| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09285806B2 |
Traveling vehicle system
A traveling vehicle system includes a track network including tracks, a plurality of traveling vehicles, and a traveling vehicle controller. The controller is programmed and configured to include an abnormality detecting unit configured to detect an abnormality in a track on the downstream side of a diverging section including at least the track; and an entry determining unit configured to, in a case that a traveling vehicle that has just passed through the diverging section enters the track and a traveling vehicle that has immediately thereafter passed through the diverging section is about to consecutively enter the track, when the abnormality detecting unit has detected no abnormality, skip determination of whether the traveling vehicle is allowed to enter the track and, when the abnormality detecting unit has detected an abnormality, determine whether the traveling vehicle is allowed to enter the track. |
| US09285802B2 |
Residential solutions HVAC monitoring and diagnosis
A monitoring system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a residence includes a monitoring device installed at the residence and a server located remotely from the residence. The monitoring device measures an aggregate current supplied to a plurality of components of the HVAC system and transmits current data based on the measured aggregate current. The server receives the transmitted current data and, based on the received current, assesses whether a failure has occurred in a first component of the plurality of components of the HVAC system and assesses whether a failure has occurred in a second component of the plurality of components of the HVAC system. |
| US09285791B2 |
Monitoring system
A monitoring system can be used to monitor an operation status of at least one machine. The machine has an operation lamp. The operation lamp is used to emit light when the operation status of the machine is under operation. The monitoring system includes at least one light sensor and at least one controller. The light sensor is disposed at the operation lamp for emitting a sensing signal according to the brightness of the operation lamp of the machine. The controller is electrically connected with the light sensor for determining, the operation status of the machine according to the sensing signal. |
| US09285789B2 |
Cogeneration unit and wind power joint heating system and scheduling method therefor
A cogeneration unit and wind power joint heating system and a scheduling method therefor. The joint heating system comprises a coal-fired steam-extraction condensing-steam cogeneration unit (A), a wind turbine generator unit (B), an air conditioner heat pump (108) parallel-connected to the coal-fired steam-extraction condensing-steam cogeneration unit (A) and to the wind turbine generator unit (B) via a power cable network (113), and a hot water heating radiator (110) connected to the coal-fired steam-extraction condensing-steam cogeneration unit (A) via a heating pipe network (114). The joint heating system also comprises an integrated scheduling control device (115), a first remote centralized controller (1121), a second remote centralized controller (1122), and a third remote centralized controller (1123). Heating is provided to a user by the hot water heating radiator (110) and the air conditioner heat pump (108); while electricity is provided jointly by the coal-fired steam-extraction condensing-steam cogeneration unit (A) and the wind turbine generator unit (B). The scheduling method comprises: after detecting over a period of time the state of power supply and the state of power consumption of the user via the integrated scheduling control device (115), making a prediction for an upcoming period of time, and then scheduling on this basis. Under the premise of ensuring electricity supply and heat supply, the scheduling method reduces hot water flow outputted for heating, and compensates with electricity heating. |
| US09285783B2 |
Managing power utilized within a local power network
Power utilized in a local power network may be managed. The local power network may include a power management system. The power management system may communicate with one or more of a circuit controller, a switch controller, and/or an outlet controller in order to manage power utilization. |
| US09285776B1 |
Band tightening system
The present disclosure generally relates to a tightening apparatus, a wristband having the same, and a wristwatch having the same. In one embodiment, a plurality of pieces are coupled together and to a housing, and have one or more wires running through at least a first piece and a second piece of the plurality of pieces. The first and second pieces of the plurality of pieces are spaced a distance apart. The housing partially encloses at least a ratchet having a center axis, and a spool coupled to the ratchet, the spool being rotatable about an axis that is collinear with the center axis. The one or more wires are coupled to the spool, and are configured to wind around the spool when the spool rotates. As the spool rotates, the distance between at least the first and second pieces of the plurality of pieces is reduced. |
| US09285771B2 |
Drive member for clock movement
Drive member for timepiece movement comprising: a barrel comprising a drum mounted on an arbor; a main spring wound inside the barrel, and a core coaxial with and pivoting on the arbor; the exterior end of the spring being coupled to the drum and the interior end of the spring being coupled to the core; the exterior end of the spring is coupled to the drum by a first clamp that is pivot-mounted in the drum so that when the spring is unwound, the first clamp pivots in such a way as to hold the exterior turn of the first spring against the drum and when the spring is wound up, the first clamp pivots towards the center of the barrel to follow the exterior turn of the spring. The bending stresses in the spring are reduced. |
| US09285770B2 |
Holographic display device and method for generating hologram using redundancy of 3D video
A holographic display device and method of generating a hologram using redundancy of 3D video are disclosed. A storage unit stores the hologram of a previous 3D image frame. A control unit generates an update map indicating an update required 3D point among 3D points included in a current 3D image frame based on the current 3D image frame and the previous 3D image frame and modifies the update map to further include information indicating the update of a 3D point related to the update required. |
| US09285769B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a duct for airflow having a sectional area that becomes gradually smaller toward a part of a rotating shaft exposed into the duct
An image forming apparatus includes an optical scanning device, a duct, and a cooling fan. The optical scanning device has a rotating polygon mirror, a motor which has a rotating shaft fixed to the rotating polygon mirror, and a housing that accommodates the rotating polygon mirror and the motor. The duct is disposed adjacent to the optical scanning device, and a part of the rotating shaft is exposed into the duct. The cooling fan generates airflow inside the duct. A sectional area of the duct becomes gradually small toward the part of the rotating shaft exposed into the duct from an upstream side of the part of the rotating shaft exposed into the duct with respect to a flow direction of the airflow in the duct, and a sectional area of the duct becomes large at a downstream side of the part of the rotating shaft exposed into the duct. |
| US09285768B2 |
Apparatus, printer and method for electrostatic printing
There is disclosed an apparatus which may comprise a transfer member and a photoconductor. The apparatus may be operable to apply a potential difference between the transfer member and the photoconductor and the photoconductor may be operable to transfer a layer of electrostatic printing material from the photoconductor to the transfer member at a transfer region under the action of the applied potential difference. According to the present disclosure, the apparatus may further comprise a humidity raising device which may be operable to raise the relative humidity of the transfer region above an ambient level. A printer and a method of facilitating transfer of electrostatic printing material are also disclosed. |
| US09285763B2 |
Cap, powder container, developer supply device, and image forming apparatus
A cap is configured to be attached to a developer container that discharges developer contained in the container body out of the container body through a discharge port defined in a portion of the container body. The cap includes a first attaching member and a second attaching member that are detachably assembled into one piece. When the first attaching member or the second attaching member receives a rotary force, the first attaching member and the second attaching member are separated from each other, and only the first attaching member is released from the container body. |
| US09285762B2 |
End member, rotary body unit and photoreceptor drum unit
An end member is mounted on an end of a cylindrical rotary body. The end member includes a cylindrical-shaped body and a shaft connecting portion protruding from one end side of the body. The shaft connecting portion includes a penetration hole extending toward an axial line of the body, and no shaft connecting portion exists at a portion of the body disposed opposed to the penetration hole across the axial line of the body. |
| US09285757B2 |
Mounting structure of external device, and image forming apparatus
Provided is a mounting structure of an external device, including an apparatus body in which an exhaust port or a suction port are formed, an external device that is connected to the apparatus body, and a mounting member that includes a body section having one side on which the external device is mounted and the other side which is mounted on the apparatus body so as to cover the exhaust port or the suction port, and plural protruding sections which protrude from the body section and come into contact with the apparatus body in positions different from the exhaust port or the suction port, and that is provided to make flow paths at portions other than the plural protruding sections so as to intersect or branch between the body section and the apparatus body, and at a center portion of the body section. |
| US09285756B2 |
Regulating device, image bearing member cleaning device, developing device, cleaning device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A developer layer thickness regulating device includes a blade member for regulating a thickness of a layer of a developer on a surface of a developing roller rotatably supported by a developing container for accommodating the developer and includes a supporting member for supporting the blade member. The supporting member is capable of being fastened to a part of the developing container by a fastening member, and a position of the supporting member relative to a part of the developer container is adjustable with respect to a widthwise direction of the blade member, when the supporting member is fastened to the developing container by the fastening member, so as to fasten the blade member at a predetermined position relative to the developing container. The supporting member has a projection-recess portion which is capable of biting into the part of the developing container when the supporting member is fastened by the fastening member. |
| US09285755B2 |
Image forming apparatus having process unit including photosensitive member and member for removing substances from photosensitive member
An image forming apparatus includes a first process unit and a second process unit. The first process unit includes: a first photosensitive member configured to carry a first developer image to be transferred onto a transfer medium; and a blade member configured to scrape substances attached to a surface of the first photosensitive member off the surface of the first photosensitive member. The second process unit includes: a second photosensitive member configured to carry a second developer image to be transferred onto the transfer medium having the first developer image transferred thereon; and a holding member configured to remove substances attached to a surface of the second photosensitive member from the surface of the second photosensitive member, temporarily hold the substances and return the substances to the surface of the second photosensitive member. |
| US09285752B2 |
Driving device for driving endless metal belt and image forming apparatus
A driving device includes an endless metal belt having a strip shape, rotational members, and a polisher. The rotational members bear the metal belt to allow the metal belt to run circularly. The polisher is disposed so as to come in contact with the widthwise opposite end edges of the metal belt to thereby polish the opposite end edges of the metal belt in running. |
| US09285747B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus includes a dot count unit configured to count a number of dots of print data, a first toner remaining amount value calculation unit configured to, in a case where received print data satisfies a printing condition, calculate a toner remaining amount value for the print data based on the number of dots obtained by the dot count unit, and a second toner remaining amount value calculation unit configured to, in a case where the received print data does not satisfy the printing condition, set a predetermined toner remaining amount value as the toner remaining amount value for the print data. |
| US09285744B1 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming system including the same
An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit for storing a primary key issued by an activation key issuing system and storing a key issuing program, a reception unit for receiving an instruction to issue an activation key that can be used in another image forming apparatus in a local network, a control unit configured to generate the activation key that can be used in the another image forming apparatus on the basis of the primary key and the key issuing program, and a printing unit configured to print generated key information to be input to the another image forming apparatus when using the activation key generated by the control unit in the another image forming apparatus on a sheet to output the sheet. |
| US09285741B2 |
Information input device, control method thereof and image forming apparatus
An information input device includes a display device that displays an information input screen image and a touch-panel that is arranged on the display device and specifies a designated position on the information input screen image. On a function setting area, a plurality of function setting keys are displayed and, if a flick operation to the right made by the input device on the function setting area is detected, detailed setting items corresponding to each of the function setting keys are displayed on a detailed settings area. Consequently, contents of detailed settings can be displayed at one time in correspondence with each of the function setting keys. Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to easily confirm whether or not function setting is appropriate, and to smoothly select a function. |
| US09285740B2 |
Image forming apparatus performing stabilization on image data
An image forming section forms a printed image on paper based on image data. A post-printing processing section performs post-printing processing on the paper. A stabilization section performs stabilization on image data. A sheet interval detection section detects a sheet interval between consecutive sheets being conveyed in the post-printing processing section. A sheet interval determination section determines whether or not the sheet interval exceeds a reference period of time. A cumulative time measuring section measures a cumulative total time of an image formation operation. A time determination section determines whether or not the cumulative total time exceeds a predetermined period of time. A control section controls, upon determination that the cumulative total time exceeds the predetermined period of time and the sheet interval exceeds the reference period of time, the stabilization section to perform the stabilization during the sheet interval exceeding the reference period of time. |
| US09285737B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and a pressure rotator contacting the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which recording media of a plurality of sizes are conveyed. The recording media create a plurality of non-conveyance spans on a lateral end of the fixing rotator in an axial direction thereof where the recording media are not conveyed. A heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A multi-view thermopile array is disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the lateral end of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof and angled relative to the fixing rotator to detect a temperature of the fixing rotator. The thermopile array includes an inboard temperature detection element directed to a conveyance span on the fixing rotator where the recording medium of a decreased size is conveyed. |
| US09285732B2 |
Image forming apparatus and fixing operation control method
An image forming apparatus includes an operation control portion, and an operation mode setting portion. Operation control portion performs control in either operation mode of first operation mode where operation control portion controls heating portion so that heat transfer portion is first target temperature, and controls conveying portion so that conveying speed of sheet is first speed; and second operation mode where operation control portion controls heating portion so that heat transfer portion is second target temperature, and controls conveying portion so that conveying speed of sheet is second speed. Operation mode setting portion, under condition that first print job has been input, sets operation mode of operation control portion to first operation mode, and when second print job input after first print job has satisfied predetermined condition, sets operation mode of operation control portion to second operation mode. |
| US09285730B2 |
Method for determining a characteristic of a surface layer of a fuser element
The present invention relates to a method for determining a characteristic of a surface layer of a fuser element for fusing a marking material on a recording medium in a printing system. The printing system comprises a capacitive probe, which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is arranged adjacent to the first electrode in order to form a capacitor. The first electrode and the second electrode are in operation both arranged adjacent to and opposing the surface layer of the fuser element. The method comprises the steps of performing a capacitive measurement on the surface layer by the first electrode and the second electrode of the capacitive probe and determining a characteristic of the surface layer based on the capacitive measurement. |
| US09285729B2 |
Image forming apparatus including temperature detection processing of a fixing member
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit having a heater, and a fixing member, the fixing unit configured to fix an image onto a recording material, a film configured to increase its temperature by absorbing infrared rays, a first sensor configured to measure a temperature of the film, a holding member configured to hold the film, a second sensor configured to measure a temperature of the holding member, a storage unit for storing a plurality of temperature determination information, a selection unit configured to select temperature determination information to interest, based on the measurement results of the first and the second sensor, from among the plurality of the stored temperature determination information, and a determination unit configured to determine a temperature of the fixing unit using the temperature determination information to interest selected by the selection unit, based on the measurement results of the first and the second sensor. |
| US09285725B2 |
Image forming apparatus with simplex and duplex operations and cleaning mode
An image forming apparatus includes a toner image former; a fixing portion including a fixing roller and a pressing roller to fix the image; a feeder for reversing a facing orientation of the paper and refeed it to the image former; an executing portion for executing a cleaning mode in which a predetermined toner image is fixed on one side of paper, and the paper is refed to the image former with the reversed orientation to clean the pressing roller; a first integrator for integrating a number of the simplex mode executions; a notifying portion for prompting the cleaning mode operation upon a predetermined first integrated value; a second integrator for integrating a number of executions of a duplex mode in which toner images are formed on both sides of paper, wherein a corrector corrects the integrated value of the first integrator depending on the integrated value of the second integrator. |
| US09285721B2 |
Transfer unit and image forming apparatus
A transfer unit includes: a transfer belt mounted over a plurality of rollers to run to transfer toner images on a plurality of image carriers to a front side of the transfer belt; transfer rollers provided for the respective image carriers to give a transfer potential to the transfer belt to transfer the toner images thereto; a drive mechanism configured to move only the transfer rollers for formation of a multicolor image into and out of contact with the transfer belt; a cleaning member contactable with a back side of the transfer belt to clean the back side; and a shifting mechanism configured to, upon contact of the transfer rollers with the transfer belt, shift the cleaning member into contact with the back side of the transfer belt and, upon departure of the transfer rollers from the transfer belt, shift the cleaning member out of contact with the back side. |
| US09285717B2 |
Image forming apparatus having increased transfer efficiency
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member, plural transfer sections, and a medium transfer section. The transfer member has an endless shape. An image is transferred to the transfer member during circulation of the transfer member. The transfer sections transfer the image to a surface of the transfer member through a first transfer current. The transfer sections include a most-downstream transfer section provided most downstream in a circulation direction of the transfer member. The medium transfer section transfers the image transferred to the transfer member to a recording medium through a second transfer current. A current flows through the most-downstream transfer section even in the case where the image is transferred to the transfer member by at least one of the transfer sections excluding the most-downstream transfer section, and the most-downstream transfer section does not transfer an image to the transfer member. |
| US09285710B2 |
Untransferred toner recovery device and image forming apparatus
In an initial recovery stage of untransferred toner, a conveying stirring screw is rotated at a high speed by using a second driving path. When the amount of collected untransferred toner increases and the rotating torque of the conveying stirring screw reaches a setting torque value of a second torque limiter, a driving path is switched to a first driving path, so that the conveying stirring screw is rotated at a low speed. When the amount of the collected untransferred toner further increases and the rotating torque of the conveying stirring screw reaches a setting torque value of a first torque limiter, the first driving path is also disconnected to block torque transfer to the conveying stirring screw. |
| US09285709B2 |
Developing device provided with toner concentration detection section and image forming apparatus provided with same
A developing device includes: a container, a stirring member, a developing roller, a toner concentration detection section, a stirring plate, and an elastic member. The stirring plate is attached to the rotary shaft of the stirring member in a manner such as to be rotatable together with the rotary shaft, and has a tip part located in the radial direction at a predefined distance from the detection surface. The elastic member has elasticity, is attached to the stirring plate in a manner such as to surround a one-side surface, an another-side surface, and the tip part in a rotation direction of the stirring plate, has a sufficient length in the radial direction enough to abut the detection surface, and makes sliding-contact with the detection surface while rotating together with the stirring plate. |
| US09285703B2 |
Exposure device, image forming apparatus, and method of controlling exposure device
A plurality of light emitting elements is arranged in a main scanning direction. A setter is configured to set a basal exposure period of the plurality of light emitting elements, based on a clock count of frequency-spread clocks. A candidate generator is configured to add, to the basal exposure period, predetermined N alteration periods (N is an integer greater than or equal to two) having different lengths from each other, thereby generating N candidate exposure periods having different lengths from each other. A detector is configured to detect a frequency level of the clocks in a period corresponding to the basal exposure period. A selector is configured to select, as an exposure period for lighting the plurality of light emitting elements, a longer one of the N candidate exposure periods as the frequency level detected by the detector is higher. |
| US09285702B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
In the image forming apparatus, the space detecting unit detects the space between the image carrying surface and the developer carrying surface. The correcting unit corrects the intensity of the development field for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image carrying surface based on the acquired correspondence relation and the space detected by the space detecting unit, for example. In this case, the correspondence relation is a relation between the image density of the visible image transferred from the image carrying surface to the transferred medium and the development filed for suppressing the density unevenness of the visible image. |
| US09285700B2 |
Liquid developer, particles for liquid developer, and liquid developer accommodation container
A liquid developer includes a carrier liquid having silicone oil, and toner particles including a polyester resin and having a value of ammonium ions contained therein measured by underwater extraction in a range of 0.005 ppm to 1 ppm. |
| US09285698B2 |
Black magnetic iron oxide particles, magnetic carrier for electrophotographic developer and two-component developer
Black magnetic iron oxide particles having an average particle diameter of 0.05 to 2.0 μm and an electric resistance value at an applied voltage of 100 V of not less than 1×108 Ω·cm. Also a magnetic carrier for electrophotographic developer having spherical magnetic composite particles obtained by dispersing black magnetic iron oxide particles in a binder resin. The magnetic carrier has an electric resistance value R100 at an applied voltage of 100 V of 1×108 to 1×1014 Ω·cm, and an electric resistance value R300 at an applied voltage of 300 V which satisfies the relationship represented by the formula: 0.1≦R300/R100≦1. |
| US09285695B2 |
Latent electrostatic image developing toner
A toner including: a core particle containing at least a binder resin, a colorant and a releasing agent; and a shell on a surface of the core particle, wherein the toner gives a supernatant having a transmittance of 50% to 95% with respect to light having a wavelength of 800 nm, where the supernatant is formed after 3 g of the toner is added to 40 g of ion-exchange water containing 0.5% by mass of sodium dodecyl sulfate, followed by stirring for 90 min and by irradiating with ultrasonic waves of 20 kHz and 80 W for 5 min, and a liquid containing the toner dispersed therein is centrifugated at 3,000 rpm for 5 min. |
| US09285690B2 |
Mirror, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
Embodiments of the invention relate to a mirror (30). The mirror includes a mirroring surface and a profiled coating layer (32a) having an outer surface, wherein one or more wedged elements are formed by the outer surface with respect to the mirroring surface, and wherein the one or more wedged elements having a wedge angle (ø) in a range of approximately 10-200 mrad. The profiled coating layer may have a curved outer surface. The profiled coating layer may be formed from at least one of the following materials: Be, B, C, P, K, Ca, Sc, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ru, Nb, Mo, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Pa and U. |
| US09285688B2 |
Exposure apparatus and method of manufacturing device
The present invention provides an exposure apparatus including a stage control system configured to control a stage for holding a substrate in accordance with a command value, a specifying unit configured to specify an exposure start time at which exposure on the substrate starts upon detecting exposure light illuminated on the substrate, and a main control system configured to calculate positions of the stage at a plurality of times in an exposure period for the substrate based on position information of the stage at an exposure start time specified by the specifying unit, obtain an average position of the stage in at least a partial period in the exposure period from the calculated positions of the stage at the plurality of times, and give a command value for matching the average position of the stage with a target position to the stage control system. |
| US09285683B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing fluid for immersion lithography
An apparatus and method provide fluid for immersion lithography. A nozzle member that can move in a direction, is arranged to encircle a space under the optical element. The nozzle member can have an input to supply the immersion liquid to the space under the optical element during the exposure, and an output to remove the immersion liquid from a gap between the nozzle member and the wafer during the exposure. Immersion liquid can be supplied at a first rate to the space from a first portion of the nozzle member and at a second rate to the space from a second portion during the exposure. A wafer substrate is exposed by light through the immersion liquid. |
| US09285677B2 |
Lithography process on high topology features
A method includes forming a first photo resist layer over a base structure and a target feature over the base structure, performing an un-patterned exposure on the first photo resist layer, and developing the first photo resist layer. After the step of developing, a corner portion of the first photo resist layer remains at a corner between a top surface of the base structure and an edge of the target feature. A second photo resist layer is formed over the target feature, the base structure, and the corner portion of the first photo resist layer. The second photo resist layer is exposed using a patterned lithography mask. The second photo resist layer is patterned to form a patterned photo resist. |
| US09285672B2 |
Reflective mask and method for manufacturing same
A reflective mask having a light-shielding frame with high light-shielding performance, and a method for manufacturing thereof. In a reflective mask having a light-shielding frame dug into a multilayered reflective layer, when side etching is performed or processing to obtain a reverse tapered shape is performed only on the multilayered reflective layer, it becomes possible to suppress reflection of EUV light (extreme ultraviolet light) in the vicinity of the edge of the light-shielding frame, provide a reflective mask having high light-shielding ability, and form a transcription pattern with high accuracy. |
| US09285671B2 |
Mask for use in lithography
A mask, or photomask, is used in lithography systems and processes. The mask includes a first polygon of a first state and a second polygon of a second state. The mask also includes a field of the first state and a third polygon of the second state, and in the field. The first and second states are different, and the first and second polygons are located outside of the field. |
| US09285668B2 |
MEMS micro-mirror device
A MEMS micro-mirror device includes, a single package; a first mirror and second mirror, wherein at least one of the mirrors is configured to oscillate along an oscillation axis; wherein both mirrors are located within the single package and are arranged such that as the at least one mirror oscillates, the light incident on the first micro-mirror can be deflected to the second mirror. |
| US09285666B2 |
Object guide system
An object guide system includes a plurality of light projecting devices, at least one image capture device, a control device electrically coupled with the light projecting devices, and a display unit electrically coupled with the at least one image capture device and the control device. When an object enters an operation space, a projected information is imaged on the object. Then, the at least one image capture device captures the cross information of the operation space and the three-dimensional position information of the object. Then, the control device calculates the coordinates of the object that is moving in the operation space. Thus, after the at least one image capture device captures the cross information of the operation space and the three-dimensional position information of the object, the object guide system proceeds interactive and guiding operations. |
| US09285665B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device, super luminescent diode, and projector
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes: a stacked structure including a light-emitting layer, a first cladding layer, and a second cladding layer; a first electrode electrically connected with the first cladding layer; a second electrode electrically connected with the second cladding layer; and a third electrode electrically connected with the second cladding layer. The stacked structure includes an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes a straight waveguide portion extending from a light exiting portion along a straight line inclined to a normal of a front edge surface of the stacked structure, and a curved waveguide portion including a curved waveguide having a shape with a curvature. The density of current injected into the straight waveguide portion is higher than that of current injected into the curved waveguide portion. |
| US09285661B2 |
Projector
A projector includes a light source section that outputs light, a light modulator that modulates the light outputted from the light source section based on image information, a projection lens that projects the modulated light, an enclosure that accommodates the light source section, the light modulator, and the projection lens, a base that supports the projection lens and fixes the projection lens to the enclosure, and a restricting portion that restricts movement of the base. |
| US09285660B2 |
Animated document using an integrated projector
The embodiments presented herein describe integrating a projector in a book to display images or animations on one or more pages of the book. Specifically, the book may include a projector that is arranged in the form factor of the book. The book may also contain one or more mirrors that reflect an image from the projector onto a desired location on a page in the book. In one embodiment, the image is projected from the rear of the book onto a back side of the page that is opposite the front side of the page facing the user. So long as the material of the page is sufficiently translucent, the image projected on the back side of the page will be visible to the user looking at the front side of the page. |
| US09285653B2 |
Variable aperture mechanism for creating different aperture sizes in cameras and other imaging devices
An apparatus includes a first blade configured to be coupled to a first magnet and a second blade configured to be coupled to a second magnet. At least one of the blades has at least one cutout. The apparatus also includes electromagnetic motors configured to generate different electromagnetic fields to (i) cause the magnets to move the blades into a first configuration and (ii) cause the magnets to move the blades into a second configuration. The blades are separated to form a larger aperture in the first configuration, and the at least one cutout in the blades forms a smaller aperture in the second configuration. The apparatus may further include a cover plate and a base plate. The base plate can include an opening that defines the larger aperture and blade stops and stop pins configured to stop movement of the blades. |
| US09285651B2 |
Electro-optic silicon modulator with longitudinally nonuniform modulation
A device, such as a silicon modulator, in accordance with the present disclosure employs PN diodes without sacrificing the modulation depth, while achieving lower loss and better impedance matching to 50-Ohm drivers. In one embodiment, the device includes an input waveguide, an input optical splitter coupled to the input waveguide, first and second optical phase shifters coupled to the input optical splitter, an output optical splitter coupled to the first and second phase shifters, and an output waveguide coupled to the output optical splitter. The phase shifters are designed with variant capacitance per unit length. |
| US09285650B2 |
Optical modulating apparatus and optical transmitter
An optical modulating apparatus includes driver that is mounted on a printed circuit board such that a signal electrode pad and a ground electrode pad of the driver are exposed in an opening of the printed circuit board. An optical modulating device is mounted on the printed circuit board, opposing the driver across the opening. A flexible circuit board is disposed in the opening. An end of a signal terminal of the flexible circuit board is electrically connected to a signal electrode of the optical modulating device. An end of a ground terminal of the flexible circuit board is electrically connected to a ground electrode of the optical modulating device. The other end of the signal terminal is soldered to the signal electrode pad of the driver, and the other end of the ground terminal is soldered to the ground electrode pad of the driver. |
| US09285645B2 |
Display panel and display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a display panel and a display apparatus. The display panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate opposed to each other; a blue phase liquid crystal layer arranged between the two substrates; a first polarizer located on a side of the first substrate away from the blue phase liquid crystal layer; a second polarizer located on a side of the second substrate away from the blue phase liquid crystal layer; a first electrode located on a side of the first substrate facing the blue phase liquid crystal layer; a second electrode located on a side of the second substrate facing the blue phase liquid crystal layer; a first prism layer located between the blue phase liquid crystal layer and the first polarizer; and a second prism layer located between the blue phase liquid crystal layer and the second polarizer. |
| US09285644B2 |
Substrate for liquid crystal display device, and liquid crystal display device
In a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, a black matrix, a transparent electroconductive film and a resin layer are formed above a transparent substrate. The black matrix is a light-shielding layer in which light-shielding pigments are dispersed in a resin, and includes openings. The resin layer is formed above the transparent substrate including the black matrix and the transparent electroconductive film, forms a convex part above the black matrix, and forms, in a region that passes through a center of each of the openings in the black matrix, a concave part. |
| US09285640B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is a liquid crystal display device in which liquid crystals are sealed between a TFT array substrate, and a counter substrate formed with a counter electrode. A plurality of scanning signal wirings and a plurality of image signal wirings are formed in a matrix on the TFT array substrate. The counter electrode is configured from a plurality of counter electrode lines. Each of the plurality of counter electrode lines is provided along a corresponding one of the plurality of scanning signal wirings or a corresponding one of the plurality of image signal wirings in plan view. Each of the plurality of counter electrode lines has a potential distribution in an extending direction. The respective potential distributions for the plurality of counter electrode lines are different. |
| US09285639B2 |
Slit electrode, array substrate and display device
A slit electrode, an array substrate and a display device are provided to improve the brightness uniformity of the display image and reduce the color shift, thereby improving the image quality. The slit electrode comprises at least one slit electrode unit including a plurality of first groups of slits arranged in a first direction and a plurality of second groups of slits arranged in a second direction, wherein each of the first groups of slits include at least one first slit arranged in the first direction, and each of the second groups of slits include at least one second slit arranged in the second direction, and wherein the first and the second groups of slits are arranged alternately. |
| US09285638B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display comprising: a substrate; a plurality of common voltage lines disposed on the substrate; an insulating layer disposed on the common voltage lines; and a common electrode and a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed on the insulating layer, the plurality of pixel electrodes constituting a plurality of pixel electrodes, respectively, wherein the insulating layer comprises a plurality of contact holes to expose at least part of the common voltage lines, and wherein two adjacent contact holes among the plurality of contact holes are spaced apart by at least one pixel therebetween. |
| US09285634B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a light source, a mirror reflection guide member, a diffusion reflection member, and a display panel. The light source extends in a first direction and is configured to emit light. The mirror reflection guide member is configured to: support the light source, and guide at least some of the light to a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The mirror reflection guide member includes a plurality of guide patterns extending in the second direction and arranged in the first direction. The diffusion reflection member is configured to guide at least some of the light to a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions. The display panel is disposed on the mirror reflection guide member and the diffusion reflection member and is configured to display an image using the light guided by the diffusion reflection member. |
| US09285632B2 |
Light emitting device package and backlight unit using the same
A light emitting device package including light emitting devices, and optical lenses respectively disposed over the light emitting devices. Further, a respective optical lens includes an extending member extending from a body of the respective optical lens, and including a first portion laterally extending in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the respective light emitting device, and a second portion extending towards the substrate in a second direction substantially parallel with the central axis of the respective light emitting device. A vertical cross section of the second portion is substantially symmetrical with respect to an axis that is spaced apart in the first direction from and substantially parallel with the central axis of the respective light emitting device. |
| US09285631B2 |
Display device, transflective thin film transistor array substrate and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a display device, a transflective thin film transistor array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, the manufacturing method comprises: providing a substrate; forming a gate line, a data line which is broken when passing through a gate line area, a gate electrode, a reflective electrode and a common electrode line; forming a patterned gate insulating layer and an active layer located above the gate insulating layer; forming a pixel electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a connection line of the data line and a channel; forming a passivation layer and a common electrode via hole; forming a common electrode. The present invention can avoid the problem of poor display effect under strong light. |
| US09285630B2 |
Transparent display
A transparent display is disclosed. The display includes a self-emitting display unit, a first polarizing unit arranged on a viewing side of the self-emitting display unit, a liquid crystal module, and a second polarizing unit. The liquid crystal module and the second polarizing unit are arranged on a backlight side of the self-emitting display unit. In addition, the liquid crystal module is configured to adjust a display contrast of the self-emitting display unit. |
| US09285628B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
There is provided a liquid crystal display device capable of preventing a decrease in voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal layer and an increase in ion density (ID) and resolving the problem of display defects such as white spots, alignment unevenness, image sticking, and the like. The liquid crystal display device prevents a decrease in voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal layer and an increase in ion density (ID) and suppresses the occurrence of display defects such as image sticking, and the like. The liquid crystal display device is useful for an IPS-mode or FES-mode liquid crystal display device for active matrix driving. The application of the device can include liquid crystal TVs, monitors, cellular phones, smart phones, and the like. |
| US09285624B2 |
Single-layer capacitive touch unit and capacitive touch screen
The invention discloses a single-layer capacitive touch unit, including a sensing electrode, connected to a control unit through a sensing electrode lead; and a plurality of scan electrodes, disposed at two sides of the sensing electrode; the scan electrode being connected to the control unit through a scan electrode lead, and the scan electrodes and the sensing electrode being coplanar; wherein one end of scan electrode lead connected to a second end of scan electrode and extending to near a next scan electrode to form extending lead; and the other end of scan electrode lead connected to the control unit. The invention also provides a capacitive touch screen with the capacitive touch unit. The invention can reduce the effect of noise signal on the touch signal and increase SNR of the touch signal. |
| US09285623B2 |
Touch screen systems with interface layer
A touch system for sensing a touch event that includes a transparent sheet having opposite upper and lower surfaces and an index of refraction n2. The system also has at least one light source that emits light. The light source is arranged in optical communication with the transparent sheet to cause the light to travel within the transparent sheet by total-internal reflection (TIR). At least one detector is arranged to detect the TIR-traveling light and to detect an amount of attenuation in the TIR-traveling light caused by the touch event. An interface layer is disposed on the lower surface of the transparent sheet. The interface layer has a refractive index n1, wherein n1 |
| US09285617B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a display element, which has a display area and a peripheral area; a flexible substrate, which has flexibility and which is arranged in the peripheral area of the display element, and on which a driving IC supplying a signal to the display area is mounted; a first frame, which is arranged at a display surface-side of the display element; and a second frame, which is engaged with the first frame to thus hold the display element and the flexible substrate, wherein the display element has a connection part connecting with the flexible substrate, and wherein the first frame provided with a flexible substrate holding member that is located at a position, which face a vicinity of the connection part and is different from a position corresponding to the driving IC mounted on the flexible substrate. |
| US09285614B2 |
Liquid crystal dispensing system and method of dispensing liquid crystal material using same
A liquid crystal dispensing system includes a container to contain liquid crystal to be dispensed, a discharge pump to receive the liquid crystal from the container and to discharge the liquid crystal, a nozzle to dispense the liquid crystal discharged from the discharge pump onto a substrate, and a control unit to control a dispensing amount of liquid crystal discharged from the discharge pump and to compensate the dispensing amount when the dispensing amount of liquid crystal exceeds a limitation value. |
| US09285613B2 |
Semiconductor Mach-Zehnder modulator and method for manufacturing semiconductor Mach-Zehnder modulators
A semiconductor Mach-Zehnder modulator includes a substrate having a main surface including first, second and third regions sequentially arranged along a direction; a waveguide mesa including first and second waveguide arms provided on the second region, first and second optical couplers provided on the first and third regions, respectively; a first semiconductor protective layer provided on side surfaces of the first and second waveguide arms; a buried layer provided on side surfaces of the waveguide mesa and on the main surface, the buried layer including a material having a dielectric constant lower than that of the first protective layer; and first and second upper electrodes provided on the first and second waveguide arms, respectively. The first and second optical couplers are connected to the first and second waveguide arms. Above the second region, the buried layer is provided on the first protective layer. |
| US09285603B2 |
Image blur correction apparatus and imaging apparatus
Provided is an image blur correction apparatus including a lens unit configured to include at least one lens and configured to be turnable in two different directions using, as supporting points, two axes that are orthogonal to an outer housing, a fixed member configured to turnably support the lens unit in the two directions, a first drive motor configured to be mounted on the fixed member and configured to turn the lens unit in one of the two directions, a second drive motor configured to be mounted on the fixed member and configured to turn the lens unit in another of the two directions, and a coupling member configured to be coupled to the first drive motor and the second drive motor and configured to include a coupling portion. |
| US09285602B2 |
Image blur correction apparatus and imaging apparatus
Provided is an image blur correction apparatus including a lens unit that configured to include at least one lens, and configured to turnable in a first direction which is a direction about a first supporting axis that is orthogonal to a light axis of the lens with respect to an outer housing, and in a second direction which is a direction about a second supporting axis that is orthogonal to the light axis and the first supporting axis, a fixed member configured to turnably support the lens unit in the first direction and the second direction, a first drive unit configured to turn the lens unit in the first direction, and a second drive unit configured to turn the lens unit in the second direction. |
| US09285601B2 |
Optical device, projector, manufacturing method, and manufacturing support apparatus
A light source unit (110) emits linearly polarized laser light of a given wavelength. A wave plate (121) transmits the laser light emitted from the light source unit (110) and has a phase delay axis of which the direction is adjusted to about 0 degrees with respect to the polarization direction (101) of the laser light. A liquid crystal cell (123) transmits laser light that has passed through the wave plate (121) and by a switchable rotation amount, rotates the polarization direction (101) of the laser light transmitted through the liquid crystal cell (123). A wave plate (125) transmits laser light that has passed through the liquid crystal cell (123); and further has a phase delay axis of which the direction is adjusted to about 0 degrees with respect to the polarization direction (101) of the laser light. |
| US09285599B2 |
Three-dimensional video viewing system, display system, optical shutter, and three-dimensional video viewing method
Disclosed is three-dimensional video viewing system (1) including: display system (2) that displays three or more videos of different parallaxes in a time-division multiplexing manner, and outputs a control signal that indicates a switching timing of the videos; input means (7) for designating an arbitrary display mode among a plurality of display modes in which a plurality of three-dimensional videos different from one another in three-dimensionality are defined by a combination of two of the three or more videos; two shutters that switch a state between light transmission and light blocking; and a shutter drive circuit that specifies the switching timing of the two videos corresponding to the display mode designated by input means (7) based on the control signal, and independently controls opening/closing of the shutters at the specified switching timing of the videos. |
| US09285598B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus is disclosed which comprises a plurality of layers arranged in a light emitting direction of a light source, wherein a diaphragm layer configured to enhance an emitting brightness of the display apparatus is arranged on one of the plurality of layers. With such diaphragm layer in the display apparatus, the brightness of the display apparatus can be enhanced by the Fresnel diffraction effects of the diaphragm layer. In the 2D display, for a same brightness, the power consumption in the display apparatus may be reduced. In the 3D display, the brightness of the display apparatus may be improved and the crosstalk may be reduced. |
| US09285596B2 |
Free-space combining of laser beam radiation
A diode laser beam combining apparatus for producing a high combined beam power density in the far field at reduced levels of power consumption and heat dissipation includes an array of semiconductor laser emitters arranged in a collinear manner. The apparatus includes a cylindrical lens for collimating emitter beams generated by the laser emitters in a direction perpendicular to a junction plane of the laser emitters. The apparatus further includes a micro-optic array and a long focal length cylindrical lens. The micro-optic array is configured to perform a rotational transformation of the collimated emitter beams. The micro-optic array has a lateral spacing in a direction parallel to the junction plane of the laser emitters that matches the emitter pitch. The long focal length cylindrical lens collimates emitter beams in the direction perpendicular to the junction plane after passing through the micro-optic array. |
| US09285595B2 |
Multiple beam combiner for laser processing apparatus
Apparatus and methods for combining beams of amplified radiation are disclosed. A beam combiner has a collimating optic positioned to receive a plurality of coherent radiation beams at a constant angle of incidence with respect to an optical axis of the collimating optic. The respective angles of incidence may also be different in some embodiments. The collimating optic has an optical property that collimates the beams. The optical property may be refractive or reflective, or a combination thereof. A collecting optic may also be provided to direct the plurality of beams to the collimating optic. The beam combiner may be used in a thermal processing apparatus to combine more than two beams of coherent amplified radiation, such as lasers, into a single beam. |
| US09285594B2 |
Underwater laser-guided discharge using lens-initiated optical filaments
Methods for producing a laser-guided underwater electrical discharge are provided. One or more electrodes defining a desired electrical discharge path are situated in a body of water and are attached to an external electrical power supply. A high-powered, intense laser beam is fired through one or more focusing lenses into the water. The laser beam forms an optical filament in the water, which in turn forms an ionized channel having a much greater conductivity than the surrounding water. An external power supply drives an electrical discharge along the path of the ionized channel due to its greater conductivity. |
| US09285593B1 |
Method and apparatus for shaping focused laser beams
Beam shaping methods, systems, devices and apparatus to provide transformation of a TEM00 beam which intensity distribution is described by the Gaussian or similar functions to a focused spot of round or square shape with uniform intensity distribution achieved through introducing in the TEM00 beam a phase shift function with smooth phase transition and further focusing of the transformed beam; the resulting intensity distributions are created around the focal plane of a focusing optical system. The phase shift function is introduced by a phase transforming optical system implemented in apparatuses of the invention in form of a plate, or a telescope, or a collimator, or integrated to the focusing optical system: the phase transforming optical system including an aspheric optical surface providing the phase shift function with smooth phase transition. As a focusing optical system any diffraction limited optics with positive dioptric power can be applied. |
| US09285587B2 |
Window-oriented displays for travel user interfaces
Vehicular travel may be facilitated by user interfaces presenting travel information. Such user interfaces often involve visual displays positioned peripherally to a window through which an individual operates the vehicle (e.g., displays mounted in a dash or console) and/or non-visual interfaces (e.g., audio, speech recognition, and manual controls). While presenting visuals on the window obscuring the view of the individual may present safety concerns, peripherally presented visual interfaces that distract the gaze of the individual may raise comparable or greater concerns. Instead, visual user interfaces may be displayed on the window through which the individual operates the vehicle (e.g., a windshield or individual eyewear) to presents visuals representing travel information received from a travel service, such as routing, traffic congestion, highlighting vehicles or routes, and rendering non-visible objects (e.g., obscured traffic control signals). Such user interfaces enable user interaction while allowing the individual to maintain gaze through the window. |
| US09285583B2 |
Adjustable mirror motor mounting for laser printhead
A scan unit printhead of an imaging device having an adjustable mirror mounting. The scan unit includes a housing to which a rotatable minor, one or more light sources and an optical assembly are secured. The scan unit also includes a motor for driving the rotatable mirror, a plurality of fasteners for securing the motor to the housing and a plurality of spacers interposed between a base associated with the motor and the housing. The plurality of spacers resiliently bias the base of the motor away from the housing such that each of the plurality of spacers allows relative adjustment of a space between the base of the motor and the housing during a tightening and loosening operation of at least one of the to plurality of fasteners. |
| US09285577B2 |
Microscope system and data distribution system
A microscope system includes a microscope apparatus, a pigment content converter, a property information adding unit, and a communication unit. The microscope apparatus acquires, by using a microscope, a pathology specimen image of a pathology specimen stained with a predetermined pigment. The pigment content converter converts, by using pigment spectral data, pixel values of the pathology specimen image to the pigment content at corresponding sample points on the pathology specimen. The property information adding unit generates conversion image data by adding the pigment spectral data, which is used for the conversion, to the pigment content of each pixel that is converted by the pigment content converter. The communication unit transmits the conversion image data to a terminal device. |
| US09285574B2 |
Variable magnification projection optical system and image projection apparatus
A variable magnification projection optical system includes, in order from a magnification conjugate side to a reduction conjugate side, a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, a fourth lens group, a fifth lens group, a sixth lens group, and an optical stop which is arranged at any position from a front of a lens arranged closest to the magnification conjugate side in the fourth lens group to a front of a lens arranged closest to the magnification conjugate side in the fifth lens group, wherein the fourth lens group is configured to include, in order from the magnification conjugate side, two or more negative lenses and a positive lens, and wherein the following condition expressions (1), (2) and (3) are satisfied: |Et/ft|≧10 (1) |EW/fW|≧15 (2) 0.87≦23φT/23WT≦1.15 (3). |
| US09285567B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens consisting of a front group, a stop, and a rear group. The first and the second lenses from the object side in the front group are a negative meniscus lens with a convex surface on the object side and a negative lens respectively. The first and the second lenses from the image side in the front group are both positive lenses. The rear group is composed of a positive lens, a negative lens, and one or more positive lenses disposed in order from the object side. If the maximum total angle of view when an object at infinity is in focus is taken as 2ω, the imaging lens satisfies a conditional expression, 2ω>130°. |
| US09285565B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus equipped with the imaging lens
An imaging lens, substantially consisting of five lenses, composed of a positive first lens with a convex surface on the object side, a negative second lens with a concave surface on the object side, a third lens having a negative meniscus shape with a convex surface on the object side, a fourth lens having a positive meniscus shape with a concave surface on the object side, and a negative fifth lens with a concave surface on the image side, the image side surface having an aspherical shape with at least one inflection point located inward in a radial direction from the intersection between the image side surface and a principal ray of the maximum angle of view toward the optical axis, disposed in order from the object side, and satisfies given conditional expressions. |
| US09285564B2 |
Lens for projection and projection-type display apparatus
A lens for projection substantially consists of a negative first lens with its concave surface facing a reduction side, a positive second lens with its concave surface facing the reduction side, a negative third lens with its concave surface facing a magnification side, a positive fourth lens with its convex surface facing the reduction side, a positive fifth lens and a positive sixth lens in this order from the magnification side. The reduction side is telecentric. The following conditional formulas (1) and (2) about refractive power P4 of a reduction-side surface of the second lens, refractive power P5 of a magnification-side surface of the third lens, and focal length f of an entire system are satisfied: −3.0≦1/(P4×f)≦−0.4 (1); and −2.0≦1/(P5×f)≦−0.2 (2). |
| US09285560B2 |
Method and device for manufacturing optical transmission device, and optical transmission device
A method for manufacturing an optical transmission device, includes: arranging a plurality of optical waveguides including waveguide mirrors, a transmission-side optical module and a reception-side optical module on one side of a substrate; photographing, with a photographic device, at least one waveguide mirror, and the transmission-side optical module or the reception-side optical module corresponding to the waveguide mirror, from another side of the substrate via an opening formed in the substrate; detecting optical-axis centers of the transmission-side optical module or optical-axis centers of the reception-side optical module, and central positions of reflective surfaces of the waveguide mirrors corresponding to the detected optical-axis centers, from a result of the photographing; and aligning and fixing a position relationship between the optical waveguides and the transmission-side optical module or the reception-side optical module based on a result of the detecting. |
| US09285557B2 |
High density telecommunications chassis with cable management
A telecommunications chassis (10/100) is configured for receiving telecommunications equipment. The telecommunications chassis (10/100) defines a top (12), a bottom (14), a front side (16), a rear side (18), a right side (20), and a left side (22), the telecommunications chassis (10/100) defining a central longitudinal axis (36) extending between the top (12) and the bottom (14). A first pair of panels (24/124) is located at the front side (16), a second pair of panels (24/124) is located at the rear side (18), a third pair of panels (24/124) is located at the right side (20), and a fourth pair of panels (24/124) is located at the left side (22). Each panel (24/124) of the pairs of panels (24/124) defines a plurality of receptacles (26/126) for receiving the telecommunications equipment. When mounted to a fixed surface, the telecommunications chassis (10/100) is rotatable relative to the fixed surface about the central longitudinal axis (36). Each panel (24/124) of any given pair of panels (24/124) is pivotable away from the other panel (24/124) of the any given pair of panels (24/124) about a pivot axis (30) parallel to the central longitudinal axis (36) of the chassis (10/100). |
| US09285556B2 |
Cable assembly
A hybrid cable assembly includes a hybrid cable, tether tubes, and an overmold. The hybrid cable includes both electrical-conductor and fiber-optic elements. The tethers receive a subset of the elements from the hybrid cable at a transition location in the form of a chamber, and the overmold surrounds the transition location. The overmold is elongate, flexible, and has a low profile configured to pass through narrow ducts. |
| US09285554B2 |
Through-substrate optical coupling to photonics chips
An optoelectronic integrated circuit for coupling light to or from an optical waveguide formed in an optical device layer in a near-normal angle to that layer. In an embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a semiconductor body including a metal-dielectric stack, an optical device layer, a buried oxide layer and a semiconductor substrate arranged in series between first and second opposite sides of the semiconductor body. At least one optical waveguide is formed in the optical device layer for guiding light in a defined plane in that device layer. Diffractive coupling elements are disposed in the optical device layer to couple light from the waveguide toward the second surface of the semiconductor body at a near-normal angle to the defined plane in the optical device layer. In an embodiment, an optical fiber is positioned against the semiconductor body for receiving the light from the coupling elements. |
| US09285553B2 |
Optical receptacle with concave and convex lenses, and optical module including the same
An optical receptacle includes an optical fiber attaching section, a photoelectric conversion device, and a lens, the lens includes a first face that faces an end portion of an optical fiber and is composed of a concave face that recesses towards a light-receiving element side, and a second face that faces the light-receiving element and is composed of a convex face that projects towards the light-receiving element side, and as a result of the combination of the concave face and the convex face, is formed such that outgoing light from the optical fiber that is attached at an angle to an optical axis of the lens is collected in an appropriate area of the light-emitting element. |
| US09285551B2 |
Optical fiber connector
An optical fiber connector includes a housing unit, a fiber ferrule unit including a fiber ferrule and a resilient member, a connecting unit, a boot unit and a sleeve unit. The housing unit includes a housing body defining an internal space, and a first engaging member. At least a substantial portion of the fiber ferrule is disposed in the internal space. The resilient member is sleeved on the fiber ferrule. The connecting unit includes a second engaging member and a connecting member. The second engaging member abuts against the resilient member and engages the first engaging member. The boot unit completely receives the connecting member. The sleeve unit is sleeved on the housing unit and the boot unit and covers a juncture therebetween. |
| US09285547B2 |
Oilfield optical data transmission assembly joint
A joint for disposing between a rotatable drum and stationary surface equipment. The joint serves as a channel through which optical data from a well access line may be routed through the rotating drum and to the stationary equipment for processing. The optical data may be routed in a manner that allows for multi-fiber transmissions with one fiber dedicated to uphole transmissions and another dedicated to downhole transmissions. This is achieved through embodiments of the joint in spite of the separate optical channels involved sharing the same central axis to allow for data transfer between moving and stationary joint components. |
| US09285544B2 |
Optical power splitter including a zig-zag
An optical power splitter includes a zig-zag and a reflector element associated with the zig-zag. The zig-zag is to split an input signal based on the reflector element, and output a plurality of split signals. |
| US09285543B2 |
Fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies, and method for making the same
A fiber optic connector has a mechanical splice assembly and a mechanical splice assembly holder. The mechanical splice assembly holder includes a body section and a cable retention section. The cable retention section includes a pair of cable retention arms extending from the body section and a guiding groove that is extended out from the body section. The guiding groove is located between the two cable retention arms. |
| US09285539B2 |
Polarization-insensitive silicon-phototonic optical receiver
Using silicon photonic components that support a single polarization, the output of an optical receiver is independent of the polarization of an optical signal. In particular, using a polarization-diversity technique, the two orthogonal polarizations in a single-mode optical fiber are split in two and processed independently. For example, the two optical signals are provided by a polarizing splitting grating coupler.Subsequently, a wavelength channel in the two optical signals is selected using a wavelength-selective filter (for example, using a ring resonator or an echelle grating) and combined at an optical detector (such as a photo-detector) to achieve polarization-independent operation. |
| US09285534B2 |
Fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance sensor and sensing method using the same
A fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance sensor may include an optical fiber and a surface plasmon excitation layer. The optical fiber may include a core, a cladding surrounding the core, and a depression. The surface plasmon excitation layer may include a first excitation layer, a second excitation layer and an optical waveguide layer between the first excitation layer and the second excitation layer. Incident light incident through the core may be coupled to the surface plasmon excitation layer at a specific angle of incidence and wavelength satisfying the surface plasmon resonance condition. Depending on the polarizing direction of the incident light, an s-polarized component may be coupled to the guided-wave mode in the optical waveguide layer constituting the surface plasmon excitation layer. |
| US09285526B2 |
Lighting fixture having an optical wave guide and a descartes lens or descartes reflector
A light guiding structure comprising a light guiding element (2) optically connected to a light source (6) and an optical element (10) coupled thereto, wherein the surface of the optical element (10) remote from the light guiding element (2) has the shape of a section (11) of a rotational ellipsoid, wherein a geometric cutting plane of the section (11) extends approximately at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rotational ellipsoid. |
| US09285525B2 |
Organic EL display device
An organic EL display device including a substrate, a transparent electrode, a luminescent layer, and a metal electrode layer in this order from a light emission side, a circularly polarizing plate disposed on the light emission side of the substrate, the circularly polarizing plate including a polarizing film and phase difference films that stacked on each other. The phase difference film includes a resin composition (A) containing polystyrene-based polymer having a syndiotactic structure and polyarylene ether, a ratio of the polystyrene-based polymer having the syndiotactic structure with respect to the polyarylene ether in the resin composition (A) is 65:35 to 55:45, being a weight ratio of (the polystyrene-based polymer having the syndiotactic structure) with respect to (the polyarylene ether), the phase difference film satisfies a relation Re450 |
| US09285524B2 |
Optical filter
Provided are an optical filter and a stereoscopic display device. The exemplary optical filter may be applied to the stereoscopic display device to observe a stereoscopic image in a wide viewing angle without the loss of brightness. |
| US09285522B2 |
Tilt structure
A tilt structure includes a shaft section formed on a substrate section, a tilt structure film having one end formed on an upper surface of the shaft section, and the other end bonded to the substrate section, and a thin film section provided to the tilt structure film, located on a corner section composed of the upper surface of the shaft section and a side surface of the shaft section, and having a film thickness thinner than the tilt structure film, the tilt structure film is bent in the thin film section, and an acute angle is formed by the substrate section and the tilt structure film. |
| US09285520B2 |
Optical touch display device and color filter thereof
A color filter including a substrate and a green photoresist is provided. The green photoresist is disposed on the substrate, and the spectrum function thereof has a first peak within a wavelength window between 480 nm and 550 nm. Whereas a transmittance intensity of the spectrum function of green photoresist at wavelength 750 nm is greater than that of 0.5 times of the transmittance intensity of the first peak. An optical touch display device with the color filter is also provided. |
| US09285516B2 |
Actuator motion control mechanism for a concave mirror
A method for varying a radius of curvature of a concave mirror includes coupling a concave mirror to a mirror frame, coupling the mirror frame to a vertical slide, coupling the vertical slide to a horizontal slide, coupling the horizontal slide to a fixed support, coupling an end of the mirror frame to an actuator, coupling a first proximity sensor to the mirror frame, coupling a second proximity sensor to the horizontal slide, and coupling a third proximity sensor to the vertical slide. The method also includes translating the mirror frame along the vertical slide and translating the vertical slide along the horizontal slide to facilitate aligning a pole of the concave mirror with a center of an object, and varying the radius of curvature of the concave mirror to magnify an image of an object in the concave mirror for optimum clarity. |
| US09285514B2 |
Image display apparatus having a prism optical system including a plurality of rotationally asymmetric surfaces
A prism optical system including at least four optical surfaces, each having optical functions. At least two of the four optical surfaces are each a rotationally asymmetric surface, and one of two surfaces on which light is incident or from which light exits out is capable of one transmission and two internal reflections. |
| US09285513B2 |
Display apparatus with symmetric diffusion film
A display apparatus at least comprises a touchscreen, and a symmetric diffusion film (SDF) disposed above the touchscreen. The SDF comprises at least two different materials, including a first material mixed with a second material. The first material has a first refractive index and the second material has a second refractive index, and the first refractive index is different from the second refractive index. |
| US09285512B2 |
Anti-reflection film
An anti-reflection film with low production costs, excellent anti-reflection performance or excellent optical properties free from interference variation, high abrasion resistance, and antistatic function to prevent dust adhesion is demanded. In the present invention, the problem to be solved is to provide an anti-reflection film having low production costs, excellent optical property and excellent abrasion resistance and antistatic function.The present invention provides an anti-reflection film in which a localized layer and a low refractive index layer are laminated in this order on at least one surface of a transparent base, and the localized layer is constituted to have an intermediate layer, a hard coat layer, an antistatic layer containing a conductive material and a leveling layer containing a leveling material that are laminated as localized in order from at least the side of the transparent base. |
| US09285511B2 |
Variable power optical system
Liquid lens cells are used in a compound variable power optical system that forms an intermediate image between the object and the final image. A first variable power optical component is located between the object and an intermediate real image. The first variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the intermediate real image. A second variable power optical component is located between the intermediate real image and the final image. The second variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the final image. At least one of the first and second variable power optical components is stationary on the optical axis and comprises at least two liquids with different refractive properties and at least one variable shape contact surface between the two liquids, with variations in the shape of the contact surface producing a change of optical power in the optical system. |
| US09285510B2 |
Optical element array and solid-state imaging device including the array
An optical element array includes a plurality of optical elements arranged along a first direction and a second direction. A first optical element is included at a position distanced from a center of the optical element array by a first distance. The first optical element has a first width, a first height, and a first curvature radius at the first position, and a second width, a second height, and a second curvature radius at a second position. The first width is wider than the second width, the first height is higher than the second height, and the first curvature radius is smaller than the second curvature radius. The first position and the second position are taken along a single direction. |
| US09285507B2 |
High-refractive composition
The present application relates to a high-refractive composition. The composition of the present application exhibits excellent transparency, moisture resistance, heat resistance, water resistance, weather resistance, light resistance, and durability, and enables formation of a highly refractive film having a high index of refraction. The composition exhibits little outgassing during or after a process and can be applied to a solution application method, and thus can be effectively used in various electronic optical devices. |
| US09285502B2 |
System and method for lacunarity analysis
A system for and computer implemented method for analysis of data representative of subsurface properties of a subsurface region. The method includes transforming the data representative of subsurface properties of the subsurface region into transformed data in accordance with a selected criterion. A three dimensional window geometry to be applied to the transformed data is selected, based, at least in part, on expected feature sizes present, data sampling density and a size of the subsurface region. A plurality of values for a three dimensional lacunarity statistic are calculated by applying the selected three dimensional window geometry to randomly selected regions of the subsurface region, and correlating the calculated values to the subsurface properties of the subsurface region. |
| US09285498B2 |
Relocatable X-ray imaging system and method for inspecting commercial vehicles and cargo containers
The present specification discloses a readily relocatable X-ray imaging system for inspecting the contents of vehicles and containers, and a method for using the same. The system is relatively small in size, and is used for inspecting commercial vehicles, cargo containers, and other large objects. The X-ray imaging system has a substantially arch-shaped collapsible frame with an X-ray source and detectors disposed thereon. The frame is preferably collapsible via a plurality of hinges and may be deployed into an X-ray imaging position, and collapsed into a transport position. |
| US09285497B2 |
Porosity estimator for formate brine invaded hydrocarbon zone
A system and method estimate a property of an earth formation comprising hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon components. The method includes conveying a carrier down a borehole penetrating the earth formation, and performing a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement on fluid in the earth formation with an NMR instrument disposed at the carrier to provide total NMR measurement data. The method also includes separating the total NMR measurement data into hydrocarbon-resultant NMR measurement data and non-hydrocarbon-resultant NMR measurement data, scaling a portion of the non-hydrocarbon-resultant NMR measurement data based on a correction factor to obtain scaled non-hydrocarbon-resultant NMR measurement data, and estimating the property based on the hydrocarbon-resultant NMR measurement data and the scaled non-hydrocarbon-resultant NMR measurement data. |
| US09285496B1 |
Truncated half-sine methods for metal detectors
This invention relates to a metal detector where a coil is used to transmit a periodic magnetic field to energize metal objects that are concealed and often buried or hidden in a matrix (ground) containing ferromagnetic minerals. There are many difficult and often simultaneous challenges, such as detecting large deep targets, detecting minutely small targets, identifying target properties, ignoring the ferromagnetic matrix, avoiding a net magnetic field which can trigger magnetic sensors in land mines, and ignoring conductive salt responses. Either time-domain or frequency domain methods have been used to address these challenges with mixed levels of success. The ability to simultaneously use time-domain and frequency-domain methods can expand detection capability. Techniques are presented for achieving these goals. |
| US09285494B2 |
Method for managing shots in a multi-vessel seismic system
Method for managing shots in a multi-vessel seismic system, including for each slave shooter vessel: a) computing first theoretical shot times, based on a speed a scheduler shooter vessel and shot points associated to the scheduler shooter vessel, associated next shots of the scheduler shooter vessel; b) computing, based on a speed of the slave shooter vessel and the shot points, second theoretical shot times associated to the next shots; c) computing, based on the first theoretical shot times, interpolated virtual shot times; d) computing, based on the first theoretical shot times, the interpolated virtual shot times and a minimum shot time interval, shooting time windows; e) for each next shot: if the second theoretical shot time is in the shooting time window, selecting as a predicted shot time the second theoretical shot time; otherwise, selecting a border of the shooting time window closest to the second theoretical shot time. |
| US09285491B2 |
Seismic P-wave modelling in an inhomogeneous transversely isotropic medium with a tilted symmetry axis
An improved method for P-wave modeling in inhomogeneous transversely isotropic media with tilted symmetry axis (TTI media), suitable for anisotropic reverse-time migration, is based on an acoustic TI approximation. The resulting wave equations (2.20) & (2.21) are derived directly from first principles, Hooke's law and the equations of motion, and therefore make no assumptions on spatial variation of medium parameters. Like in the acoustic VTI case, the wave equations are written as a set of two second-order partial differential equations. However, unlike in the acoustic VTI case, the acoustic TTI wave equations contain mixed second-order derivatives. The discretization scheme uses centered finite-difference operators for first- and second-order derivative operators to approximate the mixed and non-mixed second-order derivatives in the wave equation. The discretization scheme is stabilized by slightly weighing down the mixed derivatives, with almost negligible effect on the wave field kinematics. |
| US09285486B2 |
Method for radiation detection signal processing
The invention relates to a method for radiation detection signal processing, and more particularly to a method capable of using a periodic signal to control the time of charging/discharging to a capacitor of an integrator. The method can be used for detecting the energy of incident photon of Gamma ray during the happening of an event while reducing dead time, and thereby, the count rate is increased. As the periodic signal is used as the signal for controlling the time of charging/discharging to a capacitor, the charging/discharging time of the integrator is no longer being controlled by the triggering time of the event, and thus, the present method is advantageous in that: the control method and circuit architecture are comparatively simpler since the charging/discharging time of the integrator no longer required to be controlled precisely, and thus the integration error due to insufficient resolution in delay element can be avoided. |
| US09285481B2 |
Wearable object locator and imaging system
An object locator system for locating an object of interest in a scene. The locator system includes: a) a body mounted pedestrian localization unit worn by an operator; b) a hand-held rangefinder configured to be grasped by the operator; c) a pose sensor for estimating relative position and orientation of the hand-held rangefinder relative to the localization device; and d) a computer control system coupled to the pedestrian localization unit, the rangefinder, and the pose sensor, the computer control system being programmed to compute a relative location of the object with respect to the body worn localization unit using range data from the rangefinder and relative pose from the pose sensor, and transform the relative location to a global location using data from the pedestrian localization unit. |
| US09285479B2 |
Selection of a subset of global navigation satellite system measurements based on relation between shifts in target parameters and sum of residuals
An optimum measurement subset with a specified number of elements is generated from a set of input global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements. A design matrix and a weight matrix are generated. Values of a set of coefficients corresponding to the set of input GNSS measurements are calculated. The value of a specific coefficient is calculated as the ratio of the change in value of the at least one target parameter resulting from the change in value of the specific input GNSS measurement to the change in value of the sum of squared residuals resulting from the change in value of the specific input GNSS measurement. The optimum measurement subset is selected based at least in part on the values of the set of coefficients. |
| US09285476B2 |
System for automated detection in beverage dispensing machines
Means are provided for the support of the automated process of supplying beverages. More particularly, the detection of the presence and the contents of exchangeable supply packs in beverage dispensing machines is automated. A pack-in-place detection is provided by emitting light and measuring the presence of the emitted light on one light detector, the system determines the absence or the correct/incorrect placement of the supply pack. A product availability detection is provided by detecting the intensity of light coming through a transparent element in the supply pack by another light detector, the system identifies the degree of product presence in the supply pack. |
| US09285474B2 |
Photodetector array on curved substrate
In some applications, it may be desirable to position multiple photodetectors at precise locations on a curved focal surface defined by an optical system. To achieve this positioning, the photodetectors may be mounted at desired locations on a flexible substrate that is in a flat configuration. The flexible substrate with mounted photodetectors can then be shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the curved focal surface. This shaping can be accomplished by clamping the flexible substrate between at least two clamping pieces. The curved flexible substrate clamped between the at least two clamping pieces can be positioned relative to the optical system such that the photodetectors are positioned at desired three-dimensional locations on the curved focal surface. |
| US09285472B2 |
Multi-link transponder for aircraft and method of providing multi-link transponder capability to an aircraft having an existing transponder
A transponder system that is adapted to be positioned in an aircraft includes a transponder that is adapted to transmit information pertaining to the aircraft in which the transponder is positioned includes at least one receiver that is adapted to receive information including information pertaining to another aircraft. The receiver(s) is adapted to receive different types of data on multiple different frequencies. A display, which may be integral with the system housing or remotely mounted, is adapted to display (i) information received by said receiver and/or (ii) information to guide user input selection of information transmitted by said transponder. The housing houses the transponder, the receiver and, in one embodiment, the display. The existing transponder in the aircraft can be removed thereby leaving an opening in the aircraft and the transponder installed in the opening. |
| US09285465B2 |
Analog-digital conversion circuit, sensor apparatus, cellular phone, and digital camera
An analog-digital conversion circuit (ADC1) includes: a capacitor (C1); a charge and discharge control section (6) that puts, into the capacitor (C1), an electric charge corresponding to an input current of a first period and that causes an electric charge corresponding to an input current of a second period to be discharged from the capacitor (C1); and a digital conversion section (5) that converts an amount of electric charge of the capacitor (C1) into a digital signal. |
| US09285460B2 |
Method and system for estimating information related to a vehicle pitch and/or roll angle
The present disclosure relates to a method (200) for estimating information related to a vehicle pitch and/or roll angle. The method comprises a step of obtaining (220) a first estimate of the information related to the pitch and/or roll angle. The method is characterized by the steps of capturing (210) an image of an area covering at least a part of the horizon using a camera mounted on the airborne vehicle, and determining (240) an improved estimate of the information related to the pitch and/or roll angle based on the first estimate of the information related to the pitch and/or roll angle, and a digital elevation model. |
| US09285456B2 |
System and method for locating a target using a transceiver array
The invention relates to a system and a method for locating at least one target (X) using an array of transceivers or sensors (S), in which at least a portion has a known geographic location, each comprising data processing means (S1) implementing at least one algorithm (AA, AS, AR, AF) for locating a target, means (S2) for transmitting/receiving a signal that decreases with the distance, the sensor array (S) covering at least one geographic area or area (Z), characterized in that they implement for each instant (t) an exchange of data or similarity data (DS) between the sensors (S) and a leading sensor (SL), and a distribution determination (DP) of the probability of the location of the target (X) using at least one regression algorithm (AR) on the basis of the similarity data (DS). |
| US09285455B2 |
Estimating the location of a wireless terminal based on the lighting and acoustics in the vicinity of the wireless terminal
A technique is disclosed for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region. The technique is based on a two-part recognition, the first part being that there are certain optical and acoustic characteristics that are present in some environments while not being present in others, such as lighting flicker and sound reverberation. The second part of the recognition is that a correlation exists between the presence of flicker and reverberation in the vicinity of a wireless terminal and whether the wireless terminal is indoors or not. Under certain environmental conditions, flicker and reverberation are often present indoors but not outdoors. By accounting for flicker and reverberation being detected or not being detected in the vicinity of the wireless terminal, the disclosed technique is able to estimate whether the wireless terminal is indoors, which the technique also uses to improve the location estimate. |
| US09285452B2 |
Spatial visual effect creation and display such as for a screensaver
Techniques are presented that include determining, using signals captured from two or more microphones configured to detect an acoustic signal from one or more sound sources, one or more prominent sound sources based on the one or more sound sources. The techniques also include determining one or more directions relative to a position of one or more of the two or more microphones for prominent sound source(s). The techniques further include outputting information suitable to be viewed on a display, the information providing for the prominent sound source(s) a visual effect indicating at least in part the one or more directions, relative to a position of one or more of the microphones, of the prominent sound source(s) in the acoustic signal. The information and the corresponding visual effect(s) may be presented on a display, e.g., as part of a screensaver. |
| US09285437B2 |
Hall effect sensor core with multiple air gaps
A hall effect current sensor including a mounting bracket, a sensor assembly, and a sensor core. The sensor assembly includes a flux sensor. The sensor core includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion define a first air gap and a second air gap between the first portion and the second portion. The first air gap is adapted to receive the sensor assembly. |
| US09285436B2 |
Magnetic field sensor
A magnetic sensor comprises an orthogonal flux-gate magnetometer having a first sensor head comprising a first magnetic core at least parallel portions of which are formed of magnetic material, and a first detection coil wound around said first magnetic core, said parallel portions of said first magnetic core being placed closely to each other. The magnetic sensor comprises a search-coil magnetometer having a second sensor head comprising a second magnetic core having a central axis placed coaxially with a central axis of the first magnetic core of said orthogonal flux-gate magnetometer, and a second detection coil wound around said second magnetic core. The first sensor head of said orthogonal flux-gate magnetometer is placed in a region in which magnetic flux density is increased through a magnet collection effect by the second magnetic core of said search-coil magnetometer. |
| US09285435B2 |
Two-core optical fiber magnetic field sensor
A two-core optical fiber magnetic field sensor is configured from at least a light incidence/emission unit; a lens; a magnetic garnet; and a reflector, wherein the lens and the magnetic garnet are disposed between the light incidence/emission end of the light incidence/emission unit and the reflector; a light beam is emitted from one optical fiber; the light beam is reflected by the reflector after being transmitted through the lens and the magnetic garnet; the light beam is transmitted again through the magnetic garnet and the lens after the reflection; and incident on the other optical fiber, the light beam is emitted again from the other optical fiber, and reflected by the reflector after being transmitted through the lens and the magnetic garnet; and the light beam is transmitted again through the magnetic garnet and the lens after the reflection and incident again on the one optical fiber. |
| US09285434B2 |
DC-based uninterruptible power system and method for detecting abnormal voltage
A direct current (dc) uninterruptible power system is disclosed. The dc-based uninterruptible power system includes a multiplexer, a battery unit, a linear regulator, a switch-transistor, a voltage comparator and micro controller. The multiplexer receives a first control signal, a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage and outputs a control voltage according to the first control signal. The switch-transistor has a body diode and the body diode has a conduction voltage. When the dc-based uninterruptible power system is non-discharge mode, the switch-transistor is switched-off and the linear regulator receives the first reference voltage, so that the subtraction of the output voltage and the power-supply voltage is smaller than the conduction voltage to cutoff the body diode. |
| US09285432B2 |
Method and system for controlling a vehicle battery
A method and system for manipulating, adjusting or otherwise controlling a state-of-charge (SOC) operating range for a high voltage vehicle battery, such as the type used for hybrid or electric vehicle propulsion. By providing a dynamic SOC operating range that changes in response to changing battery conditions, the battery performance may be improved so that the battery life is extended. Depending on the particular embodiment, the dynamic SOC operating range may have different combinations of hard and/or soft boundaries or limits. |
| US09285431B2 |
Method for monitoring and managing battery charge level and apparatus for performing the same
A method for monitoring and managing battery charge level and an apparatus for performing the same, wherein the method comprises steps as follows: A current charge level of a battery equipped in the electrical apparatus is acquired. A coefficient of current battery power consumption is directed in accordance with a user. |
| US09285429B2 |
Arrangement and method for determining the state of a battery based on a capacity of the battery
A method for determining the state of a battery comprising at least two battery strings, wherein said battery strings are connected to a load and to a power supply unit, the method comprising: disconnecting (401) at least one first battery strings from said load; reducing (402) an output voltage of said power supply unit to said load below a first threshold value; discharging (403) at least one second battery string to said load; monitoring (404) the discharging of the at least one second battery string; determining (405) a capacity of said at least one second battery string based on at least in part the monitoring of discharging; and reconnecting (406) said at least one first battery strings to said power supply unit and to said load. |
| US09285428B2 |
Method or voltage detection system for determining a correction parameter for a measurement channel and for detecting a terminal voltage of an electric motor
The invention relates to a method for determining a correction parameter for a measurement channel (6) which is connected to a connection terminal (3) of an electric motor (2) in order to measure a terminal voltage (U1, U2), characterized in that the connection terminal (3) is connected to a first potential via switching elements (T1, T2, T3, T4) for driving the electric motor (2), after a steady state of the measurement channel (6) has been reached, the connection terminal (3) is connected to a second potential, which differs from the first, by changing over at least one switching element (T1, T2, T3, T4), the dynamic response of the measurement channel (6) is detected following connection to the second potential, and the correction parameter for the dynamic response of the measurement channel (6) is determined on the basis of the detected dynamic response of the latter. |
| US09285423B2 |
Managing chip testing data
A system and method of a test structure for testing a chip is disclosed. The system may include a scan channel comprising a plurality of scannable latches. The scan channel may be configured to scan input data to apply to logic circuits on a chip and further configured to receive outputs from logic circuits on the chip. The system may further include, a storage configured to store unmodified a selected bit of the scan channel during a scan out of the scan channel. |
| US09285420B2 |
Apparatus for spinning test tray of in-line test handler and in-line test handler
Disclosed is an apparatus for spinning a test tray and an in-line test handler including the above apparatus, wherein the apparatus may include a supporting unit for supporting a test tray transported between first and second chamber units facing in the different directions, wherein the first chamber unit is provided at a predetermined interval from the second chamber unit; a base unit to which the supporting unit is spinnably connected; and a spinning unit which spins the test tray so that semiconductor devices received in the test tray are tested at the same arrangement in each of the first chamber unit and the second chamber unit. |
| US09285419B2 |
Test probe alignment structures for radio-frequency test systems
Electronic devices may be tested using a test station with a test fixture. The test fixture may include a first holding structure in which a device under test may be placed and a second holding structure for supporting test probes. The second holding structure may be mated with a test probe alignment structure during test station setup operations. The test probe alignment structure may include registration features configured to set the relative position of the first and second holding structures to a known configuration and may include test probe alignment features that can be used to correctly position the placement of the test probes. If at least one of the test probes is not sufficiently aligned to its corresponding alignment feature, the test probe alignment structures will not be able to engage properly with the second holding structure, and the position of the problematic test probe may be adjusted accordingly. |
| US09285418B2 |
Method and apparatus for characterizing thermal marginality in an integrated circuit
Apparatus and methods are described herein for emulating the hot spot distribution of a functional test by applying vectors for structural test to an integrated circuit (IC). The affects of the hot spots can then be tested and characterized. The vectors may be generated on the IC, or may be fed to the IC via an external source. |
| US09285417B2 |
Low-voltage IC test for defect screening
System and method using low voltage current measurements to measure voltage network currents in an integrated circuit (IC). In one aspect, a low voltage current leakage test is applied voltage networks for the IC or microchip via one or more IC chip connectors. One or multiple specifications are developed based on chip's circuit delay wherein a chip is aborted or sorted into a lesser reliability sort depending whether the chip fails specification. Alternately, a low voltage current leakage test begins an integrated circuit test flow. Then there is run a high voltage stress, and a second low voltage current leakage test is thereafter added. Then, there is compared the second low voltage test to the first low V test, and if the measured current is less on second test, this is indicative of a defect present which may result in either a scrap or downgrade reliability of chip. |
| US09285412B2 |
High speed, high current, closed loop load transient tester
The present document relates to voltage regulators (101). In particular, the present document relates to the testing of voltage regulators subject to load transients. A test device (110) configured to generate a load current to be drawn at an output of a voltage regulator (101) is described. The test device (110) comprises a load connector (116) for coupling the test device (110) to the output of the voltage regulator (101); a transistor (113) configured to modulate the current through the load connector (116) subject to a control signal (123); wherein the current through the load connector (116) corresponds to the load current; a current sense resistor (112) arranged in series with the transistor (113) and configured to provide a feedback voltage (121) which is substantially proportional to the load current; and an operational amplifier (111) configured to generate the control signal (123) based on the feedback voltage (121) and based on a target voltage (122). |
| US09285411B2 |
Method and system for identifying an electrical noise propagation path
A system and method for identifying an electrical noise propagation path through an object, such as an automotive vehicle, from a source of periodic electrical noise. An electrical noise sensor is positioned at a selected area on the object which generates an output signal representative of the magnitude of the electrical noise. A trigger generator generates a trigger signal in synchronism with a source of periodic electrical noise and that trigger signal is connected as an input signal to measurement equipment connected to the sensor to initiate electrical noise reading by the sensor. A recorder then records the output from the sensor. The electrical noise sensor is moved to different areas on the object to determine the electrical noise propagation path. |
| US09285410B2 |
Control circuit, and power generation device having the same
A control circuit 1 for determining a phase sequence of a power generator includes a frequency control unit, a cycle obtaining unit, a determination unit, and an output-supply control unit. The frequency control unit controls a frequency of a sensor signal synchronous with an operation of the power generator, and the cycle obtaining unit obtains a cycle of the sensor signal whose frequency is controlled by the frequency control unit. The determination unit determines the phase sequence of the power generator by detecting timing at which an output voltage outputted from each of the phases of the power generator has risen using the cycle of the sensor signal obtained by the cycle obtaining unit. The output-supply control unit controls a drive circuit according to the phase sequence of the power generator determined by the determination unit. |
| US09285409B2 |
Apparatus for inspecting static electricity of substrate and method of manufacturing substrate
An apparatus for inspecting static electricity of a substrate includes a probe having substantially a same shape as a substrate to be inspected, the probe including a contact surface made of a conductive material, a wiring connected to the contact surface of the probe and delivering static electricity collected by the probe, and a measurement unit connected to the wiring, the measurement unit receiving the static electricity from the wiring and analyzing an intensity of the static electricity. |
| US09285407B2 |
Semiconductor device and system
According to one embodiment, there is provided a semiconductor device including a package, a semiconductor chip, and a capacitor. The semiconductor chip has an electrode. The semiconductor chip is implemented in the package. The capacitor is implemented in the package. One terminal of the capacitor is electrically connected to the electrode of the semiconductor chip. Another terminal of the capacitor is electrically connected to a ground terminal of the package. The semiconductor chip includes a capacitance measurement circuit. The capacitance measurement circuit measures a level of capacitance of the capacitor via the electrode of the semiconductor chip. |
| US09285406B2 |
Impedance measurement system
In an impedance measurement system, a reference impedance (2) to be measured is periodically connected and disconnected by means of switch (3) in parallel to the unknown impedance (1) to be measured. The thus generated amplitude modulation of the measurement current is demodulated, and the amplitude of the demodulated signal is indicative of the reference impedance to be measured. Using a low frequency modulation of the reference impedance enables to measure the impedance of the reference impedance without disconnecting the unknown impedance. |
| US09285403B2 |
Resistance determination for temperature control of heated automotive components
Electrical resistance of a heated component is determined for temperature control and monitoring. A voltage-representation signal, which is proportional to a voltage across a heater component, is received. A current-representation signal, which is proportional to an electrical current passing through the heater component is received and modulated to generate a resistance-representation signal that is proportional to an amount of modulation that makes the current-representation signal approximately equal to the voltage-representation signal. The modulation may be pulse-width modulation. The resistance-representation signal may be generated based on a signal that is proportional to the percent duty cycle of the pulse width modulation. A difference of the resistance-representation signal and the voltage-representation signal may be integrated to provide an error signal adapted to cause the modulation to be proportional to an electrical resistance of the heater component. |
| US09285402B1 |
Apparatus and methods for estimating impedance in conductive medium
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for estimating a measure of a localized impedance property of a continuous conductive medium or other conductive system presenting a plurality of conductive paths, and for using such measures to compute a spatial distribution and/or image of impedance properties. |
| US09285400B2 |
Method for determining current in a polyphase machine
In a method for determining current in a polyphase machine connected to a DC voltage source, a DC link is provided with a DC-link capacitor and, per phase, a high-side switch and a low-side switch. A measurement of the voltage curve across the DC-link capacitor is undertaken. The current of the DC voltage source and/or one or a plurality of phase currents are/is determined from the measured voltage curve. |
| US09285398B2 |
Systems and methods for shielding current transducers
A shield for protecting a current transducer from noise may include a first annular ring that may be disposed adjacent to a first side of a current sensor. The shield may also include a second annular ring that may be disposed adjacent to a second side of the current sensor opposite the first side, such that the first and second annular rings each include magnetically permeable material. |
| US09285395B2 |
Synchronizer for a data acquisition system
A data acquisition system is provided that in one example comprises a sensor electrically coupled to a data acquisition unit via a signal splitter. In use, the sensor senses one or more signals transmitted over a “live” power cable carrying, for example, 50 Hz or 60 Hz, medium voltage power. The one or more signals are then transmitted to the data acquisition unit to be stored, displayed, and/or analyzed. The data acquisition system includes a synchronizer that allows the data acquisition unit to synchronize the storage of the sensed signals to the frequency of the power transmitted over the tested power cable or system. In one embodiment, the synchronizer provides an accurate phase angle reference or trigger signal for accurate phase resolved data acquisition and testing. |
| US09285393B2 |
Handler apparatus and test method
Provided is a handler apparatus which can connect devices under test to sockets of a test apparatus quickly and with low power consumption. The handler apparatus for conveying and connecting a plurality of devices under test to a plurality of sockets provided on a test head of a test apparatus, includes a position adjusting section that moves each of the plurality of devices under test on the test tray and adjusts the position thereof to a corresponding one of the plurality of sockets; and a device mounting section that mounts the plurality of devices under test whose positions have been adjusted by the position adjusting section, to the plurality of sockets. |
| US09285392B1 |
Fixture for testing flexible circuit
A test fixture for testing a head gimbal assembly having a flex circuit with a plurality of circuit pads, prior to installation of the head gimbal assembly into a disc drive. The fixture comprises a contact board having a plurality of electrically conductive contact points on a surface thereof, the contact points arranged to contact the circuit pads of the flex circuit. The fixture further comprises a clamp assembly connected to the contact board, the clamp assembly having an activation end, an opposite engagement end, and a pivot axis extending orthogonal to an axis defined by the activation end and the engagement end. The engagement end has a non-conductive engagement surface configured to contact the head gimbal assembly on a surface opposite the plurality of circuit pads. |
| US09285391B2 |
Optomechanical inertial sensor
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards techniques and configurations for MEMS sensing device configured to determine inertial change applied to the device. In one instance, the device may comprise a laser arrangement configured to generate a light beam, and a waveguide configured to split the light beam into two portions. The waveguide may include two arms through which the respective portions of the light beam may respectively pass, and disposed substantially parallel with each other and joined together around their respective ends to recombine the portions into a light beam. One of the arms may be deformable. A deformation of the arm may result in a change of an optical path length of a portion of the light beam traveling through the arm, causing a detectable change in light intensity of the recombined light beam outputted by the waveguide. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09285389B2 |
Optical accelerometers
Optical accelerometers may be provided that detect acceleration in up to six axes. An optical accelerometer may include an image sensor and optical elements such as light pipes that extend over the image sensor. Light may be injected into the optical elements by a light source. The optical elements may guide the light onto corresponding portions of an image pixel array on the image sensor. The image pixels may be used to detect changes in the location, size, and intensity of illuminated portions of the pixel array when the optical elements move due to acceleration of the optical accelerometer. The optical accelerometer may include multiple light pipes having various lengths and thicknesses. Light pipes of matching length and thickness may be formed over opposing sides of a pixel array. The light pipes may be coated with a material that responds to electric or magnetic fields. |
| US09285388B2 |
Analysis of pedestrian congestion
A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for providing a measure of pedestrian congestion in a given area. In one embodiment, the method comprises collecting data from a pedestrian moving in the area, and using the data to determine one or more specified parameters representing a pattern of movement of the pedestrian in the area. These specified parameters are used to determine a sinuosity of pedestrian traffic in the given area. In one embodiment, the pattern of movement is a walking pattern of the pedestrian, and the data collected from the pedestrian identifies a multitude of positions of the pedestrian's feet. In an embodiment, the specified parameters include a lateral gap between the feet of the pedestrian, and a length of a stride of the pedestrian. A sequence of values may be collected for each of these parameters. |
| US09285387B2 |
In-flight pitot-static calibration
A GPS-based pitot-static calibration system uses global output-error optimization. High data rate measurements of static and total pressure, ambient air conditions, and GPS-based ground speed measurements are used to compute pitot-static pressure errors over a range of airspeed. System identification methods rapidly compute optimal pressure error models with defined confidence intervals. |
| US09285386B2 |
Inductive rotational speed sensors
An inductive rotational speed sensor assembly includes a first PCB with a transmitter coil configured to convert an alternating electrical input into an alternating magnetic field. A second PCB is operatively connected to the first PCB for relative rotation and includes a resonance coil configured to couple to the alternating magnetic field of the first PCB to output a modulating position signal. The first PCB includes a receiver coil configured to receive the first and the modulating position signal and to output a signal indicative of rotational speed of the second PCB relative to the first PCB. |
| US09285383B2 |
Specimen analyzer
A specimen analyzer comprises a measurement mechanism section configured to measure a specimen by using a first consumable and a second consumable having a shape different from a shape of the first consumable, a first inlet for loading the first consumable, a supplying section configured to supply the first consumable loaded through the first inlet, to the measurement mechanism section, a sorter configured to sort the first consumable and the second consumable from each other, and a storage for housing the second consumable sorted by the sorter. |
| US09285382B2 |
Reaction vessel
Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples. |
| US09285380B2 |
Measurement system, measurement method, program for implementing the method, and recording medium for the program
The invention relates to a measurement system MS1 provided with a plurality of loading units 10 into which a measurement tool 4 supporting a reagent is loaded. The measurement system MS1 includes reading means 2 for reading information on an analyte provider that includes identification information, and guidance means 11 for guiding the measurement tool 4 to which an analyte derived from the analyte provider has been or is to be applied, to a loading unit that is selected from the plurality of loading units 10 and individually associated with the analyte provider based on the identification information that has been read by the reading means 2. With such configuration, the measurement results obtained from the analyte derived from the analyte provider can be easily associated with the information on the analyte provider that includes the identification information. |
| US09285375B2 |
Compositions and methods for detecting and treating neurological conditions
The present invention relates to the NIPA-1 proteins and nucleic acids encoding the NIPA-1 proteins. The present invention further provides assays for the detection of NIPA-1 polymorphisms and mutations associated with disease states, as well as methods of screening for ligands and modulators of NIPA-1 proteins. |
| US09285371B2 |
Method of screening antibodies with high antigen selectivity
Provided is a method of screening a target-specific antibody for an antigen that undergoes structural change in a particular physiological condition. |
| US09285369B2 |
Antibody-based arrays for detecting multiple signal transducers in rare circulating cells
The present invention provides antibody-based arrays for detecting the activation state and/or total amount of a plurality of signal transduction molecules in rare circulating cells and methods of use thereof for facilitating cancer prognosis and diagnosis and the design of personalized, targeted therapies. |
| US09285368B2 |
Method for analyzing PSA, and a method for distinguishing prostate cancer from prostatic hypertrophy using that method for analyzing PSA
A method for distinguishing prostate cancer from prostatic hypertrophy using the method for analyzing PSA and an analysis kit of PSA are provided.An object of the present invention can be solved by being brought into contact a lectin having an affinity for β-N-acetylgalactosamine residues with a sample possibly containing PSA, to determine an amount of PSA having an affinity for the lectin. A method for distinguishing prostate cancer from prostatic hypertrophy can be provided by this method. |
| US09285366B2 |
Modular point-of-care devices, systems, and uses thereof
The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications. |
| US09285365B2 |
Method for the enumeration of mammalian micronucleated erythrocyte populations, while distinguishing platelets and/or platelet-associated aggregates
A method for the enumeration of micronucleated erythrocyte populations while distinguishing platelet and platelet-associated aggregates involves the use of a first fluorescent labeled antibody having binding specificity for a surface marker for reticulocytes, a second fluorescent labeled antibody having binding specificity for a surface marker for platelets, and a nucleic acid staining dye that stains DNA (micronuclei) in erythrocyte populations. Because the fluorescent emission spectra of the first and second fluorescent labeled antibodies do not substantially overlap with one another or with the emission spectra of the nucleic acid staining dye, upon excitation of the labels and dye it is possible to detect the fluorescent emission and light scatter produced by the erythrocyte populations and platelets, and count the number of cells from one or more erythrocyte populations in said sample. In particular, the use of the second antibody prevents interference by platelet-associated aggregates in the scoring procedures. |
| US09285364B2 |
Mycobacterium antigens
There is provided a diagnostic reagent for use in the detection of M. bovis or M. tuberculosis infection in an animal, comprising a peptide which has an epitope from Mycobacterium bovis hypothetic protein Mb3645c (SEQ ID NO: 1) or an epitope from a polypeptide having at least 76% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1. |
| US09285360B2 |
Silylated biomolecules
The invention concerns: —a silylated biomolecule having the following formula (I): —the process for the preparation of a silylated biomolecule of formula (I), —the use of a silylated biomolecule of formula (I) to functionalize the surface of a support, —a process for the preparation of a hydrogel by use of a silylated biomolecule of formula (I), the hydrogel obtainable by said process, —said hydrogel as a biological tissue substitute, —a composition comprising said hydrogel in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, —said composition for the release of active principle. |
| US09285359B2 |
Protein detection using modified cyclodextrins
A method is provided for detecting a protein using a cyclodextrin covalently linked to at least one label. The cyclodextrin can associate with the protein by sequestering an aromatic amino acid side-chain of the protein in its hydrophobic cavity. After contacting the protein with the cyclodextrin, the label can be detected directly or can undergo a chemical interaction with a reagent to form a detectable product. The label can include an indole moiety, which can react with a halo-substituted organic compound upon exposure to UV light and thereby be rendered fluorescent. Alternatively, the label can include a biotin moiety, which can bind to a binding partner such as avidin, or variants thereof, to form a detectable molecular complex. A labeled cyclodextrin can be used in the present methods to detect a protein of interest in an electrophoresis gel or on a blotting membrane. Aromatic amino acid residues of the protein, in particular tryptophan, remain protected from chemical modification due to sequestration by the cyclodextrin, making these methods compatible with downstream applications that require intact protein. Also provided herein are compositions, kits, and electrophoresis gels for use in detecting proteins. |
| US09285357B2 |
Gem tester
A gem tester for testing a gem under test and a kit including a horizontal recharging stand are disclosed. In one embodiment of the gem tester, an elongated body has a line-of-sight contour tapering from a bulbous end to a radially deviating frontal nose having a probe extending therefrom. Internal circuitry measures electrical and thermal conductivity of the gem under test in order to identify the type of gem under test and drive a color control signal in response thereto. A luminescent mounting extends about the contact to provide, in response to the control signal, a color indication of the identified gem type. |
| US09285355B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing lost circulation materials for subterranean formations
An apparatus for testing lost circulation materials (“LCMs”) for use in a formation is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a LCM cell that contains at least one formation simulation component. A pressurized tank may be in fluid communication with the LCM cell, and may force a sample LCM slurry into the LCM cell. An LCM receiver may also be in fluid communication with the LCM cell, and may receive the LCM slurry that flows through the LCM cell. |
| US09285353B1 |
Dissolution test equipment
Apparatus and method for dissolution testing of active substances in various dosage forms is provided. The apparatus has filtration cells equipped and configured to simulate bodily functions, operate continuously and facilitate testing various types of dosage forms including, but not limited to, tablets, capsules and those having non-disintegrating substrates. |
| US09285352B2 |
System and method for detection of a contaminated beverage
An apparatus may be configured to test a beverage, the apparatus may include but is not limited to, a beverage container that may be configured to hold a beverage, wherein the beverage container may include a material. An indicator may be chemically bonded to at least a portion of the material of the beverage container, wherein at least the portion of the material of the beverage container may include the indicator, wherein the indicator may be associated with at least part of a brand profile to identify a brand of the beverage, wherein the indicator may visibly react when the indicator is contacted with the beverage to show whether the beverage may be identified as the brand of the beverage, and wherein the visible reaction may be shown on at least the portion of the material of the beverage container via the indicator chemically bonded to at least the portion of the material of the beverage container. |
| US09285351B2 |
Sensor assembly for hygenic material processing systems
A sensor assembly includes a replaceable sensor module and an assembly housing. The assembly housing contains an assembly housing processor and an electrical connector connected to the processor. The replaceable sensor module has an enclosure adapted to be mounted in a position to sense a process variable, a process variable transducer positioned in said enclosure so as to be exposed to the process variable, and a non-volatile memory having stored therein specific profiling data for the sensor module. The assembly housing processor has data representing a desired sensor assembly output characteristic, and is responsive to receipt of specific profiling data and to the data representing the desired sensor assembly output characteristic to calibrate the sensor assembly to provide the desired sensor assembly output characteristic when connected to the sensor module having the specified profiling data. Radial and axial seals are provided for the openings in the assembly housing. Measurement of loop current (IL) in a two-wire loop current communication system for the sensor assembly and detection of sensor aging are also included. |
| US09285344B2 |
Discharge ionization current detector and gas chromatograph
To provide a discharge ionization current detector 3, where a partition 13a in which a through hole for penetrating a tubule 24 for introducing a sample gas is created is provided between a collector electrode 20 and an outlet for discharging a gas 26 so that a gas for generating plasma that has been generated by electrodes for discharge 15, 16 and 17 passes through a gap between the through hole and the tubule 24 so as to be directed towards the outlet for discharging a gas, and thus, the air that has entered from the other side 25 of the partition cannot pass through the through hole in the opposite direction. |
| US09285333B2 |
Combustible gas detection device
A combustible gas detection device includes an energization control circuit which controls the switching of the energization state of a heat generation resistor every predetermined time period such that the heat generation resistor alternately has resistances corresponding to two predetermined temperatures, a temperature measurement resistor disposed on the same substrate on which the heat generation resistor is disposed, where its resistance changes with the environmental temperature, a gas concentration computation section which calculates the combustible gas concentration by using a voltage generated across the heat generation resistor which is detected when electricity is supplied to the heat generation resistor and the environmental temperature based on a voltage change caused by a change in the resistance of the temperature measurement resistor. The predetermined time period is such that a change in the environmental temperature which occurs when the energization control circuit switches the energization state, falls within a range of 0.5° C. |
| US09285331B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting materials in food products
A device, method and system for measuring analytes in a solution or suspension. The device includes a housing, a sample chamber, one or more pumps, one or more detectors, one or more stirrers, electrical contacts, a magnetic manipulator and a lid. A sample cartridge for a device that measures analytes, the cartridge comprising a first outer compartment, a second outer compartment, and a middle compartment, wherein the first outer compartment and the second outer compartment are interconnected to the middle compartment by channels. |
| US09285330B2 |
Calorimetric microfluidic sensor
A microfluidic sensor includes a microchannel that includes a reaction site with a reagent and a sample inlet. A liquid substance is received at the sample inlet and travels by capillary action to the reaction site. A temperature sensor measures a temperature as a result of a reaction between the reagent and a chemical in the liquid substance. A controller is communicatively connected to the temperature sensor, receives the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and derives a concentration of the chemical in the liquid substance from the temperature. |
| US09285325B2 |
Personnel screening system
Further, the present specification is directed towards personnel screening systems comprising modular components, including detector and source units, where a dual axis scanning beam is employed. In one configuration, the subject under inspection remains stationary and is positioned between two scanning modules. The X-ray source assembly is designed to minimize the overall system footprint while still yielding the requisite field of view, low radiation exposure level, and required resolution. The modular components allow for a compact, light and yet sufficiently rugged overall structure that can be disassembled for ease of transportation and is also simple to reassemble at a required site for inspection. |
| US09285324B2 |
Sensor for use in a liquid medication delivery system
A sensor for use in a liquid medication delivery system is presented. The sensor has a micro-fluidic chamber comprising a rigid bottom structure, a cover, and an optical detection system that emits one or more light beams toward the cover membrane and to observe the one or more light beams reflected from the cover membrane. The optical detection system is on a side of the bottom structure opposite to the cover membrane. |
| US09285320B2 |
Fluorescent cytotoxic compounds specific for the cellular polyamine transport system
Cyano-substituted anthracene containing polyamines were synthesized and shown to be efficient polyamine transporter ligands. Moreover, these compounds (3 and 4) had improved fluorescence properties over previously known anthryl-polyamine conjugates, which facilitated their intracellular trafficking by confocal microscopy and fluorescence methods. These cytotoxic fluorescent agents may find use as molecular probes which traffic into cells via the polyamine transport system and may also be viable anticancer drugs which are readily quantified in human tissues due to their excellent fluorescence properties: (excitation: λ 405 nm) and emission (420 nm) occurs in the visible light range. The ability to excite and emit in the visible range provides an advantage to these probes as these wavelengths are considered non-toxic to human cells (versus ultraviolet mediated excitations, λ<400 nm) and visible light lasers are less costly to purchase and operate than UV laser sources. |
| US09285315B2 |
Calculating the optical density of a fluid traveling through a gap
A method and apparatus to calculate the optical density of a fluid (110) traveling through a narrow gap (30) with a set width. Typically, a densitometer employs a light source (10) that is configured to transmit light across the gap and a detector, opposite the light source (10), configured to detect light transmitted from the light source, across the gap, for calculating the optical density of the fluid. The apparatus and method further include a transparent element (120), the transparent element part of a set of replaceable transparent elements, each replaceable transparent element having a particular width, the width less than the width of the gap. Typically, the transparent element is moved into the gap between the light source and the detector to narrow the effective sampling width of the gap for calculating the optical density of the fluid. In some examples, the transparent element is further configured to rotate in the gap to enhance the flow of the fluid through the gap. |
| US09285311B2 |
System for performing scattering and absorbance assays
An optical system for performing scattering and absorbance assays in clinical diagnostics comprises a light source for emitting collimated light parallel to an optical axis in an optical path, a sample holding unit comprising at least one sample holding position located in the optical path and an optical detector for measuring light transmitted through a sample located in a sample holding position. The optical system further comprises an adjustable light angle selector adjusted to prevent light transmitted through the sample and diverging from the optical axis with an angle greater than a certain value from reaching the detector when a scattering assay is performed, and wherein the light angle selector is adjusted to allow light transmitted through the sample and diverging from the optical axis with an angle smaller than a certain value to reach the detector when an absorbance assay is performed. |
| US09285309B2 |
Image fusion method and apparatus using multi-spectral filter array sensor
Provided is an image fusion apparatus using a multi-spectral filter array sensor, the image fusion apparatus including a separation unit configured to separate an input image input through the multi-spectral filter array sensor into an RGB image and a near infrared (NIR) image, a color reconstruction unit configured to extract an RGB image in a visible band by removing an NIR value incident together with R, G and B values through the multi-spectral filter array sensor from the R, G and B values, and an image fusion unit configured to fuse the RGB image in the visible band with the NIR image, in which a fusion rate of the RGB image and the NIR image is based on a size of each of the R, G and B values of the RGB image in the visible band. |
| US09285305B2 |
Shrouded sensor clip assembly and blood chamber for an optical blood monitoring system
An optical blood monitoring system for blocking unwanted light from reaching sensors in a sensor clip assembly fastened to a blood chamber connected in an extracorporeal blood treatment system. The blood chamber has an internal flow cavity for communicating the extracorporeal blood flow and viewing windows to enable the sensor clip assembly to illuminate the blood with light as the blood flows through the blood chamber in order to monitor characteristics of the blood. The sensor clip assembly includes opposing heads with LED emitters and photodetectors. In one embodiment, lenses in the heads are surrounded by shrouds extending from the lenses so that when the sensor clip assembly is fastened to the blood chamber the shrouds block unwanted light from reaching the photodetectors. Either alternatively or as a complement to the shrouds, the blood chamber includes an opaque portion or a portion colored to attenuate particular wavelengths of light to further enhance the overall ability of the blood chamber and sensor clip assembly to block unwanted light from reaching the photodetectors. |
| US09285304B2 |
Optical waveguide comprising a nano-channel and optofluidic sensor using such an optical waveguide
An optical waveguide including a first substrate incorporating a first optical guiding structure exposed at a surface of the first substrate, a second substrate incorporating a second optical guiding structure exposed at a surface of the second substrate, the two substrates being assembled superimposed by their surfaces such that the two optical guiding structures are facing each other and extend in a same direction. A channel is fitted between the first and the second guiding structure, directed along the direction, the channel having a cross-section with a large dimension substantially parallel to the surface of the first substrate and to the surface of the second substrate, enabling light to interact on a given distance with the fluid. Such a waveguide can, for example, find application to fluid analysis. |
| US09285302B2 |
Method for determining properties of superabsorbent polymer particles and of absorbent structures containing such particles
A method for determining the time dependent effective permeability and the uptake kinetics of hydrogel-forming superabsorbent polymer particles under pressure. |
| US09285300B2 |
Monolithic silicone and method of separation, purification and concentration therewith
The present invention provides a monolithic silicone in the form of an aerogel or a xerogel having flexibility and capable of dissolving molecules of a substance. This silicone monolithic body having continuous through passages is synthesized by copolymerizing starting materials of both a bifunctional alkoxysilane and a trifunctional alkoxysilane or tri- or higher functional alkoxysilanes through a sol-gel reaction for forming a Si—O network while causing phase separation. |
| US09285297B2 |
Device, system, and method for depositing processed immiscible-fluid-discrete-volumes
Various embodiments relate to systems and/or methods for sample preparation that can be used for biochemical and/or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, micro volumes or smaller. Methods and systems that can reduce sample size requirements and increase the number of samples on a substrate are provided. Samples can be applied to a plate or other appropriate substrate and can be used for, inter alia, sequencing reactions. In some embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for charged analyte collection are provided. Charged analytes in a sample can be electrokinetically collected or extracted from a conduit through a hole formed in a sidewall of the conduit, by application of an electric field that causes the charged analytes to migrate in a direction that is transverse to the conduit. |
| US09285296B2 |
Systems and methods for stand-off inspection of aircraft structures
A system for stand-off inspection comprising local positioning system hardware and a nondestructive evaluation instrument supported by a pan-tilt mechanism. The system further comprises a computer system that is programmed to perform the following operations: (a) directing the local positioning system hardware toward an area of a surface on a target object by control of the pan-tilt mechanism; (b) activating the local positioning system hardware to acquire an image; (c) processing the image to determine whether an anomaly is present in the area; (d) if an anomaly is present, determining coordinates of a position of the anomaly in a coordinate system of the target object; and (e) directing the nondestructive evaluation instrument toward a position corresponding to the coordinates. Optionally, the computer system is further programmed to measure one or more characteristics of the anomaly. |
| US09285292B2 |
Method of optimizing the performance of an aircraft, a device, and an aircraft
A method of optimizing the performance of a rotary wing aircraft having at least one turbine engine with a gas generator and a turbine assembly comprising at least one turbine. In a definition step (STP1), first and second performance levels are defined for the aircraft. During a health check step (STP2), a first power margin is determined as a function of a speed of rotation of said gas generator and a second power margin is determined as a function of a temperature in said turbine assembly. During an evaluation step (STP3), each power margin is compared with a first threshold in order to determine whether a target performance level is equal to the first performance level or to the second performance level. During a display step (STP4), the target performance level is displayed. |
| US09285291B2 |
Test system and method for flexible containers
A portable test device and related method are disclosed for conducting integrity testing of flexible containers. The test is particularly useful for testing aseptic flexible film bags in a manner that maintains the sterile nature of the container and removes crinkles by inflating the containers to remove crinkles and establish an inflation set point. The decay in pressure is measured over a predetermined period of time; if pressure loss does not exceed a predetermined threshold the integrity of the bag is confirmed and it can be filled without further manipulation of the container that may result in introducing flaws. |
| US09285286B2 |
Slew rate detection circuit
A sensing system comprising a sensor for generating an analog electrical signal indicative of a sensed physical property and an A/D converter for converting the analog electrical signal into a digital electrical signal. A control circuit connected to the A/D converter is configured to receive the digital electrical signal and to perform a plurality of sensing system operations including determining a measurement value of the physical property as a function of said received digital electrical signal. A slew rate detection circuit connected to the sensor is configured to detect when the analog electrical signal indicates a slew rate that exceeds a threshold value, and to generate an interrupt electrical signal when the slew rate is detected as exceeding the threshold value. The control circuit determines a measurement value of the physical property in response to receiving the interrupt signal. |
| US09285276B2 |
Probe cover with matching feature for a medical thermometer
A probe cover for medical thermometer has a matching feature for preventing its use with an incompatible thermometer. A mechanical matching feature of the probe cover includes at least one of a fold, a step, or a series of holes or indentations that are respectively matched to a ridge, a valley or series of pins formed on the front end of a compatible thermometer. When applied to the compatible thermometer, the mechanical matching feature permits the probe cover to be fully seated on and retained by the probe, thereby placing the thermometer in condition for use. Alternatively, an opto-electronic matching feature of the probe cover includes a reflective layer for use with an opto-electronic detection circuit of a compatible thermometer. When applied to the compatible thermometer, the opto-electronic detection detects the reflective layer and places the compatible thermometer in an operational state for use. |
| US09285263B2 |
Measurement device
To prevent measurement errors caused by impact including an impact load transmitted at high speed or static electricity and prevent destruction of a sensor unit due to the above-mentioned impact load. Through-holes (12f) are formed in four corners of a pan receiver, upwardly protruding pieces (14a) of a plate spring fixed to a bottom surface of the pan receiver are inserted into the through-holes (12f), and pan receiver legs are attached to the upwardly protruding pieces (14a). When a pan is mounted on the pan receiver, four corners of the pan are supported by the upper surfaces of gel-like cushioning bodies and the upper ends of coil springs, impact applied to the pan including an impact load transmitted at high speed is absorbed by the gel-like cushioning bodies, and the lower ends of the coil springs contact the upwardly protruding pieces (14a) of the plate spring, so that the pan assumes a conducting state with the pan receiver via the coil springs and the plate spring, and even if the pan is charged with static electricity, the static electricity due to charging can be released to the pan receiver via the coil springs and the plate spring. |
| US09285250B2 |
Universal sensor fitting for process applications
A universal fitting for in-line fluid measurement in a process application. The fitting including an inlet and outlet port. The fitting also having a body with a fluid flow passage providing fluid communication between the ports. A sensor housing is provided that extends outwardly away from a wall of the body, wherein the housing is sized to receive a sensor assembly, which assembly measures at least one characteristic of the fluid. A base of each housing integrally formed with the wall and including a sensor seat for receiving a portion of the sensor assembly. A probe aperture receives a probe portion of the sensor assembly, each housing having the probe aperture disposed in the wall and extending from the fluid passage through its respective sensor seat. |
| US09285246B2 |
Method and system for absolute three-dimensional measurements using a twist-insensitive shape sensor
An apparatus includes a reference fixture. The reference fixture includes a joint, and a joint tracker to track motion of the joint. The apparatus also includes a surgical instrument. A tether is connected between the joint and the surgical instrument. A shape sensor extends from the reference fixture through the joint, through the tether, and into the surgical instrument. The shape sensor is substantially free of twist. The joint tracker measures the motion of the joint. Information from the shape sensor in combination with information from the joint tracker provides absolute three-dimensional information relative to the reference fixture, i.e., provides absolute three-dimensional information in a fixed world reference frame. |
| US09285243B2 |
Automated meter reading system and energy conservation method using same
The present invention provides a meter retrofit and method for use thereof, utilizing a transducer with an encoder driven by a rotating shaft of a meter reading dial, the transducer including a plurality of encoder contacts surrounding a rotation axis, with each encoder contact connected to a magnetic switch. A wiper connects to the shaft and rotates around the rotation axis, sequentially contacting the plurality of encoder contacts, providing a variable signal to a monitoring device. |
| US09285241B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for games, sports, entertainment and other activities of engagement
Devices, systems, and methods according to one such aspect of the invention comprises (i) a sensing device that is attached (or otherwise coupled) to a skateboard and that measures a physical characteristic of it and/or of its environment, (ii) an audio output device, and (iii) a digital data processor that is communicatively coupled to the audio output device and the sensor. The digital data processor drives the audio output device to effect one or more selected sounds (e.g., to prompt the user to perform a selected action). The digital data processor, further, and monitors the sensing device to identify user actions in response to those sounds and drives the audio output device to effect still further sounds based on those actions. |
| US09285240B2 |
EV route optimization through crowdsourcing
The present disclosure involves determining charging equipment availability through crowdsourcing. Information is gathered from a plurality of electrically powered vehicle in a geographical region. The charging stations in the geographical region are displayed. A request is received, from a user, to determine occupancy of the electrical charging equipment at one or more of the charging stations during a specified future time window. A calculation is performed based on the information gathered from the electrically powered vehicles. The calculation calculates a probability of the electrical charging equipment at the one or more charging stations being unoccupied during the specified future time window. As a part of the calculation, a weighted probability is assigned to each charging station of being visited by at least one of the electrically powered vehicles. The probability is communicated to the driver. |
| US09285235B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and program
The present technique relates to an information processing device, an information processing method and a program which can accumulate sufficient movement history data with a little power consumption. A similarity search unit searches for a past route similar to the immediate movement history which is acquired by a position sensor unit and which has time series position data, from the search data stored in a past history DB. A fitness determination unit determines whether or not goodness of fit of the past route searched by the similarity search unit and the immediate movement history is a predetermined threshold or more. A sensor control unit controls an acquisition interval of the position data of the position sensor unit according to a determination result of the fitness determination unit. The technique of this disclosure is applicable to a prediction device which, for example, acquires position data and predicts a predicted route. |
| US09285229B2 |
Method of updating a database of a navigation device and navigation device
To update a database of a navigation device which stores at least a base version of a digital map, versions of the digital map which are available locally in the database or remotely from the navigation device are identified. To execute the navigation task, a version of the digital map is selected for execution of the navigation task. Data from a sub-set of storage blocks in which the selected version is stored is required to execute the navigation task. Depending on whether all storage blocks of the sub-set are already stored locally in the database, data stored in storage blocks of the sub-set which are not yet stored locally in the database are downloaded via a wireless interface. The downloaded data are stored in the database without modifying the base version of the digital map. |
| US09285226B2 |
Methods and apparatus for navigational routing
Systems and techniques for updated routing are described. A device computes a route from an origin to a destination and provides updated navigation information as a user travels along the route. In response to a change in orientation of the device, a display element is presented indicating the orientation of the device, allowing the user to enter an indication to compute an updated routing based on the orientation of the device. In one or more embodiments of the invention, a user may be presented with routing information such as time and distance information based on potential routing computed a detected orientation of an orientation detection device. |
| US09285225B2 |
Using magnetometer data to calculate angular rate measurement bias
Implementations are disclosed for using magnetometer measurements to estimate bias for angular rate measurements provided by an angular rate sensor (e.g., a gyro sensor). In some implementations, a bias estimator running on a device is configured to determine if the device is rotating based on the magnetometer measurements. If the device is not rotating, a dynamic bias is calculated and added to a temperature compensated static bias to provide a total angular rate measurement bias. The total angular rate measurement bias can be provided to an attitude estimation system where it is used to update an attitude (orientation) of the device. In some implementations, the angular rate measurements are used to determine if the device is oscillating according to a threshold value. If the device is not rotating and the device is oscillating according to a threshold value, the static bias is updated in a calibration table. |
| US09285222B2 |
Autonomous vehicle power line position and load parameter estimation
A system and method for providing autonomous navigation for an Autonomous Vehicle such as an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) or an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) in the vicinity of power lines or other signal carrying lines or underwater cable is presented. Autonomous navigation is achieved by measuring the magnitude and phase of the electromagnetic field at an unknown location within a space under excitation by a set of power cables of the power line with one or more orthogonal electromagnetic sensors formed on the AV; and estimating parameters related to a position and orientation of the AV, and load parameters of each cable based on the residual error between the measured set of complex electromagnetic field values corresponding to a combined model of the set of power cables. |
| US09285221B2 |
Route re-planning using enemy force lethality projection
A method, system and computer readable media for route re-planning including generating enemy force movement predictions to be used during mission planning. During a mission, enemy force movements can be compared to the predictions. By using enemy force movement predictions for an initial comparison, the enemy force movements may only need to be compared to the own force mission plan if the enemy forces deviate from the predictions. When enemy force movement deviates from the predictions, new enemy force movement predictions can be generated. The new enemy force movement predictions can then be compared to the own force mission plan to determine if a route re-plan is needed. The route can be re-planned to determine a route that reduces or eliminates the chance of a lethal encounter with an enemy or threat. |
| US09285220B2 |
Navigation system and method
The invention relates to a navigation system, which includes an appliance for finding a desired route from a starting point to an end point. The navigation system includes explicit markings discernible by the senses, which are located on the route, and the markings on the route are arranged in the appliance in the order of progression. The invention also relates to a navigation method. |
| US09285218B2 |
Shortest travel path determination using critical start time points
A shortest path from a source to a destination for a current start time in a set of start times is determined. A processor identifies a critical start time in the set of start times that is temporally separated from the current start time by at least one intermediate start time. The shortest path from the source to the destination for the current start time is set as the shortest path for the at least one intermediate start time without separately determining the shortest path for the at least one intermediate start time. A different shortest path is determined from the source to the destination for the critical start time. |
| US09285216B2 |
Method and device for determining an axle geometry of a vehicle
A method for determining characteristics of an axle geometry of a vehicle including the following: steering a wheel mounted on an axle of the vehicle to various steering positions having different steering angles; determining the spatial position of the wheel at the different steering positions; determining the particular axis of rotation of the wheel in the different steering positions from the results of the determination of the spatial position; modeling a parametric model of the steering axis; adapting the parametric model of the steering axis to the axes of rotation of the wheel determined from the measurement of the spatial position; and determining characteristics of the axle geometry from the adapted parametric model of the steering axis. |
| US09285213B2 |
Automated product profiling apparatus and product slicing system using the same
An apparatus for acquiring a profile of a food product for use in subsequent processing of the food product includes a scanning area and one or more product drives for driving a product through the scanning area in a longitudinal direction. First line lasers project one first transverse laser line transversely to the longitudinal direction on the first surface and two first cameras arranged to capture different, overlapping first transverse image portions of the first transverse laser line. A reference laser projects a beam on the first surface that indicates a transverse reference position, and the two first cameras also capture the reference position. A control system uses the transverse reference position to combine the different first transverse image portions captured by the two first cameras to calculate a first profile of the first surface at multiple positions along a length of the first surface as the product is driven through the scanning area. |
| US09285209B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating tomography image
Provided are a tomography image generating method and an apparatus for generating a tomography image. The method of generating a tomography image includes, in response to a depth scan operation performed on an object, generating a candidate tomography image by using an interference signal acquired by the performed depth scan operation, determining a pixel pattern by using the generated candidate tomography image; and when the depth scan operation performed on the object is completed, generating a final tomography image of the object by using a finally determined pixel pattern. The generating the candidate tomography image and the determining are parallel processed by at least one processor during the depth scan operation being repeatedly performed. |
| US09285201B2 |
Form measuring instrument
A form measuring instrument includes: a body; a movable member including: a stylus holder being rotatably supported by the body; a stylus being held by the stylus holder; and a tip being provided at an end of the stylus and being contactable with a workpiece surface; a measurement-force-applying unit being adapted to generate a rotation force acting on the stylus holder to bring the tip of the stylus into contact with the workpiece surface; a displacement detector being provided to a portion of the stylus holder to detect a displacement of the stylus holder resulting from a rotation thereof; and a vibration generator being adapted to apply vibration to the stylus holder. |
| US09285200B2 |
Processing diameter measurement device with grinder measurement malfunction assessment function
An in-process diameter measuring apparatus equipped with a function of determining a measurement abnormality of a grinding machine is provided. The apparatus measures the diameter of a to-be-processed surface of a workpiece in the process of the workpiece. A sizing device (2) is provided including measuring heads (2X and 2Y) for detecting two locations spaced apart from each other in a diametric direction of the workpiece (W). Based on respective measured values of those measuring heads (2X and 2Y), the diametric dimension is calculated by a dimension calculator (32). With respect to the abnormality detection, the difference between the measured values (G1 and G2) of the measuring heads (2X and 2Y) is determined by a measurement abnormality determiner (34) and the occurrence of the measurement abnormality is determined when this measurement value difference (Δα) depart from a predetermined permissible range. |
| US09285199B2 |
Shell for explosive
A booster shell, comprising: an elongate body defining a chamber for an explosive composition, the body comprising an upper end and a lower end; an inlet at the upper end of the elongate body adapted to allow an explosive composition to be delivered into the chamber; a detonator receiving passage adapted to receive a detonator, the detonator receiving passage: (a) extending within the chamber from the upper end of the elongate body to the lower end of the elongate body; (b) being integrally formed with the elongate body; and (c) including a detonator stop at or near to the lower end of the elongate body; and a detonator lead guide adapted to receive the lead of a detonator, the detonator lead guide: (a) extending from the upper end of the elongate body to the lower end of the elongate body and (b) being integrally formed with the elongate body. |
| US09285196B2 |
Ground-projectile guidance system
A guidance unit system is configured to be used for a ground-launched projectile. The system includes a housing configured to be attached to a ground-launched projectile. The housing is coupled to an attachment region that attaches to the projectile, wherein the housing is configure to rotate relative to the attachment region. A motor is contained within the housing and a bearing surrounding the motor. The bearing is rigidly attached to the housing such that the motor rotates with the housing and shields the motor from inertial loads experienced by the housing. |
| US09285193B2 |
Vehicle seat
The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a base portion for attachment in a vehicle; a seat bottom part, with a top side and an underside, which seat bottom part is attached to the base portion; a waist belt, which extends between the seat bottom part's sides. At least one hinge mechanism that is adjustable between a first and a second position is arranged at the base portion. The waist belt is attached to the hinge mechanism, so that the waist belts position in relation to the seat bottom part changes when one on the seat bottom part acting force reaches a predetermined value, which force leads the hinge mechanism from the first to the second position. |
| US09285191B2 |
Polymer coatings for enhanced and field-repairable transparent armor
A coating of atactic polypropylene over a transparent armor substrate improves resistance to penetration while allowing convenient repair of minor abrasions and scratches. |
| US09285187B2 |
Reticle piece having level indicating device
A reticle piece for use in an optical sight includes a generally cylinder-shaped body having a front face and a back face opposed therefrom. The reticle piece includes a reticle pattern and a level indicating device positioned between the front face and the back face of the body. The level indicating device includes a moveable leveling indicator. |
| US09285185B2 |
System for providing electrical power to accessories mounted on the powered rail of a weapon
A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapon Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided to provide a point of electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The powered rail(s) are electrically interconnected with a power source, which typically is a battery mounted in the butt stock of the weapon. |
| US09285184B1 |
Integrated gun stock
A gun stock, for attaching to a rifle having a receiver with a grip mounting plate and a barrel extender, the stock having a main part, a forward grip, a rear grip having a rear grip front, and a butt extending behind both the rear grip and main part. The forward grip has a grip mount for attaching to the grip mounting plate and a thumb opening. The rear grip has a pair of indentures that extend from near the butt forwardly toward the rear grip front. The main part has a front surface, a barrel extender tube having a barrel extender opening on the front surface and extending rearwardly to the butt. The barrel extender is inserted into the barrel extender opening and to the butt where it is secured to the gun stock with a barrel extender bolt. |
| US09285180B2 |
Bow limb retaining system
A bow limb retaining assembly comprises a limb and a retainer having a cavity for receiving the limb. The retainer comprises opposed lateral surfaces, a first abutting surface arranged to contact a compression surface of the limb and a second abutting surface arranged to contact a tension surface of the limb. A first length portion of the retainer includes the first abutting surface and excludes the second abutting surface, and a second length portion of the retainer includes the second abutting surface and excludes the first abutting surface. |
| US09285178B2 |
Method for improving rifle accuracy
A method is shown for increasing rifle accuracy. The rifle component parts are tuned for hitting a target at the same spot for a given fixed distance. The characteristics of the rifle barrel design give it an infinitely tunable positive compensation. The positive compensation characteristics of the rifle can be varied by adjusting a tensioning bar welded to the rifle recoil lug and an associated adjustment knob extending from the action to the exterior of the rifle stock. Increasing the tension on the tensioning bar reduces the upswing of the rifle barrel from the stock under the force of recoil. |
| US09285177B1 |
System and a method for protected reloading of a remote controlled weapon station
RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapon System or Station) of the deck-penetrator type and a method for protected reloading of a weapon system that is fed by belt of rounds from an ammunition container that is positioned in the RCWS, wherein the RWCS includes a system for protected reloading of the weapons system, that comprises—a bracket, that on it the ammunition container is mounted, and the bracket is amenable to be propelled via an opening in the deck of the vehicle upon which the RCWS is positioned, unto an inner space of the carrier vehicle and back from this space to the RCWS; and means for movably positioning the bracket, in at least two states—a first state wherein the bracket is positioned inside the inner space of the carrier vehicle and for reloading anew the weapons system; and a second state wherein the bracket is a least substantially embedded in the RCWS for feeding the weapons system by a belt of rounds from inside of the ammunition container that is positioned on the bracket. |
| US09285173B2 |
Condenser
A first header tank of a condenser serves as a condensation section outlet header section. A second header tank has lower end upper ends respectively located below and above the lower end of the first header tank. A portion of a second header tank located below the lower end of the first header tank serves as a super-cooling section inlet header section. The second header tank also serves as a reservoir section. The interior of the condensation section outlet header section of the first header tank communicates, through a communication section, with a portion of the interior of the second header tank, which portion is located above the lower end of the first header tank. A flow velocity reducing member is provided in the second header tank so as to reduce the flow velocity of liquid-phase dominant refrigerant which flows into the reservoir section through the communication section. |
| US09285170B2 |
Hybrid radiator cooling system
A method and hybrid radiator-cooling apparatus for implementing enhanced radiator-cooling are provided. The hybrid radiator-cooling apparatus includes an air-side finned surface for air cooling; an elongated vertically extending surface extending outwardly from the air-side finned surface on a downstream air-side of the hybrid radiator; and a water supply for selectively providing evaporative cooling with water flow by gravity on the elongated vertically extending surface. |
| US09285166B2 |
Heat pump laundry dryer
The present invention relates to a heat pump laundry dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be dried is placed, an air duct (3) wherein the processing air cycle is realized, a processing air fan (4) that provides the circulation of the processing air, a compressor (5) that realizes the refrigerant cycle, an evaporator (6) that provides the processing air in the air duct (3) to be dehumidified, a condenser (7) that provides the dehumidified processing air to be heated, a refrigerant line (8) that provides the refrigerant pressurized by the compressor (5) to pass through the condenser (7) and the evaporator (6) to be delivered to the compressor (5) again and a cooling fan (9) that provides the compressor (5) to be cooled. |
| US09285164B2 |
Cold box sheet metal jacket
The invention relates to an enclosure for parts of a low-temperature air separation system. The side walls extending perpendicular to the base surface of the enclosure are each lined with a sheet metal jacket consisting of several panels (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b). The joints of the panels (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) of a side wall all have the same distance from one another. |
| US09285159B2 |
Refrigerator and dispenser for refrigerator
There are provided a refrigerator and a dispenser for the refrigerator. A light emitting unit is provided to emit light toward manipulation member of the dispenser so that the dispenser can be conveniently used and have a better aesthetic appearance. |
| US09285153B2 |
High performance refrigerator having passive sublimation defrost of evaporator
A high performance refrigerator or freezer includes a cabinet with a refrigerated interior, a first evaporator cover separating a first evaporator compartment within the cabinet from the refrigerated interior, and a refrigeration fluid circuit having a first evaporator located within the first evaporator compartment, a second evaporator, and a three-way valve enabling selective communication of refrigerant to one or both of the evaporators. The second evaporator includes an air diffuser that receives chilled air from the first evaporator compartment and delivers the chilled air into the refrigerated interior. During normal operation, the three-way valve only directs refrigerant into the first evaporator such that the first evaporator cools the cabinet and the chilled air from the first evaporator passively defrosts the second evaporator by sublimation. |
| US09285149B2 |
Integrated ice and beverage dispenser
An automated ice dispenser (30) decouples the action of agitating ice stored in an ice bin (69) and the action of dispensing the ice and, additionally, uses a controlled action to dispense the ice. Agitation is achieved with a horizontally mounted agitator (91). Ice is dispensed with a horizontally mounted auger (124). The ice dispenser (30) uses the force created by the auger (124) to push the ice through an opening (71) and out of the bin (69), making the dispensing more consistent and providing the ability to overcome clumping. By making the agitation action independent of the dispensing action, the incidence of clumping is reduced. Agitation is controlled by software, whereunder the agitator (91) turns on based on the cumulative run time of the auger (124). Auger run time and agitation time (as well as other configurable parameters) are adjustable by DIP switches (134) on a control board (133). |
| US09285143B2 |
Arrangement of a thermoelectric heat pump
An arrangement of a thermoelectric heat pump in at least one first fluid circuit, one second fluid circuit and one third fluid circuit is provided for a motor vehicle. The arrangement has a first heat exchanger provided for exchange of heat between a fluid of the first fluid circuit and a fluid of a third fluid circuit, and a second heat exchanger is provided for the exchange of heat between a fluid of the second fluid circuit and the fluid of the third fluid circuit. In each case one thermoelectric element is arranged between the heat exchange regions of the first heat exchanger and between the heat exchange regions of the second heat exchanger. |
| US09285139B2 |
Structure and articulation system for solar collectors
Solar energy may be harvested utilizing arrays of solar collectors, supported and articulated to follow movement of the sun. Particular systems include arrays of solar collectors mounted on an elevation-azimuth tracking structure. From the ground up, embodiments of this system may include a Ground Interface, a Base, an Upper Truss, and a Collector. The system is designed to transmit loads with minimal deflection from the surface of the collector to the ground, while tracking the position of the sun across the sky. The use of structural, actuator, and collector elements with a minimum amount of low-cost materials, and which are able to be mass produced, allows large scale deployment of the system at reduced cost. |
| US09285137B2 |
Arrangement for heating a medical fluid, medical functional device, medical treatment apparatus and method
An arrangement for heating a medical fluid includes at least one electrically operated first heating device including at least one first warm section heating during operation of the first heating device and at least one first cold section cooling during operation of the first heating device; a first area for receiving the medical fluid to be heated, in which the first area is in heat exchange relation with the first warm section of the first heating device; and a second area that is in heat exchange relation with the first cold section of the first heating device. A medical functional device, a medical treatment apparatus as well as methods for setting and/or maintaining the temperature of a medical fluid are also described. |
| US09285131B2 |
Venting and cooling system for a house
A dwelling venting and cooling system that includes a set of side-by-side conduits wherein first and third conduits utilize a fan assembly that is actuated by wind power in order to vent hot air from an attic. The second conduit provides an electric fan that actuates the fan assemblies of the first and third conduits at times when wind is not sufficient to actuate the fan assemblies. The system further has attic air ducts that are in communication with vents in rooms within the dwelling in order to convey all hot air to the attic and out of the dwelling. In addition a cooling system that utilizes a water-to-air exchanger provides cool air into air ducts within the dwelling in order to replace the hot air with cool air. |
| US09285130B2 |
Air conditioner
Disclosed is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a main body having a blower fan to circulate air, a rotator rotatably provided in the main body, a tray provided in the main body to store humidifying water therein, and a humidifying gear module provided at a periphery thereof with a lifter connected to the rotator, the humidifying gear module being rotatably arranged in the tray so as to be rotated upon receiving rotational force of the rotator. The lifter of the humidifying gear module functions to scoop up the humidifying water during rotation of the rotator. |
| US09285128B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus with multiple outdoor, indoor, and multiple relay units
An air-conditioning apparatus includes refrigerating cycle systems each connecting a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a refrigerant flow path switching device, a heat source side heat exchanger for exchanging heat for the refrigerant, an expansion device for adjusting the pressure of the refrigerant, and heat exchangers related to heat medium which exchanges heat between the refrigerant and heat medium different from the refrigerant, by piping so as to constitute refrigerant circuits; and heat medium side systems each connecting pumps for circulating the heat medium for the heat exchangers related to heat medium, use side heat exchangers for exchange heat between the heat medium and air of an air-conditioning target space and heat medium flow switching systems for switching the heat medium which passes through each heat exchangers related to heat medium to each use side heat exchanger, by piping so as to constitute a heat medium circulation circuit. |
| US09285121B2 |
Gas turbine cooling circuit including a seal for a perforated plate
A cooling circuit of a gas turbine passes an airflow through a combustor section that includes a plurality of mixing tubes for transporting a fuel/air mixture and a perforated plate including a plurality of impingement holes and a plurality of tube holes for accommodating the mixing tubes. The tube holes and the mixing tubes form a plurality of annulus areas between the perforated plate and the mixing tubes. The impingement holes and the annulus areas are configured to pass the airflow through the perforated plate. A flow management device modifies an effective size of the annulus areas to control a distribution of the airflow through the impingement holes and the annulus areas of the perforated plate to enhance cooling efficiency. |
| US09285120B2 |
Igniter shield device and methods associated therewith
An igniter shield for use in combination with an igniter includes a substantially cylindrical-shaped body that includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first longitudinally oriented support and a second longitudinally oriented support wherein the first and second longitudinally oriented supports extend between and are connected to the proximal portion and the distal portion, the substantially cylindrical-shaped body further including a longitudinally oriented baffle circumferentially spaced apart from the first and second longitudinally oriented supports, wherein the baffle extends between and is connected to the proximal portion and the distal portion, and wherein the baffle includes a radially outward facing convex surface and a radially inward facing concave surface, the radially inward facing concave surface having a radius of curvature smaller than a radius of curvature of at least one of the proximal or distal portions. |
| US09285119B2 |
Electrical connection for connecting a thermocouple to the magnet assembly of a safety cock for gas supply
Electrical connection for connecting a phase conductor and ground cable of a thermocouple to the magnet assembly of a gas supply safety cock, including a thermocouple connection head that can be coupled to a complementary contact portion of the magnet assembly, in which the connection head of the thermocouple has a first terminal for the phase conductor, or for the ground cable, and a second terminal for the ground cable, or for the phase conductor, and in which the aforesaid contact portion of the magnet assembly has a complementary jack for the first terminal and a coupling collar for the second terminal. The second terminal advantageously has at least one thin elastic plate internally insertable in the collar, and the thermocouple's connection head and the contact portion of the magnet assembly are shaped to deform the thin elastic plate when inserted inside the same collar in contact with the latter. |
| US09285114B2 |
Burner
A burner includes a tube, which includes a pre-mixing chamber that generates an air-fuel mixture containing fuel and a combustion chamber that burns the fuel. A first pipe supplies fuel, which is heated by an electric heater to the pre-mixing chamber. A second pipe includes a heat exchange unit that converts combustion heat of the fuel to vaporization heat of the fuel and supplies fuel heated by the heat exchange unit to the pre-mixing chamber. The second pipe is branched from the first pipe at a branched point, and the electric heater and the heat exchange unit are connected in parallel to the pre-mixing chamber. |
| US09285110B2 |
Theft resistant collar and lamp
A lamp assembly for attachment to a vehicle, comprising a lamp which includes a housing having an axially extending member, the axially extending member extendable through an opening in a vehicle mounting panel and below the vehicle mounting panel. An anti-theft collar is included around at least a portion of the axially extending member, the collar being securable to said axially extending member. The collar has a first set of projections to snap fit attach to the vehicle mounting panel at a first depth and a second set of projections to snap fit attach to the vehicle mounting panel at a second depth. |
| US09285107B2 |
Retrofit lighting device
There is provided a lighting device (100) comprising at least one light source for providing light, a envelope encompassing said light source, a base to which said envelope is engaged, and a control means for adjusting the lighting settings of said lighting device. The control means are arranged for detecting a position in relation to the base of a point of reference being movably arranged on the lighting device. The lighting settings are adjusted in response to the detected position. |
| US09285099B2 |
Parabolic troffer-style light fixture
A parabolic troffer-style light fixture. The fixtures are sized to fit in, mount to, or suspend from a ceiling, such as being mounted in a conventional ceiling T-grid, for example. The fixture comprises a troffer housing that may be sized to fit in or rest on the T-grid, with the housing having a shape and size similar to those used for conventional fluorescent troffer lighting fixtures. The fixtures comprise a plurality of reflective louvers arranged in a grid that divides the fixture open end into a number of fixture regions with at least one functional louver providing a back side mount surface for light sources, for example, light emitting diodes. The functional louver mount surface faces a reflective back surface designed to redirect impinging light out of the fixture and into the lighted area. |
| US09285098B2 |
LED luminaire
A luminaire having an array of light emitting diodes on a circuit board, and a generally planar lens element adjacent each of the LEDs, wherein each lens element has a plurality of concentric ridges projecting from a surface of the lens member to define Fresnel facets for redirecting light emitted from the corresponding LED, providing more uniform light distribution in a compact configuration. |
| US09285096B2 |
Illumination unit, projection display unit, and direct-view display unit
An illumination unit includes: light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device, the solid-state light-emitting device emitting light from a light emission region thereof, the light emission region including a plurality of light-emitting spots arranged along a predetermined direction; and an optical member, in which the optical member includes coupling lenses, the solid-state light-emitting device includes a single chip or a plurality of chips, the single chip or the plurality of chips in the solid-state light-emitting device having the plurality of light-emitting spots each include a laser diode, and a first coupling lens of the coupling lenses has a smaller lens effect along the predetermined direction than a lens effect along a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the light emission region, the first coupling lens on which laser light emitted from the solid-state light-emitting device having the plurality of light-emitting spots is incident. |
| US09285094B2 |
Vehicle lamp unit
There is provided a lamp unit which is to be installed in a vehicle. The lamp unit includes a light source; a projector lens; a rotary shade that is disposed behind the projector lens so as to block a portion of the light emitted from the light source and that has a rotation axis; and a drive mechanism that rotates the rotary shade about the rotation axis. The rotary shade includes: a first end edge; a second end edge; and a twisted end edge that extends around the rotation axis so as to intersect with the first end edge and the second end edge. A first inclination angle is formed between the rotation axis and a first imaginary plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis of the projector lens. |
| US09285093B2 |
Self-locating light source module
A self-locating light source module for an automotive lamp assembly having a reflector and housing to which the module is mounted. The light source module includes a socket and a light source holder captively retained in an aperture of the socket. The light source holder can undergo limited movement relative to the socket along a plurality of axes, including a central axis of the socket. The light source holder and central passage in the reflector having complementary tapered surfaces with the holder being biased into engagement with the passage such that the tapered surfaces and permitted relative movement of the holder allow the light source to self-locate at the desired position within the reflector. |
| US09285091B2 |
LED light module
The invention relates to a vehicle headlamp (1) for producing a main light distribution and an auxiliary light distribution, wherein the vehicle headlamp (1) comprises two or more LED light modules (10), wherein each of the LED light modules (10) comprises one or more primary LED light sources (11), wherein a primary LED light source (11′) comprises at least one light-emitting diode, comprises two or more secondary LED light sources (12, 12a), wherein a secondary LED light source (12, 12a) comprises at least one light-emitting diode (12′), and comprises a lens (13), wherein the light emitted by the at least one primary LED light source (11) is radiated directly onto the lens (13) and projected by the lens into the exterior space, wherein the light emitted by the primary LED light sources (11) of a all LED modules (10) forms the main light distribution, and wherein the light emitted by the secondary LED light sources (12, 12a) of an LED modules (10) is radiated onto the lens (13) of the LED module (10) by means of an optical waveguide (14), which lens (13) projects the light into the exterior space, and wherein the light emitted by the secondary LED light sources (12, 12a) of all LED modules (10) forms the auxiliary light distribution, wherein preferably at least one of the secondary LED light sources (12a) shines directly through the optical waveguide (14) in order to achieve a homogeneous light distribution contribution to the auxiliary light distribution, and wherein light is coupled by at least one of the secondary LED light sources (12) into the optical waveguide (14) via at least one light incoupling point (140) and exits directed substantially parallel via at least one light decoupling point (141) in order to produce a maximum contribution to the auxiliary light distribution. |
| US09285083B2 |
Light emitting device module
A light emitting device module is provided comprising a light emitting device package, a printed circuit board on which the light emitting device package is arranged and a sealing member that surrounds the light emitting device package and the printed circuit board, wherein a predetermined space is formed between the light emitting device package and the printed circuit board and the sealing member. |
| US09285074B2 |
Mounting brace assembly for mounting an electrical box
A brace assembly is provided having a brace for mounting to a support and a hanger member. The hanger member is coupled to the brace by a bar positioned in a longitudinal slot in the bottom side of the brace. The bar enables the hanger member to slide along the length of the brace. The hanger member has a bottom wall and side walls with a top end for coupling to a support. A mounting bracket is removably coupled to the hanger member for supporting the brace. |
| US09285072B1 |
Universal jackshaft mounting plate and kit
This invention relates to a jackshaft mounting plate for connection to a motor that forms part of a jackshaft plate mounting kit. The mounting plate includes a flat base plate operably securable to a bottom surface of the motor and a pair of supports connected to the base plate to rotatably support a jackshaft therebetween. The jackshaft is operably connected to the output shaft of the motor such that the output of the motor can be translated by the jackshaft to operate an attachment operably connected to the jackshaft opposite the motor. |
| US09285067B2 |
Modular double adjustable chock
An adjustable chock (100) of a modular design comprises a first element (102), a second element (108), a center element (104), and a center stud (106). In operational use of the chock, the first element engages with a piece of machinery (101) and the second element engages with a support (103). The first element (102) and the center element (106) have complementarily shaped contact surfaces to allow for lateral adjustment of the first element relative to the second element. The center stud (106) is connected to the center element (104) through a screwed connection. The center stud (106) is connected to the second element (108) through another screwed connection. The modular design allows using the same first element (102), the same second element (108) and the same center element (104) with center studs of different lengths. |
| US09285064B2 |
Coupling safety apparatus for a lever activated valve
A safety apparatus for a lever activated valve having a tubular outlet to which a hose is coupled, a valve member and a lever secured to the valve member which pivots to move the valve member between a valve open and valve closed position. The safety apparatus includes a support having a clamp adapted for attachment to a tubular outlet of a lever activated valve. A shroud is pivotally mounted to the support for movement between an operative position overlying the tubular outlet to prevent access to cam lock coupling ears and an inoperative position spaced from the tubular outlet. A lever cradle is provided on the shroud. The lever engages the lever cradle of the shroud when the lever position is pivoted to move the valve member to the valve open position, so that the shroud is held in the operative position by the lever. |
| US09285062B2 |
Spiral-wound gasket
A spiral-wound gasket for use in a HF alkylation unit and positioning between facing conduit flanges includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and low-compression spiral-wound portion positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. |
| US09285061B2 |
Housing-type pipe joint
The present invention is to enable a reduction in a fastening work, the confirmation of a fastening completion position where pipes are surely coupled, and the easy installation of a joint at an appropriate position between pipe ends without dissembling a housing at all, thereby making a work of coupling the pipes an extremely simple operation, and in addition, to make it possible to surely couple and fix the pipes even when there is an error in depth of circumferential grooves of the pipes that are to be coupled, regarding a housing-type pipe joint which couples pipes by its arc portions being bent by fastening elements such as bolts and nuts so that their radii of curvature become smaller. |
| US09285060B2 |
Pipe coupling with teethed inserts, method of securing teethed inserts, and method of coupling piping
A coupling for joining plan end pipe having a housing made from a casting with a pocket disposed in the casting. The pockets holds an insert that engages the plain end pipe, and the insert is secured to the housing without the use of machined features on the housing or the use of additional components or adhesives to secure the insert to the housing. In a preferred embodiment, each insert is disposed in a pocket on the inner surface of the coupling assembly, with projections extending from the inner surface disposed within cavities on opposing sides of each insert to retain the insert within the pocket by obstructing the opening to the pocket. A preferred device and method of forming the projections is a press that deforms the projections to retain the inserts in the pockets. |
| US09285056B2 |
Electropneumatic field device
In an electropneumatic field device for controlling a pneumatic actuator, an energy converter converts pneumatic energy of a pneumatic power supply of the actuator into electrical energy. An oscillating permanent magnet receives a compressed air pulse to perform a forward motion. A return device transmits a return force to the oscillating permanent magnet for performing a return motion opposite to the forward motion. An electrical voltage is induced into a coil of the energy converter by the forward and return motions of the oscillating permanent magnet. The return device is designed to generate a magnetic field that is polarized with respect to the oscillating permanent magnet such that a magnetic repulsion return force induces the return motion. |
| US09285051B2 |
Control valve driven by stepping motor
A control valve includes: a body having valve holes for communicating an inlet port and the outlet ports together, respectively; valve elements for opening and closing valve sections by contacting and leaving the valve holes, respectively; a stepping motor having a rotor for driving the valve elements in the opening and closing directions of the valve sections; and a valve actuating member that drives the valve elements in the opening and closing directions of the valve sections by converting a rotational movement of the rotor around the axis line thereof into a translational movement of the valve actuating member in the axis line direction. The valve actuating member is supported by the rotor so as to be capable of making a translational movement of the valve actuating member in the axial direction with respect to the rotor, while a rotational movement with respect to the rotor is regulated. |
| US09285049B2 |
Thermostat device
A thermostat device having a first coolant flow path; a second coolant flow path; a casing including a thermostat container portion that communicates with the first and second coolant flow paths; a third coolant flow path that communicates with the thermostat container portion; a cap that covers the thermostat container portion; a thermostat including a thermo-element that advances and retreats in response to changes in temperature of a coolant that flows through the thermostat container portion; a temperature sensor disposed within the thermostat container portion and which detects the temperature of the coolant; a sensor mount in which the temperature sensor is embedded, integrated into an inside end of the cap; and a lead connector extending from the temperature sensor and integrated into an outside end of the cap. |
| US09285048B2 |
Anti-contamination valve handle shroud
An enclosure for a valve assembly includes a base having an opening that allows a portion of a valve assembly to pass therethrough, and a valve handle shroud, extending from the base, to encapsulate a handle/stem assembly of the valve assembly. |
| US09285040B2 |
High pressure fluid system
A high pressure fluid system including enhanced safety, maintenance and servicing features. The system can include a CAM assembly module, having a valve seat assembly, seal cartridge assembly and inlet manifold, that is easily installed in and removed from a frame and/discharge manifold as a single unit. A discharge manifold can isolate different pressure rated passageways of the system, and multiple rupture discs associated with the same. A discharge manifold end plate can be included to provide ease of repair of discharge outlets and to establish a plumbing system for the rupture discs. A quick coupler can facilitate connection between a plunger of the seal cartridge assembly and a cross head stub connected to a power frame. A lubrication valve assembly can provide and meter lubrication from a high pressure inlet source to a plunger and packing of the seal cartridge assembly. |
| US09285030B2 |
Method of controlling clutches in a multi-function torque converter
A method of controlling a multi-function torque converter including a cover, an impeller shell, a turbine shell, a first pressure chamber at least partially formed by the turbine shell and the cover; a second pressure chamber at least partially formed by the impeller and turbine shells, and a third pressure chamber at least partially formed by the impeller shell and the cover, an impeller clutch including a portion of the impeller shell, and a turbine clutch including a portion of the turbine shell, the method including: pressurizing the first pressure chamber to substantially a first fluid pressure level or to a second fluid pressure level greater than the first level; pressurizing the second pressure chamber to a third fluid pressure level greater than the first and second levels; passively draining the third pressure chamber to be substantially at the first level; and connecting the impeller shell to the cover. |
| US09285029B2 |
Twin clutch controlling apparatus
A twin clutch controlling apparatus including a shift motor for carrying out a smooth changeover of a shift stage of a multi-speed transmission having a plurality of gear trains between a main shaft and a countershaft, a twin clutch configured from an odd number stage side clutch and an even number stage side clutch, a clutch actuator for controlling the twin clutch, and a manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation section for arithmetically operating, based on an operational amount of a clutch lever, a manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation value (tqc1tmt) corresponding to the manual operation. The twin clutch controlling apparatus further includes a manual operation clutch decision section for determining with a clutch capacity of which one of the odd number stage side clutch or the even number stage side clutch the manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation value (tqc1tmt) is to be interlocked. |
| US09285027B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing bulk metallic glass-based strain wave gears and strain wave gear components
Bulk metallic glass-based strain wave gears and strain wave gear components. In one embodiment, a strain wave gear includes: a wave generator; a flexspline that itself includes a first set of gear teeth; and a circular spline that itself includes a second set of gear teeth; where at least one of the wave generator, the flexspline, and the circular spline, includes a bulk metallic glass-based material. |
| US09285025B2 |
Lock-up device for torque converter
A lock-up device includes a piston, a clutch part, a first hydraulic chamber, a second hydraulic chamber, a first hydraulic port and a second hydraulic port. The first hydraulic chamber is formed between a front cover and the piston, and the operating oil for actuating the piston is supplied thereto. The second hydraulic chamber is formed independently from the first hydraulic chamber on the same side as the first hydraulic chamber with reference to the piston, and the operating oil for actuating the piston is supplied thereto. The first hydraulic port supplies the operating oil to the first hydraulic chamber. The second hydraulic port is provided independently from the first hydraulic port, and supplies the operating oil to the second hydraulic chamber. |
| US09285019B2 |
Chain transmission device for driving camshaft
A timing chain is looped over a driving sprocket attached to a crankshaft and driven sprockets attached to camshafts. A pivotable chain guide having a plurality of rotatable rollers for guiding movements of a timing chain is provided on one side of a slack side of the timing chain. Adjustment force of a chain tensioner is applied to a remote end of the pivotable chain guide remote from a center of pivoting movement of the pivotable chain guide, thereby pressing the plurality of rotatable rollers against the timing chain. The ratio (D1/D2) between a pitch circle diameter D1 of the driving sprocket and an outer diameter D2 of the plurality of rotatable rollers is determined within a range of 5/3 to 5/1. |
| US09285018B2 |
Multi-speed gearbox
A multi-speed transmission in which a sun gear of a fourth planetary gear set is connected with the housing in a non-rotatable manner, a ring gear of a first planetary gear set is permanently connected with a ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set, a sun gear of the first planetary gear set and a sun gear of a second planetary gear set can be coupled with the housing, via a first brake, a carrier of the first planetary gear set can be coupled with the housing, via a second brake, and the output shaft can be coupled with a carrier of the fourth planetary gear set, via a first clutch. Variations of other couplings within the multi-speed transmission forms a set of transmissions having similar properties. |
| US09285016B2 |
Multi-ratio transmission
A transmission with nine forward and one reverse gear having four planetary gearsets, eight shafts and six shifting elements. The sun gears of gearsets (P1, P3) couple shaft (5), and can couple the housing by brake (05). Input shaft (1) can couple, via clutch (14), shaft (4), which couples carrier and sun gears of respective gearsets (P3, P2) and can couple housing via brake (04). Shaft (1) can couple, via clutch (17), shaft (7), which couples ring gear of gearset (P3) and can couple, via clutch (18), shaft (8) which couples ring gear and carrier of respective gearsets (P4, P2). Shaft (6) couples ring gear and carrier gear of respective gearsets (P2, P4). Shaft (3) couples sun gear of gearset (P4) and can couple, via brake (03), the housing. Output shaft (2) couples carrier and ring gear of respective gearsets (P4, P1). |
| US09285002B2 |
Disk brake of a motor vehicle and brake pad
A disc brake for a motor vehicle and a corresponding brake lining are provided. The disk brake includes a brake caliper straddling a brake disc, at least one brake lining with a lining carrier plate and friction lining, and a stationary brake mounting fixed to the vehicle having support protrusions that support the pad support plate on the inlet and on the outlet side. The support protrusion of the brake support on the inlet side and the support surface of the lining support plate adjacent to the support protrusion positively engage one another. |
| US09285000B2 |
Disc brake
A disc brake includes a caliper main body configured to have a pad assembling space that is disposed across over a disc rotor and opens toward an approximate middle thereof in a rotor radial direction and a connector part that crosses the pad assembling space in a rotor axial direction, and a pad spring that is engaged with the connector part of the caliper main body by a pair of claw portions facing each other, is installed on the caliper main body, and biases the brake pads in a rotor rotational outlet direction and inward in the rotor radial direction. The pad spring has a symmetrical shape with respect to the center in a longitudinal direction thereof, and the pair of claw portions are engaged with the connector part in a state in which the center in the longitudinal direction is offset in a rotor rotational direction with respect to the center in the rotor rotational direction of the brake pads. |
| US09284992B2 |
Wet clutch arrangement
A wet clutch arrangement, particularly starting clutch for a vehicle, including a housing arrangement which is filled or fillable with fluid, a friction coupling region having a first friction surface formation rotating with the housing arrangement around an axis of rotation and a second friction surface formation that rotates with a driven element around the axis of rotation and which can be brought into frictional engagement with the first friction surface formation, a fluid coupling region with an impeller rotating with the housing arrangement around the axis of rotation and with a turbine that rotates with the driven element around the axis of rotation and which, along with the impeller, defines a toroidal fluid circulation space. The fluid coupling region is arranged radially outside the friction coupling region. |
| US09284991B2 |
Journal cross of a universal joint
A journal cross of a universal joint includes a base body from which four journals extend outwardly, each journal of the four journals having a cylindrical section and an outer diameter and a length in an axial direction of the journal. The four journals are formed as tubular structures, an inner diameter of each of the tubular structures is at least 67% of the outer diameter of each of the tubular structures, the journal cross is formed as a one-piece component from which the four journals as well as the transitions between the four journals are also formed, and the four journals merge in a common cavity which is formed in an interior of the journal cross. |
| US09284989B2 |
Rotating drive shaft coupling
A rotatable coupling is used with a replaceable developer cartridge and electrostatographic image devices. The coupling has a driven portion and a driving portion. The driven portion has a shaft with a connecting portion that has a plurality of helical involute teeth extending outwardly. The driving portion has an end with a gear shaft and a twisted recess in the gear shaft. The sides of the recess are engageable with the helical involute teeth so that the driving portion drives the driven portion and transmit torque. |
| US09284985B2 |
Oil seal bearing and fan using same
An oil seal bearing of a fan includes a ring-shaped body for supporting a shaft of the fan, and a protruded portion disposed on the ring-shaped body. The protruded portion has a first slope, wherein the first slope is disposed corresponding to an inner top surface of a hub of the fan. An oil storage space is formed between the first slope, the shaft and the inner top surface for storing a lubricant. A first angle is formed by the extension of the first slope and the inner top surface, such that the lubricant is retained by the capillarity between the first slope and the inner top surface. Under this circumstance, the oil sealing is achieved without any additional oil seal, the effective bearing height is maximized, and the advantages of enhancing the supporting efficiency and lengthening the lifetime of the product are also achieved. |
| US09284983B2 |
Raceway element for a large roller bearing and bearing assembly
A roller bearing element for a large roller bearing includes the following features: at least one contact zone for a roller bearing counter element, the contact zone has an induction-hardened surface layer, the roller bearing element is comprised of a steel, which includes an admixture of carbon of at least 0.46 mass %. |
| US09284981B2 |
Expansion reduction of metal component assemblies using composites
Methods for minimizing thermal expansion in an assembly, e.g., a bearing assembly, for a vehicle are provided. The assembly has at least two components with substantially different linear coefficients of thermal expansion (CLTEs). The assembly has a polymeric composite with a first CLTE, a lightweight metal component (e.g., a housing) with a second CLTE, and a third component (e.g., a bearing component) having a third CLTE. The second CLTE is ≧25% more than the third CLTE. The first CLTE is less than or equal to the third CLTE, so that the polymeric composite structure coupled to the first surface reduces radial thermal expansion of the first metal component and minimizes separation of the second surface of the first metal component from the second component. |
| US09284979B2 |
Permanent visual indicator and diametrical to axial relation gage and method of using same
A system and method for mounting a bearing assembly on a shaft includes an internal flange, external flange, and a sleeve. The internal flange is securable to the bearing assembly and has a displacement pin extending outward that defines an initial position of the bearing assembly relative to the shaft. The external flange is secured to the internal flange via fasteners passing through elongated holes. The external flange has an opening configured to receive the displacement pin. The external flange may be rotated when coupled to the internal flange with the fasteners between a first position where the external flange opening is not in register with the displacement pin and a second position where the external flange opening is in register with the displacement pin. A sleeve has a tapered outside diameter and is engageable with the external flange. |
| US09284978B2 |
Oil film bearing
An oil film bearing for supporting a roll neck in a rolling mill, suitable in particular for transmitting high bearing forces when the bearing partners are slightly and slowly moved with respect to each other, has a bearing surface into which are incorporated rods made of a friction-reducing material (e.g., low friction compounds), which extend in a substantially perpendicular direction to the bearing surface. The rods are deformed during heat processing to define a bearing surface. The bearing partner, such as a roll sleeve, rests on the free face of the deformed rods. |
| US09284975B2 |
Bushing which can be pretensioned by material displacement and bearing equipped with said bushing
An elastomeric bushing and a bearing which is equipped with the bushing in question. The bushing can, even after installation in the bearing, be pretensioned or calibrated, by displacement of elastomeric material in the interior of the bushing, where the displacement is carried out by different pressing means and tensioning means in the bushing and/or in the surrounding bearing. |
| US09284973B2 |
Magnetic wall anchoring system
An apparatus and method are provided for affixing an object to a surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a magnet formed with an opening at its center. The magnet is attached to the surface by inserting a screw into the opening. A spacer and a flat washer are attached to the screw, with the spacer being positioned between the flat washer and the magnet. After the screw is affixed to the surface, a metal object can be magnetically attached to the screw and magnet to secure the object to the surface. A backer plate is also contemplated for securing non-magnetic objects to the screw and magnet. Multiple backer plates can be affixed to objects to support a greater amount of weight if required. |
| US09284969B2 |
Thermal expansion joint connection for sheet metal assembly
A thermal expansion joint suited for metal sheet component assemblies and method of connection is described. The expansion joint connection is formed by overlapping edge portions of components which are subject to different temperatures. Slot apertures are formed in the edge portion of a first component at predetermined locations and hole apertures are formed in the edge portion of the second component and disposed for confronting alignment with the slot apertures. A connecting sleeve is disposed in each hole aperture and projects through the hole and associated slot and a retention washer is secured over an end of the connecting sleeve on the other side of the second component. A fastener extends through the retention washer and the connecting sleeve to clampingly interconnect the overlapped edge portions of the first and second components. |
| US09284964B2 |
Parallel dynamic compressor arrangement and methods related thereto
This disclosure is directed to a novel arrangement for equipment used to compress fluids. A single prime mover is connected to a plurality of compressors. A supply conduit with parallel branch conduits directs fluid to be compressed to at least two compressors and parallel output conduits from each compressor are connected to a common output conduit, which directs compressed fluids to at least one additional compressor. |
| US09284963B2 |
Blower assembly for hand dryer, with helmholtz motor mount
A dryer with a modular blower assembly that allows easy assembly and field servicing through replacement of the blower assembly as a unit. The blower assembly generally includes unique motor mounts that allow a motor assembly to be secured within a housing without being directly fastened to other members. |
| US09284955B2 |
Compressor
According to a compressor of the present invention, the compressor further comprises an oil separating mechanism 40 which separates oil from the refrigerant gas discharged from the compressing mechanism 10, the oil separating mechanism 40 includes a cylindrical space 41 in which the refrigerant gas orbits, an inflow portion 42 for flowing the refrigerant gas discharged from the compressing mechanism 10 into the cylindrical space 41, a sending-out port 43 for sending out, from the cylindrical space 41 to the one container space 32, the refrigerant gas from which the oil is separated, and an exhaust port 44 for discharging the separated oil and a portion of the refrigerant gas from the cylindrical space 41, and a center of the sending-out port 43 is deviated in a direction opposite from the inflow portion 42 from a center axis of the cylindrical space 41. |
| US09284953B2 |
Multiple port discharge manifold fluid end
A fluid end assembly comprising a fluid end housing with multiple discharge manifold ports which provide a fluid end assembly that overcomes problems associated with prior art single port discharge manifold designs that result in non-symmetrical flow of discharged fluids through the fluid end discharge valves, resulting in premature failure of said valves. The multiple port discharge manifolds overcome problems associated with non-symmetrical flow of discharged fluids through a fluid end discharge valve, thereby improving valve life and performance. |
| US09284951B2 |
Solar-energy heat power-generating system and thermoelectric conversion device thereof
A solar-energy heat power-generating system and thermoelectric conversion device thereof, the thermoelectric conversion device comprising a power generator (5), an air compressor, a turbine and an intermediate body (12) fixedly connected between the air compressor and the turbine; the interior of the intermediate body (12) is rotatably connected to a transmission shaft (28); the transmission shaft (28) is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft of the power generator (5); the air compressor impeller (7) of the air compressor and the turbine impeller (18) of the turbine are both installed on the transmission shaft (28); the power generator (5) is also connected to a conducting wire (3) for inputting current; the solar-energy heat power-generating system comprises a heat collector and the thermoelectric conversion device; the air compressor of the thermoelectric conversion device is located upstream of the heat collector, and the turbine is located downstream of the heat collector. |
| US09284946B2 |
Vertical axis windmill with passive over-speed protection
A windmill is disclosed having over speed protection. In a preferred embodiment, the vanes are symmetric, curved metal sheets, with each vane's shape having a circular arc corresponding to its portion of the cylindrical support structure. Each vane is mounted with a large leading portion exposed to the wind. The imbalance of surface area causes the wind to push the vane open when moving downwind and push the vane closed when moving upwind. During periods of high rotational speed, the off-axis centers of mass cause each vane to rotate towards a closed position under centrifugal force. Once the critical speed is reached, the vanes fully close as they pass through the upwind side. |
| US09284945B2 |
Wind turbine and tower system
The disclosed wind turbine utilizes adjustable blades, forcing wind into channels away from the rotational axis. These channels direct wind to conversion surfaces a desirable distance from the rotational axis of the turbine, producing more torque. The channels feature independent exhaust points and intake points, minimizing vortices within the blades that can reduce torque. The blades of the disclosed turbine overlap, creating a larger constant percentage of air flow into the turbine channel. A modular tower for mounting a wind turbine is also disclosed. Finally, a wind directional amplifier for use with a wind turbine is disclosed. The wind directional amplifier directs the flow of wind to the optimum location for capture surfaces. When used with multiple wind turbines, the wind directional amplifier may be used to focus more or less air flow to one or more turbines, thereby selectively controlling the output of all the turbines collectively. |
| US09284937B2 |
Method for manufacturing engine cover having a retainer to secure an engine accessory
A cover has an aperture through which an accessory gains access to the interior side of the cover and a cavity. The accessory may be any kind of sensor or actuator. To secure the accessory to the cover, an adapter coupled to the cover is provided. In one example, the adapter has a cylindrical connection section that is spin welded into place in the cavity. In another example, the adapter has self-tapping threads that engage with the surface surrounding the cavity. The adapter also has tabs extending outwardly from the cover, the tabs having a proximate section and an engagement section. The accessory has a retaining orifice that couples with the tabs in a snap-fit relationship to secure the accessory to the cover. |
| US09284934B2 |
Press molded product and stopper for engine starter
A press molded product 1 that includes fitting portions 13 and 15, which can be fitted to another component 3, wherein the fitting portions include protruded portions 19 that can be contacted to the fitted other component 3, and the portions 19 are molded by press working. |
| US09284933B2 |
Fuel nozzle with discrete jet inner air swirler
A fuel nozzle includes an axial fuel circuit having a converging front surface with an axial fuel outlet formed therein, an air swirler surrounding the axial fuel circuit and having a converging front wall, a swirl chamber bounded by the converging front surface of the axial fuel circuit and the converging front wall of the air swirler, and an air cap surrounding the air swirler, such that an air circuit is defined between the air cap and the air swirler. A plurality of circumferentially disposed discrete jet passages extend through the converging front wall of the air swirler for directing atomizing air from the air circuit to the swirl chamber. |
| US09284930B2 |
High pressure piezoelectric fuel injector
A combined injector and fuel pump suitable for high pressure direct injection of heavy fuels into Diesel engines, in particular small light weight Diesel engines. The injector utilizes a piezoelectric actuator driving a piston assembly comprising an inlet reed check valve disposed thereon. The piston may house an injection needle valve component spring loaded against the piston on one end of the needle component and a valve seat on the other end of the needle component. Fuel enters an inlet port coupled to an inlet passage within the piston. Piezoelectric actuator contraction transfers fuel from the inlet passage through the reed valve to a pressurization chamber. Piezoelectric actuator expansion drives the piston to pressurize the fuel in the pressurization chamber, which forces open the needle valve and nozzle assembly, injecting a finely atomized mist of fuel into a cylinder. A poppet injection valve embodiment is described. |
| US09284928B2 |
Fuel injector icing
A fuel injector (10) for liquid phase injection of liquefied gaseous fuels for combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector (10) comprises a nozzle portion (15) having an end (30) from which gaseous fuel can be delivered through an outlet (21), the end (30) being configured to prevent or at least inhibit formation of ice thereon upon delivery of gaseous fuel through the outlet. |
| US09284920B2 |
Systems and methods for stopping and starting an engine with dedicated EGR
Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including a DEGR system during start-stop and DFSO conditions. In one example, the DEGR cylinder may be deactivated prior to deactivating the non-DEGR cylinder group and stopping the engine, to purge EGR from the intake system. |
| US09284919B2 |
Fluid temperature stabilization system
A fluid temperature stabilization system may employ an exterior casing defining an internal cavity, one or more phase change material may be located within the internal cavity. A fluid inlet may be located at a first end of the casing providing access into the internal cavity, and an outlet may be located at a second end of the casing providing fluid access from the internal cavity. |
| US09284918B2 |
Hybrid exhaust gas turbocharger
A hybrid exhaust gas turbocharger is provided, which is capable of preventing the supercharger from being damaged due to a rotary shaft being moved to a large extent in an axial direction by vibration generated from the internal combustion engine and a rotary portion in contact with a stationary portion in the supercharger when the supercharger is mounted on an internal combustion engine. A restraint mechanism (35) including a thrust collar (41) attached to a shaft end of a rotary shaft (19a) of a generator positioned on a side opposite to a flexible coupling and two thrust bearings (42) disposed to oppose both end surfaces forming a flange portion (44) of the thrust collar (41) is accommodated in a recess (51) formed on a front surface side of a shell housing positioned on a side opposite to the casing. |
| US09284916B2 |
Method for operating a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine with internal exhaust gas energy recuperation and reciprocating piston internal combustion engine
In a method for operating a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine having internal exhaust gas energy recuperation, a cylinder head recuperator is heated up during an exhaust cycle by hot exhaust gas flowing through the cylinder head recuperator prior to being exhausted from the cylinder via an exhaust valve. During an intake cycle, fresh charge flows into the power chamber of the cylinder by passing around a cylinder head recuperator. During the subsequent compression stroke, the cylinder head recuperator is moved out of a recess formed in the cylinder head such that some of the compressed charge can flow into the recess. Near the end of the compression stroke, the cylinder head recuperator is moved back into the recess so that compressed charge located in the recess is forced to flow through the hot cylinder head recuperator and thereby be heated up immediately before ignition of the compressed charge. |
| US09284910B2 |
Vehicle control device and vehicle control method
A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle includes a drive source control unit adapted to output a command for automatically stopping a drive source when a first predetermined condition is satisfied and output a command for restarting the drive source when a second predetermined condition is not satisfied after the command for automatically stopping the drive source is output, a drive source restart determination unit adapted to determine that the drive source has restarted when a third predetermined condition is satisfied after the command for restarting the drive source is output, and a restart determination prohibition unit adapted to prohibit a restart determination by the drive source restart determination unit at least until the third predetermined condition is no longer satisfied when the third predetermined condition is satisfied and the command for restarting the drive source is output. |
| US09284908B2 |
Method for performing a number of injections
In a method for carrying out a number of injections for at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine, a reference point in time for a control application onset of an injection is ascertained for the at least one cylinder, and a target point in time for the control application onset is determined from the reference point in time plus a delay time. |
| US09284907B2 |
Fuel pump control apparatus of engine
By driving a fuel pump suitably to an amount of fuel according to an amount of fuel consumed by an engine and by monitoring an actual motor speed of the fuel pump, F/B control is carried out according to a target motor speed and the actual motor speed of the fuel pump. Meanwhile, by learning and storing a duty value comparable to a deviation between the target and actual motor speeds, duty driving of the fuel pump is corrected to suit an engine condition. It thus becomes possible to provide a fuel pump control apparatus of an engine capable of promoting power saving by suppressing a wasteful energy loss including a current consumption and making an internal circuit of an ECU simpler by enhancing fuel supply accuracy. |
| US09284903B2 |
System and method for adjusting engine speed and/or engine load to improve fuel economy without causing vehicle vibration that is perceivable by a vehicle occupant
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a vibration level module and an engine operation control module. The vibration level module estimates a first level of vibration in a vehicle due to contact between tires of the vehicle and a road surface as the vehicle travels over the road surface. The vibration level module estimates a second level of vibration in the vehicle due to an engine in the vehicle. The engine operation control module selectively adjusts at least one of a speed of the engine and a load on the engine when the second vibration level is less than the first vibration level. |
| US09284902B2 |
Engine control systems and methods for accelerator pedal tip-out
A difference module determines a difference between an engine speed and a transmission input shaft speed. A state control module sets a signal to a first state when a driver releases an accelerator pedal and selectively transitions the signal from the first state to a second state when the difference is less than zero. An immediate torque request module decreases an engine torque request when the signal is in the first state and selectively increases the engine torque request when the signal is in the second state. At least one of: a spark control module that selectively adjusts spark timing based on the engine torque request; and a fuel control module that selectively adjusts fueling based on the engine torque request. |
| US09284897B2 |
Intake control system for internal combustion engine
An intake control system for an internal combustion engine, which, even when there are a plurality of intake air amounts for attaining one target torque, is capable of positively selecting a minimum intake air amount therefrom without causing hunting, and setting the minimum intake air amount as a target intake air amount, thereby making it possible to improve fuel economy. The intake control system calculates a maximum intake air amount, sets a plurality of provisional intake air amounts within a range of 0 to the maximum intake air amount, calculates torques estimated to be output from the engine with respect to the provisional intake air amounts, respectively, selects a minimum provisional intake air amount that makes the estimated torque equal to or close to the target torque from the relationship between the provisional intake air amounts and the estimated torques, and sets the same as the target intake air amount. |
| US09284895B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for diagnosing leaks in a compressed natural gas delivery system
Methods and systems for detecting a leak in a compressed natural gas (CNG) delivery system of a vehicle are disclosed. According to some embodiments the method includes determining a first amount of CNG in a CNG tank of the vehicle, the first amount corresponding to a first time, and determining a second amount of CNG in the CNG tank at a second time, the second time being subsequent to the first time. The method further includes determining an expected CNG consumption of the vehicle during a period of time, the period of time beginning at the first time and ending at the second time. The method also includes determining an actual CNG consumption during the period of time based on the first amount of CNG and the second amount of CNG, and comparing the actual CNG consumption and the expected CNG consumption to determine whether a leak has occurred. |
| US09284888B2 |
System for supplying fuel to late-lean fuel injectors of a combustor
A system for supplying fuel to a combustor includes a combustion chamber, a liner that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the combustion chamber, and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the liner. A tube provides fluid communication for a working fluid to flow through the flow sleeve and the liner and into the combustion chamber, and the tube includes a tube wall. A plurality of fuel ports through the tube wall provide fluid communication for fuel to flow through the tube wall and into the tube, and the fuel ports are non-circular. |
| US09284886B2 |
Gas turbine with Coulombic thermal protection
A gas turbine is configured to operate with a high temperature combustion gas stream. The gas turbine may include a combustor that provides a combustion gas stream including charged particles and at least one turbine stage including at least one high temperature surface that may be driven with a voltage selected to repel the charged particles. The at least one high temperature surface may output a film-cooling layer including cool air, the film-cooling layer being stabilized by Coulombic forces between the voltage and the charged particles. |
| US09284876B2 |
System and method for cooling engine pistons
An engine cooling system and method for operating the engine cooling system is disclosed. In one example, engine oil is sprayed on to a piston via piston cooling jets. The approach judges whether or not to operate the piston cooling jets based on a benefit assessment. The approaches may be suitable for systems that include a variable oil pump. |
| US09284872B2 |
System, methods, and apparatus for low temperature dosing in diesel exhaust systems
System, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for reductant dosing in an exhaust aftertreatment system. A dynamic flow rate and injection duration of a reductant injected from a reductant dosing system to the exhaust aftertreatment system is controlled in response to a dosing command when the exhaust system is operating in a low temperature operating condition. |
| US09284870B2 |
Electrically heated particulate matter filter soot control system
A regeneration system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter with an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas and a downstream end. A control module determines a current soot loading level of the PM filter and compares the current soot loading level to a predetermined soot loading level. The control module permits regeneration of the PM filter when the current soot loading level is less than the predetermined soot loading level. |
| US09284868B2 |
Exhaust device for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust device (2) for an internal combustion engine (3) has an exhaust line (5) with a rear section X with two exhaust pipes (11) connected to an acoustic actuator (12) in a sound-transmitting manner. Better acoustic characteristics and increased number of noises audible from the outside is guaranteed by the exhaust pipes (11) being of different designs and/or by the actuators (12) being able to be actuated individually. A process for controlling the actuators (12) uses a control device (25) that actuates the actuators (12) individually to generate different acoustic signals (23) of the respective actuators (12). A motor vehicle (1) is provided with such an exhaust device (2) with acoustic actuators (12) controlled by such a process. The motor vehicle (1) has additional actuators (29, 31), which are especially associated with an intake line (30) and are arranged in the interior of motor vehicle (1). |
| US09284867B2 |
Oil filter module and thermostat unit
An oil filter module (10) has a connection for a filter element (14) and an oil-coolant heat exchanger (12). Arranged in a housing (26, 42) is a bypass line (20) for bypassing the oil-coolant heat exchanger (12). The bypass line (20) has a valve chamber (22) with a thermostat unit (24). The thermostat unit (24) controls an oil flow through the bypass line (20) according to a temperature of the oil. The housing is made up at least of a valve housing part (26) and a heat exchanger housing part (42). The valve chamber (22) is arranged in the valve housing part (26). A base plate (40) of the heat exchanger housing part (42) closes the valve chamber (22) lengthwise. |
| US09284866B2 |
Valve bypass
A lube system is provided and includes an air-oil tank including a deaerator configured to remove a first quantity of oil from a first air-oil supply to generate a second air-oil supply having a second quantity of oil, which is smaller than the first quantity of oil, the air oil tank being configured to output the second air-oil supply to an air vent line, a de-oiler disposed along the air vent line and configured to remove from the second air-oil supply oil mist including oil droplets of a minimum size and a system disposed between the deaerator and the de-oiler, which is configured to encourage formation of the oil droplets of at least the minimum size. |
| US09284862B2 |
Multi-part, joined rotors in hydraulic camshaft adjusters, having joint-sealing profiles, and method for producing the rotors
The invention relates to a camshaft adjusting device (1) for an internal combustion engine and to a method for producing a camshaft adjusting device having a stator wheel (10) and a rotor wheel (11), wherein the rotor wheel (11) has a first body part (19) and a second body part (20), wherein a joining surface (19a) of the first body part (19) and a joining surface (20a) of the second body part (20) are joined to one another, and wherein depressions (21, 22) are formed in at least one of the joining surfaces (19a, 20a) in order to form the fluid ducts (17, 18) at least in sections. In order to provide a camshaft adjusting device (1) with an improved rotor wheel (11), which is formed from two body parts (19, 20), which can be joined to one another in an improved manner, a provision according to the invention is that at least one sealing means (25, 26) be provided in or on at least one joining surface (19a, 20a) with the sealing means being designed such that the fluid ducts (17, 18) are sealed off and that defined contact is obtained between the joining surfaces (19a, 20a), which are placed on top of one another. |
| US09284861B2 |
Oil passage design for a phaser or dual phaser
A variable cam timing phaser (10) includes a fluid transfer assembly with at least one of a fluid transfer sleeve (72) having a plurality of pressurized fluid passages (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d), and a fluid transfer plate (60) having a plurality of pressurized fluid passages (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Each passage (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d) extends in fluid communication with a corresponding circumferentially spaced annular groove segment portion (74f, 74g, 74h, 74i) for selective communication with first and second vane-type hydraulic couplings (40, 50) depending on an angular orientation of the fluid transfer sleeve (72) during rotation. Each passage (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) extending from a corresponding centrally located port (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) in fluid communication with a radially extending passage portion (66a, 66b, 66c, 66d) and with an arcuately extending passage portion (68a, 68b, 68c, 68d). |
| US09284849B2 |
Device for monitoring the flapping and/or lag behavior of a blade of a rotorcraft rotor
The present invention relates to a rotorcraft rotor (1) having a plurality of blades (3) movably mounted on a hub (2) via blade roots (4) that are respectively associated therewith. The rotor (1) is fitted with an information capture appliance having at least one measurement assembly (E1) comprising a flexible bar (11) interposed in engagement at its respective ends between the hub (2) and a blade root (4) that is allocated thereto. A strain gauge (7, 8) formed of a SAW transducer is implanted on the bar (11) and generates information relative to the bending of the bar (11) following tilting orientations of the blade root (4) in flapping (B) and/or in lag (T). |
| US09284840B2 |
Personal safety system
A personal safety system in the form of a refuge chamber with at least one main room and a carbon dioxide absorber (10) provided for absorbing carbon dioxide out of the ambient air of the main room. The carbon dioxide absorber (10) has a body (14) and a basket (12) that can be inserted into the body (14) for receiving loose soda lime. With this, any static charges of previously used soda lime cartridges are avoided and dangers arising therefrom, in potentially explosive areas, are ruled out. |
| US09284838B2 |
Apparatus and method for obtaining formation fluid samples utilizing independently controlled devices on a common hydraulic line
In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore formed in a formation is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a device for supplying a hydraulic fluid under pressure to a common hydraulic line, a first pump in hydraulic communication with the common hydraulic line via a first variable fluid control device, a second pump in hydraulic communication with the common hydraulic line via a second variable fluid control device, and at least one controller that controls flow of the hydraulic fluid from the first variable flow control device to the first pump and the flow of the hydraulic fluid from the second variable flow control device to the second pump to independently control the operation of the first pump and the second pump. In another aspect, the first pump is coupled to a first probe for extracting fluid from the formation and the second pump is coupled to a second probe for extracting the fluid from the formation. |
| US09284835B2 |
Method for measurement of weight concentration of clay in a sample of a porous material
Determining weight concentration of clay in a sample of a porous material, a water-soluble salt of a metal is selected that enters in a selective ion exchange reaction with clay, with the general formula R+M−, where a metal R+ is selected from the group {Ba2+; Sr2+; Tl+; Rb+ . . . }, M− is selected from the group {Cln; NOn; OHn; CH3COO, SO4; . . . } in accordance with the table of solubility of inorganic substances in water. Clay is marked by means of mixing the clay with a water solution of the selected salt of the metal, residues of the salt of the metal that have not interacted with the clay are removed. X-ray fluorescent spectrometry of the marked clay and of the sample is conducted and content of the metal in the marked clay and natural content of the metal in the sample are determined. A water solution of the marked clay is pumped through the sample, the sample is dried and X-ray fluorescent spectrometry of the entire sample or of its individual segments is conducted. Content of the metal in the sample or in each segment is determined and weight concentrations of clay retained in the sample or in each of its segments are determined. |
| US09284825B2 |
Gas-lift safety valve actuated by a sensor
A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions. The valve actuator also includes a sensor located within a well and capable of detecting the presence of a fluid based on a fluid property of the fluid. The valve actuator includes a power supply electrically connected to the sensor and the shape memory alloy element, capable of applying an electric current to the shape memory alloy element in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the fluid. The electric current causes a temperature of the shape memory alloy element to increase beyond a threshold temperature at which the shape memory alloy element actuates. |
| US09284820B2 |
Multi-thread band matrix solver for well system fluid flow modeling
In some aspects, techniques and systems for operating a subterranean region model are described. A band matrix that represents well system fluid flow in a subterranean region is accessed. The band matrix includes flow variable coefficients based on governing flow equations for the well system fluid flow. A first elimination is performed on an upper part of the band matrix. The upper part of the band matrix includes a first subset of the flow variable coefficients corresponding to a first subset of flow variables. In parallel with the first elimination, a second elimination is performed on a lower part of the band matrix. The lower part of the band matrix includes a second subset of flow variable coefficients corresponding to a second subset of the flow variables. An intermediate part of the band matrix can be solved. The intermediate part of the band matrix includes other flow variable coefficients. |
| US09284813B2 |
Swellable energizers for oil and gas wells
A seal stack including a sealing element including an annular seal ring having a diameter and an axis defined therethrough perpendicular to the diameter, a groove defined in the seal ring, wherein the groove has an opening at a first end of the seal ring, and a swellable energizer disposed in the groove, wherein the swellable energizer swells upon exposure to a solvent causing the seal ring to expand. The seal stack also includes a first annular back-up and a second annular back-up provided at opposing ends of the sealing element, wherein said first back-up includes an interior surface that receives a second end of the sealing element. |
| US09284811B2 |
Universal rotating flow head having a modular lubricated bearing pack
A rotating flow head has a lubricated bearing pack for isolating bearing elements from wellbore fluids under pressure. The bearing pack, having a rotating cylindrical sleeve, bearing elements and two seal assemblies, is secured within an assembly bore of a stationary housing by a retainer plate accepting a plurality of lag bolts circumferentially spaced around a top portion of the stationary housing. Each of the seal assemblies have at least one sealing element having a body, an annular cavity, an inner sealing surface, and a flange that distends radially outwardly when axially compressed. A loading ring fit to the annular cavity urges the inner sealing surface radially inwardly to sealingly engage the rotating cylindrical sleeve. The inner sealing surface further comprises a first and second sealing surface and a debris channel therebetween. |
| US09284808B2 |
Chemical deepwater stimulation systems and methods
Systems and methods for performing operations on a well include first and second flow control devices positioned between upper and lower sections of a conduit. An upper connector assembly engaged with the upper section includes connectors adapted for connection to a chemical stimulation device, a blowout preventer, or other well intervention apparatuses. A lower connector assembly engaged with the lower section includes connectors adapted for connection to a chemical stimulation device, a running tool, wellbore conduits, or other well intervention apparatuses. The two connector assemblies, above and below the flow control devices, enable sequential or simultaneous operations to be performed, and can enable operations to be performed independent of the state of the flow control devices. |
| US09284803B2 |
One-way flowable anchoring system and method of treating and producing a well
A one-way flowable anchoring system includes a plurality of same anchors that are sealedly fixedly engagable within a structure and each of the plurality of same anchors has a flow bore longitudinally therethrough with a first seat and a second seat on opposing ends thereof The system also has a plug positionable within the structure between two of the plurality of same anchors positioned longitudinally adjacent one another. The plug is sealedly engagable to substantially block flow through the flow bore of a first of the plurality of same anchors when sealingly engaged with the first seat thereof and the plug is seatingly engagable to allow flow around the plug and into the flow bore of the second of the plurality of same anchors through an area at least equal to that of the flow bore when the plug is seated at the second seat thereof |
| US09284801B2 |
Actuator switch for a downhole tool, tool and method
An actuator switch for actuation of a downhole tool, the actuator switch comprising: a rheomagnetic fluid having a state convertible between a liquid and a solid by the application of a magnetic field thereto, a change in the state of the rheomagnetic fluid acting to actuate the downhole tool; and a magnet installed in the tool and moveable relative to the rheomagnetic fluid to apply or remove the magnetic field to the rheomagnetic fluid, the magnet being moved by through tubing operations in an inner diameter of the downhole tool. |
| US09284800B2 |
Drill pipe connector
An assembly of a drill pipe and a connector (10) for connecting a hose (50) to a side-bore (52) of a the drill pipe (54), the drill pipe (54) having a wall (54a) enclosing a main bore (54b), and the side-bore (52) extending through the wall (54a) from the main bore (54b) to the exterior of the drill pipe (54), the connector (10) comprising a hose connector body (12) which forms a first end of the connector (10) which is adapted to be connected to the hose (50), and a drill pipe connector body (14) which forms a second end of the connector (10) which is connected to the drill pipe (54), the connector (10) having an exterior surface and an interior surface which encloses a bore (20, 22) extending from the first end of the connector (10) to a second end of the connector (10), the drill pipe connector body (12) being provided with at least one bayonet connector formation (44) which extends from the exterior surface of the connector (10) generally radially outwardly relative to the bore (20, 22), the bayonet connector formation (44) extending over less than half of the circumference of the exterior surface of the drill pipe connector body (14), wherein the drill pipe connector body (14) is also provided with means for ensuring a substantially fluid tight seal between the connector (10) and the surface of the drill pipe (54) enclosing the side-bore (52). |
| US09284794B2 |
Systems and methods for advanced well access to subterranean formations
Systems and methods for improving functional access to subterranean formations that include a well, which includes a casing string having at least one casing conduit that extends and provides a hydraulic connection between a surface region and the subterranean formation. Performing a plurality of downhole operations utilizing a casing string that constitutes a plurality of hydraulic pathways between the surface region and the subterranean formation. The plurality of downhole operations may be simultaneous operations and/or may be associated with at least one of a plurality of operational states including a drilling state, completing state, stimulating state, producing state, abandoning state, and/or killing state. In some embodiments, systems and methods may include a plurality of production control assemblies to control and/or monitor the downhole operations. |
| US09284789B2 |
Methods for forming earth-boring tools having cutting elements mounted in cutting element pockets and tools formed by such methods
Methods of forming earth-boring tools include using a plasma spray device to gouge at least one recess through a hardfacing material and into a body. At least a portion of the recess may define a cutting element pocket in which a cutting element may be received and bonded. The recess formed using the plasma spray device optionally may be further machined to form the cutting element pocket. Earth-boring tools are fabricated using such methods. |
| US09284788B2 |
Diamond impregnated bits and method of using and manufacturing the same
A drill bit that includes a body having a lower end face for engaging a rock formation, the end face having a plurality of raised ribs extending from the face of the bit body and separated by a plurality of channels therebetween; and at least one of the plurality of ribs having a cutting portion of the at least one rib comprising a first diamond impregnated matrix material and at least a portion of a gage surface region thereof comprising a second diamond impregnated matrix material, the gage surface region backed by a third matrix material is disclosed. |
| US09284787B2 |
Drill bit and cutting head for drill bit
A cutting head for a drill bit comprises four substantially identically shaped cutting arms extending radially from a common central axial point, each cutting arm comprising a cutting edge extending, outwardly and axially backwards from the common central axial point. The cutting edges are equianguiarly spaced apart from each other about the central axis of the cutting head. Each cutting, arm further comprises a side chamfer extending between its radially outer face and its rotationally trailing side face. |
| US09284784B2 |
Downhole assembly, tool and method
A reaming tool includes a body having a longitudinal axis and an upper end opposite a lower end and a blade located on said body, the blade including a reaming surface having one or more reaming inserts disposed on at least a portion thereof and a cutting surface having one or more cutters disposed on at least a portion thereof. One or more of said cutters are configured (a) so that an extended longitudinal axis of said cutter is positioned at an angle θ between 5 degrees and 85 degrees with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body, or (b) on said cutting surface at a radial distance from said longitudinal axis less than said radial distances between said reaming inserts and said longitudinal axis. |
| US09284783B1 |
High power laser energy distribution patterns, apparatus and methods for creating wells
There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for providing a laser beam to borehole surface in a predetermined and energy deposition profile. The predetermined energy deposition profiles may be uniform or tailored to specific downhole applications. Optic assemblies for obtaining these predetermined energy deposition profiles are further provided. |
| US09284781B2 |
Oil and gas enhancement system—radial drilling method
The invention being designed in this application relates to a radial drilling method. Boreholes are placed into oil and gas formations to provide openings for the removal of the product.Oil and gas wells extend to different depths and downhole well conditions. The radial system has been designed to accommodate the well conditions and to jet or drill different oil and gas formation. The radial system provides a mill/bit which is rotated from a downhole motor or a surface swivel. The mill ports, the steel casing, and the bit extend outward into the formation forming a borehole to a predetermined length. The borehole is provided without an entrance radius into the formation. Several radial holes can be provided considering a one trip event. |
| US09284777B1 |
Fall restraint system for telescoping ladders
A fall restraint system having a retractor assembly including a housing assembly that is mounted onto an aerial apparatus. A base pulley assembly is also mounted onto the aerial apparatus. A cable having first and second ends is partially stored within the housing assembly, whereby the first end is fixed within the housing assembly. The second end is threaded around the base pulley assembly and is also fixed onto the aerial apparatus. Tensioning means keep a predetermined tension on the cable while the aerial apparatus extends from a retracted position to an extended position and vice-versa. |
| US09284775B2 |
Safety system for moveable closures
The invention provides a closure system comprising an obstacle detection system for detecting objects in or near the path of a moving closure. The system comprises a remote module, a remote module timer, and a communication unit. The system further comprises a motor to drive the closure between open and closed positions, a controller for controlling operation of the motor, and a base station coupled to the controller for communication with the remote module and to transmit synchronization signals at first prescribed intervals. The remote module is arranged to have at least three modes of power usage: an operation mode, a standby mode, and a sleep mode. The system is further arranged such that, when in sleep mode, the remote module is configured to switch for a preset duration to said standby mode at or substantially at said first prescribed intervals to detect said synchronization signals so as to monitor the communications link between the base station and the remote module. |
| US09284774B2 |
Window shade and actuating system and operating method thereof
An actuating system for a window shade comprises a transmission axle, a spring drive unit operable to urge the transmission axle to rotate in a first direction for raising a shading structure of the window shade, and a control module including an arrester assembled around the transmission axle, and an operating cord operatively connectable with the transmission axle. The arrester has a locking state in which the arrester acts against the spring drive unit to block a rotational displacement of the transmission axle in the first direction, and an unlocking state in which rotation of drive axle is allowed. The operating cord is operable to turn the arrester from the locking state to the unlocking state and to drive rotation of the transmission axle in a second direction opposite to the first direction for lowering the shading structure of the window shade. |
| US09284772B2 |
Reverse molded plant-on panel component, method of manufacture, and method of decorating a door therewith
A reverse molded, plant-on decorative panel component comprises a panel portion lying on a first plane, a skirt portion, and a contoured portion. The skirt portion has a first surface adapted to be exteriorly disposed and an opposite second surface adapted to be interiorly disposed in order to be adhesively secured to a planar surface. The contoured portion extends outwardly from and surrounds the panel portion and interconnects and is integral with the panel portion and the skirt portion. The skirt portion extends peripherally about the contoured portion. |
| US09284771B1 |
Overhead door equipment trolley
A trolley for supporting equipment on an overhead door using the existing track for the overhead door is described. The invention may be used to allow utility items such as lighting, electrical outlets, and safety devices to be mounted conveniently and efficiently. |
| US09284770B2 |
Adjustable screen tensioning system
An adjustable screen re don system is presented. The present invention screen retention system comprises a mesh Of perforate screen retained within a frame composed of frame members have channel cross sections. The screen is formed with a rolled or U-shaped edge hem. The edge hem having a free edge that folds inwardly over the inner face of the screen and is parallel to, and spaced above, the inner face of the screen. The framing members are channel section extrusions which contain features for retaining, tensioning and locking the screen. The adjustable screen retention system herein presented improves upon the prior art by providing a more secure attachment of the screen within the channel of the frame members thereby providing increased resistance to screen impact loading. The new system also provides for a broader range of screen of tensioning adjustment than has heretofore been available and further electrically isolates the screen from the walls of the channel. |
| US09284769B2 |
Intelligent safety deposit, safety control system and control method thereof
An intelligent safety deposit including a case, a card slot, and an antenna, the card slot is inside the case to receive a folder with a tag thereon, and the tag comprising a RFID antenna and a chip, the reader antenna is set correspondingly to the folder, information recorded in the chip with the tag is read and identified separately via transmitting data between the reader antenna and the RFID antenna. The reader antenna includes a RF connector, RF ground planes, a plurality of antenna traces with unequal widths and a plurality of load impedance, the RF connector is connected with the plurality of antenna traces via buried holes, the plurality of antenna traces with unequal widths are respectively connected with the plurality of load impedance by running through the buried holes, the antenna traces with unequal widths are connected without overlapping, and values of each load impedance are equal. |
| US09284767B2 |
Side spoiler arrangement for a motor vehicle
A side spoiler arrangement for a motor-driven tailgate of a motor vehicle is provided. The side spoiler arrangement case includes at least one spoiler element arranged along a lateral edge of a rear window. The spoiler element provides a function for improving the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle. An obstruction sensor device is fastened to the spoiler element and coupled to a drive of the tailgate. |
| US09284761B2 |
Displacement device for slidable and turnable separation elements and functional entity
The displacement device includes a guide carriage that is slidable along a running rail and that is pivotally connectable to a first separation element. The guide carriage includes a carriage body with a carriage head and a carriage foot, which carriage head and carriage foot are connected with one another by a connecting beam, wherein the carriage head holds at least one support wheel and at least two guide wheels and wherein the carriage foot is connected torque proof with a first end piece of a hinge lever, whose second end piece is pivotally held by a hinge shaft that is connectable to a sidewall of the first separation element. |
| US09284757B2 |
Emergency release device for a vehicle trunk
An emergency release device for a trunk of a vehicle includes an arrestor device for limiting an opening movement of the trunk, a trunk lock and a coupling module including first and second coupling elements, each shiftably supported in the coupling housing, wherein the first and second coupling elements respectively operatively couple an emergency actuation device of the vehicle to the arrestor device, and an actuation device of the vehicle to the trunk lock, and are detachably coupled to each other during a first stroke of the first coupling element caused by an actuation of the emergency actuation device, wherein the first stroke causes the second coupling element to open the locking device and causes the first coupling element to perform an idle stroke relative to the arrestor device, and wherein the coupling between the first and second coupling elements is released in response to a second stroke advancing past the first stroke and is caused by the actuation of the emergency actuation device. |
| US09284751B2 |
High security locking assembly for above-ground fiber optic/cable network enclosures
A high security locking assembly for an above-ground communications network enclosure comprises a claw-like structure having, at one end, a slide bar with an end plate that carries a first set of locking pins, and a base plate, at the other end, having an end plate that carries a second set of locking pins. The slide bar travels axially in a guide channel below a rigid frame that holds a captive locking bolt positioned to engage one of a series of axially spaced locking holes on the slide bar. The locking pins face one another and are adapted for sliding into corresponding locking pin holes in the sides of enclosure. The claw-like structure is closed by sliding the slide bar into the guide channel, and positioning the pins in the locking pin holes, followed by locking the captive locking bolt in a selected one of the locking holes. |
| US09284750B2 |
Door mortise lock
Provided is a door mortise lock that may improve product safety and user convenience by enabling a latch bolt operates to be unlocked after a dead bolt of the door mortise lock completely operates. To this end, the door mortise lock includes: a dead bolt driving unit that operates a dead bolt; a latch bolt driving unit that unlocks a latch bolt when a time interval passes after the dead bolt is unlocked by the dead bolt driving unit; and a connection unit that is disposed between the dead bolt driving unit and the latch bolt driving unit, and selectively operates the dead bolt driving unit and the latch bolt driving unit so that the dead bolt and the latch bolt are sequentially unlocked with a time interval. |
| US09284748B2 |
Paddle latch
A paddle latch having a pan with a well, a paddle handle, a handle pivot, a rotary latch portion, and a trigger arm arrangement. The paddle handle pivot has a pin that non-rotatably engages with the paddle handle to pivotally attach the paddle handle in the well of the pan and has a pin trigger. The rotary latch portion has a housing containing a rotary hook with a mouth and a rotary trigger. The rotary trigger retains the rotary hook in either an open position where the mouth of the rotary hook is accessible from outside of the housing, or semi-closed or completely closed positions, where the mouth is blocked by the housing. The trigger arm arrangement is adapted to transfer of pivotal movement of the paddle handle to the rotary trigger to release the rotary hook from the semi-closed position or the completely closed position to its open position. Only when the rotary hook is in the semi-closed position will the paddle handle be automatically partially tilted out from the well of the pan. |
| US09284741B2 |
Cover apparatus including a cover assembly and at least one drive mechanism
A cover apparatus includes a frame, a cover assembly at least partially supported by the frame, and a drive mechanism. The cover assembly includes a generally planar main portion, and at least one edge portion adjoining a side edge of the main portion. The drive mechanism engages the edge portion and moves the cover assembly relative to the frame to advance or retract the cover assembly. The drive mechanism may include first engagement elements, and the edge portion may include second engagement elements that interengage with the first engagement elements. The cover apparatus may be used for covering a pool. |
| US09284737B2 |
Mechanical locking system for floor panels
Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a vertical locking system on short edges comprising a displaceable tongue that is displaced in one direction into a tongue groove during vertical displacement of two panels. |
| US09284736B1 |
Composite siding with improved interlaced end-grain corner configuration and false chinking joint
The invention relates to a composite siding system with interlaced end-grain corner configuration that more accurately simulates the appearance of solid or shaped wood log siding. The invention provides for a series of alternating horizontal siding elements which may be joined to a pre-constructed structure utilizing an improved interlaced end-grain corner configuration. The inventive technology specifically describes a composite siding panel system with an improved interlaced end-grain corner configuration having an internally securable fitted corner joint connection. Additionally, the invention describes a composite siding panel system with a false chinking joint as well as modifications to mitigate moisture expansion type joint damage. |
| US09284734B1 |
Drip edge
A drip edge preferably includes an anchor bar and a cover plate. The anchor bar includes a base portion, an offset leg, a cover flange, a clip flange, a drip flange and a sealing flange. A plurality of fastener openings are formed through a length of the base portion. An offset leg extends from a bottom of the base portion and the cover flange extends from a bottom of the offset leg. The sealing flange extends inward from a top of the base portion. The drip flange extends outward from the top of the base portion. The clip flange extends outward from the base portion, below the drip flange. A retention projection extends upward from an end of the clip flange. The cover plate includes a top clip end and a bottom clip end. The top clip end includes an inward extending snap lock. |
| US09284733B2 |
Sealing membrane with barrier against plasticizer migration
A sealing web including the following layer structure: a) a film containing polyvinyl chloride; b) a first adhesive; c) a polyethylene terephthalate film; and d) a second adhesive; wherein the layers are disposed in the sequence a), b), c), and d). The sealing web makes it possible to implement adhesion of a PVC web over a large area, without problems arising from the migration of the plasticizer from the PVC film to the adhesive, or in that said problems are at least greatly reduced. |
| US09284730B2 |
Control joint backer and support member associated with structural assemblies
The present invention is directed to a profile used to support fire retardant and or wall sheathing behind opposing wall sheathing edges, horizontally at head of walls, and behind control/reveal joint profiles. The profiles are shaped to support wall sheathing, intumescent stopping, and fire rated “rips” of wall sheathing and work in a manner that allows protection or support of intersecting opposing drywall edges. |
| US09284728B2 |
Honeycomb panel stacked body manufacturing method and honeycomb panel stacked body
A honeycomb panel laminate includes a sound absorbing face made of a foam, a sound absorbing layer, and a sound insulating face made of a foam. The sound absorbing layer is composed of a honeycomb material and a layer obtained by filling spaces with a hard foam material. The honeycomb material is bonded to the sound absorbing face by applying an adhesive to edges of the honeycomb material of the sound absorbing layer and pressing the edges against the sound absorbing face so that the edges bite into the foam. The sound insulating face is obtained by applying an adhesive allover a surface of the sound insulating face that makes contact with the honeycomb material and pressing opposite edges of cell walls of the honeycomb material against the sound insulating face so that the opposite edges bite into the surface, having the adhesive, of the foam. |
| US09284727B2 |
Acoustic barrier support structure
An acoustic barrier structure can include a support structure that defines a plurality of cells, a weight attached to the support structure, and at least one resonant membrane covering one of the plurality of cells. The at least one resonant membrane can comprise at least one weight. The at least one resonant membrane can have an anti-resonant frequency and the support structure with the weight can provide wide frequency band gaps between odd resonance modes while suppressing structure-membrane coupled modes to enable the anti-resonance of the at least one resonant membrane. |
| US09284724B2 |
Universal capacitance-type touch inductive switch assembly for faucet
The present invention relates to a universal capacitance-type touch inductive switch assembly for a faucet, comprising: an adjustable locking component, which is formed by a conductive metallic material and is locked to a faucet spout; a control circuit board, which is provided with a capacitance-type touch unit, wherein touch electrodes of said capacitance-type touch unit are connected with said adjustable locking component through a touch circuit; a solenoid valve, which is arranged in a water supply line of the faucet, wherein said control circuit board controls opening and closing of said solenoid valve according to a touch signal from the capacitance-type touch unit; and a power supply module, which supplies power to said control circuit board and said solenoid valve. The switch assembly of the present invention can be installed in a manner compatible with all existing metal faucets. |
| US09284717B2 |
Swivel control apparatus and method
A swivel control apparatus for swiveling a swivel body that supports an attachment including a boom, an arm, and an end attachment by a motor, wherein a swivel drive command to the motor is changed in conformation with a posture of the attachment. |
| US09284716B2 |
Work vehicle
A box section of a cab is detachable in a motor grader. The motor grader is provided with a bracket and a first controller. The bracket is attachable to a floor section. The first controller is attachable in a selective manner to the box section and the bracket and controls equipment required for travel. |
| US09284715B2 |
Device for digging diaphragms
Disclosed a device for digging diaphragms, including a framework and a half-shell support body, fixed in the lower part of the framework, which supports a first pair of half-shells moved to open and close by a first actuation system. The device also has a reservoir operatively connected to the first pair of half-shells to contain the soil dug by half-shells. The reservoir is normally positioned between the framework and the half-shells and has a volume configured to contain an amount of soil corresponding to the amount of soil dug by such half-shells during a single operating cycle of the device. The device can also include separation means actuated for isolating the soil contained in the reservoir. |
| US09284713B2 |
Backhoe bucket moveable thumb assembly and method
A closure member is pivotally connected with respect to a hydraulically operated bucket. A link member is pivotally connected to a hydraulically operated arm segment. The link member is also pivotally connected to the closure member. The closure member and the hydraulically operated bucket are connected for simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions with respect to each other. |
| US09284711B2 |
Utilities access closure
A concrete lid for an in-ground utilities box includes a plastic reinforcement structure filled with concrete. The plastic reinforcement structure includes one or more plastic sidewalls that protect the edges of the lid from damage. The upper and lower surfaces of the lid are exposed concrete (with the exception of the upper and lower edges of the one or more plastic sidewalls). The one or more plastic sidewalls laterally surround a plastic reinforcement grid, which is centrally located between the upper and lower edges of the one or more plastic sidewalls. The one or more plastic sidewalls can be integrally formed with the plastic reinforcement grid. The plastic reinforcement grid reinforces the concrete lid, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement material. Support struts can be used to support the plastic reinforcement grid while wet concrete is being poured into the plastic reinforcing structure. |
| US09284707B2 |
Measuring underground pressure
The present invention relates to in-place soil stabilization. Specifically, the present invention relates a method and device for measuring the increase in subsurface earth pressure during the injection of a stabilizing agent into the soil. The rise in sensor pressure indicates an increase in soil strength and bearing capacity. Therefore, real-time monitoring of these pressures may serve as a guide during the injection process. |
| US09284702B2 |
Snow melter including anti freezing snow thrower from hot air spray
A snow melter for spraying hot air and preventing a snow thrower from being frozen. The snow melter includes: a snowblower; a transfer pipe which includes a snow thrower and a hot air receiving chamber, wherein the snow thrower is formed in the form of a stove pipe and is connected to the snowblower, and wherein the hot air receiving chamber is located outside the snow thrower and receives hot air introduced from the outside; a melting tank which includes a receiver and a melter, wherein the receiver receives the snow transferred through the snow thrower, and wherein the melter is connected to the receiver and melts the snow accumulated in the receiver by using high temperature hot air; and an hot air induction unit that collects the hot air generated by the melter and transfers the high temperature hot air to the transfer pipe. |
| US09284701B1 |
Automated guided vehicle positive stopping system
A positive stopping system with an adjustable stopper apparatus positioned along an automated guided vehicle navigation pathway. The adjustable stopper apparatus includes a linear actuator moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. A stopper end is coupled to the linear actuator. The stopper end is positioned within the automated guided vehicle navigation pathway when the linear actuator is in the extended position and removed from the automated guided vehicle navigation pathway when the linear actuator is in the retracted position. |
| US09284700B2 |
Seal for cable anchor device of a cable construction
A seal for sealing a cable anchor device (4) to a structural element (1, 3), the cable anchor device (4) being arranged to anchor at least one cable (2) to the structural element (1,3) and having a front surface (15) facing an opening (6) of the structural element, through which front surface the at least one cable (2) extends towards the exterior of the structural element, characterized in that the seal comprises a sleeve (12) which extends from a perimeter of a surface of the structural element including the opening (6) of the structural element to a perimeter of a hermetic portion of the anchored cable (2) comprising at least the front surface (15) of the anchor device (4). |
| US09284698B2 |
Ejector unit for a road milling machine or the like
The invention relates to an ejector unit, in particular for a road milling machine, having an ejector that is replaceably mounted on a carrier. In one aspect the ejector is curved in a scoop-like fashion. In another aspect the ejector is reversible upon the carrier to allow the ejector to be reversed after one wear surface is worn, thus presenting a new second wear surface. |
| US09284697B2 |
Ground-compacting device
A working device for ground compaction comprises an upper mass, a guide device coupled to the upper mass and intended to guide the working device, a lower mass which can move relative to the upper mass, which is movably coupled to the upper mass via a spring device, and which has a ground contact plate, and a vibration-generating device for producing a relative movement between the upper mass and the lower mass. Furthermore, a drive for driving the vibrating-generating device is provided, wherein the drive comprises an electric motor. The electric motor is supplied with electrical energy via an electrical energy store arranged on the guide device. |
| US09284694B2 |
Polyurethane based roadway forming
Provided herein are roadways containing polyurethane materials. A roadway includes a base layer of a compacted in situ material and/or a wear layer disposed on the base layer. One or both of these layers may include the polyurethane material to bind other components in the layers and to form more robust and durable roadway structures capable of withstanding operating loads of the roadway. In some embodiments, the polyurethane material is added to the wear layer by mixing in situ soil and/or foreign aggregate with polyurethane material or by dispensing the polyurethane material over the existing partially formed wear layer. The base layer may or may not include a polyurethane material. The type, concentration, distribution, and processing of the polyurethane material in the wear layer may be the same or different than that in the base layer. |
| US09284689B2 |
Display rear shell with waterproof and fireproof properties
The invention relates to a display rear shell with waterproof and fireproof properties comprising a main layer of a pulp made from hardwood in an amount from 80% to 90% by weight of the main layer, a pulp waterproof composition in an amount from 5% to 15% by weight of the main layer, and a flame retardant in an amount of a remaining weight percentage by weight of the main layer, a fireproof layer and a waterproof layer, in place of a traditional plastic display rear shell using plastic materials for characteristics as waterproof, fireproof and light weight. |
| US09284685B1 |
Foil apparatus for paper making machine
A foil apparatus for a paper making machine includes a foil member positionable relative to forming fabric of a paper making machine, and a pulse generator coupled to the foil member, the pulse generator being adjacent to the foil member for forming a nip between the foil member and the forming fabric, the nip for creating movement in a slurry stock for reducing flocculation. A method of dewatering a forming fabric in a paper making machine includes moving a forming fabric carrying a slurry stock through a dewatering area of the paper making machine; positioning a foil apparatus for supporting the forming fabric, the foil apparatus having a foil member defining a work surface and a pulse generator coupled to the foil member adjacent the work surface; and forming a nip between the work surface and the forming fabric by positioning the pulse generator relative to the work surface. |
| US09284684B2 |
Flared inlet insert for introducing flow into a flash tank
An insert inlet tube assembly for a flash tank including a sidewall and an insert inlet port has been conceived, the insert inlet tube assembly may comprise: a tubular section configured to be inserted into the inlet port and fixed to the inlet port, and an insert outlet of the tubular section, and inserted into an inlet port of the chamber, wherein the insert inlet tube extends inward of the sidewall and the insert outlet has an elongated cross-sectional shape oriented substantially parallel to a center vertical axis of the flash tank and substantially perpendicular to a radial line of the flash tank, such that the insert outlet is substantially tangential to the sidewall. |
| US09284683B2 |
Highly durable outdoor textile fabric having improved resistancy and repellency
The present invention relates to a highly durable, water resistant, and water and/or oil repellent outdoor textile fabric. The outdoor textile fabric may be prepared by treating the front surface of the textile fabric with an aqueous treatment composition containing a fluorochemical agent and applying a second treatment composition containing a polyurethane to the back surface of the textile fabric. The outdoor textile fabric may be used in a variety of outdoor applications including automotive and marine applications, as a cover, canopy or banner, in military applications, as an awning, tent, umbrella, or in casual outdoor furniture. |
| US09284677B2 |
Laundry machine
A laundry machine is provided that includes a tub that holds washing water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a drive having a rotational shaft connected to the drum, a bearing housing that rotatably supports the rotational shaft, a motor that rotates the rotational shaft, and a suspension assembly that supportably buffers vibration of the drum. An up/down direction height of a front of the tub is greater than a left/right direction width of the tub. |
| US09284673B2 |
Method of controlling a multi-tub washing machine
A method of controlling a washing machine having a first washing tub and a second washing tub, the method having the operations: receiving a first operating command to be performed in the first washing tub; determining whether the operating command can be performed; and when the operating command can be performed, performing the operating command in the first washing tub. |
| US09284671B2 |
Tool module for textile machine
A tool module (16) comprises a module body (15) comprising at least two contact surfaces (22, 27). They are separated from one another by means of a groove (30) and one of them extends into the groove (30). A fixed and accurate fit of the tool module (16) on each bar is ensured by means of this groove. Yarn filaments or very fine dirt particles, grout or wear on the accommodations can be accommodated by the groove. In addition, a simple and failure-free assembly is ensured. |
| US09284667B2 |
Woven fabric having filaments with a pentagram cross-section
A woven fabric includes a plurality of interlaced multifilament yarns, wherein at least one of the multifilament yarns includes first and second filaments having a pentagram cross-section, and the first and second filaments have a degree of modification between 1.4 and 2.6. The woven fabric has at least one surface calendered so that at least part of the multifilament yarns are compressed and the first and second filaments interlock with one another to retain low air permeability after repeated washing. |
| US09284666B2 |
Network layer with biodegradable substance
A network layer is provided that contains at least one thermoplastic biodegradable substance. The network layer contains at least one colored first material in a first direction, the first colored material exhibiting a first absorption coefficient, and at least one colored second material in a second direction, the second colored material exhibiting a second absorption coefficient. The colored first material and the colored second material are in contact with each other, a coloration of the first material is different from a coloration of the second material, and the second absorption coefficient is different from the first absorption coefficient. |
| US09284665B2 |
Method for removing sulfur from fiber using halide salt ion exchange
The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, said method comprising: a) contacting never-dried sulfate anion containing polymeric-fiber with an aqueous salt solution comprising halide anions to displace at least a portion of the sulfate anions with halide anions; and b) rinsing the fiber to remove displaced sulfate anions. |
| US09284663B2 |
Articles containing woven or non-woven ultra-high surface area macro polymeric fibers
This disclosure relates to articles that comprise polymeric winged fibers. The winged fibers have a high surface area because of their structure, which includes a core surrounded by a plurality of lobes. Channels of one micron or less in width are formed between adjacent lobes to form paths for the capture and/or transport of gases, liquids or particles. The winged fibers are assembled in woven or non-woven fabrics for use in wipes, absorbent pads, composite structures, apparel, outdoor wear, bedding, filtration systems, purification/separation systems, thermal and acoustic insulation, cell scaffolding, and battery membranes. |
| US09284660B2 |
Apparatus of producing silicon single crystal and method of producing silicon single crystal
An apparatus of producing a silicon single crystal including: an imaging device; a heat shield that has a circular opening; a first operation unit that operates the imaging device and takes a real image of the heat shield and a mirror image of the heat shield reflected on a surface of the silicon melt, measures a spacing between the real image and the mirror image, and calculates a position of a melt-surface; a second operating unit that operates the imaging device and takes an image of a bright-zone in the vicinity of the solid-liquid interface, and calculates a position of the melt-surface based on the image of the bright zone; and a controlling unit that refers a data of the position of the silicon melt obtained by the first operation unit and the second operation unit, and controls the position of the silicon melt. |
| US09284657B2 |
Replenisher and method for producing surface-treated steel sheet
A replenisher which is capable of supplying Zr ions to a metal surface treatment solution, while suppressing an increase in the HF concentration in the metal surface treatment solution, so that a chemical conversion coating film can be continuously formed on a steel sheet by electrolysis and contains (A) zirconium hydrofluoric acid or a salt thereof and/or (B) hydrofluoric acid or a salt thereof and (C) a fluorine-free zirconium compound. The total concentration (g/l) of zirconium ions derived from the components (A) and (C) is 20 or more, and the ratio of the total molar amount (MF) of the fluorine ions derived from the components (A) and (B) relative to the total molar amount (MZr) of the zirconium ions derived from the components (A) and (C), namely MF/MZr is 0.01 or more but less than 4.00. |
| US09284656B2 |
Use of metal phosphorus in metallization of photovoltaic devices and method of fabricating same
A photovoltaic device, such as a solar cell, including a copper-containing-grid metallization structure that contains a metal phosphorus layer as a diffusion barrier is provided. The copper-containing-grid metallization structure includes, from bottom to top, an electroplated metal phosphorus layer that does not include copper or a copper alloy located within a grid pattern formed on a front side surface of a semiconductor substrate, and an electroplated copper-containing layer. A method of forming such a structure is also provided. |
| US09284651B2 |
Apparatus for production of high purity carbon monoxide
A device and a process for producing high purity CO by electrolysis of CO2 in a Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell stack and a gas separation unit, also the gas separation unit may be a Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell stack. |
| US09284650B2 |
Quaternary fatty acid esters as corrosion inhibitors
Corrosion inhibitor compositions, methods of inhibiting or reducing corrosion, and methods of manufacturing corrosion inhibitor compositions are disclosed herein. In certain methods, the corrosion inhibitor compositions may be added to an aqueous industrial system having at least one surface. The aqueous industrial system may be a water recirculating system, a cooling water system, a boiler water system, a pulp slurry, a papermaking process, a ceramic slurry, a mixed solid/liquid system, or an oil-field system. A method of manufacturing a corrosion inhibitor composition may include reacting an alkanolamine with a fatty acid to form a fatty acid ester reaction product and reacting the fatty acid ester reaction product with an alkyl halide or an acrylate. |
| US09284647B2 |
Method for coating sliding surface of high-temperature member, high-temperature member and electrode for electro-discharge surface treatment
A sliding surface of a high-temperature portion is subjected to an electro-discharge surface treatment with one or both of a high-temperature hard material (4) and a material having a lubricating property at a high temperature (6). The high-temperature hard material (4) is any or a mixture of cBN, TiC, TiN, TiAlN, TiB2, WC, Cr3C2, SiC, ZrC, VC, B4C, Si3N4, ZrO2, and Al2O3. The material having the lubricating property at the high temperature (6) contains chromium and/or chromium oxide (Cr2O3) and/or hexaboron nitride (hBN). An electrode formed by compression molding of the high-temperature hard material, and the high-temperature lubricating material containing at least one of Cr and hBN and having the lubricating property at the high temperature is used as the electrode for the electro-discharge surface treatment. |
| US09284645B2 |
Electroless method for in-line metallization of substrates by spraying them, with prior surface treatment and device for implementing the method
A method of metallizing the surface of a substrate electrolessly, by spraying one or more oxidation-reduction solutions thereonto. The steps of this method include: a) physical or chemical treatment to reduce the surface tension of the substrate before metallization; b) electroless metallization of the surface of the substrate treated in step a), by spraying one or more oxidation-reduction solutions in the form of one or more aerosols thereonto; and c) formation of a top coat on the metallized surface. Compact devices for implementing this method and the products obtained are also disclosed. |
| US09284643B2 |
Semi-continuous vapor deposition process for the manufacture of coated particles
A reactor for conducting vapor phase deposition process is disclosed. The reactor includes a reactive precursor reservoir beneath a powder reservoir and separated from it by valve means. A reactive precursor is charged into the reactive precursor reservoir and a powder is charged into the powder reservoir. The pressures are adjusted so that the pressure in the reactive precursor reservoir is higher than that of the powder reservoir. The valve means is opened, and the vapor phase reactant fluidized the powder and coats its surface. The powder falls into the reactive precursor reservoir. The apparatus permits vapor phase deposition processes to be performed semi-continuously. |
| US09284642B2 |
Method for forming oxide film by plasma-assisted processing
A method for forming an oxide film by plasma-assisted processing includes: (i) supplying a precursor reactive to none of oxygen, CxOy, and NxOy (x and y are integers) without a plasma to a reaction space wherein a substrate is placed; (ii) exposing the precursor to a plasma of CxOy and/or NxOy in the reaction space; and (iii) forming an oxide film on the substrate using the precursor and the plasma. |
| US09284640B2 |
Method of producing graphene from liquid metal
A method for producing a graphene layer on a multilayered plate containing, as the graphene forming matrix, an external layer composed of a metal or a metal alloy and, as a support substrate, the transition metals and/or their alloys and/or metalloids and/or their solutions and compounds, the method involving subjecting the multilayered plate to heat treatment in the following stages: plate heating until the plate reaches a temperature that is between 0.5° C. and 50° C., annealing, at a constant or variable temperature from the temperature range, for a period between 60 and 600 seconds and cooling, with the cooling rate maintained between 0.1 and 2° C./min in the temperature range of 1,200° C.-1,050° C. |
| US09284636B1 |
Impact toughness and heat treatment for cast aluminum
A method for transforming a cast component made of modified aluminum alloy by increasing the impact toughness coefficient using minimal heat and energy. The aluminum alloy is modified to contain 0.55%-0.60% magnesium, 0.10%-0.15% titanium or zirconium, less than 0.07% iron, a silicon-to-magnesium product ratio of 4.0, and less than 0.15% total impurities. The shortened heat treatment requires an initial heating at 1,000° F. for up to 1 hour followed by a water quench and a second heating at 350° F. to 390° F. for up to 1 hour. An optional short bake paint cycle or powder coating process further increases the impact toughness coefficient of the cast component. |
| US09284632B2 |
Steel for nitrocarburizing, nitrocarburized steel part, and producing method of nitrocarburized steel part
Steel for nitrocarburizing includes, by mass %, C: 0% to less than 0.15%; Si: 0.01% to 1.00%; Mn: 0.01% to 1.00%; S: 0.0001% to 0.050%; Al: 0.0001% to 0.050%; Ti: more than 0.50% to 1.50%; N: 0.0005% to 0.0100%; and the balance consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, in which P is limited to 0.050% or less; O is limited to 0.0060% or less; and the amount of Ti [Ti %], the amount of C [C %], the amount of N [N %], and the amount of S [S %] satisfy 0.48<[Ti %]−47.9×([C %]/12+[N %]/14+[S %]/32)≦1.20. |
| US09284631B2 |
Hypereutectic white iron alloys comprising chromium and nitrogen and articles made therefrom
Disclosed are a hypereutectic white iron alloy and articles such as pump components made therefrom. Besides iron and unavoidable impurities the alloy comprises, in weight percent based on the total weight of the alloy, from 2.5 to 6.5 C, from 0.04 to 1.2 N and from 18 to 58 Cr and, optionally, one or more of Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Mo, W, V, Mg, Ca, Si, rare earth elements, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf, Al, B. |
| US09284625B2 |
Use of polyols as scale control reagents in the mining processes
A hyperbranched polyglycerol is employed as a process stabilization aid of pregnant liquor of a Bayer process of producing alumina from bauxite. The hyperbranched polyglycerol has a molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 1,000,000. |
| US09284624B2 |
Process for recovering zinc and/or zinc oxide II
A process for recovering zinc from a zinc containing material, the process including the steps of: leaching the zinc containing material with an alkaline lixiviant comprising an aqueous mixture of NH3 and NH4Cl, or ionic equivalent, having a NH4Cl concentration of between about 10 g/L and about 150 g/L H2O and a NH3 concentration of between 20 g/l H2O and 250 g/L H2O, to produce a zinc containing leachate; stripping ammonia from the leachate to produce a stripped liquor which includes a zinc containing precipitate, the stripped liquor having a NH3 concentration of between 7 and 30 g/L H2O; and recovering the zinc from the stripped liquor. |
| US09284620B2 |
Increase in the separation factor between americium and curium and/or between lanthanides in a liquid-liquid extraction operation
A method using diglycolamide for increasing the separation factor between americium and curium and/or between lanthanides during an extraction operation. The operation comprising putting an acid aqueous phase, in which are found the americium, curium and/or lanthanides, in contact with an organic phase non-miscible with water, containing at least one extractant in an organic diluent. The aqueous and organic phases are then separated, and the diglycolamide is added to the aqueous phase. This method can be used for processing and recycling irradiated nuclear fuels, in particular for selectively recovering americium from high activity aqueous solutions such as raffinates stemming from the processing of irradiated nuclear fuels with a PUREX or COEX™ method; processing of rare earth ores of the monazite, xenotime or bastnaesite type, in order to facilitate separation of < |
| US09284616B2 |
Universal biomass refinery
The invention is directed to a process for refining biomass to produce hemicellulose hydrolyzates, cellulose of sugars involving the perforate at least a portion of the cells of the prepared biomass prior to hydrolyzing the biomass, reclaiming the catalysts used in hydrolysis for further hydrolysis, and drying the hydrolysis using reclaimed heat from previous steps in the process. |
| US09284613B2 |
Quantitative multiplexed identification of nucleic acid targets
Methods and systems for detecting a target nucleic acid using the quantitative capabilities of real-time nucleic acid amplification systems and the multiplexing capabilities of hybridization systems, comprising: identifying a conservative sequence and a distinctive sequence within each target nucleic acid sequence; simultaneously amplifying the conservative region and the distinctive region; monitoring the amplification of the conservative region in real-time; identifying the distinctive region amplicon via multiplexed identification; and performing quantitative multiplexing analysis of the target by combining the real-time monitoring information with the multiplexed identification of the target nucleic acid. |
| US09284605B2 |
Single molecule sequencing of captured nucleic acids
The invention provides methods and devices for detecting, enumerating or identifying target nucleic acid molecules using immobilized capture probes and single molecule sequencing techniques. |
| US09284602B2 |
Compositions of toehold primer duplexes and methods of use
Provided herein are primers and primer systems having improved specificity and kinetics over existing primers, and methods of use thereof. |
| US09284599B2 |
Method for detecting the presence of specific micro-organisms and device for the same
A method of testing for the presence of a preselected target nucleic acid, protein or antigen in a biological sample by exposing nucleic acids, proteins or antigens to a probe having a catalytic element and binding element. The catalytic element catalyses at least one reaction that results in a physical change such that identifiable elements provide an indication of the presence of the target. |
| US09284598B2 |
Methods to assay phosphatase activity
Methods and kits for enzymes involved in post-translational modifications are provided. The methods employ elemental analysis, including ICP-MS. The methods allow for the convenient and accurate analysis of post-translation modifications of substrates by enzymes involved in post-translational modifications, including kinase and phosphatase enyzmes. |
| US09284595B2 |
Real-time assay for the detection of botulinum toxin
A real-time portable and rapid detection assay to identify the presence of biologically active toxins such as botulinum toxins. The proteolytic activity of BoNT/A is measured using a peptide cleavage assay, where a fluorescent substrate is cleaved by BoNT/A, resulting in increased fluorescence. This fluorescence can be monitored in real-time using a fluorescence detection instrument, such as a real-time PCR system that has been modified to implement a detection algorithm specific to the identification of the target toxin. |
| US09284588B2 |
Promoters for expressing genes in a fungal cell
The present invention relates to isolated promoters and constructs, vectors, and fungal host cells comprising such promoters operably linked to polynucleotides encoding polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for producing such polypeptides. |
| US09284585B2 |
Method for increasing yield of total flavonoids in Ganoderma lucidum mycelium
A method for increasing the yield of total flavonoids in Ganoderma lucidum mycelium by an expansin comprises: (1) inoculating Ganoderma lucidum into the PD liquid fermentation medium, activating the culturing of the strains and obtaining a seed solution; (2) inoculating the seed solution into a liquid fermentation medium, culturing and adding the expansin solution, then further culturing, isolating and obtaining Ganoderma lucidum mycelium; (3) extracting flavonoids from the Ganoderma lucidum mycelium and obtaining total flavonoids. A plant expansin is used for the liquid fermentation production of flavonoids ingredients of Ganoderma lucidum, and the fermentation process and extraction method are optimized to increase greatly the yield of total flavonoids in Ganoderma lucidum. |
| US09284584B2 |
Method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the family Enterobacteriaceae having enhanced expression of the flagella formation and motility cascade genes
The present invention provides a method for producing L-amino acid using a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, particularly a motile bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia, Enterobacter or Pantoea, wherein the bacterium has been modified so that expression of at least one gene of the flagella formation and motility cascade is enhanced. |
| US09284583B2 |
Enzyme-catalyzed polyoxyalkylene esters
One aspect of the present invention is a polyoxyalkylene ester composition comprising the reaction product of a polyoxyalkylated alcohol or polyol reactant and an acyl donor wherein the ester has greater than about 85 weight percent of a fully acylated polyoxyalkylene ester, less than about 15 percent of a partially acylated polyoxyalkylene ester, less than about 5 parts per million 1,4-dioxane and an acid number of less than about 20. Another aspect of the invention is a process for making the polyoxyalkylene ester composition that includes the steps of contacting a reaction mixture of an polyoxyalkylated alcohol or polyol reactant and an acyl donor reactant in a reactor and in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst under esterification conditions and recovering the polyoxyalkylene ester. |
| US09284582B2 |
Method for preparing mutant Escherichia coli capable of simultaneously utilizing glucose and xylose
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a mutant E. coli strain, capable of simultaneously using glucose and xylose, by genetic engineering and evolutionary adaptation; the mutant E. coli prepared using the same; and a method for producing biofuels, biologically active ingredients, medicinal materials or base chemicals for the chemical industry using the mutant E. coli. Being capable of simultaneously using glucose and xylose, in contrast to wild-type E. coli, the mutant E. coli can be effectively applied to the enzymatic saccharification process of producing biofuels from a biomass. |
| US09284580B2 |
Metabolic engineering of clostridium tyrobutyricum for butanol production
This invention relates to compositions, systems, and methods for producing biofuels, such as butanol, and related compounds. More specifically, provided are methods of making recombinant microorganizms having non-naturally occurring metabolic pathways for the production of biofuels, and methods of producing biofuels using such organizms. Also provided are metabolically engineered microorganizms capable of producing butanol from a substrate. |
| US09284578B2 |
Methyl butenol synthase
The present invention provides novels genes encoding methyl butenol (MBO) synthase, methy butenol synthases and their use in methyl butenol production. |
| US09284574B2 |
Rag-based selection methods for improving aphid resistance in soybeans
This invention relates to methods of improving resistance to aphids in soybean plants, as well as methods for identifying and/or selecting soybean plants or germplasm that display improved resistance to one or more biotypes of soybean aphid. In certain examples, the method comprises selecting a first and second soybean plant or germplasm, each of which has a different favorable Rag1, Rag2, or Rag3, allele, haplotype, or marker profile, and crossing those first and second soybean plants to produce a progeny plant with improved soybean aphid resistance. This invention further relates to markers, primers, probes, kits, systems, etc., useful for carrying out the methods described herein. |
| US09284573B2 |
Modified Cry1Ca insecticial Cry proteins
The present invention includes modified, insecticidal B.t. Cry1Ca proteins, including the proteins designated herein as DIG-109 and DIG-152, as well as variants of DIG-109 and DIG-152, nucleic acids encoding these proteins, methods of controlling pests using the proteins, methods of producing the proteins in transgenic host cells, and transgenic plants that produce the proteins. The DIG-109 and DIG-152 proteins comprise chimeric peptides composed of a core toxin segment of B.t. Cry1Ca and a Cry1Ab protoxin segment. Insecticidally active variants of the DIG-109 and DIG-152 proteins are also described. |
| US09284572B2 |
Plant heat-resistance gene JAZ5A and use thereof
The present invention provides a heat-resistance plant gene JAZ5a and use thereof. The inventors of the present invention isolated for the first time a heat resistance gene from the plant of Brassica spp., which can greatly improve the heat-resistance ability of the plant, especially in the bolting stage. The present invention further provides a protein encoded by said gene and its preparation method, vectors and host cells containing said gene, and a method for preparing a transgenic plant containing said gene. |
| US09284570B2 |
Microbial production of natural sweeteners, diterpenoid steviol glycosides
The invention relates to recombinant expression of a steviol or steviol glycosides biosynthetic pathway enzymes in cells and the production of steviol or steviol glycosides. |
| US09284563B2 |
Stringent selectable markers
The present invention relates to nucleic acid constructs comprising selectable marker genes in a multicistronic transcription unit for use in the generation and selection of eukaryotic host cells for expression of a gene product of interest. For increased stringency of selection, the coding sequence of the selectable marker may be directed preceded by a relatively short functional open reading frame to reduce the efficiency of translation of the selectable marker, and/or the amino acid sequence of the selectable marker may comprise one or more mutations that reduce the level of resistance provide by the mutated marker as compared to its wild type counterpart. The invention further relates to methods for generating eukaryotic host cells for expression of a gene product of interest, wherein these nucleic acid constructs are used, and to methods for producing a gene product of interest wherein thus generated host cells are applied. |
| US09284544B2 |
Cleaning compositions comprising amylase variants reference to a sequence listing
The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising variants of an alpha-amylase and methods of treating surfaces such as textiles with aqueous liquor comprising such compositions, especially at low temperatures. |
| US09284534B2 |
Cholesterol oxidase mutants, compositions, devices, kits and uses thereof
Compositions, devices, kits and methods are disclosed for assaying cholesterol with a cholesterol oxidase mutant that has been modified at an amino acid residue involved in the active site. The cholesterol oxidase mutant has reduced oxidase activity while substantially maintaining its dehydrogenase activity. |
| US09284531B2 |
Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into cells expressing mature hepatocyte markers by 2D and bioreactor culture
The present invention relates to the use of 3D culturing systems for the derivation of hepatocyte-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPS). In particular, the invention concerns the directed differentiation and maturation of human pluripotent stem cells into hepatocyte like cells in 3D hollow fiber capillary bioreactors. |
| US09284526B2 |
Culture medium with yeast or soy bean extract as amino acid source and no protein complexes of animal origin
The present invention relates to a medium containing non-animal derived proteinaceous material for cultivating patheogenic bacteria to produce an immunogenic factor and processes employing such medium. |
| US09284521B2 |
Pivoting pressurized single-use bioreactor
Pressurized hermetically sealed bags disposed inside a cylindrical support and containing a septum with variable density of porosity and dividing the bag into two chambers are used to provide optimal mixing and gasification of nutrient media to grow a variety of biological cultures, particularly the cell cultures to produce a multitude of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in a disposable system. |
| US09284519B2 |
Photobioreactor
Provided herein is a transgenic bacteria engineered to accumulate carbohydrates, for example disaccharides. Also provided is a photobioreactor for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms comprising a non-gelatinous, solid cultivation support suitable for providing nutrients and moisture to photosynthetic microorganisms and a physical barrier covering at least a portion of the surface of the cultivation support. Devices for the large scale and continuous cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms incorporating photobioreactors and methods of use are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of producing fermentable sugar from photosynthetic microorganisms using a photobioreactor of the invention. |
| US09284516B2 |
Composition for cleaning, protecting and revitalizing surfaces in general and the product obtained therefrom
The present invention is directed to a composition for cleaning, protecting and revitalizing surfaces in general and the product obtained therefrom, pertaining to the field of chemistry, more particularly to a composition based on water, silica, hydrogen peroxide, trimethyl ammonium chloride and a fragrance, thus forming a non-abrasive product able to breakdown oil molecules, greases, and it may be applied to surfaces of any nature having or not soil on same, the purpose of which is to clean, protect and revitalize original characteristics thereof, such as brightness and texture, and it may be applied to painted and/or polished surfaces as well, so that such a surface becomes hydrophobic. |
| US09284509B2 |
Friction piece operating in a lubricated medium
The lubricated environment incorporates a friction modifier, and a coating is applied to the part. The coating is chromium nitride and the friction modifier is MoDTC. The chromium nitride presents an NaCl-type crystallization and a microhardness of 1,800+/−200 HV. |
| US09284505B2 |
Composition to improve oxidation stability of fuel oils
The present invention describes a composition comprising at least one antioxidant and at least one ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer comprising units being derived from at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate having 1 to 30 carbon atoms in the alkyl residue. The composition is useful as cold flow improver and oxidation stabilizer in fossil fuel oil and or biodiesel fuel oil. |
| US09284501B2 |
Integrated slurry hydroprocessing and steam pyrolysis of crude oil to produce petrochemicals
An integrated slurry hydroprocessing and steam pyrolosyis process for the production of olefins and aromatic petrochemicals from a crude oil feedstock is provided. Crude oil, a steam pyrolysis residual liquid fraction and slurry reside are combined and treated in a hydroprocessing zone in the presence of hydrogen under conditions effective to produce an effluent having an increased hydrogen content. The effluent is thermally cracked with steam under conditions effective to produce a mixed product stream and steam pyrolysis residual liquid fraction. The mixed product stream is separated and olefins and aromatics are recovered and hydrogen is purified and recycled. |
| US09284492B2 |
Catalyst for enhanced propylene in fluidized catalytic cracking
A fluid catalytic cracking catalyst for increased production of propylene and gasoline from heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, the catalyst comprising between 10 and 20% by weight of an ultra-stable Y-type zeolite, between 10 and 20% by weight of a phosphorous modified sub-micron ZSM-5, between 20 and 30% by weight of a pseudoboehmite alumina, and between 30 and 40% by weight kaolin. |
| US09284491B2 |
Device for a directed introduction of primary combustion air into the gas space of a coke battery
A device for a directed gas routing of primary air into a coke chamber oven is disclosed. The primary air is conducted through the coke chamber top into the gas space of a coke oven battery and is laterally deflected as it enters into the gas space of the coke chamber. Also disclosed is a method for lateral deflection of primary air as it enters into the coke oven chamber, thus improving the distribution of the primary air in the coke oven chamber. |
| US09284487B2 |
Up-conversion luminescent coatings/materials for antimicrobial applications
The present invention provides continuous, non-hazardous sterilization and anti-microorganism protection by the generation of interactive, emission responsive surfaces, coatings, and coating systems. |
| US09284476B2 |
Treatment fluids comprising magnetic surfactants and methods relating thereto
Treatment fluids that include magnetic surfactants may be useful in various subterranean operations, e.g., particulate placement operations and drilling operations. For example, some methods may include introducing a treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid including at least a base fluid and a magnetic surfactant, the magnetic surfactant being a cationic surfactant having a magnetically susceptible counterion. |
| US09284475B2 |
Pressure sensitive adhesive with butene-1 copolymers
Pressure sensitive adhesive composition and multilayer easy peel re-closable structures thereof, comprising a butene-1 (co)polymer (A) having a content of butene-1 derived units of 80 wt % or more; a flexural modulus (MEF) of 80 MPa or less; a melting temperature DSC (TmI) lower than 110° C., and optionally a tackifier (B). |
| US09284471B2 |
Film coatings based on polyalkylimine condensation polymers
A coated thermoplastic film and a method of making the coated film, wherein at least one side of the film is coated with a coating composition, the coating composition comprising the reaction product of a polyalkyleneimine having at least primary nitrogens, and an epoxide compound having at least one epoxide moiety and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 200 g/mole. The weight of the dried coating compound on each side of the film is within the range from 0.005 g/m2 to 0.100 g/m2, and is especially useful in coating films to allow for printability when the film surface will be exposed to high levels of silicon that might come from, for example, release paper/films. |
| US09284469B2 |
Film-forming hydrophilic polymers for transfix printing process
Provided is a coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system. The coating composition can include at least one hydrophilic polymer, at least one of hygroscopic plasticizer, at least one surfactant, and water. |
| US09284468B2 |
Coating dispersion
A dispersion having from one to sixty percent by weight of total dispersion of a solids component dispersed in an organic continuous phase is useful as a coating for substrates. The solids component contains 40-95 weight-percent of a polyolefin containing only carbon and hydrogen and that has a number average molecular weight that is greater than 400 gram per mole, 5-40 weight-percent of an amine salt of a functionalized polyolefin; and 0-20 weight-percent of optional additives, wherein weight-percent is based on total weight of solids and wherein the dispersed particles have an average particle size of less than 35 micrometers and the organic phase is a dispersion support medium for the polyolefin and amine salt of a functionalized polyolefin. |
| US09284466B2 |
Active energy ray-curable inkjet ink set
To provide an active energy ray-curable inkjet ink set including ink of at least two different colors, wherein a blending amount of a surface tension adjusting agent to be blended in ink of each color is 1.0 to 5.0% by weight with respect to a total amount of the ink of each color, a difference in the blending amount of the surface tension adjusting agent in the ink of each color is 0.5% by weight or less with respect to a total amount of the ink of each color according to an order of printing, and a difference between maximum and minimum in the blending amount of the surface tension adjusting agent in the ink of each color is made to be 2% by weight or less. |
| US09284459B2 |
Process for forming an electrically conductive structure on a substrate
A conductive paste composition contains a source of an electrically conductive metal, an alkaline-earth-metal boron tellurium oxide, and an organic vehicle. An article such as a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell is formed by a process of deposition of the paste composition on a semiconductor device substrate (e.g., by screen printing) and firing the paste to remove the organic vehicle and sinter the metal and establish electrical contact between it and the device. |
| US09284456B2 |
Superficially porous metal oxide particles, methods for making them, and separation devices using them
Superficially porous hybrid particles include hybrid solid cores that each contain an inorganic material and an organic material; and porous hybrid outer shells each include the inorganic and organic materials and having ordered pores, wherein the ordered pores have a median pore size ranges from about 15 to about 1000 Å with a pore size distribution (one standard deviation) of no more than 50% of the median pore size and produce at least one X-ray diffraction peak between 0.01° and 10° of a 2θ scan range; wherein the particles have a median size range from about 0.5 μm to about 100 μm with a particle size distribution (one standard deviation) of no more than 15% of the median particle size, wherein the inorganic material comprises a metal oxide selected from silica, alumina, titania or zirconia. |
| US09284454B2 |
Room temperature curable silicone elastomer composition
By preparing a one part silicone RTV composition with a high initial uncured plasticity, specifically a Williams plasticity of from 80 to 900 mm, formulations can be prepared that are easy and convenient for consumers to mold into a variety of shapes, which, once molded, will hold their shape exactly during cure without slump or flow. |
| US09284453B2 |
Soluble conductive polymer and method for preparing same
Disclosed is a conductive polymer, which is doped with an acid and has a weight-average molecular weight of 5,000 or less when provided in the form of a base type, with a solubility of 3% or more in a polar organic solvent. Because the conductive polymer is soluble in various polar organic solvents, the solvent may be freely selected depending on the end use of the conductive polymer and thus the conductive polymer has a very wide range of industrial applications. A method of preparing the conductive polymer is also provided, which is simple and generates a small amount of wastewater and thus reduces the preparation cost and is environmentally friendly. |
| US09284452B2 |
Connection structure for photovoltaic power generation module
To provide a connection structure for a photovoltaic power generation module which is excellent in long-term heat resistance and which is excellent in low-temperature impact resistance even if the structure is reduced in wall thickness and size. There is provided a connection structure (1) for a photovoltaic power generation module which at least joins a photovoltaic power generation module to a cable for connecting to the photovoltaic power generation module, the connection structure for the photovoltaic power generation module comprising a thermoplastic resin composition having, as an index of long-term heat resistance, a relative thermal index (RTI) of tensile impact strength at a thickness of 1.5 mm of 115° C. or higher, and a Charpy impact strength at −40° C. of 6.5 kJ/m2 or more. |
| US09284448B2 |
Molded reflectors for light-emitting diode assemblies
Polymer compositions are described containing a poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate) polymer in combination with a white pigment and optionally one or more reinforcing fillers. In accordance with the present disclosure, the composition also contains one or more reactive viscosity stabilizers. In order to prevent against yellowing, the composition is free of various aromatic epoxy resins, such as novolac epoxy resins. The polymer composition has excellent reflectance properties making the composition well suited for producing reflectors for light sources, such as LED assemblies. |
| US09284446B2 |
Soluble aqueous compositions of zinc salts of selected polyitaconic acid polymers
The present invention relates to soluble aqueous compositions comprising metal salts of selected polyitaconic acid (PIA) resins. |
| US09284442B2 |
Caps and closures comprising a propylene random copolymer, and a method for producing them
The present invention relates to caps and closures comprising a specific propylene random copolymer, obtained by polymerization with a metallocene-based polymerization catalyst. |
| US09284438B2 |
Rubber composition and pneumatic tire
Provided are a rubber composition achieving balanced improvements in fuel economy, wet-grip performance, abrasion resistance, and handling stability, and a pneumatic tire including the composition. The rubber composition includes a rubber component including at least 95% by mass of conjugated diene polymers having a Tg of −75-0° C. and a Mw of 1.5×105-1.5×106, the rubber component (100% by mass) including 5-65% by mass of SBR (A) having a styrene content of at least 5% by mass but less than 15% by mass and a vinyl bond content of 10-70 mol %, and 20-75% by mass of SBR (B) having a styrene content of at least 15% by mass but less than 30% by mass and a vinyl bond content of 10-70 mol %, the composition including, per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, 1-30 parts by mass of a low-molecular-weight conjugated diene polymer having a Tg of −75-0° C. and a Mw of at least 1.0×103 but less than 1.5×105, and 10-150 parts by mass of silica having a N2SA of 40-400 m2/g, the composition having a tan δ peak temperature of at least −20° C. |
| US09284437B2 |
Rubber compound and tire with component
The invention relates to a rubber composition with a stiffness property promoted by combination of short fibers and resin product of a methylene donor and a methylene acceptor, where at least a portion of the methylene acceptor is comprised of expoxidized phenol formaldehyde, and to a tire with a component comprised of such rubber composition. |
| US09284434B2 |
Epoxy resin compositions
A re-epoxidized polyfunctional epoxy resin composition comprising the reaction product of: (I) an epoxidized polyfunctional epoxy resin oligomeric composition comprising a polyfunctional aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin which has been isolated from an epoxy resin product formed as a result of an epoxidation process comprising the reaction of: (i) an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydroxyl-containing material; (ii) an epihalohydrin, (iii) a basic-acting substance, in the presence of (iv) a non-Lewis acid catalyst; and (v) optionally, one or more solvents; (II) an epihalohydrin; (III) a basic acting substance; in the presence of (IV) a non-Lewis acid catalyst; and (V) optionally, one or more solvents. A curable epoxy resin composition of the re-epoxidized polyfunctional epoxy resin composition and a thermoset of the curable composition is also disclosed. |
| US09284432B2 |
Method for degrading a readily-degradable resin composition
A method for degrading a readily degradable resin composition comprising an aliphatic polyester (A) which is biodegradable, and an aliphatic polyester (B′) which releases an acid upon hydrolysis and which is biodegradable at a higher degradation rate than that of the aliphatic polyester (A), the method comprising degrading the readily degradable resin composition in an enzyme reaction liquid containing a degradation enzyme, and an acid neutralizing agent incompatible with the enzyme reaction liquid. |
| US09284425B2 |
Dimensionally stable resin composition for flooring
The present invention provides a resin composition for flooring characterized in that it comprises a PLA resin, a plasticizer, and an acrylate oligomer. Also, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing flooring, comprising the step of processing flooring which includes a sheet-like molded body of the resin composition and manufacturing the sheet-like molded body by processing the resin composition through extrusion or calendaring methods. |
| US09284422B2 |
Method of preparing a transparent polumer material comprising a thermoplastic polycarbonate and mineral nanoparticles
A method of preparing a transparent polymer material includes mixing mineral nanoparticles selected from nanoparticles of alkaline-earth metal carbonates, alkaline-earth metal sulfates, metallic oxides, oxides of metalloids, and siloxanes, and a composition A including at least one thermoplastic polymer in the molten state selected from polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in order to obtain a master-batch, the mixture of step i) including at least 25% and at most 75% by weight of the mineral nanoparticles. The master-batch obtained in step i) is mixed with a composition B of a thermoplastic polycarbonate matrix (PCm) in the molten state, to obtain a transparent polymer material including at most 10% by weight of the mineral nanoparticles, preferably at most 5% by weight of the mineral nanoparticles. |
| US09284419B2 |
Method of preparing a nanoparticle dispersion of a modified metal oxide
The present invention relates to a method of preparing polymer compositions comprising modified metal oxides in a polymer wherein a nanoparticle dispersion of a metal oxide in a non-aqueous solvent is combined with at least one coupling agent to form a nanoparticle dispersion of a modified metal oxide in the non-aqueous solvent. The nanoparticle dispersion is then combined with a polymer followed by the removal of the non-aqueous solvent or, alternatively, combined with a monomer, which is polymerized to form the polymer and removal of the solvent, in any order. Also disclosed are polymer compositions prepared by this method. |
| US09284415B2 |
Oxygen tailoring of polyethylene
Processes are disclosed for oxygen-tailoring polyethylene, particularly polyethylenes suitable for wire and cable applications. One process includes conveying a first polyethylene having a melt index ≦5.0 and an MWD ≦5.0 through mixing or extrusion apparatus having a feed zone, a melt-mixing zone downstream of the feed zone, and a melt zone downstream of the melt-mixing zone, wherein the temperature of the first polyethylene in the melt zone ranges from about 180° C. to about 300° C.; and contacting the first polyethylene with an amount of an oxygen-containing gas having at least about 20.0 parts by weight oxygen per million per parts by weight of the first polyethylene (ppm (wt) O2). Polyethylene compositions having improved properties, particularly for wire and cable applications are disclosed. |
| US09284414B2 |
Flame retardant polymers containing renewable content
A flame retardant polymer is prepared from renewable content. In an exemplary synthetic method, a bio-derived flame retardant polymer is prepared by a polycondensation reaction of a biobased diol (e.g., isosorbide) and a phosphorus-containing monomer (e.g., phenylphosphonic dichloride). The biobased diol may be obtained either directly from, or through modification of, a biological product. Preferably, at least 50% of the mass of the biobased diol is obtained directly from a biological product. The phosphorus-containing monomer may be a phosphonic dichloride, dichlorophosphate, alkyl/aryl phosphonate, or other phosphorus-containing monomer known for flame retardancy. |
| US09284409B2 |
Endoprosthesis having a non-fouling surface
In embodiments, medical devices have a surface that includes a catalytic material, and a non-fouling material attached to the surface. The non-fouling material can be released from the surface, for example, by cleavage of a bond connecting the material to the surface. The bond can be a chemical bond, such as a covalent bond. |
| US09284407B2 |
Preparation of poly(alkylene carbonate) containing cross-linked high molecular weight chains
Provided is preparation of poly(alkylene carbonate) through alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxide. According to the disclosure, by introducing a diepoxide compound to alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxide compound using a metal(III) prepared with salen-type ligands containing quaternary ammonium salt as a catalyst, some of the polymer chains may be cross-linked to thus increase an average molecular weight of the copolymer and extend a distribution of molecular weight. A resin prepared according to this method may have high mechanical strength and rheological advantages. |
| US09284402B2 |
High molecular weight castor oil-based polyols and uses thereof
Castor oil-based polyol polymer compositions and their use in processes for preparing polyurethane compounds with modified properties (e.g. tensile strength, hydrolytic stability, and the like) are described. |
| US09284399B2 |
Process for making a flexible polyurethane foam
Process for making a flexible polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate and a polyol composition in the presence of water, a reactive amine catalyst and a specific metal salt. The foams have a low level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and a desirable combination of mechanical and durability properties. |
| US09284380B2 |
Anti-ErbB3 antibodies and uses thereof
The present invention provides antibodies that bind to ErbB3 and methods of using same. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies are fully human antibodies that bind to human ErbB3. In certain embodiments, the antibodies of the present invention block the interaction of ErbB3 with an ErbB3 ligand such as neuregulin 1. The antibodies of the invention are useful for the treatment of various cancers. |
| US09284377B2 |
MDL-1 ligand
The invention provides methods for modulation interactions between MDL-1 and its binding partner, Gal9. Also provided are methods to screen for modulators of MDL-1/Gal9 interaction. |
| US09284374B2 |
Method of producing heterogeneous protein
The present invention provides a method capable of producing a natural or recombinant protein in high yield. The present invention relates to a method of producing a polypeptide, comprising culturing a cell which strongly expresses alanine aminotransferase and has a transferred DNA encoding a desired polypeptide and thereby allowing the cell to produce the polypeptide. |
| US09284371B2 |
Methods of producing adalimumab
The invention describes improved methods and compositions for producing a recombinant protein, e.g., an antibody, in mammalian cell culture. In addition, the invention provides improved cell culture media, including improved production media, feed solutions, and combination feeds, which may be used to improve protein productivity in mammalian cell culture. |
| US09284362B2 |
α/β-peptide mimics of Z-domain peptides
Described are α/β-peptide mimics of Z-domain scaffold peptides, methods of making them, and methods of using them. The α/β-peptide mimics include β-amino acid residues and, optionally, disulfide bonds to stabilize the conformation of the mimics. The compounds may be truncated as compared to conventional Z-domain scaffold peptides and are resistant to proteolytic degradation due to the presence of β-amino acid residues. The mimics can be made so as to bind selectively to a desired target. |
| US09284360B2 |
Diagnostic test for infectious diseases in cattle
The invention relates to an isolated or recombinant protein from the shark Heterodontus francisci, which has bovine-erythrocyte-recognition activity and which can bind to sequences of antigens and/or proteins that are characteristic of infectious diseases. Once the aforementioned protein is bound to specific antigens of infectious diseases, it can haemagglutinate upon recognizing the bovine erythrocytes and antibodies characteristic of said diseases, which are present in the active state in biological samples such as whole blood, plasma or serum of bovine origin. The invention also relates to methods for protecting the detection of antibodies characteristic of infectious diseases, using the purified periplasmic extract or fusion protein, optionally purifying the recombinant protein. |
| US09284359B2 |
Method for mass preparation of proteoglycan
An object of the present invention is to efficiently extract proteoglycan from aquatic animal tissues. The method of the present invention is a method for extracting proteoglycan from fish cartilage, comprising the step of (A) heating small pieces of frozen fish cartilage in water. This method of the present invention enables easy extraction of proteoglycan from fish cartilage with very high efficiency. In particular, the method of the present invention enables extraction of high-molecular-weight proteoglycan. Further, since in the method of the present invention, extraction is performed using only water, it ensures safety in the extraction and safety of the resulting proteoglycan product, compared with hitherto known extraction methods using organic solvents or acids/alkali. Furthermore, the cumbersome step of removing organic solvents is not necessary in the method of the present invention. |
| US09284357B2 |
AAV's and uses thereof
The invention in some aspects relates to recombinant adeno-associated viruses having distinct tissue targeting capabilities. In some aspects, the invention relates to gene transfer methods using the recombinant adeno-associate viruses. In some aspects, the invention relates to isolated AAV capsid proteins and isolated nucleic acids encoding the same. |
| US09284353B2 |
Mammalian codon optimized nucleotide sequence that encodes a variant opsin polypeptide derived from Natromonas pharaonis (NpHR)
Stimulation of target cells using light, e.g., in vivo or in vitro, is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. One example involves a vector for delivering a light-activated NpHR-based molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence that codes for light-activated NpHR-based molecule and a promoter. Either a high expression of the molecule manifests a toxicity level that is less than about 75%, or the light-activated NpHR-based proteins are expressed using at least two NpHR-based molecular variants. Each of the variants characterized in being useful for expressing a light-activated NpHR-based molecule that responds to light by producing an inhibitory current to dissuade depolarization of the neuron. Other aspects and embodiments are directed to systems, methods, kits, compositions of matter and molecules for ion pumps or for controlling inhibitory currents in a cell (e.g., in in vivo and in vitro environments). |
| US09284352B2 |
Beta-hairpin peptidomimetics having CXCR4 antagonizing activity
β-Hairpin peptidomimetics of the general formula Cyclo(-Xaa1-Xaa2-Xaa3-Cys4-Xaa5-Xaa6-Xaa7-Xaa8-Arg9-Tyr10-Cys11-Xaa12-Xaa13-Xaa14-Xaa15-Xaa16-), disulfide bond between Cys4 and Cys11, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, with Xaa1, Xaa2, Xaa3, Xaa5, Xaa6, Xaa7, Xaa8, Xaa12, Xaa13, Xaa14, Xaa15 and Xaa16 being amino acid residues of certain types which are defined in the description and the claims, have CXCR4 antagonizing properties and can be used for preventing HIV infections in healthy individuals or for slowing and halting viral progression in infected patients; or where cancer is mediated or resulting from CXCR4 receptor activity; or where immunological diseases are mediated or resulting from CXCR4 receptor activity; or for treating immunosuppression; or during apheresis collections of peripheral blood stem cells and/or as agents to induce mobilization of stem cells to regulate tissue repair. These peptides can be manufactured by a process which is based on a mixed solid- and solution phase synthetic strategy. |
| US09284350B2 |
IAP BIR domain binding compounds
A compound of Formula 1: (I) or salt thereof, as well as methods of making compounds of Formula 1, methods of using compounds of Formula 1 to treat proliferative disorders such as cancer, and related compounds, composition, and methods. |
| US09284347B2 |
Chromatographic method for purifying FC-containing proteins
The present invention relates to methods of depleting impurities, in particular host cell proteins (HCP) and DNA from cell culture supernatants by means of protein A chromatography using a novel washing buffer. |
| US09284335B2 |
Substituted pyrido[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines, pyrido[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines and/or [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pteridines for treatment of central nervous system diseases and disorders
Described herein are compounds and chemical entities of Formula (I), methods of their synthesis, compositions comprising them, and their use in treating numerous diseases and disorders, including cognitive deficits associated with CNS diseases and disorders. |
| US09284333B2 |
Fused pyrroledicarboxamides and their use as pharmaceuticals
The present invention relates to fused pyrroledicarboxamides of the formula (I), in which R1 to R9, X, m and n are as defined in the claims. The compounds of the formula (I) are inhibitors of the acid-sensitive potassium channel TASK-1 and suitable for the treatment of TASK-1 channel-mediated diseases such as arrhythmias, in particular atrial arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, and respiratory disorders, in particular sleep-related respiratory disorders like sleep apnea, for example. |
| US09284332B2 |
Process for the preparation of imidazo[2,1-B][1,3]benzothiazole derivatives
Provided herein are process for the preparation of N-(5-ferf-butyl-isoxazol-3-yl)-N′-{4-[7-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy)imidazo[2,1-fe][1,3]benzothiazol-2-yl]phenyl}urea, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, or polymorph thereof. N-(5-tert-Butyl-isoxazol-3-yl)-N′-{4-[7-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy)imidazo[2,1-&][1,3]benzo-thiazol-2-yl]phenyl}urea is useful for treating, preventing, and/or managing diseases or conditions, including but not limited to, proliferative diseases, FLT-3 mediated diseases, and cancers. N-(5-ferf-Butyl-isoxazol-3-yl)-N′-{4-[7-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy)imidazo[2,1-&][1,3]benzothiazol-2-yl]phenyl}urea is represented by the structure: |
| US09284327B2 |
Taxane compounds, compositions and methods
The present invention provides a method for the preparation of orally available pentacyclic taxane compounds, as well as intermediates useful in their preparation. |
| US09284321B2 |
Piperazino[1,2-a]indol-1-ones and [1,4]diazepino[1,2-a]indol-1-one
The present invention relates to compounds of general formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, X, R and n are as defined herein. The compounds may be used for the treatment of schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, major depression, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, normal aging, epilepsy, retinal degeneration, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, Parkinson's disease, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, stroke, radiation therapy, chronic stress, abuse of neuro-active drugs, such as alcohol, opiates, methamphetamine, phencyclidine and cocaine. |
| US09284310B2 |
Inhibitors of cytomegalovirus
Compounds of Formula (I) wherein n, R1, R1A, R2, R3, Y and Z are defined herein, are useful for the treatment of cytomegalovirus disease and/or infection. |
| US09284308B2 |
Methylene linked quinolinyl modulators of RORγt
The present invention comprises compounds of Formula I. wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are defined in the specification. The invention also comprises a method of treating or ameliorating a syndrome, disorder or disease, wherein said syndrome, disorder or disease is rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. The invention also comprises a method of modulating RORγt activity in a mammal by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of claim 1. |
| US09284307B2 |
Macrocyclic serine protease inhibitors
Provided herein are macrocyclic serine protease inhibitor compounds, for example, of Formula Ia or Ib, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and processes of preparation thereof. Also provided are methods of their use for the treatment of an HCV infection in a host in need thereof. |
| US09284305B2 |
Methods of treating ocular diseases using derivatives of lipoic acid
Dithiol compounds and derivatives thereof are disclosed. The agents are useful for treating an ocular disease, especially presbyopia and cataract. Also provided are methods of treating an ocular disease, the methods comprising administering to a subject an active agent and an adjunctive agent. |
| US09284300B2 |
Pyridazinone derivatives
Compounds of formula (I) and their uses as inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular Met kinase, and their employment in methods for the treatment of tumors. |
| US09284296B2 |
Bipyridine sulfonamide derivatives for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or conditions
The present invention relates to novel bipyridine sulfonamide derivatives of formula (I) and their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a neurodegenerative disease or condition, particularly Alzheimers disease (AD), a cardiovascular disease or a pathology involving ischemia. Additionally, processes for preparing such derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are provided. |
| US09284295B2 |
Tetrahydrobenzothiophene compound
The purpose is to provide a compound which has an intestinal phosphate transporter (NPT-IIb) inhibitory action and is useful as an active ingredient of an agent for treating and/or preventing hyperphosphatemia.A tetrahydrobenzothiophene compound of the following formula (I) has NPT-IIb inhibitory action and can be used as an agent for treating and/or preventing hyperphosphatemia: wherein, R1 represents —O-lower alkyl, -lower alkylene-phenyl, or the like; R2 and R3 are the same as or different from each other and represent H, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or the like, or, R2 and R3 may be combined with a nitrogen atom to which they bind to form 5- to 7-membered saturated cyclic amino; R4's are the same as or different from each other and represent halogen, lower alkyl; and n represents 0 to 2. |
| US09284288B2 |
1-(p-tolyl) cyclopropyl substituted bridged spiro[2.4]heptane derivatives as ALX receptor agonists
The present invention relates to 1-(p-tolyl)cyclopropyl substituted bridged spiro[2.4]heptane derivatives of formula (I), wherein R1 is as defined in the description, their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds. |
| US09284286B2 |
Specific carboxamides as KCNQ2/3 modulators
The invention relates to specific carboxamides, to processes for their preparation, to medicaments comprising these compounds and to the use of these compounds in the preparation of medicaments. |
| US09284283B2 |
Macrocyclic compounds for modulating IL-17
The invention relates generally to macrocyclic compounds of formula I and their therapeutic use. More particularly, the invention relates to macrocyclic compounds that modulate the activity of IL-17 and/or are useful in the treatment of medical conditions, such as inflammatory diseases and other IL-17-associated disorders. |
| US09284282B2 |
1,2,3-triazole based metal-organic framework as photo-active materials
A TAF compound that can have substitutions on either of the two benzene rings and/or the C-5 position of the triazole to alter the properties of the TAF compound can be wherein X can be H, an aromatic group, a hetero aromatic group, an alkyl or any substituted alkyl group, ketone, aldyhyde, carboxylic acid derivatives; Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, and Y5 can be one or more of H, aromatic groups, hetero aromatic groups, alkyl or any substituted alkyl groups, ketone, aldyhyde, or carboxylic acid derivatives; and Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 and Z5 can be one or more of H aromatic groups, hetero aromatic groups, alkyl or any substituted alkyl groups, ketone, aldyhyde, or carboxylic acid derivatives. Included is a preparation of the TAF compound and use as a photoactive and/or catalyst. |
| US09284281B2 |
Indication of naphtho[2,3-F]quinoxaline-7,12-dione compound in alleviating pain
Disclosed are naphtho[2,3-f]quinoxaline compounds and pharmaceutical composition thereof. The compounds of the invention have been demonstrated as having analgesic effects and therefore may be applicable for use as a novel agent in relieving acute or chronic pain. |
| US09284275B2 |
Inhibitor compounds and cancer treatment methods
A synergistically effective combination of an anti-cancer agent and a therapeutic compound, such as an mTOR-Rictor complex inhibitor, a Serine 473 phosphorylation inhibitor, an AKT2 inhibitor, or a combination thereof, for use in the treatment of cancer, and methods and uses thereof. Also included are methods and uses of a thiosemicarbazone for treating a cancer in a mammal in need thereof characterized by over-expression of RAS, by an EGFR mutation, and/or by over-expression of AKT2. |
| US09284274B2 |
Chemical derivatives of jasmonate, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to novel jasmonate derivatives, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds, and methods of using these compounds and compositions, especially as chemotherapeutic agents for prevention and treatment of cancers. |
| US09284271B2 |
Compounds for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
This invention provides novel compounds and the novel compounds for use as a medicine, more in particular for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, more specifically certain neurological disorders, such as disorders collectively known as tauopathies, and disorders characterized by cytotoxic α-synuclein amyloidogenesis. The present invention also relates to the use of said novel compounds for the manufacture of medicaments useful for treating such neurodegenerative disorders. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions including said novel compounds and to methods for the preparation of said novel compounds. The compounds have the formula (A1), wherein R1, R2, R4, R5, R6, E, n, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, B, R8, and m are as defined in the claims. |
| US09284270B2 |
Boronic acid catalysts and methods of use thereof for activation and transformation of carboxylic acids
The present application provides methods and catalysts for activation of carboxylic acids for organic reactions. In particular, methods are disclosed for direct nucleophilic addition reactions, such as, amidation reactions with amines, cycloadditions, and conjugate additions, using boronic acid catalysts of formula I, II or III: Also included are novel boronic acid catalysts of formula IV, V and III: |
| US09284269B2 |
Polymorphs of N-(2-methoxybenzoyl)-4-[(methylaminocarbonyl)amino] benzenesulfonamide
The present invention relates to solid forms of herbicide safeners, to processes for their preparation, compositions comprising the solid forms and methods of their use as safeners. |
| US09284256B2 |
Process for the production of nitrobenzene by adiabatic nitration
The present invention provides a continuous process for the production of nitrobenzene by nitration of benzene with mixtures of sulfuric and nitric acid using a stoichiometric excess of benzene, in which the content of aliphatic organic compounds in the feed benzene during the start-up period of the production plant is always maintained at less than 1.5 wt. %, based on the total mass of the feed benzene. This is achieved either by mixing the feed benzene comprising recycled unreacted benzene (recycled benzene) and benzene newly supplied to the reaction (fresh benzene) in appropriate quantitative ratios during the start-up period, depending on the purity of the two streams, or by completely omitting the recycling of unreacted benzene during the start-up period, i.e. the feed benzene consists only of benzene newly supplied to the reaction. |
| US09284250B2 |
4-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-(propan-2-ylidene)cyclohex-3-enecarbaldehyde for the prevention and treatment of a cognitive, neurodegenerative or neuronal disease
The present invention concerns a pharmaceutical compound having the Formula (1): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the prevention or treatment of a cognitive, neurodegenerative or neuronal disorder or disease such as the Alzheimer Disease, a pharmaceutical composition and a method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition. |
| US09284237B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for processing hydrocarbons
Methods and apparatuses for processing hydrocarbons are provided. In one embodiment, a method for processing hydrocarbons includes providing a stream of olefins including normal olefins and non-normal olefins. The method includes separating the normal olefins from the non-normal olefins to form a stream of normal olefins. Further, the method polymerizes the stream of normal olefins to form a stream of polymerized normal olefins. The method also includes saturating the stream of polymerized normal olefins to form a stream of normal paraffins. |
| US09284236B2 |
Apparatus and process for treating natural gas
A process is described for treating a natural gas stream containing methane and one or more higher hydrocarbons including the steps of: (i) mixing at least a portion of the natural gas stream with steam, (ii) passing the mixture adiabatically over a supported precious metal reforming catalyst to generate a reformed gas mixture comprising methane, steam, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen, (iii) cooling the reformed gas mixture to below the dew point to condense water and removing the condensate to provide a de-watered reformed gas mixture, and (iv) passing the de-watered reformed gas mixture through an acid gas recovery unit to remove carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide, thereby generating a methane stream. The methane stream may be used to adjust the composition of a natural gas stream, including a vaporized LNG stream, to meet pipeline specifications. |
| US09284235B2 |
Process for methanol coupled catalytic cracking reaction of naphtha using a modified ZSM-5 molecular sieve catalyst
The present invention provides a process for methanol coupled catalytic cracking reaction of naphtha using a modified ZSM-5 molecular sieve catalyst, comprising performing a co-feeding reaction of methanol and naphtha on the modified ZSM-5 molecular sieve catalyst to produce low carbon olefins and/or aromatic hydrocarbons. In the process, the modified ZSM-5 molecular sieve catalyst comprises, in term of weight percent, 25-80 wt % of a ZSM-5 molecular sieve, 15-70 wt % of a binder, and 2.2-6.0 wt % of lanthanum and 1.0-2.8 wt % of phosphorus loaded on the ZSM-5 molecular sieve. The naphtha comprises 63.8-89.5 wt % of saturated chain alkanes and 5.6-29.8 wt % of cyclic alkanes. The naphtha and methanol concurrently pass through the catalyst bed, which are reacted during contacting with the catalyst under a reaction condition of a reaction temperature of 550-670° C., a mass ratio of methanol to naphtha of 0.05-0.8, and a total mass space velocity of naphtha and methanol of 1.0-5 h−1. |
| US09284232B2 |
Safe blends of ammonium nitrate (AN) with urea, or of an AN-comprising product with a urea-comprising product
The present invention relates to a solid blend of urea based and ammonium nitrate based particles, the blend comprising ammonium nitrate based particles with salts able to bind crystallization water and urea particles with ammonium sulphate. |
| US09284229B2 |
Carbon composites, methods of manufacture, and uses thereof
A carbon composite contains a plurality of expanded graphite particles; and a second phase comprising a carbide, a carbonization product of a polymer, or a combination thereof; wherein the second phase bonds at least two adjacent basal planes of the same expanded graphite particle together. Methods of making the carbon composite and articles comprising the carbon composite are also disclosed. |
| US09284228B2 |
Communication device
The invention relates to a communication device using radio waves with frequencies of 800 MHz to 3 GHz, comprising a ceramic cover at least partially exposed to the external environment of the device, at least one portion of said waves passing therethrough during the use of the device, said cover being at least partially made of a sintered product having a chemical composition such as, by weight and for a total of 100%, 32%≦ZrO2≦95%, 1% |
| US09284227B2 |
Structural components for oil, gas, exploration, refining and petrochemical applications
A structural component for use in oil, gas, exploration, refining and petrochemical applications in the form of a pipe system is provided. The pipe system contains at least two pipe sections are that fusion bonded together, each pipe section comprises a plurality of layers, an inner layer in contact with the corrosive petroleum product comprising a thermoplastic material, a structural layer comprising a composite material, and an outer layer comprising a fire resistive material. In one embodiment, the pipe system meets level II fire endurance standard according to IMO A 18/Res.753 fire testing protocol. |
| US09284226B2 |
Cementitious compositions
The invention provides a cementitious composition comprising a cement component comprising (i) an accelerant, (ii) a calcium sulphate source and (iii) an ettringite forming cement; an aggregate; and optionally water; wherein the cement has a minimum unconfined compressive strength of 1500 psi when tested in accordance with ASTM C1140 and/or C1604 at 15 minutes after placement; methods for its use and concrete formed from it. |
| US09284222B2 |
Mucilages for hydraulic setting compositions
The present invention provides an additive blend containing cellulose ether and psyllium suitable for use in dry mix compositions containing a hydraulic binder. The dry mix compositions are particularly useful as a mortar composition, especially for tile adhesives because the compositions improve slip resistance of cement containing tile adhesives, the present invention also provides improved cement containing tile adhesives for larger tiles. |
| US09284217B2 |
Low-emissivity transparent laminated body and building material comprising same
Provided are: a low-emissivity transparent laminated body having a multilayer structure comprising a substrate and a coated layer, wherein the coated layer comprises, sequentially from the substrate, a low-emissivity electrically-conductive layer, a dielectric layer, and a light-absorbing metal layer; and a building material in which same is used. |
| US09284213B2 |
Production of silica soot bodies
Processes for the manufacture of a hollow cylindrical porous body of synthetic vitreous silica soot by outside vapor deposition on a mandrel are described, in which the temperature of the mandrel is controlled to be substantially constant throughout the deposition process. In preferred embodiments, the mandrel is composed of metal or metal alloy. Hollow ingots of pure or doped synthetic vitreous silica glass manufactured by such processes are also described. |
| US09284212B2 |
Method and apparatus for bending a sheet of material into a shaped article
A method for bending a sheet of material into a shaped article includes providing the sheet of material. A reformable area and a non-reformable area of the sheet of material are heated to a first temperature range corresponding to a first viscosity range. The reformable area of the sheet of material is subsequently heated to a second temperature range corresponding to a second viscosity range. The reformable area of the sheet of material is reformed into a selected shape by at least one of sagging the reformable area of the sheet of material and applying a force to the sheet of material outside of or near a boundary of the reformable area. |
| US09284205B2 |
Apparatus providing softened makeup water for cooling system
An apparatus introduces partially-purified, softened makeup water into an open recirculating cooling system by injecting proportionated softened makeup water into a secondary side system (such as for filtering the system water) and connected to its primary recirculating system. Proportional unsoftened makeup water is introduced through the secondary side system lines. In particular, the present apparatus and method includes controlling proportional additions (via batch or continuously) of softened and unsoftened makeup water based on cycles of concentration of the system water, and based on characteristics (e.g. conductivity) of the unsoftened makeup water. For example, the present innovation allows the water softener equipment to be placed inside the building where components are easier to install, service, and maintain, while still resulting in optimal control for purposes of minimizing total makeup water required. This results in a more environmentally friendly system with less water usage and installation/maintenance savings. |
| US09284195B2 |
Aggregated graphene oxide and preparing method thereof, aggregated graphene and preparing method thereof, and aggregated and nitrogen-doped graphene and preparing method thereof
Aggregated graphene oxide includes a range of specific surface area, and a method of preparing aggregated graphene oxide includes dispersing graphene oxide in an organic solvent and adding an anti-solvent. Aggregated graphene includes a range of specific surface area, and a method of preparing aggregated graphene includes dispersing graphene oxide in an organic solvent, adding an anti-solvent, and reducing the aggregated graphene oxide. Aggregated and nitrogen-doped includes a range of specific surface area, and a method of preparing aggregated and nitrogen-doped graphene includes dispersing graphene oxide in an organic solvent, adding an anti-solvent, and photo-reacting the aggregated graphene oxide. |
| US09284186B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
After a TEOS oxide film is formed on the surface of a semiconductor device, a PSG film and an SiN film, which have air permeability, are formed on the surface of the TEOS oxide film. Thereafter, a Poly-Si film is formed thereon. A sacrifice layer is removed by a gaseous HF that passes through the PSG film, the SiN film, and the Poly-Si film, and then, the uppermost layer is covered with a Poly-Si/SiC film. A chip scale package having a thin-film hollow-seal structure can be realized on the semiconductor element. |
| US09284179B2 |
Liquid and or ice dispensing system
A liquid (24) and or ice (60) dispensing system (10) for a door or wall (14) mounted dispenser of an appliance is provided. The system (10) includes a source of liquid (24) and or ice (60) which is adapted to be delivered to a dispensing outlet (24, 60). The source is controlled by a valve means which can be activated by at least one switch means (22) associated with said system (10). The switch means (22) is activated by movement of an actuator means (12) through which said outlet (24, 60) dispenses said liquid (24) or ice (60). The actuator means (12) includes a formation (30) comprising a portion extending away from the actuator means (12). |
| US09284175B2 |
Collection funnel
A funnel having a collection area disposed at one end of the funnel. A base surface of the collection area is flat. A flange surrounding an inlet opening is positioned spaced from the collection area. When the funnel is placed in a vertical orientation with the base surface of the collection area contacting a horizontal surface, a lowermost edge of the flange surrounding the inlet opening is aligned with the base surface of the collection area. The funnel is thereby supported in a vertical orientation on the horizontal surface by two contact points. In this position, the residual fluid in the funnel is transferred by gravity to collect within the collection area. No residual fluid is allowed to escape from the interior of the funnel. |
| US09284173B2 |
Filling machine and method for controlling a filling machine
A filling machine for filling containers includes a rotor, a transport element, a vertical machine axis, and filling positions, each of which comprises a filling element, a container support, and a closure element, and a common actuating drive for all closure elements of the filling machine. The transport element revolves on the rotor about the machine axis. The filling positions are on the transport element. The closure element is a rinsing cap or a rinsing sleeve. Each closure element is movable by the common actuating drive between a parking position and a working position. In the parking position, the closure element is within a movement path of the filling elements. In the working position, the closure element is coaxial with the associated filling element and below the filling element. |