| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09239980B2 |
Method for a battery and passive power supply to an RFID tag and a switching circuit for carrying out said method
A controlled switching circuit (csc) comprises two controlled switches (cs1, cs2) fabricated with PINTOS transistors and connected between its output terminal as well as a battery (b) or a rectifier rectifying voltage induced in an antenna. Conditions of the battery voltage and the rectified voltage with a time delay are checked. Only when the battery voltage gets unacceptable and the value of rectified voltage exceeded a preset value tag circuits are supplied by the rectified voltage induced in an antenna.The invention provides for an automatic selection of a way of supplying an RFID tag in a way that it is stably supplied by a battery as far as still possible, but just according to the invention this is rendered possible for a longer time due to a very low voltage drop across a controlled switching circuit, and that a supply by a radio-frequency radiation field is selected only when the battery gets depleted. |
| US09239978B2 |
Readable matrix code
A method of generating a readable matrix code image encoding a message based on an input image and a readable matrix coding specification, comprising: calculating function areas readable to comply with a function patterns specification; determining an extent of free cells and derived cells according to a code word specification; calculating decode input values for free cells such that the appearance of the free cells compared to respective areas of the input image complies with a visual perceptual similarity criterion and with the code word specification; and calculating decode input values for derived cells based on the free cells decode input values and in compliance with the code word specification. |
| US09239977B2 |
Print control apparatus causing a print unit to print an image
It is determined whether printing of an image having a size corresponding to a preset size set as print settings for data to be printed on a print medium is allowed based on the preset size and one or more candidates of the size of the print medium obtained by detecting the size of the print medium using a sensor. If it is determined that the printing is allowed, a screen inquiring whether an image based on the data to be printed having a size corresponding to the preset size is printed is displayed. If the printing is instructed via the screen, the image is printed on the print medium. |
| US09239976B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a paper type to be used at the time of execution of an input print job, a determination unit configured to determine a paper type to be used for executing the input print job by using information about the paper type acquired by the acquisition unit, and a generation unit configured to generate a correction table corresponding to the paper type determined by the determination unit, the correction table being used to correct an image that is formed by an image forming unit by using a value obtained as a result of measuring a patch formed by the image forming unit on paper of the paper type determined by the determination unit. |
| US09239974B2 |
Information processing apparatus and recording medium
An information processing apparatus for customizing a printer driver includes a receiving unit, a detection unit, and a notification unit. The receiving unit receives a fixing instruction to fix a specific setting item on the printer driver at a specific setting through operation input from an operator. The detection unit detects a setting that is a setting of a different setting item from the specific setting item and that is in a prohibited relationship with the specific setting as a corresponding prohibited setting resulting from the fixing instruction. The notification unit notifies the operator of the corresponding prohibited setting detected by the detection unit. |
| US09239972B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus is capable of forming an image on a recording medium by using a recording head including first and second recording element arrays for one color component wherein each recording element array includes a plurality of recording elements arranged therein. To perform, in a short time, processes including converting of multilevel data to binary data and assigning of the binary data to the recording element arrays, a multilevel data buffer stores multilevel data, a reading unit reads the multilevel data stored in the multilevel data buffer, and a production unit produces binary data from the multilevel data by using a code table including a plurality of code sets depending on a gray level wherein each code set includes codes corresponding to the first and second recording element arrays. A transferring unit transfers the binary data produced by the production unit to corresponding recording element arrays. |
| US09239969B1 |
Image forming device, image forming method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image forming device includes an acquisition unit and a display controller. The acquisition unit accesses multiple storage devices in units of a certain number of storage devices in order starting with a storage device having a highest priority to acquire information concerning image data stored in a certain number of storage devices equal to the number of storage devices in each unit. The display controller causes information concerning image data acquired from a certain number of storage devices having a first priority, equal to the number of storage devices in each unit, to be displayed on a display. In response to receipt of instructions to continue acquisition, the display controller causes information concerning image data acquired from a certain number of storage devices having a second priority next to the first priority, equal to the number of storage devices in each unit, to be displayed on the display. |
| US09239967B2 |
Incremental image clustering
Methods, systems, and computer readable media with executable instructions, and/or logic are provided for incremental image clustering. An example method for incremental image clustering can include identifying, via a computing device, a number of candidate nodes from among evaluated leaf image cluster (LIC) nodes on an image cluster tree (ICT) based on a similarity between a feature of a new image and an average feature of each of the evaluated LIC nodes. The evaluated nodes include at least one node along each path from a root node to either a leaf node or a node having a similarity exceeding a first threshold. A most-similar node can be determined, via the computing device, from among the number of candidate nodes. The new image can be inserted to a node associated with the determined most-similar node, via the computing device. |
| US09239964B2 |
Surface shape measurement method, surface shape measurement apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, optical element, and method of manufacturing optical element
A surface shape measurement method that divides a surface shape of an object (107) into a plurality of partial regions (201, 202, 203, 204) to obtain partial region data and that stitches the partial region data to measure the surface shape of the object, and the method includes the steps of calculating sensitivity of an error generated by a relative movement between the object and a sensor (110) for each of the partial regions, dividing the surface shape of the object into the plurality of partial regions to obtain the partial region data, obtaining the partial region data, calculating an amount corresponding to the error using the sensitivity, correcting the partial region data using the amount corresponding to the error, and stitching the corrected partial region data to calculate the surface shape of the object. |
| US09239962B2 |
Nail region detection method, program, storage medium, and nail region detection device
Disclosed is a nail region detection device including: color camera; image data storage part; color specification conversion plotting part for converting captured image data from the RGB color specification system to the HLS color specification system; threshold value setting part for setting and varying a threshold value along the X axis with respect to a first plotting region; second plotting part for replotting in a two-dimensional planar second graph, plotting data items which are equal to or greater than the threshold value and detecting the physical quantity or its ratio in a second plotting region; repeat control part for repeating the processing for replotting the data items; nail determination part for determining, as a nail region, a second plotting region in which the gradient of the amount of variation in the physical quantity or its ratio is equal to or less than a predetermined value. |
| US09239958B2 |
Methods and apparatus to measure brand exposure in media streams
Methods and apparatus to measure brand exposure in media streams are disclosed. An example method to determine brand exposures included in media content disclosed herein comprises determining whether a scene detected from a media stream corresponding to the media content matches a reference scene, identifying an expected region of interest in the detected scene based on information describing the reference scene when the detected scene is determined to match the reference scene and the reference scene is not specified to be a scene of no interest, and determining whether a reference brand identifier associated with the reference scene is included in the expected region of interest identified in the detected scene. |
| US09239957B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus
A method of image processing within an image acquisition device comprises: acquiring an image including one or more face regions and identifying one or more eye-iris regions within the one or more face regions. The one or more eye-iris regions are analyzed to identify any eye-iris region comprising an eye-iris pattern of sufficient quality to pose a risk of biometrically identifying a person within the image. Responsive to identifying any such eye-iris region, a respective substitute eye-iris region comprising an eye-iris pattern sufficiently distinct from the identified eye-iris pattern to avoid identifying the person within the image is determined, and the identified eye-iris region is replaced with the substitute eye-iris region in the original image. |
| US09239954B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, scanner and storage medium
The disclosure provides an image processing device, image processing method, scanner and storage medium. The image processing device is used for tracing a boundary of an object image in an image, the boundary being continuous and the rate of change in slope between adjacent points on the boundary being slow. The image processing device includes: a boundary estimation unit, adapted to estimate the location of the boundary of the object image; an interfering gradient processing unit, adapted to process an interfering gradient near the estimated boundary, so as to reduce the interfering gradient or remove the interfering gradient from the image; and a boundary tracing unit, adapted to trace the boundary in the image having the interfering gradient processed. By using the technique of the disclosure, the accuracy of tracing a boundary of an image is improved significantly. |
| US09239951B2 |
Ergonomic man-machine interface incorporating adaptive pattern recognition based control system
An adaptive interface, predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. An input is predicted, and the predictive mechanism may be is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein an input is matched to a media stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inferential programming of the device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest. Applications of the interface and system include a VCR, medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning. |
| US09239949B2 |
Method for user function operation based on face recognition and mobile terminal supporting the same
A mobile device user interface method activates a camera module to support a video chat function and acquires an image of a target object using the camera module. In response to detecting a face in the captured image, the facial image data is analyzed to identify an emotional characteristic of the face by identifying a facial feature and comparing the identified feature with a predetermined feature associated with an emotion. The identified emotional characteristic is compared with a corresponding emotional characteristic of previously acquired facial image data of the target object. In response to the comparison, an emotion indicative image is generated and the generated emotion indicative image is transmitted to a destination terminal used in the video chat. |
| US09239938B2 |
Data holder, system and method
A protective data holding vault that includes a module with onboard memory that can be configured as a drive, e.g. flash drive, attached to a machine or apparatus and which securely and protectively holds data associated with the machine or apparatus and a unique identifier thereof. The vault includes a casing with a receptacle in which the module is received and a cover that is sealingly attachable to the casing to cover the receptacle and protect the module in the receptacle. The vault is mounted in a pocket on the machine or apparatus, or a component therefor or thereof, and is linkable to a processor equipped device, such as via a USB link, enabling data stored on the vault to be retrieved and stored offboard providing secure data backup. In one system implementation, data synchronization can be performed to a remotely located storage device with bidirectional data transfer contemplated. |
| US09239936B2 |
System, method, and apparatus to mitigaterisk of compromised privacy
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: retrieving a record of a first transaction, wherein the first transaction is associated with personally identifiable information of an owner; determining a first privacy risk value based on: a first transaction security metric associated with the first transaction, wherein the first transaction security metric includes a first set of security parameters, and a first set of weights correlated to the first set of security parameters; determining the current security status based on the first privacy risk value; and transmitting the current security status to the entity. |
| US09239935B2 |
Cloaking with footprints to provide location privacy protection in location-based services
A method for using a location-based service while preserving anonymity includes receiving a location associated with a mobile node, receiving an anonymity level associated with the mobile node, computing a region containing the location of the mobile node and a number of footprints based on the anonymity level, wherein each of the footprints from a different user, and providing the region to a location-based service to thereby preserve anonymity of the mobile node. A method also allow a mobile device or its user to specify the anonymity level by selecting a public region consistent with a user's feelings towards desired privacy. |
| US09239929B1 |
Location data quarantine system
A computer-implemented method and system of quarantining user location information receives from a user device user location information that includes personally identifiable user data and user position data associated with one or more geographic positions of the user. The user location information is temporarily stored in a quarantine data storage database for a predetermined quarantine time, during such time it can be used for various analysis. After the quarantine time, personally identifiable user data of the user location information is filtered out before the user position data is sent for long-term storage to a filtered data storage system. |
| US09239928B2 |
Secure time for mobile devices
Methods and devices for clock roll-back detection in non-secure mobile platforms are disclosed. A first time is received from a secure time source. The first time is recorded as a last known good time (“LKGT”) in secure storage on the mobile device. The LKGT is advanced and stored whenever a triggering event occurs. The mobile device receives a second time from the secure time source and records the second time as a subsequent stored LKGT in secure storage. |
| US09239923B2 |
Protection of computer system
Protection of a computer system (104) against attacks using malformed files is applied to an application (106) configured to process files of a predefined Headerless format indicated by a Characteristic pattern of bytes. An incoming file's Characteristic pattern is checked by comparing its leading bytes with Characteristic patterns. If its leading bytes have such a pattern, the file (100) is subjected to a full content check; the file is discarded (100) if it lacks such a pattern or has contents considered damaging. A file is checked regarding suitability for further processing by comparing its leading bytes with the Characteristic pattern of the predefined Headerless format. A full content check of the file may also be carried out. The application (106) is permitted to process files having the Characteristic pattern of the predefined Headerless format and appropriate file contents. The method can deal with ZIP files (b) etc. starting with redundant data b1 even if polymorphic, provided that the file is not potentially damaging. |
| US09239921B2 |
System and methods of performing antivirus checking in a virtual environment using different antivirus checking techniques
Disclosed are methods, systems and computer program products for antivirus checking of software objects in a virtual environment. An example method includes monitoring and identifying, by an antivirus agent running on a virtual machine in the virtual environment, an event occurring in the virtual machine, an object related to the event, and a type of the object; upon determining that the object needs an antivirus checking, sending, by the antivirus agent, to a control module in the virtual environment, information of the object and the event; determining, by the control module, priorities of executing one or more antivirus checking methods determined for the object; and distributing, by the control module, among one or more selected components of an antivirus system in the virtual environment, the one or more antivirus checking methods to be performed on the object based on the priorities. |
| US09239920B2 |
Generation of working security key based on security parameters
Techniques for improving security of an electronics device are disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, security of a device may be improved by generating a working key based on a hardware secret key and at least one security parameter of the device, e.g., with a key derivation function. The security parameter(s) may be related to software to be authenticated on the device and/or other aspects of security for the wireless device. The security parameter(s) may indicate whether the software is authorized and/or at least one operating function authorized for the software. At least one security function may be performed for the device based on the working key. For example, the working key may be used to encrypt, sign, decrypt, or verify data for the device. The working key may be used directly or indirectly by the software for the at least one security function. |
| US09239918B2 |
Method and apparatus for software-hardware authentication of electronic apparatus
The present invention discloses a method for software-hardware authentication of an electronic apparatus includes receiving a challenge string (CS) from the electronic apparatus through a challenge string input port (CSIP). The challenge string is a string of trace data generated according to some operations of software running on the electronic apparatus. An authentication result for use in an authentication process for the software to authenticate a hardware unit of the electronic apparatus or for the hardware unit to authenticate the software is generated according to the string of the trace data. The authentication process is performed according to the generated authentication result. |
| US09239913B2 |
Method for obfuscating a computer program
The invention relates to a method for obfuscating a computer program.Said method comprises the following steps: a—selecting a numerical variable V used by said program or an instruction of said program using said numerical value V, b—defining at least one operation which provides said numerical value V when executed, c—substituting at least one line of said program using the numerical value V for at least one new program line performing the operation that supplies the value of said numerical variable V. |
| US09239911B2 |
Replacement of security credentials for secure proxying
A subscription proxy receives, from an end user system, a request for a resource provided by a content delivery network, the request comprising a local credential associated with the end user system. The subscription proxy identifies a remote credential associated with the content delivery network and corresponding to the local credential. The subscription proxy replaces the local credential in the request with the corresponding remote credential and sends the request for the resource with the remote credential to the content delivery network. |
| US09239907B1 |
Techniques for identifying misleading applications
Techniques for identifying misleading applications are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for identifying misleading applications comprising receiving a request for network data, parsing the request for network data, using a processor, to determine if one or more portions of the request match a suspicious indicator, identifying the suspicious indicator without using a known malware domain or a known malware signature, and performing a specified action in the event one or more portions of the request match a suspicious indicator. |
| US09239906B2 |
Combination treatment selection methods and systems
Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting at least one attribute of at least one individual, querying at least one database at least partly based on the at least one attribute, selecting from the at least one database at least one bioactive agent and at least one artificial sensory experience to address the at least one attribute of at least one individual, and/or presenting an indication of the at least one bioactive agent and the at least one artificial sensory experience at least partly based on the selecting from the at least one database at least one bioactive agent and at least one artificial sensory experience to address the at least one attribute of at least one individual. |
| US09239905B1 |
Systems and methods for treatment planning based on plaque progression and regression curves
Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a patient with vascular disease. One method includes receiving patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's vasculature; creating an anatomic model representing at least a portion of a location of disease in the patient's vasculature based on the received patient-specific data; identifying one or more changes in geometry of the anatomic model based on a modeled progression or regression of disease at the location; calculating one or more values of a blood flow characteristic within the patient's vasculature using a computational model based on the identified one or more changes in geometry of the anatomic model; and generating an electronic graphical display of a relationship between the one or more values of the calculated blood flow characteristic and the identified one or more changes in geometry of the anatomic model. |
| US09239904B2 |
Computer systems for treating diseases
The present invention relates to computer-implemented methods and system for analyzing a biomarker which cycles in a subject. In some other aspects, the present invention relates to analyzing a biomarker which at least initially increases or decreases in amount in a subject following a treatment for a disease. In further aspects, the present invention relates to computer-implemented methods and systems for determining a preferred time to administer a therapy to treat a disease in a subject. The present invention also relates to computer program product to implement the methods. Further, the present invention relates to methods of determining the timing of treating a disease in a subject in which the immune system is cycling. |
| US09239896B2 |
Methodology for preventing functional failure caused by CDM ESD
A design methodology which prevents functional failure caused by CDM ESD events. A transistor model is used to model the final states of cells, and a simulator is then used to identify invulnerable cells. Cells that are potential failure sites are then identified. The cells which have been identified as being potential victims are replaced by the previously-identified invulnerable cells that have the identical logic function. On the other hand, if a cell with identical function cannot be found, an invulnerable buffer cell (that will not effect logic function) can be inserted in front of the potential victim transistor as protection. By replacing all the potential victim cells with cells which have been determined to be invulnerable, the resulting design will be guaranteed to be CDM ESD tolerant. |
| US09239895B2 |
Periodic media analysis
A computer-implemented method for use in analyzing a model of a repetitive structure includes generating a plurality of blocks based on the model such that the blocks are arranged end to end. The method also includes defining at least one boundary condition on an inlet of the model and on an outlet of the model, generating a plurality of constraints to be applied to the blocks to define connectivity between adjacent blocks, defining an inlet state based on the boundary condition and at least a portion of the constraints. The method further includes detecting when a first block passes a trigger plane at the inlet of the model, erasing a state of a second block at the outlet of the model, shuffling the second block to an inlet zone, and resetting the state of the second block to the inlet state. |
| US09239893B2 |
Method and process computer for computation of the state variables of a hybrid differential-algebraic process model
A method for computation of the state variables of a hybrid differential-algebraic process model in succeeding time steps on a process computer with a process interface, the process computer being set up such that, via the process interface, at least one process variable of a physical process can be detected by the process computer and/or one output for influencing the physical process can be output by the process computer. In a computation process, a current mode of the hybrid DAP is determined by evaluating the state variables for a deviation of the current mode of the hybrid DAP from the mode of the hybrid DAP applying beforehand, a mode-specific process model which corresponds to the current mode being chosen from the group of executable mode-specific process models and further computation is based on it. At least one probable future mode of the hybrid DAP is determined in a prediction process. |
| US09239890B2 |
System and method for carousel context switching
In a method and system for navigating content, a plurality of content filter panels are provided in a user interface of an application for browsing and viewing media content. The content filter panels each contain at least one selectable filter for filtering media content items. A direction of movement of a navigation indicator within an active content filter panel is determined, with the navigation indicator being controlled by a user. Based on a determination of a movement direction of the navigation indicator in a first axis, the active content filter panel is switched from a first content filter panel to a second content filter panel. Based on a determination of a movement direction of the navigation indicator in a second axis, the media content items are filtered according to a selectable filter of the active content filter panel selected by the navigation indicator. At least one of the filtered media content items is caused to be displayed in the user interface. |
| US09239884B2 |
Electronic document processing with automatic generation of links to cited references
Links to references cited in a given electronic document are automatically generated in conjunction with processing of the electronic document. In one aspect, which may be implemented at least in part in an otherwise conventional electronic document reader or an associated preprocessor, a reference citation is detected in a first electronic document, the reference citation is processed to determine a link that provides access to a second electronic document identified by the reference citation, and the link and at least a portion of the first electronic document are displayed to a user. The link may be determined by providing one or more designated portions of the reference citation to a search engine and processing results provided by the search engine to determine the link. For example, a search query may be formulated based on the detected reference citation and the search query provided to the search engine. |
| US09239881B2 |
Interactive web crawler
The claimed subject matter provides a system or method for web crawling hidden files. An exemplary method includes loading a web page with a browser agent, and executing any dynamic elements hosted on the web page using the browser agent to insert pre-determined values. A list of form controls may be retrieved from the web page using the browser agent, and the controls may be analyzed using a driver component. Form control values may be sent from the driver component to the browser agent, and an event may be submitted to the web page by the browser agent or scripted content may be run to trigger operations on the web page corresponding to the form control values. A URL may be generated for various form control values using a generalizer. |
| US09239880B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying synonyms and using synonyms to search
A method and an apparatus for identifying synonym and utilizing such synonym to conduct search is disclosed. The disclosed method includes: obtaining arbitrary two words to be identified; determining whether a shortest edit distance between the two words less than or equal to an edit distance threshold; determining whether the two words to be identified exist in a preset knowledge database, and if an answer is yes then searching a smallest granularity type with highest weight value for each word in the knowledge database; and if the two word have the same smallest granularity type with highest weight value, then determining such two words are synonyms, or non-synonym otherwise. The disclosed techniques greatly improve accuracy of synonym identification and guarantee effect of synonym identification. |
| US09239879B2 |
Method and system for determining confidence in answer for search
In a method for a direct answer for search, a search query is received over a network, one or more answer candidate snippets for the search query are received, with an answer candidate snippet having at least a portion of content available over the network for an answer candidate, one or more answer entities are determined within a selected answer candidate snippet, a frequency of the one or more answer entities found within the one or more answer candidate snippets for the search query is determined, a confidence score is adjusted for the selected answer candidate in accordance with the frequency of the one or more answer entities found within the one or more answer candidate snippets, and at least one answer candidate snippet is sent for a response to the search query. |
| US09239878B2 |
Interactivity analyses of web resources based on reload events
The initiation of a reload event by a user of a client-side application who requests a web resource from a server is an implicit indication that the user is dissatisfied with at least some aspect of the loading of the web resource by the client-side application. Information regarding the operational condition of the application at the time of a reload event may be instructive in identifying any issues or deficiencies exist regarding the web resource, the client-side application or the server. Code for displaying the web page may include one or more detection scripts which instruct the client-side application and/or the server-side application to detect a reload event, to capture the information upon the initiation of the reload event and to transfer the captured information back to the server, where the information may be compared against thresholds or tolerances to determine whether any such issues or deficiencies exist. |
| US09239877B2 |
Multimedia integration description scheme, method and system for MPEG-7
The invention provides a system and method for integrating multimedia descriptions in a way that allows humans, software components or devices to easily identify, represent, manage, retrieve, and categorize the multimedia content. In this manner, a user who may be interested in locating a specific piece of multimedia content from a database, Internet, or broadcast media, for example, may search for and find the multimedia content. In this regard, the invention provides a system and method that receives multimedia content and separates the multimedia content into separate components which are assigned to multimedia categories, such as image, video, audio, synthetic and text. Within each of the multimedia categories, the multimedia content is classified and descriptions of the multimedia content are generated. The descriptions are then formatted, integrated, using a multimedia integration description scheme, and the multimedia integration description is generated for the multimedia content. The multimedia description is then stored into a database. As a result, a user may query a search engine which then retrieves the multimedia content from the database whose integration description matches the query criteria specified by the user. The search engine can then provide the user a useful search result based on the multimedia integration description. |
| US09239871B2 |
System and method for analyzing sequential data access efficiency
A system and method determines sequential access efficiency for a database table. A number of data block changes that occur during a sequential access of a plurality of rows in a database table are determined. The sequential access efficiency is calculated based on the determined number of data block changes. |
| US09239870B1 |
Multiple instance database auto-configuration for high availability
A database is automatically configured for recovery. Operating system compatibility, system recovery compatibility, and database server compatibility is verified. If the system recovery configuration is not compatible, then the system recovery configuration is updated. If the database server configuration is not compatible, then the database server configuration is updated. |
| US09239868B2 |
Virtual session management and reestablishment
Systems and methods are described that establish and maintain a virtual session between a client and one or more database servers. A database server establishes a first session with a client wherein establishing the virtual session with the client comprises associating a virtual session identifier (ID) with the first session, generates state information in association with the first session, and stores the state information in a repository in association with the virtual session ID. After the first session fails, a same or different database server establishes a second session with the client wherein establishing the second session with the client comprises receiving the virtual session ID from the client, accesses the state information that was stored in the repository in association with the virtual session ID, and associates the state information with the second session. |
| US09239865B1 |
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing recommended entities based on a query-specific subset of a user's social graph
Provided are systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing recommended entities responsive to a search query based on a query-specific subset of contacts from a user's social graph. A search query is received from a user that includes an identifier identifying a subset of the user's social graph. The entities responsive to the search query are identified, and those entities having evaluations by or other associations with contacts from the identified subset are also identified. In response to the search query, those entities having associations with the contacts in the identified subset of the user's social graph are provided as recommended entities in the search results. |
| US09239861B2 |
Techniques for hierarchy visualization for organizations
Techniques for hierarchy visualization for organizations are described. An apparatus may comprise an information retrieval component and a profile construction component. The information retrieval component may be generally operative to retrieve information regarding a plurality of individuals from a plurality of data repositories. The profile construction component may be generally operative to create a plurality of profiles from the retrieved information, wherein each profile combines information regarding an individual from the plurality of data repositories. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09239857B2 |
System and method for building business service model
A modeling system has a database that stores information of resources of a computer network service. A server f has a graphical user interface application for creating and editing service models. The application receives user-entered search criteria and searches information in the database based on the criteria. The search criteria can include a name, type, attribute, and other information of the resources. In addition, the search criteria can be a user-entered search query entered that has one or more logical or Boolean conditions relating resource attributes to attribute values. Using information obtained through searching, the application is used to create at least a portion of a service model of the computer network service. Once created, the application is used to initiate publishing of at least a portion of the service model to one or more impact managers of the computer network service. |
| US09239853B2 |
Automatic consistent sampling for data analysis
A method, computer program product, and system for analyzing data within one or more databases, comprising selecting one or more databases for analysis, each database comprising one or more database objects comprising one or more data values, applying a function to each data value in each database object within the one or more databases, where the function produces function values limited to a predetermined range, identifying for analysis the data values producing a certain function value within the predetermined range to form a sampled data set, and analyzing the sampled data set to determine relationships between the database objects within and across the one or more databases. |
| US09239847B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing image files
A method and apparatus for effectively managing image files are provided. The apparatus acquires a second image if a link information input signal is input. If a person is recognized from the second image, text information corresponding to the recognized person may be added to link information of a first image. Also, an image of the second image may be added to the link information of the first image. |
| US09239844B2 |
Data duplication detection system and method for controlling data duplication detection system
Accurate and efficient detection of data duplication is implemented. A data duplication determination part (1A) of a storage system (1) temporarily stores in a pool (4) a target chunk data when a second management table (T2) indicates that the target chunk data, which is included in received data, has already been stored, and, in addition, when data (a fingerprint (FP)) for guaranteeing the identity of the target chunk data is not stored in a third management table (T3). The duplication determination part (1A), in a case where the second management table indicates that another target chunk data that differs from the target chunk is already stored, and, in addition, in a case where determination is made that the FP of the other target chunk data is stored in the third management table, makes a redetermination as to whether the chunk data stored in the pool has already been stored. |
| US09239843B2 |
Scalable de-duplication for storage systems
A method for performing storage system de-duplication. The method includes accessing a plurality of initial partitions of files of a storage system and performing a de-duplication on each of the initial partitions. For each duplicate found, an indicator comprising the metadata that is similar across said each duplicate is determined. For each indicator, indicators are determined that infer a likelihood that data objects with said indicators contain duplicate data is high. Optimized partitions are generated in accordance with the chosen indicators. A de-duplication process is subsequently performed on each of the optimized partitions. |
| US09239839B2 |
Device and method for multimedia data retrieval
The invention concerns a device for multimedia data retrieval, said multimedia data being associated with an active component, said device being characterized in that, depending on an external event, some of the active components trigger an action that make the user aware of the multimedia data associated with said active components. |
| US09239831B2 |
Data localization service made available by a web browser
A data localization service is provided for a web browser residing on a computing device. Depending upon the availability of the network connection as well as the level of native support in the browser, the data localization service will support different levels of service/performance to optimize the user experience. To do so, the data localization service includes a priority handler configured to receive a request to localize data from a requesting client application and provide in response thereto a localized representation of the data to the requesting client application. The data localization service may also include a native data localizer configured to receive a request to localize data from the priority handler and localize the data in accordance with a localization preference parameter indicative of a locale. The native data localizer may be a function integrated into the script interpreter of the web browser. |
| US09239828B2 |
Recurrent conditional random fields
Recurrent conditional random field (R-CRF) embodiments are described. In one embodiment, the R-CFR receives feature values corresponding to a sequence of words. Semantic labels for words in the sequence of words are then generated and each label is assigned to the appropriate one of the words in the sequence of words. The R-CRF used to accomplish these tasks includes a recurrent neural network (RNN) portion and a conditional random field (CRF) portion. The RNN portion receives feature values associated with a word in the sequence of words and outputs RNN activation layer activations data that is indicative of a semantic label. The CRF portion inputs the RNN activation layer activations data output from the RNN for one or more words in the sequence of words and outputs label data that is indicative of a separate semantic label that is to be assigned to each of the words. |
| US09239825B2 |
List display apparatus and list display method
A list display apparatus that displays multiple pieces of character string data in a list on a display unit includes a storage unit that stores the multiple pieces of character string data; a sorting unit that sorts the multiple pieces of character string data stored in the storage unit in a character code order; a ligature decomposing unit that decomposes a ligature included in the multiple pieces of character string data into multiple original letters on which the ligature is based in the sorting by the sorting unit; and a sorting control unit that controls the sorting unit so that the multiple letters resulting from the decomposition by the ligature decomposing unit is used in the sorting, instead of the ligature. |
| US09239821B2 |
Translation file
A data processing application uses a translation file to render a visual surface based on underlying structured data. The data processing application provides mapping between nodes associated with the visual surface and nodes associated with the structured data. The mapping is generated in two phases. In a first phase, the data processing application adds mapping functions to the translation file. In the second phase, the data processing application renders the visual surface on the basis of a specific instance of the structured data, and, in the process, executes the mapping functions within the translation file to provide specific pointer information that is embedded amongst the nodes associated with the visual surface. The pointer information points back to specific locations in the structured data, thus providing mapping between the visual surface and the structured data. The structured data can be formed using Extensible Markup Language (XML). The visual surface can be formed using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). The translation file can be formed using Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT). |
| US09239816B2 |
Method of power system preventive control candidate measures identification self-adaptive to external environment
A method of power system preventive control candidate measures identification self-adaptive to external environment, which is applicable to dynamic identification of stations and power equipment under the effect of calamity, and judgment of preventive control measures that lose or restore control capability, and those for which control range or cost has changed. Automatic online identification of set of preventive control candidate measures includes two tasks: identification of stations and power equipment under the effect of calamity, and adjustment of the space of preventive control measures. According to information of power transmission line fault probability due to calamity, online dynamic quantitative assessment of stations and equipment is performed under the effect of external environment, and automatically correct control range and control cost of the measures according to the effect on equipment, so that the result of preventive control adapts to real-time external environment, ensuring feasibility and economy of auxiliary decision making. |
| US09239811B2 |
Data processing apparatus and data processing method
A data processing apparatus includes a data input unit configured to input data to a ring bus, a data output unit configured to output the data input by the input unit, a first communication processing unit configured to control input of the data by the data input unit to the ring bus and to control output of the data by the data output unit, a plurality of data processing units configured to perform data processing, a plurality of second communication processing units configured to control transmission and reception of the data between the plurality of data processing units and the ring bus, and a control unit configured to independently perform initialization on the plurality of second communication processing units or the plurality of data processing units. |
| US09239810B2 |
Low power universal serial bus
Systems and method for operating a low power universal serial bus are described herein. A universal serial bus port includes a link layer and protocol layer that are compatible with a standard USB2 protocol. The link layer and protocol layer to control a physical layer for transmitting and receiving data on a pair of signal lines. The physical layer includes a fully-digital Low-Speed/Full-Speed (LS/FS) transceiver to transmit and receive data on the pair signal lines using single-ended digital communications on the pair of signal lines. |
| US09239809B2 |
Message broadcast in a 1-wire system
A message is simultaneously broadcast to multiple systems on a 1-wire bus. A first addressed communication session is established between a microprocessor and a first 1-wire I/O expander via a 1-wire bus, where the first 1-wire I/O expander is electrically coupled to a first system. The first 1-wire I/O expander is placed into “fast access mode”, and then removed from the 1-wire bus by opening a switch to the 1-wire bus. A second addressed communication session is established between the microprocessor and a second 1-wire I/O expander before the switch recloses, where the second 1-wire I/O expander is electrically coupled to a second system. The second 1-wire I/O expander is then placed into “fast access mode”. In response to the timer expiring and the switch reclosing, an unaddressed message is broadcast from the microprocessor to the first and second systems via the first and second 1-wire I/O expanders. |
| US09239806B2 |
Systems, devices, memory controllers, and methods for controlling memory
Systems, devices, memory controllers, and methods for controlling memory are described. One such method includes activating a memory unit of a memory device; after activating the memory unit, providing a command to the memory device; and returning the memory unit to a previous state if the command does not indicate a target memory volume, wherein the memory unit remains active if the command indicates a target memory volume associated with the memory unit. |
| US09239804B2 |
Back-off mechanism for a peripheral page request log
A system and method of managing requests from peripherals in a computer system are provided. In the system and method, an input/output memory management unit (IOMMU) receives a peripheral page request (PPR) from a peripheral. In response to a determination that a criterion regarding an available capacity of a PPR log is satisfied, a completion message is sent to the peripheral indicating that the PPR is complete and the PPR is discarded without queuing the PPR in the PPR log. |
| US09239801B2 |
Systems and methods for preventing unauthorized stack pivoting
An example processing system may comprise: a lower stack bound register configured to store a first memory address, the first memory address identifying a lower bound of a memory addressable via a stack segment; an upper stack bound register configured to store a second memory address, the second memory address identifying an upper bound of the memory addressable via the stack segment; and a stack bounds checking logic configured to detect unauthorized stack pivoting, by comparing a memory address being accessed via the stack segment with at least one of the first memory address and the second memory address. |
| US09239795B2 |
Efficient cache management in a tiled architecture
A surface cache stores pixel data on behalf of a pixel processing pipeline that is configured to generate screen tiles. The surface cache assigns hint levels to cache lines storing pixel data according to whether that pixel data is likely to be needed again. When the pixel data is needed to process a subsequent tile, the corresponding cache line is assigned a higher hint value. When the pixel data is not needed again, the corresponding cache line is assigned a lower hint value. The surface cache is configured to preferentially evict cache lines having a lower hint value, thereby preserving cache lines that store pixel data needed for future processing. In addition, a fetch controller is configured to throttle the rate at which fetch requests are issued to the surface cache to prevent situations where pixel data needed for future operations becomes prematurely evicted. |
| US09239794B1 |
Managing a prefetch buffer with probabilistic access predictions
A method for managing data items retrieved for storage in a prefetch memory buffer includes determining a probability that a first data item will be requested for retrieval. The method includes estimating a first request time at which the new data item will be requested. The method also includes determining a time differential for the first data item, wherein the time differential is determined based on current time and the first request time. The method includes calculating a first prefetch priority value for the first data item based on the first data item probability and the time differential. The method includes randomly comparing the first prefetch priority value of the first data item to the prefetch priority values of the one or more stored data items to identify at least one stored data item having a prefetch priority value lower than the first prefetch priority value. |
| US09239792B2 |
Sharing cache in a computing system
Sharing cache in a computing system that includes a plurality of enclosure attached servers, including: identifying, by an enclosure, a first enclosure attached server that is not meeting a first predetermined performance threshold; identifying, by the enclosure, a second enclosure attached server that is meeting a second predetermined performance threshold; blocking, by the enclosure, access to a predetermined amount of cache on the second enclosure attached server by the second enclosure attached server; determining, by the enclosure, whether the second enclosure attached server is meeting the second predetermined performance threshold; responsive to determining that the second enclosure attached server is meeting the second predetermined performance threshold, lending, by the enclosure, the predetermined amount of cache on the second enclosure attached server to the first enclosure attached server. |
| US09239790B1 |
Techniques for evicting cached files
Techniques for evicting cached files may be realized as a method including: maintaining a file system cache storing selected files from a file storage; for files that are above a threshold size, selectively storing chunks of the files; for each file that is stored, associating an access bit and a size bit with that file; for each file that is stored selectively as file chunks, associating an access bitmap to the file having an access bit associated with each file chunk; when a file is accessed, setting the access bit associated with the file and file chunk to indicate recent access; at set intervals, periodically clearing the access bits to not indicate recent access; and carrying out a cache eviction process comprising evicting at least one file or file chunk associated with an access bit that does not indicate recent access. |
| US09239788B2 |
Split write operation for resistive memory cache
A method of reading from and writing to a resistive memory cache includes receiving a write command and dividing the write command into multiple write sub-commands. The method also includes receiving a read command and executing the read command before executing a next write sub-command. |
| US09239787B2 |
System with internal memory for storing data or a portion of data written to external memory
A system includes an internal memory configured to store data, a memory access controller, logic, and a processor. The memory access controller is operable to read data from a peripheral device in response to an event external to the system, write the data to memory external to the system and forward the data or a portion of the data to the internal memory. The logic is operable to track which portion of the data is stored in both the external memory and the internal memory. The processor has one or more caches logically and physically separated from the internal memory. The processor is operable to retrieve the data forwarded to the internal memory and use the retrieved data to begin servicing the event. |
| US09239786B2 |
Reconfigurable storage device
Exemplary embodiments for reconfiguring a storage system comprise receiving user requirement information for a storage device and automatically generating feature settings for the storage device from the user requirement information and a device profile for the storage device; and using the feature settings to automatically reconfigure the storage device into one or more logical devices having independent behavioral characteristics. Further exemplary embodiments comprise receiving feedback from the storage device regarding runtime performance data of at least one of the storage device and the logical devices; and responsive to a determination that the runtime performance data do not satisfy the user requirement information, dynamically adjusting configuration of the one or more logical devices to meet the user requirement information. |
| US09239783B2 |
Multiprocessor storage controller
A storage controller has multiple processors, divided into groups, each of which handles a different stage of a pipelined process of performing host reads and writes. In some embodiments, the storage controller operates with a flash memory module, and includes a first processor group, a second processor group and a third processor group, each having one or more processors for handling a different stage of a pipelined execution of host storage commands. With respect to a first host command, a first processor of the first processor group, a first processor of the second processor group, and a first processor of the third processor group comprise a first pipeline, and with respect to a second host command, a second processor of the first processor group, a second processor of the second processor group, and a second processor of the third processor group comprise a second pipeline. |
| US09239775B1 |
Coordinated testing
A single file is used to coordinate multiple testing processes. The single file is used to start a test, for other aspects of testing, including, but not limited to, checking test prerequisites before the run, the collection of load driver logs, the analysis of collected test data, and the generation of database and other reports for the test run. The file is generated as a script to set variables and then launch one or more load driver instances on the local and/or network attached severs. The file is used by other programs and scripts as a “run description” data file to check or control the viability of the test before launch, the status of the test if the test is currently in progress, collect the results of the test after finishing, and to begin the analysis and report generation of the collected test results. |
| US09239770B2 |
Apparatus and method for extracting restriction condition
A restriction condition extraction apparatus specifies operation targets including a first target and another target related thereto that are operated based on first procedure information in a first execution environment, extracts first procedures related to the specified operation targets from the first procedure information, generates first relation information indicating an execution order on related operation targets regarding the extracted first procedures, specifies operation targets including a second target and another target related thereto that are operated based on second procedure information in a second execution environment, extracts second procedures related to the specified operation targets from the second procedure information, generates second relation information indicating an execution order on related operation targets regarding the extracted second procedures, compares the first and the second relation information, and extracts relations of an execution order on related operation targets, which are common in the first and the second relation information. |
| US09239765B2 |
Application triggered state migration via hypervisor
Systems and methods that enable migration for state of an application, from a primary machine to a backup machine in platform virtualization systems. The migration employs a hybrid approach, wherein both a hypervisor, and an application itself determine states that are to migrate from the primary machine to the backup machine. Based on a direct communication between the application and the hypervisor—without assistance of local operating system—the hypervisor arranges for migration of the required states over to the backup virtual machine. |
| US09239763B2 |
Container database
A container database may contain multiple database dictionaries, each database dictionary defining a pluggable database. When database sessions are established on a container DBMS, each database session is given access to a pluggable database by establishing the respective database dictionary of the pluggable database as the database dictionary for that database session. Database commands issued through database session can only access the database objects defined in the database dictionary established for the database session. |
| US09239762B1 |
Method and apparatus for virtualizing file system placeholders at a computer
The virtualization of file system placeholders is described. In one embodiment, a method for virtualizing placeholders includes monitoring placeholder creation initiated by at least one archival operation, generating placeholder data in a separate data store from a file system, wherein the placeholder data comprises a plurality of placeholders that correspond with a plurality of archived files, and servicing access requests for at least one archived file of the plurality of archived files using the placeholder data. |
| US09239760B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting, correcting, and validating bad data in data streams
In one aspect, a computer system for managing occurrences of data anomalies in a data stream is provided. The computer system includes a processor in communication with the data stream. The processor is programmed to receive a first data stream from a phasor measurement unit. The processor is also programmed to calculate at least one singular value associated with the first data stream. The processor is further programmed to detect a first data anomaly within the first data stream using the at least one singular value. The first data anomaly occurs during a first time segment. The processor is also programmed to indicate the first time segment as containing the first data anomaly. |
| US09239759B2 |
Switchable on-die memory error correcting engine
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a user-switchable error correction coding (ECC) engine residing on a memory die. |
| US09239755B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor system including the same
A semiconductor system includes a memory configured to output a parity bit during a read operation and receive a data mask (DM) signal during a write operation. The semiconductor system also includes a System On Chip (SOC) configured to detect errors by decoding the parity bit during the read operation, and output the DM signal to the memory during the write operation. Since the parity bit is generated in the memory based on data received from outside the memory, the semiconductor device and a corresponding semiconductor system may reduce the size of a storage space for parity bits. |
| US09239752B2 |
Semiconductor system with error detection
A semiconductor system including a semiconductor circuit configured to compare a first error detection code generated by performing an operation on read data to a second error detection code and determine a data transmission error, and a controller configured to provide the second error detection code, generated by performing an operation on expect data based on the read data, to the semiconductor circuit. |
| US09239751B1 |
Compressing data from multiple reads for error control management in memory systems
The various implementations described herein include systems, methods and/or devices that may enhance the reliability with which data can be stored in and read from a memory. Some implementations include a method of compressing a sequence of read data values into a bit-tuple of a predefined length to enable soft information decoding systems that use less power and/or less memory. In some implementations, the bit-tuple of a predefined length is produced using M single-bit buffer locations, where M corresponds to the predefined length of the bit-tuple. Some implementations utilize a collection of characterization vectors that include soft information values associated with the possible permutations of the bit-tuples. In turn, a sequence of bit-tuples is converted into a sequence of soft information values by retrieving a particular characterization vector, and selecting a respective soft information value from that characterization vector for each bit-tuple in the sequence. |
| US09239750B1 |
Detecting problems in content distribution
Detecting a problem in a content distribution is disclosed. Performance information associated with a first content player is received form a first client. Performance information associated with a second content player is received from a second client. The information received from the first client and the second client is aggregated. A determination is made, from the aggregated information, that a problem is indicated. Alternate techniques for detecting a problem in a content distribution are also disclosed. |
| US09239748B2 |
Comparator circuitry coupled to first, second time stamp overlap bits
This invention is time stamping subsystem of an electronic apparatus. A time stamp generator generates a multibit time stamp value including a predetermined number of least significant bits overlapping a predetermined number of most significant bits. Each client receives the least significant bits. Each client associates captured data with a corresponding set of the least significant bits in a message. A central scheduling unit associates most significant bits of the time stamp value with the least significant bits of the message. This associating compares overlap bits of the most significant bits and least significant bits. The most significant bits are decremented until the overlap bits are equal. |
| US09239747B1 |
Image timestamp correction using metadata
Implementations generally relate to improving metadata. In some implementations, a method includes determining timestamps, where the timestamps correspond to images. The method also includes determining one or more reference times based on predetermined metadata. The method also includes detecting a timestamp error in one or more timestamps based on the one or more reference times. The method also includes adjusting each timestamp having a timestamp error based on the one or more reference times. |
| US09239746B2 |
Method of, and apparatus for, detection of degradation on a storage resource
A method of monitoring the performance of a device is presented, each storage device being operable to receive storage requests and includes a queue for incoming storage requests and a physical storage medium, the method includes: a) obtaining data relating to the device parameters of: throughput of storage requests to the storage device; queue time for one or more requests on the storage device; and the time required to complete one or more storage requests on the storage device; b) generating a model relating to the expected distribution of the device parameters on the storage device during normal operation; c) monitoring the parameters during operation of the storage device; d) comparing the distribution of the monitored parameters during operation of the storage device with the expected distribution of the parameters; and e) identifying a fault on the storage device based on the comparison. |
| US09239740B2 |
Program partitioning across client and cloud
Partitioning execution of a program between a client device and a cloud of network resources, exploits the asymmetry between the computational and storage resources of the cloud and the resources and proximity of the client access device to a user. Programs may be decomposed into work units. Those work units may be profiled to determine execution characteristics, modeled based on current state information and the profile, and a model performance metric (MPM) generated. Based on the MPM, work units may be partitioned between the client and the cloud. |
| US09239739B2 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling affinity for execution entities
In a data processing system that is executing a parent execution entity of an application, the parent execution entity has a first affinity setting. The data processing system enables the parent execution entity to create a worker execution entity that has a second affinity setting without changing the affinity setting of the parent execution entity. Workload for the application may then be performed in parallel by the parent execution entity and the worker execution entity. In one embodiment, to create the worker execution entity with the second affinity setting, the system first creates a delegate execution entity that has the first affinity setting. The system then changes the affinity setting of the delegate execution entity to the second affinity setting. The delegate execution entity then creates the worker execution entity with the second affinity setting. Another embodiment involves a super-delegate execution entity. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09239737B2 |
Concise resource addressing
The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer-implemented methods for concise resource addressing. An example method includes receiving a request for an application including a resource identifier, the resource identifier including a textual identifier and a contextual identifier, the textual identifier including a textual description of the requested application, and the contextual identifier including an encoded description of the requested application; determining at least one target application associated with the resource identifier based at least in part on the textual identifier or the contextual identifier; and sending a response to the request include the at least one target application associated with the resource identifier. |
| US09239735B2 |
Compiler-control method for load speculation in a statically scheduled microprocessor
A statically scheduled processor compiler schedules a speculative load in the program before the data is needed. The compiler inserts a conditional instruction confirming or disaffirming the speculative load before the program behavior changes due to the speculative load. The condition is not based solely upon whether the speculative load address is correct but preferably includes dependence according to the original source code. The compiler may statically schedule two or more branches in parallel with orthogonal conditions. |
| US09239732B2 |
Unrolling aggregation operations in asynchronous programming code having multiple levels in hierarchy
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for improving asynchronous programming execution at runtime. Asynchronous programming code can comprise more than one level of hierarchy, such as in an execution plan. Respective aggregation operations in a portion of the asynchronous programming code are unrolled, to create a single level iterative execution, by combining elements of the multi-level iterative execution of the asynchronous programming code. In this way, the aggregation operations are concatenated to local logic code for the aggregation operations. Thread context switching in the unrolled portion of asynchronous programming code is performed merely at an asynchronous operation, thereby mitigating unnecessary switches. Exceptions thrown during programming code can be propagated up to a top of a virtual callstack for the execution. |
| US09239730B2 |
Managing connections in a distributed virtualization environment
A host machine executing a connection agent receives a configuration identifying a set of connections to a plurality of storage servers. The host machine later receives a command to run a virtual machine. The host machine determines, based on the configuration, a particular connection of the set of connections to a particular storage server of the plurality of storage servers, the particular connection enabling access to data associated with the virtual machine that is stored by the particular storage server. The host machine then establishes the particular connection to the particular storage server without first receiving a command to establish the particular connection. |
| US09239727B1 |
Configurable virtual machines
Systems and methods for configuring a virtual machine provided by a remote computing system based on the availability of one or more remote computing resources and respective corresponding prices of the one or more remote computing resources. |
| US09239724B2 |
Computer device and boot method thereof
A computer device and a boot method thereof are provided. The method is applicable to a computer with a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) and an Operating System (OS). The computer includes a chassis and a memory. In the boot method, after the computer is started, it is judged whether the chassis is opened in an interval from the last boot time to the current boot time. If the chassis is not opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time, the BIOS does not detect hardware elements connected to the computer to obtain setting and parameter values of each hardware element, but reads directly the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the memory last time, initializes each hardware element, transmits the setting and parameter values to the OS, and executes the OS to complete the boot process. |
| US09239720B2 |
Device and method for generating application model based on layered structure
This disclosure presents an application model generation device and method based on hierarchy structure. A user may build an algorithm factor configuration instructions based on the actual application demands before implementing the application model, and update and/or modify one or more of the algorithm factors by means of the algorithm factor configuration instructions, and thus implementing flexible expansion for the application model. The application model generation device and method based on hierarchy structure as disclosed herein have flexible expandability, and the configuration efficiency is increased and the complexity in the configuration process is decreased duo to the implementation of the reusability of the algorithm factors, the meta-application algorithm units and the scenarios. |
| US09239714B2 |
Rapid deployment of software applications
A system for a rapid deployment of software system includes a rapid deployment preparation module and a rapid deployment module. The rapid deployment preparation module archives a machine-independent portion of a software system preinstalled and preconfigured on a source machine. The rapid deployment module unpacks and installs the machine-independent portion of the software system on a target machine. The rapid deployment module then reconstructs a machine-dependent portion of the software system on the target machine using the target machine specific data. |
| US09239713B1 |
Platform independent rendering for native mobile applications
A method for rendering native mobile applications is disclosed. The method includes maintaining, by a computing device with one or more processors and a memory, a mobile application specification, a plurality of plug-in specifications, each of the plug-in specifications being associated with at least one first enterprise backend resource or enterprise service, and a plurality of widget specifications, each of the widget specifications being associated with at least one second enterprise backend resource or enterprise service. The method selectively integrates at least one of the plug-in specifications or at least one of the widget specifications into the mobile application specification. The method further compiles one or more native mobile applications based at least in part on the mobile application specification, and sends the one or more native mobile applications to one or more client devices. |
| US09239704B2 |
Variable node processing unit
A low-density parity check min-sum decoder including a variable node processing unit having N+1 inputs. A first bank of N+1 two-input adders each have an associated output, and at least one of the N+1 inputs go to more than two of the adders of the first bank. A second bank of N two-input adders has no adders in common with the first bank. At least one of the adders of the first bank provides its associated output to more than one adder of the second bank. The banks of adders are disposed in series. A sign module outputs a sign value produced from one of the inputs and an output from one of the adders of the second bank. N+1 outputs are provided, where one of the outputs is the sign value. |
| US09239694B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method, and storage medium for allowing or inhibiting reprint of data based on user authentication
This image forming apparatus determines, when a user authentication function of the image forming apparatus is set to be valid and a re-execution function of re-executing an executed job is set to be valid, that the re-execution function can be executed, and determines, when the user authentication function is set to be invalid, that the re-execution function cannot be executed. The apparatus stores job information of an executed job when determining that the re-execution function can be executed. The apparatus permits an authenticated user to handle stored job information when determining that the re-execution function can be executed, the user authentication succeeds, and the authenticated user has execution authority for the job. |
| US09239691B2 |
System and method for distributed computing in non-volatile memory
A system and method are disclosed for incorporating mathematical and/or logical functionality within a memory system (such as a solid state drive (SSD)). The mathematical and/or logical functionality may comprise an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The ALU may be resident in one or both of flash memory chips or the SSD controller. When resident in the flash memory chips, a single ALU or multiple ALUs may be used. For example, a single ALU may be assigned to one, some, or each block of flash memory within the flash memory chip. As another example, an ALU may be assigned to a sub-block construct, such as to each bit line in the block. Having ALUs resident in the SSD enables more processing to be performed within the SSD and reduces the need to transmit data outside of the SSD for processing. |
| US09239689B2 |
Live migration of virtual disks
A system and method are disclosed for live migration of a virtual disk of a virtual machine between storage devices. In accordance with one example, a computer system prepares a first area of a first storage device and a second area of a second storage device for a live snapshot of a virtual disk of a virtual machine. A transaction is then executed that comprises: storing the live snapshot in the first area of the first storage device, copying the live snapshot to the second area of the second storage device, and mirroring a change to the virtual disk that occurs after the creation of the live snapshot, where the mirroring is via one or more write operations to the live snapshot in the first area and to the copy of the live snapshot in the second area. |
| US09239688B2 |
Mapping in a storage system
A system and method for maintaining a mapping table in a data storage subsystem. A data storage subsystem supports multiple mapping tables. Records within a mapping table are arranged in multiple levels which may be logically ordered by time. Each level stores pairs of a key value and a pointer value. New records are inserted in a created new (youngest) level. All levels other than the youngest may be read only. In response to detecting a flattening condition, a data storage controller is configured to identify a group of two or more adjacent levels of the plurality of levels for flattening which are logically adjacent in time. A new level is created and one or more records stored within the group are stored in the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more records stores a unique key among keys stored within the group. |
| US09239685B2 |
Method for performing memory access management, and associated memory device and controller thereof
A method for accessing a memory includes: utilizing a Flash memory to perform a plurality of sensing operations with a plurality of different sensing voltages respectively corresponding to the plurality of sensing operations; according to the plurality of sensing operations, generating a first digital value of a Flash cell of the Flash memory; according to the plurality of sensing operations and the first digital value, generating at least a second digital value of the Flash cell; and obtaining soft information of the Flash cell according to the second digital value. The first digital value and the second digital value are used for determining information of a same bit stored in the Flash cell, a number of possible bit(s) of the Flash cell directly corresponds to a number of possible states of the Flash cell, and the obtained soft information is used for performing soft decoding. |
| US09239682B2 |
I/O hint framework for Server Flash Cache
An I/O hint framework is provided. In one embodiment, a computer system can receive an I/O command originating from a virtual machine (VM), where the I/O command identifies a data block of a virtual disk. The computer system can further extract hint metadata from the I/O command, where the hint metadata includes one or more characteristics of the data block that are relevant for determining how to cache the data block in a flash storage-based cache. The computer system can then make the hint metadata available to a caching module configured to manage the flash storage-based cache. |
| US09239677B2 |
Operation of a computer with touch screen interface
A touch screen computer executes an application. A method of operating the touch screen computer in response to a user is provided. A virtual input device is provided on the touch screen. The virtual input device comprises a plurality of virtual keys. It is detected that a user has touched the touch screen to nominally activate at least one virtual key, and a behavior of the user with respect to touch is determined. The determined behavior is processed and a predetermined characteristic is associated with the nominally-activated at least one virtual key. A reaction to the nominal activation is determined based at least in part on a result of processing the determined behavior. |
| US09239675B2 |
Input display apparatus and method, image forming apparatus, imaging apparatus, and computer readable medium
An input display apparatus includes the following elements. A display unit has a display area. A receiver receives plural types of gestures which are performed on the display area. A setting unit sets plural settings for an apparatus in accordance with the types of gestures received by the receiver. A display controller controls the display unit to display at least one of the plural settings and gesture guidance information for guiding an input of a gesture which is associated with the setting to be displayed. |
| US09239672B2 |
User interface for data comparison
Systems and methods perform comparison of data represented as charts, for example, bar graphs, pie charts, line charts or stacked bar charts. The charts present visual representations mapping source values to target values. A user can select charts associated with a data records for comparison from an index of data records. The user selects a chart and a particular source value from the reference chart. The target values corresponding to the source value from other charts are compared against the target value from the reference chart. An aggregate of the target values associated with the source value from each chart may be presented to the user. The user can also use multi-touch input to select object representing data and drag them to perform actions associated with the objects. The actions performed on the objects depend on the locations of the objects as the user drags them. |
| US09239669B2 |
Common user interface view grouping and sharing framework in online applications
A system and method for a common user interface view grouping and sharing framework is described. A user interface layer generates a custom view of a user interface of an application. The custom view comprises a plurality of common views. The custom view provides common view functions shared from the plurality of common views. Common view functions are performed using custom view information provided by the custom view to the plurality of common views in response to a call from the custom view. |
| US09239668B2 |
Provision of a user interface based on user interaction with a computing device
Servers, storage medium and methods associated with provision of user interface on a computing device are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a storage medium may have instructions to enable the computing device to monitor interactions with the first computing device by a user of the first computing device. The instructions may enable the first computing device to upload detected interactions or characteristic data of the interactions to a remote computing service to enable accumulation of the characteristic data of the interactions or generation of customizable user interface settings at the remote computing service. The instructions may enable the first computing device to subsequently download of the accumulated characteristic data of the interactions or customizable user interface settings to a second computing device associated with the user, for use to facilitate provision of a user interface on the second computing device, based at least in part on downloaded characteristic data of the interactions or customizable user interface settings. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed. |
| US09239663B1 |
Hover activation based on input device pointer movement
Disclosed are various embodiments for hover activation based on movement by an input device pointer. A network page associated with a network site for display by a client is rendered for display, where the network page includes a first panel. A trajectory path of an input device pointer is determined based on movement of an input device pointer. A second panel in the network page is displayed according to the input device pointer hovering over an element in the first panel. The network page is modified according to a predetermined delay and according to a current position of the input device pointer. |
| US09239662B2 |
User interface editor
In one embodiment, a method performed by one or more computing devices including defining a hierarchical structure for a user interface (UI) that includes defining one or more layers of the hierarchical structure, adding one or more objects at each layer, and specifying one or more relationships among particular objects. The method further including associating metadata with each object at each layer, the metadata describing how the corresponding object is presented in the user interface. |
| US09239656B2 |
Touch display device and method of manufacturing the same
A touch display device and method of manufacturing a touch display device are provided. The touch display device includes: a display panel, an adhesive material layer on the display panel, a touch panel on the adhesive material layer, the touch panel including: a base film, a first touch electrode on a bottom surface of the base film, a second touch electrode on a top surface of the base film, and an insulating pattern at an edge portion of the bottom surface of the base film, and a cover glass on the touch panel. |
| US09239655B2 |
Parsimonious systems for touch detection and capacitive touch methods useful in conjunction therewith
A touch sensing system comprising a set of touch surfaces in a touch panel including a population of touch surfaces; and at least one touch alert generator separately alerting for touch on each of, and both of, at least first and second touch surfaces from among the population of touch surfaces, wherein the alert generator is operative to determine capacitance of said first touch surface, determine touch object capacitance of said first and second touch surfaces, and compute a difference between the two capacitances, thereby to generate an approximation for touch object capacitance of said second touch surface. |
| US09239650B2 |
Curved touch display apparatus for providing tactile feedback and method thereof
A curved touch display apparatus for providing tactile feedback is provided. The curved touch display comprises a curved screen, in which an image is displayed; and a projector including an infrared irradiator for irradiating infrared rays to the curved screen. An infrared camera photographs an infrared image reflected from the curved screen. An ultrasonic wave array module includes a plurality of ultrasonic wave generators which generate airborne ultrasonic waves. A controller determines a touched point on the curved screen based on the infrared image, and controls an operation of the ultrasonic wave array module to generate airborne ultrasonic waves directed to the touched point. |
| US09239647B2 |
Electronic device and method for changing an object according to a bending state
An electronic device and a method for changing an object according to a bending state. The method includes analyzing coordinates of touch areas to set an arbitrary area; checking that at least one object is included in the set area; and controlling a layout of the at least one object included in the set area according to a bending state. |
| US09239637B2 |
Systems for an electrostatic stylus within a capacitive touch sensor
Systems are described for transmitting and receiving signals in an active stylus for a capacitive touch sensor, for which the systems have at least one circuit for receiving a current from an electrode and for transmitting a voltage onto the electrode. The systems include components for receiving the current in a receiving mode, a switch, and a switchmode power supply circuit having at least a transformer and a diode, for which the diode is coupled to the transformer. In a transmission mode, there is means for electrically isolating at least some of the components configured for receiving the current in the receiving mode from the voltage formed across the stray capacitance. In the receiving mode, there is a means for electrically isolating at least some of the components configured for receiving the current in the receiving mode from an inductance of the transformer in the switchmode power supply circuit. |
| US09239634B2 |
Computer equipment comprising a trackball and method for driving the computer equipment
A computer equipment comprises a trackball used to point to objects on a screen of the equipment. A method for driving the computer equipment is also provided. The trackball comprises a moving part and a body inside which the moving part can be displaced, the computer being configured to display at least one object and a pointer on the screen. The trackball comprises means making it possible to exert a tangential force on the moving part, means driven by the computer. The computer is configured to modulate the force according to the shape of the object displayed and the position of the pointer relative to the object. |
| US09239632B2 |
Method of selectively operating a rotating function and portable terminal supporting the same
A method of selectively operating a rotation function of an electronic device permits selective rotation of a display screen rotation function such that a terminal operation according to a user request may be supported while processing a user function may be performed based on the rotation function as needed. The method includes a receiving step of receiving a request to activate a specific user function, an application determination step of determining whether the rotation function applies to the specific user function of which activation is requested, a direction determining step of determining a rotation direction of a terminal when the specific user function is set to be applied with the rotation function, and an applying step of applying the rotation function to the specific user function according to the rotation direction of the terminal. |
| US09239625B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal and a control method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes a display and a controller configured to change display of at least one object on the basis of at least one of the attribute of the at least one object and the attribute of a second touch when the second touch applied to at least one point of the display is input while a first touch applied to the at least one object displayed on the display is maintained. Accordingly, display of a selected object can be changed on the basis of at least one of the attribute of the object and the attribute of touch. |
| US09239624B2 |
Free hand gesture control of automotive user interface
A free hand gesture control user interface is described. Components of the interface system may include a stereo vision camera, or multiple cameras, a control unit, a projector and a projecting surface. In an automotive application, the projecting surface may be the windscreen in the vehicle or a mounted screen. The camera together with software modules in the control unit define a gesture acceptance border and a gesture acceptance space within which hand gestures may be imaged, defined for various control actions, and executed. The hand images are analyzed in slices of the gesture acceptance space to determine hand orientation (open or closed) and/or motion. |
| US09239617B2 |
Apparatus and method of controlling mobile terminal based on analysis of user's face
An apparatus and method of controlling a mobile terminal by detecting a face or an eye in an input image are provided. The method includes performing face recognition on an input image facing and being captured by an image input unit equipped on the front face of the mobile terminal; determining, based on the face recognition, user state information that includes whether a user exists, a direction of the user's face, a distance from the mobile terminal, and/or a position of the user's face; and performing a predetermined function of the mobile terminal according to the user state information. According to the method, functions of the mobile terminal may be controlled without direct inputs from the user. |
| US09239616B1 |
Apparatus for simulating motion in a virtual environment
An apparatus simulates motion in a virtual environment. The apparatus has a constraining structure mechanically coupled to an adjustable user support system. Rotational movement of the human user is accommodated by rotation of the adjustable user support system within the constraining structure. A stationary friction reducing platform is proximate the constraining structure. A foot platform is configured to be worn on a foot of a human user. The foot platform is configured to engage the stationary friction reducing platform to simulate motion. A motion simulating device is proximate a foot of the human user. The motion simulating device is communicatively coupled to an electronic foot speed measurement device and an electronic measurement device. A measurement system communicatively coupled to the electronic measurement device and the electronic foot speed measurement device. The adjustable user support system is a user support and belt system. |
| US09239609B2 |
Method for reducing power consumption in electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) physical layer, a clock generator and a control unit. The SATA physical layer is configured to provide connection with an SATA device and perform data transmission with the SATA device is performed at a first clock frequency. The clock generator is configured to provide a clock signal having the first clock frequency to the SATA physical layer. When at least one specific event is detected by the control unit, the control unit controls the clock generator to provide the clock signal having a second clock frequency to the SATA physical layer, so that the SATA physical layer performs data transmission with the SATA device at the second clock frequency. The second clock frequency is lower than the first clock frequency. |
| US09239601B2 |
Power supply unit (PSU) right-sizing that supports power transients, with mechanism for dynamic curtailment of power transients during a PSU failure
A power controller of an information handling system (IHS) controls power allocation for the IHS with components that intermittently exhibit power transients. The power controller is configured to: identify an enhanced power state during which a maximum power required by the information handling system is greater than the amount of power provided by a primary PSU of a redundant configuration of PSUs; and allocate a portion of the unused operating margin of backup reserve power from the redundant PSUs to support intermittent power transients that occur during enhanced power state operation. The power controller is further configured to, in response to a detection of a condition that reduces an amount of unused operating margin of backup reserve power to less than an amount of additional power required to support the intermittent power transients, autonomously disable/limit the enhanced power state to prevent/limit an occurrence or magnitude of the intermittent power transients. |
| US09239600B2 |
Method and system for supplying power to multiple voltage islands using a single supply source (SSS)
Methods and systems for supplying power to multiple voltage islands using a single supply source are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include providing power to a first of a plurality of voltage islands, and individually controlling providing of power to each of a remaining portion of the plurality of voltage islands. For example, when an electronic system is first powered on, a low current voltage source may be used to supply power to a primary voltage island. As a higher current voltage source becomes available, power derived from the higher current voltage source may be provided to the primary voltage island and to secondary voltage islands. Power to each of the secondary voltage islands may be, for example, individually controlled via a power MOS transistor. The power MOS transistor may also be configured to allow a faster blocking time than unblocking time. |
| US09239598B2 |
Thermal architecture
The described embodiment relates generally to the field of thermal management. More specifically an apparatus for cooling a unibody computing device with obscured inlet and outlet vents is disclosed. Inlet vents are arranged on a bottom surface of the unibody computing device and then exhaust air is vented out from a rear surface of the computing device. The rear vents can be obscured by a stand designed to support the weight of the computing device. By venting exhaust air to either side of the support stand exhaust air can be prevented from being drawn back into the inlet vents, thereby avoiding an overheating condition. |
| US09239597B2 |
Ejecting apparatus and electronic device employing the ejecting apparatus
An electronic device comprises a main body, a plurality of I/O interfaces, and an ejecting apparatus. The ejecting apparatus is mounted on the main body and comprises an enclosure, a supporting member received in the enclosure, a carrier secured on the supporting member to support the I/O interfaces, a first driving unit, and a second driving unit. The first driving unit drives the carrier to slide along a first direction, and the second driving unit drives the carrier to slide along a second direction opposite to the first direction. When the I/O interfaces are exposed out of the enclosure, the first force is larger than the second force. When the carrier is operated to slide to a position where the second force is larger than the first force, the I/O interfaces are driven to be received in the enclosure. |
| US09239596B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a lower member, an upper member, a strip-storing unit and an electric connecting strip. The lower member is provided with a keyboard module. The upper member is slidably disposed on the lower member. The strip-storing unit is disposed in the lower member. The electric connecting strip is retractably disposed in the strip-storing unit, and two ends thereof are respectively connected to the upper member and the lower member. When the upper member slides on the lower member, a part of the electric connecting strip is pulled out or pulled back into the strip-storing unit. |
| US09239595B2 |
Electronic system and connecting mechanism thereof
A connecting mechanism for connecting an electronic device to a docking station includes a first socket, a first magnet, a fixing member, a first magnetic induction member, a first engaging member and a first driving member. The first socket is movably disposed in the electronic device and a first engaging recess is formed on a side of the first socket. The first magnet is disposed in the first socket. The fixing member is disposed on the docking station. The first magnetic induction member is disposed on the fixing member and corresponding to the first magnet. The first engaging member is movably disposed on the fixing member and has a first engaging portion. The first driving member is disposed between the fixing member and the first engaging member. |
| US09239591B2 |
Case for a hand held device
A housing assembly for a mobile device includes a cover formed from optically transmissive material, and opaque material formed over a portion of the cover. The opaque material is arranged to define a display portion which is optically transmissive. The housing assembly further includes a frame sized to receive the cover, and a first housing structured to couple with the frame, such that the cover, the frame, and the first housing are structured to define an enclosure sized to contain electrical components for the mobile device. |
| US09239585B2 |
Load transient, reduced bond wires for circuits supplying large currents
Circuits and methods to improve dynamic load transient performance of circuits supplying high current and having parasitic resistances are disclosed. These circuits comprise e.g. LDOs, amplifiers or buffers. The circuits and methods are characterized by including parasitic resistances, caused by bond wires, metallization of pass devices, and substrate routings, in a loop for fast transient response. Furthermore the circuits comprise a stabilization circuit within said loop and a separate pad for said loop. |
| US09239577B2 |
Method and device for carrying out an onboard diagnosis
A method for checking a function of an actuator or a sensor of a system, having the following steps: controlling the actuator within a time window if at least one state variable of the system is in a predefined operating range; detecting a system response, with the aid of the sensor, within the time window as a response to controlling the actuator; determining a malfunction of the actuator or of the sensor if the system response differs from a setpoint system response that is expected due to controlling the actuator. A further actuator of the system is controlled during the time window in such a way that the at least one state variable of the system remains in the predefined operating range during the time window. Moreover, a corresponding method for calibrating a sensor or an actuator of a system is described. |
| US09239574B2 |
Apparatus for automating field device operations by capturing device method execution steps for later use and related method
A method includes receiving a first request to execute a field device method associated with a process control field device. The method also includes initiating actual execution of the field device method with the field device and/or simulating execution of the field device method. The method further includes recording information associated with the actual or simulated execution of the field device method and recording user input associated with the field device method. In addition, the method includes receiving a second request to play back execution of the field device method, initiating subsequent execution of the field device method, and using the recorded information and the recorded user input during the subsequent execution of the field device method. |
| US09239572B2 |
Safety switching device for setting a safety-related device to a safe state
A safety switching device, with which a safety-related device, can be set into a safe state. The safety switching device has a microprocessor or microcontroller, which can set an electric drive to be protected into a safe state both if an emergency circuit breaker, protective door switch, and/or two-hand switch is activated and also if there is faulty operation of the safety-related device or electric drive. For this purpose, the microprocessor is implemented such that it can determine from at least one analog signal to be measured whether a predetermined parameter lies outside a predetermined operating range. In addition, the microprocessor can be a component of a safety device which is constructed for multiple-channel control of a safety-related electric drive. In this way, the safety switching device can respond to several safety functions independent of each other in order to set an electric drive into a safe state. |
| US09239571B2 |
Workout cycle employed in a time measurement portable device
Portable device for time measurement that counts with the basic functions of time and date, alarm, Timer, Stopwatch, Fixed Interval Timer function, as well as a Variable Interval Timer function. This Variable Interval Timer function allows the user to program multiple different workout or rest intervals, each with a different established time, and without limitation to an amount of fixed and unalterable workout and rest rounds. The user is able to program intervals in order to increase or decrease the workout or rest time. In the same way the user may decide to create intervals of different exercises, some of them for a short time and some of them for a longer time, as well as the rest time. Finally, the user may program the watch to alert them that a change of interval is coming using several different alarms for the different intervals. |
| US09239566B2 |
Image formation unit and image formation apparatus
A housing for an electrostatic latent image carrier is formed with a groove in which a light emitting section of the exposure device is positioned at the usage position. The groove extends in an insertion direction of the light emitting section of the exposure device to the groove. A flexible light-shielding member includes one side fixed to a peripheral part of the groove. The light-shielding member covers the groove when the exposure device is detached from the housing. When the exposure device is attached to the housing, the light-shielding member is bent by the exposure device into the groove. A guide is provided at the upstream end portion of the light-shielding member in the insertion direction. The guide guides the light-shielding member from the closing state to the bent state upon inserting the light emitting section of the exposure device into the groove. |
| US09239565B2 |
Powder container, developing unit, process unit, and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A powder container that includes a container body to contain powder for image formation, a discharge outlet formed in the container body to discharge powder therefrom, a shutter movable between an open position to open the discharge outlet and a closed position to close the discharge outlet, and a seal member to be interposed between the container body and the shutter when the shutter is at the open position. In a state in which the shutter is at the open position, a downstream end of the seal member in an opening direction in which the shutter moves to open the discharge outlet is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the shutter in the opening direction. |
| US09239564B2 |
Drum unit capable of improving positioning precision of cleaner with respect to photosensitive drum
A drum unit includes: a first side plate; a second side plate; a photosensitive drum; a cleaner; a first frame; and a bearing. The first side plate has a first opening. The second side plate is spaced apart from the first side plate in a first direction. The photosensitive drum has an axis extending along the first direction and a first end portion in the first direction. The photosensitive drum has a circumferential surface. The cleaner is configured to clean the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The first frame includes: a support portion configured to support the cleaner; and a wall portion having a second opening. The bearing is configured to support the first end portion of the photosensitive drum. The bearing extends through both the first opening and the second opening. |
| US09239563B2 |
Image forming apparatus having waste toner container commonly used for photosensitive drums and transfer belt
An image forming apparatus includes a main frame, a plurality of process cartridges, a cartridge-supporting body, a belt, a belt cleaning unit, a waste toner cartridge, and a collective conveying unit. Each drum-cleaning unit collects waste toner on a corresponding photosensitive drum. The cartridge-supporting body supports the process cartridges and is movable between an internal position inside the main frame and an external position outside of the main frame. The belt cleaning unit collects waste toner on the belt. The waste toner cartridge accommodates both waste toner collected from the photosensitive drums by the drum-cleaning units and waste toner collected from the belt by the belt cleaning unit. The collective conveying unit aggregates both waste toner collected from the photosensitive drums by the drum-cleaning units and waste toner collected from the belt by the belt cleaning unit and conveys the aggregated waste toner to the waste toner cartridge. |
| US09239561B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drawer unit drawably stored in the apparatus body, a plurality of interlocked lock portions configured to lock the drawer unit to the apparatus body in a state in which the drawer unit is stored in the apparatus body, an interlocking portion configured to interlock the interlocked lock portions, and an independent lock portion configured to move independently from the plurality of interlocked lock portions and disposed so as to lock the drawer unit to the apparatus body. |
| US09239559B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device includes a heat source; a fixing member looped into a generally cylindrical shape to rotate in a circumferential direction thereof and partially heated by the heat source and to heat a surface of a recording medium bearing an unfixed toner image to fix the unfixed toner image thereon in a fixing process; a rotary pressing member disposed facing the fixing member to form a nip therebetween, through which the recording medium is transported in a transport direction; and a rotation driver to rotate one of the fixing member and the pressing member. In a case in which the fixing member is halted for a reason other than the fixing process while power of the fixing device is on, electric power is not supplied to the heat source and the fixing member is rotated by a predetermined amount or more after the fixing member is halted. |
| US09239558B2 |
Self-releasing nanoparticle fillers in fusing members
In accordance with the invention, there are fuser subsystems including a fuser member and methods of making a member of the fuser subsystems. The fuser member can include a substrate and a top-coat layer disposed over the substrate, the top-coat layer including a plurality of fluorinated nanoparticles substantially uniformly dispersed throughout a bulk of a fluoropolymer to provide a continual self-releasing surface to the top-coat layer. |
| US09239557B2 |
Image forming apparatus
There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image forming unit; a fixing unit; a motor; a transmission device configured to transmit a driving power from the motor with a speed transmission ratio selectable from a first speed transmission ratio and a second speed transmission ratio; and a control unit configured to control the transmission device to set the speed transmission ratio to one of the first speed transmission ratio and the second speed transmission ratio by controlling the transmission device to switch a connection state being set by a connection mechanism into one of a connected state and a disconnected state. |
| US09239555B2 |
Method for manufacturing sheet heating element, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A method for manufacturing a sheet heating element includes preparing a sheet member containing a metal or alloy, and performing anodic oxidizing treatment on the sheet member until only a surface layer of the sheet member is oxidized while a center portion thereof is not oxidized. |
| US09239553B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body. A heat shield is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body and interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater. An overheating suppressor is interposed between the heater and the heat shield to shield the heat shield from the heater. The heat shield includes an intermediate portion spanning in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body and movable between a shield position where the intermediate portion is disposed opposite the heater directly and a retracted position where the intermediate portion is disposed opposite the heater via the overheating suppressor. |
| US09239550B2 |
Image forming apparatus with adjusting belt unit
An image forming apparatus assembly includes a main body, and a belt unit mounted to the main body and including an endless belt, a plurality of rollers including a first roller configured to apply a driving force to the belt and to stretch the belt, and a second roller around which the belt is wound with a wrapping angle not less than 90° and configured to stretch the belt, a frame configured to integrally support the rollers, a first engaging portion disposed in the frame and configured to position the first roller to the main body, and a second engaging portion disposed in the frame and configured to position the second roller to the main body. In addition, a guide member is configured to guide the belt unit and disposed in the main body, and including a first engaged portion engaged with the first engaging portion and a second engaged portion engaged with the second engaging portion. |
| US09239546B2 |
Developing unit and process cartridge
The present invention relates to a developing unit including a developer bearing member configured to bear a developer, the axis of the developer bearing member being inclined with respect to the axis of an image bearing member. The developing unit includes a developer accommodating chamber that accommodates the developer; and a conveying member provided in the developer accommodating chamber and supplying the developer from the developer accommodating chamber to the developer bearing member by rotation. The axis of the conveying member is inclined with respect to the axis of the developer bearing member. The developer conveying force of the conveying member differs depending on the position in the axial direction thereof and increases as the distance from the axis of the conveying member to the surface of the developer bearing member increases. |
| US09239544B2 |
Development apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A development apparatus for an image forming apparatus includesa first sealing member provided in the supporting portion and configured to seal a gap between a peripheral surface of the development roller and the frame member at one end side of the frame member in the axis direction to prevent the developer from leaking from the frame member; and a second sealing member made of a resin and configured to seal the through hole, and the first sealing member, the supporting portion, and the second sealing member are arranged in this order on the same plane perpendicular to the axis direction. |
| US09239537B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus comprises: a detection unit which detects a light amount of reflected light from a measurement image, and includes an irradiation unit which irradiates the measurement image with light, a first unit which receives specular light from the measurement image, and a second unit which receives diffused light from the measurement image; a controller which controls an image forming condition based on a detection result; and a determination unit which determines a first emission intensity based on a light amount of the specular light, and determines a second emission intensity based on the first emission intensity, the light amount of the specular light, and a light amount of the diffused light, wherein the emission intensity of light with which the irradiation unit irradiates the measurement image is controlled based on the second emission intensity. |
| US09239534B2 |
Cleaning device and image forming apparatus equipped with the same
A cleaning device includes a cleaning unit configured to perform cleaning while in contact with a light transmission member, the cleaning unit being movable with respect to the transmission member in a first direction and a second direction differing in orientation. The cleaning unit includes a first cleaning portion and a second cleaning portion capable of coming into contact with the transmission member, moves in the first direction while keeping the first cleaning portion in contact with the transmission member and keeping the second cleaning portion away from the transmission member, and moves in the second direction while keeping the first cleaning portion away from the transmission member and keeping the second cleaning portion in contact with the transmission member. |
| US09239531B2 |
Color toner
The present disclosure describes a color single component toner with desirable fusing performance. |
| US09239527B2 |
Electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, and toner cartridge
An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles containing a binder resin containing a polyester resin forming a sea part and a vinyl resin forming an island part of a sea-island structure, a first release agent existing in the sea part in a domain state, and a second release agent existing in the island part in a domain state, wherein when a cross-sectional area of the second release agent is set to A1 and a cross-sectional area of the first release agent is set to B1 in a cross section of the toner particles, a relationship of 0.2≦A1/B1≦0.8 is satisfied. |
| US09239525B2 |
Pattern forming method and apparatus, exposure method and apparatus, and device manufacturing method and device
During a period after starting exposure to a plurality of shot areas subject to exposure on a wafer until completing the exposure, a light via a slit pair arranged on a stage that holds the wafer, of illumination light via a pattern generating device, is received, and information on a positional relation between an illumination light and the stage (and hence a positional relation between the illumination light and the wafer) is detected. With this operation, even if the information on the positional relation between the illumination light and the wafer varies due to some reason, information on the variation can be detected while performing the exposure to the plurality of shot areas. Accordingly, high-precision exposure can be achieved in an exposure operation, by considering this detection results. |
| US09239523B2 |
Diffraction based overlay linearity testing
An empirical diffraction based overlay (eDBO) measurement of an overlay error is produced using diffraction signals from a plurality of diffraction based alignment pads from an alignment target. The linearity of the overlay error is tested using the same diffraction signals or a different set of diffraction signals from diffraction based alignment pads. Wavelengths that do not have a linear response to overlay error may be excluded from the measurement error. |
| US09239521B2 |
Projection optics for microlithography
A projection optics for microlithography, which images an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane, where the projection optics include at least one curved mirror and including at least one refractive subunit, as well as related systems, components, methods and products prepared by such methods, are disclosed. |
| US09239517B2 |
Compound, radiation-sensitive composition and resist pattern formation method
The object is to provide a compound having high dissolvability in a safe solvent and high sensitivity, and also capable of obtaining a good resist pattern shape, a radiation-sensitive composition containing the same, and a resist pattern formation method using the composition. For this purpose, a compound (B) obtained by reaction between a polyphenol based cyclic compound (A) and a compound (C) having a particular structure, a radiation-sensitive composition containing the same, and a resist pattern formation method using the composition are provided. |
| US09239512B2 |
Underwater camera control
A camera retained in a waterproof underwater housing is controlled remotely and conveniently by a diver holding a hand-held remote device. The device can be a removable handle on the underwater housing, communicating with the camera, usually a movie camera, by infrared or other wireless protocol. Key functional camera settings, which would normally require navigation through a menu tree with a series of steps and selections, are selected by a single press of a button on the hand-held device. An important example is white balance calibration, which typically must be reset for every five feet of depth change. |
| US09239510B2 |
Tunable optical frequency converter based on a doppler vibration mirror
The present invention provides a tunable optical frequency converter based on a Doppler vibration mirror, which comprises a laser, a first optical isolator, a circulating frequency shift module. Said circulating frequency shift module is composed of an optical coupler, a Doppler vibration mirror, a plane mirror, a first optical circulator, an optical fiber Bragg grating, an optical amplifier, a second optical circulator, a tunable filter and a first optical isolator. Light outputted by said laser is inputted to said circulating frequency shift module to conduct frequency shifting repeatedly after passing through the first optical isolator, and then separated by a tunable filter and a second optical circulator, then the frequency converted light is outputted from the port of the circulating frequency shift module. The frequency converter provided in the present invention has a compact volume and fewer optical components, which means it is easy to be integrated, a big frequency converting range, a high frequency converting efficiency and a high output power. |
| US09239508B2 |
Optical device and display device with the same
An optical device comprises: an optical structure including a first set of prisms and a second set of prisms which engage with each other, the second set of prisms are formed from electro-optical effect material or provided with electro-optical effect material, when no electric field is applied to the second set of prisms, the first set and the second set of prisms have the same refractivity; at least one pair of electrodes being provided at two sides of the second set of prisms respectively, for generating an electric field therebetween so as to change the refractivity of the second set of prisms in the direction of the electric field; and a control unit connected to the at least one pair of electrodes and performs control to power on the electrodes or power off the electrodes, and controls the intensity of the electric field when the electrodes are powered on. |
| US09239504B2 |
Switchable Fresnel lens and fabrication method thereof
A switchable Fresnel lens and a fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The switchable Fresnel lens comprises: an upper plate having a first electrode; a lower plate having a second electrode; and a lens cell comprising a liquid crystal layer sealed between the upper plate and the lower plate. The lens cell comprises a Fresnel lens formed by an electric field applied through the first and second electrodes, and having a discontinuous boundary. The lens cell comprises barrier ribs that are vertically formed between the upper plate and the lower plate at the discontinuous boundary of the Fresnel lens. |
| US09239503B2 |
Array substrate and display device including pixel units with multiple display regions
Embodiments of the invention provide an array substrate and a display device. The array substrate comprises a base substrate, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines formed on the base substrate, and a plurality of pixel units defined by the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines intersecting with each other. Each pixel unit is driven by a same gate line and a same data line. Each pixel unit includes a thin film transistor structure and at least two display regions. Each display region includes a pixel electrode. The thin film transistor structure drives the pixel electrodes in the at least two display regions simultaneously and causes voltages applied on the pixel electrodes in the at least two display regions different from one another. |
| US09239499B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and light-emitting display apparatus
Provided are a liquid crystal display apparatus and a light-emitting display apparatus. The liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, sub-pixels and an array of cylindrical lenses. Each sub-pixel includes an opening section or sections whose total length taken along the first direction at each of positions ranging in the second direction is constant. In each row of the sub-pixels, the opening sections are arranged such that moving average values of positions of a center of gravity of the opening sections fluctuate within a predetermined range, where the moving average values are calculated by obtaining positions of the center of gravity of the opening sections taken along the first direction at plural positions ranging in the second direction and by averaging the obtained positions within a spot width of the cylindrical lenses for each of the positions ranging in the second direction. |
| US09239496B2 |
Display with column spacer structures for enhanced light leakage and pooling resistance
A display may have a layer of liquid crystal material between a color filter layer and a thin-film transistor layer. Column spacer structures may be formed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer to maintain a desired separation between the color filter and thin-film transistor layers. The column spacer structures may be formed from polymer structures such as photoresist pillars and may include metal pads. The metal pads may be formed on the upper surface of the thin-film transistor layer or the lower surface of the color filter layer. The photoresist pillars may be formed on a surface in the display such as the lower surface of the color filter layer. Column spacer structures may include main spacer structures, subspacer structures, and intermediate thickness spacer structures to enhance pooling mura and light leakage performance. |
| US09239490B2 |
Displays with reflective polarizers
An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may include a liquid crystal display module and a reflective polarizer having an in-plane optical axis. The display may also include a backlight unit that includes a light source, a light guide element, and a reflector film coupled to a backside of the light guide element. The display may also include a light retardation layer such as a quarter wave film. The quarter wave film may be arranged between the reflective polarizer and the reflector film of the backlight unit. During operation of the display, partially polarized light that is output from a front side of the light guide element may have a first component parallel to the in-plane optical axis and a second component perpendicular to the in-plane optical axis of the reflective polarizer. The second component may be reflected from the reflective polarizer. |
| US09239489B2 |
Display backlight with closely spaced light-emitting diode packages
An electronic device may be provided with a display having backlight structures that include a light guide plate formed from a clear polymer film. The polymer film may have an edge into which light is emitted from an adjacent array of light-emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes may each include a semiconductor device that emits light. The semiconductor device in each diode may be mounted on lead frame structures and wirebonded to the lead frame structures with first and second wire bonds. To improve backlight homogeneity and thereby reduce the mixing distance for light in the light guide plate, the diodes may be spaced closely together using diode packages having end faces that are free of lead frame structures. Exposed lead frame structures for soldering the light-emitting diodes to a substrate may be formed under the light-emitting diodes and on rear surfaces of the light-emitting diodes. |
| US09239486B2 |
Polymer dispersed liquid crystal film, method of preparing the same, and display apparatus comprising the same
A polymer dispersed liquid crystal film comprises: a first substrate (1) and a second substrate (2) arranged opposing to each other; a first transparent conductive film (3) and a second transparent conductive film (4) arranged on opposing surfaces of the first substrate (1) and the second substrate (2), respectively; and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer (5) located between the first transparent conductive film (3) and the second transparent conductive film (4), wherein the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer (5) comprises homogeneously dispersed bi-axis liquid crystal (51) and polymer (52). When no voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive film (3) and the second transparent conductive film (4), the bi-axis liquid crystal (51) exhibits a random arrangement, and the bi-axis liquid crystal (51) has perpendicular refractive index (n1) and the parallel refractive index (n2), wherein the perpendicular refractive index (n1) and the parallel refractive index (n2) are not equal to each other, and neither of them matches the refractive index of the polymer (np). A method of preparing a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film and a display apparatus comprising a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film are also disclosed. |
| US09239483B2 |
Display device comprising first and second case members wherein the second case member has a position fixing protrusion
A display device is provided with: a display panel; a housing which has a first case member that is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the display panel and is formed of a metal material and a second case member that is provided with a facing part facing the supporting portion and is formed of a metal material; a position fixing protrusion that is formed on the facing part so as to protrude toward the supporting part and so as to position the display panel with respect to the case; and an opening which is formed in the supporting portion and through which the position fixing protrusion is inserted. |
| US09239480B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel having a display area and a bezel area formed around edges of the display area; a backlight unit disposed on a rear side of the display panel to provide light to the display panel; a supporting member to support the display panel and the backlight unit; and a top case having at least one joint and incorporated with a surface of the supporting member, wherein the top case has a main frame combined with the supporting member and a sub frame disposed on the bezel area and combined with the main frame. |
| US09239479B2 |
Calibration of tunable liquid crystal optical device
A tunable liquid crystal optical device is described. The optical device has an electrode arrangement associated with a liquid crystal cell and includes a hole patterned electrode, wherein control of the liquid crystal cell depends on electrical characteristics of liquid crystal optical device layers. The optical device further has a circuit for measuring said electrical characteristics of the liquid crystal optical device layers, and a drive signal circuit having at least one parameter adjusted as a function of the measured electrical characteristics. The drive signal circuit generates a control signal for the electrode arrangement. |
| US09239478B2 |
Electro-optic modulator having ridge waveguide structure
A ridge waveguide structure includes a substrate having a top surface; a ridge structure protruding from the top surface; and a waveguide formed in the ridge structure and a shape of the waveguide is corresponding to a shape of the ridge structure; the ridge structure includes a Y-shaped input section and a Y-shaped output section, the Y-shaped input section includes a total input section, a first branch and a second branch, the first branch and the second branch are diverged from the total input section and converged into the Y-shaped output section. The relation also relates to an electro-optic modulator. |
| US09239472B2 |
Method for determining binocular performance of a pair of spectacle lenses
A method of determining binocular performance of a pair of spectacle lenses comprises: a eyes characteristics providing step, a pair of spectacle lenses providing step, a environment providing step, a binocular performance criteria selecting step, and a binocular performance criteria determining step, wherein the at least one binocular performance criterion is selected among one or a combination of the following criteria groups consisting of central vision criteria group and/or peripheral vision criteria group. |
| US09239471B2 |
Multi-focal lens
An imaging lens structure and method of imaging are presented. The imaging lens structure comprising a lens region defining an effective aperture of the lens structure. The lens region comprises an arrangement of lens zones distributed within the lens region and comprising zones of at least two different optical functions differently affecting light passing therethrough. The zones of at least two different optical functions are arranged in an interlaced fashion along said lens region corresponding to a surface relief of the lens region such that adjacent lens zones of different optical functions are spaced apart from one another along an optical axis of the lens structure a distance larger than a coherence length of light at least one spectral range for which said lens structure is designed. |
| US09239466B2 |
Polarization glasses type stereoscopic image display
A polarization glasses type stereoscopic image display displaying a stereoscopic image on a display surface includes a thin film transistor array substrate, a color filter array substrate having a plurality of black matrix patterns formed on a first plane facing the thin film transistor array substrate, a plurality of black stripe patterns that are aligned correspondingly to the black matrix patterns on a second plane of the color filter array substrate opposite to the first plane, and a patterned retarder disposed over the second plane of the color filter array substrate. The overall vertical pitch of the patterned retarder is less than the overall vertical pitch of a pixel array formed on the display surface. |
| US09239465B1 |
Three-dimensional image display
An image display to provide a realistic 3D stereoscopic image of a desired scene. The display device is comprised of directional pixels. Each directional pixel has a plurality of facets having a constrained viewing angle. Each facet has a point source of light that emits light with a controllable luminescence and hue. In this regard, each facet of the directional pixel has a constrained viewing angle and independent luminance and hue. |
| US09239464B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method so as to be able to obtain disparity information, without deteriorating the image quality of the image.Incident light from a subject is made to be parallel light by a relay lens unit 33, part thereof is reflected by a transmissive mirror 35, and the remaining incident light transmits the transmissive mirror 35. An imaging device 39 performs photoelectric conversion on the incident light which has transmitted the transmissive mirror 35 and images a basic image, and an imaging device 40 performs photoelectric conversion on the incident light which has reflected off of the transmissive mirror 35 and images disparity detection images. A disparity image generating unit 44 replaces pixel values of each pixel on the disparity detection images into the pixel values on the pixels on the basic image corresponding to these pixels and generates right and left disparity images. In this way, if used high-quality basic image and disparity detection image having disparity information, high-quality disparity image pair with appropriate disparity can be obtained. The present invention can be applied to a camera. |
| US09239458B2 |
Photoluminescence display device
A display device includes a light source unit that emits a first light with a first wavelength, an optical filter that converts the first light to a second light, and an optical shutter that transmits or reflects the first light or the second light. |
| US09239456B2 |
Widefield microscope illumination system and widefield illumination method
A widefield microscope illumination system and a method for illumination, the system having a microscope objective with an optical objective axis, an illumination light source sending widefield illumination light along illumination beam paths having corresponding illumination axes along which the illumination light penetrates into the microscope objective through illumination light entry sites located within a predetermined illumination light entry area, a spatially resolving light detector detecting detected light sent from an illuminated sample through the microscope objective along a detected light beam path, and an automatic illumination light beam path manipulation device, controlled by a control system, which is arranged in front of the microscope objective in relation to the direction of the illumination light beam path, and by which illumination light beam path manipulation device the illumination axes are automatically movable at time intervals to a plurality of illumination light entry sites. |
| US09239454B2 |
Microscope having light sheet illumination of a sample region
A microscope including an illumination device providing a light sheet illuminating a sample region, said sheet having a planar extension along an illumination axis of an illumination beam path and a transverse axis lying normal to the illumination axis. A detection device detects light emitted from the sample region on a detection axis the illumination axis and detection axis as well as the transverse axis and the detection axis being oriented relative each other at an angle unequal zero. The detection device has a detection lens system arranged in the detection beam path and splitting means for splitting the detection beam path into two beam sub-paths. A dichroic beam splitter in the infinity region of the surface detectors is about 3 mm thick. Wobble plate(s) disposed orthogonal to each other relative to the detection axis arranged in one of the two beam sub-paths so measured values can be automatically superimposed. |
| US09239453B2 |
Optical see-through free-form head-mounted display
A see-through free-form head-mounted display including a wedge-shaped prism-lens having free-form surfaces and low F-number is provided. |
| US09239451B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
The zoom lens substantially consists of a positive first lens group which is fixed while changing magnification, a negative second lens group which moves while changing magnification, a positive third lens group which moves while changing magnification, and a positive fourth lens group which is fixed while changing magnification in this order from the object side. The image formation magnification rates of the second lens group and the third lens group simultaneously pass a −1× point while changing magnification from the wide angle to the telephoto. The second lens group substantially consists of a negative second-a lens group and a positive second-b lens group which independently move while changing magnification in this order from the object side, and the third lens group substantially consists of a positive third-a lens group and a positive third-b lens group which independently move while changing magnification in this order from the object side. |
| US09239450B2 |
Zoom lens and image-pickup apparatus having the same
A zoom lens includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power and arranged closest to an object side. 0.50 |
| US09239449B2 |
Anamorphic objective zoom lens
The anamorphic objective zoom lens includes, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: at least a negative (−) power spherical first lens group; an anamorphic second lens group, spherical third lens group preferably having positive (+) power, a variable power spherical fourth lens group and a positive (+) power spherical fifth lens group. The aperture stop is located before, after or preferably within the spherical fifth lens group. All spherical lens groups contain spherical and plano refractive optical surfaces. The anamorphic second lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface. The spherical first lens group may provide focusing. The variable power spherical fourth lens group provides zooming. |
| US09239447B1 |
Optical imaging lens assembly, image capturing unit and electronic device
An optical imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power in a paraxial region thereof has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has refractive power in a paraxial region. The third lens element has negative refractive power in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element has negative refractive power in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element has refractive power in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element with positive refractive power in a paraxial region thereof has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. |
| US09239446B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus including the imaging lens
An imaging lens substantially consists of, in order from an object side, five lenses of a first lens that has a positive refractive power and has a meniscus shape which is convex toward the object side, a second lens that has a negative refractive power, a third lens that has a negative refractive power, a fourth lens that has a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens that has a negative refractive power and has an object side surface and an image side surface which have aspheric shapes. Further, the imaging lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions. |
| US09239443B2 |
Linear optical filter system and method
An optical system and method for illuminating an object under investigation with filtered light is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a linear filter array having a plurality of elongate variable bandpass filters. The variable bandpass filters each have a cam follower and are translatable along a longitudinal axis, whereby translation brings a selected filter in line with a beam of light. The cam follower of selected filter engages a cam adjacent to the array. This causes tilting of the filter to a desired angle thereby allowing precise selection of the bandpass frequency of the selected filter. Preferably, the filter can be tilted by an angle of up to 60°. Each elongate filter is preferably substantially rectangular and has a long dimension that is at least about twice the short dimension. |
| US09239442B2 |
Fiber optic module and chassis
A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis and a plurality of modules removably mounted within the chassis. The modules include one or more fiber optic signal input locations. The modules include optical equipment for splitting the input signals into customer output signals. |
| US09239439B2 |
Optical and electrical connector
Embodiments of the invention are directed to an optical USB (OUSB) to enhance the data rate of USB by adding super-high data rate (e.g. 10 Gbps) optical communication on top of its current specification so that backward compatibility is achievable. Mechanical tolerances may be achieved by using embedded lenses to expand a beam emerging from the connector prior to entering its mating connector and using an identical lens in the mating connector to collimate the beam back onto a fiber. |
| US09239434B2 |
Loose tube connector termination
A fiber optic connector assembly comprises a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub. The ferrule has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end of the ferrule is mounted to the hub. The ferrule defines a fiber passage that extends through the ferrule from the proximal end to the distal end. The fiber optic assembly further comprises an optical fiber having an end portion potted within the fiber passage of the ferrule. A loose tube receives the optical fiber. The loose tube has a distal end positioned inside the hub and defines a venting opening that starts at the distal end of the loose tube and extends proximally along a length of the loose tube. |
| US09239433B2 |
Optical fiber cable connection device and method
An optical fiber connector has, in one embodiment, a body and a light management device. The light management device is operable to manage a plurality of light beams for exchange between a plurality of sets of optical fibers. |
| US09239431B1 |
Athermalization of resonant optical devices via thermo-mechanical feedback
A passively athermal photonic system including a photonic circuit having a substrate and an optical cavity defined on the substrate, and passive temperature-responsive provisions for inducing strain in the optical cavity of the photonic circuit to compensate for a thermo-optic effect resulting from a temperature change in the optical cavity of the photonic circuit. Also disclosed is a method of passively compensating for a temperature dependent thermo-optic effect resulting on an optical cavity of a photonic circuit including the step of passively inducing strain in the optical cavity as a function of a temperature change of the optical cavity thereby producing an elasto-optic effect in the optical cavity to compensate for the thermo-optic effect resulting on an optical cavity due to the temperature change. |
| US09239427B1 |
Methods and apparatus for photonic integration in non-polar and semi-polar oriented wave-guided optical devices
A monolithically integrated optical device. The device has a gallium and nitrogen containing substrate member having a surface region configured on either a non-polar or semi-polar orientation. The device also has a first waveguide structure configured in a first direction overlying a first portion of the surface region. The device also has a second waveguide structure integrally configured with the first waveguide structure. The first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction. |
| US09239426B2 |
Optical waveguide and electronic device
An optical waveguide has: a core layer which includes at least one core portion for transmitting a light signal and at least two side cladding portions respectively provided at lateral sides of the core portion so as to be opposed to each other; and two cladding layers respectively provided at vertical sides of the core layer. The core layer is configured to have a horizontal refractive index distribution curve W in a width direction of a cross-sectional plane of the core layer. The horizontal refractive index distribution curve W has a region including at least two local minimum values, at least one first local maximum value and at least two second local maximum values smaller than the first local maximum value. A refractive index in whole of the horizontal refractive index distribution curve W continuously varies. |
| US09239424B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device for use in an optical application and a method for fabricating the device. The device includes: an optically passive aspect that is operable in a substantially optically passive mode; and an optically active material having a material that is operable in a substantially optically active mode, wherein the optically passive aspect is patterned to include a photonic structure with a predefined structure, and the optically active material is formed in the predefined structure so as to be substantially self-aligned in a lateral plane with the optically passive aspect. |
| US09239423B2 |
Imaging device, imaging system, and method for manufacturing imaging device
An exemplary embodiment according to the present invention is an imaging device including a substrate in which a plurality of light receiving portions is arranged, an insulator configured to be arranged on the substrate, a plurality of first members configured to be arranged on the substrate so that each of projections of the plurality of first members on the substrate overlaps at least in part with any of the plurality of light receiving portions, and each of the plurality of first members sides is surrounded by the insulator, a second member configured to be arranged on the insulator and the plurality of first members, and a light shielding portion configured to be arranged in the second member. |
| US09239418B2 |
Light emitting device, display unit, and illumination unit
A light emitting device includes: a light source; an optical component including a light incident surface, the light incident surface facing the light source; and a wavelength conversion member provided between the light source and the light incident surface, the wavelength conversion member crossing a first region and extending to a second region outside the first region, the first region being surrounded by the light incident surface and light paths of light that is emitted from the light source and enters edges of the light incident surface. |
| US09239417B2 |
Illumination device having viscoelastic layer
An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a viscoelastic layer and a nanovoided polymeric layer are used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. |
| US09239416B2 |
System and method for manufacturing optical display device, set of material rolls and method for manufacture thereof
A system for manufacturing an optical display device includes providing a roll of a belt-shaped sheet material including an optical film and a release film, which has score lines previously formed by cutting layers of the material other than the release film. The optical film is bonded to a rectangular optical display unit of the display device. In the bonding steps, a first optical film is divided by the score lines into pieces each having a length corresponding to a long side of the display unit, and a second optical film is divided by the score lines into pieces each having a length corresponding to a short side of the display unit. The first optical film has a first polarizing plate whose longitudinal direction is parallel to its absorption axis, and the second optical film has a second polarizing plate whose longitudinal direction is parallel to its absorption axis. |
| US09239404B2 |
Device and method for continuous monitoring of persons, vehicles, containers or packets
A device for continuously monitoring persons, vehicles, containers or packets comprising a device for detecting and identifying in real time a moving gamma radiation source. |
| US09239403B2 |
Apparatus and methods of controlling recordation of resistivity-related readings in determining formation resistivity
In various embodiments, apparatus and methods are provided to determine formation resistivity associated with a well. Measurements taken using sub-arrays of a tool at different distances of investigation can be used to determine formation resistivity, where the sub-arrays are arranged to make azimuthal related measurements. Separations readings related to resistivity can be generated from signals received from different directions and can be analyzed to characterize validity of a measurement reading. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09239398B2 |
Method of generating and combining multiple horizons to determine a seismic horizon and its uncertainty
There is provided a system and method for creating model of a subsurface region based on multiple depth values. The method includes selecting seeds that represent a starting location within a desired horizon surfaces and generating a plurality of candidate horizons from the selected seeds. A number of depth values from the candidate horizons may be combined into a representative depth value and an uncertainty may be computed based on discrepancies among the depth values. A model of the subsurface region may be created using the depth values and the uncertainty. |
| US09239393B2 |
Positron emission computed tomography apparatus and image processing apparatus
A positron emission computed tomography apparatus according to an embodiment includes a detector, a coincidence counting information generating unit, and a body movement detecting unit. The detector detects annihilation radiation released from a subject. The coincidence counting information generating unit searches for sets of counting information, which counted a pair of annihilation radiations at substantially the same time, from a counting information list that is generated from output signals of the detector; generates a set of coincidence counting information for each retrieved set of counting information; and generates a time series list of coincidence counting information. Based on the time series list of coincidence counting information, the body movement detecting unit detects temporal changes in the body movement of the subject. |
| US09239392B2 |
Radiographic imaging device
In the radiographic imaging device, a portion of a second effective imaging region at a first side or a second side of a sensor unit of a second radiation detection panel, and a portion of a first effective imaging region at a third side or a fourth side of the sensor unit of a first radiation detection panel, are overlapped in a radiation irradiating direction. A portion of a second effective imaging region at the third side or the fourth side of the sensor unit of the second radiation detection panel, and a portion of a third effective imaging region at the third side or the fourth side of the sensor unit of the third radiation detection panel, are overlapped in the radiation irradiating direction. The second radiation detection panel is disposed at a side opposite the radiation irradiating section side of the first radiation detection panel and the third radiation detection panel. |
| US09239389B2 |
Obstacle sensor and robot cleaner having the same
An obstacle sensor includes a line light irradiating unit including a light-emitting unit, a light-emitting driving unit to drive the light-emitting unit, and a first conical mirror, an apex of which is disposed towards the light-emitting unit in a light irradiation direction of the light-emitting unit and which converts light emitted from the light-emitting unit into line light irradiated in all directions, and a reflected light receiving unit including a second conical mirror to condense light, that is irradiated from the first conical mirror and is then reflected from an obstacle, a lens, that is spaced from the apex of the second conical mirror by a predetermined distance and transmits the reflected light, an imaging unit to image the reflected light that passes through the lens, an image processing unit, and an obstacle sensing control unit. |
| US09239387B2 |
Method and system for reconstructing scenes using virtual arrays of transducers and joint sparsity models
A scene is reconstructed by receiving pulses transmitted by a virtual array of transducers. The pulses are reflected by the scene. The virtual array has a set of configurations subject to positioning errors. Each received pulse is sampled and decomposed to produce frequency coefficients stacked in a set of linear systems modeling a reflectivity of the scene. There is one linear system for each configuration. A reconstruction method is applied to the set of linear systems. The reconstruction method solves each linear system separately to obtain a corresponding solution. The corresponding solutions share information during the solving. Then, the solutions are combined to reconstruct the scene. |
| US09239383B2 |
Wide beam SAR focusing method using navigation solution derived from autofocus data
An algorithm for deriving improved navigation data from the autofocus results obtained from selected image blocks in a wide-beam synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image. In one embodiment the navigation error may be approximated with a vector of low-order polynomials, and a set of polynomial coefficients found which results in a good phase error match with the autofocus results. In another embodiment, a least squares solution may be found for the system of equations relating the phase errors at a point in time for selected image blocks to the navigation error vector at that point in time. An approach using low sample rate backprojection (150) initially to select suitable image blocks, and full sample rate backprojection (156) for the selected image blocks, followed by full sample rate backprojection (164) for the image, using the improved navigation solution, may be used to reduce the computational load of employing the algorithm. |
| US09239381B2 |
Method of measuring height and detecting obstacles, a radioaltimeter, and an aircraft
A radioaltimeter (5) having a signal generator-receiver (10) and signal transceiver means (20) connected to the generator-receiver (10), and a display member (30), said transceiver means (20) comprising a transceiver main member (21) for sending a signal towards a ground (S) in order to determine the height (H) between said main member (21) and said ground (S), said display member (30) having main display means (31) for displaying said height (H). Furthermore, the radioaltimeter (5) includes switch means (40) together with a control unit (50), and secondary display means (32) of said display member (30). |
| US09239380B2 |
Driver assistance system for avoiding collisions of a vehicle with pedestrians
A driver assistance system for avoiding collisions of a vehicle with pedestrians, the system including a camera sensor and/or a beam sensor. When an object moving at a given speed on a pedestrian crossing is detected, the object is detected as being a pedestrian with a probability that is sufficiently high to output a warning to the driver, reducing the likelihood of a potential collision. |
| US09239376B2 |
Doppler aided inertial navigation
Doppler Aided Inertial Navigation (DAIN) facilitates the determination of position, velocity and direction of mobile devices operating in highly obstructed GPS/GNSS environments. Delivering high precision, high resolution positioning information using signals of opportunity, the present invention measures the Doppler shift of a moving device using a variety of signals combined with inertial accelerometers and environmental sensors to deliver an autonomous positioning and navigation capability that does not require external infrastructure or a priori knowledge of signal sources. |
| US09239373B2 |
Adaptive image optimization in induced wave ultrasound imaging
Adaptive image optimization is provided in induced wave ultrasound imaging. The values for various transmit and receive parameters may be set adaptively. Based on feedback from use with a given patient, the values are set to better optimize signal-to-noise ratio, off-time, tracking accuracy or other consideration. Transmit frequency, F-number, line spacing, tracking pulse repetition frequency, line sampling count, and/or push pulse amplitude values may adapt. |
| US09239370B2 |
Circuit of a node and method for transit time measurement in a radio network
A circuit of a node in a radio network and method for transit time measurement between a first node and a second node of a radio network is provided. A frame is transmitted by the first node, wherein the frame requires an acknowledgment of reception by the second node. A first point in time of the transmission of the frame is established by the first node by a time counter. The frame is received by the second node at a second point in time. The acknowledgment is transmitted by the second node to the first node at a third point in time, wherein the third point in time depends on the second point in time by a predetermined time interval between the second point in time and the third point in time. A fourth point in time is established by the first node by the time counter when the acknowledgment is received. The transit time or the change in transit time is determined from the first point in time established by the time counter and from the established fourth point in time and from the predetermined time interval. |
| US09239368B2 |
Methods and apparatus for continuous ground fault self-test
Methods and apparatus for continuous ground fault self-test are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a sense coil to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the sense coil comprising a winding influenced by a current difference between the line conductor and the neutral conductor. The example ground fault detection device also includes a current bypass to facilitate a continuous current imbalance detected by the sense coil, and a ground fault detector circuit to detect at least one of the continuous current imbalance in the sense coil or a ground fault current imbalance. |
| US09239367B2 |
Intra-blade filter for motion corrected magnetic resonance data
In an embodiment, a method includes processing magnetic resonance (MR) data according to a process including applying a density filter to blades of k-space data rotated about a section of k-space. Each blade may include a first set of encode lines weighted in a first signal weighting and a second set of encode lines weighted in a second signal weighting. The density filter may be configured to preferentially weight each blade in the first signal weighting to produce blades of weighted k-space data. |
| US09239365B2 |
Magnetic element control device, magnetic element control method and magnetic detection device
A magnetic element control device of the present invention includes an excitation signal generation unit that generates an alternating signal, a feedback signal conversion unit that converts a time width between detection signals of a positive voltage and a negative voltage into voltage information, an adjustment signal generation unit that generates an offset signal that cancels an offset component which is superimposed on a data signal indicating a magnetic field intensity, and an excitation signal adjustment unit that generates an alternating current, a feedback current, and an offset current from the alternating signal, the feedback signal, and the offset signal, respectively, superimposes the feedback current and the offset current on the alternating current, and generates an excitation current which is applied to an exciting coil. |
| US09239364B2 |
Methods of testing unInterruptible power supply (UPS) systems with multiple UPS modules
A method of operating an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system can be provided by activating an idle state for a UPS module included in the UPS system and providing a UPS module test input to the UPS module in the idle state. A UPS module test response can be provided from the UPS module in the idle state, to the UPS module test input. The UPS module test response can be compared to a predetermined UPS module test response and the UPS module can be identified as a potentially faulty UPS module responsive to determining that the UPS module test response varies from the predetermined UPS module test response by more than a threshold value. |
| US09239361B2 |
System and method for powering and monitoring an automated battery powered dispenser
A system and method for powering and monitoring use of battery powered automated dispensers is provided. In one embodiment, a pseudo battery assembly comprised of a pseudo battery and a plurality of battery spacers powers and monitors use of an automated hand hygiene dispenser. More specifically, the pseudo battery receives an external power supply from a control unit that is part of a hand hygiene compliance (HHC) system, wherein the pseudo battery is operable to distribute the power to the dispenser and detect use thereof with a sensor. Further, a feedback device associated with the control unit is operable to display an alarm or notification once the dispenser has been used a predetermined amount of times. In other embodiments, the pseudo battery assembly powers and monitors use of battery powered automated dispensers, such as an automated towel dispenser or an automated gloves dispenser. |
| US09239360B2 |
DFT approach to enable faster scan chain diagnosis
A circuit that facilitates faster diagnosis of plurality of logic circuits connected in a scan chain is provided. The circuit includes a first multiplexer that receives a scan data input. A flip-flop is coupled to an output of the first multiplexer and generates a scan pattern. An inverter generates an inverted feedback signal in response to the scan pattern. The inverted feedback signal is provided to the first multiplexer. A plurality of logic circuits is connected in a scan chain and generates a logic output in response to the scan pattern. A bypass multiplexer is coupled to the plurality of logic circuits. The bypass multiplexer generates a scan output in response to the logic output, the scan data input and a segment bypass input. |
| US09239356B2 |
Test board
The test board serves as an interface for testing a conference phone. The test board includes a plurality of test channel selectors. Each of the test channel selectors receives a plurality of test voltages provided by the conference phone and a first and a second control signals. The test voltages are divided into a plurality test voltage pairs, and each of the test channel selectors selects one of the test voltages in each of the test voltage pairs for generating a plurality of selected voltages according to the first control signal. Each of the test channel selectors selects two of the selected voltages for generating a first and a second output voltages according to the second control signal, where the first and the second output voltages are transmitted to a test machine for testing the conference phone. |
| US09239355B1 |
Memory test sequencer
An interface device for a memory module comprising a plurality of DRAMs includes a memory configured to store DRAM test program instructions, and a programmable processing device coupled to the memory, wherein the programmable processing device is configured to receive input data and input memory addresses from an external processor, wherein the programmable processing device is configured to provide data and memory addresses to the plurality of DRAMs, and wherein the programmable processing device is programmed to perform operations specified by the DRAM test program instructions. |
| US09239353B2 |
Testing of integrated circuits with external clearance requirements
A method of testing an integrated circuit clearance distance device (“ICCDD”) having a predetermined clearance distance in air requirement and a predetermined isolation voltage limit including calculating a value of the breakdown voltage at the predetermined clearance distance for at least one gas; and selecting a gas in which the ICCDD has a breakdown voltage that is less than the predetermined isolation voltage. |
| US09239352B2 |
Method of measuring earth ground resistance of a pylon
The present disclosure relates generally to a facilitated method for accurately measuring the earth ground resistance of a ground rod, in particular a footing of a pylon acting as a ground rod or a ground rod attached to the footings of a pylon, and obtaining an overall value for the resistance of the pylon. A method of determining the earth ground resistance of two or more pylon footings is provided according to the present disclosure, comprising conducting selective measurements of each footing of a pylon consecutively and wherein true values for the resistance of each footing measured are calculated. According to the present disclosure, the testing means is connected directly to two auxiliary electrodes which are placed at predetermined distances from the pylon, and a current measurement means which is placed around a pylon footing in order to measure the current flowing along the footing. |
| US09239348B2 |
Optical modulator directional measurement system
In an optical modulator directional measurement system embodiment, one or more modulation waves may be measured and directionally discriminated by measuring the modulations of one or more lightwaves. The optical modulator transmission function magnitude for a most phase-matched modulation may be substantially greater than that for other modulations. At sufficiently high modulation frequency, the most phase-matched modulation magnitude may be substantially greater than the other modulation magnitudes. Accordingly, a modulation wave may be distinctly measured by measuring the modulation of the most phase-matched lightwave. |
| US09239346B2 |
Systems for providing electro-mechanical sensors
Systems for providing electro-mechanical sensors are provided. In some embodiments, a system for providing an electro-mechanical sensor comprising: a flexible material forming at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel includes a first plate region and the second channel forms a second plate region that is substantially aligned with the first plate region; and an electrically conductive fluid that fills the first channel and the second channel. |
| US09239345B2 |
Controlling a motor with two or more Hall sensors
A motor system includes a motor including two Hall sensors configured to output binary values, and a controller configured to control the motor. The two Hall sensors are placed 120 or 60 electrical degrees apart. The controller is operable to monitor output signals of the two Hall sensors and to determine a third Hall sensor output binary value. The controller is operable to fulfill the commanded requirements to operate in a servo system, by controlling commutation of a drive current into the motor, and by keeping track of the motor rotor position based on the third generated signal and the outputs of the two Hall sensors. |
| US09239343B2 |
Interleaved digital down-conversion on a test and measurement instrument
A digital down-conversion acquisition function, includes a key spectral analysis function, in time-interleaved acquisition systems to enable acquisitions at very high sample rates and bandwidths. Digital down-conversion allows data compression into acquisition memory for down-converted complex baseband I/Q data within a given frequency range of interest. With a fixed-size acquisition memory, this enables acquisitions over a longer time span, thus enabling a lower spectral resolution bandwidth. These approaches allow down-converted complex baseband I/Q data from a narrow frequency band of interest to be acquired efficiently. Reconstruction of the acquired down-converted waveform from the time-interleaved components stored in each acquisition memory of each distributed acquisition components to result in a coherent waveform is also disclosed. |
| US09239337B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer for use in a fluid medium
An ultrasonic transducer for use in a fluid medium is proposed. The ultrasonic transducer includes at least one transducer core which has at least one acoustic/electric transducer element, in particular a piezoelectric transducer element. The ultrasonic transducer furthermore includes at least one housing, at least one housing opening being at least partially sealed against the fluid medium with the aid of a sealing film which is connected to the transducer core. The sealing film has at least one expansion deformation which is configured to permit a relative movement between the transducer core and the housing. |
| US09239334B2 |
Fatty acid C16: 1N7-palmitoleate a lipokine and biomarker for metabolic status
The present invention provides for a novel lipokine, C16:1n7-palmitoleate, which also serves as a biomarker for metabolic status. More specifically, a low concentration of C16:1n7-palmitoleate in the free fatty acid component of the serum indicates a risk of metabolic disease, and that de novo lipogenesis should be stimulated. Additionally, administering C16:1n7-palmitoleate to a subject (via nutraceutical or other means), positively impacts lipid metabolism. |
| US09239333B2 |
Methods of determining efficacy of treatment in a subject having heart failure
Provided are methods for evaluating the risk of an adverse clinical outcome in a subject, deciding whether to discharge or continue treating a subject (e.g., treatment on an inpatient basis), or to initiate or terminate treatment, selecting a subject for participation in a clinical study, and selecting a therapeutic treatment for a subject that include determining a level of ST2 in a biological sample from the subject and determining a level of galectin-3 in a biological sample from the subject. Kits are also provided that contain an antibody that specifically binds to ST2, an antibody that specifically binds to galectin-3, and instructions for using the kit to evaluate the risk of an adverse clinical outcome in a subject, to decide whether to discharge or continue treating a subject (e.g., treatment on an inpatient basis) or to initiate or terminate treatment, to select a subject for participation in a clinical study, and/or to select treatment for a subject. |
| US09239331B2 |
Method for predicting the response to HER2-directed therapy
This invention provides methods for determining or predicting response to HER2-directed therapy in an individual. |
| US09239330B2 |
Equine parasite detection
The present invention provides a method of diagnosing a cyathostomin infection, said method comprising the step of identifying a level of anti-cyathostomin larval antigen antibodies in a sample, wherein a level of anti-cyathostomin larval antigen antibodies is indicative of a cyathostomin infection. |
| US09239329B2 |
Method of measuring interaction between biomaterial and sugar chain, method of evaluating biomaterial in sugar chain selectivity, method of screening biomaterial, method of patterning biomaterials, and kits for performing these methods
This invention provides a method of screening or patterning a biomaterial in terms of their specificities to sugar chains by performing real-time and comprehensive measurement of an interaction between sugar chains and the biomaterial concurrently with a very small amount of the biomaterial without labeling. It is a method of measuring an interaction between a biomaterial and a sugar chain(s), the method including: bringing a solution containing the biomaterial in contact with a ligand carrier, the ligand carrier including a support whose surface includes a metal, and a ligand conjugate(s) immobilized independently on the surface, the ligand carrier carrying the ligand conjugate(s) in such a manner that 1 to 500 kinds of the ligand conjugate(s) is immobilized per cm2, and each ligand conjugate having a structure in which a sugar chain is bonded with a linker compound having a sulfur atom, and the biomaterial being at least one selected from the groups of proteins, viruses, cells, microorganisms, liposome, and micelles. |
| US09239324B2 |
Antibody-binding protein-drug conjugate and methods of use
The present invention provides compositions and methods for preparing protein drug conjugate and its application to stem cell therapy and treating cancer cells. The composition is an antibody-binding-therapeutic drug conjugate that binds antibodies targeted to cancer or stem cells. The method of using the composition includes the steps of combining an antibody that targets the cancer cells or stem cells with a sample for a time sufficient to allow said antibody to bind the targeted cells present in said sample and adding the antibody-binding-drug conjugate for a time sufficient to allow binding to the antibody bound to the targeted cells. The presence of the drug reduces the number of or eliminates the targeted cancer cells or stem cells. A similar method is disclosed for selecting antibodies that may be effective antibody drug conjugates. |
| US09239322B2 |
Electrical apparatus oil sampler and conditioner for solid state sensors
A gas monitoring apparatus and system that provides for reliable and accurate monitoring of gaseous hydrogen and other compounds in dielectric oil. The apparatus provides an environment for and is used in conjunction with metal oxide semiconductor sensors. Thermal conditioning zones for oil provide an environment in which variations in oil temperature and ambient temperature are eliminated to insure that analytical data are not affected by these environmental conditions. |
| US09239313B2 |
Ion-sensing charge-accumulation circuits and methods
An ion-sensitive circuit can include a charge accumulation device, to accumulate a plurality of charge packets as a function of an ion concentration of a fluid, and at least one control and readout transistor, to generate an output signal as a function of the accumulated plurality of charge packets, the output signal representing the ion concentration of the solution. The charge accumulation device can include a first charge control electrode above a first electrode semiconductor region, an electrically floating gate structure above a gate semiconductor region and below an ion-sensitive passivation surface, a second charge control electrode above a second electrode semiconductor region, and a drain diffusion region. The first control electrode can control entry of charge into a gate semiconductor region in response to a first control signal. The ion-sensitive passivation surface can be configured to receive the fluid. The second charge control electrode can control transmission of the plurality of charge packets out of the gate semiconductor region and into the drain diffusion region in response to a second control signal. The drain diffusion region can receive the plurality of charge packets from the gate semiconductor region via the second electrode semiconductor region. |
| US09239310B2 |
Capacitive sensor integrated onto semiconductor circuit
There is disclosed a capacitive sensor on a passivation layer of a semiconductor circuit such as an ASIC, and a method for manufacturing such sensor. The system and method may comprise: forming a bottom electrode layer and landing pad on a portion of the passivation layer located over active circuitry of the ASIC; forming a gas sensitive layer onto the bottom electrode layer and the landing pad; creating a via through the gas sensitive layer to expose a portion of the landing pad; forming a top electrode layer onto the gas sensitive layer, wherein the top electrode layer completely overlays a surface area of the bottom electrode layer, and wherein the forming process for the top electrode layer deposits a portion of the top electrode layer into the via hole, thereby forming an electrical connection between the top electrode layer and the landing pad. |
| US09239309B2 |
Humidity sensor and method of manufacturing the same
A humidity sensor includes a humidity detention section, a pad section, and a dam section. The humidity detention section includes a pair of detection electrodes facing each other on a predetermined surface of a substrate and a humidity-sensitive film covering the detection electrodes. The pad section is spaced from the humidity detection section on the surface and covered with a protection gel section. The dam section is located between the humidity detection section and the pad section on the surface. The dam section includes a dam wire that is made from the same material as the detection electrodes and a dam humidity-sensitive film that is made from the same material as the humidity-sensitive film and covers at least part of the dam wire. |
| US09239303B2 |
Material discrimination system
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for material discrimination. The systems and methods include a single source that generates both neutrons and photons, and a single imaging array with a common detector that detects the neutrons and the photons generated from the single source. The systems and methods allow for a determination of the contents, and/or the effective atomic number (“Z”) of the contents, of an object without physical inspection of the interior of the object. |
| US09239301B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing system
There is provided an image processing apparatus including a processing unit configured to processes projection data in which X-ray detection data representing a detection result of parallel beam X-rays output from an X-ray source has been converted by projection, and form an X-ray image based on the X-ray detection data. |
| US09239300B2 |
X-ray system and method for generating 3D image data
The present invention relates to an X-ray system and method for generating 3D image data. The X-ray system comprises a radiation detector, a movable X-ray tube assembly and a control unit, wherein in a working state of the system the radiation detector is detachably positioned in a spatially fixed manner and the X-ray tube assembly can be moved into relative positions relative to the radiation detector. Projection images recorded in the relative positions can be processed together with the coordinates of the relative positions using an iterative reconstruction technique or other image processing methods so as to obtain 3D X-ray images. The X-ray tube assembly is attached to a motor-driven movable stand arm and can be displaced using a control unit. The stand base of the movable stand can be positioned in a spatially fixed manner, so that it has a defined fixed position relative to the radiation detector. |
| US09239298B2 |
Optical measurement probe, and optical measurement device provided with the same
There are provided an optical measurement probe capable of obtaining a more stable measurement result, and an optical measurement device provided with the same. An incidence surface of an optical window to be used in a high temperature environment is covered by a deposited film. The optical window is formed of sapphire, and the deposited film is formed from SiO2. Adhesion of dirt to the incidence surface, and an influence, on a measurement result, of the adhesion of dirt on the incidence surface can thereby be prevented, and a more stable measurement result can be obtained. |
| US09239296B2 |
Skinning of ceramic honeycomb bodies
An in situ inspection system and method to inspect a honeycomb body skin in a skinning system. The inspection system includes a line illuminator to generate a line illumination on the skin perpendicular to an axial direction of the honeycomb body travel, and a detector to detect the line illumination scattered from the skin and generate a signal based on the detected line illumination. A controller is configured to receive the signal generated by the detector, compare the received signal to a previously stored defect free signal in real-time, and control at least one skinning process parameter based on the comparison. The method includes in situ inspecting the skin and controlling at least one skinning process parameter based on the inspection. In the method, the in situ inspection includes illuminating a line of the skin perpendicular to the axial direction and detecting the illuminated line scattered from the skin. |
| US09239293B2 |
Multispectral illumination device
An illumination device includes at least four semiconductor radiation sources (18) for emitting optical radiation in respectively different emission wavelength ranges. At least one color splitter (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which is reflective for optical radiation of the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is assigned to each of at least three of the semiconductor radiation sources (18). The semiconductor radiation sources (18) and the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged such that the optical radiation, which is emitted in each case from each of the semiconductor radiation sources (18), is coupled into a common illumination beam path section (24). In each case, one collimating unit (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4), which collimates the optical radiation emitted by the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is arranged in the beam path sections from the semiconductor radiation sources (18) to the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3). |
| US09239291B2 |
Detector
The detector in accordance with the present invention includes: a light emitter; a light receiver; and a light guiding member which includes a detection space for determining a state of a predetermined gas and is configured to guide light emitted from the light emitter to the at least one light receiver through the detection space. An internal surface of the detection space of the light guiding member includes a reflective surface causing reflection of light emitted from the light emitter. The reflective surface is a concave ellipsoidal surface having a long axis defined by a straight line determined by the light emitter and the light receiver. The reflective surface has a first focal point at a position of the light emitter and a second focal point on an opposite side of the light receiver from the first focal point. |
| US09239290B2 |
Terahertz scanning reflectometer
A terahertz scanning reflectometer is described herein. A high sensitivity terahertz scanning reflectometer is used to measure dynamic surface deformation and delamination characteristics in real-time. A number of crucial parameters can be extracted from the reflectance measurements such as dynamic deformation, propagation velocity, and final relaxation position. A terahertz reflectometer and spectrometer are used to determine the permeation kinetics and concentration profile of active ingredients in stratum corneum. |
| US09239287B2 |
High resolution object inspection apparatus using terahertz wave
An object inspection apparatus includes a terahertz wave supplying unit for generating a terahertz wave and moving a path of the terahertz wave according to time so that the terahertz wave is supplied to an object to be inspected, a focusing lens located between the terahertz wave supplying unit and the object to be inspected to focus the terahertz wave supplied by the terahertz wave supplying unit, a rotating plate having a plate shape and including a plurality of the focusing lenses with different distances from the center thereof, the rotating plate rotating in the circumferential direction so that one of the focusing lenses is located at a path of the terahertz wave according to the path movement of the terahertz wave, and a terahertz wave detecting unit for collecting and detecting a terahertz wave incident to the object to be inspected. |
| US09239286B2 |
Methods and apparatus for identifying and sorting materials using terahertz waves
A terahertz-based material identification system includes a terahertz source for transmitting a terahertz wave for interaction with an object. The interaction results in a resulting terahertz wave that is influenced by the object. A terahertz detector receives the resulting terahertz wave and is configured to output measurement data corresponding to the resulting terahertz wave. A processor is in communication with the terahertz detector for receiving the measurement data. The processor is also configured to calculate an object response signature based on the measurement data, and compare the object response signature to a set of known response signatures so as to identify the object. The material identification system may also be implemented as part of a sorting system that is configured to selectively separate the object from a mixture based on the identity of the object. |
| US09239282B2 |
Metal pipe corrosion monitoring device and use thereof
A metal pipe corrosion monitoring device includes a steam introduction unit for introducing thereinto steam flowing through a metal pipe; and a corrosion testing unit provided in the steam introduction unit, characterized in that the steam introduction unit is configured to generate condensed water by condensing some of the steam to create a simulated environment similar to an actual environment in the metal pipe and discharge the condensed water above a predetermined water level to the outside. The corrosion testing unit has one or more contact members that contact with a water line region around a water surface of the condensed water in the steam introduction unit, a water phase region on a condensed water side and a vapor phase region on a steam side, and is configured to be able to measure an electric resistance of the one or more contact members. |
| US09239280B2 |
Measurement of serum lipoproteins
Although a more accurate estimate of a person's risk of cardiovascular disease can be made on the basis of the number of lipoprotein particles per unit volume in the person's blood, current methods all rely on measuring the mass of lipoprotein cholesterol per unit volume. It has been discovered that a rapid and accurate lipoprotein particle count can be obtained by photometry. A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the number of lipoprotein particles in a sample using photometry. |
| US09239275B2 |
Direct line sampling and dilution system
A direct line sampling system includes a flow line for a process flow, a diluent flush line for a diluent, and a sampling valve structure disposed in the flow line. The sampling valve structure includes a sampling chamber and has a first position in which the sampling chamber is in communication with the flow line so as to provide a path for the process flow through the sampling chamber. The sampling chamber captures a sample from the process flow when the sampling valve structure switches to a second position in which the sampling chamber is in communication with the diluent flush line. The diluent flushes the sample to a mixing chamber disposed downstream of the diluent flush line where the sample is diluted. An outlet line extends from an outlet of the mixing chamber to an analysis instrument configured to analyze particles in the diluted sample of the process flow. |
| US09239268B1 |
Calibration of photoelectromagnetic sensor in a laser source
In a laser-produced plasma (LPP) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) system, laser pulses are used to produce EUV light. To determine the energy of individual laser pulses, a photoelectromagnetic (PEM) detector is calibrated to a power meter using a calibration coefficient. When measuring a unitary laser beam comprising pulses of a single wavelength, the calibration coefficient is calculated based on a burst of the pulses. A combined laser beam has main pulses of a first wavelength alternating with pre-pulses pulses of a second wavelength. To calculate the energy of the main pulses in the combined laser beam, the calibration coefficient calculated for a unitary laser beam of the main pulses is used. To calculate the energy of the pre-pulses in the combined laser beam, a new calibration coefficient is calculated. When the calculated energy values drift beyond a pre-defined threshold, the calibration coefficients are recalculated. |
| US09239264B1 |
Transceiver method and apparatus having phase modulation and common mode phase drift rejection
Highly advantageous transceiver systems with common mode phase drift rejection and associated methods are disclosed which utilize certain phase modulators in configurations that reduce or eliminate inconsistent interference patterns caused by phase modulator phase drift. |
| US09239259B2 |
Optical measurement system, optical measurement method, and mirror plate for optical measurement system
An optical measurement system includes an integrating sphere having a reflecting surface on its inner wall and having a first window. The optical measurement system further includes a support member for supporting a light source at a substantially central position of the integrating sphere, and a first baffle arranged on a line connecting the first window and the light source supported by the support member. The support member is connected, in a region opposite to the first window with respect to the light source, to the inner wall of the integrating sphere. |
| US09239255B2 |
Magnetic flowmeter
A magnetic flowmeter (8) for measuring the flow of a flowing medium having a measuring tube (1) with a cross section that changes along its length and preferably the cross section in the middle section of the measuring tube (1) is less than at the beginning and end of the measuring tube (1), preferably the cross section of the measuring tube (1) is rectangular in its middle section and wherein the housing (2) preferably has a circular cross section. The inlet section (5) of the measuring tube (1) is formed of two segments (5a and 5b), of which a first segment (5a), in terms of flow direction, has a cross section that increases in the direction of flow and a downstream adjoining second segment (5b) has a cross section that decreases in the direction of flow. Optionally, the outlet section (6) is similarly formed of two sections (6a, 6b). |
| US09239253B2 |
Dial gauge
There is disclosed a dial gauge comprising a dial plate having a dial face including angularly spaced markings indicating values; a pointer disposed at a front side of the dial plate and angularly moveable over the dial face with respect to the markings so as to indicate a reading. An illumination source is provided which is arranged to emit illumination light and which is disposed below the dial plate. The gauge further comprises a light guide arranged to guide illumination light from below the dial plate to the front side of the dial plate so as to illuminate the dial face from above. There is also disclosed a mechanical pressure gauge comprising a dial gauge and a breathing apparatus comprising a cylinder of breathable gas fluidically coupled to a pressure gauge which is configured to display the pressure of the breathable gas. |
| US09239252B2 |
Sensor container, sensor information management method using the same, and sensor information management system for managing sensor housed in sensor container
A sensor container includes a container body having an opening portion, a lid that covers the opening portion of the container body, and a plurality of sensors for measuring biological information that are housed in the container body. The container body or the lid has a mark that includes information indicating the usable period of the sensors starting from a point in time when the lid is released from the container body. The mark is covered with a removable seal. |
| US09239251B2 |
Composite material, molded body, electronic device with molded body, and method for fabricating a molded body
A composite material comprises a polymer matrix; and zeolite, which is bonded in the polymer matrix; wherein the percent of volume of the zeolite in the volume of the composite material amounts to at least 50%, in particular at least 65%. The polymer matrix can in particular comprise a polymer, which is selected from a group of polymers that consist of fluoroplastics, polyaryletherketones, sulphur-containing polymers and high heat resistant polymers. The zeolite comprises in particular a zeolite of type A, in particular a zeolite 4A or 3A. |
| US09239248B2 |
Magnetic proximity sensor having improved capabilities and efficiency
Magnetic proximity sensor, comprising a magnetic sensor element, and a magnet assembly having a first pole surface and a second pole surface, wherein the first pole surface of the magnet assembly is positioned adjacent to a sensor target surface of the magnetic proximity sensor, and the sensor element is positioned at a first distance from the second pole surface of the magnet assembly remote from the sensor target surface. |
| US09239242B2 |
Route calculation system, navigation device, and route calculation method
A route calculation system includes: a route selection probability calculation unit that calculates a route selection probability of each route; a weighting parameter acquisition unit that acquires at least two kinds of weighting parameters representing degrees of influences of at least a route traveling distance and a route traveling time on the route selection probability; a weighting parameter selection unit that selects at least two kinds of weighting parameters corresponding to a specified set of a starting point and ending point combination related to a combination of a departure point and a destination; and a recommended route calculation unit that calculates a recommended route based on at least two kinds of link costs including a link traveling distance and a link traveling time and based on the at least two kinds of weighting parameters corresponding to the specified set of the starting point and ending point combination. |
| US09239237B2 |
Optical alignment apparatus and methodology for a video based metrology tool
A system for quickly aligning a test optic with various components of an optical metrology tool. A collimated target is presented to a beamsplitting reference surface located on a positioning system for holding and manipulating the test optic. Video images of the target and its reflection from the reference surface are displayed for analysis and visualization so that any tilt between the reference surface and the optical axis of the collimated beam can be removed to align the test optic. After alignment, the video based system is used to quickly measure and display in real-time a variety of performance characteristics of optical components such as lenses. The metrology system 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 aligned and characterized. |
| US09239234B2 |
Work system and information processing method
A work system includes an arm mechanism, a position and an orientation of which are configured to be changed so as to process an object placed on a work area, a member arranged at a distal end portion of the arm mechanism to receive a light projection pattern for calculating a position and an orientation of the distal end portion of the arm mechanism, and an irradiation unit configured to form the light projection pattern on the member and on the object by irradiating the member and the object with pattern light. In addition, an image sensing unit senses an image of the object and is fixed at a position independent of the arm mechanism, and a first calculation unit calculates a position and an orientation of the distal end portion of the arm mechanism and an irradiation plane of the pattern light based on the light projection pattern formed on the member. A second calculation unit calculates a position and an orientation of the object based on the calculated irradiation plane and the light projection pattern formed on the object. |
| US09239229B2 |
Method and device for monitoring multiple mirror arrays in an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
Microlithographic illumination system includes individually drivable elements to variably illuminate a pupil surface of the system. Each element deviates an incident light beam based on a control signal applied to the element. The system also includes an instrument to provide a measurement signal, and a model-based state estimator configured to compute, for each element, an estimated state vector based on the measurement signal. The estimated state vector represents: a deviation of a light beam caused by the element; and a time derivative of the deviation. The illumination system further includes a regulator configured to receive, for each element: a) the estimated state vector; and b) target values for: i) the deviation of the light beam caused by the deviating element; and ii) the time derivative of the deviation. |
| US09239227B1 |
3D laser measuring device
The invention discloses a portable and movable 3D laser measuring device, comprising: a measurement body; an X-axial laser beam outlet and an X-axial reception lens arranged on a side wall of the measurement body, and a Y-axial laser beam outlet and a Y-axial reception lens arranged on another side wall; a Z-axial laser beam outlet and a Z-axial reception lens arranged on the bottom of the measurement body, and a groove formed in the bottom and being open at the side wall with the X-axial laser beam outlet and at the side wall with the Y-axial laser beam outlet; a control device placed inside the measurement body and configured to control the emitting of the laser beams from the laser beam outlets when receiving a measurement instruction through a measurement button on the measurement body. By using the 3D laser measuring device, the three dimensions of a shipping box can be easily measured. |
| US09239226B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring the quantity and optical parameters of a liquid in a container using the principle of optical low coherence reflectometry
An apparatus for measuring the quantity and optical parameters of a liquid in a container using the principle of optical low coherence reflectometry is provided, the apparatus having: a source arm with a low coherence light source; a reference arm including a reference lens, a mirror, means for adjusting the distance between the reference lens and the mirror and means for measuring the distance between the reference lens and the mirror; a test arm with a test lens; means for dividing the output of the source arm between the test arm and the reference arm; means for combining light reflected back into the reference arm and the test arm to create an interference signal; and means for detecting and analyzing the interference signal. |
| US09239225B2 |
Fourier-transform interferometer with self-apodization compensation
A Fourier-transform interferometer with self-apodization compensation comprises at least one pair of mobile prisms forming a plate with thickness which varies at the same time as an optical path length difference is itself varied. The prisms are displaced using a mobile system with a single degree of freedom, comprising two support elements and at least two rotatably hinged levers. The interferometer is adapted to be installed on board a satellite, for spectral analysis of a radiation originating from the Earth's surface. |
| US09239222B2 |
Displacement amount monitoring electrode structure
The displacement amount monitoring electrode structure includes a fixed electrode and a movable electrode each having a comb-teeth shape including a base part and electrode fingers extending from the base part in a direction parallel to a substrate. The fixed electrode and the movable electrode face each other such that the electrode fingers are meshed together. The fixed electrode is fixed to the substrate and the movable electrode can be displaced in the direction. The displacement amount monitoring electrode structure monitors a displacement amount of a detection mass to be driven at a target amplitude based on a change amount of a capacitance between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. A change sensitivity of the change amount of the capacitance with respect to a displacement amount of the movable electrode, becomes larger after the displacement of the movable electrode reaches a target amount corresponding to the target amplitude. |
| US09239220B2 |
Determination of near surface geophyscial properties by impulsive displacement events
The invention is an improved technique for measuring near surface attributes of the ground while conducting a seismic survey. The improved technique is enabled by an electric vibe using a number of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion. By applying constant force on the rods of the linear electric motors against the ground, the penetration into the ground may be measured for both rate and overall deformation. This information provides an accurate indication of viscosity and stiffness. In addition shear velocity and compression velocity may be measured and in some conditions, even the type of prominent shear wave may be identified for the area. |
| US09239218B2 |
Size inspection device
A size inspection device includes an inspection frame, a transferring belt, a positioning assembly, an inspection assembly, a suction assembly, and a controller. The transferring belt is slidably mounted on the inspection frame. The positioning assembly, the inspection assembly, the suction assembly, and the controller are mounted on the inspection frame. The controller is electrically connected to the inspection assembly and the suction assembly. When the positioning assembly positions the workpiece on the transferring belt below the inspection assembly, the inspection assembly obtains size value of the workpiece and transfers it to the controller, the controller compares the size value to a preset standard range to determine whether or not the workpiece has passed quality inspection, and controls the suction assembly to handle the workpiece which is not of passing quality away from the transferring belt. |
| US09239217B2 |
Retractable tape rule assembly locking system
The present disclosure relates to a retractable tape rule assembly locking system. The system comprises an elongated tape rule blade, a reel, a biasing spring, a stop assembly, a stop surface, a stop assembly locking device, a housing assembly, and/or other components. The stop assembly is configured to selectively engage the elongated tape rule blade to maintain the elongated tape rule blade in the extended position. The stop assembly is configured to be moveable between a default position and an open position by a user. While in the default position, the stop assembly engages the elongated tape rule blade to prevent retraction of the elongated tape rule blade. The stop surface is associated with the reel and configured to engage the stop assembly to prevent rotation of the reel to retract the elongated tape rule blade. |
| US09239216B2 |
Arrowhead
An arrowhead having a tip end, a shaft end, and a longitudinal axis intersecting the tip end and the shaft end. The arrowhead has a first portion longitudinally positioned between the tip end and the shaft end and having a first maximum diameter. The first portion is divided into a plurality of sections spaced circumferentially apart to define longitudinal grooves. Each section comprises a first planar surface, a second planar surface not parallel to the first planar surface, a concave surface adjacent to the first planar surface, the second planar surface, the rear end portion, and the front intermediate section. A longitudinally-convex surface is adjacent to the concave surface. |
| US09239215B2 |
Methods for improving athletic performance
A method is provided for improving athletic performance in a sport in which participants employ a projectile during competition. The method includes training for the sport with a sensing system included in the projectile, where flight characteristics of the projectile remain substantially unchanged with the sensing system included in the projectile relative to the flight characteristics of the projectile as used in competition without the sensing system. The method also includes evaluating at least one flight characteristic measured by the sensing system when the projectile is employed with the sensing system, and if the act of evaluating finds that adjusting at least one physical characteristic of the projectile may assist in improving the participant's performance, changing the at least one physical characteristic. |
| US09239214B2 |
Floating barrier
A floating barrier which includes a number of buoyant bodies (12) which are fixed to an axle (36) from which extend a downwardly directed counterweight (124) and upwardly directed supports (130) to which transverse chains or cables are fixed. |
| US09239213B2 |
Sights and methods of operation thereof
A sight and methods of operation thereof are provided. In some embodiments, an image is captured via an image capture unit, and a center position is calculated according to the positions of at least three impact points in the image, and a predefined view center of a display unit is set to the center position. In some embodiments, an angle of dip of the sight to a plane is detected via a dip angle detector. A predictive impact point is calculated according to the angle of dip and at least one calculation parameter, and an impact point indication is accordingly displayed in the display unit. When the angle of dip is changed, the predictive impact point is recalculated according to the new angle of dip, and the corresponding impact point indication is displayed. |
| US09239212B1 |
Retrofit firearm illumination apparatus
An apparatus providing a regenerative light source capable of illuminating a large area in front of and around the barrel end of a firearm. The apparatus may be installed as a retrofit into the firearm body without any need to alter it. Moreover, the light source and the electronics powering are will be shielded from environmental hazardous associated with the operation of a firearm thus prolonging the life of the apparatus while ensuring it remains functional whenever needed. |
| US09239208B2 |
Integrated leveler and rail platform assembly for a firearm
An integrated leveler assembly in combination with a rail portion for an upper receiver and a handguard, where the upper receiver and handguard are core components of a modular rifle assembly. The integrated leveler assembly is configured to fit within a slot formed between the two aligned end-to-end rail portions such that the integrated leveling assembly may not extend above the combined rail portions and the rail portions form a single aligned rail platform. The integrated leveler assembly includes a liquid-filled level vial that forms a bubble, a level vial barrel receiver, and fasteners to secure the integrated leveler assembly to the two rail portions of the rail platform. The integrated leveler assembly may include an extension spring, guide slot, lock pin, and cam lock, along with a separate barrel that axially receives the level vial receiver with an extension spring between the level vial receiver and the barrel. |
| US09239207B2 |
Extendable slide member for pistol slide
An extendable slide member on a pistol slide action, providing leverage and a gripping base for a user to pull back or “rack” the slide along guides on a pistol frame, in a longitudinal motion relative to the pistol frame. The slide member facilitating racking the slide when in an extended position the slide member rotates either laterally outwards from a side surface of the slide or vertically upwards from a top surface of the slide, and presents a gripping segment for the user to pull the slide towards the breech end of the pistol. |
| US09239203B2 |
Modular firearm stock system
A modular firearm is disclosed. The firearm that can be configured to operate using ammunition of different calibers via interchangeability of only a few parts. The firearm includes a foldable butt stock assembly for quickly and easily converting the firearm from an extended operating configuration to a compact transport configuration, and vice-versa. Additionally, the firearm includes a modular hand guard assembly having multiple mounting platforms for accommodating a variety of different accessories. |
| US09239198B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for loading a magazine
A magazine loader for loading cartridges into a magazine is provided. The magazine loader may include a base member configured for positioning on an open end of the magazine, a first cartridge support member extending from the base member, and a second cartridge support member extending from the base member. The first cartridge support member may include a first slot configured for receiving a base end of each of the cartridges. The second cartridge support member may include a second slot configured for receiving a tip end of each of the cartridges. A related system for loading and storing cartridges for a firearm also is provided. |
| US09239197B1 |
Composite ammunition magazine for firearm
A composite ammunition magazine comprises a box with a follower slidably disposed in the box and a spring disposed between a bottom of the box and the follower and biasing the follower towards an open top. A pair of opposite lips extends from proximal ends at opposite sides of the open top in an arc to distal free ends over the open top of the box. The box and the pair of lips comprise a composite material comprising fibers in a resin matrix with the sides of the box comprising hoop fibers oriented at 0 degrees and axial fibers oriented at 90 degrees, and the pair of lips comprising lateral fibers oriented at 0 degrees and arc fibers extending in an arc and oriented at 90 degrees with respect to the lateral fibers. The pair of lips comprises more arc fibers than the axial fibers in the box. |
| US09239195B2 |
Heat exchanger for vehicle
A heat exchanger for a vehicle may include a heat radiating portion provided with first and second connecting lines formed alternately by stacking plates, and receiving first and second operating fluids into the first and second connecting lines. The heat exchanger also includes a bifurcating portion connecting an inflow hole for flowing one operating fluid of the first and second operating fluids with an exhaust hole for exhausting the one operating fluid, and the bifurcating portion is adapted for the one operating fluid to bypass the heat radiating portion according to a temperature of the one operating fluid. The heat exchanger further includes a valve unit mounted corresponding to the inflow hole and adapted to flow the one operating fluid selectively to the heat radiating portion or the bifurcating portion according to the temperature of the one operating fluid flowing in the inflow hole. |
| US09239194B2 |
Heat exchanger system for a deodoriser
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger system for incorporation in a deodorizer. The heat exchanger system comprises longitudinal heat transfer means, inlet distribution headers, outlet collector headers, spacers having holes to support the longitudinal heat transfer means, a compensator, and two or more support devices. The longitudinal heat transfer means are guided through the holes of the spacers and arranged in bundles, and each of the bundles is attached to an inlet distribution header as well as to an outlet collector header, and at least some of the spacers are mounted on at least one support device. The present invention relates also to a semi-continuous deodorizer having one or more of such heat exchanger systems, and to a use of the deodorizer. |
| US09239191B2 |
Mobile furnace system
A mobile furnace apparatus and system configured to process payload is disclosed. A plurality of mobile furnaces may be interconnected to form a modular mobile furnace train. A fire line is an area where heat is applied to the payload, while a service line is an area where loading of payload, unloading of payload, inspection, and ongoing maintenance may take place. The modular mobile furnace train allows separation of the fire line and service line, which may improve worker safety and decrease overall costs. |
| US09239187B2 |
Process for extraction of water from municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, and putrescible waste
A process for reducing the cost associated with the transportation and disposal of waste material by extracting water ad other liquids from municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, and putrescible waste to thereby significantly reduce the weight of the material prior to transport. In one embodiment, the process involves waste product being turned through a heated auger system, wherein the waste material is indirectly heated by high temperature oil to remove the liquid (including water) and moisture content from the waste product. In another embodiment, the process involves manual or automated movement of the waste material through an environmentally contained area that houses heating devices (e.g., heat lamps) for simulating sunlight, fans, and a water purification and filtration system for drying the waste material and delivering the water content to the water filtration and purification system. |
| US09239180B2 |
Refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatus
When an operating state indicated by a set of operation data measured during normal operation becomes a state satisfying an operation data obtaining condition, the set of operation data at the time is obtained as a set of operation data for initial learning, and an inner volume of a refrigerant extension piping is calculated based on the obtained set of operation data for initial learning. A total amount of refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit 10 is calculated based on the calculated inner volume of the refrigerant extension piping and the current set of operation data, and the calculated total refrigerant is compared with a reference amount of refrigerant to determine a presence or absence of refrigerant leakage. |
| US09239176B2 |
Magnetic heating and cooling device
A magnetic heating and cooling device is provided that comprises a heat exchanger that includes a magnetic body having a magnetocaloric effect; a magnetic field applying and removing unit that selectively applies to or removes from the magnetic body a magnetic field; and a liquid refrigerant moving unit that reciprocates a liquid refrigerant from one end to the other end, or from the other end to the one end, of the heat exchanger to exchange heat with the magnetic body inside the heat exchanger. The magnetic body is constituted by a plurality of flat magnetic members. At least one flat magnetic member has at least one slit that opens in the direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the liquid refrigerant, and the open end of each slit forms a corner to increase heat exchange efficiency. |
| US09239175B2 |
Air conditioner and heat source unit with other unit start up control
An air conditioner is provided with a plurality of outdoor heat source units, an indoor unit, a liquid refrigerant communication pipe and gas refrigerant communication pipe, and a controller. Each heat source unit has a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an accumulator. The indoor unit has an indoor expansion valve and an indoor heat exchanger. The controller starts an other of the heat source units in a stopped state when it is determined that the amount of refrigerant is excessive in a first heat source unit in an operating state. |
| US09239174B2 |
Cascade floating intermediate temperature heat pump system
A cascade heat pump system is configured with variable-speed compressors which allow operation at a high system coefficient of performance for a given thermal load. An electronic control module may be utilized to dynamically vary the speed of the compressors to achieve maximum energy efficiency. Variable-speed fans or blowers may also be used. |
| US09239173B2 |
Photovoltaic module support with interface strips
Apparatus and techniques for mounting frameless photovoltaic modules reduce module stress induced by the mounting configuration. Interface strips and strip/rail spacing configured to relieve module stress by reducing or eliminating module sag are used. |
| US09239172B2 |
Solar concentrator with support system and solar tracking
The invention relates to a solar concentrator with a supporting and solar tracking system, which proposes a solar concentrator comprising one or several lenses and one or several collectors and at least two attachment structures (2) for attaching the collector solar and the lens and at least two fastening structures (1) which allow a rotation according to a longitudinal axis. The attachment structure can be rotated or displaced, allowing the displacement of the lens (3) and the collector (4) in opposite directions and the variation of their relative distance, which solves the problem of the variation of the focal distance for each individual angle of incidence of the radiation. |
| US09239171B2 |
System and method for heat rejection in a solar power collection system
A heat rejection system for a solar power collector having an array of heliostat mirrors, the heat rejection system having a rail system supporting the array of heliostat mirrors, the rail system having a plurality of thermally conductive pipes, a reservoir positioned underground and connected to the rail system, a condenser connected to the thermally conductive pipes and the reservoir, and a coolant means circulating through the thermally conductive pipes, condenser and reservoir the heat rejection system operates as closed systems without the consumption of water and returns solar heat to the environment. |
| US09239170B2 |
Integrated self-contained plenum module
The present invention discloses a plenum module with compartmentalized interior that is subdivided, and partitioned into separate chambers by a set of wall panels. |
| US09239160B1 |
Cooled LED lighting apparatus
A light emitting diode (“LED”) lighting apparatus has vents to cool the LED lighting apparatus. The LED lighting apparatus comprises one or more strips, a base having vents, and one or more glass tubes. Each strip has LEDs and a transparent backing. The vents comprise a central vent and side vents, were the central vent and certain ones of the side vents are connected to allow for gas flow. The one or more strips and the one or more glass tubes are coupled to the base, where the one or more glass tubes encapsulate the one or more strips. The central vent is disposed adjacent to the one or more glass tubes, and a heat transfer medium within selected ones of the one or more glass tubes flows out of the selected ones of the one or more glass tubes for cooling. |
| US09239142B2 |
Edge-lit light fixture incorporating a downlight and having a uniform external appearance
A light fixture and method for producing downward-propagating illumination that includes an edge-lit lightguide illuminated from its perimeter. The lightguide has a light extractor, such as a dot pattern on its bottom surface, which extracts a portion of the light from inside the lightguide and directs it to a diffuser. The fixture also includes a downlight, arranged above the lightguide and producing a downlight beam downward. The downlight beam transmits from the top face through the bottom face of the lightguide and emerges from the bottom face of the lightguide as a directional beam. The downlight beam has a downlight beam footprint. The light extractor has a light extractor area that excludes the downlight beam footprint, and the diffuser has a diffuser area that also excludes the downlight beam footprint. |
| US09239141B1 |
Optical element providing oblique illumination and apparatuses using same
An optical element is provided having an asymmetric body, a light source, and a front face tilted at an oblique angle with respect to a target surface to provide illumination that is at least substantially uniform along the target surface's height. One or more optical elements may be in an apparatus, and multiple apparatuses may be disposed in front of one edge of a target surface to provide thereto at least substantially uniform oblique illumination. When the light source is an LED that is spectrally non-uniform at increasing angles away from its optical axis, the optical elements having such LEDs provide illumination that is spectrally non-uniform along a portion of the target surface, and additional optical elements with LED light sources are provided having a spectrum in one or more spectral ranges that compensates for such spectral non-uniformity to correct spectral non-uniformity along such portion of the target surface. |
| US09239138B2 |
LED bulb optical system with uniform light distribution
A pear-shaped light-emitting diode (LED) light bulb housing is provided with a plurality of light-dispersing thickness variations in the bulb envelope. Dimples, bumps, or v-shaped grooves are provided in a middle portion of the bulb envelope in order to uniformly disperse light from LEDs as the light passes through the bulb envelope. |
| US09239136B1 |
Connector for light-emitting diode strip
An LED connector half (500) mates with a wire connector half (300) to connect a light strip (100) comprising LEDs (115) to a pair of wires. The LED half includes a hinged top (700) with an opening (705) to admit an end LED on the strip when the top is closed, securing the strip to the connector half without blocking the LED. The wire half secures a pair of wires (315) to terminals (305) in a housing (310). The wire half is inserted into the LED half, connecting the Electrodes and terminals. The halves are held together by a tongue (320) and socket (800). In another aspect, a connector (1100) joins two light strips by capturing the LEDs at the ends of the strips in openings (1110) and clamping conductive electrodes (1140) against the strips by closing a lid (1105) against the body, without obscuring LED light output. |
| US09239135B2 |
LED connector
An LED connector has an LED component and a heat sink. The heat sink includes a plurality of conductors having mounting pads. The conductors are formed from an electrically and thermally conductive material. The LED component is mounted to the mounting pads. The conductors define both electrical circuits and thermal heat sinks for the LED connector. |
| US09239133B2 |
High brightness solid state illumination system for fluorescence imaging and analysis
A solid state illumination system is disclosed, wherein a light source module comprises a first light source, comprising an LED and a phosphor layer, the LED emitting a wavelength λ1 in an absorption band of the phosphor layer for generating longer wavelength broadband light emission from the phosphor, ΔλPHOSPHOR, and a second light source comprising a laser emitting a wavelength λ2 in the absorption band of the phosphor layer. While operating the LED, concurrent laser pumping of the phosphor layer increases the light emission of the phosphor, and provides high brightness emission, e.g. in green, yellow or amber spectral regions. Additional modules, which provide emission at other wavelengths, e.g. in the UV and near UV spectral bands, together with dichroic beam-splitters/combiners allow for an efficient, compact, high-brightness illumination system, suitable for fluorescence imaging and analysis. |
| US09239132B1 |
Lubrication package
A lubrication package for lubrication of paper shredders wherein a lubricant is sandwiched between two coversheets which are sealed together near their peripheral edges to contain the lubricant. When the package is inserted into an operating paper shredder, the coversheets are shredded and release the lubricant to lubricate the shredding mechanism. The lubricant is prevented from all migrating towards one of the peripheral edges by a plurality of interior seals that divide the package into several sub-regions. |
| US09239128B2 |
Image forming apapratus
An image forming apparatus includes a movable member equipped with an operating unit for operating the image forming apparatus, wherein the movable member can be a first state and a second state by changing its position with respect to an main body of the apparatus, and a holding unit configured to hold the movable member, wherein the direction in which the operating unit is depressed in order to operate the image forming apparatus is the direction in which the movable member is depressed when the position of the movable member is changed from the first state to the second state, and wherein the holding unit holds the movable member so that the requisite force for changing the movable member from the first state to the second state is larger than the requisite force for changing the movable member from the second state to the first state. |
| US09239127B2 |
Adjustable stop mechanism for rotatable connection and a rotatable joint comprising the same
The present invention provides a rotatable joint (1) comprising: a first joint member (10) for connection to a reference frame; a second joint member (20) connected with the first joint member (10) and configured for rotation relative to the first joint member (10) about an axis (13); and an adjustable stop mechanism (30) for defining limits of rotation of the second joint member (20) relative to the first joint member (10). The adjustable stop mechanism (30) comprises: a first part (40) provided on the first joint member (10) having at least a first stop (41) defining at least a first limit of rotation of the second joint member (20) about said axis (13) relative to the first joint member (10), wherein the first part (40) is adapted to be selectively positioned with respect to the first joint member (10) to set or define a limit or range of rotation of the second joint member (20) relative to the first joint member (10). |
| US09239126B2 |
Twist jack stand apparatus and method
A load supporting stand that having a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The supporting stand has an upper column that includes a shaft having a first end and a second end that extends along the longitudinal axis. The shaft has a first diameter. The upper column also includes a shelf attached to the first end of said shaft. The upper column also has a load bearing pin that extends transversely through the shaft. The stand also has a base portion that receives the upper column that includes a receiving conduit that extends along the longitudinal axis and has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The conduit has a third end and a fourth end and a slot that extends between the third and fourth ends along with a series of notches extending therefrom. The base portion has a base plate connected to the receiving conduit. |
| US09239125B2 |
Manifold assembly with multiple articulating arm assemblies
A manifold assembly for connecting a plurality of pumping units to a wellhead includes at least one main line which is connectable to the wellhead and includes a plurality of discharge connectors, and a plurality of articulating arm assemblies which are each connected to a corresponding discharge connector. Each arm assembly comprises a connector member which includes at least an inlet port, an outlet port and a third port that is located generally opposite the outlet port and is closed by a removable plug member, an articulating conduit assembly which comprises a first end that is connected to the inlet port and a second end that is connectable to a corresponding one of the plurality of pumping units, and a riser swivel which is connected between the outlet port and the discharge connector. In use of the manifold assembly, each arm assembly is connected to a corresponding pumping unit and the main line is connected to the wellhead to thereby connect the pumping units to the wellhead. |
| US09239124B2 |
Hose clamp
A hose clamp for preventing a leak during tightening of a hose includes a clamp body of a strip-shaped leaf spring material with an annular shape, and a pair of operation pieces. The clamp body maintained in a diameter expansion state by a locking claw of the operation piece engaged with an engagement concavity of the other operation piece. The engagement released by bringing the operation piece close to the other operation piece and moving the operation piece in the opposing direction in an axial direction of the clamp body, whereby reducing the clamp body diameter. An expansion restricting piece restricts divergence of both the operation pieces in opposite directions in the axial direction of the clamp body. Further, a tilt prevention section which prevents the clamp body from being obliquely assembled to a hose during tightening of the hose is provided. |
| US09239123B2 |
Slip on groove coupling with multiple sealing gasket
Couplings and gaskets are disclosed. Couplings may include an upper housing, a lower housing, at least one fastening device coupling the upper housing to the lower housing, and a gasket positioned within the upper and lower housings, the gasket including two primary seals and a rib protruding from an inner surface of the gasket and between the two primary seals. |
| US09239122B2 |
Pipe connection
A pipeline includes a pair of pipe sections with ends (20, 22), connected together by threads. the pipe ends having axial and radial abutments lying beyond the ends of the thread. The abutments are located to stabilize a nib sealing arrangement and to enhance the capacity to resist bending while using a shorter thread length. The shorter threads (24, 26) enable pipe ends of smaller wall thicknesses to be used. At the abutments, each pipe end has a nib (40A, 40B) that is deflected to enter a groove as the pipe ends mate. |
| US09239121B1 |
Valley shaping reinforcement
A valley shaping means for bidirectionally reinforced convoluted hoses comprising high strength fibers and/or cords which is designed for bonding and/or integration into the valley portion of the bidirectionally reinforced convoluted hose. The high-strength fibers and/or cords can be pre-coated prior to integration with the bidirectionally reinforced convoluted hose, or be coated and bonded after placed in position at the bottom of the valley portion of the bidirectionally reinforced convoluted hose. |
| US09239117B1 |
Shrouded face seal and components thereof
One embodiment of the seal housing for a face seal described herein include a base with a seal element support and a shroud both extending from the base in a common direction. The seal element support and the base define a space for receiving a seal element. The shroud includes a tip having a head portion that tapers toward a neck portion that is reduced in size relative to the head portion. The tip is secured to a stem of the shroud through a set of circumferentially distributed countersunk holes. |
| US09239115B2 |
Gland packing and packing set
A gland packing provided in a fluid apparatus such as a pump and compressed in an axial direction so as to prevent penetration leakage of a fluid is provided.The gland packing has a packing base material 11 of a predetermined length including a band-like flat braid 12 braided by moving a plurality of yarns 13 along one track K. The band-like packing base material 11 is shaped into a ring by abutting longitudinal ends 12a and 12b of the packing base material 11 so that a width direction thereof is parallel with a packing axial direction, and is then compressed in the axial direction, whereby the packing base material 11 is overlappedly folded in a packing axial direction, with a longitudinal direction of the packing base material 11 as a direction of folding lines 14. |
| US09239112B2 |
Metal gasket
A metal gasket 10 includes a pair of bead plates 14 and 14 having a cylinder hole 12 corresponding to a cylinder bore, a full bead 22 surrounding the cylinder hole, a first intermediate plate 18 interposed between the pair of bead plates, and a shim plate 16 interposed between the first intermediate plate and one bead plate in an area around the cylinder hole. The shim plate 16 is disposed to overlap with the full bead 22, and the thickness of a contact portion 19 to contact with the shim plate 16 of the first intermediate plate changes in the peripheral direction of the cylinder hole. |
| US09239109B2 |
Device for shifting at least one freewheel on an associated shaft of a gear mechanism
The invention relates to an arrangement for shifting at least one freewheel (1, 2, 3) on an associated shaft of a gear mechanism, comprising at least one shifting device which comprises an actuation device and a non-positive and/or positive shifting device. Said shifting device can be axially displaced by the actuation device that is arranged at least partially in the shaft and the shifting device is arranged coaxially to the shaft. According to the invention, an axial extension can be disposed between the actuation device and the shifting device. |
| US09239108B2 |
Shift-by-wire transmission range selector system and actuator for the same
In general, a shift-by-wire transmission range selector system consistent with the present disclosure may include an actuator one or more electric motors to allow the actuator to operate for shifting the gear position of a transmission. In the event of a power or system failure, a fail safe release motor may be actuated by energy stored in a capacitor. The fail safe release motor drives a slide cam to release a trigger arm. Upon release of the trigger arm, a spring-driven mechanism safely returns the transmission to the PARK position by rotating an output shaft. A redundant control link may be provided, configured to actuate the fail safe release motor in the event of a power or system failure. |
| US09239107B2 |
Neutral locking system and tool for vehicle
A neutral locking system for a vehicle includes a park release shaft and a neutral locking tool. The park release shaft is operatively connected to the transmission such that rotation of the park release shaft places the transmission in a neutral state. The tool is configured to couple to the park release shaft such that rotation of the tool rotates the park release shaft. The tool can also include a sliding locking pin having a first position allowing rotation of the tool within an engine compartment and a second position in which the pin contacts a component in the engine compartment to limit rotation of the tool. |
| US09239102B2 |
Method for producing a spindle for a spindle drive, a roller screw drive comprising such a spindle and use of said roller screw drive
The disclosure relates to a threaded shaft for a roller screw drive, for example for an electromechanical brake booster or an electromechanical power steering system. According to the disclosure, a helical coil with a flat, square-threaded annular cross-section is arranged on a thin-walled pipe, the pipe being formed onto a root region of the helical coil by the application of high pressure from the inside of the pipe. |
| US09239097B2 |
Tensioning device for a traction element and method of installation of such a device
The invention relates to a tensioning device comprising a back plate, on which is installed a tensioning roller provided with at least one bearing. The tensioning roller is installed on the back plate with the possibility of rotation about an eccentric axis (X6) in relation to the axis (X4) of the tensioning roller. The tensioning roller is provided with a protuberance engaged in a peripheral recess of the back plate, this peripheral recess limiting the movement of the protuberance between two abutments. |
| US09239096B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft configured to receive torque of an engine, an output shaft outputting changed torque, a first planetary gear set having a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, and a first ring gear as rotation elements thereof, a second planetary gear set having a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear as rotation elements thereof, a third planetary gear set having a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear as rotation elements thereof, and a fourth planetary gear set having a fourth sun gear, a fourth planet carrier, and a fourth ring gear as rotation elements thereof. |
| US09239095B1 |
Servo-automated transmission
A unique transmission based on a servo-automated gearbox is disclosed wherein each of its gear pairs is self-disengaging and self-engaging requiring only the switching of dedicated hydraulic valves to transition from the disengagement of a gear pair to the engagement of a newly selected pair. During shifting, one servo controls the zeroing of the difference between the speed of the engine and the speed of the gearbox output shaft as required by the gear ratio of the selected gear pair. Concurrently another servo, by controlling the slip of several gear pairs, maintains the current vehicle acceleration or deceleration while also decelerating or accelerating, respectively, the slip-engaged engine toward the required speed. |
| US09239092B2 |
Shock absorber with frequency dependent passive valve
A shock absorber has a pressure tube with a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube and attached to a piston rod. The piston assembly divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The piston assembly includes a frequency dependent valve assembly attached to the piston rod which defines a housing attached to the piston rod and a spool valve assembly. The spool valve assembly includes a spool valve and a bypass valve assembly that controls fluid flow through bypass passage that bypasses the piston assembly. |
| US09239090B2 |
Suspension damper with remotely-operable valve
A vehicle damper comprising a cylinder and a piston; a working fluid within the cylinder; a reservoir in fluid communication with the working fluid to receive working fluid from the cylinder in a compression stroke; and a remotely-operable valve, the valve operable to permit and restrict flow of the working fluid between the cylinder and the reservoir. |
| US09239089B2 |
Grease shut-off gas cylinder
A grease shut-off gas cylinder comprises an outer cylinder having a guide hole; a spindle inserted in the guide hole and having an inner pipe and an outer pipe; a piston rod having a piston wherein the bottom of a rod is fixed on a bottom surface of the outer cylinder and the top of the rod is slide-inserted in the inner pipe; a valve body secured to top of the spindle and controlling the spindle to move up or down about the piston on the basis of the operations of a valve pin which controls the moving direction of gas; a bushing member protruding from an outer side of the bottom of the spindle and coming into slide contact with an inner wall of the outer cylinder; and a bushing cap secured to top of the outer cylinder and having a guide hole configured to guide the spindle. |
| US09239088B2 |
Brake lining having adapter for disc brakes
A brake lining, particularly for a commercial vehicle disc brake, and an associated adapter (5, 6), and a disc brake having said brake lining and the adapter (5, 6) for commercial vehicles have a carrier plate (1) with a friction lining (2) disposed thereon and at least one force application region (3, 4) on the side thereof facing away from the friction lining (2). An adapter (5, 6) is in a contact position with the force application region (3, 4) in the operating position of the brake. The adapter, in turn, is in working contact with a brake plunger or a brake piston. In order to fix the adapter (5, 6) and the carrier plate (1) at least in the radial direction (11) and circumferential direction (12), mounting means (7, 8) are provided on the carrier plate (1), with corresponding mounting means (9, 10) provided on the adapter. The adapter (5, 6) is thereby simply disposed on the force application regions of the carrier plate (1) and releaseably connected thereto. |
| US09239082B2 |
Rotor and rotating electric machine equipped with the rotor
A rotor comprising: a rotating shaft with at least one keyway formed at an outer circumferential surface thereof and ranging along an axial direction; and a rotor core that includes a key that projects out on an inner circumferential side thereof, and is fitted in the keyway; wherein: a recessed portion that widens outward along a radial direction is formed at each of two sides of the key facing opposite each other along a circumferential direction at the rotor core; a planar portion is formed at a bottom area of the recessed portion so as to lessen stress occurring on each of the two sides of the key facing opposite each other along the circumferential direction; the planar portion is a straight contoured portion extending over a predetermined length along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the key projects out, and a connecting side surface extending to an inner circumference of the rotor core is formed continuously to an end of the straight contoured portion located on a side opposite from a key side where a key is present; a first corner portion, connecting a side surface of the key with a key-side end of the straight contoured portion, is formed as a circular arc contoured portion; a second corner portion, connecting the end of the straight contoured portion, located on the side opposite from the key side, with the connecting side surface, is formed as a circular arc contoured portion; and dimensions and shapes of various portions are determined so as to substantially equalize stress levels in the first corner portion and in the second corner portion. |
| US09239081B2 |
Synthetic resin-made sliding bearing
A sliding bearing 1 includes: a synthetic resin-made upper casing 2 which is fixed to a vehicle body side via a mounting member; a synthetic resin-made lower casing 3 which is superposed on the upper casing 2 and on which a spring bearing surface for a suspension coil spring is formed; a synthetic resin-made sliding bearing piece 5 disposed in an annular space 4 between the upper casing 2 and the lower casing 3; and an annular inner seal member 8 and an annular outer seal member 9, both made of a synthetic resin, for respectively sealing an annular gap 6 on an inner peripheral side in a radial direction X and an annular gap 7 on an outer peripheral side in the radial direction X between the upper casing 2 and the lower casing 3, the annular gap 6 and the annular gap 7 allowing the annular space 4 to communicate with the outside. |
| US09239080B2 |
Rolling bearing having a bearing ring with a hardened surface zone
A rolling bearing (6), in particular for the mounting of the shaft of a turbocharger, which rolling bearing includes a bearing ring (1) and a number of rolling bodies (9). The bearing ring (1) is formed from a steel which comprises, as alloy constituents, 0.05 to 0.65 wt % carbon, 0.5 to 5.0 wt % chromium, up to 1.0 wt % molybdenum, up to 1.0 wt % vanadium, and up to 1.0 wt % aluminum. The surface of the bearing ring (1) has a hardened surface layer (2) which comprises nitrites and which comprises a diffusion layer (3) and a connecting layer (4) situated above said diffusion layer. The surface layer (2) has a thickness of up to 1 mm. The invention also relates to a method for producing a corresponding bearing ring (6). |
| US09239075B2 |
Forged crankshaft
To provide a forged crankshaft having an excellent wear resistance. The forged crankshaft according to the present embodiment includes a non-heat treated steel material. The non-heat treated steel material has a chemical composition which contains, by mass %, C: 0.45 to 0.70%, Si: 0.75 to 1.30%, Mn: 1.00 to 2.00%, S: 0.03 to 0.30%, Cr: 0.05 to 0.30%, Al: 0.005 to 0.050%, and N: 0.005 to 0.020%, the balance being Fe and impurities, and satisfies the following Formula (1): 1.1C+Mn+0.2Cr>2.0 (1) where a symbol of each element in Formula (1) is substituted by the content (mass %) of the each element. A matrix of the non-heat treated steel material is a ferrite-pearlite microstructure in which an area ratio of pro-eutectoid ferrite is less than 10% or a pearlite microstructure. |
| US09239072B1 |
Secure fastener assembly
A secure fastener assembly is described. The secure fastener assembly includes a flanged nut and a sleeve. The flanged nut includes a body portion and a flange portion. The sleeve includes an upper opening and a lower opening joined by a wall. The wall includes a shoulder in an inner surface of the wall near the upper opening. The shoulder receives the flange portion. A ball valve using the securing fastener assembly is also described. |
| US09239063B2 |
Jet pump
A fluid mover includes a hollow body with a straight-through passage of substantially constant cross-section with an inlet end an outlet end for the entry and discharge respectively of a working fluid. A nozzle substantially circumscribes and opens into the passage intermediate the inlet and outlet ends. An inlet communicates with the nozzle for the introduction of a transport fluid, and a mixing chamber is formed within the passage downstream of the nozzle. The nozzle internal geometry and the bore profile upstream of the nozzle exit optimize the energy transfer between the transport fluid and working fluid. Working fluids are atomized to form a dispersed vapor/droplet flow with locally supersonic conditions within a pseudo-vena contracta, resulting in the creation of a supersonic condensation shock wave within the downstream mixing chamber by the condensation of the transport fluid. Methods of moving and processing fluids using the fluid mover are also disclosed. |
| US09239059B2 |
Systems and methods for supplying reduced pressure and measuring flow using a disc pump system
Disc pump systems and methods relate to a disc pump system that includes a first disc pump having a first actuator and a second disc pump having a second actuator. The systems and methods utilize sensors to measure the displacements of the actuators and a processor to determine the pressure differential across each actuator as a function of the measured displacements of the actuators. The disc pumps are fluidly coupled by a known restriction and the processor determines the flow rate of the disc pump system based on the determined pressure differentials across each actuator and the characteristics of the known restriction. |
| US09239058B2 |
Rotor and motor
A rotor includes a first rotor core, a second rotor core, a field magnet, and an auxiliary magnet. The first rotor core includes a first core base and a plurality of first hook-shaped poles. The second rotor core includes a second core base and a plurality of second hook-shaped poles. The first and second hook-shaped poles are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotor. The field magnet is arranged between the first and second core bases in an axial direction. The field magnet cause the first hook-shaped poles to function as first poles and the second hook-shaped poles to function as second poles. The auxiliary magnet includes at least two interpolar magnet portions, which are integrally formed. Each interpolar magnet portion is arranged in a void between the first hook-shaped pole and the second hook-shaped pole and magnetized in the circumferential direction. |
| US09239056B2 |
Pump impeller and submersible pump having such pump impeller
A non-clogging type pump impeller includes: a fluid passage provided in an approximately cylindrical body and connecting a suction port to a discharge port. The fluid passage has a vortex shape as viewed from an axial direction. A first recess, which is sunk downwardly in the axial direction, is formed on a first end surface of the approximately cylindrical body so as to surround a boss. A second recess, which is sunk upwardly in the axial direction, is formed on a second end surface of the approximately cylindrical body so as to surround the suction port. At least one communication hole provides fluid communication between the first recess and the second recess. Sewage in the second recess is introduced into the first recess through the at least one communication hole to thereby effectively remove an air pocket trapped on the first end surface of the impeller and in the first recess. |
| US09239051B1 |
Waterborne fluoropolymer composition
This invention relates to a waterborne fluoropolymer composition useful for the fabrication of Li-Ion-Battery (LIB) electrodes. The fluoropolymer composition contains an organic carbonate compound, which is more environmentally friendly than other fugitive adhesion promoters currently used in waterborne fluoropolymer binders. An especially useful organic carbonate compound is ethylene carbonate (EC) and vinylene carbonate (VC), which are solids at room temperature, and other carbonates which are liquid at room temperature such as propylene carbonate, methyl carbonate and ethyl carbonate. The composition of the invention is low cost, environmentally friendly, safer, and has enhanced performance compared to current compositions. |
| US09239045B2 |
Off-axis variable displacement oil pump
An oil pump assembly for use with an internal combustion engine having an engine block, a crankshaft that is rotatable with respect to the engine block on a crankshaft axis, and a sump that is connected to the engine block for receiving and storing oil therein. The oil pump assembly includes a housing and a drive assembly that is arranged on the housing. The drive assembly is connected to the crankshaft for rotation in unison therewith. An oil pump is connected to the housing for pumping oil between an inlet and an outlet of the oil pump in response to rotation of a drive shaft. The drive shaft is connected to the drive assembly for rotation in unison therewith. |
| US09239043B1 |
Conversion of kinetic into electric energy utilizing the universal principles of gravity and magnetism
The present invention is directed to a method of generating electricity from the unharnessed existing kinetic movement of various self-propelled sources: vehicles, wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, objects and/or wheeled objects with the aid of natural phenomena (i.e., gravity, buoyancy, magnetism, etc.) in combination with supporting undersurfaces, over surfaces and side surfaces upon which or about which they translate. In a first embodiment, floating platforms over which moving objects pass are implanted into a road surface. In a second embodiment, rollers rather than platforms are utilized. In a third embodiment, the moving vehicles, pedestrians and/or objects are provided with magnetic material generating electricity by passing over, under or by magnetized kinetic capturing panels containing coiled metallic wire (“kinetic panels”). |
| US09239040B2 |
Root end assembly configuration for a wind turbine rotor blade and associated forming methods
An assembly configuration between a wind turbine rotor blade and a rotor hub includes a rotor hub having one or more pitch bearings, with each pitch bearing having an outer diameter race and an inner diameter race. Rotor blades are affixed to the respective pitch bearing rings, with the rotor blades having a root end with an outer diameter. An adaptor is configured between the root end and the pitch bearing, with the adaptor affixed to the inner diameter race and the root end affixed to the adaptor. The adaptor defines a mounting surface for the root end radially inward of the pitch bearing such that the root end outer diameter is less than the diameter of the inner diameter race. |
| US09239038B2 |
Power generation apparatus
A marine power generation apparatus is provided for generating power from an ocean current. The apparatus includes a turbine operable to generate power when within an ocean current. The turbine includes a pair of turbine blade assemblies each having a hub, a set of turbine spokes, stays or blades extending radially from the hub; and a circumferential ring extending around and connected to an outer periphery of the set of turbine spokes, stays or blades. The pair of turbine blade assemblies is mounted for same-direction rotation when placed in an ocean current and each being coupled with a common turbine shaft or a turbine shaft assembly. In addition, the turbine shaft is coupled along a shared axis with a rotor or an electrical generator. Means is also provided for anchoring the power generation means relative to a floor of the ocean and in alignment with the ocean current. |
| US09239036B2 |
Ultrasonic liquid treatment and delivery system and process
In a system and process for ultrasonically treating a liquid and delivering the liquid as a spray of liquid droplets, liquid is directed to flow along a flow path over a first ultrasonic waveguide, with the first ultrasonic waveguide having at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom and into the flow path. The first ultrasonic waveguide and agitating member(s) are excited to agitate the liquid as the liquid flows along the flow path. The liquid is further directed to flow along the flow path over a second waveguide, with the second waveguide having a terminal end adjacent an exit of the flow path. The second ultrasonic waveguide is ultrasonically excited at least at its terminal end to ultrasonically energize the liquid just prior to the liquid exiting the flow path such that the liquid exits the flow path as a spray of liquid droplets. |
| US09239034B2 |
Ejector system for a vehicle
A selectively operable vacuum source designed to reduce leakage is disclosed. In one example, the vacuum source is at least partially within an engine air intake system. The approach may reduce a number of sensors required to diagnose whether or not leaks are present within the vacuum source. |
| US09239033B2 |
Fuel vapor treatment system
An ECU controls a selector valve so as to connect a first pump passage and a second pump passage, and determines whether a fuel vapor leak from a fuel tank is in an allowable range based on a pressure in the fuel tank which is detected by a pressure sensor while a pump is driven to decrease a pressure in the fuel tank. The ECU opens a purge valve, whereby the fuel vapor adsorbed by a canister is introduce into an engine through an intake passage. The ECU controls the selector valve to connect a first pump passage and the second pump passage so as to circulate an atmospheric air in the pump while the purge valve is opened to introduce the fuel vapor into the internal combustion engine, whereby a foreign matter in the pump can be removed. |
| US09239032B2 |
Fuel system and method for operating a fuel system
A fuel system, in particular of a motor vehicle, with a fuel tank and a ventilation device for ventilating the fuel tank, wherein the ventilation device has at least one separation device which has a temporary accumulator for liquid fuel. The separation device has a fill level determination device for determining the fill level of in the temporary accumulator. The invention further relates to a method for operating a fuel system. |
| US09239030B2 |
Nacelle electrical locking system for leading edge of openable panel
A nacelle structure for a gas turbine engine includes an outer nacelle surrounding a fan section and defining an outer boundary of a bypass flow passage and an inner nacelle surrounding a core engine section and defining an inner boundary of the bypass flow passage. A panel of the inner nacelle is moveable between an open position providing access to the core engine section and a closed position. A lock is supported within the inner nacelle proximate the panel. The lock includes an electric actuator for moving a locking pin between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lock prevents opening and limits deflection of the panel when in the locked position. |
| US09239029B2 |
Nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine
A nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine includes an engine nozzle and an ejector nozzle arranged axially downstream thereof. A gap S is formed between the outlet of the engine nozzle and the inlet of the ejector nozzle, and a flange which reduces the gap S is arranged at the outlet of the engine nozzle. |
| US09239026B2 |
Fuel supply control device and control method for engine
In an engine that includes a liquid fuel injector and a gaseous fuel injector connected to an intake pipe via a fuel passage and that switches fuel supplied into intake air between liquid fuel and gaseous fuel, an electronic control unit increases fuel in an amount required to fill the fuel passage with gaseous fuel at the time of initial fuel injection from the gaseous fuel injector after switching from liquid fuel to gaseous fuel. |
| US09239023B2 |
Straddle type vehicle
The opening control mechanism includes a frame, a support shaft, a first pulley, a second pulley, a first elastic member and a second elastic member. A position taken by the second pulley when no force acts on the grip is referred to as a second reference position. The second pulley can be rotated in a second direction of rotation, starting from the second reference position. A processing unit performs a specified operation when the second pulley has been rotated in the second direction of rotation, starting from the second reference position, by a predetermined amount. |
| US09239022B2 |
Control device of internal combustion engine
Disclosed is an internal-combustion engine controller capable of improving emission characteristics at a start of an internal-combustion engine. When injection during an exhaust stroke is controlled in a port-injection engine, the engine controller ECU performs the first fuel injection during t1 to t2 according to a memory-based crank angle as illustrated in FIG. 12(b) at a fuel injection timing before determination of an actual stroke. Thus, the injected fuel has been introduced into a cylinder during the actual stroke. If fuel is not injected during t1N to t3N within the next exhaust stroke as denoted by the solid line, this causes misfire in the cylinder, so that the engine rotation at the start cannot be smooth. Thus, the ECU clears a finished fuel injection flag (F_INJ) at an incorrect crank angle storage determination timing (tJUD) as denoted by the dashed-dotted line, thereby capable of controlling the fuel injection. |
| US09239021B2 |
Internal combustion engine with supercharger
An internal combustion engine with a supercharger comprises an internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders; an intake passage that supplies gas to the internal combustion engine; a turbocharger-type supercharger including a turbine portion having a plurality of exhaust gas introduction passages; and an exhaust passage including a plurality of connecting passages that connect the plurality of cylinders and the plurality of exhaust gas introduction passages, wherein exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine flows through the exhaust passage. The internal combustion engine comprises a bridge passage that connects two or more of the plurality of connecting passages to each other; a branch passage connected to the bridge passage; and a first opening and closing device provided into the bridge passage to open and close the bridge passage. |
| US09239019B2 |
Particulate matter retaining system
Methods and systems are provided for passive regeneration of a particulate matter filter coupled to a gasoline engine. During vehicle deceleration conditions, an engine is operated leaner than stoichiometry over two subsequent lean phases, including an initial longer and leaner phase followed by a shorter and less lean phase. By passively regenerating the filter using intermittent lean engine operation, engine performance can be improved. |
| US09239016B2 |
Catalyst heating with exhaust back-pressure
Embodiments for controlling an exhaust back-pressure valve are provided. In one example, a method for operating an engine comprises closing an exhaust back-pressure valve in response to a component temperature, adjusting intake and/or exhaust valve operation in response to closing the exhaust back-pressure valve to reduce cylinder internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and while the exhaust back-pressure valve is closing, indicating degradation of an exhaust back-pressure system if a designated engine operating parameter remains constant. In this way, degradation of the exhaust back-pressure system may be diagnosed while maintaining combustion stability. |
| US09239014B2 |
Automotive control device and period measurement method for the same
The invention relates to an automotive control device and a period measurement method for measuring a period of a pulse signal input from outside. The automotive control device processes the pulse signal input from outside using an analog filter in parallel with a digital filter. When a difference between a measured value of a period of an output signal of analog filter and a measured value of a period of an output signal of digital filter is less than a threshold value, the automotive control device selects the measured value of the period of the output signal of analog filter as the period of the pulse signal. Meanwhile, when the difference between the measured values is greater than the threshold value, the automotive control device selects the measured value of the period of the output signal of digital filter as the period of the pulse signal. |
| US09239012B2 |
Flexible support structure for a geared architecture gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft and a support which supports the fan shaft. The support defines at least one of a support transverse and a support lateral stiffness. A gear system drives the fan shaft. A flexible support at least partially supports the gear system, and defines at least one of a flexible support transverse and a flexible support lateral stiffness with respect to at least one of the support transverse and the support lateral stiffness. An input to the gear system defines at least one of an input transverse and an input lateral stiffness with respect to at least one of the support transverse and the support lateral stiffness. A method of designing a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. |
| US09239010B2 |
Fuel flowmeter having an improved regulator device
A fuel flowmeter for being fed by a pump including an inlet and an outlet, including: a metering valve including an inlet and an outlet, and arranged downstream from the outlet of the pump; a return circuit connecting the inlet of the metering valve to the inlet of the pump; and a pressure regulator device including: a movable valve member to close and open the return circuit, a pressure difference detection surface fastened to the valve member and axially separating a first chamber in communication with the inlet of the metering valve from a second chamber in communication with the outlet from the metering valve, a piston axially separating the second chamber from a third chamber connected to the outlet of the metering valve, and a channel putting the second chamber in communication with the third chamber. |
| US09239009B2 |
Gas turbine system with cooling fluid generator
A gas turbine system (1A) includes a gas turbine unit (2) and a cooling fluid generator (5). The gas turbine unit (2) includes a first compressor (21) and a first expansion turbine (23) coupled to each other by a first shaft (22), a combustor (26), and a fuel tank (30). A fuel held in the fuel tank (30) circulates through a fuel circulation passage (31). A working fluid that has a pressure increased by the first compressor (1) is extracted from the gas turbine unit (2). The cooling fluid generator (5) includes a cooler (55) for cooling, with the fuel flowing through the fuel circulation passage (31), the working fluid that has been extracted from the gas turbine unit (2), and a second expansion turbine (53) for expanding the working fluid that has flowed out of the cooler (55). |
| US09239008B2 |
Turbine leak detection system
Various embodiments include a leak detection system for a turbine compartment. In some embodiments, the leak detection system includes: a tracer fluid system fluidly connected with the turbine compartment, the tracer fluid system configured to provide an optically detectable fluid to a fluid supply of the turbine compartment; an optical detection system operably connected to the turbine compartment, the optical detection system configured to detect the presence of the optically detectable fluid in at least one location of the turbine compartment; and a control system operably connected to the tracer fluid system and the optical detection system, the control system configured to obtain data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location, and provide an indicator indicating a potential leak location based upon the data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location. |
| US09239002B2 |
Orbiting planetary gearing system and internal combustion engine employing the same
The innovation concerns an orbiting planetary gearing system and an internal-combustion engine employing the same. In aspects, the engine can comprise an engine housing having a first wall delimiting a first combustion chamber, a first primary member having a first piston and a second primary member having a second piston. The pistons can also delimit the first combustion chamber. The first wall defines at least a section of a toroid, and the pistons are guided along a curved path defined by the section of the toroid. The primary members can be coupled to an intermediate member. In various embodiments, the intermediate member can couple motion of the primary members to a crankshaft via an orbiting planetary gearing system. |
| US09238994B2 |
Cooling device for a hybrid vehicle
A device for cooling the heat engine, electrical components, and an electrical energy storage device including: a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit for cooling each of the heat engine, the electrical components, and the electrical energy storage device, respectively; a heat exchange device separated into three members, including a high temperature member connected to the first circuit, a low temperature member connected to the second circuit, and a very low temperature member connected to the third circuit; an upstream valve connected between the first and the third circuit located upstream of the high temperature member of the heat exchanger in the first circuit; and, a downstream valve connected between the first circuit and the third circuit located downstream of the high temperature member of the heat exchanger in the first circuit, where the downstream valve is a thermostatic valve which is actuated as a function of the temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the first circuit and where the upstream valve is actuated as a function of flow of the heat transfer fluid in the first circuit. |
| US09238990B2 |
Muffler for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine
A muffler for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine comprises: a casing having an inner space, an inlet pipe for sound to enter the muffler, an outlet pipe for sound to exit the muffler, and a separation wall arranged to extend from the inlet pipe to the outlet pipe and being embodied in a manner such as to define first and second acoustical ducts extending through the casing to allow sound propagating along the first acoustical duct to enter the inner space of the casing and to thereafter exit the inner space of the casing again, and to allow sound propagating along the second acoustical duct to acoustically bypass the inner space of the casing. |
| US09238987B2 |
Method and device for testing the function capacity of an NO oxidation catalyst
The invention concerns a method and a device for testing the function capacity of an NO oxidation catalyst (5) which is used to reduce nitrous oxides (NOx) contained in the exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine (1) operated with air surplus. In the exhaust gas flow which is supplied to the NO oxidation catalyst (5), a change is made in the concentration of a reducing agent and the resulting change in NOx concentration in the exhaust gas flow within the NO oxidation catalyst (5) and/or downstream after the NO oxidation catalyst (5) is determined and used to test its function capacity. |
| US09238984B2 |
Exhaust emission prediction system and method
An exhaust emissions prediction system includes a catalytic device configured to receive a flow of exhaust and a downstream NOx sensor located downstream of the catalytic device. The downstream NOx sensor is sensitive to NOx and ammonia, and is configured to generate a measured value. The system also includes a controller connected to the downstream NOx sensor. The controller is configured to determine a predicted value for the downstream NOx sensor, determine a mass flow rate of the flow of exhaust into the catalytic device, adjust the mass flow rate based on the predicted value and the measured value, and determine at least one emissions characteristic downstream of the catalytic device using the adjusted mass flow rate. |
| US09238982B2 |
Exhaust gas aftertreatment device and method for a gasoline engine
Embodiments for an exhaust gas aftertreatment device are provided. In one example, an exhaust gas aftertreatment device for a gasoline engine comprises a filter body with porous filter walls through which exhaust gas flows to remove soot, the porous filter walls containing a first catalyst material and having a coating of a second catalyst material on partial areas of the filter walls. In this way, a particulate filter and catalyst may be provided in a common aftertreatment device. |
| US09238978B2 |
Method and device for waste-water purification
Disclosed are systems and methods useful in waste processing. Disclosed is the use of a regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) unit for production of industrially useable steam. Disclosed are systems including a stripping unit associated with a regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) unit so that the stripping unit provides fuel for the RTO unit and the RTO unit provides a stripping gas for the stripping unit. Disclosed are systems including an RTO unit providing steam to operate a vapor condensation (VC) unit. |
| US09238977B2 |
Turbine shroud mounting and sealing arrangement
A turbine shroud apparatus for a gas turbine engine having a centerline axis includes: a shroud segment having: an arcuate body extending axially between forward and aft ends and laterally between opposed end faces, wherein each of the end faces includes seal slots formed therein; and an arcuate stationary seal member mounted to the body; a turbine vane disposed axially aft of the shroud segment; and a casing surrounding the shroud segment and the turbine vane; wherein the turbine vane is mounted to the case so as to bear against the stationary seal member, compressing it and forcing the shroud segment radially outward against the casing. |
| US09238974B2 |
Turbine engine shaft
A shaft for a turbine engine, the shaft having a cavity subdivided axially into first and second chambers. The shaft also includes a distributor member having an axial duct, a first radial orifice, and a second radial orifice. The axial duct has an open first end and a second end closed in the axial direction. The first radial orifice connects the second end of the axial duct to the first chamber in order to feed a first bearing with lubricating fluid, and the second radial orifice connects the second end of the axial duct to the second chamber to feed a second bearing with lubricating fluid. The first radial orifice and the second radial orifice of the distributor member are at substantially equal axial distances from the lubricating fluid inlet. |
| US09238973B2 |
Gas turbine engine and foil bearing system
A gas turbine engine including a compressor, a turbine and a static structure is disclosed herein. The gas turbine engine further includes a foil bearing system operative to transmit rotor loads from at least one of the compressor and the turbine to the static structure. The foil bearing system includes a foil bearing and a self-aligning foil bearing mount to align the foil bearing with an axis of rotation of the compressor and the turbine. A snubber operative to transmit rotor loads to the static structure in parallel with the foil bearing is also disclosed. |
| US09238968B2 |
Vane
A vane is provided for directing hot gases in a gas turbine engine. The vane includes a hollow aerofoil portion, which in use spans the working gas annulus of the engine. The vane further includes an impingement tube which forms a covering over the interior surface of the aerofoil portion and which has jet-forming apertures formed therein for the production of impingement cooling jets. The impingement tube includes two tube portions which are separately insertable into position into the aerofoil portion to form the covering. The impingement tube further includes an expansion member which, when the tube portions are in position in the aerofoil portion, is locatable in the aerofoil portion to urge each tube portion outwardly and thereby holds the tube portions in position against the aerofoil portion. |
| US09238963B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting phases in multiphase borehole fluids
A method detects at least one phase of multiphase borehole fluids within a borehole. The method has a step of providing coiled tubing connected to a top end of a bottom hole assembly having a sensor configured to detect a property associated with the multiphase borehole fluids. Further, the method has a step of positioning the sensor adjacent to a first phase of the multiphase borehole fluids by rotating the bottom hole assembly or a portion of the bottom hole assembly. Moreover, the method has the steps of detecting a first measurement with the sensor as the sensor rotates and determining a fractional amount of at least one phase of the multiphase borehole fluids. |
| US09238960B2 |
System and method for formation detection and evaluation
A method for using markers with a drilling plan uses a first log file of a first well in order to identify and store one or more markers that have a name, a true vertical depth (TVD) and a waveform. Second well log data generated while a second well is being drilled is monitored in real time. The second well log data is compared to the one or more markers to located a match to at least one marker in a predetermined TVD range. An estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value are assigned to each of the at least one planned marker. When a matching marker is located for one of the one or more markers in the predetermined TVD range a report is generated. |
| US09238959B2 |
Methods for improved active ranging and target well magnetization
A method for magnetizing a portion of a pre-deployed casing string includes deploying an electromagnetic array in a cased wellbore and energizing the array. The array includes a plurality of axially spaced electromagnets and is configured to generate a magnetic field pattern having at least first and second pairs of magnetically opposing poles. Passive ranging measurements of the induced magnetic field may be advantageously utilized, for example, to survey and guide continued drilling of a twin well. The electromagnetic array may also be used in active ranging applications. An array of permanent magnets providing a similar magnetic field pattern may also be used in active ranging applications. |
| US09238958B2 |
Drill bit with rate of penetration sensor
An apparatus for estimating a rate-of-penetration of a drill bit is provided, which in one embodiment includes a first sensor positioned on a drill bit configured to provide a first measurement of a parameter at a selected location in a formation at a first time, and a second sensor positioned spaced a selected distance from the first sensor to provide a second measurement of the parameter at the selected location at a second time when the drill bit travels downhole. The apparatus may also include a processor configured to estimate the rate-of-penetration using the selected distance and the first and second times. |
| US09238957B2 |
Downhole injection assembly having an annular orifice
A downhole injection apparatus having a sleeve disposed in a tubular housing. The sleeve and housing define an annular orifice through which steam flows prior to injection into the wellbore. Water condensate collects at the orifice or restriction proximate the orifice and is mixed with or entrained into the flow of steam. The sleeve preferably has a plurality of generally radial ports such that steam flows from interior the sleeve to the annulus. Preferably the injection ports and sleeve ports are angled to reduce or eliminate radical changes in direction of the steam flow. |
| US09238956B2 |
Perforating gun apparatus for generating perforations having variable penetration profiles
A perforating gun apparatus includes a carrier gun body having a plurality of jet target regions. A first set of the jet target regions has a first resistance to jet penetration and a second set of the jet target regions has a second resistance to jet penetration. A charge holder is positioned within the carrier gun body. A plurality of shaped charges is supported by the charge holder. A first set of the shaped charges is oriented to have discharge ends aligned with the first set of the jet target regions and a second set of the shaped charges is oriented to have discharge ends aligned with the second set of the jet target regions such that firing the first set of the shaped charges creates perforations having a first penetration profile and firing the second set of the shaped charges creates perforations having a second penetration profile. |
| US09238954B2 |
Pressure activated down hole systems and methods
Systems and methods for activating a down hole tool in a wellbore. A piston is moveable from a first position to a second position for activating the down hole tool. The piston includes a first side exposed to an activation chamber, and a second side operatively coupled to the down hole tool. A rupture member has a first side exposed to the activation chamber and a second side exposed to the interior of a base pipe. The rupture member is configured to rupture when a pressure differential between the activation chamber and the interior reaches a predetermined threshold value, at which point the rupture member allows fluid communication between the interior and the activation chamber to pressurize the activation chamber and move the piston, thereby activating the down hole tool. |
| US09238953B2 |
Completion method for stimulation of multiple intervals
A technique provides for stimulating or otherwise treating multiple intervals/zones of a well by controlling flow of treatment fluid via a plurality of flow control devices. The flow control devices are provided with internal profiles and flow through passages. Hydraulic darts are designed for selective engagement with the internal profiles of specific flow control devices, and each hydraulic dart may be moved downhole for engagement with and activation of a specific flow control device. |
| US09238949B2 |
Wellbore casing section with moveable portion for providing a casing exit
Disclosed are systems and methods for providing a casing exit. One method includes introducing into a wellbore a casing section having an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve rotatably received within the outer sleeve, the outer sleeve defining an outer window and the inner sleeve defining an inner window rotationally alignable with the outer window, wherein the inner sleeve defines a first alignment portion engageable to rotate the inner sleeve, advancing the casing section to a wellbore location with the inner window rotationally misaligned with the outer window, extending a deflector tool within the casing section such that a second alignment portion provided on the deflector tool engages the first alignment portion, and rotating the deflector tool such that the inner sleeve rotates with respect to the outer sleeve and moves the casing section into an open configuration where the inner window is rotationally aligned with the outer window. |
| US09238945B2 |
Base beam and self-propelled derrick rig assembly
Improvements to base beams and self-propelled derrick rigs are described. The base beam can have two or more stabilizer arms which can be deployed. The base beam is also designed to support the derrick rig. An optional counterweight assembly can be connected to the front of the rig. The self-propelled derrick rig can be easily and quickly mounted to the base beam, and when mounted, the assembly will be able to withstand high hook loads and wind loading without the danger of the rig coming off of its wheels or falling over. |
| US09238943B2 |
Method and apparatus for drilling multiple subsea wells from an offshore platform at a single site
A floating, offshore drilling and/or production platform is equipped with a rail-mounted transport system that can be positioned at a plurality of selected positions over the well bay of the vessel. The transport system can move a drilling riser with a drilling riser tensioner system and a blowout preventer from one drilling location to another without removing them from the well bay of the vessel. Using the transport system, the drilling riser is lifted just clear of a first well head and positioned over an adjacent, second well head using guidelines. The transport system may then move the upper end of the drilling riser (together with its attached tensioner and BOP) to a second drilling location. A dummy wellhead may be provided on the seafloor in order to secure the lower end of the drilling riser without removing it from the sea while production risers are being installed. |
| US09238933B1 |
Framing elements
A framing element is provided. The framing element includes an F-shaped body defined via a spine, a first flange extending from the spine, and a second flange extending from the spine. The body is unitary. The first flange having a flange end portion distal to the spine. The flange end portion including a first track. The spine having a spine end portion distal to the first flange. The spine end portion including a second track. The second flange is between the first flange and the second track. |
| US09238931B1 |
Stay-open universal automobile door jam
The invention is a simple, low-cost, mechanical device to be inserted in the hinge area of an open door of a parked vehicle to keep the door open while people or equipment are added to or removed from the automobile. A particular use of the invention is a safety mechanism to hold the passenger-side door open while a disabled passenger is assisted in exiting the vehicle without the care-giving individual having to hold the door open or having the door slam shut on the disabled person. After this use, the device may be removed and stored in the glove compartment for easy access. |
| US09238927B2 |
Gear-driven clutching and resetting device of door lock
A gear-driven clutching and resetting device of a door lock comprising a clutch 1, a rotary ring 2, a reset block 3, a reset spring 4, a reset block 5, and a locating pin 6. The clutch 1 is assembled inside the rotary ring 2, both of them rotate around the same center shaft. The reset spring 4 is fitted inside the reset block 5 which is in turn fitted inside the reset block 3, all three rotating around the same center shaft. A projection 61 of the locating pin 6 is fitted inside the groove 51 of the reset block 5, and has a limiting role on the reset block 5 when rotating. The gear 31 of the reset block 3 engages with the gear 11 of the clutch 1, thus realizing the transmission function between the reset block 3 and the clutch 1. |
| US09238922B2 |
Ground anchor for flexible delineator
A ground anchor for a delineator includes a unitary plastic body having a receptacle shaped and configured for connection to a delineator post and a ground engaging portion extending from the receptacle along a longitudinal axis. The ground engaging portion includes a plurality of tapered blades. Delineator assemblies using the ground anchor, and methods of installing the ground anchor, are also provided. |
| US09238919B2 |
Seismic isolation mechanism
A seismic isolation mechanism includes a seismic isolation apparatus which is installed at one end in a vertical direction on a superstructure and installed at another end 4 in the vertical direction on a floor serving as a foundation or a substructure to isolate the vibration of the superstructure with respect to the floor; a first attenuation damper which is connected to the superstructure and connected at another end a portion of the seismic isolation apparatus to attenuate the vibration of the superstructure with respect to the floor; and a second attenuation damper. |
| US09238917B2 |
Mechanical locking system for floor panels
Floor panels with a flexible tongue in an insertion groove, the flexible tongue is designed to cooperate, in a connected state with a tongue groove of another panel, the panels are adapted to be locked together by vertical folding, the flexible tongue has a projection portion which, in a connected state projects outside the insertion groove and cooperates with the tongue groove, said projecting portion has a beveled and/or rounded sliding surface and the panels have a sliding surface adapted to cooperate therewith during vertical folding, the flexible tongue during the vertical folding is displaced twice in the horizontal direction, a first displacement is effected by the vertical folding of the fold panel whereby at least a part of the flexible tongue is bent, a second displacement of the flexible tongue towards its initial position is accomplished substantially by a spring effect caused by said bending of said flexible tongue. |
| US09238915B2 |
Asphalt roof shingle sealing device
An asphalt roof shingle sealing device comprised of a single flat non-perforated blank sheet of metal or rigid plastic, preferably aluminum or copper and having a width, length and thickness selected to substantially span the beneath the width and length of a shingle to be repaired having at least one hole, tear or puncture therein and includes a cutting edge for cutting through adhesive between shingles to be repaired and securing elements for securing the blank sheet in place beneath the shingle to be repaired thereby preventing any water passing through the hole or puncture in the shingle, or allowing any water passing through the hole or puncture to be collected by the blank sheet and drained onto a shingle below the repaired shingle. |
| US09238912B1 |
Method for installing acoustic panel
Described herein is a multi-component panel comprising a ceiling panel and a sound attenuation layer, as well as a ceiling system that includes the multi-component panel. |
| US09238910B2 |
Interlocking wall unit system for constructing a wall on a pre-existing structural grid matrix
A system for assembling two-sided walls on, through, and around a pre-installed structural steel grid. System wall units have an outer side and an inner side, the outer side being an outer wall surface, the inner side opposing an inner side of one or more wall units on an opposing side of the structural steel grid. Interlock elements extend through spaces in the structural steel grid and connect opposing wall units to prevent separation of the opposing wall units. Installed in courses, the wall units create a continuous void between opposing wall units, such that structural void fill material can be poured into the assembled wall at one or more openings, and the void fill material will fill the continuous void from the top of the wall to the bottom of the wall. Plumbing, electrical, and other building systems can be installed on the steel grid prior to wall assembly. |
| US09238906B2 |
Water-carrying line section having an aerating duct
A water-carrying line section having at least one aerating duct (2), the aerating duct (2), on the inlet side, having at least one duct opening (5) open to atmosphere and, on the outlet side, having at least one duct opening (6) that can be flushed by the water flowing past and/or is adjacent thereto, and in which aerating duct (2) a water jet aerator (7) is provided. The line section is characterized in that the water jet aerator (7) has a filtering or separating device (8) which is configured to be permeable to air in the direction from the at least one duct opening (5) on the inlet side toward the at least one duct opening (6) on the outlet side but is impermeable to water in the opposite direction. With the aid of the water jet aerator (7) which is used in the line section (1) and which serves to aerate the water flowing through a sanitary outlet fitting or the like, the undesired emergence of water can be prevented with certainty in any installation situation. |
| US09238904B2 |
In-ground flushing device
A flushing device includes an enclosure having an access opening; a discharge conduit; a fluid system conduit; a platform situated within the enclosure, the platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface facing the access opening and movable to proximate the access opening; a flushing valve mounted on the platform and in fluid communication with the fluid system conduit, the flushing valve operatively connected to a flushing controller, the flushing valve controllable by the flushing controller; and a meter mounted on the top surface of the platform, the meter including a meter inlet and a meter outlet, the meter inlet in fluid communication with the flushing valve, the flushing valve in fluid communication with the meter and the fluid system conduit, the meter outlet in fluid communication with the discharge conduit. |
| US09238903B2 |
Control method and control apparatus for work vehicle
The present invention provides a control method and a control apparatus for a vehicle that make it possible to moderate or completely eliminate the impacts generated when the bucket is operated in a tilt direction, from a state in which the bucket in a dump position is forcibly actuated in the tilt direction and the bucket hydraulic cylinder is pressurized by the lifting operation of the boom and also to perform the boom lifting operation with good operability and workability. Control is performed to supply a pressure oil to the bucket hydraulic cylinder so as to actuate the bucket hydraulic cylinder in the tilt direction when a work equipment is being actuated in an actuation region close to an actuation region in which the bucket is forcibly actuated in the tilt direction by lifting the boom in a state in which the bucket is operated to a neutral position or dump operated, or when the bucket is being actuated in the tilt direction in the actuation region in which the bucket is forcibly actuated in the tilt direction. Further, a pressure oil supplied to the bucket hydraulic cylinder is controlled so as to restrict an actuation speed of the bucket hydraulic cylinder in a dump direction when [the work equipment] being actuated in an actuation region close to an actuation region in which the bucket is forcibly actuated in the tilt direction by operating the boom to a neutral position or lowering the boom in a state in which the bucket is dump operated. |
| US09238901B2 |
Supporting mechanism, exhaust treatment unit, and wheel loader
A supporting mechanism supports first and second exhaust treatment devices for treating exhaust gas from an engine, and includes a sub-bracket, a base bracket, and first and second supporting members. The base bracket includes first and second connecting parts, and first and second pipe members. The sub-bracket supports the first and second exhaust treatment devices. The base bracket supports the sub-bracket. The first and second supporting members respectively support one side and the other side of the base bracket. The first and second connecting parts are respectively joined to the first and second supporting members. The first and second pipe members are installed between the first and second connecting parts. The sub-bracket is attached to the first and second pipe members, extends in the lateral direction of the first and second pipe members, and is separated from the first and second connecting parts. |
| US09238900B2 |
Front loader
The front loader includes a boom actuator configured to pivotally drive a boom along a vertical direction relative to a traveling vehicle body about a first pivot axis which is oriented along a right/left direction, a bucket actuator configured to pivotally drive a bucket along the vertical direction relative to the boom about a second pivot axis which is oriented along the right/left direction, a manual controlling section for controlling operations of the boom actuator and the bucket actuator based on a manual operation of an operational tool, a boom angle detector for detecting a vertical pivot angle of the boom, a bucket angle detector for detecting a vertical pivot angle of the bucket relative to the boom, a calculating section for calculating a ground pivot angle of the bucket based on an output from the boom angle detector and an output from the bucket angle detector. |
| US09238895B2 |
Anti-dry fire mechanism for a post driver
The post driver machine includes a housing, inside of which is a weight which can be lifted by a chain being rotated around a generally elliptical path by a powered sprocket. A catch mechanism is affixed to the chain, and can engage with a weight catch attached to the weight. However, when there is not a post positioned within the post driver, the weight rests at a position too low the weight catch to engage with the catch mechanism. Upon properly inserting a post into the post driver, the post presses upwardly on the weight until the weight catch engages with the catch mechanism to lift the weight. |
| US09238891B1 |
High strength, integrally pre-stressed monoblock concrete crosstie with optimal geometry for use in ballasted railways
A monoblock concrete crosstie for railway tracks that achieves a high performance in operation includes a steel structure that is formed from ultra-resistant high strength steel plates embedded in a concrete element and having pre-stressed cold rolled wires with ends that form button head knots which are anchored to the steel plates. A faceted geometry allows optimal material usage and in turn increases the crosstie-ballast interlocking and stability with respect to the support surface. |
| US09238888B2 |
Method for cleaning cellulose suspensions
The present invention concerns a hydrocyclone for cleaning cellulose suspensions from light impurities i.e. a so called reverse hydrocyclone, having a base end and an apex end and a separation chamber having an elongated shape between the base end and the apex end, at least one inlet arranged at the base end and at least one underflow outlet at the apex end and at least one overflow outlet at the base end. The overflow outlet is provided with an additional, light reject outlet arranged concentrically to a length axis of the hydrocyclone. The invention also concerns a system and a method for producing and/or treating cellulose suspension comprising at least a reverse cleaning stage and at least a dewatering stage. |
| US09238884B2 |
Washing machine
The inventive washing machine is capable of hygienically and properly performing a rinsing operation with the use of bathwater. The washing machine includes a bathwater pump (34), so that bathwater can be retained in a washing tub (3). A water circulation passage (42, 43, 44, 45, 15, 55, 25, 57, 26, 58, 59) is provided for circulating laundry water to the washing tub (3). The bathwater retained in the washing tub (3) is circulated through the water circulation passage, and ozone generated by an ozone generator (19) is mixed with the circulated water, whereby the water (bathwater) is cleaned. This water cleaning operation is performed in a rinsing step. When the ozone is supplied in the rinsing step, the ozone is effective to sterilize the bathwater and decompose dirt and odorant of laundry. Therefore, the rinsing operation to be performed in this manner is comparable to a rinsing operation to be performed with the use of tap water. |
| US09238879B2 |
Method of fabricating thermal conductive polymer
Provided is a method of fabricating a thermal conductive polymer, including: a) fabricating a gel filament by primarily elongating a solution filament formed by spinning a mixed solution containing an ultra high molecular weight polyolefin (UHMWPO) resin and a first solvent, followed by cooling; b) secondarily elongating the gel filament; c) fabricating a dry filament by removing the solvent from the gel filament, followed by tertiary elongation; and d) converting the dry filament into the gel filament by adding the first solvent to the dry filament; e) removing the first solvent from the converted gel filament; and f) quaternarily elongating the gel filament from which the first solvent is removed. |
| US09238877B2 |
Method for producing a silicon ingot by solidification of a melt comprising a nucleation agent including nanoscale particles
Method for producing a silicon ingot, comprising the following steps: providing a container to receive a silicon melt, providing a temperature control device to control the temperature of the silicon melt in the container, arranging raw material in the container comprising silicon and at least one nucleation agent to assist a heterogeneous nucleation in the silicon melt, and control of the temperature in the container for the directed solidification of the silicon melt, the nucleation agent comprising nanoscale particles. |
| US09238876B2 |
Method of washing polycrystalline silicon, apparatus for washing polycrystalline silicon, and method of producing polycrystalline silicon
A method of washing polycrystalline silicon is provided. The method includes a step of acid cleaning in which the polycrystalline silicon is cleaned with an acid solution and a step of a water cleaning in which the polycrystalline silicon is cleaned by pure water after the step of acid cleaning. In the step of water cleaning, residual acid solution on the surface of the polycrystalline silicon is removed by immersing the polycrystalline silicon in pure water held in a water cleaning bath, and replacing the pure water in the water cleaning bath at least once. The electrical conductivity (C) of the pure water in the water cleaning bath is measured. Based on the reading of the electrical conductivity (C), the timing for finishing the step of water cleaning is decided. |
| US09238875B2 |
Multilayer structure for a diamond growth and a method of providing the same
A multi-layer structure in a reaction cell for a diamond growth is provided. The multi-layer structure includes: a diamond seed; a first metal catalyst layer provided on the diamond seed, the first metal catalyst layer containing a first concentration of carbon; a second metal catalyst layer provided on the first metal layer, the second metal catalyst layer containing a second concentration of carbon that is higher than the first concentration; and a carbon source layer provided on the second metal layer. |
| US09238872B2 |
Method for synthesizing fluorine compound by electrolysis and electrode therefor
Disclosed is an electrode for electrolytic synthesis of a fluorine compound, including: an electrode substrate having at least a surface thereof formed of a conductive carbon material; a conducting diamond layer formed on a part of the surface of the electrode substrate; and a metal fluoride-containing coating layer formed on an exposed part of the electrode substrate that is uncovered by the conducting diamond layer. It is possible for the electrolytic synthesis electrode to limit the growth of a graphite fluoride layer on the electrode surface, prevent decrease in effective electrolysis area and allow stable electrolysis in an electrolytic bath of a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt. |
| US09238867B2 |
Apparatus and method for high-throughput atomic layer deposition
An atomic layer deposition apparatus for depositing a film in a continuous fashion is described. The apparatus includes a downwardly sloping process tunnel, extending in a transport direction and bounded by at least two tunnel walls. Both walls are provided with a plurality of gas injection channels, whereby the gas injection channels in at least one of the walls, viewed in the transport direction, are connected successively to a first precursor gas source, a purge gas source, a second precursor gas source and a purge gas source respectively, so as to create a series of tunnel segments that—in use—comprise successive zones containing a first precursor gas, a purge gas, a second precursor gas and a purge gas, respectively. The downward slope of the process tunnel enables gravity to drive the floatingly supported substrates through the successive segments, causing the atomic layer deposition of a film onto the substrates. |
| US09238862B2 |
Method and device for applying or embedding particles onto or into a layer applied by plasma coating
A method for applying or embedding nanoparticles or microparticles of any substance in a defined manner onto or into a layer to be applied to a substrate surface by plasma coating before, during or after the plasma coating operation in a magnetron or plasmatron. The particles are introduced from the outside into the vacuum chamber of the magnetron or plasmatron via at least one pressure stage. The particles are spatially distributed in the plasma space between the target and the substrate. The particles in the plasma space are preferably exposed to an electric field generating a movement of the particles toward the substrate. It is advantageous for this purpose if the particles are electrically charged before being introduced into the plasma space. |
| US09238859B2 |
Method for the hardened galvanization of a steel strip
A method produces a hardened galvanization of a continuously-running rolled steel strip. The strip is immersed in a coating tank containing a bath of a liquid metal mixture, e.g. zinc and aluminum, to be deposited on the strip, and permanently circulated between the coating tank and a preparation device. The temperature of the liquid mixture is deliberately lowered in order to reduce the iron solubility threshold and sufficiently high for initiating, in the preparation device, the fusion of at least one Zn—Al ingot in an amount necessary for compensating for the liquid mixture used for deposition on the strip. The device is implemented so that the circuit for circulating the liquid mixture is thermally optimized. |
| US09238856B2 |
Lead free free-cutting steel
A lead free free-cutting steel is described having the following composition in percent by weight: C 0.85-1.2 Si 0.1-0.6 Mn 0.4-1.2 P max 0.05 S 0.04-0.3 Cr max 2 Ni max 1 Mo max 0.5 Cu max 2 Al max 0.1 B max 0.008 Bi+Se+Te max 0.005 Ti+Nb+Zr+V max 0.2 balance Fe and normally occurring impurities. The steel is mainly intended for small/thin dimensions and/or low cutting speeds during manufacture of a product formed of the steel. |
| US09238855B2 |
Ferrite-based stainless steel for use in components of automobile exhaust system
This ferritic stainless steel for components of an automobile exhaust system includes, in terms of percent by mass: C: ≦0.015%; Si: 0.01% to 0.50%; Mn: 0.01% to 0.50%; P: ≦0.050%; S: ≦0.010%; N: ≦0.015%; Al: 0.010% to 0.100%; Cr: 16.5% to 22.5%; Ni: 0.5% to 2.0%; and Sn: 0.01% to 0.50%, and further includes either one or both of Ti: 0.03% to 0.30% and Nb: 0.03% to 0.30%, with a remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities. |
| US09238853B2 |
Nickel-base casting superalloy and cast component for stream turbine using the same as material
A Ni-base casting superalloy containing, in masse, C: 0.05 to 0.2, Si: 0.01 to 1, Mn: 0.01 to 1, Co: 5 to 20, Fe: 10 or less, Cr: 15 to 25, and one kind or two kinds or more of Mo, W, and Re, with Mo+(W+Re)/2: 8 to 25, the balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities. |
| US09238850B2 |
Sustainable process for reclaiming precious metals and base metals from e-waste
Processes for recycling electronic components removed from printed wire boards, whereby precious metals and base metals are extracted from the electronic components using environmentally friendly compositions. At least gold, silver and copper ions can be extracted from the electronic components and reduced to their respective metals using the processes and compositions described herein. |
| US09238849B2 |
Steel sheet for an oil sand slurry pipe having excellent abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, and low-temperature toughness and method for manufacturing same
Provided is a steel sheet for an oil sand slurry pipe having excellent abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, and low-temperature toughness including 0.2 wt % to 0.35 wt % of carbon (C), 0.1 wt % to 0.5 wt % of silicon (Si), 0.5 wt % to 1.8 wt % of manganese (Mn), 0.1 wt % to 0.6 wt % of nickel (Ni), 0.005 wt % to 0.05 wt % of niobium (Nb), 0.005 wt % to 0.02 wt % of titanium (Ti), 0.03 wt % or less of phosphorous (P), 0.03 wt % or less of sulfur (S), 0.05 wt % or less (excluding 0 wt %) of aluminum (Al), 0.01 wt % or less (excluding 0 wt %) of nitrogen (N), and iron (Fe) as well as other unavoidable impurities as a remainder. |
| US09238844B2 |
Compositions and methods to detect influenza variants
Methods and kits used in the detection of variants of the Influenza virus are disclosed, including variants that are resistant to treatment with antiviral compositions. |
| US09238843B2 |
Compositions and methods for identifying and differentiating viral components of multivalent shipping fever vaccines
Disclosed are methods and compositions for identifying viral-specific polynucleotide sequences in a biological sample, and particularly in samples of veterinary origin. Also disclosed are oligonucleotide primer pairs, as well as labeled oligonucleotide detection probes useful in detecting the presence of one or more particular species, strains, types, or subtypes of one or more mammalian pathogens of viral origin, as well as systems, diagnostic kits and articles of manufacture comprising virus-specific primers and labeled detection probes, including those useful in identifying viral components of a multivalent vaccine, and quantitating the potency of particular attenuated, live viruses that comprise a livestock vaccine. In certain embodiments, real-time, quantitative PCR methods have been utilized to identify and distinguish between the three known genetic subtypes of bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDV-1a, BVDV-1b, and BVDV-2) in a multivalent bovid shipping fever vaccine. |
| US09238841B2 |
Multi-biomarker-based outcome risk stratification model for pediatric septic shock
The invention provides multi-biomarker based methods to stratify pediatric septic shock patients into high and low risk groups. |
| US09238836B2 |
Methods and compositions for sequencing modified nucleic acids
Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for characterization of modified nucleic acids. In certain preferred embodiments, single molecule sequencing methods are provided for identification of modified nucleotides within nucleic acid sequences. Modifications detectable by the methods provided herein include chemically modified bases, enzymatically modified bases, abasic sites, non-natural bases, secondary structures, and agents bound to a template nucleic acid. |
| US09238833B2 |
Thermally controlled chamber with optical access for high-performance PCR
Novel methods and systems for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are disclosed. A PCR device has a bottom heater layer, a central reacting layer, and a top heater layer. The central reacting layer has a PCR reacting chamber connected with fluidics channels. Photoluminescence of a DNA solution in the PCR reactive chamber is carried out through the transparent top layers. |
| US09238830B2 |
Methods and systems for O-glycosylating proteins
Described herein are methods and systems for O-glycosylating proteins in vivo or in vitro in any prokaryotic organism. In these methods and systems, DNA comprising a gene that produces a PglL-like oligosaccharyltransferase and DNA comprising a gene that produces a protein to be O-glycosylated are used. The PglL-like oligosaccharyltransferase facilitates the covalent attachment of the glycan to the protein to produce the O-glycosylated protein. The methods and systems described herein provide an approach for the design and production of new vaccines and therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases. |
| US09238826B2 |
Method for producing terpenes
The present invention relates to a method for producing terpenes in fungi, wherein a terpene biosynthetic gene cluster having terpene biosynthetic genes and regulatory regions operably linked to said genes is activated. The invention relates also to a terpene biosynthetic gene duster and regulatory regions of such terpene biosynthetic gene cluster usable is production of terpenes, use of regulator for regulating the terpene production and use of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 for producing terpenes. The method of invention provides higher yields of enriched terpene product without essential amount of side-products. |
| US09238823B2 |
Pesticidal genes from brevibacillus and methods for their use
Compositions and methods for conferring insecticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions including a coding sequence for a Brevibacillus-derived delta-endotoxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also include transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules having nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 7, or 10, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, as well as variants and fragments thereof. |
| US09238822B2 |
Compositions and methods for control of insect infestations in plants
The present invention is directed to controlling pest infestation by inhibiting one or more biological functions in an invertebrate pest. The invention discloses methods and compositions for use in controlling pest infestation by feeding one or more different recombinant double stranded RNA molecules to the pest in order to achieve a reduction in pest infestation through suppression of gene expression. The invention is also directed to methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, and to particular combinations of transgenic pesticidal agents for use in protecting plants from pest infestation. |
| US09238818B2 |
Methods and genetic constructs for modification of lignin composition of corn cobs
Expression cassettes causing specific regulatory control of transgene expression in plants, wherein the expression cassettes include regulatory sequences from the MADS gene family for expression of recombinant gene products in the reproductive tissue of plants for the purpose of generating maize plants with altered lignin content of the cobs. |
| US09238817B2 |
Method for producing natively folded proteins in a prokaryotic host
The present invention relates to a method for producing a protein of interest containing one or more disulfide bonds in its native state. The method comprises that a prokaryotic host cell is genetically engineered to express the protein of interest and a sulfhydryl oxidase in the cytoplasm of the host cell. The protein of interest is formed in a soluble form and contains disulfide bonds due to the presence of the sulfhydryl oxidase in the cytoplasm of said host cell. The present invention relates also to a prokaryotic host cell and a vector system for producing a protein of interest containing natively folded disulfide bonds. |
| US09238814B2 |
Ribozyme for identifying modification on RNA sequence and RNA cleavage method using same
The hammerhead ribozyme according to the present invention produces a hammerhead ribozyme—target RNA construct by base-pairing with an edited target RNA, and an editing recognition site of the hammerhead ribozyme cleaves the modification site by forming a base pair with the target RNA modification site. The cleavage of the modification site is expected to be applicable to the research and development of new drugs that can be used to prevent or treat diseases caused by the edited target RNA. |
| US09238813B2 |
Targeted pre-mRNA/mRNA modification and gene regulation
Methods for affecting mRNA expression or translation through the modification of pre-mRNA or mRNA transcripts are described. In one embodiment of the methods of the present invention, the branch point adenosine of a pre-mRNA transcript is 2′-0-methylated to block splicing and subsequent expression of the protein encoded by the transcript. In another embodiment, a uridine residue in a nonsense stop codon may be modified to pseudouridine, causing the translation machinery to read through the nonsense stop codon and translate a full length protein. |
| US09238811B2 |
siRNA phospholipid conjugate
siRNA-conjugated liposomes and micelles, methods of making such conjugates, and methods of using such conjugates, such as for the delivery of siRNA to cells to reduce expression of target polypeptides in such cells, are described. |
| US09238810B2 |
Polypeptide
The invention provides an immunoglobulin G Fc region binding polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises an immunoglobulin G Fc region binding motif, BM, consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from: i) EQQX4AFYEILHLPNLTEX18QX20X21AFIX25X26LRX29, (SEQ ID NO:12) and ii) an amino acid sequence which has at least 85% identity to the sequence defined in i). Also provided are methods of isolation or production of IgG Fc-containing molecules. |
| US09238809B2 |
Compositions, methods, and kits for isolating and analyzing nucleic acids using an anion exchange material
The present disclosure relates to methods for isolating, amplifying, and/or analyzing nucleic acids in the presence of an anion exchange material by performing the isolation, amplification and/or analysis step in the presence of at least one anionic compound. |
| US09238807B2 |
Peptide increasing fusiogenic capacity of a gamete
The invention relates to a cyclic peptide increasing the fusiogenic capacity of the oocyte arising from the disintegrin loop of fertilin beta, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said cyclic peptide and to the use thereof, particularly in order to supplement culture media used to carry out in vitro fertilization. |
| US09238806B2 |
Cellulase enzyme mixtures for depilling and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a depilling composition comprising an enzyme mixture that comprises a Family 45 cellulase and one or more additional cellulases selected from a Family 5 cellulase, a Family 6 cellulase or a combination thereof. The enzyme mixture may be characterized in that the Family 45 and Family 5 cellulases or the Family 45 and Family 6 cellulases are present at a weight ratio that exhibits synergy in an assay that measures specific depilling activity. The enzyme mixture may be secreted by a genetically modified microbe overexpressing the foregoing cellulases. Also provided is a process for depilling that comprises a step of contacting cellulose-containing goods with the depilling composition. |
| US09238804B2 |
Hydrolases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them
Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils. |
| US09238802B2 |
E. coli transformant, method for producing flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenase using the same, and mutant flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenases
A flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH) with high substrate specificity for D-glucose. A gene encoding a mutant FAD-GDH with its N-terminal region, containing an amino acid sequence corresponding to MKITAAIITVATAFASFASA that exists in the N-terminal region, deleted from the amino acid sequence of a wild-type FAD-GDH derived from Mucor is introduced into E. coli to obtain an E. coli transformant. Subsequently, this E. coli transformant is cultured to obtain an FAD-GDH with a specific N-terminal region deleted. The transformant allows the production of a large amount of GDH in a short time as compared with the original microorganism. An FAD-GDH that is less susceptible to the effects of dissolved oxygen and allows accurate measurement of glucose even in the presence of sugar compounds other than glucose in a sample. |
| US09238801B2 |
Ketol-acid reductoisomerase using NADH
Methods for the evolution of NADPH specific ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes to acquire NADH specificity are provided. Specific mutant ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes isolated from Pseudomonas that have undergone co-factor switching to utilize NADH are described. |
| US09238795B2 |
Populations of smooth muscle cells of specific embryonic lineages
This invention relates to the production of populations of Smooth Muscle Cells (SMCs) of specific embryonic lineages, such as neuroectodermal and mesodermal SMCs. Pluripotent stem cells are cultured in one or more lineage induction media to produce progenitor cells of a defined embryonic lineage, which are then cultured in an SMC induction medium to produce a population of SMCs of the embryonic lineage. Populations of SMCs of defined lineages may be useful, for example, in accurately modelling vascular disease. |
| US09238792B2 |
Compartmentalized simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of biomass
Methods and apparatus' are disclosed for the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of biomass providing for the compartmentalization of the saccharification process and the fermentation process resulting in decreased enzymatic end-product inhibition. |
| US09238787B2 |
Textile cleaning composition comprising a supercritical noble gas
A cleaning system can include a noble gas, and one or more vessels configured to convert the noble gas into a supercritical fluid, and/or receive and clean an article of manufacture with the noble gas in the supercritical fluid state. A cleaning process can include converting a noble gas into a supercritical fluid state; and cleaning an article of manufacture with the noble gas in the supercritical fluid state so as to remove one or more contaminants from the article of manufacture. A cleaning composition can include a noble gas in a supercritical fluid state, and a textile article of manufacture having one or more contaminants located in the supercritical noble gas. |
| US09238786B2 |
Translucent fragrance composition
The present invention provides an alcohol-based stable and translucent fragrance composition containing a large amount of perfume. The fragrance composition of the present invention is a composition in which the total amount of (a) silicone oil and (b) α-olefin oligomer that is a hydrogenated trimer, tetramer, pentamer, and/or hexamer of α-olefin having 4 to 12 carbon atoms is 2 to 12% by mass in the composition, and the mass ratio of (b)/(a) is 0.1 to 0.7; the amount of (c) polyether-modified silicone with respect to (b) α-olefin oligomer is 2 to 10 times in mass; the amount of (d) perfume is 3 to 30% by mass in the composition; the amount of (e) lower alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is 50% by mass or more in the composition; the amount of (f) water is 3.5 to 15% by mass in the composition; and the L value of the composition is 70 to 95 provided the L value is a percentage (%) of strength of a transmitted light compared with a strength of an incident light. |
| US09238782B2 |
Process to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and mercury from coal-fired boilers
A flue gas additive is provided that includes both a nitrogenous component to reduce gas phase nitrogen oxides and a halogen-containing component to oxidize gas phase elemental mercury. |
| US09238781B2 |
Systems and methods for liquid fuel desulfurization
In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The system includes a reactor having a fuel inlet and fuel outlet. The fuel inlet and fuel outlet are in fluid communication with a fuel path passing through the reactor. The fuel path is defined by an inner helical thread portion and an outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion is complimentary with and has a smaller diameter than the outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion surrounds a heating element and the outer helical thread portion is surrounded by an outer cover. |
| US09238778B2 |
Systems and methods for improving quenched coke recovery
The present technology is generally directed to systems and methods for improving quenched coke recovery. More specifically, some embodiments are directed to systems and methods utilizing one or more of a screen, barrier, or reflector panel to contain or redirect coke during or after quenching. In a particular embodiment, a quench car system for containing coke includes a quench car having a base, a plurality of sidewalls, and a top portion. The system can further include a permeable barrier covering at least a portion of the top of the quench car, wherein the permeable barrier has a plurality of apertures therethrough. |
| US09238774B2 |
Soil fixation, dust suppression and water retention
A method for at least temporarily retaining moisture in a soil-based substrate includes applying an acrylamide pyranose polymer to the soil-based substrate. |
| US09238767B2 |
Hybrid adhesive and the use thereof in engineered wood boards
The present invention relates to a hybrid adhesive, in particular for use in the production of engineered wood such as particle boards, fiber boards, plywood or glued-laminated timber, comprising at least one polycondensation adhesive, at least one polyaddition adhesive, and at least one particular, in particular a nanoparticle smaller than 500 nm, wherein the at least one particle is modified with at least one compound of the general Formula (I) RaSiX(4-a), or the general Formula (II) ObXc(OH)dReSiO(4-b-c-d-e)/2. The present invention also relates to the use of the adhesive in engineered wood boards and to methods for the production thereof. |
| US09238764B2 |
Two-component coating compositions
The present invention describes two-component coating compositions which for curing require no polyisocyanates or melamine-formaldehyde resins as crosslinkers. |
| US09238762B2 |
Optical adhesive with diffusive properties
Optical adhesives that also diffuse visible light include a blend of an adhesive matrix which is an optical adhesive and a block copolymer. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive and contains either acid or basic functionality. The block copolymer, which may be a diblock copolymer, contains a high Tg block and a functional block, the functionality of the functional block is complimentary to the functionality of the adhesive matrix to form an acid-base interaction. The adhesive may also contain a crosslinking agent. |
| US09238760B2 |
Charge collection side adhesive tape
A charge collection tape includes a foil substrate and an adhesive layer laminated on the foil substrate. The foil substrate is constructed of an aluminum base foil having a conductive metal coating overlying and in direct contact with a non-oxidized surface of the aluminum base foil. |
| US09238759B1 |
Systems and methods for adherable and removable thin flexible glass
A flexible assembly is configured to be removably applied to a curved or planar surface of an underlying component. The assembly includes a flexible glass layer and an adhesive layer provided on at least one surface of the flexible glass layer. The flexible glass layer and the adhesive layer in combination enable the flexible assembly to be removably secured to the curved or planar surface. |
| US09238757B2 |
Bonding method, bondability improving agent, surface modification method, surface modifying agent, and novel compound
To provide a technique by which an —OH group can be effectively formed on a material surface for the purpose of making the material suitable for bonding (for example, for molecular bonding) that utilizes a chemical reaction (chemical binding). [Solution] A bonding method for bonding a substrate A and a substrate B, which comprises: a step for applying an agent that contains the compound (α) described below on the surface of the substrate A; a step for arranging the substrate B so as to face the compound (α) that is present on the surface of the substrate A; and a step for integrally bonding the substrate A and the substrate B by applying a force onto the substrate A and/or the substrate B. The compound (α) is a compound that has an OH group or an OH-forming group, an azide group and a triazine ring in each molecule, and the substrate A is configured using a polymer. |
| US09238756B2 |
Microdomained emulsion polymers
A microdomained aqueous emulsion polymer is provided. The polymer comprises a first domain having a Tg of from −80 to −10° C. and comprising from 80 to 100 wt % of acrylic monomer; and a non-crosslinked second domain having a Tg of from 50 to 120° C. and comprising, as polymerized unit and based on the weight of the second domain, from 50 to 100 wt % of styrenic monomer; wherein the content of the second domain ranges from greater than 6 wt % to 30 wt % of the total weight of the first domain and the second domain. The polymer is suitable for applications including adhesives and binders, especially for pressure sensitive adhesives. |
| US09238755B2 |
Polishing composition
A polishing composition of the present invention is to be used for polishing an object including a portion containing a high-mobility material and a portion containing a silicon material. The polishing composition comprises an oxidizing agent and abrasive grains having an average primary particle diameter of 40 nm or less. The polishing composition preferably further contains a hydrolysis-suppressing compound that bonds to a surface OH group of the portion containing a silicon material of the object to function to suppress hydrolysis of the portion containing a silicon material. Alternatively, a polishing composition of the present invention contains abrasive grains, an oxidizing agent, and a hydrolysis-suppressing compound. The polishing composition preferably has a neutral pH. |
| US09238754B2 |
Composition for tungsten CMP
A chemical mechanical polishing composition for polishing a substrate having a tungsten layer includes a water based liquid carrier, a colloidal silica abrasive dispersed in the liquid carrier and having a permanent positive charge of at least 6 mV, an amine compound in solution in the liquid carrier, and an iron containing accelerator. A method for chemical mechanical polishing a substrate including a tungsten layer includes contacting the substrate with the above described polishing composition, moving the polishing composition relative to the substrate, and abrading the substrate to remove a portion of the tungsten from the substrate and thereby polish the substrate. |
| US09238753B2 |
CMP compositions selective for oxide and nitride with high removal rate and low defectivity
The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition containing a ceria abrasive, one or more nonionic polymers, optionally one or more phosphonic acids, optionally one or more nitrogen-containing zwitterionic compounds, optionally one or more sulfonic acid copolymers, optionally one or more anionic copolymers, optionally one or more polymers comprising quaternary amines, optionally one or more compounds that adjust the pH of the polishing compositions, water, and optionally one or more additives. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the inventive chemical-mechanical polishing composition. Typically, the substrate contains silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/or polysilicon. |
| US09238752B2 |
Bituminous composition with thermoreversible properties
The invention relates to a method of making a theremorevsible bituminous composition. The method includes transferring an additive to a bitumen to form a mixture, and stirring the mixture until its appearance is homogenous. The additive can be an organogelator with general formula R″—(COOH)z, where R″ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated chain having 4 to 68 carbon atoms and z is an integer varying from 2 to 4. The bituminous composition is hard at the temperature of use without increasing its viscosity when hot. |
| US09238749B2 |
Aqueous binder for granular and/or fibrous substrates
Aqueous binders for granular and/or fibrous substrates are based on polyacids and polyols. |
| US09238747B2 |
Stain blocking compositions
An aqueous coating composition for blocking stains and a method of using the coating composition is described. The coating composition includes an aqueous dispersion of a copolymer that is derived from a single stage emulsion polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomer, greater than 0 and less than 1.5% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated strong acid monomer or salt thereof, and greater than 1.5% and less than 3% by weight of methacrylic acid. |
| US09238745B2 |
Stray light resistance of UV inkjet inks
An energy curable inkjet ink includes a nitroxy inhibitor, a compound having an ethylenic unsaturated bond, a photoinitiator, a coloring agent, and a stray light resistance index of at least 7. A method of preparing an energy curable inkjet ink with stray light resistance includes providing a nitroxy inhibitor; providing a mixture of a compound having an ethylenic unsaturated bond, and a photoinitiator, and a coloring agent; combining the nitroxy inhibitor and the mixture to obtain the energy curable inkjet ink and thereby to increase a stray light resistance index of the energy curable inkjet ink to at least 7. |
| US09238744B2 |
Non-aqueous ink composition for ink jet recording and ink jet recording method
A colorant, lactone having a content in a range of 5% by mass to 40% by mass, a first solvent having a water vapor pressure of 2 hPa or more and a content in a range of 5% by mass to 18% by mass at 20° C., and a second solvent having a water vapor pressure of 0.9 hPa or more and a content in a range of 2% by mass to 80% by mass at 20° C. are contained, a sum of the content of the first solvent and the content of the second solvent is 20% by mass or more, and the second solvent is at least one solvent selected from a group consisting of (poly)alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether and (poly)alkylene glycol dialkyl ether. |
| US09238742B2 |
Method of preparing UV-curable inkjet pigment ink for textile printing
The present invention provides a method of preparing UV-curable inkjet pigment ink for textile printing, in which mini-emulsion techniques are used to encapsulate monomer, photo initiator, thermal initiator and pigment in mini-emulsion particles to make a UV-curable pigment paste, and the UV-curable pigment paste is mixed with water-soluble co-solvent, surfactant and water to make a UV-curable pigment ink. The preparation process is simple and easy. The UV-curable inkjet pigment ink of the invention exhibits good fluency during printing, bright color and strong color fastness in printed products. |
| US09238736B2 |
Surface modified organic black pigments, surface modified carbon blacks, pigment mixtures using them, and low dielectric black dispersions, coatings, films, black matrices, and devices containing same
The present invention relates to surface modified organic black pigments, surface modified carbon blacks, pigment mixtures and dispersions formed with these pigments, curable compositions, black matrices, and products incorporating them. The surface modified organic black pigment can have attached at least one organic group having the formula -X-Z, wherein X, which is directly attached to the pigment, represents an arylene group, a heteroarylene group, an alkylene group, an aralkylene group, or an alkarylene group, and Z represents at least one ionic group, at least one ionizable group, at least one nonionic group, at least one polymeric group, or any combinations thereof. Also disclosed are carbon black pigment combinations with the surface modified organic black pigments, low dielectric black dispersions, films, and black matrices containing them. Methods of preparing and making these various materials also are provided. |
| US09238730B2 |
Anti-vibration rubber composition, crosslinked anti-vibration rubber composition, and anti-vibration rubber
Provided is a vibration-insulating rubber composition and a crosslinked vibration-insulating rubber composition which are excellent in low dynamic-to-static modulus ratio, elongation fatigue resistance, low temperature characteristics, and processability, and a vibration-insulating rubber using the vibration-insulating rubber composition and the crosslinked vibration-insulating rubber composition. The vibration-insulating rubber composition of the present invention includes: a rubber component having a conjugated diene compound/non-conjugated olefin copolymer, and a non-conjugated diene-based polymer; a vulcanizing agent having a bismaleimide compound; and N-phenyl-N-(trichloromethylthio)benzenesulfonamide. |
| US09238727B2 |
Treated mineral filler products, process for the preparation thereof and uses of same
The present invention relates to the technical field of treated mineral filler products. The invention further relates to a process for preparing such treated mineral filler products, and to its preferred use in the field of plastic applications, and in particular polypropylene (PP)- or polyethylene (PE)-based breathable or extrusion coating film applications. |
| US09238724B2 |
Elastomer composite and method for producing it
A method of producing an elastomer composite. The method includes A) combining a first fluid comprising elastomer latex with a second fluid comprising particulate filler; B) causing the elastomer latex to coagulate, thereby forming masterbatch crumb; C) bringing the masterbatch crumb to a water content of about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, thereby forming a de-watered coagulum; D) removing water from the de-watered coagulum by subjecting the dewatered coagulum to mechanical energy, thereby causing the dewatered coagulum to heat as a result of friction, while allowing the dewatered coagulum to achieve a temperature of about 130° C. to about 190° C., wherein water content is reduced to about 0.5% to about 3% and wherein substantially all of the decrease in water content is accomplished by evaporation, thereby producing a masticated masterbatch; and E) subjecting the masticated masterbatch to at least an additional 0.3 MJ/kg of mechanical energy while further reducing the water content. |
| US09238723B2 |
Melt devolatilization extrusion process
Thermally sensitive polymers containing polymerizable carbon-carbon unsaturation and/or aliphatically bound halogen are devolatilized in a devolatilizing extruder. The thermally sensitive polymer is blended with a second polymer, which does not contain polymerizable carbon-carbon unsaturation or more than 5% by weight aliphatically bound halogen, and which has a molecular weight of from 25,000 to 175,000. The blend is then devolatilized in the extruder to produce a devolatilized polymer blend. Thermal degradation of the thermally sensitive polymer is minimized in this process. |
| US09238722B2 |
Rigid polyurethane foam and system and method for making the same
An embodiment of a closed-cell polymeric rigid foam may be made using a one-shot method and a reaction system that includes a hydrofluoroalkene physical blowing agent and a polyol mixture having an aminic polyol. The hydrofluoroalkene blowing agent has 3 to 5 carbon atoms and a boiling point between 10° C. and 40° C. at 1 atmosphere pressure. Embodiments of rigid foams may have high closed cell content and are particularly well suited for thermal insulation. |
| US09238719B2 |
Process for producing high molecular weight polyethylene
The invention relates to a process for producing an (ultra) high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) article comprising:—incorporating into the HMWPE resin a Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer (HALS) and—cross-link the (U)HMWPE during or after molding the (U)HMWPE resin. In particular the invention relates to a process comprising the following steps: a) incorporating into (U)HMWPE resin a Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer (HALS) according to one of the following general formulas or combinations hereof: wherein R1 up to and including R5 are herein independent substituents; for example containing hydrogen, ether, ester, amine, amide, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl and/or aryl groups, which substituents may in turn contain functional groups, for example alcohols, ketones, anhydrides, imines, siloxanes, ethers, carboxyl groups, aldehydes, esters, amides, imides, amines, nitriles, ethers, urethanes and any combination thereof; b) molding the (U)HMWPE resin comprising the HALS, resulting in an article; c) cross-linking and sterilizing the article via gamma radiation or electron beam radiation; d) optionally, if step b results in a stock shape, machining the stock shape into an article; wherein step c and step d can be performed in either order. |
| US09238718B2 |
Hydrogel forming composition and hydrogel produced therefrom
There is provided a self-supporting hydrogel that can be produced only through mixing at room temperature and that has a high mechanical strength. A hydrogel forming composition that is capable of forming a hydrogel having a self-supporting property, the hydrogel forming composition characterized by including: a water-soluble organic polymer having an organic acid salt structure or an organic acid anion structure; a silicate salt; a dispersant for the silicate salt; and a polyhydric alcohol, and having an extremely high mechanical strength. |
| US09238716B2 |
Conjugated lipomers and uses thereof
The present invention provides inventive conjugated polyethyleneimine (PEI) polymers and conjugated aza-macrocycles (collectively referred to herein as “conjugated lipomers” or “lipomers”) containing one or more groups of the formula (iii): wherein R3 and R4 are as defined herein. Also provided are compositions comprising the inventive conjugated lipomers, and methods of preparation and use. |
| US09238714B2 |
Polymers derived from renewably resourced lysinol
Disclosed are salt compositions of lysinol and dicarboxylic acids; and lysinol derived polymers including polyamide, polyimide, polyurea, cross-linked polyurea comprising urethane linkages, polyurea foams, cross-linked polyurea foams, and lysinol-epoxy thermoset. |
| US09238713B2 |
2-pyrrolidone polymer or copolymer having modified physical properties, and manufacturing method for same
Disclosed is a 2-pyrrolidone polymer or copolymer having optionally substituted methylol groups, and a process for producing the 2-pyrrolidone polymer or copolymer having methylol groups, the process comprising reacting a 2-pyrrolidone polymer or copolymer with an aldehyde. |
| US09238711B2 |
Hydroxylamino polymer and method for the production thereof
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a hydroxy-amino polymer, comprising the steps: a) reacting an H-functional starter compound carrying at least one Zerewitinoff-active H atom with an unsaturated cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride to give a carboxyl-group-carrying prepolymer, b) reacting the carboxyl-group-carrying prepolymer with at least one epoxide compound to give a hydroxyl-group-carrying prepolymer, c) adding a primary amine and/or ammonia to the double bond of the hydroxyl-group-carrying prepolymer obtained according to step b) to give the hydroxy-amino polymer, wherein the ratio of the amount of carboxylic acid anhydride to the number of Zerewitinoff-active H atoms of the H-functional starter compound is so chosen that almost all the Zerewitinoff-active H atoms of the H-functional starter compound are reacted. The invention relates additionally to a hydroxy-amino polymer obtainable by the above-mentioned process, wherein the ratio of the amount of unsaturated cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride to the number of Zerewitinoff-active H atoms of the H-functional starter compound is at least approximately 0.9:1, and further to the use of this hydroxy-amino polymer in the preparation of a polyurethane urea polymer. |
| US09238709B2 |
Latent, high-activity olefin metathesis catalysts containing an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand
The invention provides novel organometallic complexes useful as olefin metathesis catalysts. The complexes have an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and a chelating carbene ligand associated with a Group 8 transition metal center. The molecular structure of the complexes can be altered so as to provide a substantial latency period. The complexes are particularly useful in catalyzing ring closing metathesis of acyclic olefins and ring opening metathesis polymerization of cyclic olefins. |
| US09238704B2 |
Polyether polyurethanes exhibiting enhanced slip resistance under wet conditions
A polyurethane foam is prepared by combining a polyether triol with a hydroxyl value of from 25 to 30 and a molecular weight from 5000 to 7000 g/mol; a polyether diol with a hydroxyl value of from 25 to 30 and a molecular weight from 3000 to less than 5000 g/mol; a chain extender mixture including 1,4-butanediol and at least one of monoethylene glycol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, and isomers thereof; a copolymer polyether polyol having a styrene acrylonitrile solids content of at least 38 wt % and an average hydroxyl number of at least 23; an isocyanate component; and a blowing agent. It is particularly suitable for shoe sole applications, where it exhibits improvement in slip resistance under wet conditions when compared with some other polyether-polyurethane formulations. |
| US09238703B2 |
Curable composition, cured product and laminate
A hard coat layer on which adhered fingerprints are inconspicuous is provided. The hard coat layer 1 consists of a cured product. The cured product is formed by curing a curable composition by irradiating it with an ultraviolet ray. The curable composition contains a curable resin. The curable resin contains reactive monomers. The reactive monomers contain an isocyanuric acid derivative. The isocyanuric acid derivative is preferably tri(meth)acrylate of an ethylene oxide and ε-caprolactone adduct of isocyanuric acid. |
| US09238701B2 |
Olefin block copolymers and production methods thereof
The present description relates to olefin block copolymers having excellent elasticity and processability in conjunction with enhanced heat resistance, and to a preparation method thereof. The olefin block copolymers comprise a plurality of blocks or segments that comprise ethylene or propylene repeating units and α-olefin repeating units at different mole fractions from one another, wherein the block copolymer shows peaks at the 2θ of 21.5±0.5° and 23.7±0.5° in a wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD) pattern, and the peak ratio defined by (the peak area at 21.5±0.5°)/(the peak area at 23.7±0.5°) is no more than 3.0. |
| US09238700B2 |
Process for the preparation of ethylene copolymers in the presence of free-radical polymerization initiator by copolymerizing ethylene, a bi- or multifunctional comonomer and optionally further comonomers
Process for preparing ethylene copolymers in the presence of free-radical polymerization initiator at pressures in the range of from 160 MPa to 350 MPa and temperatures in the range of from 100° C. to 350° C. in a tubular reactor by copolymerizing ethylene, a bi- or multifunctional comonomer and optionally further comonomers, wherein the bi- or multifunctional comonomer bears at least two different functional groups, of which at least one is a unsaturated group, which can be incorporated into the growing polymer chain, and at least another functional group can act as chain transfer agent in radical ethylene polymerization, ethylene copolymers obtainable by such a process, the use of the ethylene copolymers for extrusion coating and a process for extrusion coating a substrate selected from the group consisting of paper, paperboard, polymeric film, and metal, with such ethylene copolymers. |
| US09238698B2 |
Pressure management for slurry polymerization
Processes and systems for the production for pressure management of a polymerization product flowing from a loop polymerization reactor to a separation vessel in a slurry polymerization system are disclosed herein. For example, a process comprises withdrawing a polymerization product slurry from a loop polymerization reactor, conveying the polymerization product slurry through a first line comprising a continuous take-off valve to yield a mixture comprising a vapor phase, wherein the mixture exits the continuous take-off valve, and conveying the mixture through a second line comprising a flashline heater so that the mixture has a Froude number in a range from about 5 to about 100. |
| US09238691B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding antibodies to CCR2
Provided are antibodies including human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to CCR2, preferably human CCR2, and that may inhibit CCR2. The present antibodies may bind to the first and/or second extracellular loops of CCR2. Isolated heavy and light chains derived from the antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies and chains are provided. Methods of making and using the anti-CCR2 antibodies or antigen-binding portions, and compositions comprising these antibodies or antigen-binding portions, including compositions for diagnosis and treatment, are provided. Also provided are gene therapy methods using nucleic acid molecules encoding the heavy and/or light chains that comprise the human anti-CCR2 antibodies or antigen-binding portions thereof. |
| US09238690B2 |
Non-antagonistic EGFR-binding molecules and immunoconjugates thereof
Novel anti-cancer agents, including, but not limited to, antibodies and immunoconjugates, that bind to EGFR are provided. Methods of using the agents, antibodies, or immunoconjugates, such as methods of inhibiting tumor growth are further provided. |
| US09238685B2 |
Inhibition of collagen synthesis
Therapies and compositions for reducing collagen synthesis in mammalian cells and tissues wherein the targets are scleraxis, sclerax-is-binding sites, receptor-regulated Smads, and/or binding sites for receptor-regulated Smads whereby synergistic interactions between scleraxis proteins and receptor-regulated Smads are reduced, inhibited, interfered with, stopped, and/or prevented thereby reducing, inhibiting and/or interfering with the activation of collagen 1α2 promoter thereby inhibiting collagen production in mammalian cells and tissues. Alternatively, the therapies and compositions may reduce, inhibit, interfere with, stop, and/or prevent binding of the collagen 1α2 promoter to DNA thereby inhibiting expression of the collagen 1α2 gene in mammalian cells and tissues. |
| US09238680B2 |
Engineering heat-stable disease resistance in plants
Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules which encode heat-stable plant resistance polypeptides having NB-LRR structural motifs, where the polypeptide confers heat-stability to a plant defense response. The invention further involves transgenic plants and transformed host cells that express these nucleic acid molecules and exhibit enhanced disease resistance over a wide range of temperatures. |
| US09238679B2 |
Nucleic acid molecule encoding hepatitis B virus core protein and surface antigen protein and vaccine comprising the same
Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences encoding hepatitis B virus (HBV) core proteins, surface antigen proteins, fragments and combinations thereof as well as genetic constructs/vectors and vaccines that express said protein sequences. These vaccines are able to induce an immune response peripherally and in the liver by recruiting both cellular and humoral agents. Also provided are methods for prophylactically and/or therapeutically immunizing individuals against HBV. The combination vaccine can also be used for particular design vaccines for particular levels of immune responses to HBV challenge. |
| US09238677B2 |
Agonists of guanylate cyclase useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, cancer and other disorders
The invention provides novel guanylate cyclase-C agonist peptides and their use in the treatment of human diseases including gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation or cancer (e.g., a gastrointestinal cancer). The peptides can be administered either alone or in combination with an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase. The gastrointestinal disorder may be classified as either irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, or excessive acidity etc. The gastrointestinal disease may be classified as either inflammatory bowel disease or other GI condition, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and cancer. |
| US09238675B2 |
Inhibitors of IAP
Novel inhibitors of IAP that are useful as therapeutic agents for treating malignancies and have the general formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as described herein. |
| US09238674B2 |
Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequence and methods thereof
In one aspect, methods relate to the field of recombinant DNA therapeutics. Methods may involve bio-informatics design, synthesis of artificial genes for a human insulin precursor having a leader peptide coding sequence, cloning artificial genes into an expression vector, and expression in an organism such as one selected from the genus Pichia. In another aspect, methods may include downstream processing for obtaining protein precursor molecules and subsequent conversion of protein precursor molecules to functional proteins. |
| US09238673B2 |
Preparation and uses of obeticholic acid
The present invention relates to obeticholic acid: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or amino acid conjugate thereof. Obeticholic acid is useful for the treatment or prevention of a FXR mediated disease or condition, cardiovascular disease or cholestatic liver disease, and for reducing HDL cholesterol, for lowering triglycerides in a mammal, or for inhibition of fibrosis. The present invention also relates to processes for the synthesis of obeticholic acid. |
| US09238671B2 |
Oligonucleotide replacement for di-tagged and directional libraries
Transposomes and oligonucleotide replacement methods to make DNA libraries that have distinct 5′ and 3′ tags, and to make directional libraries that are enriched for a desired strand. |
| US09238669B2 |
Oligosaccharides and oligosaccharide-protein conjugates derived from Clostridium difficile polysaccharide PS-I, methods of synthesis and uses thereof, in particular as vaccines and diagnostic tools
The invention relates to a synthetic oligosaccharide representing part of the repeating unit of the Clostridium difficile glycopolymer PS-I and having the sequence of the pentasaccharide a-L-Rhap-(1→3)-β-D-Glcp-(1→4)-[a-L-Rhap-(1→3]-a-D-Glcp-(1→2)-a-D-Glcp or a synthetic fragment or derivative thereof. Preferably, the claimed synthetic oligosaccharide bears at least one linker L for conjugation to a carrier protein or for immobilization on a surface. Further aspects of the invention relate to advantageous methods for synthesizing said synthetic oligosaccharide and oligosaccharide-protein conjugate as well as to uses thereof, in particular as vaccines and diagnostic tools. |
| US09238663B2 |
Organosilicon compounds, making methods, and adhesion improver
Mercapto-containing organosilicon compounds of specific structure are low volatile and serve to enhance the adhesion of resins to inorganic substrates. |
| US09238662B2 |
Silicone compound having a radical-polymerizable group and a method for the preparation thereof
A purpose of the present invention is to provide a polymerizable group-containing silicone compound which is liquid at room temperature, has good handling properties and compatibility with other polymerizable monomers. The present invention provides a silicone compound represented by the general formula (1) which has a structure represented by the following formula (2) or (3): wherein Rc is an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and Z is a radical-polymerizable group; wherein p1 and p2 are, independently of each other, positive integers such that a total number of p1 and p2 is 3 to 10, and Z is a radical-polymerizable group; and has a silicone structure bonded to the aforesaid formula (2) or (3) via a substituted or unsubstituted divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The present invention further provides a method for preparation the aforesaid silicone compound. |
| US09238658B2 |
Substituted piperidinyl-carboxamide derivatives useful as SCD 1 inhibitors
The present invention is directed to novel piperidinyl-carboxamide derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as inhibitors of SCD1, useful in the treatment of obesity, type-II diabetes and other related metabolic disorders. |
| US09238649B2 |
Salts and crystalline forms of 4-(4-{[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl]methyl piperazin-1-yl)-N-({3-nitro-4-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)amino]phenyl}sulfonyl)-2-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yloxy)benzamide
Salts and crystalline forms of 4-(4-{[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl]methyl}piperazin-1-yl)-N-({3-nitro-4-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)amino]phenyl}-sulfonyl)-2-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yloxy)benzamide are suitable active pharmaceutical ingredients for pharmaceutical compositions useful in treatment of a disease characterized by overexpression of one or more anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, for example cancer. |
| US09238640B2 |
Anti-inflammatory agents
Disclosed are novel compounds that are useful in regulating the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and/or vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and their use in the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases and related disease states, such as, for example, atherosclerosis, asthma, arthritis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel diseases, and autoimmune disease(s). Also, disclosed are compositions comprising the novel compounds, as well as methods for their preparation. |
| US09238639B2 |
Aromatic ring compound
The present invention provides a compound having a GOAT inhibitory action, which is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of obesity and the like, and has superior efficacy. The present invention is a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof. |
| US09238638B2 |
Method for preparing alcohol carbonate using rare earth oxides as catalysts
Disclosed is a method for preparing, by transcarbonation, a compound of formula (I), including reacting a polyol of formula (II) with an alkyl carbonate or an alkylene carbonate in the presence of a catalytic system consisting of a catalytic entity selected from among the rare earth oxides or the mixtures thereof, and optionally an inert substrate. |
| US09238637B2 |
Stable polymorphic forms of compound as hypoxia mimetics, and uses thereof
The polymorphic forms of the compound of Formula I, the preparation thereof including the preparation of the intermediates, the pharmaceutical compositions thereof and the uses of a polymorph above in the manufacture of medicaments for treating a disease, a disorder or a condition are disclosed. |
| US09238624B2 |
Method of producing aromatic amino compounds
A method of producing an aromatic amino compound by using a primary or secondary amine compound having an aromatic ring group and a halogenated aromatic compound as starting materials, reacting the amine compound with the halogenated aromatic compound in the presence of a copper catalyst and a base so as to produce the aromatic amino compound having a structure in which an aromatic ring group derived from the halogenated aromatic compound is coupled to the amino group of the amine compound, wherein the amine compound and the halogenated aromatic compound are reacted together under a condition where an aromatic oxycarboxylic acid having a hydroxyl group and a hydroxycarbonyl group that are bonded to neighboring carbon atoms, is made present together with the copper catalyst and the base. |
| US09238621B2 |
Processes for the preparation of prostaglandin amides
The subject of the invention is process for the preparation of the prostaglandin amides of the general formula I, —where in the formula the bonds marked with dotted lines may be single or double bonds, in the case of double bounds at positions 5,6 and 13,14 they may be in cis or in trans orientation, Q stands for a hydroxyl-group and Z stands for a hydroxyl- or oxo-group, R1 and R2 independently represent hydrogen atom or a straight or branched C1-10 alkyl- or aralkyl-group, optionally substituted with —ONO2 group, or an aralkyl- or aryl-group, which contains heteroatom, R3 represents a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated C4-6 hydrocarbon group, or a C4-10 alkylcycloalkyl- or cycloalkyl-group, or an optionally with alkyl group or halogen atom substituted phenyl-, C7-10 alkylaryl- or hetaryl-group, Y represents (CH2)n group or 0 atom or S atom, and where n=0-3. |
| US09238619B2 |
Phenalkylamine derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in therapy
The present invention relates to phenalkylamine derivatives of the formula (I) or a physiologically tolerated salt thereof. The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such phenalkylamine derivatives, and the use of such phenalkylamine derivatives for therapeutic purposes. The phenalkylamine derivatives are GlyT1 inhibitors. |
| US09238615B2 |
Process for the iodination of aromatic compounds
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iodinated anilines; in particular, it relates to a process including the direct iodination, with suitably activated iodine, of 3,5-disubstituted anilines to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodoanilines, which are useful intermediates for the synthesis of x-ray contrast media, and to the preparation of the contrast media themselves. |
| US09238612B2 |
Method for producing unsaturated acid and/or unsaturated acid ester
The present invention relates to a method for producing an unsaturated acid and/or an unsaturated acid ester, containing a process A of reacting a compound (1) represented by the following formula (1) at a temperature of 0° C. to 350° C. in the presence of a Brønsted acid catalyst and/or a Lewis acid catalyst, to prepare a compound (2) represented by the following formula (2); in which each of R1, R2 and R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a deuterium atom or an alkyl group; each of R3 and R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a deuterium atom; R6 represents a hydrogen atom, a deuterium atom, or an alkyl group or an aryl group; and X represents a chlorine atom, a fluorine atom, a bromine atom, or an iodine atom. |
| US09238610B2 |
Method for purifying methacrylic acid
Provided is a crystallization method by which a highly-pure methacrylic acid crystal can be produced with high productivity. The method for purifying methacrylic acid according to the present disclosure involves using crude methacrylic acid having a maleic acid concentration of 2000 ppm by mass or less and an acrylic acid concentration of 2000 ppm by mass or less and setting the slurry temperature to −10 to 10° C. in order to crystallize methacrylic acid. A suspension-type jacket-cooling-system crystallization vessel is used as the crystallization apparatus, and an absolute value of the difference between a crystallization temperature and a temperature of a cooling medium in the jacket is preferably 15° C. or less. |
| US09238606B1 |
Methyl-Iodide-free carbonylation of methanol to acetaldehyde
Disclosed is a process for the reductive carbonylation of methanol to produce acetaldehyde. The process includes conducting the reaction to produce acetaldehyde in the presence of a catalyst comprising a complex composed of cobalt, an onium cation and iodide in a ratio of 1:2:4, a phosphine ligand, and a phosphonium iodide. The reductive carbonylation reaction produces a crude reductive carbonylation product substantially free of methyl iodide. |
| US09238605B2 |
Oxidation of hydrocarbons
A process for oxidizing a first hydrocarbon to a corresponding first oxygenate by feeding a first feedstock comprising the first hydrocarbon into an oxidation reactor, contacting the reaction medium with a gas stream comprising O2 in the oxidation reactor, and supplying a hydroperoxide additive to the oxidation reactor. By including the hydroperoxide additive in the reaction medium, foaming at and/or close to the beginning of the oxidation reaction can be significantly reduced. |
| US09238601B2 |
Method for providing oxygen free regeneration gas for natural gas dryers
Methods of removing free oxygen from a hydrocarbon stream are described. A hydrocarbon stream containing free oxygen is contacted with an adsorbent comprising a metal in a reduced state. The free oxygen in the hydrocarbon stream reacts with the metal in the reduced state to form oxidized metal and a reduced oxygen hydrocarbon stream. Syngas is made from a portion of the reduced oxygen hydrocarbon stream. A regeneration gas stream comprising a mixture of the syngas and another portion of the reduced oxygen hydrocarbon stream is contacted with the oxidized metal to reduce the oxidized metal to form the metal in the reduced state. |
| US09238598B2 |
Carbon dioxide conversion to hydrocarbon fuel via syngas production cell harnessed from solar radiation
A process for converting carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon fuels using solar energy harnessed with a solar thermal power system to create thermal energy and electricity, using the thermal energy to heat a fuel feed stream, the heated fuel feed stream comprising carbon dioxide and water, the carbon dioxide captured from a flue gas stream, converting the carbon dioxide and water in a syngas production cell, the syngas production cell comprising a solid oxide electrolyte, to create carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and converting the carbon monoxide and hydrogen to hydrocarbon fuels in a catalytic reactor. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide fuel cell. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide electrolyzer cell. |
| US09238596B2 |
Process simplification for precursor compound
The invention relates to a process for preparation of radiopharmaceutical precursors, and in particular protected amino acid derivatives which are used as precursors for production of radiolabelled amino acids for use in in vivo imaging procedures such as positron emission tomography (PET). Particularly, the invention relates to a process for preparation of a precursor useful in the preparation of the [18F]-1-amino-3-fluorocyclobutanecarboxylic acid ([18F] FACBC) PET tracer. |
| US09238593B2 |
Ceramic member, probe holder, and manufacturing method of ceramic member
There is provided a ceramic member which is a sintered body containing enstatite and boron nitride as constituents, in which boron nitride is oriented in a single direction, a probe holder formed using the ceramic member, and a manufacturing method of the ceramic member. In the ceramic member, an index of orientation degree is not less than 0.8. In so doing, it is possible to provide a ceramic member which has a free machining property, a coefficient of thermal expansion which is close to that of silicon, and high strength, and a probe holder which is formed using the ceramic member, and a manufacturing method of the ceramic member. |
| US09238590B2 |
Mirror elements for EUV lithography and production methods therefor
A method for the production of a mirror element (10) that has a reflective coating (10a) for the EUV wavelength range and a substrate (10b). The substrate (10b) is pre-compacted by hot isostatic pressing, and the reflective coating (10a) is applied to the pre-compacted substrate (10b). In the method, either the pre-compacting of the substrate (10b) is performed until a saturation value of the compaction of the substrate (10b) by long-term EUV irradiation is reached, or, for further compaction, the pre-compacted substrate (10b) is irradiated, preferably homogeneously, with ions (16) and/or with electrons in a surface region (15) in which the coating (10a) has been or will be applied. A mirror element (10) for the EUV wavelength range associated with the method has a substrate (10b) pre-compacted by hot isostatic pressing. Such a mirror element (10) is suitable to be provided in an EUV projection exposure system. |
| US09238589B2 |
Waste sludge dewatering
Technologies are generally described for processes, compositions and systems for waste sludge dewatering. In an example, the process may include receiving a waste sludge including a water component and an initial content of suspended particulates. The process may include treating the waste sludge with a combination of flocculant produced by Proteus mirabilis and a flocculant including chloride. The combination may be sufficient to flocculate at least some of the suspended particulates in the water component of the waste sludge and sufficient to produce treated waste sludge. The treated waste sludge may have a water component with a reduced content of suspended particulates. The process may include separating at least some of the water component with a reduced content of suspended particulates from the treated waste sludge to produce dewatered waste sludge. |
| US09238588B2 |
Organic disulfide based corrosion inhibitors
Disclosed are corrosion inhibitor compounds and compositions useful in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas. Also disclosed are methods of using the compounds and compositions as corrosion inhibitors, particularly in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas. |
| US09238585B2 |
Method for treatment of water comprising non-polar compounds
A process for removal of non-polar compounds from water, wherein the non-polar compounds exist in dissolved or dispersed form, wherein the water is led through a preparation tank wherein the temperature is adjusted and wherein possible solid particles are removed. The water is then led via pipe into a reactor tank and is mixed with a hydrate forming compound, wherein simultaneously hydrate seeds are added which have been recycled for continuous use in the process; whereby the drops or molecules of the non-polar compounds are attached or associated to hydrate particles being formed in the reactor tank. The hydrate particles are separated from the water and melted. The hydrate forming compound is recycled to the reactor tank and the non-polar compounds discharged. In addition, a device for use of the process as well as hydrates for removal of non-polar compounds in water. |
| US09238580B2 |
Spread-spectrum MEMS self-test system and method
A MEMS sensor includes a micro-electromechanical structure, a detection circuit, and a self-test circuit to test the health of the MEMS sensor during runtime operations. The self-test circuit is configured to inject into the micro-electromechanical structure a plurality of injected test signals that are broad-band frequency-varying frequency signals, which are based on spread spectrum based modulation. The injected test signals may a magnitude that is below an observable threshold of the sensor signal as well as a test-signal bandwidth that overlaps with a substantial portion of the sensor bandwidth, including the stimulus of interest. |