| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09292265B2 |
Method for convergence analysis based on thread variance analysis
Basic blocks within a thread program are characterized for convergence based on variance analysis or corresponding instructions. Each basic block is marked as divergent based on transitive control dependence on a block that is either divergent or comprising a variant branch condition. Convergent basic blocks that are defined by invariant instructions are advantageously identified as candidates for scalarization by a thread program compiler. |
| US09292260B2 |
Method and system for implementing a pattern viewer
Disclosed is an improved approach for implementing a method, system, and computer program product for utilizing design patterns, which provides an improved approach for organizing, navigating and/or visualizing design patterns. This approach may be embodied as a mobile design pattern viewer. The current approach presents design patterns in logical groupings, allows visualization of individual patterns, and highlights relationships. This permits organization, navigation, and/or visualization of the design patterns, where a collection of patterns work together as an integrated set that enables users to understand how an individual pattern relates to other patterns. |
| US09292257B2 |
Accurate range calculation for vehicles, computed outside of the vehicle
Example systems and methods for estimating range for a vehicle are provided. In an example, a server remotely located from a vehicle receives vehicle status information from the vehicle as well as reference data from sources other than the vehicle. An estimated range for the vehicle is computed based on both the vehicle status information and the reference data, and then this estimated range is transmitted to the vehicle. |
| US09292252B2 |
Methods and apparatus for voiced-enabling a web application
Methods and apparatus for voice-enabling a web application, wherein the web application includes one or more web pages rendered by a web browser on a computer. At least one information source external to the web application is queried to determine whether information describing a set of one or more supported voice interactions for the web application is available, and in response to determining that the information is available, the information is retrieved from the at least one information source. Voice input for the web application is then enabled based on the retrieved information. |
| US09292251B2 |
Systems and methods for configuring media devices utilizing audio codes or signatures
Example systems and methods for configuring media devices utilizing audio codes and/or signatures are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include, responsive to determining that an audio code is not present in audio data received by a device, generating a signature from the audio data. Such example methods also include determining whether the signature is associated with a first command to be executed by the device to modify operation of the device. Such example methods further include, when the signature is determined to be associated with the first command, executing the first command to modify the operation of the device. |
| US09292247B2 |
Co-browsing a page including clippable and non-clippable portions
Methods and systems of co-browsing may provide for detecting a selection of clipped content at a local peer device during a co-browsing session between the local peer device and a remote peer device. The clipped content can correspond to a page from a server associated with the co-browsing session. Dependent content and style element data associated with the clipped content may be identified, wherein an event can be sent to the remote peer device via the server. The event may include the clipped content, the dependent content, and the style element data. |
| US09292245B2 |
Predictive schedule-based tracking of incoming print jobs
Systems and methods are provided for predictively tracking expected print jobs. The system comprises a memory that identifies categories of print jobs, and that stores rules that indicate how often print jobs will be received at a presentation system. The system also comprises a control unit operable to identify a rule for a category of print jobs, to analyze the rule to generate a predicted schedule of print jobs expected for receipt at the presentation system, and to determine whether expected print jobs have been received at the presentation system in accordance with the schedule. The control unit is further operable to generate an alert if an expected print job has not been received at the presentation system in accordance with the schedule. |
| US09292244B2 |
Predictive schedule-based tracking of incoming print jobs
Systems and methods are provided for predictively tracking expected print jobs. The system comprises a memory that identifies categories of print jobs, and that stores rules that indicate how often print jobs will be received at a presentation system. The system also comprises a control unit operable to identify a rule for a category of print jobs, to analyze the rule to generate a predicted schedule of print jobs expected for receipt at the presentation system, and to determine whether expected print jobs have been received at the presentation system in accordance with the schedule. The control unit is further operable to generate an alert if an expected print job has not been received at the presentation system in accordance with the schedule. |
| US09292237B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided, including an image forming mechanism which executes a printing process; an object data memory which stores image data as an object of the printing process when a printing instruction is received; a re-formation condition memory which stores a type of a printing function and whether or not image data is an object of image re-formation in correlation with each other; an object judging mechanism which judges whether or not the image data as a source of the image formation is the object of the image re-formation; and a data deleting mechanism which deletes the image data as the source of the image formation from the object data memory if the image data as the source of the image formation is not the object of the image re-formation. |
| US09292234B2 |
Print job correction mechanism
A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving print job data at a printing system, performing constraint checking of the print job data to detect one or more invalid print requirements and applying corrective actions upon detecting one or more invalid print requirements in order to facilitate printing of the print job data. |
| US09292233B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An information processing apparatus capable of executing near field wireless communication, comprises: a display unit configured to display a screen; an obtaining unit configured to obtain identification information regarding a device from a near field wireless communication tag with use of the near field wireless communication; a selection unit configured, in a case where the obtaining unit obtained the identification information, to select one of first processing for connecting to the device indicated by the identification information and second processing for connecting to the device indicated by the identification information and sending data to the device, based on a type of screen being displayed by the display unit; and a processing unit configured to execute the processing selected by the selection unit. |
| US09292230B2 |
Print management systems
A print-management system comprises a plurality of web-submission servers and a print server. Each web-submission server hosts a website configured to allow submission of print jobs to the print management system. The print server is configured to receive print jobs from the plurality of web-submission servers, process the print jobs, and send print jobs to at least one printer to be printed. The print management system is configured to add an identifier to each received print job to identify the web-submission server or website that received the print job. The print server is configured so that print jobs are processed based on the identifiers added to the print jobs. |
| US09292222B2 |
Computer storage device having separate read-only space and read-write space, removable media component, system management interface, and network interface
A storage device for use with a computer is disclosed. The storage device includes a processor communicably connected to a computer through a computer interface and a system interface. The computer interface enables communications exclusively between the processor and the computer, while the system interface enables to processor to manage one or more hardware components of the computer. A network interface is also included to enable the processor to communicate over a network with select file servers to the exclusion of other file servers. A storage means is communicably connected to the processor and includes first and second designated storage sections. The processor has read-write access to both storage sections, while the computer has read-only access to the first storage section and read-write access to the second storage section. A removable media storage component is also communicably connected to the processor. |
| US09292221B2 |
Bi-directional copying of register content into shadow registers
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a processor, which may include copy circuitry coupled to a shadow register file and a control register. The copy circuitry may be configured to copy content from a range of a number of registers to a shadow range of the shadow register file in a forward or backward direction. The forward or backward direction may be based at least in part on a value stored in the control register. |
| US09292217B2 |
Logical volume space sharing
Space sharing between logical volumes is achieved through a technique that enables available storage space to be flexibly consumed and released by the logical volumes. Each logical volume is associated with an address tree that defines how available storage space is consumed by the logical volume. The technique involves receiving an input/output (I/O) operation that specifies a logical address within an address tree associated with the logical volume, parsing the address tree to identify an entry therein, if any, that is associated with the logical address, where the entry stores physical address information that is associated with the logical address. If it is determined that the entry exists, then one or more translated I/O operations are generated based on the physical address information and forwarded to a physical device manager to carry out the translated one or more I/O operations. |
| US09292216B1 |
Calculating an allocation mode for a storage pool based on a policy
An embodiment of a computer-implemented method for use in managing allocation of a storage pool in a data storage system by calculating an allocation mode for the storage pool based on a policy is described. Also described are embodiments of a system and computer program product enabled for carrying out such computer-implemented allocation management. |
| US09292213B2 |
Maintaining at least one journal and/or at least one data structure by circuitry
An embodiment may include circuitry to perform option (a) and/or option (b). In option (a), the circuitry may maintain a journal to record information that is related to a transaction that may result in writing to at least one logical address and at least one physical address of the storage. The information may be recorded in the journal via an atomic operation that may be executed prior to recording, at least in part, the information in a data structure that correlates the at least one logical address to the at least one physical address. In option (b), the circuitry may maintain another data structure that indicates a correlation between at least one other physical address and the at least one logical address. The correlation may be valid prior to completion of the transaction, but the correlation may no longer be valid after the completion. |
| US09292212B2 |
Detecting storage errors in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module detecting, in accordance with a rebuilding process, a storage error of an encoded data slice stored in a storage node of a dispersed storage network (DSN) and identifying the encoded data slice for rebuilding. The method continues with the DS processing module identifying one or more storage traits associated with the encoded data slice and identifying encoded data slices having at least one storage trait in common with the one or more storage traits of the encoded data slice to produce identified encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module prioritizing storage error detection analysis of the identified encoded data slices over other encoded data slices stored in the DSN and when a storage error is detected for one of the identified encoded data slices, identifying the one of the identified encoded data slices for rebuilding. |
| US09292210B1 |
Thermally sensitive wear leveling for a flash memory device that includes a plurality of flash memory modules
Thermally sensitive wear leveling for a flash memory device that includes a plurality of flash memory modules, the flash memory device included in a computing system that includes a plurality of additional computing components, including: identifying a thermal sensitivity coefficient for each flash memory module in dependence upon a physical topology of the flash memory device and one or more of the additional computing components; identifying wear leveling information for each flash memory module; receiving a request to write data to the flash memory device; selecting, in dependence upon the thermal sensitivity coefficient for each flash memory module and the wear leveling information for each flash memory module, a target flash memory module for servicing the request to write data to the flash memory device; and writing the data to the target flash memory module. |
| US09292201B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a display in a portable terminal
A method and apparatus configured to control a display in a portable terminal includes sensing that the flexible display is bent, dividing the flexible display into a main screen and a sub screen, and outputting first information through the main screen and outputting second information through the sub screen. |
| US09292200B2 |
Touch-enabled terminal and method of providing virtual keypad for the same
A touch-enabled terminal and a keypad providing method for the same are provided. The method of providing a virtual keypad includes activating the virtual keypad in character input mode, performing first-stage presentation by focusing a first one of characters assigned to each one of plural buttons of the virtual keypad and displaying the focused characters, and performing, in response to a touch on a button of the virtual keypad, second-stage presentation by displaying a character entered by the touched button, focusing a next enterable character related to the touched button, and focusing next enterable characters related respectively to the other buttons. The touch-enabled terminal provides visual information regarding currently enterable characters through the virtual keypad with respect to the last entered button. |
| US09292197B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for facilitating the manipulation of medical images
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate the manipulation of medical images. In the context of a method, the position of a user's hand upon a touch sensitive input device may be determined. Determining the position may include detecting instances in which the user's hand is in either a first or second positions upon the touch sensitive input device. In the first position, the method may also include enabling a first image manipulation mode in which a first image manipulation operation is enabled and interpreting a first type of input to be directing the first image manipulation operation. However, in the second position, the method may include enabling a second image manipulation mode in which a second image manipulation operation is enabled and interpreting the first type of input to be directing the second image manipulation operation instead of the first image manipulation operation. |
| US09292194B2 |
User interface control using a keyboard
User interface control using a keyboard is described. In an embodiment, a user interface displayed on a display device is controlled using a computer connected to a keyboard. The keyboard has a plurality of alphanumeric keys that can be used for text entry. The computer receives data comprising a sequence of key-presses from the keyboard, and generates for each key-press a physical location on the keyboard. The relative physical locations of the key-presses are compared to calculate a movement path over the keyboard. The movement path describes the path of a user's digit over the keyboard. The movement path is mapped to a sequence of coordinates in the user interface, and the movement of an object displayed in the user interface is controlled in accordance with the sequence of coordinates. |
| US09292184B2 |
Indirect 3D scene positioning control
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to interacting with a virtual scene at a perspective which is independent from the perspective of the user. Methods and systems can include either tracking and defining a perspective of the user based on the position and orientation of the user in the physical space, projecting a virtual scene for the user perspective to a virtual plane, tracking and defining a perspective of the a freehand user input device based on the position and orientation of the a freehand user input device, identifying a mark in the virtual scene which corresponds to the position and orientation of the device in the physical space, creating a virtual segment from the mark and interacting with virtual objects in the virtual scene at the end point of the virtual segment, as controlled using the device. |
| US09292183B2 |
Establishing a preferred mode of interaction between a user and a multimodal application
Establishing a preferred mode of interaction between a user and a multimodal application, including evaluating, by a multimodal application operating on a multimodal device supporting multiple modes of interaction including a voice mode and one or more non-voice modes, user modal preference, and dynamically configuring multimodal content of the multimodal application in dependence upon the evaluation of user modal preference. |
| US09292177B2 |
Progress bar with feature availability indicator
In addition to conveying a completion status of a task to a user, a progress bar can display a visual indication that the task is substantially complete (e.g., essential elements of a web page are loaded) followed by another visual indication that informs the user that a particular feature or functionality has been enabled. For example, in addition to displaying a visual cue (e.g., a rocket effect) when a triviality threshold indicating that the task is complete to a threshold degree, another indicator can be displayed in response to determining that a status of a feature has been modified. Determining that the status of the feature is modified when the triviality threshold is met and thus displaying the other visual indicator immediately following the visual indication produces a dramatic visual cue in directing the user's attention to the visual enablement of the feature. |
| US09292176B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing media content
A method for managing media content includes storing a program received from a tuner in a storage device, outputting a plurality of first thumbnail images from the program to a display screen, extracting one or more second thumbnail images in a section of the program between a selected first thumbnail image and another first thumbnail image, and outputting the second thumbnail images to the display screen. |
| US09292175B2 |
Vendor website GUI for marketing greeting cards
A system stores, in a database, different stock templates and also, for each stock template, a stock image to be displayed with the template. The system receives a user-designated image. The system then displays items simultaneously. Each item incorporates a different one of the stock templates along with the respective template's stock image. The system provides an image selector that is in a first position and capable of being switched by a user to a second position. Each time the user switches the selector to the second position, the system transforms the images in the displayed items simultaneously to the user-designated image. Each time the user switches the selector to the first position, the system transforms the images in the displayed items simultaneously to the items' respective stock images. |
| US09292173B2 |
Non-transitory computer readable medium, information processing apparatus and method for managing multi-item files
Dividing or splitting data (e.g., images) of a file may be performed by allowing a user to preview or otherwise view the intended division prior to the splitting of the images in the file into separate files. The division may be shown in a display by visually distinguishing between the designated groups. Visual distinctions may include color filtering, use of a division mark, use of grouping frames, labeling and the like and/or combinations thereof. By allowing a user to view the intended groupings, a user may further cancel designated groupings prior to splitting the images into the separate files. |
| US09292172B2 |
Image editing method, image editing device, and computer readable medium for storing image editing program
An image editing method comprises: a step of acquiring identification information on each of a plurality of operation instruction units for instructing editing of an image, a step of automatically selecting one or more images for editing from a group of images to classify the one or more images into a group of usable images based on the identification information, a step of determining a right to edit reaching contents of processing which each operation instruction unit is authorized to perform against each image in the group of usable images, and a step of performing editing processing on an image to be edited in the group of usable images based upon the determined right to edit according to an editing instruction supplied from each operation instruction unit. |
| US09292170B2 |
Unified presentation of scattered message data
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to e-mail processing and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for a unified presentation of scattered e-mail data. In one embodiment of the invention, a unified presentation of scattered e-mail data method can include selecting an e-mail in an e-mail list of an e-mail client, locating scattered data for the selected e-mail, and presenting the scattered data in a pop-up window proximate to the selected e-mail. In one aspect of the embodiment, selecting an e-mail in an e-mail list of an e-mail client can include selecting an icon adjacent to an e-mail in an e-mail list of an e-mail client. In another aspect of the embodiment, selecting an e-mail in an e-mail list of an e-mail client can include mousing over an icon adjacent to an e-mail in an e-mail list of an e-mail client. |
| US09292166B2 |
Digital jukebox device with improved karaoke-related user interfaces, and associated methods
Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems and, more particularly, certain exemplary embodiments relate to jukebox systems that incorporate digital downloading jukebox features along with karaoke jukebox and/or photobooth features. A combined karaoke/photobooth/jukebox may enable more integrated performance-like experiences in an in-home or out-of-home location or venue. By leveraging vast audio media libraries, trusted rights-respecting network infrastructure, and on-site image/video capturing from integrated recorders and/or remote portable devices, a more sociable experience may be created for karaoke jukebox patrons, e.g., where custom content can be generated and shared in a safe and legally appropriate manner. |
| US09292164B2 |
Virtual social supervenue for sharing multiple video streams
A social media platform is provided for interacting in a three-dimensional platform. The platform leverages a social graph from a user's social network to enable the user to invite social networking friends to interact within a three-dimensional virtual social venue. The platform also enables users to select multiple videos to display simultaneously within the virtual social venue. User selection of a clickable advertisement within the virtual social venue causes a web browser to launch with a point-of-sale opportunity related to the advertisement. |
| US09292163B2 |
Personalized 3D avatars in a virtual social venue
A social media platform is provided for interacting in a three-dimensional platform. The platform leverages a social graph from a user's social network to enable the user to invite social networking friends to interact within a three-dimensional virtual social venue. The platform also provides avatars to the user and friends who enter the virtual social venue. The platform also leverages the social graph to import user profile pictures from the social network, superimpose them onto the avatars, and display the avatars with the superimposed profile pictures within the context of the virtual three-dimensional space. Alternatively, the platform imports streaming images of the users from cameras, superimpose them onto the avatars, and display the avatars with their superimposed streaming images within the context of the virtual three-dimensional space. |
| US09292161B2 |
Pointer tool with touch-enabled precise placement
A pointer tool in a touch-screen display is disclosed. The method includes activating a pointer tool in a touch screen display in response to contact with an area of the touch screen and persisting the displaying of the pointer tool in the touch screen display after the contact with the touch screen is removed. Once editing data is received, the pointer tool is removed from the touch screen display. |
| US09292154B2 |
Synchronizing a GUI operation among machines using different languages
Synchronizing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) operation includes receiving operation information of the GUI operation performed on a first machine. The operation information includes object information and action information. The object information is in a first language and indicates a GUI object to which the GUI operation is directed. The action information indicates an action performed by the GUI operation on the GUI object. The object information in the first language is converted to object information in a second language. A GUI object in a GUI displayed on a second machine is identified according to the object information in the second language. The action indicated by the action information is performed on the identified GUI object. |
| US09292152B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling use and operation of a family of different treatment devices
A system for controlling a treatment device generates a graphical interface that visually prompts a user in a step-wise fashion to use the treatment device to perform a process of forming a pattern of lesions that extends both circumferentially and axially in different levels in a body region. The graphical interface displays for the user a visual record of the progress of the process from start to finish and guides the user so that so that individual lesions desired within a given level are all formed, and that a given level of lesions is not skipped. |
| US09292147B2 |
Display device with touch panel
A manufacturing method of a touch panel includes the steps of providing a substrate, forming a first conductive film on the substrate, forming a first mask on the first conductive film, etching the first conductive film to form electrode portions and lower intersect portions of the touch panel, forming an insulating film made of a negative resist on the first conductive film, and forming a contact hole above the electrode portion by removing the insulating film. The steps further include forming a second conductive film on the insulating film, forming a second mask on the second conductive film, etching the second conductive film to form an upper intersect portion connected between two adjacent electrode portions via the contact hole and intersecting with the lower intersect portion, and forming protective film on the second conductive film. |
| US09292142B2 |
Electronic device and method for determining coordinates
The electronic device has a display section with a display surface; and a touch panel that is provided while being superimposed on the display section and that can detect an area occupied by an indicator in which the occupied area is on a predetermined plane which is approximately parallel to and spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the display surface of the display section. When flattening of the area occupied by the indicator is smaller than a threshold value in which the occupied area is on the predetermined plane spaced apart from the display surface of the display section by a predetermined distance, coordinates of the center of the area are made valid. When the flattening is greater than the threshold value, the coordinates of the center of the area are made invalid. |
| US09292141B2 |
Double sided touch sensor on transparent substrate
Compact touch sensors for touch sensitive devices and processes for forming the touch sensors are disclosed. The touch sensor structure can include a substrate, one or more underlying layers disposed on the substrate, one or more blocking layers disposed on the substrate or on one or more underlying layers, and one or more patterned layers disposed on the underlying layers or blocking layers. The one or more blocking layers can be configured to block underlying layers from exposure to certain wavelengths of light or from penetration of a laser beam that can cause damage. Additionally, the one or more underlying layers can be multi-functional, including the ability to block one or more light sources. |
| US09292140B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel includes dummy electrodes, disposed in a transmit electrode layer or a receive electrode layer whichever is below an isolation layer. In one embodiment, an anti-reflective layer includes at least one composite refractive-index three-layer structure. In another embodiment, the receive electrode layer is disposed below the isolation layer, and the receive electrode layer and the dummy electrodes are electrically coupled to a same electric potential. |
| US09292138B2 |
Single layer sensor pattern
An embodiment of a capacitive sensor array may comprise a first set of sensor electrodes each comprising one or more large subelements and a second set of sensor electrodes each comprising one or more small subelements. In one embodiment, each of the small subelements may be smaller than any of the large subelements, and the first set of sensor electrodes and the second set of sensor electrodes are formed from a single layer of conductive material. In one embodiment, the surface area of the capacitive sensor array may be divisible into a grid of N×M unit cells, wherein each of the N×M unit cells contains one of the large subelements and k of the small subelements, where k is greater than or equal to 2. |
| US09292132B2 |
Multitouch recognizing device
A multi-touch recognizing device for distinguishing an illusion from an actually touched position and an illusion position by using an inclination angle measuring method, minimizing time for measuring a touch position, and more accurately measuring the position is provided. |
| US09292131B2 |
Light guide for backlight
The present invention provides a light guide for an electronically addressable display (such as an LCD) that mixes optical signals from a plurality of emitters, and mixes these signals to produce, for positions on the display, position-unique signals. A stylus or other receiving device may determine its position relative to the electronically addressable display by analyzing the position-unique signals. |
| US09292129B2 |
Interactive input system and method therefor
A method for determining the location of a touch input in an application window on an interactive surface of a display device is described. The application window comprises a canvas configured to display at least a portion of a user interface. The method comprises the following steps. A first location of the touch input associated with a first coordinate space is determined. The first coordinate space is associated with the interactive surface. The touch input is used to emulate a mouse event. A second location of the touch input associated with a second coordinate space is determined in response to the emulated mouse event. The second coordinate space is associated with the user interface. At least one offset parameter is calculated, correlating the first coordinate space with the second coordinate space. While the first coordinate space does not change with respect the second coordinate space, the at least one offset parameter is used to determine the location of subsequent touch inputs based on corresponding locations associated with the first coordinate space. A computer readable medium and an interactive input system for implementing the method are also described. |
| US09292128B1 |
Touch screen protector with glass and conformable outer perimeter
A touch screen protector for a portable electronic device has a front face that includes a touch screen portion and a declining outer perimeter. The touch screen protector includes: a glass sheet having front and back sides that corresponds in size to the touch screen portion; a conformable perimeter portion that corresponds to the declining outer perimeter of the front face of the portable electronic device; and an adhesive provided along at least a portion of the conformable perimeter portion facing the portable electronic device and having adhesive strength enabling repeated removal and reattachment. The touch screen portion allows a capacitive value on the touch screen portion when touched on the glass sheet. |
| US09292124B2 |
Information terminal device and touch coordinate determination method
A mobile terminal device includes an electrostatic touch panel, a resistive touch panel, a memory, and a processor connected to the memory. The processor acquires a touch coordinate detected on at least one of the electrostatic touch panel and the resistive touch panel and determines a touch mode including the presence or absence of strong touch at equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure based on the acquired touch coordinate. Then, the processor specifies a touch coordinate at which the strong touch is made when a touch mode with the strong touch is determined and the touch coordinate is detected on each of the electrostatic touch panel and the resistive touch panel. |
| US09292123B2 |
System and method for sample rate adaption
A system and method for sample rate adaption. The system and method provide for information derived from sampling at a first rate to be applied or processed at a second rate where the first and second rates differ in frequency and phase. The information is adapted from the first rate to the second rate. Then phase differences including phase introduced as by-product of adapting the frequencies are reduced by phase adaption. |
| US09292121B2 |
Adaptive sampling apparatus
An adaptive sensing apparatus, including: a sensor array, having N sensing points, wherein N is a positive integer; a driver unit, coupled with the sensor array; and a control unit, coupled with the driver unit; wherein the control unit has at least one adaptive sampling modes for controlling the driver unit to drive the sensor array and derive M sensed data, wherein M is a positive integer and M |
| US09292115B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting user input
An apparatus including: an first electrode arrangement including a plurality of electrodes configured for use in detecting a location of a user input; a second electrode arrangement configured for use in detecting strain; and an inter-electrode layer extending between the first electrode arrangement and the second electrode arrangement. |
| US09292111B2 |
Gesturing with a multipoint sensing device
Methods and systems for implementing gestures with sensing devices are disclosed. More particularly, methods and systems related to gesturing with multipoint sensing devices are disclosed. |
| US09292108B2 |
Systems and methods for remote mouse pointer management
Systems and methods are provided that may employ remote system mouse pointer position feedback from video/graphics circuitry (e.g., video adapter hardware such as graphics card, video card, etc.) of a remote information handling system to manage a remote mouse pointer based on local mouse position input received from a user interface of local information handling system that is communicatively coupled to the remote information handling system across a wired or wireless network, e.g., to synchronize a remote mouse pointer with a local mouse pointer that is manipulated by a local user of a local information handling system or to implement a single cursor mode for the remote mouse pointer. |
| US09292102B2 |
Controlling and accessing content using motion processing on mobile devices
Handheld electronic devices including motion sensing and processing. In one aspect, a handheld electronic device includes a set of motion sensors provided on a single sensor wafer, including at least one gyroscope sensing rotational rate of the device around at least three axes and at least one accelerometer sensing gravity and linear acceleration of the device along the at least three axes. Memory stores sensor data derived from the at least one gyroscope and accelerometer, where the sensor data describes movement of the device including a rotation of the device around at least one of the three axes of the device, the rotation causing interaction with the device. The memory is provided on an electronics wafer positioned vertically with respect to the sensor wafer and substantially parallel to the sensor wafer. The electronics wafer is vertically bonded to and electrically connected to the sensor wafer. |
| US09292101B2 |
Method and apparatus for using persistent directional gestures for localization input
Methods and apparatuses are provided for entering characters into an electronic device. As part of a device configuration process, languages and associated character sets are stored in the electronic device. Responsive to user input as part of a device operation process, the electronic device presents a menu of language character sets for selection, with the language character sets assigned to particular positions within the menu. In response to the selected language character set, the electronic device presents a menu of language variant characters for selection, with the language variant characters assigned to particular positions within the menu. In response to selection of a language variant character, the electronic device displays the character within the display window. |
| US09292098B2 |
Input apparatus
An input device featuring a representation means with a transparent keypad situated above a representation means, wherein the keypad consists of a multitude of transparent keys and functions are mapped to the keys of the keypad, the functions being represented by means of symbols which are displayed within an area on the representation means assigned to the respective keys. |
| US09292095B2 |
Photographing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and computer-readable recording medium
A method of controlling a photographing apparatus includes: recognizing a gesture in an input image as a previously defined gesture; if the gesture corresponds to a previously defined gesture for a zoom operation, performing the zoom operation using optical zoom; and while the zoom operation is being performed, continuing recognizing the gesture by taking into consideration the zoom operation. |
| US09292094B2 |
Gesture inferred vocabulary bindings
The subject disclosure relates to annotating data based on gestures. Gestures include user interaction with a client device or client software. Gestures are tracked and associated with data. In an aspect, client context associated with a gesture is also tracked. The gestures are then employed to determine a global term to associate with the data. In an aspect, a look-up table comprising a pre-defined relationship between gestures and a global term can be employed. In another aspect, an inference component employ context information in conjunction with the tracked gestures to determine a global term to assign to data. After a global term is determined for data based on a gesture, an annotation file for the data can be created associating the data with the global term. |
| US09292086B2 |
Correlating pupil position to gaze location within a scene
Correlating pupil position to gaze location within a scene. Illustrative embodiments may include correlating pupil position of a user to gaze location within a scene viewed by the user. The correlating may include: illuminating an eye of the user, the eye containing the pupil, and the illuminating with light; creating a first video stream depicting the eye; creating a second video stream depicting the scene in front of the user; determining pupil position within the first video stream; calculating gaze location in the second video stream based on pupil position in the first video stream; and sending an indication of the gaze location in the second video stream to a computer system. |
| US09292085B2 |
Configuring an interaction zone within an augmented reality environment
Technology is described for automatically determining placement of one or more interaction zones in an augmented reality environment in which one or more virtual features are added to a real environment. An interaction zone includes at least one virtual feature and is associated with a space within the augmented reality environment with boundaries of the space determined based on the one or more real environment features. A plurality of activation criteria may be available for an interaction zone and at least one may be selected based on at least one real environment feature. The technology also describes controlling activation of an interaction zone within the augmented reality environment. In some examples, at least some behavior of a virtual object is controlled by emergent behavior criteria which defines an action independently from a type of object in the real world environment. |
| US09292084B2 |
Control systems and methods for head-mounted information systems
A head-mounted information system is provided, the head-mounted information system comprising a frame configured to be mounted on a head of a user, a display unit coupled to the frame, a sensor unit coupled to the frame comprising one or more motion sensors, and, a processor unit coupled to the frame and connected to receive signals from the motion sensors. The processor unit comprises a processor and a memory accessible by the processor. The processor unit is configured to monitor the received signals and enter a gesture control mode upon detection of a gesture control enable signal. In the gesture control mode the processor is configured to convert signals received from the motion sensors into menu navigation commands. |
| US09292082B1 |
Text-entry for a computing device
Example method and systems for text-entry are disclosed. A method may involve displaying a user interface comprising a character line, the character line comprising a plurality of characters in a substantially linear arrangement. The method may then involve receiving a first input via a touch-sensitive input device, wherein the first input comprises a detected movement on a first portion of the touch-sensitive input device. Further, the method may involve, in response to receiving the first input, displaying an indication of a selected character. The method may then involve receiving a second input via the touch-sensitive input device, wherein the second input comprises a detected movement from the first portion to a second portion of the touch-sensitive input device and back to the first portion. The method may then involve displaying the selected character in a text-entry area of the user interface that is separate from the character line. |
| US09292081B2 |
Systems and methods for programmatically interacting with a media player
A media player can comprise a playlist parsing module configured to parse a playlist comprising a plurality of nested elements of a media presentation and select an element of the media presentation for generating output. The playlist can comprise a nested structure of objects representative of the elements of the media presentation, with at least one declared trait applicable to one or more elements. For example, the playlist may specify a composition of a plurality of visual, audio, or other elements for generating output or other behavior in parallel and/or in series over the course of the media presentation. The media player can comprise a playback component configured to utilize at least one selectively-enabled functional component of the media player to generate output based on evaluating the trait(s) exposed by the selected element. |
| US09292077B2 |
Methods and apparatus for efficient service layer assistance for modem sleep operations
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in connection with improving wireless device power consumption in an M2M environment. In an example, a service layer module equipped to obtain a network value indicating that a service layer transaction is complete and no additional activity associated with the service layer transaction is expected from a network entity, determine that no additional activity associated with the service layer transaction is expected from a wireless device application, generate a sleep mode value based on the reception of the network value and upon the determination, and provide the sleep mode value to a modem subsystem and/or an application subsystem indicating that it is allowed to enter a sleep mode. In an aspect, the sleep mode value may be provided using cross layer signaling between a service layer and modem processing layer. |
| US09292072B2 |
Power management method for an electronic system
A power-management method is provided, and the power-management method includes setting a central processing unit in a first low-power state when receiving a second low-power state request requiring the central processing unit to enter the second low-power state, obtaining first idle periods of the peripheral modules respectively to determine a second idle period according to the first idle periods of the peripheral modules, determining whether the peripheral modules have not sent a data-access request during the second idle period, setting the central processing unit in the second low-power state when the peripheral modules have not sent the data-access request during the second idle period, wherein each first idle period is an interval period between two data transmissions of each peripheral module. |
| US09292069B1 |
System and method for controlling mode switches in hardware
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for controlling mode switches in hardware. The resource manager includes an “is mode possible” function that evaluates a given mode in conjunction with the limitations of the hardware to determine if the given mode is feasible. The display driver is configured to call this function to validate a proposed mode before generating commands specifying the state changes for the display heads. The display software interface hardware module within the GPU processes these commands and follows a standard sequence of steps to implement the mode switch. The steps may include interrupts to the resource manager to re-validate the proposed mode, again calling the “is mode possible” function, or perform operations that are not yet supported in the hardware. Advantageously, controlling mode switches in hardware enables less error-prone, more efficient, and more discerning mode switches relative to controlling mode switches in software. |
| US09292058B2 |
Heat sink for processor
A heat sink for a processor includes: a main heat exchange zone that bears in contact with a processor; at least one peripheral heat exchange zone that bears in contact with a cooling source, and at least one heat pipe connecting the main heat exchange zone with the peripheral heat exchange zone, the heat pipe containing a cooling fluid. |
| US09292057B2 |
System for mounting and cooling a computer component
A system includes a support rack and a component housing. The support rack includes a pair of vertically-extending panels, and each panel of the pair of vertically-extending panels has one or more first mating members of a water coupler pair extending outwardly from the support rack. The component housing is slidably disposed between the pair of vertically-extending panels and has a front panel, a pair of sidewalls extending rearwardly from the front panel, a component water line, and two second mating members of the water coupler pair connected to each other by the component water line. |
| US09292056B2 |
Systems and methods for wireless communication of power distribution information
A system of managing power distribution units includes a master rack PDU and a plurality of child rack PDU's. The master rack PDU is coupled to a network and is configured to receive short-range wireless signals. The plurality of child rack PDU's are configured to transmit short-range wireless signals including data measurements. The master rack PDU receives the data measurements in the short-range wireless signals transmitted by the plurality of child rack PDU's and the master rack PDU transmits the data measurements to a computer over the network. |
| US09292054B2 |
Power supply module and server having the same
A power supply module suitable for a server is provided. The server includes a base and a main board. The main board is disposed on the base. The power supply module includes a frame and a first power connector. The frame is disposed on the base and adjacent to an edge portion of the main board. The first power connector is slidably disposed on the frame. When the first power connector slides to a first position, the first power connector protrudes from the frame and the edge portion of the main board is located between the first power connector and the base. When the first power connector slides to a second position, the first power connector is located in the frame. |
| US09292053B2 |
Method and system for contact separation detection gesture
A computing device includes a housing and a display assembly having a screen. The housing at least partially circumvents the screen so that the screen is viewable. A first touch sensor is provided with a first portion of the housing. For example, the first touch sensor may be provided on a sidewall, a front surface, or a back surface of the housing. A processor is provided within the housing to detect a first user interaction and a second user interaction with the first touch sensor. The first user interaction corresponds with a user making contact with the first touch sensor, and the second user interaction corresponds with the user releasing contact with the first touch sensor. The processor further executes a first set of instructions in response to detecting the second user interaction. |
| US09292051B2 |
Touch pad input device
A touch pad input device includes a movable element having an operation surface that serves as an upper surface, a first sensing unit for sensing a touch or proximity of an operating object on or to the operation surface, a stationary element disposed under the movable element, a rotation support mechanism rotatably supporting the movable element, a second sensing unit for sensing rotation of the movable element, and a retaining mechanism retaining the movable element. The rotation support mechanism includes fulcrum portions arranged on one of the movable element and the stationary element and abutment portions arranged on the other one of the movable element and the stationary element. The retaining mechanism is positioned under the movable element in an area covered by the operation surface when viewed from above. The retaining mechanism urges the movable element downward to hold the fulcrum portions in pressure contact with the abutment portions. |
| US09292048B2 |
Slide housing for an electronic communication device
An electronic communication device having a touch-sensitive display panel in a display module and a keypad in a keypad module is disclosed. The two modules are connected to one another and can be moved relative to one another into an open position and a closed position. The touch-sensitive display panel is on the outside of the display module in the closed position. Guide members on both sides of the keypad of the keypad module can operatively interact with guide members associated with the display module. The keypad module has a rotatable traction member that can operatively interact with a fixed traction member of the display module. The display module is mounted on the keypad module so as to be able to slide or move. In fully slid-out position, the display module can be rotated or tilted or folded against the keypad module in a manner similar to a laptop PC. |
| US09292045B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatically activating a camera application based on detecting an intent to capture a photograph or a video
A method of automatically activating a camera application implemented in a mobile device in locked mode starts with the processor receiving a first signal from an accelerometer. The device's processor activates the camera application when the processor determines that the mobile device has remained in a stationary portrait or landscape position for a period of time based on the first signal. Activating the camera application includes signaling by the processor to the display device to display a camera screen from a locked screen. The processor may also receive a second signal from a proximity sensor that detects presence of a nearby object to the mobile device. When the processor determines that there is presence of the nearby object to the mobile device based on the second signal, the mobile device remains in locked mode and the processor does not activate the camera application. |
| US09292044B2 |
Displays with polarizer windows and opaque masking layers for electronic devices
An electronic device may have a display. Inactive portions of the display such as peripheral portions of the display may be masked using an opaque masking layer. An opening may be provided in the opaque masking layer to allow light to pass. For example, a logo may be viewed through an opening in the opaque masking layer and a camera may receive light through an opening in the opaque masking layer. The display may include upper and lower polarizers, a color filter layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The opaque masking layer may be formed on the upper polarizer, may be interposed between the upper polarizer and the color filter layer, or may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin-film transistor layer. The upper polarizer may have unpolarized windows for cameras, logos, or other internal structures. |
| US09292035B2 |
Packet based DDS minimizing mathematical and DAC noise
Disclosed are a method of and an apparatus devising a packet based DDS circuitry for performing packet based a direct digital synthesizing (DDS) function within an electronic testing instrument. The circuitry comprising a DDS logic circuit configured to execute direct digital syntheses on a plurality of consecutive packets of sine-like waves, each packet having a length of a period precisely chosen such that the sine wave at the end of one packet matches up with the sine wave at the start of the immediate subsequent packet. Also disclosed is an eddy current testing circuitry using multiple outputs of the single packet based DDS, one of the output is used in a circuit producing reference signals approximating the response signals. With the usage of the packet based DDS, the reference signal can be highly effective in nulling the unchanging portion of the response signals. |
| US09292028B2 |
Digital switching converter control
A control circuit can control the operation of a switching converter to provide a regulated load current to a load. The switching converter includes an inductor and a high-side and a low side-transistor for switching the load current provided via the inductor. A digital modulator is configured to provide a modulated signal having a duty cycle determined by a digital duty cycle value. A current sense circuit is coupled to at least one of the transistors and is configured to regularly sample a load current value. A comparator is coupled to the current sense circuit and is configured to compare the sampled load current value with a first threshold and to provide a respective comparator output signal. A regulator is configured to receive the comparator output signal and to calculate an updated digital duty cycle value. |
| US09292024B2 |
Power gating circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first power supply line to which an input power supply voltage is to be applied, a second power supply line configured to supply a bias voltage to a load circuit, a MOS transistor having a source-drain current path connected between the first and second power supply lines, an NMOS transistor having a source-drain current path connected between the first and second power supply lines, and a control circuit configured to generate a first control signal that is supplied to a gate electrode of the PMOS transistor at a first point in time, and a second control signal that is boosted to have a voltage level higher than the input power supply voltage and then supplied to a gate electrode of the NMOS transistor at a second point in time point that is after the first point in time. |
| US09292022B2 |
System for remote control of a condition at a site
A system is provided for remote control of at least one operating condition of a site. The system includes a proximity detection module at a residential site, which is configured to receive a communication regarding a location of a location reporting device or a mobile device. The proximity detection module is configured to alter or adjust a current temperature setting for the site based on a distance or location of the location reporting device or mobile device relative to the site. |
| US09292018B2 |
Moving body system and method for controlling travel of moving body
A detector detects positions of a moving body in a travel direction at a position shifted from a center of control of travel of the moving body in a direction different than the travel direction of the moving body. Positions of the center of control in the travel direction relative to the output of the detector is stored in a storage unit for at least a curved section of a travel route of the moving body, and the travel of the moving body is controlled by a controller, based on the positions of the center of control read out from the storage unit. |
| US09292017B2 |
System and method for real-time guidance and mapping of a tunnel boring machine and tunnel
A system and methods are disclosed for providing the location of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) by establishing of a plurality of known locations or “monuments”; from these monuments located at least on, over or within the TBM's start point, known in the art as a “pit”. The present invention provides among other things an integrated navigation system that provides real-time parametric guidance information to the TBM, relative to the tunnel origin, past course and current trajectory, while simultaneously employing a non-contact measuring system in concert with said origin and course information for the final provision of an as-built map of tunnel dimensions and centerline. |
| US09292015B2 |
Universal construction robotics interface
A method and a system of integrating a new robot into a work environment are provided. A controller receives a signal indicating a presence of a new robot in the work environment. The controller then establishes a negotiation channel between the controller and the new robot and begins to negotiate with the new robot a set of robotic functions controllable by the controller. Based on a comparison between a set of function attributes the new robot and interface attributes of the controller, the controller generates a new robot user interface for controlling the set of robotic functions of the new robot. |
| US09292014B2 |
Digital control manager
Embodiments of the invention provide a digital control manager comprising a first transceiver configured to provide one or more wireless communication links to one or more energy autonomous end devices; a second transceiver configured to provide one or more wireless communication links to one or more digital control managers and one or more end devices; a local database; an intellectualize function module configured to execute a computer program to provide intelligence to the digital control manager and to end devices in communication therewith. A digital control manager system comprises a network of communication links between the digital control managers to enable data exchange between the digital control managers; a plurality of end devices, wherein each end device is in communication with at least one digital control manager by a communication link to enable data exchange between the end device and the at least one digital control manager, and at least one distributed database comprising a copy of the objects of the local databases of at least some of the digital control managers. |
| US09292002B2 |
Optimized escapement
A timepiece escapement mechanism includes a stopper between a resonator and an escape wheel set. The wheel set includes a magnetized track with an angular period of travel over which its magnetic characteristics are repeated. The stopper includes a magnetized or ferromagnetic pole shoe that is mobile in a transverse direction relative to the direction of travel of an element of a surface of the track. The pole shoe or the track creates a magnetic field in a pole gap between the pole shoe and the surface. The pole shoe is opposite a magnetic field barrier on the track just before each transverse motion of the stopper commanded by the periodic action of this resonator. The stopper is multistable and arranged to occupy at least two stable positions. |
| US09291999B2 |
Timepiece barrel
A ratchet for winding a barrel, including an axial passage for fitting the ratchet onto an arbor carrying pivotal drive mechanism. The ratchet includes, in the axial passage, a strip spring permitting fitting of the ratchet onto the arbor, and exerting a bearing force on the pivotal drive mechanism, wherein the at least one strip spring forms a complementary drive for pivotally driving the arbor. A timepiece barrel for pivotal assembly between a bottom plate and a bridge includes a spring housed between a pivoting drum and a ratchet and hooked between, at an outer end thereof, the drum, and at an inner end thereof, an arbor, the arbor pivoting integrally with the ratchet about a pivot axis. |
| US09291991B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device configured to form a toner image on a sheet, a fixing device, including first and second rotatable members, for forming a nip, configured to fix the toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming device, a mounting portion to which the fixing device is detachably mountable substantially along a longitudinal direction thereof, a pressing mechanism configured to press the first rotatable member toward the second rotatable member by entrance thereof, along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, into a space of the mounting portion through which the fixing device passes during mounting and demounting, and a retracting mechanism configured to retract the pressing mechanism from the space. |
| US09291987B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus having improved vibration handling
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a recording medium storage unit in which a recording medium is stored, a pickup unit to pick up the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage unit, a pair of transport rollers being engaged with each other to rotate and transport the recording medium picked up by the pickup unit; an image forming unit to form an image on the recording medium transferred by the pair of transport rollers; and a frame including a first support region to support at least one of the pair of transport rollers, and a second support region to support at least a part of the image forming unit, wherein the frame further includes a vibration blocking slit that is disposed between the first and second support regions to block vibration from being transmitted from the first support region to the second support region. |
| US09291986B2 |
Process unit
A process unit has an image carrying unit having an image carrying member configured to be rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and a developing agent removing member, a developing unit having a developing agent carrying member configured to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a waste developing agent collecting unit configured to collect the developing agent removed by the removing member from the image carrying member. The waste developing agent collecting unit is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the developing unit such that the waste developing agent collecting unit faces the developing unit, and the developing unit is connected to the waste developing agent collecting unit such that the developing unit being movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the waste developing agent collecting unit. |
| US09291984B2 |
Connector for heater, and fixing apparatus
An image fixing apparatus for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording material, comprising a heater including a substrate, a first electrode provided on one side of the substrate and a second electrode provided on the other side of the substrate; and a connector, connected with the heater, for receiving electric power, the connector including an electrically insulative housing, and a contact terminal provided inside the housing and having first spring contact contacted to the first electrode and a second spring contact contacted to the second electrode, wherein the contact terminal is swingable relative to the housing. |
| US09291982B2 |
Driving transmission device and image forming apparatus
A driving transmission device includes a motor, a first pulley to be rotated by the motor, a second pulley connected to a rotating member, an endless belt wound on the first pulley and the second pulley, a dielectric layer provided between the endless belt and the first pulley and between the endless belt and the second pulley, and a power supply unit configured to apply a voltage to the first pulley. The first pulley, the endless belt, and the second pulley are connected in series. A length by which the endless belt is wound on the second pulley is larger than a length by which the endless belt is wound on the first pulley. A voltage applied to the second pulley is lower than the voltage applied to the first pulley. |
| US09291979B2 |
Device, system, method, and recording medium having computer program for controlling printing
A printing control device includes a glossiness target value determining unit that determines a glossiness target value indicating a target of glossiness of image data as a print target, a color separation amount determining unit that determines color separation amounts of a plurality of colored color materials as amounts of the colored color materials to be allocated to the respective colored color materials based on a sum of respective amounts of the colored color materials for the glossiness target value, a color separation processing unit that executes color replacement among a plurality of pieces of colored plane data based on the color separation amounts of the respective colored color materials, and an image data generator that generates the image data based on the pieces of colored plane data on which the color replacement has been executed. |
| US09291972B2 |
Display apparatus, image forming apparatus, customizing method, and program
A display apparatus which displays an operation screen of one or more function-setting components including setting information of a function of an application. The apparatus includes a function list display unit which displays a list of functions for each application software; layout specifying information specifying a layout of the function-setting components on the operation screen; display mode information defining a display mode of setting information and the setting information for each function; a screen generating unit which generates a function-setting component list screen which displays in a list the function-setting component of the function; and an arrangement determining unit which determines an arrangement in the operation screen of a function-setting component to be arranged, a selection of which is accepted from the function setting component list screen, and updates the layout specifying information with a layout including the function-setting component to be arranged. |
| US09291970B1 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
Provided is a fixing device including a fixing unit that includes a pipe-shaped fixing member which includes an outermost layer including at least one selected from a group consisting of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber and a denatured hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and heats and pressurizes the recording medium to fix an unfixed developer image on a recording medium by bringing the outermost layer into contact with a surface of the recording medium which holds the developer image, the recording medium being transported while holding the unfixed developer image, and a heating unit that is disposed on an upstream side of the fixing unit in a transport direction of the recording medium, and heats the recording medium transported while holding the unfixed developer image. |
| US09291969B2 |
Base for fixing belt, fixing belt, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A base for a fixing belt includes a nickel layer; and a copper layer, both laminated each other, wherein an orientation ratio calculated based on a ratio between a peak strength of crystal face and a peak strength of crystal face by X-ray diffraction analysis of the copper layer is 0.1 or less. The base for the fixing belt further includes a protective layer, disposed on a surface of the copper layer opposite a surface on which the nickel layer is laminated, and the protective layer is formed of nickel. |
| US09291968B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus performs a serviceman call detection mode during its idling time. In this time, a control portion controls upper and lower pressuring rollers to be clamped, controls a driving motor, and controls a change-over mechanism to switch a braking motor off. A torque detection portion detects a torque value Y of the driving motor at this time. The control portion then controls the upper and lower pressuring rollers to be clamped, controls the driving motor, and controls the change-over mechanism to switch the braking motor on. The torque detection portion detects a torque value Z of the driving motor at this time. The control portion subtracts the torque value Y from the torque value Z to calculate a difference value. The control portion determines that the braking motor is broken down when the difference value does not exceed the threshold value. |
| US09291967B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device that fixes an image on a recording medium includes a rotatable endless belt, deployed in a loop supported by rollers, a nip forming member provided inside the loop formed by the belt, a support member that supports the nip forming member, a counter rotation body disposed outside the loop formed by the belt and configured to form a nip with the belt by being in contact with the nip forming member through the belt, and a heat source configured to heat the belt directly by a radiant heat except at the nip. The support member includes a base portion that contacts the nip forming member and two arms extending from the base portion in a direction away from the nip forming member to partially surround a part of heat generating portion of the heat source. |
| US09291963B1 |
Image forming apparatus
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit that fixes a developer image which is formed on a thermoplastic recording medium by performing fixing processing that causes the recording medium on which the developer image is formed to be heated and pressed with transportation based on plural fixation parameters, a detection unit that detects an amount of extension and contraction which occurs in the recording medium by the fixing processing, and a suppression unit that controls at least one of the plural fixation parameters and suppresses the amount of extension and contraction which is detected by the detection unit. |
| US09291962B2 |
Image-forming apparatus with controller and fixing portion to control toner adhesion amount
In an image-forming apparatus such as a printer, a controller judges whether or not a determination processing of fixity saturation state is performed to determine a fixing condition in which an image density of a patch is the fixity saturation state. The controller then performs the determination processing of fixity saturation state when a use condition is changed. The controller settles fixing conditions in which the image density of patch is highest as the set value when the image density of the patch is saturated. Next, the controller performs a toner adhesion amount adjustment using an intermediate transfer belt. A target value of the toner adhesion amount on the intermediate transfer belt corresponding to the target image density is set and then, an optimal developing voltage that is the set target value is set. After the toner adhesion amount adjustment, the controller performs fixity adjustment. |
| US09291958B2 |
Image heating apparatus, heater and belt replacing method
An image heating apparatus includes: an endless belt; a heater for heating the belt, the heater forms a sliding portion between an inner surface of the belt and the heater; a rotatable member cooperative with the heater to sandwich the belt to form a nip between an outer peripheral surface of the belt and the rotatable member; a temperature detector provided on a surface of the heater relatively more remote from the sliding portion than the heater; a controller for controlling the timing of feeding the sheet to the nip on the basis of an output of the detector; and lubricant provided in at least a part of the sliding portion except for a range which is in an opposing relation with the detector. The sliding portion is free of the lubricant in the range. |
| US09291957B2 |
Image forming apparatus with reciprocating mechanism for cleaning blade
An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a belt; a cleaning blade; a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the cleaning blade in the width direction so that one end portion thereof is between first and second positions and the other end portion thereof is between third and fourth positions; and a brush, extending in the width direction, for removing the toner deposited on the belt in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the belt. The brush is provided upstream of the cleaning blade and downstream of the transfer portion with respect to the movement direction of the belt so that one end portion of the brush is between the first and second positions and the other end portion of the brush is between the third and fourth positions. |
| US09291956B2 |
Image forming apparatus with removable waste toner container and exposable feeding path
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, an external-sheet inlet, a waste toner container, a connector, and a conveying roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet inserted through the external-sheet inlet in the feeding path. The conveying roller is mounted on the waste toner container and removable from the chassis along with the waste toner container. |
| US09291954B1 |
Image forming apparatus
In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming section configured to form an image on an image carrier, a transfer roller configured to transfer the image formed on the image carrier to an image receiving medium, a support body configured to support the image carrier in a main body opposite to the transfer roller, a holding member arranged in the support body to hold two end parts of the transfer roller and having a conductive member that makes electrical contact with the transfer roller when the transfer roller is mounted in the holding member, and a power supply section configured to apply transfer bias to the image carrier and to the transfer roller through the conductive member. |
| US09291953B2 |
Transfer member, manufacturing method of transfer member, transfer unit, image forming apparatus, and roller
A transfer member includes a support, an elastic layer, and a resin layer having a sea-island structure on the elastic layer, wherein elongation at break of the resin layer is from 20% to 180%, and an average diameter of an island portion thereof is from 0.5 μm to 3 μm. |
| US09291948B2 |
Liquid electrophotography ink developer
A liquid electrophotographic ink developer comprises a developer roller (112) rotatable about an axis, first and second electrodes (108, 110) proximate the developer roller (112) and an inlet chamber (100) extending along the axis from a first end adjacent an inlet opening (122) to a second end opposite the first end. A neck (104) forms an uninterrupted ink flow path from the inlet chamber (100) to the developer roller (112). |
| US09291945B2 |
Developing unit
A developing unit includes a developer carrier configured to hold a developer including a toner and a carrier on a developer carrying area, a first chamber configured to collect the developer from the developer carrier, and a second chamber configured to communicate with the first chamber and to circulate the developer between the first chamber and the second chamber. A first conveying member in the first chamber conveys the developer from a first communication portion toward a second communication portion, and a second conveying member in the second chamber conveys the developer from the second communication portion toward the first communication portion. The first communication portion is configured to be provided outside of the developer carrying area, and the second communication portion is configured to be provided in a position overlapping an edge of the developer carrying area. |
| US09291943B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming system with cartridge capacity dependent transport force
An image forming apparatus includes: a cartridge installing section in which a first cartridge and a second cartridge are selectively installable; and a controller. The first cartridge includes: a first case configured to contain a first developer; a first developing roller; and a first transport member configured to transport the first developer toward the first developing roller. The second cartridge includes: a second case configured to contain a second developer, an amount of the second developer being greater than an amount of the first developer; a second developing roller; and a second transport member configured to transport the second developer toward the second developing roller. The controller is configured to control a drive source to drive one of the first transport member and the second transport member. |
| US09291942B2 |
Developer accommodating unit, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A developer accommodating container includes: a flexible container provided with an opening for permitting discharge of a developer; a sealing member, mounted to the flexible container in a state in which the sealing member seals the opening, capable of exposing the opening by being wound up; an unsealing member for winding up the sealing member by being rotated to expose the opening; a frame for accommodating the unsealing member; and a limiting portion for limiting deformation of the unsealing member with respect to a direction of a force applied from the sealing member to the unsealing member when the unsealing member winds up the sealing member. |
| US09291938B2 |
Wet-type image formation apparatus
When a toner charging amount for toner in a liquid developer conveyed to a development portion is set, a wet-type image formation apparatus performs a sensing operation in which a sensing unit senses image densities of a plurality of patch images formed at different development biases with the toner charging amount being set to a constant value, and a setting operation in which, in a case where a control unit calculates current development characteristics based on the image densities of the plurality of patch images sensed by the sensing unit, and determines that the current development characteristics are not included within a set target range, the control unit controls a charging unit to set the toner charging amount such that the development characteristics are included within the set target range. |
| US09291934B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member to bear a toner image on a surface thereof, a transfer device to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium, and a transfer bias power source to apply to the transfer device a superimposed transfer bias in which an alternating current (AC) component is superimposed on a direct current (DC) component in a superimposed transfer mode to transfer the toner image. The superimposed transfer bias has a waveform in which a first polarity in a direction of transferring the toner image onto the recording medium and a second polarity opposite the first polarity switch alternately. The superimposed transfer bias is output such that a standard value of each of the DC component and the AC component is multiplied by a respective correction ratio, and the correction ratio of the DC component is different from that of the AC component. |
| US09291925B2 |
Phase immersion emulsification process and apparatus
A method for preparing a latex or dispersion, the method comprising contacting at least one resin with an organic solvent to form a resin mixture; neutralizing the resin mixture with a neutralizing agent; and subjecting the resin mixture flow to steam flow in a continuous manner to form a dispersion. A method for forming toner, the method comprising: contacting a resin to an organic solvent and a neutralizing agent to form a resin mixture; subjecting the resin mixture flow to a steam flow in a continuous manner to form a dispersion; aggregating particles from a pre-toner mixture, the pre-toner mixture comprising the dispersion, an optional colorant, and an optional wax; and coalescing the aggregated particles to form toner particles. An apparatus that can perform the methods. |
| US09291921B2 |
Detection apparatus, exposure apparatus, device fabrication method and filter to reduce a difference between detected intensity values of lights having different wavelength ranges
The present invention provides a detection apparatus which detects an object to be detected, the apparatus including an illumination system configured to illuminate the object with light containing a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, a detector configured to detect light from the object illuminated by the illumination system, and an optical member configured to set a transmittance for light in the first wavelength range and a transmittance for light in the second wavelength range to be different from each other, thereby reducing a difference between an intensity value of the light which has the first wavelength range and is detected by the detector and an intensity value of the light which has the second wavelength range and is detected by the detector. |
| US09291919B2 |
Light exposure method, and light exposure apparatus
There is provided an EUV exposure apparatus which restrains its optical systems or a mask used therein from being polluted by contaminations generated in its chamber. An energy beam generating source is arranged near a wafer stage set in the chamber of the EUV exposure apparatus to decompose an emission gas generated from a resist painted on the front surface of a wafer by an energy beam. In this manner, lightening mirrors configuring a lightening optical system as one of the optical systems, projection mirrors configuring a projection optical system as another of the optical systems, the mask, and others are protected from being polluted by contaminations. |
| US09291914B2 |
Fluid handling structure, a lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method
A fluid handling structure for a lithographic apparatus, the fluid handling structure having, at a boundary from a space configured to contain immersion fluid to a region external to the fluid handling structure: a meniscus pinning feature to resist passage of immersion fluid in a radially outward direction from the space; a gas supply opening radially outward of the meniscus pinning feature; and a gas recovery opening radially outward of the meniscus pinning feature and at least partly surrounding the gas supply opening. |
| US09291910B2 |
Aqueous solution and process for removing substances from substrates
The disclosure is directed solutions and processes to remove substances from substrates. In some cases, the substances can include photoresist on semiconductor wafers. The solution can include hydrogen peroxide in an amount that is no greater than 15% by weight of the total weight of the solution. The solution can also include a quaternary ammonium hydroxide and water. Further, the solution can include an amine, a co-solvent, or both. One or more sides of the substrate can be contacted with the solution to remove one or more substances from the solution. |
| US09291907B2 |
Methods for forming resist features and arrays of aligned, elongate resist features
Methods of forming resist features, resist patterns, and arrays of aligned, elongate resist features are disclosed. The methods include addition of a compound, e.g., an acid or a base, to at least a lower surface of a resist to alter acidity of at least a segment of one of an exposed, acidic resist region and an unexposed, basic resist region. The alteration, e.g., increase or decrease, in the acidity shifts an acid-base equilibrium to either encourage or discourage development of the segment. Such “chemical proximity correction” techniques may be used to enhance the acidity of an exposed, acidic resist segment, to enhance the basicity of an unexposed, basic resist segment, or to effectively convert an exposed, acidic resist segment to an unexposed, basic resist segment or vice versa. Thus, unwanted line breaks, line merges, or misalignments may be avoided. |
| US09291906B2 |
Method and an apparatus having a compressible collar for thermally treating a photosensitive precursor
The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for preparing a printing form from a precursor, particularly a method and apparatus for preparing the printing form by thermally treating a photosensitive precursor having a photopolymerizable layer. The method and apparatus includes heating the photosensitive precursor to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy, contacting the precursor with a development medium to remove the liquefied material, and supporting a development medium with a core member adjacent an exterior surface of the photosensitive precursor, wherein a compressible collar of a closed-cell foam having a Poisson's ratio of less than 0.4 is disposed between the core member and the development medium. |
| US09291897B2 |
Pattern forming method, actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, resist film, manufacturing method of electronic device using the same, and electronic device
There is provided a pattern forming method comprising, in order, (1) a step of forming a film by using an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing (Ab) a resin having specific repeating units, (2) a step of exposing the film by using an electron beam or an extreme-ultraviolet ray, and (3) a step of developing the exposed film by using an organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative pattern. |
| US09291892B2 |
Actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, and, resist film, pattern forming method, electronic device manufacturing method, and electronic device, each using the composition
Disclosed are an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition including (A) a compound capable of generating an acid by irradiation of actinic rays or radiation, and (B) a resin of which solubility in an alkali developer increases by being decomposed by the action of an acid, and, a resist film, a pattern forming method, an electronic device manufacturing method, and an electronic device, each using the composition, wherein the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition contains at least one type of a specific compound represented by General Formula (A-I) and at least one type of a specific compound represented by General Formula (A-II) as the compound (A). |
| US09291891B2 |
Method of controlling surface roughness of a flexographic printing plate
A method of controlling surface roughness of a flexographic printing element during thermal processing is provided. An imaged and exposed relief image printing element is thermally developed to remove the portions of at least one layer of photopolymer that are not crosslinked and cured by using a blotting material. The blotting material is separated from the at least one layer of photopolymer. Thereafter, a smooth material is inserted between the surface of the at least one layer of photopolymer and the blotting material, applying pressure and heat. In the alternative, after the relief image printing element is removed from the thermal processor, a polymeric film is laminated onto the relief image printing element using heat and pressure. The surface roughness of the relief image printing element is reduced, allowing for increased solid ink density on solid areas printed using the relief image printing element. |
| US09291889B2 |
Photo mask and method for forming pattern using the same
An opening width of a main pattern is a width with which a transcription pattern is formed on a target member to be exposed by transmitted exposure light, and is a dimension of 0.8×(λ/NA)×M or less (where λ is a wavelength of the exposure light, and NA and M are a numerical aperture and a reduction ratio of a reduced projection optical system of an exposure apparatus). Each of a first auxiliary pattern adjacent to the main pattern and a second auxiliary pattern located outside the first auxiliary pattern to be adjacent thereto has a width with which a transcription pattern is not formed by the exposure light and generates diffracted light. A first distance between respective centers of the main pattern and the first auxiliary pattern is greater than a second distance between respective centers of the first auxiliary pattern and the second auxiliary pattern. |
| US09291887B2 |
Rollable display screen quilt
A rollable display screen for use in electronic display systems includes a rollable screen that is mechanically coupled to a roller mechanism and has a plurality of pixel elements disposed thereon. The roller mechanism is configured as a stowing mechanism for the rollable screen, and may be further configured to deploy the rollable screen as a substantially planar viewing surface. The rollable display screen can be advantageously used for a durable and easily transported electronic display device since the rollable display screen is light-weight, durable, and compact. |
| US09291885B2 |
Multiple light projection type image display apparatus combining and projecting lights from light sources and control apparatus therefor
In a control apparatus for use in a multiple light projection type image display apparatus, the control apparatus includes a light source driver part configured to drive a plurality of light sources; and an apparatus controller configured to control the light source driver part. The light source driver part drives the plurality of light sources at respective different frequencies. |
| US09291884B2 |
Method of regulating light wavelength for projection device
The disclosure provides a method for regulating a light wavelength of a projection device. The method comprises the following steps. A single-color light source is provided and emits a first chromatic light. A phosphor layer is formed on an optical path of the single-color light source, so that the first chromatic light transmits the phosphor layer. The phosphor layer transforms a part of the first chromatic light to a second chromatic light, and emits the residual first chromatic light. The residual first chromatic light is further mixed with the second chromatic light to generate a third chromatic light. The wavelength of the third chromatic light is regulated by adjusting the proportion of the luminous intensity of the residual first chromatic light and the second chromatic light. |
| US09291883B2 |
Image projection apparatus
An image projection apparatus includes a light source, light from which is used to form an image to be projected, a first flow path, a control unit configured to control a light emission from the light source, an electrical power stabilizing unit configured to stabilize an electrical power to be supplied to the light source, and an electrical power source unit configured to supply the electrical power to at least one of the control unit and the electrical power stabilizing unit. One or both of the electrical power source unit and the electrical power stabilizing unit is/are divided into a plurality of boards. The light source is arranged on a normal line of a surface of any of the plurality of boards. The plurality of boards configure surfaces of the first flow path except a surface nearest to the light source. |
| US09291881B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An image sensor is positioned at a fixing member and adheres to and is fixed to the fixing member by pouring an adhesive into the opening. The opening is formed in a shape that extends in a short-side direction of the image sensor at a position corresponding to a substantially central portion of the image sensor in a long-side direction. The opening is formed such that an opening width on a side not facing the image sensor is larger than an opening width on a side facing the image sensor. |
| US09291876B2 |
System and method for controlling a motor
A system for controlling a motor may include a motor driver circuit for driving a camera motor. A memory capable of storing a plurality of parameters for controlling the camera motor may also be included. A set of parameters from the memory may be chosen to be applied to driving the motor. A motor control module may receive a signal from the control logic module, apply the chosen set of parameters to driving the camera motor, and command the motor driver circuit to drive the motor in accordance with the applied set of parameters. The parameters may be chosen based on desired behavior of the system and various other stimuli. |
| US09291874B2 |
Optical deflection element and optical deflection device
An optical deflection element is provided with a substrate; an optical waveguide film made of an electro-optic medium, and constituting an optical waveguide formed on the substrate; a first electrode pair disposed on an incident side of the optical waveguide film at a position facing a film thickness direction of the optical waveguide film, and configured to deflect a light beam transmitting through the optical waveguide film in an in-plane direction of the optical waveguide film in accordance with a first applied voltage; and a second electrode pair disposed on an output side of the optical waveguide film at a position facing the film thickness direction of the optical waveguide film, and configured to deflect the light beam deflected in the in-plane direction of the optical waveguide film by the first electrode pair in the film thickness direction of the optical waveguide film in accordance with a second applied voltage. The second electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are formed to have lengths different from each other in a direction of travel of the light beam transmitting through the optical waveguide film. |
| US09291870B2 |
Thin film transistor and display device having the same
A thin film transistor includes a semiconductor pattern on a base substrate, the semiconductor pattern including an input area, an output area, and a channel area between the input area and the output area, a first insulating layer covering the semiconductor pattern, a control electrode on the first insulating layer, the control electrode overlapping the channel area, a second insulating layer covering the control electrode, an input electrode connected to the input area, an output electrode connected to the output area, and a heat discharge electrode on the second insulating layer, the heat discharge electrode being connected to the control electrode. |
| US09291868B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel having a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode. A first thin film transistor is connected to the first sub-pixel electrode. A second thin film transistor is connected to the second sub-pixel electrode. A third thin film transistor is connected to the second sub-pixel electrode. A fourth thin film transistor is connected to a drain electrode of the third thin film transistor. A first gate line is connected to the first thin film transistor and the second thin film transistor. A data line is connected to the first thin film transistor and the second thin film transistor. A second gate line is connected to the third thin film transistor. A third gate line is connected to the fourth thin film transistor. |
| US09291867B2 |
Double layer liquid crystal (LC) fabry-perot (FP) filter display device
A double layer LC FP filter display device includes a backlight module (4) and a double layer LC FP filter module (2) arranged above the backlight module. The double layer LC FP filter module (2) includes a plurality of main pixels (402) arranged in a matrix. Each of the main pixels (402) comprises two sub-pixels (204). Each of the sub-pixels (204) includes one up-layer LC FP filter units (220) and one down-layer LC FP filter units (240) stacked together. The two sub-pixels (204) of the main pixels (402) are independently driven such that transmission light having two chromaticity is obtained when the white transmission light having the continuous spectrum provided by the backlight module (4) passes through the two sub-pixels (204). The chromaticity of the main pixels (402) is obtained by mixing the transmission light having two chromaticity. |
| US09291864B2 |
Display panel and method of manufacturing the display panel
In a display panel and a method of manufacturing the display panel, the display panel includes a display substrate including a first electrode and a second electrode insulated from the first electrode and disposed on the first electrode, an opposite substrate including a third electrode facing the second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the display substrate and the opposite substrate. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules, a reactive mesogen polymer, and nano-rods. |
| US09291862B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus with first and second spacers
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first spacer, a second spacer which is different in height from the first spacer, and a liquid crystal layer held between an array substrate and a counter substrate. The first spacer is provided at an intersection of a source wiring line and an auxiliary capacitive line, and the second spacer is provided in at least a contact hole. |
| US09291857B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Provided is a liquid crystal display device reducing display unevenness and image sticking even though employing a PSA polymerization step in which monomers are added to a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, at least one of the substrates including an alignment film and a structure consisting of an organic insulating material; a polymer layer that is formed on the alignment film to control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules; and a liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal material, the layer being placed between the pair of substrates, wherein the polymer layer is formed by polymerization of one or more kinds of radical polymerizable monomers contained in the liquid crystal layer, and at least one kind of the radical polymerizable monomers includes a structure which generates radicals through self-cleavage reaction by light irradiation and two or more radical polymerizable groups. |
| US09291853B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display portion, a front housing holding the display portion while pushing at least a part of an edge on the front side of the display portion, and a first bezel member made of metal, arranged inside the front housing. |
| US09291852B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a backlight assembly which provides a light and a display panel which receives the light provided from the backlight assembly to display an image. The backlight assembly includes a light source which generates the light, and a light guide plate. The light guide plate receives the light generated from the light source through an incident surface thereof as an incident light, and outputs the incident light through an exit surface thereof as an exit light. The light guide plate includes a first optical pattern and a second optical pattern. The first optical pattern is disposed corresponding to a first area of the exit surface and collects the incident light. The second optical pattern is disposed corresponding to a remaining second area of the exit surface excluding the first area, and collects the exit light. |
| US09291849B2 |
Liquid crystal display
Provided is a liquid crystal display including: a first substrate; a gate line, a data line, and a common voltage line formed on the first substrate; a first passivation layer formed on the gate line, the data line, and the common voltage line; and a pixel electrode and a common electrode formed on the first passivation layer and overlapping each other with a second passivation layer therebetween, and the common electrode is connected to the common voltage line through a common contact hole, and the common contact hole is disposed for every two or more dots. |
| US09291848B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal panel based on ADS display mode and display device
Embodiments of the invention disclose a transflective liquid crystal panel based on ADS display mode and a display device. Each pixel unit is provided with a transmissive region and a reflective region, a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive region is larger than that of liquid crystal layer in the reflective region. Moreover, an optical retardation film and a reflection layer are disposed in a region corresponding to the reflective region; wherein the optical retardation film is adapted for compensating optical retardation caused by a difference in the thicknesses of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive and reflective regions. |
| US09291846B2 |
Display panel, display apparatus including the same and method of manufacturing the same
A display panel includes a base substrate, a gate line disposed under the base substrate and extending in a first direction, a data line disposed under the base substrate and extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a thin film transistor disposed under the base substrate, and electrically connected to the gate line and the data line, a first electrode disposed under the base substrate and electrically connected to the thin film transistor, an image displaying portion disposed under the first electrode and overlapped with the first electrode, a protecting layer disposed under the image displaying portion, surrounding a lower surface of the image displaying portion and both sides of the image displaying portion in the second direction, and including a protrusion wall protruded in a direction opposite to the base substrate, and an upper polarizer disposed on the base substrate. |
| US09291842B2 |
Display device, electronic apparatus, and method for manufacturing display device
According to an aspect, a display device includes a first display panel including a first protective layer; a second display panel including a second protective layer; and a connection part that connects the first display panel and the second display panel. The connection part includes a portion of a flexible substrate included in the first display panel and the second display panel, and the first protective layer and the second protective layer have higher strength than the flexible substrate. |
| US09291836B2 |
Optical modulator and optical module including the same
Provided are an optical modulator modulating optical signals and an optical module including the same. The optical modulator includes a lower clad layer, an optical transmission line extended in a first direction on the lower clad layer, and an upper clad layer on the optical transmission line and the lower clad layer. The optical transmission line may include graphene. |
| US09291835B2 |
Finding bias voltages for optical modulators
Methods and apparatus for finding a bias voltage (20) corresponding to a quadrature point of an optical modulator, the modulator comprising a biasable component which is configurable to be biased by application of the bias voltage (20) such that the modulator operates at quadrature, the method comprising: providing a target for the output power of the modulator which corresponds to quadrature; applying, to the biasable component, a bias voltage (20) having an initial value; thereafter, finding a value for the bias voltage (20) that biases the biasable component such that the output power of the modulator is within a pre-defined range of the target by, starting at the initial value, alternately increasing and decreasing (or decreasing and increasing) the bias voltage (20) with gradually increasing amplitude; and identifying the found value for the bias voltage (20) as a bias voltage corresponding to a quadrature point of the optical modulator. |
| US09291825B2 |
Calibratable beam shaping system and method
A beam shaping system including: a first and second optical modules that are accommodated in a spaced-apart relationship in an optical path of light through the system to sequentially apply beam shaping to light incident thereon. The beam shaping system includes first and second alignment modules respectively carrying the first and second optical modules and operable for laterally positioning the optical modules with respect to the optical path. A calibration module of the beam shaping system is connectable to the first and second alignment modules and is operable to sequentially calibrate and align the respective lateral positions of the first and second optical modules with respect to the optical path. The system thereby enables shaping of an incoming light beam of given predetermined wave-front and lateral intensity distribution to form an output light beam having desired wave-front and desired lateral intensity distribution. |
| US09291822B2 |
Light guide plate and virtual image display device equipped with the same
The sizes of the respective reflecting units vary in the image take-out section along the Z direction in association with the state of the total reflection angle in the light guide section. Thus, it becomes possible to keep the sufficient effective light beam width of the image light input thereto in all of the reflecting units. Therefore, the deterioration in the image light caused by the reflection in the reflecting units can be avoided, and as a result, the degradation of the resolution of the image due to the virtual image light thus emitted can be prevented. |
| US09291820B2 |
Display module and head up display
A display module including light emitting units and a display panel is provided. Each of the light emitting units includes a light source and a light converging element. The light emitting units are divided into at least one first light emitting unit row and a second light emitting unit row adjacent to the first light emitting unit row. Top surfaces of the light converging elements of the first light emitting unit row are disposed on a first surface. Top surfaces of the light converging elements of the second light emitting unit row are disposed on a second surface. The first surface is located between the display panel and the second surface. Moreover, a head up display including the display module is also provided. |
| US09291815B2 |
Optical reflection element
An optical reflection element includes a fixed portion having a pair of sides opposite to each other, a pair of first vibration portions having one ends each connected to respective one of the sides of the fixed portion, a pair of connection portions each connected to respective one of another ends of the first vibration portions, a movable frame rotatably supported by another ends of the first vibration portions via the connection portions, a pair of second vibration portions having one ends each connected to respective one of a pair of sides of the movable frame, and a mirror rotatably connected to another ends of the second vibration portions. The second vibration portions are configured to transmit a rotational vibration about a rotation axis to the mirror. The connection portions are connected to the movable frame in a direction of the rotation axis. The connection portions are connected to a part of the movable frame at which a displacement of the movable frame due to the rotational vibration of the mirror has a minimum amount. This optical reflection element reduces unnecessary vibration, and projects clear images. |
| US09291812B2 |
Light-modulating panel and light modulator
This light modulation panel is provided with: a first substrate having comb electrodes disposed on a uniformly planar electrode with an insulating layer therebetween; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate and provided with a uniformly planar electrode; a light modulation layer obtained by dispersing anisometric members in a medium; and formed between the substrates; and a circuit for changing the direction in which an electric field is applied, which changes the direction of an electric field applied to the light modulation layer. |
| US09291810B1 |
Variable magnification indicator in sighting system
A magnification zoom sighting system is disclosed. One embodiment includes an objective lens group that produces an image of a distant object at a first focal plane, a zoom lens element that relays the image from the first focal plane to a second focal plane and varies an optical magnification of the image, an ocular lens group for viewing the image at the second focal plane, a magnification adjustment mechanism coupled to the zoom lens element for adjusting an optical magnification setting of the zoom lens element to adjust the optical magnification of the image, and a reticle having magnification indicia, disposed proximate the first focal plane and such that it is configured to be viewable through the ocular lens group in a field of view thereof and superimposed upon the image. The magnification indicia conveys the optical magnification setting of the zoom lens element. |
| US09291809B2 |
Scanning telescope
A scanning telescope including an on-axis four-mirror reflective telescope configured to receive electromagnetic radiation through an optical aperture and to direct and focus the electromagnetic radiation onto an imaging detector, the on-axis four-mirror reflective telescope including a rear-most mirror configured to be movable over a range of angular tilt relative to an optical axis of the scanning telescope to scan a field of view of the imaging detector over a scan range. In one example, the rear-most scanning mirror is the tertiary mirror of the four-mirror reflective telescope, and all four mirrors are axisymmetric about the optical axis of the telescope. |
| US09291808B2 |
Combination optical aiming device for projectile weapons
A combination optical aiming device comprises a non-magnifying sight that includes an optic and a magnifying sight that includes an eyepiece and an objective. To reduce the vertical distance between viewing positions for the sights, the optic and the eye lens are truncated in order to position the optic predominately outside of a projection of a perimeter of the eye lens, the projection being parallel to the optical axis of the objective. |
| US09291802B2 |
Compact label free imaging system
A compact microplate imaging system, including: a tunable light source; a lens ensemble to collimate the light source onto the microplate and to transmit light that is reflected from the microplate; a beam splitter to divert a portion of the reflected light; an imaging lens to collect diverted light and to produce an optical image of the at least one sensor of the microplate; and an image sensor for receiving the optical image of the at least one sensor of the microplate. A method for interrogating a sensor using the compact microplate imaging system, as further defined herein, is also disclosed. |
| US09291801B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens includes an object-side lens group having positive refractive power; an aperture stop; and an image plane-side lens group having positive refractive power, arranged in this order from an object side to an image plane side. The object-side lens group includes a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having negative refractive power; and a third lens having positive refractive power. The image plane-side lens group includes a fourth lens having positive refractive power; and a fifth lens having negative refractive power. The first lens has an aspheric shape to have negative refractive power increasing toward a lens periphery from an optical axis, and has a surface on the object side having a positive curvature radius. The first to third lenses have specific focal lengths to satisfy specific conditions. The first to fifth lenses have specific Abbe's numbers to satisfy specific conditions. |
| US09291799B2 |
Zoom lens, image pickup apparatus using the same, and information processing apparatus
A zoom lens includes in order from an object side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, a third lens group having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, and at the time of zooming, the first lens group is fixed, the second lens group moves, the third lens group moves, and the fourth lens group is fixed. The first lens group includes in order from the object side, a negative lens, a reflecting optical element, and a positive lens. The second lens group includes in order from the object side, an aperture stop, a positive lens, a cemented lens having a negative refractive power, and a positive lens. The cemented lens includes a positive lens and a negative lens. |
| US09291797B2 |
Lens module
There is provided a lens module including: a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having negative refractive power; a third lens having negative refractive power; a fourth lens having refractive power; a fifth lens having negative refractive power and having a shape in which an image-side surface thereof is convex; and a sixth lens having refractive power, having a shape in which an image-side surface thereof is concave, and having at least one point of inflection formed on the image-side surface thereof. |
| US09291796B1 |
Imaging lens assembly
An imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side: an aperture stop; a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens having a negative refractive power. A focal length of the imaging lens assembly is f, a focal length of the first lens is f1; a focal length of the second lens is f2; a curvature radius of the object side surface of the first lens is R1; a curvature radius of the image side surface of the first lens is R2; a curvature radius of the object side surface of the second lens is R3; a curvature radius of the image side surface of the second lens is R4, and the lens assembly satisfies the following conditions: 1.08≦f1/f≦1.20; −4.00≦f2/f≦−2.50; −1.50≦(R1+R2)/(R1−R2)≦−1.25; 1.30≦(R3+R4)/(R3−R4)≦5.00. |
| US09291793B2 |
Apparatus for compact counter balance arms
In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided including a linkage and a balancing mechanism coupled to the linkage around a pivotal joint. The linkage couples to a support structure at a first end and support a weight applied to a second end. The balancing mechanism counter balances the weight applied to the second end of the linkage. As the linkage is deformed to vertically adjust the height of the weight with a different moment arm length, the balancing mechanism varies a cable path length to modify the compression of a spring and a tension in a cable to adjust the amount of counter balance force applied to the linkage. |
| US09291780B2 |
Ruggedized multi-fiber fiber optic connector with sealed dust cap
A fiber optic connector and fiber optic cable assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a fiber optic cable having a plurality of optical fibers. The assembly also includes a connector body, a multi-fiber ferrule and a protective housing. The fiber optic cable is anchored to a proximal end of the connector body and the multi-fiber ferrule is mounted at a distal end of the connector body. The multi-fiber ferrule supports end portions of optical fibers of the optical fiber cable. The protective housing mounts over the connector body. A dimensionally recoverable sleeve prevents contaminants from entering the protective housing through a proximal end of the protective housing. A dust cap and sealing member prevent contaminants from entering the protective housing through a distal end of the protective housing. |
| US09291775B2 |
Optical fiber connector with achromatic grin lens
An optical fiber connector for coupling light to or from an input fiber is disclosed. The connector includes a first alignment member that holds an achromatic GRIN lens. The achromatic GRIN lens has a half-pitch axial length L, wherein 0.5 mm≦L≦5 mm. The optical fiber connector has a field fiber that interfaces with the achromatic GRIN lens. The connector is operable between operating wavelengths of 800 nm and 1600 nm with a coupling loss of less than 0.2 dB. |
| US09291770B2 |
Method of manufacturing a radiation-resistant optical fiber, radiation-resistant optical fiber and device including such a fiber
A method of manufacturing a radiation-resistant optical fiber and a thus-obtained radiation-resistant optical fiber, the method includes the following steps: a) manufacturing a silica optical fiber preform; b) forming, in the preform, a longitudinal cavity; c) drawing the preform so as to form an optical fiber (1) including a core (2), an optical cladding (6) and at least one longitudinal cavity (3) having at least one opening (13) at one end of the optical fiber (1); d) applying, during step c) of fiber drawing, a gas-tight coating (4); e) exposing the optical fiber (1) to a gaseous substance, including preferably gaseous hydrogen and/or gaseous deuterium, in such a way to incorporate the gaseous substance in silica via the opening (13); and f) closing any opening (13) at both ends of the optical fiber. |
| US09291765B2 |
Backlight unit and display apparatus having the same
A backlight unit includes a light source that emits light and a light guide plate disposed adjacent to the light source. The light guide plate includes an incident surface to which light is incident, an exit surface from which light incident through the incident surface exits, a reflection surface facing the exit surface to reflect the incident light, and a plurality of lenticular protrusions disposed on the exit surface. The reflection surface includes an inclined surface proximal to the incident surface and inclined with respect to the exit surface. |
| US09291763B2 |
Light-emitting device with remote scattering element and total internal reflection extractor element
A variety of light-emitting devices are disclosed that are configured to output light provided by a light-emitting element (LEE). In general, embodiments of the light-emitting devices feature a light-emitting element, a scattering element that is spaced apart from the light-emitting element and an extractor element coupled to the scattering element, where the extractor element includes, at least in part, a total internal reflection surface. Luminaires incorporating light-emitting devices of this type are also disclosed. |
| US09291761B2 |
Backlight and liquid crystal module
A backlight and a liquid crystal module having the same are provided. The backlight comprises: a light guide plate, a light-guide-plate fixing element for fixing the light guide plate, and at least one light source disposed adjacent to the light guide plate, wherein the light-guide-plate fixing element is made of thermal-contractive material. As the light-guide-plate fixing element is made of thermal-contractive material, in a test environment of high temperature and high humidity, it is possible to ensure that the light guide plate can expand and contract freely without resistance; meanwhile; while at normal temperatures, as the tight-guide-plate fixing element is in contact with the light guide plate without gap therebetween. |
| US09291756B2 |
Filter
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a filter (100). In one embodiment, the filter includes a pattern (120). The pattern may reflect or fluoresce non-visible light. |
| US09291750B2 |
Calibration method and apparatus for optical imaging lens system with double optical paths
This invention provides a calibration method and a corresponding apparatus for optical imaging lens system with double optical paths. The apparatus for optical imaging lens system with double optical paths comprises a first optical subsystem, a second optical subsystem and a calibration module. The calibration module receives a first image data from the first optical subsystem and a second image data from the second optical subsystem. The calibration module calibrates the first image data according to at least one selected optical parameter of the second optical subsystem, and calibrates the second image data according to at least one selected optical parameter of the first optical subsystem. The selected optical parameters of the first optical subsystem and the second optical subsystem are different. |
| US09291749B2 |
Imaging optical system and method for manufacturing lens array
An imaging optical system includes a plurality of lens optical system rows each including a plurality of lens optical systems arranged in a first direction. The plurality of lens optical system rows is arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and to an optical axis direction. Each of the plurality of lens optical systems in each of the plurality of lens optical system rows is configured to form an erect equal-magnification image in a cross section perpendicular to the second direction and configured to form an inverted image in across section perpendicular to the first direction. Ina cross section perpendicular to the optical axis direction, optical axes of the respective plurality of lens optical systems in adjoining ones of the plurality of lens optical system rows are separate from one another in the first direction and are located on the a line. |
| US09291745B2 |
Optical laminated body
The present invention discloses an antistatic optical laminate. The optical laminate comprises a light transparent base material and at least an antistatic layer provided on the light transparent base material, where the antistatic layer comprises an electroconductive polymer as an antistatic agent. Further, the surface of the antistatic layer has a concavoconvex shape, and the height of convexes in the antistatic layer are not less than 40 nm and not more than 300 nm. |
| US09291744B2 |
Method for producing polarizer
A method for producing a polarizer (20) comprises the steps of: (A) stretching a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer (10) to obtain a stretched layer (14); (B) immersing the stretched layer (14) in a dyeing liquid (23) containing iodine to obtain a dyed layer (18) in which absorbance thereof determined from a tristimulus value Y is from 0.4 to 1.0 (transmittance T=40% to 10%); and (C) removing a part of iodine adsorbed in the dyed layer (18) so that the absorbance of the dyed layer (18) decreases by 0.03 to 0.7, provided that the absorbance of the dyed layer (18) is controlled so that it does not become less than 0.3. |
| US09291742B2 |
Double pendulum gravimeter and method of measuring gravity using the same
A double pendulum gravimeter accurately measures gravity by transferring aligned mode energy between suspension points of the pendulums to establish equal arcs of oscillation of the pendulums and by sensing oscillation characteristics to establish an accurate gravity value including a correction factor which depends on the arc of oscillation, while absorbing adverse mode energy. |
| US09291740B2 |
Systems and methods for downhole electric field measurement
Sensors, systems and methods for downhole electromagnetic field detection, including a downhole micro-opto-electro-mechanical system (MOEMS) electromagnetic field sensor that includes a first surface that is at least partially reflective, a second surface that is at least partially reflective and suspended by one or more flexible members to define an optical cavity having a variable distance between the first and second surfaces, and a first conductive layer attached to the second surface and having a first electric charge. An electric field passing through the optical cavity interacts with the first electric charge and displaces the second surface to alter the variable distance and cause a spectrum variation in light exiting the sensor. |
| US09291739B2 |
Systems and methods for well positioning using a transverse rotating magnetic source
Systems and methods for well-drilling operations involving magnetic ranging with a rotating magnetic dipole are provided. In one embodiment, a system for determining a relative location of a magnetic dipole includes a three-axis magnetometer configured to obtain measurements of a time-dependent magnetic field caused by the magnetic source rotating about an axis and data processing circuitry configured to determine a transverse angle of rotation of the measurements such that one of two transverse components is in phase with one axial component when the transverse angle of rotation is used to transform the measurements. The data processing circuitry may determine a spatial relationship between the magnetic source and the three-axis magnetometer based at least in part on the transverse angle of rotation. |
| US09291737B2 |
Methods and systems for imaging subterranean formations with primary and multiple reflections
Systems and methods for imaging subterranean formations using primary and multiple reflections are described. An exploration-seismology vessel tows a seismic source, a receiver acquisition surface located beneath a free surface, and a source acquisition surface positioned at a depth below the source. The receiver acquisition surface is used to measure pressure and normal velocity wavefields and the source acquisition surface is used to measure direct, down-going, source pressure wavefields generated by the source. The down-going source pressure wavefields in combination with the down-going pressure wavefields and up-going pressure wavefields computed from the pressure and velocity wavefields are used to compute images of the subterranean formation associated with primary reflections and multiple reflections. |
| US09291735B2 |
Probablistic subsurface modeling for improved drill control and real-time correction
A system, method and computer program product for generating probabilistic models of a subsurface region of the earth of interest. The system, method can be implemented efficiently to enable real-time imaging of a sub-surface structure. The system, method can provide users with the ability to assess where their subsurface images are reliable and where they are not in order to assist in the selection of low-risk, high-reward sights indicated as having oil potential for drilling. The system, method allows users to estimate a degree of uncertainty to be expected when drilling in a specific location. The knowledge of this uncertainly can be used to guide drilling in real-time to reduce the time to oil (and thereby the cost of drilling), increase the efficiency of drill maintenance and reduce the risk associated with incorrectly identifying the depth at which pressure might spike. |
| US09291719B1 |
Radiation imaging system
A radiation imaging system includes a casing and a camera disposed inside the casing. A first field of view through the casing exposes the camera to light from outside of the casing. An image plate is disposed inside the casing, and a second field of view through the casing to the image plate exposes the image plate to high-energy particles produced by a radioisotope outside of the casing. An optical reflector that is substantially transparent to the high-energy particles produced by the radioisotope is disposed with respect to the camera and the image plate to reflect light to the camera and to allow the high-energy particles produced by the radioisotope to pass through the optical reflector to the image plate. |
| US09291717B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficiently combining satellite navigation signals
A satellite signal navigation receiver can reduce channel resource usage and matched filter requirements by producing a single-bit local replica code from the combined incoming signals of each in view satellite. In one embodiment, the E1-B and E1-C signals from a Galileo satellite are received and converted into single-bit digital representations (B and C, respectively). A modified local replica code D is created by modifying (B−C) by replacing all “−2” values with “−1” values, by replacing all “+2” values with “+1” values, and by replacing all zero values such that a sum of the replaced zero values over a predetermined period will approximately equal zero. For instance, the “0” values can be replaced with alternating “−1” and “+1” values. Another modified replica code D* can be created by modifying (B+C) in a similar manner. |
| US09291716B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining physical characteristics of a receiving device in a navigation system
A method and apparatus are presented for improving accuracy in a navigation system. A method of determining a physical characteristic of a receiving device in a navigation system, includes receiving a plurality of navigation signals from a plurality of navigation signal sources, respectively; determining a plurality of measurement estimates, based on the received navigation signals; and determining a physical characteristic of the receiving device by estimating a first set of one or more parameters in an error model, based on at least the plurality of measurement estimates. The error model includes a first error contribution for modeling noise and a second error contribution for modeling indirect signal propagation of the plurality of navigation signals. |
| US09291715B2 |
Interference wave signal removing device, GNSS reception apparatus, mobile terminal, interference wave signal removing program and interference wave removing method
An interference wave signal removing device that can surely remove an interference wave signal is provided. An interference wave signal remover includes a controller, a notch filter, an entire-range frequency scanner, and a local frequency scanner. The controller detects the interference wave signal based on a frequency scanning result by the entire-range frequency scanner, and sets the notch filter to attenuate the interference wave signal frequency. Based on input signals to the notch filter, the local frequency scanner frequency-scans in a local frequency band including an attenuation band of the notch filter. The controller detects a frequency drift of the interference wave signal frequency based on the frequency scanning result by the local frequency scanner, and updates the setting of the notch filter to attenuate the interference wave signal frequency after the frequency drift. |
| US09291709B2 |
Dump truck
A dump truck includes a body and a plurality of cameras. The body includes an upper deck and a main frame disposed in a longitudinal direction. The cameras are configured and arranged to obtain images to be combined to generate a bird's-eye image to monitor a periphery of the dump truck. The cameras include a front camera, a rear camera and side cameras. The front camera is disposed at the front of the upper deck to obtain an image of an area in front of the body. The rear camera is disposed at a rear end of the main frame to obtain an image of an area in rear of the body. The side cameras are respectively provided on left and right sides of the upper deck to obtain images of an area between diagonally to the front and diagonally to the rear of the body. |
| US09291705B2 |
Signal processing device, signal processing method, computer readable media storing signal processing program and radar apparatus
A signal processing device is provided. The device includes a signal input unit for receiving reception signals obtained from transmission signals reflecting on one or more objects, a pulse compressor for pulse compressing the reception signals, an interference detector for detecting a reception signal caused by interference, from the pulse-compressed reception signals, a signal level controlling module for controlling a level of the detected reception signal, and an interpolation processing module for interpolating the level-controlled reception signal in an azimuth direction. |
| US09291703B2 |
Method and a device for identifying the position of a transponder
A terminal is provided, which has a near-field communication module suitable for receiving signals from a transponder fitted with a circuit presenting a load impedance. The terminal includes a receiver suitable for receiving a first signal relating to the load impedance of the transponder (T3). The terminal obtains a second signal from the first signal and determines a position indication of the terminal relative to the transponder and based on analysis of the second signal. The terminal delivers a third signal that is a function of the determined position indication. |
| US09291702B2 |
Apparatus for indicating the location of a signal emitting tag
An apparatus for indicating the location of a signal emitting tag. The apparatus includes signal detectors, control logic, and at least one light producing device. The control logic activates the light producing device in response to receiving data from the signal detectors. After activation, the light producing device illuminates the location of an individual that is near the point of origin of a signal that was detected by the signal detectors. |
| US09291692B2 |
Blood-brain barrier recovery curve assessment method and system
The present invention relates to a blood-brain barrier recovery curve assessment method which uses a focused ultrasound dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI technique, in order to obtain a permeability constant of drug. Furthermore, the present invention, using a double exponential distribution function mathematical model, can estimate the actual physiological recovery curve of the blood-brain barrier. Meanwhile, the present invention also provides a monitoring system for the blood-brain barrier permeability. |
| US09291684B2 |
Logic capable power module
A wireless field device assembly comprises a process sensor, a housing, a transmitter, and a power module. The process sensor is configured to monitor a process variable and produce a sensor signal. The housing encloses an interior space of the wireless field device. The transmitter is enclosed within the interior space, and is configured to process the sensor signal. The power module is configured to be housed in the interior space, and comprises an energy storage device, a connection to a local power source, and a processor configured to provide the transmitter with a diagnostic report of the energy storage device and the local power source. |
| US09291682B2 |
Degradation state estimating method and degradation state estimating apparatus
Provided is a degradation state estimating method which decreases degradation in a secondary battery caused by estimating the degradation state. The degradation state estimating method is a method of estimating the degradation state of a secondary battery, includes: controlling application of current to the secondary battery; obtaining, as measurement information, at least a voltage value of the secondary battery measured while the current is flowing through the secondary battery; and estimating the degradation state of the secondary battery, based on a model for estimating the degradation state of the secondary battery and the measurement information obtained in the obtaining. In the controlling, at least one of a current value of the current and duration during which a predetermined current value is maintained is determined according to a provisional degradation state of the secondary battery. |
| US09291675B2 |
Boundary control scan cells, data cells, resynchronization memories, and multiplexers
An integrated circuit or circuit board includes functional circuitry and a scan path. The scan path includes a test data input lead, a test data output lead, a multiplexer, and scan cells. A dedicated scan cell has a functional data output separate from a test data output. Shared scan cells each have a combined output for functional data and test data. The shared scan cells are coupled in series. The test data input of the first shared scan cell is connected to the test data output of the dedicated scan cell. The combined output of one shared scan cell is coupled to the test data input lead of another shared scan cell. The multiplexer has an input coupled to the test data output, an input connected to the combined output lead of the last shared scan cell in the series, and an output connected in the scan path. |
| US09291674B1 |
Integrated circuit with low power scan flip-flop
A scan-testable integrated circuit includes first and second flip-flops. The first flip-flop includes first and second latches and the second flip-flop includes third and fourth latches and a logic circuit. During scan-shift mode of scan testing, the first flip-flop shifts a first bit of a test pattern into the second flip-flop. The first flip-flop then shifts a second bit of the test pattern into the second flip-flop. The logic circuit deactivates a clock signal provided to the third latch, which is a master latch, when the logic states of the first and second bits are equal. The output terminals of the third and fourth latches are retained at the logic state corresponding to the first bit, thereby reducing power consumption. |
| US09291668B2 |
Electronics tester with a valve integrally formed in a component of a portable pack
The invention relates to a tester apparatus of the kind including a portable supporting structure for removably holding and testing a substrate carrying a microelectronic circuit. An interface on the stationary structure is connected to the first interface when the portable structure is held by the stationary structure and is disconnected from the first interface when the portable supporting structure is removed from the stationary structure. An electrical tester is connected through the interfaces so that signals may be transmitted between the electrical tester and the microelectronic circuit to test the microelectronic circuit. |
| US09291664B2 |
Device for high voltage testing of semiconductor components
A device for avoiding spark discharge during high voltage testing of semiconductor components on semiconductor wafers, includes a pressure chamber provided for the semiconductor wafer in a sealed manner, and having a pressurized gas feed so that the interior thereof is subjected to overpressure and thus the sparking voltage for a spark discharge between contact faces is higher than the maximum test voltage to be applied. The pressure chamber is connected to a probe card including contact probes. The pressure chamber has a movable part, which is movable relative to the parts of the pressure chamber connected to the probe card. An air bearing in the gap between the pressure chamber and the semiconductor wafer holds the movable part of the pressure chamber in a sealed manner spaced from the surface of the semiconductor wafer. The movable part is pressed by a spring force towards the semiconductor wafer. |
| US09291650B2 |
High-voltage sensor with axially overlapping electrodes
A voltage sensor includes an insulator with mutually insulated electrodes embedded therein. The electrodes are coaxial and cylindrical and overlap axially along part of their lengths. They are mutually staggered and control the surfaces of electric equipotential such that there is a substantially homogeneous electric field outside the insulator and a substantially homogeneous but higher field within a sensing cavity within the insulator. A field sensor is arranged within the sensing cavity to measure the field. This design allows for the production of compact voltage sensors for high voltage applications. |
| US09291649B2 |
On the enhancements of planar based RF sensor technology
A radio frequency sensor system includes a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB includes a first exterior layer, a second exterior layer, a first interior layer, a second interior layer, and an inner perimeter that defines an aperture through the PCB. The PCB also includes a first loop. The first loop includes a first plurality of sensor pads coupled to a first plurality of vias by a first plurality of traces. The first plurality of sensor pads is arranged on the inner perimeter. The PCB also includes a second loop. The second loop includes a second plurality of sensor pads coupled to a second plurality of vias by a second plurality of traces. The second plurality of sensor pads is arranged on the inner perimeter. A core ring is embedded within the first interior layer proximal to the first plurality of sensor pads, the first plurality of vias, and the first plurality of traces. A center conductor, for carrying RF current, extends through the aperture. The first and second loops generate an electrical signal based on the first and second plurality of sensor pads, the first and second plurality of vias, the first and second plurality of traces, and the core ring. |
| US09291647B2 |
Low-cost Rogowski coil sensors
In various embodiments, a low-cost Rogowski coil sensor including a coil wound around a flexible carrier is provided with a reliable parallel-entry closure mechanism. |
| US09291645B2 |
Probe unit
A probe unit includes: contact probes; and a probe holder, each of the contact probe including a plunger and a spring coil, each of the plunger including: a contact portion contacting an electrode of a contacted body; a flange portion extending from a base end of the contact portion and having a diameter larger than a diameter of the contact portion; a boss portion extending from an end of the flange portion different from an end continuing to the contact portion and having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the flange portion; and a base end portion extending from an end of the boss portion different from an end continuing to the flange portion and having a substantially same diameter with the boss portion. |
| US09291644B2 |
Contactless measuring system for contactless decoupling of a signal running on a signal waveguide
A contactless measuring system having at least one test probe forming part of a coupling structure for the contactless decoupling of a signal running on a signal waveguide, wherein the signal waveguide is designed as a conductor of the electric circuit on a circuit board and as part of an electric circuit. To this end, at least one contact structure is configured and disposed on the circuit board such that said contact structure is galvanically separated from the signal waveguide, forms part of the coupling structure, is displaced completely within the near field of the signal waveguide, and has at least one contact point, which may be electrically contacted by a contact of the test probe. |
| US09291643B2 |
Current applying device having pressing body and contact body
A current applying device is provided in which a contact body which surface-contacts with an inspection target body makes contact with the surface of the inspection target body uniformly; current can be favorably applied from the contact body to the inspection target body; and the contact body alone can be replaced. A probe device 1 for applying current by being in pressure-contact with the power semiconductor H includes: a contact body 2 which surface-contacts with the power semiconductor H; and a plurality of electrically-conductive two-tier springs 31 which press the contact body 2 onto the power semiconductor H; the contact body 2 and the plurality of electrically-conductive two-tier springs 31 are separate bodies, and the plurality of electrically-conductive two-tier springs 31 electrify the contact body 2 while providing pressing force F to each of a plurality of sections of the contact body 2. |
| US09291641B2 |
Probe actuation
A method of driving a probe of a scanning probe microscope. The intensities of first and second radiation beams are modulated; and the beams are directed simultaneously onto the probe whereby each beam heats the probe and causes the probe to deform, typically by the photothermal effect. The optical system is arranged to direct the centers of the beams onto different locations on the probe. This enables the location of each beam to be chosen to optimize its effect. A lens receives the first and second beams and focuses them onto the probe. A beam combiner is arranged to receive and combine the beams and direct the combined beams towards the probe. |
| US09291640B2 |
Method and apparatus of using peak force tapping mode to measure physical properties of a sample
Methods and apparatuses are provided for automatically controlling and stabilizing aspects of a scanning probe microscope (SPM), such as an atomic force microscope (AFM), using Peak Force Tapping (PFT) Mode. In an embodiment, a controller automatically controls periodic motion of a probe relative to a sample in response to a substantially instantaneous force determined and automatically controls a gain in a feedback loop. A gain control circuit automatically tunes a gain based on separation distances between a probe and a sample to facilitate stability. Accordingly, instability onset is quickly and accurately determined during scanning, thereby eliminating the need of expert user tuning of gains during operation. |
| US09291639B2 |
Dual-probe scanning probe microscope
An apparatus and method of positioning a probe of an atomic force microscope (AFM) includes using a dual probe configuration in which two probes are fabricated with a single base, yet operate independently. Feedback control is based on interaction between the reference probe and surface, giving an indication of the location of the surface, with this control being modified based on the difference in tip heights of the two probes to allow the sensing probe to be positioned relative to the sample at a range less than 10 nm. |
| US09291637B2 |
System and method for damping a wind vane
A system for damping a wind vane includes a damping assembly configured to utilize eddy currents to dampen rotational motion of at least a portion of the wind vane. The damping assembly may provide damping of the wind vane to accommodate for sudden changes in wind speed and/or direction while allowing the wind vane to maintain accurate measurements and response in low wind conditions. The damping assembly may reduce the wind vane's susceptibility to oscillation, thereby improving accuracy of the wind vane. |
| US09291635B2 |
Process analytic instrument with multi-tube connection
A process analytic instrument includes an analytical module configured to analyze a process fluid and a removable tube carrier coupled to the analytical module. The analytical module has a plurality of inlet ports in a sealing surface. The removable tube carrier has an end with a plurality of apertures aligned with the plurality of inlet ports of sealing surface of the analytical module. The removable tube carrier fluidically couples a plurality of tubes to the analytical module when the end of the removable tube carrier is biased into the sealing surface of the analytical module. |
| US09291631B2 |
Diagnosis of respiratory tract infectious disease using blood specimens
According to the method for detecting respiratory infection associated with bacterial infection of the present invention, the measured value of soluble CD14 antigen subtype (“sCD14-ST) in the blood sample can be used to select a patient with a respiratory infection to whom the antibiotic can be administered. |
| US09291629B2 |
Adiponectin receptor C-terminal fragments (CTF)-immunoglobulin
Methods of detecting a first species' Ig-CTF in a biological sample comprising exposing the biological sample to a first antibody of a second species that preferentially binds the first species' Ig-CTF or an antigen binding fragment of the antibody, forming a mixture, exposing the mixture to a second antibody or antigen-binding fragment of a third species that preferentially binds the first species' Ig, and detecting the Ig-CTF in the biological sample. |
| US09291628B2 |
Direct clone analysis and selection technology
The present invention describes a spatial addressing technique that uses a very high-density micro-pore array for high-throughput screening of biological interactions. The therapeutic, diagnostic and drug-discovery implications of being able to identify, select and characterize specific protein-protein, protein-DNA and/or protein-carbohydrate interactions from heterogeneous populations of millions (to billions) of cells is discussed. Importantly, this technique possesses the screening and selection capacity of current display-based screening systems (i.e., millions-billions) but with greater efficiency and shorter time. |
| US09291621B2 |
AGER-peptides and use thereof
The present invention relates to the identification, functionality and use of domains from the N terminus of the receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (AGER). These domains, called receptor multimerization epitope (RME), are highly conserved in all AGER protein sequences. They represent the mediators for AGER self-association and heteromerization with other proteins. The invention likewise relates to the identification, functionality and use of peptides derived from the C domain of AGER (AGER-CDP). The AGER RMEs and AGER-CDPs of the invention are suitable as target for identifying AGER ligands which modulate the natural ligand interaction; as immunogen for active or passive immunization of individuals, as diagnostic means for identifying immunogenic reactions, and as peptide ligands for modulating protein-protein interactions involving AGER. |
| US09291620B2 |
In vitro diagnostic tool, membrane for in vitro diagnostic tool, and production methods of the tool and the membrane
Provided is an in vitro diagnostic tool configured to quantitatively or qualitatively detect a suspected substance in a test solution, the tool including: a first porous layer having a first surface and a second surface; a base sheet bonded to the first surface; a second porous layer bonded to the second surface; and a reagent configured to react with the suspected substance and carried in at least a part of the second porous layer, wherein: the first porous layer has a matrix structure of first nanofibers formed by electrostatic spinning; the second porous layer has a matrix structure of second nanofibers formed by electrostatic spinning; and a fiber diameter of the second nanofibers is smaller than a fiber diameter of the first nanofibers. |
| US09291613B2 |
Sensor having a thin-film inhibition layer
Sensors and detection systems suitable for measuring analytes, such as biomolecule, organic and inorganic species, including environmentally and medically relevant volatiles and gases, such as NO, NO2, CO2, NH3, H2, CO and the like, are provided. Certain embodiments of nanostructured sensor systems are configured for measurement of medically important gases in breath. Applications include the measurement of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in breath, such as for the monitoring or diagnosis of asthma and other pulmonary conditions. |
| US09291612B2 |
Determining blood coagulation characteristics using residual accumulative conductive energy
In some examples, a device applies an electrical potential difference across a blood sample. The device measures an electrical signal that passes through the blood sample over a duration of time to obtain a plurality of measurements representing a measurement function of time. An accumulative property of the measurement function may be determined such that the accumulative property correlates to a blood coagulation characteristic. |
| US09291611B2 |
Methods for quantitative analysis of asbestos in vermiculite-containing materials
A method for quantitative analysis of asbestos in vermiculite-containing materials includes a first embodiment which includes washing the sample with water or treating the sample with a low concentration acid to digest gypsum and carbonates, ashing the sample at a low temperature to remove cellulose, therefrom and analyzing the sample. Digestion may be effected before or after ashing. Subsequently, a second subsample may be ashed at low temperature to remove cellulose and refluxed with a concentrated acid followed by refluxing with a base and rinsing with deionized water to wash away gypsum, vermiculite and other soluble components. This is followed by analysis to determine asbestos concentration. In a further embodiment, the residue of the first embodiment may be employed as the second subsample. |
| US09291609B2 |
Sensor system for fuel transport vehicle
An exemplary sensor system for a fuel transport vehicle can comprise a fuel marker sensor positioned between a fuel storage chamber of the vehicle and an access valve for the fuel storage chamber of the vehicle. The fuel marker sensor can be configured to measure one or more characteristics of one or more fuel markers present in the fuel adjacent the sensor, such as when the marked fuel is unloaded at a retail station. The one or more characteristics can comprise concentration and/or identity of the one or more fuel markers in the fuel. Based on the measured characteristics of the one or more fuel markers, the sensor system can identify the fuel and/or can determine whether the fuel has been adulterated after the marked fuel was last measured, such as when the marked fuel was loaded into the vehicle. |
| US09291606B2 |
Quality control devices and methods for radiopharmaceuticals
A quality control (“QC”) system for PET or SPECT radiopharmaceuticals is disclosed that contains a disposable, no-leakage, self-contained QC cassette, which interfaces with the QC system. The QC system may include a shield that substantially surrounds the cassette such that the area and the cassette are both shielded. The QC cassette may contain shielding also. The QC cassette contains components for conducting one or more QC tests. These components include sensor and devices for performing various QC tests on radiopharmaceuticals. The QC system may contain a number of sub-systems and devices for supporting the QC tests. The QC system may produce a QC report containing the test results. |
| US09291599B2 |
Magnetic testing method and apparatus
A magnetic testing apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises: a first magnetizing device 1 for applying a DC bias magnetic field to a test object P in substantially parallel to the direction in which a flaw F to be detected extends; a second magnetizing device 2 for applying an AC magnetic field to the test object P substantially perpendicularly to the direction in which the flaw F to be detected extends; and a detecting device 3 for detecting leakage flux produced by the magnetization of the test object P accomplished by the first magnetizing device 1 and the second magnetizing device 2. |
| US09291598B2 |
Biological information acquiring system including a biological information acquiring apparatus having a biological information acquiring section and a magnetic field generation section, and method of driving the biological information acquiring system
A biological information acquiring system includes a biological information acquiring apparatus having a biological information acquiring section, and a magnetic field generation section, and the biological information acquiring apparatus includes: a power source section which supplies power for driving the biological information acquiring section; a magnetic field detection section which outputs a magnetic field detection signal according to a detection result of a magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generation section; a first switching control section which performs control an on/off state of a first switch section connected to the power source section based on an output state of the magnetic field detection signal; and a second switching control section which performs control the on/off state of a second switch section connected between the first switch section and the biological information acquiring section, based on the output state of the magnetic field detection signal. |
| US09291594B2 |
CO2 sensor based on a diamond field effect transistor
The present disclosure relates to a carbon dioxide sensor able to function in harsh environment, conditions. The carbon dioxide sensor can include a gate-less field effect transistor including a synthetic, quasi-intrinsic, hydrogen-passivated, single-crystal diamond layer exhibiting a 2-dimension hole gas effect, and a sensing layer comprising both a polymer and a hygroscopic material deposited onto a surface of the gate-less field effect transistor. |
| US09291593B2 |
Dual-chamber analytical test strip
An analytical test strip can include a patterned definition layer defining two fluidically-separated sample cells having respective ports, a common electrode arranged over the definition layer and in electrical communication with each of the cells, and respective cell electrodes. Surface portions of each electrode can be exposed. A method for testing a fluid sample using such a strip includes receiving a first fluid sample in the first sample cell and detecting a first electrical property thereof. It is then determined whether a second fluid sample should be added to the other sample cell. An analyte measurement system can include such a strip and test meter to receive the strip. The test meter can detect respective electrical properties of fluid samples in the cells. |
| US09291591B2 |
Universal test strip port
The present disclosure provides a sensor port configured to receive a plurality of analyte sensors having different sizes, shapes and/or electrode configurations. Also provided are analyte meters, analyte monitoring devices and/or systems and drug delivery devices and/or systems utilizing the disclosed sensor ports. |
| US09291590B2 |
Reference electrode
Improvements in references electrodes, halogen sensors, pH sensors, TDS sensors, combinations thereof, and related methods. |
| US09291588B2 |
System for forming aligned patterns on a substrate
A system for forming a second pattern in registration with a first pattern on a substrate is disclosed. The system comprises the substrate having a first magnitude of an associated electrical characteristic and at least one alignment structure. The alignment structure has a second magnitude of the electrical characteristic different from that of the substrate. An advancing mechanism is used for moving the substrate. A probe is used for measuring an electrical characteristic at a plurality of positions proximate the moving substrate. A controller is used for interpreting the measured electrical characteristic as a function of position for identifying a location of the alignment structure. A first patterning station is used for forming the second pattern on a surface of the substrate in registration with the first pattern based on the identified location of the alignment structure. |
| US09291587B2 |
Method for forming aligned patterns on a substrate
A method for forming a second pattern in registration with a first pattern on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises providing the substrate having a first magnitude of an associated electrical characteristic and at least one alignment structure that is associated with a second magnitude of the electrical characteristic different from the first magnitude. A controller is used to control an electrical probe to measure the electrical characteristic at a plurality of positions proximate the substrate. The measured electrical characteristic corresponds to the alignment structure when the probe is proximate to the alignment structure and to the substrate when the probe is not proximate to the alignment structure. The measured electrical characteristics are used to identify a location of the alignment structure. The second pattern is formed so that it is in registration with the first pattern, based on the identified location of the alignment structure. |
| US09291583B2 |
Trace element X-ray flourescence analyser using dual focusing X-ray monochromators
An X-ray fluorescence analyzer is provided which comprises: (1) an X-ray source selected to produce an intense X-ray beam, (2) a first optical element that focuses the X-ray beam produced by the X-ray source onto a sample and selects X-rays of a desired energy, (3) an energy resolving detector, and (4) a second optical element that receives fluorescent X-rays emitted from elements in the sample and focuses a selected energy range of said fluorescent X-rays onto said energy resolving detector. Each of the first and second optical elements includes a crystal component. The X-ray fluorescence analyzer is configured such that: (i) the X-ray source has a spot size dimensioned so that it is substantially in a field of view of the first optical element, and (ii) the first optical element focuses the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source onto an area of the sample that corresponds to a field-of-view of the second optical element. Furthermore, the field of view for an optical element is defined as the area in the source plane of the respective crystal component over which X-rays are able to be emitted and still efficiently be reflected by said optical element. |
| US09291582B2 |
Adjustable-jaw collimator
An adjustable collimator for shaping a beam of particles, such as for purposes of inspecting contents of a container. The adjustable collimator has an obscuring element substantially opaque to passage of the particles in a propagation direction that is radial with respect to the axis of rotation of a ring of apertures. A gap in the obscuring element may be characterized by a length taken along a long dimension and a jaw spacing taken along narrow dimension, and at least one of the length of the gap and the jaw spacing is subject to adjustment, either manual or automatic. The adjustable collimator may be disposed either inside or outside the ring of apertures, and, in some embodiments, the jaw spacing may be a function of distance along the long dimension relative to an edge of the gap. |
| US09291580B2 |
Prompt gamma neutron activation substance analyzers
Methods and systems are provided to improve prompt gamma neutron activation substance analyzers. In one aspect, a substance analyzer unit includes: a source of neutrons; an opening arranged with respect to the source of neutrons to receive a substance; and a detector housing having (i) a detector configured and arranged to receive gamma rays generated by absorption of neutrons by the substance, and (ii) electronics coupled with the detector within the detector housing, wherein the electronics are configured to receive and process analog signals from the detector and output digital detection signals. |
| US09291575B2 |
Wafer inspection
Systems and methods for inspecting a wafer are provided. One system includes an illumination subsystem configured to illuminate the wafer; a collection subsystem configured to collect light scattered from the wafer and to preserve the polarization of the scattered light; an optical element configured to separate the scattered light collected in different segments of the collection numerical aperture of the collection subsystem, where the optical element is positioned at a Fourier plane or a conjugate of the Fourier plane of the collection subsystem; a polarizing element configured to separate the scattered light in one of the different segments into different portions of the scattered light based on polarization; and a detector configured to detect one of the different portions of the scattered light and to generate output responsive to the detected light, which is used to detect defects on the wafer. |
| US09291574B2 |
Defect inspection method and defect inspection device
A defect inspection method and device for irradiating a linear region on a surface-patterned sample mounted on a table, with illumination light from an inclined direction to the sample, next detecting in each of a plurality of directions an image of the light scattered from the sample irradiated with the illumination light, then processing signals obtained by the detection of the images of the scattered light, and thereby detecting a defect present on the sample; wherein the step of detecting the scattered light image in the plural directions is performed through oval shaped lenses in which elevation angles of the optical axes thereof are different from each other, within one plane perpendicular to a plane formed by the normal to the surface of the table on which to mount the sample and the longitudinal direction of the linear region irradiated with the irradiation light. |
| US09291568B2 |
Integrated analytical system and method
An analytical assembly within a unified device structure for integration into an analytical system. The analytical assembly is scalable and includes a plurality of analytical devices, each of which includes a reaction cell, an optical sensor, and at least one optical element positioned in optical communication with both the reaction cell and the sensor and which delivers optical signals from the cell to the sensor. Additional elements are optionally integrated into the analytical assembly. Methods for forming and operating the analytical system are also disclosed. |
| US09291567B2 |
Microfluidic system having monolithic nanoplasmonic structures
A microfluidic system has a monolithic biocompatible substrate with both a surface having an ordered array of nano-scale elements for plasmonic response monitoring and a network of microchannels. Advantageously, low-volume consumption, rapid low-cost fabrication of molds with easily interchangeable microfluidic channel layouts, mass production, and in situ label-free real-time detection of cellular response, viability, behavior and biomolecular binding using plasmonic techniques can be provided. A ratio of greater than 0.2 of the cross-sectional dimension and the spacing between the nano-scale elements is useful for plasmonic response monitoring. Producing such a system involves a master mold with the nano-scale elements etched into a hard substrate, and the network provided in a soft membrane bonded to the hard substrate. A stamp may be created by setting a settable liquid polymer or metal placed in the master mold. Features of the intended device can be transferred to a polymeric substrate using the stamp. |
| US09291566B2 |
Stable indium-containing semiconductor nanocrystals
Nanocrystals having an indium-based core and methods for making them and using them to construct core-shell nanocrystals are described. These core-shell nanocrystals are highly stable and provide higher quantum yields than known nanocrystals of similar composition, and they provide special advantages for certain applications because of their small size. |
| US09291563B2 |
FRET measurement device and FRET measurement method
FRET measurement uses a FRET probe that includes a probe element X containing a donor fluorescent substance and a probe element Y containing an acceptor fluorescent substance and enables FRET to occur when the probe element X and the probe element Y approach to each other or bind together. The modulation frequency of laser light with which the FRET probe is irradiated is adjusted to an optimum modulation frequency that maximizes a difference between the phase difference of donor fluorescence emitted from the donor fluorescent substance with respect to intensity modulation of the laser light at the time when FRET occurs and the phase difference of donor fluorescence emitted from the donor fluorescent substance with respect to intensity modulation of the laser light at the time when FRET does not occur. |
| US09291559B2 |
Method and system for item authentication and customization
A method of illuminating an item is disclosed. The method includes applying adhesive to the item, interspersing a taggant in the adhesive, illuminating the item with an excitation signal, sensing luminescence emitted by the taggant in response to illumination by the excitation signal, and determining the authenticity of the item based on the sensed emitted luminescence. The item can include any item benefited by authentication, and can include a postage stamp. A method of customizing an item is disclosed. This can include the steps of preparing a substrate, applying a security feature to the substrate, printing non-customized information on the substrate, receiving image information, and printing the image information on the substrate. |
| US09291557B2 |
Localized surface plasmon resonance mercury detection system and methods
A mercury detection system that includes a flow cell having a mercury sensor, a light source and a light detector is provided. The mercury sensor includes a transparent substrate and a submonolayer of mercury absorbing nanoparticles, e.g., gold nanoparticles, on a surface of the substrate. Methods of determining whether mercury is present in a sample using the mercury sensors are also provided. The subject mercury detection systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including mercury detecting applications. |
| US09291555B2 |
Method of detecting particles by detecting a variation in scattered radiation
A smoke detecting method which uses a beam of radiation such as a laser (16), to monitor a region, such as a room (12). A camera (14) is used to capture images of part of the room (12), including a path of the laser beam. Particles in the laser beam scatter light (30), and this is captured by the camera (14) for analysis. A processor (20) extracts data relating to the scattered light (30) to determine the density of particles in the beam, to determine the level of smoke in the region. The laser may have a modulated output (38) so that images captured without the laser tuned “on” can be used as a reference point and compared to images taken with the laser turned “on”, to assist in determining the level of scattered light (30) compared to ambient light. Filters (24, 26) may be used to decrease signals generated from background light. |
| US09291553B2 |
System and apparatus for analysis of a guayule plant in situ
A system and method for in-field near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis of rubber and resin concentrations a guayule plant is provided. The system includes a wagon or other vehicle with the NIRS device mounted on the wagon. A computer or processor electrically coupled to the NIRS device is also housed within an area or extension of the wagon. During measurement of a guayule plant in the field, a guayule plant covering is placed over the guayule plant and a light shield coupled to the NIRS device is inserted into an opening on the guayule plant covering. The NIRS device is configured to perform a reading of the guayule plant within the plant covering and communicate results of the reading to the computer. A calibration equation is then preferably applied to the guayule plant readings to produce the rubber and resin concentrations of the guayule plant. |
| US09291552B2 |
System and method for determining the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol
The present describes a system and method for determining the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) including a tray comprising a first analyte including an infusion of a solvent and cannabis, a light emitting element configured to illuminate the first analyte, a light receiving element configured to receive a first light transmitted through the first analyte, and a control circuit configured to calculate a concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol in the first analyte based at least in part on the first light. |
| US09291550B1 |
Device and method for instantaneous drug testing in the field
A device and method for drug detection with instantaneous results by utilizing a handheld spectroscopic analysis device in an oral, nasal, and upper respiratory examination process. |
| US09291547B2 |
Immersion refractometer
An immersion refractometer includes a microchamber having an inlet and an outlet for allowing a sample containing microorganism particles to flow therethrough, wherein the microchamber comprises at least one trapping site for trapping a microorganism particle in each respective trapping site, and a micromixer for mixing a plurality of liquids to form an external medium, wherein the micromixer and the microchamber are in fluid communication to introduce the external medium into the microchamber. Use of the present immersion refractometer in a method of identifying microorganism particles contained in a sample is also provided. |
| US09291539B2 |
Downhole rebound hardness measurement while drilling or wireline logging
A method and apparatus for estimating a rock strength profile of a formation is disclosed. A tool having a testing surface is conveyed into a wellbore in the formation. The testing surface is propelled to impact the formation at a plurality of depths in the wellbore. A measurement of hardness of the formation is obtained from a rebound of the testing surface from the formation at the plurality of depths. The rock strength profile of the formation is estimated using the obtained measurements of hardness at the plurality of depths. A parameter for drilling the wellbore can be affected using the estimated rock strength profile. |
| US09291538B2 |
Hardness tester and program
The present invention provides a hardness tester capable of accurately detecting a point where an indenter contacts a sample in instrumented indentation testing. Prior to beginning measurement, the hardness tester defines an expected range for a value for a displacement, speed, or acceleration of an indenter during a process of approaching a sample. After measurement has begun, the hardness tester measures the value for the displacement, speed, or acceleration of the indenter during the process of approaching the sample. When the measured value is not within the expected range, the hardness tester determines that detection of a zero point has failed. |
| US09291537B2 |
Liquid salt environment stress-rupture testing
Disclosed herein are systems, devices and methods for stress-rupture testing selected materials within a high-temperature liquid salt environment. Exemplary testing systems include a load train for holding a test specimen within a heated inert gas vessel. A thermal break included in the load train can thermally insulate a load cell positioned along the load train within the inert gas vessel. The test specimen can include a cylindrical gage portion having an internal void filled with a molten salt during stress-rupture testing. The gage portion can have an inner surface area to volume ratio of greater than 20 to maximize the corrosive effect of the molten salt on the specimen material during testing. Also disclosed are methods of making a salt ingot for placement within the test specimen. |
| US09291534B2 |
Cell collection apparatus and cell collecting method
Provided is a cell collection apparatus includes: a supporter that supports a sheet to which a back surface of a substrate is pasted, the substrate being divided in to plural small pieces with a section of a tissue pasted on a front surface thereof; a needle including needle tips; and a holder that is configured to hold the needle with the needle tips facing the sheet on an opposite side to a substrate side of the sheet, and to move the needle in the forward direction of the needle tips, wherein at least two needle tips are arranged within a region narrower than the back surface of the small piece substantially on the identical plane intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the needle. |
| US09291533B2 |
Filter support with a phase-changing medium
The present invention relates to a method for processing isolated cells, in particular rare cells such as circulating tumor cells, to render them suitable for optical imaging, comprising the steps of (a) depositing filter material comprising captured cells on a phase-change medium; (b) melting said phase-change medium until the medium is spread out below said filter material; and (c) lowering the temperature of said phase-change medium until the medium solidifies, resulting in an optically flat filter comprising said cells at a fixed position. The method may additionally comprise an initial step of capturing a cell on a filter material. The phase-change medium, preferably paraffin wax, may comprise a porous, or mesh-like structure allowing the passage of a fluid through the medium. The phase-change medium may further be mounted on a carrier such as a glass carrier or a polymer material carrier. The present invention further relates to processed filter material comprising isolated cells suitable for optical imaging, which is obtainable by the method; the use of such filter material for diagnostic, histological, microbiological, biochemical, oncologic, or hematologic analysis, as well as a device for isolating cells or processing cells to render them suitable for optical imaging. |
| US09291528B2 |
Domestic appliance device
A domestic appliance device includes an evaluating unit for evaluating the consumption of at least one external resource by a domestic appliance, and an output unit for outputting the evaluated consumption. In order to provide a generic domestic appliance device having increased ease of use, the evaluating unit evaluates the consumption of the external resource while taking into consideration at least one variable evaluating parameter. |
| US09291526B2 |
Oxygen sensing method and system
A method of controlling an engine to help achieve a target air:fuel ratio based on data from an oxygen sensor, and related systems. At least one engine operating parameter and a sensed oxygen level are determined at two or more points in one of a rich and lean region based on data from the oxygen sensor. This information is used to help control engine operation in the other of the rich and lean regions without using directly sensed oxygen level data from that region. Thus, a control paradigm is developed in a first operating region based on oxygen level data from the oxygen sensor, and then used for control in a different second operating region without direct sensed oxygen level data in that second operating region. In some embodiments, the control paradigm may be adaptive based on changing conditions. |
| US09291517B2 |
Pressure sensor having a helmholtz resonator
This disclosure provides example methods, devices, and systems for a sensor having a Helmholtz resonator. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a sensing element; a header coupled to the sensing element; a housing coupled to the header; an adaptor coupled to the housing; a screen disposed in an opening of the housing, wherein a first cavity is disposed between the screen and the sensing element and a second cavity is disposed between the adaptor and the sensing element, and the screen in combination with the first cavity and the second cavity form a Helmholtz resonator. |
| US09291511B2 |
Shock or impact sensor
A sensor for detecting impact is generally provided. The sensor may include a deformable beam. The deformable beam may include a first end, a second end, and an elongated body extending therebetween. At least the second end is coupled to a support structure. Further, the deformable beam may be configured to bend from a first configuration to a deformed configuration when the sensor experiences an acceleration above a predetermined threshold. |
| US09291510B2 |
Measuring apparatus
A measuring apparatus includes a sensor unit that includes a coil and a conductive cylinder arranged such that an area of an overlap zone varies as a position of an object changes; a capacitor and a resistor that make up a series circuit with the coil; a voltage applier that applies an input voltage Vi to the series circuit; a phase detector that detects a phase of a voltage Vo across the capacitor; a magnitude detector that detects a magnitude of the voltage Vo; feature data in which the phase, the magnitude, a temperature of the sensor unit, and an area of the overlap zone are associated with one another; and a calculator that calculates the temperature and the area based on the feature data using the phase and the magnitude detected by actual measurement of the voltage Vo. |
| US09291505B2 |
Polarization scrambling in interferometer systems
A system and method to obtain and process interferometer output scans is described. The interferometer-based sensor system includes a tunable laser to transmit a transmit signal and a polarization scrambler to produce a polarization state change on the transmit signal. The system also includes an interferometer to provide an output scan based on the transmit signal with the polarization state change and a processor to process the output scan. |
| US09291504B2 |
Spectrometry system with decreased light path
A spectrometer comprises a plurality of isolated optical channels comprising a plurality of isolated optical paths. The isolated optical paths decrease cross-talk among the optical paths and allow the spectrometer to have a decreased length with increased resolution. In many embodiments, the isolated optical paths comprise isolated parallel optical paths that allow the length of the device to be decreased substantially. In many embodiments, each isolated optical path extends from a filter of a filter array, through a lens of a lens array, through a channel of a support array, to a region of a sensor array. Each region of the sensor array comprises a plurality of sensor elements in which a location of the sensor element corresponds to the wavelength of light received based on an angle of light received at the location, the focal length of the lens and the central wavelength of the filter. |
| US09291499B2 |
Radiometer and method for use of same
A radiometer includes a substrate; a radiation absorber disposed on the substrate to absorb radiation; a thermal member disposed on the substrate to change electrical resistance in response to a change in temperature of the radiometer; and a thermal link to connect the radiometer to a thermal reference, wherein the radiation absorber, the thermal member, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, the carbon nanotubes being mutually aligned with respect to the substrate, and the radiometer being configured to detect optical power. |
| US09291498B2 |
Detection circuit with anti-blooming circuit
The detection circuit comprises a photodiode connected to a readout circuitry. The photodiode and readout circuitry are connected by means of a transistor arranged to operate as a closed switch when the readout circuitry biases the photodiode in a predefined range and to operate as an open switch in the other cases. |
| US09291492B2 |
Tank feed through structure for a radar level gauge
A radar level gauge using electromagnetic waves for determining a filling level of a product in a tank, comprising a transceiver, processing circuitry, a signal propagating device and a tank feed through structure. The tank feed through structure includes a fixed tank connection arranged to be secured to the tank, a tank connection adaptor arranged in a through hole of the fixed tank connection, a coupling arrangement arranged in the through hole and resting against the tank connection adaptor, and a fastening member attached to the fixed tank connection and securing the coupling arrangement between the tank connection adaptor and the fastening member. |
| US09291490B2 |
Applications of sonar-based VF/GVF metering to industrial processing
A processor module features a module that respond to input signalling containing information about a volumetric flow of a fluid having minerals and varying amounts of entrained gas flowing in a pipe and being processed in a processing stage of a mineral extraction processing system for extracting a mineral from ore, and provides output signalling containing information about operations of the processing stage of the mineral extraction processing system that is not substantially affected by the varying amounts of entrained gas in the fluid flowing in the pipe. The output signalling controls the operations of the processing stage. The input signalling is based upon a speed of sound measurement, including a SONAR-based entrained gas measurement to determine the amount of entrained air in conjunction with a density measurement of the fluid flowing in the pipe. |
| US09291488B2 |
Measurement device based on acoustic flow measurement methods in a pump system and method for producing a measurement device
A measurement device determines a volume flow based on acoustic flow measurement methods in a pump system and a method produces the measurement device. The measurement device includes a measurement path with two coupling wedges with two sound transducers disposed on the coupling wedges. The pump system and the coupling wedges are made of metal or a metal alloy. |
| US09291486B2 |
Method and system for measuring fluid flow in bell nipples using pressure measurement
The volumetric rate of flow out of a flow line (4) of a bell nipple (2) is a function of the pressure of the head of liquid (7) above the threshold of the intersection of the vertical pipe (3) and the flow line (4). A pressure which is related to that pressure is measured by a pressure transducer (10) which is mounted below the threshold. Density of the fluid (7) is inferred by using the measured pressure as an input to a trained neural network. |
| US09291484B2 |
Method for correlating a monitoring device to the end of service life of a filter cartridge
Methods of correlating a monitoring device to the service life of a filter cartridge include providing a monitoring device, and calibrating the monitoring device to correspond to the service life of a filter cartridge. The monitoring device comprises a demand substance within a receptacle, a sensing element with a detection point, a reader for the sensing element, and a fluid delivery device. Calibration includes determining the ratio of the residence time of the monitoring device to the residence time of the filter cartridge, and utilizing the ratio to correlate the response of the sensor within the monitoring device to the service life of the filter cartridge. The response of the sensor is correlated to the service life of the filter cartridge by control of the fluid delivery parameters of the fluid delivery device. The fluid delivery parameters include the flow rate, the demand substance mass, the receptacle cross sectional area, the receptacle volume, the receptacle length, and the demand substance packing density. |
| US09291483B2 |
Meter
A meter, comprising a meter unit, a visor arranged around the meter unit, a wiring board, a light source mounted on the wiring board, an annular light guiding member provided within the visor at a side of a light emitting surface of the light source so as to surround the meter unit, and a light emitting portion forwardly emitting light emitted by the light source and transmitted through the light guiding member and annually provided along an edge portion of the visor so as to surround the meter unit, wherein a protruding-length of the light guiding member is displaced to a longitudinal direction of the meter unit. |
| US09291475B2 |
Device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle using a positional information device
A device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle are provided. The device includes a locational information module for determining location information and speed; a storage module for storing at least one geographic map including at least one route and a speed limit for the at least one route; a processing module configured to receive the location information, retrieve at least one geographic map based on the location information, determine a speed limit based on the location information, and compare the speed of the device to the determined speed limit; and a display module for alerting a user if the speed of the device exceeds the determined speed limit. The system and method can be for communicating a subject vehicle's speed to a central server where it can be utilized to analyze traffic congestion patterns or notify selected companies or individuals. |
| US09291473B2 |
Navigation device
A navigation includes a next audio output state storage that stores, as a next audio output, an audio output which is started the next time when one audio output is completed, a next audio output state determiner that determines whether or not to output the next audio output on the basis of both the storing state of the next audio output and current navigation information, and an output determiner that, when a plurality of playback requests coincide, outputs an audio output having a higher one of priorities acquired from the priority holder, and stores an audio output having a lower one of the priorities in the next audio output state storage as a next audio output, and that determines an audio output to be played back according to the determination by the next audio output state determiner when one audio output is completed. |
| US09291470B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing route guidance based on emotion
An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing route guidance based on emotion. The apparatus includes an emotion information acquisition unit, a route information calculation unit, and a route guidance unit. The emotion information acquisition unit obtains information about a user's emotion using an emotion acquisition sensor. The route information calculation unit calculates emotion route information using the obtained emotion information and map information. The route guidance unit provides route guidance to the user using the calculated emotion route information. |
| US09291466B2 |
Defining travel paths in parking areas
Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for defining travel paths in parking areas. In one embodiment, travel paths in parking areas are defined by connecting street networking connection points within the parking areas. In another embodiment, such defined travel paths are merged with actual paths traveled by vehicles in the parking areas. |
| US09291465B2 |
Method for updating a digital road map
Methods are provided for updating a digital road map in which road segments having segment lengths are stored. At least two vehicles are equipped with at least one respective onboard unit generating position readings. If a first set of position readings of a first onboard unit can be associated with a road segment, a first path length is determined based on the position readings of the first set. If a second set of position readings of a second onboard unit can be associated with the road segment, a second path length is determined based on the position readings of the second set. An average path length is calculated based on at least the first and second path lengths. If the average path length deviates from the stored segment length, the average path length is stored as an updated stored segment length of this road segment in the digital road map. |
| US09291461B2 |
Location correction
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to indoor localization, for example, where GPS or other localization signals are unavailable. More particularly, the estimated location, and in some examples the estimated heading, of a client device may be displayed on a display of the client device. As the device is moved through the indoor space, its location and/or orientation may be estimated based on measurements from one or more orientation devices. Typically, as the client device moves through an indoor space, the location estimation may become less and less accurate. This may be addressed by allowing the user to correct the current location and/or heading. The correction may be logged by the client device and transmitted to a server for further processing. |
| US09291459B2 |
Visualization of paths using GPS data
A map editing system for visually indicating the location of GPS devices on a map and identifying paths from the map. GPS data is received from a plurality of GPS devices. The data is filtered based parameters including the speed of the GPS devices. The filtered GPS data is displayed on a map using representations that visually indicate the location of the GPS devices that the data was received from. The representations can then be used for identifying and creating new paths on the map. |
| US09291455B2 |
Method for operating and/or for measuring a micromechanical device, and micromechanical device
A method for operating and/or measuring a micromechanical device. The device has a first and second seismic mass which are movable by oscillation relative to a substrate; a first drive device for deflecting the first seismic mass and a second drive device for deflecting the second seismic mass, parallel to a drive direction in a first orientation; a third drive device for deflecting the first seismic mass, and a fourth drive device for deflecting the second seismic mass in parallel to the drive direction and according to a second orientation opposite from the first orientation; a first detection device for detecting drive motion of the first seismic mass; and a second detection device for detecting drive motion of the second seismic mass. A first and a second detection signal are generated by the first and second detection devices, the first detection signal being evaluated separately from the second detection signal. |
| US09291450B2 |
Measurement microscope device, image generating method, measurement microscope device operation program, and computer-readable recording medium
An image with a wide visual field can be captured without causing deterioration in measurement accuracy. There are provided: a stage on which an object is placed; a display unit for displaying a height image or an observation image; a measurement unit for performing measurement on the height image; an image connecting unit configured to, by moving the stage and capturing a different region, acquire a plurality of height images, and connect the obtained plurality of height images and observation images to generate a connected image; a measurement error region display unit configured to superimpose and display a measurement error region, on an image of the object; and a measurement-image imaging condition setting unit for adjusting an imaging condition for a striped image required for generation of the height image to reduce the measurement error region. |
| US09291447B2 |
Method for controlling motion of a coordinate measuring machine
A method for manually controlling the motion of a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is disclosed. The method may include providing at least one guide element motion tracking sensor; defining a guide element active tracking volume relative to one of the guide element tracking sensor and a portion of the CMM; placing a guide element in the active motion tracking volume; tracking the position of the guide element; and moving a measurement probe of the CMM in response to the tracked position (e.g., to follow the position changes). The method may further include detecting a tracking motion activation trigger indicator or condition, and operating the CMM to move the measurement probe portion of the CMM according to the tracking motion after the tracking motion activation trigger indicator or condition is detected and according to the condition that the guide element is located in the active tracking volume. |
| US09291446B2 |
Optical coherence tomography with an extended dynamic range
The invention lies in the field of optical metrology and related to optical coherence tomography (OCT). In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the depth-dependent adaptation of the dynamic range of an OCT system to the profile of the backscattered power to be measured. The dynamic range of the measuring method can therefore be decoupled from the dynamic range of the analog/digital converter used. The invention is used, in particular, in the characterization of strongly scattering or strongly absorbing biological or technical samples. |
| US09291444B2 |
Light reflection mechanism, optical interferometer and spectrometric analyzer
Provided is an inexpensive, high performance, compact, and energy saving light reflection mechanism comprising a first moving portion having a reflecting surface on the front surface, a supporting portion which supports the first moving portion, a first beam and a translating beam which couple the first moving portion and the supporting portion in the form of cantilever beam above and below the supporting portion, and a drive portion which moves the first moving portion, wherein a large amplitude can be obtained by small energy when the first moving portion is forced into resonance vibration in the direction perpendicular to the first reflecting surface. Also provided is an optical interferometer and a spectral analyzer. |
| US09291439B2 |
Projectile
A rock-fracturing mining explosive element; said explosive element subjected to an initial spreading against a target surface on impact of said explosive element with said target surface; said explosive element so constructed as to control the rate of spreading and compression against said surface prior to detonation. |
| US09291438B2 |
Catamaran surface vessel with removable mission-specific payload module
A system includes a catamaran configured for use in a body of water and having twin hulls, the catamaran comprising an opening between the twin hulls, the opening having a size and shape substantially the same as a payload module. The system also includes the payload module removably coupled to the catamaran in the opening between the twin hulls. The system further includes a common interface coupled to the payload module and the catamaran, the common interface configured to exchange utilities between the payload module and the catamaran. |
| US09291437B2 |
Radial firing warhead system and method
A warhead system, method and apparatus. A warhead includes a liner having a longitudinal axis that runs down the center of the liner. The liner includes a liner pattern and a liner shape. The liner shape is selected and a radial distance from the longitudinal axis is selected. The liner pattern is warped as a function of the selected distance and the shape of the liner to reduce the effects of spoking in the post-detonation fragmentation pattern at the selected distance. The liner is then formed as a function of the warped liner pattern. |
| US09291436B2 |
Inert IED training kits
Disclosed herein are embodiments of simulated explosive materials and Threat Screening Kits and simulated IED Circuit Kits including simulated explosive materials. The simulated explosive materials are configured to produce an output signal consistent with the presence of an actual explosive material when scanned in an X-ray scanner. |
| US09291433B2 |
Ballistic-resistant composite assembly
A composite assembly useful for resisting the penetration of projectiles. The composite assembly comprises a plurality of ballistic fabric layers and a plurality of distinct films. The plurality of distinct films is adjacent the plurality of ballistic fabric layers. Each distinct film of the plurality of distinct films comprises thermoplastic polymer. Each distinct film of the plurality of distinct films has an elongational strength index of at least 800 psi. |
| US09291432B2 |
Ferro electro magnetic armor
A gas producing device comprising a ferroelectric (FEG) or ferromagnetic (FMG) generator material wrapped by a conductor, wherein the conductor is in contact with a dielectric material. A ferroelectric or ferromagnetic generator material is polarized or magnetized. When a shock wave impacts the FEG or FMG, the polarization or magnetization of the material is rapidly destroyed. The rapid destruction of the magnet by breaking it into small pieces causes the magnetic field to go to zero very quickly. When the field changes quickly it induces a high current through the wrapped conductor or coil. When the current passes through the conductor in contact with the dielectric material it generates heat and vaporizes the dielectric material creating a high pressure gas. A reactive armor may comprise the gas producing device, wherein the high pressure gas moves one or more armor plates to defeat an anti-armor threat. |
| US09291427B2 |
Scope with head lighting arrangement
A scope includes a scope assembly and a head lighting arrangement. The scope assembly includes a tubular scope body having an objective end and an opposed sight end to define a scope axis, an objective lens and an eyepiece lens supported at the objective end and the sight end of the scope body respectively for generating a scope reticle, and an attachment base extended from a bottom side of the scope body for detachably mounting the scope body on the firearm to parallelly align the scope axis with a barrel axis of the firearm. The head lighting arrangement includes a plurality of illumination elements formed at a rim of the objective end of the scope body for generating navigation light at a direction aligned with the scope axis of the scope body. |
| US09291423B2 |
Heated, removable, battery powered firearm grip
The invention is directed toward a heated grip for a firearm. The heated firearm grip comprises a grip body, an electrically resistive heating element, and a power source. The grip body is shaped as a pistol style firearm grip, has a hollow internal cavity, and has a hinged lower lid located on the bottom of the grip body. The power source is located within the hollow internal cavity of the grip body and is electrically connected to the electrically resistive heating element. The grip body is interchangeable with the factory installed grip of a firearm. The electrically resistive heating element may be embedded in a polyurethane sleeve surrounding the external surface of the grip body. The electrically resistive heating element may also be located within the hollow internal cavity of the grip body or molded into the body of the grip body. |
| US09291421B1 |
Assault rifle style mainframe barrel for a crossbow
A shooting crossbow includes two cams, two pulleys, a bow string, two cables, a string latch housing, a bow riser, a mainframe barrel and two limbs. The bow riser is enjoined with the barrel. The first and second limbs extend from the bow riser. First and second cams are pivotally retained on first and second limbs. The first and second cams retain a bowstring. The cams and pulleys retain first and second cables. The two pulleys are retained on the barrel. The mainframe barrel combines elements of an AR style butt stock mounting tube, and flight deck elements of a crossbow barrel extrusion. |
| US09291420B1 |
Simulated weapon
A simulated weapon or firearm is provided that is formed with a mechanical operating or firing mechanism similar to that of an actual firearm. The firing mechanism is formed with components found in an actual firearm that are interconnected with components of an electronic mechanism that can monitor and control the mechanical operation of the simulated firearm. This allows for the mechanical operating mechanism to function in a manner similar to that of an actual firearm, while the electronic mechanism can introduce various mechanical failures that do not otherwise occur in the electronics-only operating mechanisms of prior simulated firearms. In addition, the operational cycles of the mechanical and electronic mechanisms are synchronized to provide a highly realistic feel to the simulated weapon. |
| US09291416B2 |
Locking device for a firearm and firearm
The invention relates to a blocking device for firearms, wherein a locking unit is mounted on the firearm, wherein the locking unit comprises at least one blocking mechanism and at least one activation element, wherein the activation element is coupled to the triggering mechanism of the firearm in such a manner that in a locked position or locked mode of the activation element the triggering mechanism is blocked for triggering a shot, and in an active position or active mode of the activation element the triggering mechanism can be released, wherein the activation element can be brought into the active position or active mode only by using an unlocking element blocked position. |
| US09291412B1 |
Monolithic extended bolt release (EBR) devices and methods
In some embodiments, a monolithic extended bolt release (EBR) for a rifle includes a rifle mount including a pin aperture for securing the EBR to the rifle case/housing, a bolt stop plate integrally formed with the rifle mount for stopping the rifle bolt, and an extension arm integrally formed with the rifle mount and bolt stop plate. The extension arm includes a vertical straight arm extending from the rifle-mounting part to a trigger opening when the EBR is mounted on a rifle, and a horizontal straight arm connected to the vertical straight arm and passing through the trigger opening. A right-handed rifle user can release the bolt by pressing with finger(s) on the EBR on the right of the rifle, pivoting the EBR about the mounting pin, lowering a bolt stop plate of the EBR and allowing release of the bolt and reloading of the rifle. The EBR design displays superior reliability over extended periods of use in harsh conditions. |
| US09291411B2 |
Firearm with pivoting barrel-receiver assembly
A firearm with tilting barrel-receiver assembly. In one embodiment, the firearm includes a frame and a barrel-receiver assembly pivotably mounted to the frame. The barrel-receiver assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position. A latching mechanism may include a slide plate configured to selectively engage the frame. The latching mechanism is movable between a locked position wherein the barrel-receiver assembly is held in the closed position by the slide plate and an unlocked position wherein the barrel-receiver assembly is movable to the tilted open position. The slide plate may be spring biased into the locked position. An actuator button cooperates with the slide plate for moving the latching mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions. |
| US09291409B1 |
Compressor inter-stage temperature control
A method, system, and apparatus for controlling the gas temperature of gas flowing between compression stages so that the temperature of the gas always remains above the dew-point and hydrate temperature of the gas. The invention also allows for controlling inner stage compression temperatures that can be part of a new compressor assembly or retrofitted to compressors already installed and operating. |
| US09291405B2 |
Battery pack liquid channel and coldplate cooling system
A cooling system may be operable to cool a battery pack or other device through a heat exchange operation supported, at least in part, with cycling of a coolant relative to a coldplate or other thermally conducting surface of the device and/or attached thereto. The system may include a coldplate operable to exchange heat with a battery pack; and a coolant tank operable to exchange heat with the coldplate, the tank having a channel for directing a coolant flow in a direction from an inlet of the tank to at least one outlet of the tank and an inlet accumulator between the inlet and a beginning of the channel, wherein the inlet accumulator is wider along the coolant flow direction than the channel and the inlet and having a sloped side leading towards the channel configured to pool the coolant flow prior to entry into the channel. |
| US09291404B2 |
Cooler and cooling device
The cooling device comprises a heat exchange unit provided in a cooling water flow path. The heat exchange unit has a plate part in the form of a plate and multiple fins erected on the plate face of the plate part, and provided in the manner that the plate face of the plate part extends along the cooling water flow path and the cooling water runs through the space between the fins. The multiple fins are each in the form of a rhombic column and provided on the plate part in a lattice pattern in the manner that the longer diagonal of the rhombic column extends along the cooling water flow path. |
| US09291400B2 |
Management of exterior temperatures encountered by user of a portable electronic device using multiple heat-rejection elements
Described embodiments include a portable electronic device. The device includes a shell and a heat-generating component. The device includes a first and a second exterior heat-rejection element. Each heat-rejection element is configured to reject heat received from the heat-generating component into an environment. The device includes a controllable thermal coupler configured to regulate heat transfer to the first and second heat-rejection elements. The device includes a first proximity sensor configured to determine if a user touch to the shell is within a first zone of possible heat discomfort. The device includes a thermal manager configured to regulate heat transfer by the controllable thermal coupler to the first and second heat-rejection elements. The regulated heat transfer includes adjusting heat rejection away from the first heat-rejection element and toward the second heat-rejection element if the user touch is within the first zone. |
| US09291399B2 |
Management of exterior temperatures encountered by user of a portable electronic device
Described embodiments include a portable electronic device. The device includes a shell housing components of the portable electronic device having a heat-generating component. The device includes a heat-rejection element located at an exterior surface of the shell. The heat-rejection element is configured to reject heat received from the heat-generating component into an environment in thermal contact with the heat-rejection element. The device includes a controllable thermal coupler configured to regulate heat transfer to the heat-rejection element. The device includes a proximity sensor configured to determine a location of a user touch to the shell relative to the location of the heat-rejection element. The device includes a thermal manager configured to regulate heat transfer by the controllable thermal coupler to the heat-rejection element in response to the determined location of the user touch relative to the location of the heat-rejection element. |
| US09291398B2 |
Micro vapor chamber
A micro vapor chamber includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has a condensing region constituted of a plurality of protrusions. The second plate has a plurality of liquid-collecting regions and an evaporating region. The condensing region is located to correspond to the liquid-collecting regions and the evaporating region. The first plate is arranged to cover the second plate. The condensed working fluid are quickly collected on the protrusions to flow back to the evaporating region, thereby improving the liquid-vapor phase circulation of the working fluid in the micro vapor chamber greatly. |
| US09291394B2 |
Heating module, a heating system including a plurality of heating modules, and an installation including such a heating system
A heating module for heating solid matter, such as balls, to a determined temperature. The module includes a heating pot including a crucible for receiving the matter to be heated, and a burner for heating the crucible and the matter to be heated; and a cover that is mounted in removable manner on the heating pot so as to close the crucible. |
| US09291393B2 |
Retractable clothes dryer vent
A retractable clothes dryer vent includes a support, a duct coupling, a dryer vent hose, a dryer exhaust coupling, a first retraction guide assembly, and a second retraction guide assembly. The duct coupling is mounted in the support and has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an opening extending through the support. The dryer vent hose has a first end extending from the first end of the duct coupling and a second end opposite the first end. The dryer exhaust coupling extends from the second end of the dryer vent hose. The first retraction guide assembly has a first end mounted to the support and a second end anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling. The second retraction guide assembly has a first end mounted to the support and a second end anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling. |
| US09291392B2 |
Tunnel drying device for bulk material
A drying device for bulk material, comprises a conveyor on which a first majority of perforated plates with location surfaces for the bulk material is guided along a rail comprising an upper rail section, a lower rail section and a first deflection rail section at an end, in which the perforated plates are deflected from the upper into the lower rail section, and a second deflection rail section at an opposite end in which the perforated plates are deflected from the lower into the upper rail section. A scraper device comprises one or more scraping elements arranged so that the location surface of a perforated plate moving along the first or second deflection rail section comes into contact with the scraping elements, and is cleaned by means of a relative movement between the scraping elements and the perforated plate. |
| US09291386B2 |
Refrigerator
Embodiments relate to a refrigerator. A refrigerator according to an aspect includes: a freezing compartment; a freezing compartment door; an ice bin mounted on the rear of the freezing compartment door and storing ice; and an operating unit mounted on the rear of the freezing compartment door and operates to discharge the ice from the ice bin. |
| US09291385B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is equipped with an improved middle hinge module, by which a door is hinged to a main body, capable of preventing noise when the door is opened and closed and easily adjusting a height of the door. The middle hinge module includes a hinge member fixed to a main body, a casing rotatably coupled to the hinge member and configured to rotate with a door, a shaft accommodated in the casing and coupled to the hinge member, a cam member disposed on the shaft and configured to convert rotational movement of the door into vertical linear movement, a compression spring disposed on the cam member and configured to be compressed by vertical linear movement of the cam member, and a height adjustment screw, an upper portion of which is coupled to a lower portion of the shaft to adjust a height of the door. |
| US09291383B2 |
Demand response mullion sweat protection
An appliance such as a refrigerator receives a demand response signal indicating a peak demand period and operates the refrigerator in an energy savings mode by disabling an anti-sweat heater. A sensor on an external surface of the refrigerator enables the anti-sweat heater during the peak demand period if moisture is detected by the sensor. A preselected location can be defined where incipient moisture would form such as reducing the amount of insulation in this location. By forming a depression in the location and using an impedance-type sensor, moisture can be easily detected. The sensor signal is sent to the controller which then activates the anti-sweat heater to remove the moisture. |
| US09291380B2 |
Thermodynamic cycle process system
The present invention relates to a thermodynamic cycle process system comprising at least two heat exchangers, an EC compressor, and a combination of electronic components such as EC fans, electronic regulator valves and/or EC pumps. A central supply electronics unit can be connected to an AC voltage source, wherein the electronic components have an integrated power electronics device which produces the PWM operating voltage required for the electronic components. The central supply electronics unit is connected to the individual integrated power electronics devices for the electronic components, and produces the supply voltages required for the respective power electronics devices. |
| US09291379B2 |
Air conditioner
In a compressor shell built in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, a compressor shell thermistor that detects a temperature of the shell is installed. Also, an outside air temperature thermistor that detects an outside air temperature is installed in an outdoor unit. The outside air temperature is compared with the compressor shell temperature, and if the shell temperature is higher than the outside air temperature, a compressor heating device is invalidated. If the shell temperature is lower than the outside air temperature, it is determined as a refrigerant collection condition, and the compressor heating device is operated. Also, if the shell temperature is higher than the outside air temperature by a certain temperature or more, the operation of the compressor heating device is stopped so that wasteful standby power is reduced, and energy of the apparatus is saved. |
| US09291376B2 |
Auxiliary heater control device, heated fluid utilization system, and auxiliary heater control method
An auxiliary heater control device can be readily attached to a hot water heating system configured with a simple water circuit without a hot water storage tank, and is capable of preventing freezing of circulating water such that use of an auxiliary heater is minimized. When a sensed temperature tS sensed by a temperature sensor is in a range, a control device increases a rotational speed of a circulation pump. When the sensed temperature tS is in a range, the control device increases the rotational speed of the circulation pump and lowers an operating frequency of a compressor. When the sensed temperature tS is in a range, the control device increases the rotational speed of the circulation pump, lowers the operating frequency of the compressor, and activates an auxiliary heater. |
| US09291374B2 |
Adsorber structure and module for a heat pump
An adsorber structure for a heat pump, having at least one pipe, through which a heat-transfer fluid can flow, and an adsorption medium, wherein a working medium can be adsorbed and desorbed on the adsorption medium and the adsorption medium is in thermal connection with the pipe, wherein the adsorption medium is designed as at least one, in particular several, molded bodies, which is/are directly adjacent to a pipe wall of one of the pipes. |
| US09291368B2 |
Solar heat collecting device
[Problem] To present a solar heat collecting device capable of enhancing the heat collecting efficiency by effectively utilizing the sunlight entering an area near the end part of the reflector at the opposite side of the direction of location of the sun.[Solving Means] In the solar heat collecting device for collecting the reflected light of sunlight Sb1, Sb2 entering a trough type reflector 1 having a parabolic section to a heat collecting pipe 2 erected at a position of focus of the reflector 1, and transmitting energy to a heat medium passing inside of the heat collecting pipe 2, the solar heat collecting device is installed so that central axis L1 of the reflector 1 may be directed along the north-south axis, and a plane reflector 3 is disposed orthogonally to central axis L1, at the end part of the reflector 1 at the opposite side of the direction of location of the sun. |
| US09291360B2 |
Outdoor unit for air-conditioning apparatus and air-conditioning apparatus including the same
[Object] To provide an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, which solves a manufacturing problem in that a grip is not easily taken out from a mold, and an air-conditioning apparatus including the outdoor unit.[Solution] There is included a grip formed by fitting two components. |
| US09291359B2 |
Thermostat user interface
A thermostat user interface for a network-connected thermostat is described. The thermostat includes a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a sidewall extending between first and second ends, the second end being user-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted; a circular rotatable ring being user rotatable for adjusting a setting of the thermostat; and a circular cover including a clear circular center portion surrounded by a painted outer portion. The clear circular center portion permits a corresponding circular portion of a non-circular dot-matrix color display element to be visible through the circular cover and the painted outer portion masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create a circular graphical user interface. |
| US09291354B2 |
Home appliance with treated window and method for treating the window
A home appliance and method including an appliance body having an oven access opening; an oven door for selectively covering the oven access opening; and a window in the oven door for viewing the oven contents, the window having a treated window portion for obscuring the view of the oven contents behind the treated window portion, the treated window portion being fabricated using a window treatment apparatus for supporting a window for treatment, the window treatment apparatus including a support stand defining a window support area, a blocking element mounted to the window stand for movement into and out of a covering relation with the window support area, the blocking element having a window cover plate having a window cover area smaller in area than the window support area, with the difference in the area of the window support area and the window cover area defining a window treatment area. |
| US09291352B2 |
System having a multi-tube fuel nozzle with an inlet flow conditioner
A system including a multi-tube fuel nozzle, including a plurality of tubes extending in an axial direction relative to a central axis of the multi-tube fuel nozzle, wherein each tube of the plurality of tubes includes an air inlet, a fuel inlet, and a fuel-air mixture outlet; and an inlet flow conditioner, including a plate extending in a radial direction relative to the central axis of the multi-tube fuel nozzle; an outer wall extending circumferentially about the plate, wherein the outer wall is coupled to the plate; and a plurality of air openings in the plate, the outer wall, or a combination thereof, wherein the plurality of air openings are disposed upstream from the air inlets in the plurality of tubes. |
| US09291347B2 |
Methods for incinerating sludge in a combustor
A method controls mass and heat loading of sludge feed into a fluidized bed combustor (FBC) controlled via regulation of a polymer dosage or a sludge feed rate including: continuously monitoring at least one performance characteristic of the FBC; producing an input signal characteristic; analyzing the input signal and determining a first rate of change of the characteristic; generating an output signal based on the first rate of change to control addition of polymer to the FBC; generating a second output signal to control addition of sludge feed to the FBC; and determining a transition point between the addition of polymer and addition of sludge, which transition point is an upper limit of a first rate change to maintain flow so that the value of the characteristic is maintained proximate at the upper limit. |
| US09291345B2 |
Method for operating a continuous flow steam generator
A method for operating a continuous flow steam generator with an evaporator heating surface is provided. A target value for a supply water mass flow is fed to a device for adjusting the supply water mass flow. In order to improve the quality of a predictive supply water or mass flow control and to maintain the enthalpy of the flow medium at the evaporator outlet particularly stable especially when load changes occur, a correction factor is taken into consideration during production of the target value for the supply water mass flow. The correction factor is a characteristic of the temporal derivative of enthalpy or the density of the flow medium at the input of one or more heating surfaces. |
| US09291338B2 |
Modular track assembly for slidably mounting a track light
A modular track assembly for a track light includes a track unit and a connector. The track unit includes a track, a circuit board, a pair of conductive elements, and a cap formed with two holes. The connector includes two conductive members, each of which includes two insertion segments. One of the insertion segments is inserted into a respective one of the holes and is connected electrically to a respective one of the conductive elements, and the other one of the insertion segments is configured to be inserted into a respective one of the holes of another modular track assembly to connect electrically to a respective one of the conductive elements of the another modular track assembly. |
| US09291332B2 |
Light source unit capable of preventing deterioration of luminescent material layer, illuminating method of light source unit, and projector
There is provided a light source unit including an excitation light source emitting excitation light, and a luminescent member having a transmission portion transmitting excitation light from the excitation light source, a first luminescent material layer placed beside the transmission portion on one side of the luminescent member and a second luminescent material layer placed beside the transmission portion on the other side of the luminescent member, wherein the first luminescent material layer and/or the second luminescent material layer emits luminous light by being excited by the excitation light, and wherein a guiding optical system is provided which shines excitation light which has passed through the transmission portion from the excitation light source on to the first luminescent material layer and causes luminous light emitted from the first luminescent material layer to be incident on the transmission portion. |
| US09291328B1 |
Interior lens for a light bar
An interior lens is provided for a light bar mountable onto the roof of a vehicle. The interior lens has a plurality of fluted lenses or lens segments forming a ribbon shaped to receive illumination prior to exiting the light bar outer dome. The fluted lenses extend vertically parallel to each other and are each shaped to increase the horizontal viewing angle of light from the light bar. The ribbon of fluted lenses may continuously extend within the light bar around the optical assembly to improve performance of light projected from different sides of the light bar, thereby providing an improved optical assembly for a light bar. |
| US09291322B2 |
Locomotive LED/optics headlight assembly
A headlamp assembly comprising a housing forming an internal chamber and forming an opening to one side, at least a first light source having a first illumination axis, the first light source mounted in a central portion of the internal chamber substantially at a first depth, at least a second light source having a second illumination axis, the second light source mounted in a circumferential portion of the chamber substantially at a second depth wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth, a first aspherical lens formed about a first optic axis, the first aspherical lens mounted within the opening with the first optic axis coaxially aligned with the first illumination axis and a second aspherical lens formed about a second optic axis, the second aspherical lens mounted within the opening with the second optic axis coaxially aligned with the second illumination axis. |
| US09291321B2 |
Devices and methods for collecting daylight in clear and cloudy weather conditions
Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting structure, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device. |
| US09291318B1 |
Holiday magic systems
A programmable light rope system is a wirelessly operated rope light assembly having an LED rope light with a programmable light controller, a transmitter, a receiver, and a remote controller. The light rope is constructed with color chambers that are formed by the space between LEDs. The LEDs are positioned perpendicularly to the linear axis of and within the inner volume of the transparent tube and the color control wires diagonally connect the LEDs forming a 7-shaped profile within each color chamber. The programmable light controller allows over 44 million possibilities of color and flashing combinations with 11 colors and multiple shades of each color. |
| US09291316B2 |
Integrated linear light engine
This disclosure relates to light engines for use in lighting fixtures, such as troffer-style lighting fixtures. Light engines according to the present disclosure have integrated features that eliminate the need for additional components such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a heat sink, a cover portion, a lens and/or a reflective element. Devices according to this disclosure can comprise a rigid body, conductive elements arranged into electrical pathways and light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). Devices according to this disclosure can further comprise integrated cover, lens and/or reflective element features. Methods for the manufacture of such devices are also disclosed. |
| US09291314B2 |
Luminaire emitting light of different colours
The disclosed embodiments relate to a luminaire (100) comprising an array of LEDs (120). The array of LEDs (120) comprises LEDs chosen from the group of blue LED, green LED, red LED, yellow LED, amber LED, cyan LED, and white LED. The luminaire (100) further comprises a reflecting tube (140) and said array of LEDs (100) is arranged in an entrance aperture (142) of said reflecting tube (140). At least one light source (160) is arranged circumferentially around the reflecting tube (140). The at least one light source (160) comprises at least one LED chosen from the group of deep blue LEDs, royal blue LEDs, deep red LEDs and UV LEDs. An optical component (170), is arranged to transmit light emitted from the at least one light source (160) into light emitted from the array of LEDs (120). |
| US09291310B2 |
Tank-integrated pump unit and reservoir tank
A tank-integrated pump unit includes a reservoir tank fixed to a pump body. The body of the reservoir tank includes an introduction opening for introducing working fluid from an external hydraulic device into the body. A filter member is arranged in the body for filtering working fluid introduced through the introduction opening. A suction passage connection portion is connected to a suction hole of a pump body. The suction passage connection portion includes a body-side opening through a wall of the body. The body-side opening is located below a predetermined level of working fluid and above a lowermost position in the body. A pressure chamber is defined in the body, and located below the body-side opening of the suction passage connection portion. The introduction opening faces the pressure chamber. The filter member covers an upper side of the pressure chamber. |
| US09291309B2 |
Hydrogen dispensing system and method thereof
The invention provides a hydrogen dispensing system comprising: a feed vessel for storing liquid hydrogen having an inlet and an outlet; a flash drum having an inlet and an outlet; a dispenser for dispensing gaseous hydrogen at a pressure of greater than 300 bar, having an inlet and an outlet wherein the feed vessel outlet is in fluid communication with the flash drum inlet, the flash drum outlet is in fluid communication with the dispenser inlet and there is no compression apparatus between the feed vessel outlet and the dispenser outlet. The invention also provides a method of providing gaseous hydrogen to a vehicle. |
| US09291307B2 |
Attachment of insulating panels onto a supporting wall in a repeating pattern
A sealed and insulating tank, notably for liquefied natural gas, includes, a supporting wall with anchor members disposed in a repeated pattern, a sealing barrier in contact with a product contained in the tank and a thermal insulation barrier disposed between the sealing barrier and the supporting wall, the thermal insulation barrier including a plurality of insulating panels disposed in the repeated pattern, each insulating panel being fixed to the supporting wall by an adhesive disposed on a lower surface of the insulating panel and one or more anchor members of the supporting wall each cooperating with a hole passing through the insulating panel. The number of anchor members per insulating panel is in the range 1 to 6, preferably 2 to 3. A method of fixing insulating panels employs a clamping tool. |
| US09291304B1 |
Skateboard wall mount hanger display
A skateboard wall mounting device for quickly displaying a bare skateboard deck or a completely assembled skateboard with trucks and wheels attached to the deck. The skateboard wall mounting device generally includes a mounting base, a pair of specific and continuous diameter posts extending from the mounting base and aligned with the deck holes of a skateboard. Due to the specific and continuous diameter design of the posts, the device can accommodate the hanging and mounting of all skateboards from different manufacturers and periods of manufacture without incurring modification and damage to the skateboard. |
| US09291302B2 |
Device attachment member
A device attachment member used for a manufacture work machine equipped with: a device necessary for performing a manufacture work; a main frame on which the device is to be installed; and a controller configured to control the device, the device attachment member including a main body to be attached to the device, wherein the device attachment member includes an identification-information recording medium in which is recorded identification information, the device being identified by the controller based on the identification information, the identification-information recording medium being incorporated in the main body. |
| US09291300B2 |
Rotary actuator driven vibration isolation
An active vibration isolation system for isolating a suspended platform from vibration input to the vibration isolation system base includes an exoskeleton which supports the suspended platform relative to the base. The exoskeleton includes first and second scissors mechanisms with main links of unequal length. The main links pass through a parallel condition as the suspended platform moves over its intended range of travel relative to the base. The vibration isolation system may include a rotary actuator and a drive mechanism separate from the exoskeleton for providing force output from the rotary actuator to the suspended platform. The rotary actuator may include inner and outer rotors which rotate relative to each other and may be free to rotate relative to the exoskeleton. The rotary actuator may be free to translate relative to the vibration isolation system base and the suspended platform. |
| US09291297B2 |
Multi-layer phononic crystal thermal insulators
A thermal insulator includes a plurality of layers. At least some of the layers include phononic crystals having a phononic bandgap, wherein heat transporting phonons within a selected range of frequencies are substantially blocked by each phononic crystal layer. The plurality of layers thermally isolate a first region from a second region, wherein the first region is at one end of the plurality of layers and the second region is at the other end of the plurality of layers. |
| US09291293B2 |
Quick-connect hydraulic coupling socket
The invention relates to a hydraulic coupling bush (1), comprising a bush housing (4), in particular a sleeve-shaped hush housing (4), in which a hush tappet (12), an axially movable compression sleeve (13) that surrounds the hush tappet (12) in an axially parallel manner, in particular coaxially, and an axially movable retaining sleeve (16) that surrounds the compression sleeve (13) in an axially parallel manner, in particular coaxially, are arranged in an axially parallel manner, in particular coaxially, the outer surface of the retaining sleeve supporting or releasing securing elements (18) arranged in the bush housing (4) in the dial direction and the in particular annular end face (16a) of the retaining sleeve lying at least substantially in one plane with the end faces (12a) of the bush tappet (12) and of the bush housing (4) in the decoupled state, wherein the compression sleeve is ex posed from the inside to a hydraulic fluid to be conveyed through the bush at least substantially without applying axial force to the compression sleeve. |
| US09291290B2 |
Foldable HVAC conduit and duct collar
What is presented is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ductwork. The HVAC ductwork comprises a strip of material, which is divided into a plurality of circumferential segments by a plurality of living hinges. The living hinges allow the HVAC ductwork to unfold for transportation and storage purposes. The strip of material has both a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism that are adapted to interlock with each other at an interlocking site, to create the assembled HVAC ductwork. |
| US09291288B2 |
Modular pipe-shoe, pipe-support system
A modular system for supporting, on an underlying framework, and at plural pipe-underside locations, an elongate linear pipe. The system includes (a) for each such location, a shoe anchorable to the pipe's underside at that location, (b) for one pipe-underside location only, an anchor securable to the framework for receiving and anchoring the shoe, and thus the pipe also, at this one location, against any motion relative to the framework, and (c) for each other pipe-underside location, a guide securable to the framework for guidably receiving the adjacent shoe in a manner permitting it, and thus the pipe also, at this other location, solely reversible sliding motion relative to the framework along a line substantially paralleling the pipe's long axis. |
| US09291278B2 |
Housing for a pressure-loaded component
A housing of a pressure-loaded component includes a pressure-loaded channel system which corresponds to the tensile and/or compressive strength properties of the housing material and to the tensile and/or compressive stresses in the housing material during operation of the pressure-loaded component. The housing also includes a channel rounded profile configured to be adapted to include a formed asymmetry. The formed asymmetry is configured to reduce tensile stresses occurring in operation and thus increase the load carrying capacity of the housing as a whole. |
| US09291276B2 |
Irrigation valve
An irrigation valve has a liquid passage, a sealing diaphragm and a control port that can receive control signals. The sealing diaphragm is held in the valve in a non clamped manner and is adapted to seal the passage. Upon receipt of a control signal the sealing diaphragm bends and opens a path for liquid around the sealing diaphragm that can exit the valve. |
| US09291271B2 |
Seal ring
Sandwiching of a foreign matter between a seal ring and a housing is suppressed, and abrasion of the housing and the seal ring is suppressed. The size of the diameter of a second seal portion 3 is set to be larger than the size d2 of the diameter of an inner peripheral face 81 so that the difference in diameter size between the second seal portion 3 and an inner peripheral face 81 of a housing 80 becomes 1.0 mm or less in a state before the ring body is provided in the annular gap. |
| US09291266B2 |
Sealing structure
A sealing structure includes a first member (200) having a fitting groove (220); a second member (300) fixed to the first member (200); and a gasket (100) fitted to the fitting groove (220) to seal a gap between opposing surfaces of the first member (200) and the second member (300), wherein a plurality of locking protrusions (230) are provided on one of two sidewalls of the fitting groove (220), the locking protrusions (230) being spaced from each other and arranged along the direction in which the fitting groove (220) extends, and the gasket (100) is provided with a plurality of locked protrusions (120), the locked protrusions (120) being engageably locked against the respective locking protrusions (230) from a groove bottom side of the fitting groove (220). |
| US09291265B2 |
Gas cylinder actuator with overtravel safety device
A gas cylinder actuator having an overtravel safety device includes a tubular jacket for gas containment, which is closed at one end by a bottom provided with a gas filling valve and at the opposite end by a head portion. The head portion is provided with a hole for the passage of a stem with a piston, the jacket, the bottom and the piston forming the gas expansion and compression chamber. The head portion further includes an annular body, which is fixed internally to the jacket, and is provided with a central hole for the passage of the stem with the interposition of sealing elements, static sealing elements being interposed between the annular body and the jacket and an element for controlling the descending motion of a slider of a press with which the actuator is associated being provided and protruding from the annular body or from the jacket. |
| US09291264B2 |
Coatings and powders, methods of making same, and uses thereof
This invention relates to thermal spray coatings, powders useful in deposition of the thermal spray coatings, methods of producing the powders, and uses of the thermal spray coatings, for example, coating of piston rings and cylinder liners of internal combustion engines. The coatings of this invention are applied by thermal spray deposition of a powder. The powder contains bimetallic carbides of chromium and molybdenum dispersed in a matrix metal. The matrix metal contains nickel/chromium/molybdenum. |
| US09291261B2 |
Method for determining the shift sequence of a change of transmission ratio of a transmission device in a vehicle drive train
The shift sequence for a transmission ratio change of a vehicle drive train is determined depending on an operating state of the vehicle drive train existing upon the actual transmission ratio of the transmission device. The operating state is characterized by various operating state quantities of the vehicle drive train, which represent input quantities of a model representing the vehicle drive train. Output quantities of the model supply at least one target value that determines the shift sequence in terms of characterization and application as input quantities of an optimization routine, by which a minimization of the functional connection of at least one target value is carried out. The torque characteristics representing the shift sequence of devices of the vehicle drive train are determined depending on the minimum of the functional connection of at least one target value, taking into account the limits of the operating state quantities. |
| US09291260B1 |
Rolling downhill shift control of a transmission
A method of controlling a downhill rolling shift sequence (DRSS) of a vehicle having an engine and a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) includes initiating a DRSS upon detecting a rolling downhill condition of the vehicle in an initial gear state, identifying an exit gear state corresponding to the initial gear state, shifting the DCT to a rolling neutral state when a speed of an initial gear input shaft is equal to an idle speed of the engine, initiating synchronization of the engine speed with the speed of an exit gear input shaft when the shaft speed is equal to the engine idle speed, and shifting the DCT from the rolling neutral state to the exit gear state when the synchronized speed of the engine and the exit gear input shaft is equal to a calibrated exit speed defined by the exit gear state. A system for controlling the DRSS is provided. |
| US09291259B2 |
Shift device
A shift device includes a knob that is rotatable about an axis and movable when pushed in the axial direction. An alternating action generation unit switches the knob, whenever the knob is pushed, between a base position and a hold position, which is separated from the base position in the axial direction. A base position return unit returns the knob to the base position when the knob has been rotated from the base position. A push restriction unit restricts pushing of the knob that has been rotated from the base position. A rotation restriction unit restricts rotation of the knob that is located at the hold position. |
| US09291257B2 |
Power distribution unit with a forced lubrication flow assembly
A lubricant pump assembly for use with a power distribution unit for a vehicle, comprising a pump, a first rotating component, a second rotating component, and a lubricant. The pump has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are in fluid communication with a housing of the power distribution unit. The first rotating component is disposed in the housing of the power distribution unit. The second rotating component is disposed in the housing of the power distribution unit adjacent the first rotating component. The lubricant is disposed within the housing of the power distribution unit. The pump transfers a portion of the lubricant from the inlet to the outlet. The outlet is disposed adjacent the first rotating component and the second rotating component to dispose a portion of the lubricant therebetween. |
| US09291254B2 |
Disengaging gear unit
Reduction gear units are provided comprising a gearbox, a cam assembly, a bearing assembly, a first gear and a second gear. The first and second gears may engage one another and translate rotating movement from one axis to an axis perpendicular thereto. The second gear is disengagable from the first gear by action of the cam assembly, which is adapted to disengage the second gear from the first gear through eccentric rotation of the cam assembly. In one embodiment, a bearing assembly carried by the cam assembly is preloaded. The cam assembly is disposed so that the preloaded can be maintained during manufacture of the gearbox. In another embodiment, the gearbox case and cam assembly are disposed so as to minimize internal leakage from the case and enhance sealing of the gearbox. |
| US09291252B2 |
Alternator pulley, and mounting structure of alternator pulley and alternator for vehicle
An alternator pulley, a mounting structure of an alternator pulley, and an alternator for a vehicle are configured to reduce vibration by mounting an adaptor which includes a pendulum on the alternator pulley, by reacting a pendulum vibration with a belt vibration which have inverse phases to each other, and by completely press-fitting the adaptor to the alternator pulley without backlash. The alternator pulley, mounting structure and alternator may include a pulley body configured to be coupled with an alternator shaft and receiving power by a belt and an adaptor coupled with the pulley body and absorbs vibration caused by power delivery, wherein the adaptor may further include at least one pendulum for absorbing vibration caused by the power delivery. |
| US09291249B2 |
Gear structure of transmission
A transmission includes: a counter low-gear with a low-gear body and a boss fit into the low-gear body so that driving force can be transmitted, and provided with dog-claws and an expanded part at one axial end and that is axially non-movably and rotatably fit around a counter shaft. A counter high-gear with a high-gear body is arranged in the one side from the low-gear body and with a cylinder including dog-claws at the one axial end thereof and is axially non-movably and rotatably fit around the boss. A shift sleeve is axially movably spline-fit around the counter shaft, and is arranged in the one side from the counter high-gear and that includes dog-claws capable of engaging with the dog-claws of the gears. The high-gear body is axially non-movably arranged between the low-gear body and the expanded part. |
| US09291248B2 |
Gear wheel
The invention relates to a spur gear wheel with a gear body (4, 5) made from a sintered material, which has a circumference around which teeth (6, 7) are distributed projecting in the radial direction, and which is delimited by two end faces (8, 9, 10, 11) in the axial direction. At least one shaped element (12) in the form of a recess (13) and/or an elevation (14) and/or a compacted area is provided on at least one end face (8, 9, 10, 11) in the region of the teeth (6, 7) and/or in the radial direction underneath the teeth (6, 7). |
| US09291244B2 |
Nine speed automatic transmission
Transmissions with at least four gearing-arrangements and six clutches that produce nine forward speeds and one reverse. The gearing-arrangements may be simple planetary gearsets. The six clutches may include one to three brakes, and at least one clutch is an input clutch and one an output clutch. The input-shaft of each transmission may be associated with a carrier of one of the simple planetary gearsets. The input-shaft may be associated with carrier-1. The output-shaft of some transmissions may be associated with a carrier of another of the simple planetary gearsets. The output-shaft may be associated with carrier-4. Sun and ring gears in gearing-arrangements may be connected to a transmission housing. Sun-3 and ring-4 may be grounds. |
| US09291242B2 |
Dependency transmission
The disclosure relates to a transmission for a motor vehicle, wherein the transmission comprises an input shaft, at least first and second countershafts, and an output shaft. The input shaft is provided with a first driving gearwheel, which interacts with a first gearwheel arranged upon the first countershaft, and a second gearwheel arranged upon the second countershaft. A number of gear teeth of the first gearwheel is selected such that, in relation to the number of gear teeth of the first driving gearwheel, the number of gear teeth of the first gearwheel can be either reduced or increased with at least one gear tooth, without affecting the number of gear teeth upon the first driving gearwheel, whereby the reduction or increase in the number of gear teeth of the first gearwheel is compensated with a profile shift of the gear teeth of the first gearwheel. |
| US09291241B2 |
Transmission
A vehicle-use transmission includes: an input shaft into which a driving force from an engine is inputted; a power extraction shaft for transmitting the driving force of the input shaft to front wheels; a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the input shaft to rear wheels; and a rear-wheel intermediate shaft provided in a power transmission path between the power extraction shaft and the transmission mechanism. The rear-wheel intermediate shaft transmits the driving force through a helical gear attached to the rear-wheel intermediate shaft. Further, the rear-wheel intermediate shaft is supported by tapered roller bearings. |
| US09291233B2 |
Device for damping vibrations
An apparatus for the damping of vibrations in a steering column in a motor vehicle, having a mounting (10) and an accommodation device (11) elastically supported in the mounting (10) to which a gas generator (20) is secured, a separate supplemental weight (30) is secured to the gas generator (20) or to the accommodation device (11) to provide desired vibration damping characteristics of the steering column assembly. |
| US09291231B2 |
Frequency sensitive type shock absorber
A frequency sensitive type shock absorber is provided. A housing has a bypass hole formed such that an upper portion of a chamber part is opened to connect to the opening, and a lower portion of the chamber part communicates with the compression chamber. A spool is formed within the chamber part and is elevated by a fluid flowing into the chamber part. A pair of partition members partitions the chamber part into upper and lower chambers and provides a restoring force to the spool. A guide member is formed between the pair of the partition members, has a elastic force, and guides the partition members to maintain positions thereof. A pair of elastic members is formed in the upper and lower chambers to prevent a fluid from penetrating between the pair of the partition members and the side of the chamber part, and assist a restoration of the partition members by elasticity. |
| US09291218B2 |
Vehicle control system
A vehicle control system to prevent deterioration in controllability of the engagement device resulting from temporal deterioration of the engagement device. The vehicle control system is configured to switch a driving mode selectively between a first driving mode in which the engagement device is disengaged, and a second driving mode in which the engagement device is engaged. The vehicle control system comprises: an estimation means that estimates deterioration in an engagement property of the engagement device; and an engagement means that engages the engagement device after achieving synchronization between an input speed and an output speed, in case the estimation means estimates that the engagement property of the engagement device is deteriorated, and the driving mode is shifted from the first driving mode to the second driving mode. |
| US09291216B2 |
Electromagnetic clutch
The electromagnetic clutch (X) includes a rotating shaft (1): a magnetic pole body (2) and a rotor (3) disposed to face each other along an axial direction of the rotating shaft (1); and an armature (4) capable of moving in a direction attachable to or detachable from the rotor (3) along the axial direction of the rotating shaft and forming a magnetic circuit with the magnetic pole body and the rotor. The armature is moved in the axial direction of the rotating shaft by electromagnetic suction force to press the rotor when an exciting coil (21) is in an excitation state. The rotating shaft is configured by an input side shaft portion (11) which is a non-magnetic body and formed of a material having enough strength to support rotation of the rotor and the armature; and an output side shaft portion (12) which is a magnetic body. |
| US09291213B2 |
Pneumatic clutch with improved friction member
A clutch assembly comprising a clutch housing, a central piston chamber positioned therein and a translatable clutch piston movable between a piston neutral and activated positions in response to air pressure. A rotating drive shaft member is positioned within the clutch housing. A cone clutch friction member is moved from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position in response to the translatable clutch piston moving between the piston neutral and activated positions. The cone clutch friction member engages the rotating drive shaft when in the clutch engaged position. A clutch spring biases the cone clutch friction member into the clutch engaged position with a clutch engagement force. The cone clutch friction member comprises a V-shaped member with a hollow or solid core, or a bent metal member. Friction material is positioned on at least the surfaces which engage and make contact with the rotating drive shaft member. |
| US09291208B2 |
Rotation transmitter
A rotation transmitter includes: a first member, an intermediate member and a second member that are arranged coaxially with a rotation axis. The first member is formed with a first bearing surface along the rotation axis and a first direction. The second member is formed with a second bearing surface along the rotation axis and a second direction. The intermediate member is formed with a first middle bearing surface facing the first bearing surface and formed with a second middle bearing surface facing the second bearing surface. A static-pressure air bearing is formed between the bearing surface and the middle bearing surface. The rotation transmitter further includes: a preload device that biases the bearing surface and the middle bearing surface in a direction approaching each other. |
| US09291207B2 |
Constant velocity universal joint and method for producing same
A constant velocity universal includes an outer joint member having an inner peripheral surface including track grooves that are formed at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface and extend in an axial direction, and an inner joint member having an outer peripheral surface including track grooves that are formed at a plurality of positions on the outer peripheral surface and in pairs with the track grooves of the outer joint member, the track grooves extending in the axial direction. Balls are interposed between the track grooves of the outer and inner joint members. A track chamfer is provided at each boundary portion between each of the track grooves and the inner peripheral surface of the outer joint member, and a track chamfer is provided at each boundary portion between each of the track grooves and the outer peripheral surface of the inner joint member. |
| US09291205B2 |
Clamp coupling for fixed connection of two rotating parts, preferably shaft and hub
A clamp coupling has a slotted clamping ring seated on a first rotatable part. A clamping screw is arranged in the clamping ring and acts on the clamping ring to elastically spread the clamping ring apart and contract the clamping ring depending on the turning direction of the clamping screw. The first rotatable part has axially oriented slots that extend up to a free end face of the first rotatable part and that separate coupling segments of the first rotatable part from each other. The slots are arranged in an area surrounded by the clamping ring. The coupling segments receive a second rotating part and are clamped by the clamping ring on the second rotating part. A follower part is arranged on the clamping ring and in a spreading-apart direction of the clamping ring is fixedly connected with at least one of the coupling segments. |
| US09291203B2 |
Temperature sensing grease fitting with alarm
A bearing temperature monitoring system for detecting a temperature of bearing grease within a bearing housing. The bearing temperature monitoring system comprises a housing mountable to the bearing housing, a power source selectively outputting an electrical current, and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit includes a temperature sensor component electrically coupled to the power source. The temperature sensor component can be responsive to a change in temperature such that the temperature sensor component opens or closes the electrical circuit at a predetermined temperature even in the absence of an applied electrical current. The electrical circuit further includes an alert device electrically coupled to the power source and the temperature sensor component that outputs an alert in response to the temperature sensor component. |
| US09291200B2 |
Sliding component
A positive pressure generating mechanism comprising a positive pressure generating groove is provided to a high-pressure side of one of two sliding surfaces that slide relative to each other in a pair of sliding components, and a negative pressure generating mechanism comprising a negative pressure generating groove is provided to a low-pressure side. The positive pressure generating groove and negative pressure generating groove are communicated with a high-pressure fluid side and separated from a low-pressure fluid side by a seal surface. |
| US09291190B2 |
Fixing device
A device fixes fittings, in particular wall or floor elements in airplanes, to a structure such that no vibrations are generated. The device has a fixing element which is configured on one end for fixing to the structure and on the opposite end for receiving the fittings. The opposite end of the fixing element is movably mounted in a spacer sleeve which can be connected to the fittings to be received and which contains an elongated hole-shaped cross-section, and the opposite end is configured for fixing to the fittings. At least one damping element is provided and disposed between the structure and the fittings. The spacer sleeve has an elongated hole-shaped cross-section, and the one end of the fixing element is formed by a stand or can be connected to a stand. The stand is configured for movably mounting in a rail section that lies on the structure. |
| US09291186B2 |
Fastening member
The invention relates to an attachment member (R) of the “lockbolt” type comprising a pin (100) and a ring (200), said pin (100) comprising a head (110) at one end and having, on its body, a first part (120) grooved with a plurality of locking grooves or channels (121p, 121c, 121d) enabling the ring (200) engaging with the pin (100) to attach itself thereto by deformation, and a second part (130) that is grooved in order to cooperate with a tool (O), characterized in that said grooved part (120) of the pin (100) is preformed so as to provide a series of non-helical grooves (121p, 121c, 121d), the beginning and the end of the series consisting of grooves (121p, 121d) that have different profiles from the identical grooves (121c) located in the central part of said series, the different profile having an identical depth but a greater width compared to the profile of the grooves (121c) located in the central portion of the series. The invention is applicable to the production of attachments and rivets. |
| US09291179B2 |
Fastener system with dissimilar metals
An article, for use in coupling a first member including a first material to a second member including a second material different than the first material, includes a clip having a first leg, a second leg, and a middle portion located between the first and second legs. The clip has an inner side including the first material and an outer side including the second material. The clip is aligned on one of the first and second members so the inner side of the clip contacts one of the first and second members and the outer side of the clip contacts the other of the first and second members. |
| US09291178B2 |
Bracket assembly and retaining device for collapsible stand
A bracket assembly is provided with a shell, a pivotal first curved member on one end of a recessed shell bottom, a pivotal second curved member on the other end of the shell bottom, a link including a slot, a first pin driven through the first curved member and the slot to fasten the first curved member and the link together, and a third hole at an other end, a cylindrical first actuation member, a cylindrical second actuation member, a second pin for fastening the first actuation member and the link together; a biasing member biased between the first stop member and the first actuation member; and a knob at a cap. A retaining device is also provided so that the sliding tube can slide in a transverse channel of retaining device, thereby adjusting length of the sliding tube. |
| US09291176B2 |
Locking mechanism for locking an actuator
A locking mechanism for locking an actuator piston within an actuator cylinder housing is disclosed. The locking mechanism comprises a locking pin that is moveable between extended and retracted positions. The locking pin can be moved using a controller, such as a hydraulic controller, for example. In the extended position the locking pin engages the actuator piston thereby locking the actuator piston in a specific position. The locking mechanism includes a mechanical bias (such as a spring or other mechanical system) that biases the locking pin towards an extended position to lock the actuator piston when counter-pressure on the locking pin is lower than the pressure provided by the mechanical bias. The locking pin can be hydraulically operated so that hydraulic pressure that forces the actuator piston to retract also exerts force on the locking pin to move it from a locked position to an unlocked position. |
| US09291175B2 |
Electrically actuated booster
An electrically actuated booster performs displacement control such that the relative displacement relationship between an input member and an assist member is variable according to the absolute displacement of the input member. A target displacement that makes variable the relative displacement relationship between an input piston and a booster piston is set according to a detection signal from a potentiometer (86), and displacement control is performed so that the relative displacement between the two pistons becomes equal to the target displacement on the basis of a signal from a relative displacement sensor (100) that detects the relative displacement between the two pistons. |
| US09291172B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating wave functional pulsatile microflows by applying Fourier cosine series and hydraulic head difference
An apparatus for generating pulsatile flows includes a liquid vessel capable of containing a liquid, a plurality of revolving mechanisms associated with each other, and a microchannel supplied with a liquid from the liquid vessel. As the plurality of revolving mechanisms rotate, a periodically changing pressure difference occurs between the liquid vessel and the microchannel, thereby implementing a pulsatile flow having a wave functional form in the microchannel. By applying the hydraulic head difference and controlling revolution of the revolving mechanisms based on Fourier cosine series, a minute and precise pulsatile flow of a wave functional form may be implemented by means of simple configuration and fabrication, which may not easily obtained by a conventional pump. |
| US09291157B1 |
Automated system for pressure pulsation dampening
An automated system for dampening pulsation of a medium, wherein the system comprises a pressure pulsation dampener, a transducer, and a control unit for instructing a motor to move the choke plate depending on signals sent from the transducer. The pressure pulsation dampener has a housing, a choke plate, a shaft, an indicator plate, a stop pin and a removable fastener for engaging at least one of the plurality of indicator openings and securing to a portion of the outlet half housing. |
| US09291155B2 |
Vacuum pump motor and vacuum pump having balance rings
In order to provide a vacuum pump motor which is free from rotation imbalance, there is provided a vacuum pump motor 10 which is connected directly to a pump main shaft 21 of a vacuum pump 20, including a motor rotor 120 which is attached directly or indirectly to the pump main shaft 21 and balance rings 127 which are attached directly or indirectly to the pump main shaft 21 at ends thereof which are spaced apart from end portions of a rotor core 123, wherein the balance rings 127 contain a material having anticorrosion properties. |
| US09291152B2 |
Method for operating a power generation system
A method for operating a power generation system coupled to a power grid during a grid unbalance event, a method for determining an injection current to be supplied into a power grid by a power generation system, and a method for addressing an asymmetric grid fault in a power grid connected to a power generation system are provided. The methods may be carried out based on a reactive or an active power/current priority. |
| US09291147B2 |
Sail-based electrical generation system and method
An energy generating system includes a first pair of sails, configured for opposing reciprocal swinging motion in response to a flow of fluid therepast, and a first generator assembly, mechanically coupled to the first pair of sails, configured to generate electrical energy from the opposing reciprocal swinging motion of the first pair of sails. |
| US09291139B2 |
Dual action fuel injection nozzle
The disclosure provides a fuel injection nozzle. The fuel injection nozzle includes a nozzle body, with the nozzle body defining a central bore. A fuel atomizer is disposed in the central bore. The fuel atomizer defines a spill-return bore and a swirl chamber. The swirl chamber is in fluid communication with the central bore. The spill-return bore includes a return swirler approximate the swirl chamber. An air supply pump is coupled to the fuel atomizer and is in fluid communication with the spill-return bore. The air supply pump is configured to selectively inject air into the swirl chamber through the spill-return bore. |
| US09291137B2 |
Device for holding down a valve for metering fuel
A device for holding down a valve for metering fuel in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine is provided. The valve is inserted for fuel supply, using a connection piece, into a sealing region which presses against the connection piece at an outlet opening of a manifold fixed to the cylinder head. Between a first support shoulder on the side of the valve and a second support shoulder on the side of the manifold, the device has a clamped spring element for transferring a holding-down force onto the valve. In order to achieve an inward deflection of the spring element required for the transfer of the holding-down force, the spring element is prestressed to a prestressing force that is reduced with respect to the holding-down force, and the prestressed spring element is fixed on the valve. |
| US09291127B2 |
Engine arrangement with charge air cooler and EGR system
An engine arrangement includes an engine, a charge air cooler connected to an engine inlet side of the engine, an air bypass for bypassing the charge air cooler, and including an EGR system connected between engine outlet side and an engine inlet side of the engine via one or more EGR lines. The air bypass enters the EGR system at an air-bypass port of an EGR line for mixing air with exhaust gas at the engine outlet side of the EGR system and/or upstream of an EGR cooler. An engine arrangement can also comprise an engine, a charge air cooler connected via an air line to an engine inlet side of the engine, an air bypass for bypassing the charge air cooler, and including an EGR system connected between an engine outlet side and an engine inlet side of the engine via one or more EGR lines. A control device is provided for controlling an engine inlet temperature of an air/exhaust gas mixture by controlling a ratio of cooled/uncooled air and/or cooled/uncooled exhaust gas in the air/exhaust gas mixture. |
| US09291125B2 |
Gas engine, control system and control method for gas engine
A control system in a gas engine includes a water injection means which injects water toward an interior of a cylinder in the gas engine; a water injection control means which controls the water injection section; and a knocking occurrence ratio measuring means which measures a measurement value of a knocking occurrence ratio in the cylinder. The water injection control means controls the water injection means to set the amount of the water injected toward the interior of the cylinder, based on a deviation between the measurement value and a target value. |
| US09291120B2 |
Steel piston with counter-bore design
A piston for an internal combustion engine is provided. The piston includes a piston body which is made of steel. The piston body has a crown portion with an upper combustion surface, a pair of skirts which depend from the crown surface, a pair of pin bosses for receiving a wrist pin and a plurality of pin boss bridges which extend from the pin bosses to the skirts. Each of the pin boss bridges extends axially to a lower end which is opposite of the crown portion and has a rib with an increased thickness at its lower end. At least one of the pin boss bridges has a generally flat counter-bore surface for providing a reference location for machining of the piston body. |
| US09291119B2 |
Piston assembly with preloaded support surfaces
A piston assembly is disclosed which includes a crown and a skirt. The crown and skirt may cooperate to form a cooling gallery. The crown may include an axial support extending away from the combustion bowl, and radially inner and outer support surfaces that are abutted against corresponding radially inner and outer support surfaces of the skirt. The axial support may have a first diameter and a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The skirt may define an aperture receiving the first diameter of the axial support such that the second diameter of the axial support is supported in the skirt on a side of the aperture opposite the crown. The corresponding radially inner and outer support surfaces of the crown and skirt may each be abutted with a radially inner preload, and a radially outer preload, respectively. |
| US09291114B2 |
Generator including a fuel shutoff valve
A generator including an enclosure, an internal combustion engine provided within the enclosure, an alternator provided within the enclosure and driven by the internal combustion engine, a fuel supply line for providing fuel to the internal combustion engine, a valve for selectively closing the fuel supply line, the valve biased to a normally closed position, a controller configured to provide a signal to maintain the valve in an open position, and a temperature responsive device configured to interrupt the signal from the controller to the valve upon exposure to a threshold temperature, thereby resulting in the closing of the valve. |
| US09291110B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
When an alcohol mixed fuel is supplied to an internal combustion engine, the magnitude of the alcohol concentration is determined, and the magnitude of an operation state temperature is determined on the basis of the determination. When the alcohol concentration is high and the operation state temperature is low, the generation of intermediate products, which are alcohol oxides contained in unburned alcohol mixed fuel, is promoted, and the intermediate products generated are trapped in an intake passage by opening an intake valve in the expansion stroke of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09291108B2 |
Engine control device and control method
The present invention relates to a control device and a control method for an engine that includes a compression ratio variable mechanism for changing a top dead center position of a piston and a fuel injector for directly injecting a fuel into a cylinder. In the control device and the control method for the engine according to the invention, when a compression ratio is increased by the compression ratio variable mechanism, an injection timing, a fuel pressure, the number of times of split injections, and the like, in a fuel injection of the fuel injector are changed, to reduce a fuel adhering to a piston crown surface. |
| US09291103B2 |
Fuel nozzle for a combustor of a gas turbine engine
A fuel nozzle for a gas turbine generally includes a main body having an upstream end axially separated from a downstream end. The main body at least partially defines a fuel supply passage that extends through the upstream end and at least partially through the main body. A fuel distribution manifold is disposed at the downstream end of the main body. The fuel distribution manifold includes a plurality of axially extending passages that extend through the fuel distribution manifold. A plurality of fuel injection ports defines a flow path between the fuel supply passage and each of the plurality of axially extending passages. |
| US09291100B2 |
Rotary machine and mounting method of atmosphere relief mechanism for rotary machine
A rotary machine is provided with a casing and an atmosphere relief mechanism (20) for closing an opening (12) for atmospheric release formed in the casing and relieving pressure of inner fluid to atmosphere when a pressure in the casing rises. The atmosphere relief mechanism includes: a rupture disc (24) configured to rupture when the pressure in the casing reaches a predetermined pressure; a pair of annular holding parts (22, 27) arranged to hold an outer edge of the rupture disc from both sides; a plurality of fastening members (29) for fastening the pair of annular holding parts to each other so as to hold the rupture disc between the pair of annular holding parts; and an annular spacer part (25) provided along an outer circumference of the rupture disc. |
| US09291099B2 |
Structure for extracting compressed air from compressor of gas turbine engine and gas turbine engine with the structure
Provided is a structure of a gas turbine engine for extracting a part of compressed air generated by a compressor. The structure comprises a cylindrical housing having an annular portion extending around the compressing chamber to define an annular chamber, an annular partition dividing the annular chamber into first and second plenum chambers. The cylindrical housing has first apertures to communicate between the compressing chamber and the first plenum chamber. The partition has second apertures to communicate between the first and second plenum chambers. The first and second apertures are configured so that that the first apertures have a first total cross-sectional area and the second apertures have a second total cross-sectional area which is smaller than the first total cross-sectional area. |
| US09291096B2 |
Throttle cable locking assembly
A throttle cable locking assembly (16) for a power tool (1), in which the power tool (1) includes a source of power (2) having an internal combustion engine, a machine implement (4) engaged to the source of power (2), and a throttle handle (6) connected to the internal combustion engine for regulating power supply to the machine implement (4). The throttle cable locking assembly (16) includes: a cable assembly (18), the cable assembly (18) including a throttle cable (20) extending from the internal combustion engine, an outer cable (30) extending from the internal combustion engine and enclosing a portion of the throttle cable (20), and an engagement member (36) carried by a first end portion of the outer cable (30); and an adjuster bolt capable of being engaged with the engagement member (36) provided on the first end of the outer cable (30). A locking case (48) is provided for securing one end of the adjuster bolt and a portion of the engagement member (36). |
| US09291094B2 |
Variable flow valve having metered flow orifice
A variable flow valve assembly is disclosed, and includes a main body and a piston. The main body defines a chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a wall located between the inlet port and the outlet port. The wall defines a metering orifice for selectively allowing a medium to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port. The piston is moveable within the chamber of the main body in a plurality of partially open positions to vary the amount of medium flowing through the modulation orifice. |
| US09291089B2 |
Turbocharger having compressor cooling arrangement and method
A compressor adapted to compress a working fluid includes a housing surrounding a compressor wheel and a backplate connected to the housing and enclosing the compressor wheel within an interior space of the housing. A cooling fluid conduit is fluidly connected between a cooled and compressed source of working fluid downstream of the compressor and the interior space of the housing of the compressor at a location between the compressor wheel and the back plate. A pressure differential created when the compressor is operating draws a flow of cooled, compressed charge into the interior space of the housing, which flow passes over and convectively cools said compressor wheel before mixing with a main compressor flow and being provided back through the compressor outlet. |
| US09291088B2 |
Piston assembly
A piston assembly includes: a piston skirt; and a piston crown formed by a casting method and coupled to an upper portion of the piston skirt by using a stud bolt, wherein oil galleries are formed between an upper wall of the piston skirt and an upper wall of the piston crown, wherein an annular part having a circular ring shape and a plurality of ribs having a linear shape and radially arranged to form oil channels for flowing cooling oil are formed on the upper wall of the piston crown, and the plurality of ribs are divided into outer ribs and inner ribs by the annular part. |
| US09291085B2 |
Device and method for estimating ideal air-fuel ratio in internal combustion engine, method of estimating oxygen storage capacity of catalyst, internal combustion engine device and motorcycle incorporating internal combustion engine device
A method of estimating an ideal air-fuel ratio in an internal combustion engine, comprises receiving an output of an upstream air-fuel ratio sensor and an output of a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor, the upstream air-fuel ratio sensor being attached to an exhaust gas passage such that it is positioned upstream of a catalyst provided in the exhaust gas passage to purify an exhaust gas, the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor being attached to the exhaust gas passage such that it is positioned downstream of the catalyst; detecting a state in which the catalyst does not store or release oxygen based on the output of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor; and deciding as an estimated ideal air-fuel ratio in the internal combustion engine an air-fuel ratio detected by the upstream air-fuel ratio sensor when the state in which the catalyst does not store or release oxygen is detected. |
| US09291084B2 |
Vehicle and a method of updating efficiency of a selective catalytic reduction filter of an exhaust treatment system of the vehicle
A vehicle and a method of updating efficiency of a selective catalytic reduction filter (SCRF) of an exhaust treatment system of the vehicle are disclosed. The method includes obtaining an initial calculated efficiency of the SCRF, via a controller, regarding one of a NOx conversion, a reductant absorption, a reductant desorption and a reductant oxidation. The method also includes determining a soot mass estimate in the SCRF representative of an amount of soot collected inside the SCRF and determining a soot correction factor from the soot mass estimate. The method further includes calculating, via the controller, an updated efficiency value of the SCRF by multiplying the soot correction factor and the initial calculated efficiency to update efficiency of the SCRF. |
| US09291082B2 |
System and method of a catalytic reactor having multiple sacrificial coatings
A system includes a catalytic reactor configured to mount to a combustor. The catalytic reactor includes a catalyst configured to reduce emissions associated with combustion in the combustor. The catalytic reactor also includes a first and a second sacrificial coating disposed over the catalyst prior to mounting of the catalytic reactor into the combustor, wherein the first and second sacrificial coatings are removable while the catalytic reactor is mounted to the combustor without damaging the catalyst. |
| US09291080B2 |
Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and an exhaust purification catalyst (13) are arranged in an engine exhaust passage. As rich control for making the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst (13) rich, cylinder rich control for generating rich air-fuel ratio combustion gas in the cylinder and exhaust rich control for feeding hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve (15) to make air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas rich are used. When the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst should be made rich, if the speed of the vehicle is lower than a predetermined speed and the gear position of the transmission is at a predetermined low speed gear position, exhaust rich control is used instead of cylinder rich control. |
| US09291079B2 |
Engine aftertreatment system with exhaust lambda control
An aftertreatment device for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbon (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) generated by a compression-ignition (CI) engine. In this device, lean exhaust air generated in the CI engine is converted to rich exhaust air, and energy used for the conversion is recycled using an energy recovery device. The result rich exhaust air then pass through an oxidation catalyst, where NOx is reduced with CO and HC. |
| US09291076B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A valve timing control apparatus includes: a first lock mechanism being arranged to lock the vane rotor to a first position between the most retard angle position and the most advance angle position with respect to the housing, and to release the lock; and a second lock mechanism being arranged to lock the vane rotor with respect to the housing, to a second position which is between the most retard angle position and the most advance angle position, and is on the retard angle side of the first position, and to release the lock. |
| US09291075B2 |
System to diagnose variable valve actuation malfunctions by monitoring fluid pressure in a control gallery
A system for diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device is disclosed. The system has a rocker arm assembly that includes: a first arm, a second arm with the first and second arms attached at a first end, a hydraulically operated latch assembly that functions to secure the first arm to the second arm when latched. It also includes a source of pressurized fluid connected to a hydraulic valve that provided fluid high or low pressure fluid to the hydraulically-operated latch. The latch may be operated by a remote device. A control gallery connects the hydraulic valve to the latch. A pressure transducer is positioned within the gallery and is adapted to create a signal indicating the pressure in the gallery. A control unit is coupled to the hydraulic valve and the pressure transducer, and is adapted to sense engine operation parameters, actuate the hydraulic valve, read the signal from the pressure transducer; and identify malfunctions of the rocker arm assembly based upon the signal from the transducer. |
| US09291073B2 |
Centering attachment of a compressor housing cover
A casing is provided having a longitudinal axis of a turbomachine, the axis extending along a rotor. The casing includes at least one jacket part extending along the longitudinal axis and at least one end-face cover. The cover is surrounded by the jacket part at least with a part of the axial extension of the cover. In order to reduce the need for radial clearance, without compromising the availability or safety of the operation of the machine, the cover has radial clearance with respect to the jacket part and at least two separate guide elements of the cover are provided on the jacket part in two different circumferential positions with respect to the longitudinal axis. The respective guide elements are designed such that they block a respective movement of the cover in the circumferential direction at least unidirectionally. |
| US09291070B2 |
Gas turbine rotor containment
A gas turbine engine has a spool including compressor and turbine rotors connected by a first shaft. The first shaft extends concentrically around a second shaft. The first shaft forward end has a portion with an inner diameter of close tolerance with the second shaft. The second shaft has a region of enlarged diameter located axially aft of the compressor rotor but axially forward of the forward end of the first shaft. The region of enlarged diameter has a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the forward end portion of the first shaft to cause the region of enlarged diameter of the second shaft to engage the first shaft in interference in the event that the second shaft is moved axially aft relative to the first shaft more than a pre-selected axial distance. |
| US09291063B2 |
Mid-section of a can-annular gas turbine engine with an improved rotation of air flow from the compressor to the turbine
A midframe portion (313) of a gas turbine engine (310) is presented and includes a compressor section with a last stage blade to orient an air flow (311) at a first angle (372). The midframe portion (313) further includes a turbine section with a first stage blade to receive the air flow (311) oriented at a second angle (374). The midframe portion (313) further includes a manifold (314) to directly couple the air flow (311) from the compressor section to a combustor head (318) upstream of the turbine section. The combustor head (318) introduces an offset angle in the air flow (311) from the first angle (372) to the second angle (374) to discharge the air flow (311) from the combustor head (318) at the second angle (374). While introducing the offset angle, the combustor head (318) at least maintains or augments the first angle (372). |
| US09291061B2 |
Turbomachine blade tip shroud with parallel casing configuration
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a turbomachine having a turbomachine blade and a stationary structural component. The turbomachine blade includes a tip shroud having a leading edge portion where the leading edge portion has a first surface. The stationary structural component is disposed about the turbomachine blade and includes a corresponding portion corresponding to the leading edge portion of the tip shroud, where the corresponding portion has a second surface, where the first surface and the second surface have generally parallel contours. |
| US09291058B2 |
Machining process and apparatus for machining
A method of determining a tool path to machine a component, the method comprising the steps of: securing the component to a fixture having a zero point alignment datum, the component and the fixture having respective mobile reference points; aligning the fixture mobile reference points to target reference points on the machine tool; aligning a digitized model of the component to the component mobile reference points; determining the position of the component on the fixture from the component mobile reference points and the fixture mobile reference points; and adjusting a nominal tool path for the machine tool dependent on the position of the component. |
| US09291056B2 |
Harmonic uniflow engine
A reciprocating-piston uniflow engine includes a harmonic oscillator inlet valve capable of oscillating at a resonant frequency for controlling the flow of working fluid into the engine. In particular, the inlet valve includes an inlet valve head and a spring arranged together as a harmonic oscillator so that the inlet valve head is moveable from an unbiased equilibrium position to a biased closed position occluding an inlet. When released, the inlet valve head undergoes a single oscillation past the equilibrium position to a maximum open position and returns to a biased return position close to the closed position to choke the flow and produce a pressure drop across the inlet valve causing the inlet valve to close. In other embodiments, the harmonic oscillator arrangement of the inlet valve enables the uniflow engine to be reversibly operated as a uniflow compressor. |
| US09291052B2 |
Air flow system for mining machine
A mining machine includes a boom, a cutter head, a valve, and an actuator. The boom defines an internal chamber and includes a first end coupled to a frame, a second end, and an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bits and is supported on the second end of the boom. The valve is coupled to the boom and is movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered. The actuator is coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position. |
| US09291050B2 |
Determining formation wettability from dielectric measurements
Formation wettability is quantifiably estimated from measurements of dielectric constant and conductivity. In particular, wettability state of formation rock in a subterranean environment is estimated from multi-frequency measurements of rock dielectric constant and conductivity. A dielectric dispersion model is used to invert the measurements and estimate the saturation exponent. The resulting saturation exponent is used to quantify wettability, e.g., by calculating a wettability index. |
| US09291048B2 |
System and method for triggering a downhole tool
A method of servicing a wellbore includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree, the assembly including at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly. An acoustic signal is communicated to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The acoustic signal is perceived with a transceiver communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly and thereby activates a timer communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The assembly is introduced into the wellbore and advanced until reaching a target depth. A trigger signal is them transmitted with the signal receiver subassembly to the at least one downhole tool to actuate the at least one downhole tool. |
| US09291047B2 |
Attitude reference for tieback/overlap processing
A method for calculating orientation changes within a borehole using a gyro sensor to detect angular deflection rates in an attitude reference interval as a MWD system is moved from a first to a second location within the borehole. A compass shot may be taken at one or more of the first and second locations using a magnetometer and accelerometer or gyro sensor and accelerometer. Tieback and/or overlap processing may be applied to increase the accuracy of measured orientation within the borehole. Additionally, tieback and/or overlap processing may be applied to adjust sensor model parameters in response to discrepancies between calculated and measured locations. Iterated calculations of orientation change between subsequent intervals may allow MWD orientation to be computed for an entire drilling operation using only a single compass shot. |
| US09291040B1 |
Select fire switch form factor system and method
A wellbore select fire switch retaining member system and method with an integrated through wire and ground wire in a switch sub. The system/method includes a retaining member that has a form factor acceptable by a conventional switch sub. The retaining member incorporates an electrical connection to the center pin of a pressure switch. The system further includes a secondary piston aligned with a piston in the switch (switch piston) so that external pressure is fully acted upon the entire switch piston creating a reliable switch connection. Another system includes an integrated retaining member and switch module having a form factor compatible with existing switch subs. The integrated module inputs include a ground wire and a through wire and the outputs include a ground wire, through wire and an arming wire. |
| US09291038B2 |
Apparatus and method for high pressure abrasive fluid injection
A system for injecting high pressure abrasive fluid into an abrasive jet tool in a wellbore comprises an abrasives hopper; a slurry tank connected to the abrasives hopper; a low pressure abrasive pump connected to the slurry tank; a first high pressure vessel connected to the low pressure pump through a first high pressure valve; a high pressure non-abrasive pump connected to the first high pressure vessel through a second high pressure valve; and an abrasive jet tool connected to the first high pressure vessel through a third high pressure valve. |
| US09291031B2 |
Isolation tool
A down hole pressure isolation tool is placed in a pipe string and includes a pair of pressure discs having one side that is highly resistant to applied pressure and one side that ruptures when much lower pressures are applied to it. The weak sides of the pressure discs face each other. Rather than rupturing the discs by dropping a go-devil into the well, a first of the discs is ruptured or broken by the application of fluid pressure from the well head or surface. Formation pressure is then used, in different ways according to the different embodiments, to rupture the remaining disc. |
| US09291028B2 |
Plugging device
The present invention relates to a plugging device (1), comprising a packer device (4) for pressure tight sealing of a pipe. The packer device (4) comprises a cone device (10) comprising a first cone (12) and a second cone (14), each having their base faced towards each other and each comprising a tapering surface (12a, 14a). A first packer supporting device (20) is provided on a first side of the cone device (10), a second packer supporting device (22) is provided on a second side of the cone device (10) and a packer body (50) provided is between the first packer supporting device (20) and the second packer supporting device (22). The first and second packer supporting devices (20, 22) comprise supporting arms (24) having a first end (24a) movably connected to the plugging device (1) and a second end (24b) connected to either a front supporting element (30) or a rear supporting element (40). A sliding surface is provided on the first and second packer supporting device (20, 22) for sliding up and down the tapering surface (12a, 14a) of the first or second cone (12, 14), thereby bringing the packer device (4) between its expanded and retracted positions respectively. The front supporting elements (30) and the rear supporting elements (40) comprise front surfaces (32, 42), where the front surfaces (32, 42) are faced towards the base of the first and second cones (12, 14) and provide an extrusion barrier surface for the packer body (50) in the expanded position. |
| US09291026B2 |
Seal around braided cable
A method of deploying a downhole tool into a wellbore includes: lowering a cable into the wellbore; after lowering the cable, engaging a mold with an outer surface of the cable; injecting sealant into the mold and into armor of the cable, thereby sealing a portion of the cable; lowering the downhole tool to a deployment depth using the cable; engaging a seal with the sealed portion of the cable; and operating the downhole tool using the cable. |
| US09291023B2 |
Stem head adapter with pistons
A casing head assembly for landing on a stem head of a floating structure can include a stem head adapter assembly that includes a ring shaped stem head adapter plate. A solid upper ring is spaced axially above the stem head adapter plate, defining an adapter gap between the upper ring and the stem head adapter plate. At least one load cell can have a first end that is supported by the stem head adapter plate and a second end that engages the upper ring. At least one piston assembly is selectively secured to the upper ring. The casing head assembly also includes a casing head landed on, and secured to, the upper ring of the stem head adapter assembly. The load cell is selectively constrained between the upper ring and the stem head adapter plate by a load on the casing head. |
| US09291022B2 |
Method and system for temporarily locking a tubular
There is provided a system and method for temporarily locking a wellhead component while cementing it in place within a mineral extraction system. As cement is pumped into the wellhead, its temperature may be increased, leading to thermal expansion of the cement and movement of wellhead components. Disclosed embodiments include a hold-down ring configured to cooperate with tie-down screws to temporarily lock a running tool in place within the wellhead during cementing. In another embodiment, the tie-down screws may cooperate directly with the running tool. The locked running tool then blocks other wellhead components, such as a hanger run into the wellhead by the running tool, from upward axial movement due to thermal expansion of the cement during the cementing process. After the hanger is cemented in place, the running tool may be unlocked and retrieved from the wellhead. |
| US09291018B2 |
Systems and methods to inhibit packoff events during downhole assembly motion within a wellbore
Systems and methods to inhibit packoff events during downhole assembly motion within a wellbore comprise a downhole assembly that includes an energy-storing structure that defines a charged state and a discharged state and is configured to generate a motive force upon transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state. A fluidizing stream is generated with the motive force from the energy-storing structure which emits the fluidizing stream from the downhole assembly to fluidize a portion of a cuttings bed that may be within the wellbore and proximal to the downhole assembly. |
| US09291012B2 |
Plural input mud-collecting manifold
A manifold directs the flow of drilling mud from a drilling rig. A longitudinal tubular body has a first end and a second end, such that the longitudinal tubular body is supported by at least two supports of a platform. The platform can support a monorail that is parallel to the longitudinal tubular body, so that it is five feet of the longitudinal tubular body. The longitudinal tubular body can have at least three side directed input ports so that the ports are adapted to receive a mud pipe for attachment. Each of the three side-directed input ports can face substantially towards and above the monorail to provide unobstructed lateral attachment of a mud pipe to the longitudinal tubular body. |
| US09291011B2 |
Integral diverter system
An integral diverter system for diverting drilling fluid returns into flowlines connected to outlets for return to the drilling fluid reservoirs or other desirable locations is disclosed. The diverter assembly includes a lower tubular body that is coupled to a conductor and an upper tubular body having one or more diverter flow outlets, and one or more additional outlets. A connecting means secures the lower tubular body to the upper tubular body. One or more additional packer elements are disposed within the upper tubular body and locking means are provided for securing the one or more additional packer elements in position within the upper tubular body. |
| US09291000B2 |
Rolling cutter with improved rolling efficiency
A cutting structure may include an outer support element; and an inner rotatable cutting element comprising a cutting surface at its upper end; wherein the inner rotatable cutting element comprises at least one line contact along a circumferential side surface thereof and/or at least one point contact at a bottom face thereof. |
| US09290997B2 |
Downhole tools including bearings and methods of forming same
Bearings for downhole tools including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, at least one of the first and second bearing members having a channel formed therein. Methods of cooling bearings of downhole tools comprise flowing a fluid within a channel formed in at least one bearing member. Heat is transferred from at least the at least one bearing member to the fluid. The fluid is flowed away from the at least one bearing member. |
| US09290994B2 |
Sonde housing and bit body arrangement for horizontal directional drilling
A horizontal directional drilling sonde housing has a cavity for receiving a sonde. Signal channels extend from the cavity to an exterior of the housing. A polymer lines at least part of the cavity and fills the signal channels. The drilling tool has a bit body and a drilling body. The two bodies have respective lateral surfaces which engage each other to prevent the transverse movement of the drilling body relative to the bit body during operations. The drill bit has a forward extending drill tooth, which drill tooth is removable from a bore. A spacer is located in the bore between the bottom end of the bore and the tooth. The drilling bit has buttons located on the side in a spiral configuration about a longitudinal axis of the bit. |
| US09290993B2 |
Method and system for installation of in-ground conduit
The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for trenchless installation of a conduit. According to the examples herein, a conduit may be installed underground using the conduit itself for the drilling of the bore hole needed to accommodate the conduit. The conduit may be installed after a drill string has been positioned in the ground to define a pilot hole. After the pilot hole is defined and while the drill string used to define the pilot hole remains underground, the conduit may be driven underground following the path defined by the drill string. A driving force may be applied to the conduit and cutting member attached to a leading end of the conduit to cause the conduit to advance underground while the drill string, a portion of which may be interior to the conduit, remains underground. In this manner disadvantages associated with back reaming and/or pulling or dragging of the conduit underground may be avoided, as the conduit may itself be used for enlarging the pilot hole to a size sufficient to accommodate the conduit. |
| US09290991B1 |
Built in hideaway stool
A built in hideaway stool that provides hidden installation, such as under a cabinet or appliance, and when extended on its track and arms, rests a top step against an exterior wall of a stationary furniture item, such as a cabinet front side, to provide stable in-use step positioning. |
| US09290988B2 |
Door facing alignment assembly
A door facing is provided. The door facing includes a body portion, and male and female alignment members protruding from a main surface area of the body portion. Also provided are door assemblies including the door facing and methods of making the door facing and the door assembly. |
| US09290986B2 |
Insulating glazing having a pressure-equalizing element
An insulating glazing is described, including a first pane, a second pane, and a circumferential spacer between the first and second panes. The spacer includes a hollow main body, two parallel pane contact walls, an outer wall, a glazing interior wall and a bore opening through the outer wall. The glazing further includes a hollow pressure-equalizing body, having a surrounding outer wall and a gas-permeable and vapor-diffusion-tight membrane fastened inside the outer wall. The pressure-equalizing body and a sealing compound are arranged in an outer pane intermediate space between the first pane and the second pane. The pressure-equalizing body is connected to the spacer through the bore opening, wherein a sealing material is arranged between the bore opening and the outer wall of the pressure-equalizing body. The hollow main body of the spacer contains a desiccant and at least one partition wall. |
| US09290985B2 |
Method for assembling a window sash having an integrated insulating glass pane
A method for assembling a window sash having an integrated insulating glass pane. The window sash has a frame formed from plastic hollow profile sections. The frame has an inner face, an outer face facing away from the inner face, and two flanks that connect the inner face and the outer face to each other. On the inner face thereof, the frame has two webs parallel to each other, which constitute an all-round delimitation of the window opening of the window sash and are adhesively secured to two glass panes which are held spaced apart by the two webs. |
| US09290980B2 |
Slam latch bolt dampener
A slam latch mechanism employs an actuation lever rotatable from a first position to a second position and having a prong extending therefrom. A bolt, resiliently retractable from an extended position with the actuation lever in the first position, has a land with a slip surface engaging the prong in the second position to retract the bolt. A dampener extends from the slip surface by a margin to engage the prong in the first position to prevent metal to metal contact by the prong and slip surface with the actuation lever in the first position. |
| US09290978B2 |
Gate closer
A dual actuator pneumatic gate closer coupled to a gate including a pair of pneumatic actuators each including a tube having a first and a second end together with a piston/rod combination movable between an extended and retracted position, a first and second coupling block affixed to the first end of each tube and each rod respectively, a spring movable between an expanded and compressed configuration disposed within each tube and a first and second actuator rod coupled between the gate and the first coupling block and a gate post and the second coupling block respectively such that when the gate is moved to an open position each actuator rod extends the corresponding rod compressing the corresponding spring and when the gate is released each spring expands retracting the corresponding rod extending the corresponding actuator rod closing the gate. |
| US09290974B2 |
Geared hinge assembly
A hinge device for a door is provided. The hinge device has two hinge members which engage with each other and a hinge cap. A bearing with one or more tapered ends engages with the hinge members to allow easy opening and closing of a door attached to the hinge device. |
| US09290969B2 |
Vehicle door latch device
A vehicle door latch device comprises a base member having a striker-engagement groove which a striker of a vehicle body enters; a latch pivotally mounted to the base member and engagable with the striker; a ratchet pivotally mounted to the base member to engage with the latch to prevent the latch from turning; a latch-detecting switch detecting a turning position of the latch; and a synthetic resin terminal block in which a latch conductive plate is insert-molded. The terminal block has a holding portion that can hold the latch-detecting switch with an elastic claw. The latch conductive plate has a connecting terminal exposed in the holding portion and electrically connected to the latch detecting switch. |
| US09290966B2 |
System for providing power and data transmission between a door and a frame
A system for providing wire-free and contact free electric power and communication connection in a security installation between a door and a frame. The cores, windings, and control circuits of first and second transformers portions are disposed in the frame and the door, respectively. Power applied to the first transformer portion induces a voltage and current in the second transformer portion when the door is in a closed position. Fiber optic cables housed within the transformer portions transmit and receive data between the door and the frame. Power transfer occurs at 100+ KHz and data transfer is in the range of 100 K baud. The transformers portions are compactly constructed and, in one aspect of the invention, may reside in an opening normally occupied by a dead bolt. In another aspect of the invention, the transformer portions are fixed and resonating circuitry is off-tuned to optimize output levels. |
| US09290949B2 |
Sealing strip and floor tile unit
The present invention discloses a sealing strip and a floor tile unit. The sealing strip has two edge strips intersecting each other. Each edge strip of the sealing strip is sandwiched in a gap between floor tiles and a gap between baseplates of the floor tile unit, ends of adjacent edge strips of adjacent sealing strips are connected with each other in both a gap between the adjacent baseplates and a gap between the adjacent floor tiles. With the reasonable structural arrangement of the sealing strip in the present invention, the sealing strip is easy to be assembled, the splicing in the floor tile unit is stable and reliable, and liquids and dust are prevented from permeating into gaps between adjacent floor tiles and gaps between the floor tiles at the intersection of the edge strips of the sealing strip. |
| US09290948B2 |
Floor panel
Floor panel, which, at least at two opposite sides, includes coupling parts with which two of such floor panels can be coupled to each other; wherein these coupling parts form a horizontally active locking system and a vertically active locking system; wherein the horizontally active locking system comprises a male part in the form of a downwardly directed projection and a female part with a seat open towards the top, which have horizontally active locking surfaces; and wherein the vertically active locking system includes a vertically active locking element, which forms part of an insertion piece provided in the female part; wherein the insertion piece is formed at least of the combination of a bottom part; a back part adjoining thereto and an elastically movable lock-up body directed downward with a free extremity, which lock-up body, by means of a hinge portion, is connected directly or indirectly to the back part. |
| US09290947B2 |
Stair systems and wall assemblies comprising same
A stair system according to one illustrative embodiment comprises: a support body mountable in a wall and comprising a connecting region; a stair body; and a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus comprises: a connector connectable to the connecting region of the support body in any one of a plurality of different positions in the connecting region of the support body; and a holder configured to hold the stair body such that when the connector is connected to the connecting region of the support body, the stair body is spaced apart from the support body to permit a wall panel between the stair body and the support body. Wall assemblies comprising such stair systems are also disclosed. |
| US09290946B1 |
Methods and devices for aligning and coupling a roofing profile to a roof
A roofing profile installation guide includes a rectangular bottom skid having a front edge, a back edge, and opposing longitudinal side edges. A first side rail and a second side rail are attached to the opposing longitudinal side edges and a front rail is attached to the front edge of the bottom skid. A guide rail is attached to the first side rail. The guide rail is configured to contact a first roofing profile that is attached to a roof surface as the bottom skid is moved atop the roof surface to maintain an orientation of the bottom skid relative to the first roofing profile and thereby, via the second side rail, align a second roofing profile with the first roofing profile atop the roof surface. The second roofing profile is unattached to the roof surface prior to alignment of the two roofing profiles. |
| US09290945B2 |
Hybrid composite shingles
The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to systems, articles, materials, and methods for roofing a structure including, for example, hybrid shingles comprising a first material and a second material. A hybrid shingle may comprise, in some embodiments, a first layer comprising a metallic substrate or a polymeric substrate and at least partially defining a headlap region of the shingle, a buttlap region of the shingle comprising one or more tabs interspersed with inter-tab openings, an outward-facing surface of the first layer, and a substrate-facing surface of the first layer; and a second layer comprising a base and asphalt, having a smaller area than the first layer, and at least partially defining a buttlap region of the shingle, wherein the second layer is fixed to the substrate-facing surface of the first layer. |
| US09290944B2 |
Laminated roofing product including recycled roofing material and method of forming the same
A laminated roofing product can include a first sheet including a first coating that is substantially free of recycled roofing material, and a second sheet adjacent to the first sheet. The second sheet can include a second coating having a second sheet recycled roofing material. In another embodiment, the laminated roofing product can include a first sheet including a first sheet recycled roofing material, and a second sheet adjacent to the first sheet. The second sheet can include a second sheet recycled roofing material, wherein the second sheet has a higher recycled roofing content as compared to the first sheet. In another embodiment, a method of forming a laminated roofing product includes laminating a first sheet and a second sheet together. The second sheet has a higher recycled roofing content as compared to the first sheet. |
| US09290943B2 |
Hip and ridge roofing shingle
A shingle blank includes a substrate coated with asphalt. A substantially V-shaped perforated cut line is formed in the substrate, and a substantially straight cut line extends from an apex the V-shaped perforated line toward a leading edge of the shingle blank. The V-shaped perforated cut line and the substantially straight cut line are structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions. |
| US09290941B2 |
Modular structural composite beam
A modular fiber reinforced plastic flange for a structural composite beam which comprises a body formed of a plurality of elongate elements arranged in an array, wherein the dimensions of the body are substantially determined by the number and arrangement of the elongate elements in the array, and a skin member at least partially surrounding the array. Also, a structural composite beam comprising the modular fiber reinforced plastic flange and a shear web connected to the skin member of the modular flange. A method of making the modular flange and beams, and a kit of parts for making the modular flange are also disclosed. |
| US09290940B2 |
Cold formed joist
The present invention provides a cold formed joist that can be used in a variety of construction applications. The present cold formed joist contains three elements, each formed from sheet metal: an upper chord, an intermediate web, and a lower chord. The upper chord further contains a downwardly facing receiving channel adapted to receive the upper edge of the intermediate web, and two upwardly facing channels. |
| US09290939B2 |
High performance, reinforced insulated precast concrete and tilt-up concrete structures and methods of making same
The invention comprises a product. The product comprises a foam insulating panel, the panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the foam insulating panel defines at least one recessed channel in the first primary surface, the at least one recessed channel being sized and shaped to provide a mold for a structural reinforcing member. The product also comprises a concrete panel formed on the first primary surface and filling the at least one recessed channel so as to provide a structural reinforcing member for the concrete panel. The product further comprises an elongate anchor member in the foam insulating panel and extending from the first primary surface of the foam insulating panel into the concrete panel. A method of making a composite reinforced insulated concrete structure is also disclosed. |
| US09290938B2 |
Construction system for releasing moisture from a hip, valley or gable roof
A construction system for releasing moisture from a building is provided. The system is especially suitable for use in buildings having a hip, valley or gable roof. More specifically, the device gives the hip, valley or gable roof adequate ventilation and moisture vapor release portals so as to allow air and water vapor to properly rise through the interior of the hip, valley or gable roof and out through ridge vents without becoming trapped by rafters of the hip, valley or gable roof. The system has a first unit and a second unit, wherein the first unit allows air and water vapor to pass through passageways of the first unit up through the underside of the hip, valley or gable roof up and out through the ridge vent(s) and the second unit allows air from the exterior to pass into the roof cavity to circulate through the roof cavity and into the first unit. |
| US09290935B2 |
Flexible furniture system
An article of flexible furniture having a core formed from a plurality of laminar panels of a flaccid material and each panel having a pair of oppositely directed major faces, adjacent faces of said panels being inter-connected to provide a cellular structure upon movement of abutting faces away from each other, a pair of supports at opposite ends of said core and connected to respective ones of said faces, said supports being self-supporting to provide rigidity to said core whereby said supports may be moved apart to expand said cellular and extend the length of said partition. |
| US09290933B2 |
Interlocking masonry unit
A multi-purpose interlocking masonry unit includes support members extending from its lower surface and port depressions formed in its upper surface. Each masonry unit can be placed on top of a previously placed masonry unit. The interlocking masonry unit allows for the rapid creation of a wall that is substantially straight and aligned while minimizing the need to perform precise measurements and make alignment adjustments during the creation process. Bonding material can be poured through the resultant wall ports, creating a matrix pattern of bonding material throughout the wall, which results in a stronger more durable construction. |
| US09290931B2 |
Wall installation systems and methods
A wall installation system and method include providing a first wall panel with tape extending vertically from top to bottom on one side of the first wall panel and on a back of the first wall panel; securing the first wall panel at a site; placing a second wall panel adjacent to the first wall panel; and connecting the tape to the second wall panel to form a fire barrier seal between the first wall panel and the second wall panel. |
| US09290930B2 |
Insulation system for a pre-engineered metal building
A pre-engineered metal building configured to reduce air leakage through the shell of the building by providing an insulation system for fully sealing an enclosed space within the structural frame of the building. The insulation system includes a vapor barrier that defines the enclosed space, at least one insulation layer, and a continuous air barrier. Roof sheeting and side wall facing are attachable to the structural frame to form a shell about the building, and at least a portion of the insulation system is positioned between the shell and the structural frame. |
| US09290929B2 |
System for installing corner trim with a hidden fastener
A system for installing trim installations at external corners of a building includes trim and a bracket. The trim serves both an aesthetic purpose in adding a decorative feature to building envelopes and also adds an additional weatherproofing purpose in allowing for more complete weatherproofing of building envelope corners and openings. The disclosed system relates to a concealed fastening building finishing element system that enables concealed fastening of finishing trim. |
| US09290928B2 |
Header and sill connector clips and related wall assemblies
A connector clip configured to interconnect a sill member to a stud within a sheet-metal wall assembly is disclosed herein. The innovative connector clip comprises: a piece of sheet-metal that defines a planar web; and at least a first web flange perpendicular to the web. The innovative connector clip may be characterized in that the web includes at least a first transverse web slot positioned for receiving a first sill flange of the sill member when the sill member is positioned adjacent to one of the ends of the stud, and wherein the first transverse web slot defines a right angle with the first web flange. |
| US09290924B2 |
Liquid run-off disposal system
A liquid run-off disposal system 10 comprising an elongate tank structure 22 having one or more sections adapted to be arranged end to end in a substantially horizontal orientation below ground. The tank structure 22 also includes a plurality of apertures 14 provided in the side walls thereof wherein, in use, when liquid run-off is piped into the tank structure 22 it can drain away by soaking into the surrounding soil. |
| US09290920B2 |
Toilet vent system
A toilet vent comprising a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection. Said first fluid connection is between an upper portion of a tank of a toilet above a sanitary fluid level and a gas outlet outside of said tank. Said second fluid connection is between a supply line outside of said tank and one or more tank components inside of said tank. Said toilet vent is capable of housing said first fluid connection and said second fluid connection. A portion of said toilet vent, containing a portion of both said first fluid connection and said second fluid connection, passes through a fluid input in a bottom of said tank. |
| US09290919B2 |
Mounting driver for undermounted sinks
An assembly for undermounting a sink to a support surface includes a central sink support supporting a front center portion of a sink. The central sink support includes an elongated block member having an upper surface, a lower surface and extending sidewalls. The central sink support also includes first and second screw holes shaped and dimensioned for the passage of screws that will be secured to a front wall of a sink cabinet and a threaded locking pin hole with a similarly threaded locking screw. The assembly also includes a mounting driver having a support bar shaped and dimensioned for positioning between an underside of the sink and a wall of a cabinet at an angular orientation relative to the wall. The support bar includes a first end and a second end. |
| US09290915B2 |
Mechanical system comprising a wear part and a support, and a bucket comprising at least one such mechanical system
A mechanical system includes a wear part and a support, belonging to the equipment of a construction machine. The support includes a base, a nose which extends from the base along a main axis, and to each side of the base, a housing for receiving a lug of the wear part. The nose includes a first area located near the proximal end of the nose and which includes at least six planar faces arranged in opposite pairs delimiting sections of a first type, and a second area located near the distal end of the nose and which includes at least six planar faces arranged in opposite pairs delimiting sections of a second type, each planar face of the second area being less inclined, relative to the main axis, than the planar face of the first area, which is located in the extension of the planar face in the proximal direction. |
| US09290910B2 |
Automatic articulation failure mode protection
Activation of an automatic articulation control function in an articulated machine is delayed until error conditions are cleared or a steering angle to alignment angle mismatch is corrected. A controller monitors a selector setting indicating a desire to activate the automatic articulation control function. The controller also evaluates whether conditions such as low ground speed, loss of signal from needed sensors, or articulation misalignment are present. If so, the conditions are monitored and when corrected, the automatic articulation control function is activated. An indicator may be set to inform an operator that the automatic articulation control function is pending activation. |
| US09290907B2 |
Work vehicle
A work vehicle is provided with an engine, and engine compartment, a cooling chamber, a radiator, a cooling fan, a dividing wall, and a cover. The cooling fan is arranged inside the cooling chamber and discharges air toward a direction that is isolated from the engine compartment. The dividing wall separates the engine compartment and the cooling chamber. The dividing wall includes a passage opening that links the engine compartment and the cooling chamber. The cover includes a main cover section, and a connecting section. The main cover section is arranged inside the cooling chamber next to the dividing wall with a gap therebetween. The main cover section is arranged to face the passage opening. The connecting section includes an open region. The connecting section connects the main cover section and the dividing wall. |
| US09290906B2 |
Construction machine
To provide a construct ion machine in which the temperature of a battery and aqueous urea within an aqueous urea tank can be prevented from rising and high stability can be secured in the vehicle body.A small turning type hydraulic excavator (1) including: a counterweight (6) disposed at the rear of a turning upperstructure (3) provided with a front work machine (4) in the front thereof; an engine (5a) disposed within an engine room (5) in front of the counterweight (6); a heat exchanger (15) exchanging heat with the engine (5a); a fan (16) introducing outside air from an intake port (5b) formed in the exterior of the engine room (5) into the engine room (5) to cool the heat exchanger (15); a tail pipe (20) disposed on the exterior of the engine room (5); an aqueous urea tank (12) storing aqueous urea that purifies the exhaust gas discharged from the engine (5a); and batteries (13a, 13b) supplying electric power to the engine (5a), wherein: both the aqueous urea tank (12) and the batteries (13a, 13b) are disposed on an upstream side of the heat exchanger (15) in a flow direction of the outside air. |
| US09290903B2 |
Support for offshore foundation structures, particularly tripods
The invention concerns a support for offshore foundation structures, in particular for tripods, having a bearing surface for receiving gravitational force, a base surface for applying gravitational force to the ground, and a supporting structure for the transfer of force from the bearing surface to the base surface. The invention concerns in particular such a support having two separate frame elements which respectively have a bearing sub-surface and a base sub-surface, as well as a bridge member which can be coupled to the frame elements in the region of the bearing sub-surfaces for the transfer of force between the frame elements in a substantially horizontal direction. |
| US09290901B2 |
Micropile foundation matrix
The disclosure describes, in part, apparatuses and methods for installing structures (e.g., foundations, footings, anchors, abutments, etc.) at work sites, such as difficult-access work sites. In some instances, a rotating drill assembly is assembled over a target location in order to excavate a radial array of batter-angled shafts associated with the target location in preparation for the installation of a radial array of micropiles. An operator utilizes the rotating drill in combination with a foundation pile schedule/decision matrix to design and install the radial array of batter-angled micropiles. This disclosure also describes techniques for designing, fabricating and installing structural caps to be coupled to the installed radial array batter angled micropiles. These structural caps are lightweight and, thus, more portable to difficult-access sites where they are coupled to the micropiles forming a foundation for structure to be installed at the difficult-access site. |
| US09290896B2 |
Modular gate system and installation method therefor
A modular gate system for a vehicle travel lane employs a plurality of various modules to control the traffic flow and to sense and monitor the vehicles traversing the travel lane. The power and communication for the modules are provided by power and communication lines enclosed in a conduit which is mounted to an elevated rail. |
| US09290894B2 |
Road paver with measuring device
Road paver having a towing machine that is movable on a plane along a work area, and a screed provided to lay a road pavement, and having at least one measuring device configured to generate a point cloud that depicts a three-dimensional condition of the surface of the plane. |
| US09290892B2 |
Assembly for end gate
Disclosed is an assembly that may be used with a machine, such as, but not limited to, a screed. In example embodiments, the assembly may include a first member, a second member adjacent to the first member, and a first actuator configured to rotate the second member with respect to the first member and transfer a biasing force to the second member. In example embodiments, the assembly may further include a second actuator configured to translate each of the first and second members. |
| US09290889B2 |
Deck fastening device
A square-shaped deck plank fastening device is provided that connects deck planks together without the need for fasteners on the top surfaces of the planks. The deck plank fastening device is connected to a lower surface of a deck plank and includes: a plurality of first projecting surfaces formed to extend upwards from corners on one side of the fastening device in a width direction of the plank, and a plurality of second projecting surfaces formed to extend upwards from corners on an opposite side of the fastening device in the width direction. A plurality of flat, tongue-like fastening parts extend from a mid-portion of a side of the deck plank fastening device in the width direction parallel to the first projecting surfaces. A first extending part extends from a mid-portion of a side of the deck plank fastening device opposite to the tongue-like fastening parts in the width direction parallel to the second projecting surfaces. The first extending part has a plurality of slot-like insertion parts formed in the width direction to receive the tongue-like fastening parts of an adjacent deck plank fastening device. |
| US09290882B2 |
Speed dependent clutch
The present invention relates to a clutch for a laundry appliance. The clutch selectively connects a laundry vessel to a variable speed drive. A driven member is rotationally coupled to the variable speed drive and a driven member is rotationably coupled to the laundry vessel. The driven member is at least partially rotationally coupled to the driven member by friction. At least one locking element is moveable from an unlocked position to a locking position. The driven member and the driven member are rotationally coupled together once the driven member accelerates to a rotational speed above a first rotational speed, connecting the laundry vessel to the variable speed drive. |
| US09290875B2 |
Garment stretching apparatus
A garment stretching apparatus includes a strap with an attached bracket at each end to securely fasten the strap on the desired vertical upright and a pair of clamps to secure the garment during the stretching process. The strap includes a plurality of apertures evenly spaced. Each clamp connects to the strap at the aperture selected by the user. |
| US09290871B2 |
Apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions
An apparatus includes a processor and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform processes of acquiring first pattern data and second pattern data, the first pattern data being data for sewing a first embroidery pattern, and the second pattern data being data for sewing each of at least one second embroidery pattern, identifying, based on the first pattern data, at least one characteristic point of a pattern shape describing the first embroidery pattern, setting positioning data for positioning and sewing the at least one second embroidery pattern at the respective identified at least one characteristic point, and generating sewing data, based on the first pattern data, the second pattern data, and the positioning data. The sewing data is data for sewing the first embroidery pattern and the at least one second embroidery pattern. |
| US09290870B2 |
Stitching apparatus and method of use
The present invention is a stitching apparatus and method of use wherein large spools of material can be used and driven into position in a sewing, embroidery or other stitching machine, thereby decreasing the complexity of the stitching process and reducing breakage and thread depletion. The apparatus generally comprises an upper thread feeding assembly, a lower thread feeding assembly, a stitching surface area and an activation assembly, wherein the activation assembly bonds the upper thread to the lower thread at the stitching surface area. |
| US09290869B2 |
Sewing machine
A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism, a swinging mechanism, a lower shaft, an outer shuttle, a thread cutting mechanism, a rotation speed adjustment mechanism, and an actuator. The needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism is configured to move the needle bar up and down. The swinging mechanism is configured to swing the needle bar in a left-right direction. The lower shaft is configured to rotate in synchronization with up-down movement of the needle bar. The outer shuttle is configured to rotate along with rotation of the lower shaft. The thread cutting mechanism is configured to cut at least an upper thread. The rotation speed adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a rotation speed of the outer shuttle. The actuator is a driving source of the thread cutting mechanism and the rotation speed adjustment mechanism. |
| US09290862B2 |
Dual mobile phase apparatus and method
An apparatus and system for contacting a mobile elongate solid phase, e.g. a ribbon with a flowing fluid phase, and a method for using the same in, for example solid phase synthesis. A particular apparatus comprises (i) a conduit which is of circular or non-circular transverse cross section and which defines a lumen to contain both the flowing fluid phase and the mobile elongate solid phase; (ii) fluid phase ports in communication with the lumen to allow the fluid phase to enter the lumen, flow through it and exit it; and (iii) solid phase ports in communication with the lumen to allow the mobile solid phase to enter the lumen, move through it and exit it, the apparatus being adapted to prevent fluid egress from its interior through the solid phase ports.Also provided is a continuous process for synthesizing and screening molecules, comprising passing an elongate solid phase through successive treatment stations where different stages of a solid phase synthesis are performed, and screening the synthesized molecules for activity. |
| US09290861B2 |
Group 13 nitride crystal with stepped surface
Regarding a base substrate, a plurality of steps are formed stepwise on the principal surface (c-face). Each step has a height difference of 10 to 40 μm, and an edge is formed parallel to an a-face of a hexagonal crystal of GaN. Meanwhile, the terrace width of each step is set at a predetermined width. The predetermined width is set in such a way that after a GaN crystal is grown on the principal surface of the base substrate, the principal surface is covered up with grain boundaries when the grown GaN crystal is observed from the surface side. The plurality of steps can be formed through, for example, dry etching, sand blasting, lasing, and dicing. |
| US09290860B2 |
Method of manufacturing silicon carbide single crystal and silicon carbide single crystal substrate
Quality of a silicon carbide single crystal is improved. A crucible having first and second sides is prepared. A solid source material for growing silicon carbide with a sublimation method is arranged on the first side. A seed crystal made of silicon carbide is arranged on the second side. The crucible is arranged in a heat insulating container. The heat insulating container has an opening facing the second side. The crucible is heated such that the solid source material sublimes. A temperature on the second side is measured through the opening in the heat insulating container. The opening has a tapered inner surface narrowed toward the outside of the heat insulating container. |
| US09290857B2 |
Methods and apparatus for sorting and/or depositing nanotubes
Methods and apparatus for forming devices using nanotubes. In one embodiment, an apparatus for depositing nanotubes onto a workpiece comprises a vessel configured to contain a deposition fluid having a plurality of nanotubes including first nanotubes having a first characteristic and second nanotubes having a second characteristic. The apparatus further includes a sorting unit in the vessel configured to selectively isolate or otherwise sort the first nanotubes from the second nanotubes, and a field unit in the vessel configured to attach the first nanotubes to the workpiece. For example, the field unit can attach the first nanotubes to the workpiece such that the first nanotubes are at least generally parallel to each other and in a desired orientation relative to the workpiece. |
| US09290855B2 |
Stabilization of green bodies via sacrificial gelling agent during electrophoretic deposition
In one embodiment, a method for electrophoretic deposition of a three-dimensionally patterned green body includes suspending a first material in a gelling agent above a patterned electrode of an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) chamber, and gelling the suspension while applying a first electric field to the suspension to cause desired patterning of the first material in a resulting gelation. In another embodiment, a ceramic, metal, or cermet includes a plurality of layers, wherein each layer includes a gradient in composition, microstructure, and/or density in an x-y plane oriented parallel to a plane of deposition of the plurality of layers along a predetermined distance in a z-direction perpendicular to the plane of deposition. |
| US09290852B2 |
Light absorbing layer for photoelectrode structure, photoelectrode structure including the same, and photoelectrochemical cell including the photoelectrode structure
A light absorbing layer for a photoelectrode structure, the light absorbing layer including copper oxide, wherein metallic copper (Cu) is present at a grain boundary of the copper oxide. Also, a photoelectrode structure including the light absorbing layer, a photoelectrochemical cell including the photoelectrode structure, and a solar cell including the light absorbing layer. |
| US09290851B2 |
Specific 3-alkylamino-2-hydroxysuccinic acids and their salts as corrosion inhibitors for ferrous metals
Corrosion inhibitors and methods for inhibiting or reducing corrosion of metallic surfaces are provided. A corrosion inhibitor composition may include a 3-alkylamino-2-hydroxysuccinic acid compound. A method of inhibiting corrosion of a metallic surface in an aqueous system includes the step of contacting the surface with an effective amount of a corrosion inhibitor composition. The corrosion inhibitor composition may include other components, such as zinc, and it may also exclude phosphorus. |
| US09290838B2 |
Anti-diffusion metal coated O-rings
A method for inhibiting diffusion of gases and/or transmission of photons through elastomeric seals and a diffusion inhibiting elastomeric seal wherein at least a portion of the surface of a diffusion inhibiting elastomeric seal is coated with a compatibly-deformable, malleable metal coating. |
| US09290835B2 |
Cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in paint bake hardenability and ordinary-temperature non-aging property and method of producing the same
The invention provides a cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in paint bake hardenability and ordinary-temperature non-aging property comprising, in mass %, C: 0.0005-0.0040%, Si: 0.8% or less, Mn: 2.2% or less, S: 0.0005-0.009%, Cr: 0.4-1.3%, O: 0.003-0.020%, P: 0.045-0.12%, B: 0.0002-0.0010%, Al: 0.008% or less, N: 0.001-0.007%, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities. Ultra-low-carbon steel retaining solute N and containing added Cr, P, B and O is used to produce hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel sheet and hot-dip galvanized cold-rolled steel sheet that exhibit both high paint bake hardenability and ordinary-temperature non-aging property. |
| US09290831B2 |
Soft-magnetic, amorphous alloy ribbon and its production method, and magnetic core constituted thereby
A soft-magnetic, amorphous alloy ribbon produced by a rapid quenching method, having transverse lines of recesses formed on its surface by laser beams with predetermined longitudinal intervals, with a doughnut-shaped projection formed around each recess; doughnut-shaped projections having smooth surfaces substantially free from splashes of the alloy melted by the irradiation of laser beams, and a height t2 of 2 μm or less; and a ratio t1/T of the depth t1 of the recesses to the thickness T of the ribbon being in a range of 0.025-0.18, thereby having low iron loss and low apparent power. |
| US09290829B2 |
Alloys, bulk metallic glass, and methods of forming the same
An alloy having a formula Zr100-x-u (Cu100-aNia)xAlu wherein X, U and a are in atomic percentages wherein X is less than or equal to 48 and greater than or equal to 37, wherein U is less than or equal to 14 and greater than or equal to 3, and wherein a is less than or equal to ten and greater than or equal to 3. Methods of forming the alloy and bulk metallic glass comprising the alloy are also provided. The alloy and bulk metallic glass are useful in a wide number of applications which includes sports and luxury products, electronic goods, medical instruments, and military equipment. |
| US09290828B2 |
Processes for preparing titanium oxide and various other products
There are provided processes for preparing various products from various materials. For example, such processes are effective for extracting titanium and various other metals from various materials, thereby allowing for preparing products such as titanium chloride and titanium oxide. These processes can comprise leaching the starting material with HCl so as to obtain a leachate and a solid. The solid can be treated so as to substantially selectively extract titanium therefrom while the leachate can be treated so as to substantially selectively recover a first metal chloride therefrom. |
| US09290825B2 |
Method and an apparatus for prestressing components by electrical discharge
An apparatus for pre-stressing a component, the apparatus includes means to direct a beam of radiation in a path through a medium adjacent to the component between a pair of electrodes to produce ionisation in the path through the medium and means to produce an electrical discharge between the pair of electrodes in the path through the medium to produce a pressure pulse in the medium adjacent to the component without the electrical discharge directly contacting the component, the pressure pulse impacting a surface of the component to produce a region of compressive residual stress within the component. |
| US09290824B2 |
Method of producing grain-oriented electrical steel sheet
In a method of producing a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet by hot-rolling a steel slab of a chemical composition containing C: 0.001˜0.10%, Si: 1.0˜5.0%, Mn: 0.01˜1.0%, at least one of S and Se: 0.01˜0.05% in total, sol. Al: 0.003˜0.050%, N: 0.001˜0.020% by mass, subjecting to cold rolling, a primary recrystallization annealing, application of an annealing separator mainly composed of MgO and a finish annealing, a temperature rising rate S1 between 500˜600° C. in the primary recrystallization annealing is made to not less than 100° C./s and a temperature rising rate S2 between 600˜700° C. is made to 30° C./s˜0.6×S1° C./s, while a total content W (mol %) of an element having an ionic radius of 0.6˜1.3 Å and an attracting force between the ion and oxygen of not more than 0.7 Å−2 included in the annealing separator to MgO is adjusted to satisfy 0.01S2−5.5≦Ln (W)≦0.01S2−4.3 to produce a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet having excellent iron loss properties and coating properties. |
| US09290823B2 |
Method of metal processing using cryogenic cooling
Described herein are a method, an apparatus, and a system for metal processing that improves one or more properties of a sintered metal part by controlling the process conditions of the cooling zone of a continuous furnace using one or more cryogenic fluids. In one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a furnace wherein the metal part is passed therethough on a conveyor belt and comprises a hot zone and a cooling zone wherein the cooling zone has a first temperature; and introducing a cryogenic fluid into the cooling zone where the cryogenic fluid reduces the temperature of the cooling zone to a second temperature, wherein at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid provides a vapor within the cooling zone and cools the metal parts passing therethrough at an accelerated cooling rate. |
| US09290819B2 |
Methods for genotyping mature cotton fibers and textiles
Methods for distinguishing between cotton cultivars of a specific species by analyzing a sample of mature cotton fibers from raw cotton materials or from textile goods are disclosed. DNA is extracted from the mature cotton fiber sample and subjected to PCR techniques which enable the identification of the cultivar of a particular cotton species utilized in the textile or cotton material of interest. |
| US09290809B2 |
Digital counting of individual molecules by stochastic attachment of diverse labels
Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for high-sensitivity single molecule digital counting by the stochastic labeling of a collection of identical molecules by attachment of a diverse set of labels. Each copy of a molecule randomly chooses from a non-depleting reservoir of diverse labels. Detection may be by a variety of methods including hybridization based or sequencing. Molecules that would otherwise be identical in information content can be labeled to create a separately detectable product that is unique or approximately unique in a collection. This stochastic transformation relaxes the problem of counting molecules from one of locating and identifying identical molecules to a series of binary digital questions detecting whether preprogrammed labels are present. The methods may be used, for example, to estimate the number of separate molecules of a given type or types within a sample. |
| US09290805B2 |
Sensor circuit for controlling, detecting, and measuring a molecular complex
A device for controlling, detecting, and measuring a molecular complex is disclosed. The device comprises a common electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of measurement cells. Each measurement cell includes a cell electrode and an integrator electronically coupled to the cell electrode. The integrator measures the current flowing between the common electrode and the cell electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, wherein an integrator from the plurality of measurement cells is electrically coupled to one analog-to-digital converter of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters. |
| US09290803B2 |
DNA methylation analysis by digital bisulfite genomic sequencing and digital methylight
Provided are novel sensitive methylation assays referred to herein as Digital MethyLight, comprising stochastically distributing and compartmentalizing bisulfite-treated genomic DNA over multiple PCR reaction wells for detection of individually methylated DNA molecules in a large background of unmethylated DNA. Digital Bisulfite Genomic DNA Sequencing methods are also provided for high-resolution DNA methylation information without subcloning. Background signal and PCR contaminants are diluted, while the ratio of primer to methylated template DNA is kept high. Preferably, biological fluid (e.g., urine, blood-based (e.g., plasma and/or serum)) samples are analyzed for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and surveillance. Multiplexed PCR formats may be implemented to enhance when using small DNA amounts. Compositions and methods for diagnosis and/or prognosis of breast cancer, comprising the use of FOXE1, CLDN5 and/or RUNX3 gene markers are also provided (SEQ ID NOS: 17, 16 and 18, respectively for respective CpG island sequences), and in preferred embodiments plasma or serum samples are used. |
| US09290797B2 |
Real time cleavage assay
A cleavage-based real-time PCR assay method is provided. In general terms, the assay method includes subjecting a reaction mixture comprising a) PCR reagents for amplifying a nucleic acid target, and b) flap cleavage reagents for performing a flap cleavage assay on the amplified nucleic acid target to two sets of thermocycling conditions. No additional reagents are added to the reaction between said first and second sets of cycles and, in each cycle of the second set of cycles, cleavage of a flap probe is measured. |
| US09290792B2 |
Method for measuring calcineurin activity
The present invention relates to a method for measuring the activity of calcineurin in a biological sample wherein a kinase inhibitor is present in the assay reaction mix. |
| US09290784B2 |
Methods of combined bioprocessing and related microorganisms, thermophilic and/or acidophilic enzymes, and nucleic acids encoding said enzymes
A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product. Further provided are methods of converting biomass into products comprising: placing the genetically modified organism and/or enzymatic extracts thereof in fluid contact with polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, and/or xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups. |
| US09290783B2 |
Mutant bacterial strains of the genus Sphingomonas deficient in production of polyhydroxybutyrate and a process of clarification of Sphingans and compositions thereof
The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient Sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified Sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous Sphingan solution, in particular PHB-deficient Sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified Sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof. |
| US09290780B2 |
Processing biomass
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to proceed ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation. |
| US09290779B1 |
Transfection compositions using amphipathic compounds
A low toxicity, highly efficient transfection composition is described with an amphipathic compound containing at least one imidazole. The composition may be used in the process of transfecting nucleic acids into an animal cell. |
| US09290777B2 |
Putative cytokinin receptor and methods for use thereof
A method of modulating the expression of at least one trait in a plant, the method comprising the step of modulating the expression of at least one polypeptide by the plant, wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of: i) a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:1; ii) a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is selected from the group consisting of any one or more of from amino acid 1 to amino acid 7, from amino acid 9 to amino acid 230, from amino acid 1 to amino acid 58, from amino acid 77 to amino acid 485, from amino acid 59 to amino acid 76, from amino acid 150 to amino acid 191, from amino acid 231 to amino acid 405, and from amino acid 406 to amino acid 438 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or at equivalent positions in a homologue thereof, and which is capable of modulating cytokinin signaling in the plant; iii) a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 70% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:1 and which is capable of modulating cytokinin signaling in the plant; and iv) a polypeptide which consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the modulation of the expression of the polypeptide modulates the expression of at least one trait in the plant. |
| US09290772B2 |
Production of itaconic acid
The invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an Aspergillus mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid transporter that can be used in the production of itaconic acid in micro-organisms. Preferably said transporter protein is the protein encoded by the nucleic acid which is located on a chromosome segment of A. terreus that also harbors other genes involved in the itaconic acid biosynthesis and the lovastatin biosynthesis. Also, vectors, hosts and transformed micro-organisms are part of the invention. |
| US09290770B2 |
Coryneform bacterium transformant and process for producing valine using the same
A transformant obtainable by introducing one or more of the following DNAs (a), (b), and (c) into a coryneform bacterium as a host.(a) A DNA which encodes acetohydroxy acid synthase derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum and which has a mutation changing the glycine at position 156 to glutamic acid (G156E) in an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA, or an analog thereof.(b) A DNA which encodes acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum and which has mutations changing the serine at position 34 to glycine (S34G), the leucine at position 48 to glutamic acid (L48E), and the arginine at position 49 to phenylalanine (R49F) in an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA, or an analog thereof. (c) A DNA which encodes leucine dehydrogenase derived from Lysinibacillus sphaericus, or an analog thereof. |
| US09290765B2 |
Protection against endothelial barrier dysfunction through inhibition of the tyrosine kinase abl-related gene (ARG)
The invention relates to the field of endothelial barrier dysfunction, particular, the invention relates to new methods for the treatment of endothelial barrier dysfunction, such as inflammatory edema by inhibiting Abl-related gene (ARG). |
| US09290763B2 |
Construction of bifunctional short hairpin RNA
A method for designing a bi-shRNA expression cassette encoding a bi-shRNA comprising: selecting one or more target site sequences; providing a backbone sequence comprising a first and a second stem-loop structure, inserting a first passenger strand and a second passenger strand and providing for synthesis of the bi-shRNA expression cassette. |
| US09290762B2 |
Gene expression and pain
The present invention relates to double-stranded oligonucleotides, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and use of such double-stranded oligonucleotides and pharmaceutical compositions to modulate nociceptive signaling in a cell or prevent and/or treat pain in a patient. |
| US09290760B2 |
Modified iRNA agents
The present invention provides effective motifs for RNA agents conjugated to at least one ligand, which are advantageous for the in vivo delivery of iRNA duplex agents. Additionally, the present invention provides methods of making these compositions, as well as methods of introducing these iRNA duplex agents into cells using these compositions, e.g., for the treatment of various disease conditions. |
| US09290757B2 |
Protease screening methods and proteases identified thereby
Methods for identifying modified proteases with modified substrate specificity or other properties are provided. The methods screen candidate and modified proteases by contacting them with a substrate, such as a serpin, an alpha macroglobulins or a p35 family protein or modified serpins and modified p35 family members or modified alpha macroglobulins, that, upon cleavage of the substrate, traps the protease by forming a stable complex. Also provided are modified proteases. |
| US09290753B2 |
Glucoamylase variants with altered properties
The present disclosure relates to variants of a parent glucoamylase having altered properties (e.g., improved thermostability and/or specific activity). In particular, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising the variant glucoamylases, including starch hydrolyzing compositions and cleaning compositions. The disclosure also relates to DNA constructs encoding the variants and methods of producing the glucoamylase variants in host cells. |
| US09290751B2 |
LPL variant therapeutics
The invention provides for the use of a therapeutic derived from a truncated lipoprotein lipase protein (LPL S447X), including nucleic acids encoding such proteins, for the treatment of conditions including LPL responsive conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, LPL deficiency, high triglyceride levels, low HDL-cholesterol levels or atherosclerosis. |
| US09290750B2 |
7,11-methanocycloocta [b] quinoline derivative as highly functionalizable acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
New highly functionalizable Huprine derivatives of formula I: and a method for preparing such compounds and their use for treating neurological diseases in which the level of acetylcholine is affected such as Alzheimer's disease. |
| US09290747B2 |
DNA polymerases with increased 3′-mismatch discrimination
Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3′-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases. |
| US09290745B2 |
Luciferase biosensor
A modified beetle luciferase protein which is an environmentally sensitive reporter protein is provided. |
| US09290742B2 |
Tissue engineered blood vessel
Compositions and methods of using tissue engineered blood vessels to repair and regenerate blood vessels of patients with vascular disease are disclosed. |
| US09290741B2 |
Simplified methods for generating endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells under defined conditions
Methods for generating human endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells under defined conditions in the absence of VEGF are described. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is activated in human pluripotent stem cells for a defined period, e.g., by inhibition of Gsk3, and then cultured without further exogenous activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling to obtain a cell population containing human endothelial cells. |
| US09290740B2 |
Use of basic fibroblast growth factor in the de-differentiation of animal connective tissue cells
De-differentiation protocols are described herein for generating progenitor cells from adult connective tissue, in particular adult human fibroblasts. The de-differentiation protocols described herein comprise culturing the differentiated cells with an amount of FGF2 to de-differentiate the cells. These de-differentiated cells may then be cultured and used for experimentation, amplification and clinical applications. The clinical applications include the use of the cells for tissue and cell based therapies. |
| US09290733B2 |
Methods for culture of microorganisms
Methods for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms are described. The method includes the steps of injecting a liquid culture medium into a photosynthetic reactor according to a controlled flow rate, injecting a gas into the reactor according to a controlled flow rate through a gas injector of the reactor so that the gas injected through the gas injector moves up to as far as the exhaust by circulating in the reaction pipe, in a direction of circulation from the low end to as far as the high end of the reaction pipe, circulating the liquid culture medium with the circulation device, and controlling the circulation device and the gas injector in order to establish in at least one substantially horizontal reaction section of the reaction pipe gas/liquid two-phase flow conditions of the laminated flow or slug flow or elongated bubble flow type. |
| US09290732B2 |
Buoyant protein harvesting device
A buoyant device containing chromatography media performs the function of protein harvesting replacing the steps of cell separation and volume reduction; the device can be loaded into columns for further purification. |
| US09290730B2 |
Multilayered cell culture apparatus
A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the culturing of cells is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between the cell culture chambers and the external environment. The flask body also includes an aperture that will allow access to the cell growth chambers by means of a needle or cannula. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck and cap section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus ideal for high throughput applications. |
| US09290729B2 |
Container having vortex breaker and system
A disposable container for fluid having an inlet and an outlet is provided. The container has a vortex breaker having a solid surface adapted to initially direct fluid away from the outlet and then through the outlet positioned adjacent the container outlet. |
| US09290728B2 |
Systems and methods for stillage fractionation
Systems and methods for fractionating whole stillage from an ethanol production facility are provided. Whole stillage undergoes a separation of its liquid portion (thin stillage) from the solid portion (fiber cake). In some embodiments, the solids and liquids in whole stillage may be separated utilizing a screening centrifuge. The fiber cake may be dried to generate a high fiber animal feed. The thin stillage may be provided to a three-phase separator for separation into an oil emulsion, an aqueous clarified stillage, and a protein paste. The protein paste may be dried to generate a high protein animal feed with greater than about 45% protein content. The clarified thin stillage is condensed to yield a syrup with greater than around 60% solids. The oil emulsion is subjected to a pH adjustment to liberate the oil from the emulsion, which is then separated. |
| US09290725B2 |
Laundry detergent particles
The present invention provides a coated lenticular or disc detergent particle having maximum perpendicular dimensions x, y and z, wherein x is from 1 to 2 mm, y is from 2 to 8 mm, and z is from 2 to 8 mm, wherein the particle comprises: (i) from 40 to 90 wt % surfactant selected from: anionic surfactant; and, non-ionic surfactant; (ii) from 1 to 40 wt % water soluble inorganic salts; and, (iii) from 0.0001 to 0.1 wt % dye, wherein the dye is selected from: anionic dyes; and non-ionic dyes, wherein the inorganic salts are present on the detergent particle as a coating and the surfactant and the dye are present as a core. |
| US09290719B2 |
Renewable fatty acid waxes and methods of making
Natural oil based fatty acid wax compositions and their methods of making are provided. The methods comprise providing a natural oil, and hydrogenating and metathesizing the natural oil, and then converting the hydrogenated metathesized natural oil to obtain a fatty acid wax comprising free fatty acids and/or salts of fatty acids, glycerol and/or alcohol, and paraffin, wherein the fatty acid wax has at least 50 wt % of carbon chain compositions with at least 18 carbon atoms. The compositions may comprise 85-100 wt % long-chain fatty acids, 0-15 wt % esters, wherein the fatty acid comprises between 15-60 wt % long chain di-acids and 40-85 wt % long chain mono-acids. The compositions may comprise about 50-100 wt % long-chain fatty acids and about 0-50 wt % esters, wherein the fatty acid may comprise between about 15-80 wt % long chain di-acids and about 20-85 wt % long chain monoacids. |
| US09290711B2 |
Coal deactivation apparatus
The coal deactivation apparatus including: a separating device that separates out a portion of the beneficiated coal deactivated in the main treatment apparatus; a main evaluation apparatus into which the sample of the beneficiated coal separated out by the separating apparatus is supplied; a blower and heater that supply air at the evaluation temperature to the main evaluation apparatus; a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air that has heat-treated the sample in the main evaluation apparatus; and a control unit that, when the temperature of the air is at or below the lower limit on the basis of information from the temperature sensor, determines whether or not the temperature of the process gas is at or below the lower limit and if the process gas temperature exceeds the lower limit, controls the heater to reduce the temperature of the process gas by a prescribed value. |
| US09290708B2 |
Gasification system and method for gasifying a fuel
A system includes a gasification feed injector. The gasification feed injector includes a first injector portion configured to inject a first fuel at a first flow rate and a second injector portion configured to inject a second fuel at a second flow rate. The system also includes a fuel circulation system configured to circulate at least one fuel and supply the at least one fuel to the gasification feed injector and a controller configured to transition the gasification feed injector from injecting the first fuel to injecting the second fuel based at least on a pressure downstream of the gasification feed injector. |
| US09290707B2 |
Method and system for gasification of biomass
A method for gasifying biomass. The method includes: a) grinding the biomass, feeding the biomass into a gasifier while spraying superheated water vapor into the gasifier, controlling the gasifier at an operating temperature of 1200-1600° C., contacting the biomass with the superheated water vapor, desiccating, separating volatile matters, pyrolyzing, and gasifying the biomass to produce crude synthetic gas and ash; b) transporting the crude synthetic gas into a spray tower, quenching the crude synthetic gas by spraying water to cool down the crude synthetic gas to a temperature of 650-800° C., condensing a slag and a tar from the crude synthetic gas, dissolving and removing alkali metal oxides and part of acid gas to obtain primary synthetic gas; and c) cooling, dust removing, deacidifying, and desiccating the primary synthetic gas to transform the primary synthetic gas into clean synthetic gas. |
| US09290706B2 |
Integrated process for upgrading heavy oil
The invention provides an integrated process for processing heavy oil, wherein the integrated process at least comprises: solvent deasphalting is carried out for heavy oil material, and de-oiled asphalt phase is mixed with dispersing agent and then entered a thermal cracking reactor to undergo thermal cracking reactions. Upgraded oil can be obtained through the mixture of the de-asphalted oil and thermal cracking oil separated from thermal cracking reaction products. The solvent and heavy gas oil, which are separated from the thermal cracking reaction products, are respectively recycled back to the solvent deasphalting process as solvent and as mixed feed to remove asphaltene. The integrated process of the present invention solves the problems that solvent is difficult to be separated from asphalt with high softening point in solvent deasphalting process and hard asphalt is difficult to be transported. |
| US09290704B2 |
Flexible process for transformation of ethanol into middle distillates implementing a homogeneous catalytic system and a heterogeneous catalytic system
The invention describes a process for the production of middle distillate hydrocarbon bases from an ethanol feedstock that is produced from a renewable source that is obtained from biomass, comprising a stage for purification of said feedstock, a stage for dehydration of said purified feedstock into an effluent that is for the most part ethylene and comprises water, at least one stage for separating water, a first stage for oligomerization of the effluent that is for the most part ethylene into at least one olefinic effluent that comprises at least 80% by weight of olefins that have four or more carbon atoms, in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst that comprises at least one bivalent nickel compound, whereby a second oligomerization stage produces middle distillate hydrocarbon bases in the presence of an amorphous or zeolitic catalyst that has at least pore openings that contain 10 or 12 oxygen atoms, producing middle distillate hydrocarbon bases, and a fractionation stage. |
| US09290702B2 |
Methods for monitoring ionic liquids using vibrational spectroscopy
Methods for monitoring ionic liquids using vibrational spectroscopy may involve contacting an infrared (IR) transmissive medium with the ionic liquid, recording an IR spectrum of the ionic liquid, and quantifying at least one chemical characteristic of the ionic liquid based on the IR spectrum. The IR spectrum may be recorded ex situ or in situ. Methods for controlling ionic liquid catalyzed processes are also disclosed, wherein a condition of the ionic liquid may be determined during such processes based on IR spectral analysis of the ionic liquid. |
| US09290699B2 |
Process for synthesizing hydrocarbons from synthesis gas with control of the temperature of the external loop
The present invention concerns a process for the synthesis of hydrocarbons from a feed comprising synthesis gas, in which a solid catalyst comprising cobalt is used in a three-phase reaction section operated such that said catalyst is maintained in suspension in a liquid phase by movement of a gas phase from the bottom to the top of said reaction section, said process comprising an external loop for separating waxes, characterized in that: 1) the theoretical ratio PH2O:PH2 in the external loop for separating waxes is determined using the following calculation: PH2O:PH2 theoretical=Cv/(R1−Rft×Cv) where Cv=(COinlet−COdegas)/COinlet R1=H2 inlet/COinlet Rft=(H2 inlet−H2 degas)/(COinlet−COdegas) 2) if the theoretical ratio PH2O:PH2 determined in step 1) has a value of Rthreshold or higher, the temperature in the degassing means for the external loop for separating waxes is reduced, 3) steps 1) to 2) are repeated until the theoretical ratio PH2O:PH2 has a value strictly less than Rthreshold, where Rthreshold is in the range 0.1 to 1.1. |