| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09218398B2 |
Content storage mapping
A data storage method and system. The method includes defining, by a computing system, a meta-object, a schema based structured definition for the meta-object, and a taxonomy with configuration data. The computing system creates content associated with the taxonomy and associates topics of the content with a logical storage room representations. Reference coordinates associated with the logical storage room representations are associated with the taxonomy. The computing system generates updated configuration data that includes the reference coordinates and a uniform resource identifier associated with the content is generated. The computing system generates an account associated with the meta-object for a user. Metering charges for usage of the account and a report associated with the account and usage are generated. |
| US09218397B1 |
Systems and methods for improved searching
Methods and systems for improved searching are described. In one of the described methods, a user enters a search query, and in response, a search engine receives a substantially complete initial search result set having a plurality of ranked article identifiers. The search engine automatically selects at least one of the article identifiers and provides a final result set in which the selected article identifier is ranked higher than in the initial search result set. |
| US09218396B2 |
Insight determination and explanation in multi-dimensional data sets
Techniques are disclosed for determining reasons underlying insights gleaned from multi-dimensional data. In one embodiment, a contingency table is accessed that represents multiple dimensions of the data, in order to identify one or more insights. One or more dimensions, other than the represented dimensions, are evaluated to identify one or more reasons underlying a first insight of the one or more insights, and the one or more reasons are output. |
| US09218393B2 |
Hierarchical data server
A hierarchical data server provides a query and storage system for hierarchical data with three interfaces that are, data interface for accepting hierarchical data, query interface for accepting a query, and result interface for returning output of the query. The system models hierarchical data with one data object called data vine and one data structure type called data vine list. A data vine includes a name, a property list, and a child list. A data vine list is an ordered list of data vines. A data vine is recursively defined with its child list as a data vine list. The system introduces five basic operators, cast, restrict, unique, sort, and traverse. Each operator acts on one data vine list and returns another data vine list. A property list in a data vine is unordered with set operations implemented, which include default operation, update operation, elimination operation, replacement operation, and intersection operation. |
| US09218388B1 |
Declarative cluster management
An indication associated with an operation is received where the operation includes a mid-operation state and a device associated with the mid-operation state. In response to receiving the indication, the operation is processed using a declarative primitive to obtain metadata associated with one or more of the following: the device or the mid-operation state. The metadata is displayed. |
| US09218386B2 |
Dual locking mechanism for a domain
One embodiment is directed to a method for controlling access to a domain. The method includes receiving a request from a workbook process for a shared lock on a primary lock file and a secondary lock file controlling access to the domain, and providing the shared lock(s) when there is not an exclusive lock. While the workbook process is still in progress, the method may further include receiving a request from a batch process for an exclusive lock on the primary lock file, immediately providing an exclusive lock on the primary lock file the batch process, receiving a request from the batch process for an exclusive lock on the secondary lock file, and providing the exclusive lock on the secondary lock file to the batch process when there is not a shared lock on the secondary lock file. |
| US09218385B2 |
Differentiated secondary index maintenance in log structured NoSQL data stores
There are provided a system and a computer program product for operating multi-node data stores. The system stores a data table in a first computing node and stores an index table in a second computing node. The index table provides keys used for accessing data in the first computing node and other multi-node data stores. The system performs operations that update or read the data table accessed from the first computing node and the index table accessed from the second computing node. The operations optimize between latency in updating or reading the data table and the index table and data consistency maintained between data entries in the data table and data entries pointed by indices in the index table. |
| US09218384B2 |
Evaluation method and information processing apparatus
A memory stores a plurality of data objects and their respective evaluation scores. A processor is configured to update, in response to an update made to a first data object, evaluation values of one or more second data objects linked from at least the first data object, based on the evaluation score of the first data object. In response to a reference request for one data object, the processor determines the evaluation score of the requested data object, based on the evaluation scores of one or more third data objects having a link to the requested data object. |
| US09218380B2 |
Method and system for carrying out searches in a database comprising taxonomic classification of digital information contents
A method for carrying out searches in a database by means of a data processing system is provided. The database includes a first plurality of first data items and a second plurality of second data items, a generic first data item being in relationship with one or more second data items and vice versa. In an internal memory of the data processing system, at least one among a first and a second data table structure are generated, each one including: a first and a second data table, each comprising a plurality of elements, each one corresponding to a respective first, respectively second, data item and univocally identified by a respective first, respectively second, index. The first and second data tables include a third data table including a plurality of elements, each one in a univocal relationship with a respective element of the first and second data tables. |
| US09218378B2 |
Method of indexing a database
A method of sorting a database of records and data items, in which each record has an identifier, data variables and paths pointing to data items being the value of the data variables is disclosed. The database has a first and second frequency for each path of the first and second data variables, respectively. The method includes creating an intermediate array having a section for each value of the second data variable. Storing the identifier of each record. Creating a final array having sections for each value of the first data variable. Storing the identifier of the records into the section of the final array corresponding to the value of its first data variable. Identifying break points in the final array. Repeating the previous two steps for each section of the intermediate array. Creating a break point index. |
| US09218376B2 |
Intelligent data sourcing in a networked storage system
A storage system according to certain embodiments includes a repository of client-side data block signature information representative of a set of data blocks stored in a primary storage subsystem. In some cases, the system sources data blocks for secondary copy and restore operations from the primary storage subsystem instead of the secondary storage subsystem. Where multiple primary storage components (e.g., multiple client computing devices) contain copies of a data blocks involved in a secondary copy or restore operation, the system can decide which client to source the data block from based on sourcing criteria. |
| US09218375B2 |
Dedicated client-side signature generator in a networked storage system
A storage system according to certain embodiments includes a client-side signature repository that includes information representative of a set of data blocks stored in primary storage. During storage operations of a client, the system can generate signatures corresponding to data blocks that are being stored in primary storage. The system can store the generated signatures in the client-side signature repository along with information regarding the location of the corresponding data block within primary storage. As additional instances of the data block are stored in primary storage, the system can store the location of the additional instances in the client-side signature repository. |
| US09218372B2 |
System and method of record matching in a database
A system and method of record matching using regular expressions and finite state representations. In this manner, the time (or computational effort) involved in record matching is reduced. |
| US09218366B1 |
Query image model
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating a query image model. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a set of images determined to be responsive to a query and ranked according to a first order; determining a positive image signature from a first subset of images selected from images ranked highest in the first order, determining a negative image signature from a second subset of images selected from images ranked lowest in the first order, determining a query image signature for the query based on a difference of the positive image signature and the negative image signature; and applying the query image signature to each image in the set of images to rank the images according to a second order that is different from the first order. |
| US09218362B2 |
Markup language for interactive geographic information system
Data-driven guarded evaluation of conditional-data associated with data objects is used to control activation and processing of the data objects in an interactive geographic information system. Methods of evaluating conditional-data to control activation of the data objects are disclosed herein. Data structures to specify conditional data are also disclosed herein. |
| US09218361B2 |
Context-aware tagging for augmented reality environments
A method for tag-based search includes capturing an image, extracting a tag from the image, identifying a location associated with the captured image, and querying stored content for information that matches the location and the tag. Local storage is checked for the information first, and remote storage may be checked subsequently. Any located information may be used to augment the image. Information located in the remote storage may be saved in the local storage until it reaches a certain age, until it fails to be accessed for a threshold period of time, or until the location moves outside a threshold radius associated with a location of the information located in the remote storage. |
| US09218354B2 |
Query-aware compression of join results
A method is provided for compressing results of a join query. A join order of a result set is determined from the join query, where the result set includes a plurality of tuples. A plurality of dictionary entries for the result set is received. A nested hierarchy of dictionaries is created based on the join order and the dictionary entries. A plurality of encoded tuples is received. The nested hierarchy of dictionaries is used by a processor to decode the plurality of encoded tuples so as to produce the plurality of tuples of the result set. |
| US09218349B2 |
Method and system for transformation of logical data objects for storage
There are provided a method of transforming a non-transformed stored logical data object (LO) device into a transformed LO and system thereof. The method includes: a) in response to a respective transformation request, logically dividing the non-transformed LO in a first segment and one or more non-transformed subsequent segments, the segments having predefined size; b) generating a header for the respective transformed LO; c) processing the first segment; d) overwriting the first segment by said generated header and the transformed first segment; e) indexing the first transformed segment and the one or more non-transformed subsequent segments as constituting a part of the transformed LO; f) generating at least one index section; and g) updating the indication in the header to point that the non-transformed LO has been transformed in the transformed LO including the generated header, the first transformed segment, the one or more subsequent segments including data in non-transformed form and the at least one index section. |
| US09218348B2 |
Automatic real-time file management method and apparatus
A method for archiving files includes determining when a change in an operating file is imminent, capturing the operating file immediately before the change in the operating file occurs, if the operating file has not already been captured; and capturing the operating file immediately after the change in the operating file has occurred. |
| US09218344B2 |
Systems, methods, and software for processing, presenting, and recommending citations
The present invention provides systems, methods, and software for automatically processing data included in a document and identifying and recommending citations matching the processed data. The system allows a user to select and submit text segment(s) for analysis and to select from a set of recommended citations a citation(s) that matches the text segment as well as profile data for inclusion in the document. One or more citation libraries or authority databases are queried to find citations for recommendation which best match the text segment selected and submitted by the author. The system automatically processes data submitted by an author to generate a set of recommended citations for consideration and for inclusion within a document while the document is presented by a document rendering application. A selected citation is then formatted and inserted in the document. |
| US09218341B2 |
Method and system for language translation
The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for translating a first language text entered into a computer application to a second language text. The method comprises intercepting the first language text during a display time by a processor. Subsequently, the first language text is translated to the second language text by the processor by performing a language dictionary look-up and/or a phonetic transliteration on the first language text. Thereafter, the second language text is displayed on a display device and the first language text is stored in ANSI format in a memory. |
| US09218340B2 |
Message translations
Systems for translating text messages in an instant messaging system comprise a translation engine for translating text messages into a preferred language of a recipient of the text messages. The systems are preferably configured to send and receive the text messages and to determine whether the text messages that are received in a source language are in the preferred language of the recipients so that the text messages are displayed in the preferred language of the recipients of the text messages. Other systems and methods are also provided. |
| US09218338B1 |
Text suggestion
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for automatic text suggestion are described. One of the methods includes receiving a text item including one or more terms; determining a plurality of text strings, each text string including a matching portion and one or more suffixes, wherein the matching portion matches the text item, and the one or more suffixes are located after the matching portion; ranking the one or more suffixes based on a credibility score and a frequency score of each suffix, the credibility score indicating an estimated credibility of a source of the text string including the suffix, the frequency score indicating an estimated frequency of appearance of the suffix; and providing a group of the one or more suffixes that includes a highest ranking suffix for display as a suggestion for completing a sentence starting from the text item. |
| US09218337B2 |
Text editing apparatus and storage medium
A text editing apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a display device; an operation device; a conversion candidate creating portion that creates at least one conversion candidate associated with a character and outputs a signal for displaying the created conversion candidate; a finally-determined character string output portion that outputs a signal for displaying the corresponding conversion candidate; and a learning portion that learns and storing character string data for the next creation of said conversion candidate at the time of an input of a learning instruction different from the time of the input of said selective final determination. |
| US09218336B2 |
Efficient implementation of morphology for agglutinative languages
Constructing an automaton for automated analysis of agglutinative languages comprises: constructing an affix automaton for each of a plurality of affix types of an agglutinative language, where each of the affix types is associated with one or more affixes associated with a morphological concept; combining any of the affix automatons to form a plurality of template automatons, where each of the template automatons is patterned after any of a plurality of agglutination templates of any of the affix types for the language; and combining the template automatons into a master automaton. |
| US09218326B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting pagination constructs including a header and a footer in legacy documents
A method for identifying header/footer content of a document, in order to sequence text fragments comprising recognizable text blocks as derived from the document. The textual variability of lines comprised of text blocks, including the different kinds of text blocks within the line is analyzed for assessment of textual variability. Header/footer zones are defined by textual content having a low textual variability. An alternative embodiment identifies pagination constructs by comparing selected text-boxes for similarity and proximity and clustering the text boxes satisfying a predetermined similarity value, wherein the clustered text boxes are deemed to comprise pagination constructs. |
| US09218321B2 |
Creating tag clouds based on user specified arbitrary shape tags
Mechanisms are provided for generating a shape tag cloud display. A user input is received that specifies an arbitrarily hand-drawn shape tag. A set of shape tag equivalence classes is updated based on the received user input to assign the arbitrarily hand-drawn shape tag to a shape tag equivalence class having similar previously entered arbitrarily hand-drawn shape tags. Rankings of the shape tags relative to one another are generated. The shape tag cloud display is generated based on the rankings. A representation of each shape tag within the shape tag cloud display has display characteristics based on the rankings. The shape tag cloud display is then output. |
| US09218316B2 |
Remotely controlling a self-propelled device in a virtualized environment
A computing device operating as a controller can obtain image data from a camera component. The computing device can determine a location of the self-propelled device relative to the camera based on the image data. A virtual content may be generated on the computing device based at least in part on the location of the self-propelled device. |
| US09218314B2 |
Boosting remote direct memory access performance using cryptographic hash based approach
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for performing a remote direct memory access operation. Responsive to receiving in a network interface controller a hash value of data to be copied from a source address in a source node to a destination address in a destination node in the remote direct memory access operation, the network interface controller performs a lookup operation in a translation protection table in the network interface controller to match the hash value to a hash value for data existing in memory of the destination node. Responsive to the network interface controller finding a match in the translation protection table, the network interface controller completes the remote direct memory access operation without transferring the data from the source node to the destination node. |
| US09218309B2 |
Systems and methods for impedance matching for multi-drop topologies
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a driver, a plurality of drops, and a plurality of transmission lines, including one transmission line between the driver and one of the plurality of drops and one transmission line between successive adjacent drops. Each particular transmission line of the plurality of transmission lines may be manufactured to have a desired impedance based on a corresponding effective impedance as seen at a drop located on an end of the particular transmission line furthest from the driver in a direction away from the driver. |
| US09218308B2 |
Apparatus and method for arbitrating bus
A bus arbitration apparatus and method are provided. A plurality of masters may be classified into master types based on master characteristics, and bus arbitration may be performed. Thus, it is possible to prevent a bus from being distributed to a predetermined master, and it is possible to improve overall performance of a bus system by solving a problem of unbalanced distribution of performance between the plurality of masters. |
| US09218304B1 |
Method for intercepting input/output requests and responses
A method and system for intercepting I/O requests and responses in a proprietary operating environment or hypervisor-virtualization utilizing open source software or general public license device drivers. The processing includes at the added functionality module comprises at least one of encrypting, de-duplicating, compressing and caching. |
| US09218301B2 |
Storage device security system
A storage device security system includes a server that is coupled to a storage device, a storage controller, a configuration IHS, and a remote access controller. The remote access controller receives a storage device access key request and a storage controller Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) from the storage controller. The remote access controller also receives a server GUID from the server. The remote access controller also receives a security key from the configuration IHS over a network. The remote access controller is configured to use a remote access controller Media Access Control (MAC) address, the storage controller GUID, the server IHS GUID, and the security key to generate a storage device access key. The remote access controller may then provide the storage device access key to the storage controller, and storage controller may use the storage device access key to access the storage device coupled to the server IHS. |
| US09218298B2 |
Electronic device system and storage device
When an SD card is connected to an SD socket of an electronic device, a control unit of the SD card obtains permission/inhibition information (an output signal) outputted from a setting unit of the electronic device. Based on the obtained permission/inhibition information, the control unit starts the operation of a DC-DC converter corresponding to a memory unit from which reading-out of data is permitted. By virtue of this, reading-out of data from the memory unit is achieved in correspondence to the permission/inhibition information. |
| US09218288B2 |
Monitoring a value in storage without repeated storage access
A technique is provided for monitoring a value without repeated storage access. A processing circuit processes an instruction of a program that specifies a memory address of a memory location to be monitored. The processing circuit configures a monitor station for monitoring the memory location. The memory location includes a state descriptor for the program. The processing circuit receives a cross-invalidate request from a memory controller. The cross-invalidate request indicates to the monitor station that content of the memory location has been changed by another processing circuit. |
| US09218283B2 |
Multi-die write management
A die assignment scheme assigns data in the order it is received, to multiple memory dies. Any busy dies are skipped until they become ready again so that the system does not wait for busy dies to become ready. Immediately sequential writes to the same die are prohibited so that reading speed is not impacted. |
| US09218282B2 |
Memory system data management
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for memory system data management. A number of embodiments include writing data from a host to a buffer in the memory system, receiving, at the buffer, a notification from a memory device in the memory system that the memory device is ready to receive data, sending at least a portion of the data from the buffer to the memory device, and writing the portion of the data to the memory device. |
| US09218280B2 |
Non-volatile memory apparatus and operating method thereof
A non-volatile memory (NVM) apparatus and an operation method thereof are provided. A mapping table in a main memory is divided into a plurality of sub-mapping tables according to logical address groups. When an access command of a host is processed by the NVM apparatus, at least one corresponding sub-mapping table is selected from the sub-mapping tables according to a logical address of the access command. If the at least one corresponding sub-mapping table is required to be rebuilt, then the at least one corresponding sub-mapping table is rebuilt, and the logical address of the access command is converter for accessing the NVM apparatus according to the at least one corresponding sub-mapping table which has been rebuilt. |
| US09218274B2 |
Automated form testing
Systems and techniques are provided that allow for comparison of an automatically-generated form to an original form to identify discrepancies efficiently. Portions of the form, such as those expected to contain dynamic data, may be masked, allowing for more efficient and accurate comparison with a predicted form and an actual output form. Further, testing of the form may be automated, allowing for more accurate and efficient generation of each form considered. |
| US09218273B2 |
Automatic generation of a resource reconfiguring test
A test generator generating a test for a system having a plurality of executing entities that are capable of concurrent execution, the test comprises transactions that comprise one or more access transactions that are configured to access a shared resource and one or more reconfiguration transactions configured that are configured to reconfigure the shared resource, wherein said generating comprises: determining a partial order between pairs of transactions that are both associated with the shared resource and that at least one of which is a reconfiguration transaction; and generating the test so as to enforce the partial order during execution of the test by the system. |
| US09218266B2 |
Systems and methods for replication of test results in a network environment
Systems and methods for replication of test results in a network environment are disclosed. Methods described may include recording network traffic in a first instance of a test case by a network emulator node emplaced in the network environment, recording a time at which a connection open at the network emulator node completes a communication task, and deriving an order of task completion for each extant open connection thereby, and detecting the occurrence of one or more events, such as a packet drop, a packet retransmission, or a packet delay, among other events. Replication, as described, additionally involves recording the nature of the event and identification information associated with the packet to which the event is detected to have occurred; and associating the one or more events with each of the packets recorded, on the basis of the identification information and event recording. |
| US09218257B2 |
Methods for managing failure of a solid state device in a caching storage
Techniques for managing caching use of a solid state device are disclosed. In some embodiments, the techniques may be realized as a method for managing caching use of a solid state device. Management of the caching use may include receiving, at a host device, notification of failure of a solid state device. In response to the notification a cache mode may be set to uncached. In uncached mode input/output (I/O) requests may be directed to uncached storage (e.g., disk). |
| US09218256B1 |
Systems and methods for shipping I/O operations to prevent replication failure
A computer-implemented method for shipping I/O operations to prevent replication failure may include 1) attempting to perform an I/O operation in a system configured to replicate data from a data cluster to another data cluster, 2) detecting a failure in at least part of the attempt to perform the I/O operation that threatens to fail the system's replication of data from the data cluster to the other data cluster, and, in response to detecting the failure, 3) shipping the I/O operation from a node originally responsible for servicing the I/O operation to another node to complete the I/O operation without failing the system's replication of data from the data cluster to the other data cluster. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09218255B2 |
Multi-volume instant virtual copy freeze
Provided are a computer implemented method, computer program product, and system for creating a consistency group. For each source volume that has an instant virtual copy relationship with a target volume, an indicator for the source volume is set to true in a Fast Incremental with Freeze (FIF) map. The consistency group for each source volume whose indicator is set to true in the FIF map and each associated target volume is created by: performing a quick Instant Virtual Copy (IVC) freeze command to freeze each source volume whose indicator is set to true in the FIF map and performing a consistency group created command to thaw each source volume whose indicator is set to true in the FIF map. |
| US09218254B2 |
Systems, methods, and media for recovering an application from a fault or attack
Systems, methods, and media for recovering an application from a fault or an attack are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method is provided for enabling a software application to recover from a fault condition. The method includes specifying constrained data items and assigning a set of repair procedures to the constrained data items. The method further includes detecting a fault condition on the constrained data items during execution of the software application, which triggers at least one repair procedure. The triggered repair procedures are executed and the execution of the software application is restored. In some embodiments, the restoring comprises providing memory rollback to a point of execution of the software application before the fault condition was detected. |
| US09218245B1 |
Cloning and recovery of data volumes
Aspects of a data environment, such as the cloning, hibernation, and recovery of databases, are managed using a separate control environment. A monitoring component of the control environment can periodically communicate with the data environment to determine any necessary actions to be performed, such as to recover from faults or events for a data instance in the data environment. A workflow can be instantiated that includes tasks necessary to perform actions such as recovery, hibernation, resumption from hibernation, or backup or cloning. Tasks of the workflow can cause certain jobs to be performed by host managers in the data environment to affect calls made to the control environment. |
| US09218242B2 |
Write operations for defect management in nonvolatile memory
Data that is stored in a higher error rate format in a nonvolatile memory is backed up in a lower error rate format. Data to be stored may be transferred once to on-chip data latches where it is maintained while it is programmed in both the high error rate format and the low error rate format without being resent to the nonvolatile memory. |
| US09218241B2 |
Wireless receiver circuit and method
One example discloses a wireless receiver circuit comprising: a wireless receiver unit having a first voltage power supply and providing an output as a stream of digital output bits; a parity check unit at the output; a control unit configured to derive a control output based on the difference between the parity check unit output and a target parity error rate; and a voltage regulator for providing the first voltage to the wireless receiver unit, in dependence on the control unit output wherein the voltage regulator implements a voltage overscaling function for the wireless receiver unit and is operable to overscale the first voltage in response to a parity error rate of less than 0.5 and to drive the first voltage to a predetermined maximum voltage value in response to a parity error rate of 0.5. |
| US09218236B2 |
Error signal handling unit, device and method for outputting an error condition signal
An error signal handling unit includes an error handler configured to receive an error signal indicating an error condition. The error handler is further configured to receive a recovery signal indicating a mitigation of the error condition or indicating that a mitigation of the error condition is possible. Furthermore, the error handler is further configured to output an error condition signal based on the error signal in response to a reception of the error signal if within a given delay time from the reception of the error signal, the error handler does not receive the recovery signal, and otherwise omit outputting the error condition signal. |
| US09218228B2 |
Computerised machine control system
A computerized machine control system comprises an application-independent machine-specific part with a machine-specific domain model of the machine and a control module, which accesses data points of the machine via a machine-specific communication protocol and updates corresponding data point objects in the machine-specific domain model or data points in the machine. In addition, the machine control system comprises a machine-independent, application-specific part with an application-specific domain model and a mapping module which accesses the machine-specific domain model and maps data objects of the application-specific domain model to data point objects of the machine-specific domain model and vice versa. |
| US09218225B2 |
Discovering object definition information in an integrated application environment
Provided is a method, system, and program for providing an object discovery agent (ODA) client. There is one object discovery agent (ODA) client and at least one ODA, wherein each ODA is associated with one application and includes: (i) application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with the associated application to discover definition information on objects maintained by the application and (ii) code to communicate with the ODA client. The ODA client communicates with one of the at least one ODA to cause the ODA to gather definition information on at least one object used by one application. The gathered object definition information is provided to an integration server to integrate the object in an environment including heterogeneous objects from different applications. |
| US09218224B2 |
Electronic apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium storing information processing program
A disclosed electronic apparatus in which an application program is installable includes an interface information extracting unit configured to extract interface information of a method from an intermediate code of a first application program; and an interface providing unit configured to provide an interface for the method indicated by the interface information, wherein the interface providing unit calls the first application program for the method corresponding to the identification information in response to a request including the identification information of the method. |
| US09218223B2 |
Barrier synchronization with dynamic width calculation
A sequencer of a processing unit determines, at runtime, a barrier width of a barrier operation for a group threads, wherein the barrier width is smaller than a total number of threads in the group of threads, and wherein threads in the group of threads execute data parallel code on one or more compute units. In response to each thread in a subgroup of the group of threads having executed the barrier operation, the subgroup including a same number of threads as the barrier width, the sequencer may enable the subgroup of the group of threads to execute on the one or more processors past the barrier operation without waiting for other threads in the group of threads to execute the barrier operation, wherein the subgroup of the group of threads is smaller than the total number of threads in the group of threads. |
| US09218221B2 |
Token sharing mechanisms for burst-mode operations
Methods and apparatus for token-sharing mechanisms for burst-mode operations are disclosed. A first and a second token bucket are respectively configured for admission control at a first and a second work target. A number of tokens to be transferred between the first bucket and the second bucket, as well as the direction of the transfer, are determined, for example based on messages exchanged between the work targets. The token transfer is initiated, and admission control decisions at the work targets are made based on the token population resulting from the transfer. |
| US09218218B2 |
Method and system for policy based lifecycle management of virtual software appliances
A system and method for managing dynamically allocated resources assigned to a service includes providing a service to be used by a plurality of sites in a federation. Usage information associated with the service is communicated to each of the plurality of sites. A disposition of the service is determined based on local policies and the usage information received from other sites by a service owner. The disposition of the service is updated across a plurality of sites in accordance with messages sent by the service owner to reduce resource usage. |
| US09218217B1 |
Opportunistic job processing in distributed computing resources with an instantiated native client environment with limited read/write access
A global-level manager accesses a work order referencing at least one executable file and one or more input files. The one or more input files are partitioned into multiple shards. The work order is partitioned into multiple jobs. The jobs are distributed among a plurality of to be processed by a task level manager at each of the plurality of clusters. The executable file is loaded into the native client environment through a validator. The validator is configured to insure that the executable file does not include one or more of a defined set of instructions, does not call instructions outside of the executable file, and does not read or write data outside of a data region associated with the executable file. |
| US09218216B2 |
Centrally driven performance analysis of low power and Lossy Networks
In one embodiment, a centralized device for a computer network divides the computer network into one or more regions for which performance is to be measured, and selects one or more nodes within each respective region of the one or more regions. The centralized device may then send a performance measurement request (PMR) to the selected node(s) for each region, and receives measured performance reports from the selected node(s) for each region in response to the PMR. Accordingly, based on the measured performance reports, the centralized device may then adjust at least one of either the divided regions or the selected node(s) for one or more of the one or more regions, e.g., for future PMRs. |
| US09218215B2 |
Job scheduling in a system of multi-level computers
Systems, methods, and computer program products for job scheduling are disclosed. An exemplary computer-implemented method includes receiving a job in a job scheduling system. At least part of the job is transmitted to a job reader. An indication of one or more functions required for performing the job is received from the job reader. A first computing device is selected from among a plurality of computing devices, where the selection is based, at least in part, on whether the first computing device supports the functions required for performing the job. |
| US09218214B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
A workload that can be processed with a resource amount available in a physical server is estimated. An information processing apparatus 20 includes a performance information storage unit 25 that stores information indicating each of plural types of workloads and a resource amount of the physical server allocated to each of the workloads when the workloads are run in a physical server 30, in a manner to be associated with each other, an acquiring unit 21 that acquires a resource amount available in the physical server 30, a comparison unit 22 that selects at least one stored work load, and compares the available resource amount with the resource amount associated with the selected workload, and a first extraction unit 23 that extracts the selected workload if the compared resource amount is less than or equal to the available resource amount. |
| US09218212B2 |
Pairing physical devices to virtual devices to create an immersive environment
Pairing physical devices to virtual devices to create an immersive environment, including: identifying, by a device pairing module, a virtual device in a virtual environment; identifying, by the device pairing module, a physical device in a physical environment; and pairing, by the device pairing module, the virtual device in the virtual environment with the physical device in the physical environment such that the physical device in the physical environment delivers virtual environment content, wherein the virtual environment content is content being delivered to an object in the virtual environment. |
| US09218211B2 |
Priority promotion for service requests
A method for priority promotion of a service request comprises receiving the service request for a target address space into a set of work requests, the set of work requests comprising a plurality of service requests for the target address space, the service request originating from a source address space, the service request having a priority equivalent to a priority of the target address space, the source address space having a higher priority than the target address space; determining a number of service requests for the target address space in the set of work requests; and, in the event the number of service requests for the target address space exceeds a predetermined value, promoting the priority of the service request to the priority of the source address space. |
| US09218208B2 |
Method and system of traffic processor selection for broadcast/multicast service in a wireless network
A method and system for selecting traffic processors for processing and transmitting broadcast/multicast service flow in a cellular network includes evaluating processor occupancy of a plurality of traffic processors and selecting the traffic processors with the highest available processor occupancy. The cellular network has one or more base stations that are connected to a radio network controller, the radio network controller having a plurality of traffic processors to process the radio signals and data traffic to be transmitted to the base stations. A required processor occupancy for transmitting the broadcast/multicast service flow to the base stations is estimated and the traffic processors are selected such that their combined available processor occupancy is greater than the required processor occupancy for the broadcast/multicast service flow. The method and system optimizes resource utilization and distribution among the plurality of traffic processors. |
| US09218207B1 |
Configuring virtualization environments
A method includes determining historical resource metrics for a host, and determining a workload forecast for the host based on the historical resource metrics. The method also includes determining a first series of virtual resource configurations based on the workload forecast. Each virtual resource configuration corresponds to a respective virtual machine of a plurality of virtual machines from the host. Each virtual resource configuration includes a time interval of the workload forecast, a processing specification of the corresponding virtual machine, and a host assignment indicative of a corresponding target host of the plurality of hosts on which to run the corresponding virtual machine. The method further includes configuring each respective virtual machine according to each corresponding virtual resource configuration in the first series of virtual resource configurations. |
| US09218199B2 |
Identifying thread progress information by monitoring transitions between interesting states
Embodiments relate to a method, apparatus and program product and for capturing thread specific state timing information. The method includes associating a time field and a time valid field to a thread data structure and setting a current time state by determining a previous time state and updating it according to a previously identified method for setting time states. The method further includes determining status of a time valid bit to see if it is set to valid or invalid. When the status is valid, it is made available for reporting. |
| US09218188B2 |
Animation sequence associated with feedback user-interface element
In one embodiment, a content item and a feedback user-interface (UI) element associated with the content item may be displayed on a user device. The feedback UI element enables a user to provide feedback with respect to the content item. In response to a user interaction with the feedback UI element, an animation sequence featuring the feedback UI element is displayed on the user device. |
| US09218187B2 |
Managing large user selections in an application
The present invention provides a system and methods for managing large user selections in an application. An invertible collection software module solves the problem of managing a large number of user selections within an application. When not inverted, the invertible collection tracks what a user has selected. When inverted, the invertible collection tracks what a user has not selected thus saving memory. One method may comprise defining a specific context having a set of items available for user selection, representing, by an empty inverted invertible collection, the selection of all items within the specific context, tracking one or more items a user has deselected within the specific context depending upon whether the collection is inverted or not inverted and tracking one or more items a user has deselected. |
| US09218183B2 |
System and method for improving memory transfer
System and method for performing a high-bandwidth memory copy. Memory transfer instructions allow for copying of data from a first memory location to a second memory location without the use of load and store word instructions thereby achieving a high-bandwidth copy. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of (1) decoding a destination address from a first memory transfer instruction, (2) storing the destination address in a register in the bus interface unit, (3) decoding a source address from a second memory transfer instruction, and (4) copying the contents of a memory location specified by the source memory address to a memory location specified by the contents of the register. Other methods and a microprocessor system are also presented. |
| US09218181B1 |
Automatic software catalog content creation based on bio-inspired computing prediction
A method for automatically creating a software catalog content that includes a plurality of software components associated with a computing system is provided. The method may include creating a population comprising a plurality of potential software signatures associated with the plurality of software components. The method may include ranking the population comprising the potential software signatures based on a highest ratio value. The method may include selecting a set of parent software signatures based on the ranking. Additionally, the method may include creating a new population of potential software signatures based on the selected set of parent software signatures. The method may include performing recombination on the new population of potential software signatures. Furthermore, the method may include predicting at least one potential software signature from the new population of potential software signatures based on a comparison between the performed recombination and the created new population of potential software signatures. |
| US09218177B2 |
Techniques to optimize upgrade tasks
Techniques to prioritize and optimize the execution of upgrade operations are described. A technique may include determining the size of data blocks that are to be copied from one storage medium to another, and the dependencies of upgrade tasks on the data blocks and on other tasks. A task may be prioritized according to a weight that includes the cumulative sizes of the data blocks that it and its dependent tasks depend on. A data block copying may be prioritized according to the cumulative weights of the tasks that depend on that data block. Some embodiments may perform several data copying and/or tasks in parallel, rather than sequentially. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09218175B2 |
Cross-platform application framework
One set of instructions is generated in part by compiling application-specific source code. When natively executed on a platform provided by a device, the set of instructions provides an application. Another set of instructions is generated in part by compiling the same business logic source code. When natively executed on another platform provided by another device, the other set of instructions provides the same application. The business logic source code is substantially free of code specific to any platform. Moreover, the business logic source code defines substantially all application-specific functionality of the application. |
| US09218174B2 |
OSGi program, OSGi system
The invention automatically installs an OSGi bundle needed to use an external device connected to an electronic device having an OSGi framework mounted. The OSGi bundle is installed into the electronic device without imposing a load on a distribution system. The OSGi program related to the invention detects the external device connected to the electronic device having the OSGi framework mounted, downloads an OSGi bundle corresponding to said external device from a distribution server, and installs the OSGi bundle in the electronic device. |
| US09218173B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for collaboratively installing a computer application
According to one embodiment, a computer program product for collaboratively installing a computer application includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code including computer readable program code configured to: monitor an installation process of an application, send a remote assistance request in response to a determination that the installation process requires remote assistance, receive a response to the remote assistance request, and continue the installation process of the application using the remote assistance information. The response includes remote assistance information required for installing the application, and the remote assistance information is invisible to an installer of the application. In other embodiments, and a method for collaboratively installing a computer application includes operations for performing the above described processes, and a system includes modules for performing the above described processes. |
| US09218171B2 |
Method, program, and system for code optimization
Method, program and system for code optimization. The method includes detecting a sign assignment instruction having an input operand and an output operand identical in size to each other. Analyzing and determining whether a value of the input operand results from an add or subtract operation and if the value is greater than the value prior to the operation. If so then removing the sign assignment instruction on the condition that the input operand and the output operand of the sign assignment instruction have their addresses identical to each other and replacing the sign assignment instruction with a copy instruction for copying the value of the input operand of the sign assignment instruction to a value of the output operand on the condition that the addresses of the input operand and the output operand of the sign assignment instruction are not identical and do not overlap each other. |
| US09218170B1 |
Managing table of contents pointer value saves
A compiler identifies a function call in computer code. A linker directive associates the function call with a single table of contents (TOC) pointer value save placeholder. This single placeholder is the only TOC pointer value save placeholder associated with the function call. When a TOC pointer value save instruction occupies the placeholder, it ensures that the TOC pointer value is saved before the function call. The linker directive is then modified to associate the function call with two or more TOC pointer value save placeholders. When a TOC pointer value save instruction occupies at least one of the placeholders, it ensures that the TOC pointer value is saved before the function call. Under some circumstances, two or more of the placeholders must be occupied by a TOC pointer value save instruction to ensure that the TOC pointer value is saved before the function call. |
| US09218167B2 |
Augmenting user interface with additional information
Embodiments of methods, systems, and storage medium for enhancing a user interface of an application with additional information are disclosed herein. In one instance, the method may include a computing device detecting an event associated with an application executing on the computing device, a container of a user interface of the application, or at least one object of the container; determining additional information to augment basic information associated with the at least one object of the container of the user interface of the application; and augmenting the basic information of the at least one object in a display of the container with the additional information or one or more indicators corresponding to the additional information. The additional information is associated with the object. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09218164B2 |
System and method for mobile application development using mobile devices
The present invention is a system to develop mobile applications from a mobile device that includes a database with a memory, a hosting space, an app-creation application with a plurality of options stored on a mobile application repository on said memory over a communications network or within the mobile device. A client device downloads and installs the app-creation application from the mobile applications repository over a communications network to create said mobile applications. There are four methods for mobile application development created by the mobile device that utilize this system. |
| US09218161B2 |
Embedding a software content space for run-time implementation
A computer-implemented method for generating user stories for a software product, includes collecting, by a processor, a plurality of requirements, creating, by the processor, a plurality of content space specification files that includes the plurality of requirements, processing, by the processor, the plurality of content space specification files to generate the user stories, defining, by the processor, a content space, and embedding, by the processor, the content space in the software product. |
| US09218160B2 |
Ultrafast quantum random number generation process and system therefore
The invention is based on a process and system for producing random numbers by means of a quantum random number generator where the method comprises the steps of operating a laser in single mode and high modulation bandwidth by means of an electrical pulse driver, transforming the phase randomized optical pulses produced before in optical pulses with random amplitude and detecting the resulting random amplitude signals by means of a fast photodiode. The numbers thus produced are truly random. |
| US09218155B2 |
Portable information terminal, display control method, and program
A portable information terminal includes a display element and a control element. The display element includes a plurality of display screens. The control element divides a whole image including two or more rows of individual images arrayed in a direction where the plurality of display screens are arrayed into a plurality of divided images by a dividing line passing through gaps between the individual images in the respective rows, and displays each of the divided images on each of the display screens of the display element. |
| US09218153B2 |
Servicing a print request from a client system
A method and system for servicing a print request from a specific client system. Client-specific information from a client profile is read from database accessible to at least two printer server systems. The client-specific information includes the specific client system's geographic location, a favorite time span reflecting when the specific client system was previously connected to a network, an amount of data reflecting data previously printed within a given historical time span, a maximum data transfer rate at which the specific client system can transfer data to the network, a minimum speed required for printing data received from the specific client system by each printer server system, or combinations thereof. At least one best-suited printer is ascertained to be used for servicing the print request, utilizing the client-specific information, printer server information, and printer information. The print request is serviced by the at least one best suited printer. |
| US09218150B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method thereof
A system is provided in which printer driver update work is not required, and in addition, print queue creation work can be hidden. When a virtual printer driver is installed, a generic printer driver is installed in the system without creating a print queue. Then, for execution of printing, the installed generic printer driver is used to create the print queue, and a print job is input to the print queue. |
| US09218149B2 |
Output system, terminal apparatus, and method of outputting data
An output system includes a selection receipt unit that displays a function selection screen enabling a user to select a function based on an output request of data to be output received from the user and causes the user to select the function; a determination unit that determines, in response to the function selected by the user, an accumulation method and an accumulation destination of output data converted from the data to be output; an accumulation control unit that sends the output data converted from the data to be output based on the determined accumulation method of the output data and the output request to the determined accumulation destination and causes the determined accumulation destination to store the output data and the output request; and an output control unit that acquires the output data and the output request from the accumulation destination and outputs the output data. |
| US09218147B2 |
Conditionally displaying errors in a printing apparatus
An information processing apparatus that processes a job includes a determination unit configured to determine whether the job is a job in which print output is not performed by a printing apparatus, and a display unit configured to perform such control that information of occurrence of a first error in the printing apparatus is not displayed, if it is determined that the job is a job in which print output is not performed by the printing apparatus. |
| US09218146B2 |
Information processing system, method of processing information, program, and recording medium
An information processing system includes a first receiving unit receiving a print request; a first specifying unit specifying user identification information stored in a first memory unit in association with first identification information related to a transmission source of the print request; an acquiring unit acquiring second identification information from the print request when the user identification information is not specified by the first specifying unit; a second memory unit storing data related to the print request in association with the user identification information specified by the first specifying unit or the second identification information acquired by the acquiring unit; a second receiving unit receiving the user identification information or the second identification information from an apparatus connected with the information processing system; and a sending unit sending the user identification information received by the second receiving unit or the data stored in the second memory unit to the apparatus. |
| US09218144B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image formation method that perform packet response in the power saving mode
Provided is an image forming apparatus that increases an efficiency for network response. Thus, a network connection part receives a packet from an external network. A filter part distributes the packet received by network connection part for each protocol. A main response part that responds to the packet distributed by the filter part in the normal mode for controlling operation of each part. A sub response part that responds to some types of the packet, which is not distributed to the main response part by the filter part, in addition to the power saving mode where the main response part does not respond to the some types of the packet. |
| US09218139B2 |
Minimally disruptive virtual machine snapshots
Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for creating a snapshot of a virtual server. In an embodiment, a first write storage is created in response to a snapshot request. For each write from the virtual server to primary storage that is the first write of that particular data block since the snapshot request, the data that resided in the data block previous to the write is copied from the primary storage to the first write storage. |
| US09218137B2 |
System and method for providing data migration services
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for migrating data which allows transforming a data source of an existing system into a migrated data source complying with data requirements of a new system, typically in response to an upgrade of an application configured to access the data source. The system and method for data migration services is reusable (i.e., it may be used for different levels of data migration, e.g., in system upgrades to different versions), idempotent (i.e., it may be used multiple times on the same level of data migration, e.g., it may be applied multiple time in the same system upgrade of the same data without causing any disruption or different result when applied multiple times), and metadata driven (i.e., it does not require significant changes to be used for data migration of different systems). |
| US09218136B2 |
Cloud scale directory services
Embodiments described herein are directed to providing scalability to software applications. A computer system partitions a portion of data stored in a directory services system into multiple different data partitions. Each data partition includes a primary writable copy and at least one secondary read-only copy of the data. The computer system receives a client request for a portion of the data that is stored in the directory services system and accesses various stored partition mappings to determine which of the different data partitions includes the requested data. The computer system also accesses a dynamic copy locator to determine which of the read-only copies of the indicated partition to access and provide the accessed primary writeable copy of the indicated partition and the determined read-only copy to the client in a virtualized manner so that the client is not aware of the data partitions. |
| US09218135B2 |
Hierarchical allocation for file system storage device
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to storage allocation. In aspects, a hierarchical data structure is used to track allocation data for storage managed by a file system. The hierarchical data structure may have multiple levels with each level having data regarding a different granularity of storage. Portions of the hierarchical data structure may be locked independently of other portions of the hierarchical data structure. The hierarchical data structure may indicate that one or more portions of storage are for exclusive use by a directory. Extra space may be reserved in allocated space in anticipation of subsequent operations. Allocation requestors may obtain storage allocation from regions associated with different levels of the hierarchical data structure. |
| US09218132B2 |
System and method of writing to a non-volatile storage medium
A process for cataloguing information to an LTO storage device is disclosed. The process begins by writing content data the user wishes to store to an LTO storage device. In one embodiment, such content is written such that each portion of the content is associated with a file. Once the LTO storage device has stored the content, a user creates a catalog identifying particular locations on the LTO storage device associated with particular files of the content the user wishes to recall in the future. The catalog is then stored on a separate memory for later use. |
| US09218130B2 |
Tape storage device and writing method therefor
A mechanism is provided for tape writing of small transactions. A first file is written as a plurality of fixed-length data sets (DS), the DS number of the final DS in the plurality of DS is stored in memory as #N(DS#N) and the WP number as #M(WP#M), and the final first file and the second file in the DS following the final DS(DS#N, WP#M) containing the first file are packed and written in sequential DS units, and are stored as DS#N, DS#N+1, etc. and WP#M+1 in sequential order in DS containing the second file. The remaining first, second, or third file is packed and DS#N with WP#M is overwritten as DS#N with WP#M+2, and the remaining #N in the DS numbers of the second file and the third file in the subsequent DS are written as DS#N+1, N+2, etc. with WP#M+2, and the DS#N, #N+1, #N+2, etc. with WP#M+2 are stored. |
| US09218129B2 |
User interface
A user interface comprising: (i) a physical keypad comprising a plurality of keys, and (ii) a touch-sensitive display for presenting a screen. The screen comprises: (a) an image illustrating the physical keypad; and (b) a transaction option depicted on one of the keys of the physical keypad. A user is able to select the transaction option either by pressing the transaction option on the touch-sensitive display or by pressing a physical key corresponding to the key on which the transaction option is depicted. |
| US09218127B2 |
Systems and methods for fast keyboard entry using a remote control in video conferencing and other applications
Systems and methods for performing data entry in videoconferencing and other systems that use remote controls and other non keyboard-based user interface devices. In some embodiments, the keys of a numeric keypad are associated with letters and symbols, such that when a number key is pressed the system displays a selection of choices in a spatial configuration, including the number pressed as well as additional character choices. Users can use navigation buttons to move the selection to any one of the displayed characters and select it, thus minimizing the number of remote control operations for data entry. |
| US09218116B2 |
Touch interaction with a curved display
Touch interaction with a curved display (e.g., a sphere, a hemisphere, a cylinder, etc.) is enabled through various user interface (UI) features. In an example embodiment, a curved display is monitored to detect a touch input. If a touch input is detected based on the act of monitoring, then one or more locations of the touch input are determined. Responsive to the determined one or more locations of the touch input, at least one user UI feature is implemented. Example UI features include an orb-like invocation gesture feature, a rotation-based dragging feature, a send-to-dark-side interaction feature, and an object representation and manipulation by proxy representation feature. |
| US09218109B2 |
Recording medium, playback device, recording device, playback method and recording method for editing recorded content while maintaining compatibility with old format
A rewritable recording medium on which Index.bdmv is recorded in the BDMV directory. The Index.bdmv includes editability_flag and extended_editability_flag. When the editability_flag is set ON, it indicates that the recording medium is treated as an editable medium by a legacy device which does not support recording and editing of stereoscopic video. When the editability_flag is set OFF, it indicates that the recording medium is treated as a non-editable medium by the legacy device. When the extended_editability_flag is set ON, it indicates that the recording medium is treated as an editable medium by a non-legacy device even when the editability flag is set OFF, where the non-legacy device supports recording and editing of stereoscopic video. |
| US09218108B1 |
Battery charging metrics and representations
This disclosure describes systems and methods related to determining and providing battery charging metrics for an electronic device. In one embodiment, one or more processors may determine the capacity of the battery of an electronic device and a first battery charge level. A charging rate associated with the battery charger may be determined. A battery charging time may be calculated based at least in part on the battery capacity, the charging rate, the first battery charging time, and a second battery charging time. A representation of a charging status associated with the battery may be generated. |
| US09218107B1 |
Cloud-based text management for cross-platform display
Data including information regarding a display of the host device may be received. Such information may be used to identify one or more top-level windows in the host device display. Further, it is determined which of the top-level windows is currently active. The active top-level window may be determined to include a text caret and further, that the text caret is active such a keyboard display appears in a portion of the display of the client device. Instructions are generated for automatic adjustment of the remaining portion of the display of the client device based on the location of the text caret. |
| US09218106B2 |
Interactive program manager and methods for presenting program content
A particular system includes a processor and memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include sending a notification indicator to a first device in response to identifying content of interest associated with a first source. The operations also include, in response to user input responsive to the notification indicator, sending a menu display to the first device. The menu display includes a first user selectable option to view a submenu. The submenu includes an option to selectively enable display of an alert associated with the first source. The alert is displayable on the first device in conjunction with display of a first program. |
| US09218099B2 |
Device-to-device communications based on capacitive sensing and coupling via human body or direct device-to-device coupling
Systems, devices and techniques disclosed in this document provide device-to-device communications via a human body of a user between (1) a capacitor sensor touch screen device that includes a capacitor sensor touch screen that includes capacitor sensors and provides a display function and (2) a capacitor sensor device that includes one or more capacitor sensors that detect or sense, based on capacitive sensing and without providing a display function, signals transmitted from the capacitor sensor touch screen of the capacitor sensor touch screen device. The human body of a user operates as a signal transmitting medium. In addition, the systems, devices and techniques disclosed in this document provide device-to-device communications via direct device-to-device coupling between two capacitor sensor touch screen devices each including capacitor sensor touch screen that includes capacitor sensors and provides a display function. |
| US09218098B2 |
Touch panel substrate and display device
A conducting layer (7) is formed in a shape of a grid having a predetermined width of lines extending along the first direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) and the second direction (vertical direction in the drawing). In a region that, when seen in planar view, overlaps those lines of the conducting layer (7) which extend along the first direction, lines of an insulating light-blocking layer (6) that are wider than those of the conduction layer (7) are arranged at predetermined intervals along the second direction. The conducting layer (7) is broken at predetermined places in a region that overlaps the insulating light-blocking layer 6 when seen in plane view. This makes it possible to achieve a liquid crystal display device including a touch panel substrate that has a high aperture ratio and that can suppress leakage of light through cuts in a conducting layer. |
| US09218097B2 |
Capacitive touch device capable of avoiding reduced frame rate and sensing method thereof
A capacitive touch device and a sensing method thereof are disclosed. The capacitive touch device includes a touch panel and a plurality of touch detection units. The touch panel includes first sensing lines and second sensing lines. The position of a touch between a last one of the first sensing lines and a first one of the second sensing lines is calculated according to sensed values respectively corresponding to a first sensing line prior to the last one of the first sensing lines, the last one of the first sensing lines and the first one of the second sensing lines. The present invention is capable of avoiding the problem that the frame rate is reduced significantly because of the data transmission between the first and second touch detection units. |
| US09218094B1 |
Sense position prediction for touch sensing methods, circuits and systems
A method can include determining multiple sensed positions of an object path in a touch sense region; generating at least a first predicted position from the sensed positions; and filtering a sense position, including associating the sense position with the object path if it is within a first proximity to at least the first predicted position, and not associating the sense position with the object path if it is outside of at least the first proximity from the first predicted position. |
| US09218092B2 |
Curved touch screen panel and method of manufacturing the same
A touch screen panel and a method of manufacturing the same, the touch screen panel including a curved substrate; sensing patterns on at least one surface of the curved substrate; and an insulating layer covering the sensing patterns. |
| US09218091B2 |
Optical touch panel assembly and light sensor thereof
A light sensor includes a case, a light reflective layer and a light sensing component. The case has a light incident side. The light incident side is partially covered by the light reflective layer to cause the light incident side to form a light incident area uncovered by the light reflective layer and a light reflective area covered by the light reflective layer and located beside the light incident area. The light sensing component is disposed within the case and has a light sensing surface facing toward the light incident area. An optical touch panel assembly incorporating a plurality of the light sensors is also provided. The optical touch panel assembly includes a touch panel, two above-mentioned light sensors oppositely disposed at two sides of the touch panel. |
| US09218090B2 |
System and method for controlling a projector via a passive control strip
A projector includes an infrared generator, an infrared camera, an infrared control module, and a controller. The infrared generator provides an infrared curtain on a screen that the projector projects an image. The infrared camera detects a selection of an icon on a control strip located within the infrared curtain. The infrared control module is in communication with the infrared generator and the infrared camera, and determines a coordinate position within the infrared curtain associated with the selection of the icon on the control strip. The controller is in communication with the infrared control module, and determines a command for the projector based on the coordinate position of the selection of the icon, and executes the command. |
| US09218087B2 |
Self-capacitive touch panel
A self-capacitive touch panel including a border electrode and a central electrode is provided. The border electrode has a first centroid. The central electrode has a second centroid A first average distance from the first centroid to all possible touch points in the border electrode is smaller than a second average distance from the second centroid to all possible touch points in the central electrode. |
| US09218083B2 |
Methods for parsing content of document, handheld electronic apparatus and computer-readable medium thereof
A method for parsing a content of a document, a handheld electronic apparatus and a computer-readable medium thereof are provided. The method comprises the following steps: displaying the content of the document; parsing the content to find out text groups according to a preset pattern database when a touch event is detected, wherein the preset pattern database comprises a plurality of specific patterns, and a format of each of the text groups conforms to one of the specific patterns; determining whether a touch coordinates matches a corresponding position of a specific text group of the text groups; performing a corresponding action related to the specific text group when the touch coordinates matches the corresponding position of the specific text group. |
| US09218081B2 |
Semiconductor display device and driving method the same
It is an object to provide a semiconductor display device having a touch panel, which can reduce power consumption. The semiconductor display device includes a panel which is provided with a pixel portion and a driver circuit which controls an input of the image signal to the pixel portion, and a touch panel provided in a position overlapping with the panel in the pixel portion. The pixel portion includes a display element configured to perform display in accordance with voltage of the image signal to be input, and a transistor configured to control retention of the voltage. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region. The driving frequency of the driver circuit, that is, the number of writing operations of the image signal for a certain period is changed in accordance with an operation signal from a touch panel. |
| US09218078B2 |
Touch panel and manufacturing method thereof
A touch panel includes an insulating layer, a first axis electrode, and a second axis electrode. The insulating layer has first holes and second holes. The first axis electrode include first upper conductive units disposed on an upper side of the insulating layer and first lower conductive units disposed on a lower side of the insulating layer. Each first hole partially exposes the corresponding first lower conductive unit. The first upper conductive units are electrically connected to the first lower conductive units via the first holes. The second axis electrode includes second upper conductive units disposed on the upper side of the insulating layer and second lower conductive units disposed on the lower side of the insulating layer. Each the second holes partially exposes the corresponding second lower conductive unit. The second upper conductive units are electrically connected to the second lower conductive units via the second holes. |
| US09218076B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a display and a proximity sensor arranged near a display surface of the display and configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a degree of proximity of an object to the display surface, and provides a position of the approaching object in a direction horizontal to the display surface. A user interface control unit has a first operational mode and a second operational mode, where in the first operation mode, the proximity of a user's hand from the display surface is monitored based on the output signal of the proximity sensor. In the second operational mode, a position of the user's hand in a direction horizontal to the display surface is detected within a detection target range and a user's operation is accepted according to the detected position of the user's hand. |
| US09218075B2 |
Haptically-enabled system with braking
A haptically-enabled system includes an actuator that has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to a voltage source, and a first switch is coupled to the first terminal and to ground. A second switch is coupled to the actuator. The second switch is parallel to the actuator. |
| US09218074B2 |
Gate drive circuit and display device having the gate drive circuit
A gate drive circuit in which multiple stages are connected together one after each other. An n-th stage includes a pull-up part, a carry part, a pull-down part, a switching part, a first maintaining part and a second maintaining part. The pull-up part outputs a high voltage of a first clock signal. The carry part outputs a high voltage of the first clock signal. The pull-down part pulls-down the n-th gate signal into a first low voltage. The switching part outputs a first signal synchronized with the first clock signal during an interval other than a high voltage output interval of the n-th carry signal. The first maintaining part maintains the n-th gate signal at the first low voltage in response to the first signal. The second maintaining part maintains the n-th gate signal at the first low voltage in response to a second signal. |
| US09218071B2 |
Interpolation of position of a stylus in a touch sensor
Systems and methods for determining interpolation functions for a stylus position on a sensor matrix and estimating such a position are provided. In one disclosed embodiment, a test apparatus comprises a stylus configured to be positioned on a sensor matrix at each location of a set of known locations. One or more processors are configured to access the touch sensor data corresponding to the set of known locations, where the data is produced in response to positioning the stylus on the sensor matrix at the set of known locations. Stylus location data reflecting the set of known locations is accessed. A stylus position interpolation function is then determined by curve fitting based on the touch sensor data corresponding to the set of known locations and the stylus location data reflecting the set of known locations. |
| US09218068B2 |
Sharing data inputs between multiple peripheral devices and host by converting inputs into operating system independent or specific format(s) based on input device
An apparatus may include a processor arranged to receive an input signal from an input device and a first event conversion module. The first event conversion module may receive an input event from the input device as an operating system (OS)-specific event arranged in a format operable by a first operating system, convert the OS-specific event into a converted event having an OS-independent format, and dispatch the converted event for processing. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US09218067B2 |
Mobile communications device user interface
A mobile communications device user interface is described. In an implementation, a method is implemented by a computing device that includes displaying content in conjunction with a first level of a hierarchical menu in a user interface on a display device of the computing device. Responsive to receipt of an input to navigate to a second level of the hierarchical menu that is a sublevel of the first level, the second level in displayed conjunction with the content on the display device, the content having a reduced display richness when displayed in conjunction with the second level than when displayed in conjunction with the first level. |
| US09218066B2 |
Method for character correction
A computer program product is provided and includes a non-transitory tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and on which instructions are stored for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes enabling retrieval of a keyboard pressed sequence of characters of a first type, permitting a re-selection of characters of a second type, which are associated with the keyboard pressed sequence of the characters of the first type and permitting modification of the keyboard pressed sequence of the characters of the first type to initiate a search for and retrieval of characters of the second type. |
| US09218064B1 |
Authoring multi-finger interactions through demonstration and composition
A computing device comprises a processor and an authoring tool executing on the processor. The processor receives demonstration data representative of at least one demonstration of a multi-finger gesture and declaration data specifying one or more constraints for the multi-finger gesture. The processor generates, in accordance with the demonstration data and the declaration data, a module to detect the multi-finger gesture within a computer-generated user interface. |
| US09218060B2 |
Virtual mouse driving apparatus and virtual mouse simulation method
A virtual mouse simulation method used in a virtual mouse driving apparatus is provided. The method has the following steps of: capturing a plurality of input images continuously; detecting a finger area from the plurality of input images; detecting a specific event of the finger area; and generating a corresponding virtual mouse control command according to the specific event. |
| US09218059B2 |
Input apparatus for vehicle
An input apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus being used for operation input to various vehicular electronic devices, sets position input permission areas on a two-dimensional operation surface of an operation input device discretely by control of a main controller. In control modes of a reaction force, a guide input mode where position indication operations to the areas on the operation surface by the operation input device are guided along unique paths defined in the respective area and an arbitrary mode where the position indication operations are not guided but performed freely can be changed. The guide input mode is set at least during a vehicle travel. |
| US09218056B2 |
Eye tracking method and display apparatus using the same
A display apparatus employs two tracking units to track the gaze of a user. The display apparatus includes a first tracking unit to generate position information on a user positioned relative to a displayed image; and a second tracking unit to track a gaze of the user upon the displayed image, based on the position information. A method of eye tracking using the display apparatus includes steps of displaying an image; generating position information on a user positioned relative to the displayed image; and tracking a gaze of the user upon the displayed image, based on the position information. |
| US09218049B2 |
Dynamic voltage and frequency management
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a self calibration unit configured to iterate a test on a logic circuit in the integrated circuit at respectively lower supply voltage magnitudes until the test fails. A lowest supply voltage magnitude at which the test passes is used to generate a requested supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a series connection of logic gates physically distributed over an area of the integrated circuit, and a measurement unit configured to launch a logical transition into the series and detect a corresponding transition at the output of the series. The amount of time between the launch and the detection is used to request a supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit. |
| US09218045B2 |
Operating processor element based on maximum sustainable dynamic capacitance associated with the processor
Methods and apparatus relating to dynamic intelligent allocation and utilization of package maximum operating current budget are described. In one embodiment, at least one computational element may be caused to operate at an increased frequency in response to a determination that an opportunity exists to reduce a maximum dynamic capacitance associated with the processor. The determination may be based on an idle status of one or more subsystems of the processor. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US09218042B2 |
Cooperatively managing enforcement of energy related policies between virtual machine and application runtime
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for runtime based enforcement of energy policies collaboratively. The application runtime environment executing within a virtual machine on the data processing system receives notification of a change in energy policy for the virtual machine or the physical host it is running on. Responsive to determining the virtual machine is to be run under a power cap based on the notification of a change in energy policy, the application runtime environment dynamically modifies execution of an application in the application runtime environment or requests the execution environment for delaying enforcement of energy policies. The application comprises a set of application modules. |
| US09218040B2 |
System cache with coarse grain power management
Methods and apparatuses for reducing power consumption of a system cache within a memory controller. The system cache includes multiple ways, and individual ways are powered down when cache activity is low. A maximum active way configuration register is set by software and determines the maximum number of ways which are permitted to be active. When searching for a cache line replacement candidate, a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) is used to select from the active ways. This ensures that each active way has an equal chance of getting picked for finding a replacement candidate when one or more of the ways are inactive. |
| US09218034B2 |
User-directed motion gesture control
Apparatuses and methods for user-directed motion gesture control are disclosed. According to aspects of the present disclosure, direct user inputs can be used to predictably manipulate power control behavior. In some embodiments, a wearable mobile device may be configured to accept user commands, and be configured to sense multitude of use, use environment, and use contexts. The wearable mobile device may include a memory configured to store a set of reference power control motion gesture sequences, one or more sensors configured to sense a motion gesture sequence, and a controller configured to provide interactive power control of the device using the motion gesture sequence and the set of reference power control motion gesture sequences. |
| US09218033B1 |
Active phase balancing at facility level
A method and apparatus are provided for balancing the load placed by a data center on different phases of a power input. According to the method and apparatus, the load on the power is monitored and a load imbalance detected. Once the load imbalance is detected, a server rack from the data center is selected and a power supply in the selected server rack is reconfigured to output an increased or decreased voltage. |
| US09218028B2 |
Computer housing
A desktop computing system having at least a central core surrounded by housing having a shape that defines a volume in which the central core resides is described. The housing includes a first opening and a second opening axially displaced from the first opening. The first opening having a size and shape in accordance with an amount of airflow used as a heat transfer medium for cooling internal components, the second opening defined by a lip that engages a portion of the airflow in such a way that at least some of the heat transferred to the air flow from the internal components is passed to the housing. |
| US09218025B2 |
Protective cover for a tablet computer
In certain embodiments, a protective cover includes a housing having a surface, and a latch mechanism hingeably coupled to the housing. The latch can include a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side configured to couple to and secure an input device to the surface of the housing. The latch can be configured to rotate, via the hinge coupling, between a first configuration and second configuration. In the first configuration, the top side of the latch can be flush with the surface of the housing and the bottom side embedded within the housing such that the latch does not protrude from the housing. In the second configuration, the latch can be rotated relative to the first configuration and protrude from the housing. The latch can be operable to be rotated open from the first configuration to the second configuration via the hinge coupling. |
| US09218023B2 |
Foldable structure for portable devices
A foldable structure for the support and use of portable devices is presented. The structure is attached to the back panel of a portable device or the device case. When the structure is unfolded, it rests flat in the indented area at the rear side of a portable device or the device case without changing the look and feel of the device. When the structure is folded, it forms a grip or device support stand to augment the functionality and usefulness of the portable device. |
| US09218022B2 |
Portable computer
A portable computer includes a base, a display module, at least one supporting element and at least one sliding assembly. The base includes a first area and a second area. The display module includes a connect end and a display face. Each supporting element includes a first end pivoted on a portion of the display module other than the display face and a second end pivoted on the rear end of the base. Each sliding assembly includes a slide rail disposed at least in the second area and a sliding block connected with the connect end and moved along the slide rail. Each sliding block includes at least one auxiliary sliding structure for decreasing sliding friction. |
| US09218019B2 |
Mounting device
An example mounting structure in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure includes an engagement assembly to mount within a pass-through tunnel of a support stand for an electronic display. The structure further includes a mounting bracket coupled to the engagement assembly. The mounting bracket provides a mounting surface for an electronic device. |
| US09218016B2 |
Voltage reference generation circuit using gate-to-source voltage difference and related method thereof
A voltage reference generation circuit includes a current supply circuit and a core circuit. The current supply circuit is arranged to provide a plurality of currents. The core circuit is coupled to the current supply circuit, and arranged to receive the currents and accordingly generate a voltage reference. The core circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor and a third transistor, wherein the first transistor and the third transistor generate a first gate-to-source voltage and a third gate-to-source voltage, respectively, according to a first current of the received currents; the second transistor generates a second gate-to-source voltage according to a second current of the received currents; and the voltage reference is generated according to the first gate-to-source voltage, the second gate-to-source voltage and the third gate-to-source voltage. |
| US09218014B2 |
Supply voltage independent bandgap circuit
This application discusses apparatus and methods for reducing supply voltage induced band gap voltage variation. In an example, a method of compensating a reference voltage current source for supply voltage variation can include providing at least a portion if a reference current for establishing the reference voltage using a first output transistor coupled to the supply voltage, maintaining a constant voltage across the first output transistor using a second output transistor coupled between the first output transistor and an output node, modulating a compensation impedance between a first node and ground as the supply voltage varies, the first node located where the first output transistor is coupled to the second output transistor, and wherein the modulating includes modulating the compensation impedance to substantially equal an output impedance, the output impedance measured between an output node and an input for the supply voltage. |
| US09218008B2 |
Effectiveness-weighted control of cooling system components
Energy efficient control of cooling system cooling of an electronic system is provided based, in part, on weighted cooling effectiveness of the components. The control includes automatically determining speed control settings for multiple adjustable cooling components of the cooling system. The automatically determining is based, at least in part, on weighted cooling effectiveness of the components of the cooling system, and the determining operates to limit power consumption of at least the cooling system, while ensuring that a target temperature associated with at least one of the cooling system or the electronic system is within a desired range by provisioning, based on the weighted cooling effectiveness, a desired target temperature change among the multiple adjustable cooling components of the cooling system. The provisioning includes provisioning applied power to the multiple adjustable cooling components via, at least in part, the determined control settings. |
| US09218006B2 |
Thermostatic mixing valve
A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve also includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid. The valve member includes a thermostatic control device in communication with the mixed fluid and a shuttle coupled to the thermostatic control device, configured for movement within a liner, and oriented to adjustably engage the flow of at least the first fluid through at least one opening within a wall of the liner, the direction of flow of the first fluid being at least partially transverse with respect to the shuttle. At least one fluid inlet may include a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of the valve through the inlet. |
| US09218003B2 |
Adaptive mapping with spatial summaries of sensor data
A system and method for mapping parameter data acquired by a robot mapping system is disclosed. Parameter data characterizing the environment is collected while the robot localizes itself within the environment using landmarks. Parameter data is recorded in a plurality of local grids, i.e., sub-maps associated with the robot position and orientation when the data was collected. The robot is configured to generate new grids or reuse existing grids depending on the robot's current pose, the pose associated with other grids, and the uncertainty of these relative pose estimates. The pose estimates associated with the grids are updated over time as the robot refines its estimates of the locations of landmarks from which determines its pose in the environment. Occupancy maps or other global parameter maps may be generated by rendering local grids into a comprehensive map indicating the parameter data in a global reference frame extending the dimensions of the environment. |
| US09217998B2 |
Management and development of an industrial environment
System(s), apparatus(es) and method(s) are provided for to managing and developing an industrial system included in the industrial environment. Intelligence related to a configuration of the industrial system is collected and processed to generate information related to operational condition(s) of the industrial system. Intelligence can be collected actively or passively: In active collection, a platform that collects the intelligence retrieves configuration record(s) from the industrial system, whereas in passive collection, the platform received one or more configuration records from the industrial automation system. Collected intelligence is cast into a set of configuration units that defines industrial system and functionality thereof. In addition, a set of services configured to convey specific functionality associated with at least one configuration unit is composed. At least a portion of the generated information can be supplied to the industrial system or one or more components thereof in accordance with a policy configured by the industrial automation system. |
| US09217986B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a toner image, a transfer member for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member onto a sheet in contact with the image bearing member, and an openable unit including an openable member and a rotational shaft. In addition, a lock member locks the openable unit in a closed state by movement of the openable member, and a cam member, provided in the main assembly, rotatably moves the transfer member toward and away from the image bearing member. A force receiving portion, provided on the openable unit, receives a reaction force in contact with the cam member. The openable member includes the transfer member, and the cam member urges the force receiving portion when rotated to impart a force, for attracting the openable unit toward a locking direction by the lock member, to the openable member. |
| US09217983B2 |
Drive transmission device and image forming apparatus including the same
A drive transmission device includes rotatable shafts, a first transmission mechanism that transmits first driving force, and a second transmission mechanism that transmits second driving force. The first driving force causes a specific rotatable shaft to rotate in a first rotation direction. The second driving force causes the specific rotatable shaft to rotate in a second rotation direction. The second transmission mechanism includes first and second gears, and a switching member that switches between coupling and decoupling of the first and second gears. While the first and second gears are coupled, the second driving force is transmitted to the specific rotatable shaft. The first transmission mechanism includes a cut-off member that cuts off transmission of the first driving force to the specific rotatable shaft upon the second driving force being transmitted to the specific rotatable shaft while the first driving force is being transmitted to the specific rotatable shaft. |
| US09217981B2 |
Positively-charged single-layer electrophotographic photoreceptor and image forming apparatus
Disclosed is a positively-charged electrophotographic photoreceptor which uses a tubular photosensitive layer support base with a wall thickness of (t), wherein (t) is 0.7 mm or less, a chamfer angle (a) of an end surface of the photosensitive layer support base is 30° or more and 60° or less with respect to a longitudinal tangent of a surface of a tubular photosensitive layer support base, and an outer end surface-tail edge surface width (b) of the tubular photosensitive layer support base is 0.05 mm or more. |
| US09217980B2 |
Jam sensing at document feeding station
A method for preventing damage to a document by a document transport apparatus provides a member for receiving the document as a stack of sheets to be serial fed to a feeding station. At least two spaced-apart microphones are disposed at the feeding station and responsive to audio to produce signals representing audio energy received by each microphone respectively. The energy received from each microphone is compared to determine if it is ambient noise or if it indicates that two attached sheets are being fed or a single sheet is being damaged. The document transport apparatus is shut off to prevent damage to documents when it has been determined that two attached sheets are being fed or that a single sheet is being damaged. |
| US09217979B2 |
Cooling device and image forming apparatus including same
A recording-material cooling device includes a first belt, a first cooling unit, and a second cooling unit. The first belt is disposed at a first face side of a recording material. The first cooling unit has a first heat absorbing surface to contact the first belt to absorb heat of the recording material. The second cooling unit has a second heat absorbing surface to directly or indirectly contact the recording material to absorb heat of the recording material. The second cooling unit is disposed at a second face side of the recording material. The first and second cooling units are offset from each other in a transport direction of the recording material. Each of the first and second surfaces has a shape in which an inner area protrudes beyond opposed ends in the transport direction. The first and second surfaces overlap each other in a direction crossing the transport direction. |
| US09217977B2 |
Finisher, bookbinder, and imaging system
Single perforating unit is enabled to perforate for file binders and to cut milling grooves, while with a simple structure file-binder storage and booklet-binding can be carried out reliably. Configurations include: a convey-in path for sequentially transferring sheets; a stacker for collating into bundles sheets from the convey-in path; and an adhesive-layer applicator for adding an adhesive layer to the spine-closure edge of sheet bundles from the stacker. A perforating unit is provided in along the convey-in path, and a control unit for controlling position and/or number of perforations made by the perforating unit is provided with (1) a first operation mode in which it effects the punching of a predetermined number of holes in the edge of sheets, and (2) a second operation mode in which it effects the formation of a predetermined number of crenulated grooves in the edge of sheets. |
| US09217972B2 |
Fixing device of an image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a tubular film; a heater including a substrate and a heat generating resistor, the heater having a first region on which the heat generating resistor is formed and a second region, located outside of the first region in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, on which the heat generating resistor is not formed; and a heat conductive member configured to contact a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the film, the heat conductive member having a higher heat conductivity than the substrate. The heat conductive member contacts the heater in a region extending across the first region and the second region, and an amount of heat generated by the heat generating resistor at its end portion is greater than that at its middle portion in the longitudinal direction. |
| US09217971B1 |
Fixing device, heating member, and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a rotatable endless fixing member that fixes a toner image onto a recording medium, and a heating member. The heating member includes a heat-generating layer that generates heat when supplied with electricity; an insulation layer that encloses the heat-generating layer therein to electrically insulate the heat-generating layer; a metallic layer that is laminated on a first surface of the insulation layer, has higher rigidity than the insulation layer, and generates an elastic restoring force; and a thermally conductive layer that is laminated on a second surface of the insulation layer, has lower rigidity than the metallic layer, and has higher thermal conductivity than the insulation layer and the metallic layer. The heating member is supported by one edge of the fixing member in a circumferential direction thereof, elastically deforms by being pressed against an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member, and heats the fixing member. |
| US09217970B2 |
Heater for fixing device
A heater for fixing devices includes a glass substrate, a heating element, electrode patterns connected to the heating element, a first protective layer, and a second protective layer. The glass substrate is made of an alkali-free glass. The first protective layer is formed by firing a mixture of a first glass powder and a first filler. The first glass powder contains no alkali metal oxide and has a lower softening point than the glass substrate. The first filler has a lower thermal expansion coefficient than the alkali-free glass for the glass substrate. The second protective layer is made of a material that does not contain the first filler contained in the first protective layer. |
| US09217965B2 |
Image forming apparatus
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a first image unit that uses toner which contains a flat pigment, a second image unit that uses toner which does not contain a flat pigment, and a fixing unit that includes a heating member which contacts with one surface of a recording medium where an image is formed to heat the image and a contact member that contacts with the other surface of the recording medium, and fixes the image to the recording medium, wherein an amount of heat that is applied to the image from the contact member is larger when the image formed by the toner containing the flat pigment is fixed to the recording medium than when the image formed by the toner not containing the flat pigment is fixed to the recording medium. |
| US09217962B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by consecutively superposing toner images that have been formed on a plurality of photosensitive drums, on an intermediate transfer member or a transfer medium. The image forming apparatus is made compact and operates at a low cost. Since a current supply member supplies a current in a rotational direction of an intermediate transfer belt, multiple first transfer portions do not need corresponding voltage sources. Even in the case where a charging member supplies a current, the potential of the intermediate transfer belt is maintained at a predetermined potential by a constant-voltage element connected to support rollers. |
| US09217961B2 |
Endless belt for image forming device and image forming device having the same
An endless belt for an image forming device includes a base member that is shaped in a loop and is to be rotated around a center of the loop, and a reinforcement tape that is attached to a side of the base member, has two ends that are overlapped with each other, and has a bonding portion between the two ends in the overlapped portion. The bonding portion has an outer portion, an inner portion and a center portion between the inner and outer portions. A length of the center portion in a rotating direction of the base member is greater than a length of the inner portion and a length of the outer portion. |
| US09217956B1 |
Dispense-end seal for toner containers
A toner container assembly including a seal assembly. The seal assembly can include an outer retainer ring having a non-adhesive carrier, a first adhesive layer on a surface of the non-adhesive carrier, and a first opening through the outer retainer ring. The seal assembly can further include a foam ring having a second opening therethrough, wherein the foam ring is attached to the outer retainer ring with the first adhesive, and a double-sided adhesive attached to the foam ring. The seal assembly may further include a solid foam disc having a first slit therethrough and a second slit therethrough, wherein the first slit is perpendicular to the second slit and the solid foam disc is attached to the foam ring by the double-sided adhesive layer. |
| US09217950B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus provided with same
A developing device includes a development housing, a developer carrier, a toner carrier, a bias applying unit, a leakage detecting unit, a bias control unit and a leakage detection control unit. The developer carrier carries a developer layer. The toner carrier receives the toner from the developer layer and supplies the toner to an image carrier. The bias applying unit includes one transformer and applies direct-current voltages and alternating-current voltages to the developer carrier and the toner carrier. The leakage detecting unit detects leakage occurring between the image carrier and the toner carrier or between the toner carrier and the developer carrier. The leakage detection control unit detects a value of an inter-peak voltage, at which the leakage occurs, by applying the same direct-current voltage to the toner carrier and the developer carrier and changing the inter-peak voltages of the alternating-current voltages. |
| US09217949B2 |
Image variable magnification device and image variable magnification method
Disclosed is an image variable magnification device including: a first screen processing unit to carry out a first screen processing for the original image by applying a dither threshold on a position in a dither threshold matrix, which corresponds to a position obtained by adding the shift amount; a second screen processing unit to carry out a second screen processing for the original image by applying a dither threshold on a position in the dither threshold matrix, which corresponds to a position obtained by adding the shift amount and +1 or −1; and a variable magnification processing unit to shift each pixel in an image obtained by the first screen processing, in accordance with the shift amount, and to determine a gradation value of a pixel required to be inserted due to the shift, by adopting a processing result obtained by the second screen processing unit. |
| US09217944B2 |
Low structure carbon black and method of making same
A carbon black having an I2 number from 30 mg/g to 200 mg/g and a DBP from 20 cc/100 g to 40 cc/100 g. |
| US09217941B2 |
Method of manufacturing erasable toner
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an erasable toner includes washing toner particles including therein a coloring material that is erasable by heating and a binder resin to obtain a toner cake having the amount of water of 20% by weight to 60% by weight, and drying the toner cake at 40° C. or more and at a temperature which is lower than the complete color erasing temperature of the toner particles by 30° C. or more. |
| US09217940B2 |
Method for producing toner
A method for producing a toner includes: dissolving a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin in an organic solvent; mixing the organic solvent containing the thermoplastic resin and the thermosetting resin with an aqueous medium, and micronizing the thermoplastic resin in a mixture obtained; and forming a film of the dissolved thermosetting resin on surfaces of fine particles formed through the micronization. |
| US09217935B2 |
Method for fabricating a porous carbon structure using optical interference lithography, and porous carbon structure fabricated by same
Provided are a method for fabricating a porous carbon structure using optical interference lithography, and a porous carbon structure fabricated by same, wherein the method for fabricating a porous carbon structure using optical light interference lithography includes: forming a photoresist layer on a substrate; irradiating a three-dimensional optical interference pattern onto the photoresist formed using three-dimensional optical interference lithography to form a three-dimensional porous photoresist pattern; coating the formed three-dimensional porous photoresist pattern with an inorganic material; heating the photoresist pattern on which the inorganic material is coated to carbonize the pattern; and removing the coated inorganic material. |
| US09217933B2 |
Apparatus and methods for keeping immersion fluid adjacent to an optical assembly during wafer exchange in an immersion lithography machine
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a stage assembly having a substrate table on which a substrate is supported and exposed with an exposure beam from a final optical element of a projection optical assembly through an immersion liquid. A confinement member encircles a portion of a path of the exposure beam and has an aperture through which the exposure beam is projected. A movable member is movable in a space between the confinement member and the substrate, the substrate table, or both, such that a first portion of the space is located between a first surface of the movable member and the confinement member, and a second portion of the space is located between a second surface of the movable member and the substrate, the substrate table, or both. |
| US09217932B2 |
Projection objective for microlithography
A projection objective for imaging a pattern arranged in an object surface of the projection objective into an image surface of the projection objective with a demagnified imaging scale has a plurality of optical elements which are arranged along an optical axis of the projection objective and are configured so that a defined image field curvature of the projection objective is set such that an object surface that is curved convexly with respect to the projection objective is imaged into a planar image surface. Such projection objective, with a suitable setting of the object surface curvature, avoids the disturbing effect on the image quality that would otherwise result from gravitation-dictated bending of a mask. |
| US09217931B2 |
Method for operating an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
A method of operating an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided. A set of illumination parameters that describe properties of a light bundle which converges at a point on a mask to be illuminated by the illumination system is first determined. Optical elements whose optical effect on the illumination parameters can be modified as a function of control commands are furthermore determined, as well as sensitivities with which the illumination parameters react to an adjustment of the optical elements, induced by the control commands. The control commands are then determined while taking the previously determined sensitivities into account, such that deviations of the illumination parameters from predetermined target illumination parameters satisfy a predetermined minimization criterion. These control commands are applied to the optical elements, before the mask is illuminated. |
| US09217927B2 |
Method for manufacturing micro structure using X-ray exposure
Provided is a method for fabricating a microstructure. The method includes disposing an X-ray mask on photosensitive material and exposing the photosensitive material by radiating X-rays to the photosensitive material, etching the exposed photosensitive material, forming a mold having a micro-pattern by filing the etched photosensitive material with metal, forming a mold module by combining a plurality of molds, and forming a microstructure using the mold module. |
| US09217925B2 |
Method for producing pattern phase difference film, pattern phase difference film, and image display device
A pattern phase difference film, which is used to display 3D images using a passive system, and provides a method for producing a pattern phase difference film that can be manufactured with high precision, easily and in large quantities. A mask, which has slits that are made narrow compared to the width of a region that is to undergo exposure treatment and are provided for exposure treatment, is manufactured. |
| US09217923B2 |
Method of using an EUV mask during EUV photolithography processes
The present disclosure is directed to various masks for use during EUV photolithography processes. In one example, an EUV mask is disclosed that includes, among other things, a substrate, a multilayer stack comprised of a plurality of multilayer pairs of ruthenium and silicon formed above the substrate, wherein the mask is adapted to, when irradiated with EUV light, have an effective reflective plane that is positioned 32 nm or less below an uppermost surface of the multilayer stack and a capping layer positioned above the uppermost surface of the multilayer stack. |
| US09217921B2 |
Resist underlayer film forming composition containing silicon having sulfide bond
There is provided a resist underlayer film forming composition for lithography for forming a resist underlayer film capable of being used as a hard mask; and a forming method of a resist pattern using the underlayer film forming composition for lithography. A resist underlayer film forming composition for lithography comprising: as a silicon atom-containing compound, a hydrolyzable organosilane containing a sulfur atom-containing group, a hydrolysis product thereof, or a hydrolysis-condensation product thereof, wherein in the whole silicon atom-containing compound, the ratio of a sulfur atom to a silicon atom is less than 5% by mole. The hydrolyzable organosilane is preferably a compound of Formula (1): [R1aSi(R2)3-a]bR3 wherein R3 has a partial structure of Formula (2): R4—S—R5. |
| US09217918B2 |
Photomask, photomask manufacturing apparatus, and photomask manufacturing method
A photomask according to the present embodiment is used to transfer a pattern to a transfer target substrate in a non-telecentric optical system. A mask substrate includes a first face having a pattern formed thereon and a second face on an opposite side from the first face. A convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the second face in order to correct a position difference in a transfer pattern occurring when the pattern is transferred to the transfer target substrate. The convex portion is formed of a material different from that of the mask substrate. |
| US09217917B2 |
Three-direction alignment mark
A semiconductor device includes a first material formed on a substrate. The first material includes a first alignment mark. The first alignment mark includes alignment lines in at least three directions. The semiconductor device further includes a second material comprising a second alignment mark. The second alignment mark corresponds to the first alignment mark such that when the second alignment mark is aligned with the first alignment mark, the second material is aligned with the first material. |
| US09217915B2 |
Projection-type video display apparatus having a transmission-type screen
A projection-type video display apparatus comprising: a transmission-type screen; a video projection unit configured to project an image displayed on a video display surface as an image light; a projection optic system configured to enlarge and project the image light projected from said video projection unit on a rear surface of said transmission-type screen; and a plane mirror, provided in a part of said projection optic system, configured to reflect the image light from said video projection unit, thereby to project it on said transmission-type screen, wherein said transmission-type screen, said video projection unit and said projection optic system are mounted on a base; said video projection unit builds up an oblique projection optic system; and said transmission-type screen and said plane mirror are disposed on said base, being perpendicularly fixed, independently, in parallel with each other, and on the rear surface of said transmission-type screen is attached a foldable back cover, detachably, so as to cover a rear surface of said plane mirror. |
| US09217914B2 |
Multi-projection system
A multi-projection system having a plurality of projection surfaces onto which images are projected is provided, where the plurality of projection surfaces are disposed on two or more sides not parallel to each other. The multi-projection system provides high three-dimensional images and a high degree of immersion in images and further provides multi-view images, thereby making theater customers feel like they really exist in the space described through the images. |
| US09217911B1 |
Camera assembly having a camera support system with a biased hinge and related methods
A camera assembly having a camera support system that may include a first support member, a second support member, a first biased hinge, and a strap. The first support member may have a first end and a second end. The second support member may have a first end and second end. The first biased hinge may include the first end of the first support member, the first end of the second support member, a first pivoting rod, and the strap wrapped around the first pivoting rod. The camera support system may further include a second biased hinge. The second biased hinge may include the second end of the first support member, a second pivoting rod, a portion of a camera body, and the strap wrapped around the second pivoting rod. |
| US09217910B2 |
Inorganic optical filter, optical element, and light source
The inorganic optical filter of the invention consists of a NdF3 single crystal. The optical element of the invention comprises a wavelength conversion element wherein incident light is subjected to wavelength conversion to twice the frequency by quasi-phase-matching using primary matching or tertiary matching, and emitted, and an inorganic optical filter situated in the optical path of light emitted from the wavelength conversion element, wherein the wavelength conversion element consists of a ferroelectric fluoride single crystal represented by Ba1−y(Mg1−xZnx)1+yF4 (where 0≦x≦1, and −0.2≦y≦0.2), and the inorganic optical filter consists of a NdF3 single crystal. |
| US09217907B2 |
Method and apparatus for electronically displaying information
Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for electrically displaying information. Specific embodiments pertain to displaying information on shelf edges in a retail setting. Embodiments can provide a low-cost, low-power consumption, and durable solution that allows retailers to display, and, optionally, automatically update, information on shelf edges utilizing e-paper technology and wireless communications. Specific embodiments pertain to an e-paper display without a glass backplane. Further specific embodiments pertain to a flexible e-paper display incorporating a separate driving mechanism that can drive one or multiple e-papers. |
| US09217898B2 |
Vertical alignment liquid crystal display device and method for driving same
A vertical alignment liquid crystal display device (VA-LCD) includes a display panel. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel unit includes a first thin film transistor (TFT), a second TFT, and a liquid crystal capacitor having a pixel electrode and a common electrode. The common electrode is applied with a common voltage, a first gray voltage is applied to the pixel electrode through a first TFT, and a second gray voltage is applied to the pixel electrode through a second TFT different from the first gray voltage, such that liquid crystal capacitor maintains two different gray voltages in a display frame time of the VA-LCD. |
| US09217896B2 |
Liquid crystal displays
A liquid crystal display comprises two parallel spaced substrates and a liquid crystal layer with negative dielectric anisotropy interposed between the substrates. The ratio d/p, the cell gap d between the substrates to the pitch p of the liquid crystal layer, is equal to or less than 0.3, and the retardation value Δn*d may be in the range of 0.25-0.4. In absence of electric field, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged vertically to the substrates, and when the sufficient electric field is applied, the liquid crystal molecules are parallel to the substrates and twisted by 90° from one substrate to the other. |
| US09217895B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes plural light guide plates each including a light incident surface and a light output surface, plural light sources providing light to the light guide plates, and a display panel receiving the light to display an image. The light guide plates have a rectangular shape, are spaced apart from each other and are in a same plane. The light sources are disposed between two adjacent light guide plates. Each of the light sources includes a light emitting surface, and provides the light to the light guide plates through the light emitting surface. The light emitting surface of the light sources is inclined with respect to one side of the light guide plates. |
| US09217889B2 |
Narrow bezel liquid crystal display module
A narrow bezel LCD module, comprising: a liquid crystal panel; a backlight module having at least one plastic frame to carry the liquid crystal panel; a front frame surrounding the plastic frame to fix the liquid crystal panel and form an accommodating space formed between the front frame and the plastic frame; at least one flexible package component disposed in the accommodating space and having a flexible circuit board which electrically connects to the liquid crystal panel and a driver circuit board; and at least one guide block disposed in the accommodating space, fixed on one inner side of the front frame and having a guide slope facing the flexible circuit board. The invention can avoid the flexible package component from being curved upward and damaged. |
| US09217886B2 |
Repairing line system and repair method thereof
The present invention discloses a repairing line system, which includes a plurality of packages, a substrate having a plurality of data lines awaiting for repair, two repairing lines, and two connecting lines. The repairing line includes outgoing lines led from the packages and a wire disposed on three sides of the substrate without the packages disposed and coupled to the outgoing lines. The wires insulatively intersect second terminals of the data lines awaiting for repair. The connecting line insulatively intersects the outgoing lines and first terminals of the data lines. The present invention further discloses a repair method of the repairing line system. The repairing line system and the repair method of the present invention utilize the same repairing lines led from different packages to connect with each other for forming whole connected wires, thereby increasing flexibility of the repairing line system in repairing data lines. |
| US09217882B2 |
Head mounted display, display device for eyeglasses and temple tip for display device
A head mounted display that is attached to an eyeglass frame for use, includes: a first unit and a second unit. The first unit includes a first electrical component including a display element and an eyepiece optical part that allows a user to observe a display image by the display element as a virtual image. The second unit which is a temple tip for display device having a temple connecting part to which a temple of the eyeglass frame is attachable includes a second electrical component and an attachment part in which the first unit is detachably engaged and supported. When the first unit is engaged and supported in the attachment part, the first electrical component and the second electrical component are electrically coupled. |
| US09217874B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a display panel having at least, first pixels that display a first parallax image and second pixels that display a second parallax image; and an image conversion element. The image conversion element includes: a plurality of first electrodes arranged at a predetermined pitch; a second electrode; and a liquid crystal layer. The image display apparatus according to the present disclosure simultaneously satisfies the following conditions, wherein f is a distance from the liquid crystal layer to the first pixels or the second pixels, r is a length equal to ½ of an arrangement pitch of the first electrodes, Δn is a birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules, P is an arrangement pitch of the first pixels and the second pixels, and d is a thickness of the liquid crystal layer: f ≥ 5 P ( 1 ) Δ n < r 2 2 d · f . ( 2 ) |
| US09217872B2 |
Liquid crystal display element, image display apparatus, method for driving image display apparatus, and portable device
A display apparatus includes: a liquid crystal display element in which a plurality of display units including at least a pixel that displays an image for a first eyepoint and a pixel that displays an image for a second eyepoint are arranged in a matrix shape; an optical unit which distributes light emitted from the pixel that displays the image for the first eyepoint and light emitted from the pixel that displays the image for the second eyepoint in mutually different directions; a first control electrode and a second control electrode disposed on each pixel in the display units; and a plurality of domain regions of which the orientation is controlled by a diagonal electric field or a lateral electric field formed by the first control electrode and the second control electrode and which have different liquid crystal molecule orientation states. |
| US09217870B1 |
Magnifying device and method
A magnifying device for magnifying selected objects for inspection in particular. The magnifying device includes a support assembly including a flexible and compressible tubular support having a length with open front and back ends and a bore extending therethrough; and a magnifying lens disposed in the bore proximate to the open front end of the tubular support and being maneuverable longitudinally and laterally relative to the back end to view an object in alignment with the open back end. |
| US09217865B2 |
Light projection device
A light projection device capable of irradiating light only onto an object includes: a light projector in which an object and a back surface of the object are taken as a projectable range; a shadow region detector that detects a shadow that occurs on the back surface of the object by projection light; and a controller that corrects a shadow region so that a projection region of the light projector and the shadow region can coincide with each other on the back surface of the object, sets the corrected shadow region as a light projection range and sets, as a non-light projection range, a region other than the shadow region, and sets projection light projected onto the set light projection range, wherein the light projector projects the projection light onto a range where the object is present by projecting the set projection light onto the set light projection range. |
| US09217863B2 |
Scanning optical system and image forming apparatus including the same
A scanning optical system includes a light source including light emission points, a deflector for deflecting a beam in main scanning direction, an optical element for guiding the beam from the light source to the deflector, and a stop for limiting the beam from the optical element, sets the followings appropriately: distance from the light source to the stop; focal length of the optical element; distance in main scanning direction from an intersection of optical axis and the light source at a farthest light emission point from the optical axis in main scanning direction; stop aperture diameter in main scanning direction; total angle at half maximum of a far-field pattern of emitted light; and angle between a marginal ray within main scanning section at the farthest light emission point from the optical axis in main scanning direction and a ray of a maximum intensity. |
| US09217859B2 |
Apparatus and method for high-speed phase shifting for interferometric measurement systems
Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system. |
| US09217856B1 |
Process of fabricating transparent interferometric visible spectrum modulator
The process for fabricating a visible spectrum modulator makes use of thin film conductive oxides and air gaps to reflect colors of certain wavelengths, achieving transparency due to the transparent nature of conductive oxides and via electrostatic pull-in to reduce the air gaps. |
| US09217853B2 |
Divergence-changing device
A divergence-changing device, comprising a ray source, a substantially telecentric arrangement, having an optical system, which has a first focal point and a first system region and a second system region, and having a ray-deflecting device, which is designed such that the beam of rays from the ray source hits the ray-deflecting device, wherein the main ray would hit/hits the ray-deflecting device at the first focal point or close to the first focal point, and that the ray-deflecting device can feed the beam of rays from the ray source to the first system region at different angles of incidence, wherein the beam of rays imaged by the first system region is deflected onto the second system region by a ray-folding device, wherein the beam of rays is imaged by the second system region such that the beam of rays hits the ray-deflecting device again and leaves the divergence-changing device with a constant position. |
| US09217852B2 |
System and method for online inspection of turbines using an optical tube with broadspectrum mirrors
An optical inspection system for nondestructive internal visual inspection and non-contact infra-red (IR) temperature monitoring of an online, operating power generation turbine. The optical inspection system includes an optical tube having a viewing port, at least one reflective mirror or a mirror array having a reflectivity spectral range from 550 nm to 20 μm, and capable of continuous operation at temperatures greater than 932 degrees Fahrenheit (500 degrees Celsius), and a transparent window with high transmission within the same spectral range mounted distal the viewing port. The same optical mirror array may be used to measure selectively surface temperature of metal turbine blades in the near IR range (approximately 1 μm wavelength) and of thermal barrier coated turbine blades in the long IR range (approximately 10 μm wavelength). |
| US09217851B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup device including the same
A zoom lens includes a front unit including one lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear unit including an aperture stop and one or more lens units and having a positive refractive power as a whole, and an interval between adjacent lens units changes during zooming such that an interval between the front unit and rear unit decreases at a telephoto end when compared to a wide angle end. The front unit includes a negative lens G11 in a position closest to the object side, and a lens surface of the negative lens G11 on the image side has an aspherical shape by which the positive refractive power increases from a center to an edge. Various parameters for the zoom lens according to the present invention are properly set. |
| US09217850B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens includes: a first lens group having a negative refractive power; and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, provided in this order from an object side. Magnification is changed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group. The first lens group includes a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens, a third lens having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, provided in this order from the object side. The zoom lens satisfies predetermined conditional formulae. |
| US09217848B1 |
Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises an aperture stop and six lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least one inequality, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened. |
| US09217840B2 |
Low-mode high power fiber combiner
A high power fiber laser system is configured with a combiner end fiber spliced to a combiner output fiber. The system further includes a light stripper extending along the combiner end and output fibers and configured with sequentially located zones which are provided with respective refractive indices. In a forward propagating direction of light signal, the upstream zone includes polymeric material with the refractive index higher than that of the cladding of the combiner end fiber. This zone is configured to remove the backreflected core guided light bled into the cladding of the combiner through a splice between combiner end and output fibers. The intermediate zone includes polymeric material configured with a refractive index lower than that of the cladding of the combiner output fiber so it can prevent clad guided signal light from decoupling the cladding under the material. The downstream zone is configured with polymeric material having a refractive index lower than that of the cladding of the combiner output fiber. The polymeric material of the downstream zone is impregnated with a plurality of light diffusers scattering high numerical aperture rays of the clad-guided signal light. |
| US09217838B2 |
Heat sink retention in an optical component
An example embodiment includes a retention spring. The retention spring includes a central portion, a coupling feature, and a spring arm. The central portion includes a heat sink contact surface configured to contact a detachable heat sink. The coupling feature is configured to mechanically couple the retention spring to an optical component. The spring arm connects the central portion to the coupling feature. The spring arm is configured to elastically deform to allow insertion of the detachable heat sink between the heat sink contact surface and a heat dissipation surface of the optical component and to at least partially retain the detachable heat sink against the heat dissipation surface. |
| US09217822B2 |
Encapsulated LED array and edge light guide device comprising such an LED array
This invention relates to structures for mounting LEDs, the structures being suitable for use in the manufacture of light guide devices. This invention also relates to light guide devices comprising the structures and methods of manufacture of the aforementioned. The light guide devices are suitable for use in a range of applications, particularly in connection with the backlighting of displays, for example, liquid crystal displays. |
| US09217820B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus (100) comprising a display screen (110) and a backlight assembly (120) is provided. The backlight assembly (120) comprises a distributed light source (122, 124) and a light guide plate (126) having at least two lateral edges. The light guide plate (126) and the distributed light source (122, 124) are arranged such that the light emitted by the distributed light source (122, 124) is edge-coupled into the light guide plate (126) for being forward projected onto the display screen (110) to illuminate the display screen (110) from back. The distributed light source (122, 124) is mounted on a heat sink structure (130). The heat sink structure (130) comprises a plurality of spaced-apart heat dissipating plates (136). Each heat dissipating plate (136) functions as a heat dissipation fin, is in thermal communication with the distributed light source (122, 124) and spans between the two lateral edges of the light guide plate (126). |
| US09217818B2 |
Polarizer, display device and manufacturing method of polarizer
A polarizer is provided comprising: a transparent substrate, on a main surface of which a plurality of grooves in parallel with each other are provided at an interval; a birefringence crystal layer with a single orientation formed on the main surface of the transparent substrate where the grooves are provided, wherein the birefringence crystal layer is at least filled in the grooves so that linearly polarized light incident on a location corresponding to the grooves and passing through the polarizer is converted into first polarized light, and linearly polarized light incident on a location between the grooves and passing through the polarizer is converted into second polarized light, the polarization directions of the first and the second polarized light are different from each other. |
| US09217817B2 |
Retroreflective appliques and articles
Retroreflective appliqués and articles include a first binder layer with a first major surface and a second major surface, a retroreflective layer including a plurality of retroreflective elements at least partially embedded in the first major surface of the first binder layer, a second binder layer adhered to the second major surface of the first binder layer, and a substrate layer attached to the second binder layer. The first binder layer is a non-thermoplastic crosslinked copolymer with a Tg of less than 30° C. The second binder layer is an adhesive polymer. The first binder layer and the second binder layer include functional groups capable of co-reacting to form a chemical bond. The retroreflective appliqués can be attached to clothing articles. |
| US09217814B2 |
Cellulose acylate film, a polarizing plate using the same and a liquid crystal display using the same
A cellulose acylate film containing at least one compound represented by the following Formula (I) or (II), and cellulose acylate, a polarizing plate using the same and a liquid crystal display device using the same, wherein in Formula (I), R1 represents an alkyl group; R2 and R3 each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl or an aryl group; R4 represents an alkyl group; Ar1 represents an aromatic group; m and n are integers; provided that when n is 1, Ar1 represents an aromatic group; and in Formula (II), R11 to R14 each represent a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group; R11 and R12, and/or, R13 and R14 may form a ring; R15 and R17 each represent an alkyl group; and R16 and R18 each represent a hydrogen atom or alkyl group; Ar represents an arylene group; and 1, m1 and n1 are integers. |
| US09217811B1 |
Lightning damage index
The present disclosure teaches a lightning damage index is that used to predict the propensity of a lightning strike to an aircraft and the degree of damage to the aircraft that the lightning strike will cause. This index can help to obviate operational issues and other losses related to subsequent repairs to the aircraft that are required because of lightning damage. The disclosed method of predicting lightning strike damage to an aircraft involves generating data relating to the aircraft by measuring the dimensions of the aircraft, assessing the design features of the aircraft, and/or obtaining electromagnetic density data associated with regions of the aircraft. The method further involves creating a lightning damage index that provides a numeric representation for predicted lightning strike damage to the aircraft based on the generated data. The numeric representation may be further modified by factors associated with operation of the aircraft. |
| US09217810B2 |
Wellbore FTIR gas detection system
A system can be constructed and operated with at least a wellbore that is connected to a gas detection system. The gas detection system can house a control module, infrared sensor, and first and second pumps in a portable case. The first and second pumps may be respectively positioned on opposite sides of the infrared sensor and configured to provide uniform sample gas flow through the infrared sensor to detect multiple different types of gasses flowing from the wellbore. |
| US09217806B2 |
Towing methods and systems for geophysical surveys
Disclosed are methods and systems for towing one or more electromagnetic sensor streamers from deflectors in an additional geophysical sensor streamer spread. An embodiment discloses a marine geophysical survey system, comprising: a survey vessel; an electromagnetic sensor streamer; and a geophysical sensor streamer spread configured to be towed by the survey vessel, wherein the geophysical sensor streamer spread comprises: sensor streamers configured to be laterally spaced apart from one another; and deflectors adapted to spread the sensor streamers substantially transversely in relation to a direction of motion of the survey vessel, wherein the electromagnetic sensor streamer is configured to be towed from at least one of the deflectors. |
| US09217805B2 |
Monitoring the quality of particle motion data during a seismic acquisition
A technique includes acquiring particle motion data from a plurality of particle motion sensors while in tow during a seismic survey. During the seismic survey, the particle motion data are processed without deghosting the particle motion data to determine whether at least some portion of the particle motion data is inadequate for an application that relies on the particle motion data. |
| US09217804B2 |
Seismic clock timing correction using ocean acoustic waves
A method for identifying clock timing discrepancies in at least one clock of interest that is associated with a marine seismic receiver, comprises collecting from at least one marine receiver other than the receiver of interest a first data set corresponding to a selected time period, said first data set being selected to include ocean wave signals; collecting from the receiver of interest a second data set corresponding to the selected time period, said second data set being selected to include ocean wave signals; applying a mathematical prediction technique to the ocean wave signals in the first data set so as to generate a predicted response for a receiver co-located with the receiver of interest; comparing the predicted response to the second data set so as to generate a correlation data set; and using the correlation data set to determine a corrected parameter for the receiver of interest. |
| US09217798B2 |
Constant energy displacements
An electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons is provided. In one example, the source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. A foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record. |
| US09217793B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting radiation
Apparatus and method for detecting radiation-of-interest, such as neutron radiation, employs a gas chamber, a gas that responds to ionizing particles by producing electrons and ions, a cathode that attracts ions, and a supporting layer with a conductive pathway. The conductive pathway collects electrons and responds to electrons that drift towards the conductive pathway by inducing production of further electrons and ions within the gas. The electrons that are collected at the conductive pathway and/or the ions that drift away from the conductive pathway will induce an electrical signal, which can be used to detect the radiation-of-interest. |
| US09217792B2 |
System and method for GNSS in-band authenticated position determination
The present invention provides a system and method for determining the authenticity of reported positions of GNSS receivers, such as aircraft equipped with GPS positioning devices, and provides an in-band verification capability for GNSS positions by tasking one or more GNSS satellites as designated authentication support (DAS) satellites that transmit corrupted ephemeris data in a pseudo-random error corrupted C/A signal on the L1 band, and the GNSS receivers determine authentication ranges to the DAS satellites and transmit the DAS authentication ranges as part of their position report. The surveillance system can verify the authenticity by comparing the transmitted authentication ranges to true authentication ranges determined using actual ephemeris data and the known C/A code pseudo-random error for the DAS satellites. |
| US09217785B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit and an imaging unit. The imaging condition setting unit is configured to display a setting screen of a radio frequency prepulse on a display unit to set imaging conditions including application timings of radio frequency prepulses according to input information from an input device through the setting screen. The setting screen displays an application timing of a radio frequency excitation pulse and the application timings of the radio frequency prepulses on a time axis. The imaging unit is configured to perform imaging of an object according to the imaging condition. |
| US09217783B2 |
Hall effect device
A hall effect device includes an active Hall region in a semiconductor substrate, and at least four terminal structures, each terminal structure including a switchable supply contact element and a sense contact element, wherein each supply contact element includes a transistor element with a first transistor terminal, a second transistor terminal, and a control terminal, wherein the second transistor terminal contacts the active Hall region or extends in the active Hall region; and wherein the sense contact elements are arranged in the active Hall region and neighboring to the switchable supply contact elements. |
| US09217778B2 |
Voltage measuring device
A signal processor includes: a plurality of first capacitors provided for respective output terminals of a plurality of multiplexers, the first capacitors having their one ends connected to the respective output terminals of the multiplexers, the first capacitors being charged in accordance with voltages outputted from the respective output terminals; a differential amplifier including an input terminal connected to the other ends of the first capacitors; a second capacitor connected between the input terminal and an output terminal of the differential amplifier; and a second switch connected parallel to the second capacitor. First switches included in at least one of the plurality of multiplexers are configured as high-voltage switches that allow operation at a voltage higher than an operating voltage of first switches included in the other multiplexer or multiplexers. |
| US09217777B2 |
Current sense circuit for measuring a charge level of a battery
A current sense circuit for measuring a charge level of a battery is disclosure. The circuit comprising: a shunt resistor (R10) connected between a high side terminal of the battery and a load/charge terminal for connecting the battery to a load; translation circuitry arranged to produce a voltage across a pair of current sense terminals (GG_SRP, GG_SRN) in proportion to the voltage across the shunt resistor; wherein one of the current sense terminals (GG_SRP) is provided on a first current path connected at one end between the high side terminal of the battery and the shunt resistor (R10), and connected at the other end to ground, and the other of the current sense terminals (GG_SRN) is provided on a second current path connected at one end between the shunt resistor (R10) and the load/charge terminal, and connected at the other end to ground. |
| US09217772B2 |
Systems and methods for characterizing devices
A device characterization system includes a characterization tool and a test flow development generator. The characterization tool is configured to perform testing on a product device according to a test flow and generate test data. The characterization tool includes a list of available test instances that can be performed. The test flow development generator is configured to automatically generate the test flow according to device specifications for the product device and selected test instances of the list of available test instances. |
| US09217767B2 |
Testing method of a solar cell panel, and testing apparatus thereof
A testing method of a solar cell panel of the present invention, includes steps of: (a) providing an ambient light with steady illumination to the surface of a solar cell panel to introduce a steady signal to its electrical output; (b) providing a modulation light to a given area of the solar cell panel to introduce a modulated signal to its electrical output corresponding to the given area; and (c) analyzing electrical output of the solar cell panel to obtain electrical properties corresponding to the given area. The testing method can test the solar cell panel efficiently, detect and locate defects accurately so that the defects can be corrected and feed back to improve manufacturing process. |
| US09217757B2 |
Systems and methods for 3-axis accelerometer calibration
Systems and methods for calibrating the alignment of 3-axis accelerometers in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a telematics system includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. an accelerometer, and a processor, wherein the GPS receiver is configured to determine velocity information, wherein the accelerometer is configured to determine accelerometer acceleration information along one or more accelerometer axes, and wherein the processor is configured to receive a velocity information sample using the GPS receiver, determine GPS acceleration information along one or more vehicle axes using the velocity information sample, receive accelerometer acceleration information samples using the accelerometer, and calibrate one of the vehicle axes to an accelerometer axis in the one or more accelerometer axes using the GPS acceleration information sample and the accelerometer acceleration information sample. |
| US09217756B2 |
Lever mechanisms for anti-phase mode isolation in MEMS tuning-fork structures
A MEMS resonator includes two resonating masses having an anti-phase and in-phase resonance mode, each mode having a resonance frequency, and an anti-phase resonance levering system coupled to the two resonating masses to stiffen and/or dampen the in-phase resonance mode while leaving the anti-phase resonance mode compliant. This effectively raises the in-phase resonance frequency above the anti-phase resonance frequency, and potentially creates a large frequency separation between the two resonance modes. This reduces the energy transfer between the two modes, allowing for robustness to external acceleration, because the in-phase mode is of a higher frequency. The anti-phase resonance levering system is disposed between the two resonating masses as an internal levering mechanism, or is disposed around the two resonating masses as an external levering mechanism. |
| US09217754B2 |
Apparatus and method to aid in finding misplaced, forgotten, or unused items
Devices to aid in finding items, along with methods of operation of the devices. The resultant movement of an item during use, and lack of movement of an item during non-use, are exploited to alert a user to the whereabouts of the item through adaptive techniques. A device is associated with an item (e.g., attached to an item) and is configured to sense motion events corresponding to movement of the device and to track corresponding times of occurrence of the motion events. The device may adaptively determine a time interval of motion inactivity or an alert time at which to provide an indication of a current location of the device based on one or more of the motion events and the times of occurrence. |
| US09217753B2 |
Impact and sound analysis for golf equipment
Golf performance and equipment characteristics may be determined by analyzing the impact between a golf ball and an impacting surface. In some examples, the impacting surface may be a golf club face. The impact between the golf ball and the surface may be measured based on sound and/or motion sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.). Based on motion and/or sound data, various equipment-related information including golf ball compression, club head speed and impact location may be derived. Such information and/or other types of data may be conveyed to a user to help improve performance, aid in selecting golf equipment and/or to insure quality of golfing products. |
| US09217729B2 |
Floating head contour following holder for ultrasonic testing
An ultrasonic transducer holder with a floating head is disclosed. This transducer holder allows the waterpath of the ultrasonic signal to be maintained over a contoured surface. Maintaining a constant waterpath between a transducer and the piece being inspected allows for inspection of surfaces that normally would not be capable of inspection by prior ultrasonic transducer holders. |
| US09217728B2 |
Device for inspecting a moving metal strip
A device for inspecting a moving metal strip includes a first electromagnetic acoustic transducer having an ultrasonic wave emitter. The waves emitted from the emitter are emitted to be incident on a first edge of a surface of the strip, and the emitter is not in contact with the strip. A second electromagnetic acoustic transducer is provided and includes an ultrasonic wave receiver. The waves received emerging from an area of the strip surface toward the receiver, the receiver is not in contact with the strip. A processing unit is coupled to the second electromagnetic acoustic transducer to provide an inspection criterion using a signature of the ultrasonic waves measured. The area is located on the strip such that a wave path between the first edge of the strip and the area is aligned in a linear direction mainly transverse to the direction of movement of the strip. |
| US09217726B2 |
Gas sensor control apparatus
A gas sensor control apparatus (1) for a gas sensor (2) including an electromotive force cell (24) and a pump cell (14) includes current control means (69) for feedback-controlling the pump current Ip, voltage setting means S5, S13 for setting a target voltage Vr to either of first and second target voltage Vr1 and Vr2, and constant group setting means S4, S12 for setting a group of feedback control constants to a first group Kpid1 when the target voltage is Vr1 and to a second group Kpid2 when the target voltage is Vr2. The second group Kpid2 is determined such the pump current Ip becomes stable more quickly as compared with the case where the first group of control constants Kpid1 continues to be used. |
| US09217721B2 |
No sensor and sensor systems
Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a sensor design that exploits the different majority carriers (holes/electrons) in WO3 and Cr2O3 to build sensitivity and selectivity to NO at ppb levels, while discriminating against CO at concentrations a thousand-fold higher (ppm) and spread over a considerable range (0-20 ppm). Practical application of this sensor system for detecting NO in human breath is demonstrated. |
| US09217715B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for magnetic features of articles
Provided herein are apparatuses and methods related thereto, wherein at least one apparatus includes: a photon emitting means configured to emit photons, wherein the photons are scattered from magnetic features of an article; a photon detector array configured to receive scattered photons; and a processing means configured to differentiate the magnetic features from the scattered photons. |
| US09217714B2 |
Reflective surfaces for surface features of an article
Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured for emitting photons onto a surface of an article; a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface configured to reflect the photons onto the surface of the article; and a processing means configured for processing signals from a photon detector array corresponding to photons scattered from surface features of the article. |
| US09217711B2 |
Methods to dissolve beryllium and its compounds present in samples to facilitate determination of beryllium in these samples
A safer, low-cost practical method of dissolving beryllium or a beryllium compound including beryllium oxide in a sample is disclosed. This method discloses use of acidic solutions under mild heating conditions to dissolve beryllium and its compounds. These solutions may then be used to quantitatively analyze for beryllium so as to be able to determine the amount of beryllium in the sample. These solutions may also be combined with fluorescent dye indicating solutions to determine beryllium by fluorescence. A preferred fluorescent dye indicating solution contains a dye (10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline-7-sulfonate) which specifically binds with beryllium under basic conditions. |
| US09217710B2 |
Method of simultaneous frequency-sweeping lifetime measurements on multiple excitation wavelengths
A fast fluorescence lifetime microscopic system images FRET between multiple labels in live cells and deep tissue, using a quantitative analysis method to reconstruct the molecular machinery behind the multiplexed FRET phenomenon. The system measures fluorescence lifetime, intensity and anisotropy as images of excitation-emission matrices (EEM) in real time and high speed within a single image scan, performs high-resolution deep-penetrating 3D FRET imaging in live samples, and fully analyzes all possible photon pathways of multiplexed FRET. The system provides a way for systematic and dynamic imaging of biochemical networks in cells, tissue and live animals, which will help to understand mechanisms of genetic disorders, cancers, and more. |
| US09217705B1 |
Methods for assaying ionic materials using an integrated computational element
The binding state of ionic materials, including metal ions, in a fluid phase can be determined using an integrated computational element. Methods for determining the binding state of an ionic material in a fluid phase can comprise optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with an ionic material and one or more integrated computational elements, the ionic material being located in a fluid phase while being optically interacted with the electromagnetic radiation; and determining one or more binding states of the ionic material in the fluid phase, using the one or more integrated computational elements. |
| US09217704B2 |
Device and a method for characterising a chromatic property of foodstuff
The present disclosure provides a device for characterizing a chromatic property of foodstuff. The device includes a light source arranged to emit light having at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges. The light source is further arranged to direct the light to a surface of at least the foodstuff. The device also includes a detector positioned to detect at least a portion of reflected light and arranged to generate an output that is indicative of an intensity of detected reflected light. The device is arranged such that respective outputs are generated for the at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges. A relation between the output for one of the at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges and the output for the other or another one of the at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges is indicative of the chromatic property of the surface of the foodstuff. |
| US09217703B2 |
Device and method for in vivo flow cytometry using the detection of photoacoustic waves
A photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) device for the in vivo detection of cells circulating in blood or lymphatic vessels is described. Ultrasound transducers attached to the skin of an organism detect the photoacoustic ultrasound waves emitted by target objects in response to their illumination by at least one pulse of laser energy delivered using at least one wavelength. The wavelengths of the laser light pulse may be varied to optimize the absorption of the laser energy by the target object. Target objects detected by the device may be unlabelled biological cells or cell products, contrast agents, or biological cells labeled with one or more contrast agents. |
| US09217701B2 |
Biomarker normalization
A fluid sample is measured with a tear film measuring system that includes a processing device that receives a sample chip comprising a sample region configured to contain an aliquot volume of sample fluid, the processing device configured to perform analyses of osmolarity and of one or more biomarkers within the sample fluid, wherein the analysis of biomarkers includes normalization of biomarker concentration values. |
| US09217687B2 |
Image analysis system and methods for IR optics
A system for quickly measuring and displaying in real-time a variety of performance characteristics of IR optical components such as lenses, or the like. The system is video based and is under the control of a computer which uses a windowing software program to provide the user with a graphical user interface by which the various components of the system and test lenses may be characterized and operated on through functions available via the interface. The system has features for compensating for the presence of IR background radiation that may be present during a measurement cycle and for drift in the video imager. Thermal management features are included to minimize IR background. |
| US09217686B2 |
Monitoring state of fluid transport pipe
A method, apparatus, and system for monitoring the state of a fluid transport pipe. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of monitoring the state of a fluid transport pipe, the method including: causing a monitor to move along with a fluid inside the fluid transport pipe, the monitor including an elastic gas container and being configured to adjust the volume of the elastic gas container based on ambient pressure of the elastic gas container; and measuring and recording, by the monitor, one or more types of environmental data inside the fluid transport pipe for determining the state of the fluid transport pipe. In other embodiments, there are further provided an apparatus and system for monitoring a state of a fluid transport pipe. |
| US09217680B2 |
Sensor device, sensor module, robot and method of manufacturing sensor device
A sensor device includes a package, a sensor element that is disposed in the package, and a lid that seals the package, in which the sensor element includes a contacting surface that comes in contact with the lid, the package includes a joint surface which is joined to the lid, and the contacting surface and the joint surface are not on the same flat surface. |
| US09217677B2 |
Temperature measuring apparatus with sensor assembly of sensing devices connected together
A temperature measuring apparatus is provided which includes a sensor assembly made up of sensing devices which are connected together to produce an output signal correlated with the temperature of a target object. The temperature measuring apparatus determines the number of the sensing devices of the sensor assembly and corrects the output signal so as to compensate for an error in determining the temperature of the target object which depends upon the number of the sensing devices. |
| US09217676B2 |
Freezer failure indicator
A failure indicator for informing an observer that food in the freezer is not fit to eat comprising: a closed transparent tubular housing; a cup shaped spacer in the interior of the tubular housing for dividing the tubular housing into a fluid storage space and a failure signaling space, having a group of small apertures for allowing fluid from the fluid storage space to enter the failure signaling space when a freezer fails; an opaque label surrounding the tubular housing; and a colored fluid in the housing for signaling whether the freezer has failed and food in the freezer is not fit to eat. |
| US09217675B2 |
Electronic devices with temperature sensors
An electronic device may be provided with electronic components such as buttons and environmental sensors. An environmental sensor may be temperature sensor for gathering temperature data associated with the environment surrounding the device. The temperature sensor may be mounted to a button member for the button. The button member may be an actuating member that moves within an opening in a device housing and that extends beyond an outer surface of the housing into the surrounding environment. The button member may be arranged so that an internal electronic switch is activated when the button member is moved within the opening. The button member may be thermally isolated from other device structures using insulating material on the button member. The button member may be formed from a thermally conductive material that transmits the temperature of environmental materials that contact the button member to the temperature sensor. |
| US09217673B2 |
High responsivity device for thermal sensing in a terahertz radiation detector
There is provided a high responsivity device for thermal sensing in a Terahertz (THz) radiation detector. A load impedance connected to an antenna heats up due to the incident THz radiation received by the antenna. The heat generated by the load impedance is sensed by a thermal sensor such as a transistor. To increase the responsivity of the sense device without increasing the thermal mass, the device is located underneath a straight portion of an antenna arm. The transistor runs substantially the entire length of the antenna arm alleviating the problem caused by placing large devices on the side of the antenna and the resulting large additional thermal mass that must be heated. This boosts the responsivity of the pixel while retaining an acceptable level of noise and demanding a dramatically smaller increase in the thermal time constant. |
| US09217672B2 |
Motion and gesture recognition by a passive single pixel thermal sensor system
Systems and methods for recognizing a gesture made by a warm object are presented. The system includes a thermal sensor configured to generate a low frequency or direct current signal upon receiving thermal energy. A spatially modulating optic is disposed between the thermal sensor and the warm object. The optic is configured to modulate the thermal energy received by the thermal sensor as a function of an orientation of the warm object with respect to the thermal sensor. An electronics unit in communication with the thermal sensor includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured by the memory to detect a change in the thermal sensor signal and recognize a characteristic of the thermal sensor signal. |
| US09217671B2 |
High spectral resolution color sensor using non-dispersive elements
The invention describes a light sensor (1) comprising a filter arrangement (11), which filter arrangement (11) comprises a number of spectral filters (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) for filtering incident light (L), wherein a spectral filter (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) is realized to pass a distinct component of the incident light (L), an aperture arrangement (12) for admitting a fraction of the incident light (L), and a sensor arrangement (13) realized to collect the admitted filtered light (L′), which sensor arrangement (13) comprises an array of sensor elements (130) for generating image-related signals (S, S1, S2, . . . , Sn) and which sensor array is sub-divided into a number of regions (R1, R2, . . . , Rn), wherein a region (R1, R2, . . . , Rn) of the sensor array is allocated to a corresponding spectral filter (Fi, F2, . . . , Fn) such that an image-related signal (S) generated by a sensor element (130) of a particular region (R1, R2, . . . , Rn) comprises information pertaining to the direction of origin and/or the spectral composition of the light passed by the corresponding spectral filter (F1, F2, . . . , Fn). The invention further describes a light sensor device (10) for determining the direction of origin and/or the spectral composition of light (L) incident at the light sensor device (10), a method of collecting incident light (L), and a method of determining the direction of origin and/or the spectral composition of incident light (L). |
| US09217670B2 |
Object recognition apparatus using spectrometer and method thereof
Provided are an apparatus and method for recognizing an object on the basis of property information on an object obtained using a multi-wavelength spectrometer. An apparatus for recognizing an object using a multi-wavelength spectrometer includes an image processing unit configured to extract an region of interest from an input three-dimensional image and output shape information on the region of interest, a light irradiation unit configured to irradiate light of a plurality of wavelengths to an arbitrary position of an object corresponding to the detected region of interest, a light receiving unit configured to measure a spectrophotometric value for each light of the plurality of wavelengths, and a light processing unit configured to generate a differential spectrophotometric map using a differential value between spectrophotometric values of different wavelengths measured at the same light irradiation position, and recognize the object using the differential spectrophotometric map and the shape information. |
| US09217660B2 |
Surface mapping by virtual array processing via separate transmissions
A system for measuring the height of bin contents includes transmitters for transmitting pulses of wave energy towards the upper surface of the contents and receivers for receiving echoes of the pulses and producing corresponding signals. The transmitters and receivers are distributed aerially above the contents. The system also includes a processing apparatus, for using the received signals to map the upper surface, that includes correlators that correlate pulse waveforms with the signals, and a beamformer. In one embodiment, the beamformer computes, from the signals considered as corresponding to echoes, of pulses from fewer synthetic transmitters, received at a synthetic receiver array, respective directions of arrival of the signals. In another embodiment, the beamformer computes respective directions of transmission and arrival of the signals, and the processing apparatus also includes a processor that selects, according to the computed transmission and arrival directions, which signals to use for the mapping. |
| US09217658B2 |
Vaporizer anesthesia level detector
A vaporizer including a reservoir for storing an anesthetic liquid agent and a vaporizing element configured to vaporize the anesthetic liquid agent. A level detector is located outside of and adjacent to the exterior of the reservoir. The level detector includes at least one electrical field sensor configured to provide an output voltage signal based upon the capacitance of material within the reservoir proximate the electrical field sensor. The vaporizer includes a display providing a visual indication of the amount of liquid anesthetic agent in the reservoir. |
| US09217655B2 |
Sensor system for determining at least one flow property of a fluid medium flowing in a main flow direction
A sensor system for determining a parameter of a fluid medium, e.g., an intake air mass flowing through a channel, includes at least one sensor chip situated in the channel for determining the parameter, which sensor chip is accommodated in a sensor carrier which (i) protrudes into the channel and (ii) has a leading edge situated transverse to the flow of the fluid medium. At least one vortex generator is provided, at least in the region of the leading edge, and configured for forming secondary flows in the flowing fluid medium in the region of the sensor carrier, for avoiding or reducing the entry of particles. The secondary flows extend in a plane essentially perpendicular to the main flow direction of the fluid medium, e.g., facing away from the sensor area. |
| US09217654B2 |
Submetering hydrocarbon fueled water heaters with energy manager systems
A hydrocarbon-fueled hot water heater for supplying hot water includes a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet, a selectively activatable burner for applying heat to a volume of water between the inlet and the outlet, a sensor for sensing activation of the at least one burner, and a communication interface for communicating data corresponding to the activation of the at least one burner to a processor configured to multiply the amount of time the burner is activated by a known value corresponding to a flow rate of the burner to estimate an amount of fuel consumed by the hydrocarbon-fueled hot water heater. Other devices and methods of submetering hydrocarbon fueled water heaters are also included. |
| US09217648B2 |
Method of operating a navigation system to provide a pedestrian route
A computer implemented method of operating a navigation system to provide a pedestrian route is provided. The method comprises receiving a request for a route from an origin to a destination. The method evaluates a plurality of pedestrian paths by accessing data representing the pedestrian paths to determine a safety cost associated with including the pedestrian path in the route. The safety cost indicates a safety risk for the pedestrian. The method provides the route comprising the pedestrian paths that form a continuous navigable route between the origin and the destination that minimize the safety cost. |
| US09217642B2 |
Vibrating gyroscope that prevents changes in sensitivity
A vibrating gyroscope includes a frame body, first and second exciting members, detection members that detect vibration of the frame body, a first mass adding member, a second mass adding member, a first connecting member, and a second connecting member. The frame body includes first and second vibrating portions, first and second coupling portions, a first supporting portion, and a second supporting portion. The first and second coupling portions couple the first and second vibrating portions. The first supporting portion extends towards the second coupling portion from the first coupling portion. The second supporting portion extends towards the first coupling portion from the second coupling portion. The first and second exciting members and excite the first and second vibrating portions, respectively. The first and second mass adding members are provided at outer sides of the frame body, and are connected to the first and second vibrating portions, respectively. |
| US09217641B2 |
Microelectromechanical gyroscope with open loop reading device and control method
A microelectromechanical gyroscope that includes a first mass oscillatable according to a first axis; an inertial sensor, including a second mass, drawn along by the first mass and constrained so as to oscillate according to a second axis, in response to a rotation of the gyroscope; a driving device coupled to the first mass so as to form a feedback control loop and configured to maintain the first mass in oscillation at a resonance frequency; and an open-loop reading device coupled to the inertial sensor for detecting displacements of the second mass according to the second axis. The driving device includes a read signal generator for supplying to the inertial sensor at least one read signal having the form of a square-wave signal of amplitude that sinusoidally varies with the resonance frequency. |
| US09217640B2 |
Gyroscopic measurement in a navigation system
A gyroscopic system provides measurements on the basis of a vibrating gyroscope and provides a measurement signal. A periodic control signal is applied to it; in order to rotate the position of vibration, during a half period, according to a first speed profile, from a first up to a second position; and in order to rotate the position of vibration in an opposite direction during the other part of the period, according to a second speed profile, up to a third position. The measurements are based on corrected signals, each of said corrected signals, respectively for each of the vibrating gyroscopes, being obtained by; deducting the control signal from the measurement signal of the vibrating gyroscope; and taking account of errors identified on the basis of a comparison of the measurements provided by the gyroscopic system as a function of the position of vibration with reference measurements. |
| US09217636B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and a computer-readable storage medium
A pattern light projection unit which stores information on pattern light including information on line patterns projects pattern light including line patterns having at least two lines and at least one reference line pattern serving as a reference of the line patterns on an object in accordance with the information on pattern light. An image pickup unit captures an image of the object to which the pattern light is projected.An information processing apparatus detects the reference line pattern and the line patterns from the captured image, and establishes correspondence between the information on the line patterns stored in the pattern light projection unit and the line patterns detected from the captured image in accordance with the topological positional relationship between the detected reference line pattern and the line patterns so as to identify the line patterns. |
| US09217631B2 |
Integrated laser alignment aid using multiple laser spots out of one single laser
The present invention relates to light curtains, in particular safety light curtains, for monitoring a protective field. Furthermore, the present invention relates to optical units which are part of such a light curtain. An optical unit for an alignment system of a light curtain monitoring a protective field comprises an optical processing element for generating a defined radiation pattern from the radiation emitted by an alignment radiation source, and at least one additional optical functional element being formed integrally with the optical processing element. |
| US09217628B2 |
Detector
An inductive detector operable to measure displacement along a path comprises: a first inductive arrangement; a second inductive arrangement; said second inductive arrangement being spaced from said first inductive arrangement and extending along at least part of the measurement path; at least one of said inductive arrangements comprises a winding which extends along at least part of the measurement path; and said winding comprising at least four loops in electrical series; wherein adjacent loops have opposite magnetic polarity; and the pitch distance of said winding varies at least once along the measurement path. |
| US09217627B2 |
Training ammunition cartridge with reactive liquid materials for marking a point of impact
A practice ammunition projectile has a projectile head with one or more sheets of plastic material, each having a plurality of frangible “bubble shaped” compartments containing liquid chemical components for optical and/or Infrared marking of a target upon impact. The sheets are preferably flexible sheets in the nature of a “bubble wrap” of the type used as padding for packaging. These so-called “matrix packages” are installed adjacent the inner surface of the shell forming the projectile head and provide stability when the compartments break up upon setback when the projectile is fired from a weapon. |
| US09217626B1 |
Shotshell and cooperating firing system
A non-centerfire shotgun designed to operate with a non-centerfire shotshell, wherein a conventional shotshell is not able to be fired from the non-centerfire shotgun. |
| US09217624B2 |
Spooling pyrotechnic device
A pyrotechnic device including a combustion chamber including a wall, the combustion chamber containing combustible powder; an ignition source adapted to ignite said combustible powder within said combustion chamber; wherein the wall of the combustion chamber is adapted to burst at a predetermined pressure caused by combustion of the combustible powder; wherein the combustion chamber is disposed within a launch structure beneath a projectile and wherein a preselected amount of free space volume is disposed between said combustion chamber and said projectile. |
| US09217623B2 |
Bullet deflecting baffle system
The present invention provides a releasable clamp assembly for supporting one or more bullet deflecting plates, comprising: a first plate holder having a channel for receiving an outer lateral edge of a first deflecting plate; a second plate holder having a channel for receiving an outer lateral edge of a second deflecting plate; and a bridge comprising a bridge connecting the first plate holder and the second plate holder and one or more releasable clamp integral with the bridge, wherein the one or more releasable clamp is adapted to apply a clamping force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plate holder channel and second plate holder channel. The releasable clamp assembly, when disposed over the outer lateral edges of the first and second deflecting plate, positions the releasable clamp over the first and second deflecting plate to apply a clamping force to the one or more deflecting plate, thereby holding the releasable clamp assembly in secure engagement with the first and second deflecting plate. |
| US09217621B2 |
Turning holder
A turning holder enabling an easy operation and a convenient use without the need for repeated mounting and dismounting is provided. The turning holder comprises a base (11), a holder body (12), and a rotary body. A base sleeve (110) is provided on the base (11). A holder sleeve (120) is provided on the holder body (12). The rotary body includes a shaft sleeve (5), a clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8), a pressure ring (9) and a locking means. The clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8) is sleeved outside at a groove around an end of the shaft sleeve (5). The holder sleeve (120) is sleeved on the shaft sleeve (5) in a staggered position relative to the clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8). The base sleeve (110) is sleeved around the clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8) and fixedly connected therewith. The pressure ring (9) is sleeved around an end of the shaft sleeve (5) and presses the clamping sleeve for rotary shaft (8) from outside. The present invention can be widely used in the fields of firearms, bows and crossbows. |
| US09217618B1 |
Tool-less trigger guard
Provided is a trigger guard for an AR15-type firearm lower receiver, attachable and removable without application of impact force. It includes an elongated trigger guard member having forward and rear ends with a rear transverse opening positioned to align with mounting openings on the receiver. A mounting pin has a size no greater in cross-section than that of the mounting openings on the receiver and a spring engagement means thereon. A deflectable spring means is operably positioned in the transverse opening to be deflected when the pin is inserted in the transverse opening and to engage the spring engagement means on the mounting pin when the mounting pin reaches a preselected position. |
| US09217613B2 |
Systems and methods for disrupter recovery
A recovery system for a disrupter barrel. The recovery system limits the distance the disrupter travels as a result of a force or recoil that occurs upon firing the disrupter. |
| US09217611B2 |
Air duct and heat dissipation device having the same
An air duct mounted to a fan having an end board includes a top board which defines an opening, through which the fan is extended. Two opposite blocking members extend up from the top board at opposite first sides of the opening. Two opposite limiting members extend up from the top board at opposite second sides of the opening. Each blocking member includes a tab to block a top of the end board of the fan. Each limiting member includes a projection to abut a bottom of the end board of the fan. |
| US09217606B2 |
Door and valve assembly for a charging installation of a shaft furnace
A hatch and valve arrangement for a charging installation for a shaft furnace, such as a blast furnace, said arrangement comprising a housing (1), inside which is located at least one hatch (21) and/or a valve (31), caused to pivot by an actuator (25, 35) located outside the housing and connected to the hatch or valve by a linking shaft guided in a bearing that is fixed with respect to the housing. The bearing (24, 34) and the actuator (25, 35) are mounted on a detachable door (26, 36) that seals an opening (13, 15) made in the wall of the housing (1) and whose dimensions are determined such that the hatch or the valve can be withdrawn transversely to the axis of the housing through said opening. |
| US09217603B2 |
Heat exchanger and related methods
Heat exchangers include a housing having an inlet and an outlet and forming a portion of a transition chamber. A heating member may form another portion of the transition chamber. The heating member includes a first end having a first opening and a second end having a second opening larger than the first opening. Methods of conveying a fluid include supplying a first fluid into a transition chamber of a heat exchanger, supplying a second fluid into the transition chamber, and altering a state of a portion of the first fluid with the second fluid. Methods of sublimating solid particles include conveying a first fluid comprising a material in a solid state into a transition chamber, heating the material to a gaseous state by directing a second fluid through a heating member and mixing the first fluid and the second fluid. |
| US09217598B2 |
Foldable refrigerator
A foldable refrigerator is provided. The foldable refrigerator moves from a functional First Position A to a collapsed Second Position B. The foldable refrigerator may be folded into the collapsed Second Position B for transportation and/or storage. The foldable refrigerator has an extendable handle and wheels which allow pulling or pushing the refrigerator in a manner similar to luggage. The refrigerator further has extendable and adjustable legs which allow the refrigerator to be raised or lowered to various heights. The refrigerator has a gyroscope which allows the compressor of the refrigerator to remain in an upright position. |
| US09217595B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator has a refrigerator body including a storage chamber to store foods, a door configured to open or close the storage chamber, an ice maker mounted on the door and an ice maker cover to at least partially cover the ice maker, the ice maker cover including a cool air inlet port for introducing cool air at an upper portion thereof. The ice maker includes a first guide coupled to a lower portion of the ice maker to guide cool air to pass through the lower portion of the ice maker and a second guide provided at an upper side of the ice maker to guide cool air introduced through the cool air inlet port to be branched off and flowed into the upper and lower portions of the ice maker. |
| US09217594B2 |
Method of controlling cooling device
A method of controlling a cooling device capable of stably cooling a heat source is provided. A cooling device includes a first passage through which a coolant discharged from a compressor flows into a cooling unit for cooling EV equipment; a second passage through which the coolant is circulated between a heat exchanger and the cooling unit; a switching valve switching communication of the first passage and communication of the second passage; and a liquid storage container storing a liquid coolant condensed in the heat exchanger. The control method includes the steps of: increasing an amount of the liquid coolant stored in the liquid storage container; and switching the switching valve so as to block the first passage and allow communication of the second passage. |
| US09217589B2 |
Refrigeration compressor that maintains a satisfactory oil level
The refrigeration compressor according to the invention comprises a sealed enclosure containing a compression stage (7) and provide with a refrigerant inlet and outlet (6, 18), the compressor being configured such that under usage conditions, a flow of refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant inlet, the compression stage, and the refrigerant outlet. The compressor has an oil pan (24) and oil recirculation means arranged to orient the oil contained in the oil pan into the flow of refrigerant when the oil in the oil pan exceeds a predetermined oil level (34). The recirculation means include a recirculation line (35) housed in the sealed enclosure and comprising an inlet port (36) situated at a height substantially corresponding to the predetermined oil level, an outlet port (37) emerging in the refrigerant flow, and an intermediate part (38) connecting the inlet and outlet ports. The intermediate part (38) includes a first portion (38a) extending below the predetermined oil level (34). |
| US09217579B2 |
System and method for automatically programming HVAC system temperature adjustment times
A programmable HVAC controller, a method of automatically programming HVAC system temperature adjustment times and an HVAC system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the programmable HVAC controller includes: (1) a memory subsystem, (2) a communication subsystem configured to receive a wake-up alarm time and (3) a processing subsystem coupled to the memory and communication subsystems and configured to: (3a) set a “sleep” temperature adjustment time based on a time the wake-up alarm time is received and (3b) set a “wake” temperature adjustment time based on the wake-up alarm time. |
| US09217578B2 |
Power device and safety control method thereof
An air conditioner includes at least one indoor unit and a wired controller connected to the indoor unit through two lines to receive power from the indoor unit and to perform data communication with the indoor unit. Each of the indoor unit and the wired controller includes a communication unit that modulates a low-frequency communication signal into a high-frequency communication signal and transmits the high-frequency signal and demodulates a received high-frequency signal into a low-frequency signal. When a plurality of indoor units and a wired controller perform communication, a communication signal is transmitted after being modulated into a high-frequency signal and linking the high-frequency signal with DC power. This reduces the inductance of an inductor required to separate the linked high-frequency signal into DC power and a communication signal and the capacitance of a capacitor required to link the signal with DC power, reducing PCB size and inductor and capacitor costs. |
| US09217575B2 |
Air-conditioning controlling system and air-conditioning controlling method
In an air-cooling-and-heating controlling system, individual variable air volume controllers send, to an air-cooler-and-heater controller, current cooling/heating requirement information for the controlled area that is controlled by that variable air volume controller. If there is a mixing of a cooling requirement and a heating requirement in the cooling/heating requirement information that is received, the air-cooler-and-heater controller establishes a cold air temperature setting value and a hot air temperature setting value that can handle the cooling requirements and the heating requirements at that time, to perform alternating switching of a supply air temperature setting value. If a variable air volume controller that requires heating is supplied cold air, it blocks the supply of air to the controlled area. If a variable air volume controller that requires cooling is supplied hot air, it blocks the supply of air to the controlled area. |
| US09217574B2 |
Hot water supply apparatus associated with heat pump
A hot water supply apparatus associated with a heat pump is provided. In the hot water supply apparatus, refrigerant flowing through an evaporator and a compressor of a refrigerant cycle may perform a heat-exchange operation with water so that, a hot water supply operation may be substantially continuously performed without performing a defrosting operation. |
| US09217572B2 |
Burner cap and burner
A burner cap and a burner are provided. The burner cap may include a cap body, an opening formed in the cap body, at a location separated from an edge of the cap body, proximate the center of the cap body, a distribution protrusion formed on a bottom part of the cap body, and a connection guide formed on the distribution protrusion. |
| US09217570B2 |
Axial flow fuel nozzle with a stepped center body
An axial flow fuel nozzle for a gas turbine includes a plurality of annular passages for delivering materials for combustion. An annular air passage receives compressor discharge air, and a plurality of swirler vane slots are positioned adjacent an axial end of the annular air passage. A first next annular passage is disposed radially inward of the annular air passage and includes first openings positioned adjacent an axial end of the first annular passage and downstream of the swirler vane slots. A second next annular passage is disposed radially inward of the first annular passage and includes second openings positioned adjacent an axial end of the second annular passage and downstream of the first openings. |
| US09217567B2 |
Adjustable and robust radiant wall burner tip
A radiant wall burner apparatus. The apparatus includes an orifice for the introduction of fuel gas into an elongated mixing conduit for the directional flow and mixing of the fuel gas with combustion air provided through an inlet. The fuel gas and air mixture terminates through an adjustable burner tip. The radiant wall burner apparatus and burner tip allow for a two-leaf, adjustable radiant wall burner tip design that is less susceptible to heat deformation, flashback, and self-destruction, having fewer manufacturing issues, and having the capability to use hydrogen as a fuel source. |
| US09217562B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display according to an embodiment includes an organic light emitting diode panel configured to display images, a back cover attached to the organic light emitting diode panel by an adhesive layer, a driving circuit board disposed at a rear surface side of the back cover, and a heat radiator disposed between the driving circuit board and the organic light emitting diode panel, so as to redirect heat generated from the driving circuit board away from the organic light emitting diode panel. |
| US09217559B2 |
Moving head light fixture with yoke and head position encoding means
The present invention relates to a moving head light fixture comprising: a base; a yoke rotatable connected to the base; a head rotatable connected to the yoke. The head comprises at least one light source generating light. An actuator is adapted to rotate the yoke or the head. Magnetic means is attached to the axel of the actuator and generated a magnetic field, which is perpendicular to the actuator axel. A magnetic encoder is fixed in relation to the axel and provides at an axel position signal based the magnetic field is indicative of the angular position of the axel in relation to the magnetic encoder. Indication means provides an indication signal when the yoke or head is positioned at a number of predetermined angular positions in relation. Processing means are adapted to control the moving head light fixture based on the actuator axel position signal and the indication signal. |
| US09217557B2 |
Apparatus and system for emitting light using a grid light engine
Lighting apparatus may comprise elongated segments interconnected perpendicularly to form a grid light engine, each segment comprising groups of LEDs on both sides such that, when interconnected together, the grid light engine is operable to emit light inwardly to a plurality of grid squares formed by the segments. The apparatus may further comprise a back panel light engine comprising LEDs, the back panel light engine being coupled adjacent to the grid and operable to emit light from its LEDs through the grid. This architecture can allow for light from different sets of LEDs to be projected in different directions. When the different sets of LEDs emit different spectrum outputs, the light fixture can appear visually different depending upon the viewers' perspective. When the different sets of LEDs are controlled separately, visual effects such as the appearance of depth, sunrises and sunsets can be generated. |
| US09217552B2 |
Illumination device
A lighting device (100) includes: a surface light source (1); a first lens (L1) having a first focal point (F1), the first lens being provided on the light exit surface side of the surface light source; and a second lens (L2) having a second focal point (F2), the second lens being provided on a light exit surface side of the first lens, the surface light source, the first lens, and the second lens being configured such that a first virtual image (I1) is formed by the first lens and a second virtual image (I2) is formed by the second lens, wherein the first virtual image (I1) is formed between the second focal point (F2) and the first lens, the second focal point (F2) is on a side opposite to the light source side relative to a predetermined focal position f′, and at least either of a light entry surface or a light exit surface of the first lens or the second lens includes a non-revolution surface (SO) as a lens surface, and a plurality of boundary lines (B1-B4) whose curvatures vary discontinuously are provided in the non-revolution surface. |
| US09217550B2 |
Lighting apparatus
There is disclosed a lighting apparatus that can light a room intensively, fitted to a characteristic of a room, by adjusting an angle of light distribution and that can prevent glare, with improved optical uniformity and beautiful exterior appearance. |
| US09217541B2 |
Stabilization structure including shear release posts
A stabilization structure includes a stabilization layer on a carrier substrate. The stabilization layer includes an array of staging cavities. An array of micro devices are within the array of staging cavities. Each micro device is laterally attached to a shear release post laterally extending from a sidewall of a staging cavity. A pressure is applied to the array of micro devices from the array of transfer heads to shear the array of micro devices off the shear release posts. The sheared off micro devices are picked up from the carrier substrate using the array of transfer heads. |
| US09217539B2 |
High-pressure tank
There is disclosed a high-pressure tank capable of appropriately discharging high-pressure gas. The high-pressure tank is mounted on a mobile body, stores the high-pressure gas, and includes a plurality of gas discharge means for discharging the high-pressure gas from the high-pressure tank. The gas discharge means are disposed at opposite sides of the high-pressure tank in a longitudinal direction. The gas discharge means can each have a path through which the inside of the high-pressure tank communicates with the outside thereof, and a manual valve including a manual operating section for opening and closing the path by a manual operation. |
| US09217530B2 |
Extended range tapping sleeve and gasket
A tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve configured to clamp a main conduit, a gasket between the sleeve and main conduit, the gasket having a protruding aperture seal offset a distance from a branch aperture in the sleeve, the aperture seal having a first inwardly protruding portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit, an inwardly protruding circumferential seal bead extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis from the first portion of the aperture seal, the seal bead having a main length portion having a thickness less than the thickness of the first portion of the aperture seal, the seal bead having a junction end portion between the main length portion and the first portion of the aperture seal, the junction end portion having a non-uniform thickness, the aperture seal having a non-uniform thickness, and the offset distance being non-uniform. |
| US09217527B2 |
No-skive hydraulic hose coupling with improved hose retention and sealing
A hydraulic hose coupling, and method of assembling such to a hydraulic hose in a no-skive fashion. This is accomplished in many ways, some of which include the provision of a plurality of hose retention and sealing zones within the coupling, each of which include various combinations of radially inwardly directed barbs and radially inwardly and outwardly directed surface features on the inner stem of the coupling. With specific regard to the zone primarily directed to sealing, it includes a radially inwardly directed barb which works in conjunction with a straight cylindrical surface flanked by first and second radially inwardly directed recesses. |
| US09217524B2 |
Coupling lock mechanism
A threaded coupling wherein external threads of the male body of the male coupling half are in mating engagement with internal threads of the female sleeve of the female coupling half. The female sleeve includes an interior hook and the male body includes a locking lever receptacle recessed therein. The locking lever pivotally resides in the receptacle and interlocks circumferentially spaced recesses in the generally cylindrically-shaped hook of the female sleeve uniting the male and female. A tensioning O-ring secures the locking lever to the male body. A locking sleeve extends circumferentially about the male body and prohibits the release of the hook of the female sleeve from a recess in the locking lever unless a window is aligned with the locking lever. A process for locking the threaded coupling is also disclosed. |
| US09217523B2 |
Connecting structure for tube
An oil feeding device includes a tube body formed of metal and having a tube connecting part, and a connection pipe formed of resin and having a pipe connecting end. A press-fitting member and a seal member are clamped between the tube connecting part and the pipe connecting end. The press-fitting member includes a press-fitting body having a cylindrical outer peripheral face, which is fitted to an outer periphery of the tube connecting part, and claws which are formed at one end of the press-fitting body. The pipe connecting end is provided with a reduced diameter part which is formed by annularly reducing a diameter of a part of the pipe connecting end. The reduced diameter part retains the pipe connecting end, in engagement with the claws, by being formed by plastic deformation before or after the pipe connecting end is connected to the tube connecting part. |
| US09217521B2 |
Lead-free high temperature/pressure piping components and methods of use
A piping component for controlling the flow of fluids that includes a piping body having an inlet end and an outlet end, including methods of operating such components within a piping system. The piping body may be sized for fluids operating at temperatures from approximately 350° F. up to approximately 500° F., and up to approximately 650° F. In addition, the piping body is made from a silicon-copper alloy consisting essentially of less than 16% zinc, less than trace amounts of lead, less than trace amounts of bismuth, 2 to 6% silicon and a balance of copper (by weight). In certain aspects, less than 0.09% of lead and/or less than 0.09% bismuth are contained in the silicon-copper alloy. |
| US09217519B2 |
Systems and methods for supporting tubular members
Apparatus, systems, and methods for supporting tubular members are provided. A support structure can include at least one body having a plurality of openings disposed therethrough. Each opening can have an inner surface that includes at least one circular portion and at least one elliptical portion. |
| US09217512B2 |
Combination of a faucet handle and a control valve
A combined faucet handle and control valve assembly has a faucet handle, a plurality of connecting joints and a control valve. The faucet handle provided with a chamber, with an engaging space formed by a dividing member and a base in the chamber, an assembly aperture disposed in the base and passing through the faucet handle. The assembly aperture is engaged with a corresponding first securing member. Each connecting joint has a rod, an end of the rod provided with a connecting portion having an engaging aperture, the engaging aperture having a shape corresponding to a valve rod of the control valve, another end of the rod provided with a first section and a second section, the first section provided with a through aperture disposed axially through the rod and the connecting portion and engaging with a second securing member, and the second section is provided with a positioning aperture. |
| US09217508B2 |
Seals
An elastomeric or polymeric seal assembly (10) includes an annular elastomeric or polymeric sealing element (60), an internal circumferential surface of which sealingly engaging a first component (12), the sealing element abutting a radial annular face of a second component (16) and an external circumferential surface of the sealing element sealingly engaging an internal circumferential surface of a second component, a vent (92) being provided in the internal circumferential surface of the second component adjacent to the radial face, to vent the space between the external circumferential surface of the sealing element and the internal circumferential surface of the second component, an inlet to the vent being defined by an annular groove (88) in the internal circumferential surface of the second component, an annular helically wound element (94) being provided in the annular groove to prevent extrusion of the sealing element into the vent, the helically wound element being formed from a strip of material of elongate section, adjacent winds of material being spaced from one another. |
| US09217506B2 |
Actuation device for actuating switching elements
An actuating device is provided for actuating at least one shifting element shiftable through a shifting device, whereas the shifting device features a pressure space with a supply for a pressurized medium, along with a shut-off valve. It is proposed that the shut-off valve is connected in an electrically controllable and torque-proof manner to at least one shifting element, and that the electrical energy for the actuation of the shut-off valve is able to be supplied without contact. |
| US09217505B2 |
System and method for enhancing the operation of a continuously variable transmission of a work vehicle
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for enhancing the performance of a continuously variable transmission of a work vehicle may include engaging a range clutch of the continuously variable transmission, cycling a directional clutch of the continuously variable transmission between an engaged state and a disengaged state while the range clutch is engaged and controlling a position of a swash plate of the continuously variable transmission such that a ground speed of the work vehicle is maintained substantially at zero while the directional clutch is cycled between the engaged and disengaged states. |
| US09217503B2 |
Method for operating a vehicle drive train having an internal combustion engine
A method of operating a vehicle drive-train comprising an internal combustion engine and a transmission system functionally connected to the internal combustion engine. The transmission has an interlocking shifting element, one shifting element half of which is functionally connected to the transmission input shaft while the other shifting element half is functionally connected to a transmission output shaft. Upon receipt of a command to change the transmission from a neutral position, in which a force flow through the transmission is interrupted, to an operating condition, in which the force flow through the transmission is produced, the interlocking shifting element is changed to an engaged operating condition. A speed difference between the shifting element halves is brought by varying the speed of the internal combustion engine into a speed difference window within which the interlocking shifting element can be changed to its engaged operating condition. |
| US09217502B2 |
Electronic transmission control system
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing a transmission control system that enables an operator to quickly and effortlessly shift or change gears/selections/modes, in either a sequential or non-sequential manner without incurring the undesired unloading of driveline motion, while retaining consistent launches/start offs. More particularly, an improved transmission control system with an electronic gear shifter is presented for use in a vehicle or machine having an engine and transmission with a plurality of gear ratios or selections. The system allows the operator to shift gears/selections in a normal sequential progression or a progression that skips numerical order. Thus, the vehicle or machine may be accelerated and/or decelerated at a faster and more predictable rate to achieve greater performance in certain operating conditions. |
| US09217501B2 |
Side-by-side vehicle
A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air inlet for an air intake system coupled to the CVT unit or the power source which requires ambient air may be provided in a side of a cargo carrying portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a rear radius arm suspension. |
| US09217495B2 |
Automatic transmission device
An automatic transmission configured with four planetary gear mechanisms, three clutches, and three brakes, which are configured to provide nine forward speeds and a reverse speed. The combination of elements results in, amongst other benefits, improved torque transfer efficiency. A first planetary gear mechanism including first to third rotary elements that form a sequence of the first rotary element, the second rotary element, and the third rotary element when arranged in an order at intervals corresponding to gear ratios in a velocity diagram. A second planetary gear mechanism including fourth to sixth rotary elements, a third planetary gear mechanism including seventh to ninth rotary elements, and a fourth planetary gear mechanism including tenth to twelfth rotary elements. |
| US09217494B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A family of transmission gearing arrangements each establish at least one reverse gear ratio and between nine and fifteen forward gear ratios. A shiftable gearing arrangement establishes a variety of speed ratio between the input and a first shaft. In some embodiments, a fixed speed ratio is established upstream or downstream of the shiftable gearing arrangement. In reverse and low gear ratios, a low clutch couples the first shaft to the output. In the high gear ratios, a combining planetary gear set establishes a linear speed relationship between the first shaft, a second shaft rotating at a speed proportional to the input, and the output. |
| US09217492B2 |
Multi-speed cycloidal transmission
A transmission assembly for operably coupling an input member to an output member includes a first cycloidal gear stage having a first gear ratio and a second cycloidal gear stage having a second gear ratio different than the first gear ratio. The transmission assembly also includes a shifting mechanism for selectively driving the output member with one of the first cycloidal gear stage and the second cycloidal gear stage. |
| US09217487B2 |
Movement damping apparatus and valve
In a movement damping apparatus, a magnetorheological fluid is pressed through a flow path. A device generating a variable magnetic field comprises a core around which a coil is wound as well as pole surfaces in the flow path, the magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid by way of said pole surfaces. The coil is arranged within the flow path along with the core, the axis of the coil extending perpendicular to the direction of flow of the magnetorheological fluid. The flow path has a jacket made of a magnetically conducting material. |
| US09217485B2 |
Hydraulic damper device
A hydraulic damper device includes a cylinder unit including a cylinder body having an inner surface and a plug, and a piston unit including a piston, a piston rod and a valve member. The piston defines an annular groove. The valve member is disposed movably in the annular groove. The piston cooperates with the inner surface to define a valve opening and a valve seat. The valve seat has a truncated conical surface. The valve member is movable between a closing position, in which the valve member covers sealingly the valve opening and abuts against the truncated conical surface, and an opening position, in which the valve member is spaced apart from the truncated conical surface. |
| US09217483B2 |
Valve switching controls for adjustable damper
A damper system for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state. |
| US09217480B2 |
Disc brake pad
A disc brake pad includes lugs, each of which is provided with a groove that receives the tongue of a coiled spring disposed in a housing in the brake yoke. The aforementioned groove has an essentially mixtilinear rectangular section, of which the base is formed in cross-section by a central portion in the form of a convex root face forming a support extending on each side into a fillet recessed from the supporting plane. The fillet joins the respective side of the groove behind the supporting plane. |
| US09217478B2 |
Release mechanism for friction clutch
In a release mechanism for a friction clutch that includes a cylinder portion formed by an inner body and an outer body, a piston that moves in a front-back direction in accordance with a fluid pressure supplied to the cylinder portion, and a plate that is formed on the piston and receives an elastic force from elastic members provided on an outer peripheral side of the cylinder portion in a circumferential direction at a predetermined interval, a fastening member that fixes flanges of the inner body and the outer body so as to clamp a sealing member therebetween in an axial direction is provided, and a region in the radial direction in which the fastening member is arranged and a region in the radial direction in which the elastic members are arranged overlap each other at least in part, in the flanges. |
| US09217476B2 |
Friction clutch assemblies
A friction clutch assembly, preferably for a hybrid cooling pump. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction lining carrier member, a friction lining member, a compression spring member, a clutch carrier member and a flux plate member. A solenoid can be utilized to control the compression of the spring member. The friction clutch assembly has a preferred use in a hybrid coolant pump with two modes of operation, an electric motor operation, and a mechanical pulley-driven operation. The friction clutch assembly can be positioned inside a motor housing. The softening compression spring can minimize parasitic clutch power consumption. |
| US09217468B2 |
Sliding member
A slide member is provided with a base material and an overlay provided over the base material. The overlay includes a plurality of regions in a thickness direction including a region located in sliding-surface side that slides with the counter element and a region located in a base-material side. A material forming the overlay includes a plurality of crystal planes. Orientation index of at least one of the crystal planes differs in the region located in the sliding-surface side and the region located in the base-material side of the overlay. |
| US09217466B2 |
Linear motion bearing system with self-aligning rail
A linear motion bearing system comprising a rolling element retainer structure having at least a portion of a plurality of open axial rolling element tracks formed therein. The rolling element tracks including an open load-bearing portion, an open return portion and turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing and return portions. A plurality of bearing rolling elements are disposed in the rolling element tracks. A plurality of load bearing outer races are axially positioned adjacent the rolling element retainer structure for receiving load from the rolling elements disposed in the load-bearing portion of the rolling element tracks. An outer housing sleeve is effective to hold the rolling element retainer structure. A rail is effective to mate with the rolling element retainer structure, the rail including at least one recess sized and shaped so as to be mateable with at least one of the bearing rolling elements. |
| US09217460B2 |
Fastening devices for explosion-proof enclosures
A system for fastening a cover to a body of an explosion-proof enclosure using a plurality of fastening devices. Each fastening device can include a first load distributing member disposed on a body flange of a body of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can also include a second load distributing member disposed on a cover flange of a cover of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can further include a fastener positioned atop the first load distributing member, where the fastener traverses the first load distributing member, the cover flange, and the body flange. Each fastening device can also include a fastener receiver positioned under the second load distributing member and mechanically coupled to the fastener. |
| US09217459B2 |
Fastening devices for explosion-proof enclosures
A system for fastening a cover to a body of an explosion-proof enclosure using a plurality of fastening devices. Each fastening device can include a first load distributing member disposed on a body flange of a body of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can also include a second load distributing member disposed on a cover flange of a cover of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can further include a fastener positioned atop the first load distributing member, where the fastener traverses the first load distributing member, the cover flange, and the body flange. Each fastening device can also include a fastener receiver positioned under the second load distributing member and mechanically coupled to the fastener. |
| US09217458B2 |
Prevailing torque locknut
A prevailing torque locknut having a nut body, a locking band, and a retainer. The nut body includes a threaded portion and an unthreaded counterbore. The locking includes a coil portion and first and second tangs extending tangentially from the coil portion. The locking band is located within the counterbore, and the first and second tangs engage the counterbore sidewall to prevent relative rotation of the locking band within the nut body. The retainer is swaged into the nut body to secure the locking band within the nut body. |
| US09217457B2 |
Quick adjusting nut, especially for attaching a vehicle wheel to the mounting shaft of a balancing machine
A quick adjusting nut (1) made especially for attaching a vehicle wheel to the mounting shaft of a balancing machine, with a housing part (2) and with at least two radially movable thread segments (3) arranged in the housing part (2) and with an actuator (4) for radial movement of the thread segments (3), each thread segment (3) having an inside thread section (3a) and the thread segments (3) being radially movable along guide surfaces (7) of the housing part (2) from an engagement position outward into a disengagement position. The guide surfaces (7) for the thread segments (3) slant upward in the radial outward direction and interact with complementary slanted guide surfaces of the thread segments (3) during movement in the radial direction. |
| US09217454B2 |
Splined fastener
A fastener (2) for securing a workpiece comprising a plurality of workpiece members, said fastener comprising a shank (4) and a radially enlarged head (6), wherein the fastener further comprises axial voids (40) and splines (18) provided on the internal wall of the bore of the fastener, such that when the fastener is installed into a workpiece by a mandrel, breakstem or pin, once the shank of the fastener has contacted with the walls of the workpiece apertures, the crests of the splines are deformed by the mandrel, breakstem or pin, and material of the crests is displaced into the voids. |
| US09217453B2 |
Mounting structure for parts
A mounting structure comprises a part with a base, a mounting member with a mounting hole, a clip and a cap. The base has a temporary fixing part configured to fix the cap in a temporary fixed position, a permanent fixing part configured to locate the cap in a permanent fixed position, and an elastic hooking pawl configured to restrict entry of the cap into the permanent fixed position by interfering with insertion of the cap when held in the temporary fixed position. When the cap is inserted from the temporary fixed position to the permanent fixed position, each of the elastic lockable parts of the clip are deformed toward a mounting hole and press against the elastic hooking pawl such that the elastic hooking pawl does not interfere with the insertion path of the cap from the temporary fixed position to the permanent fixed position. |
| US09217452B1 |
Blind fastener assembly and release pin apparatus
A blind fastener assembly utilizes flexible legs extending from a cylindrical section of a spring pin. Gripping elements extend radially outwardly from the ends of the flexible legs. When the flexible legs and gripping elements are extended through an opening in the wall, a center pin can be pushed into the cylindrical portion to expand the flexible legs so that the gripping elements can engage the back of the wall. In one embodiment, removal of the center pin causes the flexible legs to contract whereupon the assembly can be removed from the wall. |
| US09217449B2 |
Outdoor unit bracket and outdoor unit comprising the same
An outdoor unit bracket and an outdoor unit comprising the same, which can ensure safe and simple installation, are provided. The outdoor unit bracket includes an outer wall coupling portion, an upper supporting portion, an outer wall contacting portion, and a lower supporting portion. The outer wall coupling portion is coupled to the outer wall of the building. The upper supporting portion is coupled to a rear upper portion of the outdoor unit, being spaced apart from the outer wall coupling portion in a horizontal direction with respect to the outer wall of the building. The outer wall contacting portion contacts the outer wall of the building, being spaced apart from the outer wall coupling portion below the outer wall coupling portion. The lower supporting portion contacts a rear lower portion of the outdoor unit, being spaced apart from the outer wall contacting portion in the horizontal direction with respect to the outer wall of the building. |
| US09217434B2 |
Compressor having drive shaft with fluid passages
A compressor may include a shell, a compression mechanism supported within the shell, a drive shaft engaged with the compression mechanism and a motor. The drive shaft may define first and second passages extending axially within the drive shaft and a third passage extending radially through an outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft and in communication with the second passage. The drive shaft may define an axially extending wall separating the first and second passages. The motor may include a rotor fixed to the drive shaft and a stator supported within the shell. The third passage may be adapted to provide oil to the stator during compressor operation to cool the stator. |
| US09217424B2 |
Multi-speed hydraulic pump
Hydraulic pump applications sometimes require the pump to be able to provide relatively low pressure with larger amounts of fluid moved, while other applications call for relatively higher pressures but less fluid moved. The multi-speed hydraulic pump can operate at multiple speeds so as to provide multiple outputs of pressure and flow. In a two-mode version, the pump has one mode of operation that provides for lower pressure/more fluid moved and another mode of operation that provides for higher pressure/less fluid moved. Having multiple modes of operation in the pump allows for a single pump to provide greater movement or greater pressure while working within the limits of the force or speed at which the pump is actuated. |
| US09217423B2 |
Energy storage system using supercritical air
Disclosed is an energy storage system using supercritical air, comprising a compressor unit, a heat exchanger and storage device, a cold exchanger and storage device, a cryogenic tank, a throttling valve, at least one cryogenic pump, an expander unit, a generator, and a driver unit. There are several advantages of this invention, including high energy density, high efficiency, no storage cycle and geographical conditions restriction, easy implementation with all kinds of power stations, environment friendliness and capability of recycling low to medium temperature waste heat and so on. |
| US09217418B2 |
Wind farm island operation
A method and a system are described for island operation of at least two wind turbines associated with a wind farm, wherein said wind farm is configured for providing power generated by wind turbines in said wind farm to a main grid and wherein the method comprises: detecting at least two or more deactivated wind turbines in said wind farm, said deactivated wind turbines being disconnected from said main grid; configuring at least one islanded local grid for electrically connecting said two or more deactivated wind turbines; activating at least one of said deactivated wind turbine using a black start operation; and, connecting said at least one activated wind turbine and at least one of said deactivated wind turbines to said local grid, said activated wind turbine acting as a power supply for said at least one deactivated wind turbine connected to said local grid. |
| US09217417B2 |
Ram air turbine generator with external rotor having permanent magnets
A ram air turbine generator, for generating electrical power when the system is exposed to an airstream, includes a turbine having multiple blades and a rotor operably coupled to the blades and rotating about a shaft and stator mounted, such that rotation of the blades rotates the rotor, and the rotation of the rotor about the stator produces electrical power. |
| US09217415B2 |
Estimation of wind properties using a light detection and ranging device
Embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and apparatus for determining a property of wind approaching a wind turbine. A light detection and ranging equipment may emit pulsed radiation into oncoming wind to detect properties of the wind at a plurality of predefined locations. A property of the wind approaching the wind turbine may be determined based on the property of wind measured at at least two predefined locations. |
| US09217414B2 |
Wind power turbine for generating electric energy
A wind power turbine configured to generate electric energy has: a supporting structure; a nacelle; a blade assembly which rotates with respect to the nacelle; a first and second electric machine having, respectively, a substantially coaxial first and second stator, and a first and second rotor coupled to the first and second stator to rotate about a first and second axis; a transmission configured to connect the first rotor to the second rotor; a control device configured to control the wind power turbine; and a detection system connected to the control device to detect relative movement between the first rotor and the second rotor. |
| US09217412B2 |
Wind energy system and method for using same
A wind energy system comprising a wind turbine comprising a cowling surrounded by a diffuser and a plurality of inner rotor blades located inside of the cowling that rotate about an inner hub, a plurality of outer rotor blades positioned between the diffuser and the cowling that are counter-rotating relative to the plurality of inner rotor blades, a drive mechanism located within the inner rotor hub, a dynamic telescopic tower, and a tower support that connects the wind turbine to the dynamic telescopic tower. |
| US09217409B2 |
Starter motor control during automatic engine stop
An internal combustion engine is provided with a ratchet one-way clutch between an output shaft of a starting motor and a crankshaft. The one-way clutch includes a claw piece which rotates integrally with the crankshaft, and an engagement part which rotates integrally with the starting motor and with which the claw piece engages. An electronic control device performs control for driving the starting motor when the engine is stopped to reduce the difference between the rotation speed of the engine and the rotation speed of the starting motor, that is, the difference between the rotation speed of the claw piece and the rotation speed of the engagement part. |
| US09217408B2 |
Ventilating condition determine method of idle stop and go function
A method of determining an Idle Stop and Go (ISG) ventilation condition may include an ISG restriction early step that calculates an expected external air temperature through modeling using information acquired from a vehicle and execute an ISG logic to determine whether ISG entrance is possible based on a current ventilation condition of the vehicle, an ISG restriction proceeding step that detects an voltage of an air-conditioning system, an ISG restriction ascertaining step that determines whether an ISG entrance condition is satisfied, wherein the ISG entrance condition includes comparing the expected external air temperature through modeling with a specific temperature and the voltage of the air-conditioning system with a specific voltage, and an ISG entrance step that controls an engine by performing the ISG entrance when the ISG entrance condition is satisfied. |
| US09217406B2 |
Method for controlling a high-pressure fuel pump
An electrically controllable electromechanical inlet valve (2a) which is closed in the currentless state and is held in the closed state by the force of a spring (2b), an outlet valve (5a), and a displacement element (6), the inlet valve is operated in a self-controlling operating mode after a start command is present. In the self-controlling operating mode, the rail pressure is built without knowledge of the phase position of the displacement element. During the self-controlling operating mode, the phase position of the displacement element is determined. After the phase position of the piston or displacement element is determined, the inlet valve is switched over to a non-self-controlling operating mode. |
| US09217405B2 |
System and method for lubricating a fuel pump
Systems and methods for diagnosing and operating an engine with a fuel pump that supplies fuel to a fuel injector that may be temporarily deactivated are described. In one example, injection of fuel may commence in response to a level of lubrication of a fuel pump. The system and methods may extend fuel pump life in systems where fuel injection may be deactivated. |
| US09217397B2 |
Fuel tank pressure sensor rationality test for a PHEV
A method for verifying the reliable operation of a fuel tank pressure transducer positioned within a fuel tank of a PHEV. The method detects the initiation of a refueling cycle, which leads to opening a system vent valve positioned between a carbon canister and a system vent, and opening a fuel tank isolation valve. A controller monitors fuel system pressure within the fuel tank and at the vent valve, and that device determines rates of change of the fuel system pressure within the fuel tank and at the outlet vent. Reliable operation of the fuel tank pressure transducer is indicated upon a determination that the rates of change of the fuel system pressure in the fuel tank and at the outlet vent are uniform within a predetermined range. |
| US09217394B2 |
Multi-stage supercharging apparatus
A multi-stage supercharging apparatus including a first supercharger and a second supercharger. The first supercharger is provided with a first turbine accommodating section, a first exhaust inlet, and a first exhaust outlet which extends in an axial direction of the first turbine from the first turbine accommodating section and is bent upward. The second supercharger is provided with a second turbine, a second turbine accommodating section, and a second exhaust inlet which is directly connected to the first exhaust outlet to allow the first exhaust outlet to be communicated with the second turbine accommodating section, and the second supercharger is supported by the first supercharger by placing an opening of the second exhaust inlet on an opening of the first exhaust outlet. |
| US09217391B2 |
Turbine engine comprising a contrarotating propeller receiver supported by a structural casing attached to the intermediate housing
An open rotor type aircraft turbine engine including a contrarotating propeller receiver and a dual-body gas generator having a low-pressure compressor and a high-pressure compressor separated by an intermediate housing, in which the gas generator is arranged upstream from the receiver is provided. The turbine engine includes a structural casing for supporting the receiver, surrounding the gas generator and having a downstream end attached to the receiver and an upstream end attached to the intermediate housing; and a connection device between the structural supporting casing and the gas generator, arranged between the upstream and downstream ends of the casing. |
| US09217386B2 |
System and method for preventing stochastic pre-ignition
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stochastic pre-ignition module and a fuel control module. The stochastic pre-ignition module determines whether operating conditions of an engine satisfy predetermined criteria associated with stochastic pre-ignition. The fuel control module enriches an air/fuel ratio of the engine when the engine operating conditions satisfy the predetermined criteria. |
| US09217379B2 |
Reducing turbocharged engine overheating
A method comprising in response to coolant loss in a turbocharged engine, deactivating one or more engine cylinders while limiting engine load of one or more active cylinders based on an engine speed, and a cylinder head temperature. |
| US09217376B2 |
Multi-mode adaptive fail-fixed system for FADEC controlled gas turbine engines
A gas turbine engine control system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an automatic control operable to control a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine control system further comprises a module operable to fail-fix the gas turbine engine to one of a multiple of pre-determined modes in response to failure of the automatic control. The exemplary gas turbine engine control system may further comprise a fuel flow meter to sense a fuel flow to the engine, a fuel control to control the fuel flow to the engine, and the module in electrical communication with the fuel flow meter to fix the fuel control in response to one of the multiple of pre-determined modes. |
| US09217374B2 |
Assembly for a jet engine of an aircraft
The present invention proposes a structural unit for an aircraft engine having at least one fuel pump of a fuel circuit and at least one hydraulic fluid pump of a hydraulic fluid circuit, where the structural unit can be coupled to an accessory gearbox shaft of an accessory gearbox of the engine. |
| US09217373B2 |
Fuel nozzle for reducing modal coupling of combustion dynamics
A fuel nozzle includes a center body that extends axially along an axial centerline for a length. A shroud circumferentially surrounds the center body for at least a portion of the length of the center body. A plurality of helical passages circumferentially surround the center body along at least a portion of the length of the center body, and a fuel port in each helical passage has a different convective time. |
| US09217370B2 |
Fluid flow devices with vertically simple geometry and methods of making the same
A micro-turbine engine, consisting of at least a compressor, combustor, and turbine, is a complicated fluid flow device that controls the flow rate and thermodynamic properties of a working fluid in order to generate shaft power. Existing micro-turbines are costly to manufacture because they are designed with sophisticated contours and exotic materials. The present invention discloses a method for designing a micro-turbine with stacked layers of structure, each of which is designed with vertically simple geometry such that it can be manufactured using conventional machining technology. The resulting micro-turbine is low cost compared to existing alternatives in the target range of power outputs and applications. The present invention also describes a method for connecting the micro-turbine to an electrical generator to generate power. Lastly, the method for designing the micro-turbine is applied to heat exchangers, Rankine engines, fluid mixers, and other fluid flow devices. |
| US09217369B2 |
Compressor inlet manifold for a gas turbine engine
A compressor inlet manifold for directing air from a radial airflow inlet into an axial compressor inlet of a compressor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The compressor inlet manifold provides air flow to the compressor with reduced distortion to the compressor which enables the required design surge margin to be reduced, thereby increasing gas turbine engine efficiency. The improved air flow has reduced distortion, turbulence and unsteadiness. The compressor inlet manifold body may have at least one annular opening extending axially downstream from an upstream wall. Air flow into the compressor inlet manifold may be conditioned with one or more of a flow improvement projection extending radially inward relative to other aspects of a compressor inlet outer wall, a conically shaped inner sidewall, and a baffle positioned at an acute angle relative to an axis aligned with a radially inward air flow. |
| US09217362B2 |
Two-stage turbocharger flow control
A method is disclosed for controlling a two-stage turbocharger system having low-pressure and high-pressure turbochargers in line, sequentially, with an engine. The turbochargers include a low-pressure (LP) turbine and an LP compressor, and a high-pressure (HP) turbine and an HP compressor. The LP compressor feeds the HP compressor, which feeds the engine intake. The engine exhaust feeds the HP turbine, which feeds the LP turbine. The method determines a total boost pressure, which provides combustion reactant for the engine. The method calculates an LP compressor power from the determined total boost pressure, and an LP turbine flow from the LP compressor power. The low-pressure turbocharger operates at the calculated LP turbine flow. The method calculates an HP compressor power from the determined total boost pressure, and an HP turbine flow from the HP compressor power. The high-pressure turbocharger operates at the calculated HP turbine flow. |
| US09217360B2 |
Prechamber device for internal combustion engine
This disclosure relates to an improved prechamber device for an internal combustion engine. The prechamber device is positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber. The improved prechamber device is configured to improve removal of heat from the prechamber device, particularly in the area adjacent to the combustion chamber. |
| US09217357B2 |
Method of producing an insulated exhaust device
A method is provided for producing an exhaust gas aftertreatment or acoustic device (20) having a maximum operating temperature TMAX. The method includes the steps of providing a blanket (40) of silica fiber or alumina insulation material having a weight percentage of SiO2 or Al2O3 of greater than 65%; calcining the insulating material by heating the blanket (40) so that all of silica fiber insulation material is raised to a temperature T greater than TMAX; and securing the blanket (40) on the device (20) after the calcining step. The blanket is encapsulated in a covering prior to the securing step, and before or after the calcining step, with the covering between the blanket and the device being a selected one of foil, wire mesh, or siliconized fiber glass. |
| US09217352B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system
An exhaust gas purification system includes a dosing control unit that controls a supply module to supply urea water between a dosing valve and a urea tank in order to remove urea water accumulated in the dosing valve, when receiving a diesel particulate filter regeneration authorization request from an engine control unit, and then transmits the authorization to the engine control unit, when determining that an NH3 amount of a selective reduction catalyst is less than or equal to a prescribed value. |
| US09217351B2 |
Method and device for operating an SCR system
A method for operating a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system having a urea solution supply and an ultrasound based urea concentration sensor, the measurement signal of the urea concentration sensor being representative of a propagation time of an ultrasonic pulse along a predefined path length in a fluid of the urea solution supply includes: heating at least the fluid in a detection region of the urea concentration sensor from a predefined first temperature to a predefined second temperature; during the heating, detecting the measurement signal at at least a third and fourth temperature, and in each case determining a raw concentration characteristic value as a function of the respective measurement signal, which raw concentration characteristic value is representative of the propagation time of the ultrasonic pulse; and determining a concentration characteristic value, representative of a concentration of urea in the fluid, as a function of the raw concentration characteristic values. |
| US09217350B2 |
Method and system for reductant injector degradation
Various systems and methods for detecting exhaust reductant injector degradation based on an exhaust NOx sensor are disclosed. In one example, degradation of the reductant injector is indicated when an actual NOx sensor output differs from an expected NOx sensor output by more than a threshold amount under engine off conditions. |
| US09217345B2 |
Soot burning method for particulate filters
Methods and systems are provided for regenerating a particulate filter in an engine exhaust, where burning of soot is initiated by introducing additional oxygen into the exhaust gas upstream of the particulate filter where an exhaust temperature exceeds a threshold, a soot burn rate controlled by adjusting pulsing of the additional oxygen. Further, the pulsing of the additional oxygen is introduced via a high-pressure EGR passage during boosted engine conditions. |
| US09217342B2 |
Collecting container for lubricants
The invention relates to a collecting container for lubricants having a housing (1) which has an inlet opening (2) for introducing lubricant (3) and is open on the opposite side, and having a flexible membrane (4) which is fastened to the housing (1) and which delimits a lubricant collecting chamber (5) adjoining the inlet opening (2) in the housing (1). According to the invention the membrane (4) has, starting from the point where it is fastened to the housing (1), firstly a bellows section (6) and a reinforced section (7) connected at the end thereof. |
| US09217341B2 |
Lubrication system for tool
A lubrication system for a tool powered by a drive fluid is provided. The lubrication system includes a reservoir configured to deliver a lubricant and a plunger disposed within the reservoir. The plunger is configured to selectively generate a pilot signal based on a level of the lubricant. The lubrication system further includes a valve having a housing. The housing includes a drive fluid inlet and a drive fluid outlet. The valve also includes a pilot spool configured to move from a neutral position to an actuated position in response to the pilot signal. The valve further includes a main spool selectively actuated by a pressure of the drive fluid to move from a first position to a second position in response to the movement of the pilot spool such that in the second position the drive fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the drive fluid outlet. |
| US09217340B2 |
Bi-directional control groove design for engine rotation reversal on engine with sliding camshaft
A camshaft assembly includes a camshaft rotatable about a cam axis, and a lobe pack slideably attached to the camshaft. The lobe pack includes a barrel cam that defines a control groove disposed annularly about the cam axis. When the camshaft and the lobe pack rotate about the cam axis in a first rotational direction, the control groove is shaped to react against either a first or second shifting pin, to guide the lobe pack along a first or third path respectively, into a first or second axial position respectively. When the camshaft and the lobe pack rotate about the cam axis in a second rotational direction, the control groove is shaped to react against the first and second shifting pins to guide the lobe pack along a second path, into the second axial position. |
| US09217339B2 |
Hydraulic rolling cylinder deactivation systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for a poppet valve operator that may be implemented in a hydraulic rolling cylinder deactivation system of a vehicle, wherein a hydraulically operated pivot ball selectively engages a pivot pocket of a rocker arm. Simple and reliable deactivation systems are needed that can fit into limited packaging space while including fewer moving mechanical components that are susceptible to wear and damage. The proposed systems and methods involve selectively pressurizing hydraulic fluid to rigidly or flexibly hold a piston of the poppet valve operator in place in order to open or close a gas exchange valve. |
| US09217335B2 |
Fixture and method for adjusting workpiece
A fixture and method for adjusting a workpiece are disclosed. The fixture includes a holding device engageable to a workpiece to secure the workpiece, and an adjustment device engageable to a projecting member of the workpiece and movable along a first axis and a second axis. Movement of the adjustment device along the first axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the first axis, and movement of the adjustment device along the second axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the second axis. |
| US09217334B2 |
Turbine cover plate assembly
The present application provides a cover plate assembly for use with a rotor disk. The cover plate assembly may include a radial flange extending from the rotor disk, a flange aperture extending through the radial flange, a cover plate segment with a fastening aperture and a hook for receiving the radial flange, and a fastener extending through the flange aperture and the fastening aperture. |
| US09217326B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing different modes of communication on a communication line between surface and downhole equipment
Systems and methods for enabling communication using two different alternative protocols on a single communication line between remote tools and control equipment used in well operations. In one embodiment, a system includes control equipment, remote tools and a communication line coupled between the control equipment and the remote tools. Each remote tool detects mode control signals on the communication line and operates alternately in either a first mode or a second mode in response to detecting corresponding mode control signals. The first mode enables two-way communication of data on the communication line according to a first communications protocol. The second mode enables one-way communication of data on the communication line from the remote equipment to the control equipment according to a second protocol. The second protocol is different from the first protocol, and may be incompatible with the first protocol. |
| US09217323B2 |
Mechanical caliper system for a logging while drilling (LWD) borehole caliper
A logging while drilling (LWD) caliper includes a drill collar, at least one movable pad, a hinge coupler, a power transmitter and a power receiver. The hinge coupler couples the movable pad to the drill collar in such a way that the movable pad can move between an open position and a closed position. The power transmitter is coupled to the drill collar in such a way that the power transmitter receives power from the drill collar. The power receiver is coupled to the movable pad in such a way that the power receiver provides power to the movable pad. Also, the power transmitter is coupled to the drill collar and the power receiver is coupled to the movable pad is such a way that power is transmitted from the power transmitter to the power receiver. |
| US09217322B2 |
Methods for installing and retrieving a well monitoring apparatus
A method for installing an apparatus for monitoring physical parameters in an annulus of an oil and/or gas well having a well head. The apparatus comprises a sensor plug including a sensor and a flange assembly arranged with a bore holding a signal processing unit for communication with the sensor. The method comprises installing the sensor plug in a passage in the well head, connecting a cable connector to the sensor plug, positioning the bore of the flange assembly essentially coinciding with the passage of the well head. The invention also comprises a method for retrieving an apparatus for monitoring physical parameters in an annulus of an oil and/or gas well having a well head. |
| US09217321B2 |
System and method of coiled tubing depth determination
A system for determining a depth in a wellbore of a reference point associated with a coiled tubing. The system comprises a sensor coupled to a coiled tubing spool, wherein the sensor coupled to the coiled tubing spool is configured to determine an angular position of the spool, a processor coupled to the sensor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, determines the depth in the wellbore of the reference point of the coiled tubing based on an input from the sensor coupled to the coiled tubing spool. |
| US09217317B2 |
Subsea collection and containment system for hydrocarbon emissions
A rapidly deployable flexible enclosure system for the collection, containment and presentation of hydrocarbon emissions from compromised shallow or deepwater oil and gas well systems, pipelines, other structures, including subsea fissures. The flexible containment enclosure can accommodate various depths and collection terminator configurations. The flexible containment enclosure system is connected to a floating platform and supported by positive offset neutral buoyancy attachment devices. The floating platform with the flexible containment enclosure separates liquid and gaseous materials and directs them to separate ports for removal from a rigid enclosure cavity integrated within the floating platform. Gaseous emissions may optionally be directed to a tethered floating flare system. The system has the ability to partially or fully submerge for extended durations and resurface on demand manually or by transmitted signal. The system provides for operation by a combined tele-supervisory and autonomous control system. |
| US09217316B2 |
Correlating depth on a tubular in a wellbore
Techniques for correlating depth on a tubular in a wellbore include a casing collar locator tool that includes a tubular mandrel defining a bore therethrough; a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly carried on the tubular mandrel; a profile carried on the tubular mandrel axially between the top sub-assembly and bottom sub-assembly and adjustable between an engaged state defined by the profile extending radially away from the mandrel and a disengaged state defined by the profile refracted towards the mandrel; and a wedge sleeve carried on the tubular mandrel between the top sub-assembly and the bottom sub-assembly and arranged, at least in part, axially adjacent the profile, the wedge sleeve actuatable to urge the profile into at least one of the engaged state or the disengaged state. |
| US09217310B2 |
Inner string cementing tool
A cementing adaptor includes a cylindrical carrier carrying a casing seal, a middle interval and a lower end separated by an annular rib, and a cylindrical swivel element disposed around and coaxially rotatable relative to the middle interval. A cylindrical connector has an upper end rotatably disposed around the carrier's lower end and non-rotatably connected to the swivel element, plus a lower end connectable to an inner tubular string. With the carrier's upper end connected to a casing running tool (CRT), this assembly can be disposed within a casing string with the casing seal engaging the casing and preventing fluid flow into the casing annulus below the seal when cement is pumped down the inner string, such that the cement is urged into the wellbore annulus. The swivel connection limits torque transfer that might otherwise overload the CRT or its connection to the cementing adaptor. |
| US09217309B2 |
Hybrid-tieback seal assembly using method and system for interventionless hydraulic setting of equipment when performing subterranean operations
Hybrid-tieback seal assemblies, interventionless setting assemblies, and associated methods of setting downhole components of the hybrid-tieback seal assemblies using such interventionless setting assemblies are disclosed. A hybrid-tieback seal assembly comprises one or more anchoring bodies, one or more packer seal assemblies, and one or more interventionless hydraulic setting systems. A method of setting downhole equipment comprises applying a pressure to a compensating volume and providing a working volume, wherein the working volume is separated from the compensating volume by one or more hydraulic control devices. A pressure is applied to the working volume in response to the pressure applied to the compensating volume. The pressure applied to the compensating volume is then reduced and the pressure applied to the working volume is captured by the hydraulic control devices. The captured pressure in the working volume is applied to set one or more of the anchoring bodies and packer seal assemblies. |
| US09217308B2 |
Active external casing packer (ECP) for frac operations in oil and gas wells
A zonal isolation device (10; 20; 30; 300; 400; 500; 600) in the form of an active external casing packer is provided which includes a tubular section such as a casing or liner (1; 21; 31; 171; 203) arranged to be run into and secured within a larger diameter generally cylindrical structure such as an open borehole (163; 213). At least one sleeve member (3; 23; 33; 43; 173) is positioned on the exterior of the casing or liner and is sealed thereto and at least two deformable band members (201; 401, 403; 501) are provided around and are bonded to the outer circumference of the sleeve member. The sleeve member and the at least two deformable band members is/are expanded into place against the inner circumference of the open borehole by increasing the pressure within the sleeve member. The method detailed herein also provides zonal isolation by use of a pair of spaced apart members during a frac operation where frac fluid is supplied to a zone (in between the pair of sleeve members) requiring to be frac'd, where the frac pressure acts not only on the outside of the zonal isolation device but also on the interior of the sleeve member to enhance the seal provided thereby. |
| US09217306B2 |
Methods and apparatus for coring
A coring apparatus comprises a coring bit operable to cut a core. An outer barrel is coupled to and configured to rotate the coring bit. An inner barrel is disposed within the outer barrel and is isolated from rotation with the outer barrel. A fabric sleeve is disposed within the inner barrel and configured to receive the core cut by the coring bit. |
| US09217305B2 |
Downhole tool string braking
A braking apparatus for a tool string positionable in a wellbore and a method of braking a tool string in a wellbore is disclosed. The braking apparatus includes: a tubular housing having at least one radial arm-bay opening; an actuating mechanism including: a wedge member mounted in an internal cavity of the housing; an axial guide rod coupled at one end to the wedge member; and a push-pull device. The push pull device includes: a biasing member casing through which the guide rod extends to contact the wedge member, a biasing member; and at least one braking arm pivotably mounted to a lower portion of the biasing member casing, wherein when the biasing member casing of the push-pull device in in a lowered position, the braking arm bears on a sloped surface of the wedge member to project the braking arm into contact with a wellbore wall. |
| US09217304B2 |
Support device of equipment inside a well, a process for fixing it and a process for placing such equipment
A support device for tubular equipment, such as a liner inside a well, and methods for using the support device, the support device including two elements attached to each other. The two elements are: a) a cylindrical sleeve, made of ductile metal and having an external diameter slightly less than an inner diameter of the well or of a casing inserted into the well; and b) a set of tabs made of hard metal, which are spaced apart from each other and integral with the cylindrical sleeve. The tabs extend downwards from the cylindrical sleeve and an outer wall of the tabs is fitted with a series of notched formations, such as teeth, whereas an inner wall of the tabs has a conical form, the apex of which is turned down. |
| US09217300B1 |
Subsea riser support and method for bridging escarpments
The present disclosure provides a lateral external sleeve for a riser that can be preinstalled or field installed around the riser as it is deployed onto the seabed and a stress joint installed with the riser and longitudinally partially within the lateral external sleeve. The external sleeve in conjunction with the stress joint can support a laterally deployed riser in an otherwise high stress zone of the riser as it would bend due to changes in elevations and thus reduce stress on the riser. The system can act independently of a buoy-based system typically used in the art. |
| US09217298B2 |
Holding device insertable into the central bore of a tubular drill string component, and corresponding tubular drill string component
A holding device insertable into a central bore of a drill string component, the central bore having a first diameter along at least part of a central portion of the drill string component and a second diameter proximate ends of the drill string component. The second diameter is lower than the first diameter. The holding device includes an elongated body forming at least partly a housing for a transmission line. The elongated body has transversal dimensions lower than the second diameter. A plurality of arcuate elements are arranged along the elongated body and distinct from and attached to the elongated body. The arcuate elements are elastically bendable so as to be able to move through the second diameter and have a largest chord greater than the first diameter in a free state so as to be able to expand within the first diameter once past the second diameter. |
| US09217294B2 |
Erosion resistant hard composite materials
A hard composite composition comprises a binder, and a polymodal blend of matrix powder In an embodiment, the polymodal blend of matrix powder has at least one local maxima at a particle size of 30 μm or less, at least one local maxima at a particle size of 200 μm or more, and at least one local minima between a particle size of about 30 μm to about 200 μm that has a value that is less than the local maxima at a particle size of 30 μm or less. |
| US09217292B2 |
Two-port percussion mole
A percussion mole for inserting a ground-loop for a geothermal heat-pump apparatus. The ground-loop includes a first pipe and a second pipe. The mole comprises: a percussive drive mechanism; a first passage connectable to the first pipe, for receiving a driving fluid via the first pipe and delivering it to the drive mechanism, during insertion of the ground-loop; a second passage connectable to the second pipe, for exhausting the driving fluid from the drive mechanism via the second pipe, during insertion of the ground-loop; and a connection connecting the first passage with the second passage. The connection includes a non-return valve arranged to restrict flow of the driving fluid from the first passage to the second passage during insertion of the ground-loop but permit flow in the opposite direction, whereby after insertion, when the heat pump apparatus is in use, the ground-loop comprises the first and second pipes; the first and second passages; and the connection. |
| US09217291B2 |
Downhole deep tunneling tool and method using high power laser beam
A downhole laser tool for penetrating a hydrocarbon bearing formation includes a laser surface unit to generate a high power laser beam, a fiber optic cable to conduct the high power laser beam from the laser surface unit to a rotational system that has a rotational head which includes a focusing system and a downhole laser tool head, the focusing system includes a beam manipulator, a focused lens, and a collimator, the downhole laser tool head includes a first cover lens to protect the focusing system, a laser muzzle to discharge the collimated laser beam from the downhole laser tool head into the hydrocarbon bearing formation, a fluid knife to sweep the first cover lens, a purging nozzle to remove dust from the path of the collimated laser beam, a vacuum nozzle to collect dust and vapor from the path of the collimated laser beam. |
| US09217285B2 |
Material lifting mechanism
A lifting mechanism and method for lifting materials onto a structure having a first elongated section having a winch lifting mechanism and a second section slidably mounted on the first section for moving upward and downward and roller guide members for engaging the first and second sections to allow the sliding and a lockable support frame pivotally connected to the second section for securing materials on one side of the first section for lifting onto a structure and rotating to an upper unloading position on the other side of the first and second sections. |
| US09217283B2 |
Sensor device and controller for movable barrier operator systems
An apparatus having a base portion configured to be secured to a mounting surface and a sensor connected to the base portion that is configured to interface with an elongate member and measure one or more characteristics of the elongate member as the elongate member moves from being wound up on or paid out from a rotatable drive of a movable barrier operator. The one or more characteristics can include, for example, position, velocity, and direction of movement of the elongate member. By measuring the one or more characteristics of the elongate member, corresponding properties of a movable barrier connected to the elongate member can be accurately determined. The apparatus may be also used to supplement an estimate of the properties of the movable barrier obtained from measurement of the rotatable drive and provide a more accurate estimate of the movable barrier properties. |
| US09217282B2 |
Window covering and operating system
A window covering includes a head rail that supports a panel by lift cords such that one end of the panel may be raised and lowered relative to the head rail. An operating system controls movement of the panel and includes spools coupled to the lift cords such that rotation of the spools retracts and extends the lift cords. A shaft is connected to a spool of the lift spool assembly and to a brake and a spring motor. The spring motor applies a motor force to the shaft and the brake applies a brake force to the shaft such that the forces generated by the spring motor and brake hold the panel in the desired position. |
| US09217276B1 |
Triangular flange bracket for attaching corners of transparent plastic panels over window and door openings
Systems, devices, apparatus, kits and methods of attaching transparent rigid plastic panels over door and window openings of vacant and/or damaged buildings and houses, that can include generally triangular flange brackets which are attached to both the panels and both sides of the openings. |
| US09217274B2 |
Gas filling apparatus
A gas filling apparatus comprising a lance and control unit remote from the lance is disclosed. The lance has a dispensing nozzle for dispensing gas through an aperture. The lance additionally has a manually operable switch for sending a signal to the control unit to commence dispensing of gas. The provision of the manually operable switch on the lance should result in less errors being made during the filling process, particularly where a plurality of lances are simultaneously operated by a single operator. The lance may additionally comprise a visual indicator indicating the state reached in the dispensing cycle. |
| US09217273B2 |
Apparatus for restricting access to a retail store aisle
An apparatus includes a first retail display unit for supporting one or more retail products and a pocket mounted to a side of the first retail display unit. The pocket has a hollow interior and an open end. A gate has a fixed end coupled to the hollow interior of the pocket and a lockable end. The fixed and lockable ends of the gate are located within the hollow interior of the pocket when the gate is in storage and the lockable end of the gate is extended through the at least one open end of the pocket and away from the first retail display unit when the gate is moved into use. |
| US09217272B2 |
Automatic door with emergency rescue system
Automatic doors have become commonplace in hospitals or retirement homes to facilitate entry into auxiliary rooms, such as bathrooms. Unfortunately, when a patient becomes incapacitated inside the bathroom, the door often becomes obstructed by the patient, making entry into the bathroom through the door impossible without further injuring the patient. In many instances removal of adjacent walls is required to gain entry into the room. The automatic door of the present invention includes a retractable door stop enabling reverse rotation of the door, and sensors for automatically setting and resetting the automatic door controls when the door is opened and closed in either direction. |
| US09217269B2 |
Hinge assembly
A hinge assembly includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket defines a first bracket surface and a second bracket surface opposite the first bracket surface. The hinge assembly further includes a first link pivotally coupled to the first and second brackets. The first link extends along a first longitudinal axis. The hinge assembly further includes a first, second, third, and fourth links pivotally coupled to the first and second brackets. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth links is pivotally coupled to the first and second brackets such that the second bracket is movable relative to the first bracket between a first bracket position and a second bracket position. |
| US09217268B2 |
Furniture hinge
A furniture hinge includes a carrier arm and a door fitting having a recessed cup that is rotatably disposed at one end of the carrier arm. A fastening plate is adjustably connected to another end of the carrier arm. A mounting plate is longitudinally adjustably attached to the fastening plate and is attachable to a furniture body. Either the fastening plate or the mounting plate includes a guide wall having a guide slot where the guide wall is bent perpendicularly to a plane of the respective plate. The other of the fastening plate or the mounting plate includes a guide tongue extending into the guide slot where the guide tongue is parallel to a plane of the other respective plate. |
| US09217265B2 |
Joint lock
A joint lock comprises a lock body and a joint bar hoop, wherein the lock body accommodates a lock cylinder and a latch which is selectably movable by the lock cylinder from a locked position into a release position and wherein the joint bar hoop comprises a plurality of joint bars pivotally linked to one another, wherein a first end of the joint bar hoop has an elongate closing bar which can be introduced into an introduction opening of the lock body and which can be locked in the lock body by means of the latch. The joint lock is characterized in that the lock body furthermore accommodates a preloading device which preloads the latch into the locking position, with the latch being temporarily movable against the preloading from the locking position into the release position by introduction of the locking bar into the lock body, with the preloading device being adapted to move the latch back into the locking position again when the locking bar is completely introduced into the lock body. |
| US09217254B2 |
Suspension platform system
A suspension platform system having a work platform suspended from at least one modular mast by a hoisting system. The modular mast is composed of at least two mast units stacked vertically and attached to one another. Each mast unit has a multifunction rail including a plurality of safety engagement devices and a stabilizer guide device. The work platform has at least one mast stabilizer that cooperate with the stabilizer guide device to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform. The hoisting system includes a carriages, hoist, and mast cable. The carriage engages the associated mast so that the carriage may be conveniently slid up and down the mast. |
| US09217253B2 |
Floor underlayment having self-sealing vapor barrier
A flooring material having a textile pad substructure with a density of greater than 10 pounds per cubic foot is provided. The textile pad has reinforcement and binding fibers. The binding fibers are thermoplastic and are used to bind the reinforcement fibers together. The pad is created by heating and compressing a fibrous textile batt so that it has a density of greater than 13 pounds per cubic foot. |
| US09217251B2 |
Articles and methods for laying ceramic tile floor
Ceramic floors and methods of making thereof such that the ceramic tiles are quickly and easily removable from the floor substrate and replaceable at a future date, and the ceramic flooring has crack isolation.A ceramic tile floor is laid by releasably adhering a sheet to a floor substrate using a releasable and not repositionable adhesive and bonding at least one ceramic tile to the sheet with a mortar.The sheet has a non-porous layer which is adhered to the substrate, a paper layer, and a water barrier layer to prevent swelling of the paper layer by water from the mortar and to thereby prevent lippage. The sheet may have an other paper layer to which the mortar is bonded. |
| US09217250B2 |
Floor panel and floor covering consisting of a plurality of such floor panels
The invention relates to a floor panel, in particular a laminated floor panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled floor panels according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method for mutually coupling two floor panels, in particular laminated floor panels, according to the invention. |
| US09217243B2 |
Drain cleaning tool
The tool for cleaning a drain includes a handle, a strip member, and an end piece. The handle inserts and removes the tool from the drain. The strip member has an elongated and undulated shape and is formed by segments. Each segment has a curvature with a concave side and convex side, which alternate from adjacent segments. Each segment also has barbs on each concave side. The barbs are shielded by an adjacent convex side of an adjacent segment. The end piece connects to a bottom segment of the strip member and has a collar and tip. The collar has a protective shoulder to shield barbs of the bottom segment and an actuatable spike to collect debris when bent. The tip has a distal point with prongs and a distal shoulder, which shields the prongs. The tip may also include a shaft with shaft barbs protected by a shaft shoulder. |
| US09217242B1 |
System for remote fire hydrant reconnaissance
Fire hydrants each have a band of lamps strapped around them, the lamps powered by a solar collector battery circuit. An RF signal is transmitted to a receiver in the circuit by a remote responder causing the lamps to light up with a coded color related to the water flow rating of each of the hydrants and with a blink rate related to the water pressure of each of the hydrants. Upon arriving at the fire scene responders are able to select an appropriate hydrant for the location and size of the fire. The circuit is able to transmit flow and pressure information to the responders which information is presented on a display screen for early reconnaissance of the water resources at the fire scene. |
| US09217239B2 |
Hybrid construction machine
Provided is a hybrid construction machine capable of preventing overcharge, comprising: an engine; a generator-motor; a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic actuator to be operated by the hydraulic pump as a hydraulic pressure source; an actuator regeneration section to make a regenerative action of generating actuator regenerated-electric-power through return fluid from the hydraulic actuator; an electric storage device; a charging-rate detector; and a control section. The control section performs: causing the electric storage device to be charged with electric power generated by the generator-motor and the actuator regenerated-electric-power; causing the generator-motor to make a motor action through electric power stored in the electric storage device to assist the engine; and a regeneration control including stopping the generator action and restricting the actuator regenerated-electric-power, when a detected charging rate of the electric storage device is not smaller than a preset charging-rate limitation value. |
| US09217236B2 |
Work vehicle
A hydraulic excavator includes a urea aqueous solution injection device, a urea aqueous solution tank, a pump, a first pipe, and a second pipe. The urea aqueous solution injection device is disposed in an engine compartment, and injects an aqueous solution of urea to clean exhaust gas. The urea aqueous solution tank stores the aqueous solution of urea. The pump draws up the aqueous solution of urea form the urea aqueous solution tank and supplies it to the urea aqueous solution injection device. The first pipe connects the reductant tank to the pump, and supplies the aqueous solution of urea from the reductant tank to the pump. The second pipe connects the pump to the reductant injection device, supplies the aqueous solution of urea from the pump to the reductant injection device, and has a smaller inside diameter than the first pipe. |
| US09217233B2 |
Adjustable weir for hydroelectric dam installations
A system for controllably adjusting spent water levels in the tailrace pool area of a hydroelectric power-generating dam installed into a waterway. The system comprises: (a) a controllably adjustable weir device installed into a downstream portion of the waterway adjacent a distal end of the tailrace pool area. The controllably adjustable weir device is configured for controllably impeding the egress of spent water from the tailrace pool area, (b) an apparatus provided with operative components configured for manipulating the controllably adjustable weir device to controllably increase and decrease the impediment therewith of spent water egress from the tailrace pool area. The operative components are serviceable from above the spent water, and (c) a control device configured for communicating and cooperating with the apparatus for manipulating the controllably adjustable weir therewith. The controllably adjustable weir device may be optionally installed into an excavation provided downstream adjacent to the tailrace pool area. |
| US09217232B2 |
Fish levitation system
A levitation system communicates fish mutually exclusively upstream and downstream, with minimal trauma to fish, in harmony with their homing instinct and natural levitation process, in discrete micro-steps aggregated in macro steps, with optimally adjusted water flows, through capsules of stations differing in elevation by 50 to 100 feet, connected through inclined conduits in series and in parallel. The process starts with electricity from a utility to pump water from the forebay to the dam crest. Water moves slowly in controlled cascades through stations from crest to the afterbay. Surplus electricity is generated as pressure is adjusted at each station. Cooler water drawn from below the surface of the forebay is blended at stations along the passageway and spent water is flushed. Energy losses are attributable mainly to attraction flow at the station a few feet above the afterbay and are mitigated by a moderate negative pressure to control flow. |
| US09217230B2 |
Barrier system
A barrier system including a guardrail, a support to hold the guardrail in position and a fastener to attach the guardrail to the support, wherein the support has a weakened zone to facilitate the fastener releasing from the support when the support is subject to impact forces. |
| US09217229B2 |
Barriers
A barrier apparatus (1) comprising a first support means (2a) and a separate second support means (2b), a flexible coupling means (20) attached to the first support means defining a through-opening (21A), a bridging member (4) supporting said flexible coupling means, wherein the bridging member is attached movably to the first support means to be movable to and from a position which places said through-opening in alignment with the second support means, and the second support means includes an obstruction part (11) adapted to extend through said through-opening when said through-opening is placed in said alignment with the second support means thereby to obstruct removal of said through-opening from said alignment with the second support means to provide a barrier comprising said flexible coupling means which extends between the first support means and the second support means. |
| US09217224B2 |
Print head arrangement and method of depositing a substance
A system for depositing a substance onto a substrate comprises continuously transporting the substrate in a transport direction while traversing a deposition arrangement across the substrate to deposit the substance in a number of swathes. During such movement the positions of the deposition arrangement and the substrate are controlled with respect to one another such that the swathes complement one another to provide substantially uniform coverage of the substrate. As a result of the defined arrangement, improved substrate speeds can be achieved since there is no need for the substrate to stop at each traverse. |
| US09217216B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine that circulates wash water and, at the same time, generates bubbles in the wash water. The washing machine includes a machine body, a tub disposed in the machine body. a tub cover provided above the tub, a pump mounted below the tub, and a circulation unit, having one end coupled to the pump and the other end coupled to the tub cover, to circulate wash water from the pump to the tub. The circulation unit includes a first channel, a second channel communicating with the first channel, the second channel having a smaller sectional area than the first channel, and an air inlet port provided in the second channel to allow air to be introduced into the circulation unit therethrough. |
| US09217212B2 |
Oven with gas circulation system and method
An oxidation oven with a heated chamber for treating fibers, the heated chamber having two opposing sides, each side with a plurality of gaps to allow the fibers to pass to and from the heated chamber. Embodiments of the invention provide capture ducts, which are configured to be under negative pressure, the capture ducts draw-in heated chamber air that would otherwise flow through the gaps. Embodiments of the invention provide supply ducts, which are configured to be under positive pressure and provide heated air near the gaps. Embodiments of the invention provide louvers positioned near the gaps, the louvers are configured to reduce the flow of heated chamber air that would otherwise pass through the gaps. |
| US09217211B2 |
Method for fabricating nanofibers
Nanofibers are fabricated in a continuous process by introducing a polymer solution into a dispersion medium, which flows through a conduit and shears the dispersion medium. Liquid strands, streaks or droplets of the polymer solution are continuously shear-spun into elongated fibers. An inorganic precursor may be introduced with the polymer solution, resulting in fibers that include inorganic fibrils. The resulting composite inorganic/polymer fibers may be provided as an end product. Alternatively, the polymer may be removed to liberate the inorganic fibrils, which may be of the same or smaller cross-section as the polymer fibers and may be provided as an end product. |
| US09217209B2 |
Methods for epitaxial silicon growth
Methods of cleaning substrates and growing epitaxial silicon thereon are provided. Wafers are exposed to a plasma for a sufficient time prior to epitaxial silicon growth, in order to clean the wafers. The methods exhibit enhanced selectivity and reduced lateral growth of epitaxial silicon. The wafers may have dielectric areas that are passivated by the exposure of the wafer to a plasma. |
| US09217208B2 |
Apparatus for producing single crystal
The present invention is an apparatus for producing a single crystal, growing the single crystal by the Czochralski method and comprising at least: a main chamber in which a crucible for accommodating a raw material melt and a heater for heating the raw material melt are arranged; a pulling chamber into which the grown single crystal is pulled and accommodated, the pulling chamber being continuously provided above the main chamber; and a cooling cylinder extending at least from a ceiling of the main chamber toward a surface of the raw material melt so as to surround the single crystal during pulling, the cooling cylinder being forcibly cooled with a cooling medium. As a result, there is provided an apparatus for producing a single crystal that can increase the growth rate of the single crystal by efficiently cooling the single crystal during the growth. |
| US09217206B2 |
Enhanced porosification
Forming a porous layer on a silicon substrate. Forming the porous layer can include placing a first silicon substrate in a solution, where a first electrode is within a threshold distance to an edge of the silicon substrate. It can further include conducting a first current through the silicon substrate, where the first electrode can be positioned relative to the edge allowing for substantially uniform porosification along the edge of the first silicon substrate. |
| US09217204B2 |
Control of temperature and operation of inert electrodes during production of aluminum metal
The present invention relates to methods for operating and controlling the temperature of inert electrodes during production of molten aluminum by electrolysis of an aluminous ore, preferably alumina, dissolved in molten salts, preferably a fluoride based electrolyte, in an electrolysis cell with vertical or essentially vertical electrode configuration.The invention describes methods of designing and operating inert electrodes in a vertical and/or inclined position for production of aluminum metal, where said electrodes have an operating temperature that may deviate from the electrolyte temperature, thereby controlling the dissolution of electrode materials and preventing solid deposit formation on the electrodes. The present invention is also applicable to aluminum production cells utilizing inert electrodes in a horizontal configuration, and traditional Hall-Hèroult cells retrofitted with inert anodes. |
| US09217203B2 |
Hydrogen gas generator
A hydrogen generating device comprising an anode, a cathode, a housing having an internal cavity and a perforated wall within the cavity electrically connected to the anode or the cathode and separating an end portion of the cavity from a main portion of the cavity. The device includes water in the housing extending continuously from the main portion of the cavity through the perforated wall and into the end portion of the cavity. The housing includes two ends and a perforated wall within the cavity near each end separating end portions of the cavity from a main portion of the cavity, the anode or the cathode extending through one end of the housing through one perforated wall into the main portion of the cavity, through the other perforated wall into the other end portion of the cavity and through the other end of the housing. |
| US09217197B2 |
Methods for depositing a layer on a substrate using surface energy modulation
Methods for depositing layers on substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming a layer on a substrate having at least one feature disposed therein includes forming a conformal layer on an upper surface of the substrate and within the at least one feature by sputtering a target material using a first plasma that reduces the surface energy of the target material such that the sputtered target material wets the upper surface of the substrate and the at least one feature to form the conformal layer; and filling at least a portion of the at least one feature by sputtering the target material using a second plasma different from the first plasma to increase the surface energy of the sputtered target material and the conformal layer such that at least portions of the conformal layer are pulled into the at least one feature by capillary action. |
| US09217196B2 |
Method for forming DLC film on spline shaft and hot cathode PIG plasma CVD device
Plural spline shafts are arranged around columnar plasma, and plural spline shafts are coaxially aligned in a direction that the columnar plasma extends within a vacuum chamber. The plural coaxially aligned spline shafts are positioned so that axial gap is formed between the respective male spline sections. The axial gap of the plural male spline sections is positioned at a center of the columnar plasma in the direction that the columnar plasma extends. |
| US09217189B2 |
Extraction of uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid
A process for extracting uranium compounds from wet-process phosphoric acid (WPA) includes lowering iron content of WPA to produce a lowered iron WPA, reducing valency of any remaining iron in the lowered iron WPA to produce a reduced iron valency WPA. Uranium compounds are extracted from the reduced iron valency WPA via a solvent extraction process. |
| US09217188B2 |
System and method for integrated waste storage
The present invention provides integrated bunker storage systems for waste streams based on the composition and characteristics of waste streams. In particular, the present invention provides a process for generating individual waste streams based on a set of material characteristics. According to the system and method of the present invention, individual waste streams from wastes stored in bunkers are mixed in a given feed ratio to generate a feed stock that will produce a desired output from a chemical conversion process, e.g., gasification. Optionally, composition data regarding the feed stock can be certified to a third party. |
| US09217185B2 |
Method of reduction processing of steel-making slag
The method of reduction processing of steel-making slag, includes: a hot steel-making slag inflow process of continuously or intermittently charging, from a slag supplying container, hot steel-making slag to a molten slag layer on a molten iron contained in an electric furnace while adjusting an amount of inflow with the slag supplying container; a reducing agent supplying process of supplying a reducing agent to the molten slag layer; an electrifying and heating process of heating the molten iron and the molten slag layer through application of electric power; and a reduction process of continuing reduction processing of the hot steel-making slag in a non-oxidizing atmosphere while intermittently discharging either one or both of the molten iron or molten slag of the molten slag layer. |
| US09217183B2 |
Method for producing isopropanol and recombinant yeast capable of producing isopropanol
Isopropanol is produced with good productivity via fermentation processes. Specifically, isopropanol is produced at a high level in a medium by culturing recombinant yeast into which an acetoacetyl CoA synthase gene and a group of genes (isopropanol synthesis-related gene group) encoding a group of enzymes for synthesis of isopropanol from acetoacetyl CoA have been introduced. |
| US09217182B2 |
Process controls for molecular assay
A full process control for use with a molecular assay and a method of determine the efficacy of the molecular assay. A full process control can include a fixed cell, and specifically can include a fixed vegetative cell. A method of determining the efficacy of a molecular assay can include providing an internal control, mixing the internal control with a sample, lysing the internal control and the sample, and detecting the lysis product. The full process control and/or the internal control can be Bacillus subtilis cells. |
| US09217179B2 |
Systems and methods for multiplexed electrochemical detection
Contemplated methods and devices comprise performing electrochemical sample analysis in a multiplexed electrochemical detector having reduced electrical cross-talk. The electrochemical detector includes electrodes that share a common lead from a plurality of leads. The sample, which may be a liquid sample, is introduced into one or more sample wells and a signal is applied to at least one of the electrodes. A response signal is measured while simultaneously applying a substantially fixed potential to each of a remainder of the plurality of leads. |
| US09217176B2 |
Methods of monitoring conditions by sequence analysis
There is a need for improved methods for determining the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with conditions, including autoimmune disease and cancer. Provided herein are methods for using DNA sequencing to identify personalized biomarkers in patients with autoimmune disease and other conditions. Identified biomarkers can be used to determine the disease state for a subject with an autoimmune disease or other condition. |
| US09217173B2 |
Method of polyadenylation and CDNA synthesis in a single reaction
This invention relates to a process for synthesis of a cDNA in a sample, in an enzymatic reaction, wherein the process comprises the steps: simultaneous preparation of a first enzyme with polyadenylation activity, a second enzyme with reverse transcriptase activity, a buffer, at least one ribonucleotide, at least one deoxyribonucleotide, an anchor oligonucleotide; addition of a sample that comprises a ribonucleic acid; and incubation of the agents of the previous steps in one or more temperature steps, which are selected such that the first enzyme and the second enzyme show activity. The invention further relates to a reaction mixture that comprises a first enzyme with polyadenylation activity, a second enzyme with reverse transcriptase activity, optionally a buffer, optionally at least one ribonucleotide, optionally at least one deoxyribonucleotide, and optionally an anchor oligonucleotide. Moreover, the invention relates to a kit that comprises a corresponding reaction mixture. |
| US09217171B2 |
Colorimetric device for detecting, in an aqueous solution of interest, hydrolytic enzymatic activity with regard to at least one polymer of interest
This invention concerns a colorimetric device for detecting, in an aqueous solution of interest, a hydrolytic enzymatic activity with regard to at least one polymer of interest.This device (1) includes (i) a substrate (2) and (ii) a transparent detection layer (3), including the said polymer of interest.This detection layer (3) is adapted so that, on the one hand, after application of the said aqueous solution of interest, when it is deprived of said hydrolytic enzymatic activity, it preserves the said first thickness e, and on the other, after the application of the said aqueous solution of interest, when it includes the said hydrolytic enzymatic activity, it has a second thickness e′, thinner than the said first thickness e,and the said first thickness e and/or the said second thickness e′ of the said detection layer (3) are adapted to generate a color by an optical interference phenomenon caused by the recombining of the light beams reflected at the interfaces (4, 5) of the said detection layer (5). |
| US09217169B2 |
Synthetic pathway enzymes for the production of argyrins
The invention provides the amino acid sequences comprised in or constituting the synthetic pathway enzymes participating in the production of Argyrins, as well as the nucleic acid sequences encoding the synthetic pathway enzymes participating in the production of Argyrins, as well as genetically manipulated microorganisms containing nucleic acid sequences encoding the synthetic pathway enzymes for the production of Argyrins, e.g. for inserting one or more of these coding sequences, mutating in a targeted manner one or more of these nucleic acid sequences, in a wild type producer micro-organism or in a heterologous micro-organism, for the production of Argyrins. |
| US09217162B2 |
Method and apparatus for anaerobic digestion for crop stalk
This disclosure discloses a process and an anaerobic digestion system for crop stalk/straw. The process in one example comprises (A) Feeding, (B) Heating and Digestion at the set temperature, (C) Discharging of Biogas, Sludge and Effluent. The system in one example comprises (I) High Solid Content Digester (II) Hydro-Circulation Digester and (III) Stalk/Straw Feeder. Steps (A), (B) and (C) are accomplished in the devices (I) and (II). |
| US09217160B2 |
Adenoviral assembly method
Methods of assembling modified adenoviruses, libraries of adenoviral gene modules and compositions thereof are provided herein. |
| US09217158B2 |
Replication-defective flavivirus vaccines and vaccine vectors
This invention provides replication-defective flavivirus vaccines and vaccine vectors, and corresponding compositions and methods. |
| US09217157B2 |
Recombinant influenza viruses and uses thereof
Modified influenza virus NS gene segments and nucleic acid sequences encoding such modified influenza virus NS gene segments are described. In certain embodiments, a modified influenza virus NS gene segment comprises an influenza virus NS 1 open reading frame (ORF) lacking a stop codon, a heterologous nucleotide sequence, a 2A autoproteolytic cleavage site or another cleavage site, an NEP ORF, wherein the gene segment has one or more mutations in either the splice acceptor site, splice donor site, or both the splice acceptor and splice donor sites that prevents splicing of mRNA. Also recombinant influenza viruses comprising a modified influenza virus NS gene segment and the use of such viruses are described. The recombinant influenza viruses may be used in the prevention and/or treatment of influenza virus disease or as a delivery vector. |
| US09217154B2 |
Actinomycete integrative and conjugative element from Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 as plasmid for genetic transformation of related Actinobacteria
The present invention is directed to an innate DNA sequence within the complete genome sequence of Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 which resembles the structure of an actinomycete integrative and conjugative element (AICE). Related AICEs were used for establishing genetic manipulation tools for other bacteria in the past. In this document, we describe the unique features of the specific AICE found in Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 which are clearly distinct from any other known AICE as a whole, but share minor parts with varying sequence similarity with other characterized AiCEs from other species. |
| US09217153B2 |
Antibiotic-free plasmids
The present invention provides a method of maintaining a gram negative bacterium plasmid without the use of antibiotic selection pressure. Further, the invention relates to the drugless plasmids produced including drugless plasmids containing a heterologous gene. The invention also provides formulations and/or compositions comprising the drugless plasmids comprising a heterologous gene, formulations and/or compositions comprising a protein or an immunogen expressed using the drugless plasmids, and methods of administering such formulations and/or compositions to a host. The invention relates to gram negative bacteria containing the drugless plasmids. |
| US09217149B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer, comprising at least one selected from deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) for encoding small interfering RNA (siRNA) which complementarily binds to the base sequence of the transcript (mRNA transcript) of the FLJ25416 gene, represented by sequence number 3, sequence number 5, and sequence number 7 to inhibit the intracellular expression of the FLJ25416 gene, antisense RNA which inhibits expression of the FLJ25416 gene, and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) which inhibits expression of the FLJ25416 gene. As the siRNA, which is complementary to the base sequence of the transcript (mRNA transcript) of the FLJ25416 gene, the antisense RNA, and the shRNA, according to the present invention, inhibit expression of the FLJ25416 gene which is known to be expressed in cancer cells, and thus kill cancer cells, the composition of the present invention can be used as a novel anti-cancer agent. |
| US09217147B2 |
Spinal muscular atrophy treatment via targeting SMN2 catalytic core
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for blocking the effect of the intronic inhibitory splicing region of intron 7 of the SMN2 gene. The compositions and methods of the instant invention include short oligonucleotide reagents (e.g., oligoribonucleotides) that effectively target sites in the SMN2 pre-mRNA, thereby modulating the splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA to include exon 7 in the processed transcript. The short target regions are 8-mers and 5-mers and also include the identification of a single nucleotide base that is essential for initiating a long distance stearic inhibitory interactions as well as novel targets distant from intron 7 which block the intronic inhibitory splicing of the same. These short target regions and concomitant inhibitory blocking oligonucleotides are less expensive and easier to manufacture and are small enough to cross the blood brain barrier. |
| US09217143B2 |
Polynucleotide capture materials, and methods of using same
Disclosed are methods for isolating polynucleotides (e.g., RNA and DNA) from a cell-containing sample. The disclosed methods employ polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer molecules bound to the surface of binding particles to capture and isolate the polynucleotides from the samples. The polynucleotides are released from the binding particles by contacting the binding particles with a release solution having a basic pH. |
| US09217142B2 |
Culture method and culture device for culturing cells adhered onto an electrode layer
There is provided a culture method and a culture device for efficiently producing cells and/or cell tissue suitable for medication applications. The culture method may include a first step of adhering the cells onto the electrode layer and culturing the cells thereon. The electrode layer may be coated with an oligopeptide including a terminal amino acid, a cell adhesive sequence, and an alternating sequence to be bound to the one end side of the cell-adhesive sequence. The alternating sequence may include a plurality of acidic amino acids and a plurality of basic amino acids that are alternately bound to each other one by one. The culture method may include a second step of applying, to the electrode layer having the cells adhered thereonto, an electrical potential inducing reductive desorption of the oligopeptide, to thereby detach the cells from the electrode layer. |
| US09217140B2 |
Fungal strain Beauveria sp. MTCC 5184 and a process for the preparation of enzymes therefrom
A fungal strain Beauveria species bearing accession number MTCC 5184 is disclosed. The process for the preparation of an enzyme mix including at least one enzyme selected from, but not limited to protease, carbohydrase, and lipase from the disclosed Beauveria species and uses of the enzyme mix in various areas also disclosed. |
| US09217134B1 |
Aptamer drug for detoxification of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin
Aptamers and methods of use thereof are presented for the treatment or diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus infection. The aptamers binds to and capable of neutralization of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. |
| US09217125B2 |
Organic cleaning composition
Organic cleaner/detergent compositions, formulations and solutions, and methods of cleaning using such compositions, formulations and solutions and manufacturing such compositions, formulations and solutions are disclosed. More particularly, compositions; formulations and solutions used for the cleaning and/or cleansing of a variety of industrial, domestic and/or communal hard surfaces, fiber/soft surfaces, including all natural, organic, synthetic and blended fibers, and organic surfaces, including, but not limited to, human skin and hair and animal skin and hair are disclosed. Such compositions, formulations and solutions are useful as laundry detergents, automatic dishwasher detergents, hard surface cleaners, hand soaps, human shampoos, and animal shampoos. |
| US09217119B2 |
Extraction of lipids from living cells utilizing liquid CO2
A process for the extraction of lipids from living cells utilizing liquid carbon dioxide optionally in the presence of a porous inorganic matrix or polymer coating as well as additional solvents to improve extraction efficiency. The cells may also optionally be treated a photosensitive material to promote cellular photosynthesis. |
| US09217111B2 |
Process for converting a solid biomass material
A process for converting a solid biomass material by contacting the solid biomass material with a catalytic cracking catalyst at a temperature of more than 400° C. in a riser reactor to produce one or more cracked products is provided, wherein the riser reactor is an internal riser reactor. |
| US09217102B2 |
Amide branched aromatic gelling agents
A downhole fluid comprises a base fluid, for example a hydrocarbon base fluid, and a gelling agent. The gelling agent has an aromatic core of one or more aromatic rings, the gelling agent having two or more amide branches distributed about the aromatic core, each of the two or more amide branches having one or more organic groups. An example gelling agent is a pyromellitamide gelling agent. The pyromellitamide gelling agent may have the general formula of: with R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 each being a hydrogen or an organic group. Methods of use and composition are discussed. |
| US09217095B2 |
Organic-inorganic complex, and composition for forming same
The organic-inorganic complex of the present invention is made using an organic-inorganic complex-forming composition containing the following components a) to c): a) at least one organic silicon compound represented by the formula (I) RnSiX4-n and in which a molar ratio of an organic silicon compound in which a solubility parameter of R (SP1) obtained by a Fedors' estimation method is smaller than a solubility parameter of an electromagnetic ray-curable compound (SP2) obtained by the Fedors' estimation method and a difference between the SP1 and the SP2 is 2.0 or more (Si1) to an organic silicon compound in which SP1 is smaller than SP2 and a difference between the SP1 and the SP2 is less than 2.0 or an organic silicon compound in which SP1 is larger than SP2 (Si2) (Si1:Si2) is within the range of 8:2 to 10:0, and/or a condensate of the organic silicon compound; b) an electromagnetic ray-curable compound; and c) metal compound particles. |
| US09217093B1 |
Palladium ink compositions
An ink includes a palladium salt, an organic amine that forms a palladium complex from the palladium salt, and, at least one solvent, the solvent has a boiling point at about the decomposition temperature of the palladium complex. |
| US09217092B2 |
Inkjet recording method, inkjet recording device, and ink recorded matter
An inkjet recording method, containing: applying a stimulus to an inkjet recording ink to jet the ink, to form an image on a recording medium, wherein the ink contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent, a colorant, and a surfactant, and has a predetermined surface life time as measured by a maximum bubble pressure method and a predetermined static surface tension, wherein the recording medium contains a support, and a recording layer provided at least one surface of the support, where the recording layer contains a cationic resin in a predetermined amount, and is a medium for a concealing postcard where the recording medium is folded to bond a surface of the recording layer to face each other with an adhesive after information is recorded on the surface of the recording layer, in which the surface of the recording layer has a predetermined 10-sec Cobb size degree. |
| US09217091B2 |
Inkjet recording ink and ink cartridge using the ink, inkjet recording apparatus, inkjet recording method and ink recorded matter
An inkjet recording ink, including: water; a water-soluble solvent; a pigment; and a phosphate group-containing copolymer, wherein the phosphate group-containing copolymer includes a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1) and a structural unit represented by the following structural formula (1): wherein, in the general formula (1), R1 represents either of a hydrogen atom and a methyl group; and M+ represents any of an alkali metal ion, an organic ammonium ion, an organic amine ion and a hydrogen ion, one-half or more of the M+ in the copolymer is an alkali metal ion, an organic ammonium ion or an organic amine, and the remainder is a hydrogen ion: |
| US09217089B2 |
Ink for inkjet recording
An ink for inkjet recording includes water; a hydrosoluble solvent, a pigment, and a copolymer including a salt of a diphosphonic acid group. The copolymer including a salt of a diphosphonic acid group includes structural units having the following formulae (1) and (2): X represents an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, each of R1 and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, M+ represents an alkali metal ion, an organic ammonium ion or a proton and Z1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms. The alkali metal ion or the organic ammonium ion and the proton may be mixed, and half or more of the M+ are alkali metal ions or the organic ammonium ions. |
| US09217087B2 |
Corrosion inhibitors
A corrosion inhibitor composition for use in coating compositions on metal surfaces, or in metal containers, to provide corrosion resistance to said metals. The corrosion inhibitor comprises at least one alkoxylated phosphate ester; and at least one borate ester. The corrosion inhibitor composition optionally comprises at least one inorganic metal salt. There is also provided an end-use coating composition comprising said corrosion inhibitor composition, and a method of providing corrosion resistance to a metal surface by applying said coating composition thereto. |
| US09217084B2 |
Constrained microlayer cellular material with high stiffness and damping
Composite materials with high damping and high stiffness at relatively low density. These materials include three-dimensional structures of interconnected ligaments, which have multiple concentric layers alternating between stiff constraining layers and soft damping layers, so that bulk deformation of the structure results in high local shear strain and correspondingly high bulk damping. |
| US09217080B2 |
Microcapsules
The present invention concerns microcapsules comprising a capsule core and a capsule wall, the capsule wall being constructed from 30% to 90% by weightof one or more C1-C24-alkyl esters of acrylic and/ or methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and/or maleic acid (monomers I), 10% to 70% by weightof a mixture of divinyl and polyvinyl monomers (monomers II), the fraction of polyvinyl monomers being in the range from 2% to 90% by weight based on the monomers II, and also 0% to 30% by weightof one or more miscellaneous monomers (monomer III), all based on the total weight of the monomers, a process for their production and their use in textiles, bindered building materials and heat transfer fluids. |
| US09217077B2 |
Sulfur-crosslinkable rubberizing mixture
A sulfur-crosslinkable rubberizing mixture for strengthening elements in motor vehicle pneumatic tires comprises 70 to 100 phr (parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of total rubbers in the mixture) of natural rubber, up to 30 phr of at least one polybutadiene, 40 to 70 phr of at least one carbon black and a bonding system. Further, motor vehicle pneumatic tires are disclosed that comprise the sulfur-crosslinked rubberizing mixture. The key conflict between tear propagation resistance, stiffness and heat build-up is solved by virtue of the carbon black being a nanostructured carbon black with a rough surface. |
| US09217074B2 |
Moldings based on reaction products of polyols and isocyanates
Molding compositions are provided that include a) one or more polyisocyanates, b) one or more polyols, c) one or more catalysts catalyzing the reaction between polyisocyanate and polyol, d) one or more pyrogenically produced oxides of a metal or of a metalloid, and e) at least one or more siloxanes. |
| US09217071B2 |
Fluorescent compound, method for producing the same, and fluorescent resin composition
The present invention provides a fluorescent compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 to R4 each independently represent a substituent selected from a linear, branched or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, halogen atom, hydrogen atom, amino group, cyano group, amine-containing group, and siloxane-containing group; with the proviso that when an amine-containing group as the substituent is not included, at least one of R1 to R4 is a siloxane-containing group represented by Sx-A-, and that when an amine-containing group as the substituent is included, at least one of R1 to R4 and a substituent of the amine-containing group is a siloxane-containing group represented by Sx-A-; a method of producing the same; and a fluorescent resin composition containing the same. |
| US09217070B2 |
Black colorant mixture
A black colorant mixture comprising a bis-oxodihydro-indolylene-benzodifuranone colorant and a perylene colorant is disclosed which provides high blackness and NIR transparency combined with low conductivity for organic coating films used in display devices. Especially, a black matrix for color filter applications and black column spacers are described used in LCD devices. Further, the black colorant mixture can be used in bezels of a display device equipped with a touch sensor. |
| US09217068B2 |
Alkaline earth metal aluminate spinels and methods for the preparation and use thereof
High surface area alkaline earth aluminate spinel materials are disclosed, together with methods for the preparation thereof from one or more alkaline earth metal salts and a water soluble non-ionic polymer. A nanocrystalline alkaline earth metal aluminate spinel prepared according to the method is also provided. |
| US09217065B2 |
Binder compositions for making fiberglass products
Fiberglass mats, binder compositions, and methods for making the same are provided. The fiberglass mat can include a plurality of glass fibers and an at least partially cured binder composition. The binder composition, prior to at least partial curing, can include a first copolymer modified by reaction with one or more base compounds. The first copolymer can include one or more unsaturated carboxylic acids, one or more unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides, or a combination thereof, and one or more vinyl aromatic derived units. The first copolymer can have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about 500 to about 200,000. The first copolymer can be present in an amount ranging from about 60 wt % to about 95 wt %, based on a combined weight of the first copolymer and the one or more base compounds. |
| US09217063B2 |
Conjugated polymer compound
A conjugated polymer compound is disclosed. The conjugated polymer compound includes a conjugated polymeric main chain; and a porphyrin compound having absorption in a blue light region of solar radiation, and is bonded to the polymeric main chain to form a side chain on the polymeric main chain. |
| US09217059B2 |
Method for preparing a composition comprising perfluoropolyether having a carboxyl group at one terminal
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently and highly selectively preparing a composition comprising a perfluoropolyether having a carboxyl group at one terminal at a higher ratio. The present invention provides a method for increasing a ratio of a perfluoropolyether having a carboxyl group at one terminal, relative to a total amount of the perfluoropolyether having a carboxyl group at one terminal and a perfluoropolyether having carboxyl groups at both terminals in a composition comprising these perfluoropolyethers, wherein the method comprises a step of subjecting the composition to chromatography in which a moving phase is supercritical or subcritical state carbon dioxide of the specific temperature and the specific pressure, and a stationary phase is silica gel to thereby collect a fraction containing the perfluoropolyether having a carboxyl group at one terminal at a higher ratio. Further, present invention provides for increasing a ratio of a perfluoropolyether having a carboxyl group at one terminal, relative to a total amount of the perfluoropolyether having a carboxyl group at one terminal, a perfluoropolyether having carboxyl groups at both terminals and a perfluoropolyether having no carboxyl group at any terminal perfluoropolyether, in a composition comprising these perfluoropolyethers, wherein the method comprises a step of subjecting the composition to chromatography in which a moving phase is supercritical or subcritical state carbon dioxide of the specific temperature and the specific pressure, and a stationary phase is silica gel to thereby collect a fraction containing the perfluoropolyether having a carboxyl group at one terminal at a higher ratio. |
| US09217054B2 |
Process for production of di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series
Process for the production of di- and poly(diamino diphenyl methane) comprising the steps of (a) reacting aniline and formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce a reaction mixture containing di- and polyamines; (b) neutralizing the reaction mixture containing di- and polyamines; (c) separating the neutralized reaction mixture into an organic phase containing di- and polyamines and an aqueous phase; (d) further treating the organic phase separated off in step (c) by (d1) washing with water followed by (d2) separating the washed mixture into an organic phase and an aqueous phase and (d3) further fractionation of the organic phase to produce purified di- and polyamines on the one hand and aniline/water on the other hand; (e) further treating the aqueous phase separated off in step (c) by (e1) washing with aniline followed by (e2) separating the washed mixture into an aqueous phase and an organic phase and (e3) further treatment of the aqueous phase to remove the aniline thereby leaving an effluent stream wherein phase separation in step (c) and/or step (e2) is facilitated by using any of the following methods either on its own or in combination with one or more of the other methods: (A) removal of some of the water from the neutralized reaction mixture obtained in step (b) or the aqueous phase separated in step (c); (B) addition of inorganic salt to the neutralized reaction mixture obtained in step (b) or the aqueous phase separated in step (c); (C) return of some of the aqueous phase obtained in step (e2) or (e3) to the neutralized reaction mixture obtained in step (b) or to the washed mixture in step (e1). |
| US09217053B2 |
Active ester resin, thermosetting resin composition, cured product of same, semiconductor encapsulation material, prepreg, circuit board, and build-up film
A cured product exhibits good heat resistance and flame retardancy as well as low dielectric constant and low loss tangent. A phosphorus-containing compound (i) obtained by a reaction between an aromatic aldehyde (a1) having an alkoxy group as a substituent on a nucleus and an organic phosphorus compound (a2) having a P—H group or a P—OH group in a molecular structure is reacted with a phenolic substance (a3) to obtain a phosphorus-containing phenolic substance (A1). Then the phosphorus-containing phenolic substance (A1) is reacted with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or an anhydride or dihalide of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or a C2-6 saturated dicarboxylic acid or an anhydride or dihalide of a C2-6 saturated dicarboxylic acid (A2) so that all or some of hydroxyl groups of the phenolic substance (A1) form ester bonds. |
| US09217050B2 |
Crosslinkable composition comprising photobase generators
The present disclosure provides an crosslinkable composition comprising a (meth)acrylate copolymer component having pendant photobase functional groups and a crosslinking agent that has amine-reactive functional groups. On exposure to light, the pendant photobase group photolyzes to provide a pendant amine group, that crosslinks the copolymer. |
| US09217048B2 |
Stimulus responsive polymers for the purification of biomolecules
The present invention provides novel and improved stimulus responsive polymers and methods of using the same for the purification of biomolecules. |
| US09217046B1 |
Methods for preparing stable urea formaldehyde polyvinyl alcohol colloids
The mechanical properties of urea formaldehyde resins may be improved by incorporating therein polyvinyl alcohol. The polyvinyl alcohol may be incorporated during pre-mixing, mid mixing, and/or post mixing of the resin components. Resins prepared using polyvinyl alcohol are particularly desirable in articles requiring improved mechanical strength and water resistance, as compared to similar resins prepared without the polyvinyl alcohol such as shingles. |
| US09217043B2 |
Process for producing solid cellulose and process for producing cellulose ester
Provided is a process for obtaining solid cellulose, such as a cellulose solidified article or cellulose shaped article, from a cellulose solution without causing discharge of large amounts of waste liquids and environmental issues such as large energy consumption. The process produces solid cellulose through the steps of (A) dissolving cellulose in a solvent (s1) to give a cellulose solution, where the solvent (s1) includes at least one onium hydroxide in a content of from 45 to 85 percent by weight and water in a content of from 15 to 55 percent by weight, and the at least one onium hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of quaternary phosphonium hydroxides and quaternary ammonium hydroxides; (B) bringing the cellulose solution into contact with a poor solvent (s2) to precipitate cellulose as a cellulose solidified article; and (C) separating and collecting the cellulose solidified article. |
| US09217042B2 |
Method of reducing MACE in diabetic patients subsequent to stent placement
This invention relates to the use of dual variable domain antibodies to locate naturally-occurring beneficial agents or therapeutic agents at a region of stent implantation in diabetic patients who have undergone stent implantation. |
| US09217036B2 |
Prion protein as a receptor for amyloid-β oligomers
The invention provides methods of inhibiting suppression of long term potentiation, improving acute memory retention and spatial memory performance and treating Alzheimer's disease by administration of a PrPc antagonist or combinations thereof. Additionally, this invention provides pharmaceutical kits comprising, and methods for making and using, such combinations, as well as methods of identifying molecules that could function as PrPc antagonists. |
| US09217035B2 |
Regulatory T cell mediator proteins and uses thereof
The present invention relates to novel regulatory T cell proteins. One protein, designated PD-L3, resembles members of the PD-L1 family, and co-stimulates αCD3 proliferation of T cells in vitro. A second, TNF-like, protein has also been identified as being upregulated upon αCD3/αGITR stimulation. This protein has been designated Treg-sTNF. Proteins, antibodies, activated T cells and methods for using the same are disclosed.In particular methods of using these proteins and compounds, preferably antibodies, which bind or modulate (agonize or antagonize) the activity of these proteins, as immune modulators and for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disease, allergy, infection and inflammatory conditions, e.g. multiple sclerosis is disclosed. |
| US09217034B2 |
Anti-PD1 antibodies and their use as therapeutics and diagnostics
Provided are antibodies that specifically bind to Programmed Death-1 (PD1, Pdcd-1, or CD279) and inhibit PD1-mediated cellular signaling and activities in immune cells, antibodies binding to a set of amino acid residues required for its ligand binding, and uses of these antibodies to treat or diagnose cancer, infectious diseases or other pathological disorders modulated by PD1-mediated functions. |
| US09217031B2 |
Humanized anti-IL-20 antibody and uses thereof
The present disclosure provides humanized antibodies specific to human interleukin 20 (IL-20) and uses thereof in treating diseases associated with the IL-20 signaling pathway, e.g., osteoporosis, inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), cancer, stroke, and renal failure. |
| US09217030B2 |
Humanized antibodies that recognize alpha-synuclein
The present application discloses humanized 1H7 antibodies. The antibodies bind to human alpha synuclein and can be used for treatment and diagnosis of Lewy body disease. |
| US09217029B2 |
Antibodies against clostridium difficile toxins and uses thereof
Antibodies that specifically bind to toxins of C. difficile, antigen binding portions thereof, and methods of making and using the antibodies and antigen binding portions thereof are provided herein. |
| US09217028B2 |
Human cytomegalovirus neutralising antibodies and use thereof
The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies and antibody fragments having high potency in neutralizing hCMV, wherein said antibodies and antibody fragments are specific for a combination of hCMV proteins UL130 and UL131A, or for a combination of hCMV proteins UL128, UL130 and UL131A. The invention relates also to immortalized B cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis and therapy of disease. |
| US09217023B2 |
Alpha- and gamma-MSH analogues
The present invention provides peptide analogues of α-MSH and γ-MSH, comprising the amino acid sequence of human α-MSH or γ-MSH, or variants thereof, and having a branched amino acid probe in the N-terminal part of the peptide. |
| US09217020B2 |
Constructs for enhancement of gene expression in muscle
Efficient and muscle-specific gene expression can be obtained with constructs containing two or more copies of USE and/or ΔUSE fused to the minimal promoter of the TnISlow gene. USE is a small (about 160-bp) upstream enhancer of the TnISlow gene that confers slow-twitch muscle fiber specificity. ΔUSE is generated from a 100-bp deletion at the 5′ end of USE. ΔUSE confers expression in slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibers. The strength and relatively small size (less than 600-bp) of these constructs make them useful for gene therapy applications. |
| US09217018B2 |
HSP70 fusion protein conjugates and uses thereof
The present invention relates to novel therapies that utilize HSP70 fusion proteins for the treatment of disorders or conditions regulated by HSP70. |
| US09217014B2 |
Antifungal agents and uses thereof
The invention features echinocandin class compounds. The compounds can be useful for the treatment of fungal infections. |
| US09217012B2 |
Inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases
Disclosed herein are compounds that selectively inhibit members of the PTP family of enzymes. Synthesized compounds demonstrated selective inhibition of TC-PTP. Also provided are methods of using the compounds and formulations containing the compounds. Also described is a fluorescence-tagged combinatorial library synthesis and screening method. And methods of using these compounds to effect enzyme activity both in cells and in vitro as well as method of using these compounds to treat diseases in human and animals. |
| US09217004B2 |
Organic light emitting materials
Novel phosphorescent metal complexes containing 2-phenylquinoline ligands with at least two substituents on the quinoline ring are provided. The disclosed compounds have low sublimation temperatures that allow for ease of purification and fabrication into a variety of OLED devices. |
| US09216994B2 |
Process for preparing benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene-4,8-dicarboxylic acid or its 2,3-dihydro derivative
The invention relates to a process for preparing benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene-4,8-dicarboxylic acid or its 2,3-dihydro derivative, and to novel products prepared by this process. |
| US09216993B2 |
Compositions comprising thienopyrimidine and thienopyridine compounds and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure relates generally to thienopyrimidine and thienopyridine compounds and methods of use thereof. In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising thienopyrimidine and thienopyridine compounds of Formula 4: and methods of use to inhibit the interaction of menin with MLL1, MLL2 and MLL-fusion oncoproteins. |
| US09216984B2 |
3-[4-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-D]pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]octane—or heptane-nitrile as JAK inhibitors
The present invention relates to the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors 3-[4-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]octanenitrile or 3-[4-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]heptanenitrile, as well as its compositions and methods of use, which is useful in the treatment of JAK-associated diseases including, for example, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, skin disorders, cancer, and other diseases. |
| US09216979B2 |
Antimicrobial compounds and methods of making and using the same
The present invention relates generally to the field of antimicrobial compounds and to methods of making and using them. These compounds are useful for treating, preventing, and reducing the risk of microbial infections in humans and animals. |
| US09216978B2 |
Ring-fused pyrimidines and triazines and use thereof for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiovascular diseases
The present application relates to novel fused pyrimidines and triazines, to processes for their preparation, to their use alone or in combinations for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disorders. |
| US09216975B2 |
TRPV1 vanilloid receptor antagonists with a bicyclic portion
The invention discloses compounds of formula I wherein Y is a group of formula A, B, C, D, or E: and W, Q, n, R1, R2, R3, U1-U5, J and K have the meanings given in the description. The compounds of formula I are TRPV1 antagonists and are useful as active ingredients of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of pain and other conditions ameliorated by the inhibition of the vanilloid receptor TRPV1. |
| US09216972B2 |
Tricyclic heterocyclic compounds
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I) or stereoisomers or salts thereof, wherein: X1, X2, X3, W, Q1, Q2, and G2 are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as selective agonists for G protein-coupled receptor S1P1, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases and vascular disease. |
| US09216968B2 |
Heterocyclic derivative and pharmaceutical drug
The present invention provides a novel heterocyclic derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. For example, the present invention provides a heterocyclic derivative of the general formula [1] or its tautomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different aromatic rings, etc., and ring A is a heterocyclic ring. The compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof has potent mPGES-1 inhibiting activity and is useful as an agent for the treatment or prevention of a disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, temporomandibular joint disorders, low back pain, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, overactive bladder, malignant tumors or neurodegenerative disease. |
| US09216965B2 |
Amino-quinolines as kinase inhibitors
Disclosed are compounds having the formula: wherein R1, R2R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein, and methods of making and using the same. |
| US09216963B2 |
Pyrazine derivatives with extended conjugation and methods of using the same in optical applications
The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives capable of absorbing and emanating spectral energy in the visible and/or near infrared spectrum. Pyrazine derivatives of the invention may be administered to a patient in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition and utilized in medical (e.g., diagnostic imaging) procedures. |
| US09216961B2 |
Deuterated 1-piperazino-3-phenyl indanes for treatment of schizophrenia
The present invention relates to deuterated 1-piperazino-3-phenyl-indanes and salts thereof with activity at dopamine receptors D1 and D2 as well as the 5HT2 receptors in the central nervous system, to medicaments comprising such compounds as active ingredients, to the use of such compounds in the treatment of diseases in the central nervous system, and to methods of treatment comprising administration of such compounds. |
| US09216960B2 |
Spiro[2.4]heptanes for treatment of Flaviviridae infections
Compounds, methods, and compositions for the treatment of infections in or exposure to humans and other host animals of Flaviviridae viruses, including HCV, that includes the administration of an effective amount of a spiro[2.4]heptane as described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, are provided. The spiro[2.4]heptane compounds either possess antiviral activity, or are metabolized to a compound that exhibits such activity. |
| US09216958B2 |
2,6-dihalo-5-alkoxy-4-substituted-pyrimidines, pyrimidine-carbaldehydes, and methods of formation and use
2,6-Dihalo-5-alkoxy-4-substituted-pyrimidines, 2,6-dihalo-5-alkoxy-4-pyrimdine carbaldehydes, and derivatives of each are useful intermediates in forming potent herbicides that demonstrate a broad spectrum of weed control. These compounds are disclosed, as are methods of forming and using these compounds. |
| US09216954B2 |
Serine racemase inhibitor
A novel serine racemase inhibitor exhibits sufficient activity and specificity. The serine racemase inhibitor includes one or more compounds selected from compounds respectively represented by the following general formulas [MM_1], [DR_1], [DR′_1], [LW_1], and [ED_1] as an active ingredient. |
| US09216952B2 |
Process for preparing antiviral compound
This invention is directed to: (a) processes for preparing a compound and salts thereof that, inter alia, are useful for inhibiting hepatitis C virus (HCV); (b) intermediates useful for the preparation of the compound and salts; (c) pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound or salts; and (d) methods of use of such compositions. |
| US09216946B2 |
Method of producing basic amino acid or basic amino acid salt
[Problem] It is to provide a method of producing basic amino acid or basic amino acid salt suitable for each use for medicine, industrial use, feed, food additive and the like, by a simple method to remove HCl from HCl salt of basic amino acid efficiently.[Solving Means]The above problem is solved by a method of producing a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid salt which comprises allowing to coexist a weak acid in a basic amino acid HCl salt solution, when the solution is dechlorinated using an anion-exchange resin. |
| US09216945B2 |
Methods of synthesizing 2-substituted-1,4-benzenediamine
Disclosed is a method of making a 2-substituted-1,4-benzenediamine by nucleophilic aromatic substitution. |
| US09216944B2 |
Process for the production of choline hydroxide
A continuous process for the production of choline hydroxide includes reacting ethylene oxide, trimethylamine, and water in a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture and extracting heat from the reaction mixture. Subsequently, phase separation of the reaction mixture is induced to obtain a choline hydroxide phase and an organic liquid phase comprising trimethylamine. A choline hydroxide solution (e.g., at a concentration of about 40% to 50% by weight, based on total weight of the choline hydroxide solution) is obtained from the choline hydroxide phase. |
| US09216937B2 |
Water concentration reduction process
The present disclosure relates generally to water concentration reduction processes within an adipic acid process. The present invention also includes process for converting a glucose-containing feed derived from a carbohydrate source to an adipic acid product wherein the process includes the steps of: converting glucose in the feed to a reaction product including a hydrodeoxygenation substrate and a first concentration of water; reducing the concentration of water in the reaction product to produce a feedstock including the hydrodeoxygenation substrate and second concentration of water, wherein the second concentration of water is less than the first concentration of water; and converting at least a portion of the hydrodeoxygenation substrate in the feedstock to an adipic acid product. Processes are also disclosed for producing hexamethylene diamine and caprolactam from the adipic acid product. |
| US09216936B2 |
Process for recovering halogen promoters and removing permanganate reducing compounds
This invention relates to processes for producing acetic acid and, in particular, to improved processes for recovering C2+ alkyl halides and removing permanganate reducing compounds formed during the carbonylation of methanol in the presence of a Group VIII metal carbonylation catalyst to produce acetic acid. |
| US09216934B1 |
System and method for pH control of lean MEG product from MEG regeneration and reclamation packages
A lean MEG stream having a first pH level is contacted with a CO2-rich gas stream to yield a lean MEG product having a second different and lower pH level preferably in a range of 6.5 to 7.0. The system and method can be readily incorporated into a slipstream MEG recovery package, with a source of the lean MEG stream being a MEG regeneration section of the package. The CO2-rich gas could be a vented CO2 stream from the MEG reclamation section of the package. Unlike hydrochloric and acetic acid overdosing, CO2 overdosing of the lean MEG stream does not lead to rapid acidification of the lean MEG product to be stored or injected. |
| US09216930B2 |
Continuous process for manufacturing a neutral granular P/K fertilizer
The invention provides a continuous process for manufacturing an essentially neutral phosphorus/potassium rich fertilizer from basic chemical commodities. The fertilizer is a freely-flowing particulate solid. |
| US09216926B2 |
Synthetic formulations and methods of manufacturing and using thereof
A method for producing a reaction product including at least one synthetic formulation that carbonates sufficiently, said method comprising: providing a first raw material, having a first concentration of M; providing a second raw material, having a second concentration of Me; and mixing the first raw material and the second raw material to produce a reaction product that includes at least one synthetic formulation having the general formula MaMebOc, MaMeb(OH)d, MaMebOc(OH)d or MaMebO(OH)d•(H2O)e, wherein M comprises at least one metal that can react to form a carbonate and Me is at least one element that can form an oxide during the carbonation reaction, wherein the at least one synthetic formulation is capable of undergoing a carbonation reaction, and wherein the at least one synthetic formulation is capable of undergoing volume change during the carbonation reaction. |
| US09216922B2 |
Granules and method for their production, method for producing molten glass, and method for producing glass product
Granules of a glass raw material mixture, for producing alkali-free glass containing substantially no alkali metal oxides, such that the glass composition of glass obtained from the granules comprises, as represented by mol % based on oxides, 60-75 mol % of SiO2, 5-15 mol % of Al2O3, 1-9 mol % of B2O3, 0-15 mol % of MgO, 0-20 mol % of CaO, 0-12 mol % of SrO and 0-21 mol % of BaO, provided that the total of CaO, SrO and BaO is more than 0, and in an X-ray diffraction spectrum of the granules obtained by means of a CuKα ray, when the diffraction peak area of quartz (100) in a range of 2θ being 19.85-21.71 degrees is taken as 1, the total of the relative values of the diffraction peak areas of strontium borate hydrate, calcium borate hydrate and barium borate hydrate, is at least 0.005. |
| US09216919B2 |
Microbial electrolysis cells and methods for the production of chemical products
A microbial electrolysis cell having a brush anode is described. A method of producing products, such as hydrogen, at the cathode of the microbial electrolysis cell is also provided. The microbial electrolysis cell is configured in a cylindrical shape having an anode, cathode and anion exchange membrane all disposed concentrically. A brush anode spirally wound around the outside of the cylindrical microbial electrolysis cell is described. The method may include sparging the anode and/or cathode with air in some cases. In addition, CO2-containing gas may be injected into a cathode chamber to reduce pH is some cases. |
| US09216918B2 |
Self-cleaning electro-reaction unit for wastewater treatment and related process
The present invention relates to the treatment of wastewater by electrochemical reactions. More particularly, an Electro-Reaction Unit (ERU) is disclosed. The ERU is provided with at least one electrolytic cell comprising a pair of self-cleaned electrodes for purifying wastewater. Along with electro-reactions, electrodes of the ERU are submitted to passivation, i.e. coverage with an oxide layer. The present invention provides a solution for alleviating passivation with a self-cleaning system comprising hard elements, confined in a cage and movable therein, for bombardment of the electrodes and rupture of the oxide layer. The present invention further provides a related process. |
| US09216917B2 |
Recovery of retrograde soluble solute for forward osmosis water treatment
Improved systems and processes for forward osmosis water purification or desalination are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment a process for purifying contaminated water is provided wherein a contaminated feed solution stream comprising water and with a first osmotic pressure is passed through a semipermeable membrane to a draw side having a draw solution stream with a second osmotic pressure on a draw side of the semipermeable membrane. The diluted draw solution stream is heated, agglomerated and cooled to produce a cooled single phase water rich stream that is purified to produce a water product stream. |
| US09216914B2 |
Water filter device and refrigerator having the same
A refrigerator includes a cabinet to define an outer appearance of the refrigerator and having a storage chamber therein; and a water filter device installed in the storage chamber, to purify water supplied from an external water supply source. The water filter device includes a filter unit to purify the water supplied from the water supply source, a storage tank unit to store the water purified through the filter unit, a case to accommodate the filter unit and the storage tank unit, a filter head assembly, and a water filter assembly separably coupled to the filter head assembly. |
| US09216910B2 |
Stable complexes of multiple zero-valent metals and hydride as novel reagents
A composition and its method of production are provided. The composition includes at least one zero-valent metal atom in complex with at least one hydride molecule. In some instances, the composition includes a first zero-valent metal atom and a second zero-valent metal atom in complex with at least one hydride molecule. The method of production includes ball-milling an elemental metal in a high-surface area form, with a hydride. The composition can be useful as a reagent for the synthesis of zero-valent metal alloy nanoparticles. |
| US09216908B2 |
Method for making strip shaped graphene layer
A method for making a strip shaped graphene layer includes the following steps. First, a graphene film is located on a surface of a substrate is provided. Second, a carbon nanotube structure is disposed on the graphene film. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotube segments and a number of strip-shaped gaps between the adjacent carbon nanotube segments. Third, the graphene film exposed by the strip-shaped gaps is removed by applying a voltage to the carbon nanotube segments and heating the substrate. |
| US09216898B2 |
Chip package and method for forming the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate, wherein the second substrate has at least one opening penetrating through the second substrate, and the at least one opening defines a plurality of conducting regions electrically insulated from each other in the second substrate; a carrier substrate disposed on the second substrate; an insulating layer disposed on a surface and a sidewall of the carrier substrate, wherein the insulating layer fills the at least one opening of the second substrate; and a conducting layer disposed on the insulating layer on the carrier substrate and electrically contacting with one of the conducting regions. |
| US09216887B2 |
Efficiently and easily opening and closing a canister valve
The present disclosure relates to a canister connection apparatus designed to efficiently and easily connect a pressurized canister to an external system. |
| US09216886B2 |
Refuelling stand
A refuelling stand that is lightweight and easily portable which includes a funnel; a support for the funnel, which is optionally collapsible, and a conduit which is removably attached to the end of the funnel. The conduit can he made of flexible material which may be rolled up for storage alongside the support or may be formed of inflexible tubing. The refuelling stand may also include at least one stabilizing dement. The refuelling stand is designed to be a free-standing apparatus which is not intended to be permanently or semi-permanently affixed. In addition, the refuelling stand can be entirely disassembled in the form of a kit which further includes instructions for use. The refuelling funnel stand is designed to be suitable for delivering fuel from a hand-held fuel can into the fuel tanks of, for example, watercraft, lawnmowers, snowblowers and the like. |
| US09216884B2 |
Narrow aisle load handler and material handling vehicle including a narrow aisle load handler
A material handling vehicle includes a vehicle body with a vertically extendible mast fixed to the vehicle body. A fork support is fixed relative to the mast and has a first side and a second side. The first side faces away from the second side. A first fork is mounted to the fork support and is movable between a first fork stored position and a first fork working position. In the first fork working position, the first fork extends substantially perpendicularly from the first side of the fork support. A second fork is mounted to the fork support and is movable between a second fork stored position and a second fork working position. In the second fork working position, the second fork extends substantially perpendicularly from the second side of the fork support. |
| US09216882B2 |
Battery powered work machine, and battery powered forklift
A heat sink includes a first part on which a control device is attached, a second part on which an electronic component is attached and that is arranged to be opposite to the first part, and plural air passages provided between the first part and the second part for allowing air to pass. Plural plate-like members are arranged between the first part and the second part, and the air passage is formed by a space enclosed by the first part, the adjacent partition member, and the second part. |
| US09216880B2 |
Header system
Header assemblies generally used to handle yarns, for example, to facilitate connection of yarns feeding into a tufting machine or other device. In some embodiments, the improved header assembly includes at least a detachable header and a collector plate. The improved header assembly simplifies the process of loading yarn through a detachable header by positioning the detachable header so that it abuts the collectable plate so that individual yarns can be blown through the collector plate through the appropriate holes in the detachable header. In some embodiments, the header assemblies are configured for use with varying gauges, different alignment requirements, different devices, and/or to otherwise be more universal in nature. |
| US09216871B2 |
Method for register correction in a web processing machine having a delay section
A method for register correction in a web processing machine includes leading a product web through at least one delay section and processing the product web by a first processing device. An actuating command is applied to the first processing device to position the product web at an intended position during a web tension change. The actuating command is determined from an actuating command leading to the web tension change and at least one delay term. The at least one delay term delays the action of the actuating command leading to the web tension change on the actuating command for the first processing device by a delay time needed by the product web to pass through the at least one delay section before the first processing device. |
| US09216870B2 |
System and method of manufacturing composite core
A method of manufacturing a composite core can include: wrapping a mandrel in a mandrel wrapping process by securing a mandrel with a winding jig; orienting the composite material at a wrap angle to the mandrel; and depositing the composite material around a circumference of the mandrel. The method can further include assembling the wrapped mandrels in a tool and applying a pressure to the composite material during a curing cycle. |
| US09216867B2 |
Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A sheet feeder, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet tray on which a recording medium is loaded, a regulating member, a link mechanism, and a guide storage. The regulating member is movably disposed to regulate a position of the recording medium loaded on the sheet tray and has guide portions having a height higher than a maximum possible thickness of a sheet stack loadable on the sheet tray and the height thereof is changeable. The link mechanism rotatably supports the sheet tray with respect to a tray storing position and a sheet feeding position. The guide storage stores the guide portions of the regulating member as the link mechanism moves the sheet tray from the sheet feeding position to the tray storing position and has a depth set to be greater than a length in a height direction of the guide portions. |
| US09216866B2 |
Web processing with semi-rotary accumulator
Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth idler shafts, and further include a first movable idler shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable idler shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable idler shaft to the second movable idler shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable idler shafts. |
| US09216863B2 |
Method and transfer device for transferring a tube in a tube filling machine
For the purpose of transferring a tube in a tube filling machine between a staging location and a set-down location, the tube at the staging location is gripped at its lateral surface by a holding device and transported by a transfer device to the set-down location where it is set down while simultaneously being rotated about its longitudinal axis or about an axis parallel thereto during transport. Such a transfer device has a multiple-member articulated arm, which has at least one 1st arm member that is mounted to pivot about a rotary axis and directly or indirectly pivotably supports at least one holding member. The holding member carries at least one holding device by means of which the tube can be picked up and which can be pivoted about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube or that coincides therewith. |
| US09216862B2 |
Narrow belt sorter
A material handling system including a sorter that uses compressed air and drive from the narrow belts to cause articles or loads to change from one conveyor segment to an adjacent segment. |
| US09216858B2 |
Bottle receiving and detection apparatus and method therefore
An apparatus for receiving and detecting a bottle having a chute configured for receiving the bottle therein, a first sensor disposed to detect the bottle at a first position within the chute, a second sensor disposed to detect the bottle at a second position within the chute, and a third sensor disposed to detect the bottle at a third position within the chute, and an indicator in communication with the sensors to provide indication that a bottle was received. A method carried out by the apparatus is also provided. |
| US09216857B1 |
Automated inventory management system
Some examples include an inventory system having both mobile drive units remotely controllable to transport inventory items and holders within a warehouse and automated aerial vehicles remotely controllable to identify and remove amnesty items from the storage region. In some implementations, the automated aerial vehicles are equipped with imaging components to monitor the floor of the warehouse to identify and engagement mechanisms to secure and remove the amnesty items that may otherwise impede the movement of the mobile drive units. |
| US09216845B2 |
Leak-resistant slider select zipper
The present disclosure relates to a leak-resistant slider zipper. The zipper typically includes end seals at the opening and closing ends of the zipper, an upper and a lower set of interlocking elements, first and second upper flanges above the upper interlocking elements having no gaps or cut-outs therein, and first and second lower flanges below the lower interlocking elements, one of the lower flanges being folded back on itself, and a slider. |
| US09216842B2 |
Stackable systems
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to stackable systems for use on countertops, as travel systems, or anywhere the items contained therein are desired for use. The stackable systems may be used to contain body lotions, crèmes, powders, perfumes, soaps, washes, gels, body scrubs (such as salt or sugar grain-based scrubs), shampoo/conditioner or any other substance to be dispensed. The systems may also feature one or more dispenser features at the front, top, or bottom of a unit in the stackable system. Embodiments also relate to dispenser systems for use in connection with shower curtains or other surfaces. |
| US09216832B2 |
Heat shrinkable bubble wrapping machine
This invention is to replace the need for a corrugated carton by wrapping an article with a heat shrinkable bubble wrap film. Heat shrinking the bubble wrap will allow the bubble wrap to shrink sufficiently to conform to an article such as a group of containers, e.g. bottles. Because of the inability of the bubble wrap film to tightly shrink around the containers, the containers can move and bump each other. To ensure stability, the bubble wrapped article is film wrapped with a heat shrink film and heat shrunk to provide an article that does not require a corrugated box for to ensure the integrity of the containers. |