PT determination, which can be used to autonomously by patient without venipuncture. Monitoring and processing means to interpret the results are comprised in an external coagulometer device. A production method for the manufacture of the microfluidic device is also provided. |
| US09213035B2 |
Protein assay
A method is described for the measurement of thrombin activity in the presence of fibrinogen, or for the measurement of the functionality of fibrinogen in the presence of thrombin. |
| US09213034B2 |
Multiplex immunoassays for hemoglobin, hemoglobin variants, and glycated forms
Hemoglobin, its variants, and glycated forms of each are determined individually in a multiplex assay that permits correction of the measured level of HbA1c to account for glycated variants and other factors related to the inclusion of the variants in the sample. New antibodies that are particularly well adapted to the multiplex assay are also provided. |
| US09213033B2 |
Method for highly multiplexed quantitation of peptides by mass spectrometry and labeling reagent sets therefor
Disclosed herein are isobaric labeling reagent sets useful for multiplexed quantitation of peptides. The isobaric labeling reagent sets include a collection of at least two isobaric labeling reagents having first and second reporter groups with the same nominal mass but different isotopic substitutions and consequently different exact masses. Mass spectrometric analysis of the labeled samples is performed using a mass analyzer, such as an Orbitrap mass analyzer, capable of adequately resolving the ions of the first and second reporter groups. Reagent sets of the foregoing description may provide a degree of multiplexing in reporter ion quantitation experiments that is expanded relative to conventional labeling reagent sets, thereby reducing the number of chromatographic runs required for analysis and improving sample throughput. |
| US09213032B2 |
Use of LRIG1 as a biomarker for identifying a subject for application of anti-c-Met antibodies
A method of identifying a cell sample or subject suitable for treatment with an anti-c-Met antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to an epitope within a SEMA domain of a c-Met protein by determining the presence of LRIG1 in a cell sample from the subject, as well as related methods and compositions. |
| US09213030B2 |
Lipid tumour profile
We describe a method of generating a classification model capable of distinguishing between two biological states, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a training dataset, X, comprising concentrations of a plurality of lipids in a biological sample in a first state and a biological sample in a second state; (b) subjecting the training dataset X to Principal Components Analysis (PCA), in which the PCA analysis generates a transformation matrix, C, and a transformed dataset, Yl; (c) subjecting the transformed dataset Yl to Support Vector Machines (SVM) analysis, in which the SVM analysis generates a SVM model, S; (d) forming a classification model comprising (i) the transformation matrix C, and (ii) the corresponding SVM model S. |
| US09213029B2 |
Method for diagnosing breast cancer by detection of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor in vesicles isolated from patients
A composition for breast cancer diagnosis using a material specifically binding to a polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR) or a fragment thereof, and a method for detecting breast cancer or acquiring information for breast cancer diagnosis using the composition. |
| US09213028B2 |
Method and kit for rapid isolation of human Foxp3+ Treg cells
The present invention relates to methods for isolating human forkhead box P3 (Foxp3+) CD4+ regulatory T cells (herein referred to a Foxp3+ Treg cells) from a sample containing (i) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), (ii) a lymphocyte containing fluid, or (iii) a lymphocyte containing tissue, a kit for isolating human Foxp3+ Treg cells, and the use of anti-CD49d antibody for the isolation of human Foxp3+ Treg cells. |
| US09213025B2 |
Tissue engineered model
A tissue engineered model (TEM) structure, an apparatus and method for making a TEM structure, and methods of using a TEM structure are disclosed. In an embodiment, the TEM structure includes at least one TEM segment. Each TEM segment includes a frame defining a bounded area, the frame having a height, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge, each of the first edge and the second edge defining a perimeter of the bounded area, and the height defining a distance between the first edge and the second edge; a membrane affixed to the first edge about a perimeter of the frame; and a solidified gel and cell matrix disposed within the bounded area within the frame, wherein the solidified gel and cell matrix substantially fills a volume defined by the bounded area and the height of the frame. |
| US09213022B1 |
Lead indicator spray
The present development is a kit and a method for easily determining the presence of lead on a surface. The kit provides a rhodizonate salt and an aqueous acid mixed together in a container that can deliver a liquid product as a fine particle spray. In a preferred embodiment, the rhodizonate salt is sodium rhodizonate and the aqueous acid is aqueous acetic acid. The method includes mixing sodium rhodizonate and aqueous acetic acid and then delivering it to a surface as a fine particle spray, and monitoring any change of color on the treated surface. |
| US09213021B2 |
Self-unlocking fluid-tight connector
A connector is used to connect a conduit to a threaded orifice of a fluidic component, such as a component of an apparatus for chromatography. The connector includes a flexible fitting, a deformable fitting, and a compression fitting. The flexible fitting fixes the position of the conduit with respect to the threaded orifice. The deformable fitting provides a fluid-tight seal between the fluidic conduit and the threaded orifice. The compression fitting includes an external-thread portion for attachment to the orifice, to urge the flexible fitting toward an outer surface of the fluidic conduit, and to urge the deformable fitting toward both the outer surface and the orifice, a cam portion in mechanical communication with the flexible fitting via a through-hole in the external thread portion, and a graspable portion in rotatable communication with the cam portion. |
| US09213019B2 |
Method of determining a size of a defect using an ultrasonic linear phased array
A method and apparatus for determining a dimension of a defect in a component is disclosed. A linear array of acoustic transducers is used to propagate a focused ultrasonic beam along a first focal line. The focused ultrasonic beam is moved across the defect in a first array direction substantially perpendicular to the first focal line. The dimension of the defect is determined from at least one reflection of the focused ultrasonic beam from the defect as the focused ultrasonic beam moves across the defect. |
| US09213017B2 |
Rotary ultrasonic testing apparatus with hydraulic lifting units
The present application provides a rotary testing apparatus for use with a work piece. The rotary testing apparatus may include a rotor, a probe, and a lifting unit for maneuvering the probe about the work piece. The lifting unit may include a hydraulic lifting mechanism and a counterweight mechanism. |
| US09213012B2 |
Method of measuring blood component, sensor used in the method, and measuring device
The present invention provides a method of measuring a component in blood, by which an amount of the component can be corrected accurately by measuring a hematocrit (Hct) value of the blood with high accuracy and high reliability and also provides a sensor used in the method. The method of measuring a component in blood using a biosensor comprising a first electrode system including a first working electrode on which at least an oxidoreductase that acts upon the component and a mediator are provided and a first counter electrode and a second working electrode on which the mediator is not provided. The first working electrode and the first counter electrode are used for obtaining the amount of the component and the second working electrode and the first working electrode are used for obtaining the amount of the blood cells. |
| US09213009B2 |
System and method of optimizing a composite system
The present application relates to a method and system for optimizing a composite system by electrically monitoring the reactive and physiological behavior of the resin binder in a composite system, so as to develop the desired properties of the resin during the cure process. A method of manufacturing a composite part can include assembling a composite preform with a resinous material and an open circuit. Further, the method can include subjecting the composite preform to a curing cycle so that a resin in the resinous material melts and closes the open circuit. Further, the method can include electrically monitoring a current through the resin during the curing cycle. Further, the method can include selectively controlling a manufacturing variable in response to the step of electrically monitoring the current through the resin. |
| US09213006B2 |
Modulated X-ray harmonic detection
The presently disclosed technique provides a method and apparatus for use in modulated X-ray harmonic detection and identification. More specifically, it specifies a X-ray backscatter imaging system using radio frequency modulation of the incident X-ray beam at two frequencies and detection patterns in the backscattered signal corresponding to harmonics of the modulation frequencies. |
| US09213002B2 |
Apparatus and method for evaluating tire self-cleaning capability
An apparatus and method for evaluating the ability of a tire to clean its tread is provided. For example, an apparatus (100) and method for evaluating the ability of a tire to eject materials such as e.g., mud from its tread during use is provided. Samples (10) of a subject test pattern are rotated at predetermined rpm profile. A camera (170) captures the effect of centrifugal forces on the materials during rotation, which in turn may be used to compare how differences in tread patterns impact the ejection of materials (15) from the tread during use. |
| US09213000B2 |
Photonic crystal combinatorial sensor
The present disclosure provides methods, systems and devices for a photonic crystal combinatorial sensor. The photonic crystal sensor may include an array of photonic crystal materials, wherein each photonic crystal material has a reflected wavelength in a respective initial wavelength range. At least one a first one of the photonic crystal materials may be configured to have a response to an external stimulus different from at least a second one of the photonic crystal materials, the different response resulting in a change in the reflected wavelength of the first photonic crystal material that is an optically detectable difference from the second photonic crystal material. The optically detectable difference may provide an optically detectable response pattern of reflected wavelengths in the array. The sensor may be reversible and reusable. |
| US09212998B2 |
Method and device for the spectral analysis of a metal coating layer deposited on the surface of a steel strip
In a method for the spectral analysis of a metal coating layer deposited on the surface of a steel strip, the strip is moved along an arc of the outer surface of a rotating roller with a cylindrical wall guiding the strip by contact. An ablation laser beam is guided into an internal cavity of the cylindrical wall to be placed in optical incidence under a normal axis on the outer surface of the roller on a targeted contact point of the strip and the roller. The beam passes through the wall via a wall opening, which is transparent to the beam. A plasma spectral emission distribution from the laser ablation to the contact point is collected by optical feedback in the direction of the normal axis on the outer surface of the roller and through the opening in order to be guided towards a spectral measurement unit. The normal axis on the outer surface for the optical incidence and feedback is placed in synchronous rotation with the roller. |
| US09212992B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing incident light having dual photodiode to absorb light in respective depletion regions controlled by different bias voltages
A solid-state photodetector with variable spectral response that can produce a narrow or wide response spectrum of incident light. Some embodiments include a solid-state device structure that includes a first photodiode and a second photodiode that share a common anode region. Bias voltages applied to the first photodiode and/or the second photodiode may be used to control the thicknesses of depletion regions of the photodiodes and/or a common anode region to vary the spectral response of the photodetector. Thickness of the depletion regions and/or the common anode region may be controlled based on resistance between multiple contacts of the common anode region and/or capacitance of the depletion regions. Embodiments include control circuits and methods for determining spectral characteristics of incident light using the variable spectral response photodetector. |
| US09212989B2 |
Optical determination and reporting of gas properties
A chemical composition analyzer may be used to optically determine and report chemical compositions associated with gases within a gas collection and transmission infrastructure. This analyzer includes a number of optical sensors which may be used to perform spectroscopic spectrographic analysis in order to determine the chemical composition of the gas. Additionally other sensors may be used to measure other physical properties associated with the gas. These sensors are tied to a data collection system wherein the output of the optical sensors and sensors used to measure the physical properties of the gas may be combined and processed in order to determine in a nearly continuous fashion the chemical composition associated with the gas at various locations within the gas collection and transmission infrastructure. This real time compositional analysis may be used to determine valuations of the gas or to optimize other processes or equipment configurations. |
| US09212983B2 |
System and method for detecting aerosol particles in a atmosphere and counting aerosol particles with respect to each particle size
A particle size distribution measuring system 1 sets a reference voltage in a DMA 300 to a voltage value U, and executes the classifying of aerosol particles based on electrical mobility, in an electric field to which the voltage value U is supplied. When a predetermined condition is not satisfied, an analyzing device 600 causes a sum of the voltage value for the previous classifying (previous value) and the voltage value U to be re-set in the DMA 300 and causes the classifying of the aerosol particles to be executed again. A particle measuring device 400 defines a first measurement result as a measurement result M1, and defines a result of the re-measurement as a new measurement result Mx every time the measurement is thereafter repeated. An analyzing device 600 calculates a ratio of the measurement result Mx to the measurement result M1, and confirms that the condition is satisfied when the calculation result is a prescribed value or smaller, while confirming that the condition is not satisfied when the calculation result is larger than the prescribed value. |
| US09212982B2 |
Mattress testing apparatus and method
An apparatus and method of testing are provided to test the durability and resilience of crib mattresses and other child development surfaces. The testing apparatus is configured to provide a movable fixture for imparting repeated force to a mattress. The fixture can include a pair of feet formed thereon to mimic the pressure profile provided by a toddler standing or jumping on a crib mattress. The method provides for the cycling of the apparatus over a predetermined time period and the determination of the deflection of the surface after the time period. |
| US09212980B2 |
Fluid processing and control
A fluid control and processing system for controlling fluid flow among a plurality of chambers comprises a body including a fluid processing region continuously coupled fluidicly with a fluid displacement region. The fluid displacement region is depressurizable to draw fluid into the fluid displacement region and pressurizable to expel fluid from the fluid displacement region. The body includes at least one external port. The fluid processing region is fluidicly coupled with the at least one external port. The fluid displacement region is fluidicly coupled with at least one external port of the body. The body is adjustable with respect to the plurality of chambers to place the at least one external port selectively in fluidic communication with the plurality of chambers. One or more of the chambers may be a processing chamber which includes two ports configured to selectively engage the at least one external port of the body, and a fluid processing material such as an enrichment material or a depletion material. In some embodiments, one or more chambers may include a separation channel, and an electric field may be applied across the separation channel. |
| US09212979B2 |
Automated microextraction technique for the analysis of N-nitrosamines in water
An automated headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of four N-nitrosamines in groundwater samples is developed. Response surface methodology technique was employed to investigate the optimized extraction conditions of headspace solid-phase microextraction using CombiPAL autosampler. The method was applied to determine the N-nitrosamine concentrations in groundwater samples. |
| US09212978B2 |
Cytoblock preparation system and methods of use
An apparatus and method that may be used for collecting target cells or tissue and preparing a cell block are disclosed. |
| US09212976B2 |
Vision-guided aspiration apparatus and methods
A method for removing supernatant from a sample tube. The method includes providing a sample tube having a pellet at a bottom of the sample tube and a supernatant liquid above the pellet, visually inspecting the sample tube to determine one or more geometric properties of the pellet, and determining an expected height of a top surface of the pellet based on the one or more geometric properties determined in the visual inspection step. The method also includes inserting an aspirator into the supernatant liquid, moving the aspirator downwards towards the expected height of the top surface of the pellet, and aspirating the supernatant liquid through the aspirator. |
| US09212975B2 |
Collection unit
A collection unit (80)includes: a collection carrier cartridge (82) formed, at its center, with a through hole (82b3) into which a nozzle for supplying hot water or ATP reagent is inserted including a carrier filling dish (82b), on an outer circumference of the through hole (82b3), to be filled with a collection carrier (90) for collecting floating bacteria in the air, and an upper lid (82a) on which the carrier filling dish (82b) is placed, formed with a protrusion to be inserted through the through hole (82b3); an impactor nozzle head (86) covering a surface of the collection carrier (90) and has a plurality of nozzle holes (87) facing the collection carrier (90) surface; and a fan (84) introducing air to the collection carrier surface through the nozzle holes (87). A velocity of the air passing through the nozzle holes (87) is 40 m/s to 50 m/s. |
| US09212974B2 |
Self contained sampling and processing facility
A self-contained mobile sampling and processing facility for use at a mine having at least one blast-hole that forms a blast-hole cone wherein the sampling and processing facility includes at least one primary robotic arm that carries at least one sampling tool, and the primary robotic arm and sampling tool is controlled by robotic arm and sampling tool movement controller means, and the primary robotic arm is capable of self-determining the direction, distance and shape of a nearby blast-hole cone, then subsequently positioning itself so that the sampling tool is able to engage with the blast-hole cone and retrieve a sample from it without significant mixing or stirring the cone, or a localized region of the cone, and then the sample is deposited into the processing facility. |
| US09212972B2 |
Chassis dynamometer and method of opening and closing a roller opening of chassis dynamometer
In a conventional chassis dynamometer, when a roller opening formed in a pit cover is closed by an open/close plate, the open/close plate is projected from an upper surface of the pit cover so that irregularities are generated on the upper surface of the pit cover. A chassis dynamometer 1 includes rollers 2, 3 on which wheels of a test vehicle are rested through roller openings 6, 7 formed in a pit cover 5, and an opening open/close mechanism 15 that opens and closes the roller openings 6, 7. The rollers 2, 3 are ascendably and descendably operated by a roller ascent/descent operation mechanism 8. The rollers 2, 3 are operated to descend, and the roller openings 6, 7 are closed by open/close plates 16. |
| US09212967B2 |
Method for monitoring the quality of industrial processes and system therefrom
A method for monitoring the quality of an industrial working process, which includes identifying defects of the working process, comprises acquiring at least one signal having multiple frequency components from the industrial working process, decomposing the at least one signal having multiple frequency components in signals having single frequency components, calculating the information content for each signal having a single frequency component, analyzing the information content for each signal having a single frequency component, and if the value of the information content of the signal at the lowest single frequency component does not represent a main percentage of the information content of the whole acquired signal, the acquired signal having multiple frequency components is evaluated as indicative of a working process with defects and a defect analysis step is performed on the signal having multiple frequency components. |
| US09212966B2 |
Network manageable advanced gas sensor apparatus and method
Mechanical, electronic, algorithmic, and computer network facets are combined to create a highly integrated advanced gas sensor. A sensor is integrated into switchgear housings. These sensors integrated into high voltage switchgear products, deployed by electric utility end users in replacement and expansion cycles, function to detect and mitigate atmospheric pollution caused by leaking SF6. As its associated gas insulated tank is charged with 10 to 350 lbs. of SF6, each gas sensor monitors its local cache of gas, accurately sensing and computing fractional percentage losses (emissions) and gains (maintenance replacement) in SF6 mass, storing data in onboard data logs, and communicating data when triggered by detection events or in response to remote requests over a hierarchical communications network, a process that continues without labor until a fractional leak is automatically detected and reported creating the opportunity for early leak mitigation. |
| US09212965B2 |
Leak detection device and remote monitoring system having slave controllers with unique IDs
Disclosed herein are a leak detection device and a remote monitoring system using the same. In accordance with the present invention, locations where multiple leaks have occurred can be accurately determined by connecting a plurality of leak sensing films in series using a plurality of slave controllers having connectors, detecting a leak occurring between the slave controllers, and sending the detected leak to a master controller at a remote place. Furthermore, the present invention provides a remote monitoring system capable of checking whether a leak has occurred or not at a remote place using an apparatus for controlling the leak sensing films. |
| US09212963B2 |
Sensor water freeze protector
Apparatus that detects the pressure of water that can move through a water channel (26) towards and away from a pressure sensor (22), wherein the apparatus is constructed to avoid damage from freezing water. The water channel is constructed with a narrow channel portion (40) and a wide channel portion (42) connected in series, with the narrow channel portion lying closer to the pressure sensor. When the ambient temperature falls below the freezing temperature of water, water in the narrow channel portion freezes before water in the wide channel portion freezes, and frozen water in the narrow channel portion acts like a plug to prevent water (or ice) from moving toward the pressure sensor. |
| US09212962B2 |
Self-powered pressure sensor assembly
In one embodiment, a pressure sensor assembly includes an accelerometer configured to produce a first current upon movement of the accelerometer, a capacitor configured to receive the first current thereby charging the capacitor, a gate element operably connected to the capacitor and configured to discharge a second current from the capacitor upon the capacitor attaining a threshold voltage, a pressure sensor configured to receive the discharged current to produce a first signal corresponding to at least one pressure reading of the pressure sensor, and a transmitter operably connected to the pressure sensor and configured to transmit a second signal based upon the first signal to an external device configured to store data corresponding to the second signal. |
| US09212960B2 |
Nanostructures with strain-induced resistance
Apparatuses and methods, consistent with embodiments herein, are directed to an apparatus having a stretchable substrate and a plurality of nanostructures. While the plurality of nanostructures are adhered to the stretchable substrate, the stretchable substrate and the nanostructures are stretched and/or operate in a stretched mode in which the nanostructures are characterized by a resistance corresponding to a strain imparted due to the stretching. When the substrate is relaxed or the stretching otherwise lessened, the nanostructures continue to be characterized as a function of the strain and the corresponding resistance, with buckled segments of the nanostructures being adhered along a surface of the substrate. |
| US09212956B2 |
Ultrasonic temperature measurement device
An ultrasonic thermometer for measuring a temperature profile along a measurement axis of a structure, comprising a continuous measurement pathway of a structure (310) having a longitudinal measurement axis and proximal (202) and distal ends (204), and at least two backscatterers (332) formed therein transverse to the longitudinal axis and separated by a predetermined separation distance. |
| US09212955B2 |
Microwire temperature sensors constructed to eliminate stress-related temperature measurement inaccuracies and method of manufacturing said sensors
Improved, highly accurate microwire sensors (10) include a microwire assembly (14) including at least one primary, temperature-sensing microwire (16) encased within a closed-ended, stress-absorbing protective tube (12). Preferably, the sensor assembly (14) includes a plurality of microwires, e.g., a primary temperature-sensing microwire (16), a reference microwire (18), and a calibration microwire (20). The sensors (10) may be embedded within a heat-treatable or curable material (24) to monitor the temperature of the material (24) over a selected temperature range, e.g., during a pre- and/or post-curing temperature range. The tube (12) is formed of material which does not appreciably magnetically bias the microwire assembly (14), and substantially prevents forces exerted on the tube (12) from distorting the sensor assembly (14). |
| US09212953B2 |
Health monitoring of lights
The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and computer-readable media for health monitoring of lights. One or more embodiments include receiving data, including a junction temperature of a light emitting diode (LED), an ambient temperature, and a drive current associated with the LED, receiving a pre-existing LED performance data set, and determining an end of life of the LED based on the junction temperature of the LED, the ambient temperature, the drive current associated with the LED, and the pre-existing LED performance data set. |
| US09212951B2 |
Object detection device
The object detection device includes: a pyroelectric element configured to output a current signal in response to a change in an amount of infrared light; an I/V conversion circuit including an operational amplifier, a capacitive element serving as a feedback circuit, and a discharging circuit, and configured to convert the current signal to a voltage signal; an A/D conversion circuit configured to convert the voltage signal to a first digital signal; a digital filter configured to extract a detection component having a frequency included in a frequency band associated with an object from a waveform represented by the first digital signal by subjecting the first digital signal to an arithmetic processing, and create a second digital signal representing a waveform of the detection component; a judgment circuit configured to detect the target based on the second digital signal; and a control unit configured to control the discharging circuit based on a period corresponding to a predetermined frequency not greater than a lower limit of the frequency band to discharge electric charges stored in the capacitive element. |
| US09212949B2 |
Technique for temperature measurement and calibration of semiconductor workpieces using infrared
An improved system and method of measuring the temperature of a workpiece in a processing chamber is disclosed. Because silicon has very low emissivity in the infrared band, a coating is disposed on at least a portion of the workpiece. This coating may be graphite or any other material that can be readily applied, and has a relatively constant emissivity over temperature in the infrared spectrum. In one embodiment, a coating of graphite is applied to a portion of the workpiece, allowing the temperature of the workpiece to be measured by observing the temperature of the coating. This technique can be used to calibrate a processing chamber, validate operating conditions within the processing chamber, or to develop a manufacturing process. |
| US09212948B2 |
Lossless hyperspectral imaging
Techniques for hyperspectral imaging using a spatial light modulator having a plurality of pixels, including encoding electromagnetic radiation incident a first pixel at a first location and a second pixel at a second location into a first modulated signal having a first modulation frequency and a second modulated signal having a second modulation frequency, the first modulation frequency being different than the second modulation frequency. A sum of intensities of at least the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal is measured at a plurality of optical frequencies and a transform is applied to the sum to obtain an intensity of electromagnetic radiation incident each of the first location and the second location for each of the plurality of optical frequencies. |
| US09212946B2 |
Campbell diagram displays and methods and systems for implementing same
Methods and systems for creating Campbell diagram displays for illustrating vibration characteristics of a moving apparatus, such as a rotary machine, are provided. Data, representing vibration amplitudes and frequencies are recorded against rotational speeds of an apparatus. The data is used to create waveforms representing the forward and/or reverse vibration frequencies of the apparatus. The waveforms in turn are used to create spectral line envelopes to provide enhanced two dimensional images indicating the amplitudes of the vibrations of the apparatus at particular rotational speeds. The spectral line envelopes may be empty, filled with one or more colors, or other illustration features to impart solidity to the envelopes to enhance visibility. |
| US09212942B2 |
Waveguide coupling, high-frequency module, fill-level radar and use
A waveguide coupling includes a planar radiator element which couples the transmission signal into a waveguide of the waveguide coupling. The waveguide widens in the direction of the planar radiator element, in such a way that the radiator element can be of a comparatively large diameter without the inner walling of the waveguide detracting significantly from the signal quality. |
| US09212935B2 |
Rotary encoder
A rotary encoder includes a rotatable conductor and first and second signal contacts. The rotatable conductor includes a first contact finger that slides on a track which is at least a part of a circle having a center point as a center thereof; and second contact finger that slides on the track and is located at an angular position different from an angular position of the first contact finger. The first signal contact is disposed on the track, and is configured to output a signal according to an angular position of the rotatable conductor about the center point. The second signal contact is disposed on the first track, and is configured to output a signal according to the angular position of the rotatable conductor about the center point. The second signal contact is electrically independent of the first signal contact. This rotary encoder includes a small number of tracks, and accordingly has a small size. |
| US09212934B2 |
Sensor arrangement and method for operating a sensor arrangement
A sensor arrangement comprises at least a first magnetic-field sensor (SM1) and a second magnetic-field sensor (SM2). A signal-processing unit (PROC) is set up to determine a minimum signal (MIN) and a maximum signal (MAX) of the first or second magnetic-field sensor (SM1, SM2) in the full scale range (FSR) of the sensor arrangement The first or second magnetic-field sensor (SM1, SM2) can be selected by means of a selection means (MOV) depending on the minimum and maximum signal (MIN, MAX). |
| US09212923B2 |
Mining machine management system and mining machine management method
A mining machine management system includes: a position information detection unit detecting position information related to a position of a mining machine; and a determination unit determining a second route corresponding to a plurality of pieces of the position information is identical to a first route based on at least whether a position of each node corresponds with the position information, the node being a piece of information related to a position of the first route that is a route taken by the mining machine departing a predetermined first position, passing a second position at which a load is loaded, and moving to a third position at which the load is removed. |
| US09212921B1 |
Determining problematic travel conditions
The disclosure includes a method that includes determining a location that corresponds to a problematic travel condition based on data associated with when a first client device is at the location. The method may further include notifying, a second client device with a possible travel route that includes the location, that the location includes the problematic travel condition. |
| US09212918B1 |
Systems and methods for generating and displaying multiple layers on a digital map
Systems and methods are disclosed for generating and displaying a POI data associated with multiple searches on a single digital map. Searches may be activated from pre-set layers within a layer panel. Searches may also be activated by adding custom layers. |
| US09212908B2 |
MEMS gyroscopes with reduced errors
In comb drive vibratory gyroscopes, drive-induced Coriolis accelerometer offset is effectively canceled by demodulating the output during equal times of in-phase and anti-phase drive of the shuttle with respect to the velocity signal used for angular rate demodulation. This reduces or eliminates the corresponding thermal and die-stress effects otherwise needing calibration. |
| US09212906B2 |
Device for detecting axis coplanarity of orthogonal rotary shafts having built-in intersection and precision detecting method
The present invention discloses a device for detecting axis coplanarity of orthogonal rotary shafts having a built-in intersection, wherein a front assembly rotary body is coaxially connected on a front assembly housing, the front assembly rotary body and a rear assembly housing are fixedly connected with each other, the rear assembly rotary body is mounted in the rear assembly housing, a first three dimension movement fine tuning mechanism is mounted at an end of the rear assembly rotary body, the first three dimension movement fine tuning mechanism is connected with a standard sphere through a connecting rod, the three dimension movement fine tuning mechanisms are provided in the horizontal direction of the standard sphere and below the standard sphere in vertical direction, and two non-contact displacement sensors are mounted on said two three dimension movement fine tuning mechanisms respectively. The present invention also discloses a precision measurement method for measuring axis coplanarity of the orthogonal rotary shafts having a built-in intersection by using the above device, having a feature of high measurement precision, which is adaptive to coplanarity detections for the cantilever-type orthogonal shafts having a built-in intersection and the clamp-type orthogonal shafts having a built-in intersection. |
| US09212905B2 |
Method and system for determining radiation shielding thickness and gamma-ray energy
A system and method for determining the shielding thickness of a detected radiation source. The gamma ray spectrum of a radiation detector is utilized to estimate the shielding between the detector and the radiation source. The determination of the shielding may be used to adjust the information from known source-localization techniques to provide improved performance and accuracy of locating the source of radiation. |
| US09212902B2 |
Distance image obtaining system for track
A range image obtaining system for a track includes a laser slit light source disposed within a plane perpendicular to a tread of a rail and emits laser slit light within the plane; a two-dimensional image imaging device which is disposed to have an angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the tread of the rail and obtains a light sectioning image generated from the laser slit light; and an image signal processing device for generating a range image based on a distance from the two-dimensional image imaging device based on the light sectioning image. |
| US09212901B2 |
Apparatus and methods for performing wavefront-based and profile-based measurements of an aspheric surface
Apparatus and methods for performing wavefront-based and profile-based measurements of an aspheric surface are disclosed. The apparatus includes an interferometric wavefront measurement system that collects wavefront-based measurement data of the aspheric surface. The apparatus also includes a profile measurement system that performs at least one non-contact profile-based measurement of the aspheric surface to collect profile-based measurement data of the aspheric surface. The measurements are performed without removing the aspheric element from a rotatable base. The two measurements are then used to form a combined measurement of the aspheric surface. |
| US09212899B2 |
Imaging, fabrication and measurement systems and methods
A fabrication system comprises one of a substrate and work piece having at least one working surface, a tool coupled to a tool holder, at least one measurement system, and a control system. The at least one working surface comprises one or more regions. A first location of the tool, tool holder, and the one of a substrate and work piece are calibrated with reference to a coordinate system. The tool is adapted to affect creation of a device within the one or more regions. The at least one measurement system is adapted to obtain location information of at least a portion of at least one of the tool, tool holder, and one of a substrate and a work piece. The control system is adapted to receive the location information, determine a second location, and provide one or more output signals to one or more adjustment devices. |
| US09212897B2 |
Chromatography column amenable to accurate length determination and laser adapter
A column used for gas chromatography (GC) is fabricated from an open tubular light guiding capillary. The light guiding capillary is suitable for transmission of optical frequencies employed in commercially available hand held laser range finders. |
| US09212896B2 |
Optical interferometer and vibrometer comprising such an optical interferometer
An optical interferometer including an output-beam beam input for coupling-in an output beam, and a beam splitter device for splitting the output beam into at least one first sub-beam and one second sub-beam, the interferometer being embodied as a heterodyne interferometer by virtue of at least one optical frequency shifter being arranged in the beam path of the interferometer and the interferometer including one or more optical waveguide elements, by which optical waveguides are formed, at least between the output-beam beam input, beam splitter device and frequency shifter. The frequency shifter is arranged in the beam path of the first or second sub-beam. |
| US09212893B2 |
Absolute position-measuring device
An absolute position-measuring device includes a first subassembly having a measuring standard on which at least one code track is disposed, and a scanning unit with which, by scanning the at least one code track in a measuring direction, position signals are able to be produced, from which an absolute digital position value is able to be generated. The position-measuring device includes a second subassembly having at least one peripheral unit adapted to perform an additional or auxiliary function of the position-measuring device. The first subassembly and the second subassembly are connected to each other by a plurality of electric lines for the transmission of electrical signals. The first subassembly exclusively includes components which are suitable for use in a radiation area of a machine. |
| US09212892B2 |
Steering angle sensor
A steering angle sensor for a vehicle including a steering angle sensor housing, a first gear, a rotation transmitting portion, a second gear meshing with the first gear, a third gear meshing with the first gear or the second gear, first and second magnetoresistance effect elements to detect first and second rotation angles as rotation angles of the second and third gears, respectively, and a biasing member disposed in the steering angle sensor housing to bias the first gear toward the second gear, wherein the first and rotation angles are combined to determine an absolute steering angle indicative of an amount of rotation of a steering wheel when the steering wheel is rotated from a neutral position in which a steerable road wheel is oriented to a straight ahead direction of the vehicle. |
| US09212891B2 |
Method of calibrating gear measuring device
A difference of tooth profile gradient errors (Δα) is calculated, which is a deviation between the tooth profile gradient error (α1) when the tooth profile of a gear is calculated by a method of scanning in a tangential direction of a base circle; and the tooth profile gradient error (α2) when the tooth profile of a gear is calculated by scanning methods other than a method of scanning in a tangential direction of a base circle. The position error (Δx) is calculated using the difference of tooth profile gradient errors (Δα) and gear specifications, and the position of the gauge head is calibrated depending on the position error (Δx). Hereby the position of the gauge head can be calibrated without using a mechanical reference member. |
| US09212889B2 |
Apparatus for pointing spatial coordinates, comprising a movable hand-held probe and a portable base unit, and a related method
An apparatus for pointing spatial coordinates, comprising a movable hand-held probe, having a pointing tip, and a portable base unit provided with a rotatably supported elongated arm, wherein the hand-held probe connects to the portable base unit by means of a cord or a wire via the elongated arm and wherein the base unit is provided with sensors for measuring length or a change in length of the cord or the wire and rotation of the arm in at least one degree of freedom, and computer-controlled processing means for processing measuring signals delivered by the sensors into position data of the hand-held probe. |
| US09212884B2 |
Measuring device
A measuring device is configured for measuring a thickness of a wall, the measuring device includes a bracket, a guide assembly, a benchmark member, and a gauge. The bracket includes a base body, a first installation portion, and a second installation portion, and the first installation portion and the second installation portion extending from opposite ends of the base body. The guide assembly is movably received through the first installation portion. The benchmark member is mounted on the second installation portion. The gauge mounted on the guide assembly. The gauge is configured to be rotated by the guide assembly and indicates a measurement when the benchmark member contacts a first surface of the wall, the gauge contacts a second surface of the wall, and a central line of the gauge is coaxial with the benchmark line of the benchmark member. |
| US09212877B2 |
Retention system for a deployable projectile fin
A fin retention system having a plurality of fin retention units and in which each unit is associated with one deployable fin of the projectile. Each retention unit has an alignment device and a pair of span arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of the alignment device. An attachment device attaches the free ends of the span arms of adjacent fin retention units together. In doing so, the alignment device engages and holds each fin in its undeployed position. |
| US09212872B2 |
Threat simulating system
A system for evaluating aircraft/watercraft/battle-vehicle survivability equipment comprising: (1) a Static Pyrotechnic Unit (SPTU) and a support stand; (2) a system of Short Range Simulating Rocket (SRSR) and a rocket launching apparatus; and (3) a control system that activates said Static Pyrotechnic Unit in (1) and said system SRSR in (2). When the Static pyrotechnic Unit is ignited, the resulting flash has an IR wavelength and multi spectral emission, intensity and time duration that simulate the initial flash created by a shoulder missile. When the Short Range Simulating Rocket is fired, the resulting radiation has an IR wavelength and multi spectral emission, intensity and time duration that simulates the radiation trail emitted from a fired shoulder missile. The flash created by the Static pyrotechnic Unit, and the trail emission of the Short Range Simulating Rocket are detected by the target survivability detection equipment, enabling the target to take protective measures. |
| US09212865B2 |
Hinged hand guard
A hand guard assembly for installation on a standard barrel nut is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the hand guard assembly may include a hinged hand guard comprising a left clamshell component and a right clamshell component, which may be mounted on a standard barrel nut. The design of the hinged hand guard allows the hand guard to securely fasten on the standard barrel nut by accommodating the sprockets of the standard barrel nut in an internal radial groove, and/or encasing the firearm's gas tube in a longitudinal notch. The disclosed configurations may allow a user to attach and remove the hand guard easily and quickly from the firearm without modifying the standard barrel nut or removing the gas block. |
| US09212860B2 |
Firearm rifling
An improve firearm rifling is provided in which the trailing edge face of the land is significantly longer than the rifling land top surface. The trailing edge angle between the trailing edge face and the level of the groove floor surface is a much smaller angle than conventional rifling land trailing edge angle, while the leading edge angle of the disclosed embodiments may be akin to a conventional rifling leading edge angle. Due to this, the present embodiments provide a rifling land profile that is nonsymmetrical, with the trailing edge face being at a much lower angle than the leading edge face which is configured in a more upright orientation. |
| US09212853B2 |
Cooler
A cooler is provided which includes a heat discharging unit in which a plurality of heat discharge fins are placed in a line and a coolant flows in a passage between the heat discharge fins, an inflow-side coolant reservoir provided extending in a lined direction of the heat discharge fins and connected to a side of one end of the passage between the heat discharge fins through a first diaphragm portion, and an outflow-side coolant reservoir provided extending in the lined direction of the heat discharge fins and connected to a side of the other end of the passage between the heat discharge fins through a second diaphragm portion. An inflow-side fin is formed on a surface of the inflow-side coolant reservoir opposing the first diaphragm portion, and a circulation cross-sectional area of the inflow-side coolant reservoir is set smaller than a circulation cross-sectional area of the outflow-side coolant reservoir. |
| US09212847B2 |
Refrigerator having vegetable storage container
This specification relates to a vegetable storage container for a refrigerator, and more particularly, a sealing structure of a vegetable storage container for a refrigerator capable of sealing an inside of an accommodation space of a vegetable box simply by using a lever after closing the accommodation space with a cover. This specification provides a refrigerator with a vegetable storage container, which includes a vegetable box having a front part and a main body both forming an accommodation space therein as a storage space for vegetables, the vegetable box being installed to be drawn out of the refrigerator, a vegetable box cover horizontally installed on the accommodation space to selectively cover an upper opening of the vegetable box, and a pressing unit to seal the accommodation space after the accommodation space of the vegetable box is closed by the vegetable box cover. |
| US09212844B2 |
Drain hose assembly and refrigerator including the same
A refrigerator may include a drain hose assembly. The refrigerator includes an upper hose, a lower hose connected to the upper hose while being arranged in a machinery chamber, the lower hose being provided with an air inlet hole to introduce outside air, and an opening and closing unit provided at the lower hose to be upwardly pivoted by negative pressure in a storage chamber and to be downwardly pivoted by gravity, in order to open and close the air inlet hole, respectively. As a result, it may be possible to achieve an enhancement in energy efficiency and to reduce the force required to open door according to an improvement of sealing-tightness. |
| US09212836B2 |
Heat exchanger
A condenser includes a shell having a vapor refrigerant inlet, a first tube bundle and a liquid refrigerant outlet. A second tube bundle is positioned in a subcooler component. The subcooler component has a center channel and at least two outer channels and conforms to the shell. |
| US09212831B2 |
Support module for a solar collector having a triangular substructure
The invention relates to a support module for a solar collector having a triangular substructure, formed by: a main structure intended to resist the torsional and bending forces of the collector, and an auxiliary structure that balances the assembly and supports the weight of the mirrors and the absorber tube. The main structure includes: a triangular substructure comprising rectangular pyramids and two half-pyramids at the ends, bars (5) joining the upper vertex of each pyramid (1) to the upper vertex (1) of the adjacent pyramid or to the upper vertex (1′) of the adjacent half-pyramid (1′), a diagonal bar (4) joining two opposite vertices of the base of each pyramid, and two king posts (6) located on each end of the triangular substructure. The auxiliary structure includes: arms (7, 7′), struts (8, 8′, 8″) for each arm (7, 7′), purlins (9) and supports (11) for the absorber tube (12). |
| US09212829B1 |
Solar heat collector with internal focal points
A simple and portable solar heat collector comprises a sheet of lenses, the sheet of lenses receiving light on a first side and focusing the light at focal points on a second side; and tubing on the second side. The tubing comprises an input tube for receiving heat absorbing fluid, internal tubing for routing heat absorbing fluid through at least some of the focal points of the sheet of lenses, and an output tube for outputting heated heat absorbing fluid. |
| US09212828B2 |
Epicatalytic thermal diode
An Epicatalytic Thermal Diode (ETD) includes one or more ETD cells. Each cell comprises first and second surfaces with a cavity between them, which contains a gas that is epicatalytically active with respect to the pair of surfaces. The surfaces chemically interact with the gas such that the gas dissociates at a faster rate proximate to the first surface than it does proximate to the second surface. Thus, a steady-state temperature differential between the first surface and the second surface is created and maintained. In various applications, multiple ETD cells are connected in series and/or parallel. |
| US09212827B2 |
Flow heaters
A flow heater comprises a heating element (48; 248) and a first heating region (18, 20; 218, 220) heated by the heating element (48; 248) for heating liquid flowing therethrough to a first temperature below boiling. The flow heater also comprises a second heating region (22; 222) for heating the liquid to a second temperature below boiling. The second region (22; 222) has means (25; 225) for permitting the exit of steam therefrom separately from heated liquid. The flow heater cannot be operated so that bulk boiling of said liquid takes place in the second region (22; 222). |
| US09212825B2 |
Air conditioner
A multi-chamber air conditioner including a heat-source side refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a first heat exchanger, a refrigerant flow-rate controller, and a second heat exchanger are connected in series, a first use-side refrigerant circuit in which the first heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger are connected in series, and a second use-side refrigerant circuit in which the second heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger are connected in series, and a heat-source side refrigerant circulating in the heat-source side refrigerant circuit and a use-side refrigerant circulating in the use-side refrigerant circuit are heat-exchanged in the first heat exchanger. The heat-source side refrigerant circulating in the heat-source side refrigerant circuit and the use-side refrigerant circulating in the use-side refrigerant circuit are heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger. |
| US09212821B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling multistage electronic controlled gas valves
An electronic control unit for controlling an electronic controlled multistage gas valve (MGV) for adjusting gas flow to a gas fired appliance. In an exemplary embodiment, an electronic control unit generally includes an integrated furnace control (IFC) unit, a multistage gas valve control (MGVC) unit electronically coupled to the IFC unit, and a coil electronically coupled to the MGVC unit. The IFC unit is operable for providing at least one power supply signal over a first communication line and at least one pulse width modulated (PWM) duty cycle signal over a second communication line to the MGVC unit for controlling at least one of energizing and de-energizing of the coil. The electronic controlled MGV is adapted to move in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil. |
| US09212817B2 |
Low NOx burner for a water heater
A method of assembling multiple low NOx burners (100), a low NOx burners (100) and a tankless gas-fired water heater (500) are disclosed. The method includes the step of assembling multiple bodies (152), each body (152) includes multiple first burner ports (135) connected to a first burner inlet (125) and multiple second burner ports (150) connected to a second burner inlet (140). The method also includes the step of selecting one of the bodies (152) and inserting a first inlet tube (120, 220, 320, 420) into the second burner inlet (140) to provide a fuel/air mixture to the second burner ports (150) at a first rate. The method also includes the step of selecting one of the bodies (152) and inserting a second inlet tube (120, 220, 320, 420) into the second burner inlet (140) to provide the fuel/air mixture to the second burner ports (150) at a second rate different from the first rate. |
| US09212814B2 |
Bathmats with advanced features
Bathmats can include lights, a power source, and a computer configured to control the illumination of the lights. Several bathmat embodiments include water-resistant enclosures. Some bathmat embodiments include communication devices capable of wirelessly communicating with a computing device located remotely relative to the bathmat. |
| US09212812B2 |
LED light fixture with integrated light shielding
An LED light fixture including a housing, a heat sink secured with respect to the housing and an LED illuminator secured with respect to the heat sink. The heat sink includes central and peripheral portions. The central portion has an LED-supporting surface and forward, rearward and lateral sides, the LED illuminator being at the LED-supporting surface. The peripheral portion extends laterally from the lateral sides. The central portion of the heat sink has downwardly-extending shield members at the lateral sides thereof configured and dimensioned to block illumination in a direction opposite the LED illuminator. In embodiments where the optical member is configured for directing emitter light predominantly toward the forward side, the central heat-sink portion has a downwardly-extending shield member at the rearward side thereof configured and dimensioned to block rearward illumination. |
| US09212809B2 |
Photoluminescent dynamic lighting
A lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a circuit configured to be disposed in a panel defining a cavity forming an opening. The circuit comprises a light source in communication with a controller and configured to emit a first emission. A photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate the light source and is configured to convert at least a portion of the first emission to a second emission. The second emission is output from the cavity to provide ambient light. |
| US09212808B2 |
LED lighting fixture
A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture is provided as a potential solid state lighting (SSL) replacement fixture for a conventional HID lamp fixture. The LED lighting fixture includes a main housing having a bottom surface supporting an array of LEDs, a top surface and sides, and at least one driver provided in a side housing attached to a side of the main housing to drive the LED array. The thickness of the side housing is equal to or greater than the thickness of the main housing. A plurality of heat spreading fins is arranged on the top surface of the main housing. |
| US09212807B2 |
Method of assembling a modular LED recessed fixture
A method of assembling a modular LED recessed fixture has the steps of: building LED module, building LED driver device, assembling LED modules to main frame, and assembling LED driver device to main frame. Since LED module elements and LED driver device of the said fixture are replaceable, the fixture could be easily maintained or upgraded by changing the corresponding elements. |
| US09212805B2 |
Special effects system using retroreflections to create an illusion of glowing toys and props
A special effects (FX) system for generating a penumbra or glow effect about an object. Briefly, the FX system includes at least one sheet of retroreflective material and a penumbra activator. The penumbra activator is designed to selectively direct light toward a reflective surface of the retroreflective material. For example, the penumbra activator may include an elongated core element extending from a hilt. The body of the core element may include strings or sets of direction light sources, which may be spaced apart along the length of external surfaces of the core element body. A controller is used to operate the light sources such as by sequentially illuminating the lights sources from an end near the base/hilt to an end near a tip/distal end of the core element body, with earlier lit sources remaining on in some cases to cause a light sword blade to grow out of the hilt. |
| US09212804B2 |
Lens and an asymmetrical light distribution illuminating device having such lens
A lens for a linear light source may include a top and a bottom, the bottom including an incident surface, and a first supporting surface and a second supporting surface respectively at each side of the incident surface, and the top including an emergent surface, wherein the top further comprises a total internally reflective surface, and wherein in a cross section, the emergent surface is joined with the first supporting surface, the total internally reflective surface is joined with the second supporting surface, one part of light from the linear light source incidents into the incident surface and emerges after refracted by the emergent surface, and the other part of light incidents into the incident surface and reflected by the total internally reflective surface and then emerges after refracted by the emergent surface. |
| US09212800B2 |
Vehicular lamp
A vehicular lamp includes: a movable reflector that has a reflecting surface and changes a direction of reflected light from the reflecting surface, according to an operating position thereof; a first light-emitting unit that emits light toward the reflecting surface; a second light-emitting unit that emits light toward the reflecting surface, from a position different from that of the first light-emitting unit; and a light control member that collects and projects the reflected light. |
| US09212798B2 |
Lighting device for vehicles
A lighting device for vehicles with a minimum of two light modules, each comprising a number of LED light sources for the generation of a first light function and a second light function. One light module is a basic light module and the other light module is a long-range light module. A first light source and a second light source are arranged in the basic light module, so that when the first LED light source is energized, a first partial light beam for the creation of a first light function is radiated. When both the second LED light source and the first LED light source are energized, a second partial light beam for the creation of a second light function is radiated. A first LED light source and a second LED light source may also be arranged in the long-range light module, so that when the first LED light source is energized, a first partial light beam for the creation of the first light function is radiated. When both the second LED light source and the first LED light source are energized, a second partial light beam for the creation of the second light function is radiated. The first light function is created by the superimposition of the first partial light beam of the basic light module and the first partial light beam of the long-range light module, and the second light function by superimposition of the second partial light beams of the basic light module and the long-range light module. |
| US09212797B2 |
Vehicle-tire chock having a light-emitting portion
Disclosed is a vehicle-tire chock having a light-emitting portion that emits light to make the vehicle-tire chock visible outside the vehicle. The light-emitting portion is formed in the vehicle-tire chock so as to make the chock conspicuous, thus preventing negligent accidents in advance by enabling a vehicle driver to recognize the presence of the chock before getting into the vehicle, by enabling other vehicles or pedestrians to easily recognize a large parked or stopped vehicle, and by enabling the vehicle-tire chock to be easily visible at night. |
| US09212795B2 |
Modular lighting system
A modular lighting system may include a support structure, a plurality of heat sink modules physically supported by the support structure, and one or more light source modules coupled to the plurality of heat sink modules. The plurality of heat sink modules may be arranged in a modular manner such that the heat sink modules in the modular lighting system is variable, and each heat sink module may be an integral molded structure defining at least one opening or passageway. |
| US09212791B2 |
Bulb-type LED lighting apparatus
A bulb-type LED lighting apparatus, including: a base unit; a heat dissipating space retaining unit; a cooling block connected to the heat dissipating space retaining unit and having heat pipe fitting holes and heat dissipating fins; first and second LED circuit boards having LED modules; a heat dissipating frame including heat exchanging plates, clip parts formed on cooling fins of the heat exchanging plates so as to hold heat pipes, cover locking slits for locking protective covers, and a circuit board seat for seating the first LED circuit board; a connection plate unit including pipe fitting slots, cover locking slits for fitting the protective covers, and shoulders for supporting the protective covers; and convective circulation passages defined between the heat exchanging plates so as to allow air to circulate between the heat exchanging plates and realize circulation of air between the inside and outside of the heat dissipating frame therethrough. |
| US09212790B2 |
Light emitting diode bulb
A light-emitting diode includes an electrical connecting base, a lamp holder, a power driving module, an adapter plate and a lamp plate. One end of the lamp holder is connected to the electrical connecting base and the other end of the lamp holder is configured to be a supporting surface. The electrical connecting base and the lamp holder form an accommodation space which accommodates the power driving module. The adapter plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The first surface is contacted with the supporting surface and the second surface includes a first connector which has a plugging direction parallel to the second surface. The lamp plate has a second connector which is detachably plugged to the first connector, so as to be disposed on the adapter plate. |
| US09212786B2 |
Apparatus for purging containers for storing sensitive materials
Apparatus for purging containers for the storage of sensitive materials is described. It includes means to connect a source of compressed purge gas to a purge gas inlet (2) on a container (1), including a pneumatically operated valve (6) adapted to allow purge gas to pass from the source to the inlet and a timing device (9) associated with the valve (6) and adapted to turn off the gas flow after a given time, and including means to vary the time between commencement and cessation of gas flow. The timing device is preferably one which operates on a pneumatic or clockwork basis, enabling the apparatus to operate without any electrical power supply, driven by the purge gas pressure alone. This enables the construction of a simple reliable unit, at a cost even enabling the unit to be incorporated into the container itself if desired. The use of a pneumatically operated valve enables portable apparatus to be designed with low power use if it includes e.g. electronic sensors to measure a property of the purge gas being exhausted from the container. |
| US09212783B2 |
Method and system for tank refilling
Disclosed is an improved analytical method that can be utilized by hydrogen filling stations for directly and accurately calculating the end-of-fill temperature in a hydrogen tank that, in turn, allows for improvements in the fill quantity while tending to reduce refueling time. The calculations involve calculation of a composite heat capacity value, MC, from a set of thermodynamic parameters drawn from both the tank system receiving the gas and the station supplying the gas. These thermodynamic parameters are utilized in a series of simple analytical equations to define a multi-step process by which target fill times, final temperatures and final pressures can be determined. The parameters can be communicated to the station directly from the vehicle or retrieved from a database accessible by the station. Because the method is based on direct measurements of actual thermodynamic conditions and quantified thermodynamic behavior, significantly improved tank filling results can be achieved. |
| US09212780B2 |
Control valve
A control valve have a main flow passage; a flow passage sectional area adjustment spool; a downstream side branch flow passage; a communicating flow passage; a flow passage opening/closing valve; a flow passage opening/closing spool; and an upstream side branch flow passage. The flow passage opening/closing valve cuts off the downstream side branch flow passage from the communicating flow passage in a low rotation region of an engine. In a medium rotation region, the flow passage opening/closing valve connects the downstream side branch flow passage to the communicating flow passage and the flow passage opening/closing spool allows the communicating flow passage to communicate. In a high rotation region, the flow passage opening/closing spool blocks the communicating flow passage. |
| US09212771B2 |
Connector for high pressure reinforced rubber hose
An swage fitted end connector for high pressure large diameter reinforced flexible rubber hose utilizing sine-wave locking of the reinforcement and particularly suited to the petrochemical and drilling industries. Two embodiments of the connector for use with wire reinforced thin internal tube hose are disclosed: one with a diameter of 3-inches and for burst pressures up to 20,000 psi and the other for a diameter of 5-inches and for burst pressures up to 18,000 psi. All of the connectors will withstand the rated burst pressure of the hose without pumping off or leaking thus any hose that utilizes the device will fail before the connector pops off the hose. The connectors are designed to meet or exceed the new API temperature ranges and new API flexible specification levels which became effective in October 2006. |
| US09212770B2 |
Method and apparatus for attaching flange portions to ducts
A flange to be assembled to a duct member includes a plurality of pre-fabricated apertures or areas of weakened wall strength for receiving fasteners to assemble the flange to the end of a duct member. The apertures may be spaced apart such that the fasteners can be inserted at regular intervals along the length of the flange and the length of the end of the duct member. |
| US09212767B2 |
Method and apparatus for anchoring an elongate subsea structure to a termination and a filler material therefor
A method of anchoring one or more load carrying components of an elongate subsea structure, such as a flexible pipeline or umbilical, to a termination or end fitting, comprising the steps of: inserting said load carrying component(s) into or through a cavity or void within the termination; and filling said cavity or void with a filler material whereby said load carrying component(s) are embedded and anchored therein; wherein said filler material comprises spheroidal beads. |
| US09212764B2 |
Device for attaching an electrical harness in an aircraft
A device for attaching an electrical harness on a structure of an aircraft comprising a support connected to the structure, the harness following a path direction, characterized in that it comprises a body with at least two jaws, at least one of the jaws being movable along a reference plane perpendicular to the path direction between a first open position in which they enable the insertion of at least one harness and a second closed position in which they keep the inserted harness or harnesses in position, and on the other hand, a retainer strip in the form of a blade whose ends are connected to the support allowing for the jaws to be maintained in closed position and the body to be flattened against the support. |
| US09212761B2 |
Security device
A security device is configured to limit access and prevent removal of a backflow preventer connected to a fire hydrant. The security device includes an upper enclosure rotationally and detachably coupled to a lower enclosure. The upper enclosure has an upper enclosure left end and the lower enclosure comprises a lower enclosure left end each being configured to accommodate a portion of the fire hydrant. An upper access door is attached to the upper enclosure and permits and restricts access to the backflow preventer. A side door is attached to the lower enclosure and permits and restricts access to the backflow preventer to install a hose to the backflow preventer. A plurality of height adjustment legs are attached to the lower enclosure to adjust a height of the lower enclosure from ground and to carry weight of the security device which avoids plastic deformation of the backflow preventer. |
| US09212749B2 |
Flow control valve for an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a fluid valve, in particular for the exhaust gas from a motor vehicle, comprising: a body (30) defining at least one duct (32), and a movable flap that can rotate about a shaft between a closed position preventing the fluid from flowing through the duct (32) and an open position allowing the fluid to flow through the duct (32). According to the invention, the valve includes an opening clearance (E) between flap and a wall (62) of the body (30) for the passage of the fluid, said clearance (E) extending in a direction parallel to the pivot shaft of the flap over a length that varies according to the angular position of the flap. |
| US09212746B2 |
Apparatus and methods for sealing between adjacent components of a load-supporting surface
Apparatus for sealing the gap between adjacent interconnecting mats in a reusable load-supporting surface deployed on the ground includes a seal member. The seal member includes an elongated main body and an elongated planar tail extending outwardly therefrom. The main body is positionable in the gap and the tail is configured to extend into at least a portion of the interface formed between upper and lower lips of the adjacent mats. |
| US09212744B2 |
Combination torsion spring, and shift mechanism provided with same
A combination torsion spring is configured such that a predetermined reaction force is generated in a coil circumferential direction without a center of a wound coil tilting even when applied with a load. A first torsion spring and a second torsion spring of the combination torsion spring are each provided with a coil. Each coil is formed by spirally winding a copper wire in a different winding direction from one another. The inner diameter of the coil of the first torsion spring is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the coil of the second torsion spring. In the combination torsion spring, the coil of the second torsion spring is inserted into the coil of the first torsion spring. |
| US09212742B2 |
Controller and control method of belt-type continuously variable transmission
A control method for a belt-type continuously variable transmission is provided for performing a belt slip control. The method includes oscillating hydraulic pressure and monitoring a phase difference calculated based on a multiplication value of an oscillation component in an actual hydraulic pressure and an oscillation component in an actual variable speed ratio to estimate a belt slip condition. The method further includes controlling hydraulic pressure to maintain a predetermined belt slip condition by reducing the hydraulic pressure to be lower than a hydraulic pressure in a normal control time based on an estimation, and limiting an input torque-change rate in which an input torque to the belt-type continuously variable transmission changes in an increasing direction until the hydraulic pressure rises to a hydraulic pressure in which the input torque is not excessive relative to a belt clamp force. |
| US09212740B2 |
Shift device
A shift device includes a knob rotated to select a mode of a vehicle transmission. A rotary detent member is rotated to a rotation position corresponding to the selected transmission mode. The rotary detent member is coaxial with the knob. A connecting member connects the knob and the rotary detent member when located at the first position. The connecting member is disconnected from the knob when located at the second position. A motor rotates the connecting member and the rotary detent member. During a normal operation in which a certain condition is unsatisfied, a control circuit controls the motor to hold the connecting member at the first position. When the certain condition is satisfied, the control circuit controls the motor to move the connecting member to the second position and move the rotary detent member to a rotation position corresponding to a parking mode. |
| US09212739B2 |
Organ type electronic automatic shift lever
An organ type electronic automatic shift lever may include a shift lever portion, a step motor unit, an operating arm, a position recognition unit, and a gear shift stage control unit. The shift lever portion may have a lower end at which a magnetic unit is mounted. The step motor unit may be fixed on a console surface of a vehicle and include a step motor. The operating arm may be rotatably connected to the shift lever portion and the step motor. The position recognition unit may recognize a position of the magnetic unit and output information of the recognized position. The gear shift stage control unit may control the step motor unit, preset position recognition information, compare position information and output gear shift information. |
| US09212738B2 |
Structure for preventing gear shift lever from moving when rear-end collision occurs
A structure prevents a gear shift lever from moving during a rear-end collision, and may include: a case mounted on the gear shift lever having a sliding groove; a lever having one end coupled to the case rotatable below the groove; a ball seated on the lever; a spring coupled to the lever so that elastic force is applied to raise the lever; a protruding portion mounted separate from the gear shift lever and positioned below another end of the lever, in which when the lever is rotated downward, an end of the lever is locked by the protruding portion blocking movement of the gear shift lever. When a rear-end collision occurs, the ball slides due to inertia rotating the lever downward to physically block the lever, thereby preventing a secondary accident by preventing the gear shift lever placed at an R-stage from unintentionally moving. |
| US09212732B2 |
Continuously variable transmission and its hydraulic pressure control method
A target primary pressure and a target secondary pressure are set based on a speed ratio, a target line pressure as a target value of a line pressure is set to be a value obtained by adding an offset amount, as a positive value, to either one having a higher value out of the target primary pressure and the target secondary pressure, in at least a cross-point region as a region where an absolute value of a deviation, obtained by subtracting the target primary pressure from the target secondary pressure, is smaller than a predetermined deviation, and a primary pressure, a secondary pressure, and the line pressure are controlled to be the target primary pressure, the target secondary pressure, and the target line pressure, respectively. |
| US09212725B2 |
Ring gears configured to encase in-line torque transducers for power tools
Ring gears with a cylindrical ring gear body having a wall with a longitudinal length extending between opposing first and second ends, the wall having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface has a first portion that extends a first sub-length of the ring gear body and a longitudinally spaced apart second portion that extends a second sub-length of the ring gear body. The first portion extends from the first end of the ring gear inward and the second portion extends from the second end of the ring gear inward. The inner surface of the first portion comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending splines and the inner surface of the second portion is devoid of the splines of the first portion. |
| US09212722B2 |
Vibration reduction apparatus and method
A vibration reduction apparatus includes an actuator applying a force to a beam supporting a cabin so as to bend the beam, an acceleration sensor measuring the acceleration of the cabin, and a controller controlling the actuator based on the measured acceleration. When a vibration containing a plurality of vibration components is transmitted to the cabin via the beam, the vibration reduction apparatus thus structured reduces the vibration more certainly by applying a bending load to the beam so that the bending load caused by the vibration is cancelled. This provides damping of the cabin more certainly. |
| US09212718B2 |
Adjustable damping valve
Adjustable damping valve for a vibration damper having a valve body having a pressure-loaded surface that acts in the lifting direction of the valve body and is impinged by an incident flow of damping medium from an opening inside a cross section limited by valve seat surface, and a surface operative in the closing direction is formed by a rear side of the valve body. A resulting force including a force of at least one valve spring and an actuating force of an actuator acts on the valve body. An additional surface of the valve body is pressure-loaded by damping medium by incident flow on the valve body in the closing direction of the valve body, or the valve body has a first pressure-loaded surface acting in the lifting direction, and a second pressure-loaded surface that acts in the lifting direction. |
| US09212715B2 |
Tunable vibration dampers
In one aspect, a tunable vibration damper may include a housing and a damper stack disposed within the housing. The damper stack may be formed from a viscoelastic material and may have a vertical stiffness and a horizontal stiffness. The damper stack may also include a plurality of column sections and a plurality of disk sections, with each pair of adjacent column sections being separated by one of the disk sections. The disk sections may extend radially outwardly relative to the column sections. In addition, at least one of the vertical stiffness or the horizontal stiffness may be tunable by adjusting a stiffness-related parameter of the damper stack. |
| US09212711B2 |
Brake caliper of a disk brake for a utility vehicle
A brake caliper of a disk brake for a utility vehicle is provided. The brake caliper includes tension braces which are arranged substantially parallel and at a distance from each other, straddling a brake disk and connecting receptacles for functional parts arranged on both sides of the brake disk. One receptacle forms a caliper back and the other receptacle forms a housing having a lever dome formed thereon. The brake caliper includes at least one replaceable service-related wear protection element fastened to areas of potential wear during in-service use of the brake caliper, such as at the lower side of the leading tension brace and at least partially around the lever dome. |
| US09212708B2 |
Hub for at least partially muscle-powered vehicles
A hub for at least partially muscle-powered vehicles having a hub axle, a hub body, a rotatable driving device, and a freewheel device. The freewheel device includes a first and a second engagement component cooperating with one another having at least one axial toothing each. The freewheel device is biased to the engaging position via a magnetic biasing device. A first magnetic device biases the first engagement component and a second magnetic device biases the second engagement component to the engaging position. At least one magnetic component comprises a carrier unit and a multitude of magnetic units disposed thereat. |
| US09212707B2 |
Power transmission device
The invention provides a power transmission device in which the switching mechanism and control operation can be simplified. Different directions are established for the relative rotation in which the first sprag engages the inner race and the outer race, and the relative rotation in which the second sprag engages the inner and outer races, whereby the inner retainer and the outer retainer are caused to move relative to each other about an axial center O by a load imparting device, and either the first sprag or the second sprag can be made to engage the inner race and the outer race. The combined retention of the first sprag and the second sprag by the inner retainer and the outer retainer actuates the load imparting device to allow the power transmission direction to be switched all at once, resulting in a simpler switching mechanism and control operation. |
| US09212705B2 |
Torque converter with an input shaft centering feature
A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine; a centering flange fixedly connected to the cover and including a radially outwardly facing surface; a turbine; and a vibration damper with a first input component and a flange arranged to contact and engage an input shaft for a transmission to transmit torque to the input shaft. The torque converter includes: a torque convert clutch including a piston plate fixedly connected to the first input component, the piston plate including: a radially innermost distal end arranged to at least indirectly engage the input shaft; and a radially inwardly facing surface at least indirectly engaged with the radially outwardly facing surface. |
| US09212704B2 |
Electromagnetically actuated clutch
A clutch mechanism includes a coil of wire for producing an electromagnetic field, a locking ring secured against rotation within a case or housing, a gear engageable with the locking ring, and a lever that pivots in response to the electromagnetic field produced by energizing the coil causing the locking ring to engage the gear and hold the gear against rotation. |
| US09212699B2 |
Sealing assembly for a rolling bearing
A sealing assembly for a rolling bearing. The sealing assembly has at least one cover element for covering a bearing gap along a cover plane. The cover element has a securing section, a sealing collar, a base part connecting the securing section and the sealing collar, and at least one sealing surface provided on the sealing collar for non-contact sealing. At a starting section the sealing collar extends from the base part diagonally toward the inner side of the cover element facing the bearing interior and at an end section the sealing collar extends from the inside toward the outer side of the cover element facing away from the bearing interior. At the same time, the sealing collar forms a sealing surface substantially perpendicular to the cover plane and at the end of the end section at least one edge impeding the inflow of impurities into the bearing interior. |
| US09212696B2 |
Bearing for an internal combustion engine
A bearing for an internal combustion engine may include a ferrous base material onto which a primary layer of a bronze alloy is disposed and a deposited layer applied over the primary layer. A bonding layer may be applied onto the primary layer between the primary layer and the deposited layer. The bonding layer may include nickel and chrome, and the deposited layer may include a metal alloy composed of aluminum and tin. A sliding layer may be disposed on the deposited layer and include a polymeric polyamide-imide matrix provided with a soft metal and at least one of a fluoropolymer and a silane-based material. The ferrous base material, the primary layer, the bonding layer, the deposited layer and the sliding layer in combination may be capable of standing a gripping load higher than 85 MPa. |
| US09212690B2 |
Electrical cylinder controller with rotational mechanism
An electrical cylinder controller with a rotational mechanism includes a box, a pivotal element, a fixing element, and a damping member; one end of the box has a hollow tube, the hollow tube internally has a restricting block; the pivotal element penetrates through the hollow tube, the pivotal element has a pivotal-connecting section and a protruding section elongating from the pivotal-connecting section, the external portion of the protruding section has a stopping block against the restricting block; the fixing element connects to the end portion of the protruding section; and the damping member female-connects to the external portion of the protruding section and is clamped between the hollow tube and the fixing element. Therefore, the effect of applying a force to the box for rotation is achieved. |
| US09212689B2 |
Bent connecting rod fitted with at least one self-aligning means
The invention relates to a bent connecting rod (31) for linking a first assembly to a second assembly which are movable relative to each other and through which a flow in the space defined thereby passes. The rod has at least one first and one second pivot point (35, 38) that are designed so as to enable the pivotal movement of the connecting rod (31) relative to said first and second assemblies, respectively, the bent connecting rod (31) being suitably positionable such that the bend (40) is located upstream from said flow relative to said second pivot point (38), said second pivot point (38) being suitably built into the second movable assembly, characterized in that the bent connecting rod (31) includes at least two portions (33, 37) linked together by at least one self-aligning means (39a, 39b). |
| US09212679B2 |
High shear capability interface
A connection between a first component and a second component is provided including a first hole formed in a portion of the first component and a second hole formed in a portion of the second component. The second hole is aligned with the first hole. A pin includes a through hole having a pin hole diameter. The pin extends through a portion of the first hole and into a first portion of the second hole. The pin is configured to absorb a shear load applied to the connection. A bolt extends through the second hole and the pin such that a clearance fit is formed between the bolt and the pin. The bolt is configured to absorb an axial load applied to the connection. A nut connected to the free end of the bolt limits movement of the bolt relative to the first and second component. |
| US09212673B2 |
Maintaining a water level in a humidification component
A device for maintaining a water level in a respiratory humidification system, said device comprising: at least one sensor positioned external to a humidification component, the at least one sensor configured for sensing water related information in the humidification component and providing the water related information to a water control module, the water related information comprising data configured for being used to control an operation of the water control module. |
| US09212672B2 |
Hydraulic system de-aeration device
A de-aeration device that de-aerates hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic system. The hydraulic fluid is controllably supplied to the de-aeration device in response to one or more sensed parameters. Consequently, the de-aeration device can de-aerate fluid at strategic times during operation of the hydraulic system to prevent a decrease in system performance and prevent cavitation. |
| US09212671B2 |
Pneumatic actuator and method for operating the pneumatic actuator
In a pneumatic actuator for setting a control armature, a first working chamber and a second working chamber are pneumatically separated from each other by a moveable dividing wall to which the control armature is coupled in a force-transmitting manner. The dividing wall, in case of a pressure difference between the working chambers, is displaced in a first control direction. A positioner is adapted to output at least one pneumatic control signal to the first working chamber. The first and the second working chambers are pneumatically connected to each other via a pneumatic short-circuit duct with a balancing valve disposed in the short-circuit duct for at least one of closing or opening the short-circuit duct. The balancing valve is driveable by the positioner such that in case of a certain operating condition, the balancing valve pneumatically short-circuits the first and the second working chamber for achieving a pressure balance between the chambers. |
| US09212665B2 |
Planetary-type auxiliary bearing for a hydrostatic primary bearing
A rotor system for a rotating machine, including a rotating shaft, an auxiliary bearing, and a primary bearing configured to provide a bearing and seal combination. The auxiliary bearing may include a support structure extending around a circumference of the rotating shaft, such that an annular gap is defined between the support structure and the rotating shaft when the primary bearing supports the rotating shaft. The auxiliary bearing may also include a first pedestal extending radially-inward from the support structure, and first and second beams extending from opposite sides of the first pedestal in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the shaft. The auxiliary bearing may further include a first roller operatively coupled to the first beam, and a second roller operatively coupled to the second beam, such that the first and second rollers are configured to engage the shaft. |
| US09212664B2 |
RPM controller using drive profiles
A control circuit for controlling the rotational speed of a fan may include a memory element to store operating data corresponding to an operational profile of the fan defined by RPM (revolutions per minute) versus temperature, with the operating data comprising a respective temperature value and a respective RPM value for each respective operating point representing a change in slope of a function that corresponds to the operational profile of the fan. A processing unit may receive a present temperature value, retrieve the operating data from the storage unit, and identify a pair of consecutive operating points corresponding to the present temperature. The processing unit may calculate a desired RPM value corresponding to the present temperature value by performing linear interpolation between the pair of consecutive operating points, and provide the desired RPM value to a closed-loop fan controller to control the fan according to the desired RPM value. |
| US09212662B2 |
Check valve for an engine vacuum pump
A rotary vane pump includes a housing that encloses an air chamber. An intake aperture extends to the air chamber. A check valve couples with the intake aperture and includes a stop having first and second sides. A helical spring engages the first side and biases the second side against a valve seat. A porous body is disposed between the helical spring and the air chamber for preventing fluid backflow. |
| US09212661B2 |
Electric compressor with the stator coils coated with resin, the resin having openings exposing the coils to the interior of the housing
An electric compressor includes a housing, an electric motor, a compression mechanism, and a resin molding. The electric motor includes a coil having coil ends projecting from each of two end surfaces of the stator. Refrigerant flows through the housing that accommodates the electric motor. The resin molding covers each coil end and includes an opening that exposes part of the coil end to the interior of the housing. |
| US09212650B2 |
Water driven mechanical power plant
A water powered unit design produces clean electricity, moves and lifts water, generates compressed air and can be adapted to several types of mechanical systems to produce energy. The device uses gravitational potential energy and a unique rocking motion to achieve these functionalities. The water powered units can use a rocking motion to lift water above the entry point. The units can produce mechanical energy to generate clean electricity, can create compressed air, can create mechanical energy for other purposes, and can lift water, for example. The units can use flowing water and gravity to produce a completely environmentally safe energy. The units can be located near any gravity fed water source. Once the system is fully charged with water, the units use and reuse the water. Thus, the units use very little water to maintain themselves. |
| US09212647B2 |
Control apparatus of internal combustion engine
A vibration waveform of a knock-specific frequency component of an internal combustion engine is calculated over a plurality of ignition cycles of the internal combustion engine according to an output of a knock sensor and an output of a crank angle sensor. An actual ignition timing is calculated by detecting a position corresponding to a crank angle at which a standard deviation of the vibration waveform exceeds a predetermined first determination level as a vibration position by combustion of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09212644B2 |
Methods and systems for assisted direct start control
Method and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions. One example method comprises, adjusting a brake torque applied to a deactivated rotating engine after an engine restart request, the brake torque applied to slow the engine to at least a predetermined threshold speed without stopping the engine, and engaging a starter to the still rotating engine to increase the engine speed and restart the engine. |
| US09212643B2 |
Dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine
A dual fuel system provides first and second fuels to internal an engine. Both fuels are stored in a storage tank, separated by a flexible membrane. A fuel rail receives either or both of the fuel types and distributes the fuels to fuel injectors. Upon shutdown of the engine, the second fuel is evacuated from the fuel rail into an auxiliary tank. The first fuel is subsequently supplied to the fuel rail from the storage tank. Upon a restarting of the engine after a predetermined time subsequent to the shutdown of the engine, the first fuel from the fuel rail is used for combustion. The second fuel from the auxiliary tank is then slowly bled into the engine or intake manifold. As the first fuel from the storage tank continues to supply the fuel rail, and the second fuel begins to supplement the first fuel in the fuel rail. |
| US09212641B2 |
Fuel injection valve supporting structure
In a fuel injection valve supporting structure, a contact surface being orthogonal to a center axis of a fuel injection valve and opposed to a fuel supply cap is formed in an intermediate portion of the fuel injection valve, a supporting member includes a base plate set on the contact surface and an elastic piece extending from the base plate, the elastic piece includes: a first elastic portion extending from the one end of the base plate and bent upwards in a U-shape; and a second elastic portion extending from the first elastic portion toward the other end while bending upwards, bringing its apex into pressure contact with the fuel supply cap, and making a tip end portion thereof slidably come into contact with the base plate, and a curvature radius of the second elastic portion is set larger than a curvature radius of the first elastic portion. |
| US09212639B2 |
Debris robust fuel injector with co-axial control valve members and fuel system using same
A dual fuel injector utilizes first and second control valves to open and close first and second nozzle outlet sets to inject a first fuel and a second fuel, respectively. The first and second control valves have concentric lines of action, and include a self alignment feature with respect to a flat seat. The two fuels may differ in at least one of chemical identity, matter phase and pressure. |
| US09212631B2 |
Control apparatus of internal combustion engine
Provided is a control apparatus of the internal combustion engine capable of removing deposited foreign matters accumulated on an EGR valve without deteriorating a combustion state of the internal combustion engine. When the vehicle is under deceleration and under fuel cut operation, the ECU opens an EGR shutoff valve and obtains an intake pressure “Pclose” under the EGR valve in the fully closed state. Then, the ECU opens the EGR valve and obtains an intake pressure “Popen” under the EGR valve in the fully opened state. Then, the ECU calculates a difference ΔP between “Popen” and “Pclose”, and closes the EGR shutoff valve on the condition that the difference ΔP is equal to or smaller than a threshold value “Pth1”. Then, the ECU opens the EGR valve, and subsequently opens the EGR valve. |
| US09212624B2 |
Aircraft nacelles, cascade assemblies having coupling catches, and thrust reverser systems
A cascade assembly is provided for installation in an aircraft nacelle. The cascade assembly comprises a first cascade portion fixed to a non-movable portion of the nacelle. The first cascade portion comprises a bracket. A second cascade portion is fixed to a translating sleeve portion of the nacelle. The second cascade portion comprises a catch. The bracket is configured to receive the catch in response to the translating sleeve portion being in a deployed position. |
| US09212620B2 |
Coolant jackets for an internal combustion engine and method of control
An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block having a cooling jacket and a cylinder head having two cooling jackets. In one example, the internal combustion engine may be operated so as to reduce engine friction and emissions during cold engine starts. |
| US09212615B2 |
Start control device of compression self-ignition engine
A start control device of a compression self-ignition engine is provided. The device includes: a determining module for determining whether a piston of a compression-stroke-in-stop cylinder that is stopped on a compression stroke according to an automatic stop is within a specific range set on a bottom dead center side of a predetermined reference stop position; an injection control module for controlling each fuel injection valve to inject fuel into the compression-stroke-in-stop cylinder first after the piston of the compression-stroke-in-stop cylinder is determined to be stopped within the specific range and the engine restart condition is satisfied; and an in-cylinder pressure estimating module for estimating an in-cylinder pressure of the compression-stroke-in-stop cylinder at a first top dead center on the compression stroke in the restart, where the piston of the compression-stroke-in-stop cylinder reaches after the restart starts. |
| US09212614B2 |
Thermal management for regenerating an aftertreatment device
A system and method for regeneration of an aftertreatment component are described. The disclosed method can employ any one or combination of operating modes that obtain a target condition of the exhaust gas to support or initiate regeneration of the aftertreatment device. |
| US09212612B2 |
Method and device for performing a control, in particular for use in a motor vehicle
A method for operating a boost pressure control in an engine system having a supercharged internal combustion engine, including the following: performing a boost pressure control based on a setpoint controller variable and an actual controller variable, ascertaining a setpoint controller variable from a provided setpoint boost pressure with a first and a second model, ascertaining an intermediate variable from a provided actual boost pressure with the first model, correcting the intermediate variable with a provided dynamic variable, which represents a dynamic change in the state of the engine system using a higher dynamics than the actual boost pressure, and ascertaining the actual controller variable from the corrected intermediate variable with the second model. |
| US09212605B2 |
Drive device for vehicle auxiliary machine
A drive apparatus for a vehicle auxiliary device is provided that basically includes first and second drive sources, an auxiliary device, first, second and third rollers, first, second and third idler rollers and a roller pair selection mechanism. The first, second and third rollers are linked to rotary shafts of the first and second drive sources and the auxiliary device. The first, second and third idler rollers are disposed at gap positions formed between the first, second and third rollers. The roller pair selection mechanisms select a power-transmitting roller pair from among the first, second and third rollers by selectively moving the first, second and third idler rollers in roller contact directions, thereby interposing the first, second and third idler rollers therebetween. |
| US09212604B2 |
Sound shield corner joint
Some embodiments relate to a power generation system that includes an alternator and an engine that drives the alternator to generate power. The power generation system further includes a housing where the alternator and the engine are within the housing. The housing may provide improved sound attenuation when the power generation system is operating. The housing includes a first corner rail such that a bracket is connected to one end of the first corner rail and at least one side panel. The bracket is connected along an edge of the first corner rail. The first corner rail includes a channel that extends from the end of the first corner rail along a length of the first corner rail. The power generation system includes a first fastener that extends into the channel to connect the bracket to the first corner rail. |
| US09212603B2 |
Separate-type rotary engine
A rotary engine includes a compressor having a first rotor, a first hinged vane, an air intake port and an air outlet and an expander having two-way check valve, a second rotor, a second hinged vane, a one-way check valve, a compressed air tank and a compressed air valve interposing between the compressor and the expander, where the first and second rotors have a first end contacting a housing and the other end spaced apart from the inner surfaces of the housing, where the first and second hinged vanes have one end hinged to the housing and the other end contacting outer surfaces of the rotating rotor for operation, and a combustion chamber formed as an airtight space by a depressed surface of the housing of the expander and a surface of the hinged vane. |
| US09212601B2 |
Device and vehicle or production machine
A device for a vehicle or a production machine, having: a first hydraulic pump, which hydraulically drives a load; an internal combustion engine, which mechanically drives the first hydraulic pump; a second hydraulic pump, which is hydraulically coupled to the first hydraulic pump; an apparatus, which drives the second hydraulic pump while utilizing the energy in the exhaust gas stream of the internal combustion engine; the load on the output side being directly connected to a tank. |
| US09212600B2 |
Variable cylinder engine
A variable cylinder engine is provided. The engine includes an engine body having a plurality of cylinders, a cooling mechanism for cooling the engine body, and a controller for controlling the cooling mechanism and changing a number of active cylinders according to an operating state of the engine. The controller reduces the number of active cylinders in a reduced-cylinder operating range set within a partial engine load range, and in a first reduced-cylinder range set within a high load part of the reduced-cylinder operating range, the controller improves a cooling performance of the cooling mechanism compared with that in a second reduced-cylinder range set within a low load part of the reduced-cylinder operating range. |
| US09212596B1 |
Spherical annular seal member
A spherical annular seal member 35 for use in an exhaust pipe joint has a spherical annular base member 33 which is defined by a cylindrical inner surface 29 forming a through hole 28, a partially convex spherical sliding surface 39, and annular end faces 31 and 32 on large- and small-diameter sides of the partially convex spherical sliding surface 39. |
| US09212594B2 |
Structure of exhaust system for CDA engine
A structure of an exhaust system for a CDA engine may include three baffles coupled in a main muffler in a lateral direction, and dividing an interior of the main muffler into a first space, a second space, a third space, and a fourth space, a first connecting pipe disposed outside the main muffler, connecting the second space and the third space and having a passage in which exhaust gas flows, a second connecting pipe disposed outside the main muffler, connecting the second space and the third space, and having a passage in which the exhaust gas flows, a first valve coupled to the passage of the first connecting pipe, and a second valve coupled to the passage of the second connecting pipe. |
| US09212592B2 |
Exhaust sensor
An exhaust sensor (10) includes a cylindrical sensor body (11) arranged outside of an exhaust pipe (5) of an engine (1), a gas inlet (12) formed at one end of sensor body (11), and a gas outlet (13) formed at the other end of sensor body (11). The gas inlet (12) communicates with the exhaust pipe (5) through an introduction pipe (16), while the gas outlet (13) communicates, through a return pipe (17), with the exhaust pipe (5) on the downstream side of a communication portion (16a) of the introduction pipe (16) in terms of flow of the exhaust gas, and the exhaust gas is introduced into the sensor body (11) through the gas inlet (12) and then discharged from the sensor body (11) through the gas outlet (13) by a pressure difference between the communication portions (16a), (17a) of the introduction pipe (16) and of the return pipe (17). |
| US09212585B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided with: a first catalyst (234) which is disposed in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine (200); a second catalyst (235) which is disposed in the exhaust passage on a downstream side of the first catalyst; a reducing agent supplying device (233) which is disposed on an upstream side of the first catalyst and which is configured to supply a reducing agent into the exhaust passage; and a reducing agent supply controlling device (100) which is configured to control the reducing agent supplying device such that an air-fuel ratio on the upstream side of the first catalyst becomes momentarily rich. |
| US09212581B2 |
Method and device pertaining to cooling of dosing units of SCR systems
A method pertaining to an SCR system which includes a dosing unit (250) to supply reducing agent to an exhaust duct (240) for exhaust cleaning, and a container for reducing agent: the steps of determining (s320) a cooling requirement of the dosing unit (250) and choosing (s340) a limit level for reducing agent in the container (205) on the basis of the cooling requirement. A computer program product containing program code (P) implements a method according to the invention. A device of an SCR system includes a dosing unit (250) to supply reducing agent to an exhaust duct (240) for exhaust cleaning. A motor vehicle (100) is equipped with the device. |
| US09212577B2 |
Device comprising a cation ion-exchanger for reducing the acidity of motor oil and engine with such device
A device 101 for reducing the acidity of motor oil for combustion engines, which device is part of the engine's lubrication system and contains monovalent cation exchanger 102, 202. It also relates to a method for regulating the acidity of motor oil whereby the oil is caused to pass through the acidity-regulating device. A vehicle is provided with the acidity-regulating device for motor oil. |
| US09212569B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining online stress and life consumption of a heat recovery steam generator
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for determining online stress and life of a heat recovery steam generator. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for assessing components of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) is provided. The method includes receiving HRSG design parameters; monitoring thermal stress data from one or more temperature sensors in communication with one or more HRSG components; and determining cycle-related life consumption data associated with the one or more HRSG components based at least in part on the HRSG design parameters and the monitored thermal stress data. |
| US09212563B2 |
Turbine rotor and blade assembly with multi-piece locking blade
The present application provides a turbine rotor and blade assembly for a steam turbine. The turbine rotor and blade assembly may include a rotor, a number of buckets positioned about the rotor, and a locking blade positioned about the rotor. The locking blade may include a multi-piece configuration. |
| US09212562B2 |
Bayoneted anti-rotation turbine seals
An assembly for connecting a coverplate and a rotor includes a first rotor for use in a rotating engine; a first cover mounted to the first rotor, wherein the rotor and the cover create a space there between, the space for having cooling air therein; and a lock assembly for preventing the cover from rotating circumferentially or moving axially away from the rotor if mounted to the to the rotor wherein the cover is sealed against the rotor. |
| US09212561B2 |
Layer system comprising an nicocraly double protective layer with differing chromium content and alloy
A two-layered NiCoCrAlY layer is provided. The layer includes a bottom and a top layer. Through the use of a two-layered NiCoCrAlY layer, it is possible to reduce the formation of cracks in the thermally grown oxide layer as forms on account of the protective action of the NiCoCrAlY layers. |
| US09212555B2 |
Method for removing the coating from a gas turbine component
A method for removing the coating from a gas turbine component, namely for the complete or partial removal of a multilayer wear protection coating from the surface of the gas turbine component, the wear protection coating having at least one relatively hard ceramic layer and at least one relatively soft metallic layer, wherein, in order to remove the multilayer wear protection coating, the gas turbine component is alternately positioned in two different chemical baths, a first bath being used exclusively for the removal of each relatively hard ceramic layer, and a second bath being used exclusively for the removal of each relatively soft metallic layer of the wear protection coating. |
| US09212553B2 |
Dirt and rock cutting bit tool
A dirt and rock cutting tool includes a cutting bit mounted on a bit holder. The cutting tool is secured to a bit holder in a manner that allows infinite rotational positioning of the cutting bit but substantially prevents rotation of the cutting bit once secured to a bit holder. The bit holder includes a planar shoulder and a shank extending from the planar shoulder. Shank has a terminal end which includes a threaded bore member. The bit holder includes a receiver dimensioned for receiving the shank. At least one hardened pin member is carried by the bit holder. At least a portion of the tip of the hardened pin extends beyond the surface of the shoulder. Upon securing the bit holder to the bit block, the hardened pin is pulled into the softer metal of the bit block, substantially preventing rotation of the bit holder within the bit block. |
| US09212552B2 |
Device and method for driving tunnels, galleries or the like
A device (1) for driving tunnels, galleries or the like including a cutting head (2), wherein an excavating direction of the cutting head (2) being essentially at a right angle to said rotation axis (R), a base unit (3) with stabilizing units (S1, S2, S3, S4) for applying and fixing against rock surfaces, a support unit (4) for the cutting head (2), a joint device (5) for pivotal connection of the support unit to the base unit, forcing means (6,7,8,9) arranged between the base unit and the support unit for swinging the cutting head. The joint device (5) is arranged for vertical as well as for horizontal swinging of the support unit (4) in respect of the base unit (3), wherein the support unit (4) is vertically as well as horizontally swingable by means of a pair of upper fluid cylinders (6,7) and a pair of lower fluid cylinders (8,9) comprising said forcing means. |
| US09212551B2 |
Chemical scavenger for downhole chemical analysis
A method for analyzing formation fluid in a subterranean formation is disclosed, wherein the method includes the steps of: adding a scavenger compound to an analytical reagent to form a reagent solution; collecting an amount of formation fluid into a formation tester, wherein the formation tester includes at least one fluids analyzer comprising at least one probe, at least one flow line, at least one reagent container, and at least one spectral analyzer, wherein the fluids analyzer is configured such that the collected formation fluid is fed through the at least one flow line to the at least one spectral analyzer; mixing an amount of the collected formation fluid with an amount of the reagent solution to form a mixture; and analyzing the mixture downhole. |
| US09212550B2 |
Sampler chamber assembly and methods
An apparatus comprising a fluid communication device, a sample chamber, and a coupling assembly. The fluid communication device is operable to establish fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore in which the downhole tool is positioned. The sample chamber is in selectable fluid communication with the formation via the fluid communication device. The coupling assembly mechanically couples the sample chamber within the downhole tool and comprises a cam rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the cam preloads the sample chamber when in the first position is disengaged from the sample chamber in the second position. |
| US09212549B2 |
Regulation-compliant holding device for storing or transporting a non-compliant container
According to an embodiment, a method of storing or transporting a sample comprises: inserting a sample container into a holding device, wherein the sample container contains the sample, wherein the sample container does not meet United States transportation regulations, wherein the holding device meets or exceeds United States transportation regulations, and wherein the holding device comprises a chamber and an opening; and storing or transporting the holding device. According to another embodiment, a holding device for containing a container comprises: a chamber; and an opening, wherein the holding device meets or exceeds United States transportation regulations, wherein the container contains a sample, and wherein United States regulations require the sample to be stored or transported according to the United States transportation regulations. |
| US09212548B2 |
Equipment and methods for determining waiting-on-cement time in a subterranean well
Improved equipment and methods for determining the waiting-on-cement time after a cementing operation involve an optic-fiber coil that immersed in the cement slurry downhole. The intensity of a reflected light signal from the coil is monitored versus time. Attenuation of the reflected-light intensity corresponds to the development of gel strength, allowing operators to unambiguously determine when well-bore operations may recommence after a cement job. The optic-fiber coil is wound around a spool such that there is at least one coil crossing on the spool. |
| US09212529B2 |
Downhole tool head for releasing precipitated solids
The present invention relates to a downhole tool head (1) for mounting onto a downhole tool (10) for drilling in a formation downhole or for releasing precipitated solids (2), such as ice, scales or the like, in a cavity fluid in a pipeline, a casing (3), a well or any other cavity downhole. The downhole tool head comprises a hollow cylindrical body (4) with a circumferential wall (5) extending from a base part of the body, the circumferential wall having a circumferential rim (6) in its end opposite the base part. The circumferential rim (6) comprises a plurality of edges (8) for cutting, grinding, drilling and/or milling, and the base part has a plurality of through-going holes (9) for letting cavity fluid comprising precipitated solids pass the holes. |
| US09212516B2 |
Method and device for filling insulating glass panes with a gas other than air
A method for assembling insulating glass panes from two or more glass sheets filled with a gas other than air, two plates facing each other, arranged parallel to each other vertically or inclined with adjustable mutual distance, a horizontal conveyor arranged near the lower edge of the plates, a first sealing device and a second sealing device, positioned at the protruding edges of both the plates or near these edges or between the plates and can extend between the horizontal conveyor and a point lying above the horizontal conveyor, and having means for feeding a gas other than air into a chamber, delimited on both the sides by the two plates and by the two sealing devices. For assembling overlong insulating glass panes, the glass sheets, at one of which a frame-like spacer is attached on both the sides, are positioned between the plates opposite each other. |
| US09212515B2 |
Window component stock indexing
A stock supply station for use in a insulated glass unit component production line includes a plurality of rotatable sheet stock coils, an indexing mechanism, and an uncoiling mechanism. The indexing mechanism is coupled to the sheet stock coils for indexing a selected one of the sheet stock coils to an uncoiling position. The uncoiling mechanism selectively uncoils sheet stock from a sheet stock coil indexed to the uncoiling position to thereby provide sheet stock to a downstream processing station. |
| US09212512B2 |
Damper
In a damper, a case member has a body, a flange formed at one end of the body, and a bottom formed at the other end of the body. A pin member has a head, that protrudes from an opening of the flange and a shaft that is connected to the head and has a stopper on an end thereof. The bottom has a retaining hole, into which the tip of the shaft is inserted, for stopping the stopper. The body has locking claws, for sandwiching the rim of the mounting hole against the flange. |
| US09212511B2 |
Overhead door with spring-loaded roller hinges
An overhead door with spring-loaded roller hinges that push the door against its frame or weather stripping to provide an effective weather and thermal seal when the door is closed. The spring-loaded roller hinges are readily retrofit to overhead doors with conventional roller hinges. Each hinge spaces and pivotally secures a roller hub from the base of the hinge. The roller hub is pivotally secured to an inside flange and movably held by an elongated slot in an outer flange. The roller hub supportingly receives the axel of a wheel that rollingly engages a track fixed to the vertical sides of the door frame. Each roller hinge has a spring that biases its roller hub and wheel rearwardly against the fixed track, which pushes the door panels forward and into sealing engagement with the door frame or its weather stripping. |
| US09212504B1 |
Fence post system, construction, and method
A fence post construction provides a method for notch-supporting mesh fencing. The fence post construction is constructed from a load-bearing material and has a post axis, an upper post end, and a lower post end. The material construction is formed to include laterally opposed wing portions extending outwardly relative to the post axis, each of which preferably include a series of laterally paired notch arrangements. Each notch arrangement is T-shaped, and provide an upper notch portion, a lower notch portion collinear with the upper notch portion, a stem notch portion orthogonal to the upper and lower notch portions, a downwardly extending upper wing arm, and an upwardly extending lower wing arm. the lower notch portion and lower wing arm are preferably at least twice the length of the upper notch portion and upper wing arm relative to the stem portion. |
| US09212498B2 |
Self-propelled apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface
A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface including a hollow body, a guiding and driving device for guiding and moving the hollow body over the immersed surface, the hollow body having a base immediately facing immersed surface, at least one liquid inlet, at least one member protruding from the base of the hollow body towards the immersed surface, wherein it includes, immediately in front of a protruding member, in a movement direction of the hollow body, at least one member, called an anti-blocking member, which can rotate about a rotation axis which is fixed in relation to said protruding member, the anti-blocking member being provided in order to be able to roll over an obstacle of the immersed surface, and to drive the protruding member in movement so as to overcome the obstacle. |
| US09212495B2 |
Work machine
A work machine capable of decreasing the height of a work attachment in a folded state and suppressing the influence on the operability during demolishing operation. An arm has a surface facing downward when the attachment is in a folded posture, and the surface includes a flat arm contact surface capable of making contact with a mounting surface, on which a work attachment is mounted; and an attachment surface that extends in the direction away from the mounting surface. A work device cylinder is attached to the attachment surface so as not to make contact with the mounting surface. When the attachment is in the attachment folded posture, the arm contact surface is more parallel to a boom upper surface than a boom-side sloped surface and an arm-side sloped surface or is parallel to the boom upper surface. |
| US09212493B2 |
Methods for manufacturing and packaging floor panels, devices used thereby, as well as floor panel and packed set of floor panels
A method for manufacturing floor panels, wherein boards of laminate material are formed by means of a press treatment and wherein these boards are divided into several panels, from which the actual floor panels are formed. In a press treatment of the method, at least one impression is provided in the board, which at least is employed as a guiding groove for guiding the aforementioned board or the subsequently obtained panels in further treatments. |
| US09212492B2 |
Mechanical locking of floor panels with vertical snap folding
Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges allowing installation with vertical snap folding that could be accomplished automatically without tools and where the short edge locking system has a tongue made in one piece with the panel. |
| US09212491B1 |
Modular stairway
A modular stairway preferably includes a tubular beam, a plurality of stringers and a plurality of stair treads. A short modular stairway includes at least two stringers and a plurality of stair treads. The tubular beam includes a rectangular tube, a first end plate and a second end plate. A plurality of redundant tube access openings are formed through a length of each side of the rectangular tube. A fastener hole pattern is formed concentric with each tube access opening. Each stringer includes an elongated section and an end plate. A plurality of redundant stringer access openings are formed through a length of the elongated section. A fastener hole pattern is formed concentric with each stringer access opening. The stair tread is preferably fabricated from a single piece of material. The stair tread includes a step section, a first attachment flange, a support section and a second attachment flange. |
| US09212487B2 |
Enhanced single layer roofing material
A single layer roofing material having a headlap portion and a tab portion wherein the headlap portion has a color-value gradient or gradation and the tab portion has tabs and openings. The tabs may have a relatively uniform color. Openings between tabs expose the color gradient of the headlap portion when a first sheet of the roofing material is installed over a second sheet on a structure. A plurality of horizontal striations may be used to establish the desired color-value gradient. An illusion of depth or thickness is created when the roofing material is applied to a structure, such as a roof deck. The amount of tone and contrast may be selected to create the desired illusion of depth or thickness. The amount of contrast may be varied depending upon the color selected for each roofing material. The number of horizontal striations and their width may also be varied to provide the desired color-value gradient. Tab color, shape and size may also be varied to enhance the illusion of depth. |
| US09212482B2 |
Curtain wall mullions, transoms and systems
A curtain wall mullion or transom including a component made of a thermally insulating material bonded to a metal structural segment such that a stem of the component extends into a pocket defined by panels of a curtain wall system. The component may be a reinforced fiberglass polymer component and bonded to the metal segment with an adhesive and may isolate the metal structure from the atmosphere outside the curtain wall and may include a seal receiver which abuts a panel of the curtain wall. The metal segment may be made of steel or aluminum or other metal. A pultrusion method is used to make the fiberglass component to have a profile configured to cover an entirety of an outside of the mullion or transom and to have a pair of receivers for receiving seals to abut against panels of the curtain wall. |
| US09212481B2 |
Curtain-wall system for buildings
A curtain-wall system for a building comprises a plurality of prefabricated cells (2), wherein each cell (2) includes: a structural frame (10) with at least two uprights (11) and two end cross members (12), coupled together to form a perimetral structure that delimits an opening (V); one or more infill elements (14-16) associated to the structural frame (10) at a front thereof, for closing the opening (V) delimited by the perimetral structure; and interface sectional elements (20, 21; 70-72) for coupling the one or more infill elements (14-16) to the front of the structural frame (10). The uprights (11) and the cross members (12) of the structural frame (10) are uprights and cross members made of wood, the wooden uprights (11) having at least one first longitudinal groove (22) on a corresponding outer face, and the wooden cross members (12) having at least one second longitudinal groove (23) on a corresponding outer face.Between the first grooves (22) of adjacent wooden uprights (11) of two cells (2) set aligned with one another in a horizontal direction there can be housed a first weatherstrip (45) and in the second groove (23) of a wooden cross member (12) of each cell (2) there can at least partially be housed a second weatherstrip (46). |
| US09212478B2 |
Toilet installation system and method
A mounting assembly comprising a support member having a leg and a foot configured to be coupled to the trap; a clamping member including a bore and a distal end pivotally coupled to the leg of the support member; and an adjusting member extending through an opening in a wall of the pedestal, through an opening in the leg of the support member, and into the bore of the clamping member; wherein adjustment of the adjusting member pivots the clamping member relative to the support member to change a pitch of the adjusting member such that the adjusting member imparts a load into both the support member and the wall of the pedestal. |
| US09212471B2 |
Adjustable operating rod for a hydrant
An adjustable operating rod assembly is provided. In one embodiment a telescoping rod and tube are provided such that the length of the operating rod can be selectively adjusted in order to accommodate fluid inlet pipes of various lengths and regardless of manufacturer. |
| US09212469B2 |
Work machine
There is provided a hydraulic excavator including a hydraulic pump (6) driven by an engine (7), a boom cylinder (3a) driven by hydraulic fluid delivered from the hydraulic pump (6), a swing motor (16) driven electrically, an operating device (4A) for operating the boom cylinder (3a), an operating device (4B) for operating the swing motor (16), and a vehicle body controller (11) which limits the power of the swing motor (16) in accordance with the operation amount of the operating device (4A) when the two operating devices (4A, 4B) are operated in combination. The power limit value of the swing motor (16) varies depending on the output of the engine (7). This allows a good operational feeling to be retained in combined operation regardless of the operating state of the engine. |
| US09212468B2 |
Excavator
An electrical energy storage unit (120) of an excavator includes an electrical energy storage device (19) that accumulates electric power generated by a generator and an electric circuit that controls a charge/discharge operation of the electrical energy storage device. An abnormality detection part detects an abnormality of the electrical energy storage unit (120). An electrical energy storage state estimation part of the abnormality detection part obtains an estimation value of an electrical energy storage state of the electrical energy storage device (19) based on a voltage detection value obtained by a voltage detection part and a current detection value obtained by a current detection part. An abnormality determination part of the abnormality detection part makes an abnormality determination based on the estimation value obtained by the electrical energy storage state estimation part. |
| US09212466B2 |
Construction machine
Provided is a construction machine including: an upper slewing body including an upper frame; an engine room on the rear portion of the upper frame; a cabin on the front portion on the right or left side of the upper frame; a plurality of tanks including a fuel tank and a hydraulic tank installed on the upper frame; an air cleaner; a center foothold on the intermediate portion in the width direction of the upper frame and forward of the engine room; and a climbing step at the opposite side to the cabin. A first tank of the plurality of tanks is placed on a portion on the right or left side of the upper frame, and a second tank is arranged on a portion between the cabin and the engine room on the opposite side to the first tank. The air cleaner is superposed on the second tank. |
| US09212462B2 |
Wall formed in soil, the wall including a hollow prefabricated element, and a method of making such a wall
A method for making a wall in soil. The method may include forming a trench in the soil; filling the trench with a self-hardening material; supplying at least one prefabricated element that has two plates connected together by a connection member; and positioning the prefabricated element in the trench filled with the self-hardening material. |
| US09212460B2 |
Road finishing machine
A road finishing machine includes a chassis supporting a driver's cab, an undercarriage, at least one drive unit, a hydraulic system, a screed, an asphalt supply arrangement comprising a storage hopper and a longitudinal conveyor conveying from the storage hopper to a transverse distributor and comprising a fumes suction system operated by a fan, comprising at least one airflow path, the exhaust line thereof comprising a suction opening above the transverse distributor and an outlet opening at a height above the driver's cab, wherein the fan is arranged in the region of the suction opening of the exhaust line of the at least one airflow path. |
| US09212454B2 |
Branching device and center guide-type track-based transportation system
A main line movable rail is disposed between a near-side main line rail and a forward-side main line rail which are disposed as a center guide rail so as to sandwich a branching section. The main line movable rail is supported so as to swing at the center of a first end at a position at which the first end is continuous to the forward-side main line rail. A locking action mechanism allows a second end of the main line movable rail to be engaged with an engagement member, thereby locking the second end so as not to undergo displacement at a guide position at which the second end of the main line movable rail is continuous to the near-side main line rail. |
| US09212451B2 |
Two level electric resistance heater and method of use
An electrical resistance heater assembly includes a heater housing forming a channel having a longitudinal axis for a fluid such as air to pass through and a heater support plate forming first and second levels in the heater housing. A first mica board assembly supporting a ribbon heater is mounted to the heater support plate at the first level and a second mica board assembly supporting a ribbon heater is mounted to the heater support plate at the second level. The first level is positioned adjacent an inlet of the heater housing and the second level is positioned adjacent an outlet of the heater housing. The first level and a side of the heater housing form a passageway for air to enter the heater housing and be directed to the ribbons of the second level, thereby allowing air to bypass the heater ribbons of the first level. |
| US09212448B2 |
Household appliance, in particular a household dishwashing machine
A household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, includes an operating display unit having at least one visual display, and a power supply network for supply of electrical energy. The household appliance is isolated from the power supply network after completion of a treatment cycle, and the visual display is configured to display at least the completion of the completed treatment cycle as a first operating state. |
| US09212443B2 |
Washing machines
A pump for pumping water from a bowl of a washing machine is provided. The pump includes a housing coupled to the bowl and a cover with an aperture. The housing and the cover define an interior in fluid communication with the bowl interior via the aperture. A filter filters water entering the interior via the aperture. The filter has a profiled wall defining a volute around the aperture, and a hood disposed above the wall. The profile of the hood perimeter substantially corresponding to the profiled wall to define a profiled space between the perimeter and the profiled wall. The profiled space allows water to enter the volute but substantially prevents elongated objects entering the volute. |
| US09212441B2 |
Laundry machine with an integrated heat pump system
A laundry machine includes an integrated heat pump system. The laundry machine comprises a cabinet (10). A tub (12) is associated to the cabinet (10). An air line is fluidly connected to the tub and to the heat pump system for air recirculation. A rotatable drum (14) is arranged within the tub (12) and resiliently supported at the cabinet (10) and/or at the tub (12) so that the tub (12) is stationary with respect to the cabinet (10) during operation of the machine, in particular during rotation of the drum (14). At least a part of the components of the heat pump system is supported by the cabinet 10 and/or the tub (12). |
| US09212439B2 |
Threader for overlock machine
Provided is a threader for an overlock machine that allows the whole machine to be made compact and allows an operator to carry out threading reliably with one hand. The threader comprises: a threading shaft that moves vertically and is supported rotatably, with a shaft core being taken as a central axis; a threading hook that is fixed to the lower end of the threading shaft and that includes a hook part that can be inserted into the needle eye of a sewing needle and a first guide part that guides the hook part to the needle eye; and a thread guide member that guides a needle thread to the hook part in the vicinity of the descent limit point of the threading shaft. The threading hook is rotated by a predetermined angle so that the hook part is inserted into the needle eye of the sewing needle in the vicinity of the descent limit point of the threading shaft. The threading hook and the thread guide member are rotated in opposite directions to each other and thereby the thread guide member is rotated by the predetermined angle so that the thread hooking part intersects the sewing needle beyond the position of the sewing needle in the vicinity of the descent limit point of the threading shaft. The threading shaft moves according to the relative positional relationship between the needle eyes of a plurality of sewing needles. |
| US09212433B2 |
Polymethylpentene conjugate fiber or porous polymethylpentene fiber and fiber structure comprising same
Provided are a polymethylpentene conjugate fiber, which is capable of imparting to a lightweight polymethylpentene fiber an ability to develop a vivid and deep color, and a porous polymethylpentene fiber, which has a lightweight, a high pore diameter uniformity and a high porosity retention ratio against an external force, said polymethylpentene conjugate fiber and said porous polymethylpentene fiber being appropriately usable as a fiber structure for woven knitted goods, non-woven fabrics, yarns, cotton waddings, etc. The polymethylpentene conjugate fiber is characterized by having an island-in-sea structure wherein the sea component comprises a polymethylpentene-based resin and the island component comprises a thermoplastic resin. The porous polymethylpentene fiber, which comprises a polymethylpentene-based resin, is characterized in that the coefficient of variation (CV) of pore diameter at the fiber cross section is 1-50%. |
| US09212432B2 |
Polypropylene spunbond fibers and methods for making same
Disclosed herein is a spunbond fiber of visbroken polypropylene having an Mw/Mn of from 3.5 to 7.0, an Mz/Mw of from greater than 2.0 and a melt flow rate (230/2.16) of from 50 to 100 dg/min. Also disclosed is a process for producing spunbond fibers comprising melt blending a polypropylene having a melt flow rate (230/2.16) of from 10 to 30 dg/min with a peroxide visbreaker such that the resulting melt flow rate of the visbroken polypropylene is from 50 to 100 dg/min; melt extruding the visbroken polypropylene through a die block such that filaments of the visbroken polypropylene being produced are exposed to a cabin pressure of from 4500 to 7000 Pa; and forming fibers of from less than 6.0 denier. Nonwoven fabrics and multiple-layer structures can be made from the fibers described herein that are useful for filtering and absorption related articles. |
| US09212421B2 |
Method and apparatus to reduce contamination of particles in a fluidized bed reactor
A method and fluidized bed reactor for reducing or eliminating contamination of silicon-coated particles are disclosed. The metal surface of one or more fluidized bed reactor components is at least partially coated with a hard protective layer comprising a material having an ultimate tensile strength of at least 700 MPa at 650° C. |
| US09212418B2 |
Al-Ni-La system Al-based alloy sputtering target
The invention relates to an Al—Ni—La system Al-based alloy sputtering target where a total area of an Al—Ni system intermetallic compound having an average particle diameter of 0.3 μm to 3 μm with respect to a total area of the entire Al—Ni system intermetallic compound is 70% or more in terms of an area fraction, and a total area of an Al—La system intermetallic compound having an average particle diameter of 0.2 μm to 2 μm with respect to a total area of the entire Al—La system intermetallic compound is 70% or more in terms of an area fraction. |
| US09212417B2 |
Coated article with low-E coating having titanium oxide layer and/or NiCr based layer(s) to improve color values and/or transmission, and method of making same
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a coated article including a low-E coating. In certain example embodiments, a titanium oxide inclusive bottom layer stack and/or a NiCr-based layer(s) are designed to improve b* coloration values and/or transmission of the coated article. These layer stack portions also are advantageous in that they permit a double-silver coated article to achieve (i) an LSG value (Tvis/SHGC) of at least 2.0, (ii) an SHGC value of no greater than 35%, more preferably no greater than 33, 32 or 30%, and (iii) a U-value (BTU h−1 ft−2 ° F.−1) (e.g., x=12 mm) of no greater than 0.30, more preferably no greater than 0.28 or 0.25. In certain example embodiments, the titanium oxide based layer may be an interlayer provided in a bottom portion of the layer stack between first and second layers comprising silicon nitride. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application. |
| US09212413B2 |
Metal matrix ceramic composite and manufacturing method and application thereof
A metal matrix ceramic composite is completely formed by permeating at least part of a matrix metal into an array of ceramic granules by squeeze-casting, and the volume percentage of the ceramic granules may be adjusted within a range of 10%-80% of the metal matrix ceramic composite according to the usage requirements. The metal matrix ceramic composites not only retain high performance of anti-penetration, but also have the strong toughness of the metal; in addition, this composite has features of low density, resistance against ordinary mechanical cutting and flame cutting, and inhibition of crack propagation and the like. The composite has broad application prospects in the protection of such important security facilities as safes, automatic teller machines and vault gates. |
| US09212411B2 |
High strength steel sheet and method for manufacturing the same
A high-strength steel sheet includes a composition containing, in mass percent, 0.08% to 0.20% of carbon, 0.2% to 1.0% of silicon, 0.5% to 2.5% of manganese, 0.04% or less of phosphorus, 0.005% or less of sulfur, 0.05% or less of aluminum, 0.07% to 0.20% of titanium, and 0.20% to 0.80% of vanadium, the balance being iron and incidental impurities. |
| US09212402B2 |
Aldehyde scrubbing in crust leather and tanned leather
The present invention provides aqueous flesh coating compositions comprising one or more aqueous acid-functional acrylic or vinyl copolymer and from 0.03 and up to 1.0 equivalent, based on equivalents of carboxylic acid in the polymer, of one or more active compound chosen from an aminoguanidine, semicarbazide, dihydrazide, guanamine, hydrazine and a salt thereof. Further, the invention provides methods of applying the coating composition to leather crust or to tanned leather, and to the flesh coated leather or coated leather crust produced thereby. The leather crust and tanned leather produced by the invention, for example fleshcoated or finished leather, will emit greatly reduced levels of aldehydes over time and especially valuable in scrubbing aldehydes from perforated leather for automotive use. |
| US09212401B2 |
Treating biomass to produce materials useful for biofuels
Fermentable sugar useful for the production of biofuels can be produced from biomass by contacting the biomass with a solution containing at least one α-hydroxysulfonic acid. The α-hydroxysulfonic acid can be easily removed from the product and recycled. |
| US09212397B2 |
Compositions and methods for detecting nucleic acid from mollicutes
Compositions, reaction mixtures, kits and methods used in amplifying and detecting nucleic acids from various species of the class Mollicutes. Particular regions of the 23S rRNA or its gene have been identified as preferred targets for nucleic acid amplification reactions of a sample suspected containing at least one species of Mollicutes. Some oligomers comprise tag regions, target closing regions, promoter sequences, and/or binding moieties. Samples can be from any source suspected of containing a species of the class Mollicutes. Preferred sample sources include bioreactors, cell lines, cell culture wares and pharmaceutical manufacturing wares. |
| US09212396B2 |
Materials and methods useful for affecting tumor cell growth, migration and invasion
It is disclosed herein that miR-221 and miR-222 down-regulate PTEN and TIMP3 tumor suppressors, resulting in TRAIL resistance. The present invention provides research, diagnostic, and therapeutic tools and methods related to this discovery. Diagnostics, prognostics and treatments for human hepatocellular cancer and non-small cell lung carcinoma having a TRAIL resistance are particularly described herein. |
| US09212394B2 |
Assays for single molecule detection and use thereof
The invention relates to methods of detecting a genetic variation in a genetic sample from a subject using labeled probes and counting the number of labels in the probes. |
| US09212389B2 |
Versatile thermal detection
A method of detecting hybridization of complementary segments of nucleic acids by heat generated upon the aforementioned hybridization; a method of detecting the presence of a predetermined reactant in a sample suspected of containing the same, and an apparatus for detecting hybridization of complementary segments of nucleic acids by a heat generated upon aforementioned hybridization, that implements a pyroelectric thermal sensor or a bolometric thermal sensor or a quantum well thermal sensor. |
| US09212388B1 |
Direct quantitative PCR absent minor groove binders
Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and kits for the quantification of a nucleic acid target present on a solid support. This entails quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction wherein minor groove binders are excluded. |
| US09212387B2 |
Method for detection of genes targeted by microRNA
Provided is a detection kit for detecting target genes of miRNA. Also provided is a method of detecting target genes of miRNA in a simple manner without the need for performing a transfection operation of a gene into cells via a vector. The detection kit is a detection kit for target genes of microRNA, including a cell extraction reagent, and a labeling reagent for microRNA or labeled microRNA, and further including a reaction reagent for the labeling substance for microRNA. mRNA corresponding to target genes of miRNA can be easily pulled down by producing a cell extract under mild conditions, adding labeled miRNA to the cell extract, and recovering the labeling substance. cDNA is produced from the pulled down mRNA to detect target genes of miRNA. |
| US09212386B2 |
Enzymatic cleavage based lateral flow assays
Methods and devices for detecting a target enzyme include an anchored or trapped peptide complex. The peptide complex includes an anchor particle immobilized on a sample analysis device or trapped in a reaction receptacle including a filter, a peptide, with at least one enzyme cleavage site for a target enzyme, bound to the anchor particle, at least one detectable label, and at least one first tag bound to the peptide on a side of the enzyme cleavage site opposite the anchor particle. When the target enzyme is present in the sample, the enzyme cleaves the peptide at the enzyme cleavage site, permitting the cleaved peptide to reach the test zone of a sample analysis device such that the first tag binds to the immobilized second tag and a signal is detected at the test zone. |
| US09212383B2 |
Biological detection system and method
The present disclosure, according to some embodiments, relates to phage-based biological detection systems, compositions, and methods. In some embodiments, it relates to a detection system and method using phage binding and bacterial infection to detect the presence of a target molecule (e.g., a toxin). One detection system may include a genetically engineered phage that expresses a surface molecule able to bind a target molecule and/or target microorganism; a bacterium susceptible to infection by the phage; and a detection component able to determine whether the bacterium has been infected by the phage. Infection of a bacterium by a phage may be indicative of phage binding to the target molecule and/or target microorganism. One method may include placing a sample suspected of containing the target molecule and/or target microorganism with a binder; adding a genetically engineered phage having reporter genetic material and able to bind the target molecule and/or target microorganism; washing away unbound phage; releasing phage bound to the target molecule and/or target microorganism; infecting a bacterium with the released phage; and detecting the presence of any reporter genetic material in the bacterium. Reporter material in the bacterium may correlate with target molecule and/or target microorganism in the sample. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a detection system and method using phage comprising a reporter to infect a microorganism (e.g., Bacillus anthracis), wherein the reporter is selectively (e.g., only) detectable upon phage infection. |
| US09212381B2 |
Methods and compositions for labeling polypeptides
Synthesis of many proteins is tightly controlled at the level of translation and plays an essential role in fundamental processes such as cell growth and proliferation, signaling, differentiation or death. Methods that allow imaging and identification of nascent proteins allow for dissecting regulation of translation, both spatially and temporally, including in whole organisms. Described herein are robust chemical methods for imaging and affinity-purifying nascent polypeptides in cells and in animals, based on puromycin analogs. Puromycin analogs of the present invention form covalent conjugates with nascent polypeptide chains, which are rapidly turned over by the proteasome and can be visualized and specifically captured by a bioorthogonal reaction (e.g., [3+2] cycloaddition). The methods of the present invention have broad applicability for imaging protein synthesis and for identifying proteins synthesized under various physiological and pathological conditions in vivo. |
| US09212379B2 |
Nutrient monitoring and feedback control for increased bioproduct production
The present invention pertains to methods of increasing the efficiency of producing a bioproduct. In some embodiments, the method increases the quantity of a bioproduct produced, or decreases bioproduct production time, in a bioreactor cell culture producing the bioproduct, the method comprising, (a) intermittently or continuously analyzing the concentration of one or more nutrients in the bioreactor cell culture; and (b) adding to the bioreactor cell culture additional nutrient media when the concentration of the one or more nutrients is lower than a target value. |
| US09212377B2 |
Method for producing sugar solution
A method produces a sugar liquid by adding a filamentous fungus-derived cellulase to a pretreated product of cellulose to obtain a hydrolysate; adding waste molasses to said hydrolysate to obtain a mixed sugar liquid; and subjecting said mixed sugar liquid to solid-liquid separation and filtering the obtained solution component through an ultrafiltration membrane, to recover the filamentous fungus-derived cellulase as a non-permeate and to obtain a sugar liquid as a permeate. |
| US09212375B2 |
Method for producing C2 oxygenates by fermentation using high oxidation state sulfur
The invention relates to improvements in the production of ethanol and acetate by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of a substrate comprising CO and the addition of an inorganic sulfur additive. It more particularly relates to the provision of an inorganic organic sulfur source to a fermentation system such that one or more microorganisms convert a substrate comprising CO to ethanol. In one aspect the invention uses a sulfur additive comprising inorganic sulfur compounds having a +2 to a +4 sulfur oxidation state that produces sulfur oxoanions and hydrosulfur oxoanions in an aqueous fermentation medium. |
| US09212370B2 |
Recombinant DNA constructs and methods for controlling gene expression
The present invention provides molecular constructs and methods for use thereof, including constructs including heterologous miRNA recognition sites, constructs for gene suppression including a gene suppression element embedded within an intron flanked on one or on both sides by non-protein-coding sequence, constructs containing engineered miRNA or miRNA precursors, and constructs for suppression of production of mature microRNA in a cell. Also provided are transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing such constructs, and methods for their use. The invention further provides transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing recombinant DNA for the ligand-controlled expression of a target sequence, which may be endogenous or exogenous. Also disclosed are novel miRNAs and miRNA precursors from crop plants including maize and soy. |
| US09212364B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of mutant EGFR gene
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting a mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of mutant EGFR. |
| US09212362B2 |
Compositions for use in treating or diagnosing bone disorders and/or cardiovascular disorders
Compositions of an inhibitor of a polynucleotide for use in treating or preventing bone disorders such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, bone fracture, bone cancer, as well as impaired bone homeostasis. Preferred compounds to be used in these medical interventions are antagonistic compounds, like nucleic acid molecules, directed against miR-31 and derivatives thereof. Also, methods for diagnosing and compositions for use in diagnosing bone disorders. Compounds to be employed in these diagnostic methods and uses include compounds such as miR-31. |
| US09212358B2 |
Biocatalyst compositions and processes for their use
The microorganism-containing biocatalysts disclosed have a large population of the microorganisms irreversibly retained in the interior of the biocatalysts. The biocatalysts possess a surprisingly stable population of microorganisms and have an essential absence of debris generation from metabolic activity of the microorganisms. The biocatalysts are composed of highly hydrophilic polymer and have an internal, open, porous structure that promotes community phenotypic changes. |
| US09212354B2 |
Polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activitiy and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US09212353B2 |
Class of therapeutic protein based molecules
The present invention provides new compositions and methods for preventing and treating pathogen infection. In particular, the present invention provides compounds having an anchoring domain that anchors the compound to the surface of a target cell, and a therapeutic domain that can act extracellularly to prevent infection of a target cell by a pathogen, such as a virus. The present invention also comprises therapeutic compositions having sialidase activity, including protein-based compounds having sialidase catalytic domains. Compounds of the invention can be used for treating or preventing pathogen infection, and for treating and reducing allergic and inflammatory responses. The invention also provides compositions and methods for enhancing transduction of target cells by recombinant viruses. Such compositions and methods can be used in gene therapy. |
| US09212351B2 |
Rice and products thereof having starch with an increased proportion of amylose
Rice having reduced levels of starch branching enzymes produce grain having a high relative amylose content in the endosperm. The rice grain of this invention can be of a non-shrunken phenotype despite a lesion in the amylopectin synthesis pathway and may be transgenic or nontransgenic. |
| US09212347B2 |
Progenitor cells and uses thereof
Methods for preparing progenitor cells are described where epithelial cells are induced to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a result of exposure to an inducing agent or introduction of a gene therein that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Progenitor cells resulting therefrom have use in cell-based therapies, among other utilities. |
| US09212343B1 |
Apparatus and method for aging liquids
Arrays of closely-spaced holes or cross-grain grooves are formed on the inside surfaces of the staves of a barrel, and/or on an elongated wooden member to greatly increase the amount of end grain wood exposed to the liquid and thereby increase the rate of aging the liquid. The holes and grooves in the staves extend only part-way through the wood in order to maintain the structural integrity of the staves. |
| US09212342B2 |
Wrinkle reducing and deodorizing dryer sheet and methods of making and using
Provided are wrinkle reducing and deodorizing dryer sheets and methods of making and using the dryer sheets. In one form of the dryer sheet, the wrinkle reducing and deodorizing dryer sheet includes an absorbent wet substrate in sheet form with a polyvinyl alcohol sheet adhered to one surface of the substrate. In another form the PVA sheet is added separately from that of the absorbent wet substrate sheet. The PVA sheet is preferably in the form of an uncoated non-woven of a thickness of 8 mil or less. The wet impregnated sheet contains a solution of quaternary ammonium salts of different water solubility. The method for using, the wrinkle reducing and deodorizing dryer sheet is added to a rotary dryer with a load of wet or dried garments to reduce wrinkling in the garments during the drying process, reduce static cling and refresh the treated clothing. |
| US09212329B2 |
Use of hexylene glycol fuel additive containing boric oxide
The present invention relates to a fuel additive formulation applied to internal combustion engines formulated to reduce friction, corrosion, and wear in the internal combustion engines. The fuel additive in accordance with the present invention is a formulation of hexylene glycol and boric oxide. Reduction of engine wear and degradation due to reduction of friction and deposit formation is expected to result in increased engine efficiency, extension of engine life, and reduction in repair and maintenance costs. |
| US09212327B2 |
System and process for producing fuel with a methane thermochemical cycle
A thermochemical process and system for producing fuel are provided. The thermochemical process includes reducing an oxygenated-hydrocarbon to form an alkane and using the alkane in a reforming reaction as a reducing agent for water, a reducing agent for carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. Another thermochemical process includes reducing a metal oxide to form a reduced metal oxide, reducing an oxygenated-hydrocarbon with the reduced metal oxide to form an alkane, and using the alkane in a reforming reaction as a reducing agent for water, a reducing agent for carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. The system includes a reformer configured to perform a thermochemical process. |
| US09212326B2 |
Hydrohalogenation of vinyl terminated polymers and their functionalized derivatives for fouling mitigation in hydrocarbon refining processes
A compound useful for reducing fouling in a hydrocarbon refining process is provided. A method for preparing the compound includes hydrohalogenating a polymer having a vinyl chain end to obtain a halogen-containing terminal group, and reacting the terminal group with a polyamine. Methods of using the compound and compositions thereof are also provided. |
| US09212323B2 |
Liquid-full hydrotreating and selective ring opening processes
This disclosure relates to liquid-full processes for hydroprocessing a light cycle oil (LCO). The processes involve hydrotreatment followed by selective ring opening in the presence of hydrotreating catalyst and selective ring opening catalyst respectively. The selective ring opening catalyst can be either zeolite ring opening catalyst or amorphous ring opening catalyst. In aspects of zeolite ring opening catalyst, the volume ratio of the total amount of the zeolite ring opening catalyst to the total amount of the hydrotreating catalyst is from about 0.2 to about 1.5. In aspects of amorphous ring opening catalyst, the volume ratio of the total amount of the amorphous ring opening catalyst to the total amount of the hydrotreating catalyst is from about 0.2 to about 3. |
| US09212321B2 |
Process for recycling hydrogen halide to a reactor comprising an ionic liquid
A process for hydrocarbon conversion, comprising: a) stripping or distilling a hydrocarbon effluent from a reactor comprising an ionic liquid catalyst having: a metal halide, and a hydrogen halide or an organic halide into a first and second fraction, and b) recycling at least a portion of the first fraction comprising at least 5 wt % and less than 95 wt % of the hydrogen halide to the reactor. A process comprising: a) stripping or distilling a hydrocarbon effluent from a reactor comprising an ionic liquid catalyst into a first fraction having at least 5 wt % of hydrogen halide and a second fraction having less than 25 wppm hydrogen halide; and b) recycling at least a portion of the first fraction to the reactor to improve the selectivity of products. A process comprising recycling of the catalyst, the first fraction, and a portion of the second fraction that is an isoparaffin to the reactor. |
| US09212318B2 |
Catalyst for the conversion of plastics to olefin and aromatic products
A catalyst composition useful for producing olefins and aromatic compounds from a feedstock is formed from a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst and a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst, wherein the amount of ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst makes up from 10 wt. % or more by total weight of the FCC catalyst and the ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. The catalyst composition may be used in a method of producing olefins and aromatic compounds from a feedstock by introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock and the catalyst composition within a reactor, at least a portion of the reactor being at a reactor temperature of 550° C. or higher. The feedstock and catalyst composition are introduced into the reactor at a catalyst-to-feed (C/F) ratio of from 6 or greater. |
| US09212316B2 |
Serial deconstruction of biomass
The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass using water. The method generally includes loading a reactor with biomass and water, heating the reactor to a first deconstruction temperature and establishing a first deconstruction pressure, maintaining the reactor at the first deconstruction temperature and a first deconstruction pressure for a first deconstruction period, flushing the reactor with water, and repeating these steps one or more times after establishing a second deconstructing temperature and second deconstruction pressure. |
| US09212315B2 |
Methods for biomass deconstruction and purification
The present invention provides processes for deconstructing and purifying biomass using water. The method includes the steps of loading a reactor with biomass and water, establishing and maintaining a deconstruction temperature and pressure for a deconstruction period, flushing the reactor with water, and repeating these steps to produce a solid phase and a biomass hydrolysate. |
| US09212313B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and systems for incorporating bio-derived materials into oil sands processing
Methods, processes, apparatus, systems, and compositions are disclosed for improving the sustainability of oil sands processing. In some embodiments, bitumen is combined with biodiluent comprising one or more liquid pyrolysis fractions obtained from pyrolyzing biomass and collecting multiple liquid fractions. The bitumen may be any source of bitumen, such as bitumen obtained from oil sands. In some embodiments, a water-rich pyrolysis liquid displaces water use in an oil sands process. The water-rich pyrolysis liquid may be used for primary separation of bitumen from oil sands or for hydrotransport, for example. Also, biochar produced from biomass pyrolysis may be introduced to an oil sands tailing pond with various benefits. Water may be recycled from a tailing pond. Integration of a pyrolysis and separation process into an oil sands refining process reduces the overall greenhouse-gas emissions on a well-to-refined product basis by 10-70% or more. Various compositions and products are also disclosed. |
| US09212311B2 |
Liquid-crystal display
The present invention relates to the use of LC (liquid-crystal) compounds and LC media comprising them in LC displays of the PS (polymer stabilized) or PSA (polymer sustained alignment) type. |
| US09212310B2 |
Dual-frequency bistable liquid crystal display and the liquid crystal mixture thereof
A dual-frequency bistable liquid crystal display and the liquid crystal mixture thereof includes liquid crystal cell filled with a liquid crystal mixture which contains dual-frequency liquid crystal, chiral compound, and nematic liquid crystal mixture. The liquid crystal mixture has the characteristics of both the dual-frequency liquid crystal and cholesteric liquid crystal. The dual-frequency bistable liquid crystal display is driven in a frequency modulation mode and can be switched between two optical states by taking advantage of the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal, which results in a short switching time and sharp contrast between two optical states. Furthermore, the maintaining of the two optical states requires no voltage, which does not require the use of a high voltage to destabilize the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal, and does not have to go through a metastable stage. Hence, power consumption and switching time are reduced. |
| US09212306B1 |
Methods for using improved urea hydrochloride compositions
A composition including HCl, urea, complex substituted keto-amine-hydrochloride, an alcohol, an ethoxylate, and a ketone is provided in a method for solubilizing calcium carbonate in an aqueous suspension or dispersion of calcium carbonate. |
| US09212303B2 |
Lubricating oil composition for chiller
It is to provide a lubricating oil composition for a refrigerating machine that has a low global warming potential, and that is used for a refrigerating machine using a refrigerant having a particular structure, such as an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound, which is a refrigerant capable of being used for existing car air conditioner system, air conditioners and the like, and that has excellent compatibility with a refrigerant and excellent thermal and chemical stability, in which the lubricating oil composition is used for a refrigerating machine using a refrigerant containing at least one fluorine-containing organic compound selected from compounds represented by the following molecular formula (A), or a combination of the fluorine-containing organic compound and a saturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound, and contains a base oil and a sulfur-containing aromatic compound: CpOqFrRs (A), wherein R represents any one of Cl, Br, I and H; p represents an integer of from 1 to 6; q represents an integer of from 0 to 2; r represents an integer of from 1 to 14; and s represents an integer of from 0 to 13, provided that when q is 0, p is from 2 to 6, and at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated bond is contained in the molecule. |
| US09212299B2 |
Coated release liner substrate
Release liner substrates and release liners produced therefrom wherein the substrate includes a coating layer containing a binder and a hyperplatey talc. The release liner may comprise a release liner substrate with a binder and a hyperplatey talc coating and a silicone coating applied to the substrate coating. In accordance with certain aspects, the binder may comprise a carboxylated latex binder. |
| US09212298B2 |
Adhesive sheet and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
The adhesive sheet of the invention comprises a resin composition containing (A) a high-molecular-weight component, (B1) a thermosetting component having a softening point of below 50° C., (B2) a thermosetting component having a softening point of between 50° C. and 100° C. and (C) a phenol resin having a softening point of no higher than 100° C., the composition containing 11 to 22 mass % of the (A) high-molecular-weight component, 10 to 20 mass % of the (B1) thermosetting component having a softening point of below 50° C., 10 to 20 mass % of the (B2) thermosetting component having a softening point of between 50° C. and 100° C. and 15 to 30 mass % of the phenol resin having a softening point of no higher than 100° C., based on 100 mass % of the resin composition. |
| US09212297B2 |
Adhesive applicator and application system
An adhesive applicator nozzle for being attached to an adhesive applicator to apply adhesive to a surface of a structure having an edge to thereafter be adhered to a second structure. The nozzle includes a flow conduit for attachment to the applicator for receiving a delivered adhesive and an adhesive dispensing head having a discharge opening communicating with the flow conduit for receiving the adhesive from the flow conduit and applying the adhesive to the surface of the structure. A dispensing guide is attached to the applicator nozzle and extending forwardly and to one side of the dispensing head for engaging the edge of the surface of the structure and guiding the adhesive onto the surface. |
| US09212296B2 |
Organic compound, optical film and method of production thereof
An organic compound has the general structural formula I. In the formula I, Core is a conjugated organic unit capable of forming a rod-like macromolecule, n is a number of the conjugated organic units in the rod-like macromolecule, Gk is a set of ionogenic side-groups, and k is a number of the side-groups in the set Gk. The set of the ionogenic side-groups provide solubility of the organic compound or its salts and give rigidity to the rod-like macromolecule. The number n provides molecule anisotropy that promotes self-assembling of macromolecules in a solution of the organic compound or its salts, forming lyotropic liquid crystal. The solution is capable of forming a solid optical retardation layer of positive A-type substantially transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectral range. An optical film based on an organic compound of the general formula I and a method of making same are also disclosed. |
| US09212292B2 |
Ureido-functionalized aqueous polymeric dispersion
The present invention relates to a stable aqueous dispersion of acrylic based polymer particles with a first and a second polymeric domain, wherein the first polymeric domain is film-forming at room temperature and the second polymeric domain has a Tg of not less than 35° C., and wherein both polymeric domains include structural units of a ureido monomer. The composition of the present invention addresses a need in the art by providing a composition that is useful as a binder with improved alkyd adhesion properties. |
| US09212290B2 |
Substituted cellulose acetates and uses thereof
The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a composition having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, and boron; where the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate. |
| US09212288B2 |
Glass flake and coated glass flake
Disclosed is a glass flake (10) having improved heat resistance and improved chemical durability, which is composed of a glass base material satisfying, as expressed in mass %, 60≦SiO2≦70, 5≦Al2O3≦15, 1≦MgO≦10, 10≦CaO≦25 and 4<(Li2O+Na2O+K2O)<9. The temperature difference ΔT obtained by taking the devitrification temperature of the glass base material from the working temperature thereof is preferably within the range of 0-200° C. The glass transition temperature of the glass base material is preferably within the range of 560-750° C. It is desirable that the value of ΔW, which serves as an index for the acid resistance of the glass base material, is within the range of 0.05-1.2 mass %. |
| US09212284B2 |
Process for the preparation of surface treated mineral filler products and uses of same
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a surface treated mineral filler product, and to its preferred use in the field of plastic applications, and in particular polypropylene (PP)- or polyethylene (PE)-based breathable or extrusion coating film applications. |
| US09212283B2 |
Process for the preparation of surface treated mineral filler products and uses of same
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a surface treated mineral filler product, and to its preferred use in the field of plastic applications, and in particular polypropylene (PP)- or polyethylene (PE)-based breathable or extrusion coating film applications. |
| US09212282B2 |
Interference pigment with high color intensity and method of manufacturing the same
The interference pigment with high color intensity includes: a platelet-shaped substrate including at least one of natural mica, synthetic mica, alumina flakes, glass flakes, and iron oxide flakes; a lower first metal oxide layer formed of Fe2O3 on the platelet-shaped substrate; a second metal oxide layer formed of MgO•SiO2 on the lower first metal oxide layer; and an upper first metal oxide layer formed of Fe2O3 on the second metal oxide layer. |
| US09212281B2 |
Blends of polyarylene ethers and polyarylene sulfides
The present invention relates to thermoplastic molding materials comprising the following components: (A) at least one polyarylene ether, (B) at least one polyarylene sulfide, (C) optionally at least one functionalized polyarylene ether comprising carboxyl groups, (D) at least one fibrous or particulate filler and (E) optionally further additives and/or processing assistants, the ratio of the apparent viscosity of the component (A) to that of the component (B), determined at 350° C. and a shear rate of 1150 s−1, being from 2.5 to 3.7. |
| US09212279B2 |
Microemulsions and fluoropolymers made using microemulsions
There are provided microemulsions derived from compositions containing oligomeric fluorosulfinic compounds and/or ethylenically unsaturated, polymerizable monomeric fluorosulfinic compounds and to their uses in (co)polymerization processes in aqueous emulsion of fluorinated monomers. |
| US09212278B2 |
Method for making a high impact polystyrene with high gloss and high impact strength
A high impact polystyrene (HIPS) is made from styrene monomer and 3 to 20 wt % of an elastomeric component phase including polybutadiene rubber and styrene butadiene copolymer. The HIPS has a 60 degree gloss of 90 or more, a Gardner drop of at least 10 in-lb, and an Izod impact strength of 1.8 ft-lb/in or more. The HIPS can have salami morphology with rubber particle size between 1 and 1.3 microns. |
| US09212276B2 |
Modified conjugated diene rubber, method for producing same, and rubber composition
By a method comprising a process including (a) producing a modified conjugated diene polymer through reaction of a conjugated diene polymer having an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal active terminal with a first alkoxysilane compound which has both an alkoxysilyl group and at least one group convertible into an onium, and (b) mixing the modified conjugated diene polymer, an agent for producing onium, a second alkoxysilane compound having an alkoxysilyl group and at least one group convertible into an onium and a condensation catalyst containing metal element(s) for alkoxysilane compounds, conjugated diene rubber usable as a starting material of cross-linked rubber which is used for a tire tread or the like and allows enhancement of low fuel consumption property can be obtained. |
| US09212269B2 |
PMI foams with improved mechanical properties, in particular with increased elongation at tear
The invention relates to compounds for producing polymethacrylimide foam materials (PMI foams) with particularly good mechanical properties, in particular with a particularly advantageous elongation at tear. The invention further relates to methods for producing, processing, and using said foam materials. In particular, the invention relates to novel materials, the propensity of which to form tears is clearly reduced in comparison to the prior art. This is tantamount to an elongation at tear that is higher in comparison to the prior art. |
| US09212268B2 |
Biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film and method for producing same
This film provides a polyethylene terephthalate film whereby dimensional variation in various steps can be reduced, particularly when the film is used as a substrate film for a flexible device, and that is suitable as a substrate film having minimal curl and excellent appropriateness for processing. This biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film has a degree of crystallinity (Xc) of 0.35 to 0.50, the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the resin constituting the film is 0.66-1.0 dl/g, the coefficient of thermal expansion at a temperature of 50-170° C. in each of the machine direction and transverse direction of the film is 0.29 ppm/° C., and the degree of thermal shrinkage at 180° C. in each of the machine direction and transverse direction of the film is 0.5%-1.0%. |
| US09212267B2 |
Method of producing metal complex-supporting mesoporous material
A method of producing a metal complex-supporting mesoporous material that can support a metal complex in the pores thereof without causing aggregation of the metal complex. A metal complex-supporting mesoporous material supporting a metal complex in the pores thereof without causing aggregation of the metal complex. A method of producing a mesoporous material supporting metal-containing nanoparticles using the metal complex supported in the pores of the mesoporous material as a template. A solution of a metal complex prepared by a phenyl azomethine dendrimer compound having a specific structure is brought into contact with a mesoporous material so that the metal complex of the phenyl azomethine dendrimer compound is supported by the mesoporous material. |
| US09212264B2 |
Asphalt composition containing ground tire rubber
We disclose a method of making an asphalt composition containing large quantities of ground tire rubber. Over 20% GTR by weight can be used in the asphalt composition without the GTR settling out. The method comprises a series of heating and blending and using a GTR stabilizer. |
| US09212260B2 |
Polymers of 8,9-dihydrobenzo[def]carbazole and their use as organic semiconductors
The invention relates to novel polymers containing 8,9-dihydrobenzo[def]carbazole units, methods and materials for their preparation, their use as semiconductors in organic electronic (OE) devices, and to OE devices comprising these polymers. |
| US09212256B2 |
Unsaturated polyester resins modified by substitution, with lactic acid, of an acid and alcohol component of the polyester
The invention relates to an unsaturated polyester resin comprising a) a lactic acid-modified unsaturated polyester and b) a copolymerizable comonomer, with replacement, with lactic acid, in the composition of an initial polyester, of: i) up to 90 mol % of phthalic anhydride of the acid component of the initial polyester, the acid component comprising from 80 to 20 mol % of maleic anhydride (MA) or fumaric acid, and from 20 to 80 mol % of phthalic anhydride (PA), the polyol component of the initial polyester comprising from 50 to 100 mol % of propylene glycol (PG) and from 0 to 50 mol % of a polyol among ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DEG), dipropylene glycol (DPG) and/or 1,3-butylene glycol and/or 1,4-butanediol and/or neopentyl glycol (NPG), ii) up to 100% of a polyol from DPG and DEG, present in an initial overall molar amount ranging up to 50% of the polyol component of the initial polyester and also comprising PG, with the acid component of the initial polyester being maleic anhydride (MA) or fumaric acid, optionally in the presence of up to 20 mol % of the phthalic anhydride (PA) acid component, and in this case with the initial phthalic anhydride (PA) also being up to 100% replaced with lactic acid and with the molar ratio of lactic acid relative to the acid component, without including the lactic acid, of said polyester a) being at most 1.75. The invention also relates to a thermosetting composition comprising the resin and to the uses of these resins and thermosetting compositions in moulding compositions or in general-purpose compositions. |
| US09212253B2 |
Epoxy resin composition for encapsulating semiconductor device and semiconductor device using the same
An epoxy resin composition for encapsulating a semiconductor device, the epoxy resin composition including an epoxy resin, a curing agent, and one or more inorganic fillers, the one or more inorganic fillers including prismatic cristobalite, the prismatic cristobalite being present in the epoxy resin composition in an amount of about 1 to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the epoxy resin composition. |
| US09212252B2 |
Radiation-curable, water-dispersible polyurethanes and polyurethane dispersions
The present invention relates to dispersible polyurethanes and polyurethane dispersions curable with UV radiation, to a process for preparing them, and to their use. |
| US09212251B2 |
Amino group terminated impact strength modifier and use thereof in epoxy resin compositions
The present disclosure relates to impact strength modifiers, the derivative products thereof, and the use thereof in producing two-component epoxy resin compositions. The disclosure in particular relates to amino group terminated impact strength modifiers prepared by reacting a polyurethane prepolymer having isocyanate groups, a primary diamine, and optionally at least one Michael acceptor. The two-component epoxy resin compositions thus formulated are characterized by a great increase in impact strength while retaining an acceptable tensile shear strength. The impact strength modifiers according to the disclosure and the epoxy resin compositions comprising same are in particular suitable for vehicle manufacturing. |
| US09212250B2 |
Method of improving mechanical strength of flexible polyurethane foams made from bio-based polyols, the polyol compositions utilized therein and the foams produced thereby
A method of improving the mechanical strength of polyurethane foams made from bio-based polyols, the polyol-containing compositions utilized in the method of the invention, and the polyurethane foams produced by the method of the invention are provided. The method of the invention involves the incorporation of aromatic polyester polyol in the polyol-containing composition used to manufacture the foams. In one embodiment, the aromatic polyester polyol is utilized in a polyol-containing composition which is employed in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam. In another embodiment, the aromatic polyester polyol transesterified with a natural oil-containing composition to form a transesterification reaction product that is utilized in a polyol-containing composition which is employed in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam. Flexible polyurethane foams of the invention exhibit substantial improvements in mechanical strength properties, such as tear strength, tensile strength and elongation relative to foams made from bio-based polyols such as soybean oil-based polyols. |
| US09212248B2 |
Olefin-based ionomer resin composition
The present application relates to an olefin-based ionomer resin composition, to an encapsulant, and to an optoelectronic device. The resin composition according to the present application may be used as an encapsulant for a variety of optoelectronic devices, and may exhibit superior adhesion to the substrates of the optoelectronic devices. In addition, according to the present application, an olefin-based ionomer resin composition, which can provide good workability and economic advantages in the manufacture of devices without negatively affecting components such as encapsulated optoelectronic elements or the wired electrodes of optoelectronic devices, may be provided. |
| US09212247B2 |
Method for controlling size distribution of polymer particles during preparation of aqueous polymer dispersion and aqueous polymer dispersion
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling size distribution of formed polymer particles during preparation of aqueous polymer dispersion. The method comprises obtaining an aqueous polysaccharide solution, which comprises about 10 to 40 weight-% polysaccharide containing a free hydroxyl group, such as starch, and polymerising in the polysaccharide solution in the presence of a graft-linking, water-soluble redox system about 30 to 60 weight-% of at least one optionally substituted styrene, about 60 to 30 weight-% of at least one C1-C4-alkyl(meth)acrylate, and 0 to about 10 weight-% of other ethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable monomers. The size distribution of the formed polymer particles is controlled by adjusting viscosity of the polysaccharide solution before the polymerisation to a level less than about 20 mPas. |
| US09212246B1 |
Methods of producing cross-linked polymer electrolyte membranes having free-radical scavengers
Methods of preparing a crosslinked polymer provide increased chemical durability resulting from the inclusion of antioxidants, or free-radical scavengers, to neutralize the radicals causing polymer membrane degradation. One method includes polymerizing, using an initiator with light irradiation or heat, a styrenated crosslinkable monomer with a styrene-based comonomer having the formula CH2═CH—C6H4—X and a free-radical scavenger. Examples of free-radical scavengers include 4-hydroxy styrene and 4-vinylaniline. |
| US09212245B2 |
High performance acrylamide adhesives
Disclosed are derivatives of (tetrahydropyranyl)methyl acrylamide and polymers derived therefrom, as well as methods of making such compounds and polymers. Adhesives, coatings, and plastics which include such polymers are also described. |
| US09212243B2 |
Soil adsorption polymers
Soil adsorption polymers and method for making same are provided. |
| US09212241B2 |
Optical film and display device including same
An optical film including a polymer including a repeating unit A including a repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formulas 1 to 3, or a combination thereof; and a repeating unit B derived from a monomer having an unsaturated bond copolymerizable with the repeating unit A, wherein the optical film has a short wavelength dispersion of an in-plane phase-difference value (Re) (450 nm/550 nm) ranging from about 0.81 to about 1.20, and a long wavelength dispersion of an in-plane phase-difference value (Re) (650 nm/550 nm) ranging from about 0.90 to about 1.18: wherein, in Chemical Formulas 1 to 3, the variables R1 to R21 are defined herein. |
| US09212240B2 |
Equipment and process for producing polymer pellets
The present invention relates to an equipment and method for producing polymer pellets which comprise one or more polymer components and one or more further components, wherein in said process at least one of said one or more further components is incorporated into pellets by applying a liquid, which comprises said at least one component, onto said pellets. |
| US09212236B2 |
Polyacrylonitrile-based polymer solution, preparing method of the same, carbon fiber precursor, manufacturing method of the same and manufacturing method of carbon fiber using the same
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing carbon fiber which comprises the use of un-reacted raw material monomers in solution to prepare the precursor fiber for making the carbon fiber, and a relatively short passage period through hydrogen, which reduce production costs and increase returns. The present invention further comprises the carbon fiber precursors made thereby. |
| US09212235B2 |
Process of preparation of catalytic support and supported bimetalic catalysts for production of homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene with alpha-olefins of high and ultra high molecular weight and with broad molecular weight distribution in slurry, bulk and gas phase processes and products thereof
Process for the preparation of catalytic support and supported bimetallic catalysts for production of homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene with α-olefins, of high and ultra high molecular weight and with broad molecular weight distribution in slurry, bulk and gas phase processes and products thereof. The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of catalytic support and the supported bimetallic catalysts, used in the production of ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymers with □-olefins, of high and ultra high molecular weight with broad molecular weight distribution, in gas or liquid phase polymerization processes, the latter being in slurry, bulk or suspension, and the products obtained from these processes. |
| US09212229B2 |
Chimeric antigen receptors with an optimized hinge region
The present invention relates to multi-functional proteins which comprise (i) a signal peptide, (ii) a target specific recognition domain, (iii) a linker region, connecting domain (ii) and domain (iv) which comprises a specific modified hinge region of the human CD8 alpha-chain, and (iv) an effector domain. The present invention furthermore relates to nucleic acids encoding the proteins, expression constructs for expressing the protein in a host cell and host cells. The proteins of the invention are chimeric antigen receptors with an optimized linker or hinge region that are suitable for generating target-specific effector cells, for use as a medicament, in particular in the treatment of cancer and in adoptive, target-cell specific immunotherapy. |
| US09212227B2 |
ST2L antibody antagonists for the treatment of ST2L-mediated inflammatory pulmonary conditions
The present invention relates to ST2L antagonists, polynucleotides encoding the antagonists or fragments thereof, and methods of making and using the foregoing. |
| US09212226B2 |
Amino acid sequences directed against CXCR4 and other GPCRs and compounds comprising the same
The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against (as defined herein) G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and in particular to CXCR4 and CXCR7, as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences (also referred to herein as “amino acid sequences of the invention”, “compounds of the invention”, and “polypeptides of the invention”, respectively). Furthermore, the invention provides a new method of making amino acid sequences that are directed against transmembrane protein, and in particular for multiple spanning transmembrane proteins for which the native conformation cannot be reproduced in other “in vitro” system (e.g. GPCRs in general). |
| US09212225B1 |
Bispecific CD33 and CD3 binding proteins
Described herein are binding proteins that specifically bind to human CD33, and in particular to bispecific binding proteins that specifically bind to human CD33 and human CD3. Also described herein are bispecific tandem diabodies that bind to CD33 and CD33, and their uses for immunotherapy of CD33+ cancers, diseases and conditions such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). |
| US09212219B2 |
Compositions and methods related to protein A (SpA) antibodies as an enhancer of immune response
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve a non-toxigenic Protein A (SpA) variant or an antibody directed thereto. |
| US09212214B2 |
Methods of increasing the expression yield of vitamin K-dependent proteins
The invention encompasses the use of one or more compounds selected from a list comprising i) reduced forms of vitamin K and/or ii) reduced forms of a vitamin K analog and/or iii) reduced forms of a vitamin K precursor for the expression of one or more functional vitamin K-dependent proteins in cell culture as well as processes for the fermentation of eucaryotic cells expressing one or more vitamin K-dependent proteins wherein one or more compounds selected from a list comprising i) reduced forms of vitamin K and/or ii) reduced forms of a vitamin K analog and/or iii) reduced forms of a vitamin K precursor are added to the cell culture medium before and/or during the fermentation process. |
| US09212213B2 |
ZCYTOR17 heterodimeric cytokine receptor
Novel polypeptide combinations, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed for zcytor17-containing multimeric or heterodimer cytokine receptors that may be used as novel cytokine antagonists, and within methods for detecting ligands that stimulate the proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic, lymphoid and myeloid cells in vitro and in vivo. The present invention also includes methods for producing the multimeric or heterodimeric cytokine receptor, uses therefor and antibodies thereto. |
| US09212210B2 |
Akt activity specifically inhibiting polypeptide
The present invention is to provide a polypeptide specifically inhibiting the activity of Akt (Protein Kinase B), the DNA thereof, the antibody thereof, an inhibitor of Akt activity or an antitumor agent, and the like. The polypeptide comprises polypeptides (SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 of the sequence listing) that contain an amino acid sequence corresponding to any of the position of amino acid residue 10-24 of human TCL1, amino acid residue 8-22 of human TCL1B, amino acid residue 5-19 of human MTCP1, and amino acid residue 9-24 of mouse or rat TCL1; and the derivatives. Further, the present invention includes DNA encoding the polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 of the sequence listing), and the antibodies specifically binding to the polypeptides. The polypeptide of the present invention can be used for an inhibitor of Akt activity, an antitumor agent, or the like. |
| US09212209B2 |
Screening methods for spinal muscular atrophy
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). In certain embodiments, compounds are provided that increase full-length survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein production by an SMN2 gene. |
| US09212208B2 |
Muteins with tear lipocalin having affinity to human c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase and methods for obtaining the same
The present invention relates to novel muteins derived from human tear lipocalin having affinity to human c-Met receptor tyrosin kinase (c-Met). The invention also refers to a corresponding nucleic acid molecule encoding such a mutein and to a method for its generation. The invention further refers to a method for producing such a mutein. Finally, the invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a lipocalin mutein as well as to various uses of the mutein. |
| US09212204B2 |
Treatment of rett syndrome using glycyl-L-2-methylprolyl-L-glutamic acid
This invention provides compounds, compositions and methods for treating Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using glycyl-2-methylprolyl-glutamic acid (G-2-MePE) and analogs thereof. Autism Spectrum Disorders include Autism, Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder—Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Fragile X Syndrome, and Rett Syndrome. Compositions containing compounds include water-soluble formulations, water-in-oil micro-emulsions, water-in-oil coarse emulsions, water-in-oil liquid crystals, nanocapsules, tablets, and orally administered gels. The compounds and compositions of this invention can be administered intravenously, intraventricularly, parenterally, or orally, and can be effective in treating neurodegeneration, promoting neurological function, treating seizure activity and other symptoms of ASD, and can prolong life in animals including human beings having Autism Spectrum Disorders. |
| US09212203B2 |
Surface neutralization of apatite
The present invention discloses methods of neutralizing apatite surfaces, for example during chromatography and before protein elution. |
| US09212201B2 |
Antifungal and antiparasitic polyene macrolides
In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides for novel, water-soluble polyene macrolides and salts or solvates thereof and methods of making the water-soluble polyene macrolides. Also provided are compositions and methods for inhibiting, preventing, and/or treating fungal and parasitic diseases in a subject. |
| US09212199B2 |
Catalyst compounds
The present invention relates to an iridium-based catalyst compound for hydrogenating reducible moieties, especially imines and iminiums, the catalyst compounds being defined by the formulas: where ring B is either itself polycyclic, or ring B together with R is polycyclic. The catalysts of the invention are particularly effective in reductive amination procedures 10 which involve the in situ generation of the imine or iminium under reductive hydrogenative conditions. |
| US09212198B2 |
Metal complexes
The present invention relates to metal complexes having high solubility and to electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices, containing these metal complexes. |
| US09212192B2 |
Bicyclic carboxamide inhibitors of kinases
Compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutical acceptable salts are provided, wherein X1˜X5, R1˜R3, A, B, Z and n are defined in the description. And compositions containing said compounds, and the uses for inhibitors of kinases such as ALK, and the uses for treating cancer thereof are provided. |
| US09212190B2 |
IRAK inhibitors and uses thereof
The present invention provides compounds, compositions thereof, and methods of using the same. |
| US09212183B2 |
Salt forms of 1-[(4-methyl-quinazolin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-(3-(R)-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine
The present invention relates to novel salt forms of 1-[(4-methyl-quinazolin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-(3-(R)-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine, processes for making these novel salts, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such novel salts. The invention also relates to the use of these novel salts in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. |
| US09212182B2 |
Bicyclic sulfonamide compounds as sodium channel inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula I, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels, in particular Nav1.7. The compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases associated with the activity of sodium channels such as pain disorders and itch. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the present invention. |
| US09212178B2 |
Substituted pyrimidine compounds and their use as SYK inhibitors
Compounds of Formula (I) and methods for inhibiting kinases, including spleen tyrosine kinases, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for treating a kinase-mediated disease or condition by administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (I). |
| US09212177B2 |
Antiviral compounds and methods of making and using thereof
Compounds which exhibit antiviral activity, particularly against influenza virus, and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. In one embodiment, the compounds are heterocyclic amides containing piperazine and isozazole rings and optionally substituted with one or more substituents. The compounds can be formulated with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to form compositions suitable for enteral or parenteral administration. The compounds are preferably used to treat or prevent Influenza A infections, such as H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7, H1N2, H9N2, H7N2, H7N3, and H10N7. |
| US09212175B2 |
Pharmaceutical hypocholesterolemic compositions
The present invention relates to novel azetidinone-containing compounds having a novel side-chain which is attached to the aryl ring at C4 via a C—C bond and comprises a 3,3-disubstituted oxetane ring and a polar group A, and which are useful in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis and for the reduction of cholesterol levels. |
| US09212172B2 |
Preparation of crystalline bazedoxifene and its salts
Aspects of the present disclosure include crystalline bazedoxifene free base, crystalline bazedoxifene acetate Form D, and processes for their preparation. The drug compound having the adopted name “bazedoxifene acetate” has a chemical name 1-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)benzyl]-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-ol acetic acid, and has the chemical structure shown below as Formula I. |
| US09212171B2 |
Ethynyl compounds
The present invention relates to ethynyl derivatives of formula I X, G, R1, R2, R3, R3′, R4, R4′, R5, R6, R6′, m, and n are as defined herein or to a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt, to a racemic mixture, or to its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof. Compounds of formula I are positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5). They can be used for the treatment of schizophrenia or cognitive disorders. |
| US09212170B2 |
4-alkanoylamino-3-pyrazolone derivative
The present invention provides a compound which enhances the production of erythropoietin. The present invention provides, for example, a compound represented by the formula (1) wherein R1: -Q1, -Q1-X-Q2, or -Q1-X-Q2-Y-Q3: a monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic heterocyclic group; Q2, Q3: an aromatic hydrocarbon ring group or a monocyclic aromatic heterocyclic group; X: —CONH—, —CONHCH2—, —CH2OCH2—, —NHCH2CH2—, or the like; Y: a single bond, —O—, —(CH2)n—, or —O—(CH2)n—; m, n: an integer from 1 to 3; R2: H or an alkyl group; and R3: H, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a carboxy group, an aromatic hydrocarbon ring group, or a monocyclic aromatic heterocyclic group. |
| US09212167B2 |
Mitochondrial targeted stimulators of apoptosis
Pro-apoptotic compounds having a tripartite structure: A-L-B are disclosed. In these compounds A is an IBM mimetic moiety; L is a linker and B is a moiety that binds to a protein on the outer mitochondrial membrane. The compounds are useful for inducing cell apoptosis and therefore treating cancer. An example of such a compound is |
| US09212164B2 |
Pesticidal compositions and processes related thereto
This document discloses molecules having the following formula (“Formula One”): and processes associated therewith. |
| US09212161B2 |
Chiral synthesis of pyrrolidine core compounds en route to neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors
A chiral synthesis of pyrrolidine compounds en route to selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, and representative inhibitor compounds heretofore unattainable. |
| US09212159B1 |
Nitrated and amine-reacted asphaltenes
A functionalized asphaltene. The functionalized asphaltene being a nitrated or an amine-reacted asphaltene. The nitrated asphaltene, containing a fused polycyclic core, prepared by reacting an asphaltene with nitric acid, wherein a first nitrate is attached to an aromatic ring of a dibenzothiophene group, and a second nitrate is attached to an aromatic ring of a benzoanthracene group of the asphaltene to obtain a nitrated asphaltene. The amine-reacted asphaltene prepared by reacting an asphaltene, containing a fused polycyclic core, with amines; wherein a first alkyl or aryl group is attached to an aromatic ring of a dibenzothiophene group of the asphaltene, and a second alkyl or aryl group is attached to an aromatic ring of a benzoanthracene group of the asphaltene. |
| US09212155B2 |
Compounds advantageous in the treatment of central nervous system diseases and disorders
A series of novel compounds showing anticonvulsant, chemical countermeasure(s), and analgesic activities is described. Such pharmaceutically active compounds may also show utility in the treatment of other central nervous system (“CNS”) diseases and disorders, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraine headaches, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, spasticity, Alzheimer's disease, and bipolar disorder. Furthermore, such compounds may additionally find utility as analgesics (e.g., for the treatment of chronic or neuropathic pain) and as neuroprotective agents useful in the treatment of stroke(s), chronic neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease), and/or traumatic brain and/or spinal cord injuries. Moreover, these/such compounds may also be useful in the treatment of status epilepticus and/or as chemical countermeasures. |
| US09212154B2 |
Cysteine derivative
Cysteine compounds represented by the following formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, and salts thereof, are superior in stability, have less odor, exhibit an eumelanin production suppressive effect, and are useful as cosmetic agents. |
| US09212148B2 |
Functionalizing reagents and their uses
Reagents and methods for functionalizing polypeptides with moieties (alkylene glycol) molecules and glycan groups are disclosed that are based on a functionalizing reagent which comprises a nitrogen containing heterocyclic aromatic ring having a vinyl substituent that is capable of reacting with one or more thiol groups that are naturally present, or have been introduced into, the polypeptide, for example by employing a thiol group of one or more cysteine residues. The functionalizing reagent is covalently linked to a poly(alkylene glycol) molecule, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule, or a glycan group so that the reaction between the vinyl group and the thiol group in the polypeptide covalently links the polypeptide to the poly(alkylene glycol) molecule and/or the glycan group. |
| US09212147B2 |
Dihydroxy aromatic heterocyclic compound
Provided is a compound having a D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) inhibitory action, and useful as for example, a prophylaxis and/or therapeutic agent for schizophrenia or neuropathic pain. The present inventors have studied a compound that inhibits DAAO, and confirm that a dihydroxy aromatic heterocyclic compound has a DAAO inhibitory action, and completed the present invention. That is, the dihydroxy aromatic heterocyclic compound of the present invention has a good DAAO inhibitory action, and can be used as a prophylaxis and/or therapeutic agent for, for example, schizophrenia or neuropathic pain. |
| US09212145B2 |
Urea derivatives and uses thereof
The present invention provides novel compounds of any one of Formulae (I)-(III), and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided are particles (e.g., nanoparticles) comprising compounds of Formula (I)-(III) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that are mucus penetrating. The invention also provides methods and kits for using the inventive compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with abnormal or pathological angiogenesis and/or aberrant signaling of a growth factor (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)), such as proliferative diseases (e.g., cancers, benign neoplasms, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases) and ocular diseases (e.g., macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinoblastoma, edema, uveitis, dry eye, blepharitis, and post-surgical inflammation) in a subject in need thereof. |
| US09212142B2 |
Niacin mimetics, and methods of use thereof
Disclosed are 6-(morpholinoalkyl)-substituted pyridines, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, that are active against a range of mammalian therapeutic indications. |
| US09212138B2 |
Use of derivatives of indoles for the treatment of cancer
The present invention relates to the use of derivatives of indoles having a general formula (I) as follow: for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition intended for the treatment of cancer. |
| US09212136B2 |
Methods for producing paricalcitol
The present invention is directed to novel processes for the preparation of paricalcitol to novel intermediates used in these processes, and to processes for preparation of the novel intermediates. |
| US09212134B2 |
Inhibitors of viral entry into mammalian cells
The present invention is related to the development of compounds and methods for inhibiting viral infection in a mammal. A pseudotype virus was developed for use in a high throughput assay for identifying nonpeptidic small molecule inhibitors that prevent viral entry into a host cell. |
| US09212131B2 |
Polyamine transport inhibitors as novel therapeutics
Novel polyamine transport inhibitors have been synthesized and demonstrated to block the uptake of native polyamines into human cancer cells. A combination therapy of the transport inhibitor and DFMO (a drug which blocks polyamine biosynthesis) provided synergistic activity against a metastatic human colon cancer cell line. The strategy uses polyamine depletion and polyamine metabolism to generate reactive oxygen species within cells as a novel way to treat cancers. This approach may be implemented for widespread use in the treatment of diseases which rely upon polyamine transport activity for proliferation. |
| US09212128B2 |
(R)-6-(dimethylamino)-4,4-diphenylheptan-3-one
(R)-6-(dimethylamino)-4,4-diphenylheptan-3-one and a process to produce thereof. |
| US09212124B2 |
Complex oligomeric structures
Mixture of triglycerides obtained from vegetable oils comprising one or more of the following oligomeric structures: R4—[O—C(O)—R1—C(O)—O—CH2—CH(OR2)—CH2]n—O—R3 wherein R1 is selected from C2-C22 alkylenes, R2 is selected from one or more of the following groups consisting of C6-C24 dicarboxylic acid residues and C6-C24 monocarboxylic acid residues, R3 is selected from one or more of the following groups consisting of H, C6-C24 dicarboxylic acid residues and C6-C24 monocarboxylic acid residues, R4 is an alkyl group, n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, said C6-C24 dicarboxylic acid residues of R2 and R3 being esterified with monoalcohols and said mixture of triglycerides having a Numerical Average Molecular Weight (Mn) of between 800 and 10.000 Da. |
| US09212123B2 |
Cosmetic composition obtained by esterification of amyl alcohol or an isomer thereof and a natural vegetable oil fatty acid
Disclosed is a cosmetic composition containing, as an active ingredient, an ester oil obtained by the bonding and esterification of amyl alcohol or an isomer thereof and a fatty acid derived from a natural vegetable oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. The ester oil increases the viscosity and imparts stability to cosmetics while also having a far better moisturizing ability and a lighter feeling in use than silicone oil, and the invention therefore allows a naturally derived ester oil, which is relatively friendly to the human body, to be used as a fundamental base component of a cosmetic composition, in complete or partial substitution for silicone oil which has been used on account of the shortcomings of existing synthetic ester oils. |
| US09212122B2 |
Process for inhibiting unwanted free-radical polymerization of acrylic acid present in a liquid phase P
A process for inhibiting unwanted free-radical polymerization of acrylic acid present in a liquid phase P whose acrylic acid content is at least 10% by weight and which, based on the weight of the acrylic acid present therein, additionally comprises at least 100 ppm by weight of propionic acid and at least 100 ppm by weight of glyoxal, in which at least one chemical compound of the element copper is added to the liquid phase P, and the resulting liquid phases P to which a chemical compound of the element copper has been added. |
| US09212120B2 |
Process for preparing spiro[2.5]octane-5,7-dione
Disclosed is a method for the synthesis of spiro[2.5]octane-5,7-dione useful as intermediate in the manufacture of pharmaceutically active ingredients. Also disclosed are novel intermediates used in the synthesis of this compound. |
| US09212119B2 |
Method of making alpha, omega-diiodoperfluoroalkanes
A method of making α,ω-diiodoperfluoroalkanes includes combining: diatomic iodine, at least one perfluoroalkylene oxide represented by the formula wherein Rf represents a perfluoroalkyl group; and at least one of: a) a first metallic compound comprising nickel, and a second metallic compound comprising molybdenum that is compositionally different from the first metallic compound; or b) a metallic alloy comprising from 50 to 70 percent by weight of nickel and from 20 to 40 percent by weight of molybdenum, based on the total weight of the metallic alloy, thereby producing at least one product represented by the formula I(CF2)nI, wherein n independently represents an integer in the range of from 1 to 11. The total weight of the at least one product wherein n is 3 or greater exceeds the total weight of the at least one product wherein n is 1 or 2 by a factor of at least 4. |
| US09212115B2 |
Alicyclic diol compound and manufacturing method thereof
The alicyclic diol compound of the present invention is represented by the following formula (1). |
| US09212114B2 |
Process for the production of a fatty alcohol from a fatty acid
In a process for producing fatty alcohol, fatty acid is subjected to esterification with a lower alkanol to form a stream of lower alkyl fatty acid ester(s). The stream is vaporized and then subjected to hydrogenation. The stream is then subjected to transesterification in a wax ester reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkyl fatty acid ester(s) to lower alkanol and wax ester(s). The resulting stream is then separated to yield a fatty alcohol(s) steam, a wax ester(s) stream, and an overhead stream comprising fatty alkanol(s) and alkane. The overhead stream is reacted in a wax ester reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkyl fatty acid ester to lower alkanol and wax ester(s). The wax ester(s) formed from the alkane is separated, along with any water and/or lower alkanol present. |
| US09212112B1 |
Process for the preparation of beta-santalol
The present invention concerns a process for the preparation of a compound of formula in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or mixtures thereof, wherein R represents a C1-C7 alkyl or alkenyl group, a C7-C10 benzyl group optionally substituted by one to three C1-3 alkyl or alkoxy groups, a C1-C7 acyl group or an alkoxycarbonyl of formula C(═O)OR′, wherein R′ is a C1-C7 alkyl group. |
| US09212111B2 |
Process for manufacturing haloaryl compounds from mixtures of isomers of dihalodiarylsulfone
A process for the manufacture of a haloaryl compound which comprises contacting a mixture of dihalodiarylsulfone isomers [mixture (M)] with sulfuric acid to provide a mixture of haloarylsulfonic acid isomers [mixture (M1)] and reacting mixture (M1) in the presence of water. The process is independent on the manufacturing process of mixture (M) and is advantageous in that the obtained haloaryl compound can be recycled to the first step of a dihalodiarylsulfone manufacturing process. |
| US09212106B2 |
Renewable olefins from a mixture of acetic acid and propionic acid
A process is described for making a product mixture including isobutene, propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 2-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene from a mixture of acetic acid and propionic and through reaction in the presence of a source of hydrogen and of a mixed oxide catalyst, for example, a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst. A variety of commercially valuable products may be made in turn from the various C3, C4 and C5 constituents of the product mixture. |
| US09212105B2 |
Processes for producing at least one light olefin
A process for producing at least one light olefin comprising: (a) contacting a first raw material comprising methanol with a least one catalyst in a first reaction zone to produce at least one light olefin and at least one inactivated catalyst; (b) transporting the at least one inactivated catalyst to a first regeneration zone to produce at least one first regenerated catalyst, and transporting a portion of the at least one first regenerated catalyst to the first reaction zone; (c) transporting another portion of the at least one first regenerated catalyst to a second regeneration zone to obtain at least one second regenerated catalyst; and (d) transporting the at least one second regenerated catalyst to a second reaction zone, and contacting the at least one second regenerated catalyst with a second raw material comprising C4 olefins to produce a product stream II comprising at least one light olefin. |
| US09212102B1 |
Spray drying of metallized explosive
An insensitive crystalline high explosive molding powder, usable as a booster HE. The subject insensitive crystalline high explosive molding powder being manufactured by adding the crystalline high explosive, metal or semi-metal particles and a polymer or wax based binder to a solvent to form a solution, spray drying the solution to drive off the solvent, thereby co-precipitating the HE and binder to form granules in which the crystals of HE and metal particles are uniformly distributed in the binder. |
| US09212099B2 |
Heat treated ceramic substrate having ceramic coating and heat treatment for coated ceramics
A ceramic article having a ceramic substrate and a ceramic coating with an initial porosity and an initial amount of cracking is provided. The ceramic article is heated to a temperature range between about 1000° C. and about 1800° C. at a ramping rate of about 0.1° C. per minute to about 20° C. per minute. The ceramic article is heat treated at one or more temperatures within the temperature range for a duration of up to about 24 hours. The ceramic article is then cooled at the ramping rate, wherein after the heat treatment the ceramic coating has a reduced porosity and a reduced amount of cracking. |
| US09212096B2 |
Building brick comprising a porous material, the microstructure of which is controlled by the addition of a nucleating agent during the process of preparing same
A building brick with cellular structure comprising a porous material, said porous material being obtained by a process comprising the following successive steps: a step a) of synthesis of quicklime; a step b) of mixing said quicklime, water and silica; a step c) of introduction of a nucleating agent; a step d) of hydrothermal synthesis to obtain a ceramic mass, and a step e) of drying said ceramic mass obtained in step d). |
| US09212093B2 |
Hybrid magnesium cement and method of manufacture
A hybrid magnesium cement composition formed of an A-side and a B-side. The A-side having an A1-component including a light-burn grade magnesium-containing material, and an A2-component including a non-metallic oxide salt. A B-side having a metal silicate polymer is included. |
| US09212092B2 |
Portland limestone calcined clay cement
The claimed subject matter relates to a novel cement comprising Portland cement clinker and a supplementary cementitious material. The supplementary cementitious material comprises a heat treated clay material and an optionally heat treated carbonate material, wherein the clay material has been heat treated optionally together with the carbonate material in such a way that the heat treated clay material is substantially dehydroxylated while the optionally heat treated carbonate material remains substantially carbonated. This can be achieved by premixing the carbonate and clay materials before heat treating to 400-700 C, or heat treating the clay material separately to a temperature of up to 900 C. When used in the final application the cement results in much higher strengths than would be predict from any other combination of these materials. |
| US09212090B2 |
Photocatalytic material
One subject of the invention is a material comprising a substrate coated on at least one portion of at least one of its faces with a stack comprising a photocatalytic layer, the geometrical thickness of which is between 2 and 30 nm, and at least one pair of respectively high and low refractive index layers positioned underneath said photocatalytic layer so that in the or each pair, the or each high refractive index layer is closest to the substrate, said material being such that the optical thickness, for a wavelength of 350 nm, of the or each high refractive index layer, except the photocatalytic layer, is between 170 and 300 nm and the optical thickness, for a wavelength of 350 nm, of the or each low refractive index layer is between 30 and 90 nm. |
| US09212087B2 |
Glass-ceramics composite material
A glass-ceramics composite material suitable for a low-temperature firing use, which has high moisture resistance and thermal conductivity, is provided. In the glass-ceramics composite material which contains aluminum nitride (AlN) particles as a filler, even in a case where boron oxide (B2O3) is blended as a flux of a glass phase, by adjusting the composition of raw materials which forms the glass phase to a specific conditions to make the crystal phase which contains boron (B) precipitate at the time of firing of the glass-ceramics composite material. |
| US09212080B2 |
Glass film cleaving method and glass film laminate
A glass film cleaving method includes cleaving a full-body of a glass film having a thickness of 200 μm or less by propagating an initial crack along a preset cleaving line through heating of the glass film with a laser beam followed by subsequent cooling of the glass film. The method also includes manufacturing a glass film laminate by setting a surface roughness Ra of a surface of the glass film to contact a support glass, which supports the glass film, and a surface of the support glass to contact the glass film to 2.0 nm or less, and by bringing the surfaces of the glass film and the support glass into surface contact with each other, followed by the cleaving. |
| US09212079B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing stress variations in glass sheets produced from a glass ribbon
In a vertical glass drawing process, an edge guiding assembly (33) located between a glass forming apparatus (41) and a glass sheet separating apparatus (20) reduces horizontal motion of the glass ribbon (13) from which the glass sheets (11) are removed and results in the reduction of the difference in stress levels between the top and bottom edges of a glass sheet (11) made by the process. The edge guiding assembly also provides a reduction of the variation of stress levels between successive sheets of glass made by the vertical drawing process. |
| US09212070B2 |
Water treatment system and method
A water treatment system is provided including a tank having a top, a control valve, and an air inlet. The control valve is positioned on the top of the tank and in fluid communication with the tank. The control valve includes a plurality of orifices in fluid communication with a source of untreated water, a treated water outlet, a drain, and a source of sterilizing fluid. The air inlet is in fluid communication with the tank and with a first venturi. The control valve is operative to control the flow of untreated water through the first venturi to draw air through the air inlet and into the tank. The control valve includes a sterilizer valve that is operative to open and close at least one passage in fluid communication between the control valve and the source of sterilizing fluid. |
| US09212065B2 |
Zirconia sintered body, zirconia composition and zirconia calcined body, and dental prosthesis
Zirconia sintered body having similar appearance to natural tooth. On straight line extending in first direction from one end to the other end of zirconia sintered body, when chromaticity (L*, a*, b*) by a L*a*b* colorimetric system of first point positioned in section from the one end to 25% of the whole length is (L1, a1, b1) and chromaticity (L*, a*, b*) by L*a*b* colorimetric system of second point positioned in section from the other end to 25% of whole length is (L2, a2, b2), L1 ranges from 58.0 to 76.0, a1 ranges from −1.6 to 7.6, b1 ranges from 5.5 to 26.3, L2 ranges from 71.8 to 84.2, a2 ranges from −2.1 to 1.8, b2 ranges from 1.9 to 16.0, L1 |
| US09212061B2 |
Separation of gases
A process for separating sour shifted synthesis gas feedstock into liquid carbon dioxide, a gaseous hydrogen-containing gas and separated sulphur-containing components includes the steps of a. scrubbing the sour shifted gas elevated pressure with an alcohol solvent in a first scrubber and separately recovering an alcohol stream containing the sulphur-containing components and a sweet shifted gas; b. thereafter cooling the sweet shifted gas to a temperature and elevated pressure at which the carbon dioxide contained therein condenses and a two-phase gas-liquid mixture is formed; c. separating the two-phase mixture of stage (b) into separate liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous hydrogen-containing fractions in a fractionation unit; d. extracting residual carbon dioxide from the separated gaseous hydrogen-containing fraction by scrubbing the gaseous hydrogen-containing fraction at elevated pressure with an alcohol solvent in a second scrubber and recovering an alcohol stream containing carbon dioxide; e. feeding the alcohol stream containing carbon dioxide produced in step (d) to the first scrubber and f. warming and expanding the scrubber gaseous hydrogen-containing fraction using at least one heat exchanger to exchange heat with the mixture of step (b) and at least one turbo-expander capable of recovering mechanical work. The process described may be used in for example Integrated Gasification Combined Cycles (IGCC) where the source of fuel is coal or low grade carbon sources such as lignite, tar sands and shale oil. |
| US09212058B2 |
Synthetic hydrogen-based gas manufacture and use
A method of producing hydrogen from hydro-carbon feed material is disclosed. A cylindrical plasma reaction region having a temperature greater than 800 C is created in a cylindrical reaction chamber by a cylindrical plasma array. The feed material is introduced into the plasma, where it undergoes plasma pyrolysis and is separated into hydrogen gas and solid carbon. The hydrogen gas is further purified using a hydrogen sieve that allows hydrogen through but retards larger molecules. The hydrogen gas is then feed into a fuel cell where it mixes with oxygen to provide electrical power. The plasma array may have one or more angled plasma arcs such that the plasma reaction region rotates as a vortex. There may also be two or more cylindrical plasma arrays arranged parallel to each other and to the cylindrical reaction chamber such that the feed material is fed through them. |
| US09212057B2 |
Method for controlling fuel reformer
A method for controlling a fuel reformer, capable of generating hydrogen by reforming fuel, comprises: heating a catalyst of the fuel reformer by operating an electric heater formed to enclose the catalyst; supplying fuel and air to the catalyst under a condition of complete combustion; flame-combusting the fuel by igniting an ignition plug installed near a rear end of the catalyst; and shifting the position of the flame combustion to inside of the catalyst, by reducing a supply amount of the fuel and the air, such that temperature of the catalyst is drastically increased. |
| US09212051B1 |
Systems and methods for forming MEMS assemblies incorporating getters
Systems and methods for forming MEMS assemblies incorporating getters are described. One such method for forming and bonding to a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) assembly includes providing a first MEMS wafer including a metal layer on an inner surface and one or more cavities for forming a MEMS component, attaching a MEMS capping wafer, having at least one through hole via, to the inner surface of the first MEMS wafer thereby forming at least one encapsulated MEMs component within the first MEMS wafer, and bonding a wire to the metal layer through an open end of the at least one through hole via. |
| US09212049B2 |
SOI wafer, manufacturing method therefor, and MEMS device
In order to obtain a SOI wafer having an excellent ability of gettering metal impurities, an efficient method of manufacturing a SOI wafer, and a highly reliable MEMS device using such a SOI wafer, provided is a SOI wafer including: a support wafer (1) and an active layer wafer (6) which are bonded together with an oxide film (3) therebetween, each of the support wafer (1) and the active layer wafer (6) being a silicon wafer; a cavity (1b) formed in a bonding surface of at least one of the silicon wafers; and a gettering material (2) formed on a surface on a side opposite to the bonding surface. |
| US09212048B2 |
Hybridly integrated component and method for the production thereof
A hybridly integrated component includes an ASIC element having a processed front side, a first MEMS element having a micromechanical structure extending over the entire thickness of the first MEMS substrate, and a first cap wafer mounted over the micromechanical structure of the first MEMS element. At least one structural element of the micromechanical structure of the first MEMS element is deflectable, and the first MEMS element is mounted on the processed front side of the ASIC element such that a gap exists between the micromechanical structure and the ASIC element. A second MEMS element is mounted on the rear side of the ASIC element. The micromechanical structure of the second MEMS element extends over the entire thickness of the second MEMS substrate and includes at least one deflectable structural element. |
| US09212043B2 |
System for dispensing fuel from a fuel pump and related device
Disclosed is a system and associated device for dispensing fuel from a fuel pump. The system permits the hand-free operation of a fuel pump, thereby freeing the operator to perform other tasks simultaneously. The device is preferably designed to be carried on the key ring of the user and, when in use, is positioned in association with a fuel pump handle in an orientation that holds the operating lever of the handle in a position that permits fuel to flow. When the user has completed the dispensing of fuel, a rounded end of the device permits easy, carefree removal from the pump handle. For storage, the device can then be placed into a retracted conformation that enables the user to conveniently store and transport the device. |
| US09212041B2 |
Wireless control system for dispensing beverages from a bottle
A pour spout, for attaching to a bottle, has a first wireless transceiver and a valve for selectively controlling flow of a beverage from the bottle. A server interface, adapted to be carried by a person who serves beverages, has a second wireless transceiver. A control unit is provided to wirelessly communicate with the second transceiver. In one mode, the pour spout transmits a spout identifier to the server interface, which responds by transmitting the spout identifier and a server identifier to the control unit. The control unit responds with a reply transmission causing the server interface to command the pour spout to open the valve. In another mode, a person selects a cocktail, that results in the control unit sending designations of a plurality of liquor ingredients to the server interface. The server interface controls dispensing each of the plurality of liquor ingredients. |
| US09212040B2 |
Beverage dispense valve controlled by wireless technology
Methods and systems directed to dispensing fluids, such as beverages, using wireless technology are provided. Aspects relate to a container, such as a beverage cup, having a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals to a second wireless transceiver associated with a dispenser. The wireless transceiver may be configured to transmit electronic signals indicative that the container is validated to receive a beverage and whether it is properly located to receive the beverage from a valve of the dispenser. Further aspects of the invention relate to a beverage dispensing system having a wireless transceiver. In one embodiment, the dispenser is configured to receive a return signal from a container indicative that the container is validated to receive a beverage and whether the container is properly located to receive a beverage from a valve of the dispenser. |
| US09212039B1 |
Body scrub brush with liquid soap dispenser
A body scrub brush with an integrated liquid soap dispenser that eliminates the need to maintain a bottle or bar of soap in the bathing area is disclosed. |
| US09212036B2 |
Industrial truck
An industrial truck includes a chassis comprising a plurality of wheels, and wheel suspensions. Each wheel suspension is mounted on the chassis around two axes so as to be tiltable. At least two wheels of the plurality of wheels are each mounted on the chassis via a respective wheel suspension. |
| US09212032B2 |
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. |
| US09212026B2 |
Lifting platform and method for setting up a lifting platform
A lifting platform (10) in the construction field comprises a base (12), which can be set up on a ground (14) and converted into a console, which can be suspended on a structure (18) with distance to the ground (14), and a platform (20), which can be lifted in relation to the base (12) both in the state in which it is set up on the ground (14) and in the state suspended on the structure (18). A method for setting up a lifting platform (10) in the construction field, comprising a base (12) and a platform (20), includes the following steps: Setting up the base (12) on a ground (14) such that the platform (20) can be lifted in relation to the base (12), lifting the base (12), converting the base (12) into a console that can be suspended on a structure (18), and suspending the console on a structure (18) in a state that again allows the platform (20) to be lifted. |
| US09212024B2 |
Webbing retractor
A webbing retractor is provided that can improve balance of load that a torsion shaft receives from a spool. Fit-together projections are formed at a spool side engaging portion of a main torsion member. Further, a load receiving portion is formed at a webbing insert-through hole side at the spool side engaging portion. Rotation radius direction components of rotational forces, that respective inclined surfaces of the fit-together projections receive from respective inclined surfaces of rotation restricting holes, are nullified by a rotation radius direction component of rotational force that the load receiving portion receives from a load imparting portion. Due thereto, balance of load that the main torsion member receives from a spool can be improved. |
| US09212022B2 |
Mandrel for stretch film rolls
An adjustable mandrel for use with cored, or coreless rolls of stretch film is disclosed. The mandrel comprises a cylindrical shaft and a sheath. The shaft and sheath each comprise slanted regions that slide against each other when the shaft is moved relative to the sheath, and this sliding movement causes the radial displacement of the sheath such that the mandrel expands to press against the inner surface of a roll of stretch film. The displaced sheath portions retract when the shaft and sheath are disengaged and can be moved from the roll and reused. The even pressure exerted by the mandrel across the roll prevents deformation of the roll and waste of the film. |
| US09212021B2 |
Winding cores for material rolls having high roll strain energy, and method for making same
Winding cores for elastically stretched or shrinkable materials are designed to significantly reduce the amount of roll strain energy developed during winding. This is accomplished by building into the core an energy-absorbing zone that can be collapsed by a substantial amount and in a relatively controlled fashion over a substantial period of time under the influence of a continued radially inward pressure exerted by the roll of wound material. The energy-absorbing zone is formed by one or more collapsible layers having repeated atomic regions projecting out of a plane of the sheet and each defining a plurality of normal vectors in different sub-regions of the atomic region, wherein the normal vectors, when projected onto the two-dimensional plane of the sheet, are in a plurality of different directions in the plane. |
| US09212020B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system
A sheet processing apparatus including a first conveying member that conveys a sheet, a second conveying member that receives the sheet conveyed by the first conveying member and further conveys the sheet to a subsequent stage, a third conveying member that receives the sheet conveyed by the first conveying member and further folds the sheet, a guiding member that guides the sheet when the sheet is folded by the third conveying member, and is arranged between the second conveying member and the third conveying member. The sheet is guided along the guiding member when a bending part of the sheet is conveyed to the third conveying member by rotating the second conveying member in a reverse direction while the sheet is held by the first conveying member and the second conveying member. |
| US09212016B2 |
Image forming apparatus automatically setting noise reduction
An image forming apparatus can exchange a sound reduction mode and a normal mode. The image forming apparatus includes a sound reduction sheet feed cassette, a normal sheet feed cassette, a sound reduction sheet feed cassette roller, and a normal sheet feed cassette roller. The sound reduction sheet feed cassette roller and the normal sheet feed cassette roller can exchange rotation speed to a slower speed than a normal paper feeding speed, In the sound reduction mode, the image forming apparatus performs one of a noise reduction high performance mode and a noise reduction low performance mode. In the normal mode, the image forming apparatus performs a high performance mode. |
| US09212015B2 |
Feeding apparatus
A feeding apparatus includes a feeding device that feeds paper from a tray to a feed path, a guide member that moves between a first position to cover the feed path and a second position to expose the feed path, a detection device disposed along the feed path downstream from the guide member, and detects the paper fed in the feed path, a judgment device that judges whether a feeding error has occurred in the feed path, a particular information control device that stores particular information in a memory when a feeding error has occurred, and a notification device that issues information indicating that the paper has not been fed from the tray to the feed path when the paper is not detected by the detection device and the memory does not store the particular information. |
| US09212013B2 |
Overhead-conveying transport bag and method for automatically unloading the transport bag
An overhead-conveying transport bag for automatically unloading a loaded piece good includes a basic structure as well as a separate receiving device, which is arranged adjacent thereto. Unloading of the transport bag is performed through one of the front sides of the basic structure which is open and at least the lateral sides of the receiving device are formed such that the base is liftable into an unloading position of the transport bag, in which the base is lifted into the bottom of the basic structure. |
| US09212012B2 |
Tapered roller bearing fabricating system and tapered roller supply method
A tapered roller bearing fabricating system and a tapered roller supply method are provided which enable tapered rollers to be loaded properly in pockets of a cage. The tapered roller supply system has a tube which stocks a plurality of tapered rollers loaded from above in a stacked-up state in an inside thereof and a tapered roller supply portion which separates a lowermost tapered roller from a tapered roller situated above the lowermost tapered roller in the plurality of tapered rollers to be discharged from the tube in upstream and downstream directions so as to allow the tapered rollers to drop sequentially one by one when they reach a lowermost position. |
| US09212008B2 |
Conveyor accumulator for controlling the flow of articles being conveyed
A conveyor accumulator is configured to buffer a stream of articles moving along a conveyor path. The conveyor accumulator comprises an in-feed accumulator for diverting a flow of articles from an upstream source to various downstream output locations. The conveyor accumulator also comprises a mass storage accumulator connected downstream of and to the in-feed accumulator. The mass storage accumulator has a plurality of lanes. The conveyor accumulator further comprises an out-feed accumulator connected downstream of and to the mass storage accumulator for diverting the flow of articles from various upstream sources to a downstream output location. |
| US09212005B1 |
Cantilevered screw assembly
An exemplary embodiment is directed to a cantilevered screw assembly comprising a solid oil bearing to facilitate rotation of the screw. Another exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly includes an improved anchor system comprising multiple load-bearing walls. In particular, an exemplary embodiment may comprise a screw that is cantilevered to at least two walls. At least one reinforcement member may connect the walls for additional support. |
| US09212003B2 |
Detachable tab for a modular belt link
A detachable tab for a modular belt link is provided. The detachable tab has upper and lower body portions. The upper body portion is suitable to be arranged in a modular conveyor belt module, and comprises a U-shaped section with two substantially parallel flanges that extend from a bridge member. Each flange has a distal end that terminates the flange away from the flange's connection to the bridge member. Each flange also has an inner side surface that faces the other flange and an outer side surface that faces away from the flanges. The lower body portion comprises three distinct sections: a first section that connects a second section to the bridge member of the upper body portion; a second section that projects in a direction opposite and parallel to the flanges of the upper body portion; and a third section that is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second section. |
| US09211999B2 |
Container having non-linear tracks for supporting movable dunnage
A container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse has a frame, tracks supported by opposite sides of the frame, and a plurality of dunnage supports extending between the tracks. At least one of the tracks on each side is generally U-shaped. Each dunnage support comprises end members and a middle member, the end members being movable along the tracks. The dunnage supports support dunnage for supporting products for storage or shipment. |
| US09211998B2 |
Collapsible transport container, connecting member and method to fold a collapsible transport container
A collapsible transport container (302) comprising a base (304), a roof (310), a first and second opposed side wall (308, 306) rotatable relative to the base (304) and the roof (310). Also provided with first connecting member (316) operably connecting the first side wall (306) to the roof and second connecting member (318) operably connecting the second side wall (306) to the roof (310). The distance between the point of attachment of first and second connecting member (318, 316) to the roof (310) is less than the distance between the point of attachment (326, 324) of first and second connecting member 326, 324) to the first and second side wall (308, 306). At least part of the connecting member is flexible. |
| US09211996B2 |
Package of smoking articles with a sliding opening and a hinged lid
A package of tobacco articles including an inner container which houses a group of tobacco articles, and has an open top end, and a lid hinged to close the open top end, an outer container housing the inner container to allow the inner container to slide with respect to the outer container between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and a sealing flap hinged to a top edge of a front wall of the outer container and movable between a work position, in which the sealing flap is perpendicular to the front wall of the outer container and located beneath a top wall of the lid of the inner container, and a rest position, in which the sealing flap is parallel to the front wall of the outer container. |
| US09211993B2 |
Nested blow molded liner and overpack and methods of making same
The present disclosure relates to an integrated liner-based system having an overpack and a liner provided within the overpack, the liner comprising a mouth and a liner wall forming an interior cavity of the liner and having a thickness such that the liner is substantially self-supporting in an expanded state, but is collapsible at a pressure of less than about 20 psi. The liner and overpack may be made by blow molding the liner and the overpack at the same time using nested preforms. |
| US09211986B2 |
Package, carton and blank therefor
A carton for containing one or more articles, the carton comprising a series of walls for retaining said one or more articles within 5 the carton, wherein a presentation and retention means is incorporated within one of said walls. The presentation and retention means comprises a displaceable tab (62, 68) connected to the wall (24) in which the presentation and retention means is incorporated such that once displaced to create a window for displaying an article the displaceable tab is biased to return to its original position and 10 thereby retains the displayed article within the carton. Optionally, the biasing is achieved by virtue of the connection of the displaceable tab being about a non-linear hinge line. Additionally, or alternatively, this biasing is achieved by the displaceable tab being connected a hinge line (60b, 60) co-extensive with the extent of the displaceable tab. |
| US09211981B2 |
Container closure system
A container including a lid having one of a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion for engaging the first engagement portion. A base having the other of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion. The first engagement portion and second engagement portion are engageable to define different positions between the lid and the base, including selective one-way engagement between a first opened arrangement between the lid and the base and a second opened arrangement between the lid and the base, as well as a closed position between the lid and the base. |
| US09211978B2 |
Seal
A pierceable, induction sealable seal for a container opening, the seal comprising a plurality of layers at least one of which is metallic and at least one of which is non-metallic, at least one of the non-metallic layers is complete and in use extends across a container opening to seal it. The area over which the at least one of the metallic layers extends is restricted to the region of the periphery of the seal whereby to facilitate induction sealing to the opening but to remain isolated from product in a container upon piercing of the seal. |
| US09211977B2 |
Bottle closure having a wood top
A closure for a bottle includes a stopper portion and a head portion. The stopper portion has an axial length and a first width. The stopper portion is configured to be received at least in part within a bottle. The stopper portion has a wooden inner part and a polymer outer part. The head portion has a second width that exceeds the first width. Continuities in the wooden inner part strengthen the mechanical connection between the polymer outer part and the wooden inner part. |
| US09211969B2 |
Specimen container
A specimen container system (800) includes a lid (100) and a container (400). The lid (100) has an annular wall (201) and a central surface (104). The central surface (104) is configured to be conically shaped by tapering from the annular wall (201) to a point (208) disposed at an inner portion of the central surface (104). The container (400) and lid (100) can also include an audible locking system where a cantilevered audible lock projection (602) extending from the container (400) engages an audible lock actuation protrusion (217) extending from the lid (100) to make a click sound when the lid (100) is seated on the container (400). |
| US09211968B2 |
Container structure for removal of vacuum pressure
A hot-fill PET container or bottle (10) filling with a liquid at an elevated temperature has a side wall (9) extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (11) and a base (21) in its unfolded or pre-fill position. The panel (11) is transversely oriented and has a decoupling or hinge structure (13), an initiator portion (1) and control portion (5) of a steeply angled inverting conical section between 30 and 45 degrees. The control portion enables the inversion of the panel (11) into the container (10) to compensate for vacuum or reduced pressure induced within the container as the liquid cools down. The base (2) can also have a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3). |
| US09211965B2 |
Plastic fastener dispensing hand tool having a novel anvil design
An improved hand tool for dispensing plastic fasteners having a novel anvil design. The hand tool has a gun shaped casing with a barrel portion and a handle portion. The casing has a needle assembly opening at the front of the barrel portion and a trigger slot at the front of the handle portion. The hand tool further has a hollow needle disposed on one end of a needle assembly, and a trigger that is pivotally mounted within the casing that extends out from the trigger slot. The trigger is capable of moving the needle assembly between the retracted and extended positions. The hand tool further has an anvil. The anvil has a needle guard, a main portion, and a fabric slot. The fabric slot separates the needle guard from the main portion. |
| US09211964B1 |
Unloading system
An unloading system for a stuffing box includes a plate-like footing element within which a stuffing box may be locked. An unloading tool includes concentric inner and outer shafts. A grip element formed at the end of the outer shaft includes a segmented wing section arrayed radially about the tool axis. An enlarged core element is formed at the end of the inner shaft. Relative longitudinal movement of the inner and outer shafts allows the core element to expand or contract the wing section's cross-sectional profile. The unloading tool is actuated within the stuffing box to enlarge the cross-sectional profile of the wing section, which tightly grips the internal walls of the base packing element. Axial force applied to the outer shaft from an elevated platform withdraws the outer shaft from the stuffing box. The gripped base packing element, and the packing elements above it, are concurrently unloaded. |
| US09211962B2 |
Methods and systems for orienting articles
An apparatus for orienting articles includes a bowl having a sidewall and angled relative to horizontal, a disc disposed in the bowl and rotatable relative to the bowl, the disc having a radius proximate its outer periphery defining a groove sized to receive one of the articles in a predetermined orientation, and a diverter for diverting canisters contained in the groove through an outlet in the sidewall of the bowl. |
| US09211957B2 |
Aircraft fuel tank ventilation
An aircraft fuel tank ventilation system, comprising a refrigerative dehumidifying device having a refrigerating element in contact with air flowing between a vent open to the atmosphere and a fuel tank. Also, a method of dehumidifying air introduced into an aircraft fuel tank via the ventilation system, the method comprising directing atmospheric air from the vent into contact with the refrigerating element, and cooling the refrigerating element so as to remove water vapor from the air flowing from the vent towards the fuel tank by condensation. |
| US09211955B1 |
Methods and apparatus for supporting engines and nacelles relative to aircraft wings
Methods and apparatus for supporting engines and nacelles relative to aircraft wings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first support structure to be coupled to a wing, a second support structure to be coupled to the wing and a nacelle. The support structures are coupled to opposite sides of the nacelle. The support structures are to be coupled to opposite sides of an engine to enable thrust loads to be reacted through the support structures to the wing. |
| US09211954B2 |
Air supply system of an aircraft and method for mixing two air streams in an air supply system
The invention relates to an air supply system of an aircraft, in particular of a passenger aircraft, which comprises a fresh air system, through which fresh air can be supplied to an aircraft cabin, a circulating air system, which is coupled to the fresh air system and through which used cabin air can be supplied to the fresh air system, a cooling air system for cooling an air conditioning system of the aircraft disposed in the fresh air system, and a ventilation system coupled to the cooling air system for ventilating an installation space of the air conditioning system. The air supply system includes a device for fluidically coupling the cooling air system and the ventilation system. The device is disposed and configured inside the fuselage of the aircraft such that the air in one system can be driven through the air flow in the other system. The invention also relates to a method for mixing two air streams in an air supply system of this kind of an aircraft. |
| US09211952B2 |
Folding table system with removable extension and rigidification element, and aircraft including such a system
A folding table system includes a table and a removable extension, together with a rigidification element slidably mounted within a cavity made in the table such that a portion of the rigidification element can be inserted in a housing made in the removable extension so as to rigidify the assembly formed by the table and the removable extension. The removable character of the removable extension in particular allows the system to be deployed by passing around possible obstacles by an appropriate conformation of at least one edge of the abovementioned assembly. |
| US09211951B2 |
Systems and apparatus for tether termination mount for tethered aerial vehicles
Wind energy systems, such as an Airborne Wind Turbine (“AWT”), may be used to facilitate conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. An AWT may include an aerial vehicle that flies in a path to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be tethered to a ground station with a tether that terminates at a tether termination mount. In one aspect, the tether may be a conductive tether that can transmit electricity and/or electrical signals back and forth between the aerial vehicle and the ground station. The tether termination mount may include one or more gimbals that allow for the tether termination mount to rotate about one or more axis. In a further aspect, the tether termination mount may include a slip ring that allows for rotation of the tether without twisting the tether. |
| US09211946B2 |
Wing fold system with latch pins through multiple mating lugs
A wing fold system of a wing of an aircraft. The system may include a first lock of a latch to prevent movement of a latch pin of the latch to prevent movement of an unfixed portion of the wing with respect to a fixed portion of the wing, the first lock may include a first cam configured to prevent the second lock from transitioning to a second engaged position until the first lock may be in a first engaged position via contact with a second cam of the second lock. A second lock of the latch, the second lock may include the second cam configured to prevent the first lock from transitioning away from the first engaged position until the second lock transitions away from the second engaged position. |
| US09211945B2 |
Insulation arrangement with ventilation openings for aircraft
An insulation arrangement with two or more insulation packages that overlap such that at least one overlapping region is formed and are arrangeable on a fuselage wall is provided. The insulation packages comprise an insulating material and welded cover films. The cover films are realized in an airtight and waterproof fashion and comprise ventilation openings on a side that is directed toward the fuselage wall in an overlapping region. In this way, pressure variations in the insulation packages can be compensated with relatively dry air that originates from a gap between the insulation packages and the fuselage wall in order to thusly reduce the accumulation of condensation water in the insulation packages. |
| US09211943B2 |
Interior equipment element for vehicle cabins
An interior equipment element 2 for vehicle cabins, in particular of aircraft. The interior equipment element 2 consists of at least one first portion 7, on the surface of which there is applied. |
| US09211940B2 |
Knuckle deflector for marine seismic survey system
Deflectors configured to be attached to cables towed behind a vessel for performing a marine survey and associated methods are provided. A deflector has a body including a wing portion and a knuckle portion. The wing portion has substantially flat wings extending away from a position where the body is attached to the cable. The knuckle portion is configured to attach the wing portion to the cable so that the wing portion remains able to rotate about three rectangular axes while being towed underwater. |
| US09211939B2 |
Anchor for boats
An elongate anchor arm is rotatably secured to the side of a boat so that the arm may be rotated down from the floating boat and locked into engagement with the water bottom. An anchoring and/or orienting effect is achieved by rotating and locking the arm such that a portion of the side of the arm is forced into and held against the water bottom. For anchoring in water deeper than the length of the anchor arm, one end of a flexible anchor line is secured to a conventional line-deployed anchor and the other line end is attached to the far end of the anchor arm. The arm is rotated to achieve the anchoring and/or orienting effect of attaching the anchor line at different points on the boat. |
| US09211935B2 |
Bicycle brake assembly
A bicycle brake assembly comprises brake arms, axles, a force application linkage structure, and a movement control linkage member. The brake arms are each pivotably mounted at the central portion thereof on a respective one of the axles. The force application linkage structure has a first force transmitting member connected to the first brake arm and a second force transmitting member thereof connected to the second brake arm. The movement control linkage member is coupled between the first one of the force transmitting members of the force application linkage structure and the second one of the axles for controlling movement the brake arms relative to each other for a given displacement of the force application linkage structure. |
| US09211930B2 |
Fuel supply system for motorcycle
The motorcycle includes a power unit having a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, the fuel injection system mounted to the power unit, a fuel tank, a fuel pump unit by which fuel in the fuel tank is supplied to the fuel injection system, and the fuel filter device. The fuel supply system for the motorcycle includes the fuel filter device that is cylindrical in shape, the pressure regulator cylindrical in shape is mounted to an outside portion of the fuel filter device, with its cylinder axis inclined against the cylinder axis of the fuel filter device. A fuel pipe extends from an outlet pipe of the pressure regulator to the fuel injection system in a connecting manner. |
| US09211928B2 |
Motorcycle saddlebag
A motorcycle saddlebag includes an outer panel having a forward portion that defines a forward edge, a rearward portion that defines a rearward edge, and a side portion that defines a lower edge. The outer panel includes an inner surface. The inner panel is received by the outer panel and includes a back wall and a bottom wall. The back and bottom walls define an engagement surface that engages the inner surface of the outer panel and extends along and engages the forward portion, the side portion, and the rearward portion. When the saddlebag is attached to the motorcycle, the forward and rearward edges are positioned nearer a rear fender portion than the back wall and the engagement surface, and the lower edge is positioned below the bottom wall and the engagement surface. The lid is pivotally coupled to either of the outer panel and the inner panel. |
| US09211926B1 |
Motorcycle fender cosmetic enhancement/kickstand support
A motorcycle fender cosmetic enhancement/kickstand support for easily enhancing the appearance of motorcycles and to stabilize parked motorcycles. The motorcycle fender cosmetic enhancement/kickstand support includes a planar support member having a top, a bottom, opposed ends and sides, and a thickness and adapted to being magnetically attached to a fender of a motorcycle; and a pad member removably supported by the planar support member. |
| US09211925B2 |
Loading jig apparatus commonly used for trunk lid and tail gate
A loading jig apparatus may include a jig frame, first moving units installed on the jig frame and moved in up and down directions, left and right directions, and front and rear directions by driving a drive motor, first support units installed at the first moving units respectively, and supporting both sides of the vehicle body panel, second support units installed on the jig frame to correspond to a front side of the vehicle body panel, and supporting the front side of the vehicle body panel, at least one second moving unit installed on the jig frame to correspond to a rear side of the vehicle body panel and moved in the up and down directions and the front and rear directions by driving a drive motor, and a third support unit installed on the second moving unit, and supporting the rear side of the vehicle body panel. |
| US09211923B2 |
Rubber crawler
Guide projections 24 of protruding profile are disposed to the peripheral inside of a rubber crawler 10 so as to project out from an inner peripheral face of a rubber resilient body 12. Each of the guide projections 24 is configured with an indented portion 26. The indented portions 26 are open in the guide projections 24 on the peripheral inside. |
| US09211922B2 |
Robotic vehicle having traction and mobility-enhanced wheel structures
A robotic vehicle is provided with improved traction and mobility via a specially designed wheel apparatus including a relatively rigid wheel structure formed from two circular, coaxial sprocketed wheel plates separated by a central hub. The sprockets on the wheel plates are circumferentially aligned with one another, with axially facing sprocket pairs being received in areas defined between circumferentially adjacent pairs of tread links in a series of tread links, equal in number to the number of sprocket pairs, arranged in a circular array around the periphery of the wheel structure. The sprocket pairs are sized and configured in a manner such that substantial relative axial and circumferential movement between the wheel structure and the tread link array are blocked, with the axially facing sprockets in each sprocket pair being axially and resiliently deflected toward one another by surface portions of their associated tread link area. |
| US09211917B1 |
Rear sub-frame sleeve for protecting a fuel tank
A sleeve is attached to a tubular longitudinal bar that extends around a control arm for the rear suspension of a vehicle. The tubular longitudinal bar is generally U-shaped with a first leg attached to a frame rail in front of the control arm and a second leg connected to the frame rail behind the control arm. The first and second legs are joined by a middle portion. A bend is formed between the first leg and the middle portion. The tubular sleeve is attached to the tubular longitudinal bar at the bend and extends partially along the first leg and the middle portion. The tubular sleeve is disposed between the control arm and a fuel tank of a vehicle that is located between the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| US09211905B2 |
Steering apparatus
A steering apparatus has a pinion shaft that transmits rotation of a steering wheel to a rack shaft, a bearing that is internally fitted to the housing, rotatably supports one end of the pinion shaft on the housing, and bears a radial load and a thrust load acting on the pinion shaft, and a retaining ring that is internally fitted to an annular groove provided on the inner circumferential surface of the housing and has a C-shaped part and an opening defined by two opposed ends of the C-shaped part, the C-shaped part being in contact with an end face of an outer ring of the bearing to thereby fix the outer ring of the bearing to the housing. The retaining ring is internally fitted to the annular groove in such a way that the opening faces toward the rack teeth as seen from an axial direction of the pinion shaft. |
| US09211901B2 |
Cooler having removable wheel assembly
A cooler includes a main body which includes a base, an upper rim, and one or more cooler walls extending therebetween. The cooler in some embodiments further includes a removable wheel assembly which includes two coaxial wheels, and an axle. The two coaxial wheels are removably securable to the axle. The cooler still further comprises a wheel fastening system configured to secure the removable wheel assembly to the base of the main body which includes a mount, a clip hingedly connected to the mount, and a locking clasp configured to lock the clip into a closed position to secure the wheel assembly. The cooler yet further comprises a lid including two wheel storage recesses, each being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain one of the coaxial wheel of the wheel assembly, and an axle storage recess sized and dimensioned to receive and retain the axle of the wheel assembly. |
| US09211895B2 |
Camera dolly
A steering bar engageable with and removable from a steering mode transmission in a camera dolly or pedestal. The steering bar has a handle attached to an upper end of a slot tube, with the slot tube telescopically slidable into or over a base tube, and keyed to the base tube. A shift rod has an upper end connected to a shift cap at the steering bar and a lower end connectable to the steering transmission. A clamp clamps onto the shift rod and is axially movable with the handle bar, to allow shifting steering modes via movement of the shift cap, with the steering bar at any selected height. |
| US09211893B2 |
Sanitary module for rail vehicles
A sanitary module for a rail vehicle has a trough-shaped floor region and side panels. The side panels have on their inside a recess in the floor region, in the cross-section of which ramp-like sealing profile sections are provided, the vertically running side areas of which are in contact with associated recess areas of the side panels. The sealing profiles are formed for fastening onto a baseplate. A floor covering forms the trough-shaped floor region of the sanitary module and extends across the ramp-like sides of the covering profiles. Sealing material is introduced in the upper part of the recess of the side panels in such a manner that the floor covering is closed flush with the side panels above the recess thereof. |
| US09211891B2 |
Personalized vehicle driving suggestions
In many vehicular control contexts, a vehicle may monitor the vehicle input control from a driver to detect warning conditions that entail a warning to the user and/or an automatic mitigating action (e.g., detecting hard braking that causes brake lockup, and automatically activating anti-lock braking). Warning and mitigation techniques may address the instant driving conditions, but may not the user driving behavior that caused the condition (e.g., a driving style of the user that resulted in hard braking, such as excessive speed for current driving conditions). Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the user driving behavior of the user in various driving contexts, and presenting driving suggestions of alternative driving behaviors providing advantages over the current user driving behavior of the user. The presentation of the alternative driving behaviors to the user may facilitate changes in user driving behavior that improve the safety, efficiency, and/or comfort of the driving experience. |
| US09211888B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
A vehicle control apparatus includes an engine and a motor generator, and controls a hybrid vehicle in which the engine is started by starting torque outputted from the motor generator. The apparatus includes a prestart control section which makes the motor generator output prestart torque smaller than the starting torque before the engine is started by the starting torque, a balance determination section which determines whether or not compression torque caused by pressure in a cylinder of the engine and the prestart torque are balanced with each other, and a start-up control section which makes the motor generator output the starting torque, after the balance determination section determines that the compression torque and the prestart torque are balanced with each other. |
| US09211884B2 |
Battery information display apparatus of electric vehicle
A battery information display apparatus is provided. The battery information display apparatus includes a data storage unit storing battery capacity information according to temperature and current of a battery of an electric vehicle, an integrated power control unit providing power for charging the battery and driving a motor, a sensor measuring the temperature and current of the battery, and a display unit displaying a battery remnant. The integrated power control unit calculates the battery remnant from the battery temperature and current measured by the sensor on the basis of the battery capacity information according to the battery temperature and current stored in the data storage unit and provides the calculated battery remnant to the display unit. |
| US09211881B2 |
Control system for auxiliary power unit of a vehicle
A method of controlling an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. The auxiliary power unit is in communication with an air conditioning system of the vehicle and includes an engine and an alternator coupled to the engine. The method includes determining a state of a compressor of the air conditioning system, the compressor including an off state and an on state, reducing an alternator load relative to the engine in response to the compressor being varied from the off state to the on state, increasing the alternator load relative to the engine after a predetermined time interval, and simultaneously operating the alternator up to an alternator load capacity and the compressor up to a compressor load capacity. |
| US09211880B2 |
Method for adapting a characteristic curve of clutches in a partial double-clutch transmission of a motor vehicle
A method of adapting the characteristic curve of clutches in a partial dual-clutch transmission of a vehicle, for example a utility vehicle, having a first partial transmission in the form of a dual-clutch transmission (DKG) having a dual clutch (DK) that includes a first clutch (K1) and a second clutch (K2), which can be functionally connected to a drive engine (M), and a second partial transmission in the form of a main transmission (HG) which shifts with traction force interruption and which is arranged downstream from the dual-clutch transmission (DKG) in a drive-train. To achieve reliable and precise clutch control and a consistently high level of shifting comfort, the characteristic curve adaptation of the first and the second clutches (K1, K2) is carried out with the assistance of a pre-loading of the first and the second clutches (K1, K2), while the main transmission (HG) is in a neutral position. |
| US09211873B2 |
Vehicle control device and vehicle control method
A vehicle control device includes a state quantity detection device and a friction brake orientation control device. The state quantity detection device is configured to detect a state quantity indicating a vehicle body orientation. The friction brake orientation control device is configured to minimize pitching motion in the vehicle body orientation by applying braking torque from a friction brake at least to a front wheel, and minimize bouncing motion in the vehicle body orientation by applying braking torque from the friction brake to four wheels. The friction brake orientation control device is configured to prioritize minimizing the pitching motion over minimizing the bouncing motion. |
| US09211871B2 |
Vehicle and method for controlling regenerative braking
A vehicle and a method for controlling regenerative braking may utilize the maximum available regenerative braking torque for some time during a braking event. As the vehicle speed and/or powertrain torque decreases, the regenerative braking torque is controlled to deviate from the maximum. The point at which the regenerative braking torque deviates from the maximum is chosen based on the level of vehicle deceleration. The regenerative braking torque is then smoothly blended out until it reaches zero. The regenerative braking torque is brought to zero when the vehicle speed is very low, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies associated with operating a motor at a very low speed. |
| US09211868B2 |
Hydraulic connector for a windshield wiper blade having guidance by lateral protuberances
The invention relates to a hydraulic connector for a wiper system, said wiper system also comprising an arm intended to move a blade over the surface to be wiped, a blade (3) and a mechanical connector (10) fixed to said blade in order to attach it to the arm and able to be attached to the arm in a longitudinal movement with respect to said arm, said hydraulic connector (30) having at least one line (31, 32) for supplying a liquid to the blade (3) via the mechanical connector (10). Said hydraulic connector is characterized in that it comprises at least one protuberance (35) able to bear against un element (2a, 2b) of said wiper system in order to align the hydraulic connector (30) on the mechanical connector (10) during said longitudinal movement. |
| US09211864B2 |
Tether attachment arrangement for a vehicle airbag cushion and method of attaching
Tether attachment arrangements for a vehicle airbag cushion and methods for attaching tethers to inflatable cushions are provided. One inflatable cushion assembly includes an inflatable cushion having an interior and a tether disposed within the interior of the inflatable cushion. The tether has at least one portion attached to the interior of the inflatable cushion. The inflatable cushion assembly also includes a circuitous stitching at the portion attaching the tether to the interior of the inflatable cushion. |
| US09211863B2 |
Head-protecting airbag device
A head-protecting airbag device has an airbag deployable downward from a housing area. The airbag includes front and rear window cover portions for covering front and rear windows and a pillar cover portion for covering a middle pillar located between the windows. The pillar cover portion includes in the upper region an inlet port for taking in an inflation gas from one of the window cover portions. The pillar cover portion further includes an upper portion extending in a front and rear direction from the inlet port, and a lower portion which communicates with the upper portion at an end of the upper portion facing away from the inlet port and turns around downward from the upper portion and extends in a front and rear direction beneath the upper portion. The leading end of the lower portion located generally beneath the inlet port is closed. |
| US09211855B2 |
Vehicle power supply device
When the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine has stopped due to a vehicle starting to decelerate or the like, and the speed of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined speed, then a controller causes a power generator to operate in a first power generating mode. The controller charges a capacitor by using regenerative power that is output from the power generator to supply power from the power generator to the capacitor via a DC-DC converter. When the stopping of the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine is cancelled as a result of the engine revolution speed reaching a predetermined revolution speed (for example, an idling revolution speed) in conjunction with the speed of the vehicle dropping to the predetermined speed, the power generator can be kept in the first power generating mode. |
| US09211852B2 |
Conductive plate and joint connector
A conductive plate (30) for grounding a plurality of first ground wires (W) to a body of a vehicle includes a conductive plate main body (31) with a body-side grounding portion (34) to be grounded to the body by being bolted to the body. Terminal connecting portions (32B) are on one end of the conductive plate main body (31) and are to be connected to wire-side terminals (21) electrically connected to the respective first ground wires (W). A first rib group (37) and a second rib group (38) project from the conductive plate main body (31) in a thickness direction of the conductive plate main body (31) and set the rigidity of the conductive plate main body (31) to be low at a position close to the body-side grounding portion (34) and high at a position distant from the body-side grounding portion (34). |
| US09211851B2 |
Method for eliminating electrical short circuits
A method is provided for eliminating an electrical short circuit that can be caused by a filamentary tin crystal in an electronics assembly in particular of a motor vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to providing the electronics assembly, that includes, but is not limited to electrical components with connectors and conductor paths for connecting the components. The components have configurable inputs and outputs. At least two of the inputs and outputs of the electrical components are configured so as to form an input connector and an output connector so that in the event of the electrical short circuit caused by the filamentary tin crystal, a short circuit current flows between the input connector and the output connector, which short circuit current is high enough to destroy the filamentary tin crystal. |
| US09211847B1 |
Hose landing system kit RVS and the like
A hose landing system kit for supporting a hose of a recreational vehicle which comprises a hose support, at least two pairs of stanchions, and at least two bolts, which stanchions act with said support to create channels for the hose. The channels are at least as tall as the height of the hose, and allow the hose to be supported therein with greater ease of placement than prior art methods. |
| US09211844B2 |
Slide structure
A slide structure has a first member maintaining a constant width; a second member covering at least two side portions of the first member in a width direction, and slidably assembled relative to the first member; and an urging device interposed between the first member and the second member. In at least one member of either the first member or the second member, an inclined face inclining relative to the width direction of the first member is provided at a portion wherein the first member and the second member slide, and in the other member of either the first member or the second member, the urging device is interposed between a portion facing the inclined face of the one member and the inclined face to be urged in a direction to separate the facing portion and the inclined face from each other. |
| US09211839B2 |
Low drag low noise devices using jet flow control
Low drag low noise devices are described herein that use passive jet flow control to reduce the drag and noise created by devices (e.g., motor vehicle side view mirrors) while the devices travel through fluid. The low drag low noise devices described herein comprise a lengthwise axis, an outer body, and an inner body. The outer body and the inner body cooperatively define a channel through which fluid can pass during use. |
| US09211838B2 |
Wire harness assembly and lighting unit
Provided is a wire harness assembly configured to be lightweight while reducing burden on a first control means, and a lighting unit comprising the wire harness assembly. A wire harness assembly for connecting a plurality of lighting loads to a control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the plurality of lighting loads independently is provided with: a first wire harness connected to the control unit and including a power-supply line, a ground line, and a signal line for multiplex transmission of the control signal output from the control unit to each of the lighting loads; a second wire harness including a first electric line commonly connected to one ends of the plurality of lighting loads, and a plurality of second electric lines connected to the other ends of the plurality of lighting loads individually; and a relay connector connecting the first wire harness to the second wire harness. |
| US09211837B2 |
Pedestrian warning device for a vehicle
A pedestrian warning device for a vehicle (1), especially a vehicle which is intended to be driven on public roads, includes a programmable unit, such as a CPU (3), and a brake pedal (5). The device includes further at least one front brake lamp (2, 13, 15) mounted at the front portion of the vehicle (1). The front brake lamp can be lightened up by the programmable unit (3) when certain predetermined conditions are met. Moreover, the device includes an awareness signal apparatus (10) provided with at least one awareness lamp (12). |
| US09211834B2 |
Tri-fold hard tonneau cover with hinged front opening
A tonneau cover system for a cargo box of a pickup truck having a first tonneau section, a second tonneau section, and a third tonneau section. A first hinge system hingedly couples the first and second sections to permit pivotal stacked nesting of the first section relative to the second section. A second hinge system hingedly couples the second section to an attachment member assembly, which is connected to the cargo box, to permit pivotal stacked nesting of the combination of the first and second sections relative to the third section. Finally, a third hinge system hingedly couples the third section to a front mounting bar assembly, which is connected to the front wall of the cargo box, to permit pivotal movement of only the third tonneau section into a raised position. |
| US09211831B2 |
Apparatus to deploy a liftgate fully contained within a cargo space and method
An apparatus and a method that deploys a liftgate from the cargo space of a contained area is described. In one embodiment the device has an anchor frame permanently attached to the inside of a cargo space and a front linkage member and a rear linkage member pivotably attached to the anchor frame. An actuator is pivotably attached on one end to the rear linkage member and to the anchor frame on the other end. The front and rear linkage bars are further attached on the opposite ends to a mounting member, which is attached to a liftgate. In a nested state the liftgate is stored and locked in a horizontal position above the apparatus. In an engaged state, the front linkage member and rear linkage member rotate and the mounting member translates and rotates through the cargo door opening to reposition the liftgate in a functional position outside of the cargo space. |
| US09211822B1 |
Foot rest assembly
A foot rest assembly releasably attaches to a vehicle seat and is positionable underneath a child safety seat to support the child's feet and help prevent the vehicle seat from getting dirty. The assembly includes a panel having a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge coupled to and extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. An upper section of the panel is planar and horizontally oriented when the upper section is positioned on a vehicle seat underneath a child safety seat. A lower section of the panel is coupled to and extends from the upper section wherein the lower section supports a user's feet and legs when the user is seated in the child safety seat. A coupler is attached to the panel and releasably couples the panel to the vehicle seat. |
| US09211817B2 |
Height adjustment device
The object to provide a user-friendly handling for the adjustment of the height of components, in particular head rests is solved by the device for height adjustment of a component of a seat in accordance with the invention which consists of a carrier element carrying the component, a locking element designed and arranged to prohibit height adjustability in a first position and to permit height adjustability in a second position, wherein the locking element is connected with an adjusting element via a motion link, and the adjusting element is pulled upward by pulling means so as to transfer the locking element from the first position to the second position. |
| US09211816B2 |
Vehicle seat, vehicle and method for adjusting a vehicle seat
A method for adjusting a vehicle seat for a vehicle is provided. The method includes folding the vehicle seat and displacing the vehicle seat. Folding and displacing are coupled so that on a folding and/or a pushing, the vehicle seat is displaced into a folding position. A vehicle seat and a vehicle are also provided. |
| US09211814B2 |
Seat adjusting mechansim for vehicle
The present invention relates to a seat adjustment mechanism for a seat, for example a seat for all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seats. |
| US09211812B2 |
Utility vehicle seat with integrated rotation adjustment device
The invention relates to a utility vehicle seat with a seat part, with a backrest part and with a seat substructure for arrangement on a bodywork part of a utility vehicle. The seat substructure including a rotation adjustment device having a roller body bearing unit for rotating at least the seat part about a vertical axis, a longitudinal adjustment device and a transverse adjustment device. The rotation adjustment apparatus is arranged between two longitudinal rail units or transverse rail units, in such a way that a vertical extension of the rotation adjustment apparatus amounts to a maximum of 150% or 100% of a vertical extension of the longitudinal rail units or the transverse rail units. |
| US09211810B2 |
Vehicular control apparatus
A vehicle control apparatus includes a PHEV-ECU containing a measuring unit which measures the amount of torsional stress on the front drive shafts in a parking lock state and a control unit which controls the torque of the front motor. When the parking lock state is released, the torque acting as a load on the rotation of the first motor upon the release of the torsional stress on the drive shaft, is determined based on the torsional stress measured. Further, the front motor is controlled to output the determined torque. |
| US09211809B2 |
System and method of vehicle system control based on a vehicle reference speed
A method for controlling a vehicle system includes determining a vehicle reference speed using an off-board-based input speed and an onboard-based input speed. The off-board-based input speed is representative of a moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data received from an off-board device. The onboard-based input speed is representative of the moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data obtained from an onboard device. The method includes using the vehicle reference speed to at least one of measure wheel creep for one or more wheels of the vehicle system or control at least one of torques applied by or rotational speeds of one or more motors of the vehicle system. |
| US09211805B2 |
Power source monitor
A power source current control unit (102) controls a magnetic-field current PWM control signal (PW) for PWM-controlling a magnetic-field current of an electric rotating machine (3) so that the value of a power source current flowing in a power source apparatus (2) can be controlled in a non-energization manner to be zero or a value near to zero; in the case where the power source voltage stability determination unit (104) determines that during a predetermined period, variation in a power source inter-terminal voltage value (V) of the power source apparatus (2) is within a predetermined range, the power source SOC estimation unit (101) estimates the state of charge of the power source apparatus (2), based on the voltage value (V) of the power source apparatus (2). |
| US09211804B2 |
Optimization of extended range electric vehicle
Disclosed is a computer-implemented method and system for operating an auxiliary power unit (APU) in a range-extended electric vehicle between a minimum state of charge (SoC) limit and a maximum SoC limit of the battery pack, including predicting expected energy use profile of said vehicle; predicting change in SoC for both “APU off” and “APU on” states at a predetermined power setting corresponding to the desired optimal point (for example, the most efficient, or most powerful, or most comfortable, or lowest noise) for the specific vehicle and APU type in question; setting SoC limits for said battery pack at end of journey to minimum acceptable values based on the design and characteristics of the battery pack; and, working iteratively in reverse order from the end of journey, using “APU on” SoC values to set the minimum-limit of SoC, and “APU off” value to set the maximum-limit of SoC. |
| US09211802B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting a weak subdivision in a battery system
System and methods for identifying a weak subdivision in a battery system are presented. In certain embodiments, a system may include a battery pack that includes multiple subdivisions. A measurement system may be configured to determine multiple subdivision electrical parameters associated with the subdivisions. A battery control system may identify a weakest subdivision based one on or more calculated derivative ratios of a subdivision electrical parameter associated with one subdivision of the battery pack relative to a subdivision electrical parameter associated with another subdivision. |
| US09211801B2 |
Charging cable for electrically-driven vehicle
A charging cable for use in charging a battery of an electrically-driven vehicle includes a power plug to be detachably connected to a receptacle outlet of a commercially available power source, a charging coupler to be detachably connected to the electrically-driven vehicle, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of an electric circuit between the power plug and the charging coupler, and a charging device having a controller for controlling a current value that flows from the power plug to the charging coupler. This configuration can minimize the charging time and enhance the durability between the charging cable and the receptacle outlet and between the charging cable and the charging coupler. |
| US09211799B2 |
Mechanism for locking and fault detection in the electrical vehicle supply equipment cord
An electric vehicle charging assembly includes a cord reel, a cord reel locking mechanism, and a master control unit for selectively unlocking the cord reel in response to an authorization signal. The electric vehicle charging assembly monitors the rotational position of the cord reel to prevent unauthorized use, and to record or relay information related to the improper use or malfunction of the electric vehicle charging assembly. |
| US09211797B2 |
Combustion chamber construction with dual mixing regions for opposed-piston engines
A combustion chamber construction for opposed-piston engines in which fuel is injected from two opposed injectors includes a dual mixing region construction with a respective mixing region for each injector and a coupling region between the two mixing regions through which the mixing regions communicate. In some aspects, the mixing regions are bulbous and are connected by a waist, or tunnel, region that is relatively narrower than the bulbous mixing chambers. |
| US09211793B2 |
Vehicle transaxle system
A vehicle transaxle system includes a pair of right and left transaxle units equipped on a vehicle. The right transaxle unit supports a single right axle, and the left transaxle unit supports a single left axle. A variable displacement hydraulic pump is disposed in each of the right and left transaxle units so as to be driven by power from a prime mover of the vehicle. A variable displacement hydraulic motor is disposed in each of the right and left transaxle units and is fluidly connected to the corresponding hydraulic pump so as to drive the corresponding right or left axle. A movable motor displacement control member is provided in each of the transaxle unit so as to be moved to change the displacement of the corresponding hydraulic motor. An interlocking connection means is connected to both the movable motor displacement control members of the respective hydraulic motors. The vehicle is provided with a first manipulator for changing displacements of the hydraulic pumps, and is provided with a second manipulator for operating the interlocking connection means. The interlocking connection means is operated by operating the second manipulator so as to synchronously move both the movable motor displacement control members. |