Document Document Title
US09280596B2 Method and system for scoring articles in an on-demand services environment
A method for scoring and ranking knowledge articles in an on-demand service environment in a database network system. The scoring allows users to have input into the scoring to determine relevancy and authenticity to solve particular problems.
US09280595B2 Application query conversion
A set of potential search-query terms can be identified based on empirical queries for apps. For each potential search-query term, a subset of documents within a set of documents can be identified based on apps that users were likely to click on or download following entry of a search query with a comparable or same term. One or more other indicator terms can be identified as being related to the potential search-query term based on the one or more second indicator terms being prevalent within the subset of documents. Upon receipt of a subsequent search query, a search can then be performed using both a term within the search query and one or more related other indicator terms.
US09280594B2 Uniform storage and search of events derived from machine data from different sources
Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention provide the ability to organize and build understandings of machine data generated by a variety of information-processing environments. Machine data is a product of information-processing systems (e.g., activity logs, configuration files, messages, database records) and represents the evidence of particular events that have taken place and been recorded in raw data format. In one embodiment, machine data is turned into a machine data web by organizing machine data into events and then linking events together.
US09280592B1 Zombie detector and handler mechanism for accounts, apps, and hardware devices
A computer-implemented method, including identifying user subscriptions that meet at least one criterion of a plurality of criteria for detecting subscriptions that are no longer active, classifying the user subscriptions into a first group and a second group, where user subscriptions in the first group have at least one context factor associated with the at least one criterion, matching the user subscriptions of the second group with data of unavailable users to produce a third group of user subscriptions, where the user subscriptions of the third group are successfully matched with some of the data of unavailable users.
US09280590B1 Systems and methods for attribute-based user data visualizations
Systems and methods for attribute-based user data visualizations are described, including determining that an event is associated with a category, the event is one of a plurality of events that are associated with a user using one or more products; clustering the event with a group of events that are associated with the category; identifying at least a portion of the group of events and at least a portion of another group of events of another category, based on one or more time periods; and providing the at least the portion of the group of events and the at least the portion of the another group of events of the another category for visual presentation.
US09280588B2 Search result previews
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing search result page previews. In one aspect, a method includes receiving data that specify a set of search results responsive to a search query. Query-relevant content is selected to be included in a page preview for at least one of the search results. In turn, data that cause presentation of the page preview are provided. The data provided can cause presentation of the query-relevant content at an initial zoom level and at a higher zoom level, where the initial zoom level is a zoom level at which both the query-relevant content and other content from the resource are presented. The page preview can include a page tear that defines multiple portions of the page preview for a resource.
US09280586B1 Electronic database for athletes and coaches for recruiting purposes
Disclosed in an electronic database which enables athletes to see a dynamic list of colleges where the athlete's specific sports times would qualify them to compete. As the athlete's times improve over the course of their high school career, the list of colleges changes as more and more colleges become candidates for the athlete. The athletes can easily communicate their times to the college coaches, and monitor the status of schools of interest. Likewise, high schools and clubs can also assist students in the college search process given access to the same data as the athletes. College coaches can also have access to the athlete times and other recruiting information, and can customize their search so that athletes meeting the college recruiting guidelines (i.e. minimum times in specific events, grade point average of athlete, etc) are highlighted across the sea of recruits, while those not meeting the recruiting guidelines can be ignored.
US09280579B2 Hierarchy of servers for query processing of column chunks in a distributed column chunk data store
An improved system and method for query processing in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Query processing may be performed by storage servers or query processing servers operably coupled by a network to storage servers in the column chunk data store. To do so, a hierarchy of servers may be dynamically determined to process execution steps of a query transformed for distributed processing.
US09280573B2 System and method for array-based data storage and search
Provided are computer devices and methods for effectively generating and updating a sorted array for quick data access. The array allocates more space than required by the elements it stores. In other words, the array leaves empty spaces between elements such that insertion of a new element only requires the shifting of a small number, or even none, of the existing elements in the array.
US09280572B2 Managing product information versions
Systems and methods for managing versions of product attribute information are described. A database management system that manages a database for storing attribute information of a product is described. The database management system in this implementation comprises a version control system and a querying system. The version control system is configured to enable a user to insert one or more versions of product information in the database. Each version has an effective date and is divided into a plurality of attribute groups, each attribute group containing a plurality of attributes. One or more attribute groups are modified with respect to a previous version. The version control system is further configured to record which attributes of a modified attribute group are changed. The querying system is configured to enable a user to search the database based on the effective dates of the versions.
US09280569B2 Schema matching for data migration
Embodiments include a system for matching an element of a source schema to an element of a target schema. The system includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit may be configured to: identify a sample data item of the element of the target schema; match a part of the sample data item to a part of a sample instance of the source schema; and match the element of the source schema to which the part of the sample instance of the source schema belongs to the element of the target schema. The communication unit may be configured to: provide the sample data item through an interface and receive the sample instance of the source schema.
US09280566B2 System and method for visual role engineering
The system and method of visual role engineering uses a visual assessment tool to identify clusters of users and to define roles. A “cluster image” is generated that visually depicts the cluster tendencies of users and permissions. An operator of the visual assessment tool can visually identify clusters of users with the same permissions. The operator may select a cluster representing a subset of users, define a role for the subset of users, and assign permissions to the role. The process may be repeated in an iterative fashion until it is determined that no more roles are needed.
US09280565B1 Systems, methods, and computer program products for displaying images
A system, method, and computer program product for displaying a plurality of images. A method of the present invention includes storing image-associated metadata for each image. The method further includes storing user-associated metadata for each user. The method further includes creating a graph comprising the plurality of images, based on the image-associated and user-associated metadata. The method further includes processing the plurality of images based on the graph to generate a subset of the plurality of images. The method further includes displaying the subset of the plurality of images.
US09280563B2 Pre-computing digests for image similarity searching of image-based listings in a network-based publication system
A system and method, which may be an offline method, extracts relevant image features about images in a network-based publication system for enabling image similarity searching of such images. An image is uploaded and may be sent to a picture processing service, which generates digests. The digests are compressed data structures each representing a particular image feature such as edge, color, texture, or words. These digests are then stored in a search database, where the digests can be used to retrieve images by image similarity at scale. A similar process can be performed for an image query for searching the search database for images similar to the image.
US09280561B2 Automatic learning of logos for visual recognition
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for automatically extracting logos from images. Methods include generating a query list including a plurality of logo search queries, for each logo search query of the plurality of logo search queries: generating a plurality of image search results, each image search result including image data, and clustering the plurality of image search results into a plurality of clusters, each cluster including a plurality of images of the plurality of image search results, extracting, for each cluster of the plurality of clusters, a representative image to provide a plurality of representative images, and a name corresponding to the representative image to provide a plurality of names, and providing the plurality of representative images and the plurality of names to a logo index, the logo index being accessible to identify one or more logo images in a query image.
US09280556B2 Generating enumerated information in which a plurality of files are enumerated in a sequential medium
A mechanism is provided for generating enumerated information in which a plurality of files is enumerated except entirely-invalidated files on a sequential medium. Management information for managing locations where the plurality of files on the sequential medium are recorded is acquired from the sequential medium. The enumerated information in which the plurality of files are enumerated is generated in an order according to the locations where the plurality of files are recorded on the basis of the acquired management information.
US09280554B2 Using confidence values for synchronizing file systems
A system, computer implemented method, and computer program product for analyzing an installation to determine a file system promotion path during an online patching cycle. The method commences by identifying an initial file system and a shadow file system, the shadow file system being at least some duration older than the initial run file system, then analyzing a history of events that occurred in or on the installation during the duration to determine a degree of confidence. Based on the degree of confidence, then selecting the initial file system to be used on the online patching cycle when the confidence value is equal or above a threshold, or selecting the shadow file system to be used in the online patching cycle when the confidence value is below a threshold. The history of events is recorded in forms of a patch list, a log file, or a list of configuration events.
US09280552B2 Deduplicated data processing rate control
A plurality of workers is configured for parallel processing of deduplicated data entities in a plurality of chunks. The deduplicated data processing rate is regulated using a rate control mechanism. The rate control mechanism incorporates a debt/credit algorithm specifying which of the plurality of workers processing the deduplicated data entities must wait for each of a plurality of calculated required sleep times, the calculated required sleep times being calculated as a best fit between a maximum allowable sleep time, a delta vector, and a limit per time vector, wherein the required sleep time is one of the plurality of calculated required sleep times.
US09280551B2 De-duplication deployment planning
Assignment of files to a de-duplication domain. Address space of data files is divided into multiple containers. For each of the containers, a file metadata scan is performed to obtain file system metadata, which is aggregated and summarized in a content feature summary. A content feature summary prediction measurement is measured between containers from the generated content feature summary, and files from each container are assigned to a de-duplication domain based upon the content similarity predication measurement.
US09280545B2 Generating and updating event-based playback experiences
Exemplary methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for capturing, organizing, sharing, and/or displaying media. For example, using embodiments of the disclosed technology, a unified playback and browsing experience for a collection of media can be created automatically. For instance, heuristics and metadata can be used to assemble and add narratives to the media data. Furthermore, this representation of media can recompose itself dynamically as more media is added to the collection. While a collection may use a single user's content, sometimes media that is desirable to include in the collection is captured by friends and/or others at the same event. In certain embodiments, media content related to the event can be automatically collected and shared among selected groups. Further, in some embodiments, new media can be automatically incorporated into a media collection associated with the event, and the playback experience dynamically updated.
US09280542B2 Process for creating a media sequence by coherent groups of media files
A process for creating a media sequence, for example video or audio, and an associated device includes the stages of: obtaining a selection of media files; regrouping the chosen media files into a plurality of groups according to at least one coherence criterion; selecting, for each group of media files assembled in this way, a media motif among a plurality of predefined media motifs, the chosen media motif being able to define a media rendering for the set of media files of the group; and assembling the media motifs selected in this way and their associated media files in such a way as to form at least one definition of the media sequence. The process can relate to automated video editing as implemented on Web servers.
US09280541B2 QR data proxy and protocol gateway
A quick response (QR) proxy and protocol gateway for interfacing with a carrier network, a QR-equipped device, and a contact center and contact center database is disclosed. A data link is connected to a carrier network to receive QR codes and other data. Additional data links are connected to a contact center database and a QR-equipped device to obtain information used in determining routing and tagging instructions. A user interface is connected to the gateway to accept configurable conditions for determining routing instructions. There is a text conversion function and speech conversion function for each target enterprise contact center. Synchronization between stored user preferences to automated or semi-automated customer service routes is provided by a consumer preference template system.
US09280540B2 Content-driven download speed
A network device may receive a request for content; determine a bandwidth of a communication link between a client device and the network device; select a download speed based on the determined bandwidth; and choose, for transmission from the network device to the client device, a content segment among a plurality of content segments in a directory associated with the download speed based on an amount of the content already downloaded. The plurality of content segments may include variable bit rate content segments. The network device may stream the chosen content segment to the client device.
US09280539B2 System and method for translating speech, and non-transitory computer readable medium thereof
A first speech input device captures a speech of a first language. A first speech output device outputs another speech of the first language. A second speech input device captures a speech of a second language. A second speech output device outputs another speech of the second language. In a speech recognition/translation server, a first speech recognition device receives a first utterance speech of the first language from the first speech input device, and recognizes the first utterance speech. A first machine translation device consecutively translates the first language of the recognition result into the second language without waiting completion of the first utterance speech. A first speech synthesis device generates a second speech of the translation result. A first output adjustment device outputs the first utterance speech and the second speech to the second speech output device by adjusting a volume of the first utterance speech to be smaller than a volume of the second speech.
US09280536B2 Synonym determination among n-grams
A technique includes obtaining a plurality of n-grams from a plurality of messages, determining a temporal histogram for each n-gram, and determining synonyms among the n-grams based on a combination of a correlation of the histograms and a distance measure between n-grams.
US09280534B2 Generating a social glossary
Particular embodiments determine that a textual term is not associated with a known meaning. The textual term may be related to one or more users of the social-networking system. A determination is made as to whether the textual term should be added to a glossary. If so, then the textual term is added to the glossary. Information related to one or more textual terms in the glossary is provided to enhance auto-correction, provide predictive text input suggestions, or augment social graph data. Particular embodiments discover new textual terms by mining information, wherein the information was received from one or more users of the social-networking system, was generated for one or more users of the social-networking system, is marked as being associated with one or more users of the social-networking system, or includes an identifier for each of one or more users of the social-networking system.
US09280531B2 Marketing to consumers using data obtained from abandoned electronic forms
Visitors that abandon electronic or computer-generated forms before completing and submitting the form are lost to business entities. Data obtained from abandoned electronic or computer-generated forms is used to identify these lost visitors. Sometimes a unique script embedded on the webpages scrapes the data from the forms. The obtained data is further utilized to market or remarket to the lost consumers by sending personalized messages via a preferred communication medium. Electronic form events can be tracked and the obtained data and the event tracking information can be compiled into reports. Patterns in the obtained data can be evaluated to provide revisions to the electronic forms.
US09280524B2 Combining a handwritten marking with a rendered symbol to modify the rendered symbol
A first rendering of symbols is generated with typeset font, and the first rendering is displayed by a display device. From among the symbols, a selection is received from a user. A second rendering of the selection is generated with ink font, and the second rendering is displayed by the display device. At least one handwritten edit to the second rendering is received from the user, and recognition of the handwritten edit is performed. The selection is updated to incorporate the recognized handwritten edit. A third rendering of the updated selection is generated with typeset font, and the third rendering is displayed by the display device for replacing at least a portion of the first rendering.
US09280523B2 System for conversion of website content
A system and method for converting website content is presented. Design elements in a graphical representation of a web page are identified. The design elements are ordered according to a position of each of the design elements with respect to a top of the graphical representation of the web page. One or more of the ordered design elements are grouped into one or more groups of design elements, and the design elements are stacked by rearranging each group of design elements into a single column. The single column of the groups of design elements are rendered into a converted web page for display on a device. In one implementation, the device is a mobile device.
US09280521B2 Drawing support apparatus, supporting method and drawing support program
Disclosed is a drawing support apparatus or the like that realizes a reduction of an execution frequency of a re-drawing processing performed for treating a drawing inconvenience caused by drawing timing in a Web browser.The drawing support apparatus includes the analysis unit and the calculation unit. The analysis unit calculates a drawing inconvenience occurrence probability, based on a drawing request order information representing a drawing request order given from an out side or an external apparatus which monitors a drawing request for a browser, for each of the drawing request order. And the drawing result indication unit indicates the drawing inconvenience occurrence probability calculated by the analysis unit.
US09280517B2 System and method for failure detection for artificial lift systems
A computer-implemented artificial lift detection system, method, and software are provided for failure detection for artificial lift systems, such as sucker rod pump systems. The method includes providing artificial lift system data from an artificial lift system. Attributes are extracted from the artificial lift system data. Data mining techniques are applied to the attributes to determine whether the artificial lift system is detected to fail within a given time period. An alert is output indicative of impending artificial lift system failures.
US09280515B2 Provision of alternate content in response to QR code
A party that is not the source or originator of a QR code is enabled to provide a consumer a selection of related alternate content rather than content identified in the QR code. A method is implemented on a computer system to receive additional content information represented by a QR code extracted by a consumer's QR reader device from a media presentation containing the QR code. The QR code is generated by a source of the media presentation. A location of alternate content from a captive environment related to the additional content information is identified. The location of the alternate content may be identified based upon the decoded information from the QR code. The location of the alternate content is transmitted to the QR reader device.
US09280514B1 Optimizing testability of network devices using markup language based output
An apparatus and method for managing and maintaining a network device are disclosed. A process performed by a router, for example, is able to generate configuration data in accordance with network configuration of the router and store the data in a memory. A converter generates human-readable representation of requested status in accordance with configuration data. For example, command line interface (“CLI”) show output is generated by the converter for displaying system status. In one embodiment, a second converter is used to convert the configuration data to markup language configuration output such as extensible markup language (“XML”) based CLI output. A script, in one aspect, is able to run test cases to verify network configuration in light of the markup language configuration output.
US09280506B1 Transfer of uncompressed multimedia contents or data communications
A system and corresponding method for transferring data via an interface assembly is provided. The data is transferred between a USB port of a first device and a media port of a second device. Uncompressed high definition media data may be received from the USB port. The received uncompressed high definition media data may be supplied to a media connector in accordance with a first media standard, such that the supplied data can be transmitted in accordance with the first media standard via the media connector to the media port of the second device. The uncompressed high definition media data may include multimedia data and side-band communication data. A single signal may be encoded and decoded in accordance with a protocol that enables the single signal to communicate all side-band communications to and from the source device via a single pin of a USB connector.
US09280505B2 System on a module for smart grid nodes
A system on a module and techniques for use and operation in multiple different smart grid devices and/or nodes are described herein. One example of a system on a module includes a processor, a flash memory device in communication with the processor, and a RAM memory device in communication with the processor. A connector provides an interface to the smart grid device, and includes a plurality of metrology and communications interfaces.
US09280498B2 Data control system, data control method, and data control program
A CPU 80 controls data transfer from a first device to a second device in a kernel mode. A main memory 90 stores data to be transferred from the first device to the second device. The CPU 80 has: a first device control means 81 which controls the first device; a second device control means which controls the second device; and a data transfer control means 83 which makes a read instruction which instructs the first device control means 81 to store data read from the first device in the main memory 3, and makes a write instruction which instructs the second device control means 82 to write the data stored in the main memory 3 in the second device.
US09280497B2 Systems and methods for support of non-volatile memory on a DDR memory channel
Systems and methods are provided for supporting use of non-volatile memory (NVM) on a double data rate (DDR) memory channel for an information handling system so that non-volatile memory devices (e.g., such as Phase Change Memory “PCM” devices) may be employed for main memory usage. In one possible implementation, information handling system memory reads may be managed directly in hardware as memory semantics via use code, while memory writes may be separately handled, e.g., via an operating system (OS)/driver. In another possible implementation, both DRAM-based and NVM-based memory systems may be populated for an information handling system.
US09280493B2 Method and device for enumerating input/output devices
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and a device for enumerating input/output devices (IO devices). The method for enumerating input/output devices includes: acquiring an identifier of each processor and an identifier of each input/output (IO) centralized controller in a system; separately instructing processors to simultaneously enumerate a specific IO centralized controller and an input/output IO device connected to the specific IO centralized controller, according to the identifier of each processor and the identifier of each IO centralized controller; and acquiring related information of IO devices enumerated by the instructed processors. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the work of enumerating the system IO devices may be allocated to multiple processors to be carried out simultaneously, so as to greatly reduce time consumed in the enumeration process, and to accelerate a system initialization process.
US09280488B2 Asymmetric co-existent address translation structure formats
An address translation capability is provided in which translation structures of different types are used to translate memory addresses from one format to another format. Multiple translation structure formats (e.g., multiple page table formats, such as hash page tables and hierarchical page tables) are concurrently supported in a system configuration. This facilitates provision of guest access in virtualized operating systems, and/or the mixing of translation formats to better match the data access patterns being translated.
US09280478B2 Cache rebuilds based on tracking data for cache entries
Methods and structure are provided for rebuilding cache data from a failed cache device based on tracking data for the failed cache device. The system includes a memory and a cache manager. The memory stores tracking data that correlates entries at a cache with logical block addresses of a logical volume. The cache manager is able to determine that a device implementing the cache has failed and to analyze the tracking data to identify logical block addresses correlated with cache entries from the failed cache device. The cache manager is further able to generate new cache entries at a new cache device, and to populate the new cache entries with data from the identified logical block addresses.
US09280473B2 Method and apparatus for accessing physical memory from a CPU or processing element in a high performance manner
A method and apparatus is described herein for accessing a physical memory location referenced by a physical address with a processor. The processor fetches/receives instructions with references to virtual memory addresses and/or references to physical addresses. Translation logic translates the virtual memory addresses to physical addresses and provides the physical addresses to a common interface. Physical addressing logic decodes references to physical addresses and provides the physical addresses to a common interface based on a memory type stored by the physical addressing logic.
US09280471B2 Mechanism for sharing private caches in a SoC
Systems, processors, and methods for sharing an agent's private cache with other agents within a SoC. Many agents in the SoC have a private cache in addition to the shared caches and memory of the SoC. If an agent's processor is shut down or operating at less than full capacity, the agent's private cache can be shared with other agents. When a requesting agent generates a memory request and the memory request misses in the memory cache, the memory cache can allocate the memory request in a separate agent's cache rather than allocating the memory request in the memory cache.
US09280465B2 Techniques for moving checkpoint-based high-availability log and data directly from a producer cache to a consumer cache
A technique of operating a data processing system, includes logging addresses for cache lines modified by a producer core in a data array of a producer cache to create a high-availability (HA) log for the producer core. The technique also includes moving the HA log directly from the producer cache to a consumer cache of a consumer core and moving HA data associated with the addresses of the HA log directly from the producer cache to the consumer cache. The HA log corresponds to a cache line that includes multiple of the addresses. Finally, the technique includes processing, by the consumer core, the HA log and the HA data for the data processing system.
US09280464B2 System and method for simultaneously storing and reading data from a memory system
A system and method for providing high-speed memory operations is disclosed. The technique uses virtualization of memory space to map a virtual address space to a larger physical address space wherein no memory bank conflicts will occur. The larger physical address space is used to prevent memory bank conflicts from occurring by moving the virtualized memory addresses of data being written to memory to a different location in physical memory that will eliminate a memory bank conflict. This allows the memory system to both store and read data in the same cycle with no conflicts.
US09280463B2 Semiconductor memory garbage collection
For semiconductor memory garbage collection, an identification module identifies a garbage collection time window for at least one block of a flash memory array. A garbage collection module garbage collects a first block of the flash memory array with a highest garbage collection level and an open garbage collection time window.
US09280459B2 Block grouping method for garbage collection of solid state drive
A block grouping method includes the following steps. Firstly, a link list is established. In the link list, plural blocks are classified into plural groups according to valid data counts of respective blocks. If a host refreshes a stored data of a flash memory of the solid state drive or adds a new data into the flash memory, the valid data count of the block corresponding to the refreshed data or the new data is changed, and the link list is updated according to the changed valid data count of the block. After the garbage collection is started by the solid state drive, the block to be subject to the garbage collection is selected according to the link list, and the garbage collection is performed.
US09280442B1 System and method for generating coverage reports for software unit tests
A unit test coverage report system and method may generate a coverage report to indicate the success or failure of current unit tests and the amount of further testing that is required to fully test an application undergoing development. The system or method may receive a source code file including a plurality of source code units, wherein each source code unit corresponds to one of a plurality of comments sections. The system or method may then parse the plurality of comments sections and extract an identification of each source code unit from the plurality of comments sections. The identification may then be compared to a list of tested source code units and the comparison added to a unit test coverage report.
US09280440B2 Monitoring target apparatus, agent program, and monitoring system
A monitoring target apparatus connected to a plurality of monitoring manager apparatuses is characterized in that the monitoring target apparatus includes, in a memory, a monitoring agent for collecting monitoring information from monitoring target resources among resources constituting the monitoring target apparatus; and monitoring condition management information that defines an event issuance condition for each type of the monitoring target resources; wherein the monitoring agent judges whether to issue an event or not, based on the monitoring information and the monitoring condition management information; and if the monitoring agent issues the event, it transmits the issued event to all the plurality of monitoring manager apparatuses.
US09280435B2 Method and apparatus for GPS based slope determination, real-time vehicle mass determination, and vehicle efficiency analysis
Three dimensional GPS or vehicle position data is used to determine a slope the vehicle is traveling over at a specific point in time. The slope data can then be combined with other metrics to provide an accurate, slope corrected vehicle mass. The vehicle mass can then be used along with other vehicle data to determine an amount of work performed by a vehicle, enabling s detailed efficiency analysis of the vehicle to be performed. To calculate slope, horizontal ground speed (VHGS) can be calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem. One can take the Z/Up magnitude and divide it by the horizontal ground speed. Replacing Z, x and y with directional vectors enables one to calculate slope. The slope data is then used to determine the mass of the vehicle at that time. Pervious techniques to calculate mass did not factor in slope, and thus are not accurate.
US09280434B2 Testing and mitigation framework for networked devices
The present disclosure generally relates to the automated testing of a system that includes software or hardware components. In some embodiments, a testing framework generates a set of test cases for a system under test using a grammar. Each test case may perform an action, such as provide an input to the system under test, and result in an output from the system under test. The inputs and outputs are then compared to the expected results to determine whether the system under test is performing correctly. The data can then be interpreted in the grammar system or used as input to a fault isolation engine to determine anomalies in the system under test. Based on identified faults, one or more mitigation techniques may be implemented in an automated fashion.
US09280433B2 Hardware diagnostics and software recovery on headless server appliances
Described is a headless server appliance configured with a secondary actuation mechanism that when actuated, enters the headless server appliance into a diagnostic mode. For example, the diagnostic mode may correspond to a secondary operating system booted from a BIOS component activated by the secondary actuation mechanism. In the diagnostic mode, primitives may be communicated between a client device coupled (e.g., via a network or USB connection) to the headless server appliance, such as to provide the client device with access to the headless server appliance's hard disk. Other primitives, such as communicated via APIs, may provide the client device with access to the BIOS. The secondary operating system and/or client device may perform diagnostics and recovery operations on the headless server appliance. For example, the client device or similar source may restore or update the primary operating system image to a storage medium of the headless server appliance.
US09280432B2 Providing data integrity in a non-reliable storage behavior
In one aspect of the disclosure, progress identifiers (e.g., a plurality of flags) and/or generation numbers are utilized to determine a “correct” non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) replay source to use during a retried switchover or early switchback. Initially, a switchover sequence is initiated. The switchover sequence includes a replay of logged information to storage devices of an aggregate to ensure data consistency of the aggregate. Progress of the switchover sequence is tracked using the progress identifiers and/or generation numbers. After an interruption during the switchover sequence, switchover is retried or an early switchback is performed. The retried switchover or early switchback decides whether to replay logged information, and, if so, determines an NVRAM replay source to replay logged information from based on states of the progress identifiers and/or comparison of the generation numbers.
US09280431B2 Prioritizing backups on a disk level within enterprise storage
A system, method, and computer program product provide a process that includes storing data on first data storage devices, and a backup copy of the data on the first and/or on second ones of the data storage devices. A probability of a failure of each of at least some of the first and/or second data storage devices is determined, and at least one of the first and/or data storage devices that is determined to have a higher probability of failure than a threshold and/or a probability of failure of another of the data storage devices, is selected. A second backup copy of the data, stored on the selected data storage device(s), is also stored on third ones of the data storage devices. The first and/or second data storage devices determined to have the higher probability of failure are used for their designated purpose after the second backup copy is created.
US09280427B1 Storage system performance recovery after storage processor failure
A method performed by a storage system includes a first storage processor performing input/output (IO) requests on a first one or more logical units, and a second storage processor performing IO requests on a second one or more logical units. If the first storage processor fails, the third storage processor performs the IO requests on the first one or more logical units. If the second storage processor fails, the fourth storage processor performing the IO requests on the second one or more logical units.
US09280423B1 Mounting block level backup images
Approaches to enable a block level backup image to be mounted by the operating system even in cases where the operating system does not have native support for the interfaces to access the backup image. The mounting of the backup image exposes the file system on the backup image and allows the user to perform granular file level recovery (FLR) when restoring data from the backup image. The mounting of the image and enabling data to be read from the image is performed by loading a kernel mode driver and a user mode data feeder application onto the computing device. These two components interact with one another to enable input/output (I/O) operations to be performed on the backup image.
US09280422B2 Dynamic distribution of code words among multiple decoders
A device comprising a data transfer channel is configured to transfer data between multiple memory devices and a host device. The channel includes multiple decoders and a buffer coupled between the multiple memory devices and the multiple decoders. The buffer is configured to store code words received from the memory devices. Channel control logic is configured to determine availability of one or more of the multiple decoders and to distribute the code words to the one or more decoders based on decoder availability.
US09280421B2 Error correction for flash memory
Providing for single and multi-bit error correction of electronic memory is described herein. As an example, error correction can be accomplished by establishing a suspect region between bit level distributions of a set of analyzed memory cells. The suspect region can define potential error bits for the distributions. If a bit error is detected for the distributions, error correction can first be applied to the potential error bits in the suspect region. By identifying suspected error bits and limiting initial error correction to such identified bits, complexities involved in applying error correction to all bits of the distributions can be mitigated or avoided, improving efficiency of bit error corrections for electronic memory.
US09280420B2 Memory systems and block copy methods thereof
Methods of operating memory systems and nonvolatile memory devices include performing error checking and correction (ECC) operations on M pages of data read from a first “source” portion of M-bit nonvolatile memory cells within the nonvolatile memory device to thereby generate M pages of ECC-processed data, where M is a positive integer greater than two (2). A second “target” portion of M-bit nonvolatile memory cells within the nonvolatile memory device is then programmed with the M pages of ECC-processed data using an address-scrambled reprogramming technique, for example.
US09280418B2 Memory device implementing reduced ECC overhead
A memory device using error correction code (ECC) implements a memory array parallel read-write method to reduce the storage overhead required for storing ECC check bits. The memory array parallel read-write method stores incoming address and data into serial-in parallel-out (SIPO) address registers and write data registers, respectively. The stored data are written to the memory cells in parallel when the SIPO registers are full. ECC check bits are generated for the block of parallel input data stored in the write data registers. During the read operation, a block of read out data corresponding to the read address are read from the memory cells in parallel and stored in read registers. ECC correction is performed on the block of read out data before the desired output data is selected for output.
US09280412B2 Memory with error correction configured to prevent overcorrection
A non-volatile memory array storing data and ECCs includes error correcting logic. A data set can be read by performing iterations including sensing data using a read bias, and producing an indication of errors in the sensed data. A first iteration uses a first read bias. In each iteration, if the indication in a current iteration is less than a threshold, then the data is output from the selected cells sensed in the present iteration. If the indication in the current iteration exceeds the threshold, then another iteration is performed using a moved read bias, unless the indication in the current iteration shows an increase in errors relative to a previous iteration, in which case then sensed data from the previous iteration is output. Double buffering logic can be used to store sensed data during a current and a previous iteration.
US09280406B2 Automatic correction of application based on runtime behavior
A method and associated system for automatically correcting an application based on runtime behavior of the application. An incident indicates a performance of the application in which a problem object produces an outcome that had not been expected by a user or by a ticketing tool. An incident flow for the problem object is automatically analyzed. Actual run of the application renders a forward data flow and at least one backward data flow is simulated from an expected outcome of the problem object. The forward data flow and the backward data flow(s) are compared to create a candidate fault list for the problem object. A technical specification to correct the candidate fault list and a solution to replace the application are subsequently devised.
US09280401B2 Type agnostic data engine
Systems and methods for processing and/or presenting data are disclosed. In an aspect, one method can comprise receiving a request for information and detecting a type of data representing the information requested. The data can be processed via a type-dependent agent and the processed data can be provided via an agnostic data engine.
US09280397B2 Using buffered stores or monitoring to filter redundant transactional accesses and mechanisms for mapping data to buffered metadata
A method and apparatus for accelerating a Software Transactional Memory (STM) system is herein described. A data object and metadata for the data object may each be associated with a filter, such as a hardware monitor or ephemerally held filter information. The filter is in a first, default state when no access, such as a read, from the data object has occurred during a pendancy of a transaction. Upon encountering a first access to the metadata, such as a first read, access barrier operations, such as logging of the metadata; setting a read monitor; or updating ephemeral filter information with an ephemeral/buffered store operation, are performed. Upon a subsequent/redundant access to the metadata, such as a second read, access barrier operations are elided to accelerate the subsequent access based on the filter being set to the second state to indicate a previous access occurred. Additionally, mapping of data objects to ephemeral information may be provided by software, such as through a pointer to the ephemeral information associated with the data object; an offset from a base address of the data object to the ephemeral information included associated with the data object; an index into a segment containing the ephemeral information associated with the data object; mapping the data object to the ephemeral information utilizing address arithmetic; and a hash that maps the data object to ephemeral information.
US09280386B1 Identifying task instance outliers based on metric data in a large scale parallel processing system
Among other disclosed subject matter, a method includes receiving metric data associated with an execution of each of a plurality of task instances. The plurality of task instances include task instances associated with a task and the metric data for each task instance relating to execution performance of the task instance. The method includes for each task instance determining a deviation of the metric data associated with the task instance relative to an overall deviation of the metric data for the plurality of task instances of the task during each of a plurality of intervals and combining deviation measurements for the task instance that exceed a threshold deviation to obtain a combined deviation value. Each deviation measurement corresponds to the deviation of the metric data for one of the plurality of intervals. The method includes ranking the combined deviation values associated with at least a subset of the task instances.
US09280385B2 Optimally provisioning and merging shared resources to maximize resource availability
A shared resource system, a method of managing resources on the system and computer program products therefor. A resource consolidation unit causes identification of identical memory segments on host computers. The resource consolidation unit may be in one or more host computers. Each identical memory segment is associated with multiple instances of resources provisioned on at least two host computers. The resource consolidation unit causes provisioned resources to be migrated for at least one instance from one of the two hosts to another. On the other host computer the migrated resources share respective identical memory segments with resources already provisioned on the other host.
US09280382B1 Parallel processing of multidimensional arrays
A device receives a command to initiate parallel processing. The command includes an operator associated with an operation that is to be performed in connection with the parallel processing, and a reference to a multidimensional array to which the operator is to be applied. The operator is represented by a symbol, and the multidimensional array includes at least three dimensions. The command also includes an indication of one or more dimensions by which the multidimensional array is to be partitioned. The device partitions the multidimensional array, along the one or more dimensions, to divide the multidimensional array into multiple blocks, each of the multiple blocks representing a subset of the multidimensional array. The device controls application of the operator to the multiple blocks to cause the operator to be applied in parallel to at least two blocks of the multiple blocks.
US09280377B2 Application with multiple operation modes
A method and system for operating an application with multiple modes are described. A plurality of applications may be presented to a user on a mobile device and one of the displayed applications may be selected. The selected application may have one or more contexts that are determined based on one or more operational parameters. For example, a context for the selected application may be that the application is configured to access an enterprise account. Based on the context, the selected application may be run on the mobile device in one of a plurality of operations modes. The operation modes may comprise managed, unmanaged, and partially managed modes, among others.
US09280376B2 System and method for resizing a virtual desktop infrastructure using virtual desktop infrastructure monitoring tools
A method includes launching a virtual machine based upon an image on a virtualization host, associating the virtual machine with a user, monitoring a metric of the virtual machine that measures usage of a resource of the virtual machine, determining that the metric has exceeded a threshold more than an allowable number of times in a time period, determining an additional amount of the resource to increase in the virtual machine, updating the image to include the additional amount of the resource, launching a second virtual machine based upon the updated image, and associating the second virtual machine with the user.
US09280370B2 System structure management device, system structure management method, and program
Physical configuration information stored in the physical configuration storage unit (110) indicates physical configuration elements of an information processing system and a connection relationship between the physical configuration elements. Virtual configuration information stored in a virtual configuration storage unit (120) indicates virtual configuration elements of a virtual system and a connection relationship between the virtual configuration elements. Here, the virtual system is a system that is functionally equivalent to the information processing system to be managed. Process configuration information stored in a process configuration storage unit (130) indicates process configuration elements of a process performed in the information processing system and a connection relationship between the process configuration elements. First correspondence information stored in a correspondence information storage unit (150) indicates a correspondence relationship between the physical configuration elements and the virtual configuration elements, and the second correspondence information indicates a correspondence relationship between the process configuration elements and the virtual configuration elements.
US09280367B2 Techniques for using an assigned switch identification at an input/output device
Examples are disclosed for assigning a switch identification to data received at an input/output device coupled to a host device. In some examples, the data may be associated with a virtual station interface (VSI) for a virtual machine implemented at the host device. For these examples, a switch identification may be assigned to the data based on identification information for the data or an originator of at least a portion of the identification information. The assigned switch identification may then be used as part of a lookup table to determine one or more actions for processing the data at the input/output device. Other examples are described and claimed.
US09280365B2 Systems and methods for managing configuration data at disconnected remote devices
Described herein are systems and methods for managing configuration data. These are particularly directed towards the management of configuration data in disconnected remote devices of a host system. For example, this may be an access control environment having one or more connected access control devices (i.e. devices in communication with a central server), and one or more disconnected access control devices (i.e. devices operating without communication with the central server), the latter being regarded as disconnected remote devices. In overview, the present systems and methods make use of a versioning protocol to allow the reliable distribution of configuration data at the disconnected remote devices, this protocol operating to best ensure the propagation of the most current configuration data.
US09280364B2 Apparatus and method for selective loading in mobile communication terminal
An apparatus and a method for enhancing memory utilization by compressing unused programs and their system files are provided. The method for generating a profile for a selective loading of a terminal includes receiving a selection of at least one application program that is to be activated, identifying that there is at least one application program to be activated among present deactivated application programs and to be deactivated among present activated application programs, compressing other application programs and system files related to the other application programs than at least one application program to be activated and generating a profile comprising a list of at least one application program to be activated.
US09280362B2 System and apparatus for sharing a host computer
A system and apparatus is disclosed for sharing a host computer. The system discloses: a set of USB cables; a set of virtualization devices, a set of USB ports on the host computer, an operating system; and a virtualization module. The apparatus discloses: a hub controller; a graphics display module; and an audio controller.
US09280361B2 Methods and systems for a real time transformation of declarative model and layout into interactive, digital, multi device forms
Methods and system of creating a multi device interactive form. At design time a declarative data model having a plurality of queries each said query having a data source definition and plurality of fields and plurality of data entry view for a runtime data model of said declarative data model are defined and associated. At runtime the runtime data model is generated using reflection classes and annotation attributes the data entry view is presented as an interactive form having UI controls to a user.
US09280358B1 Configuring a computer for using mobile devices as input and output devices
A method determines mobile devices for connection to a computer that has an operating system for a user session. Then, the method configures device drivers to enable communication between the operating system and the mobile devices. The operating system is configured to use a first mobile device as a first type of input/output (I/O) device and the operating system is configured to use a second mobile device as a second type of input/output (I/O) device. Also, the method processes communications between the mobile devices and the operating system via the device drivers for the user session. A first type of communication is between the first mobile device and the operating system via the first device driver to use the first mobile device as the first type of I/O device and a second type of communication is between the second mobile device and the operating system via the second device driver to use the second mobile device as the second type of I/O device.
US09280354B1 Interval timer
Methods and systems for implementing multi-rate programs and in particular for implementing interval timers for multi-rate programs are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of executing an interval timer is performed by one or more computer processors. The method comprises starting the interval timer, wherein starting the interval timer includes starting a stop-watch and setting a value of a Boolean flag to false. Further, the method comprises setting the value of the Boolean flag to true when the stop-watch reaches a preset time-interval value. The method also comprises, whenever the interval timer is invoked, returning the value of the Boolean flag and, if the returned value of the Boolean flag is true, restarting the stop-watch and setting the value of the Boolean flag to false. In some embodiments, the method further comprises stopping the stop-watch when the stop-watch reaches the preset time-interval value.
US09280353B1 Cloud-based automatic mapping for cross-platform display
Mapping logic information associating a particular type of input with a particular response may be stored in memory. Data including information regarding a display of the host device may be received. Such information may be used to identify multiple descriptions of the host device display. Each description is mapped to a response based on the stored mapping logic. For example, a status bar may be used by the host device to show status updates. The map allows for a different type of response to status updates on the client device, such as a translucent pop-up window. Instructions may be generated for the client device, such that the client device response to input information is based on the mapped description.
US09280342B2 Vector operations for compressing selected vector elements
A processor, method, and medium for using vector operations to compress selected elements of a vector. An input vector is compared to a criteria vector, and then a subset of the plurality of elements of the input vector are selected based on the comparison. A permutation vector is generated based on the locations of the selected elements and then the permutation vector is used to permute the selected elements of the input vector to an output vector. The selected elements of the input vector are stored in contiguous locations in the leftmost elements of the output vector. Then, the output vector is stored to memory and a pointer to the memory location is incremented by the number of selected elements.
US09280341B2 Data processing device
A data processing device has an instruction decoder, a control logic unit, and ALU. The instruction decoder decodes instruction codes of an arithmetic instruction. The control logic unit detects the effective data width of operation data to be processed according to the decode result from the instruction decoder and determines the number of cycles for the instruction execution corresponding to the effective, data width. The ALU executes the instruction with the number of cycles of the instruction execution determined by the control logic unit.
US09280336B2 Virtual machine disk image installation
A processor copies first and second installable binary files into first and second disk images of first and second virtual machines, respectively, before instantiating the images. The processor can copy first installation parameters and second installation parameters into the first image. The processor copies additional first installation parameters and additional second installation parameters into the second image. The processor at least partially executes a first installation process, based on the first installation parameters, to install the first installable binary files, and a second installation process, based on the additional second installation parameters, to install the second installable binary files. The processor at least partially executes the installation processes in an interleaved manner in relation to one another, based on dependencies. After instantiating the images, the processor can execute scripts based on the second installation parameters and the additional second installation parameters to complete installation.
US09280329B2 Methods and systems for detection in a state machine
A device including a data analysis element including a plurality of memory cells. The memory cells analyze at least a portion of a data stream and output a result of the analysis. The device also includes a detection cell. The detection cell includes an AND gate. The AND gate receives result of the analysis as a first input. The detection cell also includes a D flip-flop including an output coupled to a second input of the AND gate.
US09280325B2 Customized ready-to-go componentized application definitions
A request to invoke a text-list definition of a componentized application is received. The text-list definition of the componentized application identifies a collection of different listed independent application sub-components specified by a user to be executed as a set. A componentized user interface is created with a different user interface component associated with each of the different listed independent application sub-components within the text-list definition of the componentized application. The different listed independent application sub-components are independently accessed based upon user inputs received in association with the respective different user interface component associated with each of the different listed independent application components within the text-list definition of the componentized application.
US09280323B2 Display of source code semantic layers
Example systems and methods of displaying semantic layers of source code of a computer program are presented. In one example, a user selection of a first portion of the source code is received. The first portion is displayed in a first display area and corresponds to a first semantic layer of the source code. A user command referring to a second portion of the source code related to the first portion is received, with the second portion corresponding to a second semantic layer of the source code. In response to the user command, a second display area for the second portion of the source code is displayed to indicate a relationship between the first and second portions while indicating a difference in semantic layers between the first and second portions.
US09280322B2 Generating source code
Techniques for generating source code are included herein in which a set of semantic rules for the source code may be received. Also, a set of initialization values may be received, wherein the set of initialization values comprises a set of input values and a set of output values. Furthermore, a weighted data structure may be generated. In addition, the source code may be generated based on the weighted data structure and the set of semantic rules. The source code can also be determined to have an accuracy above a threshold based at least in part on the set of initialization values and an output value from the source code. Additionally, the source code can be returned based on the set of initialization values.
US09280318B2 Managing lifecycle of objects
A method for managing the lifecycle of an object, where the lifecycle involves a plurality of states of the object, at least one transition between the plurality of states and at least one role who has authority to execute the at least one transition. At least one of the plurality of states, the at least one transition and the at least one role is mapped to Web Ontology Language (OWL) elements. The role related control information is obtained using the reasoning ability of OWL itself according to the above mapping. Furthermore, the lifecycle is managed according to the above role related control information. Using the principles of the present invention, the access control information of roles can be embedded into the lifecycle description and therefore the lifecycle management can be realized easily.
US09280314B2 Method for controlling cordless telephone device, handset of cordless telephone device, and cordless telephone device
Disclosed is a method for controlling a cordless telephone device for use in a system that allows remote control of a home electric appliance. The method includes a first generation step of causing a first generation unit in a handset to encode audio input via a sound receiving unit in the handset to generate a first stream, and a first transmission step of transmitting the first stream to a base unit. The first generation step includes causing the first generation unit to generate instruction bit information and a first instruction stream when a first trigger indicating a request to start the remote control is given to the first generation unit. The first transmission step includes transmitting the instruction bit information and the first instruction stream to the base unit through a multiplexing scheme that is common to transmission of a first stream generated when the first trigger is not given.
US09280313B2 Automatically expanding sets of audio samples
A target set of one or more audio samples is automatically expanded to include one or more additional audio samples or sets of audio samples. Multiple different audio samples or sets of samples that have a high compatibility rating with the target set are identified. The high compatibility rating is based on rhythmic compatibility with the target set, harmonic compatibility with the target set, and/or compatibility with various other characteristics or parameters of the target set. One or more of the audio samples or sets of audio samples having a high compatibility rating with the target set are automatically added to the target set. Thus, the user is able to have a set of audio samples automatically added to a particular target set of audio samples, resulting in an expanded set of audio samples that sound coherent (e.g., rhythmically and harmonically compatible).
US09280303B2 Mobile terminal and method for selecting documents and generating print requests
A mobile terminal includes a motion detecting portion, a selection processing portion, and a transmission processing portion. The motion detecting portion is configured to detect a motion of shaking the mobile terminal. The selection processing portion is configured to select, as print targets, one or more documents. The transmission processing portion is configured to transmit a print request for the one or more documents selected by the selection processing portion when the motion detecting portion detects a motion of shaking the mobile terminal.
US09280295B2 Mapping of logical volumes to host clusters
A method for data storage includes defining a host cluster within a group of host computers, which access a storage system that includes multiple logical volumes. The host cluster includes two or more of the host computers. A single mapping instruction, which specifies the host cluster and a set of one or more of the logical volumes, is accepted. Responsively to the single mapping instruction, each of the host computers in the host cluster is mapped to access the logical volumes in the set. In another disclosed method, a single control instruction, which specifies the host cluster and a configuration operation to be applied to the host computers in the host cluster, is accepted. Responsively to the single control instruction, the configuration operation is applied to each of the host computers in the host cluster.
US09280294B1 Storage governance
A computer program product, system, and computer implemented method comprising intercepting, by an interceptor, IO send on an IO path to a storage array; sending a copy of the IO and metadata to a message bus, and enabling a consumer to register with the message bus to consume events sent to the message bus.
US09280293B2 RAID 1 mirror meshed into a co-existing RAID 5 parity stream
A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method. The method includes storing an operating system in minor stripes on a first data storage device forming a first logical storage unit, and storing data in major stripes across a plurality of data storage devices forming a second logical data storage unit. Each major stripe includes a plurality of minor stripes storing data and a parity stripe. The method further includes calculating the parity stripe from the plurality of minor stripes within the major stripe and a corresponding one of the minor stripes on the first data storage device, wherein the minor stripes on the first data storage device match the size of the minor stripes on the array of data storage devices.
US09280292B2 Memory system and control method thereof
A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks as data erase units, a measuring unit which measures an erase time at which data of each block is erased, and a block controller which writes data supplied from at least an exterior into a first block which is set in a free state and whose erase time is oldest.
US09280289B1 Detecting misalignment of virtualized data
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for detecting misalignment between a virtual data format and an underlying data format. A virtual data object, such as a virtual machine, may be stored within a storage device using an underlying data format. The virtual data object may comprise one or more virtual data structures, such as a virtual partition. The virtual partition may be stored within the virtual data object according to a virtual data format. The virtual data format may be compared with the underlying data format to determine whether the virtual data structure is misaligned within the storage device. Such misalignment may lead to virtual data blocks of the virtual data structure overlapping underlying data blocks, which may degrade (e.g., I/O) performance. Accordingly, one or more misaligned virtual data structures may be realigned within the storage device to address misalignment and/or improve performance.
US09280287B2 Method of compressing data and device for performing the same
A data compression method includes receiving an input data stream including a previous data block and a current data block, and executing a first comparison of a part of the previous data block with part of a previous reference data block, and a second comparison of the current data block with a current reference data block, where the first and second comparisons are executed in parallel. The method further includes selectively, based on results of the first and second comparisons, outputting the current data block or compressing an extended data block, where the extended data block includes the part of the previous data block and the current data block.
US09280283B2 Contactless gesture recognition with sensor having asymmetric field of view
Methods, devices and sensors for detecting a gesture are described. In an embodiment, a gesture sensor includes a time of flight sensor having a sensing element configured to generate an electrical signal responsive to received light. The time of flight sensor also includes a light source for emitting a burst of light. The sensing element has a sensing side for receiving light and a non-sensing side which is opposite the sensing side. The gesture sensor also includes one or more light inhibitors positioned relatively nearer the sensing side of the sensing element than the non-sensing side. The light inhibitors are asymmetric about a first center line of the sensing element. The first center line is located midway between first and second sides of the sensing element. The gesture sensor further includes a processor coupled to the time of flight sensor configured to detect a gesture.
US09280282B2 Touch unlocking method and apparatus, and electronic device
A touch unlocking method includes obtaining position information of a plurality of touch points on a device screen in response to sliding of a touch medium on the device screen. A value that reflects a change of a distance between touch points of the plurality of touch points is monitored when the plurality of touch points are located in plurality of touch areas on the device screen respectively. The unlocking control on the device screen is performed according to a result of a comparison between the value that reflects the change of the distance between the touch points and a distance change threshold.
US09280277B2 Smart phone like gesture interface for weapon mounted systems
A smart phone like gesture based interface for controlling weapon mounted system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a gesture input is detected via the gesture based interface. One or more inputs and/or one or more outputs associated with the detected gesture interface is then identified. The weapon mounted system is then controlled based on the identified one or more inputs and/or one or more outputs.
US09280276B2 Method for controlling electronic device with touch screen and electronic device thereof
A method for controlling an electronic device with a touch screen includes detecting a sequence of touch inputs within a predefined area on the touch screen; determining a sequence of dots and bars according to the sequence of touch inputs; and performing a predefined function on the electronic device when the sequence of dots and bars conforms to a predefined sequence of dots and bars.
US09280274B2 Information processing device, display control method, program and information storage medium
An information processing device for allowing a user to immediately understand that a beginning or end element object is displayed on a screen is provided. The device includes a display unit for displaying a portion of a display object, in which a plurality of element objects are arranged, in a display area, a first scrolling unit for scrolling the display object in a first direction in response to an operation of a user, a second scrolling unit for scrolling the display object in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and a determination unit for determining whether or not to scroll the display object in the second direction based on a position of the display area and a position corresponding to the plurality of element objects.
US09280273B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program for displaying content items in display regions
A method comprises causing at least one of a set of content items to be displayed in a first region of a display; causing at least one of the set of content items to be displayed in a second region of the display; in response to an input in relation to the second region, causing at least one other of the set of content items to be displayed in the second region; and, in response to determining that a selected one of the set of content items is not being displayed in the second region, causing an element associated with the selected content item to be displayed.
US09280272B2 Integrating maps and street views
Methods and systems for improved integration of an overhead representation (e.g., a map) with a street view representation. A user interface with at least two regions is output for display to a user. One region includes an overhead representation of an area and an interactive control overlaid onto the overhead representation. Another region includes a street view perspective that has a point of view corresponding to a position and directional orientation of the interactive control. Information about a user input that adjusts the interactive control is received and the street view perspective is updated to track the control as it is adjusted. The field of view of the street view perspective may be reflected in the appearance of the interactive control. Additionally, the street view perspective may follow the location of a marker as it is moved around the overhead representation.
US09280270B1 Dynamic generation of playlists
A system can receive and/or otherwise access information about items of content (e.g., audio tracks, video tracks, images and/or other items), information about a playlist to be generated, information about the past behavior of the target entity for the playlist and/or information about the past behavior of other entities. Examples of information about the items of content include genre, artist, album, time period, etc. Examples of information about a playlist include tempo curve, event type, playlist duration, etc. Based on all or a subset of the above-described information, the system automatically generates a playlist that identifies items of content. The playlist is presented to the target entity so that the target entity can acquire the playlist and/or the items of content identified in the playlist. In some embodiments, the target entity is also provided with an opportunity to edit the playlist.
US09280267B2 Interactive user interface for displaying supply chain information
An interactive user interface is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the interface includes a first field and at least one additional field. The first field lists a focal item and the at least one additional field contains a listing of items related to the focal item. Certain of the related items in the at least one additional field include a hyperlink which, when activated by the user, causes the item corresponding to the activated hyperlink to become a new focal item listed in the first field, such that the at least one additional field transitions to list items related to the new focal item. The focal item may be, for example, an identifier corresponding to a company, and the at least one additional field may contain a listing of identifiers corresponding to companies that are customers, suppliers or competitors of the focal item company.
US09280264B2 Multi-source, multi-destination data transfers
A system and method for transferring data or an image. A user-selected image or user-generated text within a word processing document is received. Displayed are: a graphic object representing a web page, and a first and second destination point within the graphic object. A user mouse selection of one of the destination points within the graphic object is received, and in response, the image or selected text is copied into the web page at the selected destination point. The first destination point and first text which is adjacent to the first destination point and describes the first destination point in a transfer map are stored. The second destination point and second text which is adjacent to the second destination point and describes the second destination point in the transfer map are stored. The user-selected text is mapped to the one of the destination points in the transfer map.
US09280262B2 Select drag and drop operations on video thumbnails across clip boundaries
A computer-implemented method includes displaying, within a user interface in a digital media system, a media pane, and a project pane, displaying, within the media pane, a thumbnail group representing a media item, the thumbnail group comprising one or more thumbnails, enabling a user to select, from the thumbnail group, a segment of the media item, and enabling a user to transfer the selected segment to the project pane.
US09280261B2 Method and handheld electronic device having a graphical user interface which arranges icons dynamically
A graphical user interface for a media player application is described. A method is provided comprising: determining a screen orientation of the GUI in accordance with a device orientation; rendering a first user interface screen in a portrait screen orientation comprising an album list when the screen orientation is a portrait screen orientation; rendering a second user interface screen in a landscape screen orientation comprising an array of album art images arranged in rows and columns when the screen orientation is a landscape screen orientation; and displaying the rendered first or second user interface screen on the display.
US09280257B2 Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides cursor wrapping around the view id the 3D scene with continued motion of the cursor in the direction of movement by the user.
US09280242B2 Display device integrated with touch screen panel
In a display device integrated with a touch screen panel, the display device has a plurality of pixels arranged therein. First sensing electrodes are formed on an upper surface of the display device. A first dielectric layer is formed on the first sensing electrodes. Second sensing electrodes and a plurality of second dummy patterns are formed on the first dielectric layer. The second sensing electrodes are arranged in a direction intersecting the first sensing electrodes, and the plurality of second dummy patterns are formed not to overlap with the second sensing electrodes. A second dielectric layer is formed on the second sensing electrodes and the second dummy patterns. In the display device, the first sensing electrodes, the second sensing electrodes and the second dummy patterns are formed of a metal material.
US09280240B2 System and method for finite element imaging sensor devices
A processing system includes a transmitter module, a receiver module, and a determination module. The transmitter module is configured to drive a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact of a first transmitter electrode, wherein the first contact is disposed between the second contact and the third contact. This produces a first voltage gradient between the first contact and the second contact, and produces a second voltage gradient between the first contact and the third contact. The receiver module receives, with a first receiver electrode, a first resulting signal including effects of the first voltage gradient, and to receive, with a second receiver electrode, a second resulting signal comprising effects of the second voltage gradient. The determination module determines positional information for an input object located within a sensing region based on the first resulting signal and the second resulting signal.
US09280239B2 Touch sensitive controls with weakly conductive touch surfaces
A touch activated control useful for incorporation into, e.g., a DON/DOFF sensor of a communications headset or a touch pad for a cell phone, includes a weakly conductive electrode and a sensor coupled to the electrode and operative to detect a change in parasitic capacitance caused by a change in the proximity of a body to the electrode. The electrode may include a covering made of a weakly conductive material. The weakly conductive property of the electrode enables the prevention of undesirable electrostatic discharge (ESD), user skin irritation and electrode corrosion caused by direct contact between the electrode and the user's skin and also exhibit's a substantially higher sensitivity than electrodes covered with an insulative material.
US09280235B2 Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a display unit on which a pointer is displayable, and a touch panel which is arranged to overlap the display unit and is capable of detecting a distance from an indicator. The pointer moves according to a movement of the indicator, and when the distance is equal to or less than a first distance and is greater than a second distance smaller than the first distance in a predetermined region of the touch panel, a length of the movement of the pointer has a predetermined magnification to a length of the movement of the indicator.
US09280234B1 Input correction for touch screens
A system and method determines whether a finger touch on a touch screen device is outside the defined boundary of a touch target. In such situations a device may adjust the location coordinates of the finger touch to adaptively correspond to an appropriate touch target based on such factors as context, region, distance from touch target, user history, device movement, parallax, etc. The method and system may also be applied to overlapping touch targets.
US09280232B2 Touch detection method and associated apparatus
A method for touch detection is provided for detecting a touch point on a display device. The method includes: providing a display signal, according to which the display device has two parts of a vertical blanking interval within each frame period, wherein the two parts of the vertical blanking interval are discontinuous; and performing a touch detection in the two parts of the vertical blanking interval, respectively. The touch detection method is capable of performing multiple touch detections within one frame period.
US09280230B2 Apparatus and method for sensing capacitance, and touch screen apparatus
There are provided an apparatus for sensing capacitance, a method for sensing capacitance, and a touch screen apparatus. The apparatus for sensing capacitance includes; a first integration circuit unit including a first capacitor charged by a change in capacitance occurring in a sensing electrode; a comparison circuit unit comparing a level of an output signal of the first integration circuit unit with a predetermined reference level; and a noise removal unit including a plurality of switches operating according to an output of the comparison circuit unit, wherein the comparison circuit unit controls an operation of each of the plurality of switches to discharge charges charged in the first capacitor when the level of the output signal of the first integration circuit unit is higher than the reference level.
US09280229B2 Touch alphabet and communication system
A touch alphabet and communication system is provided. The communication system uses a predetermined set of touch gestures, such as fingertip touch patterns performable on keyless touch-sensitive surfaces, to express the user's desired communication. The touch-sensitive surface may be the touch screen display of a computer, tablet device, cell phone, or a touch-sensitive pad, for example. The finger touch patterns are based on a limited set of unique and ergonomically pleasing finger positions that may be performed in a limited area. The touch alphabet allows the user to comprehensively communicate without looking at the communication device, and with just one hand, or in another implementation, with two hands. Thus, a user can comfortably tap an entire alphabet and related functions, with one hand, without having to visualize the user interface surface or hunt for individual keys.
US09280227B2 Interactive color center display apparatus
A display unit comprising a plurality of display modules arranged in a row and having an upper display section and a lower display section. One of the display modules includes an interactive Kiosk, and a second of the display modules includes at least one computer controlled card reading video station. A consumer may pass a coded paint color sample card past a code reader in the video station and is thereafter presented with a display of a color present on the sample card followed by a selectable sequence of video display screens, which may comprise part of a color selection application program.
US09280226B2 Information processing method for switching operation state based on size of contact portion and electronic apparatus
An information processing method and an electronic apparatus are provided. The method is applied to an electronic apparatus including a touch unit. The method includes: if it is sensed that a first touch operation is performed on a surface of the touch unit by a first touch object, detecting a first contact area of a portion where the touch unit contacts with the first touch object; judging whether the first contact area satisfies a first preset condition; and in the case that the first contact area satisfies the first preset condition, controlling the electronic apparatus to switch from a first operating state to a second operating state and generate first prompt information for prompting that the electronic apparatus operates in the second operating state.
US09280221B2 Capacitance touch panel
Disclosed is a capacitance touch panel, including a substrate, a transparent electrode formed at a partial area of a substrate, and an optical layer formed on the substrate formed with the transparent electrode in an overspreading (blanketing) way, whereby the optical layers are formed on a transparent electrode, each having a different refractive index to reduce a reflexibility of the transparent electrode and a reflexibility of a substrate, thereby improving a transparent electrode-visible phenomenon.
US09280220B2 Pulse- or frame-based communication using active stylus
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors in or on a stylus, the stylus including one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly transmitting signals to a device through a touch sensor of the device. The method includes generating a carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal to communicate the sensor data and wirelessly transmitting from the stylus to the device the carrier signal as modulated through the touch sensor of the device.
US09280219B2 System and method of authentication of an electronic signature
An apparatus and method pertaining to detecting user input, such as a signature, with respect to a stylus and the transmission of information regarding that input. The detected input can comprise, for example, characteristics of the input and transmit them to a secondary device to verify the input matches a stored template.
US09280218B2 Modulating drive signal for communication between active stylus and touch-sensor device
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a sense unit and a drive unit. The sense unit is operable to sense a first signal from drive lines of a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises the drive lines and sense lines arranged relative to the drive lines such that intersections of the drive lines and the sense lines form one or more capacitive nodes. The drive unit is operable to transmit a second signal based on the first signal to the sense lines such that transmission of the second signal changes the perceived capacitance of the one or more capacitive nodes.
US09280214B2 Method and apparatus for motion sensing of a handheld device relative to a stylus
A handheld device and method of operation for determining motion of the handheld device relative to a stylus is presented, in which the stylus is used to provide a frame of reference for the handheld device rather than as a user input device. Stylus orientation data, descriptive of an absolute orientation of a stylus, and handheld device orientation data, descriptive of an absolute orientation of the handheld device, are used to determine motion of the handheld device relative to the stylus. The handheld device has orientation and/or motion sensors, a communication module operable to receive stylus orientation data, and a processor operable to determine the motion or orientation of the handheld device relative to the stylus and execute an application dependent thereon.
US09280212B1 Velocity based content delivery
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, may be used for content delivery. In particular implementations, methods, systems, and apparatuses may include the ability to identify that a content item request for a user device has been received, determine a position and velocity of the user device, select a content item to provide to the user device based at least on its position and velocity, and sending the content item to the user device.
US09280205B2 Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch controls
A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.
US09280204B2 Method and apparatus for tracking user's gaze point using mobile terminal
A method for tracking a user's gaze point using a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes detecting the user's eye area from a camera that is mounted in the mobile terminal and selecting reference points of the eye area, detecting a pupil corresponding to an interest area that is obtained from the reference points, generating a first virtual grid of the eye area using a pickup image of a gaze point of the pupil corresponding to each corner of the display and generating a second virtual grid having the same division areas as those of the first virtual grid in the display, and mapping a position of the pupil within the second virtual grid area corresponding to a position of the pupil within the first virtual grid.
US09280201B2 Electronic device and digital display device
An electronic device switching over a turning on, a turning off and a standby mode is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a sensing unit and a host processing unit. The sensing unit senses a frame image and generates a sensing signal in the standby mode. The host processing unit is electrically connected to the sensing unit for receiving the image signal and performing a host function according to the sensing signal.
US09280198B2 Method and apparatus to reduce idle link power in a platform
A method and apparatus to reduce the idle link power in a platform. In one embodiment of the invention, the host and its coupled endpoint(s) in the platform each has a low power idle link state that allows disabling of the high speed link circuitry in both the host and its coupled endpoint(s). This allows the platform to reduce its idle power as both the host and its coupled endpoint(s) are able to turn off their high speed link circuitry in one embodiment of the invention.
US09280196B2 Computer system and power management method thereof
A power management method for a computer system is provided. The power management method includes: obtaining a system power consumption; determining whether the system power consumption is greater than a first safe operating point; when the system power consumption is greater than the first safe operating point, controlling a CPU and a graphics processing unit (GPU) to activate a frequency reduction mechanism according to a first adjustment sequence; when the system power consumption is not greater than the first safe operating point, determining whether the system power consumption is smaller than a second safe operating point; and when the system power consumption is smaller than the second safe operating point, controlling the CPU and the GPU to deactivate the frequency reduction mechanism according to a second adjustment sequence. The second adjustment sequence is reverse to the first adjustment sequence.
US09280193B2 System and method for extending system uptime while running on backup power
A server chassis includes an uninterruptible power supply, and a server including a controller. The uninterruptible power supply is configured to provide a reserve power when a primary power is lost, and to send a power loss signal when the primary power is lost. The controller is configured to receive a desired server uptime, to receive an indication that a power limit for the server is fixed or decreasing over the desired server, to receive the power loss signal from the uninterruptible power supply, to send a power capacity query to the uninterruptible power supply, to receive a reserve power capacity of the uninterruptible power supply in response to the power capacity query, to calculate the power limit for the server based on the reserve power capacity of the uninterruptible power supply and on the desired server uptime, and to enforce the power limit on the server.
US09280192B2 Programmable power supply
The present invention provides a method of programming a programmable power supply. In the method, a requesting signal is generated in a device, and the requesting signal is received in the programmable power supply. Then, an output voltage of the programmable power supply is determined in accordance with a frequency of the requesting signal. The output voltage of the programmable power supply is coupled to power a load of the device. A de-bounce operation is further provided for filtering noises of the requesting signal. The requesting signal comprises a high-state period and a low-state period. The high-state period is defined during which a level of the requesting signal is higher than a threshold. The low-state period is defined during which the level of the requesting signal is lower than the threshold. The output voltage of the programmable power supply is further determined by a period of the requesting signal.
US09280188B2 Thermal control method and thermal control system
The present invention provides a thermal control method and a thermal control system. The thermal control method comprises: detecting a temperature variance of a component of the electronic device to generate a detecting result; and determining a temperature threshold value for the integrated circuit as a throttling point according to the detecting result. The thermal control system comprises: a detecting unit, for detecting a temperature variance of a component of the electronic device to generate a detecting result; and a determining unit, for determining a temperature threshold value for the integrated circuit as a throttling point according to the detecting result.
US09280187B2 Housing for at least one electric or electronic device, and electric or electronic device comprising the housing
Housing for at least one electric or electronic device, the housing surrounding a housing interior comprising a storage space, the electric or electronic device being arrangeable in the storage space, the housing comprising a housing upper part, which delimits the housing interior, the housing comprising at least one intermediate ceiling portion, which is arranged in the housing interior below the housing upper part and, together with the housing upper part, encloses at least one intermediate space, the intermediate ceiling portion having at least one cooling air passage, through which cooling air can flow from the storage space into the intermediate space, the housing upper part having at least one cooling air outlet, through which the cooling air can escape outwardly from the intermediate space, wherein the intermediate ceiling portion forms a catching arrangement for dripping water, which infiltrates the intermediate space through the cooling air outlet.
US09280185B2 Conductive sheet and touch panel
The present invention pertains to a conductive sheet and a touch panel. A first conductive pattern and a second conductive pattern are both configured from the combination of a plurality of first lattices and a plurality of second lattices having a size that is larger than that of the first lattices. Of the first conductive pattern, the portion facing the second conductive pattern is configured from a plurality of second lattices, of the second conductive pattern, the portion facing the first conductive pattern is configured from a plurality of second lattices, and when seen from the top surface, the portions at which the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern are facing have a form that combines a plurality of first lattices.
US09280173B2 Electronic device
According to one embodiment, electronic device includes first board, second board, first component, and second component. The first board includes first and second faces and to which opening and cutout portion is provided. The opening penetrates through the first board. The cutout portion extends to side separating from center of the opening at edge of the opening. The second board includes third and fourth faces. The second board overlaps the first board and is electrically connected to the first board in state in which the fourth face and the first face face each other. The second board covers the opening. The first electronic component is provided to the third face, and electrically connected to the second board. The second component is provided to the fourth face and electrically connected to the second board in state in which at least portion of the second component is held in the opening.
US09280172B2 Method, apparatus, and system for optimizing frequency and performance in a multidie microprocessor
With the progress toward multi-core processors, each core is can not readily ascertain the status of the other dies with respect to an idle or active status. A proposal for utilizing an interface to transmit core status among multiple cores in a multi-die microprocessor is discussed. Consequently, this facilitates thermal management by allowing an optimal setting for setting performance and frequency based on utilizing each core status.
US09280169B2 Voltage regulator and a method for reducing an influence of a threshold voltage variation
A voltage regulator can provide a regulated output voltage. The voltage regulator includes a regulating module that includes a resistor and a field effect transistor that has a threshold voltage. The resistor is coupled to a gate terminal and a source terminal of the field effect transistor. The regulating module provides the output voltage. A reference module is suitable for detecting a variation of the output voltage. The reference module is coupled with the regulating module. A current sink is suitable for subtracting a compensation current from the current flowing from the regulating module to the reference module. The compensation current is dependent on a variation of the threshold voltage.
US09280168B2 Low-power, high-accuracy current reference for highly distributed current references for cross point memory
A highly distributed current reference for a solid-state memory comprises a centrally located current digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) and a plurality of remotely located tile current references. The IDAC comprises a first active device that generates a reference current, and a device that forms a first source degeneration resistance for the first active device. The IDAC outputs a voltage signal that represents a magnitude of the reference current. A remotely located tile current reference comprises a second active device and a device that forms a second source degeneration resistance for the second active device. The source degeneration resistances and capacitance coupled to the voltage signal output from the IDAC compensate for current, temperature, supply and process variations.
US09280167B2 Parallel power supply and power detection method for parallel power supply
A parallel power supply includes a built-in test switch and a control and determination unit. The built-in test switch is arranged to generate a first detection signal. The control and determination unit is coupled to the built-in test switch. When receiving the first detection signal, the control and determination unit is operative for enabling a detection mechanism according to the first detection signal in order to detect an operation of the parallel power supply, and accordingly generating a detection result. A power detection method for a parallel power supply includes: disposing a built-in test switch inside the parallel power supply; and when receiving a first detection signal generated from the built-in test switch, enabling a detection mechanism according to the first detection signal in order to detect an operation of the parallel power supply, and accordingly generating a detection result.
US09280165B2 Power supply control circuit using N-type and P-type FETs in parallel and power supply control device
Provided are: a power supply control circuit having a configuration in which an N-channel FET and a P-channel FET can appropriately and selectively be used so as to control power feeding with high efficiency and at low cost; and a power supply control device including the power supply control circuit. An N-channel FET (NchFET in the drawings) and a P-channel FET (PchFET in the drawings) are connected in parallel with each other between the positive voltage side (+B) of a battery (direct current power supply) and a plurality of ECUs (loads) 4, 4, . . . , so as to appropriately control ON and OFF.
US09280157B2 System and method for transporting personnel within an active workspace
Disclosed herein is a human transport device and associated system to transport a user within an active workspace. The human transport device may include a platform to support a user, an enclosure coupled to the platform to surround the user, a drive subsystem to power the human transport device, and a control unit to control the movement of the human transport device in coordination with active mobile drive units moving within the workspace. A system implementing one or more human transport devices may include a management module to direct the movement of the one or more human transport devices and designate one or more areas within the workspace as protected areas. Unauthorized objects may be prohibited from entering the protected areas while the human transport device may be allowed within the protected areas.
US09280156B1 Positioning vehicles to improve quality of observations at intersections
Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for controlling autonomous vehicles utilizing maps that include visibility information. A map is stored at a computing device associated with a vehicle. The vehicle is configured to operate in an autonomous mode that supports a plurality of driving behaviors. The map includes information about a plurality of roads, a plurality of features, and visibility information for at least a first feature in the plurality of features. The computing device queries the map for visibility information for the first feature at a first position. The computing device, in response to querying the map, receives the visibility information for the first feature at the first position. The computing device selects a driving behavior for the vehicle based on the visibility information. The computing device controls the vehicle in accordance with the selected driving behavior.
US09280155B2 Aircraft ground travel traction control system and method
A traction control system and method are provided for an aircraft equipped with a ground travel drive system with drive wheels powered by onboard wheel drive means that are capable of translating torque through the aircraft drive wheels and that are automatically controllable to control traction without reliance on the aircraft's brakes to keep the aircraft moving efficiently and autonomously on the ground under a range of environmental conditions.
US09280154B2 Vehicle system and vehicle control method
In a vehicle system, an inter-vehicle distance between vehicles is controlled by periodically reporting vehicle statuses from a plurality of vehicles to a ground controller and also periodically sending travelling instructions to the plurality of vehicles from the ground controller. Each vehicle stops when detecting failed reception of an instruction from the ground controller and reporting a vehicle status including information that the vehicle has stopped to the ground controller, and the ground controller based on the report received from the stopped vehicle sends a travelling instruction to the stopped vehicle, and based on the report received from the stopped vehicle, also sends a travelling instruction to a vehicle that follows the stopped vehicle so as to avoid interference with the stopped vehicle.
US09280150B2 Numerical controller
A numerical controller obtains a position of each driving shaft of a machine performing determination of a feeding speed, interpolation and coordinate conversion according to a relative instruction path and an instruction speed of a tool tip point relative to a work instructed to a processing program. When determining the feeding speed, a reference point is provided on a tool or a table, a translation speed of the reference point viewed from a mechanical coordinate system is set to an observation target speed, a reference feeding speed is obtained so that the observation target speed is a predetermined reference speed, and the smaller of the reference feeding speed and the instruction feeding speed is set to the feeding speed.
US09280145B2 Apparatus, system, and method for detecting the presence of an intoxicated driver and controlling the operation of a vehicle
In various embodiments, apparatus, systems, and methods for detecting an intoxicated driver of a vehicle and preventing operation of the vehicle are presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an air intake configured to intake an air sample from a predetermined detection zone. The predetermined detection zone is defined as a three-dimensional zone substantially in or in proximity of an area of a vehicle occupied by a driver. An operator detection sensor detects the presence of the driver within the predetermined detection zone. The operator detection sensor automatically operates the air intake when the operator is detected. A detector module comprises a sensor configured to produce an electrical signal representative of a blood alcohol content of the driver. A control module is electrically coupled to the detector module to control at least one operation of the vehicle in response to the signal received by the control module from the sensor.
US09280140B2 Test taking pacing device and related methods
A test taking pacing device includes a presentation screen and a plurality of selectors for operating the pacing device. The pacing device is configured to operate in a watch mode and a test mode having a plurality of test mode sections. In the watch mode, the time of day is displayed on the presentation screen. In the test mode and for each test mode section, a title representing the name of a test section, a total time for completing the test section, and a countdown timer are displayed on the presentation screen. The pacing device is further configured to selectively start and pause the countdown timer in each test mode section, and to select between the various test mode sections.
US09280139B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a fan cover including a wall portion disposed to overlap a rotational axis of a fan in an axis direction along the rotational axis, the wall portion extending in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the axis direction, a first section disposed on one side relative to the wall portion in the orthogonal direction, the first section having a first opening disposed on one side relative to the fan in the axis direction and on the one side relative to the rotational axis in the orthogonal direction, and a second section disposed on an other side relative to the wall portion in the orthogonal direction, the second section having a second opening disposed on the one side relative to the fan in the axis direction and on the other side relative to the rotational axis in the orthogonal direction.
US09280133B2 Development device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
In a development device in which a developer containing unit underlies a development chamber, a supplying member in the development chamber forms a nip portion with a developer carrier and the developer carrier and the supplying member rotate in the direction in which their respective surfaces move from an upper end to a lower end of the nip portion.
US09280132B2 Image forming apparatus including pivotable process cartridge
There is provided an image forming apparatus including a main body and a process cartridge including a photosensitive body cartridge and a developing cartridge. The photosensitive body cartridge includes a photosensitive body and a waste developing agent storage container. The developing cartridge includes a developing agent carrier. The photosensitive body cartridge is configured to receive the developing cartridge such that the developing cartridge is attached to and detached from the photosensitive body cartridge through a particular space defined in the main body. The process cartridge is configured to pivot, with respect to the main body, between a first position, in which the waste developing agent storage container is positioned outside the particular space entirely, and a second position, in which the waste developing agent storage container at least partially occupies the particular space.
US09280131B2 Developer container, developing apparatus, cleaning apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
Provided is a developer container that accommodates developer, including: a first frame that has a recessed portion; and a second frame that has a first protruding portion, wherein the first frame and the second frame are joined by a first adhering portion in which the recessed portion and the first protruding portion are welded together, and a second adhering portion in which a second protruding portion and a flat portion are welded together, the recessed portion having a positioning inner side face that performs positioning of the first frame and the second frame within a recessed portion. Also provided are a method to manufacture a developer container, a developing apparatus having the developer container, a cleaning apparatus, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.
US09280127B2 Image forming apparatus venting
An image forming apparatus includes a main casing having side wall and a frame defining a sheet opening. The side wall of the main casing and the frame define an accommodating space therebetween. The frame defines a first vent, and the frame further defines a second vent disposed below the first vent closer to the side wall than the first vent.
US09280126B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus comprises: a casing including a side wall having an opening; a drawer member configured to support a plurality of cartridges in such a manner as to allow the cartridges to be detachably attached thereto, and to be movable through the opening from an inside position in which the drawer member is located inside the casing to an outside position in which the drawer member is located outside the casing in a moving direction; and a leg portion configured to support the casing. In this image forming apparatus, the leg portion includes a portion located downstream from the opening in the moving direction of the drawer member.
US09280125B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a first image bearer, a lubricant dispenser to apply lubricant to the first image bearer, and a controller to adjust a spatial interval during image formation between successive recording media on each of which an image is formed, according to a total amount of toner attached to the first image bearer for each of the successive recording media, to apply the lubricant to the first image bearer.
US09280121B2 Rotational force driving assembly and process cartridge
The present invention relates to a rotational force driving assembly and a process cartridge used for being engaged with a rotational force driving head inside an electrophotographic image forming device. The rotational force driving assembly can comprise a hub, a rotational force receiving component, a side plate, and an axis offset adjusting mechanism. When the axis offset adjusting mechanism is not subjected to external force, the axis offset adjusting mechanism enables the axis of the rotational force receiving component to be parallel and offset to the axis of the hub. When the axis offset adjusting mechanism is subjected to external force, the rotational force receiving component extends out to be engaged with the rotational force driving head.
US09280120B2 Decolorizing apparatus and method of controlling heat source units
A decolorizing apparatus includes first and second heating units, first and second heat source units, and a controller. The first and second heating units decolorize an image using decolorable colorants which are decolorized if heated. The first heating unit heats one surface of a sheet. The second heating unit heats a remaining surface which is opposite to the one surface of the sheet heated by the first heating unit. The first heat source unit heats the first heating unit. The second heat source unit heats the second heating unit. The controller includes a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller performs a decolorizing process on both the surfaces of the sheet by heating the first and second heating units using the first and second heat source units. In the second mode, the controller performs the decolorizing process on one surface of the sheet by heating the first heating unit using the first heat source unit, and heats the second heating unit using the second heat source unit with output which is lower than output acquired in the first mode.
US09280118B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a duplex conveyance path through which the sheet having the image formed by the image forming unit on a first side passes when an image is formed on a second side that is a back side of the first side, a guiding member provided along the duplex conveyance path, a reversing roller pair capable of rotating in a forward direction and in a reverse direction, and a conveyance roller pair provided on the duplex conveyance path, wherein at least one of the reversing roller pair is inclined to the width direction so that, in the width direction, the side end of the sheet being conveyed by the reversing roller pair rotating in the reverse direction moves closer to the contact portion.
US09280116B2 Image forming apparatus with forced toner supply mode
An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a developing device; a supply device which supplies toner to the developing device; a density detector which detects information about a toner density as a ratio of toner and carrier of the developer of the developing device; and a controller which interrupts an image forming operation and is capable of executing a forced supply mode of performing the toner supply to the developing device from the supply device, based on first information of at least one of detection results of the density detector and information about a toner consumption, second information about the amount of supply operation supplied by the supply device, in which the controller determines whether or not to execute the forced supply mode, and third information about an accumulated value of the amount of toner consumption after the forced supply mode executed last time.
US09280114B2 Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the same
An image forming apparatus includes a zero cross signal generator, a lower limit detector for detecting whether or not an absolute value of a peak voltage of an AC voltage is a lower limit value or lower, a determining unit to control a first up/down counter to increment by one when the absolute value of the peak voltage of the AC voltage is the lower limit value or lower in a half period and to decrement by one when the absolute value has not become the lower limit value or lower, and to determine that a to-be-recorded deviation for which information is recorded has occurred when a value of the first up/down counter becomes a predetermined lower limit reference value or higher, and a storage unit for storing deviation information indicating the deviation in a nonvolatile manner when the to-be-recorded deviation has occurred.
US09280111B2 Image forming apparatus and charging management system
An image forming apparatus includes: a sensor that detects discontinuation of printing or a decrease in print speed; and an electric circuit configured to set an available time to print according to an amount of advance payment; count a usage time during which the image forming apparatus is used; determine permission or prohibition of printing based on the available time to print and the usage time; determine whether to count the usage time based on a factor for the discontinuation of printing or the decrease in print speed when the sensor detects the discontinuation of printing or the decrease in print speed; and prohibit printing when the counted usage time reaches the available time to print.
US09280109B2 Fixation device and image formation apparatus
A fixation device includes: a heating member; a fixation belt configured to be heated by the heating member and formed like an endless belt; a first fixation member configured to abut on an inner circumferential surface of the fixation belt; a second fixation member located upstream of the first fixation member in a paper conveyance direction and configured to abut on the inner circumferential surface of the fixation belt; a press member located between the first fixation member and the second fixation member and configured to abut on the fixation belt; a pressurization member configured to abut on an outer circumferential surface of the fixation belt, and press at least against the first fixation member and the press member via the fixation belt; a support frame configured to support the first fixation member; and a holding plate configured to support the press member.
US09280107B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device includes a rotary fixing member; a pressure roller pressed against the fixing member to form a nip in association with the fixing member; and an induction heater, as a heat source, to heat the fixing member. The induction heater includes an excitation coil to induction-heat the fixing member; a side core disposed along an outer circumference in a longitudinal direction of the excitation coil; and a plurality of arch-shaped cores disposed to cover the excitation coil in the longitudinal direction thereof. The arch-shaped cores include center portions corresponding to an inner side of the excitation coil and bent to the fixing member; and outer end portions extending in the direction leading to the side core without interfering with the excitation coil.
US09280103B2 Fuser unit
A fuser unit may include a cylindrical member, a heat generator, a nip member, and a backup member. A nip part may be defined between the cylindrical member and the backup member. The fuser unit may further include a conductive member, arranged to cover the heat generator at the inside of the cylindrical member, a temperature detection unit, a wiring, a first frame having insulation, arranged at an opposite side to the heat generator with respect to the conductive member being interposed therebetween at the inside of the cylindrical member, and which extends along the conductive member, and a second frame, arranged at an opposite side to the conductive member with respect to the first frame being interposed therebetween at the inside of the cylindrical member, and which extends along the first frame, wherein the wiring is arranged between the first frame and the second frame.
US09280101B2 Image forming apparatus with lower and upper guide members
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing portion for fixing an image formed on a recording material; and a guide member for guiding the recording material. The guide member is provided at an entrance to the fixing portion and at an end portion with respect to a direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material The guide member is moved when the guide member is pushed by the recording material.
US09280099B2 Image forming apparatus having conveying body and transfer units
An image forming apparatus includes a first transfer unit and a second transfer unit, and a control device. If a prescribed condition is satisfied, the control device sets a transfer current value for the second transfer unit so that an absolute value of a difference between the first current value and a second current value is greater than an absolute value of a difference between a third current value and a fourth current value. The first current value is set in a black-white mode, in which an image is formed by using black toner only, under the prescribed condition; the second current value is set if the prescribed condition is unsatisfied in the black-white mode; the third current value is set in a multi color mode, in which an multi-color image is formed, under the prescribed condition; and the fourth current value is set if the prescribe condition is unsatisfied in the multi color mode.
US09280096B2 Image forming apparatus
In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus has an image carrier, a transfer unit, and a spacer. The spacer is detachably attached between the image carrier and the transfer unit. When having been attached to the transfer unit, the spacer makes the image carrier and the transfer unit to be separated.
US09280093B2 Developing agent cartridge and image forming apparatus
In accordance with an embodiment, a developing agent cartridge for supplying developing agent and toner to a developing device comprises a cartridge main body, in which there is a first room and a second room and the boundary of the two rooms is closed by a closure member, configured to respectively fill the toner and the developing agent into the first room and the second room; a supply section configured to supply the infill in the second room to the developing device while stirring it; and an opening section configured to open the closure member to enable the toner to be moved to the second room after the developing agent filled into the second room is supplied to the developing device.
US09280092B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus including the same
A developing device includes a storing portion, a stirring member, a developing roller, a shield plate, and a guide portion. The storing portion stores developer. The stirring member is rotatably provided in the storing portion and stirs the developer in the storing portion by being rotationally driven in a predetermined first rotation direction. The developing roller is rotatably provided above the stirring member, has a magnet that attracts the developer in the storing portion by a magnetic force, and is rotationally driven in a predetermined second rotation direction. The shield plate is made of a nonmagnetic material and provided at a facing position where the developing roller and the stirring member face each other. The guide portion is provided more on an upstream side in the first rotation direction than the facing position, and guides the developer from the storing portion to the developing roller side.
US09280088B2 Developer container, image forming unit and image forming apparatus
A developer container includes a developer containing part that has an cylindrical hollow shape inside and contains developer therein; and an agitation member that is elastic and rotatably provided inside the developer containing part, rotating around a rotation axis that is a center of the cylindrical hollow shape, having at least a side edge extending in the rotation axis. The developer containing part has a side wall part on one end thereof in a direction of the rotation axis of the agitation member, the side wall extending to correspond to the side edge of the agitation member and scraping a surface of the side wall while the agitation member rotates, the side wall part has a projection part that projects toward inside of the developer containing part so that the side edge of the agitation member is elastically deformed by the projection part when passing over the projection part.
US09280087B2 Electrophotographic image forming device latching system for retaining a replaceable unit
An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a tray having a storage area extending between a front end and a rear end of the tray. The tray has an opening at the front end permitting insertion and removal of a replaceable unit into and out of the storage area. A biasing member biases the replaceable unit toward the front end of the tray. A latch on the tray is movable between a latched position restraining the replaceable unit from moving toward the front end of the tray and an unlatched position freeing the replaceable unit to move toward the front end of the tray permitting removal of the replaceable unit from the storage area. A latch releasing mechanism on the replaceable unit unlatches the latch on the tray for removing the replaceable unit from the storage area.
US09280085B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member into a developer image; a transferring device for transferring the developer image from the image bearing member onto a transfer material; a temperature detecting sensor in a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, for detecting a temperature; and a controller for controlling a forced consumption operation in which toner is forcedly consumed by the developing device without transferring the developer image from the image bearing member onto the transfer material. The controller is capable of executing the forced consumption operation when toner consumption is below a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is higher with higher temperature.
US09280082B2 Developing device
A developing device includes: a housing made of resin; a developer carrier, which is rotatably supported by the housing, and which is configured to carry developer on a circumferential surface thereof; a receiving-side coupling member, which is provided rotatably to one of end portions of the developer carrier and is configured to couple with a driving-side coupling member in the rotational axial direction to transmit driving force to the developer carrier; a blade, which is provided along the rotational axial direction, and which configured to contact the circumferential surface of the developer carrier to regulate a layer thickness of the developer on the circumferential surface; and a support member, which is bent into an L-shape as viewed from the rotational axial direction, and which supports the blade, wherein the receiving-side coupling member is overlapped with a bending portion of the support member, as viewed from the rotational axial direction.
US09280078B2 Charging device, image forming unit and image forming apparatus
A charging device includes a charging member that charges a surface of an image bearing body. The charging member includes a rotation shaft applied with a voltage, and a resilient conductive layer provided on an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft. The resilient conductive layer charges the surface of the image bearing body. The resilient conductive layer has a plurality of high resistance regions arranged at intervals in an axial direction of the rotation shaft.
US09280076B1 Emulsion aggregation toner comprising hybrid latex
A toner includes a core including a homogenized mixture of a first polyester latex, a styrene/acrylate latex, and a compatibilizing agent latex that includes a graft polyester-styrene/acrylate copolymer and a shell that includes a polyester latex. A process includes (1) homogenizing a mixture to form a plurality of core particles, the mixture including a first polyester latex, a styrene/acrylate latex, and a compatibilizing agent latex comprising a graft polyester-styrene/acrylate copolymer and (2) adding a shell polyester latex to the plurality of core particles to form a plurality of core-shell structures.
US09280066B2 Stage apparatus, lithography apparatus and method of manufacturing article
The present invention provides a stage apparatus which holds a substrate, including a first moving stage, a second moving stage supported by the first moving stage, a linear motor including a coil arranged on the first moving stage, and a magnet arranged on the second moving stage in correspondence with the coil, a first channel formed in the first moving stage to supply a first refrigerant for recovering heat from the coil not to contact the coil, a cover member arranged on the first moving stage to surround the coil and be spaced apart from the coil, and a second channel formed in the cover member to supply a second refrigerant for recovering heat from the cover member not to contact the coil.
US09280060B2 Illumination system for microlithography
A raster arrangement includes first and second types of raster elements which have different bundle-influencing effects. There is a distance step between a first raster area and a second raster area. The first raster area comprises a raster element of the first raster element type. The second raster area includes a raster element of the second raster element type. The raster arrangement is configured to be used in a microlithography illumination system.
US09280056B2 Method and system for printing high-resolution periodic patterns
A method for printing a desired periodic pattern includes providing a mask bearing a pattern of features having a period, providing a substrate bearing a photosensitive layer, arranging the substrate with a separation from the mask, generating collimated light with a wavelength and an intensity, at least the former of which may be temporally varied to deliver a spectral distribution of energy density, illuminating the mask pattern with the light while varying at least its wavelength so as to deliver a spectral distribution of energy density, such that the light-field transmitted by the mask is instantaneously composed of a range of transversal intensity distributions between Talbot planes. The layer is exposed to a time-integrated intensity distribution that prints the desired pattern. The separation, spectral distribution and period are arranged so that the time-integrated intensity distribution corresponds to an average of the range of transversal intensity distributions.
US09280055B2 Illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a light source which is configured to produce projection light (PL), a pupil plane and a diffractive optical element that is arranged between the light source and the pupil plane such that an irradiance distribution of projection light (PL) in the pupil plane depends on the position of a field that is illuminated by the projection light (PL) on the diffractive optical element. The illumination system further comprises an optical imaging system that is arranged between the light source and the diffractive optical element. The optical imaging system ensures that changes of the direction and divergence of the projection light (PL) emitted by the light source have no substantial effect on the position and size of the field which is illuminated on the diffractive optical element by the projection light (PL).
US09280052B2 Substrate treatment method, non-transitory computer storage medium and substrate treatment system
The present invention includes: a resist film forming step of forming a resist film over a substrate; an exposure step of exposing the resist film into a predetermined pattern; a metal treatment step of causing a treatment agent to enter an exposed portion exposed in the exposure step of the resist film and causing metal to infiltrate the exposed portion via the treatment agent; and a resist film removing step of removing an unexposed portion not exposed in the exposure step of the resist film to form a resist pattern over the substrate.
US09280050B2 Exposure apparatus and method of device fabrication
The present invention provides an exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate, the apparatus including an adjustment unit configured to adjust an oxygen concentration in a space between the projection optical system and the substrate, a measuring unit configured to measure an illuminance of light applied to the substrate, and a control unit configured to control the measuring unit so as to measure illuminances of light applied to the substrate a plurality of times during irradiation of the substrate with light from the projection optical system, configured to calculate, based on each of the illuminances measured the plurality of times, an oxygen concentration value corresponding to the measured illuminance on each time and configured to control the adjustment unit so as to set the oxygen concentration in the space to the calculated oxygen concentration value.
US09280046B2 Method of fabricating mask
A method for fabricating an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask includes providing a low thermal expansion material (LTEM) layer. A reflective multiple-layer (ML) is deposited over the LTEM layer. A flowable-photosensitive-absorption-layer (FPhAL) is spin coated over the reflective ML. The FPhAL is patterned by a lithography process to form a patterned absorption layer.
US09280044B2 Light-reflective photomask and mask blank for EUV exposure, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a light-reflective photomask including a circuit pattern area, and an outside area positioned outside the circuit pattern area includes a substrate, a low-reflectivity layer provided in both the circuit pattern area, and the outside area, formed on the substrate, including at least a conductive layer, and comprising a first reflectivity for deep ultraviolet light, a multilayer reflection layer provided in the circuit pattern area, and formed on the low-reflectivity layer, and a light-absorber provided in the circuit pattern area, formed on the multilayer reflection layer, including a circuit pattern, and comprising a second reflectivity for deep ultraviolet light. The first reflectivity is lower than or equal to the second reflectivity.
US09280043B2 Method for repairing mask for EUV exposure and mask for EUV exposure
A mask for EUV exposure and a method for repairing a mask for EUV exposure. The mask includes: a Mo/Si multi-layer film including a molybdenum layer and a silicon layer and being deposited on a substrate; a protection film formed on the Mo/Si multi-layer film; an absorption film formed on the protection film; and a reflectivity enhancing portion having a plurality of holes in the protection film. The method includes: specifying a position of a defect of the Mo/Si multi-layer film in an area of the protection film; and irradiating light beam, of which a diameter is narrowed down to be at or less than a wavelength of EUV exposure light, onto an area covering the position of the defect in a plan view of the mask for EUV exposure to form the reflectivity enhanced portion. The maximum width of the holes is equal to or less than the wavelength.
US09280039B2 Extendible L-plate for camera equipment
A two-piece extendable L-plate provides clearance between a camera and a quick-release receiver securing the camera to a support permitting a camera having cables connected to the side of the camera's body to be secured in either a landscape or a portrait orientation.
US09280038B1 Interchangeable mounting platform
A platform for interchangeably mounting a payload to a base support is provided. In one aspect, the platform comprises: a support assembly configured to be releasably coupled to a payload via a first coupling and configured to control a spatial disposition of the payload; and a mounting assembly configured to be releasably coupled via a second coupling to a plurality of types of base supports selected from at least two of the following: an aerial vehicle, a handheld support, or a base adapter mounted onto a movable object.
US09280037B2 Machine vision camera mount with rotational adjustment
A camera mount apparatus is disclosed that allows toolless rotation with integrated detent and locking features. The apparatus has the ability to rotate a camera and lens predetermined increments. In the preferred embodiment, the camera and lens are constrained together, and rotate about the optical axis. One portion of the apparatus remains fixed while another portion rotates and slides, allowing the camera and light to be rotated in a controlled fashion. The apparatus has a hand retractable pin that locks rotational movement and that is released manually to allow rotation adjustment The apparatus has spring plungers that mate to spherical indented features to provide a function to allow a positive feel when the desired angular position is achieved during rotation. The apparatus has bearing surfaces that allow rotation and provide contact of bearing material on rotational sliding faces to metal contact.
US09280035B2 Photographic apparatus and method
A photographic flash attachment apparatus. The apparatus includes a sleeve configured to be fixed to a photographic flash, a ring configured to engage with the sleeve, and one or more attachment mechanisms coupled with the ring adapted to receive one or more photographic attachment elements. Upon attachment of one or more photographic attachment elements to the ring via the one or more attachment mechanisms, rotation of the ring provides rotation of the one or more photographic attachment elements relative to the photographic flash.
US09280032B2 Method and device for converting optical frequency
An optical frequency conversion method and device are provided by which a component other than a desired harmonic component can be eliminated with high precision and an output lightwave with the desired frequency component can be easily extracted even if the frequency of a modulation signal is changed. A plurality of phase control sections (101-1 to 101-n) that respectively generate a plurality of individual modulation signals with different phases from a modulation signal, a plurality of optical single sideband modulation sections (MOD1 to MODn) that respectively modulate an input lightwave in accordance with the plurality of individual modulation signals, and a plurality of optical phase control sections (201-1 to 201-n) that respectively give optical phase differences to a plurality of lightwaves that are respectively output from the plurality of optical single sideband modulation sections, an output lightwave is generated by multiplexing a plurality of lightwaves that are output from the plurality of optical phase control sections, wherein phase differences among the plurality of individual modulation signals and the optical phase differences are set so that a predetermined harmonic component other than a target frequency in the output lightwave will be eliminated.
US09280031B2 Methods and apparatus for idler extraction in high power optical parametric amplifiers
An optical parametric amplifier and methods for idler extraction therein. Certain examples provide a method of extracting the idler at intermediate points within the optical parametric amplifier chain to improve conversion efficiency and/or maintain high beam quality (high Strehl ratio), where the pump beam has non-uniform profile. In one example, optical parametric amplifier includes an amplifier chain having a plurality of gain stages, each gain stage including a non-linear optical crystal, the plurality of gain stages configured to receive a signal seed and a pump beam and to produce an idler and an amplified signal, the pump beam having a non-uniform spatial profile, and a plurality of idler extractors interspersed with the plurality of gain stages and configured to extract the idler from intermediate points within the amplifier chain. The idler extractors can include polarizers, beam displacer crystals, or dichroic mirrors, for example.
US09280030B2 Method for producing semiconductor optical device and semiconductor optical device
A method for producing a semiconductor optical device includes the steps of forming first and second optical waveguides; forming a first resin layer on the first and the second optical waveguides; forming an opening in the first resin layer; forming a first electrode in the opening; forming a second resin layer on the first electrode and the first resin layer; forming a groove in the second resin layer on the first electrode; forming a second electrode on the second resin layer, a side surface of the groove, and the top surface of the first electrode; and forming a third electrode on the second electrode. The second and third electrodes have a region in which the second and third electrodes pass over the second optical waveguide, and, in the region, the first and second resin layers are disposed between the second electrode and the second optical waveguide.
US09280029B2 Registered reflective element for a brightness enhanced TIR display
The brightness of a TIR-based display is enhanced with a registered reflective element by recycling and reflecting light that passes through the dark pupil region of each hemi-spherical protrusion in the hemi-spherical surface back to the viewer. A method to fabricate a brightness enhanced TIR display comprising an apertured membrane with a thin conductive reflective metal layer facing and registered with the pupils of the hemi-spherical surface.
US09280023B2 Liquid crystal display device
The drain lines are such that one drain line is formed for every two pixels adjacent to each other within the same pixel row, the gate lines are formed of a first gate line connected to one of the two pixels connected to the same drain line within the same pixel row and a second gate line connected to the other pixel, the pixel electrode is formed of a first linear electrode inclined in a plus direction from the first direction, and a second linear electrode inclined in a minus direction from the first direction, in a region in which the pixel electrode is superimposed over the common electrode, and each pixel has the first and second gate lines and thin film transistor formed in a region between the region of the first linear electrode and the region of the second linear electrode.
US09280018B2 Multistable reflective liquid crystal device
A multistable liquid crystal device having liquid crystal molecules in one or more cavities, wherein at least one liquid crystal region of high distortion (100, 110) is formed in each cavity, the distortion region (100, 110) being switchable between at least two stable states on application of an electric field, the device being such that at least one of the stable states may be utilized as a reflective mode.
US09280013B2 Touch panel configured to reduce effects of moisture, and display apparatus provided with touch panel
Provided is a highly reliable configuration of a one glass solution touch panel, in which a sensor electrode and a wiring line can be reliably connected to each other. A touch panel (1) is provided with: an insulating substrate (10) having a sensing area (V) and a non-sensing area (P); sensor electrodes (11, 12), which are formed in the sensing area (P); terminals (13), which are formed in the non-sensing area (P); wiring lines (14), which electrically connect the sensor electrodes (11, 12) and the terminals (13); a light-shielding layer (171), which is formed to cover the non-sensing area (P); and a planarizing film (172), which is formed to cover the light-shielding layer (171). The planarizing film (172) is formed only in the non-sensing area (P).
US09280012B2 Window and display device
A window configured to be laminated on a display panel by resin, the display panel including a display area configured to display an image and a non-display area adjacent the display area includes a window main body configured to cover the display panel; a groove in a region corresponding to the non-display area of the display panel, the groove being recessed from a surface of the window main body facing the display panel; and a touch portion within the groove and configured to recognize a touch.
US09280010B2 Curvature-adjustable backplane and liquid crystal display device having same
The present invention provides a curvature-adjustable backplane and a liquid crystal display device having the backplane. The curvature-adjustable backplane includes a bottom plate (1). The bottom plate (1) is made of a material of thermal bimetal. The bottom plate (1) includes a plurality of openings (11) formed therein to extend in a lengthwise direction or a widthwise direction thereof, whereby the plurality of openings (11) helps increase a localized length-to-width ratio (L1/W1) of the bottom plate (1) so that when the curvature-adjustable backplane undergoes curving deformation, the extent of curving thereof in a lengthwise direction of the openings is far greater than the extent of curving thereof in a widthwise direction of the openings to realize precise adjustment of the curvature of the backplane and help release the stress of the backplane resulting from deformation and thus making the deformation of the backplane easy.
US09280007B2 Method of manufacturing flexible display device
A method of manufacturing a flexible display device includes forming a buffer layer on a base substrate, wherein the buffer layer is transparent and has a optical bandgap of about 3.0 eV to about 4.0 eV; forming a flexible substrate on the buffer layer; forming display elements on the flexible substrate; and irradiating a laser to the buffer layer to detach the flexible substrate from the base substrate.
US09280006B2 Electro-optical single crystal element, method for the preparation thereof, and systems employing the same
The present invention relates to an Electro-Optical (E-O) crystal elements, their applications and the processes for the preparation thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to the E-O crystal elements (which can be made from doped or un-doped PMN-PT, PIN-PMN-PT or PZN-PT ferroelectric crystals) showing super-high linear E-O coefficient yc, e.g., transverse effective linear E-O coefficient yTc more than 1100 pm/V and longitudinal effective linear E-O coefficient ytc up to 527 pm/V, which results in a very low half-wavelength voltage Vtx below 200V and Vtx below about 87V in a wide number of modulation, communication, laser, and industrial uses.
US09280005B2 Photo-chromic coating for optics
An eyepiece includes a viewing region to emit display light out of the eyepiece along an eye-ward direction, an input end peripherally located from the viewing region and configured to receive the display light into the eyepiece, one or more optical elements positioned to direct the display light received into the eyepiece out of the viewing region along the eye-ward direction, a first side through which ambient scene light is received into the eyepiece, a second side out of which the ambient scene light and the display light are passed along the eye-ward direction, and a photo-chromic coating disposed on the first side and the second side, the photo-chromic coating to darken in the presence of UV light.
US09280004B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor modulator and semiconductor modulator
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor modulator includes the steps of preparing a substrate having a main surface including first and second areas; forming a stacked semiconductor layer on the main surface; forming an optical waveguide mesa by etching the stacked semiconductor layer using a mask, the optical waveguide mesa including an optical modulation portion; applying a resin on a top surface and a side surface of the optical waveguide mesa and on the substrate; forming a first opening in the resin on the second area of the substrate; forming an underlayer structure on the second area of the substrate in contact with the substrate; and forming a pad electrode on the underlayer structure in contact with the underlayer structure through the first opening of the resin. The underlayer structure includes an insulating layer made of a dielectric material.
US09280001B2 Cleaning assemblies for eyeglasses
A cleaning assembly for eyeglasses having at least one lens supported by a frame including at least one aperture substantially the size of a cross section of the at least one lens, wherein the aperture can fit at least one cleaning element and adapted to move relative to the at least one lens to clean the exposed surface of the lens.
US09279991B2 Liquid crystal optical element and image display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal optical element includes: a pair of first and second substrates; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first and second substrates; first electrodes provided on the first substrate on the liquid crystal layer side and arranged along a first direction; second electrodes provided on the second substrate on the liquid crystal layer side and arranged along a second direction; and a driving unit configured to apply a voltage between the first electrodes and the second electrodes. The first electrodes are divided into electrode regions arranged along a third direction. The first electrodes included in each of the electrode regions are electrically connected to an extension line.
US09279990B2 Display module
A display module includes a display device, a pivot member, and a reflection-mirror device. The display device includes a light splitting device and a monitor for displaying first and second images arranged alternately. The light splitting device is disposed at a position corresponding to a light exit side of the monitor for splitting the first and second images along first and second splitting directions respectively. The pivot member is disposed at a side of the display device. The reflection-mirror device is connected to the pivot member to be foldably pivoted to the side of the display device. The reflection-mirror device is for reflecting the first images split along the first splitting direction in a reflection direction when being unfolded relative to the display device. The reflection direction is relatively biased toward the monitor so as to form an included angle cooperatively with a normal of the monitor.
US09279986B2 Collimating optical device and system
There is provided a light-guide, compact collimating optical device, including a light-guide having a light-waves entrance surface, a light-waves exit surface and a plurality of external surfaces, a light-waves reflecting surface carried by the light-guide at one of the external surfaces, two retardation plates carried by light-guides on a portion of the external surfaces, a light-waves polarizing beamsplitter disposed at an angle to one of the light-waves entrance or exit surfaces, and a light-waves collimating component covering a portion of one of the retardation plates. A system including the optical device and a substrate, is also provided.
US09279981B2 Light deflector, optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
A light deflector includes a fixing portion, a movable portion and a reinforcing member. The movable portion includes a mirror portion for deflecting light by swinging about a predetermined swing axis, a torsion bar fixedly supported on the fixing portion and having an axis serving as the swing axis, and a supporting body configured to support the mirror portion and fixed to the torsion bar. The supporting body includes a contact surface to be held in contact with the mirror portion and a non-contact surface opposite to the contact surface. The reinforcing member is provided only on the non-contact surface out of the contact surface and the non-contact surface of the supporting body and reinforces the supporting body and adjusts a center of gravity of the movable portion so that the center of gravity of the movable portion is located on the axis.
US09279980B2 Optical device, image display apparatus and head-mounted display unit
Disclosed herein is an image display apparatus, including: a light source; and a scanning section adapted to scan a light beam emitted from the light source; the scanning section including (a) a first mirror, (b) a first light deflection section, (c) a second mirror, and (d) a second light deflection section; the second light deflection section including an external light receiving face; the second light deflection section having a plurality of translucent films provided in the inside thereof; the translucent films having a light reflectivity R2 at a wavelength of the light beam which satisfies: R2≦k×{(P2/t2)×tan(ζ2)}1/2 where k is a constant higher 0 but lower than 1, P2 an array pitch of the translucent films, t2 a thickness of the second light deflection section, and ζ2 an angle formed between the light emitting face and the translucent films.
US09279979B2 Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device includes: a common optical deflector that deflects light beams from light source devices; and a scanning optical system that focuses the deflected light beams on different scanning surfaces. All the light beams from the light source devices are incident on the optical deflector in directions oblique to a normal line of the scanning surfaces in a main-scanning cross section and to a normal line of a deflecting reflection plane of the optical deflector in a sub-scanning cross section. The scanning optical system includes individual lenses which are individually arranged for the respective light beams and have a plane shape symmetric in the main-scanning direction and satisfies a predetermined condition, and an optical axis of the individual lens is arranged obliquely to the normal line of the scanning surface in the main-scanning cross section so as to satisfy a predetermined condition.
US09279978B2 Optical module for laser beam shaking
Apparatus for uniformizing light amount distribution by shaking line beams along a longitudinal axis direction is provided. The apparatus includes a mirror mount, a mirror, an actuator, and a deformation member. The mirror fixed to the mirror mount and includes a reflective surface. The actuator is disposed at a distance from the mirror mount and configured to repeat expansion and contraction along a first direction. The deformation member includes a plurality of blocks connected to each other by flexible joints and is coupled to the actuator and the mirror mount. The deformation member is configured to change a displacement in the first direction due to operation of the actuator to a displacement in a second direction that crosses the first direction, amplify the changed displacement, and transmit the amplified displacement to the mirror mount.
US09279977B2 Compact laser projection systems and methods
An automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is described. The automated adaptive optics and laser projection system includes an adaptive optics system and a compact laser projection system with related laser guidance programming used to correct atmospheric distortion induced on light received by a telescope. Control of the automated adaptive optics and laser projection system is designed in a modular manner in order to facilitate replication of the system to be used with a variety of different telescopes. Related methods are also described.
US09279975B2 Electronically adjustable long-range optical device
A long-range optical apparatus includes an optical unit defined by lenses and an eyepiece and has at least one manually operable adjusting device for adjusting an optical unit defined by the lenses. With the adjusting device, the optical unit can be adjusted relative to a mounting device. The adjusting device is mechanically coupled to at least one optical element or the mounting device. The optical apparatus has an electronic unit including a memory and the electronic unit performs an electronic function in dependence upon a setting parameter stored in the memory. The adjusting device is coupled with a position detection unit so that actuation of the adjusting device triggers an electrical signal of the position detection unit as a function of the position of the adjusting device. The electronic unit stores or changes a setting parameter in the memory in response to the electrical signal of the position detection unit.
US09279973B2 Image processing apparatus, fluorescence microscope apparatus, and image processing program
A three-dimensional image without luminance irregularity is generated while achieving good contrast. An image processing apparatus is provided, including an image combining portion that generates combined images by combining, for each depth position in a specimen, a plurality of fluorescence images captured with differing exposure levels at each of different depth positions of the specimen; a smoothed-luminance calculating portion that calculates a representative luminance from the individual combined images and that calculates a smoothed luminance for the individual combined images by smoothing the calculated representative luminance in the depth direction; a luminance correcting portion that generates corrected images by correcting the luminance of the individual combined images on the basis of differences between the smoothed luminance and the representative luminance calculated; and a three-dimensional image generating portion that generates a three-dimensional image of the specimen from the plurality of corrected images.
US09279972B2 Spatial frequency swept interference illumination
Spatial frequency swept interference (SFSI) illumination and imaging methods and devices that interfere two collimated coherent beams to generate an interference pattern of a plurality of illuminating sheets with sweeping spatial frequency.
US09279968B2 Zoom lens and photographing apparatus including the same
A zoom lens and a photographing apparatus including the same. The zoom lens includes, in an order from an object side to an image side: a front lens group having a negative refractive power; an aperture stop; and a rear lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the front lens group includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and a third lens group having a negative refractive power, and the third lens group includes at least one positive lens and one negative lens and performs focusing, and the rear lens group includes at least two lens groups that are moved during zooming and have a positive refractive power, wherein at least one of the lenses of the two lens groups perform hand shake correction.
US09279964B2 Wafer level optical lens structure
A wafer level optical lens structure is provided. A stress buffer layer is disposed between a light-transmissive substrate and a lens layer, so as to improve production yield of the wafer level optical lens.
US09279961B2 Imaging lens, and electronic apparatus including the same
An imaging lens includes first to sixth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. Through designs of surfaces of the lens elements and relevant optical parameters, a short system length of the imaging lens may be achieved while maintaining good optical performance.
US09279956B2 Optical imaging lens and electronic device comprising the same
An optical imaging lens set includes a first lens element to a plastic fifth lens element from an object side toward an image side along an optical axis. The second lens element has an image-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of its periphery. The fourth lens element has an image-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis and a convex portion in a vicinity of its periphery.
US09279955B2 Image pickup apparatus, control method thereof, and program
An image pickup apparatus which can perform an AF of a high speed and a high focusing precision by simultaneously realizing a phase difference AF and a contrast AF, decides arrange where a contrast evaluation can be performed on the basis of a correspondence relation between each pixel of an image pickup element which is restricted by pupil division means provided for restricting light of an optical image of an object which enters each pixel of the image pickup element to light from a specific exit pupil area of a photographing lens and the specific exit pupil area of the photographing lens, and decides a focus evaluation value of the object in accordance with the decided range from a contrast focus position or a correlation focus position.
US09279954B2 Lens barrel capable of increasing shooting magnification while being miniaturized, and image pickup apparatus
Lens barrel capable of increasing shooting magnification while being miniaturized. A first lens group is caused to move in a direction of an optical axis by rotation of a second cam ring following rotation of a drive ring which has a focus cam groove on an inner periphery and is disposed on an outer periphery of a fixed cam ring having a cam groove and a rectilinear groove on an inner periphery. A second cam groove is disposed behind the first lens group in the direction of the optical axis. Rotation of the drive ring causes a follower of a focus group holding unit, which holds the second lens group, to follow the focus cam groove while being guided to move rectilinearly by the rectilinear groove. The follower following the focus cam groove causes the focus group holding unit to move in the direction of the optical axis.
US09279952B2 Water-blocked optical cable and process for the production thereof
An optical cable for communication includes at least one retaining element blocked with respect to the water propagation as well as a process for manufacturing such an optical cable. The optical cable includes, in addition to the retaining element, at least two transmission elements housed within the retaining element and a water swellable yarn housed within the retaining element. The water swellable yarn is selected according to the following equation: V w V TF = k V t + R ( I ) in which Vw is the volume of the water swellable yarn after swelling upon contact with water; VTF is the total free volume in the retaining element; k is a constant≧180; R is a constant≧1.4; and Vt is the free volume per each transmission element. Advantageously, the optical cable is water-blocked and the water swellable yarn does not induce microbending effects on the transmission elements.
US09279950B2 Exterior distribution pedestal cabinet
An exterior distribution pedestal cabinet includes an enclosure having a top, a bottom and first and second sides extending between the top and the bottom, a door disposed on a front side of the enclosure, a cable management bracket within the enclosure, a plurality of splitter modules mounted within the enclosure at the cable management bracket, a connector holder bracket, a plurality of connector holders mounted at the connector holder bracket; and a pass-through connector adaptor plate.
US09279949B2 Zero stress fiber optic fluid connector
A system and method for passing a fiber cable through a fiber connector is presented. A fiber connector includes an outer body and a series of flutes inside the outer body. The outer body forms an interior chamber that has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening allows a coolant to flow into the first opening and the first and second openings allow the fiber cable to pass through the first opening and the second opening and through the fiber connector. A series of flutes are attached to an inner surface of the outer body and extend into the interior chamber. The flutes are spaced apart from each other and extend from the inner surface toward the fiber cable but do not touch the fiber cable when no liquid is flowing in the fiber connector.
US09279947B2 Methods and apparatus for high speed short distance optical communications using micro light emitting diodes
The method disclosed provides communication over short distances at high speed via fiber optics making it practical to replace standard copper conductors with optical fiber. This is a solution to the “last mile” problem in Internet high speed communications.
US09279942B2 Ferrule for optical fiber connector having a compliant structure for clamping alignment pins
A compliant structure clamps the alignment pins to accurately and precisely locate the alignment pins. The compliant structure supports the alignment pins with no clearance. The compliant structure is defined by at least a flexure in the form of a cantilevered structure extending at a side of the ferrule. The cantilevered structure, with or without a complementary support structure, defines a space in which an alignment pin can be supported. The flexure may be defined by one or more slots provided on the body of the ferrule to facilitate bending of the extended cantilevered structure. In another embodiment, the ferrule comprises a ferrule insert having grooves for supporting optical fibers, and a ferrule frame that supports the ferrule insert and alignment pins. The compliant structure is provided on the frame. In a further embodiment, the ferrule insert is provided with optical fiber grooves at its perimeter.
US09279940B2 Optical fiber adapter with shutter member
An optical fiber adapter includes a main body, two hook members, a hollow middle member and an elastic shutter member. The hook member has two hooks and two opposing walls that define a passage. The main body has an access opening on a first wall thereof for the two hook members and middle member to place within the passage of the main body. The middle member is positioned between the two hook members when the hook members and middle member are placed in the passage of the main body. The shutter member includes a fixing portion, a shutter plate and a connecting portion. The fixing portion is positioned in the accommodation recess formed on the first wall of the first hook member. The connecting portion connects the fixing portion with the shutter plate. The shutter plate extends from the connecting portion and into the passage.
US09279937B2 Optical interconnection for stacked integrated circuit
An optical interconnection for a stacked integrated circuit, is provided. The optical interconnection includes: an optical transmission unit disposed in a first layer and an optical receiving unit disposed in a second layer, different from the first layer, and spaced apart from the optical transmission unit by a predetermined gap. The optical transmission unit includes a first optical antenna that outputs light; the optical receiving unit includes a second optical antenna which receives light transmitted from the optical transmission unit. At least one of the first and second optical antennas includes a plurality of nanostructures configured to transmit or receive an optical signal.
US09279934B2 Backlight unit and display device having the same
A backlight unit includes a light source unit supplying light, a light guide plate guiding and emitting the light provided from the light source unit to emit the guided light, a reflective sheet disposed below the light guide plate, a lower cover accommodating the light source unit, the light guide plate, and the reflective sheet, and a fixing unit fixing the light guide plate, the reflective sheet, and the lower cover. The fixing unit includes a fixing screw fixing the light guide plate, the reflective sheet, and the lower cover, and a fixing screw holder surrounding at least one portion of the fixing screw to absorb an impact due to movement of the fixing screw.
US09279930B2 Light guide plate and an edge-lit backlight module of utilizing the same
A light guide plate including a light guide plate main body is disclosed. The light guide plate main body has a light emitting plane, a bottom plane opposite to the light emitting plane. According to a scanning mode, the light guide plate main body is divided into a plurality of subsections. Each of the opposite edges of each subsection has a borderline, and two adjacent subsections share a borderline. Furthermore, a plurality of first scattering dots disposed on the subsections of the light guide plate main body, and a plurality of second scattering dots disposed on the borderlines of the light guide plate main body.
US09279929B2 Backlight assembly and display device including the same
A display device includes a light guide plate which includes a light incident surface, a light exiting surface connected to the light incident surface, and an opposite surface facing the light exiting surface, a light source which faces the light incident surface and is configured to emit a light, a reflective sheet which faces the opposite surface and reflects the light, a first pattern which is unitary with the light guide plate and protruded from the opposite surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive which is on an upper surface of the reflective sheet and contacts the first pattern, and a display panel which is configured to receive the light exiting through the light exiting surface and display an image.
US09279925B2 Interference filter, optical module, and electronic apparatus
An interference filter includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, a first optical film provided to the first substrate, and a second optical film provided to the second substrate and opposed to the first optical film, at least one of the first and second optical films has a metal film having a reflecting property and a transmitting property with respect to light in a desired wavelength band, a surface and an edge portion of the metal film are covered by a barrier film, and the barrier film is formed of a material having conductivity.
US09279921B2 Multilayer stack with overlapping harmonics for wide visible-infrared coverage
A broadband mirror, polarizer, or other reflector includes at least one stack of microlayers. Microlayers in the stack are arranged into optical repeat units. At a design angle of incidence such as normal incidence, the stack provides a 1st order reflection band, a 2nd order reflection band, and optionally a 3rd order reflection band. The 2nd order reflection band overlaps, or substantially overlaps, the 1st and/or 3rd order reflection bands to form a single wide reflection band. The wide reflection band may include the 2nd and 1st but not a 3rd order reflection band, or the 2nd and 3rd but not the 1st order reflection band, or it may include the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order reflection bands, as well as still higher order reflection bands. The wide reflection band may cover at least a portion of visible and infrared wavelengths.
US09279918B2 Gradient low index article and method
A gradient optical film and an optical construction including the gradient optical film are described. The gradient optical film includes a binder, a plurality of particles, and a plurality of interconnected voids having a local volume fraction. The local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids varies along a thickness direction of the gradient optical film. The refractive index of the gradient optical film can also varies along a thickness direction of the gradient optical film, as the refractive index can also depend upon the local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids.
US09279912B2 Anti-glare glass article and display system
A glass article including: at least one anti-glare surface having haze, distinctness-of-image, surface roughness, and uniformity properties, as defined herein. A method of making the article having an anti-glare surface includes, for example, forming a protective film on selected portions of at least one surface of the article; contacting the at least one surface with a liquid etchant; and removing the protective film from the surface of the article to form the anti-glare surface. A display system that incorporates the glass article, as defined herein, is also disclosed.
US09279904B2 Simulating downhole flow through a perforation
A system for testing a core sample comprises a non-permeable sleeve configured to be placed over a core sample, a first pair of opposing actuators to apply opposing force to the non-permeable sleeve in a first axis normal to an axis of the core sample, a second pair of opposing actuators to apply opposing force to the non-permeable sleeve in a second axis normal to the axis of the core sample and normal to the first axis, a wellbore pressure reservoir to provide simulated wellbore pressure, and a formation pressure reservoir to provide simulated formation fluid pressure.
US09279903B2 Apparatus for measuring bending on a drill bit operating in a well
An apparatus for measuring the bending on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached. Four strain gauges are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The strain gauges in the first set are connected into one Wheatstone bridge while the gauges in the second set are connected in a second bridge. Each of the strain gauges that are oriented similarly within each of the pockets are connected in series within a single leg of a bridge so that the output voltage of the bridge is unaffected by bending in the drill string. The output of first bridge is used to determine the bending on the drill bit. Further, an apparatus for measuring the bending, weight, and torque on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached with twelve strain gauges that are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The arrangement of the twelve strain gauges allow for a bending on bit measurement that cancels out the affects of the weight on bit and torque on bit.
US09279898B2 Methods and systems for correction of streamer-depth bias in marine seismic surveys
Computational systems and methods to be carried out by the computational systems for determining streamer-depth bias during exploration-seismology experiments are disclosed. An exploration-seismology vessel tows a number of streamers that form a smoothly varying data acquisition surface located beneath a fluid surface. In one aspect of this disclosure, the method determines a set of image points that represent a profile of the fluid surface above each streamer. The image points are determined based on pressure and velocity wavefields measured at dual sensors of the streamer. The method then determines an elevation parameter of the image points that minimizes DC offset in a spectral domain of the image points. The elevation parameter corresponds to the streamer-depth bias and can be used to correct for the streamer-depth bias in subsequent calculations of a fluid-surface profile.
US09279895B2 Seismic sensing device
In one example, a land based seismic sensing device includes: a seismic sensing unit having a seismic sensor in a housing configured to be buried in the ground; a control unit including a battery in a weather resistant housing configured to be exposed above ground; and a flexible cable mechanically and electrically connecting the seismic sensing unit and the control unit. The cable includes a weather resistant jacket and an electrically conductive element inside the jacket detachably connected between electronic circuitry in the sensing unit and electronic circuitry in the control unit. In one example, the control unit housing includes a first compartment configured to stow the seismic sensing unit and a second compartment configured to stow the cable.
US09279892B2 Systems and methods for scintillators having polished and roughened surfaces
A scintillator crystal array that is configured to receive rays emitted by an object to be imaged and to emit light energy responsive to the received rays includes plural crystals. At least one of the crystals includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and plural sides. The upper surface may be configured to receive the rays from the object to be imaged. The lower surface is disposed opposite the upper surface. The plural sides extend between the upper surface and the lower surface. At least one side includes a roughened side surface and at least one other side includes a polished side surface.
US09279889B2 Light detection unit and alpha ray observation device
A light detecting unit of an alpha ray observation device observes an alpha ray by measuring generated light that is generated by the alpha ray produced in a region of a to-be-measured object. The light detecting unit has a travel direction changing unit that changes the direction of travel of generated light, a light detector that detects direction-changed light, which is the generated light after the direction of travel is changed, and a shielding member that shields the light detector from radiation and has a portion that is provided on the line from the to-be-measured object to the light detector. The shielding member may also surround the perimeter of the light detector and have an opening to allow generated light to reach the travel direction changing unit.
US09279887B2 Self-similar, transversely shift-invariant point response function in single photon emission computed tomography
A point response function (PRF) is estimated in SPECT. A 3D PRF is based on measured emissions from a point source at different distances from the detector. Rather than sampling every location in space, the 2D PRFs at a sub-set of distances are sampled. The 3D PRF is then modeled with a representative 2D PRF and a scale as a function of distance. For a given distance from the detector, the 2D PRF to be applied is formed by scaling the representative 2D PRF using the scale for that distance.
US09279875B2 Method for searching a capacitance variation of a capacitive sensor of a motor vehicle
Method of searching for a variation in capacitance of a capacitive sensor, includes a phase of searching for variation in capacitance and, when a capacitance variation has been detected, a phase of verifying the variation in capacitance. The search phase includes a recurrent step of searching for variation in capacitance including steps of measuring the duration of a first measurement sequence and determining, according to the measured duration, whether a first predefined detection criterion for variation in capacitance is verified. The verification phase includes steps of measuring the duration of a second measurement sequence and determining, according to the measured duration, whether a second predefined detection criterion for variation in capacitance is verified. The first measurement sequence has a reference duration less than that of the second measurement sequence, and the verification phase includes, when the second detection criterion is not verified, a step of updating the first detection criterion.
US09279874B2 Signal processing for a capacitive sensor system with robustness to noise
A capacitive sensor includes a transmit electrode configured to provide an alternating electric field to a sensor; one or more receive electrodes for detecting variations in the alternating electric field; and an adaptive frequency adjustment unit configured to adjust an operating frequency of the alternating electric field responsive to detection of a noise measure, such as noise power.
US09279873B2 Self consistent parallel imaging with temporal sensitivity estimation in real-time magnetic resonance imaging
Parallel imaging magnetic resonance reconstruction is performed with temporal sensitivity. Rather than estimate the coil sensitivity once for each coil of an array, the coil sensitivity at different times is estimated. The movement of the patient may result in different sensitivities at different times. By using the time varying sensitivity in iterative, self-consistent, non-linear parallel imaging, real-time imaging may be provided with stable artifacts in view of increasing SNR even with higher reduction factors (e.g., 4-6).
US09279870B2 Magnetic resonance antenna arrangement and magnetic resonance system
A magnetic resonance antenna arrangement includes at least one first antenna group including individually-controllable first antenna conductor loops and a second antenna group adjacent to the first antenna group. The second antenna group includes individually-controllable, longitudinal second antenna elements. The first antenna conductor loops essentially extend in a first extending surface and are disposed in the first extending surface in a first direction in a row behind one another. The longitudinal second antenna elements extend with the longitudinal axes transverse to the first direction disposed in parallel next to one another in a second extending surface that runs essentially in parallel to the first extending surface. Each of the second antenna elements are coupled at first and second end areas to a conductive element to form a second conductor loop with the conductive element. The second antenna elements are disposed to overlap an adjacent first antenna loop in each case.
US09279869B2 NMR probe
An NMR probe has a sample tube insertion port for introducing and withdrawing the sample tube into and from the probe, a sample tube support providing support of the sample tube during NMR measurements, a tubular sample tube passage connecting together the sample tube insertion port and the sample tube support and capable of transporting the sample tube between them, and a gas stream generator for producing a gas stream in the sample tube passage to move the sample tube between the sample tube insertion port and the tube support. The gas stream generator is mounted at an intermediate (non-end) position in the sample tube passage.
US09279863B2 High-temperature superconducting magnetic sensor
A high-temperature superconducting magnetic sensor having superconducting layers formed on a substrate, a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) being formed on the superconducting layers, the high-temperature superconducting magnetic sensor includes: a pickup coil that is formed on the superconducting layer and is connected to an inductor of the SQUID; and an input coil that is formed on the superconducting layer, is connected to the inductor of the SQUID and the pickup coil to form a closed loop, and is magnetically coupled with the inductor of the SQUID. In planar view, at least one turn of the input coil surrounds the inductor of the SQUID, or is surrounded by the inductor of the SQUID. The width of the superconductor forming the inductor of the SQUID is 10 μm or less.
US09279859B2 Control circuit for determining a charge current of a battery
This application relates a method and a control circuit for determining a charge current of a battery connected to a modulated load, wherein a current limited power source is connected in parallel to the modulated load and the battery for supplying a load dependent current up to a predetermined current limit to the modulated load and the battery. The control circuit comprises means for measuring a current flowing through the battery; means for indicating an overload condition of the current limited power source; and means for determining the charge current of the battery. The means for indicating an overload condition are configured to indicate an overload condition when a sum of a current drawn by the modulated load and a current flowing into the battery exceeds the predetermined current limit of the current limited power source.
US09279857B2 Automated test system with edge steering
A semiconductor device-under-test (DUT) may be tested by an automated test system that processes test programs specifying a number of edges per tester cycle that may be greater than the number of edges the tester is capable of generating. The test system may include circuitry that reduces the number of edges in each cycle of a test program based on data specifying operation of the tester in that cycle and/or a prior cycle. Such a reduction simplifies the circuitry required to implement an edge generator by reducing the total number of timing verniers per channel. Nonetheless, flexibility in programming the test system is retained.
US09279856B2 Die, chip, method for driving a die or a chip and method for manufacturing a die or a chip
In various embodiments, a die is provided. The die may include a physical unclonable function circuit configured to provide an output signal, wherein the output signal is dependent on at least one physical characteristic specific to the die; and a self-test circuit integrated with the physical unclonable function circuit on the die, wherein the self-test circuit is configured to provide at least one test input signal to the physical unclonable function circuit and to determine as to whether the output signal provided in response to the at least one test input signal fulfills a predefined criterion.
US09279849B2 Atom probe tomography sample preparation for three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor devices
A method for atom probe tomography (APT) sample preparation from a three-dimensional (3D) field effect transistor device formed within a semiconductor structure is provided. The method may include measuring a capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristic for the 3D field effect transistor device and identifying, based on the measured capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristic, a Fin structure corresponding to the 3D field effect transistor device. The identified Fin structure is detached from the 3D field effect transistor device using a nanomanipulator probe tip. The detached Fin is then welded to the nanomanipulator probe tip using an incident focused ion beam having a voltage of less than about 1000 eV. The incident focused ion beam having a voltage of less than about 1000 eV is applied to a tip of the Fin that is welded to the nanomanipulator probe tip.
US09279848B2 Test apparatus
Disclosed is a test apparatus including: test target sections each having a connector to connect a Device Under the Test (DUT); measuring sections that include measuring devices that have same measuring item respectively; a switch section that switches connection between the test target section and the measuring section under direction of a controller; wherein the controller selects one of the algorithms of connection, 1) searching vacancy of the measuring sections and directs the switch section to make a path between the test target section and the measuring section of vacancy, 2) holding the path that former selected.
US09279847B2 Method for locating faults in ungrounded power distribution systems
A method determines a location of a single-phase-to-ground fault in an ungrounded power distribution system. The method detects the faulty phase of the distribution system having the fault and compares a difference between an angle of a voltage and an angle of a current measured at a root of a faulty feeder and boundaries of each section of the faulty feeder to determine a faulty section of a faulty feeder having the fault. A line segment of the faulty section is tested for a change of a sign of a voltage on the faulty phase in the faulty section to determine a faulty line segment. The location of the fault is determined based on a distance from a terminal bus of the faulty line segment to a location along the faulty line segment having a value the voltage on the faulty phase equals zero.
US09279846B2 Fault identification and location in a power supply line which is fed from one side
A power supply line is divided into a plurality of sections by switching devices each having an associated measurement device that detects a current signal at a measurement point at the respective switching device. The current signal is sampled to form current sample values, and a current measurement variable is determined. Each measurement device forms a delta current value (difference between an instantaneous current and a prior measurement), compares the delta current value with a current threshold value and identifies a jump in current when the delta current value overshoots the threshold. The measurement device, upon identifying a current jump, sends a status message indicating the jump. A fault location device identifies a fault on that section of the power supply line delimited by a switching device that has identified a jump and one that has not identified a jump in current.
US09279845B2 Antenna characterization in a waveguide
A method for determining at least one characteristic of an antenna requiring: a) positioning an antenna in a space surrounded by a waveguide; b) feeding an electric excitation signal (utx(t)) into a feed connection of the waveguide; c) receiving the electric response signal (urx(t)) emitted by the antenna resulting from the excitation signal (utx(t)); d) determining at least one characteristic of the antenna from a portion of the response signal (urx(t)) and a corresponding portion of the excitation signal (utx(t)), where the portion of the response signal (urx(t)) is evaluated in the time domain and satisfies the following conditions: (i) only one or more waves of the electromagnetic field caused by the excitation signal (utx(t)) and running from the feed connection towards the antenna exist at the location of the antenna; and (ii) the electromagnetic field at the location of the antenna is a TEM field.
US09279844B2 Cable detection in a pin constrained connector
A method of detecting a cable connected to a first device includes generating a second signal within the first device, and outputting the second signal onto an input-only pin of a cable connector on the first device, wherein the input-only pin is assigned to receive a first signal from a driver on a second device when a cable is connected from the second device to the cable connector, and wherein the second signal has a frequency that is at least four times greater than the frequency of the first signal. The method further comprises determining that a cable is not connected to the cable connector in response to detecting the second signal on a wire coupled to the input-only pin, and determining that the cable is connected to the cable connector in response to detecting a signal other than the second signal.
US09279835B2 Device for detecting a load type
A method for detecting a load type is described. The method includes placing an electronic device in a forward phase mode. The method also includes operating a load at a maximum allowable level. The method additionally includes capturing a voltage waveform. The method further includes capturing a current waveform. The method also includes obtaining a voltage zero-cross based on the voltage waveform. The method additionally includes obtaining a current zero-cross based on the current waveform. The method further includes determining the load type based on the voltage zero-cross and the current zero-cross.
US09279826B2 Inertial force sensor with a correction unit
An inertial force sensor of the present invention includes a detection element, a detection circuit for detecting the amount of inertia corresponding to the inertial force applied to the detection element; a first low-pass filter connected to the output side of the detection circuit; and a correction circuit for correcting the output of the first low-pass filter. The correction circuit includes a correction amount generation unit connected to the output side of the first low-pass filter; a correction amount storage unit connected to the output side of the correction amount generation unit; and a correction unit connected to the output side of the first low-pass filter and to the output side of the correction amount storage unit. The correction unit corrects an output value of the first low-pass filter based on a correction amount stored in the correction amount storage unit.
US09279823B2 Optical accelerometer
There is provided an optical accelerometer including a first substrate, a second substrate, a spacer and a processing unit. The first substrate includes a frame, a movable member and at least one elastic member. Periodic slots are formed on the movable member along at least one direction to be served as a diffraction grating. The elastic member is connected between the frame and the movable member. The second substrate includes at least one sensing unit configured to detect a diffraction pattern formed by the diffraction grating. The spacer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate to define a predetermined height. The processing unit is coupled to the sensing unit and configured to calculate a 3D acceleration according to the diffraction pattern.
US09279821B2 Deicing system in sodar systems
A system for heating the sound-reflective mirror surface of a phased array monostatic sodar apparatus. The system has a heat source located at a position that is spaced from the mirror, a control system that controls the operation of the heat source, a working fluid that is heated by the heat source and used to transfer heat from the source to the mirror, and a delivery system that constrains the heated working fluid and delivers it from the heat source to the mirror.
US09279820B2 Method for manipulating droplet
A method for manipulating a droplet by a droplet manipulating device including a flow channel, a first magnetic field generator, and a second magnetic field generator is provided. The first magnetic field generator includes two first magnetic field modules and are at two sides of the flow channel. The second magnetic field generator is between the two first magnetic field modules and includes multiple second magnetic field coils. The droplet is provided in the flow channel and includes a magnetic particle. A first magnetic field is produced on the flow channel by the first magnetic field modules, so the magnetic particle in the droplet has the direction of magnetic field corresponding to the first magnetic field. A second magnetic field is produced on the flow channel by the second magnetic field coils, for driving the magnetic particle in the droplet to be in motion in the flow channel.
US09279819B2 Sample processing system, method for saving electricity consumed by sample processing system, and non-transitory storage medium
A sample processing system is disclosed which includes at least one processor and at least one memory that stores programs executable collectively by the at least one processor. According to the stored programs, the at least one processor transports sample containers through a conveying path along which there are arranged at least one first module for testing of samples and at least one second module for processing of samples which have been tested by the at least one first module. The at least one second module is switchable between an active state and an inactive state. The at least one processor further obtains a determination result as to whether a sample which has been tested by the at least one first module is necessary to be processed by the at least one second module.
US09279816B2 Methods and kits for isolation and analysis of a chromatin region
The present invention encompasses methods of identifying proteins and protein modifications of proteins specifically associated with a chromatin.
US09279812B2 Neuregulin-1-based prognosis and therapeutic stratification of colorectal cancer
The present invention relates to the prognosis, therapeutic stratification and treatment of colorectal cancer. More in particular, the present invention discloses that significantly increased levels of transmembrane type 1 neuregulin-1 in tumor-associated mesenchymal cells present in a sample of a patient indicate that the patient has a worse prognosis when compared to patients having low levels of transmembrane type 1 neuregulin-1 in tumor-associated mesenchymal cells. Moreover, the present invention relates to the usage of transmembrane type 1 neuregulin-1 expression in tumor-associated mesenchymal cells to predict resistance to HER1 inhibitors during colorectal cancer therapy and/or to predict whether a patient would benefit from a therapy based on the prevention of neuregulin-1 and/or HER3 activity.
US09279811B2 Methods and kits that identify tumors responsive to Src inhibitors
Disclosed herein are methods of predicting whether or not a subject will benefit from treatment with a Src inhibitor on the basis of the expression of one or more of Von Hippel Lindau (VHL), Src, PTP1B, pFAK, HIF-1α, and/or CA-IX in a tumor sample from the subject.
US09279810B2 Cell binding peptides for diagnosis and detection
Cell binding peptides are provided for binding to cells including urothelial and thyroid follicular cells. The peptides are useful for detection and diagnosis of cancer including bladder and thyroid cancer. A device and method for using the device for capturing cells is provided, the device includes a support having attached cell binding peptide. The support can be a slide and the device can be used for detection and diagnosis of cancer including bladder and thyroid cancer. A kit is provided with instructions for capturing cells and a support with attached cell binding peptide for detection and diagnosis of bladder and thyroid cancer.
US09279804B2 Quantum dot—polymer nanocomposite for optical sensing
A quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite for optical chemical and biological sensing is formed by stably incorporating functionalized quantum dots into a pH sensitive hydrogel polymer network. At least one monomer of the pH sensitive hydrogel has functional groups selectively chosen to correspond to functionalized groups on the quantum dots to enable conjugation between the hydrogel polymer network and the functionalized quantum dots. The resulting quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite is placed in a solution having a known pH and addition of a chemical composition or biological agent of interest generates a change in pH of that solution. The nanocomposite expands or contracts responsive to the pH change. The pH change is optically detected by measuring the intensity level of fluorescence from the quantum dots when the nanocomposite is subjected to an excitation light source.
US09279801B2 Devices, systems and methods for high-throughput electrophysiology
Electrophysiology culture plates are provided and are formed from a transparent microelectrode array (MEA) plate. The MEA plate comprises a substrate, a first layer and a first insulating layer. The substrate has a plurality of vias extending from an upper to a lower surface, each via being in electrical contact with each of a plurality of contact pads disposed on the lower surface. The first layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and has a plurality of MEA arrays in in electrical communication with at least a first routing layer. Each MEA array comprises a plurality of reference electrodes and a plurality of microelectrodes and the first routing layer is in electrical communication with a select number of the plurality of vias. A first insulating layer is disposed on the first layer. The MEA plate is joined to a biologic culture plate having a plurality of culture wells such that each culture well defines an interior cavity having a bottom surface that is at least partially transparent and in positioned in registration with a select optical port. The MEA plate is coupled to the biologic culture well plate such that each MEA array is operatively coupled to one culture well wherein each microelectrode and each reference electrode are in electrical communication with the interior cavity through the bottom surface of the culture well.
US09279799B2 Methods of improving auto-coding capabilities for biosensors and devices for same
The present invention discloses a biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities may include a test strip associated with a code pattern; and a code reader electrically coupled to the test strip to read the code pattern, wherein the code reader is configured to read an output from the code pattern consisted of a first logical value, a second logical value, and a third logical value.
US09279797B2 Multiwell microelectrode array with optical stimulation
An electro-optical stimulation and recording system is disclosed, including a substrate and a plurality of wells coupled to the substrate. The system also includes at least one electrode set disposed proximate a respective one of the plurality of wells, wherein the electrode set comprises at least one electrode configured to collect an electric signal associated with at least a portion of the respective well. The system also includes a light-emitting element set corresponding to a respective one of the wells and configured to deliver optical stimulation to at least a portion of the respective well.
US09279796B1 Laser eye-safety method and apparatus
A method and apparatus are described for detecting the presence of explosives. The invention utilizes Laser Induced Acoustics (LIA), wherein an area of a substrate surface is irradiated, via deep UV pulsed laser, with laser pulses to generate a detectable audible signal. The invention also provides substantial improvements in the eye-safety of otherwise potentially harmful laser beams. Thus, the invention is particularly well-suited to use in public venues where detection of explosives or improved laser safety may be required.
US09279790B2 Analysis method for dye for organic solar cell and purification method therefor
This analysis method includes: subjecting a sample solution of a dye-containing sample in an organic solvent to normal-phase liquid chromatography to separate the sample solution and detect separated components. The normal-phase liquid chromatography involves (B1) using a separation column filled with a column packing material which is prepared by modifying a base material with a polar modifying group, and (B2) using as an eluent a polar organic solvent containing an acid.
US09279785B2 Monitoring temperature variation in wedge of phased-array probe for weld inspection
A coupling wedge for use with a ultrasonic phased array inspection system has a body with a bottom side configured to face the object to be tested and a front side generally oriented at an angle to the bottom side and a top side to be coupled with a phased array probe. The probe includes a plurality of apertures. The front side of the wedge has grooves formed with a plurality of reflectors that are positioned on the front side of the wedge, leaving a distance from the bottom side. The change in TOF values from the reflector to a specific aperture enable the determination of the temperature change in the wedge. An alarm to an operator or alternation of focal laws in the system for temperature compensation can be applied.
US09279782B2 Gas sensor
A gas sensor comprises a layered structure with an ionic conductive film and a high gas-permeability interlayer film, a first catalyst electrode and a second catalyst electrode, a conductivity promotion structure, a high-k layer and a current detecting unit. The ionic conductive film includes a material with ionic conductivity ranging from 0.02 to 1000 S/cm. The first catalyst electrode and second catalyst electrode are located on the layered structure and spaced by a predetermined distance for ionizing a gas and reducing the ionized gas, respectively. The conductivity promotion structure includes a material with electronic conductivity ranging from 10−5 to 105 S/cm, and provides wanted electrons for a reduction reaction. The high-k layer is interposed between the conductivity promotion structure and layered structure. The current detecting unit is coupled to the first catalyst electrode and second catalyst electrode to sense a detecting current with respect to the ionized gas.
US09279780B2 Filters, filter assemblies, filter systems and methods for identifying installation of qualified filter elements
A filter assembly has a qualified filter element that filters fuel, a filter housing for the qualified filter element and a water-in-fuel sensor that senses presence of water in the filter housing. An electrical resistance of the water-in-fuel sensor changes based upon whether the qualified filter element is installed in the housing. A filter assembly can also have a plurality of magnetic elements disposed on at least one of the filter housing and the qualified filter element. A plurality of wires are disposed on at least the other of the filter housing and the qualified filter element. The control circuit determines that the qualified filter element is installed in the filter housing based on a change in the electrical current in the plurality of wires.
US09279778B2 Apparatus and method for determining molecular structure
Certain disclosed embodiments concern a method and an apparatus for determining molecular structure. One embodiment comprises producing sample ions from a sample, cooling molecules of the sample ions by either embedding sample ions in superfluid droplets, such as superfluidic helium droplets, or subjecting sample ions in a cooled ion trap, to a selected temperature approaching absolute zero. Plural cooled sample ions confined in a diffraction zone are oriented using a laser, and a diffraction image is produced from oriented sample ions using an electron beam. Molecular structure is determined using collected images from different orientations obtained under different polarization directions of the orientation laser. Embodiments of an apparatus for determining molecular structure also are disclosed. The apparatus operation, data accumulation and processing are controlled by software. The software can directly calculate electron density maps without using heavy atom derivatives or multi-wavelength anomalous dispersion phasing methods.
US09279776B2 X-ray analysis apparatus with single crystal X-ray aperture and method for manufacturing a single crystal X-ray aperture
An X-ray analysis apparatus has at least one X-ray aperture (4; 4a, 4b) which delimits an X-ray beam (RS) emitted by an X-ray source (2). The at least one X-ray aperture (4; 4a, 4b) is disposed at a separation from the sample (5) and has a single crystal aperture body (8) with a through pinhole (9). The single crystal aperture body (8) forms a peripheral continuous edge (10) which delimits the X-ray beam (RS) and starting from which the pinhole (9) widens like a funnel in a direction of an outlet opening (11) of the X-ray aperture (4; 4a, 4b) in a first area (B1). The X-ray analysis apparatus reduces impairment of X-ray measurements due to parasitic scattered radiation and at little expense.
US09279773B2 Crack detection and measurement in a metallurgical vessels
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed to detect and measure cracks in the lining of a container. A typical apparatus includes a scanning device to acquire a cloud of data points by measuring distances from the scanning device to a plurality of points on the surface of lining material and a controller to fit a polygonal mesh and a minimum surface through the cloud of data points, a crack being detected by a portion of the polygonal mesh containing a connected group of polygons that extends past the minimum surface beyond a threshold distance.
US09279771B2 Manipulation of fluids in three-dimensional porous photonic structures with patterned surface properties
A three-dimensional porous photonic structure, whose internal pore surfaces can be provided with desired surface properties in a spatially selective manner with arbitrary patterns, and methods for making the same are described. When exposed to a fluid (e.g., via immersion or wicking), the fluid can selectively penetrate the regions of the structure with compatible surface properties. Broad applications, for example in security, encryption and document authentication, as well as in areas such as simple microfluidics and diagnostics, are anticipated.
US09279768B2 Fluorescence reader
A fluorescence reader for an optical assay arrangement that includes a polymeric sample substrate having a reaction site-surface and a substrate surface. The fluorescence reader includes a light source arranged to illuminate the reaction site-surface through the substrate surface, and a detector device arranged to detect fluorescent light emitted from the reaction site-surface and transmitted through the substrate surface, the substrate surface being configured to increase transmission of emitted fluorescent light by suppression of total internal reflection.
US09279765B2 Dynamic light scattering based microrheology of complex fluids with improved single-scattering mode detection
A fluid characterization measuring instrument comprises a sample vessel (14) for a bulk complex sample fluid having a capacity that is substantially larger than a domain size of the complex sample fluid and that is sufficiently large to cause bulk scattering effects to substantially exceed surface effects for the complex fluid sample, a coherent light source (12) positioned to illuminate the bulk complex sample fluid in the sample vessel and a first fibre (16) having a first end positioned to receive backscattered light from the sample after it has interacted with the sample. The first fibre is positioned close enough to an optical axis of the coherent light source and to the sample vessel to substantially decrease a contribution of multiply scattered light in the backscattered light. The instrument further comprises a first photon-counting detector (20) positioned to receive the backscattered light from a second end of the fibre, correlation logic (22) responsive to the first photon-counting detector and single-scattering fluid property analysis logic responsive to the correlation logic and operative to derive at least one fluid property for the sample fluid.
US09279763B2 Apparatus and method for measuring an analyte such as bilirubin, using light
An analyte measuring device (5) for monitoring, for example, levels of a tissue analyte (e.g., bilirubin), includes a number of narrow band light sources (10), each narrow band light source being structured to emit a spectrum of light covering a number of wavelengths, and a number of detector assemblies (15) configured to receive light reflected from the transcutaneous tissues of a subject. Each of the detector assemblies includes a filter (20) and a photodetector (25), each filter being structured to transmit a main transmission band and one or more transmission sidebands, wherein for each narrow band light source the spectrum thereof includes one or more wavelengths that fall within the transmission band of at least one of the filters, and wherein for each narrow band light source the spectrum thereof does not include any wavelengths that fall within the one or more transmission sidebands of any of the optical filters.
US09279760B2 Analyzer and agitating apparatus
An analyzer comprises a container supplying unit which supplies a container, an agitating unit which agitates liquid in the container, and a measurement unit which performs a measurement using the liquid agitated by the agitating unit. The agitating unit comprises a base which is configured to move relative to the container supplying unit, a driving source which is mounted on the base, a container catcher which is configured to catch the container at one side, a transmitting member which transmits the power of the driving source to the other end side of the container catcher, and a supporting member which supports the container catcher at a position between one end and the other end of the container catcher.
US09279759B2 Nanoparticle array with tunable nanoparticle size and separation
The present invention is directed to self-assembled nanoparticle arrays, methods of making the nanoparticle arrays, and methods of using the nanoparticle arrays in spectroscopic methods for detecting targets of interest. The present invention is also directed to a fabrication method for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates that possess a unique combination of three highly desirable attributes: (a) the SERS substrates can be tuned to match the laser wavelength of operation and maximize the enhancement factor for the particular Raman instrument and analyte in use; (b) the SERS substrates have a highly reproducible enhancement factor over macroscopic sampling areas; and (c) the fabrication method is achieved without resorting to expensive, slow nano-lithography tools.
US09279758B2 Method and apparatus for diagnosing status of parts in real time in plasma processing equipment
Apparatus and methods for diagnosing status of a consumable part of a plasma reaction chamber, the consumable part including at least one conductive element embedded therein. The method includes the steps of: coupling the conductive element to a power supply so that a bias potential relative to the ground is applied to the conductive element; exposing the consumable part to plasma erosion until the conductive element draws a current from the plasma upon exposure of the conductive element to the plasma; measuring the current; and evaluating a degree of erosion of the consumable part due to the plasma based on the measured current.
US09279756B2 Method of monitoring wear in a diaphragm valve using pressure detection
A flush valve for a waste water system comprises a valve including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a main valve element adapted for movement to allow fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet based on a pressure differential across a portion of the main valve element. The valve also includes a vent system comprising a control chamber in flow communication with the fluid inlet of the valve and a vent outlet in flow communication with the fluid outlet of the valve, and a solenoid for venting fluid venting fluid from the control chamber to the fluid outlet. A pressure sensor, such as an electronic pressure transducer, senses the fluid pressure of fluid within the vent system. When a predetermined pressure threshold is reached or exceeded, the solenoid can be energized to release fluid from the control chamber.
US09279755B2 Testing methods and pass/fail criteria for electric joints
In one embodiment, a method of evaluating a battery module includes: applying a tension load to a test coupon, the test coupon including a segment of a battery terminal connected to a segment of an interconnector busbar; and measuring electrical resistance across the segments of the test coupon. In certain instances, the method further includes applying a different, second tension load to the segments of the test coupon and repeating the measuring of electrical resistance. In certain other instances, the method further includes forming a plot between various values of electrical resistance as a function of various tension loads.
US09279752B2 Method for preparing thin samples for TEM imaging
A method and apparatus for preparing thin TEM samples in a manner that reduces or prevents bending and curtaining is realized. Embodiments of the present invention deposit material onto the face of a TEM sample during the process of preparing the sample. In some embodiments, the material can be deposited on a sample face that has already been thinned before the opposite face is thinned, which can serve to reinforce the structural integrity of the sample and refill areas that have been over-thinned due to a curtaining phenomena. In other embodiments, material can also be deposited onto the face being milled, which can serve to reduce or eliminate curtaining on the sample face.
US09279751B2 System and method of taking and collecting tissue cores for treatment
A tissue cutting device is described that may include alternative systems for tissue preservation and transport. The cutting device includes an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. A temperature control sleeve may be disposed around the tissue collector to control the temperature of the tissue samples. A preservation system may be supplied that is configured to deliver fluids to tissue samples in the tissue collector. A fluid supply sleeve may be disposed about the outer cannula and is selectively positionable along the length of the outer cannula.
US09279744B2 Anomaly diagnosis system
Any one of ECUs that are operating detects a present power supply voltage repeatedly. When the voltage detected at the present time is changed from the voltage detected at the previous time, a difference is calculated as a variation value and the repeatedly calculated variation values are integrated to provide a voltage variation integrated value. When the variation of the power supply voltage of an ECU becomes great relatively due to a loose connection in a power supply line, the calculated voltage variation integrated value becomes greater than those of the other ECUs. In addition, when a defect arises in a common power supply source, the voltage variation integrated value increases in all the ECUs. Therefore, each integrated value of the variation values of the power supply voltage in each of the ECUs enables an anomaly diagnosis of an occurrence point of the defect.
US09279740B2 Apparatus for location of vehicle center for aerodynamic testing
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus and a method of testing one of aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics of a vehicle is described. The method includes measuring a vehicle center using a gauge. The gauge includes a carrier section from which a pair of arms extend in opposed directions. Each of the arms has an axle center locator. The carrier section has a vehicle center marker. Upon determination of the vehicle center, the vehicle can be located in a wind tunnel at a predetermined location and exposed to an enhanced air flow.
US09279739B2 Virtual noncontact excitation
An excitation system includes a pair of piezoelectric elements configured to apply respective excitation forces to a test structure, a clamp including an adjustable arm, the adjustable arm being configured to capture the test structure between the pair of piezoelectric elements, a controller coupled to the pair of piezoelectric elements and configured to generate a respective excitation control signal for each piezoelectric element, each excitation control signal being configured such that the respective excitation forces are matched to one another, and a pair of sensor film structures to generate respective output signals indicative of the excitation forces applied to the test structure, each sensor film structure being disposed between a respective one of the pair of piezoelectric elements and the test structure.
US09279736B2 System and method for calibrating hydraulic valves
A system and method for calibrating an electronically actuatable hydraulic valve in a work machine may include at least one supply valve and at least one drain valve to be calibrated and a bypass valve in fluid communication with a pump and a fluid source. The at least one supply valve and the at least one drain valve may be calibrated by opening the at least one supply valve and the at least one drain valve, closing the bypass valve, setting the pump to a desired flow output, determining a first current command for the at least one supply valve corresponding to a first target pressure parameter and determining a second current command for the at least one drain valve corresponding to a second target pressure parameter.
US09279735B2 Machine and method for monitoring the state of a safety bearing of a machine
An operating method for container quay cranes used to load and unload container ships aided by a PC with a monitor in a crane driver's cabin. The crane driver operates a touchscreen on the monitor, thereby enabling the crane to reach its specified target in a fully or partially automatic manner. Several operating modes, including a training mode, are provided.
US09279734B2 System and method for analyzing athletic activity
Various sensor systems are described herein, including inserts having sensors thereon, which are configured to be received in an article of footwear. The inserts may be connected to a sole member of the footwear, or may function as a sole member. The sensors may be piezoelectric sensors in some configurations. The system may also include an electronic module that is overmolded into the sole structure and includes a connector for external access.
US09279731B2 Multichannel thermocouple compensation for three dimensional temperature gradient
A method of using a thermocouple is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, disposing at least one temperature sensor at each of two or more respective portions of an electrical connector adapted to receive thermocouple signals, measuring temperatures at the two or more portions, and calculating the temperatures at each terminal of the electrical connector based on measured temperature values of the two or more respective portions having the disposed temperature sensors. The method also includes, but is not limited to, calculating a cold junction temperature of a terminal for at least one thermocouple channel carrying the thermocouple signals based on measured or calculated temperature values of the terminals, or a combination thereof.
US09279730B2 Device having a membrane structure for detecting thermal radiation, and method for production thereof
In a device for detecting thermal radiation, at least one membrane is provided on which at least one thermal detector element is mounted for the conversion of the thermal radiation into an electric signal and at least one circuit support for carrying the membrane and for carrying at least one readout circuit for reading out the electrical signal, the detector element and the readout circuit being connected together electrically by an electric contact which passes through the membrane. In addition, a method of producing the device with the following method steps is provided: a) provision of the membrane with the detector element and of at least one electrical through-connection and provision of the circuit support and b) bringing together the membrane and the circuit support in such a manner that the detector element and the readout circuit are connected together electrically by an electrical contact passing through the membrane. Production activity is preferably carried out at wafer level: functionalized silicon substrates are stacked upon one another, firmly bonded to one another and then divided into individual elements. Preferably, the detector elements comprise of pyro-electrical detector elements. The device finds application in motion detectors, presence detectors and in thermal imaging cameras.
US09279728B2 Executable code in digital image files
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing information in images pictured by infrared cameras comprising the steps of receiving radiation from at least one object in an area; extracting radiometric information from the radiation; transforming the radiometric information into at least one digital image file; storing the at least one digital image file and at least one digital function file comprising an executable code characterised by the steps of merging the executable code of the at least one digital function file into or with the at least one digital image file, thereby generating an executable digital image file, wherein the executable code comprises at least one instruction and is written in a programming language independent of system architecture. The invention further relates to a computer program product.
US09279727B2 Methods, apparatus and media for determining a shape of an irradiance pulse to which a workpiece is to be exposed
A method and system for determining a shape of an irradiance pulse to which a semiconductor wafer is to be exposed during a thermal cycle are disclosed. The method includes receiving, with a processor circuit, thermal cycle parameters specifying requirements of the thermal cycle, and determining, with the processor circuit, a shape of a heating portion of the irradiance pulse. Determining includes optimizing at least one parameter of a flux profile model of the heating portion of the irradiance pulse to satisfy the requirements while minimizing frequency-domain energy spectral densities of the flux profile model at resonant frequencies of the wafer, to minimize vibration of the wafer at the resonant frequencies when the wafer is exposed to the irradiance pulse.
US09279718B2 Methods, systems, and devices for multibeam coherent detection and speckle mitigation
Methods, systems, and devices are provided that may facilitate multibeam coherent detection and/or speckle mitigation. For example, some embodiments provide for multiple simultaneous independent speckle realizations in light reflected from an actively illuminated target while also may simultaneously provide reference beams inherently aligned to each speckle. These tools and techniques may facilitate coherent detection of light returned from a target. In some cases, this may provide the basis for substantial speckle mitigation. With the addition of illumination phase or frequency modulation and/or intelligent algorithmic methods, some designs may utilize the multiple speckle returns to actively mitigate speckle noise, and can further be used to separately measure speckle phase to implement interferometric resolution surface tilt measurement and/or surface imaging. These tools and techniques may be utilized for other purposes related to multibeam coherent detection and/or speckle mitigation.
US09279717B2 Multidirectional input device
A multidirectional input device includes a case; a slider slidable in a first direction and mounted to the case; a movable member mounted on an upper surface of the slider so as to be slidable in a second direction; a first reflection portion provided on any one of the movable member, the case, and the slider; a first light-emitting device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion; and a first light-receiving device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion, wherein the first reflection portion has a plurality of steps confronting the side facing the first light-emitting device, and a distance between the first reflection portion and the first light-emitting device in a third direction varies according to an area.
US09279713B2 Determination of basis weight of a material web using a microwave sensor, whereby the distance between the material web and the surfaces of the microwave sensor is being adjusted to a constant value by air cushions
A device for determining the weight per unit area of a moving material web, in particular a fibrous material web includes at least one microwave sensor that has an element for coupling the microwaves and a reference element. The coupling element and the reference element are located at a distance from one another in such a way that the material web can be moved therebetween. At least one microwave sensor element, the coupling element and/or the reference element can be moved such that the distances between the material web and the elements can be adjusted for or during the measurement of the moving material web.
US09279710B2 Digital flowmeter
A control and measurement system for a coriolis flowmeter having a flowtube, a driver adapted to vibrate the flowtube, and a pair of sensors adapted to generate signals indicative of movement of the flowtube when it is being vibrated by the driver, wherein the sensors are positioned relative to one another so the signals from the sensors are indicative of a mass flow rate of fluid through the flowtube. A digital drive signal generator is adapted to generate a variable digital drive signal for controlling operation of the driver. The digital drive signal generator can be adapted to cause the driver to resist motion of the flowtube during a first time period and amplify motion of the flowtube during a second time period. The digital drive signal generator can also be adapted to initiate motion of the flowtube by sending one or more square wave signals to the driver.
US09279709B2 Sensor device for detecting a flow property of a fluid medium
A sensor device for detecting at least one flow property of a fluid medium, including at least one sensor housing, in which at least one electronic module having at least one flow sensor for detecting the flow property is accommodated. At least one pressure sensor and at least one humidity sensor are accommodated inside the sensor housing, at least the pressure sensor and optionally also the humidity sensor is situated inside the sensor housing independently of the electronic module.
US09279707B2 Ultrasonic multipath flow measuring device ascertaining weighing factors for measuring paths
A method for manufacturing an ultrasonic, flow measuring device, characterized by method steps as follows: selecting a number larger than one of straight subsections of the first signal path, which should have different distances from the measuring tube axis; establishing the distances of the straight subsections from measuring tube axis; calculating values of lengths of the straight subsections, as projected on the measuring tube axis, as a function of the number of straight subsections with the same distance from the measuring tube axis and the respective distances from the measuring tube axis; and inserting the at least a first reflection surface in the measuring tube such that the acoustic signal on the path from the first transmitter to the first receiver is so reflected on at least the first reflection surface that the first signal path comprises the straight subsections with the selected distances and the calculated values of the lengths as projected on the measuring tube axis.
US09279690B2 Vehicle navigation apparatus and method of determining trajectory of vehicle
Provided are an apparatus and corresponding method of determining a navigation trajectory of a vehicle. The method includes receiving, by a control server, traffic congestion information with respect to a road network comprising trajectories from the current location to the destination, determining, by the control server, candidate trajectories ordered by the shortest distance among the trajectories from a current location to a destination or ordered by the shortest time among the trajectories from a current location to a destination, in consideration of the traffic congestion information, and determining, by the control server, the trajectory having the smallest increase in the traffic congestion degree with respect to the road network among candidate trajectories as a final trajectory.
US09279689B2 Method for constructing and revising road maps in a database for a vehicle
A method for constructing and revising road maps in a vehicle map database using vehicle location signals to provide traffic flow information for recognized vehicle patterns from past vehicle travel. The method includes identifying vehicle travel segments as a series of exemplar points from the location signals. Exemplar points in each travel segment are eliminated to define the travel segment by a beginning exemplar point and an ending exemplar point. A potential ending exemplar point may be redefined if an average location of the exemplar points from a line connecting the beginning point and the potential ending point is outside of a threshold distance. The travel segments are stored in a database, where each stored travel segment includes a travel time. The method compares new vehicle travel segments to the stored vehicle travel segments to identify a match, and then revise the vehicle travel time for the stored travel segments.
US09279688B2 Data mining in a digital map database to identify blind intersections along roads and enabling precautionary actions in a vehicle
Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle, in particular, a blind intersection along a section of road. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where a blind intersection is located along a section of road. Then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate a location at which a precautionary action is to be taken about the blind intersection located along the section of road. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to determine when the vehicle is at a location that corresponds to the location of a precautionary action. When the vehicle is at such a location, a precautionary action is taken by a vehicle system as the vehicle is approaching a blind intersection.
US09279684B2 Air data probe sense port repair
A method of repairing an air data probe sense port includes inserting a plug into a sense port in an air data probe, mounting the plug to the air data probe, dressing the welded plug to be substantially flush with adjacent air data probe surface, and forming a new sense port in the air data probe. The method can include enlarging the sense port prior to inserting the plug therein.
US09279681B2 Micromechanical coriolis rate of rotation sensor
A micromechanical Coriolis rate of rotation sensor for detecting a rate of rotation, comprising a substrate, a measurement axis (X-axis), a detection axis (Y-axis), and a drive axis (Z-axis), each disposed orthogonally to each other and a first and a second driving mass (2) disposed in an X-Y plane parallel to the substrate. Each driving mass (2) being rotatably connected to the substrate by means of a central suspension. The two central suspensions being disposed along the Y-axis. Drive means are used for generating a rotational oscillation of the driving masses (2) about the drive axis (Z) at each central suspension. At least one elastic connecting element (5) is disposed on each of the driving masses (2) on both sides of the Y-axis and spaced apart from the same for connecting and oscillating the two driving masses (2) in a mutually tuned manner.
US09279679B2 Construction machine control method and construction machine control system
A construction machine control system comprises a laser surveying instrument for projecting a laser beam in rotary irradiation at constant speed and a construction machine for operating in a photodetection range of the laser beam, and in the construction machine control system, the construction machine comprises a working mechanical unit for carrying out construction operation, a machine control device for controlling the working mechanical unit, and at least three beam detectors which are disposed at known positions with respect to a device reference position of the construction machine and have a photodetector for receiving the laser beam and a direction of the construction machine is calculated based on photodetection timing of each of the beam detectors and the machine control device controls the working mechanical unit so that direction of the construction machine is set to a condition as required based on a result of calculation.
US09279675B2 Device for determining an extension length of an extendable machine part
A device for determining an extension length of an extendable machine part includes a first ultrasound sensor and a controller, the controller determining the extension length on the basis of an ultrasound signal received by the first ultrasound sensor. The first ultrasound sensor includes a first ultrasound converter and a second ultrasound converter which are arranged such that they are offset along the measuring direction.
US09279674B2 Method of testing blocking ability of photoresist blocking layer for ion implantation
A method of testing a blocking ability of a photoresist blocking layer for ion implantation, comprising: forming a photoresist blocking layer (S1) on a substrate; measuring a first thickness (S2) of the photoresist blocking layer at an arbitrary position on the substrate, the first thickness being a thickness of the photoresist blocking layer; implanting a predetermined amount of ions (S3) into the photoresist blocking layer; measuring a second thickness (S4) of the photoresist blocking layer at the arbitrary position, the second thickness being a thickness of a hardened portion in the photoresist blocking layer; and determining a blocking ability (S5) of the photoresist blocking layer with the first thickness for ion implantation according to the second thickness. This method does not need to use a testing silicon slice during the process of testing the blocking ability of a photoresist blocking layer for ion implantation, and thus can reduce required costs during the testing process.
US09279669B2 Optical measuring device with a slider and optical measurement method
An optical measuring device for measuring a surface contour of an object, includes a tripod on which a camera platform is mounted, wherein on the camera platform at least two photo cameras are arranged for imaging the object comprising marking elements, and the at least two photo cameras are arranged on the camera platform in such a manner that imaging the object can be carried out from two different perspectives, wherein between the camera platform and the tripod a displacement device for the linear displacement of the camera platform in three directions that are independent of each other is arranged.
US09279667B2 Aspheric surface measuring method, aspheric surface measuring apparatus, optical element producing apparatus and optical element
The method includes: calculating positional and angular magnification distributions of rays reflected by a reference aspheric surface on a light-receiving sensor and on a sensor conjugate surface; measuring a first wavefront of a reference light on the sensor; and calculating a second wavefront of the reference light on the sensor based on a parameter of an optical system. The method includes: moving at least two movable elements for calibration such that a difference between rotationally symmetric components of the first and second wavefronts becomes small; measuring, after the calibration, a third wavefront of the reference light on the sensor; measuring, after the calibration, a fourth wavefront of the measurement light on the sensor; and calculating the profile of the measurement object aspheric surface by using the third and fourth wavefronts, the positional and angular magnification distributions, and the profile of the reference aspheric surface.
US09279664B2 Device for measuring slab thickness
A device for measuring the thickness of slag on the surface of liquid metal contained in an ingot mould comprises a wire made of electrically conductive material and capable of being eliminated under the effect of the heat at the temperature of the slag, the wire having a free end able to be dipped into the slag, a wire feeder capable of displacing the wire so that its free end dips vertically into the slag according to a predetermined trajectory, a wire displacement measurer capable of measuring a distance travelled by the free end of the wire during a time interval between two predetermined events when the latter is displaced under the action of the feeding means, and a wire feeder controller having a molten metal contact detector capable of detecting contact between the free end and the surface of the liquid metal.
US09279657B2 Level sensor arrangement in a lithographic apparatus for measuring multi-layer surfaces
Disclosed is a method of measuring a position of at least one substantially reflective layer surface on a substrate in a lithographic apparatus, and associated level sensor and lithographic apparatuses. The method comprises performing at least two interferometrical measurements using a broadband light source. Between each measurement, the component wavelengths and/or intensity levels over the component wavelengths of the broadband source beam is varied such that, where it is only the intensity levels that are varied, the intensity variation is different for at least some of the beam's component wavelengths. Alternatively, a single measurement and subsequent processing of the measurement to obtain measurement data whereby the component wavelengths and/or intensity levels over the component wavelengths are different can be applied as well to obtain the position.
US09279653B2 System and method for verifying screw threads
A thread gauge inspection apparatus includes a receiving member to hold a reference thread gauge and a motor to bi-directionally rotate the reference thread gauge. A counter counts a number of turns the reference thread gauge is rotated by the motor, and a torque monitoring device monitors the torque produced by the motor as the reference thread gauge is rotated. A controller, when the monitored torque exceeds a predetermined value, causes the motor to stop rotating the reference thread gauge and causes the counter to stop counting the number of turns the reference thread gauge is rotated. The controller compares the count produced by the counter with an inputted specific turn count and indicates the thread quality of threaded hole or a threaded stud passed inspection when the count produced by the counter is equal to the inputted specific turn count.
US09279652B2 Safe and arm explosive train
A Safe-and-Arm system for the prevention of unintentional operation of an explosive device by interrupting a detonation train, the system employing an interruptive transfer assembly made of silicon and suitable for implementing in a MEMS device, the assembly including a silicon based transfer charge carrier on a porous explosive passageway made by etching, the passageway extending between at least two ports on the circumference of the transfer assembly, and a drive means that can mechanically bring about at least one armed state of a detonation train.
US09279650B2 Crossbow bolt having a rear deployable cutter device and practice bolt for simulating the same
An arrow having a forward portion and an aft portion. The aft portion includes a necked down region having a diameter less than the diameter of the frontal portion. A cutter device includes one or more blades and is mountable along the necked down region of the aft portion. A tube having a plurality of vanes is disposed over the blades during arrow flight and is slidable rearward to allow the blades to deploy outward upon engagement of the vanes with a target.
US09279649B2 Lighted nock
A lighted nock system includes a lighted nock assembly and a plurality of adaptors. The lighted nock assembly includes a shaft insertion portion having a shaft outer shape and shaft outer dimension. The first adaptor includes an internal opening having an internal size and internal shape configured to mate with the shaft insertion portion of the lighted nock assembly. The second adaptor includes the same internal opening size and shape as the first adaptor. The outer diameter of the second adaptor is different than the outer diameter of the first adaptor. A plurality of adaptors having different sized outer diameters, but the same internal configurations, can be provided in a single package with the lighted nock assembly. The lighted nock assembly can include a rotatable lockout collar to prevent unintended activation of the lighted nock assembly.
US09279647B2 Universal lighted nock and processes therefor
A lighted nock assembly is disclosed for use with an archery projectile. A cap fits within the tail end of the projectile shaft. The cap comprises a shoulder to bear against the projectile shaft, a recess terminating in a floor portion, and a face to bear against the shoulder of a nock. An LED/battery assembly fits within the recess of the cap abutting the floor portion. A nock fits over the LED/battery assembly and into the recess of the cap. Ready-to-fire, the LED/battery assembly comprises an activation gap between the LED lamp and the body of the battery assembly. A gap, greater than or equal to the activation gap, is left between the shoulder of the nock and the face of the cap. When fired, the bow string drives an internal surface of the nock into the front end of the LED/battery assembly and illuminates the LED lamp.
US09279645B2 Electronic detonator
An electronic detonator (10) which includes a housing (12) which contains an explosive charge (18), an initiating element (20), a control circuit (24), at least one coil (32) having a plurality of windings (30) in a tubular configuration, and a magnet (40) wherein passage of the magnet (40) through the coil (32) creates voltage to which the control circuit (24) is responsive, and a connector (46) for connecting a shock tube (48) to the housing (12).
US09279642B2 Portable multi-use self-defense device
The portable multi-use self-defense device can include a trigger; a housing; two or more canisters, said canisters containing at least one of gas and liquids; and an engagement mechanism coupled to said trigger and to said canisters, said engagement mechanism being capable of actuating the discharge of the at least one of gas and liquids from the two or more canisters substantially simultaneously.
US09279634B2 Firearm bolt cleaning tool
A firearm bolt cleaning tool includes a tool core defining a plurality of scraper surfaces. The scraper surfaces include a first gas ring scraper surface, a first bolt face scraper surface extending from a terminus of the first gas ring scraper surface, and a first bolt cylinder scraper surface extending from a terminus of the first bolt face scraper surface. Opposing positioned are a second gas ring scraper surface, a second bolt face scraper surface extending from a terminus of the second gas ring scraper surface, and a second bolt cylinder scraper surface extending from a terminus of the second bolt face scraper surface. The first gas ring scraper surface and the second gas ring scraper surface are spaced apart from each other at a distance that is less than a diameter of a cylindrical gas sealing ring holding section of the firearm bolt.
US09279633B2 Multi-caliber weapon
The present invention provides a barrel device capable of using various calibers of flanged centerfired ammunition in a breech loaded firearm. The barrel device is able to position and secure various caliber ammunition, whereby the action and firing pin will strike the center of the ammunition and cause it to be fired from the weapon. In some embodiments, the unique barrel device may comprise a non-newtonian type of fluid housed and contained in the barrel by a para-aramid synthetic material. In other embodiments, the barrel device may comprise a mechanical construct and may or may not use a synthetic fiber inner lining. In another embodiment, the barrel device may contain a foam type material to house and center the ammunition. In further embodiments, the barrel device may comprise both a non-newtonian type of fluid and a mechanical construct.
US09279632B2 Automatic or semi-automatic rifle
A rifle having a receiver with an integral hand guard and a barrel. The barrel is connected to the receiver. The hand guard extends over and surrounds the barrel. A removable hand guard is attached to the receiver by an attachment that stably holds the removable hand guard to the receiver. The attachment is arranged for allowing detachment and removal of the removable hand guard from the receiver without removal of fasteners.
US09279631B2 High capacity magazine efficient loader device and related method
A device and related method are disclosed for efficient loading of a spring powered magazine. The magazine body is configured with equal and opposite lateral channels extending from the magazine floor to near the magazine top. The channels are located approximately at a longitudinal midpoint of the magazine body. The follower of the magazine is configured with a follower sleeve having a longitudinal dimension approximately equal to the longitudinal dimension of the opposite lateral channels and aligned with the opposite lateral channels as the follower slidably travels along a vertical axis of the magazine body. As the follower sleeve aligns with the opposite lateral channels, it is configured to be engaged by a compression tool to relieve, as the compression tool acts upon the follower, spring tension between the latest round loaded and the retainer lips of the magazine opening.
US09279627B2 Sootblower having a nozzle with deep reaching jets and edge cleaning jets
A sootblower having a nozzle that includes one or more deep reaching jets aligned with its respective platen bank to clean slag deposits inset from the leading edge of the platen bank. The nozzle also includes one or more edge cleaning jets substantially angled with respect to the platen bank for cleaning the leading edges of the platen bank. For most applications, the major axis of the sootblower is perpendicular to the major axis of its respective platen bank, resulting in a sootblower with a nozzle having angled and perpendicular jets, referred to as angled-perpendicular nozzles. The jet sizes are selected to balance the opposing components of force perpendicular to the sootblower to avoid the imposition of torque on the lance.
US09279624B2 Heat exchanger tube with collared fins for enhanced heat transfer
A fin and tube heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes arranged in parallel and a plurality of plate-shaped fins provided orthogonally to the heat transfer tubes, each of the heat transfer tubes is in contact with fin collars of the plate-shaped fins and is inserted along the fin collars. Each fin collar is configured to include a bend in each of a re-flared portion and in a root portion of the fin collar. A thickness of the re-flared portion is smaller than a thickness of the root portion and a radius of the bend of the re-flared portion is larger than a radius of the bend of the root portion.
US09279623B2 Device having a heat exchanger for a thermoelectric generator of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle having the device
A device having a heat exchanger includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet for a fluid and an inner tube having a first end face extending in axial direction, an opposite second end face and a circumferential surface having openings. A plurality of heat exchanger tubes is disposed parallel to the axial direction on the outside of the circumferential surface. The housing encloses the heat exchanger tubes and the inner tube and the inlet is fluidically connected to the first end face. Guide elements are disposed between the heat exchanger tubes so that the fluid entering the inner tube through the first end face flows out across the heat exchanger tubes in radial direction starting from the inner tube. The device is used particularly for constructing a thermoelectric generator for positioning in the underbody of a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.
US09279618B2 Kiln tool plate for firing ceramic material
A kiln tool plate for firing a ceramic material used during the firing of an article to be fired, where at least uneven conformations are imparted to a front surface side on which the article to be fired is mounted and a back surface side, and opening areas are formed. In the ceramic material firing kiln tool plate, the decrease of heat capacity and the reduction of costs can be achieved, a contact area with the article to be fired is decreased to improve outgassing, and the atmosphere can be made uniform to uniformly manufacture the fired article. Above all, the kiln tool plate for firing the ceramic material has excellent thermal shock resistance, creep resistance, high strength at high temperature and oxidation resistance, and enables weight saving.
US09279616B2 Liquid coalescence and vacuum chamber dryer system and method
A coalescing dryer passes air downwardly through items to be dried in a container. The air can be diverted to change direction following passage of the air through the items to be dried. The moving air causes liquid on the surface of items to be dried to coalesce and travel downwardly and from the items being dried. A vacuum dryer applies a vacuum to the container of items to be dried when placed in a vacuum chamber after pre-drying by the coalescing dryer so as to evaporate liquid in the items to be dried that has not been removed by the coalescing dryer.
US09279614B2 Drying/carbonizing device and method thereof
This drying/carbonizing device is formed from providing within a drying chamber: a plurality of tubes, to one end of which an inlet is formed and to the other end of which an outlet is formed, of which the upper and lower ends are interconnected to each other to form a single chain, and which have rotatable screw conveyers therewithin that are disposed in a manner so that the outward paths and return paths vertically alternate; horizontal tubes that are attached at appropriate intervals along the lengthwise direction of the plurality of tubes and that are horizontal discharge tubes connected to the plurality of tubes; vertical tubes that are connected to the ends of the horizontal tubes and that are provided in the vertical direction; and a bottom collection tube that is provided horizontally to the bottom, links the ends of the vertical tubes, and removes gas.
US09279613B2 Air separation method and apparatus
A cryogenic air separation method and apparatus in which first and second liquid streams are produced. The first liquid stream has a higher oxygen content than air and can consist of a higher pressure distillation column bottoms and the second liquid stream, for instance, air, has a lower oxygen content than the first liquid stream and an argon content no less than the air. The second liquid stream is subcooled through indirect heat exchange with the first liquid stream and both of such streams are introduced into the lower pressure column. The second liquid stream is introduced into the lower pressure column above that point at which the crude liquid oxygen column bottoms or any portion thereof is introduced into the lower pressure column to increase a liquid to vapor ratio below the introduction of the second liquid stream and therefore, reduce the oxygen present within the column overhead.
US09279609B2 Refrigerator and method of manufacturing inner door thereof
A refrigerator provided with an inner panel molded through injection molding while an accommodation groove in which an installation member is accommodated is formed at the inner panel, and as a gasket is installed at an installation groove of the installation member, the use of a complex mold such as a slide core is minimized while making it easy to install the gasket at the inner panel.
US09279603B2 Facade element
A facade element for heat-insulation purposes has at least two parallel panels (101, 102), a cavity (103), which is formed between these two panels (101, 102) and has fluid flowing through it, and at least one inlet (13), for feeding a radiation-absorbing fluid, and at least one outlet (13′), for discharging the fluid. The inlet (13) is arranged on a first side of the panels (101, 102) and the outlet (13′) is arranged on an opposite, second side of the panels (101, 102). The at least one inlet (13) and the cavity (103) have arranged between them a first flow distributor (14), which extends for distribution along the length of the first side. This facade element makes straightforward and cost-effective industrial production possible.
US09279602B2 System and method for provisioning energy systems
The invention provides systems and methods for provisioning a site with an energy system such as a solar energy system. A system according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a user interface module providing a graphical user interface for receiving information from a user, for example a potential purchaser. The information includes location information for the site to be provisioned. An image retrieval module is coupled to the user interface module and to a source of geographical information. The image retrieval module retrieves at least one image of the site corresponding to the location provided by the user. A sizing module is configured to enable a user to measure an installation surface represented in the image. Energy system components are selected based on the measurements.
US09279596B2 Systems and methods for damper performance diagnostics
A computerized method for diagnosing a damper condition in a flow control unit includes providing a control signal to a damper. The control signal instructs the damper to move into a target position or to achieve a target flow rate through the flow control unit. The method further includes receiving pressure information including one or more pressure measurements from a differential pressure sensor of the flow control unit and using the pressure information and the control signal to conduct a damper performance diagnostic. The damper performance diagnostic includes at least one of: a stuck damper diagnostic, a predictive damper failure diagnostic, an improperly-sized damper diagnostic, and a damper leakage diagnostic.
US09279595B2 Methods, systems, and related architectures for managing network connected thermostats
A thermostat management system facilitates an automatic pairing of a thermostat with a thermostat communication account. The thermostat management system receives a public network address associated with a computer device on a private network accessing the thermostat management account. The system retrieves the thermostat metadata including a public network address associated with a registration of the thermostat with the thermostat management system. The public network address registered with the thermostat metadata is provided by a router on the private network and therefore should match the public network address used by computer devices on the private network. The thermostat management account is paired with the thermostat if the thermostat has the same public network address as the computer device accessing the thermostat management account. Pairing the thermostat management account to the thermostat allows the thermostat management account to communicate with the thermostat over the public network through the thermostat management system.
US09279591B2 Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat medium side device with plural pumps for circulating the heat medium related to the heating or the cooling of plural intermediate heat exchangers. Plural use side heat exchangers exchange heat between the heat medium and air. Plural flow path switching valves switch the flow path for supplying the heat medium related to a selected system among the heating media circulating in plural systems to each use side heat exchanger. A relay unit side control device controls the flow path switching valves so as to circulate the heat medium between the use side heat exchanger causing the heat medium to absorb the heat and the use side heat exchanger causing the heat medium to emit the preferentially set heat, when it is determined that it is impossible to perform the heating or the cooling of the heat medium by the intermediate heat exchanger.
US09279586B2 Resonator device for damping the pressure oscillation within a combustion chamber and a method for operating a combustion arrangement
A resonator device is provided for damping a pressure oscillation within a combustion chamber. The resonator device may comprise: a container filled with a gas; an opening in the container; and a heating element adapted to generate a flame. The flame is arranged to heat the gas within the container. The resonator device is comprised in a combustion arrangement comprising a combustion chamber for defining a combustion space for burning fuel. The container is connected to the combustion chamber such that an inside of the container is in communication with the combustion space via the opening. The resonator device has a resonance frequency equal to a pressure oscillation frequency within the combustion chamber under normal load conditions.
US09279584B2 Heat shield for feed injector
A system includes a gasification feed injector. The gasification feed injector includes a tip portion that has an outer wall and a feed outlet, and an injection axis of the gasification feed injector extends through the feed outlet of the tip portion. The gasification feed injector also has at least one fastener extending radially from the outer wall relative to an injection axis of the gasification feed injector through the feed outlet of the tip portion. An attachment location of the at least one fastener is located away from the feed outlet of the tip portion. The system also includes a heat shield, which includes a tile radially disposed on the at least one fastener and radially secured to the outer wall via fastening the tile to the at least one fastener. In addition, the tile wraps around a distal end portion of the tip portion.
US09279580B2 Percussion-triggered lighting system
The percussion-triggered lighting system is adapted to provide steady and/or percussively triggered illumination within one or more drums. The drums have translucent heads to allow the internal lighting to be viewed. An electromechanical switch is installed within the drum(s), for economy and to allow the system to be installed in existing drums. The system may also operate small peripheral lights around the edge of one or more drums, the peripheral lighting being programmable to produce various moving patterns. The system may also include a video projector within one or more drums to project a visual image on the interior of the translucent drum head that is visible to the audience. A separate control panel may be provided to allow the drummer to actuate any of the percussive lights without striking the drum to avoid creating a sound when a drum beat is inappropriate during the performance.
US09279578B2 Surface mounting lamp
A surface mounting lamp includes a covering element of a transparent material and having a first face, which in use is directed outwards away from a mounting surface of the lamp, and a second face opposite the first face and provided with at least one socket for housing lighting elements. A lighting unit is sealably connected to the covering element, facing the inside of the socket and includes a plurality of lighting elements, each housed in the socket. The lamp also includes a junction piece connected to the covering element and having a connecting portion engageable with the mounting surface of the lamp to fix the position thereof, and a retaining mechanism interposed between the junction piece and the second face of the covering element and connecting the covering element to the junction piece.
US09279577B2 LED lighting device and method for making the same
An LED lighting device and a method for making the LED lighting device, the LED lighting device having a PCB positioned over a cooling substrate on the top of a metallic heat-dissipation lamp cup. LED light sources are provided on the PCB and are connected to a power supply. Screws are used to attach the PCB to the cooling substrate. At least one screw includes a screw head electrically connected to one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a screw body electrically connected to the metallic heat-dissipation lamp cup, such that the at least one screw provides a bypass discharge path between the LED light sources and the metallic heat-dissipation lamp cup to release leakage current and to protect the LED light sources.
US09279576B2 Light fixture with interchangeable heatsink trays and reflectors
An illustrative lighting system provides a single light housing and an associated lens cover that together interchangeably receive one of a selection of heat sink trays and one of a selection of light reflectors. Each of the selection of heat sink trays includes a different number and/or orientation of light emitter packages. Each the selection of light reflectors includes openings and surfaces matching the number and orientation of light emitter packages for one of the selection of heat sink trays.
US09279574B2 Lighting module
A lighting module may include a housing having an open rear side, a light source substrate with at least one light source arranged thereon, a driver circuit board accommodated in the housing, at least one electrical connection element for electrically connecting the driver circuit board to the light source substrate, and a closure element for closing the open rear side, wherein the closure element is designed for feeding through at least one electrical connection.
US09279573B1 Front serviceable mounting apparatus and methods
Display module mounting apparatus and methods provide mounting features enabling ease of installation and service. The apparatus may have one or more releasable frame couplers and pivoting releasable frame couplers coupled to a display module having a display plane defined in relation to a substrate. One or more adjustable linkages may adjustably define a standoff distance between the display plane and a support frame to which the module may be mounted by the mounting apparatus. Concave and convex adjustments to the display plane may be made. Operation of pivoting action to tilt the display plane enables installation, removal, and serviceability of large displays constructed with a tiled plurality of display modules.
US09279565B1 Lamp
A lamp is provided, the lamp comprising a one piece envelope (102) mounted on a base (104), an internal structure (106) arranged within the envelope (102), the internal structure (106) comprising a stem (108) extending from the base (104), a solid state light source (110) arranged on the stem (108), and a screen (112, 212) obscuring at least a portion of light emitted from the solid state light source (110) such that light emitted from the solid state light source (110) is diffused by the screen (112, 212), wherein the stem (108) is arranged to support the screen (112, 212), wherein the screen (112, 212) is arranged to adopt a collapsed state such that the screen (112, 212) is passable through a base opening (115) of the envelope (102) and an un-collapsed state (116) such that the screen (112, 212) is impassable through the base opening (115) of the envelope (102).
US09279558B2 Luminaire lens assembly having a thermal compensation unit and method thereof
A luminaire (10) comprises at least one elongate luminaire housing (16), a plurality of lens segments (22, 24, 26, 28) extending through the at least one elongate luminaire housing, the lens segments having at least one edge which is cut on an angle, wherein an adjacent edge of adjacent lens segments form supplementary angles, at least one end constraint at ends of the plurality of elongate lens segments, at least one temperature compensation unit (50) disposed between ends of the plurality of elongate lens segments.
US09279554B1 Solar lamp stand assembly
A solar lamp stand assembly is provided for retrofitting a solar lamp to facilitate alternative placements of the solar lamp. The assembly includes a solar lamp having a housing. An annular wall extends downwardly from the housing defining a socket. A plate and a connection member are provided. The connection member has a first end coupled to and extending from the plate. The connection member also has a free second end insertable into the socket whereby the solar lamp is coupled to and supported by the connection member and the plate.
US09279551B2 Lighting system
A lighting system comprises a plurality of discrete light emitting diode modules and a translucent portion containing the plurality of discrete light emitting diode modules. Each light emitting diode module comprises a light emitting diode and at least a first module electrode and a second module electrode. The first module electrode is in electrical connection with the cathode of the light emitting diode and the second module electrode is in electrical connection with the anode of the light emitting diode. At least a portion of the plurality of light emitting diode modules form a string of modules, with at least one module electrode of each of the light emitting diode modules in the string being in direct physical contact with a module electrode of a neighboring light emitting diode module in the string such that, when a voltage is applied across the string, current flows in each light emitting diode module in the string thereby activating the light emitting diode of each light emitting diode module in the string.
US09279543B2 LED package mount
A light emitting diode package mounting apparatus comprises a heatsink defining a surface comprising one of a male or female connector. An LED package has a base where a portion of the base defines the other of the female or male connector. The connectors engage one another such that a force is exerted on the base that presses the LED package against the surface. To assemble the LED package in the heat sink, the LED package is located on the surface. The LED package and heatsink are moved relative to one another such that the male connector is inserted into the female connector.
US09279538B1 Adjustable picture frame hanging system
In one embodiment of the invention, an adjustable frame hanging system is disclosed that includes a bracket; an adjustable hanger to couple to a picture frame and engage the bracket; fastening devices to couple the bracket to a vertical support structure and to couple the adjustable hanger to the picture frame. The bracket includes a first gear segment, and a flexible hook to engage the adjustable hanger. A second gear segment of the hanger meshes with the first gear segment to hold the orientation of the picture frame. The flexible hook holds the adjustable hanger engaged with the bracket and the picture frame mounted to the vertical support structure. The second gear segment can be adjusted a few teeth with respect to the first gear segment to alter the angular orientation of the picture frame so that it is mounted to the vertical support structure level with the floor.
US09279535B2 Portable shooting platform
A rapidly deployable and adjustable arm support apparatus to be fastened to a user's body or user's apparel to support the arm of the user holding a rifle, bow, camera etc. In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable arm support platform includes an arm support and a first extension member connected to the arm support. The arm support is adjustable along at least a first dimension and is shaped to accommodate a shooters arm. A second extension member is rotatably connected to the first extension member, wherein the first extension member is rotatably adjustable relative to the second extension member. This flexibility of orientation means that the user's arm can be comfortably supported in virtually any reasonable orientation relative to the shooting platform.
US09279531B2 Composite ducts and methods
A duct has: a first non-metallic member extending between a first end and a second end, at least at the first end having an outwardly-projecting flange portion; a metallic flange member having a sleeve extending between a first end and a second end and a flange extending outward from the sleeve and having a first face and a second face; and a second non-metallic member extending between a first end and a second end having an outwardly-projecting flange portion, the first non-metallic member flange portion mounted to the flange first face and the second non-metallic member flange portion mounted to the flange second face.
US09279527B2 Magnetic capping device and method
Each of a flange and an end cap have at least two magnets or magnetic pieces arranged in complementary fashion to removably attached the end cap to the flange. The end cap removably seals an orifice of the flange by magnetic attraction between the at least two magnets or magnetic pieces of the end cap and the at least two magnets or magnetic pieces of the flange. This seal between the end cap and flange provides for pressure relief as pressure from within the orifice exceeds the force of magnetic attraction between the magnets or magnetic pieces of the end cap and the magnets or magnetic pieces of the flange.
US09279526B2 Apparatuses and methods for providing finger-tightened and ratchet-secured connections between conduits
An apparatus for providing a connection to a conduit may include a first part configured to be threadably attached to a second part. The first part can include a male threaded section spaced axially apart from a ratchet section having radially protruding teeth. The second part can be at least partly formed by an elastically deformable material and includes a female threaded section spaced axially apart from at least one pawl that is configured to engage the radially protruding teeth. When the at least one pawl is engaged with the teeth, relative rotation between the first part and the second part may be allowed in a tightening direction and prevented in a loosening direction or may be allowed in the tightening and loosening directions. When the second part is deformed by at least one radially inward force, the at least one pawl disengages the teeth of the ratchet section.
US09279525B2 Commercial hose
A flexible hose having an inner tube member made from a thermoplastic elastomer material and an outer tube member made from a non-elastic polyester material. The inner tube member is secured to the outer tube member only at an inlet coupler and an outlet coupler. The inlet coupler is constructed to secure to a water supply provided from a conventional household water spigot. The outlet coupler incorporates a flow restrictor allowing the inner tube member to equalize in pressure with pressurized water received from the water supply. Pressurized water expands the elongated inner tube member longitudinally along a length of the inner tube member and laterally across a width of the inner tube member thereby substantially increasing the length of the hose to an expanded condition wherein the hose contracts to a substantially decreased length when there is a decrease in pressurized water.
US09279519B2 Angle block apparatus and methods of using thereof
An angle block apparatus and method of stringing cable is provided. The apparatus includes an angle block frame having an enclosed frame perimeter structure. A rotatable roller wheel is connected to the angle block frame and positioned interior of the enclosed frame perimeter structure. A connector is affixed to the angle block frame and sized to retain the angle block frame in a substantially stationary position. The method of stringing cable includes, in part, disconnecting a sled carrying the cable from a messenger wire trolley. The sled and cable attached thereto is then moved through the angle block frame from a first side to a second side of the angle block frame. The trolley is moved from the first side to the second side of the angle block frame without going through the angle block frame. The sled is then reattached to the messenger wire trolley on the second side.
US09279514B2 Air release valve
An air release valve which includes a housing, an inlet, an outlet, a valve seat, a buoyant closure member and a variable throttle arrangement is provided. The housing defines a chamber and the buoyant closure member is positioned in the chamber and is displaceable between a lower position in which it is clear of the valve seat and permits the flow of fluid through the chamber and an upper position in which it seats sealingly against the valve seat to interrupt the flow of fluid through the chamber, the closure member being displaced, in use, from its lower position to its raised position by the buoyant forces acting thereon as a result of the entry of liquid into the chamber through the inlet. The throttle arrangement is configured to throttle air flow and inhibit premature closing of the closure member.
US09279511B2 Flapper relief valve
A pressure relief valve is provided including a flapper pivotally mounted to a housing. The flapper is movable between a first position and a second position. A protrusion extends from a first surface of the flapper. A biasing mechanism is positioned near a first end of the flapper. The biasing mechanism is configured to apply a biasing force to the first surface of the flapper. A non-rotatable pin is arranged generally parallel to the first end of the flapper. A drag link is configured to pivot about the non-rotatable pin. The drag link includes a retaining feature and is substantially aligned with the protrusion on the flapper. When the flapper rotates to the second position, the retaining feature is configured to engage the protrusion to retain the flapper in the second position.
US09279509B2 Valve with precision mounted hinge pin posts
A valve includes a housing with a flow passage and a hole extending into the housing; a post with a base and a hole extending into the base, the post connected to the housing; and a dowel pin which sits in the hole of the housing and extends into the hole in the post.
US09279507B2 Three-port valve
A three-port valve that can be more accurately controlled using a simple structure. The three-port valve is provided with the following: a first elastic tube in which a liquid circulates; a first port which is a provision and discharge opening in the first elastic tube; a second elastic tube in which a liquid circulates; a second port which is a provision and discharge opening in the second elastic tube; a third port that links the first port and the second port; first circulation control means for deforming the first elastic tube so as to control the circulation of the liquid circulating in the first elastic tube; second circulation control means for deforming the second elastic tube so as to control the circulation of the liquid circulating in the second elastic tube; and an oscillator for driving the first circulation control means and the second circulation control means.
US09279505B2 Valve core assembly and valve adopting the valve core assembly
A valve core assembly and a valve adopting the valve core assembly. The valve core assembly comprises a valve core (4) and a transmission member (7) having a common axis, and a sliding ejector pin (6) arranged along an axis perpendicular to the common axis. The valve core assembly is disposed inside a valve body (1) and is rotatable about the common axis upon engaging with the valve body (1). The valve core (4) has one concave portion, and the transmission member (7) is at least partially placed inside the concave portion. A radial inwardly-convex profile (9) is formed at the circumferential wall inside the concave portion, the transmission member (7) is formed with a radial outwardly-convex profile (72), and when a valve rod (2) drives the sliding ejector pin (6) and the transmission member (7) to rotate, the radial inwardly-convex profile (9) in the concave portion of the valve core (4) engages with the sliding ejector pin (6) and the radial outwardly-convex profile (72) of the transmission member (7) to switch the valve core among an open state, a pre-closed state and a fully-closed state. The valve core assembly has a simple structure and a high space utilization, so as to minimize the size of the valve, and the opening torque is small and the sealing performance is desirable.
US09279501B2 Split seal for a shaft
A shaft seal includes first and second rings, each formed from first and second discrete arc segments, mounted on a shaft. The first ring includes a central opening and a flange projecting axially away from a first axial surface of the first ring around the central opening, and the flange has a radially outer surface. The second ring has a radial inner face defining a central opening that includes a first portion extending from a first axial face of the second ring and a second portion extending from a second axial face of the second ring, and the second ring is mounted to the first ring with the second portion in contact with the radially outer surface of the flange. A plurality of fasteners extend from the second ring into an axial surface of the first ring or from the first ring into an axial face of the second ring.
US09279499B2 Piston ring for an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a piston ring (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) for pistons of internal combustion engines, having a ring running surface (14), a ring back (11), an upper ring flank (12), a lower ring flank (13), and two ring joint ends spaced apart by a gap (15). According to the invention, at least one opening (17, 121, 217, 223, 325, 407) is provided in the ring running surface (14), which opening forms a fluid connection between the ring running surface (14) and the ring back (11) or a ring flank (12, 13).
US09279496B2 Control device for continuously variable transmission
A frictional engagement element (32) that disconnects power between an engine (1) and a drive wheel (7) in a vehicle, and a control unit (11, 12) that controls a transmission ratio of a continuously variable transmission (4) and the frictional engagement element (32), are provided. When the transmission ratio is not a maximum transmission ratio at a vehicle stop when a vehicle speed is 0, the control unit (11, 12) operates the transmission ratio to the maximum transmission ratio while controlling the frictional engagement element (32) into a slip state. Further, at this time, when a road is an upward slope, the control unit (11, 12) sets an engagement pressure of the frictional engagement element (32) and an engine torque according to the road slope, prevents slide-down of the vehicle.
US09279495B2 Pitch-based shifting
A computer-implemented method and a control system are described for controlling the shifting of a vehicle, at least in part, according to its pitch. The method includes using a pitch-detection mechanism to determine one or more indicators of the pitch of the vehicle. The method includes receiving, at one or more computing devices, a signal associated with the pitch indicators and determining a pitch value for shifting. The method further includes determining, by the one or more computing devices, a shift procedure based upon, at least in part, the determined pitch value and implementing the shift procedure to effect a shift operation for the vehicle.
US09279488B2 Continuously variable transmission and working vehicle
A belt type variable speed-change mechanism transmitting a rotational power from a driving shaft to a driven shaft in a continuously variable manner and a constant-speed power-transmitting mechanism transmitting a rotational power at a constant-speed from the driving shaft to a constant-speed driven-side rotational body supported by the driven shaft in a relatively rotatable manner with respect thereto are accommodated in a casing. A planetary gear mechanism including a first element receiving a variable-speed rotational power through the driven shaft, a second element receiving a constant-speed rotational power through the constant-speed driven-side rotational body and a third element outputting a combined rotational power is supported by the driven shaft in the casing.
US09279485B2 Combination linear and rotary actuator
An actuator consists of a pair of compact cam plates with compound straight and semicircular toothed racks that engage a single circular gear turned by a single motor. As the gear turns in one direction, the cam plates are pulled toward one another in a guided straight line until they engage and lock around the gear. Continued turning of the gear rotates the locked cam plates with the gear. The motion is reversed as the gear reverses.
US09279475B2 Element for metallic belt
An element for a metallic belt in a continuously variable transmission capable of reducing misalignment while ensuring friction force in a small diameter state is provided. An element 40 for a metallic belt in a belt-type continuously variable transmission has a structure in which a side edge of the element 40 of a metallic belt 7 that contacts a drive pulley 5 and a driven pulley 8 includes: a belt radial outer portion 46b that is located on a radial outer side of the metallic belt 7 and linearly shaped to follow a radial inner portion 11a as a constant-angle inclined generatrix portion; and a belt radial inner portion 46a that is located on a radial inner side of the metallic belt 7 and curved to taper inward in the belt radial direction to gradually increase an inclination angle.
US09279470B2 Front fork
A front fork includes an inner cylinder disposed inside an inner tube, a piston rod moving with an outer tube, a piston attached to a lower end portion of the piston rod and sectioning an oil chamber in the inner cylinder into a lower oil chamber and an upper oil chamber and a damping force generating portion at an outside of the inner tube having a first damping force generating portion generating resistance in working oil flowing in one direction in an external flow path, a second damping force generating portion disposed in series with the first damping force generating portion in the external flow path to generate resistance in working oil flowing in the other direction, and a pressurization portion having an oil reservoir chamber communicated to an intermediate oil chamber and pressurizing working oil in the intermediate oil chamber.
US09279469B2 Delay mechanism of a main rod of a gas spring
A delay mechanism of a main rod of a gas spring is described, having an inner rod and a series of gas chambers which are defined in the interior of the body of the spring in such a manner that, by controlling the passage of gas between said chambers, the speed and delay of the main rod of the spring is controlled.
US09279465B2 Disc brake pad assembly
A disc brake pad assembly includes a pad and a shim plate. The shim plate includes locking pieces which are bent from a main body portion towards a pressure plate. The locking pieces are brought into abutment with circumferential edge portions of the pressure plate so as to be displaced in a rotating direction of a rotor. Projecting portions are formed at portions of the circumferential edge portion which are brought into abutment with one surface of each of the locking pieces. A circumferential central portion of a part of each of the projecting portions which faces the one surface projects further than both circumferential end portions thereof. The circumferential edge portion and the one surface of each of the locking pieces are spaced apart from each other at portions of the one surface which lie close to both circumferential end portions thereof.
US09279462B2 Rotation transmission device
A rotation transmission device includes a control retainer and a rotary retainer having bars arranged circumferentially alternating with each other such that pockets are defined between the adjacent pairs of bars. A pair of rollers are mounted in each pocket with an elastic member disposed between the pair of rollers such that the pair of rollers are pushed by the respective bars to their respective disengaged positions when the control retainer and the rotary retainer rotate relative to each other. A spring holder is fitted on an input shaft while abutting one axial end surface of an inner ring. The spring holder has spring support pieces on the outer periphery thereof to prevent radially outward movement of the elastic members. The spring support pieces are plate-shaped members disposed radially outwardly of the elastic members to extend in the axial direction in parallel to the outer periphery of the inner ring.
US09279460B2 Accessory drive with friction clutch and electric motor
A friction clutch assembly for a vehicle accessory, particularly to drive a vehicle cooling pump, and more particularly as part of a dual mode drive for a cooling pump, together with an electric motor. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction plate member connected to a central rotatable shaft member used for operating the vehicle accessory. A biased armature member is adapted to force a friction plate member with friction linings thereon against a housing or cover which is rotating at input speed. A solenoid assembly is used to overcome the spring bias and pull the armature and friction plate member away from the housing.
US09279450B2 Structure of bush bearing
A structure of a bush bearing includes: a bush on which a groove is formed; and an endless annular-shaped elastic member which is installed in the groove of the bush, and that supports a rack shaft, in which an inner circumferential surface of the bush includes a first inner circumferential surface that is in slide contact with an outer circumferential surface of the rack shaft, which is positioned opposite to a formation position of rack teeth, a second inner circumferential surface that faces the outer circumferential surface of the rack shaft with a gap interposed between the outer circumferential surface and the second inner circumferential surface, and the groove formed in a formation range of the first inner circumferential surface has a depth shallower than that of the groove formed in a formation range of the second inner circumferential surface.
US09279444B2 Crankshaft
A crankshaft comprising a plurality of main journal bearing surfaces (102), a plurality of connector rod bearing surfaces (104), and at least one oil feed passageway (110) internal to the crankshaft, each of the at least one oil feed passageways (110) communicating with an inlet (122) and a plurality of outlets (124) located within bearing surfaces (102, 104), and wherein the inlet (122) is located within a first main journal bearing surface, and at least one of the outlets (124) is located within a further main journal bearing surface, and an engine and a vehicle comprising such a crankshaft.
US09279441B2 Tracer pin arrangement
The invention relates to an intermediate element for the arrangement of a probe pin with respect to the probe pin carrier of a coordinate measuring machine, having a single-piece base body with a probe pin end and a machine end. It is provided here that the machine end is provided with a coupling element and with a means for ensuring a reproducible rotational alignment, and the probe pin end has a bearing face which is inclined in a fixed manner with respect to the axis of the coupling element, is provided on a general ball segment form which is flattened by the bearing face, and is configured with a positively locking means and/or frictional means for the positively locking and/or frictional engagement with a fastening end of the probe pin in contact with the bearing face.
US09279439B2 Attachment arrangement, a connecting device, and also a method
An attachment arrangement for attaching a component to a base item, with at least one fixing device for fixing one section of the component on a section of the base item. At least one connecting device with a connecting element and at least one receiving element are provided. One of the elements is arranged on a component section and the other of the elements is arranged on a base item section. The two elements detachably engage with one another in a form fit. Loads can be transferred at least in the direction of a first axis, and a relative movement is possible between the elements in the direction of a second axis, different from the first axis. A connecting device is disclosed for such an attachment arrangement. A method is disclosed for purposes of attaching a component to a base item by means of such an attachment arrangement.
US09279432B2 Media separating device, in particular hydraulic accumulator, including associated measuring apparatus and measuring method
A media separating device (1), in particular a hydraulic accumulator (3), has a movable separator (5) separating two media (7, 9) received in media chambers (11, 13) and differing from each other. A measuring apparatus (15, 115) can detect an overflow of at least one medium (7, 9) from a medium chamber (11, 13) via the separator (5) into the other medium chamber (11, 13) having the other medium (9, 7).
US09279429B2 Blower housing
A blower housing has a discharge direction, an axis of rotation, a polar axis that intersects the axis of rotation and is substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction, and an angular sweep of increasing fluid flow area. The fluid flow area, A, increases with increasing angular magnitude, Φ, as a function comprising at least a functional component that is at least one of (1) equal to, (2) substantially mathematically reducible to, and (3) substantially mathematically analogous to the equation, A ⁡ ( Φ ) = A co + R ⁡ ( 1 - 1 - [ ( r i ) ⁢ ( Φ ) R ] 2 ) , where Aco is a minimum fluid flow area, R is a radius of a first circle, and ri is a radius of a second circle that is smaller than the first circle.
US09279428B2 Quick installation ceiling fan blades
Devices, apparatus, systems, and methods for the quick installation of ceiling fan blades for ceiling fans. The invention uses a blade with three slots running in a linear direction from the mounting end of the blade, and three pre-attached fasteners upwardly projecting from the outer end of a blade arm. One of the fasteners is springably bendable with inwardly extending clip edge, another fastener that forms an upright post, and a third fastener having a top end with an outwardly extending lip edge. Another embodiment can include four slots per blade and four pre-attached upwardly protruding fasteners per blade arm. A novel method of installing each blade can include angling the blade to the mounting ends of the blade arm so that the outwardly extending lip edge catches on the third slot in from the mounting end of the blade. Next, the blade is laid down so that the other two slot openings pass over the other pre-attached fasteners while moving the mounting end of the blade toward the motor mounting end of the blade arm. This causes the springably bendable fastener to bend back and snapably spring back catching onto the first slot locking the blade to the blade arm.
US09279422B2 Equipment for rotating a rotor of a peristaltic pump
The invention concerns a peristaltic hose pump and an equipment for the peristaltic hose pump. The pump includes a rotor configured to compress a hose/tube being positioned on the pump cavity inner perimeter. The rotor is coupled to a one end of a crankshaft of the pump body and the pump includes a device to receive an equipment for rotating the rotor manually. The equipment for rotating the rotor includes a connection point that is configured to connect the equipment to the pump. The equipment includes also weight configured to act as a counterbalance to the rotor in order to maintain the position of the rotor.
US09279420B2 Natural gas compressor
The present application discloses a natural gas compressor, a natural gas compressor assembly, a system for compressing natural gas, and a method of compressing natural gas. In certain embodiments, the natural gas compressor comprises a housing, a plurality of cylinder piston assemblies disposed within the housing, and a drive system for moving the pistons of the cylinder piston assemblies to compress natural gas within the cylinders of the assemblies. Each cylinder piston assembly comprises a piston for compressing natural gas within a cylinder of the assembly. The plurality of cylinder piston assemblies are fluidly connected in sequence such that each assembly forms a compression stage of the compressor.
US09279419B2 System and process for supplying a chemical agent to a process fluid
There is provided a process for controllably supplying a chemical agent to a flowing process fluid for effecting generation of treated flowing fluid comprising a chemical agent-derived fluid component material, wherein the chemical agent-derived fluid component material is derived from the chemical agent. The controllably supplying comprises: while discharging a chemical agent from a chemical agent supply system, modulating distribution of the chemical agent that is being discharged, between at least a flowing process fluid and a fluid bypass, with a chemical agent supply modulation system, in accordance with a system operating cycle, wherein the system operating cycle includes a single system supply mode and a single system bypass mode, and wherein the system bypass mode follows the system supply mode.
US09279417B2 Solar power system
A solar power system includes a preheating device for heating first heat transfer fluid and second heat transfer fluid in separate tubes. The preheated second heat transfer fluid is routed to a boiler. The preheated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a plurality of heat sinks each associated with a solar radiation collector concentrator. Vacuum chambers receive the solar radiation from specially designed dishes with hyperparabolic feed antennas and direct energy to the heat sinks transferring the heat energy to first heat transfer fluid routed through the heat sink. The lower half of each chamber extends below each dish and has an interior reflective coating on the interior of the chamber side wall. The heated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a coil within the boiler to heat the second heat transfer fluid within the boiler. The boiler outlet steam is routed through a turbine, in turn, connected to a gearing system and an alternator. An insulative cover for the turbine adds energy efficiency to the system and helps reduce noise.
US09279416B2 Solar power system
A solar power system includes a preheating device for heating first heat transfer fluid and second heat transfer fluid in separate tubes. The preheated second heat transfer fluid is routed to a boiler. The preheated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a plurality of heat sinks each associated with a solar radiation collector and concentrator. Vacuum chambers receive the solar radiation from dishes and direct energy to the heat sinks transferring the heat energy to first heat transfer fluid routed through the heat sink. The lower half of each chamber extends below each dish and has an interior reflective coating on the interior of the chamber side wall. The heated first heat transfer fluid is routed through a coil within the boiler to heat the second heat transfer fluid within the boiler. The boiler outlet steam is routed through a turbine, in turn, connected to a gearing system and an alternator.
US09279408B2 Wave energy recovery system
This invention relates to a wave energy recovery system comprising at least a wing hinged on its one edge to make a reciprocating motion in response to kinetic energy of waves or tidal currents, a wave energy converter (WEC) unit, a power-take-off (PTO) means and wave behavior monitoring means. The wave energy recovery system comprises at least a control means to instruct the PTO means to resist the reciprocating movement of the wing by a counter moment.
US09279398B2 Injector-igniter with fuel characterization
A vehicular fuel system with onboard fuel characterization including an onboard combustion modifier source capable of supplying a combustion modifier agent, such as hydrogen, and a fuel tank capable of storing a fuel. An injector-igniter is operative to direct inject the fuel and a proportionate amount of the modifier agent into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. An engine control unit is operatively connectable to the combustion modifier source and the injector. The system may further comprise a mixing valve operative to proportionately mix the fuel and modifier agent. The combustion modifier source may be a tank containing hydrogen or a thermo-chemical reactor, for example.
US09279396B2 Boost air management for improved engine performance
Methods and systems are provided for reducing turbo lag in a boosted engine. A boost reservoir coupled to the engine may be charged with compressed intake air and/or combusted exhaust gas. The pressurized charge may then be discharged during a tip-in to either the intake or the exhaust manifold.
US09279395B2 Exhaust gas heat exchanger and sealing device for the same
An exhaust gas heat exchanger comprises connection points for the exhaust gas flow, for connecting the exhaust gas heat exchanger to an exhaust gas supply line for supplying a hot exhaust gas and an exhaust gas withdrawal line for withdrawing the exhaust gas flow cooled in the exhaust gas heat exchanger. The exhaust gas flow flows through the exhaust gas heat exchanger in a bundle of exhaust gas guiding pipes in a flow direction. The exhaust gas heat exchanger is provided with at least one coolant supply connection and at least one coolant withdrawal connection. Coolant is guided in a coolant channel in the exhaust gas heat exchanger, inside which it flows around the bundle of exhaust gas guiding pipes. The coolant channel comprises at least two regions which differ in terms of the flow direction of the exhaust gas flow by divergent flow directions of the coolant.
US09279394B2 Exhaust system for spark-ignited gaseous fuel internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine system includes a spark-ignited internal combustion engine powered by a gaseous fuel. The engine system also includes an air intake in air providing communication with the internal combustion engine. Further, the engine system includes an exhaust system in exhaust gas receiving communication with the internal combustion engine. The exhaust system includes a methane oxidation catalyst through which at least a portion of the exhaust gas flows and an exhaust gas recirculation line in exhaust gas providing communication with the air intake.
US09279391B2 Dual fuel system and engine system operating method
A dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a gaseous fuel subsystem and a liquid fuel subsystem. A plurality of fuel injectors each define a gaseous fuel passage fluidly connected to a gaseous fuel manifold of the gaseous fuel subsystem, a liquid fuel passage fluidly connected to a liquid fuel manifold of the liquid fuel subsystem, and a liquid fuel leak path from the liquid fuel passage to the gaseous fuel passage. A liquid fuel purging mechanism includes a drain conduit and at least one valve positioned fluidly between the drain conduit and the gaseous fuel manifold, and being adjustable to fluidly connect the drain conduit to the gaseous fuel manifold, to drain leaked liquid fuel to a low pressure outlet.
US09279389B2 Carburetor air intake housing and air flow enhancing contoured radial structure
An air intake housing and flow enhancing plate for a carburetor with a fluted and contoured air intake opening that flushly aligns with and matches the shape of the carburetor air intake opening. The low profile plate is made of metal for durability and heat resistance. The centrally located air intake opening of the plate has a clover leaf or undulating shape that conforms to the shape of the carburetor air intake opening. The plate is secured directly over the top of the carburetor, and extends radially outward to provide a larger area for securing its fiberglass housing. The housing holds a conventional ring shaped air filter located around the carburetor air intake opening. The plate provides smooth transitions between surfaces to decrease turbulence and improve air flow.
US09279388B2 Gas turbine engine with two-spool fan and variable vane turbine
A gas turbine engine and a method of operating the gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes modulating a variable high pressure turbine inlet guide vane of a high pressure spool to performance match a first stage fan section of a low pressure spool and an intermediate stage fan section of an intermediate spool to maintain a generally constant engine inlet flow while varying engine thrust.
US09279384B2 Sealing system for an engine
A sealing system comprising a cylinder head, a coupler, a fuel injector line, a seal retainer, and a seal. The coupler is positioned in the cylinder head, and the fuel injector line extends into the coupler so as to at least partially define a fuel leak passageway therebetween. The seal retainer yieldably urges the seal towards a seated position in which the seal established a sealed connection between the fuel injector line and the coupler, so as to block ingress of moisture into the fuel leak passageway. Further, the seal retainer allows movement of the seal away from the seated position to an unseated position in which the sealed connection between the fuel injector line and the coupler is broken in response to pressurized leaked fuel, in the fuel leak passageway, so as to allow the pressurized leaked fuel to flow out of the fuel leak passageway.
US09279383B2 Arrangement of a valve cover on the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine
A valve cover of a internal combustion engine is fixed on the cylinder head by a plurality of screwed joints, preferably with a circumferential gasket inserted in between. At least some of the screwed joints are provided and/or coupled in such a way with a resiliently and/or elastically flexible element (11) on a cold side (3) of the cylinder head (1), which faces away from the at least one exhaust port in the cylinder head (1) and hence faces a cold side of the engine, that the valve cover (2) lifts off from the cylinder head (1) in a defined area of the cover only in the area of said cold side (3) when there is a defined excess pressure in the crankcase.
US09279379B2 Position based air/fuel ratio calculation in an internal combustion engine
Some embodiments relate to an internal combustion engine that includes a combustion chamber and a rotating component. The internal combustion engine further includes a sensing system that detects an angular position of the rotating component. A controller calculates a ratio between air and fuel in the combustion chamber based on the detected position of the rotating component. As an example, the rotating component may be a crankshaft where the controller calculates a speed of the crankshaft and an acceleration of the crankshaft based on the detected position of the crankshaft.
US09279377B2 Air-fuel ratio imbalance determination apparatus and air-fuel ratio imbalance determination method
An air-fuel ratio imbalance determination apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes an air-fuel ratio sensor with a catalyst layer disposed in an exhaust passage of the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine; and a control unit configured: to perform determination regarding an air-fuel ratio imbalance state among cylinders of the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine based on an amount of change per unit time in an air-fuel ratio detected by the air-fuel ratio sensor; to execute an air-fuel ratio enrichment control using an air-fuel ratio enrichment amount; and to correct a learned imbalance value when the air-fuel ratio enrichment amount is smaller than a predetermined determination threshold value in a case where an engine operation state is in an imbalance learning range during execution of the air-fuel ratio enrichment control.
US09279374B2 Methods and systems for surge control
Methods and systems are provided for recirculating compressed air across a compressor through a high flow and a low flow compressor recirculation path. Flow through the recirculation paths is controlled via respective valves and valve opening is adjusted based on a throttle mass flow so as to maintain a compressor flow rate at or above a surge constrained flow rate. By maintaining a sufficiently high compressor flow rate during steady state and transient conditions, the compressor state can be maintained outside a surge region.
US09279373B2 Vapor purging octane separation system
A method for controlling an engine supplied with multiple fuels in which the vapor purge flow into the engine from multiple vapor storage devices each coupled to a respective, but equal number of multiple fuel tanks controlled to have the same proportion of total vapors purged as a proportion of liquid fuel delivered to the engine from said respective one of the said multiple fuel tanks. The method includes increasing the delivery of fuel from one of the multiple fuel tanks containing fuel with the highest-octane rating of all the fuel tanks when the vapor storage canister coupled to the fuel tank with the highest-octane fuel is not being purged of its fuel vapors. Additionally, the method further comprises a feedback control responsive to an exhaust gas oxygen sensor to adjust said fuel delivered from said multiple fuel tanks to the engine to maintain engine air-fuel ratio around stoichiometry.
US09279372B2 Multi-fuel system for internal combustion engines
In a multi-fuel system for diesel engines, natural gas is mixed with diesel fuel and conditioned in a mixing chamber before being injected into the mixing chamber of the engine. Filtered blow-by gas may also be introduced into the combustion chamber. A computerized controller is used to determine and control the proportion of diesel fuel, natural gas fuel, the mixing and conditioning of these fuels, and the supply of filtered blow-by gas.
US09279371B2 System and method for monitoring an engine and limiting cylinder air charge
Methods and systems for monitoring an internal combustion engine are disclosed. In one example, output of a temperature sensor is converted into a fuel pressure variable to determine if fuel system components are operating as desired and cylinder air charge may be limited if degradation is determined. The methods and systems may reduce fuel system cost while also providing redundant system data.
US09279370B2 Turbomachine and method of operating a turbomachine to perform a fuel change over at a high load
A turbomachine is provided and includes a compressor to compress inlet gas to produce compressed gas, a combustor coupled to the compressor in which the compressed gas is combusted along with a first fuel and/or a second fuel to produce a fluid flow, a turbine coupled to the combustor through which the fluid flow is directed for power and/or electricity generation and first and second supply circuits to supply the first fuel and the second fuel to the combustor, respectively. The first and second supply circuits are operable to enable transfers between operations associated with the first fuel and the second fuel being respectively supplied to the combustor at a high load.
US09279367B2 Pressure regulating valve for aircraft engine
The fluid pressure regulating valve is for use in an aircraft engine. The valve has at least a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet. The valve comprises: a valve housing having a first valve spool interior cavity; a first fluid path within the valve housing from the fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet; a second fluid path within the valve housing from the fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet; a first valve spool mounted for reciprocal motion within the first valve spool cavity between a first position and a second position, the first valve spool having a second valve spool interior cavity and being spring-biased to its first position; and a second valve spool mounted for reciprocal motion within the second valve spool cavity between a first position and a second position, the second valve spool being spring-biased to its first position, the second valve spool closing the first fluid path at its second position when the first valve spool is substantially at its first position.
US09279364B2 Multi-combustor turbine
A system for the gradual oxidation of fuel is disclosed. The system includes an oxidizer that has a reaction chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The reaction chamber is configured to receive a fluid comprising an oxidizable fuel through the inlet. The oxidizer is configured to maintain a flameless oxidation process. The system also includes a heating chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the heating chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet of the reaction chamber. The heating chamber is configured to receive the fluid from the reaction chamber and selectably heat the fluid.
US09279360B2 Cooling apparatus for internal combustion engine and motorcycle including the same
A cooling apparatus includes a cooling passage provided in an internal combustion engine, a water pump, a radiator, a first passage through which the water pump and the cooling passage are connected to each other, a second passage through which the cooling passage and the radiator are connected to each other, a third passage through which the radiator and the water pump are connected to each other, and an oil cooler passage provided with an oil cooler. An in-line type thermostat is provided at any position in a portion of a cooling water circuit which leads from a first end portion to a second end portion via the second passage, the radiator, and the third passage.
US09279357B2 Double-walled exhaust volume and corresponding manufacturing method
An exhaust volume for combustion gases from a motor vehicle engine comprises at least one exhaust duct delimited by a wall comprising an end segment, and at least one flange having a bearing surface. The flange delimits at least one exhaust gas inlet communicating with the exhaust duct. The exhaust gas inlet is delimited by a cannon connected to the flange, with the cannon being attached to the end segment. At least one outer neck is attached to the end segment. The end segment is arranged between the flange and the outer neck, with the end segment being pierced with at least one hole between the flange and the outer neck. The end segment, the flange, and the outer neck are being secured through the addition of a filler.
US09279349B2 Lubricant delivery system for internal combustion engines
A lubricant delivery system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system includes a pump that draws lubricant from a lubricant reservoir and expels lubricant for delivery to the inlet manifold of the engine; and a pump controller that receives a signal that is representative of an engine operating condition. The controller controls the lubricant delivery rate of the pump based on the signal.
US09279344B2 Valve poppet element defining balance chamber
A poppet element of a valve is provided. The poppet element is movable relative to a valve seat of the valve and includes a balance chamber wall defining a balance chamber with a center body partially fixed relative to the valve seat, an upper head, a balance chamber holder having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is matched with that of the upper head and a fastening element disposed to fasten the balance chamber holder to the upper head. The balance chamber holder is disposed between the center body and the balance chamber wall and configured to prevent thermal loading transfer from the balance chamber wall to the fastening element.
US09279343B2 Turbocharger support housing having alignment features
A support housing for a turbocharger is provided. The support housing may include an end wall with a first side and a second side, and a protrusion extending from the first side of the end wall in a first direction and configured to receive the turbocharger. The support housing may also include a plurality of side walls extending from the second side of the end wall in a second direction opposite the first direction. The plurality of side walls together with the end wall may form a generally hollow enclosure. The support housing may also include a first mounting flange disposed at distal edges of the plurality of side walls and configured to engage an engine, and a first center opening disposed in the end wall and passing from the first side to the second side.
US09279340B2 System and method for cooling gas turbine components
The present application provides a cooling system for a gas turbine. The cooling system may include a source of CO2, a stator blade cooling system positioned about a casing of the gas turbine and in communication with the source of CO2 and a number of stator blades, and a rotor blade cooling system positioned about a rotor shaft of the gas turbine and in communication with the source of CO2 and a number of rotor blades. A first portion of a flow of CO2 may flow through the stator blade cooling system and returns to the source of CO2 in a first closed loop and a second portion of the flow of CO2 may flow through the rotor blade cooling system and returns to the source of CO2 in a second closed loop.
US09279338B2 Method for balancing a propulsive system having non-hull contra-rotating propellers
In order to eliminate or at least to reduce a possible unbalance of the propulsive system, counterweights are brought in locations that are provided on the hub envelope, near the ends of the latter and away from the planes of the propellers. More particularly, the counterweights are provided as discrete elements located in two planes spaced from the propellers and orthogonal to an outer surface of the hub envelopes, or are provided as a non-uniform mass ring.
US09279336B2 High temperature split-face probe
An example split-face probe includes a sensor component having a split-face, a housing arranged about the sensor component, and at least one ceramic fitting that supports the sensor component.
US09279335B2 Vane assembly for a gas turbine engine
A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first platform, a second platform, and an airfoil that extends radially across an annulus between the first platform and the second platform. The airfoil is centered relative to a centerline axis of the second platform and is offset relative to a centerline axis of the first platform.
US09279333B2 Turbine rotor assembly
A turbine rotor assembly for extracting energy from an oscillating working fluid. The turbine rotor assembly includes a hub rotatable about a central axis. A plurality of blades is mounted to the hub about the central axis. Each blade has a leading edge and a trailing edge which are configured to be complementary in profile to each other such that the blades can be mounted in close fitting edge-to-edge proximity to each other.
US09279330B2 Gas turbine engine component with converging/diverging cooling passage
A component for a gas turbine engine includes a gas path wall having a first surface and a second surface and a cooling hole extending through the gas path wall from the first surface to the second surface. The cooling hole includes an inlet portion having an inlet at the first surface, an outlet portion having an outlet at the second surface, and a transition defined between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet portion converges in a first direction from the inlet to the transition and diverges in a second direction from the inlet to the transition. The outlet portion diverges at least in one of the first and second directions from the transition to the outlet.
US09279326B2 Method for balancing and assembling a turbine rotor
A method for balancing and assembling a turbine rotor 2 including at least one turbine disk 3 and a compressor rotor 15 of a gas turbine. A front cover disk 6 is fastened by connections 10 to the turbine disk 3, and the turbine disk 3 is balanced together with the cover disk 6. The turbine disk 3 and the cover disk 6 are braced by a clamping device 19, 20. The bolted connections 10 are then removed and the turbine disk 3 and the cover disk 6 are connected to the compressor rotor 15 by bolted connections 10. The clamping device 19, 20 is then removed.
US09279325B2 Turbomachine wheel assembly having slotted flanges
A turbomachine wheel assembly having slotted flanges includes a turbomachine wheel having a first wheel arm and a second, opposing wheel arm. The first wheel arm includes a first flange having a first radially outer surface and the second wheel arm includes a second flange having a second radially outer surface. The second flange includes a fastener retaining member extending axially outwardly from the second radially outer surface and an opening extending axially through the flange at the fastener retaining member. The fastener retaining member includes at least one wall section extending radially inward from the second radial outer surface.
US09279324B2 Reduced leakage balance piston seal
Balance piston assembly, apparatus, and methods are provided. The assembly includes a balance piston coupled to a rotatable shaft and configured to rotate therewith, the balance piston including a first shelf and a second shelf, the first and second shelves being axially-overlapping and radially-offset. The assembly also includes a seal including a first sealing surface configured to seal with the first shelf and a second sealing surface configured to seal with the second shelf.
US09279323B2 Drilling wells in compartmentalized reservoirs
Method of drilling a well, including one method comprising determining a first value indicative of a relative position of a geological bed boundary with respect to a drilling assembly, determining a second value indicative of an optical property of a formation fluid proximate the drilling assembly, and controlling a well trajectory based on the first and second value.
US09279322B2 Systems and methods for pulsed-flow pulsed-electric drilling
A pulsed-electric drilling system includes a bit that extends a borehole by detaching formation material with pulses of electric current from one or more electrodes, and a drillstring that defines at least one path for a fluid flow to the bit to flush detached formation material from the borehole. The system modulates the fluid flow across the one or more electrodes.
US09279319B2 Apparatus and method for placement of downhole tools using a visual imaging device
A method of orienting depth and direction (azimuth) of a guide device used to direct tools for the creation of a lateral borehole extending from a wellbore in an earthen formation, utilizing a visual imaging tool. The method including running a tool string into a wellbore, the tool string comprising a guide device and a visual imaging device, visually imaging the wellbore at a range of depths and orientations in the wellbore, and aligning the guide device within the wellbore in preparation of drilling tools to be used for the creation of a lateral borehole in an earthen formation.
US09279313B2 Device and method for sequestering a substance
There are provided a carbon dioxide storage apparatus and a carbon dioxide storage method which, through direct injection of carbon dioxide into an underground brine aquifer, can store carbon dioxide efficiently in the brine aquifer. A filter formed of, for example, grindstone is provided at a tip portion of an injection well. A pumping apparatus pumps carbon dioxide stored in a carbon dioxide tank. The pumping apparatus feeds carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide tank into the injection well by means of a pump. In the pumping apparatus, carbon dioxide is held within a predetermined pressure range and a predetermined temperature range. Carbon dioxide is fed through the injection well, and is injected into a brine aquifer. Carbon dioxide injected into the brine aquifer assumes the form of microbubbles.
US09279312B2 Downhole sleeve system and method
A downhole tool includes a tubular including a port. A first ball mechanism including a first shuttle axially movable within the tubular from a first position covering the port to a second position exposing the port. A first ball seat movable with the first shuttle and a second ball mechanism including a second shuttle axially movable within the tubular from a first position exposing the port to a second position covering the port. A second ball seat movable with the second shuttle, wherein an opening of the first ball seat is smaller than an opening of the second ball seat. Also includes a method of opening and closing a port in a downhole tubular and a method of completing downhole operations in a non-sequential order using a sleeve system having a plurality of downhole tools.
US09279305B2 Downhole tool and method
A downhole packer for providing a seal in a well bore to allow integrity testing of well bore with drill ahead capability immediately thereafter has a disengageable packer assembly wherein the packer element may be rendered disengageable by mounting the packer to the string using a tool body (61) provided with a sleeve (62) bearing a packer element (55), wherein the body is initially restrained from movement within the sleeve by engagement of an internal selectively movable retaining element (64). A method of testing a well bore with follow on drilling after disengaging the packer element is described.
US09279304B2 Fluid pressure transmission pill
A pill for wellbore operations, that includes a base fluid; and at least two polymers that interact to form a gelatinous structure characterized as isolating and controllably transmitting hydrostatic pressure between a first wellbore fluid above the pill in a wellbore and a second wellbore fluid below the pill in the wellbore is disclosed.
US09279303B2 Secondary barrier for use in conjunction with an isolation device in a horizontal wellbore
A secondary barrier for use in conjunction with an isolation device in a portion of a non-vertical wellbore comprises: a swellable material, wherein the swellable material: (A) has dimensions such that, prior to swelling, the secondary barrier is capable of being placed into the portion of the non-vertical wellbore, and (B) fills a void within the portion of the non-vertical wellbore, wherein the swellable material fills the void after the swelling of at least a portion of the swellable material has occurred, wherein the secondary barrier is positioned adjacent to the isolation device in the portion of the non-vertical wellbore. A method of creating a secondary barrier comprises: introducing the secondary barrier into the portion of the non-vertical wellbore; and contacting or allowing the swellable material to come in contact with the swelling fluid or the increase in temperature.
US09279302B2 Plug counter and downhole tool
A plug counter including a housing sized to receive and pass plugs. A helix sleeve rotatably positioned relative to the housing. The helix sleeve including a helical track having a plurality of consecutive turns. A key positionable relative to the helical track and responsive to movement of the helix sleeve in a first rotational direction, wherein the key prevents further movement of the helix sleeve in the first rotational direction after a selected number of plugs pass through the plug counter.
US09279301B2 Apparatus and method for well operations
A method for modifying a return fluid in a wellbore comprises disposing at least one controllable flow restrictor along a drill string in the wellbore. At least one parameter of interest is determined at at least one location along an annulus in the wellbore. Controllably actuating the at least one flow restrictor to modify a local property of a return fluid in the annulus based at least in part on the measured parameter of interest.
US09279297B2 Stabilizer for pipe handling equipment
A stabilizer to suppress unwanted pivotal movement in pipe handling equipment suspended from bails. The stabilizer can contain either or both adjustable contacting members and non-adjustable contacting members which are rigidly connected to a portion of the pipe handling equipment. The adjustable contacting members contact the bails on one or both sides of the bail(s) to suppress motion of the elevator relative to the bail.
US09279294B1 Drill bit having rotational cutting elements and method of drilling
A rotary drill bit is disclosed. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body, a cutting pocket defined in the bit body, and a cutting element rotatably coupled to the bit body. The cutting element may be positioned at least partially within the cutting pocket. The rotary drill bit may also include a rotation-inducing member adjacent to the cutting element for inducing rotation of the cutting element relative to the cutting pocket. The rotation-inducing member may include a resilient member or a vibrational member. The rotary drill bit may also include protrusions extending from an interior of the cutting pocket adjacent to an outer diameter of the cutting element. A method of drilling a formation is also disclosed.
US09279293B2 Drill bit with extendable gauge pads
A drilling system that includes a bit body that has a longitudinal axis, a blade of a selected length on a side of the bit body and substantially along the longitudinal axis, and a movable member associated with the blade that extends from a retracted position to a selected extended position along the longitudinal axis, thereby effectively extending the length of the blade when the movable member is in the selected extended position.
US09279290B2 Manufacture of cutting elements having lobes
An apparatus for forming a cutting insert may include a compression device having a sleeve with a bore. The sleeve may receive a substantially hollow can. Solid particulates may be positioned within the can, and a substrate material or other punch may also be positioned in the can. A forming device adjacent an end of the can in which the solid particulates are located may include at least one protrusion extending into the bore. The protrusion may be adapted to deform the can while also forming the plurality of solid particulates into a solid mass having one or more reliefs and/or lobes. A method may include pressing the solid particulates while within a can to form a solid mass having one or more reliefs or lobes. An HPHT process may be performed to bond the solid mass to a substrate material.
US09279289B2 Combination mud motor flow diverter and tiled bearing, and bearing assemblies including same
A mud motor radial bearing, a combination flow diverter and integral radial mud motor bearing, and a mud motor bearing assembly including the combination. The flow diverter includes a body defining threaded box ends, a concentric longitudinal bore, a generally cylindrical outer surface, and a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal bore fluidly connects the first and second threaded box ends. The first threaded box end connects to a pin of a transmission of a mud motor rotor, and the second threaded box end connects to a pin of a mandrel. A portion of the generally cylindrical outer surface of the body in a region of the second threaded box end has bonded thereto a bearing material. The bearing material includes a plurality of tungsten carbide portions surrounded by a hard metal alloy matrix binder.
US09279287B2 Overhead door with lintel seal interface assembly
An overhead coiling door which includes a lintel seal interface assembly comprising a mounting bracket and a seal material sandwiched between a top and bottom row of brush bristles. The top row of bristles is shorter than the bottom row which provides relative rigidity to the flexible seal material and maintains greater cycle life. Further described are novel insulating material placement used to seal the building structure—door gaps. In one preferred design, a hinged guide cover has a first leg geometry to engage the structure and a second leg geometry to engage the curtain guide assembly to effectively seal gaps created by various amounts of curtain guide assembly setback.
US09279284B1 Foot operated pet gate
A pet gate and method of operating thereof. The gate including a frame including first and second vertical side members; a door pivotally mounted to the second vertical side member. The door includes a pole extending between upper and a lower door crossbars, wherein the door pivots between an open position and a closed position. A foot actuator is mounted to the door and is vertically slidable between a raised position and a lowered position. A first channel in the foot actuator aligns with the pole and receives a drive that passes through the pole. The drive is raise-able by the foot actuator. A retractable bar is slidably provided in the upper door crossbar. The drive engages the retractable bar when the drive is raised. An upper retracting pin extends from the retractable bar and is receivable in a upper catch provided in the first vertical member.
US09279283B2 Automated spacer frame fabrication
Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Better control over the notching process is also achieved by exhaust flow control of a double acting cylinder. A positioning spacer achieve very accurate side to side positioning of a die and anvil to precisely notch and deform the metal strip. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.
US09279282B2 Frame for a window and a method for making a frame
A frame for a window intended to serve either as a stationary frame or as a sash frame according to the invention comprises an insulating abutment list on a side surface of at least one of the top, bottom or side members intended to face a side surface of another frame of the window. The insulating abutment list is made from a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.08 W/(m·k), preferably less than 0.04 W/(m·K). Preferred materials for the insulating abutment list are expanded polystyrene (EPS) or extruded polystyrene (XPS). In a window with such a frame, an insulating abutment list on the sash frame preferably extends from hinge part to the bottom member of the sash frame and an insulating abutment list on the stationary frame preferably extends from a hinge part to the top member of the stationary frame.
US09279281B2 Universal sensing edge
A universally mountable sensing edge comprises an elongated sheath defining a compressible cavity with a force sensor located therein. A center securing member extends upwardly from the top wall of the sheath, has a T-shaped base portion and a removable mounting strip extending from the base portion. At least one T-shaped edge securing member extends upwardly from the top wall of the sheath at least a distance generally equivalent to the distance that the upward extension of the T-shaped base portion of the center securing member extends from the top wall of the sheath. The at least one T-shaped edge securing member is disposed proximate to at least one of the front and rear sidewalls of the sheath. The universal sensing edge is attachable to a structure compatible with the mounting strip, the base portion of the center securing member, or the T-shaped edge securing member.
US09279279B1 Hinge apparatus for trunk lid
A hinge apparatus for a trunk lid may include a hinge arm which has a first end rotatably coupled to a vehicle body, and a second end fixed to the trunk lid, and a spring which may be mounted to and supported by the vehicle body, connected with the hinge arm, and elastically deformed by rotation of the hinge arm when the trunk lid may be closed, in which a position or a rotation angle at a point at which the spring may be supported by the vehicle body may be adjusted so that an amount of elastic deformation of the spring may be increased when the trunk lid may be closed.
US09279278B2 Door clamp
Apparatuses and methods for securing a door. The apparatuses include a door clamp having a base with a first groove and a second groove. A first stop and a second stop are movably attached to the base. The first stop has a first position in relation to the base wherein the first groove is exposed and has a second position in relation to the base wherein the first groove is covered by the first stop. The second stop has a first position in relation to the base wherein the second groove is exposed and has a second position in relation to the base wherein the second groove is covered by the second stop.
US09279270B1 System for affixing a blanket to ground
A system for affixing a blanket to ground includes at least one corner flap mechanically coupled to the blanket and configured with a removable edge with the blanket. At least one stake is mechanically coupled to the blanket. The at least one stake is configured to be removed from underneath the at least one corner flap and into the ground.
US09279264B2 Method and arrangement for a water treatment
In a method for water treatment by chlorine disinfection, a chlorine stabilizer is dosed into water to be treated as far as a predetermined chlorine stabilizer concentration in said water is achieved. As soon as the predetermined chlorine stabilizer concentration is achieved said achieved chlorine stabilizer concentration is maintained in said water constant. A chlorine disinfectant concentration is adjusted in said water to be treated to a predetermined chlorine disinfectant concentration in said water by dosing a non-stabilized chlorine disinfectant (free chlorine) into said water to be treated. Therefore advantages of free chlorine and stabilized chlorine disinfection and facilitating to reduce DBPs at low chlorine stabilizer concentrations in water can be combined, without compromising disinfection safety.
US09279260B2 Modular panel concrete form for self-lifting concrete form system
A modular panelized form wall include a first wall panel and a second wall panel; and a support panel having vertical steel rails which frame the vertical sides of the support panel. The support panel is arranged between the first and second wall panels. The first wall panel, the second wall panel and the support panel are connected together to form a portion of the modular panelized form wall. Wide head brackets can be connected to a top of the support panel for an overhead self-lifting grid system to be attached to the modular panelized form wall. Wide landing brackets can be connected to a bottom of the support panel to transmit the loads from the support panel to the underlying support. Shear pins can be inserted through the vertical steel rails at various locations in the support panel and through corresponding holes in the first and second wall panels, the holes to receive the shear pins to distribute the vertical loads away from the support panel to the first and second wall panels.
US09279259B1 Tile lippage removal system
A tile lippage removal system preferably includes a spacer post, a threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate. The spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and a threaded shaft. A bottom of the spacer member extends from a top of the base member. A break away connection is made between the spacer member and the base member. A bottom of the threaded shaft extends from a top of the spacer member. A plurality of grip extensions extend from an outer surface of a substantial inverted cup to allow rotation of the threaded cap. A female thread is formed in a center of the substantial inverted cup to threadably receive the threaded shaft. The anti-friction protection plate includes a round outer perimeter and a spacer opening, which is sized to receive the spacer member. The anti-friction protection plate may be used to improve existing tile lippage removal systems.
US09279258B2 Recoiling energy absorbing system with lateral stabilizer
A recoiling energy absorbing system has an upper impact surface that is exposed to percussive impact. An energy absorbing layer is positioned below or inside the upper impact surface. The energy absorbing layer includes one or more thermoformed energy absorbing modules. At least some of the modules are provided with one or more energy absorbing units that extend from an upper platform. Several of the energy absorbing units are provided with a flexible wall that extends from the upper platform. A lateral reinforcement member secures the energy absorbing units to prevent them from splaying. The energy absorbing units at least partially absorb energy generated by an impacting object due to the flexible wall bending inwardly or outwardly and recoiling nondestructively after single or multiple impacts to its un-deflected configuration.
US09279257B2 Apparatus and method for coating a material with resin and applying the coated material to a surface
A device for saturating material with resin and subsequently laying the saturated material onto a surface includes a frame and a vessel for retaining the resin attached to the frame. The vessel has a slot sized and configured so that material is passable through the slot after being coated with resin retained in the vessel. A first guide member is positioned adjacent the slot and a second guide member is positioned adjacent the slot and is spaced apart from the first guide member to define a passageway between the first and second guide members. The passageway is sized and configured for the material to be passable through the passageway and out of the device for laying on the surface. Embodiments of the device can be usable for methods of waterproofing and/or roofing.
US09279254B2 Anchor arrangement
Systems and methods are provided for securing ends of tendons in an anchor housing. Tendons having open or expanded sections are inserted through a cylindrical surface of the anchor housing. The tendons are secured in the anchor housing by grout which cooperates with the open or expanded sections and irregularities formed on the interior surface of the anchor housing.
US09279246B2 Twist on wire tie wall connection system and method
A wire tire includes an embedment end having first and second ends. First and second leg portions extend from the first and second ends, respectively. First and second moment arms extend from the first and second leg portions, respectively. First and second hook arms extend from the first and second moments arms, respectively.
US09279245B2 Anchoring assembly, anchoring nut for use in an anchoring assembly and the use of an anchoring assembly for anchoring a liner of a cured lining material
An anchoring assembly for anchoring a liner of a cured lining material arranged to be applied in liquid form to a metal object provided with the anchoring assembly, the anchoring assembly comprising an elongated mounting pin, which elongated mounting pin is arranged to be mounted, at a first end, to the metal object, and a plurality of spaced anchor fins, wherein the plurality of spaced anchors fins are connected to the elongated mounting pin at a second end and extend radially outwardly with respect to the elongated mounting pin.
US09279243B2 Modular construction system for reinforcing foundation, pillars, isolated footings and anti-seismic separators, intended for variable-geometry heat-insulation formwork
A modular construction system used for reinforcing all shapes of foundation, pillars, isolated footings and anti-seismic separators intended for transpiring, heat-insulation variable-geometry formwork, including at least one guide plane for the vertical elements of such reinforcement and at least one supporting bracket for such plane, said bracket being suited to make it possible to install such guide plane relative to such transpiring, “disposable” heat-insulation formwork.
US09279236B2 Electro-hydraulic system for recovering and reusing potential energy
A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic actuator, a pump configured to supply fluid to the hydraulic actuator, and a first accumulator fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator. The first accumulator is configured to store fluid received from the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic system also includes a motor drivingly connected to the pump and fluidly connected to the first accumulator. The motor is configured to receive the stored fluid from the first accumulator to drive the pump. The hydraulic system further includes a first discharge valve fluidly connected between the first accumulator and the hydraulic actuator. The first discharge valve is configured to supply the stored fluid from the first accumulator to the hydraulic actuator without the stored fluid from the first accumulator circulating through the pump.
US09279235B1 Implement position control system having automatic calibration
A method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for calibrating an implement actuation sensor of a machine are disclosed. The method may include calculating a first elevation value of an implement of the machine in a gravity reference frame of the machine. The method may further include calculating a second elevation value of a ground-engaging device of the machine in the gravity reference frame of the machine. The method may further include determining a difference between the first elevation value and the second elevation value. The method may further include calibrating the implement actuation sensor based on the determined difference.
US09279234B1 Door system for a machine
A door system includes a window and a door frame. The door frame includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel includes a first outer portion and a second outer portion. The first outer portion has a first outer leg, an intermediate portion, and a second outer leg that together define a cavity. The second panel has a first inner portion, a lip portion and a second inner portion. The first inner portion is joined to the second outer portion of the first panel. The second inner portion has a first inner leg and a second inner leg that together define a seal channel wall extending within the cavity. The lip portion includes an offset portion extending in a direction opposite to that of the seal channel wall.
US09279230B2 Implement with a boom
The present disclosure relates to an implement with a boom, wherein the boom is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis via a bolt connection on a basic unit of the implement, with the bearing of the boom on the basic unit being effected via three bearing plates with corresponding bearing points for the bolt connection.
US09279229B2 Fluid conveyance system
An industrial machine includes a frame supporting a fluid source and a boom, an arm, an attachment coupled to the arm, a cylinder, and a rod. The arm is movably coupled to the boom for translational and rotational movement relative to the boom. The cylinder includes a first end and a second end, and the cylinder defines an internal bore in fluid communication with the fluid source. The rod is coupled to the arm and is slidably received within the cylinder. The rod includes a port and a passage for providing fluid to the attachment. The port provides fluid communication between the internal bore and the passage. The port is positioned within the internal bore throughout the entire range of movement of the rod relative to the cylinder.
US09279225B1 Surface water outlet device
A surface water outlet device for allowing water removal from a sediment pond while controlling sediment removal that includes a float formed of interconnected lengths of pipe sealed against water intrusion and a drain pipe attached to the float and having a plurality of openings to allow water to drain into the drain pipe. A swivel is positioned intermediate the float and the drain pipe and adapted to allow the float to rise and fall with the water level in the sediment pond and to allow the drain pipe to pivot relative to the float as the floats rises and falls with the water level. An annular slide pipe is positioned over the drain pipe and is moveable along the length of the drain pipe to cover a varying length of the slots to correspondingly vary the rate at which water flows into the drain pipe through the slots.
US09279220B1 Adjustable crane rail brace
An adjustable crane rail brace that provides for lateral movement of a crane rail having a rail base resting upon a tie plate. The brace includes a block mounted to the tie plate and a wedge interposed between the block and the rail base. The wedge is slidable longitudinally with respect to the rail base. The block is mounted at an acute angle with respect to the lateral edge of the rail base, and the wedge has sides at this acute angle with respect to each other. The wedge also has a first serrated portion. The brace includes a member having a top face and having a second serrated portion. The first and second serrated portions are in frictional engagement, and the member has a resilient nose extending downwardly in contact with the rail base. The brace further has a spring for exerting downward force upon the top face.
US09279218B2 Apparatus for applying indicia on web substrates
A contact printing system comprising a gravure cylinder having first, second, and third pluralities of discrete cells disposed in a respective first, second, and third distribution upon the outer surface of the gravure cylinder is disclosed. The first, second, and third pluralities of discrete cells each receives a respective first, second, and third portion of a respective first, second, and third fluid from a respective first, second, and third at least one channel disposed internal to the gravure cylinder. The first, second, and third at least one channels each have a single entry point at the respective first, second, and third positions external to the gravure cylinder and a discrete exit point at the respective first, second, and third plurality of discrete cells. The first, second, and third plurality of discrete cells are disposed adjacent each other and are randomly distributed upon the outer surface of the gravure cylinder.
US09279216B2 Covering fabric for aircraft in general air travel
The present invention relates to a covering fabric for covering aircraft. The fabric itself may be coated with one or more layers of a crosslinked anionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethane dispersion and/or is woven from coated fibers or filaments. A covering fabric of the invention may be glued using a thermoactivatable heat-crosslinking adhesive. An advantage of the covering fabric of the invention is that there is no need for further coating of the fabric after covering, and thus significantly less weight is applied by the covering process. Furthermore, the user is able to apply the covering to an aircraft without using any organic solvents in adhesives, tension-inducing varnishes, thinners, fillers or colored varnishes. Thus, an environmentally friendly process is provided for the covering of aircraft.
US09279215B2 Formulation coated self-cleaning wool
The present invention relates to methods of making articles, and systems for providing wool articles having self-cleaning properties. The self-cleaning properties are brought about coating the wool articles with a photocatalyst formulation. The formulation contains titanium compounds, stabilizers, catalysts, and water.
US09279211B2 Laundry treatment apparatus
A laundry treatment apparatus may include a cabinet defining an external appearance of the apparatus, the cabinet having a laundry opening, a laundry accommodation module provided within the cabinet to receive laundry introduced through the laundry opening, a suction duct into which interior air from the laundry accommodation module may be introduced, a discharge duct from which the air is discharged into the laundry accommodation module, a connection duct connecting the suction duct and the discharge duct to each other, a heat exchanger provided in the connection duct, and a blower provided between the heat exchanger and the discharge duct to circulate the interior air of the laundry accommodation module.
US09279207B2 Washing machine with a suspension having a friction damper
A washing machine is provided. The washing machine may include a casing, an outer tub, and a suspension. The suspension may include a support rod, a cap, a first elastic member, and a friction damper. The support rod may be connected to the casing at one end thereof. The support rod may penetrate the cap, and the cap may move upward and downward along the support rod according to an amount of vibration of the outer tub. The support rod may penetrate the first elastic member, which may elastically support the cap. The friction damper may be movably provided along the support rod and generate a certain frictional force with the support rod.
US09279205B2 Washing machine
A washing machine having a structure which stably supports a hose or a wire used in the washing machine to prevent sagging or movement of the hose or the wire. The washing machine includes a main body, a spin basket disposed within the main body, an upper cover connected to the upper portion of the main body, a detergent box connected to the bottom surface of the upper cover to supply detergent to the inside of the spin basket, a water supply valve connected to the rear end of the upper cover, a water supply hose connecting the water supply valve to the detergent box, and a support bracket connected to the bottom surface of the upper cover to support the water supply hose so as to prevent sagging of the water supply hose.
US09279204B2 Embroidery cloth presser
An object of the present invention is to provide an embroidery cloth presser which prevents a needle thread from being sandwiched between the embroidery cloth presser and a cloth to allow an embroidery frame to move smoothly and which also prevents inappropriate draw-in of the needle thread, that is, prevents a cross-over thread of the needle thread resulting from long-distance movement of the embroidery frame from remaining on an embroidery surface. An embroidery cloth presser is installed on a presser bar of a sewing machine to press a cloth to be embroidered and which includes a projection provided on a bottom surface of the cloth presser which contacts the cloth around a needle and forming, between the cloth presser and the cloth, a gap through which a needle thread passes.
US09279203B2 Manufacturing device and the method of preparing for the nanofibers via electro blown spinning process
The invention relates to a nanofiber web preparing apparatus and method via electro-blown spinning. The nanofiber web preparing method includes feeding a polymer solution, which is a polymer dissolved into a given solvent, toward a spinning nozzle, discharging the polymer solution via the spinning nozzle, which is charged with a high voltage, while injecting compressed air via the lower end of the spinning nozzle, and collecting fiber spun in the form of a web on a grounded suction collector under the spinning nozzle, in which both of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins are applicable, the solution does not need to be heated and electrical insulation is readily realized.
US09279201B2 Elastic warp knitted fabric
An elastic warp knitted fabric which exhibits excellent extensibility and extension recovery characteristics and gives good wearing feeling, has excellent motion followability, can contribute to improvement in movement function, further has no limitation in applications due to extension force thereof, and can be used as the material of a garment less likely to lose the shape due to wearing. The elastic warp knitted fabric of the present invention is the elastic warp knitted fabric knitted at least two guide bars, and is characterized in that the elastic fibers are arranged on at least one guide bar and inelastic fibers are arranged on the other guide bar, respectively, both an extension force in the warp direction and that in the weft direction are 100 cN to 600 cN, in extension by 80% of the said knitted fabric, that the ratio of the extension force in the warp direction to that in the weft direction is 0.8 to 1.8.
US09279200B2 Base fabric for air bag which hardly causes “bottoming” upon collision
There is disclosed a non-coated base fabric for air bag characterized in that maximum value of inner pressure of a woven fabric in measurement of dynamic air permeability at 50 to 65° C. is 70 to 100 kpa and biaxial strain rate of the base fabric at that time is 2.9 to 4.0%. Preferably, a yarn which constitutes the woven fabric is Nylon 66 fiber, content of an oil component remaining in the woven fabric is 0.04 to 0.60% by weight to the woven fabric, main ingredient of the oil component is an olefin type polymer having a melting point of 60° C. or lower, and the woven fabric contains 20 to 200 ppm of a phosphorus component.
US09279199B2 Method and apparatus for manufacturing cleaning member
In a method for manufacturing a cleaning member comprising opened fiber bundle, in order to correct twisting of fiber bundle in the path for feeding the fiber bundle from a storage container to a driving roller to thereby stabilize manufacturing process, and in order to pre-open the fiber bundle in the path from a driving roller to the opening step to thereby speed-up the opening step, fiber bundle drawn out continuously from a storage container in a first direction is wound onto a non-rotational bar, and after being fed in a second direction, is fed to a first driving roller, and the fiber bundle fed from the first driving roller in a third direction is wound onto a second non-rotational bar, and after being fed in a fourth direction, is fed to a second driving roller and to the following opening step.
US09279196B2 Regenerated cellulose fiber
The present invention relates to a regenerated cellulose fiber, which is characterized by the combination of the following features: the fiber has in its dry condition a collapsed hollow cross-sectional structure the fiber has in its wet condition a cross-sectional structure with cavities the fiber is segmented in the longitudinal direction by dividing walls there is incorporated into the fiber an absorbent polymer, in particular carboxymethylcellulose. The fiber may be obtained by a process, wherein there is admixed a carbonate as well as an absorbent polymer, in particular carboxymethylcellulose, to a viscose dope.
US09279191B2 Pattern forming method
According to one embodiment, a pattern forming method includes forming a graphoepitaxy on a substrate, a process of forming a first self-assembly material layer that contains a first segment and a second segment in a depressed portion of the graphoepitaxy, a process of forming a first self-assembly pattern that has a first region containing the first segment, and a second region containing the second segment by performing a phase separation of the first self-assembly material layer, a process of forming a second self-assembly material layer containing a third segment and a fourth segment on a projected portion of the graphoepitaxy, and the first self-assembly pattern, a process of forming a second self-assembly pattern that has a third region containing the third segment, and a fourth region containing the fourth segment by performing a phase separation of the second self-assembly material layer.
US09279190B2 Method for preparing diamond carbon membrane on surface of stainless steel
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a diamond carbon membrane on a surface of stainless steel, including: immersing the pretreated stainless steel into a solution of a biomass-derived carbonaceous mesophase in ethanol for several minutes, prior to taking out and air drying; or alternatively, spraying the solution of the biomass-derived carbonaceous mesophase in ethanol onto the stainless steel surface, to provide a layer of the biomass-derived carbonaceous mesophase film adhered on the stainless steel surface upon full volatilization of the solution on the surface; and then carrying out thermal treatment under a hydrogen atmosphere, to prepare the diamond carbon membrane on the stainless steel surface. By the preparation process, which is convenient and easy in operation, and low in cost, the diamond carbon membrane can be made on the stainless steel substrate in a complicated shape, which has a high level of diamond phase and is uniform, dense, and firm in bonding with the stainless steel substrate, leading to improvement of corrosion resistance, wearability, rigidity and high temperature resistance of the stainless steel, and being worth expanding in practical application.
US09279187B2 Method for applying a diffusion barrier interlayer for high temperature components
A coated substrate and a method of forming a diffusion barrier coating system between a substrate and a MCrAl coating, including a diffusion barrier coating deposited onto at least a portion of a substrate surface, wherein the diffusion barrier coating comprises a nitride, oxide or carbide of one or more transition metals and/or metalloids and a MCrAl coating, wherein M includes a transition metal or a metalloid, deposited on at least a portion of the diffusion barrier coating, wherein the diffusion barrier coating restricts the inward diffusion of aluminum of the MCrAl coating into the substrate.
US09279184B2 Method of forming a pattern and substrate processing system
A method of forming a pattern is provided. The method includes an etching step of forming a predetermined pattern in a silicon-containing film by etching the silicon-containing film deposited on a substrate through a mask by plasma generated from an etching gas containing a fluorocarbon gas, and a film deposition step of depositing a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film on a surface of the predetermined pattern by oxidizing or nitriding a silicon-containing layer adsorbed on the surface of the predetermined pattern by supplying a silicon compound gas, by using plasma generated from an oxidation gas or a nitriding gas.
US09279179B2 Multi coil target design
In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a plasma processing system configured to form a symmetric plasma distribution around a workpiece. In some embodiments, the plasma processing system comprises a plurality of coils symmetrically positioned around a processing chamber. When a current is provided to the coils, separate magnetic fields, which operate to ionize the target atoms, emanate from the separate coils. The separate magnetic fields operate upon ions within the coils to form a plasma on the interior of the coils. Furthermore, the separate magnetic fields are superimposed upon one another between coils to form a plasma on the exterior of the coils. Therefore, the disclosed plasma processing system can form a plasma that continuously extends along a perimeter of the workpiece with a high degree of uniformity (i.e., without dead spaces).
US09279177B2 Thin film deposition apparatus, method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display device by using the apparatus, and organic light-emitting display device manufactured by using the method
A thin film deposition apparatus includes: a deposition source for discharging a deposition material; a deposition source nozzle unit disposed at a side of the deposition source and including a plurality of deposition source nozzles arranged in a first direction; a patterning slit sheet disposed opposite to the deposition source nozzle unit and having a plurality of patterning slits arranged in the first direction; a barrier plate assembly including a plurality of barrier plates that are disposed between the deposition source nozzle unit and the patterning slit sheet in the first direction, the plurality of barrier plates partitioning a deposition space between the deposition source nozzle unit and the patterning slit sheet into a plurality of sub-deposition spaces; and a capacitive vacuum gauge disposed at a side of the deposition source and configured to measure a pressure inside the deposition source.
US09279176B2 Lead wire for solar cell, manufacturing method and storage method thereof, and solar cell
A solar cell lead wire includes a molten solder plated layer on a strip-shaped conductive material formed rectangular in a cross section thereof so as to be bonded by soldering to an electrode of a solar cell, using a flux. A thickness of an oxide film on a surface of the molten solder plated layer, which is a sum of a thickness of an SnO layer and a thickness of an SnO2 layer on the surface of the molten solder plated layer, is not more than 7 nm.
US09279172B2 Heat-resistance ferritic stainless steel
Ferritic stainless steel is excellent in terms of both oxidation resistance and thermal fatigue resistance without adding expensive elements, such as Mo or W. The ferritic stainless steel, contains: C: 0.015 mass % or lower, Si: 1.0 mass % or lower, Mn: 1.0 mass % or lower, P: 0.04 mass % or lower, S: 0.010 mass % or lower, Cr: 16 to 23 mass % or lower, N: 0.015 mass % or lower, Nb: 0.3 to 0.65 mass %, Ti: 0.15 mass % or lower, Mo: 0.1 mass % or lower, W: 0.1 mass % or lower, Cu: 1.0 to 2.5 mass %, Al: 0.2 to 1.5 mass %, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities.
US09279171B2 Thermo-mechanical processing of nickel-titanium alloys
Processes for the production of nickel-titanium mill products are disclosed. A nickel-titanium alloy workpiece is cold worked at a temperature less than 500° C. The cold worked nickel-titanium alloy workpiece is hot isostatic pressed (HIP'ed).
US09279165B2 Mashing process
The present invention relates to a mashing and filtration step in a brewing process and to a composition useful in the mashing and filtration step of a brewing process.
US09279164B2 Method for producing leather for covering aircraft seats with leather
In a manufacturing method (HV) for producing finished leather (FL) for covering components with leather, wherein the following process steps for treating a leather hide (LH) are performed on a raw hide (RH) as an initial product for producing the finished leather (FL) as an end product of the method: mechanical process steps in which the leather hide (LH) is treated using mechanical tools, and chemical process steps in which the leather hide is treated with chemicals, wherein both mechanical and chemical modes of action are combined in individual process steps, it is envisaged that, in a process step of retanning, synthetic and/or vegetable tanning materials, fattening agents, microencapsulated auxiliary agents based on ammonium, phosphate, phosphorus and the ester compounds thereof and natural additives based on rubber and milk products are used, and in a process step of reducing the thickness of the leather hide, the leather thickness of the leather hide (LH) is reduced by splitting and/or scraping without reducing the physical authenticity, and in a process step of flame retardant application, an application material (AM) consisting of acrylic, polyurethane, vinyl acetate dispersions and having a flame retardant based on cyclic di- and triphosphates and organic ammonium with sulphur and phosphorus compounds is applied on the flesh side (FS) of the leather hide (LH).
US09279157B2 EMX2 in cancer diagnosis and prognosis
The present invention provides methods for determining a prognosis of disease free or overall survival in a patient suffering from cancer. The methods generally involve determining a normalized expression level of an EMX2 gene product, which correlates with prognosis and likelihood of survival.
US09279156B2 Methods and materials for assessing allelic imbalance
Methods and systems for detecting allelic imbalance using nucleic acid sequencing are provided.
US09279155B2 Step-wise nucleic acid sequencing with catalytic and non-catalytic metals
The Application relates to methods, and systems for nucleotide sequencing comprising producing polymerase reactions that comprise both catalytic and non-catalytic divalent metal ions. Polymerase/template/primer complexes are immobilized on a substrate. The complexes are exposed to a solution comprising a non-catalytic metal and nucleotides labeled with a detectable label on a portion of the nucleotide that is released upon incorporation. The cognate nucleotide is sequestered in the active site of the polymerase, unable to proceed to incorporation. After observing the sequestered cognate nucleotide, the complex is exposed to a catalytic metal, resulting in the incorporation of the bound cognate nucleotide and consequent release of the label resulting in a single-base extended primer.
US09279154B2 Apparatus and methods for kinetic analysis and determination of nucleic acid sequences
A method of distinguishing nucleotide sequences for different nucleic acid molecules including the steps of (a) mixing a plurality of different nucleic acid molecules with polymerase molecules and nucleotide molecules, wherein the different nucleic acid molecules are attached to a surface in the form of an array of nucleic acid features; (b) determining a transient state of the polymerase molecules at the nucleic acid features; and (c) identifying a subset of nucleic acid features that correctly incorporate the nucleotide molecules based on the transient state of the polymerase molecules at the nucleic acid features, thereby distinguishing the nucleotide sequences for the different nucleic acid molecules.
US09279153B2 Ultrafast sequencing of biological polymers using a labeled nanopore
Methods and systems for sequencing a biological molecule or polymer, e.g., a nucleic acid, are provided. One or more donor labels, which are attached to a pore or nanopore, may be illuminated or otherwise excited. A polymer having a monomer labeled with one or more acceptor labels, may be translocated through the pore. Either before, after or while the labeled monomer of the polymer passes through, exits or enters the pore, energy may be transferred from the excited donor label to the acceptor label of the monomer. As a result of the energy transfer, the acceptor label emits energy, and the emitted energy is detected in order to identify the labeled monomer of the translocated polymer and to thereby sequence the polymer.
US09279142B2 Device and method of taking samples from medical equipment for the purpose of microbiological testing
A device and method for use in taking a sample from an item of medical equipment for the purpose of microbiological testing. The device includes attachment mechanism for attaching about a region of the item of medical equipment in an air-tight manner; and collection mechanism for collecting fluid which emanates from the item of medical equipment.
US09279138B2 Vitamin C production in a microorganism, gluconobacter
The present invention relates to newly identified genes that encode proteins that are involved in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid (hereinafter also referred to as Vitamin C). The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. The present invention also relates to the use of the polynucleotides and polypeptides as biotechnological tools in the production of Vitamin C from microorganisms, whereby a modification of the polynucleotides and/or encoded polypeptides has a direct or indirect impact on yield, production, and/or efficiency of production of the fermentation product in the microorganism. Also included are methods/processes of using the polynucleotides and modified polynucleotide sequences to transform host microorganisms. The invention also relates to genetically engineered microorganisms and their use for the direct production of Vitamin C.
US09279132B2 Vectors and sequences for the treatment of diseases
The present invention provides new sequences, gene constructions, vectors and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases and specially, for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidoses.
US09279128B2 Rhamnose promoter expression system
Vectors expressible in a host that is the rhaBAD promoter region of the L-rhamnose operon operably linked to a transcriptional unit that is: a) a nucleic acid sequence which is heterologous to the host, and b) a prokaryotic signal sequence operably linked to the nucleic acid sequence. The prokaryotic signal sequence is selected from signal peptides of periplasmatic binding proteins for sugars, amino acids, vitamins and ions. The expression of the nucleic acid sequence is controlled by the promoter region. The vector is used for the regulated heterologous expression of a nucleic acid sequence in a prokaryotic host. This is an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence expressible in a host is the promoter region of the L-rhamnose operon. There is a method for producing a polypeptide in a host using the vector.
US09279126B2 Antisense oligonucleotides (ODN) against SMAD7 and uses thereof in medical field
The invention relates to antisense oligonucleotidic sequences (ODN) against Smad7 suitably modified, and their uses in medical field as therapeutic biological agents, in particular in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
US09279119B2 Engineered enzymes with methionine-gamma-lyase enzymes and pharmacological preparations thereof
Methods and composition related to the engineering of a novel protein with methionine-γ-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-γ-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.
US09279118B2 Dimeric bacteriophage lysins
The present invention provides isolated dimeric Streptococcus-specific phage lysins having two Streptococcus-specific phage lysin monomers covalently linked to each other, and having killing activity against one or more Streptococcus bacteria. Also provided for are pharmaceutical compositions of dimeric lysins and their use in therapeutic treatment or alleviation of infections or bacterial colonizations. The dimeric lysins may also be used to decontaminate porous and non-porous surfaces or devices.
US09279115B2 Proteases
Proteases derived from Nocardiopsis dassonvillei subsp. dassonvillei DSM 43235, Nocardiopsis prasina DSM 15649, Nocardiopsis prasina (previously alba) DSM 14010 Nocardiopsis sp. DSM 16424, Nocardiopsis alkaliphila DSM 44657 and Nocardiopsis lucentensis DSM 44048, as well as homologous proteases; their recombinant production in various hosts, including transgenic plants and non-human animals, and their use in animal feed and detergents. The proteases are acid-stable, alkali-stable, and/or thermostable.
US09279114B2 Proteases
Proteases derived from Nocardiopsis dassonvillei subsp. dassonvillei DSM 43235, Nocardiopsis prasina DSM 15649, Nocardiopsis prasina (previously alba) DSM 14010 Nocardiopsis sp. DSM 16424, Nocardiopsis alkaliphila DSM 44657 and Nocardiopsis lucentensis DSM 44048, as well as homologous proteases; their recombinant production in various hosts, including transgenic plants and non-human animals, and their use in animal feed and detergents. The proteases are acid-stable, alkali-stable, and/or thermostable.
US09279111B2 Leech hyaluronidase and its application
The present invention provides a novel leech HAase and a method of producing low-molecular-weight HA oligosaccharides using the leech HAase. This invention successfully cloned the first leech HAase gene and provides a method for high-level expression of the leech HAase gene. By controlling the incubation condition, different HA oligosaccharides, particularly HA4, HA6, HA8 and HA10, can be selectively generated using the leech HAase. The large-scale expression of the leech HAase and the enzymatic production of specific HA oligosaccharides are not only useful for the cosmetic, healthcare and the medical industries but also can be a great help to polysaccharides chemical synthesis and cancer research.
US09279110B2 Polynucleotides encoding polypeptides having phospholipase C activity
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having phospholipase C activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US09279109B2 Method for production of recombinant human iduronate 2-sulfatase
Disclosed is a method for production of recombinant human iduronate 2-sulfatase (rhI2S) (the 26th to 550th amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 10) in a large scale, with a high purity, and mannose 6-phosphate residues. The method comprises the steps of (a) culturing rhI2S (the 26th to 550th amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 10)-producing mammalian cells in a serum-free medium, (b) collecting culture supernatant, (c) subjecting the culture supernatant to cation-exchange column chromatography, (d) to dye affinity column chromatography, (e) to anion-exchange column chromatography, and (f) to a column chromatography employing as solid phase a material having affinity for phosphate group, and (g) to gel filtration column chromatography, in the order.
US09279107B2 Simplified basic media for human pluripotent cell culture
Fully defined media that support pluripotent cell viability, proliferation, cloning, and derivation, as well as methods and compositions including these media are described. Methods for deriving iPS cells from adult individuals under defined, xeno-free conditions are also described.