| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09285855B2 |
Predicting future power level states for processor cores
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for providing power state change information from a plurality of cores of a processor to a predictor at a periodic interval and generating a prediction to indicate a predicted operation level of the cores during a next operating period. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09285854B2 |
Modular combined optical data network and independent DC power distribution system
This invention relates to a modular combined optical data and electrical power distribution network and related system. More particularly the invention relates to a system for bi directional high-speed distribution of data and the universal transmission of significant quantities of electrical power using composite cabling which is adapted for connection to a plurality of peripheral components and devices. Previous data networks, particularly in domestic environments, for example for controlling personal computers, laptops and peripherals such as printers and scanners required dedicated power supplies and resulted in a tangled mass of wires and cabling often seen as clutter and sometimes posing safety hazards. The invention overcomes this problem by providing a relatively low voltage continual power bus, in the form of a dual or multi-core wire, which typically carries up to 100-200 Watts per node and which is also capable of carrying high volumes of data traffic typically in excess of 1 GBit/sec. The invention comprises: a data bus and an electrical conductor encased within a sleeving, the data bus defining a path for data and the conductor defining an electrical path. The sleeving is shaped and dimensioned so as to be capable of receiving junction connectors which, in use pierce the sleeving, so as to provide simultaneous connection to the data bus and electrical path. This is combined with intelligent power and data circuitry. |
| US09285852B2 |
Information processor and a battery management method for information processors
According to one embodiment, an information processor is equipped with an information processor terminal that contains a main control unit that processes information, an IO control unit that supplies electrical power to connected equipment (peripheral devices) and that controls communications, and a power supply unit that supplies electrical power, as well as a first switching circuit that connects a plurality of batteries and supplies electrical power to the main control unit, a second switching circuit that connects a plurality of batteries and supplies electrical power to the IO control unit, and a battery unit that contains a battery control part that controls the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit. |
| US09285851B2 |
Optimizing battery use for known future load
Methods for optimizing battery use for a known future load are described. In an embodiment, one or more battery cells are selected from a set of battery cells to provide power to a computing-based device. The battery cells are selected based on discharge profile data for each battery cell and both the current power requirement and a known future power requirement of the computing-based device. The known future power requirement is calculated based on information available to the operating system running on the computing-based device. In some examples, one or more battery cells may also be selected for charging when a power source is available and these cells may be selected based on charge profile data and the known future power requirement. The selection of the battery cells may also be made in order to satisfy a battery optimization goal, which may be defined by a user. |
| US09285850B2 |
Information processing apparatus that validates added hardware, control method therefor and storage medium
There is provided an information processing apparatus which validates addition of hardware even if the addition takes place before activation of the apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program. To accomplish this, the information processing apparatus includes a monitoring circuit that is supplied with a power from a backup power supply, monitors addition of the hardware, and temporarily holds, when addition of the hardware occurs, information of the addition. If the information of the addition is held, the information processing apparatus initializes the added hardware in activation of the information processing apparatus. |
| US09285849B2 |
Method of managing the energy consumption of an application executable in various environments and software architecture implementing such a method
The application being executable by hardware comprising a set of processors using an operating system, a method comprises at least the following steps: a first step of identifying the time constraints of the application; a second step of annotating code sections of the application that are subject to a time constraint, said annotating being performed by means of software markers, the software markers delimiting code segments; a third step of determining the worst case execution times of the segments in a given set of execution modes; a fourth step of memorizing the execution times of the segments in an execution library for each execution mode, said library being able to be interfaced with said hardware, said operating system and said application and to execute an energy management strategy by controlling the state of the processors. |
| US09285838B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device including a first body, a second body, a linking member, a plurality of keys, and an actuating module is provided. The first body has a display surface and the second body is adapted to be connected to the first body. The linking member is disposed within the second body. The keys are movably connected to the second body. The actuating module is disposed within the second body and located between the linking member and the keys. The linking member moves via a relative movement between the first body and the second body, so that the actuating module pushes the keys to move from the inside of the second body to the outside of the second body. |
| US09285837B2 |
Temporary keyboard having some individual keys that provide varying levels of capacitive coupling to a touch-sensitive display
A physical keyboard having a plurality of individual keys temporarily overlays a touch-sensitive display. Each individual key selectively provides either of a first level of capacitive coupling and a second, different level of capacitive coupling to the touch-sensitive display. By one approach the key provides that first level of capacitive coupling to the touch-sensitive display when a user asserts the key (for example, by pressing upon the key) to thereby communicate to the touch-sensitive display a selection of that individual key. The key can provide that second level of capacitive coupling when a user touches, but does not assert, the individual key. So configured, this second level of capacitive coupling serves to communicate to the touch-sensitive display an input instruction other than a selection of that individual key. |
| US09285831B2 |
Docking station for portable electronics
Disclosed is a docking station for holding a plurality of external connectors in position to interface with an electronic device including a main body having a first side and a second side, a positioning member extending vertically from the first side of the main body for receiving the electronic device, a stabilizing member extending horizontally on the second side, a first through-hole extending from the first side to the second side, and a fastening mechanism for securing an external connector in the through-hole. |
| US09285825B1 |
Reducing camera master clock desense
Embodiments of the subject technology provide for controlling desense in a mobile computing device. At an application processor of a mobile computing device, a drive strength of an input clock signal is increased. The input clock signal with the increased drive strength is then provided to a filter circuit that performs low-pass filtering to block high frequency RF and EMI noise from the input clock signal. The filtered input clock signal is provided to respective camera clock units of a front-facing camera or a rear-facing camera of the mobile computing device for operating the front-facing and rear-facing cameras. |
| US09285824B2 |
Systems and methods for DQS gating
Systems and methods for timing read operations with a memory device are provided. A timing signal is received from the memory device at a gating circuit. The timing signal is passed through as a filtered timing signal during a gating window. The gating window is configured to open the gating window based on a control signal and to close the gating window based on a falling edge of the timing signal. The falling edge is determined based on a counter that is triggered to begin counting by the control signal. The control signal is generated at a timing control circuit after receiving a read request from a memory controller. The timing control circuit is configured to delay generation of the control signal to cause the gating window to open during a preamble portion of the timing signal. |
| US09285823B2 |
Shifting structure
Provided is a structure for installing a shift knob to a shift lever in which a rod is provided in an upwardly and downwardly movable manner. The shift knob comprises: a button capable of being manually pushed to allow the rod to be moved downwardly from a lock position to a lock release position; a core installing the button and having a lower tubular portion; and a cover ring covering the lower tubular portion of the core. The structure is configured to allow the cover ring to be fitted onto the lower tubular portion of the core, and thereby locked by the lower tubular portion of the core in a snap fit manner, and to allow the shift lever to be inserted into the lower tubular portion of the core, and thereby locked by the lower tubular portion of the core in a snap fit manner. |
| US09285822B2 |
Small-circuit-scale reference voltage generating circuit
A BGR circuit controls a switch circuit in synchronization with a clock signal from a control signal generating circuit and an inverted signal thereof, and thereby, alternately switches between a differential input terminal receiving a voltage VIM and a differential input terminal receiving a voltage VIP. An LPF circuit includes capacitive elements, a switch connected between an input node and each capacitive element, and a switch connected between an output node and each capacitive element. The LPF circuit controls ON/OFF of the switches in synchronization with a clock signal CLK, and thereby, calculates a moving average value of an output voltage of the BGR circuit in the most recent one clock cycle. |
| US09285817B2 |
Power supply device for a nonlinear, time-varying load
A power supply device for a nonlinear, time-varying load has a multi-phase power system. The load and a reactive power compensator are connected to the phases of the power system. The reactive power compensator is embodied as a multilevel converter with multiple strands, each connected to one of the power system phases and to the other strands at a common star point. The power supply device has a filter circuit that filters harmonics of load and converter currents. The filter circuit has multiple strands, each connected to one of the power system phases and to the other strands at a common star point of the filter circuit, which is connected to the common star point of the multilevel converter such that the common star point of the multilevel converter is connected to the power system phases both via the strands of the multilevel converter and via the filter circuit. |
| US09285813B2 |
Supply voltage regulation with temperature scaling
A supply voltage regulation system for an IC including a temperature sensor that detects temperature of the IC, a scaling resistor coupled between a power grid and a feedback node of the IC, a regulator amplifier that compares a voltage of the feedback node with a reference voltage for developing a supply voltage for the IC, and a temperature scaling circuit that drives a scaling current to the scaling resistor via the feedback node to adjust the supply voltage based on temperature. The temperature scaling circuit may include one or more comparators that compare a temperature signal with corresponding temperature thresholds for selectively applying one or more bias currents to the scaling resistor. The scaling resistor may be coupled to a hot point of the power grid. A voltage difference between a hot point of a ground grid may be converted to a bias current applied to the scaling resistor. |
| US09285810B2 |
Performance, thermal and power management system associated with an integrated circuit and related method
The performance, thermal and power management system is configured to perform DVFS calibration, temperature compensation adjustment, aging calibration, and DC offset calibration in an IC. The initial voltage supplied to the IC may be set to an initial value which takes chip-to-chip process variations into account and then dynamically adjusted according to temperature variations, DC offset and/or aging effects. Therefore, the performance, thermal and power management system may achieve optimized thermal and power performance of the IC. |
| US09285804B2 |
Cleaning robot and method for controlling the same
A cleaning robot includes a main body, a moving assembly to move the main body, a cleaning tool provided at a bottom part of the main body to collect foreign substances on a floor, an imager to collect images around the main body and a controller to recognize motion of a hand by performing image processing of the collected images, identify a control command corresponding to the motion of the hand, plan a moving direction and a moving distance of the main body as movement information based on the control command, and control operations of the moving assembly and the cleaning tool based on the planned movement information. Since the user directly controls movement of the cleaning robot, it is possible to improve interactivity between human and cleaning robot, reduce the user's labor and increase convenience. |
| US09285803B2 |
Scheduling function in a wireless control device
A field device for use in a process control system includes a scheduling module configured to receive a time input which specifies a scheduled time for performing a scheduled action or a scheduled sequence of actions and to receive an action input which specifies the scheduled action or the scheduled sequence of actions. At the scheduled time, the scheduling module automatically initiates the scheduled action or the scheduled sequence of actions. After initiating the action or the sequence of actions, the scheduling module causes an initiation status indicating that the action or the sequence of actions has been initiated to be sent to a host and/or causes the initiation status to be stored in a local memory of the field device. |
| US09285801B2 |
Automatic generation of a motion controller
A method for automatically creating a customized motion controller based on user input specifying desired characteristics of the motion controller. The method may compile the program into executable code and download the executable code to a target platform, thus enabling the target platform to function as the specified customized motion controller. User input may specify characteristics of the motion controller system such as: the target platform; the configuration of motors, sensors and I/O devices to be used; the supervisory control functions to be implemented; and the target language for the motion control program. |
| US09285800B2 |
Systems and methods for asynchronous searching and filtering of data
An automation control and monitoring system includes a server configured to receive a subscription request from a client component. The subscription request provides one or more criteria to the server. The server is configured to provide a set of data, via a first notification, to the client component based upon the one or more criteria in the subscription request. The server is configured to provide, via additional notifications based on the subscription request, additional sets of data, modifications to the set of data, or both, when additional data or modifications corresponding to the one or more criteria are available. |
| US09285797B2 |
Chatter vibration detection method, chatter vibration avoidance method, and machine tool
A chatter vibration detection method includes acquiring vibration data of a tool (4) at a time of machining a workpiece at a predetermined sampling period (Δt), calculating an autocorrelation coefficient (Rxx′) corresponding to a time required for a cutting edge (4a, 4b) to contact the workpiece (W) several times based on acquired time series vibration data and calculating a period (Tx) of characteristics of the calculated autocorrelation coefficient (Rxx′), and deciding that chatter vibration occurs when a contact period (T1) at which the cutting edge (4a, 4b) contacts the workpiece (W) is not an integral multiple of the calculated period (Tx). |
| US09285795B2 |
Graphic display configuration framework for unified control system interface
A common process control graphical user interface plant operators, plant maintenance personnel, and management is disclosed which provides a real-time interface to both the process and the plant. The common interface is modular in design and is capable of supporting various specializations for each user type. Operator consoles are dedicated to each section of the plant and include additional functions such as maintenance, configuration, simulation and supervisory information. The unified for common graphical interface replaces control room displays filled with single case analog controllers, meters, and digital indicators. The common interface addresses the functions that previously were provided by the panel motor start/stop buttons and status indications, chart recorders, annunciator panels and subsystem interfaces. From a console, operators manage alarms, adjust the process by entering new setpoints or other parameters, “zoom in” on particular portions of the process for details, and utilize other specialized applications to work with their batch, advanced control, or business applications. The interface will run in both dedicated and non-dedicated modes, will run as a rich client or as part of a browser style interface utilizing web services and will run on workstations, laptops, tablet PC's, handhelds, and smart phones. |
| US09285794B2 |
Drilling advisory systems and methods with decision trees for learning and application modes
Integrated methods and systems for optimizing drilling related operations include global search engines and local search engines to find an optimal value for at least one controllable drilling parameter, and decision trees to select algorithms such as between learning mode algorithms and application mode algorithms for generating operational recommendations based on the results from global and local search engines. The operational recommendations are used to optimize the objective function, mitigate dysfunctions, and improve drilling efficiency. |
| US09285793B2 |
Data processing unit including a scalar processing unit and a heterogeneous processor unit
A data processing unit combines a scalar processor and a heterogeneous processor which includes a vector processing array. The vector processing array includes a plurality of vector processors which are operable in a single instruction multiple data configuration. |
| US09285792B2 |
Programmable logic controller-based control center and user interface for air sampling in controlled environments
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system includes one or more air sampling devices configured to monitor and test a volume of air within a controlled environment. A control center including a programmable logic controller (PLC) is configured to monitor and control the one or more air sampling devices. One or more touch panel displays are connected to the control center and provide a human-computer interface between the control center and users. |
| US09285790B2 |
Modular pool/spa control system
A method of integrating a relay bank for use with a pool or spa control system includes, establishing an electrical connection between the relay bank and a control panel, discovering the relay bank by a control panel processor, and assigning the relay bank a network address upon discovery thereof. A method of integrating a smart component for use with a pool or spa control system includes, establishing an electrical connection between the smart component and a control panel, discovering the smart component by a control panel processor, and assigning the smart component a network address upon discovery thereof. A method of integrating an expansion panel for use with a pool or spa control system includes, establishing an electrical connection between the expansion panel and a control panel, discovering the expansion panel by a control panel processor, and configuring the expansion panel upon discovery thereof. |
| US09285785B2 |
Motor control device for suppressing natural vibrations
A frequency component extracting unit (15) extracts a frequency component included in a control signal at a first frequency step size. A frequency detection unit (16) detects, from the extracted frequency component, a frequency corresponding to a natural frequency of a target object constituted of a motor (3) and a driven member (4). A frequency step size setting unit (17) sets a second frequency step size smaller than the first frequency step size. A center frequency changing unit (18) increases or decreases a center frequency of a variable bandstop filter (13) at the second frequency step size in order to output a control signal after the variable bandstop filter (13) removes a frequency component corresponding to the natural frequency after the change from the control signal. |
| US09285782B2 |
Motor control device
A motor control device according to an embodiment includes a first subtractor, a speed controller, and a phase compensating speed observer. The first subtractor subtracts a speed reference from a speed feedback signal to obtain a speed deviation. The speed controller receives the speed deviation and outputs a first torque reference. The phase compensating speed observer receives the first torque reference and a speed of a controlled object including a motor, and outputs the speed feedback signal. The phase compensating speed observer includes a delay element model having an integral element of an order optimally satisfying a setting condition based on a degree of easiness for implementation and a degree of usefulness for phase delay compensation of the speed feedback signal to the speed reference. |
| US09285778B1 |
Time to digital converter with successive approximation architecture
A time to digital converter with a successive approximation architecture (300) and a method thereof is provided. The time to digital converter (300) includes successive approximation analog to digital converter circuitry (310) configured for converting the differential voltage established in the digital to analog converter (305) of the successive approximation analog to digital converter circuitry (310) to a digital representation thereof, where the differential voltage corresponds to a measured time period representing a time difference between receipt of leading edges of two signals. Time to digital converter (300) may incorporate a current switching unit (340′) having a plurality of current switching circuits (303a-303n, 304a-304n) arranged in parallel to increase the precision of digital time output of time to digital converter (300). The plurality of current switching circuits (303a-303n, 304a-304n) can be selectively enabled to alter the sensitivity of the time to digital converter (300). |
| US09285775B2 |
Timepiece mechanism for correcting a display device for displaying time information, and timepiece movement and timepiece comprising the timepiece mechanism
A mechanism for correcting a device for displaying time information is described. The display device includes a first display member for displaying current time information and a second display member for displaying stored time information, notably a second display member of the retrograde type. The mechanism includes an isolating device for isolating the first and second display members. |
| US09285772B2 |
Barrel for timepiece
A barrel for timepiece movement, comprising a barrel shaft (20) around which is arranged, in a rotationally mobile manner, an assembly comprising a drum (30) and a cover (40) delimiting a housing (50) for receiving a barrel spring (51), the drum (30) and the cover (40) each having a wall (31, 41) extending from a peripheral end (34, 44) of the barrel to a central end of the barrel at the level of the barrel shaft (20), wherein at least a part of at least one of said walls (31, 41) has a variable thickness which increases continually with distance away from the peripheral end of the barrel. |
| US09285767B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a main body having a fusing unit, a first temperature sensor which is disposed in an external surface of the main body and measures an outside temperature, a humidity sensor which is disposed in the external surface of the main body and measures an outside humidity, a second temperature sensor which is disposed inside the main body and measures an inside temperature, at least one fan disposed in the main body, and a controller configured to calculate a dew point temperature using the inside temperature and the outside humidity and operate the at least one fan based on the calculated dew point temperature. |
| US09285760B2 |
Image forming apparatus having openable and closable cover member
An image forming apparatus includes a bearing support portion that is provided in a cover member and supports a bearing member and a spring member and a bearing guide portion that is provided in an apparatus main body and has a guide groove that extends in a first direction and in which an outer peripheral portion of the bearing member is fitted when the cover member is in a close position. The bearing support portion has an opening portion extending in the first and second directions and a contact portion, and the bearing member has a convex portion that is formed on one side relative to an outer peripheral surface and is movable within the opening portion in the first and second directions and a regulation lug that is formed on the other side relative to the outer peripheral surface and, when the cover member is in an open position, can come in contact with the contact portion under a biasing force of the spring member. |
| US09285754B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearer on which a latent image is formed and developed into a toner image; a transfer member that is arranged so as to come in contact with or face the image bearer to form a transfer position; a cleaning unit that removes and collects untransferred toner; a guide member that guides conveyance of the recording medium; a neutralizing light source that irradiates a position downstream of the transfer position and upstream of the cleaning unit in a running direction of the image bearer with neutralizing light which is incident on and reflected by the recording medium sent out from the transfer position and/or the guide member; and a shielding member that blocks light such that the image bearer is not irradiated directly with a part or whole of neutralizing light emitted from the neutralizing light source. |
| US09285751B2 |
Decurler and image forming apparatus
A decurler is operable to remove curl from a recording medium and includes a first roller, a second roller, a casing, a roller drive section, a casing rotary drive section, a housing, and a pair of cam members. The casing includes first and second supporting portions rotatably supporting the first and second rollers, respectively, with the first and second rollers pressed into engagement against each other movably away from each other. Each of the pair of cam members is mounted to the casing rotatably about a rotational axis of the casing independently of the casing and includes a circular hole. The circular hole in the cam member includes first to third recesses formed at circumferentially different portions of an inner periphery thereof so that an outer periphery of the first supporting portion is engageable with the first to third different recesses depending upon the rotation of the casing. |
| US09285749B2 |
Image forming apparatus which receives an instruction to take out sheets stored in a storage portion
An image forming apparatus that executes image forming processing and stores sheets in a sheet storage location of the image forming apparatus even when the image forming processing results in needing to store more sheets that the amount of sheets storable in the sheet storage location. |
| US09285743B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a first image forming unit configured to form an image in a first color on the image bearing member, a second image forming unit configured to form an image in a second color different from the first color on the image bearing member, a measurement unit configured to measure positional information of measurement images formed on the image bearing member by the first and the second image forming unit, a correction unit configured to correct a position of an image formed on the image bearing member by the first and the second image forming unit based on the positional information, a detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the image forming apparatus, and a control unit configured to control timing for causing the first and the second image forming unit to form the measurement images based on the detected temperature. |
| US09285739B2 |
Printing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium
A printing apparatus according to one aspect of this invention includes an assigning unit configured to assign the original images of a plurality of pages to the obverse surfaces and reverse surfaces of a plurality of sheets in the page order. The printing apparatus further includes a printing control unit configured to, when reverse order output of the original images of the plurality of pages is instructed, control to print the original images of the plurality of pages from a sheet to which the assigning unit assigns the original image of the final page out of the plurality of pages. |
| US09285734B2 |
Image forming apparatus
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a first image unit that uses toner which contains a flat pigment, a second image unit that uses toner which does not contain a flat pigment, and a fixing unit that fixes an image which is formed on a recording medium to the recording medium by using heat while transporting the recording medium, wherein the recording medium is transported again to the fixing unit after the image formed on the recording medium by the toner containing the flat pigment is fixed to the recording medium by the fixing unit. |
| US09285726B2 |
Image forming apparatus with recording material separation feature
An image forming apparatus comprises a drum for carrying a toner image; a transfer member for contacting the drum to form a transfer nip, the transfer member being capable of electrostatically transferring the toner image from the drum onto a sheet; a fixing unit provided, downstream of the transfer member with respect to a sheet feeding direction, for fixing the toner image on the sheet by a fixing nip; a first current path provided between the fixing nip and a ground potential; a feeding unit, provided downstream of the fixing unit, for feeding the sheet while nipping by a feeding nip; a guiding member, disposed downstream of the feeding unit, for feeding the sheet passing through the transfer nip; and a second current path provided between the feeding nip and the ground potential, the second path having an electric resistance which is lower than that of the first path. |
| US09285722B2 |
Image forming apparatus having transfer bias control
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer bias output device and an information receiving device. The transfer bias output device outputs a transfer bias including a superimposed bias composed of an AC bias superimposed on a DC bias to form a transfer electric field in a transfer nip between an image bearing member bearing a toner image and a nip forming member, to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium in the transfer nip. A controller operatively connected to the information receiving device and the transfer bias output device causes the transfer bias output device to change a target output of a peak-to-peak voltage of the AC bias based on information received by the information receiving device that affects transfer of the toner image and to reduce a target output of the DC bias as the target output value of the peak-to-peak voltage of the AC bias increases. |
| US09285719B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; an endless and rotatable intermediate transfer member including a primary transfer portion and a secondary transfer portion; a first current supplying member to which voltage is applied, the first current supplying member being held in contact with the intermediate transfer member to supply current in a peripheral direction of the intermediate transfer member; and a second current supplying member to which voltage is applied, the second current supplying member being held in contact with the intermediate transfer member to supply current in the peripheral direction of the intermediate transfer member. By providing one common power supply for the primary transfer and the secondary transfer power, the intermediate transfer member and the second current supplying member can be cleaned stably and efficiently. |
| US09285714B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus and process cartridge incorporating same
A developing device includes a developer bearer to carry, by rotation, developer including toner and magnetic carrier to a development range facing a latent image bearer to bear a latent image. The developer bearer includes a magnetic field generator having multiple magnetic poles and a cylindrical developing sleeve to rotate and bear developer on an outer circumferential surface thereof with magnetic force of the magnetic field generator disposed inside the developing sleeve. The developing sleeve receives development voltage including an AC component having a frequency of 2.0 kHz or lower, and a duty ratio of a component having a polarity opposite a toner normal charge polarity of the AC component is within a range from 4% to 20%. |
| US09285707B2 |
Developer accommodating unit with a urging member for urging a flexible member
A developer accommodating unit includes: a flexible container, provided with an opening for permitting discharge of a developer, for accommodating the developer; a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer discharged from the flexible container; and an urging member, provided inside the frame, for urging the flexible container to deform the flexible container. The flexible container has a plurality of sides including an opening-containing side and another side having stiffness lower than that of the opening-containing side. |
| US09285704B2 |
Image forming apparatus operable in mode that restricts toner supply
An image forming apparatus, which prohibits an image forming operation based on a detection result of a remaining amount detecting unit, thereafter immediately allows the image forming operation based on a detection result of a replacement detecting unit, performs a supply restriction mode which restricts a toner supply amount such that a toner supply amount in a predetermined initial period after allowing the image forming is smaller than that in a normal mode in a case where a detection result of a toner density detecting unit and a target value are under the same conditions, respectively. |
| US09285701B2 |
Image forming apparatus including an image carrier, a charging member, a voltage applying part, a current measuring part and a controlling part
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging member, a voltage applying part, a current measuring part and a controlling part. The image carrier carries a toner image. The charging member electrically charges the image carrier. The voltage applying part applies voltage to the charging member. The current measuring part measures current flowing into the charging member. The controlling part controls applied voltage of the voltage applying part. The controlling part decides, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the charging member for a predetermined time by the voltage applying part, if an increase quantity of the current measured by the current measuring part exceeds a predetermined threshold value, that at least one of the image carrier and the charging member is in an abnormal state. |
| US09285699B2 |
Carrier and developer
Disclosed is a carrier suitable for use with an electrophotographic developer and an electrophotographic developer containing the carrier. In particular, the carrier is powder coated and comprises a copolymer of cyclohexylmethacrylate and dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate. |
| US09285694B2 |
Super low melt toner having crystalline aromatic monoesters
A toner includes a polymeric resin, a colorant, and a small molecule crystalline aromatic monoester having a molecular weight less than 1,000 g/mol. The polymeric resin may be an amorphous resin and a mixture of the amorphous resin and the crystalline aromatic monoester may be characterized by a reduction in glass transition temperature from that of the resin and by the lack of a melting point for the crystalline aromatic monoester as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, the enthalpy of fusion for the crystalline aromatic monoester in the mixture being measured to be less than 10% of the enthalpy of fusion of the crystalline aromatic monoester in pure form. Furthermore, the toner may be configured to have a crease fix minimum fusing temperature (MFT) less than or equal to the crease fix MFT of a benchmark ultra-low-melt emulsion aggregation toner. Suitable crystalline aromatic monoesters may include 2-Naphthyl benzoate. |
| US09285687B2 |
Inspection apparatus, lithographic apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An inspection apparatus includes an illumination system that receives a first beam and produces second and third beams from the first beam and a catadioptric objective that directs the second beam to reflect from a wafer. A first sensor detects a first image created by the reflected second beam. A refractive objective directs the third beam to reflect from the wafer, and a second sensor detects a second image created by the reflected third beam. The first and second images can be used for CD measurements. The second beam can have a spectral range from about 200 nm to about 425 nm, and the third beam can have a spectral range from about 425 nm to about 850 nm. A third sensor may be provide that detects a third image created by the third beam reflected from the wafer. The third image can be used for OV measurements. |
| US09285686B2 |
Lithographic apparatus involving an immersion liquid supply system with an aperture
In an immersion lithography apparatus, the immersion liquid is supplied from a tank via a flow restrictor. The liquid held in the tank is maintained at a substantially constant height above the flow restrictor to ensure a constant flow of liquid. |
| US09285685B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
In an immersion lithography apparatus or device manufacturing method, the position of focus of the projected image is changed during imaging to increase focus latitude. In an embodiment, the focus may be varied using the liquid supply system of the immersion lithographic apparatus. |
| US09285682B2 |
Pre-patterned hard mask for ultrafast lithographic imaging
A method of fabricating a substrate including coating a first resist onto a hardmask, exposing regions of the first resist to electromagnetic radiation at a dose of 10.0 mJ/cm2 or greater and removing a portion of said the and forming guiding features. The method also includes etching the hardmask to form isolating features in the hardmask, applying a second resist within the isolating features forming regions of the second resist in the hardmask, and exposing regions of the second resist to electromagnetic radiation having a dose of less than 10.0 mJ/cm2 and forming elements. |
| US09285681B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition and uses thereof
The invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition, and an overcoat and/or spacer for a liquid crystal display component. The photosensitive resin composition comprises an alkali-soluble resin (A), a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group (B); a photoinitiator (C); a solvent (D); and an organic acid (E). The alkali-soluble resin (A) comprises a resin having an unsaturated group (A-1) synthesized by polymerizing a mixture, and the mixture comprises an epoxy compound having at least two epoxy groups (i) and a compound having at least one carboxyl group and at least one vinyl unsaturated group (ii). A molecular weight of said organic acid (E) is below 1000. |
| US09285680B2 |
Photosensitive polyimide composition, base agent thereof, method of making the base agent, and solder-resistant polyimide thin film made from the composition
A photosensitive polyimide composition; the composition comprises a base agent and a curing agent comprising a photoinitiator. By applying an aliphatic diamine monomer, which has a long carbon chain, and a grafting monomer, which has a main carbon chain having a double bond and an epoxy group at two ends respectively, to a method of making the base agent, a mixture of the base agent and the curing agent can be screen printed to form a photosensitive polyimide film on a copper foil. Also, the photosensitive polyimide film can be exposed under low exposure energy, and can be developed to a solder-resistant polyimide thin film by a weak alkaline developer after exposed. In addition, the solder-resistant polyimide thin film has low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, good flame resistance, good solder resistance, and good pencil hardness. Accordingly, the photosensitive polyimide composition is applicable to high density flexible printed circuit boards. |
| US09285678B2 |
Sulfonium salt, resist composition and resist pattern forming process
A sulfonium salt of formula (1) is provided wherein A1 is a divalent hydrocarbon group, A2 is a divalent hydrocarbon group, A3 is hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon group, B1 is an alkylene or arylene group, k is 0 or 1, R1, R2 and R3 are alkyl, alkenyl, oxoalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or aryloxoalkyl. A resist composition comprising the sulfonium salt as PAG exhibits a very high resolution when processed by EB and EUV lithography. A pattern with minimal LER is obtainable. |
| US09285675B2 |
Imprint apparatus
An imprint apparatus includes a deforming unit configured to deform the mold held by the mold holding unit into a convex shape toward the substrate; a driving unit configured to change an attitude of the mold or the substrate during a pressing in which the mold deformed is pressed against the uncured resin to thereby make a position of a contact region at which the mold is brought into contact with the uncured resin movable; a control unit configured to calculate a plane coordinates of a centroid of the contact region based on an image information of the contact region acquired by a measuring unit and to control an operation of the driving unit such that the plane coordinates position of the centroid is directed toward the plane coordinates position of the centroid of a pattern-forming region on the substrate, which has been calculated or has been acquired in advance. |
| US09285673B2 |
Assist feature for a photolithographic process
A photomask having a partial-thickness assist feature and a technique for manufacturing the photomask are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the photomask includes a mask substrate, a reflective structure disposed on the mask substrate, and an absorptive layer formed on the reflective structure. A printing feature region and an assist feature region are defined on the mask. The absorptive layer has a first thickness in the printing feature region and a second thickness in the assist feature region that is different from the first thickness. In some such embodiments, the second thickness is configured such that radiation reflected by the assist feature region does not exceed an exposure threshold of a photoresist of a target. |
| US09285670B2 |
Data communication between capsulated camera and its external environments
A method for transmitting data to a camera without requiring in the camera a conventional wireless transmission capability includes (a) in the camera's field of view, providing an object which forms an image on which the data is encoded; (b) capturing an image of the object using optics of the camera; and (c) recovering the data from the image of the object. The data is encoded by an optically detectable quantity (e.g., light intensity or color) or a pattern in one or more portions of the object. The data can be carried by the distribution of the optically detectable quantity within the image or its derivative. The field of view of the camera may be divided into multiple sub-areas to allow providing multiple data-bearing images. A sequence of such images may be used to increase the amount of data that can be transmitted in this manner. |
| US09285667B2 |
Projector
A projector including a light source apparatus that includes a fluorescent layer that produces fluorescence by irradiation of an excitation light emitted from a solid-state light source, a polarization conversion element that converts the light from the light source apparatus into polarized light, and a reflector that is disposed between the light source apparatus and the polarization conversion element, transmits light in the vicinity of the optical axis of the light source apparatus, and reflects peripheral light apart from the optical axis of the light source apparatus toward the fluorescent layer. |
| US09285664B2 |
Optical apparatus having light sources and a plurality of holders for holding the light sources
An optical apparatus comprises a fixing base; a plurality of light emitting units and a plurality of holders. The light emitting units emits a plurality of light beams and each light emitting unit has a holding portion. Each holder has an accommodating indentation for accommodating the corresponding light emitting unit. The accommodating indentation exposes the holding portion of the corresponding light emitting unit so that a jig holds the exposed holding portion and adjusts the position of the holder and the light emitting unit before the holder is fixed to the fixing base and then adjusts the position of the light emitting unit within the holder after the holder is fixed to the fixing base. And then the light emitting unit is fixed to the holder. |
| US09285659B2 |
Optical accessory adapter
An optical accessory adapter is used to couple together a lens apparatus and an optical accessory attached to an object side portion of the lens apparatus having fitting attachment diameters different from each other. The adapter is provided with a cutout portion in a part of a region outside the attachment diameter of the lens apparatus on an object side surface thereof. |
| US09285658B2 |
Systems and devices for securing and securely transporting a camera
Provided herein are devices and systems for engaging and transporting a camera. The device generally comprises means for securely attaching a camera to the device, e.g., a camera connecting component, and means for slidably receiving a strap connectable to the camera attaching means, e.g., a strap receiving component. The camera connecting component may comprise a ball connector configured to threadably engage a camera attachment point on the camera and a second ball end and the strap receiving component may comprise a strap receiving means configured to slidably receive a strap therethrough and a socket to receive the ball end of the ball connector. The ball and socket connection may be secured by a sleeve threadably engaging the socket in a covering relationship. Also provided is a system for engaging a camera for transport which comprises the devices provided herein, a strap and a camera which are assembled as described. |
| US09285655B2 |
Image pickup apparatus performing focus operation when proximity sensor senses an object
An image pickup apparatus including an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject to output image data, an optical system that includes a focus lens and is configured to form an image of the subject on the imaging unit, a finder that allows a user to view the subject, a proximity sensor configured to sense proximity of an object to the finder, and a controller configured to perform a focus operation to drive the focus lens to focus on the image of the subject when the proximity sensor senses proximity of an object, and fix the position of the focus lens after completion of the focus operation until a predetermined condition is satisfied. |
| US09285652B2 |
Point-wise phase matching for nonlinear frequency generation in dielectric resonators
An optical resonator fabricated from a uniaxial birefringent crystal, such as beta barium borate. The crystal is cut with the optical axis not perpendicular to a face of the cut crystal. In some cases the optical axis lies in the plane of the cut crystal face. An incident (input) electromagnetic signal (which can range from the infrared through the visible to the ultraviolet) is applied to the resonator. An output signal is recovered which has a frequency that is an integer multiple of the frequency of the input signal. In some cases a prism is used to evanescently couple the input and the output signals to the resonator. |
| US09285649B2 |
Color display device
The present invention provides a realistic solution for a highlight or multicolor display device which can display high quality color states. More specifically, an electrophoretic fluid is provided which comprises four types of particles, having different levels of size, threshold voltage or charge intensity. |
| US09285648B2 |
Electro-optical apparatus and driving method thereof
An electro-optical apparatus including a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, a display medium layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode disposed between the first substrate and the display medium layer, a second electrode disposed between the first substrate and the display medium layer and separated from the first electrode and a third electrode disposed between the display medium layer and the second substrate is provided. The display medium layer includes electrophoretic fluid and charged particles mixed into the electrophoretic fluid. Moreover, driving methods used to drive the electro-optical apparatus and another electro-optical apparatus are also provided. |
| US09285647B2 |
TFT array substrate, E-paper display panel and method for manufacturing the same
A TFT array substrate, an electronic paper display panel and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The electronic paper display panel includes: a first transparent substrate, and an array of storage capacitors located on an inner side of the first transparent substrate. Each of the storage capacitors includes a common electrode located on the first transparent substrate, a transparent capacitor medium layer located on the common electrode, and a pixel electrode (44) located on the transparent capacitor medium layer. The display panel also includes an electronic paper film located on the TFT array substrate, a transparent electrode located on the electronic paper film, and a second transparent substrate located on the transparent electrode. A double-sided display may be realized by the electronic paper display panel. |
| US09285646B2 |
Display panel and display device
A display panel provided according to the present disclosure may include an optical component and two Guest Host liquid crystal cells located at two opposite sides of the optical component. The optical component is used for reflecting light with a specific wavelength and transmitting other light. The Guest Host liquid crystal cells each include a plurality of pixel units each having two operation states of transmitting natural light and linearly polarized light. When the pixel units transmit the linearly polarized light, the light reflected by the optical component cannot pass through the pixel units, thereby achieving a dark state display. |
| US09285643B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes pixels which is disposed in row and column directions, respectively includes pixel electrodes, and arranged along a first pixel column to a sixth pixel column, gate lines including pairs of two adjacent gate lines for each pixel row in the row direction, data lines including a first data line at a left side of the first pixel column, a second data line between the second and third pixel columns, a third data line between the fourth and fifth pixel columns, and a fourth data line at a right side of the sixth pixel column; and common voltage lines including a first common voltage line between the first and second pixel columns, a second common voltage line between the third and fourth pixel columns, and a third common voltage line between the fifth and sixth pixel columns. |
| US09285642B2 |
Pixel array
A pixel array includes pixel units. A gate of a sharing switch device is electrically connected to a signal line. A source of the sharing switch device is electrically connected to an active device and a sub-pixel electrode. A terminal of a first capacitance Cpp is electrically connected to the source of the sharing switch device and the sub-pixel electrode. Another terminal of the first capacitance Cpp is electrically connected to a main pixel electrode of the next pixel unit. A terminal of a second capacitance Ccc is electrically connected to a drain of the sharing switch device. Another terminal of the second capacitance Ccc is electrically connected to the main pixel electrode of the next pixel unit. 5%≦(Ccc/Cpp)≦25%. |
| US09285635B2 |
Stereoscopic flat panel display with updated blanking intervals
This disclosure describes stereoscopic flat panel display systems based on the polarization encoding of sequentially displayed left and right eye images. The systems comprise line-by-line addressed liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, illuminating back light units and polarization control panels (PCPs). Right and left eye images are written sequentially onto the LCD whose polarization is controlled by a substantially synchronously driven PCP. The backlight may be continuously illuminated, or modulated temporally, spatially or both, as can the PCP. |
| US09285626B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A liquid crystal panel includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a liquid crystal layer accommodated between the upper plate and the lower plate. The upper plate includes a front glass substrate, a color filter layer formed on a rear surface of the front glass substrate, and a front polarizing film is attached to a front surface of the front glass substrate. The color filter layer includes a plurality of N color filters and black matrices for separating the color filters from each other. A plurality of patterns for recognizing coordinates are provided on a front side of the upper plate in such a manner that the N color filters correspond to one of the plurality of patterns for recognizing the coordinates, where N is a natural number. |
| US09285625B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a display panel, a protective plate provided in a front surface of the display panel to protect the display panel; and a light shielding film. The protective plate is fixed to the display panel by a transparent adhesive applied to an area between the display panel and the protective plate. The light shielding film is formed so as to surround a display area of the display panel, including a first light shielding film formed in a frame shape, and a second light shielding film deposited on the first light shielding film. The second light shielding film has a cut-out area where the second light shielding is not formed in at least one or more corner portions of the protective plate. A concave portion is formed in the corner portion of the light shielding film from an inner peripheral edge to an outer peripheral edge. |
| US09285620B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing liquid crystal display device
Provided is a liquid crystal display device including: a CF substrate; a TFT substrate disposed at a position facing the CF substrate; a transfer member provided at a corner portion in a bezel region of the TFT substrate; a spacer member for maintaining a distance between the CF substrate and the TFT substrate within a predetermined range; and a cutting mark made of the same material as that of the spacer member, and disposed on the CF substrate between a cutting line for the CF substrate from a mother CF substrate and the transfer member. |
| US09285619B2 |
Display panel, method of manufacturing the same, and liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel includes a thin film transistor disposed on an insulating substrate in a display region, an external wiring for connecting the thin film transistor to a terminal electrode, and a planarized film disposed on the thin film transistor, and having a planarized upper surface. The planarized film is not disposed, or a planarized film having a smaller film thickness than that of the planarized film in the display region is disposed, above the external wiring in a frame region. |
| US09285615B2 |
Structure for fixing frames and LCD device
The invention discloses a structure for fixing frames and an LCD device. The structure for fixing frames includes a first frame and a second frame. The second frame is located inside of the first frame. Convex modules and countersinks are arranged in pairs on a contact surface between the first frame and the second frame. The convex modules are embedded into the countersinks for fixing the first frame and the second frame. The countersinks are blind holes. In the invention, because the frames are fixed by matching the countersinks with the convex modules and the countersinks are blind holes, no hollow structure is formed on the frame provided with the countersinks. Compared with the mounting structure having the through holes, the strength of the frames is significantly improved. When the two frames required to be installed are aligned and pressed, the convex modules is embedded into the countersinks for assembling the frames. This is a simple and efficient assembly method. |
| US09285612B2 |
In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display, in which a pixel electrode and a common electrode are formed on the same substrate. The display includes a first substrate having a first conductive layer and second conductive layer, the first conductive layer and second conductive layer formed on each surface of the first substrate; a second substrate has a transparent pixel electrode and a transparent common electrode formed on one surface of the second substrate, facing the second conductive layer; an electrical connection part is installed to electrically connect the second conductive layer to the transparent common electrode, wherein a common voltage applied to the transparent common electrode is applied to the second conductive layer through the electrical connection part. This arrangement prevents generation of static electricity to suppress a whitening phenomenon due to liquid crystal polarization in a liquid crystal layer, thereby improving display image quality. |
| US09285611B2 |
Light modulators and optical apparatuses including the same
Provided are examples of light modulators and optical apparatuses that may include the light modulators. A light modulator may include a plasmonic nano-antenna and an element for changing plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna. The plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna may be changed due to a change in refractive index of the element, and thus light may be modulated. |
| US09285608B2 |
Method for determining front and rear surfaces for optical patches
Optical patches are assigned to prescriptions so as to reduce the total number of patch surfaces which are involved. The prescriptions are produced by varying at least one of a front patch surface (S1) and rear patch surface (S2) which are combined to form an optical patch, in accordance with prescription segments. The front patch surfaces (S1) are pseudo-spherical and the rear patch surfaces (S2) include a Fresnel structure superimposed on a pseudo-spherical base shape. |
| US09285600B2 |
Optical system with slaved pupil encoding
In the field of optical systems comprising at least one optical objective, a photosensitive detector and an image processing unit, the optical objective comprising a pupil encoding filter, the image processing unit performing digital filtering of the images output by the photosensitive detector, a system has a processing unit comprising means arranged in such a way as to process at least one preset, the characteristics of the digital filtering applied to the image depending on this preset. The preset may come from external sensors of temperature and/or pressure or be one of the parameters of the optical objective such as the focal length value, the aperture of the iris, or the desired focal distance. The preset can also be different for different zones of the image, to better take into account the variations of the aberrations in the field of the focusing objective. |
| US09285597B2 |
Light source device and stereoscopic display
A light source device includes: a light guide plate having first and second internal reflection planes facing each other; a first light source applying first illumination light from a side surface of the light guide plate into an interior thereof; a second light source facing the second internal reflection plane, and applying second illumination light to the second internal reflection plane; and a reflective member between the second internal reflection plane and the second light source. The second internal reflection plane is provided with a total-reflection region allowing the first illumination light to be reflected in a total-internal-reflection manner whereas allowing the second illumination light to pass therethrough, and a scattering region allowing the first illumination light to be reflected and scattered. The reflective member is disposed in a position corresponding to the scattering region, and reflects light having passed through the scattering region, toward the first internal reflection plane. |
| US09285592B2 |
Wearable device with input and output structures
An electronic device including a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user is disclosed. The frame can include a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of the user and a brow portion coupled to and extending away from the bridge and configured to be positioned over a side of a brow of the user. The frame can further include an arm coupled to the brow portion and extending to a free end. The first arm can be positionable over a temple of the user with the free end disposed near an ear of the user. The device can also include a transparent display affixed to the frame adjacent the brow portion and an input affixed to the frame and configured for receiving from the user an input associated with a function. Information related to the function can be presentable on the display. |
| US09285591B1 |
Compact architecture for near-to-eye display system
An eyepiece body of an eyepiece includes an input lens positioned to couple display light into the eyepiece body along a forward propagation path, a concave end reflector disposed at an opposite end of the eyepiece body from the input lens to reflect the display light back along a reverse propagation path, and a viewing region including a partially reflective surface that redirects at least a portion of the display light traveling along the reverse propagation path out of an eye-ward side of the eyepiece body along an emission path. The partially reflective surface is obliquely angled relative to the eye-ward side and the concave end reflector is titled relative to a top or bottom surface of the eyepiece body to collectively cause the emission path of the display light to be oblique to a normal vector of the eye-ward side in two orthogonal dimensions. |
| US09285586B2 |
Adjusting parallax barriers
A device may determine a first distance between a viewer and a display of a device. The display may include a first parallax barrier including a plurality of parallax barrier clusters. Each of the parallax barrier clusters includes a plurality of parallax barrier elements that are parallel to one another and parallel to the parallax barrier clusters. The device may also determine a second distance between a right eye of the viewer and a left eye of the viewer, and move parallax barrier elements to control spacing between the parallax barrier clusters based on the first distance and the second distance. Furthermore, the device may send, from the display, light rays of a right-eye image of a stereoscopic image and a left-eye image of the stereoscopic image to a right eye of the viewer and a left eye of the viewer, respectively, through the spacing between the parallax barrier clusters. |
| US09285582B2 |
Optical scanning endoscope
An optical scanning endoscope with an optical fiber, and a fiber driving unit with a plurality of actuators which bend side surfaces of the optical fiber by applying a pressing force. A mounting member is a substantially cylindrical molded interconnect device (MID) component which supports the fiber driving unit. A control circuit supplies driving signals to each of the actuators to control the bending amount and direction of the optical fiber. A wiring member electrically connects wiring patterns on the mounting member with the control circuit. The mounting member has a planar surface section at one proximal-end-surface side of the cylindrical outer-peripheral surface. The wiring patterns include at least first patterns having one end portion disposed on the planar surface section to form soldering lands. The other end portions are electrically connected to the actuators on the proximal-end surface of the mounting member. The wiring member is connected to the soldering lands. |
| US09285581B2 |
Optical scanning devices and systems
Optical scanning devices and systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an optical scanning device comprises a first rotatable optical component and a second rotatable optical component. The first and second optical components are configured to rotate about a common optical axis and further configured to deflect an optical path of light transmitted or received through the optical scanning device. The device further comprises a mounting bracket positioned between the first and second optical components and comprises first and second motor assemblies configured to rotate the corresponding first and second optical components about the optical axis independently of each other. An inner portion of each of the first and second optical components is mounted to an outer portion of the corresponding first and second motor assemblies such that the optical axis is configured to extend through the center of the first and second optical components and tubes. |
| US09285576B2 |
Stereoscopic microscope
A stereoscopic microscopic providing at least one pair of stereoscopic optical paths comprises an objective system, a first focusing lens having a first optical refractive power and a second focusing lens having a second optical refractive power and at least one actuator. The first optical refractive power and the second optical refractive have different signs. The objective system and the first and second focusing lenses are commonly traversed by the at least one pair of stereoscopic optical paths, respectively. The actuator shifts at least one of these first and second focusing lenses along the at least one pair of stereoscopic optical paths to change the working distance and/or to vary an optical refractive power of at least one of these first and second focusing lenses. The first focusing lens is immediately neighboring the objective system along the at least one pair of stereoscopic optical paths. |
| US09285575B2 |
Systems and methods for selective detection and imaging in coherent Raman microscopy by spectral excitation shaping
A microscopy imaging system is disclosed that includes a light source system, a spectral shaper, a modulator system, an optics system, an optical detector and a processor. The light source system is for providing a first train of pulses and a second train of pulses. The spectral shaper is for spectrally modifying an optical property of at least some frequency components of the broadband range of frequency components such that the broadband range of frequency components is shaped producing a shaped first train of pulses to specifically probe a spectral feature of interest from a sample, and to reduce information from features that are not of interest from the sample. The modulator system is for modulating a property of at least one of the shaped first train of pulses and the second train of pulses at a modulation frequency. The optical detector is for detecting an integrated intensity of substantially all optical frequency components of a train of pulses of interest transmitted or reflected through the common focal volume. The processor is for detecting a modulation at the modulation frequency of the integrated intensity of substantially all of the optical frequency components of the train of pulses of interest due to the non-linear interaction of the shaped first train of pulses with the second train of pulses as modulated in the common focal volume, and for providing an output signal for a pixel of an image for the microscopy imaging system. |
| US09285572B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging device
A zoom lens substantially consists of, in order from the object side, a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group. During magnification change from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the first and third lens groups are fixed in the optical axis direction, the second lens group is moved toward the image side, and the fourth lens group is moved along the optical axis. The second lens group includes an air space formed between a convex surface and a concave surface, and a cemented surface between a negative lens and a positive lens. The third lens group consists of, in order from the object side, a fixed front group, and a positive rear group being able to be shifted in directions intersecting with the optical axis to shift the image formed on the reduced side. |
| US09285571B2 |
Zoom lens and camera device incorporating the same
Provided are: a zoom lens which exhibits a large variable-power ratio, an increased degree of freedom with respect to aberration correction, and which has been achieved having a sufficient reduction in size in the optical axis direction; and an imaging device equipped therewith. The zoom lens includes at least, from the object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group, and a fifth lens group, in that order. In the zoom lens, prescribed conditions are satisfied. |
| US09285570B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus using the same
A zoom lens comprises in order from an object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and the third unit having a positive refractive power comprises in order from the object side, a first lens component having a positive refractive power, and a second lens component having a negative refractive power in which, a lens having a positive refractive power and a lens having a negative refractive power are cemented, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expressions (1), (2), and (3) 1.4<|f3—2p/f3—2n|<2.6 (1) nd3—2p−nd3—2n≧0 (2) nd3—2n≧1.8 (3). |
| US09285569B2 |
Lens assembly for optical imaging
The invention provides an optical imaging lens assembly comprising, in order from an object-side to an image side, a first aspherical positive lens element and a second aspherical negative lens element, each comprising an object-side surface and an image-side surface. Elements of the optical imaging lens assembly may be configured to satisfy the relations (i) T<1.2 f, (ii) 1.1 |
| US09285566B2 |
Mirror tilt actuation
Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror. |
| US09285562B2 |
Electromagnetic driving device for lens having an anti-tilt mechanism
An electromagnetic driving device defined with an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis includes a casing, a frame, a driven object (e.g., a lens module), an anti-tilt mechanism and an electromagnetic driving module. The electromagnetic driving module includes at least one magnetic member, a coil and a circuit board. The frame connects to the casing so as to form an inner compartment therein. The driven object is received and movable along the Z axis inside the inner compartment. One of the magnetic member and the coil is fixed to the driven object while another thereof is fixed to the frame in such a corresponding manner that, when the coil is powered via the circuit board, the driven object would be moved linearly. By means of the anti-tilt mechanism, possible kinetic tilt caused by movements of the driven object upon when the driven object is driven to move along the Z axis can then be eliminated. |
| US09285559B1 |
Installation of optical fiber cables in ducts
A protective caddy for the installation of an optical fiber cable in optical fiber ducting which temporarily protects a duplex optical fiber cable assembly for an optical fiber duplex connector during insertion of the assembly into a length of ducting. The duplex optical fiber cable assembly comprises a duplex optical fiber cable and a pair of optical fiber connector sub-assemblies. The protective caddy comprises a pair of receptacles, each for receiving one of the optical fiber connector sub-assemblies. Each receptacle has a recess for protectively receiving the termination end of one of the optical fiber ferrules. In use, both the duplex optical fiber cable and the pair of optical fiber connector sub-assemblies are held to the elongate body so that the termination ends are protected by the recesses during insertion of the protective caddy and duplex optical fiber cable assembly into the length of ducting. |
| US09285558B2 |
System for mounting a plurality of fiber optic cassettes to a high density cassette shelf
A system for mounting a plurality of fiber optic cassettes includes an enclosure and angle-iron-shaped elongated members that are affixed within the enclosure and vertically spaced apart. The elongated members include shelf fastener perforations disposed at regular intervals along a mounting surface and arranged to horizontally and vertically align with fastener perforations of one of the fiber optic cassettes. The system further includes a plurality of adapter brackets. Each of the adapter brackets include first and second generally planar sections spaced apart from one another and a third section joining the first and second sections. The third section includes a bracket fastener perforation. First, second and third stabilization features protrude from the first and second planar sections and are collectively arranged to secure the adapter bracket to one of the elongated members and to simultaneously allow the adapter bracket to move in a horizontal direction without substantial resistance. |
| US09285555B2 |
Optical circuit board
An optical circuit board including a top face, a bottom face, an optical layer buried between bottom and top faces, the optical layer being adapted to transmit optical signals, an opto-electronic component adapted to emit or receive light transmitted through the optical layer, a solid heat dissipative element adapted to dissipate heat generated at the opto-electronic component. |
| US09285552B2 |
Optical assemblies with managed connectivity
An adapter block assembly includes an adapter block, a circuit board arrangement, and a cover attached to the adapter block so that the circuit board arrangement is held to the adapter block by the cover. Contact assemblies can be disposed between the adapter block and the circuit board arrangement. The cover can be latched, heat staked, or otherwise secured to the adapter block. Each component of the adapter block assembly can include one or more parts (e.g., multiple adapter blocks, multiple circuit boards, and/or multiple cover pieces). |
| US09285550B2 |
Fiber optic connector with rotational interlock between connector housing and rear insert
The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector including a connector housing having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end can form a plug portion adapted for insertion within a receptacle of a fiber optic adapter. A rear insert mounts within the proximal end of the connector housing. An axial insertion/retention interface can be defined between the connector housing and the rear insert. The axial insertion/retention interface can be configured to allow the rear insert to be inserted into and removed from the proximal end of the connector housing along an insertion axis when the rear insert is positioned in a first rotational position about the insertion axis relative to the connector housing. The axial insertion/retention interface can also be configured to prevent the rear insert from being withdrawn from the proximal end of the connector housing along the insertion axis. |
| US09285549B2 |
Optical fibre connector
A connector includes a main body, and a pair of sockets. Each socket includes a pair of opposed resilient walls in the overall configuration of a split tube. The connector also includes a transversely sliding clamp with two tapered slots, located so that one of the sockets passes through each slot. After fiber terminations are pushed into the sockets through the clamp slots, the clamp is slid in a plane across the socket axes so that the narrower ends of the slots engage the opposed split tube resilient walls of each socket. This squeezes each socket so that the opposed split tube resilient walls press against the associated fiber termination and retains it in place. The sockets may have guide slots for guiding clamp movement. The clamp moves in a translational movement, but in another example the clamp rotates in the lateral plane to squeeze the sockets. |
| US09285546B2 |
Conduit for passing a plurality of fiber optic cables through a fiber optic cassette shelf
A conduit for passing fiber optic cables through a fiber optic shelf includes a floor section and two sidewalls joining opposing sides of the floor extending towards a top of the conduit. The sidewalls and floor form a u-shaped enclosure having an opening at the top. A fastening anchor having a first tab joins the floor and extends away from the top perpendicular to the floor. A fastener perforation on the first tab is dimensioned to receive a fastener for affixing a fiber optic cassette to a fiber optic shelf. An engagement anchor joins the floor at an opposite end from the fastening anchor and extends away from the top. A protrusion on the engagement anchor extends towards the first tab so as to engage a fastener perforation of a mounting rail in the fiber optic shelf and secure the conduit to the mounting rail. |
| US09285542B2 |
Fiber optic interface with adhesive fill system
A fiber optic interface for a fiber optic ribbon includes a homogeneous flexible body comprising one or more grooves defined therein, each groove configured to receive a corresponding filament of the fiber optic ribbon. Each groove is further configured to receive an adhesive to attach the groove to a first portion of a corresponding filament while leaving a second, opposing portion of the corresponding filament and lateral side portions of the corresponding filament between the first and second portions substantially accessible for connection to a mating component. An overflow port for each groove provides an opening extending from a corresponding groove through the body of the interface for draining excess adhesive from the groove. |
| US09285541B2 |
UV-green converting fiber laser using active tapers
Nonlinear optical systems include fiber amplifiers using tapered waveguides such as optical fibers that permit multimode propagation but produce amplification and oscillation in a fundamental mode. The tapered waveguides generally are provided with an active dopant that is pumped with an optical pump source such as one or more semiconductor lasers. The active waveguide taper is selected to taper from a single or few mode section to a multimode section, and a seed beam in a fundamental mode is provided to a section of the waveguide taper associated with a smaller optical mode. An amplified beam exits the waveguide taper at a section associated with a larger optical mode. The amplified beam is directed to nonlinear conversion optics such as one or more nonlinear crystals to produce high peak power and high beam quality converted light using second or third harmonic generation, or other nonlinear processes. |
| US09285540B2 |
Integrated dielectric waveguide and semiconductor layer and method therefor
A method for realizing a semiconductor waveguide and an ultra-low-loss dielectric waveguide disposed on the same substrate is disclosed. The method includes forming a partial dielectric waveguide structure on the substrate, wherein the dielectric waveguide is annealed to reduce hydrogen incorporation, and wherein the top cladding of the dielectric waveguide is only partially formed by a first dielectric layer. A second substrate comprising a semiconductor layer having a second dielectric layer disposed on its top surface is bonded to the first substrate such that the first and second dielectric layers collectively form the complete top cladding for the dielectric waveguide. The second substrate is then removed and the semiconductor layer is patterned to define the semiconductor waveguide core. |
| US09285536B2 |
Optical fiber and optical fiber cable
An optical fiber comprises a glass portion comprising a core and a cladding surrounding the core, and, a resin portion comprising a non-removable resin layer tightly covering the glass portion and comprising an ultraviolet curing resin and a buffer layer covering the non-removable resin layer and comprising an ultraviolet curing resin. A diameter of the core falls within a range from 20 μm or larger to 80 μm or smaller, and an outer diameter of the non-removable resin layer falls within a range from 120 μm or larger to 127 μm or smaller. In this optical fiber, when flexural rigidity of the glass portion is EI(g) and flexural rigidity of the resin portion is EI(r), EI(g)≧EI(r) is satisfied. |
| US09285530B2 |
Planar front illumination system having a light guide with micro lenses formed thereon and method of manufacturing the same
A system for illuminating a reflective display or other material from a planar front device and a method of manufacture thereof. The system includes a light guide plate that conducts light from an edge light source across the face of a reflective display. Micro lenses are formed on the inner or outer surface of the light guide and direct the light conducted in the light guide toward the display. A stepped index layer is formed on the surface of light guide plate containing the micro lenses. The stepped index layer has an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction of the light guide plate to assist in the total internal reflection of light injected into the light guide plate. A top layer protective coat or touch screen can be laminated to the outside of the light guide plate. |
| US09285529B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module includes a back plate, an optical film, a light source and optical microstructures. The back plate has a supporting surface. The optical film is disposed on the back plate. The supporting surface and the optical film have a gap therebetween. The light source disposed on the supporting surface is adapted to emit light toward the optical microstructures. Each optical microstructure includes first and second transparent structures. The first transparent structure connected to the supporting surface has front and rear ends. The front end facing toward the light source has a first concave surface. The rear end facing away from the light source has a convex surface. The second transparent structure connected to the first transparent structure has front and rear surfaces tilted in relative to the supporting surface. The front surface faces toward the light source, and the rear surface faces away from the light source. |
| US09285527B2 |
Backlight module
The present invention discloses a backlight module, comprising at least one back plate, a light guide plate, an optical film, a base, a plurality of fasteners and a plurality of optical fibers. The light guide plate is disposed in the back plate; the optical film is disposed on the light guide plate; the base is installed at one side of the light guide plate, and comprising a plurality of corresponding holes spaced with each other; the fasteners are fastened on the corresponding holes; each of the fasteners comprises a pressing hole; the optical fibers used for transmitting a light source are passed through the pressing holes; the optical fibers are tightly fixed by the fasteners. Fasteners are passed through the corresponding holes to narrow the pressing hole; Optical fibers are pressed and fixed to prevent the axial movement of optical fibers and to stabilize transmission quality of light source. |
| US09285523B2 |
Polarization plate for use in a liquid crystal display
A polarization plate is provided for use between a light source and a display panel, where the light source is configured to emit light having a plurality of planes of polarization and the display panel is configured to have a predetermined polarization axis. The plate includes a repolarization region and a prepolarization region. The repolarization region is configured to diffuse and to depolarize or rotate at least one plane of polarization of the light passing therethrough. The prepolarization region is disposed adjacent to and in contact with the repolarization region. The prepolarization region is configured to be substantially nonabsorbent, to allow passage of light having a plane of polarization that is substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis, and to prevent passage of light having a plane of polarization that is not substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis. In another embodiment, an interface is provided between the regions. |
| US09285517B2 |
Back cover for backlight source, backlight source, and display apparatus
The present invention provides a back cover for a backlight source, a backlight source and a display apparatus. The back cover includes at least one reflection surface arranged on one surface of the back cover. The reflection surface includes a first reflection region and a second reflection region, each of which includes a plurality of concave arc-shaped regions. The concave arc-shaped regions of the first reflection region have curvature increasing toward the second reflection region, and the concave arc-shaped regions of the second reflection region have curvatures decreasing in a direction away from the first reflection region. The concave arc-shaped region having a maximum curvature in the first reflection region is connected with the concave arc-shaped region having a maximum curvature in the second reflection region. |
| US09285509B2 |
Optical element, imaging apparatus including the element, and method of manufacturing the optical element
A lens is obtained by injection molding. The lens includes a plurality of projections arranged on a surface at a pitch smaller than or equal to a predetermined value to reduce reflection of light with a wavelength equal to or greater than the pitch, and a gate mark formed on an outer periphery of the optical element in the injection molding. A peripheral portion of the surface includes a first region whose circumferential position corresponds to the gate mark, and a second region being adjacent to the first region. A pitch of first projections in the first region is greater than a pitch of second projections in the second region. |
| US09285508B2 |
Biomedical devices
Biomedical devices such as contact lenses formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a multi-armed macromonomer comprising multiple side chains attached to a nucleus, wherein each side chain comprises a thio carbonyl thio fragment of the same or different reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (“RAFT”) agent; and (b) one or more biomedical device-forming monomers are disclosed. |
| US09285504B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing environmental predictive indicators to emergency response managers
A method of predicting weather-exacerbated threats, said method comprising inputting localized weather measurement data into a weather threat prediction system; predicting future localized weather conditions based on said localized weather measurement data combined with modeling from large scale weather data including National Weather Service Data; inputting natural environment and infrastructure data into said weather threat prediction system; correlating said infrastructure data with said predicted future localized weather conditions; and determining a threat level index over a region, a threat level indicating an area having a certain probabilistic likelihood of being harmed by said future weather conditions. |
| US09285501B2 |
Multiple sensor system and method for mapping soil in three dimensions
A multi-sensor system rapidly measures diffuse reflectance of soil, soil conductivity, and other soil properties in situ, in three dimensions. The system includes a tractor-drawn implement containing a sensor shank used for X-Y axis measurements, a hydraulic probe implement containing a sensor probe for −Z axis measurements, and a set of visible and near-infrared spectrometers, controls, and firmware that are shared by each implement. Both implements include optical sensors and soil electrical conductivity sensors. The probe implement incorporates a sensor that measures insertion force, and the shank implement includes a soil temperature sensor. These combinations of sensors are used to calibrate the system and to characterize the soil properties within a field or area. Geo-referenced soil measurements are collected with the shank implement to identify optimal locations for conducting sensor probe insertions. The probe implement is then used for sensor probing and for collecting soil core samples for lab analysis. |
| US09285500B2 |
Methods and systems of modeling hydrocarbon flow from layered shale formations
Modeling hydrocarbon flow, from layered shale formations. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: modeling movement of hydrocarbons through kerogen-related porosity, the movement through a first model volume; estimating a first permeability of a kerogen-rich layer of a layered shale formation based on the modeling; and modeling hydrocarbon production from the layered shale formation. The modeling hydrocarbon production may include: utilizing the first permeability for the kerogen-rich layer of the layered shale formation; and utilizing a second permeability for a kerogen-poor layer of the layered shale formation, the second permeability different than the first permeability. In various cases the modeling of hydrocarbon production is with respect to a second model volume greater than the first model volume. |
| US09285499B2 |
Device for detecting and/or monitoring optically invisible objects
This detecting and/or monitoring device (2) is intended to be mounted on optically invisible objects and to be placed substantially parallel to the general direction of said objects. The detecting and/or monitoring device (2) comprises at least one electrically or optically conductive linear element (3) and an insulating sheath (4) covering the linear element. The insulating sheath (4) comprises at least one first face (5) having at least one substantially flat portion (5a) intended to be mounted on said objects. |
| US09285495B2 |
Methods and apparatus for node positioning during seismic survey
Disclosed are apparatus and methods acoustic node positioning during a marine survey. In one embodiment, positions of a plurality of nodes are calibrated using acoustic transceivers. In addition, changes in the positions of the nodes are tracked using accelerometers. In another embodiment, a traveling wave is detected, and an effect of the traveling wave is projected on steering devices in a projected path of the traveling wave. Time-dependent control signals are computed and applied to the steering devices to maintain a local streamer geometry. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed. |
| US09285493B2 |
Sensor grouping for dual sensor marine seismic streamer and method for seismic surveying
A method for marine seismic surveying includes towing a streamer in a body of water. The streamer includes a plurality of spaced apart sensor groups, each including a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart pressure sensors and particle motion responsive sensors. Signals are detected at each of the sensors in response to actuation of a seismic energy source. Components of the sampled motion signals in each group above a selected frequency are combined to generate respective group motion signals. Components of the motion responsive signals below the selected frequency are velocity filtered. The velocity filtered signals are combined with the group motion signals to generate full bandwidth motion responsive signals corresponding to each sensor group. |
| US09285490B2 |
Radiation detection apparatus
A radiation detection apparatus is provided with a detection element group which includes a plurality of detection elements arranged on a support substrate, a shield body of which a pinhole is formed on front surface and a slit is formed on back surface, the shield body putting the detection element group therein, a signal processing substrate which processes a detection signal respectively detected by each detection element, is provided outside of the shield body, and has a dimension being larger than a width of the slit, and a relay substrate which goes through the slit and connects each detection element with the signal processing substrate. |
| US09285488B2 |
X-ray inspection using wavelength-shifting fiber-coupled scintillation detectors
A detector and methods for inspecting material on the basis of scintillator coupled by wavelength-shifting optical fiber to one or more photo-detectors, with a temporal integration of the photo-detector signal. An unpixelated volume of scintillation medium converts energy of incident penetrating radiation into scintillation light which is extracted from a scintillation light extraction region by a plurality of optical waveguides. This geometry provides for efficient and compact detectors, enabling hitherto unattainable geometries for backscatter detection and for energy discrimination of incident radiation. Additional energy-resolving transmission configurations are enabled as are skew- and misalignment compensation. |
| US09285483B2 |
Location calculating method and location calculating device
A location calculating method includes acquiring measurement information by receiving satellite signals from positioning satellites and storing the acquired measurement information in a storage unit in association with acquisition time, calculating movement information that includes a movement direction and a movement distance by using a detection result of a sensor unit that at least includes an acceleration sensor and storing the calculated movement information in the storage unit in association with calculation time, and calculating a location at desired time by using at least the measurement information of which the acquisition time satisfies a predetermined proximity time condition and the movement information of which the calculation time is between the acquisition time of the measurement information and the given desired time. |
| US09285482B2 |
Method and device for detecting and excluding satellite malfunctions in a hybrid INS/GNSS system
A method for monitoring the integrity of position information outputted by a hybridization device that includes a bank (3) of Kalman filters, each filter developing a hybrid navigation solution from inertial measurements calculated by a virtual platform (2) and from raw measurements of signals transmitted by a satellite constellation which are outputted by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The method includes, for each satellite of the constellation of calculating a cross-innovation of the satellite that reflects the deviation between an observation, corresponding to a raw measurement from the satellite, and an a posteriori estimation of said observation that is developed through a Kalman filter and does not use the raw measurement from the satellite; carrying out a statistical test of the cross-innovation to ascertain whether or not the satellite is malfunctioning. |
| US09285478B2 |
Multipath detection for received SPS signal
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to detecting and/or estimating multipath signals. For an example, a signal comprising at least one binary offset carrier (BOC) modulation signal is received. The BOC modulation signal is modulated with a pseudorandom noise sequence comprising a plurality of chips, wherein each of said chips has a set interval. In another aspect, the received signal is correlated with portions of the plurality of chips to provide a power signal. The portions of chips are less than the set interval. In a further aspect, presence of a multi-path signal in the received signal is detected. The detection of multipath is based, at least in part, on one or more characteristics of the power signal. |
| US09285475B1 |
System and method of underground water detection
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of determining underground liquid (e.g., water) content. Embodiments of the method may include: receiving a first scan and a second scan of an area at a first polarization, the first scan and second scans including first L band microwave reflections from the area. Embodiments of the method may further include filtering electromagnetic noise from the first scan using the second scan. Embodiments of the method may further include creating a water roughness map based on typical roughness values of various types of water sources and the filtered first scan, identifying a first type of water sources using the water roughness map and the filtered first scan and calculating the water content at locations in the area based on the identified first type of water sources. |
| US09285473B2 |
Radar sensor and method for controlling same to reduce the crosstalk of digital signals to the HF radar signal
The radar sensor has a transceiver device for generating a radar signal having a settable output power, a control unit and an interface unit. The transceiver device may be controlled via a digital interface via the interface unit and the control unit. One of the lines of the interface is connected to the control unit, the control unit being designed in such a way that when a predetermined level is present on this line, the output power of the transceiver device is lowered. |
| US09285471B2 |
Method and apparatus for localization of RFID tags
A method and apparatus for an RFID tag to facilitate the determination of its location while at the same time minimizing the energy drain on the tag's battery. At predetermined intervals, the tag transmits its identifier along with status information. If the status indicates that the tag is in a new location, the tag will then expend additional battery energy by participating in the determination of its location. The distance from an interrogator to the tag is determined by transmitting two signals from the interrogator that propagate at different velocities. By determining the difference in arrival times at the tag of the two signals, the distance from the interrogator to the tag can be determined. |
| US09285468B2 |
Extended angular resolution in sensor arrays using secondary echoes
A reflector is used to extend an aperture of an omni-directional, single-point remote-sensing echo-system utilizing secondary round-trip reflections of a transmitted sensor signal. The reflector is spatially displaced from a transmission element to contribute a secondary reflection whose echo from the target object provides additional information used to triangulate both azimuthal and elevation angles of the target object. |
| US09285462B2 |
Antenna apparatus
In an antenna apparatus, a transmitting antenna includes transmitting-side unit antennas arranged in an arranging-direction at transmitting-side arrangement intervals. Receiving antennas are arranged in the arranging-direction at arrangement intervals. Each of the receiving antennas includes receiving-side unit antennas arranged in the arranging-direction at receiving-side arrangement intervals. The receiving-side arrangement interval is larger than the transmitting-side arrangement interval. A transmission- and reception composition characteristic, which is a composition of directivities of the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna, has a main lobe including a detection angle range. The transmitting-side arrangement interval and the receiving-side arrangement interval are determined so that, in the detection angle range, a ratio of the intensity of the main lobe of the transmission-and-reception composition characteristic at a given angle in the detection angle range to the intensity of the transmission-and-reception composition characteristic generated as a false image at the angle by wrap around becomes not less than a threshold. |
| US09285461B2 |
Steerable transmit, steerable receive frequency modulated continuous wave radar transceiver
Apparatus, method, and system example embodiments provide an improved integrated circuit RF front end to simultaneously transmit and receive signals for radar imaging. In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprises a transceiver coupled to a circularly polarized antenna assembly, capable of transmitting circularly polarized signals that are a component of a multi-signal radar beam; a power amplifier configured to amplify a transmit signal, coupled through isolation couplers to the circularly polarized antenna assembly; a phase shifting block circuit configured to perform phase shifting of a local oscillator signal, in response to the receipt of phase control signals, to perform phased-array beam steering of the multi-signal radar beam when the component circular signals are associated with signals transmitted from other transceivers receiving the phase control signals. The apparatus further includes a receiver circuit utilizing a receive phase-shifting circuit coupled to a quadrature down-conversion mixer, for receive beam steering. |
| US09285459B2 |
Method of locating an object in 3D
Methods and devices for calculating the position of a movable device are disclosed. The device may include multiple optical detectors (ODs) and the movable device may include light sources. Optics may be above the ODs. A controller may calculate the position of the light source based on data from the ODs and properties of the optics. The device may be a game console, and the light source may be a game controller. The roles of the OD and light sources may be interchanged. The rotation of the movable device may be determined using multiple light sources and/or multiple ODs on the movable device. The movable device may calculate its position and transmit it to a console. The light sources may be modulated by time or frequency to distinguish between the light sources. There may be two or more movable devices. There may be two or more consoles. |
| US09285451B2 |
Light source determining apparatus, light source determining method and optical tracking apparatus
A light source determining apparatus for determining if a light source is a specific type light source is disclosed. The light source determining apparatus comprises: a light filtering device, comprising at least one first region and at least one second region, wherein the first region can pass only light with a specific frequency, where the second region can pass not only light with the specific frequency but also light with other frequencies; and a determining unit, for determining if the light source is the specific type light source, according to luminosity that the light source respectively generates for the first region and the second region. |
| US09285450B2 |
Balloon-based positioning system and method
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a balloon-based positioning system and method. In one example embodiment, a system includes at least three balloons, with each balloon including a position-determining module (PDM) and a position-broadcasting module (PBM). Each PDM is configured for determining a position of the respective balloon and each PBM is configured for broadcasting a balloon signal containing balloon-positioning data of the respective balloon. The balloon-positioning data includes the determined position of the respective balloon and a corresponding time of broadcast. |
| US09285448B2 |
Iterative reconstruction method with penalty terms from examination objects
A method is disclosed for calculating an MR image of a target layer from an examination object, wherein the MR image is calculated using iterative reconstruction. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: acquiring MR data from an initial layer of the examination object, determining information produced by the examination object from the acquired MR data of the initial layer, determining a penalty term from the information produced by the examination object, and performing the iterative reconstruction of the MR image for the target layer taking into account the determined penalty term. |
| US09285447B2 |
Imaging method and device for water/fat separation in magnetic resonance imaging
In an imaging method and device for water/fat separation in MRI using a two-point Dixon FSE sequence, each refocusing RF pulse corresponds to two readout gradients of the same polarity, each being center-divided into a smaller rear part and a larger front part, and one rephasing gradient of opposite polarity. In running the FSE sequence, each echo signal acquired is subjected to an FFT, to reconstruct an image with water and fat in phase and an image with water and fat in opposed phases. Data of each echo signal are subjected to a partial Fourier transform; and the in-phase water/fat image and the opposite-phase water/fat image are subjected to a water/fat separation algorithm, to obtain a pure water image and a pure fat image. |
| US09285446B2 |
Systems and methods for shortened look locker inversion recovery (Sh-MOLLI) cardiac gated mapping of T1
A shortened version of the MOLLI sequence (Sh-MOLLI) is described which generates rapid and high-resolution myocardial spin-lattice (T1) maps. The Sh-MOLLI technique is based on a significant abbreviation of pre-existing TI sampling scheme combined with the use of processing logic to bypass the major side effects of the above sampling scheme abbreviation and distinguish between long and short T1 relaxation times in order to conditionally utilize available TI samples for non-linear T1 fitting. |
| US09285445B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging using randomized radio frequency pulses
Methods, systems and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging that facilitate applying a gradient waveform to generate a k-space trajectory in a subject, applying radio frequency (RF) pulses having a pseudorandom phase distribution, such that the RF pulses are applied to the subject at a plurality of non-uniform locations near a center of the k-space trajectory and collecting, based on the applied RF pulses and the applied gradient waveform, imaging data from the subject. |
| US09285443B2 |
MSC-SelMQC method for simultaneous mapping of polyunsaturated fatty acids, lactate and choline in high fat tissues
Systems and methods employing spin editing techniques to improve magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) are discussed. Using these spin editing techniques, magnetic resonance signals of one or more unwanted chemicals (that is, chemicals whose signals are to be filtered out or suppressed) chemicals can be suppressed, so that the signal(s) of a first set of chemicals can be obtained without signals from the one or more unwanted chemicals. Information about and differences between the molecular topologies of the first set of chemicals and the one or more unwanted chemicals can be used to design a sequence that suppresses the one or more unwanted chemicals while allowing acquisition of signal(s) from the first set of chemicals. |
| US09285441B1 |
Magnetic field correction system
A magnetic field correction system including apparatus and method for adjusting a magnetic field is provided, for example to enhance the uniformity of the field in a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) operation. The system is of an electronic “shimming” type. The layout of the wires of the shim coils is simplified to conserve working space inside a magnet, such as an NMR magnet. The complexity of the shimming system is removed from the coils and transferred to the current controlling electronics. The current paths do not require cross-over points, and groups of parallel wires are arranged such that the wire groups have axes with different directional orientations. By deploying such shim wire groups in differently oriented axial directions, a compact shimming apparatus is provided for generating a controllable corrective magnetic field for adjusting a main original field, such as to enhance the homogeneity of the main field. |
| US09285440B2 |
Size-adjustable head/neck MR surface coil with hinged upper section
A local coil for a magnetic resonance tomography system includes an upper section and a lower section. The upper section is hingeable in relation to the lower section. |
| US09285439B2 |
Vertical hall sensor with series-connected hall effect regions
A vertical Hall sensor includes first and second vertical Hall effect regions formed in a semiconductor substrate and of the same doping type, with first and second pluralities of contacts arranged at one side of the first or second vertical Hall effect regions, respectively. The second vertical Hall effect region is connected in series with the first vertical Hall effect region regarding a power supply to the first and second vertical Hall effect regions. The vertical Hall sensor further includes first and second layers adjacent to the first and second vertical Hall effect regions at a side other than a side of the first or second pluralities of contacts. The first and second layers have different doping properties than the first and second vertical Hall effect regions and insulate the first and second vertical Hall effect regions from a bulk of the semiconductor substrate by at least one reverse-biased p-n junction per vertical Hall effect region during an operation of the vertical Hall sensor. |
| US09285438B2 |
Circuits and methods for processing signals generated by a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements
Circuits and methods provide an ability to track a direction of a magnetic field, and, more particular, to track a direction of a rapidly rotating magnetic field. The circuits and methods use a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements, for example, as may be embodied in a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element. However, the circuits and methods can track the direction of the sensed magnetic field by processing at any time fewer than all of the plurality of magnetic field sensing elements, for example, one or two of the plurality of magnetic field sensing elements. |
| US09285426B2 |
Blocking the effects of scan chain testing upon a change in scan chain topology
A system comprises a plurality of components, scan chain selection logic coupled to the components, and override selection logic coupled to the scan chain selection logic. The scan chain selection logic selects various of the components to be members of a scan chain under the direction of a host computer. The override selection logic detects a change in the scan chain and, as a result, blocks the entire scan chain from progressing. |
| US09285425B2 |
Test access mechanism, controller, selector, scan router, external data bus
A device test architecture and interface is provided to enable efficient testing embedded cores within devices. The test architecture interfaces to standard IEEE 1500 core test wrappers and provides high test data bandwidth to the wrappers from an external tester. The test architecture includes compare circuits that allow for comparison of test response data to be performed within the device. The test architecture further includes a memory for storing the results of the test response comparisons. The test architecture includes a programmable test controller to allow for various test control operations by simply inputting an instruction to the programmable test controller from the external tester. The test architecture includes a selector circuit for selecting a core for testing. Additional features and embodiments of the device test architectures are also disclosed. |
| US09285421B1 |
Serializer/deserializer and method for transferring data between an integrated circuit and a test interface
A serializer/deserializer for communicating with an integrated circuit. The serializer/deserializer includes a serializer configured to serialize, from a parallel format into a serial format, first data to be transferred from an external device to the integrated circuit. The external device is configured to perform testing on the integrated circuit. A deserializer is configured to deserialize, from the serial format into the parallel format, second data to be transferred from the integrated circuit to the external device. A test access port module is configured to receive, from a test interface arranged between the serializer/deserializer and the external device, third data for controlling the serializer and provide, to the test interface, fourth data associated with control of the test interface. The fourth data corresponds to the deserialization of the second data to be transferred from the integrated circuit to the external device. |
| US09285415B2 |
Built-off test device and test system including the same
A built-off test (BOT) device includes a signal processing block, an output selection block and a signal control block. The signal processing block duplicates a test signal to apply a plurality of duplicated test signals to each of a plurality of devices under test (DUTs) through each of corresponding channels, and the signal processing block provides a plurality of decision signals based upon a plurality of test result signals received from each of the DUTs. The output selection block merges the decision signals as a final decision signal or sequentially outputs the decision signals as the final decision signal, in response to an output mode selection signal. The signal control block provides the test signal to the signal processing block or provides the final decision signal externally, in response to a first switching control signal. |
| US09285414B2 |
Method and system for testing semiconductor device
A method for testing a semiconductor device includes testing the semiconductor device in a plurality of operation modes sequentially, and programming the semiconductor device to operate in at least one of the operation modes when the semiconductor device passes the testing. |
| US09285413B2 |
Apparatus for and method of sensing arc in gas insulated switchgear using photodiode
There is provided an apparatus for sensing an arc in a gas insulated switchgear (GIS) including: an optical signal receiving unit receiving an optical signal generated due to an arc within a GIS; and a circuit breaker controller outputting a circuit breaker interrupt signal based on the received optical signal, wherein the optical signal receiving unit is installed within the GIS. An optical signal due to an arc may be received at the maximum level, and an arc generated within a GIS may be simply sensed at low costs. |
| US09285408B2 |
Determination of positions
A method for position determination, having a first step, in which a first sequence of positions is determined from radio signals of stationary transmitters, and a second sequence of positions being determined from other sensor data by dead reckoning. The first sequence of positions and the second sequence of positions are compared with one another in a second step. A computer program product for carrying out the method is also provided. A position determining device, in particular in a mobile terminal is also provided, having a receiver for radio signals of stationary transmitters, having position determining means for determining a first position of the receiver from radio signals of stationary transmitters, sensors at least for determining a direction and a distance in order to determine a second position by dead reckoning, and a memory for storing a sequence of first positions and a sequence of second positions. The first position determining device has a processing unit for comparing the sequence of first positions and the sequence of second positions. |
| US09285405B2 |
Thin film sensor, capacitive touch panel having the same and preparation method thereof and terminal product
The present invention relates to a thin film sensor, capacitive touch panel having the sensor and preparation method thereof and terminal product. The thin film sensor of the present invention has only one optically conductive substrate. Specifically, only one optically transparent substrate is used, a sensing electrode layer and a driving electrode layer are coated on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, respectively, which helps to reduce the thickness of the thin film sensor on one hand, thus contributes to the development of light and thin of a touch panel and touch electronics; on the other hand, the material selection and the preparation process are simple, the selection of two substrates is not necessary to prepare two optically conductive thin film. |
| US09285394B2 |
Testing apparatus and method
A test apparatus includes a DUT block, at least one probe and at least one variable-length pusher. The DUT block is used for allowing the DUT to be disposed thereon. The probe is located on the DUT block. The variable-length pusher is located above the probe. The actuator is used for moving the variable-length pusher to push against the DUT to force the DUT to be in electrical contact with the probe. |
| US09285390B2 |
Optical accelerometer system
One embodiment includes an accelerometer system. The system includes a laser configured to emit an optical beam at a linear polarization. The system also includes an optical cavity system. The optical cavity system includes a mirror that is coupled to an accelerometer housing via a spring and is configured to reflect the optical beam. The optical cavity system also includes at least one photodetector configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of the optical beam and the reflected optical beam and to generate an acceleration signal that is indicative of motion of the mirror resulting from an external acceleration acting upon the accelerometer housing. The system further includes an acceleration processor configured to calculate a magnitude of the external acceleration based on the acceleration signal. |
| US09285385B2 |
Vector velocimeter
A vector velocimeter includes a laser emitting a measurement beam with a wavelength λ, for illumination of an object in a measurement volume to create a signal beam, a reference beam generator generating a reference beam, and a first detector arranged such that the signal beam and the reference beam, propagating at a first angle θ relative to the signal beam, are incident thereon. The first detector includes an array of first detector elements to convert the intensity of the interfering signal beam and reference beam incident thereon into an oscillating electronic detector element signal when the fringe pattern formed thereby moves across the first detector array. A signal processor generates a velocity signal corresponding to a first velocity component of movement of the object in the measurement volume in the longitudinal direction thereof based on the electronic detector element signals from each of the first detector elements. |
| US09285374B2 |
Diagnostic method for Alzheimer's disease
The present invention provides an ex vivo method for aiding the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in a patient, the method comprising the steps of determining the level of expression of at least four platelet proteins in a platelet sample from the patient selected from monoamine oxidase-B, coagulation factor Xllla, total tropomyosin (a and 13), WD-repeat protein 1 and apolipoprotein E4; and comparing the result of (i) to a control value, wherein a result higher than the control value is indicative of Alzheimer's disease. Preferably, the method of the invention further comprises determining the level of expression of wild-type GSTO-1 or mutant GSTO-1. |
| US09285372B2 |
Methods and compositions for identifying D-peptidic compounds that specifically bind target proteins
Methods and compositions for identifying D-peptidic compounds that specifically bind target proteins are provided. Aspects of the methods include screening libraries of 20 residue or more L-peptidic compounds for specific binding to 40 residue or more D-target proteins. Once a L-peptidic compound has been identified that specifically binds to the D-target protein, the D-enantiomer of that compound may be produced. |
| US09285370B2 |
ADAM22 for use as a prognostic variable, and target for therapy, of a metastatic breast cancer disease
A method of diagnosing metastatic potential of a breast cancer in an individual with breast cancer is described. The method comprises a step of assaying a breast cancer tumor sample from the patient for expression of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 22, (ADAM22), wherein expression of ADAM22 correlates with increased potential for metastasis compared with a patient who is ADAM22 negative. The invention also describes an agent for use in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in a patient, in which the agent is selected from leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) protein (SEQ ID NO:1) and an LGI1 peptide mimic capable of mimicking the ADAM22 binding activity of LGI1 by binding to the LGI1 binding domain of ADAM22 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and which is capable of inhibiting migration of endocrine resistant breast cancer cells. |
| US09285363B2 |
Method of protein nanostructure fabrication
A method of assembling a protein nanostructure on a surface including selectively patterning a surface with a fixation site, bringing a protein node into contact with the surface, and allowing the protein node to bond with the fixation site, so that the position and/or orientation of the protein node is constrained, and compositions. |
| US09285361B2 |
Method for the analysis of circulating antibodies
There is provided a method for the analysis of circulating antibodies comprising the steps: a) providing an analysis device comprising a substrate, and provided on said substrate at least one sample addition zone, at least one retaining zone, at least one sink, and at least one flow path connecting the sample addition zone, the retaining zone and the sink, wherein the flow path is open and comprises projections substantially vertical to the surface of said substrate and having a height (H), diameter (D) and reciprocal spacing (t1, t2) such that lateral capillary flow of said sample is achieved and such that cells can flow through the projections, wherein said retaining zone comprises at least one affinity binding means to which cell structures are bound, b) adding at least one sample to a sample addition zone, and c) reading a result, wherein circulating antibodies directed against cell structures are determined. |
| US09285358B2 |
Vitro method for high throughput screening of genotoxic agents in eukaryotic cells
The present invention relates to a novel method for high throughput detection of wide range of genotoxins in eukaryotic cells wherein the eukaryotic cell based tool combines the ability to detect a broad spectrum of genotoxic signaling events and a simple and reproducible assay technique. The present invention further comprises expression cassettes, vectors, and eukaryotic cell lines for the same. |
| US09285356B2 |
Determining oil viscosity based on biodegradation
Methods, computer-readable media, and systems for determining oil viscosity based on biodegradation are described. A chemical signature of oil obtained from a subterranean zone is received. An amount of bacteria associated with oil in the zone based on the chemical signature of the oil is received. Using an empirical relationship relating oil viscosities to amounts of bacteria, an oil viscosity that is empirically related to the amount of bacteria is identified. The identified oil viscosity for the oil is provided, for example, in response to input requesting oil viscosity. |
| US09285354B2 |
Systems and methods for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid
A method and device for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid comprising using a concentrator system to produce a retentate and analyzing the retentate for the presence of at least one harmful substance. The concentrator system performs a method comprising pumping at least 10 liters of fluid from a sample source through a filter. While pumping, the concentrator system diverts retentate from the filter into a container. The concentrator system also recirculates at least part of the retentate in the container again through the filter. The concentrator system controls the speed of the pump with a control system thereby maintaining a fluid pressure less than 25 psi during the pumping of the fluid; monitors the quantity of retentate within the container with a control system, and maintains a reduced volume level of retentate and a target volume of retentate. |
| US09285350B2 |
Soak chamber and system to measure the seed density hydration profile of seeds
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for measuring the hydration profile of seeds during Soaking. In some example embodiments, the volume change of irregular-shaped seeds during soaking is measured as the difference in the volume for a given chamber and the volume of water to fill a chamber with seeds at pre-defined time intervals. A device according to some example embodiments of the present general inventive concept includes a soak chamber to hold the seed, a water bath as a source of the input water, and a measuring tank where the water volume can be determined with a level sensor. The soaking temperature is maintained constant by water baths with a circulating tank surrounding the soak chamber to reduce heat loss. |
| US09285349B2 |
Analyte detectors and methods for their preparation and use
Embodiments described herein provide for gas detectors and methods for their preparation and use. Some embodiments provide for a gas detection film including an insulating base layer, a conducting layer including a plurality of conductive clusters having a known degree of percolation below a percolation threshold; and a non-conductive reactant layer between the insulating base layer and the conducting layer. Some embodiments described in this document also provide for methods of making a gas detection film, methods of detecting a detectable gas, and kit for detecting a detectable gas. In some embodiments, the detectable gas may include mercury vapor, water vapor, formaldehyde or a combination thereof. |
| US09285347B2 |
Bubble reduction device, chromatography device, bubble reduction method, and bubble reduction program
A bubble reduction device, chromatography device, bubble reduction method and bubble reduction program capable of reducing bubbles in an eluent. Included are a liquid accommodation portion, a liquid supply apparatus, an air layer formation apparatus, a first channel and an evacuation portion. The liquid accommodation portion accommodates a liquid that is to elute an analysis component from a specimen adsorbed to an adsorption portion. The liquid supply apparatus, by operation of a rod pushing up and polling down, sucks and discharges the liquid through an aperture portion of a tube portion, the aperture portion being oriented upward. The air layer formation apparatus forms an air layer in the tube portion. The first channel connects the liquid supply apparatus with the liquid accommodation portion. The evacuation portion is connected to the first channel via a first switching valve and evacuates the air layer through the first channel. |
| US09285341B2 |
Apparatus monitoring for abnormalities
There is provided a monitoring apparatus that monitors abnormalities in a system including a plurality of components or products. The plurality of components or products respectively include a plurality of types of microcapsules that release, due to specific causes, a plurality of marker chemical substances respectively, the marker chemical substances having respectively different ion mobilities. The monitoring apparatus includes an ion mobility sensor that detects the plurality of marker chemical substances. By detecting the marker chemical substances, the monitoring apparatus is capable of identifying the occurrence of an abnormal state, the type of abnormal state, the occurrence location, the extent of the abnormal state, and the like. |
| US09285340B2 |
Methods for separating particles and/or nucleic acids using isotachophoresis
According to one embodiment, a method includes co-feeding fluids comprising a leading electrolyte, a trailing electrolyte, and at least one of DNA and RNA to a channel, and applying an electric field to the fluids in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the channel for inducing transverse isotachophoresis. In another embodiment, a method includes co-feeding fluids to a channel. The fluids include a leading electrolyte, a trailing electrolyte, biological objects, at least one of DNA and RNA, and a spacer electrolyte having an electrophoretic mobility that is between an electrophoretic mobility of at least some of the biological objects and an electrophoretic mobility of the at least one of the DNA and the RNA. The method also includes applying an electric field to the fluids in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the channel for inducing transverse isotachophoresis. Other methods of isotachophoresis are disclosed in addition to these. |
| US09285338B2 |
Separation of particles using multiplexed dielectrophoresis
Systems, devices, and methods are presented that facilitate electronic manipulation and detection of submicron particles. Time-multiplexed dielectrophoresis can be employed by cycling between two or more disparate electric fields during separate portions of a duty cycle. By cycling between these two or more disparate electric fields, two or more disparate particle types can be separated from one another based on differences in electrical properties of the two or more disparate particle types. |
| US09285337B2 |
Nano-ring gate electrode nanochannels
A technique includes providing a nanodevice. A gate electrode structure has nanochannels with a first end connected to a first common trench and a second end connected to a second common trench. A gate electrode extends laterally as a continuous line on the gate electrode structure and is formed in each of the nanochannels. The gate electrode forms a separate nano-ring electrode around a partial circumference inside each of the nanochannels. The gate electrode is parallel to the first and second common trenches and is perpendicular to the nanochannels. |
| US09285332B2 |
Low power consumption type gas sensor and method for manufacturing the same
The present disclosure provides a gas sensor including: a substrate; an electrode formed on the substrate; and a gas-sensing layer formed on the electrode, wherein the gas-sensing layer is a self-heating nanocolumnar structure having nanocolumns formed on the electrode and inclined with respect to the electrode with an angle of 60-89° and gas diffusion pores formed between the nanocolumns. The gas sensor according to the present disclosure requires no additional heater since it self-heats owing to the nanocolumnar structure and exhibits superior gas sensitivity even when no heat is applied from outside. Also, it can be mounted on mobile devices such as mobile phones because it consumes less power. |
| US09285327B2 |
Adjustable photon detection systems for multi-slice X-ray computed tomography systems
An Adjustable Photon Detection System (APDS) for multi-slice X-ray CT systems and a multi-slice X-ray CT system using the APDS are disclosed; wherein the APDS can be adjusted to be aligned to different X-ray source positions; wherein the multi-slice X-ray CT system comprises one or more X-ray sources, and one or more APDS; wherein the multi-slice X-ray CT system may also include a detector position calculator for calculating effective detector positions and a detector position corrector for correcting projection data using calculated effective detector positions. |
| US09285323B2 |
Quantifying color changes of chemical test pads induced concentrations of biological analytes under different lighting conditions
Color quantification of chemical test pads and titration of analytes can be performed under different lighting conditions. In one embodiment, the lighting condition is estimated under which a digital image is captured and utilized to select a set of reference colors from which the quantified color is compared to determine the titration. In another embodiment, a plurality of comparisons are made with different lighting conditions with the result having the highest confidence level being selected to determine the titration. |
| US09285316B2 |
Axial illumination for capillary electrophoresis
System and method for fluorescent light excitation and detection from samples to enhance the numerical aperture and/or reduce the cross-talk of the fluorescent light. The system for analyzing samples comprising: a light source that provides a non-coherent excitation light; at least one housing, wherein the housing transports samples and propagates the non-coherent excitation light by total internal reflection; a coupling optical element configured to introduce the non-coherent excitation light into the at least one housing through a wall of the at least one housing; and at least one NA enhancing optical element to collect an emitted fluorescence, wherein the NA enhancing optical element is constructed of a first material and the housing is constructed of a second material, wherein the first material has a greater index of refraction than the second material. |
| US09285310B2 |
Diagnostic method for high sensitivity detection of component concentrations in human gas emission
A system for collecting gas samples emitted from skin and detecting concentrations of specified components therein. The system includes a collection chamber housing defining an interior space, the collection chamber housing having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an opening. The opening is configured for enclosing a skin portion from which to receive an emitted gas sample and sealing the interior space against the skin portion. An inert gas source is connected to the gas inlet, which is capable of allowing inert gas from the inert gas source to flow into the interior space. A gas cell is connected to the gas outlet, which is capable of allowing the inert gas and the gas sample to flow from the interior space into the gas cell. As a laser travels through the gas cell, power and optoacoustic signals are measured and used to determine a concentration of the specified component. |
| US09285308B2 |
Interference-compensating NDIR gas sensor for measuring acetylene
A gas sample separated from transformer oil is circulated through an NDIR gas sensor system which obtains an acetylene concentration by calculating a detected acetylene concentration obtained by an absorption biased (“AB”) NDIR acetylene gas sensor, calculating a detected carbon dioxide concentration obtained by an AB NDIR carbon dioxide gas sensor, calculating a detected water vapor concentration obtained by an AB NDIR water vapor NDIR gas sensor and then determining the acetylene concentration from the detected acetylene concentration through use of the detected carbon dioxide and water vapor concentrations to compensate for their interference. |
| US09285301B2 |
Digital rock analysis systems and methods with reliable multiphase permeability determination
The pore structure of rocks and other materials can be determined through microscopy and subjected to digital simulation to determine the properties of multiphase fluid flows through the material. To ensure reliable results, the digital rock model is first analyzed via a series of operations that, in some embodiments, include: obtaining a three-dimensional pore/matrix model of a sample; determining a flow axis; verifying that the dimension of the model along the flow axis exceeds that of a representative elementary volume (REV); selecting a flow direction; extending model by mirroring if pore statistics at a given saturation are mismatched for different percolating phases; and increasing resolution if the smallest nonpercolating sphere dimension is below a predetermined threshold. This sequence of operations increases reliability of results when measuring relative permeability using the model and displaying relative permeability measurements to user. |
| US09285299B2 |
Natural gas liquid pressure regulating vaporizer sampling system
System and method for natural gas liquid sample pressure regulating vaporizer system including a vented cabinet having a gas sample input, a pressure regulator, a single path vaporizer, a liquid block, a heated regulator and a gas sample outlet, and a communications assembly including a temperature controller, a communication outlet, and a power input electrically connected via appropriate secure feedthroughs to the cabinet. |
| US09285295B2 |
Mobile asset data recorder and transmitter
An acceleration-based mobile asset data recorder and transmitter equipped with a wireless processing unit, an event recorder, a digital video recorder, a fuel level sensor, and an inertial navigation sensor board. The inertial navigation sensor board includes a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis magnetometer, and a microcontroller. The data recorder and transmitter allows for automatic orientation, automatic compass calibration, fuel compensation with pitch and roll, emergency brake application with impact detection, rough operating condition detection, engine running detection, and inertial navigation of a mobile asset. Users can use the normal operation of their mobile assets to locate and alert, in real-time, areas where their assets are encountering rough operating environments, to provide for quicker emergency response, and to validate the effectiveness of repairs and rerouting. |
| US09285290B2 |
Leak detection apparatus
Leak detection apparatus for deployment in a pipe. The apparatus includes a carrier disposed for motion along the pipe and a detector connected to move with the carrier in an axial direction. The detector comprises a drum mounted for rotation about pitch and yaw axes. A flexible material is mounted on, and extends from, the drum and at least two sensors responsive to drum rotation are provided. The flexible material will be drawn into contact with a wall of the pipe at a leak location, thereby producing a torque on the drum, causing the drum to rotate, and the at least two sensors to generate signals from which leak location is determined. |
| US09285289B2 |
Pressure sensor with built-in calibration capability
A MEMS pressure sensor (70) includes a sense cell (80), a test cell (82), and a seal structure (84). The test cell includes a test cavity (104), and the seal structure (84) is in communication with the test cavity, wherein the seal structure is configured to be breached to change an initial cavity pressure (51) within the test cavity (104) to ambient pressure (26). Calibration methodology (180) entails obtaining (184) a test signal (186) from the test cell prior to breaching the seal structure, and obtaining (194) another test signal (196) after the seal structure is breached. The test signals are used to calculate a sensitivity (200) of the test cell, the calculated sensitivity is used to estimate the sensitivity (204) of the sense cell, and the estimated sensitivity (204) can be used to calibrate the sense cell. |
| US09285288B2 |
Retractable flow conditioner
A retractable flow conditioner that includes a body adapted for insertion into a fluid in a confined conduit upstream of a differential pressure measuring probe. The body has at least one flow conditioning element. The retractable flow conditioner also includes a mounting assembly attached to the body. The mounting assembly is configured to retractably mount the body into the confined conduit. |
| US09285282B2 |
Magnetic sensor packaging for transmissions
Designs to package a magneto-elastic torque sensor in an automotive transmission for volume production applications are provided. One transmission includes an output shaft and a magnetic torque sensor. The output shaft has a magnetized region. The sensor, for detecting torque of the output shaft, is mounted on friction reduction members such as bushings supporting the output shaft. In another transmission, the sensor is alternatively mounted to a transmission case. |
| US09285281B1 |
Deflection plate for mobile dynamometer
A deflection plate for protecting a load cell of a mobile dynamometer, includes a generally elongated member having a front surface, a back surface, a top surface, a bottom surface and two side surfaces. The front surface is at least partially tapered such that the front surface adjacent the top surface is thicker than the front surface adjacent the bottom surface. The taper of said front surface of the deflection plate is preferably dimensioned and configured such that the safety factor along substantially most of its length is at least about 1.1 and less than about 1.2. A method for employing strain gages identifies the magnitudes and locations of loads on slender beams using strain gage based methods with application to portable Army bridges. |
| US09285279B2 |
Electronic thermometry in tunable tunnel junction
A tunable tunnel junction thermometry circuit includes a variable width tunnel junction between a test object and a probe. The junction width is varied and a change in thermovoltage across the junction with respect to the change in distance across the junction is determined. Also, a change in biased current with respect to a change in distance across the junction is determined. A temperature gradient across the junction is determined based on a mathematical relationship between the temperature gradient, the change in thermovoltage with respect to distance and the change in biased current with respect to distance. Thermovoltage may be measured by nullifying a thermoelectric tunneling current with an applied voltage supply level. A piezoelectric actuator may modulate the probe, and thus the junction width, to vary thermovoltage and biased current across the junction. Lock-in amplifiers measure the derivatives of the thermovoltage and biased current modulated by varying junction width. |
| US09285275B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring the intensity and phase of a light pulse
Provided are a method and an apparatus for measuring the spectral intensity and phase of a light pulse having an arbitrary time duration. The apparatus includes: a nonlinear mixing means for generating a signal light pulse expressed by the following Formula (★ denotes an operator representing general nonlinear mixing, and α denotes a coefficient which is proportional to a nonlinear susceptibility in the nonlinear mixing) by nonlinearly mixing a reference light pulse having an electric field Er(t−τ) delayed by an optical delay means and a measurement target light pulse having an electric field E0(t); and Er(t−τ)+αEr(t−τ)★E0(t) an imaging spectrum device for spectrally splitting the signal light pulse and outputting a Fourier transform signal expressed by the following Formula (F denotes a symbol indicating Fourier transform, * denotes a complex conjugate, and R denotes a symbol indicating a real part), |F[Er(t−τ)]|2+|αF[Er(t−τ)★E0(t)]|2+2R{αF[Er(t−τ)]*·F[Er(t−τ)★E0(t)]}. |
| US09285274B2 |
Infrared detecting element and electronic device
The infrared detecting element has a first base plate that has a first front surface, a first back surface, a first recessed portion, and an infrared detecting section for detecting infrared rays provided in an area of the first front surface that opposes the first recessed portion; a second base plate that has a second front surface, a second back surface on the opposite side of the second front surface, and a second recessed portion provided in an area of the second back surface that faces the first recessed portion; and an adhesion film that bonds the first back surface and the second back surface, wherein a second outer peripheral portion where the second recessed portion intersects with the second back surface surrounds a first outer peripheral portion where the first recessed portion intersects with the first back surface. |
| US09285273B2 |
Optical fiber-based environmental detection system and the method thereof
An optical fiber environmental detection system comprising an interferometer, a broadband light source and a detector is disclosed. The interferometer further comprises a thin core fiber, a first single mode fiber and a second single mode fiber; wherein the thin core fiber is coupled to the first and second single mode fiber via a first junction and a second junction respectively. When an emission light reaches the first junction, high-order cladding modes will be excited. The excited cladding modes will interfere with the core mode at the second junction. The interferences determine the intensity maximum or minimum of the received signal. When there is an ambient environmental change, a shift of the received signal would be induced. According to the shift, environmental change, for instance ambient temperature, could be determined. |
| US09285272B2 |
Dual source system and method
A dual source system and method includes a high power laser used to determine elemental concentrations in a sample and a lower power device used to determine compounds present in the sample. A detector subsystem receives photons from the sample after laser energy from the high power laser strikes the sample and provides a first signal. The detector subsystem then receives photons from the sample after energy from the lower power device strikes the sample and provides a second signal. The high power laser is pulsed and the first signal is processed to determine elemental concentrations present in the sample. The lower power device is energized and the second signal is processed to determine compounds present in the signal. Based on the elemental concentrations and the compounds present, the compounds present in the sample are quantified. |
| US09285271B2 |
Sloped structure, method for manufacturing sloped structure, and spectrum sensor
A method for manufacturing a sloped structure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) forming a sacrificial film above a substrate; (b) forming a first film above the sacrificial film, the first film having a first portion connected to the substrate, a second portion located above the sacrificial film, a third portion located between the first portion and the second portion, and a thin region in a portion of the third portion or in a boundary section between the second portion and the third portion and having a thickness smaller than the first portion; (c) removing the sacrificial film; and (d) bending the first film in the thin region, after the step (c), thereby sloping the second portion of the first film with respect to the substrate. |
| US09285269B2 |
Light receiving circuit
A light receiving circuit includes first, second, and third resistors, a photodiode that is connected in series with the first resistor between first and second potential lines, and a first MOS transistor of a first conductivity type having a source connected to a second node, a drain connected to an output, and a gate connected to a first node that is between the first resistor and the photodiode. The light receiving circuit also includes a capacitor which is connected in parallel to the second resistor between the first potential line and the second node. The third resistor is connected between the output and the second potential line. |
| US09285268B2 |
Wearable radiation detector
Provided herein are a wearable radiation detector and a method of controlling thereof, the detector including: the radiation collection unit operable to collect light and output a signal corresponding to the light collected; a memory; a display unit; a processor operable to receive the signal output by the radiation collection unit, to store a value in the memory corresponding to the signal output by the radiation collection unit, to output an output signal based at least on the signal corresponding to the light collected by the radiation collection unit and to control the display unit to display an indication corresponding to the output signal, wherein the determining includes continually calculating the maximum exposure level based on the light being received by the radiation collection unit. |
| US09285267B2 |
Optical communication reception system
A system configured to maintain a consistent local-oscillator-power-to-primary-signal-power ratio (LO/SIG ratio). The system may be configured to: receive the voltages for a plurality of optical signal components split from a combined SIG and LO signal; determine individual factors for the plurality of optical signal components; average the individual factors; determine whether the averaged output is less than an existing minimum reference value for a variable optical attenuator; determine whether the averaged output is greater than an existing maximum reference value for the variable optical attenuator; change the existing minimum reference value to a new value associated with the averaged output, due to determining that the averaged output is less than the existing minimum reference value; change the existing maximum reference value to a new value associated with the averaged output, due to determining that the averaged output is greater than the existing maximum reference value; and change a new value associated with the averaged output to be transmitted to the variable optical attenuator. |
| US09285262B2 |
System for managing bulk liquids and/or solids
A system for managing of bulk liquids and/or bulk solids for in-vitro diagnostics is disclosed. The system comprises a sample processing unit and a container unit for receiving a supply container supplying the sample processing unit with a bulk liquid/solid and/or a waste container receiving waste from the sample processing unit. The system further comprises a weight measuring device comprising a loading plate, a base and a force measuring cell. The force measuring cell comprises a sensor comprising a tensioned sensor wire. The loading plate is biased with respect to the base by a weight applied to the loading plate by a container and to transfer force to the force measuring cell. The transferred force causes a deformation of the force measuring cell and a change in tension of the sensor wire causing a change in vibrational frequency resulting in a signal indicative of the weight of the container. |
| US09285261B2 |
Acoustic flexural order level sensor
A liquid level sensor includes a rod having a first portion and a second portion, and a wave generation unit affixed to one end of the rod. The wave generation unit generates a wave group that propagates in at least a shear order and a flexural order, and the frequency of the shear wave is based on the diameter of the rod. |
| US09285259B1 |
Dipstick adapter assembly
A dipstick adapter assembly for use with an oil pan includes a front fixture, a clamping means coupled the front fixture, the clamping means being moveable through the hole to arrange the assembly between a free condition and an applied condition, in which the clamping means is inside the oil pan and the front fixture encircles a hole in the oil in direct contact against an outer surface of the oil pan and is sealed around the hole. The front fixture carries a gasket which is compressed against the outer surface, and first and second fasteners couple the clamping means to the front fixture and are adjusted through the hole from outside of the oil pan. |
| US09285256B1 |
Electromagnetic flowmeter with variable-frequency conductivity-sensing function for a liquid in a tube
An electromagnetic flowmeter with variable-frequency conductivity-sensing function for a liquid in a tube includes a first microprocessor, a transducer, flow-sensing device, an exciting-current generating device, a variable-frequency conductivity measuring device, and a switch. The transducer includes coils and sensing electrodes. The switch is electrically connected to the first microprocessor and the sensing electrodes. The switch is selectively connected to the flow-sensing device or the variable-frequency conductivity measuring device according to the signals sent from the first microprocessor. The microprocessor makes the exciting-current generating device to generate an exciting current when the switch is connected to the flow-sensing device. The first microprocessor makes the exciting-current generating device stop to generate exciting current and computes conductivity of liquid when the switch is electrically connected to the variable-frequency conductivity-sensing device. |
| US09285254B2 |
Flowmeter
A flowmeter for liquids has a measuring housing, which encloses and rotatably mounts an impeller, said measuring housing comprising a one-piece supply pipe and discharge pipe, wherein the impeller is eccentrically arranged in the discharge pipe after a nozzle-forming constriction. A sensor encoder is associated with the impeller and a sensor which responds to the sensor encoder is provided on the measuring housing for determining the amount of liquid flowing through the measuring housing on the basis of the revolutions of the impeller. The outer diameter corresponding to the impeller is smaller than the nominal inner diameter of the discharge pipe, enabling it to be pushed into the one-piece pipe. |
| US09285251B2 |
Gas sensor housing
The present invention relates to gas sensor housing (1), comprising: a gas sensor (3) held by a housing body (11) below a primary gas permeable membrane (2); at least one connector element (10) molded into the housing body (11) such that the respective ends thereof enable connectivity to the gas sensor (3) such that signals may be carried from the gas sensor (3) to the connector element (10); a sensor envelope (9) providing an enclosure for the housing body (11); means for retaining the primary gas permeable membrane (2) in place above the gas sensor (3); a spacer section (7) providing a separation distance (X) between the gas sensor (3) and the primary gas permeable membrane (2). |
| US09285249B2 |
Atomic sensor physics package with metal frame
One embodiment is directed towards a physics package of an atomic sensor. The physics package includes a frame composed of metal and including a plurality of slender support members extending between one another in a three dimensional structure. The support members define boundaries between adjacent apertures defined in the frame. The plurality of support members include a plurality of mounting surfaces adjacent to the apertures. The physics package also includes a plurality of panes attached to the mounting surfaces of the frame. The plurality of panes cover the apertures such that the frame and the plurality of panes define a vacuum chamber and provide three light paths that cross within the vacuum chamber at 90 degree angles with respect to one another. The physics package also includes a chamber evacuation structure for evacuating the vacuum chamber. |
| US09285247B2 |
Cable circuit with digital signal conditioning
A cable circuit includes a contactless interface for signal transmission between the cable circuit and the sensor module, wherein the sensor module is galvanically isolated from the cable circuit, and wherein signal transmission between the cable circuit and the sensor module occurs on an optical, inductive or capacitive path. Additionally, the cable circuit includes a signal processing unit, as well as a cable interface for connecting a cable, which connects the cable circuit with the measurement transmitter. The signal processing unit is integrated into the signal path. The signal processing unit is embodied to receive, via the cable interface, signals from the measurement transmitter, to condition them and to transmit them via the contactless interface to the sensor module, and to receive, via the contactless interface, signals from the sensor module, to condition them and to transmit them via the cable interface to the measurement transmitter. |
| US09285245B2 |
Absolute encoder
The present invention provides an absolute encoder including a scale on which a first mark and a second mark are arrayed, a detector configured to detect light from the scale, and to output periodic signals in which peak values, including a first peak value corresponding to the first mark and a second peak value corresponding to the second mark and smaller than the first peak value periodically appear, and a processor configured to obtain a code sequence by binarization of the first peak value and the second peak value in the periodic signals output from the detector, wherein the processor has a function of performing calibration so that the first peak value becomes larger than a threshold for the binarization and the second peak value becomes smaller than the threshold. |
| US09285244B2 |
Variable reluctance sensor interface with integration based arming threshold
An interface for processing a variable reluctance sensor signal provided by a variable reluctance sensor including an integrator, an arming comparator and a detect circuit. The integrator includes an input for receiving the variable reluctance sensor signal and an output providing an integrated signal indicative of total flux change of the variable reluctance sensor. The arming comparator compares the integrated signal with a predetermined arming threshold and provides an armed signal indicative thereof. The detect circuit provides a reset signal after the armed signal is provided to reset the integrator. A corresponding method of processing the variable reluctance sensor signal is also described. |
| US09285237B2 |
Method and system for representing traffic signals in a road network database
A method and system for representing traffic control signals in a road network database is provided. The database may include lane-level modeling, intersection modeling, and traffic signal modeling of a road network. An individual traffic signal is represented in the database with data indicating the traffic signal's geographic location and other attributes of the traffic signal such as an arrangement of lenses in the signal, an indication as to whether the signal is vertically or horizontally oriented, a height of the traffic signal over the roadway, and others. The database can be used by a system in a vehicle that provides convenience features to the vehicle's driver. The system may attempt to warn or control a vehicle that is determined to be at imminent risk of violating a traffic signal. |
| US09285234B1 |
Automatic display of trip information in a mapping application
An interactive digital map of a geographic area is provided via a user interface of a computing device. A selection of a point on the digital map is received, where the selected point corresponds to a selected location within the geographic area. In response to receiving the selection of the point and without receiving a request for directions from a user via the user interface, an indication of a length of a trip between a current location of the computing device and the selected location is automatically obtained. The indication of the length of the trip along with the interactive digital map are displayed via the user interface. |
| US09285231B2 |
Providing transit information
Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining transit routes through crowd-sourcing, for determining an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of a vehicle of the transit route at a given location, and for providing predictive reminders to a user for catching a vehicle of the transit route. A server receives signal source information about wireless signal sources detected by user devices, including information about a first wireless signal source detected by some devices. The server determines that the first wireless signal source is moving. The server determines that the first wireless signal source is associated with a public transit route upon determining that the signal source information satisfies one or more selection criteria. The server stores information associating the first wireless signal source with the public transit route as transit movement data corresponding to the public transit route. |
| US09285230B1 |
Methods and systems for detecting road curbs
Methods and systems for detecting road curbs are described herein. A vehicle's computing system may receive point clouds collected in an incremental order as the vehicle navigates a path. The point clouds may include data points representative of the vehicle's environment at a given timepoint and include associated position information indicative of the vehicle's position at the timepoint. Based on the associated position information in the point clouds, the computing system may process the point clouds into a dense point cloud representation and may determine features of the representation. The computing system may provide the features to a classification system that is configured to output an estimate of whether the features are representative of a road curb. Based on the output of the classification system, the computing system may determine whether the given data points represent one or more road curbs in the vehicle's environment. |
| US09285228B2 |
Location based point of interest navigation system
A navigation system for an automotive vehicle that travels on roads includes a vehicle positioning apparatus that determines location data associated with the vehicle. A source of attraction location data provides location data associated with a plurality of attractions that are of interest to a user of the vehicle. A processing device is communicatively coupled to the vehicle positioning apparatus and to the source of attraction location data. The processing device calculates a distance and direction from the vehicle to at least one of the attractions of interest. The calculating is based upon the location data associated with the vehicle and the location data associated with the attractions of interest. A graphical display arrangement is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The graphical display arrangement indicates the calculated distance and direction without graphically indicating orientation of roads on which the vehicle may travel. |
| US09285227B1 |
Creating routing paths in maps
A digital map having a routing path is created. Points in at least a majority of a linear length of the path may be constrained so that they are disposed substantially equidistant between structural features that are bounding navigable spaces in a structure. The creating of the path may include selecting a connected component corresponding to some or all of the navigable spaces. A morphological process may be performed on the connected component to create the path. |
| US09285224B2 |
System and method for gyroscope error estimation
Methods and systems for compensating for gyroscopic errors. A system uses magnetometers to detect and measure a magnetic field local to a personal navigation device. When the local magnetic field is quasi-static, the rate of change of the magnetic field is combined with the rotational rate of change of the device. This generates an estimated gyroscope error. The error can then be used to correct for time-varying inherent gyroscope errors. |
| US09285217B2 |
Avionics device, systems and methods of display
The present general inventive concept relates to methods and systems to select and display information on an avionics display screen. The systems and methods allow for the selection and display of information using knobs to highlight and select the desired information for display, eliminating the need for a cursor function. The systems and methods also provide for multiple pages and/or multiple windows or “tiles” within these pages and/or windows simultaneously on a single screen of a display, with each window, page, and/or tile being fully controlled independently when selected. The present general inventive concept also relates to systems and methods to provide multiple cues on an electronic display system altitude tape to a pilot in advance and impending approach to a predefined altitude. The present general inventive concept also relates to systems and methods to employ variable resolution topographical data based on display range for an avionics navigation display. |
| US09285214B2 |
Position detector and light deflection apparatus
Position detector for determining the rotation angle position of a rotatably supported object, comprising a light source for producing a light beam, a diffraction grating, a mirror which is connected with the object in a co-rotating manner in such a way that the light beam is reflected therefrom onto the diffraction grating and passes over the diffraction grating during a rotation of the mirror, thereby producing diffraction light, an interference device which is configured such as to be able to bring different diffraction orders of the diffraction light to interference, thereby producing an interference pattern, a light detector by means of which a brightness course, caused by the passing over of the diffraction grating with the reflected light beam, of the interference pattern can be detected, and an evaluation unit by which the rotation angle position of the object can be determined based on the brightness course. |
| US09285203B1 |
Methods and apparatus for determining vehicular assembly tolerances
Some embodiments are directed to a gauge for determining relative positional relationships among assembled vehicular components. The gauge can include a gauge body defining a hook configured to be retained within a ditch joint. The gauge body can also define a curved exterior surface corresponding to a contour of a portion of the exterior surface of a side panel outer that is disposed adjacent a section of the ditch joint in which the hook is retained. The gauge can also include an indicator disposed at a lower portion of the gauge body below the hook. The indicator can determine and indicate a distance separating the lower portion of the gauge body from the door sash in a direction perpendicular to the exterior surface of the door sash, the distance being indicative of an assembly tolerance of relative positions of the side panel outer and the door sash. |
| US09285202B2 |
Modular tank construction and deconstruction methods and tools for use therein
Disclosed is a deconstructable water storage tank assembled using modular components including wall panels, a base ring and a membrane for use in large volume fluid transfer operations such as hydraulic fracturing. Also disclosed are methods and tools for assembling the tank for use at a first hydraulic fracturing site, and disassembling and transporting the tank components for redeployment at a second hydraulic fracturing site. A fluid management system is also disclosed utilizing the deconstructable storage tank. |
| US09285198B2 |
Arm-fire devices and methods for pyrotechnic systems
An ARM-FIRE device for a pyrotechnic system includes a first pyrotechnic, a second pyrotechnic, a passage extending between the first and second pyrotechnics, and an actuator/blocking device positioned between the first and second pyrotechnics. The first pyrotechnic is configured to be ignited by a heat source, and the second pyrotechnic is configured to be ignited by the first pyrotechnic in the FIRE arrangement. The actuator/blocking device includes a body configured to move between a first position in the SAFE arrangement and a second position in the FIRE arrangement, an aperture extending through the body, and an actuator. The aperture is offset from the passage in the first position of the body and is aligned with the passage in the second position of the body. The actuator is configured to move the body between the first and second positions. The first pyrotechnic, the second pyrotechnic, and the actuator/blocking device occupy a volume of approximately 49 cubic cm (3.0 cubic inches)or less. |
| US09285195B1 |
Compressible archery nock
A projectile, either a crossbow bolt or an arrow, having a compressible nock. The projectile has a shaft having a front end portion and a rear end portion, an arrow point positioned on the front end portion of the shaft, multiple vanes extending from the shaft between the front end portion and the rear end portion, and a nock at least partially extending from the rear end portion. The nock has a compressible end portion that is compressible toward the shaft to maintain the nock on a bowstring when the bolt is launched. In an example case, the rear end portion is flat at its rear surface and, when the bolt is launched from a crossbow, the bowstring deforms the compressible end portion of the nock to form a groove or notch in which the bowstring is seated while the bolt is launched. |
| US09285194B2 |
Foam dart having a safety cap
A dart is disclosed that may comprise an elongate dart body, a base, and a cap. The elongate dart body may have a first end, a second end, and an interior cavity, which can be a bore. The base may include a mount and a stem inserted into the interior bore of the dart body at the first end of the dart. The cap may be attached to the base and may have a flexible, substantially bulbous-shaped head portion and an interior post so that the head portion may be configured to deform upon an impact. |
| US09285189B1 |
Integrated electronic sight and method for calibrating the reticle thereof
The present disclosure provides an electronic sight comprising a lens assembly, an image sensor, a processor, a memory, a touch screen, an information acquisition device, a night vision device, a laser ranging device, a video recorder and a Global Positioning System (GPS). The disclosure also provides a method for calibrating the reticle. A plurality of devices are highly integrated on the electronic sight to achieve a plurality of different functions including automatic adjusting magnification, night vision, providing optimal shooting image and laser ranging. The calibration method disclosed in the present invention comprises simulative calibration and pre-shooting calibration, which avoids wasting bullets in a situation that the point of impact cannot be identified after first shot. Reticles can be adjusted in real-time, achieving the same technical effect as non-polar reticles. |
| US09285186B1 |
Modular sight system, back plate receptacle and interchangeable devices for guns
A modular rear sight system, back plate receptacle, and interchangeable sight devices for guns are disclosed. The modular sight system includes a replacement back plate receptacle for guns having a slide with a rear sight and rear back plate section for receiving a cover plate. The back plate receptacle has a mounting base that is compatible with, and fits within, the slide back plate section, and also incorporates an attachment receptor. The attachment receptor receives interchangeable sight members with vertical runway sight features. Interchangeable and fixed sight inserts of various designs enhance optics, visual memory, target acquisition, gun speed, handling and accuracy. |
| US09285181B2 |
Mounting block member for an archery bow
This disclosure describes embodiments of a mounting block member for an archery bow that dampens vibrations. The mounting block member comprises a cover member that dampens vibrations. |
| US09285176B2 |
Modular shotgun box magazine
A modular shotgun magazine including an upper portion and a lower portion that are interchangeable with other upper and lower portions. The upper portion includes a first interior, and upper opening, a lower opening, and a lower flange. The lower portion includes a second interior with an upper opening and an upper flange. The upper flange of the lower portion is connected to the lower flange of the upper portion so that the first and second interiors form a cavity. A fastening mechanism selectively connects the upper portion to the lower portion. The upper portion of the modular magazine may be connected to various lower portions having different shell capacities. The lower portion of the modular magazine may be connected to different upper portions that are configured to mate with a receiver of different shotguns. |
| US09285175B2 |
Ammunition magazine and loading device thereof
An ammunition magazine contains an ammunition belt of linked ammunition cartridges to be fed into a machine gun, the magazine including a front opening, enabling a leading end of the ammunition belt to be accessible for feeding the machine gun and for linking with a trailing end of another ammunition belt, and a rear opening, enabling a trailing end of the ammunition belt to be accessible for linking with a leading end of another ammunition belt. An arrangement of consecutive and adjacent ammunition magazines allows movement of an ammunition belt from the distal magazine into the proximal magazine towards the machine gun during operation, enabling continuous feeding of ammunition belts into the machine gun. An ammunition loading system for conveying ammunition between a magazine platform and a hull region, including a lifting mechanism to lift an ammunition magazine into the magazine platform from the hull region. |
| US09285174B2 |
Thermal energy system and method for its operation
The present invention relates to a thermal energy system (1) that includes at least one exchanger module (100, 200, 300) that includes at least one heat exchanger (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b, 310a, 310b), in particular two heat exchangers, each module including at least a first circuit (140a, 140b, 240a, 240b, 340a, 340b) for a first fluid traversing, in a regular mode of operation, through the heat exchanger in a main flow direction, a second circuit for a second fluid for exchanging thermal energy between the first fluid and the second fluid, and at least one pump (160, 260, 360) including a fluid drive device (162, 262, 362) for driving the first fluid in the main flow direction, characterised in that the drive device is arranged, along the main flow direction, upstream of the heat exchanger. In addition, the invention relates to the application of such a system in ocean thermal energy conversion systems. |
| US09285172B2 |
Modular plate and shell heat exchanger
A modular plate and shell heat exchanger in which welded pairs of heat transfer plates are placed in the shell in order to transfer heat from a secondary fluid to a primary fluid. The heat transfer plates are removably connected using gaskets to header pipes which are connected to a primary fluid inlet and a primary fluid outlet nozzle. The header pipes are supported by a structure which rests on an internal track which is attached to the shell and facilitates removal of the heat transfer plates. The modular plate and shell heat exchanger has a removable head integral to the shell for removal of the heat transfer plates for inspection and replacement. |
| US09285169B2 |
Sintering device
A sintering device (1) for sintering workpieces, in particular dental workpieces, in a shielding gas atmosphere, wherein the sintering device (1) has at least one sintering chamber (2) with at least one gas inlet (3) and at least one gas outlet (4) for a gas exchange in a sintering chamber cavity (5) which is surrounded by the sintering chamber (2), and the sintering device has at least one sintering material cup (6) arranged in the sintering chamber cavity (5) in order to receive the workpiece to be sintered. The sintering device (1) additionally has at least one sintering material cover (7) for covering the workpiece to be sintered in the sintering material cup (6). |
| US09285168B2 |
Module for ozone cure and post-cure moisture treatment
A substrate processing system that has a plurality of deposition chambers, and one or more robotic arms for moving a substrate between one or more of a deposition chamber, load lock holding area, and a curing and treatment module. The substrate curing and treatment module is attached to the load-lock substrate holding area, and may include: The curing chamber for curing a dielectric layer in an atmosphere comprising ozone, and a treatment chamber for treating the cured dielectric layer in an atmosphere comprising water vapor. The chambers may be vertically aligned, have one or more access doors, and may include a heating system to adjust the curing and/or heating chambers between two or more temperatures respectively. |
| US09285162B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a main body having a storage compartment, a first door rotatably installed at a first side of the main body to open and close a first portion of the storage compartment, and a second door rotatably installed at a second side of the main body to open and close a second portion of the storage compartment. A first camera may be installed at the first door to take a picture of an interior of the first storage compartment during rotation of the first door, and a second camera may be installed at the second door to take a picture of the interior of the first storage compartment during rotation of the second door. A controller may combine plural pictures taken by the first camera and the second camera into a single corrected image of a region of the first compartment spanning from the first door to the second door. |
| US09285161B2 |
Refrigerator with variable capacity compressor and cycle priming action through capacity control and associated methods
A refrigerator appliance (and associated method) that includes a condenser, evaporator and a multi-capacity compressor. The appliance also includes a pressure reducing device arranged within an evaporator-condenser refrigerant circuit, and a valve system for directing or restricting refrigerant flow through the device. The appliance further includes a controller for operating the compressor upon the initiation of a compressor ON-cycle at a priming capacity above a nominal capacity for a predetermined or calculated duration. |
| US09285160B1 |
Refrigerator with tiltable drawer
A refrigerator including a tiltable storage drawer. Guide units are disposed at opposite side walls of the storage drawer and include a pair of guide rails and guide projections extending upward from the guide rails. The drawer is installed with a pair of continuous tilting ribs having portions with different inclination orientations, which enable the drawer to be tilted at two tilting angles when the drawer is pulled outward from the housing along the guide rails. The drawer in an extended state can be automatically pushed into a retracted position in the refrigerator by the motion of the refrigerator door. |
| US09285155B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator capable of varying the positions of a plurality of door guards provided at an opening of a refrigerating door, in which when an outer door configured to open and close the opening is closed in a state that a door guard is withdrawn, the door guard comes into contact with the outer door and thus is automatically inserted. |
| US09285154B2 |
Cooling apparatus for a machine room of a refrigerator using a nacelle-shaped duct
A cooling system for a machine room of a refrigerator is provided. More particularly, a cooling system for a machine room of a refrigerator is provided, which is capable of cooling the machine room of the refrigerator using a smaller blowing fan in a nacelle-shaped or nacelle duct, which can acquire more air than using conventional fan blades, remarkably reducing noise of the fan and ensuring sufficient space, thereby efficiently cooling the compressor and the condenser installed in the machine room. The apparatus for cooling a machine room of a refrigerator may include a compressor installed in the machine room, a condenser installed in the machine room and connected to the compressor via a connection pipe, and a nacelle duct installed in the machine room that cools the compressor and the condenser by blowing air, the nacelle duct having a central opening. |
| US09285151B2 |
Refrigerator with temperature control
An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency. |
| US09285150B2 |
Refrigerator including a cooling device and agitating assembly
A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a driving assembly that is mounted on the case and an underside of the agitating assembly to generate a driving force for swinging the agitating assembly, and a refrigeration cycle for producing cold air to be supplied to the storage chamber and the cooling device. The cooling device further includes a starting torque supply mechanism supplying mechanical or electric energy to the agitating assembly, to initiate a swinging motion of the agitating assembly. |
| US09285145B2 |
Evaporator and refrigeration system comprising the same
An evaporator (500) comprises a first header (501) defining one end formed with a first refrigerant port (5010), a second header (502) defining one end formed with a second refrigerant port (5020), heat-exchange tubes (503) each connected between the headers (501, 502) to communicate the headers (501, 502), fins (504) respectively interposed between adjacent heat-exchange tubes (503), and a defrosting tube (505) defining a first end connected to one of the headers (501, 502) to communicate with an interior of the one header. A position of the first end of the defrosting tube (505) is spaced apart from the one end of the one header by a predetermined distance. A refrigeration system comprises the evaporator. By providing the defrosting tube (505), defrosting speed is increased, defrosting time is shortened, and energy efficiency of the refrigeration system is improved. |
| US09285142B2 |
Refrigeration cycle apparatus
A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle through which a refrigerant that transits in a supercritical state is allowed to flow, and a flow dividing device that divides the flow of a high-pressure liquid refrigerant in a subcritical state into two or more parts. The flow dividing device is configured such that the device is oriented substantially in the horizontal direction or upward in the vertical direction relative to the direction of flow of the refrigerant in a liquid state. With such a configuration, the flow of refrigerating machine oil is equally divided, thus offering high energy saving while keeping heat-medium conveyance power at a low level without reducing the heat exchanging performance. |
| US09285138B1 |
Mobile heater and fan system and methods of commissioning a data center
A mobile system for simulating a thermal load and airflow expected in the operation of a data center includes a thermal energy source, an impeller and impeller drive unit, an outlet port, a frame and a ground engaging member. The thermal energy source provides thermal energy to air adjacent to the thermal energy source. The impeller controls a flow rate of air adjacent to the adjacent to the thermal energy source. The outlet port outputs the flowing air. The impeller drive unit drives the impeller at a frequency based on a determined airflow at the outlet port. The frame supports the thermal energy source, the impeller, the output port and the drive unit. The ground engaging member supports the frame and enables the mobility of the system. |
| US09285136B1 |
Filter assembly comprising a truncated pyramidal frame
A filter assembly is adapted for separating particulate matter entrained in a moving fluid stream. The filter assembly comprises a flow-through three dimensional filter frame including a plurality of joined side walls, and having first and second opposing open faces. The first open face defines a fluid inlet into which the moving fluid stream is drawn, and the second open face defines a fluid outlet from which the moving fluid stream passes. At least one of the joined side walls is inwardly angled from the first open face to the second open face, such that the fluid outlet is smaller than the fluid inlet. A filtration medium is supported within the filter frame, and extends between the joined side walls and from the first open face to the second open face. |
| US09285135B2 |
Method for regulating room comfort variables
An appropriately treated flow of air is supplied to a room in an automatically executed pulsed operation, in which the air flow is alternately switched on and switched off. The air flow is switched off independently of the room usage state if the regulated room comfort variables lie within a respectively assigned comfort band. If at least one of the regulated room comfort variables lies outside the comfort band assigned to it, the flow of air minimized in respect of its volume is supplied to the room. This means that ventilators used for the exchange of air will be operated at the lowest possible speed, optimized in respect of time and thereby with high energy efficiency. |
| US09285134B2 |
Configurable wall module system
A configurable wall module having selectable home screens, custom menu navigation, and incorporating functional design. The display utilizes fixed segments. menu navigation and configuration which may be facilitated with soft keys having indicative labels associated with them. The parameters may be accessed from categories by soft keys via two-level menu navigation. Certain parameter value and setpoint entries may be effected with up/down keys. Module configuration may be performed by a user. To provide such user capability, the module may be programmed and configured by an installer with a software configuration tool used in connection with the building automation system associated with the module. |
| US09285133B2 |
Air humidification system
A humidifier for use in a central HVAC duct. The humidifier includes a water delivery system for applying water to an evaporator pad, a drain system for removing excess water that is not evaporated, and a control system employing two temperature sensors directly measuring the temperature of the air before and after the evaporator pad. The control system uses the two temperatures to adjust the water flow across the pad by cycling the water delivery system so that drain water is minimized while maximizing the evaporative capacity of the humidifier thus satisfying the humidification load as quickly as possible with the least amount of drain water. The humidifier may have either an integral fan or a flow-through housing for passing air across the wetted evaporator pad to increase the humidity level of the air. |
| US09285129B2 |
Free-cooling including modular coolant distribution unit
A system and method for liquid-liquid free-cooling that may include a modular coolant distribution unit (CDU) is provided. CDUs can incorporate integral free-cooling or bolt on free-cooling switch modules. The free-cooling flow can be either direct or indirect. Units can interface with each other to provide scalable cooling for computer data centers. Embodiments of the system can integrate with electronics rack passive rear door liquid heat exchangers. |
| US09285127B2 |
Water and heat waste reduction techniques
A hardware system that performs new energy- and water-saving, restorative tasks upon use is provided. In some aspects of the invention, energy-saving hot water recapturing techniques are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system may push hot water back to a water tank, and halt such pushing after capturing all such hot water. In other aspects, specialized energy-saving pipes further assist the system, and a user's behavior may also assist the system in implementing additional energy and water-saving options and settings, including, but not limited to, a “Final Rinse” option and the timing of ending water service.In still other aspects, a user's ending use of water service a plumbing may also trigger an ending spray of handled parts of those fixtures and, optionally, a soap or antiseptic spray or other secretion. The same technology may be applied to other handles and fixtures, like door handles or elevator buttons. |
| US09285126B2 |
Modular, prefabricated radiant panel with integrated headers
Modular, prefabricated radiant panel, having a sandwich structure including a thermally insulating rear layer (1), a front layer acting as mechanical support and outer surface finish, and two radiant pipes (4) integrated in the panel for the flow of a heat-carrying fluid. The radiant pipes (4) are housed in preformed grooves (2) in the thermally insulating rear layer. In the same layer there are further provided two parallel, longitudinal grooves (3) for the housing of a pair of headers (5) which supply the radiant pipes (4). The headers (5) housed in the grooves (3) cross the entire panel and end in correspondence of the opposite short sides thereof, where they are connected to the radiant pipes (4) via T-junctions (6), a free mouth of which faces outwards for connection via sleeves (7) to T-junctions (6) of other panels, both directly and through connection pipes. |
| US09285125B2 |
Prefabricated heat-insulation panel with two hot water flow paths
A prefabricated heat-insulation panel has two hot water flow paths installed separately inside a panel, with primary and secondary connection parts provided in the panel and connected to a boiler or allowing hot water to circulate to adjacent panels. A polybutene layer with rosin as an activator is formed on the inner surface of the hot water supply pipe made of thermoplastic elastomer, and reduces the diameter and the length of the hot water supply pipes installed in the panel and the panel thickness and minimizes the boiler load. |
| US09285124B2 |
Combined radiator and remote control and switch apparatus and lighting assembly
At least two radiation members are each powered by an energy source. A reflective member includes an at least partially ring-shaped concave reflective surface facing at least one radiation member which includes an at least partial ring shape for distributing energy to an at least partially ring-shaped zone. At least one other radiation member includes a lamp base assembly for being received in a lamp socket assembly, to provide illumination or other forms of radiation, with concentration in a focal zone. A remote control and switch apparatus or radiation scanning and detection control and switch apparatus is provided, for control of remote power activation, the radiation members and for activating, varying, modifying and/or controlling, optimizing, maximizing, minimizing or otherwise altering the complete or partial constructive interference and/or the complete or partial destructive interference of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the respective radiation sources of the radiator. |
| US09285123B2 |
Burner system with staged fuel injection
A burner system with staged fuel injection includes at least one burner with a mixing zone. A combustion chamber is disposed downstream of the mixing zone and a first fuel introduction device is provided upstream of the mixing zone. Furthermore, a second fuel introduction device for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber, is disposed downstream of the mixing zone. In addition, at least one sensor for determining combustion parameters is connected to a control device. The control device is designed to control the second fuel introduction device as a function of the parameters determined by the sensors. |
| US09285117B2 |
Automated system for sorting and blending different fuel stocks such as coal
A method and apparatus for automatically sorting and blending coal and other fuel stocks through a computer-controlled process in order to achieve a specified blend of materials. By sorting fuel stocks with different characteristics into different stacking points, an operator can then automatically combine and uniformly blend these sorted fuel stocks to create a variety of blended materials with different properties tailored to the specific needs of the operator or end user. The computer-controlled nature of the process allows for precise blending in an automated and more efficient and reproducible fashion. |
| US09285116B2 |
Method and a system for converting carbon dioxide into chemical starting materials
A method and apparatus convert carbon dioxide into chemical starting materials. Carbon dioxide is isolated from flue gas emitted by a combustion system. An electropositive metal is burned in an atmosphere of isolated carbon dioxide to reduce the carbon dioxide into chemical starting materials. |
| US09285115B2 |
Cooking top
A cooking top, especially for household use, comprises an upward facing top cover and at least one first gas burner, the first gas burner in turn comprising: first flame divider means which puts the first burner in operative communication with the outside of the cover and comprises first flame outlets in turn comprising outlet sections facing at least partly upwards, said outlet sections defining a first crown and said first crown defining and at least partly surrounding a first portion of the cooking top; and a secondary air feed conduit which extends at least partially inside the cooking top between an inlet section and a discharge section through which the secondary air escapes to the outside environment, the discharge section being formed in the first portion. |
| US09285113B2 |
Distributed combustion process and burner
A burner has a fuel/oxidant nozzles and a pair of dynamical lances spaced on either side thereof that inject a jet of fuel and primary oxidant along a fuel injection axis, and jets of secondary oxidant, respectively. Jets of actuating fluid impinge against the jets of secondary oxidant to fluidically angle the jets of secondary oxidant away from the fuel injection axis. The action of the angling away together with staging of the oxidant between primary and secondary oxidant injections allows achievement of distributed combustion conditions. |
| US09285111B2 |
Lighting fixture for ceiling fan
A lighting fixture for use in applications subject to vibrations, such as ceiling fans, the lighting fixture including a socket to accommodate a light bulb, a fixture body to accommodate the socket and house an electrical connection provided to the socket, and a vibration damping member provided between the fixture body and socket to absorb at least a portion of vibrations transferred from the fixture body. |
| US09285109B1 |
Submersible light fixture with multilayer stack for pressure transfer
An underwater light or submersible luminaire may include a housing and a transparent pressure bearing window positioned at a forward end of the housing. Window supporting structure may be mounted in the housing behind the transparent window. A water-tight seal may be located between the window and the housing. A circuit element may be configured and positioned within the housing behind the window supporting structure to bear at least some of the pressure applied to the transparent window. At least one solid state light source may be mounted on the circuit element behind the transparent window. |
| US09285105B2 |
Head light having a rotatable face cap with plural lenses
A portable light may comprise: a light housing for enclosing a source of electrical power and supporting an electrical light source, a face cap rotatably mounted to the light housing. The face cap may have one or more lenses positionable in front of the electrical light source. A light source control circuit interior the light housing has at least one switch actuator for selectively energizing the light source, and an actuator member of the face cap. Rotating the face cap moves the actuator member into a position to actuate the switch actuator, whereby rotating the face cap produces the selective energization of the light source. The portable light may require a tool to open the housing, e.g., to replace the source of electrical power and/or may be pivotably mounted to a light base. |
| US09285101B2 |
Illumination unit and display
An illumination unit includes: a light source section including a laser light source; an optical-path branching device outputting light incident from the light source section, by branching the light into an outgoing optical path of illumination light and other optical path; a photodetector receiving a light flux that travels on the other optical path; a control section controlling an emitted light quantity in the laser light source, based on a quantity of the light flux received by the photodetector; and a light-quantity-distribution control device disposed between the optical-path branching device and the photodetector on the other optical path, the light-quantity-distribution control device controlling a light quantity distribution in the light flux to be incident upon the photodetector. |
| US09285100B2 |
Lens structure for a vehicular lamp
A lens structure for a vehicular lamp includes an incident portion surrounding a central axis. The incident portion includes a first inner annular face, a first outer annular face, and an incident face behind the first inner annular face and the first outer annular face. A rear end of a light mixing portion located in front of the incident portion is connected to a front end of the incident portion. The light mixing portion further includes a first reflective face on an inner side thereof and a second reflective face on an outer side thereof. The second reflective face has continuous toothed faces. A light output portion is located in front of the light mixing portion. A rear end of the light output portion is connected to a front end of the light mixing portion. The front end of the light output portion includes a light output face. |
| US09285097B2 |
LED light assembly and method for generating a beam of light
A light emitting diode (LED) light assembly apparatus includes a housing, a lens stack, and a power supply assembly. The lens stack comprises an LED array of a plurality of LED light sources and a lens positioned in the housing with respect to the LED array to diffuse and focus light transmitted from the plurality of LED light sources and, thereby, provide a light beam out from the housing, the lens being operable to diffuse the transmitted light before focusing the transmitted light. The power supply assembly is operable to supply power to the lens stack and, thereby, power the plurality of LED sources. A method for making the beam of light is also provided. |
| US09285095B2 |
Combination type illumination apparatus
The present invention relates to a combination type illumination apparatus that includes a lamp body, a lamp cap module and a LED light emitting module. The LED light emitting module is disposed on the lamp body. The lamp body has an accommodation hole and a center sleeve stored in the accommodation hole. The center sleeve includes a first joggle structure. The lamp cap module includes a second joggle structure. The second joggle structure of the lamp cap module is assembled to the first joggle structure of the center sleeve. With such structure configuration, manufacturers may assemble the combination type illumination apparatus in a joggling way instead of in a screwing or gluing method. |
| US09285092B2 |
Projector type headlight
A projector type headlight can include a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and a light source unit arranged on a more rear side than a back side focal plane of the projection lens, the projection lens including resin lenses which are arranged on the optical axis. A resin lens out of the resin lenses arranged closer to the light source unit includes a diffraction grating provided on a lens face in a side opposite to a light source, the resin lens out of the resin lenses arranged closer to the light source unit has a lens face having a positive power, which is arranged in a light source side, and the diffraction grating is designed so as to cancel chromatic aberration of light emitted from the light source unit and emitted forward through the resin lenses. |
| US09285088B2 |
Linear light emitting diode inclusive fixture
A lighting assembly for an existing linear fluorescent fixture includes a support, at least two opposing light emitting diodes (LED) on respective sides of the support configured to direct light in opposite general directions, a housing configured to cover the support and the at least two opposing LEDs; and end caps including electrical connectors to connect to electrical connections of the existing linear fluorescent fixture. |
| US09285086B2 |
Light diffusing optical fibers and light emitting apparatuses including light diffusing optical fibers
Light diffusing optical fibers and light emitting apparatuses including light diffusing optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light emitting apparatus includes a base, a transparent or translucent enclosure affixed to the base, a light diffusing optical fiber including a coiled filament enclosed within the enclosure, and a light source optically coupled to the light diffusing optical fiber. The coiled filament includes a glass core, an outer surface, and a plurality of light scattering structures situated within the coiled filament for scattering light through the outer surface of the coiled filament. The coiled filament has a loss in a range of 0.5 dB/turn to 10.0 dB/turn at a turn radius of less than 50 mm. |
| US09285085B2 |
LED lighting system with distributive powering scheme
A linkable linear light emitting diode (LED) system provides apparatus and method for mechanically, optically, and electrically linking multiple LED modules disposed over a wide and separated area of a ceiling system. Openings can be cut in ceiling tiles of a drop ceiling system and the LED lighting modules are coupled to the tile through the opening, with the tile being sandwiched between different portions of the module. A remote driver system is placed within the drop ceiling above the tiles and provide multiple connectors for powering a multitude of lighting modules. Certain of the LED lighting modules include both input and output connectors for both receiving power or data and providing power or data to other modules. In this manner, some of the modules act as master LED lighting modules and those receiving power and/or data therefrom are act as slave modules. |
| US09285082B2 |
LED lamp with LED board heat sink
A LED lamp includes an optically transmissive enclosure and a base connected to the enclosure. LEDs are mounted on a substrate for emitting light when energized though an electrical path from the base. The mounting substrate for the LEDs has a surface that is exposed to the exterior of the enclosure for transmitting heat from the plurality of LEDs and dissipating heat to the ambient environment. |
| US09285081B2 |
LED high bay lighting source
A lighting device includes a housing having an inner surface and outer surface and a plurality of LEDs mounted at the inner surface, the LEDs mounted in a radially symmetrical configuration. The inner surface may be made of or coated with reflective material. The lighting system may further include, individually or in any combination, following: heat sink fins mounted on the outer surface; a reflective plate for reflecting light in a desired direction; a reflective tube for redirecting light from the LEDs. The housing may include a cylindrical section and a conic section. |
| US09285078B2 |
Pressure vessel
A gas cylinder for the storage of compressed gas includes a shut-off valve in engagement with a mouth of the cylinder; an external pressure sensor device for sensing pressure in the cylinder, the pressure sensor device being in continuous communication with the interior of the cylinder; a temperature sensor device for sensing temperature of the gas in the cylinder, the temperature sensor device being in thermal communication with the interior of the cylinder; a programmable computing device for calculating information from the temperature and pressure signals concerning the amount of contents in the cylinder; and a display screen operatively associated with the programmable computing device for displaying said information. |
| US09285077B2 |
Helicopter drip pan
A drip pan apparatus for a “M” model BLACK HAWK® helicopter and the like includes an expanded corner structure for accommodating an access port also positioned further outwardly in the corner than in prior drip pan apparatuses, facilitating filter viewing while retaining peripheral o-ring seal. An expanded corner of the airframe skirt is accommodated by the expanded corresponding corner of a frame, which also defines a small radius internal curve. The removable pan has a small radius curve cooperating with the small radius curve of the frame and is sealed thereto by the peripheral o-ring seal sealing the entire pan to the frame. Physical access to the filter is enhanced. |
| US09285076B2 |
Anchor device
The anchor device includes a post movably connected to a base and is lockable in shovel, anchor and storage positions. First, it is locked in a shovel position and a hole is dug in beach sand. The anchor device is then disengaged from the shovel position and then locked into an anchor position and then inserted into the hole and then covered with beach sand to secure the post portion of the anchor device in a vertical position with a portion of the post exposed above the surface of the sand. A beach umbrella is inserted into and secured to the post. To remove the anchor device from the sand, the anchor lock position is disengaged from above the sand to permit the post and the base to freely pivot relative to each other so the base and post can be easily pulled from the sand. |
| US09285069B2 |
Heavy load support mechanism and heavy load loading apparatus using the mechanism
In supporting a heavy load with a spring member disposed between a fixed frame and a support frame, provided are a follower member that transfers a spring force of the spring member to the support frame, first and second cam surfaces that regulate motion of the follower member, and a biasing device for bringing the follower member into press-contact with the cam surfaces, the first cam surface generates a friction force to reduce an effect of the heavy load, the second cam surface generates a friction force to reduce an effect of the spring force, and the follower member is made movable in an expansion/contraction direction of the spring, and also in a direction crossing the expansion/contraction direction to control engagement of the follower member and the cam surfaces. |
| US09285065B2 |
Pipeline reinforcement assembly and method
An assembly and a method for reinforcing or repairing one or more segments of an existing pipeline, without taking the pipeline out of service and without the need for disassembling the existing pipeline segments that are to be repaired. The assembly incorporates a metallic reinforcement pipe, a front seal ring, a rear seal ring, a front seal ring retention assembly, a rear seal ring retention assembly, and a self-hardening medium receiver. The reinforcement pipe and the seal rings create an annular space between the respective ends of the reinforcement pipe and the external surface of the existing pipeline. The seal rings, seal ring retention assemblies, and the flexible reinforcement pipe, accommodate out-of-round and joint angular displacement conditions of the existing pipeline. A self-hardening medium is injected into the annular space and pressure is maintained on the medium until the medium has set. |
| US09285058B2 |
Regulator valve fault checking method
An operating device pressure Po into a regulator valve and a degree of opening X from the regulator valve are sampled. A speed of change vPo (k) of the Po (k) is calculated from the current Po (k) and the previous Po (k −1). A speed of change vX (k) of the X (k) is calculated from the current X (k) and the previous X (k −1). If both vPo (k) and vX (k) are small, then a weighting value w1 (k) is set to 1 (and set to 0 otherwise), where a fault check indicator Fq (i) for each degree-of-opening category i during a fault check evaluation time interval is calculated from the vPo (k) and vX (k) when w1 (k) is 1 and from a linear approximation formula F1 that indicates the steady-state input/output relationships in the regulator valve when operating properly. |
| US09285057B2 |
Methods and apparatus for process device calibration
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for process device calibration. An example method includes determining if a first position of a process control device is a first end position, and in response to the first position being the first end position, calculating a second end position of the process control device based on the first end position and configuration information. The example method further includes calculating a partial stroke zone of the process control device based on the first end position and the second end position, and determining when a current position of the process control device is within the partial stroke zone. The example method also includes, when the current position is within the partial stroke zone, calculating an output bias based on a control signal and a summed value. |
| US09285055B2 |
Self lock mechanism for valve actuator
A self lock mechanism for rotating actuators, which allow rotation from one side while deny rotation from the other side, comprising sets of rollers arranged between a housing and a valve connection part, configured with a special shape to cause locking if the mechanism is attempted twisted from the valve side, a motor connection part to press rollers out of locking position and release the locking before the motor connection part makes contact with the valve connection part and start transferring torque. The rollers may be separated and kept in place by a wing on the valve connection part or by springs. |
| US09285054B2 |
Control valve
A control valve according to an embodiment includes a guide member of a cylindrical shape extending coaxially with a valve hole, a valve element of a bottomed cylindrical shape for opening and closing a valve section such that the valve element touches and leaves the valve hole, and a pressure-canceling structure for canceling out at least part of pressure acting on the valve element by introducing a working fluid into a back pressure chamber via a leak passage, the pressure-canceling structure including the back pressure chamber, surrounded by the valve element and the guide member, and the leak passage communicating between the valve hole and the back pressure chamber. A sliding portion and a spacing are formed in an overlapped portion which is a region overlapped by the valve element and the guide member. The sliding portion is connected circumferentially at least when the valve section is closed, and the proportion of the spacing occupied in the overlapped portion is larger than the proportion of the sliding portion occupied at the time when the valve section is open. |
| US09285052B2 |
Valve with connection on the pressure side
The invention refers to a valve, in particular a pressure valve, comprising a feed area provided in front of a globe valve in flow direction of the medium, wherein the globe valve can be sealed by a loose closing element provided in the feed area, and wherein an activation rod angles the closing element against the flow direction of the medium with reference to the globe valve. The invention is characterized in that in the feed area a flow guiding device is provided, wherein the flow guiding device has several channel areas, so that the medium flowing through the channel areas is set in a helical twist. |
| US09285050B2 |
Thermostat-controlled coolant flow within a heat sink
Methods are presented for facilitating dissipation of heat generated by one or more electronic components. The methods include providing a coolant-cooled heat sink and a thermostat-controlled valve. The heat sink includes one or more coolant-carrying channels and one or more valve wells intersecting the channels. The thermostat-controlled valve is disposed, at least partially, within a respective valve well so as to intersect a respective coolant-carrying channel, and includes a valve disk and a thermal-sensitive actuator mechanically coupled to rotate the valve disk. The valve disk is rotatable between an open position where coolant is allowed to flow through the respective coolant-carrying channel, and a closed position where coolant is blocked from flowing through the respective channel. The actuator rotates the valve disk between the open position and the closed position, dependent on heating of the thermal-sensitive actuator by the electronic component(s). |
| US09285046B2 |
Control valve
An expansion valve according to one embodiment includes a body having an internal passage through which the working fluid flows, a valve hole provided in the internal passage, a driven member that opens and closes a valve section by touching and leaving the valve hole, a guide member that slidably supports the driven member inserted along the guide member, and a shield wall, provided in the driven member, which closes one end opening of the spacing between the driven member and the guide member when the valve section is fully opened. |
| US09285043B2 |
Flow channel switching valve
A flow channel switching valve is provided that includes a stator and a rotor inside a housing, and rotates the rotor by a rotor drive portion while sliding the rotor on the stator, wherein the stator is fixed to a housing top by a stator fixing member. The stator fixing member is configured so as to have a portion detachably mounted on the housing top from a stator side, and a portion holding the stator. |
| US09285042B2 |
Diaphragm valve and seat holder unit for diaphragm valve
A diaphragm valve and a seat holder unit for the diaphragm valve which allows easy replacement of a seat is provided. The diaphragm valve includes a retainer configured to hold a seat holder. The seat holder is demountably arranged on a body to hold a seat. The retainer has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes an inward flange portion receiving the outer peripheral edge portion of the seat holder, and is demountably mounted on the diaphragm holding members in a state of holding the seat holder. |
| US09285038B2 |
Flow control valve
A flow control valve comprises a valve seat (1) having a valve port (121) in its valve chamber and a valve rod (2) opening or closing the valve port (121). A sleeve protrusion part (122) projects upward from the valve port (121) in an axial direction thereof. The valve rod (2) is tubular and is cylindrical at the lower end. An open slot (3) matching with a flow curve is provided in the circumferential side wall of one of the sleeve protrusion part (122) and the lower end of the valve rod (2). One of the sleeve protrusion part (122) and the lower end of valve rod (2) is inserted into or extracted from the other to disconnect or connect the open slot (3) with the valve port (121). The structural design of the flow control valve can balance the refrigerant pressure on the valve rod (2) in the axial direction while ensuring that the required flow curve can be obtained. |
| US09285037B2 |
Mud valve with integral yoke and flange
A mud valve having a flange frame and yoke that are permanently connected to form a single unit without the aid of removable fasteners is described. Installation of the drain plug is facilitated by an arrangement of guide tabs on either side of the drain plug that are of different distances from the surface of the drain plug. This staggered arrangement allows the drain plug to be installed through a tilting and rotating of the drain plug that brings the tabs into alignment with guide rails on the yoke without necessitating the separation of the yoke from the flange frame. Similarly, the construction described allows the drain plug to be removed for repair or replacement in the field without disassembling the yoke and flange frame. |
| US09285034B2 |
Cartridge seal assemblies and associated methods
The present cartridge seal assemblies pertain to rotary lip-type seals. In certain embodiments, a sealing member is constructed of a relatively hard material that increases the lifespan of the sealing member. The sealing member is energized with a canted-coil spring, which in some embodiments includes an adjustable spring force. The present embodiments enable control of sealing force to achieve an appropriate sealing force between the sealing member and the shaft based on factors such as temperature, pressure, rotary speed, properties of fluid media, etc. to achieve longer seal life. |
| US09285032B2 |
Piston ring
Disclosed is a piston ring that, in an engine where high temperature is reached in the vicinity of the piston ring, is capable of sustaining an excellent effect of preventing aluminum cohesion over a prolonged period of time. The piston ring having a resin-based coating formed on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of a piston ring body, the resin-based coating including a first resin-based coating containing plate-like filler having a mean particle diameter of 2 μm to 20 μm and an aspect ratio of 20 to 200 and a second resin-based coating located under the first resin-based coating and containing hard particles having a mean particle diameter of 0.01 μm to 1 μm. |
| US09285031B1 |
Method and apparatus to control a continuously variable transmission
A method for controlling a variator of a continuously variable transmission includes combining, by a controller, a periodically repeating excitation signal and a desired variator speed ratio signal. A variator ratio derivative is determined based upon the desired variator speed ratio signal combined with the excitation signal. A variator control parameter is determined based upon the variator ratio derivative. The variator control parameter is sent to the controller for controlling the variator in response thereto. |
| US09285028B2 |
Self-propelling work vehicle for forward and reverse drive
A self-propelling work vehicle for forward and reverse drive includes a handle unit attached to the vehicle body for a first shift movement along a first direction with a neutral position and a second shift movement from the neutral position along a second direction intersecting the first direction. Forward drive speed or reverse drive speed is determined based on the first shift movement. A guide unit attached to the vehicle body includes a maximum forward speed guide member for defining a shift movement end of the handle unit determining a maximum forward speed of the forward drive speed, and a neutral guide member for guiding the second shift movement of the handle unit from the neutral position defined as a starting position. The maximum forward speed guide member and the neutral guide member are positionally adjustable independently of each other. |
| US09285026B2 |
Differential gear case and method for processing same
A differential gear case is provided that includes a container housing of a differential gear, the container housing having on an outer surface thereof an annular flange that extends around an axis of rotation of the container housing, and one of two areas of the container housing that are separated by the annular flange being formed with an opening that is communicated with a containing space formed in the container housing. The area of the container housing that is formed with the opening is provided with a fixing portion used for fixing the differential gear case. The fixing portion includes two flat surfaces that are in parallel with a plane surface containing the axis of rotation of the container housing and arranged around the axis of rotation keeping a space therebetween. |
| US09285017B2 |
Automatic transmission device
An automatic transmission for adjusting the relative speed between an input and output member. The transmission being configured with four planetary gears, the first having first to third rotary elements, the second having fourth to sixth rotary elements, the third having seventh to ninth rotary elements, the fourth having tenth to twelfth rotary elements. Three couplings between (i) first and sixth rotary elements, (ii) second and fifth rotary elements, and (iii) eighth and twelfth rotary elements. Three clutches are provided between (i) the second coupling and input member, (ii) third coupling and input member, and (iii) seventh rotary element and input member. Three brakes are provided at (i) the fourth rotary element, (ii) third coupling element, and (iii) tenth rotary element. The output member is connected to the third rotary element. |
| US09285014B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission gearing arrangement has four simple planetary gear sets and five or six shift elements. A ring gear is fixedly held against rotation. A sun gear and a carrier are fixedly coupled to the input shaft. One embodiment has two brakes and three clutches and produces seven forward speeds by selective engagement of various combinations of two of the shift elements. Other embodiments have two brakes and four clutches and produce nine forward speeds by selective engagement of various combinations of two of the shift elements. Each embodiment may optionally include a passive one way brake that simplifies the control of certain shifts. |
| US09285013B2 |
Method and apparatus for balancing a combined wheel and tire
A vehicle wheel is provided with a plurality of tube's distributed at various radial angles from the center and oriented generally transversely of the central plane of the wheel and generally parallel to the wheel's axis of rotation. The azimuthal and longitudinal imbalance of a mounted tire including the wheel is determined. To balance the mounted tire both azimuthally and longitudinally, one or more weights are inserted into one or more tubes disposed on the wheel at appropriate azimuthal locations. The weights are placed longitudinally of the tubes in the plane of central mass of the mounted tire, and are secured in that position within the tube by any of a variety of means such as thread locking fluid, friction, or plugs. |
| US09285012B2 |
Internal combustion engine with compensation weight arranged on the crankshaft and serving as an imbalance, and method for production of the crankshaft
The invention concerns an internal combustion engine and a method of producing the engine in which the engine has at least one cylinder and with a crank drive comprising a crankshaft, in which the crankshaft mounted in the crankcase has an associated crankshaft throw, the crankshaft throws being arranged spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft, and at least one compensation weight serving as imbalance is arranged on the crankshaft on the side opposite at least one crankshaft throw. The compensation weight has an arcuate form on the outward-facing side, the outside of which running in the peripheral direction has a constant distance S from a reference axis which runs parallel to and spaced by a distance Δ from the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft, wherein the reference axis is arranged on the side facing away from the compensation weight, starting from the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft. |
| US09285010B2 |
Damper device
A damper device includes a protruding portion located outside a closing portion of a cylinder body facing a piston body and forming a flow path communicating inside and outside of the cylinder body; a plug body including a shaft portion inserted into the flow path from an outside of the cylinder body; and an urging device of the plug body. An insertion length of the shaft portion of the plug-like body into the flow path against urging of the urging device increases by change in pressure due to a movement or a relative movement of the piston body in a direction separating from the closing portion of the cylinder body. |
| US09285008B2 |
Damping valve for shock absorber
A damping valve includes a piston with a one-side disk and an other-side disk, a port configured to include through holes, a piston rod, and a nut. A plurality of the through holes of the other-side disk are formed along between the inner peripheral seat surface and the outer peripheral seat surface. Elastic deforming portions are formed between the through holes of the other-side disk. A clearance is formed between the inner peripheral seat surface of the one-side disk and that of the other-side disk in a state where the nut is not tightened and the outer peripheral seat surface of the one-side disk and that of the other-side disk are in contact. The elastic deforming portions of the other-side disk are strained and the respective inner peripheral seat surfaces come into contact in a state where the nut is tightened. |
| US09285007B2 |
Servicing monitoring system for mixed fluid-gas shock struts
A method and system of monitoring condition of a shock strut senses gas temperature, gas pressure, and stroke of the strut during a landing event. Oil loss is determined based upon a deviation of a transient pressure coefficient derived from transient gas pressures at two different strokes from a nominal coefficient value. Gas loss is determined based upon a temperature adjusted transient gas pressure at a selected stroke and a nominal gas pressure value at the selected stroke. |
| US09285004B2 |
Silencer for a multi-leaf spring
A silencer for a leaf spring assembly. The silencer is disposed between end portions of leaf springs. The silencer has a two-layer structure which has a fixing layer and a sliding layer which are integrally formed. The fixing layer has a projection portion, and the projection portion has an engagement portion at a leading end portion thereof. The fixing layer, which is fixed at the fixing side leaf spring, has a tensile strength higher than the sliding layer. The sliding layer, which abuts the sliding side leaf spring, has a hardness lower than the fixing layer. The projection portion of the fixing layer can have sufficient strength to resist the shearing force. In the sliding layer, undesirable noise generation is difficult, and even when a load transmission portion of an end portion of the sliding side leaf spring partially abuts the sliding layer, undesirable noise generation can be prevented. |
| US09285001B2 |
Electronic parking brake
Disclosed herein is an electronic parking brake. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic parking brake which includes a carrier in which a pair of pad plates disposed to press a disc rotated together with a wheel of a vehicle is installed to be moved forward and backward, a caliper housing slidably installed at the carrier and having a cylinder in which a piston is installed to be moved forward and backward by a braking hydraulic pressure, a motor disposed at an outer side of the caliper housing to generate a rotational force in forward and reverse directions, a conversion unit configured to convert the rotational force of the motor into a linearly reciprocating motion and transmit the converted force to the piston, and a decelerator disposed between the motor and the conversion unit and configured to decelerate the rotational force of the motor and transmit the decelerated rotational force to the conversion unit, includes an adaptor coupled with a rotational shaft of the motor and connected with an output gear of the decelerator, wherein the rotational shaft and an output shaft of the output gear are coaxially connected in series through the adaptor, and the output gear is supported by the adaptor to prevent shaking when being rotated. |
| US09284999B2 |
Guide pin for disc brake assembly, disc brake assembly including such a guide pin and method for producing a disc brake assembly including such a guide pin
A disc brake assembly having a guide pin disposed in a bore of an anchor bracket such that a guide pin axis is offset relative to a bore axis whereby there is provided at least one defined point of contact between only a portion of the guide pin and a portion of an inner surface of the bore. The guide pin includes at least one slot having a member, which is formed separate from the guide pin, and disposed therein to bias the guide pin in the bore thereby offsetting the guide pin axis relative to the bore axis. The member includes a first member formed from an elastomeric material and a second member formed from a metal material, wherein the second member is configured to retain the member in the slot. |
| US09284996B2 |
Selective electrical control of electromechanical clutch assembly
A clutch assembly of a vehicle includes a shaft configured to rotate around a rotation axis inside the shaft, a connection arm connected to the shaft, to a pilot-controlled mechanism, and to a mechanical servo that controls a movement of the vehicle, and at least two electromechanical actuators. The electromechanical actuators are configured to be selectively engaged with the shaft via an electromechanical clutch, such that the electromechanical actuators are disconnected from controlling a movement of the shaft and the connection arm when the electromechanical clutch is disengaged, and the electromechanical actuators are configured to control movement of the shaft and the connection arm when the electromechanical clutch is engaged. |
| US09284995B2 |
Electromagnetic axle disconnect system
An electromagnetic disconnect system has an output housing having an armature with a coil and an output shaft bearing fixed to it. A pressure plate and a sliding dog clutch are slidably attached to an output shaft that is in rotational contact with the output shaft bearing. This system further has an input housing attached to the output housing. The input housing has an input shaft bearing fixed to it. The electromagnetic disconnect system further has a disengagement spring and an axially fixed dog clutch rigidly attached to an end of an input shaft that is axially disposed through an opening in the input housing and in rotational contact with the input shaft bearing. |
| US09284993B1 |
Clutch assembly with dual actuation piston
A clutch assembly includes a fluid-actuated piston that allows clutch usage in both high pressure and low pressure applications. The configuration of the clutch assembly allows the piston to be used with different seal arrangements. These different seal configurations create differently sized piston surface areas against which the inlet pressure will act to drive the piston. The ability to change the size of the affected piston surface areas allows for the piston to receive essentially the same driving force under both high pressure and low pressure applications. Thus, the clutch assembly enables use of high hydraulic pressure (e.g., 320 psi) in combination with a seal arrangement that creates a small piston-driving surface area, and also use of low pneumatic pressure (e.g., 120 psi) with a seal arrangement that creates a large piston-driving surface area. |
| US09284990B2 |
Direct pinion mount Rzeppa joint
One embodiment of a constant velocity joint has an inner race with a first set of splines. A sleeve is provided and it is engaged with the inner race. A drive nut connects the sleeve with a pinion shaft. In another embodiment, the sleeve may be provided with a boot groove. A clamping device may be used to secure a boot within the boot groove. |
| US09284988B2 |
Guide device
A guide device is provided in which rolling elements can be assembled into circulation paths in a short time. A slider body is provided with rolling element insertion holes open at positions of a member mounting surface superposed over a return passage. The insertion holes extend in the length directions of leg parts and reach positions which bisect cross-sections of the return passage. The opened shapes of the insertion holes are elongated hole shapes with dimensions in the rolling element movement direction larger than dimensions in the width directions. For this reason, if balls are inserted from the rolling element insertion holes, spaces are formed inside of the return passage visible from the rolling element insertion holes in the rolling element movement direction of the balls. A rod-shaped fixture is inserted into each space to press the balls in the rolling element movement direction of the return passage. |
| US09284987B2 |
Warning device for monitoring a health status of a bearing having a close range wireless interface
A warning device having a close range wireless interface is provided. The warning device includes a body portion, top portion, a base portion, a microcontroller for controlling the device, a battery, at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a velocity, an enveloped acceleration and a temperature reading of the bearing, and at least one illuminating device for displaying the health status of the bearing. The close range wireless interface includes an RFID tag having an integrated circuit, and a radio, an antenna for receiving and transmitting modulated and demodulated signals, and a digital bus connecting the microcontroller to the RFID tag. The microcontroller stores at least one of the sensed velocity, enveloped acceleration and the temperature values into a memory disposed within the RFID tag. The memory is a dual access memory that enables data transfer via the RFID radio or via the digital bus. |
| US09284982B2 |
Cage and rolling bearing
A cage is made of a magnesium alloy such as AZ91D, and is molded by means of injection molding. In this cage, a confluence region is brought away to outside the cage during the injection molding. The confluence region is a region including a void formed by merging of flows of the magnesium alloy. When observing a cross sectional surface of the cage, a ratio of an α phase having a grain size of 20 μm or greater is less than 15% in the magnesium alloy constituting the cage. |
| US09284980B1 |
Heavy load bearings and related methods
Bearing assemblies, bearing components and related methods are provided for heavy load applications. In one embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a first bearing apparatus having a base member and a first plurality of polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDCs) on a first surface of the base member, the first plurality of PDCs defining a first collective bearing surface. A second bearing apparatus is configured to engage and slide over the first collective bearing surface. the second bearing apparatus may include a second plurality of PDCs defining a second collective bearing surface. The collective bearing surfaces may be configured to be substantially planar or substantially arcuate. Such bearing assemblies may be implemented in, for example, bridges, roadways, buildings, railways and other structures and machines that may require heavy load bearing support. |
| US09284976B2 |
Countershaft
A countershaft as disclosed herein may include one or more bearing zones along its axial length. Each bearing zone may include one or more radial holes in fluid communication with one or more grooves, respectively, and one or more axial channels formed along the longitudinal length of the countershaft. Each groove may be positioned adjacent an interface between a rotating member and a non-rotating member and include one or more features therein, such as a profile and/or taper. |
| US09284971B2 |
Fastener and method of installing same
A fastener includes a body having deformable first end, a second end, and a passage extending through the body between the first and second ends. The fastener further includes a corebolt having first and second ends and a region of reduced diameter disposed between the first and second ends and a sleeve having first and second ends, the second end having a bulbing portion. The corebolt is disposed within the sleeve and the body with the first end of the corebolt in engagement with the first end of the sleeve and the first end of the body disposed adjacent the second end of the sleeve. The bulbing portion is adapted to form an enlarged blind head when the corebolt is rotated in relation to the sleeve. The first end of the body is adapted to deform radially inwardly into the region of reduced diameter. |
| US09284968B2 |
Mounting clamp for pole
A device for mounting objects to a pole is disclosed. The device includes a first part having a channel therein and keys extending therefrom. A second piece also having a channel therein has keyways adapted to slidably receive the keys on the first part. The first and second parts are joined together to suspend objects from a pole. |
| US09284965B2 |
In-line water hammer arrester
An in-line water hammer arrester comprises a housing connectable at each end to a piping system, a fluid channel disposed within the housing to permit fluid to flow from the piping system through the housing and back into the piping system, a piston and a pressurized gas chamber. When a pressure spike occurs, the piston is pushed against the pressurized gas chamber allowing an expanded area for water flow until the pressure spike is dissipated and the piston returns to its resting position. When used with flexible hoses and tubing typically found with household appliance water supply lines, the in-line arrester is easily installed by a crimping or clamping type connector and takes up little space. |
| US09284962B2 |
Variable geometry lift fan mechanism
A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft includes rotors that provide vertical and horizontal thrust. During forward motion, the vertical lift system is inactive. A lift fan mechanism positions the fan blades of the aircraft in a collapsed configuration when the vertical lift system is inactive and positions the fan blades of the aircraft in a deployed configuration when the vertical lift system is active. |
| US09284961B2 |
Fan device
A fan device includes a rotor 20 and recesses 40 to be filled with claylike weights 70. The rotor 20 includes an impeller 23 and a shaft 10. The impeller 23 has a hub 21 and vanes 22. The recesses 40 are provided on a surface 212 that crosses an axial direction of the hub 21. Each recess 40 has a first area 41 and a second area 42. The first area 41 is circumferentially arranged and extends in a substantially circumferential direction. The second area 42 is connected to an outer circumferential side of the first area 41 and has a shorter length in the circumferential direction than the first area 41. The weight 70 is closely adhered to wall surfaces 421 and 422 formed along a radial direction in the second area 42 so as to prevent separation thereof. |
| US09284960B2 |
Vented reservoir for medical pump
The present invention concerns a medical pump comprising: a. A hard housing comprising a top (24) and bottom (1) hard shells, within which a rigid wall (3) and a movable membrane (2) create three distinct chambers; wherein i. said movable membrane tightly separates said second (29) and third (22) chambers ii. said first and third chambers have a watertight interface iii. said second chamber (29) is designed to contain a fluid iv. said first chamber (23) comprises a first venting mean (20) which is arranged to provide a fluidic communication between said first chamber (23) and the external environment; v. said third chamber (22) comprises a second venting mean which is arranged to provide a fluidic communication between said third chamber (22) and the external environment b. A pumping element (4) located in the first chamber (23) c. A least one pressure sensor which measure the pressure gradient between the first chamber (23) and the second chamber (29) d. A fluid pathway which permits: i. a first fluid connection (27) between said second chamber (29) and said pumping element ii. a second fluid connection (28) between said pumping element and a patient line (30). |
| US09284950B2 |
Method for installation of sensors in rotor blades and installation apparatus
The present invention provides a method for installing at least one sensor device within a rotor blade of a wind turbine. A first substantially planar light beam is emitted in the interior of the rotor blade. Finally, at least one second substantially planar light beam is emitted in the interior of the rotor blade, wherein the plane of the first planar light beam is oriented at a predetermined angle to the plane of the second planar light beam. Further, the planes of the first and second planar light beams are aligned on the blade flange of the rotor blade. At least one sensor device is subsequently aligned in reference to the planar light beams. |
| US09284949B2 |
Bearing arrangement of a wind turbine and method for adjusting the preload of a bearing arrangement
To facilitate adjusting a bearing arrangement, particularly in a wind turbine, for different operating situations, the bearing arrangement has an adjusting device with which the bearing preload can be adjusted starting from a base preload. This can allow, for example signs of wear to be compensated, manufacturing tolerances or design inaccuracies to be corrected and in particular current loading states to be addressed. This design avoids the otherwise usual overdimensioning of the bearing arrangement, thereby increasing the efficiency of the wind turbine as well as the service life of the bearing arrangement. |
| US09284948B2 |
Wind turbine blade
A blade for a partial pitch wind turbine is described, wherein the blade has a truncated aerodynamic profile provided at the pitch junction of the blade. The truncated trailing edge acts to prevent the formation of a trailing edge gap during pitching between the trailing edges of the inner and outer blade sections of a partial pitch blade, thereby reducing the negative impact of air leakage, etc., when pitching a partial pitch blade. |
| US09284942B2 |
Subassembly forming a hydrobase for hydraulic motors, and assembly method
The present invention relates to a subassembly for forming a hydraulic motor after assembly onto an assembly including a shaft, said subassembly including a cover forming a housing element, a multilobe cam, a cylinder block opposite the cam, pistons guided so as to slide radially within the respective cylinders of the cylinder block and bearing on the lobes of the cam, and a valve intended to apply pressurized fluid to said pistons in series, wherein said subassembly includes means for temporarily attaching the cylinder block to the cover and means for accessing an element of the valve through the cover in order to enable, during installation, the angular positioning of said element with respect to the shaft, followed by the attachment thereof to the shaft. The present invention also relates to a method for assembling such a hydrobase. |
| US09284939B2 |
Laser-induced spark ignition for an internal combustion engine
A laser spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes at least one element for guiding, shaping and/or generating laser radiation, a combustion chamber window and a housing. The housing has, on the opposite side of the combustion chamber window from the element, an aperture for the passage of the laser radiation guided, shaped and/or generated by the element into a prechamber disposed at the end of the housing on the combustion chamber side. At least one overflow channel is provided for a fluid connection between an internal space of the prechamber and a combustion chamber surrounding the prechamber. When a fluid flows into the internal space of the prechamber through the overflow channel, a fluid flow is obtained that enters the interior of the aperture at a minimum angle ε, in particular measured with respect to the longitudinal axis of the laser spark plug, of 45°. |
| US09284932B2 |
Mounting structure for fuel injector
A fuel injector mounting structure may employ a flat bottom, a first (e.g. exterior) vertical wall that meets flat bottom, a second (e.g. interior) vertical wall that meets flat bottom, and a top wall. The top wall may define a flat surface transitioning into a curved surface. The top wall, flat bottom, first vertical wall and second vertical wall may be in the shape of a circular ring with a center hole through the center of the ring. An engine cylinder head may contact the bottom wall and a fuel injector may contact the curved surface of the top wall. Fuel injector and flat surface of top wall may define an air gap between them to inhibit vibration transmission from the fuel injector into the cylinder head. A powder metal material or an elastomer may occupy a cavity within the circular ring. |
| US09284929B2 |
Electromagnetic fuel injection valve
An electromagnetic fuel injection valve includes: a valve element which closes a fuel passage by coming into contact with a valve seat and opens the fuel passage by going away from the valve seat; an electromagnet which includes a coil and a magnetic core formed as a drive portion for driving the valve element; a movable element which is held by the valve element in a state where the movable element is displaceable in the direction of a drive force of the valve element relative to the valve element; a first biasing portion for biasing the valve element in the direction opposite to the direction of a drive force generated by the drive portion; a second biasing portion for biasing the movable element in the direction of the drive force with a biasing force smaller than the biasing force generated by the first biasing portion; and a restricting portion for restricting the displacement of the movable element in the direction of the drive force relative to the valve element. |
| US09284925B2 |
Flat filter element of a filter, filter and support device of a filter
A flat filter element (34), a filter (10), and a support/positioning body (72, 74, 76) are disclosed. The flat filter element (34) includes a filter medium (64) with an inflow-side raw side (62) and an outflow-side clean side (58). An element sealing section (77) surrounds, circumferentially closed, the filter medium (64) on the raw side (62), the clean side (58), or between the raw side (62) and the clean side (58). The element sealing section (77) serves for supporting a sealing device (78) for sealing the raw side (62) relative to the clean side (58) upon arrangement of the flat filter element (34) in a filter housing (12) of the filter (10). At least one support/positioning body (72, 74, 76) can be supported, for positioning and holding at least the sealing device (76) in the filter housing (12), on the one hand at least on the sealing device (78) and on the other hand on the filter housing (12). |
| US09284922B2 |
Controlling the closing force of a canister purge valve prior to executing leak diagnostic
A method for a vehicle having a fuel vapor canister coupled between a fuel tank and an engine intake manifold via an electronically controlled purge valve, comprises initiating a vapor leak test under predetermined conditions and in response to the initiation, fully opening the purge valve from a closed position to a fully open position for a predetermined time, and then fully closing the purge valve after the predetermined time and commencing the leak test. |
| US09284914B2 |
Variable geometry structure
A variable geometry (2) structure comprising: an flexural element (4); a tensioning element (6) connected to the flexural element (8); and an actuator (12) for adjusting the tensioning element (6) to change the load placed on the flexural element (4), thereby changing the geometry of the structure (2). |
| US09284912B2 |
Cover structure of plug hole
A cover structure of a plug hole provided to a cylinder head cover of an engine includes: a plug cap detachably attached to the plug hole; an outer cover covering at least an upper side of the plug cap; and a seal member provided on an upper face of the cylinder head cover and surrounding a periphery of the plug hole. In the cover structure, the outer cover has a projection portion projected toward the cylinder head cover, and the seal member is pressed to the upper face of the cylinder head cover by the projection portion. |
| US09284911B2 |
Engine combustion chamber structure, and inner wall structure of through channel
Provided is an engine combustion chamber structure. Also provided is an inner wall structure for a through channel, through which exhaust gas or intake gas of the engine passes. An engine combustion engine structure is provided with a heat-insulating member on the inner wall of an engine constituent member which constitutes an engine combustion chamber, the heat-insulating member containing a heat-insulating porous layer formed from ceramics, and a surface dense layer formed on the surface of the heat-insulating porous layer and formed from ceramics. The surface dense layer of the heat-insulating member has an open porosity of 5% or less, and preferably the heat-insulating porous layer has a larger open porosity than the open porosity of the surface dense layer. |
| US09284906B2 |
Combustion phasing control methodology in HCCI combustion
Controlling combustion in a spark-ignition direction-injection internal combustion engine includes providing an initial injected fuel mass timing and an initial spark ignition timing. A combustion phasing error is monitored and compared with each of the initial injected fuel mass timing and the initial spark ignition timing. An adjusted injected fuel mass timing and an adjusted desired spark ignition timing is determined based on the comparing for maintaining a desired combustion phasing. |
| US09284905B2 |
Classification method for an injector, calibration method for a characteristic map of an injector, and test bench device for an injector
A classification method for an injector may include: actuating the injector by means of a predefinable test control signal, detecting a quantity of liquid dispensed by the injector on the basis of the test control signal, classifying the injector as a function of the detected dispensed quantity of liquid, and determining a required control signal on the basis of the classification of the injector considering a reduced injector stroke. A calibration method for a characteristic map of an injector, and a test bench device for performing the injector classification method are also provided. |
| US09284900B2 |
Fuel injection control device for internal combustion engine
A fuel injection control device includes a fuel injection control unit and a pump control unit. The fuel injection control unit controls a fuel injection amount of a fuel injection valve. The pump control unit calculates a pump control amount based on feedforward and feedback terms and controls a fuel pump based on the pump control amount. The fuel injection control unit includes a first injection control unit for performing fuel injection by the valve at a starting injection amount in a starting period after commencement of starting of an engine by its starting unit until a predetermined rotation increase of the engine is produced in association with fuel combustion. The pump control unit includes a starting control unit for calculating the feedforward term based on the starting injection amount in the starting period and for calculating the pump control amount using this feedforward term. |
| US09284898B2 |
Method and system for binary flow turbine control
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control. |
| US09284894B2 |
Reduced torque variation for engines with active fuel management
In one exemplary embodiment, a method for active fuel management in an engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided, the method including stopping a fuel flow into a first set of the plurality of cylinders, the stopping causing a deactivation of the first set of cylinders and continuing injection of fuel into a second set of the plurality of cylinders to provide power while the first set of cylinders are deactivated. The method also includes injecting gas into the first set of the plurality of cylinders when each of the first set of cylinders are at bottom dead center, the injected gas increasing a cylinder pressure in each of the first set of cylinders that reduces an amplitude of first order torque variations during operation of the engine while the first set of cylinders are deactivated. |
| US09284892B2 |
Six-stroke cycle engine having scavenging stroke
A six-stroke cycle engine includes an intake passage including a downstream end connected to a combustion chamber and no throttle valve therein, and an exhaust passage including a catalyst and an upstream end connected to the combustion chamber. The six-stroke cycle engine includes a first valve configured to open and close the intake passage, a second valve configured to open and close the exhaust passage, a valve gear configured to operate the first valve and the second valve so that an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke are executed, in this order, and to operate only the first valve so that a scavenging intake stroke and a scavenging exhaust stroke are executed, in this order, following the exhaust stroke. The valve gear includes a variable valve mechanism configured to continuously change an opening and closing timing and a lift amount of the first valve. |
| US09284889B2 |
Flexible seal system for a gas turbine engine
A flexible seal system for a gas turbine engine includes an annular mounting bracket, an annular support bracket, an annular flexible seal and a plurality of mounting spacers. The flexible seal extends axially between a first mounting segment and a second mounting segment. The first mounting segment is connected axially between the mounting bracket and the support bracket, and includes a plurality of mounting apertures that extend axially through the first mounting segment. Each of the mounting spacers is arranged within a respective one of the mounting apertures, and extends axially between the mounting bracket and the support bracket. |
| US09284887B2 |
Gas turbine engine and frame
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique frame for a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and gas turbine engine frames. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. |
| US09284883B2 |
Six-stroke cycle engine having scavenging stroke
A six-stroke cycle engine includes an intake passage including a throttle valve, and an exhaust passage including a catalyst. The six-stroke cycle engine includes a scavenging passage including a first end defined by a scavenging port and a second other end connected to the intake passage upstream of the throttle valve. The six-stroke cycle engine includes an intake valve, an exhaust valve, a scavenging valve, and a valve gear configured to operate these valves. The valve gear closes the scavenging valve and operates the intake valve and the exhaust valve so as to execute an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke, in this order. The valve gear also operates only the scavenging valve so as to execute a scavenging intake stroke and a scavenging exhaust stroke, in this order, following the exhaust stroke. |
| US09284880B2 |
Charge air cooler condensate purging cycle
Methods and systems are provided for purging condensate from a charge air cooler to an engine intake. During an engine deceleration event, the vehicle is downshifted into a lower gear to increase RPM and airflow through a charge air cooler to purge stored condensate to the engine intake. By delivering condensate while an engine is not fueled, misfire events resulting from ingestion of water are reduced. |
| US09284879B2 |
Combustion chamber for a direct-injection supercharged combustion engine
A piston for an internal combustion engine, including a body configured to collaborate with walls of a cylinder of axis of revolution C in which the piston is configured to slide along the axis C. The piston includes a transverse face including a central pip, a peripheral ring, and a bowl of axis of revolution B extending from the central pip towards the peripheral ring to which it connects at a lip. The bowl includes, in substantial vertical alignment with the lip, a torus in profile, of maximum radius capable of guiding fuel injected under the lip in a region of a re-entrant zone towards the central pip. The tip of the pip lying on the axis of revolution B of the bowl rises to a height that is a distance of between 4.8 mm and 5.5 mm, or equal to 5.4 mm, below the level of the peripheral ring. |
| US09284878B2 |
Variable compression ratio device and internal combustion engine using the same
A variable compression ratio device and an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The variable compression ratio device includes a main piston that moves in a reciprocating manner, a main combustion chamber having a volume that is varied by the main piston, a sub-compression chamber communicating with the main combustion chamber; a sub-piston configured to reciprocate in the sub-compression chamber to vary a volume of the sub-compression chamber; and a sub-piston reciprocating unit that reciprocates the sub-piston. Accordingly, the air-fuel ratio and output of the internal combustion engine can be improved. |
| US09284875B2 |
Oil-cooled cylinder block with water-cooled bridge
Systems are provided to providing water to the bore bridges of a cylinder block that contains an oil cooling system. An oil-cooled cylinder block may be desirable to aid in rapidly increasing engine temperature during engine warm-up, but high local temperatures may exist in the bore bridges in between adjacent cylinders, thereby leading to adverse performance. To control the high local temperatures while maintaining rapid engine warm-up, systems are proposed to provide water coolant from the cylinder head into cross-drilled passages located in the bore bridges of the cylinder block while cooling the rest of the cylinder block with oil or a different coolant. |
| US09284874B2 |
Silicoaluminophosphate particles, honeycomb structure, method for manufacturing the same and exhaust gas purifying apparatus
Objects of the invention are to provide silicoaluminophosphate particles that have excellent NOx purification performance and can suppress water adsorption-caused contraction and water desorption-caused expansion and to provide a honeycomb structure that has excellent NOx purification performance and can suppress the breakage of the honeycomb unit due to the adsorption or desorption of water, a method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure, and an exhaust gas purifying apparatus including the honeycomb structure. The silicoaluminophosphate particles of the invention have a metallic oxide attached to silicoaluminophosphate particles with a ratio of an amount of Si to a sum of amounts of Al and P in a range of 0.16 to 0.33, in which a specific surface area is in a range of 250 m2/g to 450 m2/g, and an external surface area is in a range of 10 m2/g to 35 m2/g. |
| US09284865B2 |
Method of controlling fluid pressure-actuated switching component and control system for same
A method includes energizing a solenoid valve of a hydraulic control system according to a predetermined timing schedule to move a valve member of the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is operatively connected to the switching component by a fluid control passage, such as a passage in an engine block, to deliver pressurized fluid from a supply passage when the valve member moves to switch the switching component from a first mode to a second mode. An operating parameter of the control system is measured. The operating parameter may be a period of time over which the valve member moves, or a sensed operating parameter of the fluid, such as pressure or temperature. The measured parameter is then compared with a predetermined parameter. Energizing of the solenoid valve is then adjusted based on the difference. |
| US09284863B2 |
Valve stem seal
A valve stem seal (1) seals a valve stem (4) that is reciprocally movable in an axial direction. The valve stem seal includes a base body (8) that is connectable with a valve stem guide (6). A first seal lip (10) is resiliently positioned relative to the base body via an elastic connection (16) and seals the valve stem relative to an oil chamber (24). A second seal lip (12) is spaced in the axial direction (2) from the first seal lip and seals the valve stem relative to a gas chamber. The second seal lip is also resiliently positioned relative to the base body via the elastic connection. |
| US09284859B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for valve stem position sensing
A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) for monitoring engine valve position is disclosed. The system includes a valve guide having an elongated recess through it. The engine valve has a valve head and a valve stem with two adjacent materials having different magnetic properties meeting at an interface. The valve stem fits and moves linearly within the valve guide, and the valve head closes an engine combustion chamber. It also includes monitoring coils within the valve guide that create a signal related to the position of the interface within the valve guide. An engine control unit (ECU) is coupled to the monitoring coils and receives and analyzes the signal from the monitoring coils to determine operation of the valve. |
| US09284857B2 |
Organic flash cycles for efficient power production
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an Organic Flash Cycle (OFC). In one aspect, a modified OFC system includes a pump, a heat exchanger, a flash evaporator, a high pressure turbine, a throttling valve, a mixer, a low pressure turbine, and a condenser. The heat exchanger is coupled to an outlet of the pump. The flash evaporator is coupled to an outlet of the heat exchanger. The high pressure turbine is coupled to a vapor outlet of the flash evaporator. The throttling valve is coupled to a liquid outlet of the flash evaporator. The mixer is coupled to an outlet of the throttling valve and to an outlet of the high pressure turbine. The low pressure turbine is coupled to an outlet of the mixer. The condenser is coupled to an outlet of the low pressure turbine and to an inlet of the pump. |
| US09284856B2 |
Gas turbine combined cycle power plant with distillation unit to distill a light oil fraction
The present invention is a gas turbine combined cycle power plant which generates electricity by fueling a gas turbine with crude oil or heavy oil and which is provided with a vacuum distillation unit which distills and extracts a light oil fraction from crude oil or heavy oil by keeping the interior thereof in an environment which lowers a boiling point of crude oil or heavy oil, and the vacuum distillation unit is provided with heaters which heat distillation materials by using low pressure steam and medium pressure steam generated in a gas turbine combined cycle. |
| US09284854B2 |
Method and system for producing a source of thermodynamic energy by CO2 conversion from carbon-containing raw materials
The invention constitutes a process and system to generate electricity from the conversion of CO2 over carbon-containing raw material. It comprises steps of gasification of the raw material containing carbon by means of a gaseous flow essentially containing CO2, wherein the oxidation of the gaseous flow obtained after the gasification by oxygen holders and the oxidation of deactivated oxygen holders as obtained. The process allows to give value to the global energy as generated by the set of these steps to feed an electricity generating system, such as a turboalternator. The invention also corresponds to a system to perform such a process. |
| US09284851B2 |
Axial-flow fluid machine, and variable vane drive device thereof
In a variable vane drive device of an axial-flow fluid machine, a ring support unit supporting a movable ring includes: a first roller; a first support part supporting the first rollers so as to be relatively immovable with respect to a vane holding ring in a radial direction and in an axial direction; a second roller; a second support part supporting the second roller so as to be relatively movable with respect to the vane holding ring in the radial direction and pressing the second roller in the radial direction; a third roller allowing relative movement of the movable ring in the radial direction and restricting relative movement of the movable ring in the axial direction; and a third support part supporting the third roller so as to be relatively immovable with respect to the vane holding ring in the axial direction and in the radial direction. |
| US09284847B2 |
Retaining ring assembly and supporting flange for said ring
A retaining ring assembly for at least one blade of a rotor disk of a turbine engine and a supporting flange for the ring. The flange and the ring are rotating parts having an axis X, the flange including an attachment edge configured to be connected to the rotor disk and a free edge configured to bear against the retaining ring; and the flange bears against the ring such that the bearing force of the flange on the ring has an axial component and a radial component relative to the axis of revolution X. |
| US09284843B2 |
Blade safety mechanism for open rotor engine system
A method and apparatus for safely handling an undesired blade event in an open rotor engine system. In one illustrative embodiment, an occurrence of an undesired blade event in an open rotor engine system is detected. Electrical energy is allowed to flow into a conductor embedded in the blade in response to the undesired blade event. The conductor is vaporized when the electrical energy flowing through the conductor heats the conductor to a temperature above a selected threshold. |
| US09284842B2 |
Axisymmetric part for an aviation turbine engine rotor
A link part for a turbine engine which mounted between a fan cone and a fan disk supporting fan blades is provided. The link part includes an annular wall pierced by a plurality of orifices, each orifice for receiving a fastener member and terminated by a substantially perpendicular rim having an outer surface that provides an aerodynamic extension of the fan between an outer surface of the fan cone and an outer surface of a fan blade platform. The annular wall is made of a first material that is composite and is provided on an inner surface of the rim with a ring made of a second material that is different from the first and that is suitable for radially retaining the fan blade platform. |
| US09284836B2 |
Downhole x-ray source fluid identification system and method
A method and system for determining a property of a sample of fluid in a borehole. A fluid sample is collected in a downhole tool. While collecting, X-rays are transmitted proximate the fluid from an X-ray source in the tool and an X-ray flux that is a function of a property of the fluid is detected. The detected X-ray flux data is processed to determine the property of the fluid. |
| US09284832B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining inclination and orientation of a downhole tool using pressure measurements
In one aspect, a method of estimating one of inclination and orientation of a downhole device is provided that includes the features of taking pressure measurements at a plurality of locations on the downhole device in the wellbore, wherein at least one location in the plurality of locations is vertically displaced from at least one other location, and estimating the one of the inclination and orientation of the downhole device from the plurality of pressure measurements. In another aspect, a downhole tool is disclosed that in one configuration includes a device for estimating inclination and/or orientation of the downhole tool that further includes a body containing a liquid therein and a plurality of pressure sensors arranged in the body configured to provide pressure measurements of the liquid in the body, wherein a pressure sensor in the plurality of pressure sensors is vertically disposed from at least one other sensor in the plurality of sensors. |
| US09284830B2 |
Method for recovering hydrocarbon fluids using a hydraulic fracturing process
A method for recovering and treating hydrocarbon fluids using a hydraulic fracturing process wherein a fluid stream containing liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon species or both, produced water, suspended solids, and dissolved contaminants is recovered from a well. Hydrocarbon species are separated from the fluid stream to produce a second fluid stream comprising liquid water, which is then directed to a filter medium and essentially all of the second fluid stream passes through the medium to produce a permeate stream and a filter cake, and the filter cake is separated from the medium and disposed of separately. |
| US09284824B2 |
Method and apparatus for expendable tubing-conveyed perforating gun
Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges. |
| US09284821B1 |
Multilateral well system and method
A method of forming a sealed junction between wellbores includes first enlarging a length of a first wellbore to form an enlarged wellbore segment. Then installing casing in the first wellbore and in the enlarged wellbore segment. After the casing is installed, material is pumped into the enlarged wellbore segment and allowed to harden to form a hardened material. After hardening, the first wellbore is reestablished. And then a second wellbore is formed by drilling out a lateral passage through the casing and the hardened material. A liner is then run into the second wellbore with an end of the liner covered with a swellable elastomer. The swellable elastomer is allowed to expand and seal against the surface of the lateral passage forming a sealed junction between the first wellbore and the second wellbore. |
| US09284819B2 |
Assembly and method for multi-zone fracture stimulation of a reservoir using autonomous tubular units
Autonomous units and methods for downhole, multi-zone perforation and fracture stimulation for hydrocarbon production. The autonomous unit may be a perforating gun assembly, a bridge plug assembly, or fracturing plug assembly. The autonomous units are dimensioned and arranged to be deployed within a wellbore without an electric wireline. The autonomous units may be fabricated from a friable material so as to self-destruct upon receiving a signal. The autonomous units include a position locator for sensing the presence of objects along the wellbore and generating depth signals in response. The autonomous units also include an on-board controller for processing the depth signals and for activating an actuatable tool at a zone of interest. |
| US09284815B2 |
Flow restrictor for use in a service tool
A system, apparatus, and method for gravel packing a wellbore. The system includes a service tool extending through a packer that isolates a proximal annulus of the wellbore from a distal annulus thereof. The service tool defines an inner bore and a conduit, with the conduit being in fluid communication with the proximal annulus and the distal annulus. The system also includes a flow restrictor disposed in the conduit. The flow restrictor is configured to induce a first pressure drop in fluid flowing through the conduit in a first direction and to induce a second pressure drop in fluid flowing through the conduit in a second direction, with the second pressure drop being greater than the first pressure drop. |
| US09284814B2 |
Downhole tool with remotely actuated drag blocks and methods
Apparatus useful for remotely actuating the drag blocks of a downhole tool includes at least one remotely actuated sleeve configured to allow the drag blocks to move from one position to another when the downhole tool is disposed in a well bore. |
| US09284810B2 |
Fluid injection system and method
A system for injecting fluids into a well having a fluid supply line that is connected to a mandrel at the top of the production tree. The system is designed so that all components of the system are packaged together and run to the production tree in one run. The production tree is designed to provide a pathway for the fluid to travel from the mandrel to the production bore within the tree, and then into the production tubing of a well. |
| US09284809B2 |
Apparatus and method for connecting fluid lines
An apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow in a blowout preventer. In one embodiment, an apparatus for connecting fluid lines includes a socket fluid connector and a plug fluid connector. Each connector includes a flow channel. The plug fluid connector is detachably connectable to the socket fluid connector at a connection end of the plug and socket fluid connectors such that the flow channels align. Each of the socket and plug fluid connectors includes a check valve in the flow channel. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow through the connector flow channels while the plug and socket fluid connectors are not connected, and to enable bidirectional fluid flow through the connector flow channels while plug and socket fluid connectors are connected. |
| US09284807B1 |
Retrieval tool
A tool for retrieving material from a well. The tool has a cylindrical tool body, malleable members, and a cylindrical jacket. The tool body defines a chamber adapted to receive material for retrieval. The malleable members are on the lower end of the tool body and preferably are made of a relatively hard, tough malleable material such as steel. They are bendable from an open position allowing material to enter the chamber to a closed position capturing the material. The jacket is mounted on the exterior of the tool body and has a mill surface which is adapted to bend the malleable members from the open position to the closed position. Relative axial movement of the jacket and the tool body causes the malleable members to bear on the mill surface and bend to the closed position. |
| US09284804B2 |
Method and apparatus for local supply of a treatment fluid to a well portion
An apparatus is for supplying a treatment fluid to a well portion. A container is provided with a fluid chamber which is in closable fluid communication with at least one first outlet, the fluid chamber being defined by front and rear pistons. The front piston, in a starting position, forms a fluid barrier between the fluid chamber and the at least one first outlet, and the rear piston is provided with a rear piston rod projecting from a rear container end. A method is for supplying a treatment fluid to a well portion. |
| US09284802B2 |
Methods of using an expandable bullnose assembly with a wellbore deflector
A method includes introducing a bullnose assembly into a main bore of a wellbore, the bullnose assembly including a body and a bullnose tip arranged at a distal end of the body and being configured to move between a default configuration, where the bullnose tip exhibits a first diameter, and an actuated configuration, where the bullnose tip exhibits a second diameter different than the first diameter. The bullnose assembly is advanced to a deflector arranged within the main bore and defining a first channel that exhibits a predetermined diameter and communicates with a lower portion of the main bore, and a second channel that communicates with a lateral bore. The bullnose assembly is then directed into either the lower portion of the main bore or the lateral bore based on a diameter of the bullnose tip as compared to the predetermined diameter. |
| US09284798B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations with swellable lost circulation materials
Methods of treating a fluid loss zone in a wellbore in a subterranean formation including providing swellable particles having an initial unswelled volume, wherein the swellable particles upon swelling adopt a specific shape; introducing the swellable particles into the wellbore in the subterranean formation; and swelling the swellable particles so as to adopt a swelled volume beyond the initial unswelled volume; and sealing at least a portion of the fluid loss zone. |
| US09284797B2 |
Backup heave compensation system and lifting arrangement for a floating drilling vessel
A backup heave compensation system and an associated lifting arrangement are for a floating drilling vessel comprising a rig structure with a primary heave compensation system. The backup heave compensation system comprises: a vertically extendable and retractable lifting arrangement; a hydraulic system operatively connected to said lifting arrangement; and a control system operatively connected to said lifting arrangement and hydraulic system for selective control and operation thereof. The lifting arrangement comprises: a rigid frame structure comprised of: at least two vertically extending cylinders; a first transverse element connecting first end portions of said cylinders; and a second transverse element connecting second end portions of said cylinders; and a portal structure comprised of: at least two vertically extending piston rods having first end portions provided each with a piston; and a transverse portal element connecting second end portions of said piston rods. Each piston is movable within a corresponding cylinder. |
| US09284796B2 |
Hang-off gimbal assembly
A hang-off gimbal assembly to support a tubular member from an offshore drilling vessel. The hang-off gimbal assembly includes an axis therethrough and comprises a support plate including an opening formed about the axis, a base plate including an opening formed about the axis, and a plurality of shock absorbers between the support plate and the base plate. The hang-off gimbal assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position, such that, in the open position, the hang-off gimbal assembly is configured to receive the tubular member in the opening of the support plate and in the opening of the base plate, and in the closed position, the hang-off gimbal assembly is configured to enclose about and support the tubular member. |
| US09284795B2 |
Riser displacement and cleaning systems and methods of use
Disclosed are systems and methods of effectively wiping and displacing a deep water riser prior to disconnection from a blowout preventer. An exemplary riser displacement system includes a mandrel coupled to a work string, a seal containment canister arranged about at least a portion of the mandrel, and a seal assembly movable between an un-deployed configuration, where the seal assembly is arranged within the seal containment canister, and a deployed configuration, where the seal assembly is arranged outside of the seal containment canister, the seal assembly including a sleeve movably arranged about the mandrel and one or more sealing elements disposed at a distal end of the sleeve. |
| US09284793B2 |
Externally serviceable slip ring apparatus
A slip ring apparatus which includes a housing, a contact assembly recess defined by the housing, a slip ring rotor assembly contained within the interior of the housing adjacent to the contact assembly recess, a slip ring contact assembly mounted within the interior of the housing, wherein the slip ring contact assembly is insertable and removable from the interior of the housing via an exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess, and a hatch cover for covering the contact assembly recess, wherein the hatch cover is removable and replaceable via the exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess. A method of servicing a slip ring apparatus which includes removing a hatch cover, servicing the slip ring apparatus, and replacing the hatch cover, all via an exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess. |
| US09284792B2 |
Method and apparatus to position and protect control lines being coupled to a pipe string on a rig
An apparatus to attach a control line to a tubular member, in which the apparatus includes a control line arm having a first control line guide coupled thereto, and a base having a second control line guide coupled thereto, with the control line arm coupled to the base and movable with respect to the base. The control line arm may be movable between a raised position and a collapsed position with respect to the base, and the control line arm may be at least one of slidably coupled and rotatably coupled to the base. |
| US09284780B2 |
Drilling apparatus
A drilling apparatus comprised of a multiplicity of subassemblies for drilling an open-hole extension from within an existing cased borehole located in a geological formation for the production of oil and gas. In one embodiment, one subassembly includes a motor located within a cased section of the borehole that rotates a drill pipe segment attached to a rotary drill bit in the open-hole to drill the open-hole extension of the well. In another embodiment, a shroud encloses the motor located within the cased portion of the well that is used to control the mud flow to and from the bit in the open-hole during the drilling process. |
| US09284779B2 |
Drilling apparatus
A drilling apparatus including a housing, a drill bit having a head end, a connection end, and a bearing mandrel between the head end and the connection end, a bearing pack associated with the bearing mandrel and the housing for transmitting forces between the drill bit and the housing, the bearing pack including at least one bearing interposed between the bearing mandrel and the housing, and a drive mechanism connected with the connection end of the drill bit, for driving the drill bit. |
| US09284778B2 |
Ladder top end support with platforms
A method to horizontally support substantially parallel railed ladder (3) with box (4) against vertical surface (17), with ladder footed (5) on horizontal ground (6). Box substantially has front side (32) open, facing ladder. Ladder top end (2) supports against box uppermost portions (36), ladder lower upper portion (94) supports against box bottom wall front portions (13), and box back side (11b) supports substantially flat against the vertical surface. Box top wall (10) and bottom wall (12) are both substantially perpendicular to the box back side. Ladder leans at a substantial angle, substantially at 4-up-to-to-1-out angle (U to O angle). Box on ladder can: provide two platforms to place supplies laddertop; distance ladder from the vertical surface; and improve ladder utility and user safety. |
| US09284776B2 |
Entertainment table
This invention is directed to providing an entertainment table from a readily accessible ladder, preferably an extension ladder, available in most households. In particular, the ladder is supported by a pair of saw-horse type supports at opposite ends of the ladder and various sized and shaped open-ended containers with extensions at their respective open ends are supported from and between pairs of spaced rungs of the ladder. The ladder may also be provided with an elongated planar support with one or more various sized and shaped openings therein and which planar support is supported by and along the rungs of the ladder or by and along the rails of the ladder. Also, the ladder may be provided with a plurality of support plates aligned side by side and supported by the opposing rails of the ladder with some of said support plates having a shaped opening therein. Various sized and shaped open-ended containers with peripherally extending lips are placed within the various sized and shaped openings of the elongated planar support or the aligned side-by-side support plates. |
| US09284773B1 |
Locking pet door system
A pet door system for allowing pets to enter and exit a building is provided. The pet door system comprises a pet door having a top edge, a pair of side edges, and a bottom edge with the pet door pivotally mounted within the opening. An aperture is formed in the top edge only of the pet door. A groove extends from along each side of the aperture. A plunger is moveable into and out of the aperture with the plunger riding in the groove. A solenoid moves the plunger into and out of the aperture with an activation mechanism activating the solenoid. Upon the activation mechanism being positioned within a predetermined distance from the pet door, the solenoid causes the plunger to automatically unlock the pet door. Upon the activation means being positioned outside the predetermined distance from the pet door, the solenoid causing the plunger to automatically lock the pet door. |
| US09284768B2 |
Power door opening/closing apparatus
A power door opening/closing apparatus includes: a first unit including the motor, a first unit case including the motor, a first transmission mechanism received in the first unit case, and a rotation sensor which is received within the first unit case, and which is one of electrical components; and a second unit which includes a second unit case connected to the first unit case by a fixing member, a second transmission mechanism rotatably received within the second unit case, and connected to the first transmission mechanism, and an output shaft connected to an output side of the second transmission mechanism, and arranged to transmit a rotation of the second transmission mechanism to the door, and which does not include an electrical component. |
| US09284766B2 |
Device for moving a movable furniture part, and piece of furniture
In a device for moving a furniture part, in particular a shutter, door or drawer, which is accommodated in a movable manner on a basic furniture structure, having an actuating drive, which, in a drive mode, is connected to the movable furniture part and drives the movable furniture part, and having a sensor means, which is connected to the actuating drive and is intended for activating the actuating drive, the sensor means has a database and is designed such that, with the device installed in the use state, physical state variables to which the movable furniture part is subjected via the user, and which serve for monitoring the movement of said furniture part, can be sensed and read into the database, wherein the database has, or can have, stored in it movement profiles which are each assigned to a certain movement situation of the movable furniture part which is initiated by external action on the movable furniture part and can be described by physical state variables, and wherein, with the aid of at least one sensed physical state variable, a certain associated movement profile can be retrieved from the database and the actuating drive can be activated in accordance with the movement profile achieved. |
| US09284758B2 |
Operating device for a vehicle door latch
An operating device for a vehicle door latch comprises an inside handle, a base member fixed to a door, and inside lever connected to the inside handle, a locking lever, a housing, a motor, an output lever, a detected lever coupled to the inside handle and an inside-handle detecting switch. The motion of the inside handle is detected by the inside-handle detecting switch via the detected lever of the device to make the door open or close. Another detecting switch detects motion of a swinging member outside the housing. |
| US09284755B2 |
System for remotely checking locked status of a vehicle
A system for detecting the locked status of a vehicle having an electrical power door lock system includes a status transmitter configured to transmit a signal indicating when the vehicle is in a locked status having at least an input that is connected to the vehicle system to detect a voltage indicating a command to lock all vehicle doors. A remote receiver is responsive to the status transmitter and is configured to indicate whether the vehicle is in a locked status based upon the transmitter signal. |
| US09284754B2 |
Restraint device and method
A restraint device and method for securing an individual in a vehicle is presented. The device increases the safety and security of the individual who is in custody. Further, the device increases the safety for the arresting or attending officer. The device is portable and can be used in a variety of vehicles and properly adapted modes of transportation. As presented the device comprises three belts which coordinate and are sized to secure the individual in a seated position. Once secured with the device, the seated individual who has his hands cuffed behind his back is unable to maneuver his hands to the front of his body. Further, the individual's movements are restricted so that the individual is maintained in a fixed, upright seated position. The connections presented in the device allow for flexibility and ease of use by the user while preventing tampering by the individual being restrained. |
| US09284752B2 |
Anti-overturn locking system for furniture drawers, with electronic blocking module
Anti-overturn locking system for furniture drawers, with electronic blocking module, where: the locking system consists of: strip (7), support (6), mobile blocking device (9) and punch (5) which moves linearly guided on a cover (8) on being operated by the blocking module or by an associated punch spring (10); the mobile blocking device (9) may or may not move on the strip (7) according to the position of the punch (5); and the electronic blocking module consists of: tab (2) that can move linearly on casing (1) by the action of a motor (3) that transfers the movement to a cam (4) the shaft of which (4a) continuously supports it due to the force exerted by a tab spring (11); and electronic plate (12) equipped with a first sensor (12a) and a second sensor (12b) on which an arm (2a) of the tab (2) is positioned. |
| US09284747B2 |
Door hardware locating tool
A door hardware locating tool includes a first side wall having a first side, a second side opposite, and a cavity defined between the first and second sides. The door hardware locating tool further includes a second side wall coupled to the first side wall and extending substantially parallel to the first side wall, a center wall disposed between the first and second side walls, a clamping mechanism operable to clamp a door between the first and second side walls, and an insert at least partially located within the cavity and translatable along the first side wall between a first position and a second position. The insert includes an aperture sized to receive a cutting tool. In the first position, the aperture is located a first backset distance from the center wall, and in the second position, the third aperture is located a second backset distance from the center wall. |
| US09284746B2 |
Insulated fence tensioner
An insulated fence tensioner for use with a flexible polymer fence rail having at least one electrically conductive member has a metal barrel including a slot for receiving an end of the fence rail. An electrically non-conductive tubular liner is situated within the metal barrel, the liner including two edges defining a slot aligned with the metal barrel slot. An electrically non-conductive sleeve surrounds the metal barrel, the sleeve including two edges defining a slot aligned with the metal barrel slot. One set of the liner and sleeve edges are formed as a pair of folded edges positioned to penetrate the metal barrel slot and overlap the other set of the edges. An electrically non-conductive flange is positioned between the electrically conductive member of the flexible polymer fence rail and the metal mounting bracket of the fence tensioner. |
| US09284742B1 |
Device and method for winterizing the skim filter port of an in-ground pool
A device and method for preventing water from gathering within the vertical well of the skim filter port of a swimming pool filtration system. A plug assembly is provided that has an expandable body and a shaft that extends below the expandable body. The plug assembly is inserted into the vertical well of a pool's skim filter port. The shaft under the expandable body is mechanically interconnected to the intake port within the vertical well. The expandable body is then expanded within the vertical well by being either vertically compressed or internally inflated. The expandable body fills the vertical well and prevents any significant amounts of water from collecting in the vertical well. |
| US09284732B2 |
Modular structure and said modular structure's structural members made of composite material
The present invention is a structural member made of composite material, characterized by comprising a body which is made of a composite material with at least one type of fiber and at least one type of resin; and at least one connection member which is one piece with said body in order to provide connection to another structural member with the same characteristics. The present invention also relates to modular structures like buildings produced using said structural members. |
| US09284731B2 |
Boards comprising an array of marks to facilitate attachment
A board is provided that includes a pattern to facilitate attachment of the board to a frame structure. The pattern comprises a first array of marks disposed along a first imaginary line; a second array of marks disposed along a second imaginary line, said first and second imaginary lines being spaced a first predetermined distance apart; and a third array of marks disposed along a third imaginary line, said first and third imaginary lines being spaced a second predetermined distance apart. The board may be used in a variety of construction applications, where the pattern facilitates the quick attachment of the board to an underlying frame. |
| US09284729B2 |
Modular wall system
A moveable and demountable wall panel system for defining an office space with a plurality of wall panels disposable in a substantially upright manner between a floor and a ceiling each having respectively a series of uppermost and lowermost deviations. The system includes at least one prefabricated frameless panel, the top edge of each panel being provided with a ceiling track configured for being removably insertable into a corresponding ceiling rail. The system also includes a bottom floor channel associated with each corresponding panel and being configured for operatively resting against the floor opposite to the ceiling rail. The system also includes first and second height adjustment assemblies associated with each panel and insertable into a corresponding bottom floor channel. |
| US09284725B2 |
Stable compositions for use as building and construction materials
The present invention relates to a foamed or non-foamed stable composition for use as a building material, for example as coverings, for plastering and insulating walls, floor slabs and ceilings. Such compositions can also be used for producing insulating structural elements, casting light and insulating ferro-cement structural systems, insulating piping, ducts, filling spaces (i.e. as fillers), stabilizing floors and producing cements floors, or for other uses in the constructions industry. One exemplary composition comprises the following components: 30 to 90% anhydrite, 0 to 40% Portland cement, 0 to 70% light and/or heavy fillers, 1 to 10% activator additives, 1 to 20% setting and strength regulator additives and 1 to 12% thickening additives. |
| US09284720B2 |
Guidance output device and guidance output method
There are included an eco guidance determination unit that detects the occurrence of fuel-wasting operation during operation of a construction machine, and a guidance display control unit that stores guidance for energy saving corresponding to energy wasting operation; that, when fuel-wasting operation occurs, displays corresponding guidance for energy saving; and that also displays the corresponding guidance for energy saving at a predetermined timing after occurrence of the energy wasting operation. |
| US09284719B2 |
Hydraulic system for construction machine having electronic hydraulic pump
The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic system for a construction machine having an electronic hydraulic pump, and more particularly, to a hydraulic system which temporarily drives the construction machine when an operation of an electronic control unit controlling an electronic hydraulic pump is abnormal, particularly, when the electronic control unit is not able to perform a control because an operative amount of a joystick input to the electronic control unit is not normally transmitted to the electronic control unit. |
| US09284714B2 |
Hydraulic excavator
There is provided a hydraulic excavator in which invasion of a design surface by a work implement can be suppressed. A boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve is provided in a boom-lowering pilot conduit connected to a boom-lowering pilot port. A first pressure sensor detects a pressure generated in the boom-lowering pilot conduit between a control lever and the boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve. A controller controls an opening degree of the boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve based on the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor. The controller gently increases, from zero, a current value outputted to the boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve. |
| US09284712B2 |
Universal quick coupler for backhoe
A universal coupler for a backhoe assembly in which a first link is pivotally connected to the articulation joints of the backhoe assembly. Mounting holes for a first and third style bucket with equal pin spacing are provided on the first link. A second link is connected to the first position and is pivotal between a first position in which the mounting holes are exposed and a second position in which the second link covers the holes on the first link and provides the mounting hole diameter and pin spacing for a bucket having a greater pin spacing. |
| US09284709B2 |
Method of installing a hydroelectric turbine
The present invention provides a method for installing a hydroelectric turbine at a deployment site on the seabed which involves lowering the turbine and associated base onto the seabed from a vessel using a number of lines, and once on the seabed using these lines to tether the vessel to the base/turbine while telemetry from the base/turbine is analyzed. |
| US09284708B2 |
Screw pile substructure support system
A screw pile substructure support system comprises a tubular pile with a fixed conical tip having a helical flight thereon which draws the pile into a soil bed when a torque is applied to the pile. The tip has a substantially conical shape, and the largest diameter of the tip is substantially the same as the diameter of the tubular pile to which it is attached. The helical flight is attached to the outside surface of the tip. The tip may also be provided a point tip and one or more cutting teeth attached its surface. |
| US09284704B2 |
Device and method for keeping channels clear of silt
A method of forming a maintenance free channel is disclosed. The method consists of positioning a plurality of curtain devices along a desired path in a waterway. The curtain devices each consists of an elongated float and an elongated flexible curtain depending from a first side of the elongated float. The elongated curtain has a bottom end with a weight extending along the entire length of the elongated float. The elongated float is configured to be sufficiently buoyant to support the curtain in an upward direction. The length of the elongated float is selected to equal a desired length of the channel. The height of the elongated flexible curtain is selected to be approximately equal to the depth of the waterway such that the elongated weight remains on the bottom while the elongated cylindrical float remains on the surface. |
| US09284699B1 |
Multi-mode tape-applying striping machine and methods
A tape-applying striper, and related methods, by which commercially-available pavement marking tape is mechanically-applied and pressure-retained on highways, roadways and parking lots to mark lanes and parking stalls at designated locations, wherein the striper is dirigible either by the operator walking behind the striper and manually displacing the striper, or by motor driving the dirigible striper, as the operator rides. |
| US09284696B2 |
Compactor roller for a soil compactor
A compactor roller for a soil compactor comprises an oscillation mass assembly (34) including at least one oscillation shaft (36) rotatable about an oscillation-shaft axis of rotation eccentric to a compactor-roller axis of rotation, which oscillation mass assembly (34) includes at least one oscillation unbalance mass (66, 68), and a vibration mass assembly (84) including a vibration shaft (86) rotatable about a vibration shaft axis of rotation (Dv), which vibration mass assembly (84) includes at least one vibration unbalance mass (96), wherein at least one oscillation shaft (36, 38) and the vibration shaft (86) are carried in the compactor roller (10) such that they can be driven to rotate. |
| US09284687B2 |
Properties of paper materials
The use of GH61 polypeptides in the treatment of pulp, for improving tear strength and/or tensile strength of the corresponding paper materials, such as paper, linerboard, corrugated paperboard, tissue, towels, corrugated containers and boxes. |
| US09284686B1 |
Process to improve the convertability of parent rolls
The present disclosure is directed toward a process for adjusting a papermaking process for producing parent rolls of convolutely wound web material having a machine direction (MD) and a cross-machine direction (CD) coplanar and orthogonal thereto that improves the characteristics of the parent rolls of wound web material to improve downstream convertability. |
| US09284679B2 |
Laundry treating appliance with drying rack detection based on imaging data
The invention relates to a method of determining the presence of a drying rack based on image data of the laundry located in a treating chamber of a laundry treating appliance. |
| US09284678B2 |
Method for processing laundry, and laundry treatment device suitable for carrying out the method
A method for applying a processing composition to laundry in a laundry treatment appliance with a rotatably mounted drum is provided. The method includes setting a predefined residual moisture content in the laundry by adding water and by rotating the drum. The method further includes applying a processing composition to the laundry in liquid form or in the form of fine droplets. The processing composition is sprayed onto the laundry by an introduction apparatus while the drum is moved at a speed at which the laundry lies against the drum or at a faster speed. |
| US09284674B2 |
Washing machine and washing method
Provided are a washing machine and a washing method. The washing machine includes a cabinet, an outer tub disposed in the cabinet and provided with an opened top through which wash water is supplied into the outer tub, an inner tub that is disposed in the outer tub to receive laundry and rotates about a vertical axis, a base that supports the cabinet and stores the wash water that is splattered from the outer tub by rotation of the inner tub, and an electrode sensor that is disposed on the base to detect the wash water splattered out of the outer tub. |
| US09284670B2 |
Quilted pattern input digitizing frame
A digitizer is operably coupled to a quilting machine controller, wherein an operator can input free hand or traced patterns for regulating operation of a sewing head. The digitizer can be an X-Y encoder wherein the encoder includes a transparent or translucent sensing zone which provides for the operator to input a pattern while simultaneously viewing a portion of a textile, which can itself include a pattern. |
| US09284669B2 |
Processing aids for olefinic webs, including electret webs
Methods of preparing polymeric webs include hot melt blending of thermoplastic resins and processing aids. The process aids include hindered amine N-substituted succinimide oligomers. The webs prepared from the blends may be in the form of films or non-woven fibrous webs. Non-woven microfiber webs are useful as filtration media. Among the polymeric webs produced are electret webs. The processing aids also function as charge-enhancing additives for the electret webs. |
| US09284668B2 |
Continuous braided closed loop implant
Devices and systems for use in soft tissue repair are provided, as are methods of manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, an implantable surgical construct includes an implant and a continuous braided closed filament loop that is attached to the implant. The continuous loop can be formed from a single strand of filament such that portions of the filament, sometimes referred to as tails, can be arranged with respect to each other to form a braided configuration. A related method of manufacture can involve passing portions of a single strand of filament around different sets of posts and selectively over and under each other to create the braided configuration. Other devices, systems, and methods of manufacturing are also provided, including some that involve using multiple strands of suture to form a continuous braided closed filament loop. |
| US09284661B2 |
Process for the production of multicrystalline silicon ingots by controlling the position of the melt surface during growth by the induction method
A process for the production of multicrystalline silicon ingots by the induction method comprises charging a silicon raw material into the melting chamber of a cooled crucible enveloped by an inductor, forming a melt surface, and melting, wherein the mass rate of charging the silicon raw material and the speed of pulling the ingot are set such that provide for the melt surface position below the upper plane of the inductor but not lower than ⅓ of the height thereof and the melt surface is kept at the same level. In doing this the melt surface position is kept at the same level by maintaining one of the output parameters of the inductor feed within a predetermined range. The process provides for casting multicrystalline silicon ingots suitable for solar cell fabrication and it is notable for higher efficiency and lower specific energy consumption. |
| US09284659B2 |
Device and method for monitoring crystallization
A method for crystallizing a substance dissolved in a solvent, including the following steps: introducing a solvent volume containing the substance into a chamber having a preset temperature, humidity, and gas composition, adding a predetermined volume of a precipitant to the solvent volume containing the substance, allowing the solvent to evaporate while simultaneously observing structural changes in the solvent volume containing the substance and the precipitant by means of dynamic light scattering, detecting weight changes and determining the molarities, making an association with the location in the phase diagram on the basis of the DLS measurement and the results of the molarity determination, allowing a predetermined number of crystal nuclei to form by adding solvent or adding precipitant, putting the solvent volume containing the substance and the precipitant into a metastable state by adding solvent and/or protein solution or by allowing the concentration of the dissolved substance to decrease by allowing nucleation cores to form, maintaining the metastable state by adding a predetermined amount of the substance to the solvent volume containing the substance and the precipitant or allowing the solvent to evaporate until at least one crystal of a predetermined size is formed. |
| US09284658B2 |
Process for selective isolation of CFRP parts by electrodeposition coatings
A process of repairing defects on a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component wherein defects on a surface of a CFRP component are selectively repaired by electrodeposition coating. With this process a reduction of coating material and work force as well as weight of the repaired CFRP component can be achieved. |
| US09284652B2 |
Electrolyzed hydrogen gas for fuel-fired boilers and hot water heaters
A system for hydrogen gas enhancement of hydrocarbon fuel combustion employs a closed electrolyzer vessel into which water is circulated, and an electrode plate assembly immersed in the vessel to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Only water is used as the electrolyte fluid without any additives. An air injector in the water return line injects air bubbling for enhanced dissociation of water in the electrode plate assembly. The electrode plate assembly is formed by one or more unit stacks of 7-plates each, including two outer cathode plates, a middle anode plate, and two spaced inner plates between each cathode plate and the anode plate. The generated hydrogen and oxygen gases are maintained in a stable condition in the output gas flow by an electromagnetic coil assembly that separates the hydrogen gas from oxygen gas. The system can obtain 180% reduction in hydrocarbon fuel usage in a vehicle engine, and 20 times reduction in carbon emission from vehicle exhaust. It can obtain a 500% increase in fuel usage efficiency in an electrical power generator operable on LPG fuel. |
| US09284649B2 |
Method of patterning a stack
The embodiments disclose a method of fabricating a stack, including replacing a metal layer of a stack imprint structure with an oxide layer, patterning the oxide layer stack using chemical etch processes to transfer the pattern image and cleaning etch residue from the stack imprint structure to substantially prevent contamination of the metal layers. |
| US09284648B2 |
Process and material solution to reduce metal ion release for implantable medical device application
The invention describes a method and compositions where the presence of cobalt and or nickel have been depleted from the surface layer(s) of a cobalt, chromium, nickel containing alloy. |
| US09284646B2 |
Method for forming a metal deposit on the surface of a substrate, and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a method for forming a metal deposit on the surface of a solid substrate, said method including at least: 1) a step of functionalizing the surface of the substrate by means of —O—P, —O—P—O, —O—S, or —O—S—O groupings; 2) a step of mixing the substrate with metal or metal-oxide particles sublimated at a low temperature; 3) a step of heat-treating the substrate obtained above after step 2), it being understood that said step 3) is only carried out when metal is utilized in the above step 2), said step 3) also being carried out at a temperature that is lower than the temperature for melting the metal in question and further being carried out in the air so as to oxidize said metal; and 4) a step of reducing the metal oxide obtained in step 3) or the metal oxide utilized in step 2) in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature of 0.1 Tf to a temperature that is lower than Tf, Tf being the melting temperature expressed in Kelvin, reducing said metal oxide and concentration sublimating the metal and/or metal oxide, and then bending the metal atoms to the phosphorus atoms of the —O—P groupings, to the sulfur atoms of the O—S groupings, or to the free oxygen atom of the O—P—O or —O—S—O groupings connected to the substrate. The invention also relates to the uses of the method, in particular for preparing reinforcements for powder metallurgy, for casting, or for improving the thermal conductivity of materials. |
| US09284635B2 |
Recrystallization, refinement, and strengthening mechanisms for production of advanced high strength metal alloys
This disclosure deals with a class of metal alloys with advanced property combinations applicable to metallic sheet production. More specifically, the present application identifies the formation of metal alloys of relatively high strength and ductility and the use of one or more cycles of elevated temperature treatment and cold deformation to produce metallic sheet at reduced thickness with relatively high strength and ductility. |
| US09284634B2 |
Martensitic stainless steel having excellent corrosion resistance
A purpose of the present invention is to provide a martensitic stainless steel applicable in environments involving both wet carbon dioxide gas and wet hydrogen sulfide and excellent in weldability, manufacturability, and resistance to strain age hardening. Provided is a martensitic stainless steel having excellent corrosion resistance and resistance to strain age hardening comprising, in percent by mass, 0.02% or less of C, 0.02% or less of N, 0.1 to 0.5% of Si, 0.1 to 0.5% of Mn, 10 to 13% Cr, Ni exceeding 5.0% but 8% or less, 1.5 to 3% of Mo, 0.01 to 0.05% of V, 0.16 to 0.30% of Zr, 0.01 to 0.05% of Ta, and the balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, wherein the martensitic stainless steel satisfies the condition that the sum of the carbon and the nitrogen exceeds 0.02% but 0.04% or less. |
| US09284633B2 |
Heat resistant cast steel, manufacturing method thereof, cast parts of steam turbine, and manufacturing method of cast parts of steam turbine
A heat resistant cast steel containing, in mass %, C: 0.05-0.15, Si: 0.03-0.2, Mn: 0.1-1.5, Ni: 0.1-1, Cr: 8-10.5, Mo: 0.2-1.5, V: 0.1-0.3, Co: 0.1-5, W: 0.1-5, N: 0.005-0.03, Nb: 0.01-0.2, B: 0.002-0.015, Ti: 0.01-0.1, Fe and unavoidable impurities. A method for manufacturing a heat resistant cast steel, the method including melting raw materials to obtain a molten metal, refining and degassing the molten metal, pouring the molten metal into a predetermined mold to form a shape, performing an annealing treatment at a temperature of 1000 to 1150° C., performing a normalizing treatment at a temperature of 1000 to 1200° C., performing a first stage tempering treatment at a temperature of 500 to 700° C., and performing a second stage tempering treatment at a temperature of 700 to 780° C. |
| US09284629B2 |
Zirconium alloys with improved corrosion/creep resistance due to final heat treatments
Articles, such as tubing or strips, which have excellent corrosion resistance to water or steam at elevated temperatures, are produced from alloys having 0.2 to 1.5 weight percent niobium, 0.01 to 0.6 weight percent iron, and optionally additional alloy elements selected from the group consisting of tin, chromium, copper, vanadium, and nickel with the balance at least 97 weight percent zirconium, including impurities, where a necessary final heat treatment includes one of i) a SRA or PRXA (15-20% RXA) final heat treatment, or ii) a PRXA (80-95% RXA) or RXA final heat treatment. |
| US09284628B2 |
Copper alloy sheet and method for producing same
A copper alloy sheet has a chemical composition containing 0.1 to 5 wt % of nickel, 0.1 to 5 wt % of tin, 0.01 to 0.5 wt % of phosphorus and the balance being copper and unavoidable impurities, and has a crystal orientation satisfying 2.9≦(f{220}+f{311)+f{420})/(0.27·f{220}+0.49·f{311}+0.49·f{420}) 4.0, assuming that the degree of orientation of a {hkl} crystal plane measured by the powder X-ray diffraction method on the rolled surface of the copper alloy sheet is f{hkl}. |
| US09284627B2 |
Process for recovering metal values from oxides of manganese-containing materials
An improved method for treating manganese-containing materials, such as nodules recovered by undersea mining, including reacting the materials with ammonia, and leaching with a mineral acid, and to methods for recovering valuable constituents from such nodules, especially manganese, cobalt, nickel, iron, copper, titanium, vanadium, cerium, and molybdenum. A method for the production of nitrate products is also disclosed. |
| US09284626B2 |
Method for purifying lithium bicarbonate
The invention relates to a method for purifying impure lithium bicarbonate by means of a cation exchange resin. In addition to solution purification by ion exchange, the treatment stages include the regeneration of impurity metals bound to the resin. Regeneration consists of washing the resin with water, elution with acid solution, washing with water, neutralization with alkali solution and washing with water. It is characteristic of the method that neutralization is performed with sodium hydroxide solution. |
| US09284623B2 |
Recovery of reusable osmium tetroxide
The present invention enables simple production of osmium tetroxide having comparable performance to that sold in reagents from a solution containing osmium. The present invention relates to a method for producing osmium tetroxide solution, the method comprising a step for using ozone or a similar oxidizing gas to oxidize a solution containing osmium and produce osmium tetroxide gas and a step for introducing the resulting osmium tetroxide gas into a recovery solution; the present invention further relates to a production apparatus therefor. |
| US09284619B2 |
System and method for recovering precious metals from precursor-type ore materials
The present invention provides a system and method for recovering a precious metal from a geologic material. The system and method may include combining a geologic material containing a precious metal present in a non-bulk state with a first stage flux composition. The combination may be milled to provide a first stage mixture. The first stage mixture may be sintered for a first period of time at a first temperature and a second period of time at a second temperature. The second temperature may be greater than the first temperature. Sintering may promote the transition of a portion of the precious metal from a non-bulk state to a bulk state. A first stage sintered material may be recovered with a content of at least about 0.15 weight percent of the precious metal in the bulk state. |
| US09284618B2 |
High strength hot-rolled steel sheet and method for manufacturing the same
A high strength hot-rolled steel sheet with a tensile strength of not less than 590 MPa which exhibits excellent bake hardenability and stretch-flangeability has a chemical composition including, in terms of mass %, C at 0.040 to 0.10%, Si at not more than 0.3%, Mn at 1.7 to 2.5%, P at not more than 0.030%, S at not more than 0.005%, Al at not more than 0.1% and N at 0.006 to 0.025%, and microstructure wherein a bainite phase represents not less than 60%, the total of a ferrite phase and a pearlite phase represents not more than 10%, and the bainite phase includes grains among which cementite grains have been precipitated at not less than 1.4×104 grains/mm2 and the cementite grains have an average grain diameter of not more than 1.5 μm. |
| US09284617B2 |
Method to obtain a high resistance gray iron alloy for combustion engines and general casts
A new alloy, obtained through a new method, which presents the mechanical and physical properties of the gray iron alloy, with a wide interface range of the CGI's tensile strength (TS). This new alloy, flake graphite based, is a High Performance Iron (HPI) alloy. Therefore, besides its high tensile strength, the HPI alloy presents excellent machinability, damping vibration, thermal conductivity, low shrink tendency and good microstructure stability (compatible with gray iron alloys). HPI's characteristics are obtained by a method that defines a specific interaction among five metallurgical fundaments: chemical analysis; oxidation of the liquid metal; nucleation of the liquid metal; eutectic solidification and eutectoidic solidification. |
| US09284615B2 |
Acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass with minimal use of an acid catalyst
This specification describes a process of producing a monomeric sugar stream, with little or no acid addition, from an oligomeric sugar solution using the intrinsic features of the mildly pre-treated vegetable or ligno-cellulosic biomass, namely the presence of naturally occurring salts. This is accomplished by lowering the pH of the oligomer sugar solution with little or no addition of an acid and then exposing the biomass with the lowered pH to an elevated temperature greater than 80° C. for a time sufficient to hydrolyze the components of the biomass. |
| US09284612B2 |
Fermentive production of isobutanol using highly active ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes
Methods for the fermentative production of isobutanol is provided by the fermentative growth of a recombinant microorganism expressing a highly active ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzyme in addition to other enzymes required for conversion of glucose to isobutanol. |
| US09284611B2 |
Epigenetic biomarker ZNF545 for diagnosing and prognosis of gastric cancer
The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and determining prognosis of gastric cancer in a subject by detecting suppressed expression of the ZNF545 gene, which in some cases is due to elevated methylation level in the genomic sequence of this gene. A kit and device useful for such a method are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating gastric cancer by increasing ZNF545 gene expression or activity. |
| US09284610B2 |
Cellular arrays and methods of detecting and using genetic disorder markers
A method is disclosed for rapid molecular profiling of tissue or other cellular specimens by placing a donor specimen in an assigned location in a recipient array, providing copies of the array, and performing a different biological analysis of each copy. The results of the different biological analyses are compared to determine if there are correlations between the results of the different biological analyses at each assigned location. In some embodiments, the specimens may be tissue specimens from different tumors, which are subjected to multiple parallel molecular (including genetic and immunological) analyses. The results of the parallel analyses are then used to detect common molecular characteristic of the genetic disorder type, which can subsequently be used in the diagnosis or treatment of the disease. The biological characteristics of the tissue can be correlated with clinical or other information, to detect characteristics associated with the tissue. |
| US09284606B2 |
Method for genome sequencing using a sequence-based physical map
The present invention relates to a high throughput method for the identification and detection of molecular markers wherein restriction fragments are generated and suitable adaptors comprising (sample-specific) identifiers are ligated. The adapter-ligated restriction fragments may be selectively amplified with adaptor compatible primers carrying selective nucleotides at their 3′ end. The amplified adapter-ligated restriction fragments are, at least partly, sequenced using high throughput sequencing methods and the sequence parts of the restriction fragments together with the sample-specific identifiers serve as molecular markers. |
| US09284603B2 |
Target sequence amplification method, polymorphism detection method, and reagents for use in the methods
An object of the present invention is to provide an amplification method that inhibits amplification caused by erroneous annealing of a primer. Primers X1 and X2 are used in amplification of a target sequence including a target site showing a polymorphism. The primer X1 includes a sequence A1′ and a sequence E1. The sequence A1′ is complementary to a partial sequence A1 in a template nucleic acid, and has, in its 3′ region, a base x1′ complementary to a first base x1 at the target site in a 5′ region of the sequence A1. The sequence E1 is noncomplementary to a partial sequence B1 adjacent to the 3′ end of the partial sequence A1 in the template nucleic acid, and is bound to the 5′ end of the partial sequence A1′. The primer X2 includes a sequence A2′. The sequence A2′ is complementary to a partial sequence A2 in the template nucleic acid, and has, in its 3′ region, a base x2′ complementary to a second base x2 at the target site in a 5′ region of the partial sequence A2. Each of the primers X1 and X2 has a base complementary to the target site in its 3′ region. By these primers, when only a template in which the target site is the first base x1 is present, erroneous amplification of the target sequence having the second base x2 can be prevented. Thus, a false positive for the polymorphism of the second base x2 can be inhibited. |
| US09284601B2 |
Microfluidic system for high-throughput, droplet-based single molecule analysis with low reagent consumption
A microfluidic device for a confocal fluorescence detection system has an input channel defined by a body of the microfluidic device, a sample concentration section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the input channel, a mixing section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the concentration section, and a detection region that is at least partially transparent to illumination light of the confocal fluorescence detection system and at least partially transparent to fluorescent light when emitted from a sample under observation as the sample flows through the detection region. |
| US09284594B2 |
Compositions and methods relating to fusion protein biomarkers
The present invention provides fusion proteins as biomarkers specific for chromosomal translocation-based conditions (e.g., cancer), related methods for detecting fusion protein biomarkers associated with chromosomal translocation-based conditions, related methods for quantifying amount of fusion protein expression, and related methods for diagnosing chromosomal translocation-based conditions through detection of such fusion protein biomarkers. Such fusion protein biomarkers and related methods additionally find use in research settings. |
| US09284593B2 |
Live bioload detection using microparticles
The present invention provides methods to concentrate cells onto microparticles, to concentrate the microparticles, and to detect the cells. The present invention also includes unitary sample preparation and detection devices to be used in accordance with the methods. |
| US09284592B2 |
Methods for the determining the presence or absence of cyanobacteria toxins
Kits and methods for the detection of toxins produced by cyanobacteria are disclosed. The methods include preparing a sample that potentially includes cyanobacterial toxins on a solid phase extraction device. In some embodiments, the sample extract can be formed using a weak cationic exchange process and a weak anionic exchange process. |
| US09284590B2 |
Monodisperse random coil proteins and bioconjugates thereof
The present disclosure provides substantially monodisperse random coil polypeptides, vectors encoding the polypeptides, conjugates containing the polypeptides, methods for their preparation, and their uses in nucleic acid separations, DNA sequencing, and other applications requiring high monodispersity. |
| US09284587B2 |
Stable, functional chimeric cellobiohydrolase class I enzymes
The present disclosure relates to CBH I chimera fusion polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, and host cells for producing the polypeptides. |
| US09284581B2 |
Methods and organisms for converting synthesis gas or other gaseous carbon sources and methanol to 1,3-butanediol
A non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO) pathway includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,3-BDO pathway enzyme or protein expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,3-BDO. A method for producing 1,3-BDO that includes culturing the this non-naturally occurring microbial organism under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,3-BDO. |
| US09284577B2 |
Strain classified under Botryococcus braunii
Provision of a novel strain belonging to Botryococcus braunii, capable of growth under a wide range of culturing conditions, having a high produced hydrocarbon content, and having high purity of the target hydrocarbon. |
| US09284576B2 |
In vitro hepatic differentiation
This invention relates to the induction of hepatic differentiation by culturing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in an endoderm induction medium to produce a population of anterior definitive endoderm (ADE) cells and then culturing the population of ADE cells in a hepatic induction medium to produce a population of hepatic progenitor cells, which may be optionally differentiated into hepatocytes. The endoderm induction medium is a chemically defined medium which has fibroblast growth factor activity, stimulates SMAD2 and SMAD3 mediated signalling pathways and SMAD1, SMAD5 and SMAD9 mediated signalling pathways, and inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β); and the hepatic induction medium is a chemically defined medium which stimulates SMAD2 and SMAD3 mediated signalling pathways. These methods may be useful, for example, in producing hepatocytes and hepatic progenitor cells for cell-based therapies or disease modelling. |
| US09284575B2 |
Synthetic regulation of gene expression
Synthetic regulation of gene expression is provided. In some embodiments, synthetic regulatory constructs are provided. In some embodiments, a synthetic regulatory construct expresses a heterologous gene in a selected cell type. In some embodiments, methods of expressing a heterologous gene in a selected cell type are provided. |
| US09284571B2 |
Use of a seed specific promoter to drive ODP1 expression in cruciferous oilseed plants to increase oil content while maintaining normal germination
A recombinant DNA construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding an ODP1 polypeptide operably linked to a sucrose synthase 2 promoter where this construct can be used to increase oil content in the seeds of a cruciferous oilseed plant while maintaining normal germination is disclosed. A method for increasing oil content in the seeds of a cruciferous oilseed plant while maintaining normal germination using this construct is also disclosed. |
| US09284566B2 |
Biofuel and chemical production by recombinant microorganisms via fermentation of proteinaceous biomass
Provided herein are metabolically modified microorganisms characterized by having an increased keto-acid flux when compared with the wild-type organism and comprising at least one polynucleotide encoding an enzyme that when expressed results in the production of a greater quantity of a chemical product when compared with the wild-type organism. The recombinant microorganisms are useful for producing a large number of chemical compositions from various nitrogen containing biomass compositions and other carbon sources. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing alcohols, acetaldehyde, acetate, isobutyraldehyde, isobutyric acid, n-butyraldehyde, n-butyric acid, 2-methyl-1-butyraldehyde, 2-methyl-1-butyric acid, 3-methyl-1-butyraldehyde, 3-methyl-1-butyric acid, ammonia, ammonium, amino acids, 2,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2-methyl-1,4-butanediol, 2-methyl-1,4-butanediamine, isobutene, itaconate, acetoin, acetone, isobutene, 1,5-diaminopentane, L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid, shikimic acid, mevalonate, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), isoprenoids, fatty acids, homoalanine, 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA), succinic acid, malic acid, citric acid, adipic acid, p-hydroxy-cinnamic acid, tetrahydrofuran, 3-methyl-tetrahydrofuran, gamma-butyrolactone, pyrrolidinone, n-methylpyrrolidone, aspartic acid, lysine, cadeverine, 2-ketoadipic acid, and/or S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) from a suitable nitrogen rich biomass. |
| US09284565B2 |
Bacterial expression plasmid
The present invention provides expression vectors useful for high-throughput screening of gene libraries. In a specific embodiment, an expression vector comprising (a) the Rop gene operatively linked to the trp promoter-operator; (b) a purification tag sequence and a protease cleavage site downstream of the Rop gene; and (d) a multiple cloning site downstream of the protease cleavage site, wherein the insertion of a heterologous gene of interest into the multiple cloning site and subsequent expression thereof in a host cell produces a high yield of a fusion protein comprising the Rop protein and the protein encoded by the heterologous gene of interest without the need of chemical inducers, temperature shifts, or growth medium alterations to initiate protein synthesis, and wherein the fusion protein controls plasmid replication at temperatures below about 30° C. but exhibits runaway plasmid replication when cultured at about 37° C. |
| US09284564B2 |
Recombinant microorganisms comprising stereospecific diol dehydratase enzyme and methods related thereto
A stereospecific enzyme in C. autoethanogenum permits the conversion of racemic propanediol to acetone and/or propionaldehyde. Entantiomeric starting materials lead to different products. If desired, the products may be reduced to form alcohols. The reaction can be performed in various host cells, so that various materials may be used as carbon and/or energy sources. |
| US09284556B2 |
Methods for the treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis D infections
It is disclosed a method for the treatment of hepatitis B (HBV) infection or HBV/hepatitis D (HDV) co-infection, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment a first pharmaceutically acceptable agent that removes the hepatitis B surface antigen from the blood and a second pharmaceutically acceptable agent which stimulates immune function. |
| US09284554B2 |
Micro-RNA scaffolds and non-naturally occurring micro-RNAs
The present disclosure provides a non-naturally occurring miRNA having a stem-loop structure comprising a scaffold derived from a first endogenous miRNA (e.g., miR-196a-2 or miR-204), a mature strand derived from a second endogenous miRNA, and a star strand sequence that is at least partially complementary to the mature strand sequence. The present disclosure also provides a non-naturally occurring miRNA having a stem-loop structure comprising a scaffold derived from an endogenous miRNA (e.g., miR-196a-2 or miR-204), a mature strand designed to be at least partially complementary to a target RNA, and a star strand sequence that is at least partially complementary to the mature strand sequence. The methods and compositions of the disclosure may be used to mediate gene silencing via the RNAi pathway. |
| US09284551B2 |
RNAi sequence-independent modification formats, and stabilized forms thereof
Modification formats having modified nucleotides are provided for siRNA. Short interfering RNA having modification formats and modified nucleotides provided herein reduce off-target effects in RNA interference of endogenous genes. Further modification formatted siRNAs are demonstrated to be stabilized to nuclease-rich environments. Unexpectedly, increasing or maintaining strand bias, while necessary to maintain potency for endogenous RNA interference, is not sufficient for reducing off-target effects in cell biology assays. |
| US09284549B2 |
Tagged oligonucleotides and their use in nucleic acid amplification methods
The present invention provides nucleic acid amplification systems and methods that desirably reduce or eliminate false positive amplification signals resulting from contaminating biological material, e.g., nucleic acid, that may be present in one or more reagents used in an amplification reaction and/or that may be present in the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed. The invention offers the further advantage of requiring less stringent purification and/or sterility efforts than conventionally needed in order to ensure that enzymes and other reagents used in amplification reactions, and the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed, are free of bacterial or other nucleic acid contamination that may yield false positive results. |
| US09284548B2 |
High affinity adaptor molecules for redirecting antibody specifity
Disclosed are methods for identifying high affinity adaptor molecules that bind to both a circulating antibody and a target molecule and redirect the specificity of the circulating antibody to the target molecule. Exemplary high affinity adaptor molecules are also provided. |
| US09284547B2 |
Methods for detecting modification resistant nucleic acids
Methods are provided for, inter alia, detecting nucleic acid molecules resistant to degradation, such as a plurality of RNA molecules bound to a ribosome, using various technologies including deep sequencing. |
| US09284545B2 |
Degradable clostridial toxins
The specification discloses Clostridial toxins or Clostridial toxin chimeras comprising an inactivation cleavage site, polynucleotide molecules encoding such toxins or chimeras, compositions comprising such toxins or chimeras, and method of producing such toxins or chimeras. |
| US09284538B2 |
Genes encoding key catalyzing mechanisms for ethanol production from syngas fermentation
Gene sequences of key acetogenic clostridial species were sequenced and isolated. Genes of interest were identified, and functionality was established. Key genes of interest for metabolic catalyzing activity in clostridial species include a three-gene operon coding for CODH activity, a two-gene operon coding for PTA-ACK, and a novel acetyl coenzyme A reductase. The promoter regions of the two operons and the acetyl coA reductase are manipulated to increase ethanol production. |
| US09284535B2 |
Method for producing laccase by means of liquid fermentation of Lentinus edodes
A method for producing laccase by liquid fermentation of Lentinus edodes comprises the following steps of: (1) inoculating strains of Lentinus edodes into the PD liquid fermentation medium to perform activation culture and obtain a seed liquid; (2) inoculating the seed solution into a liquid fermentation medium to perform liquid fermentation culture, then adding an expansin solution to perform further culture, separating the supernatant to obtain a ferment solution; (3) extracting laccase from the ferment solution. A plant expansin and an optimized fermentation method are applied for producing laccase by liquid fermentation of Lentinus edodes, which increases the liquid fermentation output of laccase of Lentinus edodes remarkably, by more than 3 times in comparing with traditional fermentation production methods. |
| US09284533B2 |
Influenza virus mutants and uses therefor
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods related to mutant viruses, and in particular, mutant influenza viruses. The mutant viruses disclosed herein include a mutant M2 sequence, and are useful in immunogenic compositions, e.g., as vaccines. Also disclosed herein are methods, compositions and cells for propagating the viral mutants, and methods, devices and compositions related to vaccination. |
| US09284528B2 |
Use of stem cell conditioned medium to inhibit oxidation for anti-aging skin
A use of a stem cell conditioned medium to inhibit oxidation for anti-aging skin. First, mesenchymal stem cells are cultured in a cell culture dish containing a complete growth medium. After mesenchymal stem cells are sub-cultured in the complete growth media for three times and transferred to a basal medium, a conditioned medium can be acquired from the basal medium. |
| US09284525B2 |
Method and a device for the electrical treatment of a plurality of containers
The invention relates to a method for the application of at least one voltage pulse to at least two containers fitted with electrodes, by means of which at least one voltage pulse is applied to at least one container, while at least one other container is subjected to a preparation or a post-processing. According to the invention the method comprises mutual exchange of the respective positions of the container to which a voltage pulse has already been applied and the further container. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device (1) for making electrical contact with at least one container fitted with electrodes, with at least one receptacle (3, 7) upon which at least one container can be set, and with at least one contact appliance (8) for making contact with the electrodes of the container. According to the invention at least two receptacles (3, 7) are provided, wherein one receptacle (7) is located at or inside the contact appliance (8), and wherein both receptacles (3, 7) and/or the contact appliance (8) can be moved such that after completion of the movement the other receptacle (3) is located at or inside the contact appliance (8). |
| US09284511B2 |
Processes for preparation of oil compositions
The present invention is directed to processes for preparing oil compositions having a high concentration of poly-unsaturated fatty acids and oil compositions having a low concentration of α-linolenic acid. In addition, the present invention is directed to processes for preparing oil compositions having advantageous stability characteristics. |
| US09284504B2 |
Waste processing
This invention provides a system and method for pyrolyzing and/or gasifying material such as organically coated waste and organic materials including biomass, industrial waste, municipal solid waste and sludge. In a first mode of operation the method/system heats the material in a processing chamber (10) by passing hot gas therethrough. This pyrolyzes and/or gasifies the organic content it to produce syngas and, invariably, soot. In a second mode of operation the method/system increases the oxygen content of the hot gas such that the oxygen within the hot gas reacts with the heated soot to form carbon monoxide. |
| US09284503B2 |
Manufacture of gas from hydrogen-bearing starting materials
A plasma array apparatus for processing starting materials is described and taught. The apparatus uses a plasma sheet(s) to heat starting materials in a chamber under low oxygen conditions. This results in a chemical dissociation of the starting materials rather than a burning of the contained materials. Elemental components, such as hydrogen, carbon, and molecules, such as residual hydrocarbons, of the dissociated starting materials can then be separated in such a way as to produce viable amounts of a synthetic gas primarily composed of hydrogen (h-syngas). This is accomplished with a minimal release of harmful byproducts such as carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. The apparatus may be used on a variety of starting materials including, but not limited to, natural gas, coal, liquid petroleum products, and a variety of biomass containing products such as biodiesel and bioethanol. |
| US09284500B2 |
Production of base oils from petrolatum
Methods are provided for producing lubricant base oils from petrolatum. After solvent dewaxing of a brightstock raffinate to form a brightstock base oil, petrolatum is generated as a side product. The petrolatum can be hydroprocessed to form base oils in high yield. The base oils formed from hydroprocessing of petrolatum have an unexpected pour point relationship. For a typical lubricant oil feedstock, the pour point of the base oils generated from the feedstock increases with the viscosity of the base oil. By contrast, lubricant base oils formed from hydroprocessing of petrolatum have a relatively flat pour point relationship, and some of the higher viscosity base oils unexpectedly have lower pour points than lower viscosity base oils generated from the same petrolatum feed. The base oils from petrolatum are also unusual in yielding both high viscosity and high viscosity index and can be generated while maintaining a high yield. |
| US09284498B2 |
Process for producing diesel
A process is disclosed for hydrocracking a primary hydrocarbon feed and a diesel co-feed in a hydrocracking unit and hydrotreating a diesel product from the hydrocracking unit in a hydrotreating unit. The diesel stream fed through the hydrocracking unit is pretreated to reduce sulfur and ammonia and can be upgraded with noble metal catalyst. |
| US09284495B2 |
Maintaining catalyst activity for converting a hydrocarbon feed
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for fluid catalytic cracking. The process can include withdrawing a catalyst from a reaction vessel to replace a catalyst inventory over a period of about 10- about 35 days for maximizing propylene yield. |
| US09284490B2 |
Organic/inorganic hybrids, and process of producing them
The invention has for its objects to provide an organic/inorganic hybrid that has high flame retardancy, flexibility, moldability and affinities for organic compounds, and is capable of including therein an organic compound having a large number of carbon atoms.The organic/inorganic hybrid comprises a layered hydroxide mineral 40 with sheet-like inorganic compound unit layers 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d and an organic compound 13 included between the inorganic compound unit layers 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d. The above objects are achievable by using as the hydroxide mineral 40 at least one hydroxide mineral selected from the group consisting of Mg(OH)2, Ca(OH)2, Al(OH)3, AlO(OH), Fe(OH)3 and FeO(OH), and as the organic compound 13 a saccharide having 4 to 40 carbon atoms. |
| US09284488B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display device including a first substrate including a first base substrate and a first alignment layer provided on the first base substrate, a second substrate including a second base substrate facing the first base substrate and a second alignment layer provided on the second base substrate. The device further includes a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and including a liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal layer may include a bicyclohexane liquid crystal compound and an alkenyl liquid crystal compound. |
| US09284482B2 |
Acidic internal breaker for viscoelastic surfactant fluids in brine
Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Acidic internal breakers such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid are used. The break may be accelerated, for example with a free radical propagating species, or retarded, for example with an oxygen scavenger. |
| US09284481B2 |
Method and composition for enhanced oil recovery
A method is provided for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation. The method comprises providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising a mixture of branched internal olefin sulfonate molecules, and contacting hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation with the hydrocarbon recovery composition. The mixture of branched internal olefin sulfonate molecules has an average number of carbon atoms of between 19 and 23, and an average number of branches of at least 0.6 per molecule. A hydrocarbon composition produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, and a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising a mixture of branched internal olefin sulfonate molecules are also provided. |
| US09284478B2 |
Salt of weak bronsted base and bronsted acid as gelation retarder for crosslinkable polymer compositions
According to one embodiment, a treatment fluid for a well includes: (a) a water-soluble polymer, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises a polymer of at least one non-acidic ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer; (b) an organic crosslinker comprising amine groups, wherein the organic crosslinker is capable of crosslinking the water-soluble polymer; (c) a salt of a weak Bronsted base and a Bronsted acid; and (d) water; wherein the treatment fluid is a crosslinkable polymer composition. According to another embodiment, a method for blocking the permeability of a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) selecting the portion of the subterranean formation to be treated; (b) selecting estimated treatment conditions, wherein the estimated treatment conditions comprise temperature over a treatment time; (c) forming a treatment fluid that is a crosslinkable polymer composition comprising: (i) a water-soluble polymer, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises a polymer of at least one non-acidic ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer; (ii) an organic crosslinker comprising amine groups, wherein the organic crosslinker is capable of crosslinking the water-soluble polymer; (iii) a salt of a weak Bronsted base and a Bronsted acid; and (iv) water; (d) selecting the water-soluble polymer, the crosslinker, the salt of a weak Bronsted base and a Bronsted acid, and the water, and the proportions thereof, such that the gelation time of the treatment fluid is at least 1 hour when tested under the estimated treatment conditions; and (e) injecting the treatment fluid through the wellbore into the portion of the subterranean formation. |
| US09284474B2 |
Wood adhesives containing reinforced additives for structural engineering products
The present disclosure relates to additives used in conjunction with adhesives to give enhanced performance. Engineered composite wood materials and methods of making such materials are also provided by the subject application. A reinforced adhesive includes an adhesive and an additive material comprising nanoscopic and microscopic materials. |
| US09284463B2 |
Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations
Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including an organic solvent, a resin, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time. |
| US09284461B2 |
Aqueous ink composition, inkjet recording method, and inkjet printed article
The invention provides an aqueous ink composition, including a compound containing a water-soluble group and at least two groups each represented by following Formula (1); a colorant; and water: wherein, in Formula (1), Ra and Rb each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and Ra and Rb may be bonded to each other to form a 4-membered to 6-membered ring. |
| US09284460B2 |
Metal pretreatment composition containing zirconium, copper, and metal chelating agents and related coatings on metal substrates
Disclosed is a zirconium-based metal pretreatment coating composition that includes a metal chelator that chelates copper in the metal pretreatment coating composition and thereby improves adhesion of paints to a metal substrate coated with the pretreatment coating composition. The pretreatment coating composition has a longer pot life than one without the metal chelator and therefore can accommodate a wide latitude of application times. The chelating agent is present in a sufficient amount to ensure that in the deposited pretreatment coating on the metal substrate the average total atomic % of copper to atomic % of zirconium is equal to or less than 1.1. The pretreatment coating composition is useful for treating a variety of metal substrates. |
| US09284455B2 |
Hybrid inorganic-organic polymer compositions for anti-reflective coatings
An organic-inorganic composition, which has a backbone containing —Si—O— units with chromophore groups attached directly to at least a part of the silicon atoms. The film forming composition and resulting coating properties can be tailored to suit the specific exposure wavelength and device fabrication and design requirements. By using two different chromophores the refractive index and the absorption co-efficient can be efficiently tuned and a desired Si-content of the anti-reflective coating composition can be obtained—a high Si-content will give good mechanical and thermal properties and also the required wet etch and dry etch properties. |
| US09284450B2 |
Polycarbonate resin composition and molded article produced therefrom
The polycarbonate resin composition includes: a polycarbonate component, which includes an aromatic polycarbonate resin and a copolymerized polycarbonate resin including a repeat unit represented by Formula 1 and a repeat unit represented by Formula 2; and a flame retardant, and has a scratch width of about 310 μm or less as measured by Ball-type Scratch Profile (BSP) test; a pencil hardness rating of F or higher; a flame retardancy level of V-0 or higher as measured on a 2.0 mm thick specimen according to UL94; and a transmittance of about 80% or more as measured in accordance with ASTM D1003. The polycarbonate resin composition can exhibit excellent properties in terms of scratch resistance, flame retardancy and transparency. wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are each independently substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C6 alkyl, and a and b are the same or different and are each independently an integer from 1 to 4. |
| US09284447B2 |
Silane/urea compound as a heat-activated curing agent for epoxide resin compositions
Silanes of formula (I): or inorganic fillers whose surface is coated or derivatized with a silane of formula (I), are curing agents for epoxy resins that are activatable at elevated temperature. The thermosetting epoxy resin compositions allow a large reduction in the curing temperature without great impairment of their storage stability. They are therefore very well suited for single-component thermosetting epoxy adhesives, which in particular may contain impact modifiers. |
| US09284445B2 |
Resin composition for nano concave-convex structure, transparent member for monitor of vehicle navigation device and transparent member for cover of vehicle meter using same composition
The present invention relates to a resin composition for a nano concave-convex structure, including 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of an active energy ray polymerization initiator (D), 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of a release agent (E), and 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of a lubricant (F), relative to 100 parts by mass of a polymerization reactive monomer component containing 50 to 95 parts by mass of a tetrafunctional (meth)acrylate monomer (A), 5 to 35 parts by mass of a difunctional (meth)acrylate monomer (B) in which the total number of repeating units within a polyalkylene glycol structure is from 4 to 25, and not more than 15 parts by mass of a monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer (C) which is copolymerizable with the monomers (A) and (B), and relates to a transparent member for the monitor of a vehicle navigation device and the cover of a vehicle meter. |
| US09284444B2 |
Non-cementitious organic render formulation with improved workability
The present invention provides dry mix compositions and dry compositions of calcium methacrylate salt containing multistage acrylic copolymer RDP and dry anionic associative thickeners for use in the dry mix compositions so that when wet to make cement, mortar or trowellable compositions for use in Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS), the compositions exhibit improved workability in both cementitious and non-cementitious dry mixes. |
| US09284441B2 |
Polymer compositions and articles prepared from the same
The invention provides a composition comprising the following: A) an ethylene/α-olefin/diene interpolymer; B) from 40 to 70 weight percent, based on sum weight of A and B, of an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer; and C) a sulfur-containing compound. |
| US09284440B2 |
Polyethylene blend composition suitable for blown film, method of producing the same, and films made therefrom
The instant invention provides a polyethylene blend composition suitable for blown film, method of producing the same, and films made therefrom. The polyethylene blend composition suitable for blown film according to the present invention comprises the melt blending product of: (a) less than or equal to 4 percent by weight of a low density polyethylene (LDPE) having a density in the range of from 0.915 to 0.935 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of from greater than 0.8 to less than or equal to 5 g/10 minutes, and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of from 6 to 10; (b) 90 percent or greater by weight of a heterogenous linear low density polyethylene (hLLDPE) having a density in the range of from 0.917 to 0.950 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of from 0.1 to less than or equal to 5 g/10 minutes; (c) optionally a hydrotalcite based neutralizing agent; (d) optionally one or more nucleating agents; and (e) optionally one or more antioxidants. When the polyethylene blend-composition is formed into a film via blown film process, the output rate is improved at least 6 percent relative to a similar linear low density polyethylene. |
| US09284439B2 |
Tire rubber composite and pneumatic tire
A rubber composition for tires comprises: per 100 parts by weight of diene rubber containing from 5 to 50 wt. % of terminally modified S-SBR, from 2 to 50 parts by weight of an aromatic modified terpene resin having a softening point of 100° C. or higher. A total content of 60 to 130 parts by weight of two types of silica, that is silica X and silica Y. A functional group of the modified S-SBR has reactivity with a silanol group. A proportion of the silica relative to a total amount of a reinforcing filler containing the silica X, the silica Y, and an optionally compounded carbon black is 85 wt. % or greater. A nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of the silica X is 140 m2/g or greater; a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of the silica Y is greater than 100 m2/g and less than 140 m2/g. |
| US09284436B2 |
Material for molding, shaped product therefrom, and method for manufacturing shaped product
There is a material for molding including carbon fiber bundles to be easily impregnated, including carbon fibers and at least one impregnation aid in an amount of 3 to 15 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the carbon fibers and satisfying a specific requirement, wherein 50 to 2,000 parts by mass of a thermoplastic polyamide is adhered to the carbon fiber bundles to be easily impregnated. |
| US09284435B2 |
Antistatic liquid crystalline polymer composition
A liquid crystalline polymer composition having a reduced tendency to create a static electric charge during a molding operation is provided. More particularly, the composition contains an ionic liquid that is distributed within a liquid crystalline polymer matrix. In addition to being electrically conductive, the ionic liquid can exist in liquid form during melt processing, which allows it to be more uniformly blended within the liquid crystalline polymer matrix. This improves electrical connectivity and thereby enhances the ability of the composition to rapidly dissipate static electric charges from its surface. |
| US09284430B2 |
Component separations in polymerization
A process for component separation in a polymer production system, comprising separating a polymerization product stream into a gas stream and a polymer stream, wherein the gas stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, distilling the gas stream into a light hydrocarbon stream, wherein the light hydrocarbon stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, contacting the light hydrocarbon stream with an absorption solvent system, wherein at least a portion of the unreacted ethylene from the light hydrocarbon stream is absorbed by the absorption solvent system, and recovering a waste gas stream from the absorption solvent system, wherein the waste gas stream comprises ethane, hydrogen, or combinations thereof. |
| US09284429B2 |
Porous organic polymeric films and preparation
Porous organic polymeric films having multiple discrete cavities can be prepared using a water-in-oil emulsion that includes a cavity stabilizing hydrocolloid on the inner walls of the multiple discrete cavities. The multiple discrete cavities can also include organic catalytic materials for various catalytic reactions, markers materials for security applications, or the multiple discrete cavities can be used to increase opacity, hydrophobicity, or other desirable properties compared to nonporous organic polymeric films composed of the composition and dry thickness. |
| US09284428B2 |
Crystalline foam
Crystalline foam and process for making it by first creating a crystalline arrangement of gas bubbles in curable composition and allowing this composition to cure subsequently. |
| US09284427B2 |
Polypropylene-based resin composition and foam sheet
Provided is a polypropylene-based resin composition which gives uniform and fine cells and from which a foamed sheet and thermoform excellent in appearance, thermoformability, impact resistance, lightness, stiffness, heat resistance, heat insulating properties, oil resistance and the like can be produced. A polypropylene-based resin composition comprising (X) 5 to 99% by weight of a polypropylene resin having a structure with long chain branches, and (Y) 1 to 95% by weight of a propylene-based block copolymer produced by sequential polymerization, which block copolymer comprises (Y-1) a propylene (co)polymer and (Y-2) a propylene-ethylene copolymer. |
| US09284424B2 |
Polyimide film and fabrication method thereof
A polyimide film includes a polyimide polymer forming a main molecular structure of the polyimide film, and polyimide particles present in the polyimide film at a weight ratio between about 15 wt % and 30 wt % of a total weight of the polyimide film, the polyimide particles having an average diameter between about 3 μm and 8 μm. The polyimide film can have a 60° gloss value equal to or smaller than 10, a haze equal to or higher than 90%, and a Young's modulus equal to or higher than 280 kgf/mm2. In some embodiments, methods of fabricating the polyimide film are also described. |
| US09284418B2 |
Grafting functional species to rubber
A method for producing a functionalized rubber that includes adding a diene rubber selected from natural rubber, a synthetic polyisoprene rubber or combinations thereof and an organic peroxide to a mixer, the organo peroxide may be represented by the formula R1—O—O—R2, wherein R1 is selected from hydrogen or an organic moiety of between 4 and 15 carbon atoms and R2 comprises a functional moiety. The mix composition may be mixed until the mix composition reaches a target temperature of between 120° C. and 190° C. and decomposing the organic peroxide to provide a decomposition product comprising the functional moiety and reacting at least a portion of the decomposition product with at least a portion of the diene rubber to produce the functionalized rubber. |
| US09284417B2 |
Composite material and method for producing same
A composite material in which a graphene-like carbon material has excellent adhesion to a substrate composed of resin, and a method for producing the same are provided. The composite material comprises a substrate composed of resin and a graphene-like carbon material layer provided so as to cover at least part of the surface of the substrate, wherein graphene-like carbon is closely attached to the surface of the substrate. The method for producing a composite material comprises bringing a graphene-like carbon material into contact with at least part of the surface of a substrate composed of resin and heating under the action of a supercritical or subcritical fluid. |
| US09284416B2 |
Process for converting a solid (meth)acrylate copolymer into a dispersed form by means of a dispersing agent
The present invention provides a process for converting a solid (meth)acrylate copolymer into a dispersed form by preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising the components (a) a (meth)acrylate copolymer which is composed of free-radical polymerized methyl methacrylate, ethylacrylate and a salt of 2-trimethylammoniumethyl methacrylate, present in solid form as a powder or as a granulate, (b) up to 50% by weight calculated on the (meth)acrylate copolymer (a) of a dispersing agent selected from the groups of (b) i) plasticizers in combination with emulsifiers and/or (b) ii) pharmaceutically acceptable carbohydrates having 6 to 18 carbon atoms with a functional group and (c) water by mixing the components (a), (b) and (c) to give a suspension which becomes an aqueous dispersion during the conversion of the solid (meth)acrylate copolymer into the dispersed form, characterized in that, the (meth)acrylate copolymer is converted into the dispersed form by means of the presence of the dispersing agent at a temperature of less than 50° C. |
| US09284408B2 |
Method for producing polyalkylene glycol derivative with narrow molecular weight distribution, and acetal group-containing alcohol compound for use therein and alkali metal salt thereof
A method for producing a narrow molecular weight distribution polyalkylene glycol derivative having an amino group at an end is provided and allows for polymerization of ethylene oxide under mild conditions with suppressed occurrence of diol polymer impurities includes at least the steps of polymerizing ethylene oxide by using a compound represented by the following general formula (2) and converting a polymer end to R3: wherein R1 represents a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R2 represents a linear or branched divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R3 represents a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; M represents sodium or potassium; m represents an integer of 1 to 5; n represents an integer of 1 to 450; and k represents an integer of 1 to 5. |
| US09284406B2 |
Catalysts and methods for polymer synthesis
The present invention provides bimetallic complexes having increased activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides. Also provided are methods of using such metal complexes in the synthesis of polymers. According to one aspect, the present invention provides metal complexes comprising an activating species with co-catalytic activity tethered to a multidentate ligand that is coordinated to one or more active metal centers of the complex. |
| US09284404B2 |
Antimicrobial polymers and methods of manufacture thereof
Biodegradable cationic block copolymers are disclosed, comprising a hydrophilic block comprising first repeat units derived from a first cyclic carbonyl monomer by ring-opening polymerization, wherein more than 0% of the first repeat units comprise a side chain moiety comprising a quaternary amine group; a hydrophobic block comprising second repeat units derived from a second cyclic carbonyl monomer by ring-opening polymerization; an optional endcap group; and a chain fragment derived from an initiator for the ring opening polymerization. The cationic block copolymers form aqueous micelle mixtures suitable for antimicrobial applications. |
| US09284400B2 |
Aspartic resins
A composition having a polyurea made by reacting a polyisocyanate with one of the below compounds. The value x is 2 or 3. A method of: providing a polyisocyanate and one of the below compounds, spraying the polyisocyanate and the compound with a plural component pump onto a surface to form a mixture, and allowing the mixture to cure to a polyurea. |
| US09284397B2 |
Curable aqueous composition
A curable aqueous composition, a method for forming a treated substrate with the curable aqueous composition, and the substrate so treated are provided. The composition, the method and the treated substrate may be free from formaldehyde. The composition comprises a (co)polymer and a crosslinker, said (co)polymer comprising, as (co)polymerized units, from 0.05 to 10 wt %, based on the dry weight of the composition, ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least two carboxylic acid groups, wherein the crosslinker having at least two hydrazino groups having a molar ratio of at least 0.05 of the carboxylic acid group, and wherein the aqueous composition is curable at a temperature of from 100° C. to 250° C. |
| US09284392B2 |
Mixed internal donor structures for 1-olefin polymerization catalysts
Solid catalyst components are disclosed, which include titanium, magnesium, halogen and a combination of internal electron donor compounds containing at least one 1,8 naphthyl diester compound of Formula (II-1) and at least one 3,3-bis(methoxymethyl) alkane of Formula (II-2): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, A, and B are described herein. Catalyst systems containing the catalyst solid components, organoaluminum compounds, and organosilicon compounds are also discussed. This disclosure relates to methods of making the solid catalyst components and the catalyst systems, and methods of polymerizing or copolymerizing alpha olefins using the catalyst systems. |
| US09284388B2 |
Semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymers and articles manufactured therefrom
Disclosed herein is a method comprising masticating a molten polymer; where the polymer is semicrystalline polymer prior to melting; where the masticating polymer is conducted at an elevated temperature of Tm−15K to Tm+90K; where Tm is the crystalline melting point of the polymer; masticating the molten polymer while it is cooled from the elevated temperature to a temperature of Ta; where Ta is a temperature that is greater than Tc−10K, where Tc is the crystallization temperature of the polymer; and masticating the polymer at the temperature of Ta for a time period of 0.1 to 50 minutes. |
| US09284387B2 |
Hydroamination of aldehyde-containing macromonomers
This invention relates to a polyolefin composition comprising one or more of the following formulae: wherein the PO is the residual portion of a vinyl terminated macromonomer (VTM) having had a terminal unsaturated carbon of an allylic chain and a vinyl carbon adjacent to the terminal unsaturated carbon; R1 is a hydrogen atom, an aryl group, or an alkyl group, wherein the aryl group or alkyl group can include one or more heteroatoms, an alkyl or aryl amino group, a polyalkylamino group; wherein the VTM is a vinyl terminated macromonomer. |
| US09284386B2 |
Ansa-metallocene compound and method for preparing supported catalyst using the same
This disclosure relates to an ansa-metallocene compound of a novel structure that can provide various selectivities and activities to polyolefin copolymers, a preparation method thereof, and a method for preparing polyolefins using the ansa-metallocene compound. |
| US09284385B2 |
Bimodal neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene
The invention relates to a high molecular weight bimodal neodymium-catalysed polybutadiene having a high proportion, >95%, of cis-1,4 units and a low proportion, <1%, of 1,2-vinyl content, wherein the polybutadiene has a linear polymeric main fraction and a long chain branched polymeric fraction, wherein the slope in the RGM relationship is >0.5 for the polymeric main fraction and <0.3 for the long chain branched polymeric fraction. |
| US09284384B2 |
Method for producing polymerization catalyst composition, polymerization catalyst composition, method for producing polymer composition, and polymer composition
A method for producing a polymer containing silica that does not involve long kneading time, and a polymer composition having an intended low heat generation property. A polymerization catalyst composition is produced by mixing and aging a second element and a third element, and then adding a first element to the mixture to react the first element with the mixture. The first element contains a compound that contains a rare earth metal element, the second element contains a compound represented by the following formula (X), and the third element contains silica. YR1aR2bR3c (X) (In the formula, Y is a metal; R1 and R2 are hydrogen atoms or hydrocarbon groups; and R3 is a hydrocarbon group, and R1, R2, and R3 are the same as or different from each other, a, b, and c are 0 or 1.). |
| US09284379B2 |
FGFR4 antibodies
The present invention relates to FGFR4 antibodies including fragments or derivatives thereof and the polynucleotides encoding the antibodies. Expression vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides are provided. Further, the invention refers to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the FGFR4 antibodies and methods for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of disorders associated with FGFR4 expression. |
| US09284378B2 |
Human antigen binding proteins that bind β-Klotho, FGF receptors and complexes thereof
The present invention provides compositions and methods relating to or derived from antigen binding proteins activate FGF21-mediated signaling. In embodiments, the antigen binding proteins specifically bind to (i) β-Klotho; (ii) FGFR1c, FGFR2c, FGFR3c or FGFR4; or (iii) a complex comprising β-Klotho and one of FGFR1c, FGFR2c, FGFR3c, and FGFR4. In some embodiments the antigen binding proteins induce FGF21-like signaling. In some embodiments, an antigen binding protein is a fully human, humanized, or chimeric antibodies, binding fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, and polypeptides that specifically bind to (i) β-Klotho; (ii) FGFR1c, FGFR2c, FGFR3c or FGFR4; or (iii) a complex comprising β-Klotho and one of FGFR1c, FGFR2c, FGFR3c, and FGFR4. Other embodiments provide nucleic acids encoding such antigen binding proteins, and fragments and derivatives thereof, and polypeptides, cells comprising such polynucleotides, methods of making such antigen binding proteins, and fragments and derivatives thereof, and polypeptides, and methods of using such antigen binding proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, and polypeptides, including methods of treating or diagnosing subjects suffering from type 2 diabetes, obesity, NASH, metabolic syndrome and related disorders or conditions. |
| US09284375B2 |
Covalent diabodies and uses thereof
The present invention is directed to diabody molecules and uses thereof in the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders, including immunological disorders, infectious disease, intoxication and cancers. The diabody molecules of the invention comprise two polypeptide chains that associate to form at least two epitope binding sites, which may recognize the same or different epitopes on the same or differing antigens. Additionally, the antigens may be from the same or different molecules. The individual polypeptide chains of the diabody molecule may be covalently bound through non-peptide bond covalent bonds, such as, but not limited to, disulfide bonding of cysteine residues located within each polypeptide chain. In particular embodiments, the diabody molecules of the present invention further comprise an Fc region, which allows antibody-like functionality to engineered into the molecule. |
| US09284370B1 |
Methods for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis
The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) where a TNFα inhibitor, such as a human TNFα antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is used to treat JIA. In particular, the invention is directed to methods and compositions relating to a fixed dosing regimen for treating JIA with a TNFα inhibitor. |
| US09284369B2 |
Inhibition of angiogenesis
The present invention relates generally to the inhibition of inflammatory cell-mediated angiogenesis. In particular, the invention concerns the prevention or treatment of tumor angiogenesis, and the inhibition of tumor development, using Bv8 antagonists, such as anti-Bv8 antibodies. |
| US09284366B2 |
Anti-acetylated huntingtin antibodies and uses therof
This invention includes, in part, methods of preparing acetylated Huntingtin (Htt) polypeptides, acetylated Htt polypeptide antigens, and antibodies that specifically recognize acetylated epitopes on Htt polypeptides. The invention also relates, in part, to the preparation and use of antibodies that specifically recognize and bind to acetylated epitopes on acetylated Htt polypeptides when an acetylated residue on the Htt polypeptide is a lysine that corresponds to K444 residue of full-length, wild-type Htt polypeptide. In some aspects, the invention includes hybridoma cell lines that produce antibodies that specifically bind acetylated Htt polypeptide and also includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof produced using polypeptides of the invention. |
| US09284364B2 |
Isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising an activin receptor
The present invention provides novel activin IIB5 receptor polypeptides capable of binding and inhibiting the activities of activin A, myostatin, or GDF-11. The present invention also provides polynucleotides, vectors and host cells capable of producing the receptor polypeptides. Compositions and methods for treating muscle-wasting, metabolic and other disorders are also provided. |
| US09284363B2 |
System and method for controlling G-protein coupled receptor pathways
A light-sensitive G-protein coupled receptor includes a light sensitive extracellular domain and a heterologous intracellular domain capable of modulating an intracellular signaling pathway. |
| US09284361B2 |
Designed repeat proteins binding to serum albumin
New designed repeat proteins with binding specificity for serum albumin are described, as well as nucleic acids encoding such serum albumin binding proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such proteins, the use of such proteins to modify the pharmacokinetics of therapeutic relevant polypeptides and the use of such proteins in the treatment of diseases. The repeat proteins of the invention have a substantially increased half-life in plasma compared to proteins not binding serum albumin. |
| US09284358B2 |
Conotoxin peptides
The present invention relates conotoxin peptides that are analogs of the α-conotoxin peptide RgIA. These conotoxin peptides block the α9α10 subtype of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and can be used for treating pain, such as neuropathic pain and inflammatory pain, inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatic diseases, and in the treatment of breast cancer. |