| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09317168B2 |
Tracking objects on a touch surface
A device implements a method of tracking objects on a touch surface of an FTIR based touch-sensitive apparatus. |
| US09317167B2 |
Touch control system and signal processing method thereof
A signal processing method for a touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes a first sensing region and a second sensing region. The first sensing region is monitored by at least one first sensor to generate a first monitoring result. The second sensing region is monitored by at least one second sensor to generate a second monitoring result. The signal processing method includes determining whether a touch point formed in the first sensing region is close to the second sensing region, and generating position information of the touch point according to the first monitoring result and the second monitoring result when the touch point is close to the second sensing region. |
| US09317162B2 |
Apparatus and method for protecting touch panel device from noise interference
A protection circuit for a touch panel device includes a detection block and a protection block. The detection block is arranged for detecting occurrence of noise interference that affects touch event detection of the touch panel device, and asserting a protection signal when occurrence of the noise interference is detected. The protection block is arranged for enabling a protection mechanism for protecting the touch panel device from the noise interference when triggered by the asserted protection signal. Besides, a protection method for a touch panel device includes: detecting occurrence of noise interference that affects touch event detection of the touch panel device; and enabling a protection mechanism for protecting the touch panel device from the noise interference when occurrence of the noise interference is detected. |
| US09317158B2 |
Baseline management for input devices
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and system that is able to minimize or remove the affect of substantially non-random electrical interference on an input device's ability to reliably and accurately sense the position of an object. In one embodiment, the input device is configured to systematically correct for a cyclic variation in the electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by components within the electronic system, such as interference generated by the process of refreshing or updating an image on a display module that affects the capacitive sensing measurements acquired from a plurality of capacitive sensing elements. However, in some embodiments of the invention, the performance of an input device is improved by reducing the affect that external interference generated outside of the electronic system have on the position sensing data acquired by the input device. |
| US09317153B2 |
Active matrix organic light-emitting diode pixel circuit, method for driving the same, and display device
The present disclosure relates to a field of display technology, and provides an AMOLED pixel circuit, a method for driving the same, and a display device, which can improve an integration of an in-cell touch control circuit with an AMOLED driving circuit. The AMOLED pixel circuit comprises a light-emitting module, a touch control module, a control module, an output module and a driving and amplifying module. The MOLED pixel circuit provided in embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in the manufacture of the AMOLED display device. |
| US09317150B2 |
Virtual and configurable touchscreens
Systems and methods may provide virtual and configurable touchscreens. The systems and methods may include a plurality of micro impulse radar (MIR) transceivers and logic to determine a location of an input object such as a finger or pointer based on signals from the plurality of MIR transceivers. The MIR transceivers may also create a virtual touchscreen in a plane coincident (adjacent) to or spaced apart from (offset) with respect to a display screen. The MIR transceivers may also map the location of the input object to a position on the display screen. In one example, the system uses triangulation to determine the location of the input object in a virtual plane that creates the virtual touchscreen. |
| US09317147B2 |
Input testing tool
Various embodiments provide an input test tool that promotes precision testing, flexibility and repeatability over a wide variety of functionality tests that are utilized in both touch and near-touch input scenarios. The input test tool enables a variety of degrees of motion, including both linear and rotational motion, so that a device under test can be tested utilizing a number of different linear and/or rotational input scenarios. |
| US09317146B1 |
Haptic touch feedback displays having double bezel design
A display assembly includes a frame assembly, a display module having a display housing and a touch screen display disposed at least partially within the display housing such that the display module and touch screen display form an environmentally sealed exterior, and an actuator assembly. The display module is coupled to the frame assembly via the actuator assembly such that the display module is configured to provide haptic feedback to users via the touch screen display based on operation of the actuator assembly. |
| US09317140B2 |
Method of making a multi-touch input device for detecting touch on a curved surface
Embodiments are disclosed herein that are related to input devices with curved multi-touch surfaces. For example, in one disclosed embodiment, a method of making a multi-touch input device having a curved touch-sensitive surface comprises forming on a substrate an array of sensor elements defining a plurality of pixels of the multi-touch sensor, forming the substrate into a shape that conforms to a surface of the curved geometric feature of the body of the input device, and fixing the substrate to the curved geometric feature of the body of the input device. |
| US09317139B2 |
Electronic device, control method, and storage medium storing control program
According to an aspect, an electronic device includes a first face, a second face, a display unit arranged on the first surface, a notification unit arranged on the second surface, an attitude detecting unit, and a control unit. The attitude detecting unit detects whether attitude of the electronic device is a first attitude, in which the first surface faces upward in the vertical direction, or a second attitude, in which the first surface faces downward in the vertical direction. When the attitude detecting unit detects the second attitude, the control unit prevents displaying on the display unit and enables the notification unit to give a notification. |
| US09317137B2 |
Optical touch detection module, projection system with optical touch detection module, and method of optical touch detection module
A touch module, a projection system, and a touch method of the touch module are provided. The touch module includes a laser scanner device, a photodiode, an image capturing device, and a processing unit. The laser scanner device sequentially provides a touch region with a laser beam at a plurality of angles in a first period. The photodiode is configured for receiving a reflection beam from a touch point in the touch region. The image capturing device captures an image having another reflection beam from the touch point in a second period. The processing unit determines a first angle corresponding to the touch point according to the reflection beam from the touch point received by the photodiode, determines a second angle corresponding to another reflection beam captured by the image capturing device, and calculates location information of the touch point according to the first angle and the corresponding second angle. |
| US09317136B2 |
Image-based object tracking system and image-based object tracking method
An image-based object tracking system and an image-based object tracking method are provided. The image-based object tracking system includes an object, a camera, a computing device, and a display device. A color stripe is disposed on the surface of the object. The color stripe divides the surface of the object into a first section and a second section. The camera is configured to capture real-time images of the object. Further, the object tracking algorithm is stored in the computing device. The display device includes a display screen and is electrically connected to the computing device, and the display screen is configured to display the real-time images of the object. By using the image-based object tracking system provided in the invention, the object can be tracked accurately and efficiently without interference with the image of the background. |
| US09317135B2 |
Method and system for triggering and controlling human-computer interaction operating instructions
A method and system for triggering and controlling human-computer interaction operating instructions are described. The method pre-stores a mapping relationship between a display mode of light source in photograph image frame and a human-machine interaction instruction. While triggering and controlling the system, the method includes the steps of: acquiring the photograph image frame generated by a photographing device; detecting light source in photograph image frame for analyzing display mode of the detected light source in photograph image frame; determining human-computer interaction instruction corresponding to display mode of the detected light source in photograph image frame for triggering human-computer interaction instruction based on the pre-stored mapping relationship. The system comprises a mapping relationship database, a photograph-acquiring module, a light source detecting module, an analyzing module and an instruction-identifying module. The present invention allows the user to implement the non-contact type of human-computer interactions with the high precision. |
| US09317133B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating augmented reality content
An approach is provided for providing augmented reality based on tracking. Information, including location information, orientation information, or a combination thereof of a device is determined. A representation of a location indicated based, at least in part, on the information is determined. One or more items are selected to associate with one or more points within the representation. Display information is determined to be generated, the display information including the one or more items overlaid on the representation based, at least in part, on the one or more points. |
| US09317128B2 |
Remote devices used in a markerless installation of a spatial operating environment incorporating gestural control
Embodiments described herein includes a system comprising a processor coupled to display devices, sensors, remote client devices, and computer applications. The computer applications orchestrate content of the remote client devices simultaneously across the display devices and the remote client devices, and allow simultaneous control of the display devices. The simultaneous control includes automatically detecting a gesture of at least one object from gesture data received via the sensors. The detecting comprises identifying the gesture using only the gesture data. The computer applications translate the gesture to a gesture signal, and control the display devices in response to the gesture signal. |
| US09317124B2 |
Command input by hand gestures captured from camera
A method and system for invoking an operation of a communication terminal in response to registering and interpreting a predetermined motion or pattern of an object. An input is received, the image data of the object is captured and the object in the image data is identified. |
| US09317121B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing tactile sensation in cooperation with display device
An apparatus and a method for providing a tactile sensation in cooperation with a display device are disclosed. The disclosed apparatus includes: a display-device communication unit configured to receive information on a virtual image from the display device; a determiner unit configured to determine whether or not a user attempts an interaction with the virtual image by using an image of a user body; and a tactile-sensation provider unit configured to provide a tactile sensation to a preset body part of the user based on a determination result of the determiner unit. The disclosed apparatus can enable the user to interact with a virtual image with verisimilitude. |
| US09317117B2 |
Tactile sensation providing apparatus and control method for tactile sensation providing apparatus
Dual chips exchange a signal indicating a pressing load detected for providing the tactile sensation such that application processing based on the load is performed. A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a touch sensor, a load detection unit for detecting the load on the sensor for providing the tactile sensation, a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating a touch face of the sensor, a tactile sensation provision control unit for controlling drive of the providing unit, and a main control unit for controlling performing an operation corresponding to the load. The main control unit transmits, to the provision control unit, a load detection instruction in activation of the application and a load stop instruction in closing the application. The provision control unit starts detecting the load upon receiving the detection instruction and stops detecting the load upon receiving the stop instruction. |
| US09317116B2 |
Systems and methods for haptically-enhanced text interfaces
When units of serialized input are analyzed by an engine or algorithm that provides a plurality of entry suggestions for competing or replacing a unit of the serialized input, one or more haptic effects can be identified and provided in conjunction with display, selection, or use of one or more of the entry suggestions to aid in the use of the engine or algorithm. The haptic effects can represent a confidence level with respect to one or more of the entry suggestions or may otherwise indicate the relative success of the engine/algorithm. For example, the serialized input may comprise characters input to a mobile or other device. The engine or algorithm may suggest words or phrases with varying degrees of confidence, with the confidence with respect to some or all of the suggestions communicated by use of haptic effects. Additional embodiments include dynamic text input interfaces, haptically-enhanced serial presentation of content, and interfaces that provide haptic effects at a first device based on remote text entry, display, reading, or other activity at a different device. |
| US09317112B2 |
Motion control of a virtual environment
An optical flow of depth video of a depth camera imaging a human subject is recognized. An energy field created by motion of the human subject is generated as a function of the optical flow and specified rules of a physical simulation of the virtual environment. The energy field is mapped to a virtual position in the virtual environment. A property of a virtual object in the virtual environment is adjusted based on a plurality of energy elements of the energy field in response to the virtual object interacting with the virtual position of the energy field. |
| US09317110B2 |
Game with hand motion control
In various embodiments, the motion of a wristband is used to control games. |
| US09317106B2 |
Automatic correction device of vehicle display system and method thereof
An automatic correction device of a vehicle display system and method thereof, comprising following steps: firstly, transform an image of road in front into projection information, to calculate a coordinate model, then detect facial features of a driver, to calculate a face rotation angle and a facial features 3-D position of said driver, to estimate a position field of view for said driver looking to front. Then, said position field of view is substituted into an image overlap projection transformation formula, to generate an overlap error correction parameter. Subsequently, utilize said overlap error correction parameter to correct and update said coordinate model. Finally, utilize a display unit to project said corrected coordinate model to front of said driver, so that projection position of said coordinate model overlaps said position field of view of said driver. |
| US09317104B2 |
Server cluster and control mechanism thereof
A server cluster including a network switch and multiple server nodes is provided. The network switch is connected to an external network. Each server node includes a network port, a network chip and a control unit. The network port is connected to the network switch via a cable. The network chip detects the cable to obtain a connection state with the external network at the server node after the network switch is started, and accordingly outputs a connection state signal. The control unit turns on or shuts down the server node according to the connection state signal and an on/off state of the server node. |
| US09317099B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in digital living network alliance network
A method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in an electronic device are provided. The method includes receiving media content from a server, establishing a control state based on the media content, controlling power of at least one of a communication connection device and a display according to the control state of the received media content, determining whether a reception of the media content is completed, determining whether the electronic device performs functions for playing and controlling a digital media, transitioning a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), when it has been determined that a reception of the media content and that the functions are not performed by the electronic device, to a power save mode, and disconnecting the WLAN, when it has been determined that receiving the media content is completed and that the functions are performed by the electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises the communication connection device. |
| US09317088B2 |
Power on circuit
A power on circuit is connected between a video graphics array (VGA) connector of a display and a super input output (SIO) chip of a motherboard. The power on circuit includes first to fourth electronic switches and a timer. When a power button of the display is pressed, a serial data line pin of the VGA connector outputs a high level signal to turn on the first electronic switch, the second electronic switch is turned on, the fourth electronic switch is turned on, and the timer outputs a periodic pulse signal. When the pulse signal outputted from the timer is at a high level, the third electronic switch is turned on, the SIO chip receives a low level signal from the fourth and third electronic switches, and the motherboard is turned on. |
| US09317087B2 |
Memory column drowsy control
In accordance with at least one embodiment, column level power control granularity is provided to control a low power state of a memory using a drowsy column control bit to control the low power state at an individual column level to protect the memory from weak bit failure. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method of using a dedicated row of bit cells in a memory array is provided wherein each bit in the row controls the low power state of a respective column in the array. A special control signal is used to access the word line, and the word line is outside of the regular word line address space. A mechanism is provided to designate the weak bit column and set the control bit corresponding to that particular column to disable the drowsy/low power state for that column. |
| US09317086B2 |
Apparatus and method for initiating a charging process of an electric vehicle
Embodiments relate to initiating a charging process of an electric vehicle according to predefined charging preferences. An association between the electric vehicle and a user profile including the predefined charging preferences is established. The user profile is stored in a memory within a distributed processing network. A charging request message related to the electric vehicle is provided to a remote charging request message processor of the distributed processing network, the charging request message indicating a charging need of the electric vehicle. The charging request message is processed using the user's predefined charging preferences stored in the user profile to obtain user specific result data, including information on one or more charging stations corresponding to the predefined charging preferences. From the remote charging request message processor, a result message related to the electric vehicle is provided including the obtained user specific result data for initiating the charging process. |
| US09317085B2 |
Electronic device and clock rates controlling method of overclocking operation
An electronic device and a method for controlling over clocking of CPU are provided. A temperature sensing element is coupled with the CPU and used for sensing the temperature of the CPU. A control circuit is coupled with the temperature sensing element and the CPU used for determining whether the temperature of the CPU is higher than a first threshold temperature. When the temperature of the CPU is higher than the first threshold temperature, the control circuit controls the CPU to enter an idle mode and determines whether the temperature of the CPU is lower than a second threshold temperature. When the temperature of the CPU is lower than the second threshold temperature, the CPU is controlled to return to a normal mode. The first threshold temperature is higher than the second threshold temperature, and the clock rate of the CPU is maintained at same clock rate. |
| US09317078B2 |
Storage device backplane with penetrating convection and computer framework
A storage device backplane with penetrating convection and a computer framework with the storage device backplane are disclosed. The storage device backplane includes an integration board, an operation board and a heat dissipation unit. The integration board has a first surface for electrically connecting the storage device group. The operation board is superposed on and electrically connected to a second surface of the integration board and is provided that the operation board includes an electronic heating active element (EHAE) and an airflow hole set around the EHAE. The heat dissipation unit includes a heat absorb portion and multiple fins set on the heat absorb portion. The heat absorb portion makes a thermal contact with the EHAE. The fins laterally extend to cover the airflow hole. Airflow passages are formed between the fins corresponding to the airflow hole. |
| US09317075B2 |
Shielding panel having an opening for a heat sink
An example provides an apparatus including a shielding panel in spaced relation to a substrate such that a heat sink mounted on the substrate protrudes through an opening in the shielding panel. A first airflow path may be provided between the substrate and a first side of the shielding panel, and a second airflow path may be provided on a second side of the shielding panel across a portion of the heat sink protruding through the opening. |
| US09317071B2 |
Electronic device and hinge module thereof
An electronic device includes a first body, a second body and a hinge module. The hinge module includes a first pivot component, a second pivot component and a sliding component. The first pivot component fixed on the first body has a positioning portion. The second pivot component is fixed on the second body. The first pivot component is pivoted to the second pivot component. The sliding component slidably disposed at the second pivot component has a positioning structure. When the positioning structure is on a moving path of the positioning portion and the first pivot component rotates and drives the positioning portion to arrive at the positioning structure, the positioning structure interferes with the positioning portion to position the first pivot component. When the first pivot component rotates reversely, the positioning portion pushes the sliding component and the positioning structure moves away from the moving path. |
| US09317066B2 |
Portable terminal
A portable terminal includes: a casing; a circuit board; a display device; and a fixing portion which fixes the circuit board to the casing to allow the circuit board to move within a given range along a surface direction of the circuit board. The portable terminal further includes: a battery housing portion provided at a position in the casing located along a thickness direction of the circuit board; a battery pack housed in the battery housing portion through a battery opening provided in the casing; a board-side connecting portion provided at the circuit board; a battery-side connecting portion provided at the battery pack and connected to the board-side connecting portion; and a restraining member which restrains a movement of the battery pack with respect to the circuit board along a surface direction of the circuit board. |
| US09317065B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device and methods are disclosed. The electronic device comprises a plurality of display screens, an operation module, and a control module. The operation module is operable to be operated by a user, and the control module is electrically coupled to the display screens and the operation module, and comprises an operation display module. The operation display module is operable to display an active application from among a plurality of applications running on a first display screen from among the display screens. The operation display module is further operable to display operable information related to the active application on a second display screen, when the operation module is operated by the user. |
| US09317064B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a baffle, and a drive mechanism. The second body includes an opening on a bottom surface thereof, and the baffle is disposed on the bottom surface to cover the opening. The baffle is pivotally connected to the second body to rotate with respect to the second body. The drive mechanism includes a pivot, a linkage and a cam. The pivot connects the first body and the second body. The linkage is sleeved over the pivot. The cam is sleeved over the linkage and located corresponding to the baffle. While the first body rotates with respect to the second body, the pivot rotates with the first body and drives the linkage to make the cam rotate. Meanwhile, the cam pushes the baffle and makes the baffle rotate and expose part of the opening to enhance cooling effect of the electronic device. |
| US09317062B2 |
Touch display device using light to debond touch module from display module
A touch display device including a touch module, a display module, and a bonding member is provided. The touch module includes a touch panel and a film member bonded to each other. The bonding member is connected between the touch module and the display module. The bonding member forms a gap between the touch module and the display module. An outer light source is adapted to be disposed in the gap, wherein the outer light source irradiates the bonding member through the touch module and debonds the bonding member from the touch module. |
| US09317061B2 |
Electronic device enclosure
An electronic device enclosure includes a rear cover. The rear cover includes at least one first segment and at least one second segmentation. The at least one first segment includes a first securing portion, and the at least one second segment includes a second securing portion. The first securing portion is secured to the second securing portion, so that the at least one first segment and at least one second segment together define the rear cover. |
| US09317059B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking elapsed time
A system utilizing time tracking is disclosed. The system includes a real time clock, a time component, and a controller. The real time clock is configured to track time. The time component is configured to measure a time value without an additional power source. The controller is configured to determine an elapsed time using the time value and calibration information and to update the real time clock using the elapsed time in a restart mode. |
| US09317058B2 |
Pedal assembly module
For proving a pedal assembly module to improve productivity, a forward pedal, a backward pedal, a first shaft supporting the forward pedal and the backward pedal, a brake pedal, a second shaft supporting the brake pedal, and a frame box supporting the first shaft and the second shaft are assembled and integrated with their functions ensured. |
| US09317056B2 |
Active driver and semiconductor device having the same
An active driver includes a mirror circuit suitable for generating a drive voltage and a sink voltage using an external voltage, a first reset circuit suitable for outputting the drive voltage of a logic high level in a standby mode; a second reset circuit suitable for transitioning the drive voltage to a logic low level in response to the sink voltage when being changed from the standby mode to an active mode, and an output circuit suitable for outputting the external voltage as an internal voltage in response to the drive voltage when being changed from the standby mode to the active mode. |
| US09317054B2 |
Feedback network for low-drop-out generator
A circuit may include a differential amplifier and a feedback network. The feedback network may have a chain of resistance sets coupled in series, with a first end terminal coupled to an output terminal of the differential amplifier and a second end terminal coupled to a power reference terminal of the differential amplifier. Respective nodes may be coupled between successive ones of the resistance sets. A feedback terminal may be coupled to an inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier. A controller may control a set of switches to electrically couple a given node to the feedback terminal. A first resistance set of the chain adjacent the first end terminal may be two resistance subsets coupled in series, with an intermediate node coupled therebetween. A programmable current generator may have a current output coupled to the intermediate node and may produce a controlled current flowing at the current output terminal. |
| US09317053B2 |
Voltage regulator for a flash memory
The invention provides a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator (100) of the invention includes a comparison circuit (20) and a voltage divider circuit (110). The voltage divider circuit (110) has a PMOS transistor (T6) connected to a voltage source (VDD) and resistors (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6) serially connected between the transistor (T6) and a reference voltage. A feedback voltage generated from a node (N3) between resistors R4 and R5 is provided to the comparison circuit (20). In addition, a middle voltage (Vm) generated from a node (Nc) of the resistors is provided to a well region, so the parasitic capacitance is reduced. |
| US09317052B1 |
Semiconductor apparatus with calibration circuit and system including the same
A calibration circuit of a semiconductor apparatus may include: a reference voltage generator suitable for generating first and second pull-up reference voltages based on a pull-up control signal, and generating first and second pull-down reference voltages based on a pull-down control signal; and a calibrator suitable for generating a pull-up resistor code corresponding to an external reference resistor based on the first and second pull-up reference voltages, and generating a pull-down resistor code corresponding to the external reference resistor based on the first and second pull-down reference voltages and the pull-up resistor code. |
| US09317051B2 |
Internal voltage generation circuits
Internal voltage generation circuits are provided. The internal voltage generation circuit includes a drive controller and an initialization unit. The drive controller detects a level of an internal voltage signal in response to a reference voltage signal to generate a drive signal and drives the internal voltage signal in response to the drive signal. The initialization unit initializes the drive signal in synchronization with an internal command signal and terminates an initialization of the drive signal during a predetermined period. |
| US09317048B2 |
Circuit control system and method for dynamically adjusting voltage and frequency
Provided are a circuit control system and method for dynamically adjusting voltage and frequency. The circuit control system herein includes: a lookup table module configured to store a combined table of voltage-frequency corresponding relation curves of a target circuit under one or more working conditions; a converting module configured to make conversion between a working voltage and a working frequency of the target circuit according to the lookup table module; and a combined adjusting module configured to combinedly adjust the working frequency and the working voltage of the target circuit. With a high degree of automation, the circuit control system herein is safe and reliable for adjusting the working voltage and the working frequency of the target circuit, thereby achieving the effects of adjustment and optimization. |
| US09317045B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficiently coordinating data center cooling units
Methods and systems for controlling environmental maintenance modules (e.g. HVAC units) using sensors are provided. Values measured by the sensors can be used to determine a change in operation levels of the modules to keep the sensor values within a desired range. For example, a stopped module can be increased or started for more cooling when a sensor temperature is too hot. The module predicted to have the greatest effect on the temperature of hot sensor can be started. As another example, a module can be stopped (or otherwise have an operation level decreased), if the sensor temperatures are within range, and the decrease in operation level is predicted not to cause an out-of-range condition. |
| US09317044B2 |
Mechanical vibration system and control method with limited displacement
A control method for a mechanical vibration system independently modifies the higher and lower frequency components of the drive signal satisfying a target profile in a manner that limits displacement in the driven vibration. In particular, phases of the lower frequency components in a preliminary drive spectrum are independently adjusted so that peaks of the respective components are non-simultaneous and distributed in time to avoid contributing constructively. For example, the lower frequency components may be applied as a filter to a narrow-band time waveform, such as one with a swept frequency, to obtain the lower-frequency time waveform. The higher frequency components are randomized in their phase, transformed into the time domain, and recombined with the lower frequency part to obtain the drive signal. |
| US09317043B2 |
Path based power generation control for an aerial vehicle
Methods and systems described herein relate to power generation control for an aerial vehicle. An example method may include operating an aerial vehicle in a crosswind-flight orientation substantially along a first flight path to generate power. The first flight path may include a substantially circular path that allows the aerial vehicle to generate the power. While the aerial vehicle is in the crosswind-flight orientation the method may include determining to reduce the power being generated by the aerial vehicle, and responsive to the determination, determining a second flight path that will reduce the power generated by the aerial vehicle when operating on the second flight path. Once determined, the aerial vehicle may operate substantially along the second flight path. |
| US09317024B2 |
Automation system
An automation system includes a first controller and a second controller connected to an input device via a field bus, wherein the input device includes a module having at least one first sub-module and one second sub-module, the first controller includes first interconnection information that defines an assignment between the first controller and the first sub-module, and the second controller includes second interconnection information that defines an assignment between the second controller and the second sub-module, wherein the module is additionally configured to be connected to a plurality of inputs for process signals, wherein a process signal image is stored in a first memory area assigned to the first sub-module, and wherein the module additionally includes a copying device which is configured to copy the process signal image from the first memory area to a second memory area assigned to the second sub-module. |
| US09317023B2 |
Wire sorting machine and method of sorting wires
A wire sorting machine includes a frame and a fixture held by the frame. The fixture is configured to support a cable having a plurality of wires. A positioning system is supported by the frame. A guidance system is supported by the positioning system. The guidance system has a camera viewing the fixture that is movable relative to the fixture. A wire manipulator is supported by the positioning system and is moved by the positioning system relative to the fixture. The wire manipulator is configured to engage the wires of the cable to position the wires relative to the fixture. A controller communicates with the positioning system and the guidance system. The controller operates the positing system to control a position of the wire manipulator relative to the fixture based on an image obtained by the camera. |
| US09317021B2 |
System and method for upgrading the remote control functionality of a device
A system and method for upgrading a remote control application resident on a device. Information identifying a controllable appliance is caused to be uploaded to a remote server device and the uploaded information is used to automatically display user-selectable, downloadable data files relevant to the control of the controllable appliance. Downloaded data files, which may include command codes and/or graphical user interface elements, may be used within the device to upgrade the ability of the remote control application to communicate with the controllable appliance. The information uploaded to the server may also be used to generate demographic data regarding consumer preferences. |
| US09317020B2 |
System and method for upgrading the remote control functionality of a device
A system and method for upgrading remote control application resident on a device. To this end, a markup language file is created. The markup language file has a representation of information used to setup the remote control application to communicate with an appliance. The markup language file may be executed, on the device or an intermediate client with which the device is synchronized, to upload the representation of the information to a remote server. At the remote server, the uploaded information is used to automatically display user-selectable, downloadable data files relevant to the control of the appliance. Downloaded data files, which may include command codes and/or graphical user interface elements, may be used within the device to upgrade the ability of the remote control application to communicate with the appliance. The information uploaded to the server may also be used to generate demographic data regarding consumer preferences. |
| US09317019B2 |
Sinusoidal modulation control methods and circuits for permanent magnet synchronous motors
Disclosed herein are sinusoidal modulation control methods and circuits for PMSM. In one embodiment, a method can include: detecting rotor position information of the PMSM to obtain a rotor position signal and a rotor rotating speed measured value; comparing the rotating speed measured value against a reference rotating speed value to generate an error signal, and generating a first regulating voltage signal based on the error signal using a PI regulator; receiving the rotor position signal and the first regulating voltage signal, and generating a full-wave U-shaped modulation wave by using the rotor position signal as a time reference; generating a second U-shaped modulation wave by multiplying the full-wave U-shaped modulation wave with the first regulating voltage signal; comparing the second U-shaped modulation wave against a triangular wave to generate a PWM control signal that controls a switch of an inverter to regulate a current of the PMSM. |
| US09317016B2 |
Instrument for counting the duration of differentiated phases
An instrument for counting duration for differentiated phases, including: plural mechanisms for recording a time duration, each actuatable, for activation and deactivation thereof, by a first controller; a general controller for controlling, from an inactive position in which all the recording mechanisms are deactivated, activation of only one of them, selected by a selector, and for again controlling, at a final moment, deactivation of all the recording mechanisms; a switch configured, during a command for activation of one of the recording mechanisms, to trigger the deactivation of all other recording mechanisms and to save totality of the recorded times, counted on each of the recording mechanisms. The selector is configured to be controlled by a user or/and by a measuring mechanism or/and by a signal to trigger the activation of one of the recording mechanisms. |
| US09317012B2 |
Photoinitiators for photopolymers
The present invention relates to novel photopolymer formulation comprising a polyol component, a polyisocyanate component, a writing monomer and a photoinitiator comprising a dye of formula (I). The present invention further relates to a holographic medium which contains a photopolymer formulation of the present invention or is obtainable by using same, to the use of a photopolymer formulation of the present invention for producing holographic media and also to a process for producing a holographic medium by using a photopolymer formulation of the present invention. |
| US09317011B2 |
Toner collecting device for image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided with an image forming portion, a collecting duct, a toner collecting device, a toner collecting device, and a first control portion. Into the collecting duct, unnecessary toner generated in the image forming portion flows together with an airflow. The toner collecting device communicates with the collecting duct, has a path of the airflow formed therein, and collects, by using a filter, the toner together with the airflow generated by an airflow generating portion. The first control portion controls an operation condition of a vibrating operation of a vibrating portion that vibrates the filter, in accordance with at least one of setting conditions relating to environment of the image forming portion, a coverage rate of a toner image, the number of printed sheets, and an image density of the toner image. |
| US09317010B2 |
Image forming device including secondary transfer unit and fixing section disposed on printing paper transport path
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed. |
| US09317001B2 |
Image forming apparatus having moving cover and detachable unit
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a cover, a process unit, and a grip portion. The housing has an opening portion defining an open end. The cover is movable between a closing position to close the open end and an opening position to open the open end. The cover defines the opening portion and has one end portion to define the open end. The process unit is configured to be attached to and detached from the housing through the opening portion. The process unit includes a developer chamber configured to accommodate therein developer. The grip portion is provided at the process unit, and has a protruding portion protruding outward between the open end and the one end portion when the process unit has been attached to the housing and the cover is at the closing position. |
| US09316999B2 |
Tandem type photosensitive unit and image forming apparatus
A tandem type photosensitive unit includes: a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged in parallel with one another; a first structure member having a side surface extending in an arrangement direction of the photosensitive drums as viewed from an axial direction of the photosensitive drums for collectively retaining the plurality of photosensitive drums and relatively positioning the plurality of photosensitive drums; and a second structure member having a side surface extending in the arrangement direction as viewed from the axial direction for collectively retaining developer cartridges provided correspondingly to the photosensitive drums respectively. The first structure member is fixed to the second structure member on one side in the arrangement direction, and mounted on the second structure member with a clearance on the other side in the arrangement direction. |
| US09316998B2 |
Image forming apparatus with inner cover that shields an optical sensor when an outer housing cover is closed, the optical sensor used for detecting whether a waste toner case is full
An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner case, an optical sensor, a cover and a shading member. The waste toner case is attachably/detachably provided in an apparatus main body via an opening part. The waste toner case collects a waste toner ejected from an image forming part forming an image by a toner. The optical sensor detects whether or not the waste toner case is filled with the waste toner. The cover closes the opening part of the apparatus main body. The shading member is arranged between the cover and optical sensor. The shading member covers the optical sensor in a state where the cover is closed. |
| US09316996B2 |
Image forming apparatus, toner storing container
Image forming apparatus includes conveyance portion, discharge portion, opening/closing portion, and toner storing portion. Conveyance portion conveys toner along axis direction of image carrier. In discharge portion, discharge outlet is formed such that toner conveyed by conveyance portion is dropped from discharge outlet. Opening/closing portion is provided on discharge portion and moves in axis direction in such way as to open and close discharge outlet. Toner storing portion includes opening portion, restriction portion, and cover portion. Opening portion has insertion opening into which discharge portion is inserted in conveyance direction in which toner is conveyed. Restriction portion contacts part of opening/closing portion and restricts movement of opening/closing portion when discharge portion is inserted into insertion opening. Cover portion is provided at predetermined position that corresponds to area under insertion area of opening/closing portion that is inserted in conveyance direction exceeding position at which opening/closing portion contacts restriction portion. |
| US09316994B2 |
Imaging system with electrophotographic patterning of an image definition material and methods therefor
A system comprises an electrophotographic subsystem, a transfer subsystem, an imaging member, and an inking subsystem. The electrophotographic subsystem comprises a photoreceptor, a charging subsystem, an exposure subsystem, and a development subsystem. In operation, the photoreceptor is charged areawise. An exposure pattern is formed by the exposure subsystem on the surface of the charged photoreceptor to thereby write a latent charge image onto the photoreceptor surface. The image is developed with an image definition material, such as a dampening fluid. The image definition material forms a positive pattern of the image to be printed. The image pattern is then transferred to the reimageable surface. The transferred pattern is then developed by selectively applying an ink over regions of image definition material. The inked image may be transferred to a substrate. |
| US09316990B2 |
Motherboard mounting structure, image forming apparatus and method for performing the same
A motherboard mounting structure includes a first board having a first connector and a second board having a second connector electrically connected directly to the first connector of the first board. The second board includes an external terminal connectable to an external device. The external terminal is inserted (or extracted) through an external terminal insertion opening formed on an orthogonal surface of a mainframe orthogonal to a surface of the second board. A mounting board is provided and to which the first and second boards are attached. The second board is attached to the mounting board with the external terminal protruding from the external terminal insertion opening. The first and second boards are slidably attached in a prescribed direction to separate from the orthogonal surface of the mainframe. |
| US09316984B2 |
Sealing member, storage member, and image forming apparatus
It is a sealing member that seals a gap between one member and the other member, including: a mounting section that has a portion coming into contact with the other member; and an extension section that extends from a side of the mounting section to a side of the one member and is configured to approach the mounting section while coming into contact with the one member by receiving a force from the one member; and a recess that is provided between the mounting section and the extension section and is formed from a part of the mounting section to a part of the extension section, and is recessed from a surface of the mounting section on the side of the one member and a surface of the extension section on a side of the other member. |
| US09316983B2 |
Image forming apparatus including first detection sensor and second detection sensor for detecting density detection pattern
An image forming apparatus includes: a formation unit configured to form a first detection pattern for density detection on an image carrier for each color used in image formation; and a first sensor and a second sensor configured to detect the first detection pattern formed on the image carrier, the first detection pattern moving in a movement direction of a surface of the image carrier as the image carrier rotates. The formation unit is further configured to form the first detection pattern on the image carrier such that a first detection pattern of an chromatic color is detected by the first sensor and a first detection pattern of an achromatic color is detected by the second sensor, and additionally form a second detection pattern for misregistration detection on the image carrier when forming the first detection pattern on the image carrier. |
| US09316981B2 |
Image forming system, image forming system control method, and image forming apparatus having tandem-activation function and independent-activation function
An image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses which are each equipped with an image forming section and a control section, and which are connected such that each image forming apparatus can form an image on the same recording sheet. The control section has a function to perform a first activation control to in tandem activate the plurality of image forming apparatuses and a second activation control to independently activate each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. With this configuration, activation and stopping are managed appropriately with respect to each operating state, and wasteful power consumption is reduced. |
| US09316978B2 |
Fixing device, image forming apparatus, and fixing method
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and a pressure rotator pressed against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween. An oil applicator is impregnated with oil to be applied to at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A first mover is connected to the oil applicator to separably bring the oil applicator into contact with the at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A surface polisher refreshes an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. A second mover is connected to the surface polisher to separably bring the surface polisher into contact with the fixing rotator. The first mover brings the oil applicator into contact with the at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator according to a contact condition under which the surface polisher contacts the fixing rotator. |
| US09316975B2 |
Fixing device capable of suppressing contact between tubular member and electric components
A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface and circularly moving in a moving direction while the developing agent image is thermally fixed; a heater; a nip member being in sliding contact with the tubular member; a backup member nipping the tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay covering the heater and supporting the nip member; an electric component positioned opposite to the heater with respect to the stay; and a frame supporting the electric component. The frame includes: an isolating portion interposed between the tubular member and the electric component for isolating the electric component from the tubular member; and a guide portion guiding the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member while the flexible tubular member is moving in the moving direction. |
| US09316973B2 |
Heat transfer system for a fuser assembly
A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device which transfers heat from overheated portions of the fuser assembly to portions having lesser temperatures. The fuser assembly includes a heating member; a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith, wherein rotation of the backup roll causes the heating member to rotate; and a first roll in contact with one of the backup roll and the heating member such that rotation of the one of the backup roll and the heating member rotates the first roll, the first roll including a heat pipe disposed therein. |
| US09316964B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a first rotator and a second rotator pressed against the first rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A thermal insulation cover is disposed opposite the second rotator. A mover is connected to the second rotator to move the second rotator with respect to the first rotator. The mover is coupled with the thermal insulation cover to move the thermal insulation cover while retaining a predetermined interval between the thermal insulation cover and the second rotator. |
| US09316956B2 |
Intermediate transfer member, image-recording method, and image-recording apparatus
An intermediate transfer member for use in an image-recording method that includes applying a reaction liquid to an intermediate transfer member, forming an intermediate image by applying an ink to the intermediate transfer member to which the reaction liquid has been applied, and transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium. The intermediate transfer member has protruding structures having an average height of 3.0 μm or less on a surface thereof. An average ratio R of surface areas of the intermediate transfer member to a unit area of a surface of the intermediate transfer member and an average ratio S of a total surface area of upper portions of the protruding structures to a unit area of the surface of the intermediate transfer member satisfy the following formula (1): S≦ 1/24·(10R−13) (1) wherein R≧1.3, and 0≦S≦1. |
| US09316954B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer unit, and a control unit. The image carrier has a surface to bear a toner image thereon. The transfer unit has a transfer member to transfer the toner image onto a recording sheet conveyed in a conveyance direction for trailing-end borderless image formation and duplex image formation. The transfer unit is configured to form the toner image on the recording sheet without forming a margin at a trailing end of the recording sheet in the conveyance sheet in the trailing-end borderless image formation. The transfer unit is configured to form the toner image on front and back faces of the recording sheet in the duplex image formation. When a width of the toner image formed in a borderless image area of the recording sheet in the trailing-end borderless image formation is smaller in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction than a threshold value, the control unit permits the duplex image formation. When the width is the threshold value or greater, the control unit prohibits the duplex image formation. |
| US09316949B2 |
Particle adhesion preventing member, electric field forming member, and image forming apparatus
A particle adhesion preventing member used for an image forming apparatus that forms an image using charged toner, and configured to prevent adhesion of the charged toner, includes a conductive member, and an insulating member that is attached to the conductive member, including a porous member made of an ethylene propylene diene ternary copolymer having a density of 0.01 g/cm3 or more and 0.2 g/cm3 or less or silicon having a density of 0.01 g/cm3 or more and 0.3 g/cm3 or less, and being negatively charged with negatively charged particles adhering onto a surface thereof. |
| US09316947B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
An elastically deformable region of an elastic layer in a developer supplying roller is near an agitator. In a state where the agitator agitates a predetermined region or where the agitator is in contact with the developer supplying roller, the agitator is rotated in the same direction as the developer supplying roller. |
| US09316944B2 |
Toner cartridge having an alignment member for aligning with a developer unit in an electrophotographic image forming device
A toner cartridge for use with a developer unit of an image forming device includes a housing having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side. The housing has a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet port is positioned on the housing for transferring toner from the reservoir to the developer unit. An alignment slot on the front of the housing is open at a bottom end of the alignment slot to receive an alignment pin of the developer unit. The alignment slot has a width that narrows from the bottom end of the alignment slot to a middle section of the slot and that widens from the middle section of the alignment slot to a top end of the alignment slot. |
| US09316941B2 |
Developing device, image forming apparatus
A development execution control portion executes a development process by causing an intermediate lateral conveyance portion and a developing portion to operate. A developer replenishment control portion causes a developer replenishment portion to operate when a detection result of a developer amount sensor satisfies a predetermined shortage condition. A post-development processing control portion causes the intermediate lateral conveyance portion and the developing portion to operate continuously from and after a development process and then stop. |
| US09316932B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, method for producing electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support. A surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polymerized product of a composition that contains a charge transporting compound having a particular group (chain polymerizable functional group). |
| US09316931B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, electrophotographic apparatus, process cartridge, and condensed polycyclic aromatic compound
A surface layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polymerized product obtained by a polymerization reaction of a hole transporting compound having a first reactive functional group and a compound having a second reactive functional group reactable with the first reactive functional group, and a structure other than the first reactive functional group of the hole transporting compound is a structure having only a carbon atom and a hydrogen atom, or a structure having only a carbon atom, a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom. |
| US09316919B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus is provided that has a sensor at substrate level, the sensor including a radiation receiver, a transmissive plate supporting the radiation receiver, and a radiation detector, wherein the sensor is arranged to avoid loss of radiation between the radiation receiver and a final element of the radiation detector. |
| US09316918B2 |
EUV collector
A collector transfers an emission of an EUV radiation source to a main intensity spot. The collector has at least one collector subunit including at least one grazing incidence mirror. The grazing incidence mirror transfers EUV radiation from the radiation source to an intensity spot. At least one ellipsoid mirror of the collector has an ellipsoidal mirror surface. The ellipsoidal mirror surface is impinged by an angle of incidence above a critical grazing incidence angle. No more than one collector subunit is arranged in the beam path of an EUV radiation source between a position of the EUV radiation source and the intensity spot. At least some of the EUV rays are only reflected in a grazing manner. |
| US09316916B2 |
Method to mitigate resist pattern critical dimension variation in a double-exposure process
A method to mitigate resist pattern critical dimension (CD) variation in a double-exposure process generally includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate; exposing the photoresist layer to a first radiation; developing the photoresist layer to form a first pattern in the photoresist layer; forming a topcoat layer over the photoresist layer; exposing the topcoat layer and the photoresist layer to a second radiation; removing the topcoat layer; and developing the photoresist layer to form a second pattern in the photoresist layer. |
| US09316914B2 |
Electroless plating method using non-reducing agent
A conductive metal pattern can be formed in a polymeric layer that has a reactive polymer that comprises (1) pendant groups that are capable of providing pendant sulfonic acid groups upon exposure, and (2) pendant groups that are capable of reacting in the presence of the sulfonic acid groups to provide crosslinking. The polymeric layer is patternwise exposed to provide non-exposed regions and exposed regions comprising a polymer comprising pendant sulfonic acid groups. The exposed regions are contacted with electroless seed metal ions to form a pattern of electroless seed metal ions. This pattern can be contacted with a non-reducing reagent that reacts with the electroless seed metal ions to form an electroless seed metal compound that has a pKsp of less than 40, and which is electrolessly plated with a conductive metal. |
| US09316913B2 |
Underlayer film-forming material for lithography, underlayer film for lithography, and pattern formation method
Material for forming an underlayer film for lithography, which has a high carbon concentration, a low oxygen concentration, a relatively high heat resistance and also a relatively high solvent solubility, and which can be applied to a wet process is disclosed. Material for forming an underlayer film for lithography contains a compound represented by general formula (1). |
| US09316910B2 |
Pattern forming method, actinic-ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, and resist film
Provided is a pattern forming method that is excellent in roughness performance such as line width roughness and exposure latitude, and an actinic-ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition and a resist film used for the pattern forming method.The pattern forming method includes (1) forming a film using an actinic-ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a resin that includes 65 mol % or more of a repeating unit having a group which generates a polar group by being degraded by the action of an acid based on all repeating units in the resin and at least one kind of repeating unit represented by the following General Formula (I) or (II), (2) exposing the film, and (3) developing the exposed film using a developer that contains an organic solvent. |
| US09316909B2 |
Patterning process
A pattern is formed by applying a resist composition comprising a (meth)acrylate copolymer comprising both recurring units having an acid labile group-substituted carboxyl group and recurring units having a lactone ring, an acid generator, and an organic solvent onto a substrate, prebaking the composition to form a resist film, exposing the resist film to high-energy radiation, baking, and developing the exposed film with a developer. The developer comprises at least 40 wt % of an organic solvent selected from methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, phenyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl formate, phenylethyl formate, methyl 3-phenylpropionate, benzyl propionate, ethyl phenylacetate, and 2-phenylethyl acetate. |
| US09316907B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition and uses thereof
The invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition that has good heat resistance and good humidity resistance. The invention also provides a method for forming a thin film on a substrate, a thin film on a substrate and an apparatus. |
| US09316906B2 |
Fluorene oxime ester compound, photopolymerization initiator and photoresist composition containing the same
Provided are a novel fluorene oxime ester compound, and a photopolymerization initiator and a photoresist composition containing the same. |
| US09316903B2 |
Flexible nanoimprint mold, method for fabricating the same, and mold usage on planar and curved substrate
The present invention provides a flexible nanoimprint mold which can fabricate sub-15 nm ultra fine structures on either planar or curved substrates. The mold comprises a top ultra-thin rigid layer of imprint patterning features and a bottom thick flexible layer of polymer elastomer. The two distinct layers are preferably integrated via chemically bonding. The top layer of the mold enables a sub-15 nm resolution of pattern fabrication and the bottom layer affords a conformal contact to planar or curved surface of substrates. The methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. |
| US09316902B2 |
Photomask-forming glass substrate and making method
A photomask-forming glass substrate having a square major surface is provided wherein two strip regions are defined on the major surface near a pair of opposed sides such that each region spans between 2 mm and 10 mm inward of the side and excludes end portions extending 2 mm inward from the opposed ends of the side, a least squares plane is computed for each of the two strip regions, the angle included between normal lines to the least squares planes of two strip regions is within 10 seconds, and the height difference between two strip regions is up to 0.5 μm. |
| US09316898B2 |
Projection apparatus
There is provided a projection apparatus including a color synthesis section, a polarization conversion section, and a projection lens. The color synthesis section is configured to combine three-primary color light and emit combined light. The polarization conversion section is disposed on a light-emission side of the color synthesis section, the polarization conversion section being configured to put the color light in the combined light in a non-polarized state uniformly in all directions. The projection lens is configured to emit light provided by the polarization conversion section. |
| US09316896B2 |
Projector with housing inserts
A projector (1) includes a light source device (2), a light modulating device (5) that modulates a light beam emitted from the light source device (2), a projection optical device (7) that projects the light beam modulated by the light modulating device (5), a flexible printed circuit board (6), one end of which is connected to the light modulating device (5), and a housing (8) in which the light source device (2), the light modulating device (5), and the projection optical device (7) are housed. In a position in the housing (8) where the light modulating device (5) is disposed, a first insert-through section (8L1) for drawing around the flexible printed circuit (6) board to the outside (8L) of the housing (8) and a second insert-through section (8D1), through which a part of the light modulating device (5) is inserted, are formed. |
| US09316891B2 |
Micro-projection system
A micro-projection system applied to a portable electronic device, comprising an optical engine, a control module, and a flat cable. The optical engine projects an image. The control module provides at least one control signal to control the optical engine. The flat cable is detachably connected to the optical engine and the control module respectively. Wherein, the optical engine and the control module are configured in the portable electronic device separately, and the flat cable has a corresponding configuration state for connecting the optical engine to the control module. |
| US09316886B2 |
Reflective color display pixel
A reflective color display pixel has a top surface for receiving ambient light, and a plurality of sub-pixels including a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel has a luminescent layer for absorbing a portion of the ambient light and emitting light of a first color. The second sub-pixel has a color tunable reflector for reflecting the ambient light in a selected band. |
| US09316885B2 |
Display device and fabrication method of display device
A display device including a first substrate, a second substrate, a display layer, a color filter layer, a transparent electrode layer and a transparent sealing is provided. The first substrate is opposite to the second substrate. The display layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The color filter layer is disposed between the display layer and the first substrate. The transparent electrode layer is disposed between the color filter layer and the display layer. The transparent sealing surrounds the display layer so that the display layer is sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a curable temperature of the transparent sealing is lower than or equal to 40° C. A fabrication method of a display device is further provided herein. |
| US09316882B2 |
Liquid crystal panel
To minimize color difference during white display, and secure high transmittance in liquid crystal panel driven by FFS mode or the like. Liquid crystal panel 10 has first substrate AR and second substrate CF oppositely arranged, and liquid crystal layer LC interposed between the first and the second substrates, wherein the first substrate has plural signal lines 18 and scanning lines 15 formed in matrix, upper electrode 24 having plural slit-shaped openings 25 divided by the scanning and signal lines, and formed for every sub-pixel, and lower electrode 21 formed with the upper electrode through insulating layer 23, the second substrate has light-shielding layer 28 superimposed with the signal and scanning lines in planar view, and color filter layer 29 formed for every sub-pixel, and the liquid crystal layer includes a mixture of at least one compound having negative dielectric anisotropy and at least one compound having positive dielectric anisotropy. |
| US09316880B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Techniques are provided for unifying steps of sealing material so that the yield and the reliability of a liquid-crystal display device become high. A starting film of scanning lines is patterned so that prismatic dummy wirings 301 for the first layer which are not electrically connected are formed in regions R1 and R2, and wirings 302 extending from the pixel section are formed in a region R3, and wirings 303 having connection end portions 303a are formed in a region R4. After an interlayer insulation film is formed, the starting film of the signal lines is patterned so that the dummy wirings 304 for the second layer are formed to embed the gaps between the wirings 301 to 303, and also the wirings 305 and the wirings 303 which extend from the pixel portion are connected to each other. This permits unification of the cross-sectional structure of the sealing material formation region. |
| US09316879B2 |
Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A display apparatus includes a base substrate, a data line to transmit a data signal, a gate line disposed on the base substrate and insulated from the data line, and a pixel electrically connected to the gate line and/or the data line via a thin film transistor. At least one of the data line and the gate line includes a lower conductive layer and an upper conductive layer. The lower conductive layer includes a zinc oxide doped with a doping material. The upper conductive layer is disposed on the lower conductive layer and includes a copper, and the upper conductive layer includes crystals in which growth directions are dispersed by the doping material. |
| US09316875B2 |
Array substrate for fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device and method for fabricating the same
The present disclosure relates to an array substrate for a fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device, and a fabricating method thereof, the array substrate including a gate line on an insulating substrate, an active layer on a gate electrode, a data line having a source electrode on one side of the active layer, the data line defining a pixel region, a large pixel electrode on another side of the active layer, a planarization layer on the data line and the source electrode, a passivation layer formed on the insulating substrate, and a common electrode on the passivation layer, and overlapping the pixel electrode and the data line. |
| US09316867B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for producing liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which a display defect is less likely to occur even when an alignment layer is not formed. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer held between the pair of substrates, at least one of the substrates including an electrode, and the liquid crystal layer having negative dielectric anisotropy, in which each of the pair of substrates includes a silane coupling layer on a surface of the corresponding substrate, a polymer layer configured to vertically align adjacent liquid crystal molecules is formed on a surface of the silane coupling layer, the polymer layer is formed by the polymerization of at least one monomer contained in a liquid crystal composition, and the at least one monomer contains a compound represented by the chemical formula (1). |
| US09316866B2 |
Array substrate, display panel and display device
The present invention discloses an array substrate, a display panel and a display device. A planarization layer is covered on the array substrate, forms a planar plane on the array substrate and an orientation film is set on the planarization layer, the planarization layer extends to a non-display area of the array substrate, and the thickness thereof in the position where a via hole is formed in the non-display area on the array substrate is not less than the depth of the via hole. The present invention has the following beneficial effects: avoiding that an orientation solution is influenced by the via hole during formation of an orientation layer, thus the orientation solution disperses uniformly, the problem that defects occur on the periphery of the orientation film is well alleviated, the formation effect of the orientation film is improved, thereby the display effect of the display device is improved. |
| US09316865B2 |
Rapid switching optical shutter alternately transmitting visible radiation and near infrared radiation
An optical shutter (10) includes a wavelength selective polarizing filter (12) in optical association with a liquid crystal polarization modulator (14) to rapidly switch between optical states to alternately transmit visible radiation and near infrared radiation. The wavelength selective polarizing filter is constructed to impart a polarization state to incident radiation and transmit polarized radiation within at least the visible wavelength region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The liquid crystal polarization modulator is positioned to receive incident radiation for internal propagation through the liquid crystal polarization modulator and is responsive to a first value and a second value of an applied control signal (32) to switch the internally propagating radiation to, respectively, a first polarization state and a second polarization state. The switching between the first and second polarization states produces, in cooperation with the wavelength selective polarizing filter, optical shutter output radiation in different wavelength regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. |
| US09316860B2 |
Electronic device display with damage-resistant polarizer
A display polarizer may have a polymer layer such as a polyvinyl alcohol layer coated with a dichroic dye such as iodine. A polymer layer such as a tri-acetyl cellulose layer may be formed on the polyvinyl alcohol layer so that the iodine is interposed between the polyvinyl alcohol layer and the tri-acetyl cellulose layer. To provide protection for the iodine layer, an additional polymer layer such as an additional tri-acetyl cellulose layer and a layer of adhesive may be formed on top of the polymer layer. A functional layer such as an antireflection layer may form an outermost layer in the polarizer. Compensation films may be formed beneath the polyvinyl alcohol layer. Additional display layers such as a lower polarizer layer and interposed layers such as a thin-film transistor layer, liquid crystal layer, and color filter layer may be formed below the compensation films. |
| US09316857B2 |
Display device
A reduction in the weight of a display device with a touch sensor is achieved while a decrease in the sensitivity thereof is suppressed. The display device includes, between a pair of substrates, a touch sensor, a color filter, and a display portion provided with a display element. A stress relief layer whose product of the dielectric constant and specific gravity is smaller than that of the substrate provided with the touch sensor is provided, whereby parasitic capacitance between an electrode and a wiring included in the touch sensor and an electrode and a wiring included in the display portion can be reduced. |
| US09316855B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and mother substrate
In a liquid crystal display device including a TFT substrate and a counter substrate, when an organic passivation film is not formed in the TFT substrate, the distance between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate in the display area of a liquid crystal display panel is provided by a cylindrical spacer. Also, the distance in the area where pixels, scan lines, and image signal lines are not formed within the liquid crystal display panel is provided by the cylindrical spacer. In this case, it is necessary to form a mount. The layer structure of the mount is the same as that of the TFT substrate with which the cylindrical spacer in the display area comes into contact. This makes it possible to equalize the distance of the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal display panel without an increase in production cost, and to prevent uneven brightness or color. |
| US09316850B2 |
Reworking apparatus for display module and reworking method for display module using the same
A reworking apparatus for a display module includes a chamber and a temperature control unit. The temperature control unit controls a temperature in the chamber to reduce an adhesive property of an adhesive material of the display module. The adhesive material couples a first layer of the display module to a second layer of the display module. A stage is disposed in the chamber and holds the display module. A separation unit is disposed in the chamber and is inserted in between first and second layers of the display module. A movement unit moves the separation unit. |
| US09316849B2 |
Mounting system for glasses frames
A system for attaching a device to a glasses frame includes a spring clip that applies pressure to two sides of the glasses frame, and a magnet for attaching the device thereto. The device may attach directly to the magnet, or via a slide-on attachment piece. The spring clip may include a spring arm having distal ends that assist the spring clip in applying pressure to the glasses frames. |
| US09316843B2 |
Stereoscopic image recognition apparatus
A stereoscopic image recognition apparatus is provided and includes a liquid crystal display I and a time division image display shutter II. The liquid crystal display I includes a λ/4 plate A in a protection region for a the display side polarizing plate, the protection region being a region on the display side of a polarizer of the one of the polarizing plate. An angle formed by an absorption axis of the display side polarizing plate and a slow axis of the λ/4 plate A is 35 to 55° or 125 to 145°, and the protection region satisfies |Rth (550)|≦160 nm. The time division image display shutter II includes a polarizing plate C between the second liquid crystal cell and the viewer and includes a λ/4 plate B between the polarizing plate C and the liquid crystal display I. When the absorption axis of the display side polarizing plate and the absorption axis of the polarizing plate C are disposed so as to be perpendicular or parallel to each other, the slow axes of the λ/4 plate A and the λ/4 plate B are perpendicular or parallel to each other. |
| US09316838B2 |
LED device has changeable image
An LED device having a changeable image includes an LED light source, a kaleidoscope with a variety of constructions through which light from the LED light source is transmitted to form a kaleidoscopic image, an image changing mechanism or device for changing the position, orientation, and/or relationships of an inner-medium or media in the kaleidoscope to change the kaleidoscopic image, and a projection assembly for projecting the kaleidoscopic image to a surface such as a wall, ceiling, floor, or surface of an object. |
| US09316835B2 |
Head worn display device
A display device is described and includes a fixing unit, through which the display device is capable of being worn on a head of a user; a processing unit configured to obtain a first image to be displayed; an image transmission unit configured to transmit the first image to a display unit, which is configured to display the first image obtained by the processing unit; a connection unit configured to connect the fixing unit and at least a first portion of the display unit, wherein the connection unit at least has a first state, in which at least the first portion is located in the user's visual region and faces the user; an image capturing unit configured to capture a second image; and the processing unit being further configured to generate the first image based on the second image. |
| US09316830B1 |
User interface
Methods and systems for triggering functions on a head-mountable device are provided. A head-mountable device may receive an indication of a gesture associated with the device. In response to an indication that the gesture is a forward gesture, the head-mountable device may activate visual type functions, and in response to an indication that the gesture is a rearward gesture, the head-mountable device may activate audio type functions. |
| US09316821B2 |
Zoom lens system, imaging device and camera
A zoom lens system comprising: a positive first lens unit; a negative second lens unit; a positive third lens unit; a fourth lens unit; and at least one subsequent lens unit, wherein the subsequent lens unit(s) includes a negative lens unit, the first and third lens units are respectively composed of two or less lens elements and four or more lens elements, the first and second lens units move along an optical axis in zooming, and the conditions: 0.0 |
| US09316820B1 |
Optical assembly for a wide field of view point action camera with low astigmatism
An optical assembly for a point action camera with a wide field of view includes multiple lens elements configured to provide a field of view in excess of 150 degrees. One or more lens elements has an aspheric surface. The optical assembly exhibits a low longitudinal astigmatism of approximately 0.3 mm or less. |
| US09316815B2 |
Optical imaging lens and electronic device comprising the same
An optical imaging lens includes: a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth lens element, the first lens element has an image-side surface with a concave part in a vicinity of its periphery, the second lens element has an object-side surface with a convex part in a vicinity of its periphery, the third lens element has an object-side surface with a convex part in a vicinity of its periphery, the fourth lens element has positive refractive power, the fifth lens element has an image-side surface with a concave part in a vicinity of the optical axis, the sixth lens element has an image-side surface with a concave part in a vicinity of the optical axis, wherein the optical imaging lens set does not include any lens element with refractive power other than said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth lens elements. |
| US09316804B2 |
Cable closure
A cable closure includes a housing that delimits an interior of the cable closure and seals off the cable closure toward the outside. The housing is formed by a covering body having shells hinged together and cable insertion regions provided on mutually opposite sides of the shells. Sealing elements are positioned at the mutually opposite sides of the covering body proximate the cable insertion regions. A closing mechanism having a latch and latch support is configured to lock the shells together. The latch support has a first end section pivotably attached to one of the shells and a second end section pivotably attached to the locking latch, which in turn has an end section serving as an actuating handle for closing and opening the cable closure. |
| US09316800B1 |
Optical coupling using a vernier scale
An apparatus comprising a plurality of alignment couplers, wherein the alignment couplers are equally spaced a first length apart from each other along a first surface, a plurality of photodetectors optically coupled to the plurality of alignment couplers, a memory, and a processor coupled to the photodetectors and the memory, wherein the memory comprises computer executable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium that when executed by the processor cause the processor to receive an electrical signal in response to at least one of the photodetectors detecting a first light, and determine an edge coupling alignment based on the electrical signal, wherein the edge coupling alignment is aligned when the electrical signal indicates two photodetectors of the plurality of photodetectors detect the first light, and wherein the edge coupling alignment is misaligned when the electrical signal indicates only one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors detects the first light. |
| US09316799B2 |
Optical module and fabrication method
An optical module includes a flexible printed circuit board on which a light receiving element and/or a light emitting element is mounted face-down as an optical element, and having a part that transmits incoming light to the light receiving element and/or outgoing light from the light emitting element; a lens member disposed on a surface of the printed circuit board, on which the optical element is not mounted, and integrally formed to have within a predetermined area, a lens that transmits the incoming and/or the outgoing light, and a convex part abutting the printed circuit board; a bonding member disposed in an area other than the predetermined area, between the printed circuit board and the lens member, and that bonds the printed circuit board and the lens member; and a cooling member disposed to apply pressure to the optical element toward the printed circuit board and cool the optical element. |
| US09316797B2 |
Pluggable optical module latch mechanism and method
A latch mechanism for a pluggable optical module includes a slide disposed in the pluggable optical module, wherein the slide includes a front cylinder connected to a rear cylinder with a slide body therebetween and a post connected to the rear cylinder; a bail over a top of a front portion of the pluggable optical module and rotatably connected thereto, wherein the bail includes a first cutout portion on each side in which the front cylinder is moveably positioned therein; a ramp disposed within the pluggable optical module for sliding the rear cylinder thereon; and a notch disposed within the pluggable optical module for translating force from the post thereto responsive to the bail moving the front cylinder, the front cylinder applying force to the rear cylinder via the slide body, and the rear cylinder translating the force to the post. |
| US09316796B2 |
Fiber pigtail with integrated lid
A mechanism is provided for a fiber pigtail. The fiber pigtail includes a single mode fiber optic ribbon having a section of polymer ribbon removed to expose bare fibers, a fiber optic ferrule in contact with the single mode fiber optic ribbon at one distal end, and an integrated polymer lid permanently attached to the bare fibers of the single mode fiber optic ribbon at another distal end of the single mode fiber optic ribbon. |
| US09316795B2 |
Self-protecting optical connector
An optical connection includes a male connector and a female connector, the connector offers electrical connections in the manner and the size of a USB connector, together with an integral and uncouplable optical connection. The first optical connector is shielded by a first shielding member from damage and pollution at all times until the connection between the connectors is made and the second opposing optical connector enjoys the same protection. Coupling precision between the optical connectors is achieved by magnetism holding the optical connectors together. |
| US09316790B2 |
Faceted, germanium slotted waveguide
A waveguide having a substrate, a first germanium sidewall and a second germanium sidewall. The waveguide is formed by growing the first germanium sidewall and second germanium sidewall on the substrate. |
| US09316789B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a single crystalline substrate, an electrical element and an optical element. The electrical element is disposed on the single crystalline substrate. The electrical element includes a gate electrode extending in a crystal orientation <110> and source and drain regions adjacent to the gate electrode. The source region and the drain region are arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the gate electrode extends. The optical element is disposed on the single crystalline substrate. The optical element includes an optical waveguide extending in a crystal orientation <010>. |
| US09316785B2 |
Integration of an unprocessed, direct-bandgap chip into a silicon photonic device
A composite device for splitting photonic functionality across two or more materials comprises a platform, a chip, and a bond securing the chip to the platform. The platform comprises a base layer and a device layer. The device layer comprises silicon and has an opening exposing a portion of the base layer. The chip, a III-V material, comprises an active region (e.g., gain medium for a laser). The chip is bonded to the portion of the base layer exposed by the opening such that the active region of the chip is aligned with the device layer of the platform. A coating hermitically seals the chip in the platform. |
| US09316778B2 |
Hybrid concentrator for a backlight
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a hybrid concentrator for a backlight. The backlight includes a light guide and multiple light sources positioned along an input end of the light guide. The backlight further includes multiple hybrid concentrators that each include a lens in a central region of the concentrator and one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones. Each hybrid concentrator is positioned between a corresponding light source and the light guide, and is configured to concentrate light into the light guide. The light guide then projects the concentrated light to illuminate a modulating display panel to form images for viewing. |
| US09316767B2 |
Method of manufacturing microlens array substrate, microlens array substrate, electro-optic device, and electronic
There is provided a method of manufacturing a microlens array substrate with improved manufacturing yield and high quality, the method including: forming a groove part along an outer edge of a first area on a surface of a substrate; forming a mask layer to cover a side of the surface, forming a plurality of openings in the first area, and forming openings along the outer edge of the first area; performing isotropic etching on the substrate through the mask layer, forming a plurality of recesses in the first area, and forming recesses across a boundary part between the first area and the groove part; removing the mask layer from the substrate; forming a light transmission material layer that has a refractive index, which is different from a refractive index of the substrate, to cover the side of the surface of the substrate and to bury the plurality of recesses; and planarizing an upper surface of the light transmission material layer. |
| US09316765B2 |
Photochromic composition
A photochromic composition functions as an adhesive layer for bonding optical sheets or films made from a polycarbonate resin or the like, and can be used to produce a laminated sheet that exhibits excellent adhesive properties, heat resistance, photochromic properties, and perspiration resistance. The photochromic composition includes (A) a polyurethane-urea resin having a urea bond in a molecular chain, in which a tetrahydrofuran insoluble content is 20.0 to 90.0 wt %; and (B) a photochromic compound. |
| US09316762B2 |
Geo-locating positions along optical waveguides
A method of correlating physical locations with respective positions along an optical waveguide can include transmitting to the waveguide a signal including an indication of the transmitting location, and the waveguide receiving the signal. A system for correlating a physical location with a position along an optical waveguide can include a transmitter which transmits to the optical waveguide a signal including an indication of the transmitter location, and a computer which correlates the location to the position, based on the signal as received by the waveguide. A method of determining a position along an optical waveguide at which a signal is transmitted can include modulating on the signal an indication of a transmission location, and transmitting the signal to the waveguide, thereby causing vibration of the waveguide. |
| US09316750B2 |
Radiation image detecting device and radiation image capturing system
A radiation image capturing system includes a radiation source and a radiation image detecting device. The radiation image detecting device includes a solid-state detector and a wavelength conversion layer disposed in this order from a radiation incident side. The wavelength conversion layer has a first phosphor layer having first phosphor particles dispersed in a binder, and a second phosphor layer having second phosphor particles dispersed in a binder. The average particle diameter of the second phosphor particles is smaller than that of the first phosphor particles. The first phosphor layer is disposed on the side of the solid-state detector relative to the second phosphor layer, and joined to or pressed against the solid-state detector. The first and second phosphor particles are distributed in the first and second phosphor layers, respectively, such that the weight of the binder per unit thickness is gradually decreased to the side of the solid-state detector. |
| US09316745B2 |
X-ray CT apparatus and method of controlling the same
According to one embodiment, an X-ray CT apparatus includes an energy classifying unit, a setting unit, and an image generating unit. The energy classifying unit is configured to classify photons passing through an object into a number of energy bins in accordance with energy of the photons. The setting unit is configured to set an energy level and set an energy width of a plurality of energy bins of the number of energy bins. The image generating unit is configured to generate an extended energy bin image based on information on the photons classified into the plurality of energy bins, the image having the energy level and the energy width of the plurality of energy bins. |
| US09316743B2 |
System and method for radioactive emission measurement
Radioimaging methods, devices and radiopharmaceuticals therefor. |
| US09316741B2 |
System and method for determining GPS receiver position
Systems and methods for determining a position of a global positioning system (GPS) receiver are provided. A first satellite and a second satellite that have an unobstructed communication path to the GPS receiver are identified. For each of the first and second satellites, data received is used to determine a satellite position and a code phase for a transmitted satellite signal. A relative code phase is calculated between the transmitted satellite signals of the first satellite and the second satellite, where the relative code phase is a difference between the determined code phases. The position of the GPS receiver is determined based on the satellite positions of the first and second satellite and the relative code phase. |
| US09316737B2 |
Container verification through an electrical receptacle and plug associated with a container and a transport vehicle of an intermodal freight transport system
A method and system related to container identification through an electrical receptacle and plug associated with the container of an intermodal freight transport system is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes coupling an electrical power plug of a container and an electrical power receptacle of a transport vehicle. Also, the method includes activating a tracking device of the container through a switch and actuator coupling. Further, the method includes verifying an identity of the container upon coupling the electrical power plug to the electrical power receptacle through an identification tag of the container and an electronic reader. Furthermore, the method may include conserving battery power through deactivating the tracking device of the container when the electrical power plug is de-coupled to the electrical power receptacle. The method may also include delivering an alert message to a driver when an incorrect container is identified. |
| US09316728B1 |
System and method for estimating range to an RFID tag
The a system for measuring distance between an RFID reader and tag, including an adaptive linear combiner, which is a tapped delay line with controllable weights on each tap, and outputs that are summed and subtracted from a reference to produce an error signal. After a sufficient number of cycles, the weight distribution indicates the delay of the received signal with respect to the reference, and by extension determines the distance between the tag and receiver. |
| US09316726B2 |
Quantum harmonic radar
A quantum harmonic radar method includes comparing the determined timing or spacing of the detected hertzian waves with the pre-determined amplitude and frequency of the hertzian waves being transmitted from a transmitter, and by the comparison determining if the detected hertzian waves have a spacing therebetween is greater than a spacing between said transmitted hertzian waves having said pre-determined amplitude and frequency, whereupon signalling a presence in said transmission field of an electromagnetic energy absorbent object. |
| US09316725B2 |
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method for acquiring ultrasound data
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasound probe configured to transmit toward and receive from a three-dimensional region of a subject, a transmitting and receiving unit configured to acquire ultrasound data by a plurality of executions of multibeam forming, comprising forming a plurality of sets of ultrasound data along a plurality of directions by a one-time transmitting and receiving operation of the ultrasound probe, a data synthesizing unit configured to synthesize a plurality of sets of data relating to the ultrasound data acquired during each of said executions, the sets being acquired along a respective plurality of different receiving directions with respect to a transmitting direction, to generate synthesized ultrasound data, and an image data generation unit configured to generate image data on the basis of the synthesized ultrasound data. |
| US09316717B2 |
Position determination of devices using stereo audio
Methods and systems for determining and utilizing spatial correlative information relating to two or more devices to determine device positioning are described. Using audio signals emitted from stereo speakers, for example, associated with a first device and a microphone associated with the second device, the distance and angle between the two devices and as their relative positions can be determined. No other sensors or specialized accessories are needed on either device to calculate the distance and angles. The devices need only be loaded with the appropriate software which, when executed, is able to carry out steps of the present invention. The usefulness of one or both of the devices may be enhanced by knowing the distance and angle data between the devices. For example, one device may be a TV having stereo speakers and the other device may be a handheld device, such as a smartphone, having a microphone. |
| US09316712B2 |
Magnetic resonance method and apparatus using dual echoes for data acquisition
In a method and system for acquiring magnetic resonance image data from a subject, using a data acquisition unit in which a basic magnetic field is generated, a division is designated in a planar section through the subject that divides the planar section into a first section and a second section, with the homogeneity of the basic magnetic field being better in said first section than in said second section. An echo planar imaging sequence is implemented to acquire the magnetic resonance imaging data, with magnetic resonance data being acquired from the first section only from gradient echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence, and magnetic resonance data from said the second section being acquired from both gradient echo signals and spin echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for acquiring functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the brain of a subject, in which the first section is an upper portion of the brain and the second section is a lower portion of the brain. |
| US09316710B2 |
SAR hotspot reduction by temporal averaging in parallel transmission MRI
A magnetic resonance sequence includes a repetitively applied radiofrequency pulse capable of causing a specific absorption rate (SAR) hot spot. The composition of the repetitive pulse is varied to generate versions of the repetitive pulse such that the SAR hot spot changes locations with subsequent applications of the repetitive pulse. To generate versions of the pulse, a pilot scan is performed to generate a patient model. A simulation of the SAR response to each of the versions of the repetitive pulse is performed to determine the location of SAR hot spot(s). A plurality of versions of the repetitive pulse is selected to be used in the magnetic resonance sequence. |
| US09316707B2 |
System and method of receive sensitivity correction in MR imaging
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images, and a computer programmed to generate an original image of an object, generate a proton density weighted image of the object, generate a B1+ field map of the object, generate a transmit-corrected image based on the B1+ field map and based on the proton density weighted image, electronically filter the transmit-corrected image to generate a receive sensitivity map, and revise the original image using the receive sensitivity map. |
| US09316699B2 |
System for predicting lifetime of battery
A system for predicting a lifetime of a battery cell, including a learning data input unit, the learning data input unit being configured to receive at least one learning measurement factor and at least one learning factor, a target data input unit, the target data input unit being configured to receive at least one target factor, a machine learning unit, the machine learning unit being coupled to the learning data input unit, the machine learning unit assigning weights to respective ones of the learning factors input to the learning data input unit, and a lifetime prediction unit, the lifetime prediction unit being coupled to the target data input unit and the machine learning unit, the lifetime prediction unit using the weights assigned by the machine learning unit to predict one or more characteristics indicative of the lifetime of the target battery cell. |
| US09316696B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimating power of secondary blended comprising blended cathode material
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for estimating a power of a secondary battery comprising a blended cathode material. The apparatus according to the present invention estimates a power of a secondary battery comprising a blended cathode material in which at least a first cathode material and a second cathode material are blended, the apparatus comprising a discharging means for discharging the secondary battery under conditions of a plurality of discharge rates (c-rate) different from each other, a sensor means for measuring a plurality of discharge termination voltages (Vf) corresponding to the conditions of the plurality of discharge rates, and a control means for approximating a correlation between the plurality of discharge rates and the plurality of discharge termination voltages by a two-dimensional linear equation, calculating a maximum discharge rate (Cmax) of the secondary battery corresponding to a minimum discharge voltage (Vmin) using the linear equation, and estimating a maximum power (Pmax) of the secondary battery from the calculated maximum discharge rate. |
| US09316691B2 |
Method and apparatus for fault injection
The present invention provides various circuits for injecting faults into a larger circuit, sometimes called circuit under test, or CUT. One type of fault injection circuit is a clock controlled fault injection circuit. This type of circuit uses internal scan chains as a way by which a fault injection operation is performed while a system clock is in the off state. Another type of fault injection circuit is a concurrent fault injection circuit. This type of fault injection circuit uses dedicated fault injection scan chains in parallel with or without internal scan chains. Yet another type of fault injection circuit is a hybrid fault injection circuit that uses both clock controlled and concurrent fault injection circuits. Other embodiments are disclosed and still other embodiments would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art upon understanding the full scope of the present disclosure. |
| US09316688B2 |
Multiple-capture DFT system for detecting or locating crossing clock-domain faults during scan-test
A method for providing ordered capture clocks to detect or locate faults within N clock domains and faults crossing any two clock domains in an integrated circuit or circuit assembly in scan-test or self-test mode, where N>1, each clock domain having one capture clock and a plurality of scan cells, each capture clock comprising a plurality of capture clock pulses; said method comprising: (a) generating and shifting-in N test stimuli to all said scan cells within said N clock domains in said integrated circuit or circuit assembly during a shift-in operation; (b) applying an ordered sequence of capture clocks to all said scan cells within said N clock domains, the ordered sequence of capture clocks comprising at least a plurality of capture clock pulses from two or more selected capture clocks placed in a sequential order such that all clock domains are never triggered simultaneously during a capture operation; and (c) analyzing output responses of all said scan cells to locate any faults therein. |
| US09316687B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing light-emitting device
Disclosed is a method for testing a light-emitting device comprising the steps of: providing a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes; driving the plurality of the light-emitting diodes with a current; generating an image of the light-emitting device; and determining a luminous intensity of each of the light-emitting diodes; wherein the magnitude of the current is determined such that the current density driving each of the light-emitting diodes is smaller than or equal to 300 mA/mm2. |
| US09316684B2 |
Semiconductor device, detection method and program
A semiconductor device and the like that can determine the performance of a semiconductor integrated circuit with higher accuracy even when test environment fluctuates. The semiconductor device detects degradation of the semiconductor integrated circuit, including measurement unit that measures temperature and voltage, decision unit that judges whether the test is executed within an allowable test timing in the detection target circuit portion at each test operation frequency and decides a maximum test operation frequency and calculation unit that converts a maximum test operation frequency into that at a standard temperature and voltage and calculates a degradation amount. The semiconductor integrated circuit has a monitor block circuit that monitors the values for the measurement unit to measure temperature and voltage. The measurement unit has estimation unit that estimates temperature and voltage of a detection target circuit portion based on the monitored values. The calculation unit uses the estimated temperature and voltage. |
| US09316682B1 |
Fault diagnosis method for freewheeling diodes of dual-switch power converter of switched reluctance motor
A fault diagnosis method for freewheeling diodes of power converter of switched reluctance motor with two main switches per phase, in which two current sensors are arranged on a power converter with two main switches per phase, wherein, one current sensor LEM1 detects the total current of the main switches connected to the DC bus, and the other current sensor LEM2 detects the total feedback current of the freewheeling diodes connected to the DC bus. By controlling ON/OFF of the upper and lower main switch tubes, short circuit fault of the upper freewheeling diode, short circuit fault of the lower freewheeling diode, short circuit fault of both the upper freewheeling diode and the lower freewheeling diode, open circuit fault of the upper freewheeling diode, open circuit fault of the lower freewheeling diode, or open circuit fault of both the upper freewheeling diode and the lower freewheeling diode can be determined. |
| US09316679B2 |
Method for locating of single-phase-to-ground faults of ungrounded power distribution systems
The method determines shunt caused residual voltages and fault caused residual voltages on the upstream bus and the downstream bus of the line segment within a faulty feeder section of a faulty feeder. The line segment is designated as a faulty line segment when a reference angle of a faulty phase is between a first angle of a difference between an angle of the fault caused residual voltage and an angle of the shunt caused residual voltage on the upstream bus and a second angle of a difference between an angle of the fault caused residual voltage and an angle of the shunt caused residual voltage on the downstream bus. The location of the fault is determined at a point on the faulty line segment with a difference between the angles of the fault and the shunt caused residual voltages in phase with the reference angle. |
| US09316678B2 |
Method and device for determining a maximum leakage current
The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a maximum leakage current in unearthed power supply networks with a plurality of conductors. The method comprises the steps of: feeding of a measurement signal UP with a measurement frequency fpuls into a conductor arrangement, setting the measurement frequency fPuls, measuring a line-to-line voltage UL-E for each conductor, determining a maximum occurring line-to-line voltage UL-Emax from the measured line-to-line voltages UL-E, determining a voltage UZe across a measurement resistance RM for calculating a leakage impedance ZE, calculating the leakage impedance ZE, and calculating a maximum leakage current THC. The device comprises a signal generator for feeding in the UP with the fPuls, a network coupling circuit between the signal generator and the conductor arrangement, a voltage measuring circuit for measuring the UL-E, and an impedance measuring circuit for determining the Ze by means of the determining of the UZe. |
| US09316675B2 |
Secondary plasma detection systems and methods
A system includes a control module, a detection module, and a reaction module. The control module is configured to receive a sensor signal indicating a power characteristic of an output power provided from a power generator to a load. The load is separate from the control module and the power generator. The detection module is configured to (i) detect a shift parameter of the power characteristic based on the sensor signal, (ii) compare the shift parameter to a first threshold, and (iii) indicate whether the shift parameter has exceeded the first threshold and not a second threshold. The reaction module is configured to indicate that a low-level abnormality exists in the load in response to the shift parameter exceeding the first threshold and not the second threshold. |
| US09316674B2 |
Method for checking an antenna coil
A method for contactlessly checking the functionality of an antenna coil for a portable data carrier comprises the steps of exciting the antenna coil, detecting the free, damped oscillation of the antenna coil in response to the excitation, and evaluating the detected free, damped oscillation. The excitation of the antenna coil is effected inductively through a pulsed magnetic field, which may be generated by a single direct-current pulse, such as a Dirac pulse, by means of an exciting coil attached to a pulse generator. The detection of the oscillation of the antenna coil is effected through a measuring antenna, and the evaluation is effected by means of an evaluation device connected to the measuring antenna. |
| US09316673B2 |
Method for determining capacitance of a device
A device and method of determining a capacitance of a device is provided, which in one embodiment includes connecting a first terminal of a capacitor having a known capacitance to the first terminal of the device, applying an AC voltage to the first terminal of the device and the first terminal of the capacitor, measuring a current through the capacitor, measuring a current through the device, determining a first voltage across the device as a function of time, computing a capacitance of the device as a function of time by multiplying the capacitance of the capacitor by the ratio of the current through the device to the current through the capacitor, determining a capacitance of the device as a function of voltage based on the capacitance as a function of time and the first voltage across the device as a function of time, and outputting data of the first capacitance of the device as a function of voltage. |
| US09316670B2 |
Multiple contact probes
The present invention is a probe array for testing an electrical device under test comprising one or more ground/power probes and one or more signal probes and optionally a gas flow apparatus. |
| US09316667B2 |
Accelerometer leveling in an actively controlled vehicle suspension
In an aspect, in general, a system and method compensate for a misalignment characteristic of one or more acceleration sensors fixed to a sprung mass of a vehicle, each acceleration sensor having a location on the vehicle and a desired orientation relative to the vehicle. |
| US09316666B2 |
Acceleration sensor having a capacitor array located in the center of an inertial mass
An acceleration sensor achieving improvement of sensitivity and comprehensive miniaturization as a device includes a first sensor. The first sensor is furnished with an electrostatic capacitor that is configured such that a first fixed electrode, a second fixed electrode and a movable electrode are intensively arranged in a row. In the electrostatic capacitor, the first fixed electrode, the second fixed electrode and the movable electrode are arranged adjoining one another in acceleration detection direction (y-axis direction) at a position corresponding to the center of a weight in a plane view of a substrate. At one of longitudinal-side's ends of each electrode (one of ends in x-axis direction), connectors are provided so as to connect the first fixed electrode and the second fixed electrode to the substrate by connectors. |
| US09316665B2 |
Estimation of sidewall skew angles of a structure
An apparatus (36) includes a motion amplification structure (52), an actuator (54), and a sense electrode (50) in proximity to the structure (52). The actuator (54) induces an axial force (88) upon the structure (52), which causes a relatively large amount of in-plane motion (108) in one or more beams (58, 60) of the structure (52). When sidewalls (98) of the beams (58, 60) exhibit a skew angle (28), the in-plane motion (108) of the beams (58, 60) produces out-of-plane motion (110) of a paddle element (62) connected to the end of the beams (58, 60). The skew angle (28), which results from an etch process, defines a degree to which the sidewalls (98) of beams (58, 60) are offset or tilted from their design orientation. The out-of-plane motion (110) of element (62) is sensed at the electrode (50), and is utilized to determine an estimated skew angle (126). |
| US09316658B2 |
Sample processing apparatus that responds to trouble in a transport unit
A sample processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of testing units arranged along a transport path and each configured to perform at least one type of test; a plurality of transport units configured to collectively constitute the transport path and collectively function to deliver samples to the plurality of testing units for testing; and at least one processor of a computer system and at least one memory that stores programs executable by the at least one processor to: (a) determine a type of test required to be performed on a sample; (b) if a trouble of a transport unit is reported, determine whether there is an available testing unit performable of the required type of test to which the sample is deliverable; (c) if there is the available testing unit, instruct to transport the sample to the available testing unit. |
| US09316656B2 |
Lid separation device and methods
The present invention includes a device comprising a lid and a vessel forming an interface that allows transfer of waste from a purification chamber to a waste chamber and method for purification of an analyte are disclosed wherein a supernatant is separated from a solid phase to which an analyte is bound by centrifugation via the lid of the device. The present invention also includes methods for use of the device. |
| US09316649B2 |
Biological sample measuring device and method for measuring biological sample using same
With this biological sample measuring device, the determination section performs measurement at specific intervals in a first measurement period from the start of measurement until a first time, and performs measurement at specific intervals in a second measurement period that comes after the first measurement period, calculates the difference between the measurement values in corresponding specific periods, and finds a plurality of first difference determination values, on the basis of a plurality of current values measured in the first measurement period and a plurality of current values measured in the second measurement period, finds a second difference determination value by finding the difference at specific intervals in the plurality of first difference determination values, and determines whether or not a reagent movement error and/or exposure error of the biological sample measurement sensor has occurred, on the basis of the first and second difference determination values. |
| US09316646B2 |
Anti-human ROR1 antibodies
The invention relates to antibodies having specificity for human ROR1, compositions thereof, and methods for using such antibodies, including in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders associated with aberrant ROR1 expression. |
| US09316629B2 |
Method of determining phenoxy herbicides in water samples by phase transfer microextraction with simultaneous derivatization and gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry analysis
A method for determining the concentration of a phenoxy herbicide in an aqueous sample, by simultaneously phase-transfer catalyst extracting and alkylating an aqueous sample comprising a phenoxy herbicide to form a sample composition, and measuring an amount of the alkylated phenoxy herbicide in the sample composition. The method includes controlling factors such as pH of the aqueous matrix, temperature, extraction duration, type and amount of derivation reagents, and type and amount of phase transfer catalyst. |
| US09316626B2 |
Method and device for diagnosing electrodes in sensor elements
A method for diagnosing a sensor element for detecting at least one fraction of a gas component of a gas in a measuring gas chamber, in particular a sensor element for detecting oxygen in an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The sensor element includes at least one first electrode, to which the gas may be applied, and at least one second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being connected via at least one solid electrolyte. A diagnostic signal is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, a response signal being detected between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US09316624B2 |
System and method for variable speed feedback control chromatography loading
Disclosed herein is a chromatography system wherein a sensor, for example, a UV sensor, is tied to a continuously variable load pump in a feedback control loop, with an option to divert the feed stream back to the load vessel or reservoir or onto a second chromatography column, the disclosed chromatography system allowing a true feedback control across variable load rates, thereby adjusting chromatographic operating parameters, for example, variable load rates, to process conditions, while maximizing throughput. |
| US09316619B2 |
Non destructive evaluation scanning probe with self-contained multi-axis position encoder
A scanning probe for an industrial nondestructive evaluation (NDE) ultrasound or eddy current scanning system. The scanning probe gathers reflected waveform data indicative of internal characteristics of the test object. The scanning probe also includes a self-contained multi-axis position encoder that correlates both multi-dimensional probe underside translation and rotation motion across the test sample surface with the multi-dimensional spatial location on the test object surface. The position encoder compensates for probe rotation that would otherwise negatively impact probe position determination accuracy. A data acquisition system combines sets of positional and waveform data for processing by an NDE analyzer. |
| US09316616B2 |
Method of determining or estimating nucleotide sequence of nucleic acid
A method of determining or estimating a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid by using a device with a nanopore. |
| US09316615B2 |
Device for trapping biologically-relevant substances and system for collecting biologically-relevant substances
The disclosed device for trapping biologically-relevant substances can easily collect biologically-relevant substances from a thin tissue section or a gel in which said biologically-relevant substance have been fractionated. Said device is provided with: trapping bodies for trapping biologically-relevant substances; carriers that hold the trapping bodies; and electrodes for charging the trapping bodies. The trapping bodies are charged and brought into contact with a prescribed position on a thin tissue section that contains biologically-relevant substances or a gel in which biologically-relevant substances have been fractionated, thereby trapping said biologically-relevant substances from said gel or thin tissue section. |
| US09316612B2 |
Regenerative nanosensor devices
The present invention provides a regenerative nanosensor device for the detection of one or more analytes of interest. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a nanostructure having a reversible functionalized coating comprising a supramolecular assembly. Controllable and selective disruption of the assembly promotes desorption of at least part of the reversible functionalized coating thereby allowing for reuse of the regenerative device. |
| US09316608B2 |
Method and apparatus for target detection using electrode-bound viruses
A biosensor that is capable of detecting the presence and/or concentration of an analyte or biomarker includes at least one electrically conductive electrode operatively coupled to an impedance analyzer for measuring the change in the resistive impedance ΔZRe of the electrode in response to an applied alternating current at a plurality of frequencies. In one embodiment, at least one electrode is covered with a self-assembled monolayer that is chemically bonded to a surface. A plurality of virus particles such as phage viruses are immobilized on the self-assembled monolayer and may be exposed to a test or sample solution. The virus particles may be obtained from phage-displayed libraries to detect a wide variety of targets including, for example, DNA, RNA, small molecules, and proteins or polypeptides. In another embodiment, the virus particles are electrostatically bound to a substrate in between a pair of elongated electrodes disposed on a substrate. |
| US09316605B2 |
Determination of attributes of liquid substances
A monitoring unit (100) that determines parameters (p1, p2) of an attribute (P) of a liquid substance flowing (F) through a dielectric conduit (110) includes plural coil members (121, 122) encircling the dielectric conduit (110) that subjects a flow of the liquid substance to plural different electromagnetic fields (B(f)), and under influence thereof measuring circuitry registers corresponding impedance measures (z(f)) of the liquid substance. A processor (130) derives the parameters (p1, p2) of the attribute (P) based on the registered impedance measures (z(f)). |
| US09316604B1 |
Method and apparatus for non-destructively determining features in a planar specimen
A method and apparatus for non-destructively determining features in a planer specimen includes providing a heat impulse to the specimen, detecting temperatures in the specimen at a plurality of locations, and imaging the specimen from the detected temperatures. A laser can be used to provide a single or a plurality of heat impulses to the specimen. Temperatures in the specimen can be detected utilizing a contact sensor array or a remote infrared detector. These sensors are joined to a data processing device to image the specimen utilizing the detected temperatures. |
| US09316603B2 |
Detecting thermal interface material (‘TIM’) between a heat sink and an integrated circuit
Detecting TIM between a heat sink and an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including TIM detection points adapted to receive TIM upon installation of the heat sink and including a TIM detection device configured to be activated upon contact with TIM, including: receiving, upon installation of the heat sink on the integrated circuit and the TIM, TIM in one or more of the TIM detection points; activating, by the TIM in each of the one or more TIM detection points receiving the TIM, a TIM detection device; determining, by a TIM detection module of the integrated circuit in dependence upon the activations of the TIM detection devices, sufficiency of the TIM; and responsive to determining that the TIM between the heat sink and the integrated circuit is insufficient, controlling, in real-time by the TIM detection module, operation of the integrated circuit to reduce heat generated by the integrated circuit. |
| US09316602B2 |
X-ray backscatter detection using modulated X-rays
Mechanisms for identifying a characteristic of a material. An X-ray signal is generated. The X-ray signal is modulated with at least two radio frequency modulation signals to form a modulated X-ray signal. The modulated X-ray signal is directed toward a target material. A backscatter signal is received from the target material, the backscatter signal including harmonic components generated by the target material in response to receiving the modulated X-ray signal. Based at least in part on the harmonic components, a characteristic of the target material is identified. |
| US09316580B2 |
Systems for custom coloration
Novel systems and methods for performing treatment (e.g., coloration) of keratinous fibers are disclosed. The methods and systems utilize one or more of a dispensing device which is configured to provide customized composition for treating keratinous fibers (e.g., a coloring composition), optionally formed from tablets; an optical reader, for obtaining sufficient characteristics of the keratinous fibers to make a realistic prediction of the outcome of a treatment (e.g., coloring treatment); a computational units for predicting an outcome of a treatment, optionally being interfaced with the dispensing device and for selecting a customized treatment; and tablet formulations which are useful in preparing customized composition for treating keratinous fibers. Further disclosed are rapidly disintegrating tablets for use in the preparation of compositions for treating keratinous fibers. |
| US09316579B2 |
Method and apparatus for optical sensing using an optical sensor including a leaky mode waveguide
An optical sensor comprising a waveguide having a sensing layer which is molecularly imprinted such that it will receive and retain target entities to be sensed, the optical sensor further comprising a detection apparatus arranged to detect a change of an optical property of the waveguide which occurs when the target entities are received and retained in the sensing layer. |
| US09316578B2 |
Automated real-time particle characterization and three-dimensional velocimetry with holographic video microscopy
An in-line holographic microscope can be used to analyze on a frame-by-frame basis a video stream to track individual colloidal particles' three-dimensional motions. The system and method can provide real time nanometer resolution, and simultaneously measure particle sizes and refractive indexes. Through a combination of applying a combination of Lorenz-Mie analysis with selected hardware and software methods, this analysis can be carried out in near real time. An efficient particle identification methodology automates initial position estimation with sufficient accuracy to enable unattended holographic tracking and characterization. |
| US09316576B2 |
Sample detection apparatus and detection method
According to one embodiment, a sample detection apparatus including an insulating partition to divide a first and a second region, a pore formed in the partition, a first electrode arranged in the first region, a second electrode arranged in the second region, a power source configured to apply electrical current between the first and second electrode in a state in which a reagent containing a capture substance to be bound to a target and a tag particle bound to the capture substance is introduced into the first region together with a sample, and an electrolyte solution is introduced into the second region, a measurement unit configured to observe a change in a conductive state, and a detection unit to detect presence/absence of the target in the sample based on an observation result. |
| US09316575B2 |
Magnetic flow cytometry for individual cell detection
The disclosure relates to flow cytometry. A method for precise individual cell detection and cell measurement of cells in the flow is disclosed. A pair of magnetoresistive components are used to produce a characteristic measuring signal profile from which the following information can be obtained: number of measurement deviations, measurement deviation distances, measurement deviation amplitudes, measurement deviation direction and measurement deviation direction sequence. The flow speed and the cell diameter can also be determined. Also, the signal noise ratio can be determined using the measurement deviation amplitude. |
| US09316571B2 |
Method and device for monitoring the state of rotor blades
A method for state monitoring of a rotor blade of a wind turbine is described. The method comprises: measuring an acceleration of the rotor blade with a first signal, wherein the acceleration is measured at a first position at a predetermined distance from the rotor blade root in at least one direction comprising a first directional component orthogonal to the axis of the rotor blade, measuring a strain of the rotor blade with a second signal, wherein the strain is measured at a second position disposed in the area of the first position to the rotor blade root, determining a first positional change at the first position on the basis of the acceleration, determining a first value corresponding to the rotor blade stiffness or to the rotor blade elasticity by means of calculation on the basis of the first positional change and the strain, and determining the rotor blade state from the first value. |
| US09316566B2 |
Tire testing machine
A tire testing machine of the present invention includes a bottom chuck that is mounted to a bottom frame, a top chuck that is mounted to a movable beam, a ball screw that causes the movable beam to ascend or descend, and a beam fixing member that fixes the movable beam so as not to ascend. The beam fixing member includes a disk that is fixed to the ball screw and is provided with a plurality of elongated holes and air cylinders that are fixed to the vertical frame and are inserted into the elongated holes. When the pins are inserted into the elongated holes formed in the disk, the top chuck is fixed to the bottom chuck through the movable beam so as not to ascend. |
| US09316565B2 |
Exhaust manifold pressure based misfire detection for internal combustion engines
An engine cylinder misfire detection system is provided that detects changes in exhaust manifold pressure (EMP) fluctuations, compares the EMP fluctuations with diagnostic thresholds determined with other engine characteristic information obtained from engine sensor data, and determines whether a cylinder misfire has occurred. A method of monitoring and detecting EMP fluctuations in combination with one or more sensed engine characteristics is disclosed to determine an engine cylinder misfire in a cycle of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder. The actuation approaches of the present invention include one or more processes for a cylinder of an engine associated with a determination of various load variables including fresh air flow, engine type, engine data inputs, and analytical determinants. |
| US09316562B2 |
System and method for monitoring the state of structural components
The invention relates to a structural component, to a system and to a method for monitoring the integrity of a structure or a structural component. The structural component according to the invention has at least one elongated air duct which can be connected to a vacuum source and to a device for detecting the volumetric flow of air and/or the air pressure in the air duct, wherein, when the structure is intact in the region of the air duct, the air pressure in the air duct essentially corresponds to the air pressure of the vacuum source and there is essentially no volumetric flow of air through the air duct but, when a structural defect occurs in the region of the air duct, air from the region surrounding the structure or structural component enters the air duct and increases the air pressure and volumetric flow of air in the air duct in an identifiable manner. |
| US09316559B2 |
Leak detection appliance
The leak detection appliance has a test inlet to which a test chamber containing the test specimen can be connected. A high-vacuum pump produces a high vacuum in a test gas detector. A backing pump contains two pump stages. In order to evacuate the test chamber, the pump stages are operated in parallel mode, with their suction capabilities being added. When the necessary vacuum has been achieved, the pump stages are operated in series in order to produce the necessary high vacuum which is required for high detection sensitivity on the test gas detector. |
| US09316558B2 |
System and method to diagnose fuel system pressure sensor
A system includes an ignition detection module, a pressure sensor, a pressure variation module, and a pressure sensor diagnostic module. The ignition detection module detects when an engine is started. The pressure sensor generates a first pressure signal indicating a first pressure within a fuel system of the engine when the engine is started and when a purge valve of the fuel system is closed. The pressure variation module determines an amount of variation in the first pressure signal over a first period. The pressure sensor diagnostic module determines a state of the pressure sensor based on the amount of variation in the first pressure signal over the first period. |
| US09316557B2 |
Method for self-monitoring a ceramic pressure measuring cell of a capacitive pressure sensor and evaluation circuit for carrying out said method
A method for monitoring the operation of a pressure measuring cell (10) of a capacitive pressure sensor (1), wherein the pressure measuring cell (10) has a measuring capacitor (CM) and a reference capacitor (CR) and the pressure measuring value (p) is obtained from the capacity values of the measuring capacitor (CM) and the reference capacitor (CR), characterized in that a control pressure measuring value (p′) is obtained with an auxiliary capacitor (CZ) arranged outside the pressure measuring cell (10) and the operability of the pressure measuring cell (10) is inferred by comparing the pressure measuring value (p) to the control pressure measuring value (p′) is provided. |
| US09316555B2 |
Cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge and inner wall protection member
A cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge, including: two electrodes disposed such that one of the electrodes is surrounded by the other electrode to thereby form a discharge space therebetween; and an electrode protection member disposed in the discharge space and configured to protect an inner wall surface of the other electrode, wherein the electrode protection member has electric conductivity and is elastically deformed along a shape of the inner wall surface to be electrically connected to the other electrode. |
| US09316553B2 |
Span line pressure effect compensation for diaphragm pressure sensor
A differential pressure sensor for sensing a differential pressure of a process fluid, includes a sensor body having a sensor cavity formed therein with a cavity profile. A diaphragm in the sensor cavity deflects in response to an applied differential pressure. The diaphragm has a diaphragm profile. A gap formed between the cavity profile and the diaphragm profile changes as a function of the differential pressure. At least one of the cavity profile and diaphragm profile changes as a function of a line pressure to compensate for changes in the gap due to deformation of the sensor body from the line pressure. |
| US09316551B2 |
Torque insensitive header assembly
This disclosure provides example methods, devices and systems associated with a torque-insensitive header assembly. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a sensor, from an aperture defined by a shell, an environmental condition, wherein the sensor is coupled to a header and the header is coupled to the shell such that the sensor is isolated from a torque stress applied to the shell; measuring, by the sensor, the environmental condition to determine an environmental condition signal; and outputting, from the sensor, the environmental condition signal. |
| US09316545B2 |
Scanning measurement of Seebeck coefficient of a heated sample
A novel scanning Seebeck coefficient measurement technique is disclosed utilizing a cold scanning thermocouple probe tip on heated bulk and thin film samples. The system measures variations in the Seebeck coefficient within the samples. The apparatus may be used for two dimensional mapping of the Seebeck coefficient on the bulk and thin film samples. This technique can be utilized for detection of defective regions, as well as phase separations in the sub-mm range of various thermoelectric materials. |
| US09316539B1 |
Compact spectrometer
A spectrometer for measuring a spectral signature of an object comprises fringe generating optics for use with a camera and a processor. The fringe generating optics are formed of front optics and birefringent optics. The front optics comprises a diffuser adapted to receive light from the object. The birefringent optics is adapted to receive light from the diffuser and to generate interference fringes. The camera is adapted to receive the interference fringes and the processor generates the spectral signature of the object. This spectrometer is an improved Fourier transform spectrometer suitable for use with digital cameras, such as cameras found in mobile devices. |
| US09316536B2 |
Spatial frequency reproducing apparatus and optical distance measuring apparatus
A spatial frequency reproducing apparatus includes a light source, a first means for modulating a light emitted from the light source into two lights having different frequencies and separately irradiated adjacently, a second means for two-dimensionally scanning the two lights, a third means for irradiating an object under measurement with the two lights, a fourth means for receiving and converting into an electrical signal at least two or more divided lights from the object under measurement with a boundary line being interposed therebetween in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction separating the two lights, a fifth means for amplifying respective photoelectrically converted electrical signals while varying a degree of amplification according to frequencies thereof and generating a difference signal or a summation signal of the amplified signals, and a sixth means for obtaining a phase difference or an intensity difference of these signals to obtain a measurement value. |
| US09316535B2 |
Remote control systems that can distinguish stray light sources
Remote control systems that can distinguish predetermined light sources from stray light sources, e.g., environmental light sources and/or reflections are provided. The predetermined light sources can be disposed in asymmetric substantially linear or two-dimensional patterns. The predetermined light sources also can output waveforms modulated in accordance with one or more signature modulation characteristics. The predetermined light sources also can output light at different signature wavelengths. |
| US09316534B1 |
Reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit focal plane array
A reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit focal plane array (RPIC-FPA) includes detectors and photonic integrated circuit coupled to the detectors that are configured to mix a return signal beam with local oscillator (LO) beams to produce a combined beam and direct the combined beam to the detectors. The LO beams have reconfigurable optical properties enabled by the RPIC-FPA. The LO beams are individually addressed to switch the detectors between a direct detection mode and various coherent detection modes based on adjustments to the optical properties of the LO beams. In the coherent detection mode, the controller is configured to mix the return signal beam with the LO beam having adjusted optical properties to produce the combined beam, and, in the direct detection mode, the controller is configured to disable the LO beams based on adjustments to the optical properties and to direct the return signal beam to the detectors without mixing. |
| US09316533B2 |
Ultraviolet monitoring device
Monitoring a user's exposure to ultraviolet radiation, including determining the amount of radiation to which the user is exposed from different directions, respectively. |
| US09316528B2 |
Weight-sensing fork blade assembly for engaging pallets in different alternative directions of approach
An exceptionally thin load-weighing fork assembly, having its weight sensors mounted on a fork base, overcomes fork-insertion limitations with respect to commonly used standard pallets without sacrificing load-handling capacity. |
| US09316527B2 |
Method and apparatus for a bidirectional meter proving system
A bidirectional sphere prover is used to check the accuracy of a custody transfer meter when fluids, such as crude oil or gasoline are bought and sold. The bidirectional sphere prover of the present invention uses a straight calibrated section of pipe between the detection switches, the straight calibrated section of pipe being free of welds, flanges and elbows. |
| US09316513B2 |
System and method for calibrating sensors for different operating environments
A computer system stores calibration information corresponding to respective sets of sensor measurements associated with respective operating environments. After storing, in a first data structure, calibration information for a first operating environment, the system determines a current operating environment of the device. When the current operating environment of the device is consistent with the first operating environment and the calibration information for the first operating environment meets predefined measurement diversity criteria, the system calibrates at least one sensor for the first operating environment using the stored calibration information for the first operating environment. When the current operating environment of the device is inconsistent with the first operating environment, the system excludes the stored calibration information for the first operating environment when calibrating one or more sensors for the current operating environment. |
| US09316507B2 |
Angular encoder and drive system with an angular encoder
The invention relates to an angular encoder (10) for monitoring the angular position of a rotating shaft (32), with a modulator (34) which can be positioned on the rotating shaft in order to provide a signal which changes as a function of the angular position of the rotating shaft (32), and with a receiver (22) for the reception of the signal which changes as a function of the angular position of the rotating shaft (32), in which the receiver (22) and the modulator (34) are positioned in such a way as to be thermally insulated from each other, so that the transfer of heat from the modulator (34) to the receiver (22) is impeded, while thermal insulation is achieved at least in part by a thermally insulating separator (35), which is positioned between the modulator (34), on the one hand, and the transmitter (21) and/or the receiver (22), on the other hand.The invention further relates to a drive system (100) with an angular encoder (110) of the type described. |
| US09316506B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying vertical terrain information
The advantageous embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for presenting terrain along a route of an aircraft. A display of a vertical profile side view of terrain data along the route of the aircraft on an aircraft display is provided. A number of graphical indicators of a position of terrain are displayed on the display relative to the aircraft along the route. |
| US09316491B2 |
Methods and instruments to measure the volume solids of a paint sample
An instrument for measuring volume solids of a paint sample is described. |
| US09316489B2 |
Laser frame tracer
A laser frame tracer (12) including a laser measuring unit (20) with a laser (36) and one or more cameras (38, 40) for optically measuring dimensions of eyeglass frames (10). A frame carrier (22) is provided for moving the eyeglass frames (10) through a laser line emitted by the laser (36). The frame carrier (22) includes a linear carriage (44) and a rotary carriage (88). Movement of the linear carriage (44) and the rotary carriage (88) are controlled by an on-board computer (116) which collects image data from the one or more cameras (38, 40). Image data is processed to determine a 3D model from which selected dimensions for the eyeglass frames (10) may be measured. The dimensions may be stored in a cloud database for access by others in cutting lenses to fit the eyeglass frames (10). |
| US09316487B2 |
Laser tracking interferometer
A laser tracking interferometer has a carriage provided with a first displacement gauge outputting a displacement signal associated with a relative displacement from a reference sphere; a second retroreflector provided to the carriage; a laser interferometer provided to the carriage and outputting a displacement signal associated with a relative displacement between the first retroreflector and the second retroreflector; and a data processor calculating a displacement of the first retroreflector with reference to the reference sphere based on the displacement signal output from the first displacement gauge and the displacement signal output from the laser interferometer. |
| US09316481B2 |
Sensor for measuring tilt angle based on electronic textile and method thereof
Disclosed are a sensor for measuring a tilt angle based on electronic textile according to the present invention and a method thereof. A sensor for measuring a tilt angle based on electronic textile according to the present invention includes a plurality of textile electrodes disposed at predetermined uniform intervals on a textile surface; a textile conductive wire of which one end is connected to a center between the plurality of textile electrodes; and a metal bead connected to another end of the textile conductive wire to thereby be connected to the textile surface. |
| US09316477B1 |
Digital angle finder
A digital angle finder is disclosed and comprises a hollow housing, having a rectangular cross section; a power supply assembly, insertably arranged at a first end of the hollow housing; a digital display screen assembly, arranged on the hollow housing and electrically connected with the power supply assembly; and an angle checking assembly, movably arranged at a second end of the hollow housing opposite to the first end, the angle checking assembly including a contacting surface, an elastic sleeve, and a variable resistor member, the variable resistor member is disposed inside the elastic sleeve, the elastic sleeve is electrically connecting with the digital display screen assembly and the power supply assembly and also movably arranged between the second end of the hollow housing and the contacting surface, and the contacting surface is contacting an angle-checking object. |
| US09316476B2 |
Profile measuring instrument, adjusting method for profile measuring instrument, and profile measuring method
A profile measuring instrument usable to perform a rotary scanning measurement and a linear scanning measurement on a workpiece in the form of a revolution solid, includes: a turntable on which the workpiece is mounted, the turntable being rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis; a rotary scanning measurement unit being adapted to measure a displacement of a surface of the workpiece mounted on the turntable; a linear scanning measurement unit being adapted to measure a profile of the surface of the workpiece mounted on the turntable along a predetermined measurement axis; and an aligning mechanism being adapted to relatively move the linear scanning measurement unit and the turntable in a direction intersecting with the measurement axis. The linear scanning measurement unit and the turntable are adjusted to relative positions at which the measurement axis passes through the rotation axis. |
| US09316470B2 |
Measuring device
A measuring device for measuring and inspecting various linear dimensional properties of a machined groove in a workpiece includes a fixing base, a measuring assembly, and first and second positioning members received through and protruding from the fixing base at right angles during the movement of the measuring assembly. The measuring assembly includes a measuring member, a shim, and an elastic member, the shim sleeves on an end of the measuring member, and the elastic member resists between the shim and the fixing base. The measuring assembly, together with the first positioning member and the second positioning member, enable the required depth and relative position of the machined groove to be accurately determined and inspected. |
| US09316467B2 |
Armored door panel
An armored door panel includes a planar device having a layered arrangement including a protection layer comprised of a ballistic material and an outer surface layer arranged on the outer side of the protection layer. The planar device is affixed to an existing door to prevent ballistic projectile from penetrating the door. |
| US09316461B1 |
Gun sight using LED illumination
A gun sight system including a housing, comprised of a top housing layer and a bottom housing layer. The housing includes a front end and a rear end configured to adhere to the front and rear of the top surface of a gun slide. A central portion of the housing is configured to be perpendicular to the front top and rear top sections. Within the housing is a front and rear circuit board, including at least one battery mount, at least one switch, and a front LED and a rear LED. The housing has a window to allow light from the LED to shine into a window on a front and rear gun sight. A light pipe within each gun sight allows the light to be seen by the gun's user. |
| US09316453B2 |
Last round link feed system
A modified elongate ammunition magazine, the magazine being modified by modifying an elongate, single plane magazine by removing its end cap so as to provide an elongate modified magazine having an upper end for attaching to said magazine well of a firearm, a lower end, and a through passageway therebetween, and a clip leg base attached thereto and also attachable to a high capacity ammunition magazine housing, the clip leg base configured such that when it is attached to said modified magazine to construct a feed clip assembly, and when the clip leg base is also attached to a high capacity magazine, and when the upper end of the modified magazine is installed into a firearm, an ammunition passageway is defined from an ammunition outlet of a high capacity ammunition magazine housing, through the modified magazine, and to a firearm. Also provided is a last linked assembly including a loose or spreadable link. |
| US09316452B2 |
Revolver with two chambers cylinder
Provided is a revolver with a two chambers cylinder, of the type having a low profile and with no protruding parts from the frame. The revolver includes a frame which has a grip at its rear portion, a trigger at its lower portion and a barrel at its front portion. The frame further includes a central opening that defines the cylinder housing. The cylinder has an oblong shape and has two chambers, radially opposite with respect to the rotation axis of the cylinder. The cylinder rotation before firing is obtained by means of the trigger actuation, which causes an upward movement of the cylinder impeller and the consequent rotation of the gear, due to interaction between the pinion and the teeth of the cylinder impeller. The transfer of the rotational movement of the gear to the cylinder is made from a ratchet, which is partially arranged within said cylinder. |
| US09316448B2 |
Vehicle heat exchanger
A vehicle heat exchanger includes a plurality of cup plates that are formed such that a first layered space into which a first heat carrier is introduced and a second layered space into which a second heat carrier is introduced are formed alternately between the plurality of cup plates when the plurality of plates are stacked. Peripheral end portions of the plurality of cup plates are fixed together in a liquid-tight manner. A distance in a stacking direction from a first cup plate that forms the first layered space to a second cup plate that forms the second layered space and a distance in the stacking direction from the second cup plate to the first cup plate are set to different distances, and end portions of outer wall portions of the cup plates are bent back so as to be apart from each other when the cup plates are stacked. |
| US09316441B2 |
Dryer for fuel material
The invention relates to a dryer for drying fuel materials such as wood bark, wood chips, sludge, garbage, peat moss or the like. In a preferred embodiment the dryer comprises a conveyor, consisting of twin endless belts, which carries the material to be dried along a vertical path defined between parallel runs of the endless belts, and ductwork which serves to direct heated air (received from any appropriate source) across the vertical path to remove moisture from the material as it is being conveyed. The ductwork includes at least one feed duct for use in delivering the heated air to one side of the vertical path, and at least one exhaust duct for use in withdrawing moisture-laden air on another side of the vertical path. |
| US09316427B2 |
Direct contact icemaker with chambered air cooling system
A refrigerator includes a direct contact ice making system in conjunction with a circulating liquid coolant. The ice making system includes a coolant loop and an air flow chamber on a portion of the loop. The air flow chamber includes channels formed by offset protrusions, which direct air back and forth over the portion of the cooling loop to cool ambient air within the ice making system. The cooled air is then directed by a fan and supply duct to an ice storage container to prevent ice cubes in the container from melting. Once the air has warmed in the container, it is directed by a return duct to the beginning of the air flow chamber to begin the process over once again, thus creating a recirculation of air within a refrigerator system to cool an ice storage container. |
| US09316426B2 |
Articulated curtains for ice making machines
Articulated water curtains for ice making machines include two portions, an upper portion hingedly connected to the upper portion of the machine, and a lower portion that includes a bottom edge of the two-piece water curtain and that is pivotally-mounted to a lower portion of the machine or to the lower portion of the water curtain. |
| US09316422B2 |
Heat pump, small power station and method of pumping heat
A heat pump includes a first portion for evaporating a working fluid at a first pressure, for compressing the evaporated working fluid to a second, higher pressure, and for liquefying the compressed working fluid within a liquefier, and a second portion for compressing liquid working fluid to a third pressure, which is higher than the second pressure, for evaporating the working fluid compressed to the third pressure, for relaxing the evaporated working fluid to a pressure, which is lower than the third pressure, so as to generate electrical current, and for liquefying relaxed evaporated working fluid within the liquefier. |
| US09316420B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus including a refrigerant circuit having an excess refrigerant recovery pipe connected between an inlet of at least one of heat source side heat exchangers and a first refrigerant flow blocking device or between an outlet of the at least one of the heat source side heat exchangers and a second refrigerant flow blocking device, to a passage connected to a suction side of a compressor, and an excess refrigerant recovery device disposed in the excess refrigerant recovery pipe. |
| US09316417B2 |
Framing system for mounting solar collecting devices
A framing system for mounting solar collection devices to form a solar array can include a plurality of interconnected frame members having connectors provided on the frame members to form rows of an array solar collector devices. Mounts can be provided at the upper portion of the frame members to secure the solar collecting devices at a raised position. The framing system can simplify the installation of the wiring system before the solar collection devices are attached to the frame members. |
| US09316416B2 |
Panel arrangement with clamping clip
A device for fastening panel-shaped mats, in particular flexible photovoltaic solar panels, to a supporting structure, has at least one clamping clip (10) in the shape of a section of a plastic profiled body. The clip has opposing profiled limbs (12, 14) forming a clamping space (18) for a holding region (8) of the mat received in it. In the clamping space, the profiled limbs (12, 14) rest with a resilient clamping force against the upper face and the lower face of the holding region (8). The profiled limb (14), which in the clamped state rests against the lower face of the holding region (8) facing the supporting structure, forms a fixing surface (26) on its outer face provided with a connecting element (30) for attaching to the supporting structure. |
| US09316412B2 |
High capacity water heater
One embodiment includes a high capacity water heater assembly. The assembly includes a vessel with an inlet and an outlet, with water delivered to the vessel through the inlet. Also included is a heating element attached to the vessel for heating the water delivered to the vessel, an active mixing valve in fluid connection with the outlet of the vessel, and a water temperature sensor attached to the vessel to communicate data used for powering on and off the heating element. |
| US09316408B2 |
Energy supply module and method of assembling the same
An energy supply module is configured to provide at least one of electricity and hot water to at least one load coupled thereto. The energy supply module includes a plurality of frame members that define an upper level and a lower level. The energy supply module also includes an engine positioned on the upper level and a generator coupled to the engine and also positioned on the upper level. The generator is configured to generate a supply of electricity for distribution to the at least one load. The energy supply module further includes a hot water heater positioned on the upper level, wherein the hot water heater is configured to provide a supply of hot water to the at least one load. |
| US09316407B2 |
Multiple environmental zone control with integrated battery status communications
An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones. |
| US09316401B1 |
Grill fireplace unit
A unit for grilling or enjoying the aesthetic qualities of a fireplace where the grilling portion of the unit is located above the fireplace portion of the unit, and above the grilling portion is a hood portion for containing heat near the grilling portion. |
| US09316400B2 |
Appliance control method, speech-based appliance control system, and cooking appliance
In a case of receiving, from an audio input device, instruction information including first audio information indicating operation instructions for a cooking appliance when first and second cooking units are executing first and second cooking programs, respectively, operation instructions are recognized from the first audio information. In a case where it is determined that the instruction information includes second audio information related to the first cooking menu information or the second cooking menu information, a control command is transmitted to the cooking appliance to cause the cooking appliance to execute a process corresponding to the operation instructions, without executing a process according to the first cooking program or the second cooking program corresponding to one of the first cooking menu information or the second cooking menu information to which the second audio information is related. |
| US09316397B2 |
System and method for sealing a fuel nozzle
A system including a multi-tube fuel nozzle, including a first plate having a first plurality of openings, a plurality of tubes extending through the first plurality of openings in the first plate, wherein each tube of the plurality of tubes includes an air inlet, a fuel inlet, and a fuel-air mixture outlet, and a resilient metallic seal disposed along the first plate about the plurality of tubes. |
| US09316394B2 |
Heat recovery system
A system for the recovery of heat from gases. A heat recovery system uses a wetted heat transfer surface to recover heat from a bulk gas, such as a flue gas. The system utilizes wetted heat transfer tubes which are sprayed in a manner to minimize the film thickness of the wetting on the heat transfer tubes. To improve efficiency, the contact liquid used to wet the heat transfer tubes is maintained at a temperature between the temperature of the exiting cooled gas and the temperature of the inlet (cool) process fluid to be heated. Such heat recovery system design criteria enhance performance, and thus enable more efficient heat recovery to be practiced, particularly in systems where combustion gases are encountered. |
| US09316390B2 |
Lighting system for drilling rig
A lighting system for a drilling rig including a lighting frame attached to a crown of the drilling rig, wherein the lighting frame includes an adjustable frame portion attached to the crown of the drilling rig and a light bearing frame portion supported by the adjustable frame portion. Also provided is at least one light support post attached to the light bearing frame portion for holding a lighting fixture and at least one lighting fixture attached to each light support post. |
| US09316388B2 |
Device and kit for cooling a light emitting material
A device and kit for cooling a light emitting material are provided. The device comprises: a light emitting material; a cooling plate configured to cool the light emitting material; a window, the light emitting material sandwiched between the window and the cooling plate, the window configured to: transmit excitation light for exciting the light emitting material; transmit emitted light from the light emitting material; and, conduct heat away from the light emitting material to the cooling plate. The kit comprises the window and a holder there for. |
| US09316387B1 |
LED lighting devices with enhanced heat dissipation
LED lights including a metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB) having a rear side and a front side are disclosed. At least one LED may be mounted to the front side of the MCPCB. A transparent window may be mounted and sealed to the front side of the MCPCB to enclose the LED. A portion of the MCPCB may extend from the transparent window so that it can be in heat exchange contact with water when the window of the lighting fixture is submerged in water or other fluids. |
| US09316386B2 |
Semiconductor lamp having two groups of LEDs corresponding to upper and lower sides of a reflector
A semiconductor lamp includes a reflector having a lower side and an upper side, wherein the lower side widens laterally and wherein the lower side and the upper side are separated from one another by an upper rim, and having a first light source group having at least one semiconductor light source and a second light source group having at least one semiconductor light source, wherein the reflector is provided as a cooling body for the first light source group and for the second light source group; wherein at least a part of a light that can be emitted by the first light source group can be reflected by means of the lower side of the reflector at least into a spatial angle range that cannot be directly illuminated by the first light source group. |
| US09316385B2 |
Lighting device and display device
A backlight device (lighting device) (12) according to the present invention includes a chassis (14) having an opened section (14b), optical members (15) disposed to cover the opened section (14b) in the chassis (14), LEDs (light source) (17) disposed outside of the chassis (14), and lens members (light guide members) (20) disposed in such a structure as to penetrate the chassis (14), the lens members guiding the light from the LEDs (17) into the chassis (14). An LED housing chassis (light source housing member) (19) that stores therein the LEDs (17) is attached to the chassis (14). |
| US09316381B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device including the same
A light emitting diode assembly includes: a light emitting diode (LED) printed circuit board (PCB) having a base layer, an insulating layer on the base layer and a circuit pattern layer on the insulating layer, the LED PCB including a plurality of through holes spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) inserted into the plurality of through holes, respectively, from a bottom surface of the LED PCB, each of the plurality of LEDs including a lead contacting the circuit pattern layer. |
| US09316378B2 |
Arrangement for outputting light with punctiform light sources and light deflection element
An arrangement for outputting light is provided, having a plurality of punctiform light sources and a light deflection element with a boundary face and/or a boundary face section, which boundary face or boundary face section is arranged in the beam path of the light of both a first light source and of a second light source. In this context, the boundary face or the boundary face section forms a light input face for the light of the first light source into the light deflection element and at the same time forms a reflective face for the light of the second light source. |
| US09316375B2 |
Vehicle light
A light for a vehicle having a contiguous reflector (3) having a plurality of reflector surface regions (A1, A2, B) and a first light source (1) that is arranged such that the light emission thereof is reflected by a first region (A1, B) of the reflector surface of the reflector (3). The reflector (3) has an opening (5) and there is a second light source that is arranged behind a part (4) of the reflector (3) relative to the light emission direction (L) of the light and the light emission thereof hits a second region (A2) of the reflector surface of the reflector (3) through the opening (5) and is there reflected. |
| US09316374B2 |
Vehicle headlight
A vehicle headlight utilizes a rotationally asymmetric projection lens with its light emitting surface inclined with respect to the optical axis thereof, whereby the light emitted from the light source and projected forward through the light emitting surface of the projection lens is diffused substantially uniformly with respect to the optical axis of the projection lens, for example, uniform substantially in the right and left directions and/or the upper and lower directions. This can be achieved by designing the reflecting surface to have its optical axis inclined with respect to the optical axis of the projection lens by a predetermined angle so that light emitted from the light source and projected forward through the light emitting surface of the projection lens is made uniform with respect to the optical axis of the projection lens (for example, uniform substantially in the right and left directions and/or the upper and lower directions). |
| US09316373B2 |
Vehicular lamp
A light guide includes a first incident portion at an end side thereof near a light source, a stepped portion disposed on a rear surface side thereof in an axial direction and wholly reflects a portion of guided light, and a radiating portion disposed on a front surface side thereof in the axial direction that radiates the wholly reflected light forward. The light guide guides light that is incident through the first incident portion from front to back within the light guide. The stepped portion is a plurality of generally triangular prisms formed continuous in an extension direction, and has, in a cross section that follows an extension axis of the light guide and is parallel to a lamp optical axis, a long first projection surface that extends in the extension direction and a short second projection surface that forms an apex angle with the first projection surface. |
| US09316371B2 |
Monotrack-movable lighting system having a lifting zone for maintenance
The present invention relates to a movable lighting system with lighting devices driven along a monotrack, more specifically, relates to a movable lighting system having a lifting zone where a portion of the monotrack can be moved up and down for maintenance, wherein the movable portion of the monotrack comprises a locking module.In the monotrack-based movable lighting system of the present invention, a lifting track, moving up and down, is installed in a portion of the track; as a result, it is easy to repair and maintain the lighting devices and it is possible to accomplish safe maintenance with the help of the locking modules preventing the moving carrier from derailing when the lifting track moves up and down. |
| US09316369B2 |
Luminous panel and building wall
A luminous panel includes at least two juxtaposed OLED devices that form a front face of the luminous panel and define two light-emitting zones separated by an intermediate zone, and a luminous joint forming mechanism that ensures, when the two OLED devices are in an on state, visual continuity between the intermediate zone and the two emitting zones, the luminous joint forming mechanism being located at a back of or flush with the front face of the panel. |
| US09316366B2 |
Flashlight with USB charger
A flashlight is provided. The flashlight includes a frame defined by a rail that extends around a central opening predominantly within a single plane, a mounting loop extending outboard of the frame on a first end, a planar circuit board disposed within the central opening. The plane of the circuit board coincident with the plane of the frame, an LED light disposed on the circuit board, where a light emitting end of the LED light extending through the frame on a second end of the frame opposite the first end. A rechargeable battery is disposed on the circuit board, a switch is provided that couples the battery to the LED light. An actuator of the switch extends through the frame between the first and second ends, a USB connector is disposed on the circuit board, the USB connector extends through the frame between the first and second ends and a battery charger is disposed on the circuit board that charges the battery via energy received through the USB connector. |
| US09316362B2 |
LED lighting apparatus formed by a printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes and methods of using same
An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes generally includes a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary apparatus may include a plurality of diodes; at least a trace amount of a first solvent; and a polymeric or resin film at least partially surrounding each diode of the plurality of diodes. Various exemplary diodes have a lateral dimension between about 10 to 50 microns and about 5 to 25 microns in height. Other embodiments may also include a plurality of substantially chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns. |
| US09316359B2 |
Tank and manufacturing method thereof
There are disclosed a tank having a structure which achieves both a burst strength and a fatigue strength, and a manufacturing method of the tank. In order to realize this, in a tank comprising a liner, and an FRP layer including a hoop layer and a helical layer formed by winding fibers around the outer periphery of the liner, at least an innermost helical layer is formed as a smooth helical layer. When the smooth helical layer, i.e., a helical layer which does not have any unevenness or which has only little unevenness is formed, the unevenness can be prevented from being transferred to the hoop layer adjacent to the helical layer. When structural bends (undulations) of the fibers of the hoop layer are suppressed, a fatigue strength of the fibers themselves can be enhanced. |
| US09316357B2 |
Pressure vessel
There is provided a pressure vessel. The pressure vessel may include a nozzle-boss comprising a neck part including a hollow portion and a flange part extended outward from the neck part, a liner coupled with the nozzle-boss to provide a space filled with a fluid therein, and a sealing part inserted into a lower end of the neck part to prevent a spillage of the fluid via a boundary between the nozzle-boss and the liner by preventing a direct contact between the fluid and the boundary. |
| US09316347B2 |
Rearview assembly with interchangeable rearward viewing device
A rearview assembly kit for a vehicle having a housing. A connecting interface is disposed on a forward edge of the housing that is configured to removably connect the housing to any one of a rearview device having a peripheral edge with a bezel, or a rearview device having a peripheral edge that is at least partially ground away. A rearview device includes an outer ring proximate a peripheral edge thereof. |
| US09316345B2 |
Double ball joint locking device
A double ball joint locking device has a first ball socket mounted to a first telescopic member. The first ball socket has a first ball. A second ball socket is mounted to a second telescopic member. The second ball socket has a second ball. The first telescopic member has a telescopic connection with the second telescopic member such that the length of the double ball joint locking device is adjustable. A first ball locking rod is threadedly mounted to a first ball socket base at a first threaded mounting. A second ball locking rod is threadedly mounted to a second ball socket base, at a second threaded mounting. The second threaded mounting has an opposite handed orientation to the first threaded mounting. A first ball locking rod to second ball locking rod connection glidingly connects the first ball locking rod to the second ball locking rod. |
| US09316344B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for supporting electronic devices
An electronic device holder has a movable stand and is configured to be removably connected to one or more different mounting apparatuses that are connected to corresponding objects or directly to a plurality of different objects to support the electronic device holder and thus an electronic device held or supported by the electronic device holder. The movable stand has one or more elastic or stretchable strips that can be stretched or expanded to hold or support the electronic device holder and thus the electronic device. |
| US09316338B2 |
Front and rear condensate draining hoses for work vehicle
A working vehicle includes: a cabin; an air conditioning unit disposed at a rear upper portion of the cabin; and drain hoses connected to a drain portion of the air conditioning unit, water drained from the drain portion flowing through the drain hoses, wherein the drain hoses are respectively disposed at both left and right sides of the air conditioning unit in front and rear direction, and both front and rear portions of the drain hoses are provided with drain hose outlets from which the water flowing through the drain hoses is drained. |
| US09316337B2 |
Cover for pipe connection
A shroud for a pipe connection includes first and second clamshell halves, a flexible hinge between the first and second halves, a snap connection connecting the first and second halves and a drip tube extending from one of the first and second halves. A pipe connection including the shroud is also disclosed. |
| US09316335B2 |
Claw clamp
A claw clamp has a first half and a second half with a claw formed at one end of each half. Substantially opposite the claw end of the first half a first hole having a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion is formed. Between the first hole and the claw a second hole is formed. A first rod having threads on one end and an enlarged end opposite the threads passes through the first hole and retains a spring inside the first half. A second rod having threads on one end and a knob or hex head opposite the threads passes through the second hole. The threads engage corresponding threads cut into the bottom half. The spring biases the two halves together while the knob or hex head allows the clamp to be tightened. |
| US09316328B2 |
Valve actuator device, in particular for a heating or cooling system valve
A valve actuator device (1) for a heating or cooling system valve (2) includes a motor (10) and control means (11), said motor (10) driving actuating means (8) provided for actuating a valve element (6), said control means (11) comprising presetting means (14) for performing a presetting function. The operation possibilities of such a valve actuator device should be increased. To this end, said control means comprise flushing means for performing a flush function, said flush function overriding said presetting function. |
| US09316327B1 |
Refrigerant control valves
A refrigerant valve has a body with a through bore. Multiple tubes have openings aligned in a ring around a middle of the bore. The tubes lead to larger channels in the body. A needle assembly inserted through an end of the bore reciprocates a needle with a stepper motor and speed reducer to precisely control sizes of the openings. Further advancing the needle shaft after closing the openings to the tubes, engages and slides a bypass sleeve against a return spring force to open a bypass in a side of the valve body. A connector connects the bypass in a first end of the bore to outward opening holes of the channels. |
| US09316324B2 |
Shear valve with silicon carbide member
A shear valve, for use in a high performance liquid chromatography system, comprises a first shear valve member and a second shear valve member. At least one of the first and second shear valve members is adapted to be moved with respect to the other. One of the first and second shear valve members comprises a plurality of ports, and the other comprises at least one fluid path for fluidly coupling respective ones of the ports in dependency on a relative movement position of the first and second shear valve members with respect to each other. The first shear valve member is at least partially coated with or comprised of silicon carbide. |
| US09316320B2 |
Oil deflector
An oil deflector includes: a ring support disposed to surround the outer periphery of a shaft and having a front surface support portion formed on the air side of the front portion thereof and a rear surface support portion formed on the bearing side of the rear portion thereof; a plurality of teeth mounted along the inner peripheries of the front surface support portion and the rear surface support portion of the ring support, respectively; and movable teeth mounted on the front outermost side (on the air side) of the teeth disposed along the inner periphery of the front surface support portion and on the rear outermost side (on the bearing side) of the teeth disposed along the inner periphery of the rear surface support portion, respectively. |
| US09316319B2 |
Pressure-balanced floating seal housing assembly and method
A dynamic sealing mechanism for a machine assembly that includes a seal housing of generally cylindrical form having opposed ends, the seal housing axially positioned between a pressure housing and a retaining member and laterally translatable relative to the pressure housing. The dynamic sealing mechanism includes a shaft located at least partially within the seal housing, the shaft having a sealing surface of generally cylindrical form, relatively movable with respect to the seal housing, and having at least one radial bearing positioned radially by the shaft and locating the radial position of the seal housing. At least three fluid pressure-generated forces act axially on the seal housing to produce a net fluid pressure-generated axial force that is negligible. |
| US09316316B2 |
Segmented seal
Provided is a segmented seal that is capable of suppressing the progress of wear in a key groove and thereby attains improvement in the durability of a seal ring. The segmented seal includes a key groove (15), as seen in an axial direction, has a groove body portion (15a) extending in a radial direction and a pair of clearance groove portions (15b, 15c) expanding to both sides of the groove body portion (15a) so as to be away from a key (50) on the inner peripheral surface side, and among the pair of clearance groove portions (15b, 15c), the clearance groove portion (15c) on an upstream side in a rotating direction ® of the rotating shaft (200) is configured to expand to an outer peripheral surface side beyond a tip end (50a) on an inner peripheral surface side of the key (50). |
| US09316314B2 |
Sealing arrangement and pump having a sealing arrangement
A sealing arrangement for placement between two components which have a planar contact surface, in particular two housing parts of a pump. The sealing arrangement has an elongate, flexible sealing element whose end region has a termination element thereon, which can carry out a sealing function. The sealing element and the termination element have an overlap region in the end region of the sealing element and thus form a first continuous sealing edge. The sealing edge is maintained also for a displacement of the end region of the sealing element in the direction of the start region within the overlap region. The termination element moreover has a first curvature. The curvature and the sealing element are configured so that the sealing element contacts the termination element along the curvature in a pressure-free state. |
| US09316313B2 |
High modulus wear resistant gray cast iron for piston ring applications
A piston ring formed of cast iron provides improved machinability and exceptional performance and minimum costs. The cast iron includes 2.2 to 2.9 wt. % carbon, 3.2 to 4.2 wt. % silicon, 0.75 to 1.25 wt. % copper, 1.0 to 1.5 wt. % manganese, 0.09 to 0.15 wt. % sulfur, not greater than 0.2 wt. % phosphorous, and an average carbon equivalent of 3.8. The cast iron preferably includes a matrix of martensite with MnS and carbides dispersed therein. The matrix is also preferably free of ferrite, austenite, and steadite. The cast iron is formed by casting, austenitizing, quenching, and tempering the alloy. |
| US09316312B2 |
Piston ring for an internal combustion engine
A piston ring for sealing a cylinder wall to a piston body is provided. The piston ring includes a ring body that extends about an axis and has inner and outer faces. The inner face presents a pair of ridges that extend in a radially inward direction, and the outer face presents a groove. A spring of an elastomeric material substantially circumferentially surrounds the ring body and is seated in the groove on the inner face. The spring biases the ring body in the radially inward direction to seal the ridges against the piston body. The ring body also has at least one oil drainage port which extends at an angle relative to the radially inward direction from the inner face to a location on the outer face on one axial side of the spring for conveying oil out of a space between the ridges. |
| US09316309B2 |
Change of mind shift control
A method of controlling shifts in a multi-speed transmission includes beginning an initial shift, which changes the transmission from a starting gear to an initial target gear, and executing an adjusted shift, which changes the transmission to an adjusted target gear having higher speed ratio than the initial target gear, when transition conditions are satisfied. The transition conditions include a threshold increase in torque request, which is sufficient to require the transmission to be placed into the adjusted target gear. The transition conditions also include a common controlling clutch, which is partially engaged during the initial shift and the adjusted shift and is an off-going clutch to place the transmission in the adjusted target gear. Executing the adjusted shift does not include placing the transmission in a neutral mode. Furthermore, executing the adjusted shift does not include completing the initial shift. |
| US09316308B2 |
Detection of an exhausting clutch in a neutral idle-equipped transmission
A transmission assembly for a vehicle includes a transmission and a controller. The transmission includes an input member, at least one clutch and gear set, and an output member. The input member receives an input torque from an engine. The output member receives an output torque from the clutch and gear set(s). The clutch and gear set(s) connect to the input member and establish a plurality of operating states including a neutral idle (NI) state. A designated NI clutch is selectively actuated to enter the NI state when the transmission is in a drive state and the vehicle is stationary. The controller calculates a reference slip error as a function of engine and turbine speed, and detects when the designated NI clutch is exhausting fluid while operating in the NI state using a function of the reference slip error. A control action executes when the exhausting NI clutch is detected. |
| US09316306B2 |
Shifting device for vehicle
In a shifting device for a vehicle, inner walls of a guide groove of a main body which are opposed to each other with a guide protrusion interposed therebetween are parallel to each other. The guide protrusion is formed with a width dimension that is reduced from a given position toward a proximal end thereof, so that an angle formed between a line that is parallel to a center axis of the guide protrusion and is extended from the given position toward the proximal end of the guide protrusion as an extension of a line on a side face of a distal end portion of the guide protrusion, and a line on a side face of the proximal end portion of the guide protrusion extending from the given position, becomes equal to a given angle. Thus, the side face of the proximal end portion of the guide protrusion is prevented from strongly contacting with the inner wall of the guide groove which is opposed to the side face, and stress is prevented from being concentrated in the guide protrusion. |
| US09316305B2 |
Shift selector
A shift system for a vehicle is provided that includes a shift component that facilitates shifting between gears of a transmission of the vehicle and a shift indicating component that displays a position of the shift component. The shift indicating component includes a transparent cover that facilitates a three-dimensional effect and illuminating sources that illuminate below the transparent cover adjacent to a gear indicating mark corresponding to a position of the shift component. The transparent cover provides a minor like reflection for the illuminating sources thereby providing the three-dimensional effect. |
| US09316303B2 |
Planet roller speed changer
A first radial bearing and a second radial bearing are respectively disposed in two rows between the outer periphery of a pin and the inner periphery of a corresponding planet roller so as to face each other in the thrust direction. A first inner ring of the first radial bearing is fitted onto a first region of the pin by interference fit. A second inner ring of the second radial bearing is fitted onto a second region of the pin by clearance fit. The second region is closer to a carrier main body than the first region is. An elastic member is interposed between the second radial bearing and the carrier main body. The elastic member elastically presses the second inner ring in a first thrust direction. |
| US09316302B2 |
Jockey wheel for a rear derailleur in a bicycle gear system and rear derailleur with such a jockey wheel
The invention relates to a guide wheel for a rear derailleur in a bicycle gear system for guiding a chain, including an annular wheel body with a central opening for rotatable bearing about a rotational axis of the guide wheel. The guide wheel includes a plurality of radially projecting teeth that are arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the wheel body. A tooth gap is arranged between each adjacent pair of teeth, individual teeth in the area of a root circle of the gear teeth having a predetermined tooth width matched to the chain. For improving the guiding properties, it is provided that the guide wheel has on at least some of the tooth gaps in the area near a tooth gap base and/or on at least some of the teeth at least one guide segment with a greater width than the tooth width of at least one of the adjacent teeth. |
| US09316292B2 |
Mechanical tensioner strut with uni-directional friction damping
A strut including a housing, a plunger within a space in the housing and including a tapered outer circumferential surface, a primary spring engaged with the housing, a wedge element within the space and including a tapered inner circumferential surface engageable with the outer circumferential surface, and a secondary spring engaged with the wedge element and the plunger to urge the plunger in an axial direction. The primary spring urges the plunger in the axial direction with a first force. In a fully extended mode, the plunger is maximally displaced in the axial direction. In a contracted mode, the plunger is displaced in an opposite axial direction in response to application of a second force, sufficiently greater than the first force, on the plunger in the opposite axial direction. When the second force is sufficiently decreased, the plunger displaces with respect to the housing in the axial direction. |
| US09316282B1 |
Energy absorbing apparatuses, systems and methods of making and using the same
The present invention relates to an energy absorbing apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a first disk and a second disk atop the first disk, and a plurality of collapsible arms around the perimeter of the disks connecting the first disk and the second disk, and an elastic material disposed between at least two of the collapsible arms, wherein collapsing of the arms causes the elastic material to stretch, storing kinetic energy from the vertical direction as potential energy in the horizontal direction, wherein release of the potential energy from the elastic material causes the arms to return to an uncollapsed state. Systems utilizing the energy absorbing apparatus, methods of making and methods of using the same are further provided. |
| US09316281B2 |
Refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit
The present invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit having at least one coolant circuit which has at least one condenser which is connected to at least one damping element which damps vibrations of the condenser and which is arranged between the condenser and at least one part of the unit, wherein the damping element consists of or comprises in part or in full a foamed and/or expanded material, preferably foam, in particular PP or PE, and/or an expanded polymer material, and in particular expanded polypropylene (EPP). |
| US09316276B2 |
Thermally compensating cast-in-place torsion joint with improved axial stiffness
A number of variations may include a brake disc may include a hub portion and a cheek portion. The hub portion may include a receiving flange for mechanically engaging the cheek portion. The cheek portion may include an upper cheek and a lower cheek connected and separated by a web, and an inner flange extending radially inward from the upper cheek to mechanically engage and communicate with the receiving flange of the hub portion such that the hub portion and the cheek portion form a single brake disc. The inner flange may include a at least one spline tooth circumferentially arranged around the inner flange and constructed and arranged to facilitate the mechanical engagement of the receiving flange and the inner flange. |
| US09316274B2 |
Method for operating a powertrain in a motor vehicle
A method is provided for operating a powertrain in a motor vehicle, the powertrain having an internal combustion engine and components for coupling the internal combustion engine to the drive wheels of the motor vehicle in a controllable manner. The internal combustion engine is decoupled from the drive wheels if specified operating conditions are present while the motor vehicle is traveling in order to allow the vehicle to coast. Further, a rotational engine speed is set to a specified target idle speed. The target idle speed is specified in a variable manner depending on the situation. |
| US09316268B2 |
Clutch switching device for electric rolling door
A clutch switching device for electric rolling doors contains: a housing, a rotating plate, and a shifting bar. The rotating plate is provided in the housing for connecting with the clutch pulling cord. The shifting bar is coupled with the rotating plate and is pulled to drive the rotating plate to move toward a manual mode position or an automatic mode position. The rotating plate has a wrenching portion for matching with a wrench tool so as to wrench the rotating plate. The housing includes a movable fixing element, the rotating plate has a first positioning aperture and a second positioning aperture, such that when the rotating plate is located at a manual mode position, the first positioning aperture aligns and retains with the movable fixing element; when the rotating plate is located at the automatic mode position, the second positioning aperture aligns and retains with the movable fixing element. |
| US09316267B2 |
Universal joint assembly
A universal joint member for transmitting torque between two shafts of a drive mechanism includes a first pivot axis for pivoting connection to a first shaft of the drive mechanism, wherein the first pivot axis extends substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the first shaft; and a second pivot axis for pivoting connection to a second shaft of the drive mechanism, the second pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis and substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the second shaft. A cavity extends through the universal joint member for receiving a pivot pin along the second pivot axis, wherein the pivot pin is configured to connect the universal joint member to the second shaft. A universal joint assembly for a drive mechanism includes a first rotatable shaft, a second rotatable shaft, and a universal joint member for transmitting torque between the first and second shafts. |
| US09316262B2 |
Linear brake operated by means of external energy
The invention relates to a linear brake (LBR) for attachment on a slide that can be moved along a guide rail (F), having a brake housing (1), which at least partially surrounds the guide rail (F), a force store arranged on or in the brake housing (1) and a brake piston (3), which is loaded by the force store, surrounds the guide rail (F) in a fork-like manner and is moved by the force store against the guide rail transversely to the movement direction between the slide and the guide rail (F). The brake piston presses the two clamp jaws (7), which are connected with a U-shaped transfer plate (6), against the guide rail (F) by means of piston bevels (3.2) and wedge bevels (5.1), which are arranged on both sides of the guide rail (F) and are opposite each other. The brake piston (3) is configured as a cylindrical annular piston, which is loaded on one end face by the force store (2) arranged centrally in the annular piston and has on the other end face the piston ends (3.6) with the bevel faces (3.2). A piston space (3.5) is formed in an annular manner and on the radial outer side of the cylindrical annular piston (3) in the region of the join (1.4) between the annular piston and the housing body (1.1), wherein a piston ring (8) connected radially on the outside to the annular piston delimits the piston space (3.5) at the end face. |
| US09316257B2 |
Spherical bearing with sealing member member
A sealed spherical bearing includes a ball disposed in a race, an annular seal extending between the race and the ball, and a retainer secured to the seal. A retainer first leg axially outward facing surface is secured to a seal first leg axially inward facing surface, and a retainer second leg radially inward facing surface is secured to a seal first leg radially outward facing surface. The retainer and the seal are separately formed elements. The retainer and the seal secured thereto is press-fit into a first annular groove of the race such that a first groove radially inward facing surface engages a retainer second leg radially outward facing surface, a first groove axially outward facing surface engages a retainer first leg axially inward facing surface, and the retainer is fixed relative to the race. |
| US09316252B2 |
Method and a system for establishing and executing correct automatic relubrication for a number of bearings
A method and a system for establishing and executing correct automatic relubrication for a number of bearings incorporated in a grease lubrication system. The system determines initial values for the relubrication interval tf and/or lubricant volume utilizing data collected from the different bearing assemblies during operation. The data includes bearing load, bearing temperature and bearing rotational speed. A processor calculates a correct lubricant volume and a value for current lubrication interval tf by comparing an initial value with a current value. The calculated correct lubricant volume and current lubrication interval tf are supplying to an automatic lubricating apparatus, which functions in accordance with the determined values. The data collection and calculation procedures are repeated after each application of lubricant to the bearings. |
| US09316251B2 |
Clip-fastened raceway for a variable compression ratio engine
A clip-fastened raceway for a variable compression ratio engine includes: at least one curved segment whose outer surface cooperates with a raceway housed in the transmission member or in the control member of the variable compression ratio engine and whose inner surface is maintained in contact with a curved outer surface housed in the toothed wheel of the engine; at least one clip, housed in at least one of the ends of the curved segment and fastened to one or the other of the ends of the curved outer surface housed in the toothed wheel and hooking onto a hook or protrusion which the wheel includes in the vicinity of the end of its curved outer surface, the hook or protrusion being complementary to that of the clip so as to be able to cooperate with the latter. |
| US09316250B2 |
Ball joint with improved upper bearing and method of construction thereof
The ball joint includes a housing and a stud with a spherical bearing surface disposed in the housing. The bearing has a concave spherical bearing surface which is brought into sliding abutment with the spherical bearing surface of the stud. The bearing is of a monolithic piece of fiber-reinforced polyamide material and includes carbon fibers which extend circumferentially about the concave spherical bearing surface. |
| US09316247B2 |
Feed mechanism for swagable lockbolt collars
An air-driven feeder tool is provided for presenting swagable collars one at a time for placement on the shanks of lockbolts and thereby made ready for the application of a swaging tool. The swaging tool breaks off a pintail from the lockbolt and a vacuum system draws the broken-off pintails through a vacuum device and into a receptacle for safe disposal. The feeder mechanism comprises a magazine holding a supply f side-by-side collars, a presentation piece holding a short working collars and a worker-actuable trigger mechanism between the two queues for transferring collars, one at a time, from the magazine to the presentation queue. Two embodiments of the feeder tool are disclosed, each with a unique trigger position. |
| US09316244B2 |
Fiber reinforced plastic bolt and method for producing the same
A fiber reinforced plastic bolt (FRP) and a method for producing the same are disclosed. The FRP bolt is useful in the industrial areas which require a bolt having electric-insulation, anti-corrosive, thermal-insulation, and non-magnetic properties. The method for producing the FRP bolt includes the steps of: winding a prepreg around a surface of an internal body, wherein the internal body includes a first reinforcing fiber which is unidirectionally aligned along the axis of the bolt, and a synthetic resin which is impregnated into the first reinforcing fiber, and the prepreg includes a second reinforcing fiber and a thermosetting resin which is impregnated into the second reinforcing fiber; forming a fiber reinforced plastic round bar by heat-hardening the prepreg; and forming a screw thread on the surface of the fiber reinforced plastic round bar. |
| US09316243B2 |
Method for forming a joint in a stack of light metal alloy sheets
A self-piercing rivet (10) for forming joints in stacked sheets of high or low strength, light alloy metals such as aluminum and magnesium. The rivet (10) comprises a head (11) and a substantially cylindrical shank (12) that is at least partially hollow so as to define a bore (13) that extends along at least part of its length. The outside diameter (D1) of the shank (12) is at least 6 mm, the effective length of the rivet is at least 1.3 times the diameter of the shank and the bore (13) has a volume that is at least 38% of the effective solid volume of the rivet (10). The rivet geometry is such that it has enhanced column strength to withstand the high insertion forces required and a high bore volume to accommodate displaced sheet material. |
| US09316242B2 |
Fixture for fastening
A fixture for fastening an attaching member to a mounting member includes a pin and a bushing, the bushing including a flange and a leg part. The leg part defines shaft-part receiving openings for receiving shaft parts of the pin, the shaft-part receiving openings being enclosed by an outer wall having a rectangular cross section. A pair of opposing elastic engagement claws are disposed at one pair of opposing outer wall portions of the outer wall. A leg center column is disposed between the shaft-part receiving openings. The leg center column connects the one pair of opposing outer wall portions with another pair of outer wall portions that are perpendicular to the one pair of outer wall portions. |
| US09316237B1 |
Proportional servo hydraulic control valve
A multi-port servo valve includes a valve plug within a valve body bore, where the plug has multiple holes radially positioned at different axial positions, and the bore has multiple ports, where the valve plug may be controlled to (i) align a first set of plug holes with a first set of bore ports to a first open position, (ii) align a second set of plug holes with a second set of bore ports to a second open position, and (iii) preclude alignment of the plug holes with the bore ports to a valve closed position. The system also includes a servo motor configured to control the position of the valve plug within the bore, and a programmable controller in electrical communication with the servo motor and a sensor associated with the hydraulic cylinder for automated operation. |
| US09316235B2 |
Pressurized liquid lifting device and liquid lifting method
A liquid lifting device includes: a liquid lifting tank storing liquid; an air pump pressurizing the interior of the liquid lifting tank; a liquid lifting pipe connecting the liquid lifting pipe to the liquid lifting tank having a liquid delivery port in the other end that stands upright; an air supply pipe in which one end portion of the air supply pipe connected to a branching section provided at a position halfway in the liquid lifting pipe and an upright section provided in the other end portion thereof; an air valve that is provided on the other end portion of the air supply pipe; and a liquid storage section that is formed in part of the liquid lifting pipe at a position between the liquid delivery port and the branching section and that is positioned below the branching section. |
| US09316234B2 |
Rotor disk for a turbo machine
A rotor wheel for a turbomachine, particularly a radial turbomachine, having a rotor wheel face and a shrink collar adjoining the rotor wheel face for shrinking onto a rotor of the turbomachine and a circumferential groove between the rotor wheel face and the shrink collar. |
| US09316233B2 |
Propeller fan and manufacturing method thereof
A propeller fan molded by injection molding using a resin material containing a continuous fiber, includes a hub having an end surface wall and a peripheral wall; and a plurality of blades on an outer periphery of the hub, the propeller fan being molded by providing a plurality of injection positions for injecting the resin material containing the continuous fiber in a part of the end surface wall corresponding to a root portion of one of the blades of the hub. |
| US09316231B2 |
Catcher ring assembly
A catcher ring assembly (170) configured to limit axial movement of a turbomachine shaft assembly (132, 132′) during a failure mode, the catcher ring assembly comprising a catcher ring (172) disposable about and connectable to the shaft assembly, wherein one of the shaft assembly and the catcher ring comprises a protrusion (194, 182) and the other of the shaft assembly and the catcher ring comprises a recess (192, 184), the recess corresponding in shape to the protrusion, wherein the protrusion and recess are circumferentially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly and the protrusion extends in an axial direction. |
| US09316227B2 |
Compressor and oil-cooling system
A compressor may include a shell, a compression mechanism, a crankshaft, a bearing support, and a lubricant sump. The compression mechanism may be disposed in the shell and may compress a working fluid. The crankshaft may be disposed at least partially in the shell and may drivingly engage the compression mechanism. The bearing support may rotatably support the crankshaft. The lubricant sump may retain a volume of lubricant and may be disposed between the bearing support and the compression mechanism. |
| US09316225B2 |
Scroll compressor with thrust sliding surface oiling groove
A scroll compressor includes a compression mechanism including fixed and movable scrolls. The fixed and movable scrolls have end plates and spiral laps. The laps are engaged to form a compression chamber. The end plates are in pressure contact around the compression chamber to form a thrust sliding surface. The thrust sliding surface has an oil groove extending around the compression chamber. High-pressure refrigerating machine oil is supplied to the oil groove. During orbiting of the orbiting scroll, at least in a region serving as a suction space of fluid in an outer peripheral portion of the compression chamber, an outer seal length from an outer peripheral edge of the oil groove in the thrust sliding surface to an outer edge of the movable end plate is smaller than an inner seal length from an inner peripheral edge of the oil groove to a peripheral edge of the compression chamber. |
| US09316223B2 |
Scroll expander with adiabatic layer
Provided is a double rotation type scroll expander, aiming at protecting a bearing that supports drive shaft a drive shaft and the like from the heat of a working medium when a working medium introduction hole is provided in the drive shaft. The working medium introduction hole is drilled into the drive shaft such that the high-temperature, high-pressure working medium is supplied to expansion chambers through the working medium introduction hole. An adiabatic sleeve that forms a part of the working medium introduction hole is attached to the drive shaft in an internal region of roller bearings that support the drive shaft and a driven scroll body rotatably. Heat transfer from the working medium to the roller bearings is suppressed by the adiabatic sleeve, whereby the roller bearings are prevented from deteriorating. |
| US09316221B2 |
Hydraulic pressure supply system of automatic transmission
A hydraulic pressure supply system may include a low-pressure hydraulic pump receiving the oil stored in the oil pan and generating the low hydraulic pressure, a low-pressure regulator valve controlling the low hydraulic pressure of the first low-pressure line, a reducing valve fluid-connected to the low-pressure regulator valve and supplying a hydraulic pressure to the low pressure portion, a high-pressure hydraulic pump increasing the low hydraulic pressure supplied from the low-pressure hydraulic pump, a switch valve disposed between the first low-pressure line and the high-pressure line, and selectively connecting the first low-pressure line and the high-pressure line, a high-pressure regulator valve controlling the increased hydraulic pressure supplied from the high-pressure hydraulic pump and the low hydraulic pressure selectively supplied from the low-pressure hydraulic pump through the switch valve, and supplying the stable high hydraulic pressure to the high pressure portion. |
| US09316216B1 |
Proportioning pump, control systems and applicator apparatus
An absolute proportioning pumping system includes an electric motor assembly powering a first pump at a first flow rate and powering a second pump at a second flow rate. A proportioned fluid output includes a first fluid pumped by the first pump and a second fluid pumped by the second pump. The pumping system provides a desired ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid at the proportioned fluid output, relatively independently of pressure and flow rate at the output. In accord with further embodiments, a pump and motor assembly is mounted to and generally surrounded by a liquid tank. The pump and motor assembly may include a pair of fixed ratio outputs driven from a common motor, or may include a single variable output pump either slaved to a master pump or controlled through a timed bypass valve to control output flow rate. |
| US09316215B2 |
Multiple pump system
A multiple pump system is disclosed. The multiple pump system may include a fluid tank and a multiple pump vessel connected to the fluid tank. The multiple pump vessel may include at least one first pump and at least one second pump located therein. In addition, the at least one first pump may be configured to dispense a fluid from the fluid tank at a first pressure, and the at least one second pump may be configured to dispense the fluid from the fluid tank at a second pressure. The first pressure may be different from the second pressure, such that the at least one first pump may be configured to dispense liquefied natural gas, and the at least one second pump may be configured to dispense compressed natural gas. |
| US09316210B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating useful energy
An apparatus for generating useful energy includes a first chamber containing a draw solution which includes an osmotic agent and a second chamber containing a feed solution. A semi-permeable membrane allows the feed solution to move thereacross by osmosis, from the second chamber to the first chamber, to form a diluted draw solution. Pressurizing means apply a pressure to the diluted draw solution in the first chamber. Energy conversion means convert mechanical energy in the diluted draw solution, which is generated by osmotic movement of the feed solution across the semi-permeable membrane, into useful, electrical energy. The osmotic agent includes particles in the range of 0.5 nm-5 mm and the semi-permeable membrane has pores with diameters that are no larger than the diameter of the particles, thereby improving the amount of power or useful energy generated by the apparatus. There is further provided a corresponding method of generating power or useful energy. |
| US09316209B2 |
Movement inhibiting apparatus for floating offshore wind turbine and floating base used for offshore wind turbine
A movement inhibiting apparatus for a floating offshore wind turbine and a floating base with the apparatus. The movement inhibiting apparatus for the floating offshore wind turbine comprises at least one layer of an annular shake-reducing panel placed horizontally and surrounding the floating base. A plurality of shake-reducing fins is further arranged on the shake-reducing panel. The plurality of shake-reducing fins comprises a first set of shake-reducing fins arranged on one side of the shake-reducing panel and the shake-reducing fins of the first set are spaced apart vertically around the floating base. The movement inhibiting apparatus for the floating offshore wind turbine can effectively inhibit the movement of the floating wind turbine and is of low cost. |
| US09316206B2 |
Method of and device for determining a common blade frequency of a rotor of a wind turbine, and method of operating a wind turbine
A method of determining a common blade frequency of a rotor of a wind turbine is provided. The method includes measuring a vibration quantity representative of a vibration of a component of the wind turbine, and determining the common blade frequency based the measured vibration quantity. |
| US09316203B2 |
Blade connection for a rotor blade of a wind turbine
A blade connection for a rotor blade of a wind turbine having a plurality of receptacles which extend in the longitudinal direction of the rotor blade and can each receive a longitudinal bolt and are in contact with a component having an inner thread for the longitudinal bolt. The rotor blade is manufactured from two materials, at least in the region of the blade connection, wherein a first material is a composite material, and a second material is a composite material provided with at least one reinforcement layer made of metal and/or ceramic. The receptacles are composed of the first material and the second material is bonded to the first material. |
| US09316199B2 |
Ignition device and structure for mounting same
An ignition device (100) includes a power supply (2) for discharge; an AC power supply (3); an ignition coil (41) for generating a secondary voltage in a secondary coil (41B); an ignition plug (1) connected to the secondary coil (41B); an AC electrode (43) electrically connected to the AC power supply (3); a high-voltage electrode (42) located between the secondary coil (41B) and the ignition plug (1); an insulator (44) located between the two electrodes (42, 43); and a second insulator (47) which covers the ignition coil (41) and a capacitor (49) composed of the two electrodes (42, 43) and an insulator (44). The secondary voltage and AC power are supplied to the ignition plug (1) via the high-voltage electrode (42). Thus, excellent ignition performance can be implemented while the occurrence of misfire is restrained. |
| US09316195B2 |
Systems and methods for optimization and control of internal combustion engine starting
An engine starting system and technique include selecting a target engine speed profile from a plurality of engine speed profiles based on operator inputs and operating parameters of the vehicle. A feedback control strategy is used to substantially conform the engine speed with the target speed profile during starting until a target speed is reached in which fueling is initiated to start the engine. |
| US09316186B2 |
Engine intake with sump having a heat source
A number of variations may include a product including an intake system to provide air to an engine, the intake system including an inlet manifold to provide an air flow pathway to an inlet port; wherein the inlet manifold includes a false floor at least partially defining a plenum, the plenum at least partially separated from a sump, the sump at least partially defined in a lower portion of the inlet manifold; and wherein the sump includes a heat source. |
| US09316182B2 |
Method for diagnosing a tank venting valve
A method for diagnosing a tank venting valve. This includes measuring a first pressure p1 in the induction pipe of an internal combustion engine; activating the tank venting valve so as to open; measuring a second pressure p2 in the induction pipe of the internal combustion engine after the opening activation of the tank venting valve; calculating a control value K by subtracting the first induction pipe pressure p1 from a second induction pipe pressure p2 and adding a correction pressure pK, which is calculated from the leakage air adaptation of an internal combustion engine; and detecting A defect of the tank venting valve, when the control value K falls below a threshold value. |
| US09316178B2 |
Internal combustion engine for natural gas compressor operation
This application concerns systems and methods for compressing natural gas with an internal combustion engine. In a representative embodiment, a system for compressing a gas comprises a reciprocating internal combustion engine including at least one piston-cylinder assembly comprising a piston configured to travel in a cylinder and to compress gas in the cylinder in multiple compression stages. The system can further comprise a first pressure tank in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder assembly to receive compressed gas from the piston-cylinder assembly until the first pressure tank reaches a predetermined pressure, and a second pressure tank in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder assembly and the first pressure tank. The second pressure tank can be configured to receive compressed gas from the piston-cylinder assembly until the second pressure tank reaches a predetermined pressure. When the first and second pressure tanks have reached the predetermined pressures, the first pressure tank can be configured to supply gas to the piston-cylinder assembly, and the piston can be configured to compress the gas supplied by the first pressure tank such that the compressed gas flows into the second pressure tank. |
| US09316177B2 |
Saddle-ride type vehicle
A saddle-ride type vehicle is capable of reducing influence of travelling wind on an open end of an air hose, thus preventing fluctuations in the internal pressure of a float chamber of a carburetor. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes a carburetor placed rearward of an engine and an air cleaner placed rearward of the carburetor. An air hose configured to regulate the internal pressure of a float chamber of the carburetor is connected to the carburetor. A recessed portion is provided at a side wall of an air-cleaner case of the air cleaner, the side wall being located along a lateral side of the vehicle. An open end of the air hose is placed at the recessed portion of the air-cleaner case. |
| US09316176B2 |
Carburetor with one piece choke valve and shaft assembly
A carburetor including a one piece choke valve and shaft assembly including a shaft, a detent plate formed on a first end, a lever arm formed on a second end, a pair of opposing collars formed adjacent the detent plate and lever arm, a valve plate centrally positioned on the shaft, and opposing splines formed on the shaft enabling it to be inserted through an assembly slot cut into a shaft bore in the carburetor body. The detent plate includes a partial annular slot encompassing the angular range of travel of the choke valve. First, second and third detent pockets are formed along an outer edge of the slot. A positive positioning pin engages or interacts with the detent plate to positively position the choke valve in first, second or third angular positions corresponding to “close choke”, “half choke” and “open choke.” |
| US09316170B2 |
Controller integrated fuel pump module
A controller integrated fuel pump module for a vehicle, may include a reservoir cup configured to be fixed to an interior of a fuel tank, a fuel pump installed in an interior of the reservoir cup to pump fuel introduced into the interior of the reservoir cup, and a flange for fixing the reservoir cup and the fuel pump to the fuel tank, wherein a receiving part may be formed to an outer surface of the flange and may include an inner space, and wherein a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly configured to mount devices of a controller to a PCB may be molded in the receiving part, in a state in which the PCB assembly may be received in the receiving part, and a molding portion surrounds the PCB assembly in the receiving part. |
| US09316166B2 |
System and method for controlling an operating frequency of a purge valve to improve fuel distribution to cylinders of an engine
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine speed module and a valve control module. The engine speed module determines a speed of an engine based on a position of a crankshaft. The valve control module selectively adjusts an operating frequency of a purge valve based on the engine speed. |
| US09316165B2 |
Method for exhaust gas recirculation rate control
Various methods for controlling EGR rate are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for controlling EGR rate in an engine comprises routing exhaust from a first cylinder group to an intake coupled to the engine, and not to atmosphere, routing exhaust from a second cylinder group to atmosphere, and, during a first engine operating condition, injecting fuel to each cylinder in the first cylinder group while injecting fuel to a subset of cylinders of the second cylinder group. |
| US09316164B2 |
Microcontroller for pollution control system for an internal combustion engine
A pollution control system for an internal combustion engine includes a microcontroller and a power supply, a plurality of sensors configured to measure operating parameters of the engine, and a PCV valve responsive to a control signal from the microcontroller and configured to regulate a flow rate of blow-by gasses in the engine. The microcontroller includes programmable flash memory connected to a control processor, a power supply input, a sensor input configured to receive data from an engine sensor, and a signal output configured to transmit a signal from the control processor so as to control operation of a PCV valve regulating a flow rate of blow-by gasses in the engine. |
| US09316163B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
An object of the present invention is to enable a requested efficiency by cylinder group that is requested from a viewpoint of exhaust gas performance to be realized precisely when an internal combustion engine having a single throttle shared by a plurality of cylinder groups, and having an exhaust gas purifying catalyst for each of the cylinder groups is operated at a different air-fuel ratio at each of the cylinder groups. To this end, a control device for the internal combustion engine provided by the present invention calculates an efficiency ratio of a representative efficiency determined based on the requested efficiency by cylinder group and a requested efficiency by cylinder group, and calculates a requested torque by cylinder group by dividing a requested torque by the efficiency ratio for each of the cylinder groups. The control device controls an opening of the throttle in accordance with the requested torque, the representative efficiency based on the requested efficiency by cylinder group, and a target air amount calculated from a representative air-fuel ratio based on a target air-fuel ratio by cylinder group, and controls ignition timing for each of the cylinder groups, in accordance with a target efficiency by cylinder group that is calculated as a ratio of the requested torque by cylinder group and an estimated potential torque. |
| US09316162B2 |
Method of controlling a fuel supply system of an engine of a motor vehicle
A method of controlling a fuel supply system of an engine 10 of a motor vehicle 50 is disclosed in which an engine driven variable output high pressure fuel pump is operated at a high demand level to charge a high pressure fuel accumulator with fuel during a shutdown of the engine and, during a subsequent start-up of the engine, use fuel from the accumulator while operating the high pressure fuel pump at a low demand level. This reduces the fuel consumption of the engine by using kinetic energy from the slowing engine to drive the high pressure fuel pump and increases the deceleration of the engine. |
| US09316160B2 |
Method for operating a thermal power plant
The invention relates to a method for operating a thermal power plant, which includes a gas turbine and a generator driven directly by the gas turbine by means of a shaft and being connected to an electrical grid having a grid frequency (FG) via an electronic decoupling apparatus and a step-up transformer. A synthetic inertia response is achieved by said method includes the steps of: sensing said grid frequency (FG); detecting if in case of an excursion of said grid frequency (FG) additional inertial power is required or not; if inertial power is required, calculating the magnitude and duration of the additional inertial power; and releasing additional inertial power to said electrical grid in accordance with said calculations via said electronic decoupling apparatus. |
| US09316158B2 |
Power take-off gearbox on a turbomachine, consisting of an assembled housing
This gearbox to be assembled to a turbomachine portion and driven by a power take-off radial shaft thereof, includes several branches, the essential advantage of which is to allow a great amount of pieces of equipment to be driven to be accommodated, without implying a significant overall size in any dimension, since the gearbox remains close to the turbomachine and the pieces of equipment can be distributed on a large surface area. The housing (5) is divided into portions (27, 28) assembled to each other at the bends, in order to reduce its manufacturing cost. |
| US09316157B2 |
Fuel system for starting an APU using a hybrid pump arrangement
A fuel system for an auxiliary power unit includes a mechanical fuel pump, an electric fuel pump, and a controller. The mechanical fuel pump provides fuel flow to the auxiliary power unit and has an output dependent upon an operational speed of the auxiliary power unit. The electric fuel pump provides fuel flow to the auxiliary power unit, and is located in flow series with the mechanical fuel pump. The controller causes the electric fuel pump to provide fuel flow during starting of the auxiliary power unit. |
| US09316155B2 |
System for providing fuel to a combustor
A system for providing fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular fuel distribution manifold that at least partially defines a fuel plenum. The fuel distribution manifold includes a forward end axially separated from an aft end, a flange that extends radially outward and circumferentially around the forward end and an annular support ring that extends downstream from the flange. A LLI assembly extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold. The LLI assembly includes a unibody liner that at least partially defines a primary combustion zone and a secondary combustion zone within the combustor. A LLI injector extends substantially radially through the unibody liner and provides for fluid communication through the unibody liner into the secondary combustion zone. A fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fuel plenum extends between the LLI injector and the fuel distribution manifold. |
| US09316153B2 |
Purge and cooling air for an exhaust section of a gas turbine assembly
A turbine exhaust casing having an outer casing, an inner casing, an annular exhaust gas path defined between outer and inner flow path walls, and a turbine exhaust casing cavity located radially outward and radially inward from the gas path. A plurality of structural struts support the inner casing to the outer casing, and a fairing surrounds each of the struts in an area extending between the outer and inner flow path walls. A first purge air path extends through at least one of the struts for conducting purge cooling air radially inward to the inner casing, and a second purge air path extends through the strut for further conducting the purge cooling air radially outward to provide a flow of purge air to a location of the exhaust casing cavity radially outward from the outer flow path wall. |
| US09316149B2 |
Method and control unit for operating a drive train of a hybrid vehicle
A method of operating a drive-train of a hybrid vehicle which comprises at least a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, an automatic or automated change-speed transmission connected between the hybrid drive and a drive output, and a clutch connected between the internal combustion engine and the electric machine. When starting the internal combustion engine from a purely electric driving mode, the clutch is initially disengaged. To start the internal combustion engine, the clutch is at least partially engaged and the internal combustion engine is drag-started by the electric machine, and, in parallel with starting the internal combustion engine, a downshift in the transmission is initiated once a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine reaches or exceeds an applicable threshold value. |
| US09316142B2 |
Spark ignition engine
A spark ignition engine capable of fixing an ignition coil case even in a small engine includes an intake manifold 9 attached to a cylinder head 1, a coil case attachment stay 10 attached to the intake manifold 9, a cylinder portion through hole 12 formed on a board 11 of the coil case attachment stay 10, and a coil case attaching portion 13 provided in an upper part of the board 11. A flexible cylinder portion is caused to penetrate through a cylinder portion through hole, a tongue piece 15 is caused to protrude from a coil case peripheral wall 14 of an ignition coil case 7. The tongue piece 15 is mounted on the coil case attaching portion 13 and the coil case peripheral wall 14 is caused to abut on an edge portion 16 of the coil case attaching portion 13. |
| US09316141B2 |
Engine energy management system
An apparatus, comprising an engine, and an energy-management system configured to recirculate, at least in part, carbon dioxide relative to the engine in such a way that the carbon dioxide exchanges, at least in part, energy relative to the engine once the carbon dioxide is made to recirculate, at least in part, along the energy-management system. |
| US09316140B2 |
Cooling module
A cooling module, composed of at least one first and one second heat exchanger, are connected in a common frame or directly to one another, it being possible for cooling air to flow through both heat exchangers. The second heat exchanger has a greater structural depth than the first heat exchanger in the flow direction of the cooling air. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger have a catalytic coating and the second heat exchanger is composed of at least one first and one second partial heat exchanger which are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of the cooling air and which are operatively connected to one another. By means of the configuration according to the invention, the largest possible catalytically active coating surface area is attained. |
| US09316138B2 |
Saddle type vehicle
A secondary air supply system is arranged efficiently and compactly, in a V-type engine including a front-side cylinder and a rear-side cylinder. A motorcycle has a secondary air supply system which is provided between an air cleaner and an exhaust passage of an engine. The secondary air is supplied from the air cleaner into the exhaust passage of the engine. The secondary air supply system has a reed valve in a position for being exposed to the exhaust passage. The reed valve includes a front-side reed valve used for a front-side cylinder and a rear-side reed valve used for a rear-side cylinder. The front-side reed valve is disposed at a front portion of the air cleaner, with the longitudinal direction of the front-side reed valve set along the height direction. |
| US09316137B2 |
Method of operating a diesel engine system having LNT and SCR aftertreatment devices
A method of operating a diesel engine 10 having LNT 11 and SCR 13 aftertreatment devices arranged in series to receive exhaust gas from the engine is disclosed in which the engine is operated in a rich early injection mode to generate ammonia in the LNT for storage in the SCR located downstream from the LNT. This reduces the amount of soot produced permitting longer operation of the engine in rich early injection mode and further may reduce the use of PGM material in the LNT and increase the amount of ammonia for use in the SCR. |
| US09316131B2 |
Crankcase integrity breach detection
Methods and systems are provided for using a crankcase vent tube pressure or flow sensor for diagnosing a location and nature of crankcase system integrity breach. The same sensor can also be used for diagnosing air filter plugging and PCV valve degradation. Use of an existing sensor to diagnose multiple engine components provides cost reduction and sensor compaction benefits. |
| US09316130B1 |
High efficiency steam engine, steam expander and improved valves therefor
An engine having a Rankine cycle steam expander includes an engine cylinder, a cylinder head and a piston in which clearance is zero together with a negligible amount of compression, such that pressure in the clearance volume is as low as to approximate ambient pressure or condenser pressure existing at the end of a return stroke when the clearance is zero. These provisions for clearance and compression working together simultaneously provide a thermal efficiency which substantially exceeds all prior known Rankine operating cycles and is referred to as “zero clearance with zero compression”. The steam admission valve is raised slightly by the piston to establish a zero clearance whereupon a steam assist then moves the steam admission valve determinately and quickly to a fully open position. |
| US09316128B2 |
Dual independent phasing system with separate oil feeds
A phasing system, including: a first phaser section including a first stator non-rotatably connected to a drive sprocket and first chambers formed by a first rotor and the first stator; a second phaser section located in a first axial direction from the first phaser section and including a second stator non-rotatably connected to the drive sprocket and second chambers formed by a second rotor and the second stator; a first portion of a camshaft non-rotatably connected to the first rotor, extending past the first stator in a second axial direction, and including first channels arranged to supply fluid to the first chambers; and a second portion of the camshaft non-rotatably connected to the first portion of the camshaft and extending past the second stator in the first axial direction and including second channels arranged to provide fluid to the second chambers. |
| US09316122B2 |
Feedwater heater control system for improved Rankine cycle power plant efficiency
A steam cycle system comprises a boiler comprising a superheat section, a reheat section, and an economizer section, wherein the boiler is configured to receive a feedwater stream; a steam turbine system comprising a high pressure turbine and a lower pressure turbine, wherein the steam turbine system is configured to receive steam generated by the boiler; a condenser configured to receive at least a portion of the outlet steam from the steam turbine system and output the feedwater stream; a high pressure feedwater heat exchanger configured to receive at least a portion of the feedwater stream, allow for an energy exchange between the portion of the feedwater stream and a steam stream, and output the portion of the feedwater stream to the boiler; a steam extraction line configured to provide a steam flow from an outlet of the high pressure turbine to the high pressure feedwater heater; a feedwater temperature control device configured to control the temperature of the feedwater stream by modulating the energy transfer in the high pressure feedwater heat exchanger between the steam flow provided through the steam extraction line and the portion of the feedwater received by the high pressure feedwater heat exchanger. |
| US09316121B2 |
Systems and methods for part load control of electrical power generating systems
Disclosed illustrative embodiments include systems for part load control of electrical power generating systems and methods of operating a system for part load control of electrical power generating systems. A representative system includes a computer controller system operatively coupled to an electrical power generator and programmed to control a compressor inlet pressure responsive to a level of electrical power output requested of the electrical power generator, and a reservoir with supercritical fluid, responsive to the computer controller system and in fluid communication with the electrical power generating system between a compressor outlet and an expander inlet, and between an expander outlet and a compressor inlet. |
| US09316118B2 |
Bearing chamber apparatus
A bearing chamber apparatus (2) comprising a bearing chamber (4) having one or more seals (7) which seal an interior (5) of the chamber from an exterior (24) of the chamber; and further comprising: a pump in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber; and a controllable valve (20) in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and the outside atmosphere. The arrangement allows oil leakage from the bearing chamber to be prevented and also allows a minimum pressure to be maintained within the bearing chamber. |
| US09316109B2 |
Turbine shroud assembly and method of forming
A turbine shroud assembly includes an inner shroud portion comprising a body portion having a first circumferential edge, and a discourager extending circumferentially past the first circumferential edge of the body portion, wherein the discourager is integrally formed with the inner shroud portion. |
| US09316107B2 |
Static vane assembly for an axial flow turbine
An axial flow turbine is described having a casing defining a flow path for a working fluid therein, a rotor co-axial to the casing, a plurality of stages, each including a stationary row of vanes circumferentially mounted on the casing a rotating row blades, circumferentially mounted on the rotor, with within a stage n vanes have an extension such that at least a part of the trailing edge of each of the n vanes reaches into the annular space defined by the trailing edges of the remaining N-n vanes and the leading edges of rotating blades of the same stage. |
| US09316103B2 |
Blading
A blading for a turbomachine, particularly for a gas turbine, wherein thickened areas and depressions formed and disposed on a lateral wall having a plurality of blades such that at least one depression is disposed on a blade pressure side and at least one thickened area is disposed on a blade suction side for each blade of the plurality of blades. |
| US09316102B2 |
Rotors formed using involute curves
The present disclosure describes the use of involute curves for use in energy conversion devices, as well as timing or indexing gears. Several different embodiments are shown using rotors of several examples of lobe numbers and shapes. |
| US09316098B2 |
Non-hydraulic fracturing and cold foam proppant delivery systems, methods, and processes
Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids. Methods and systems of delivering proppant comprise providing a non-aqueous liquid, adding a surfactant to the non-aqueous liquid, adding a proppant to the non-aqueous liquid to form a non-aqueous liquid, surfactant and proppant stream, pumping to pressure the non-aqueous liquid, surfactant and proppant stream, using pressurized natural gas to energize the non-aqueous liquid, surfactant and proppant stream, and delivering the energized non-aqueous liquid, surfactant and proppant stream into a subterranean formation. Methods of recovering proppant delivery liquid are also provided. |
| US09316092B2 |
Arctic walker for hydrocarbon exploration
A marine vessel for hydrocarbon exploration and methods of utilizing the same. In some embodiments, the vessel is enhanced with deployable and adjustable land propulsion mechanisms controlled by an active system to maintain position when on top of a drifting ice floe, water propulsion devices connected to the vessel hull capable of station-keeping in open water and/or within broken sea ice, sufficient power and flexibility to enable riding an ice floe, and at least one deployable ice hole cutter to open a channel through the ice floe. |
| US09316087B2 |
Sealing by ball sealers
In downhole treatments in the oilfield, ball sealers seated in perforations may not fully seal and may leak fluid through gaps and asperities between the balls and the perforations. A method is given for improving the sealing of ball sealers in perforations by adding a sealing agent that forms a plug in the gaps and severely restricts or eliminates fluid flow. The sealing agent is preferably degradable or soluble, malleable fibers slightly larger than the gaps. Optionally, the particles may be non-degradable, rigid, of different shapes, and smaller than the gaps but able to bridge them. Mixtures of sealing agents may be used. The sealing agent may be added with the ball sealers, after the ball sealers, or both. |
| US09316085B2 |
Expanding elastomer/plug device for sealing bore hole and pipelines
The present invention relates to a downhole plug with an expandable elastomeric packer (1) having two ends, surrounding a main section (25). The intended application of the downhole plug is for sealing wellbores and tubulars (4). At least one expansion ring (13) adjoins at least one of said two ends of the elastomeric packer (1), and at least one support ring (15) applies an axial force (16) in a longitudinal direction of the downhole plug. At least one of said two ends of the elastomeric packer (1) is made with a tapered surface. The at least one expansion ring (13) is made with a tapered surface configured in such a manner that the application of the axial force (16) in a longitudinal direction of the downhole plug leads to the simultaneous expansion of the elastomeric packer (1) and the at least one expansion ring (13). |
| US09316084B2 |
Expandable seat assembly for isolating fracture zones in a well
An expandable fracture ball seat assembly for use in wellbore zone fracturing operations functions to permit passage therethrough and exit therefrom of fracture ball plugs of only diameters less than a predetermined magnitude. In a representative form, the seat assembly includes a ring stack disposed within a tubular member and formed from a first expandable ring coaxially sandwiched between a setting ring and a second expandable ring. When an oversized fracture ball plug is forced into the seat assembly it axially compresses the ring stack and reduces the diameter of the first expandable ring and telescopes it into the second expandable ring, with the first expandable ring and the setting ring blocking passage through and exit from the seat. A reverse passage of a suitably large diameter fracture ball plug through the seat assembly axially returns the setting ring and first expandable ring to their original positions. |
| US09316082B2 |
Well cap assembly
A cap assembly for sealing the open end of a well casing or other pipe includes a top plate for mounting on the open end of the pipe, a bottom plate spaced apart from the top plate, an upper expansible gasket sandwiched between the top plate and an upper clamping plate, a lower expansible gasket sandwiched between the bottom plate and a lower clamping plate, spacer sleeves extending between the clamping plates, bolts through the bottom plate, both gaskets and clamping plates, the sleeves and the top plate, and nuts on the bolts. When the bolts are tightened on the nuts, the gaskets expand to seal the pipe at spaced apart locations. |
| US09316080B2 |
Torsional shearing of oilfield tubulars
A shearing device that torsionally shears an oilfield tubular by gripping the tubular at vertically spaced apart locations and exerting a torsional force at the locations. Tong assemblies are provided for gripping the tubular, where the tong assemblies include a tong member pivotally mounted on a tong arm. The tong assemblies may be housed in a blowout preventer mounted on a wellhead assembly; projecting the tong assemblies radially inward engages the tong members with the tubular, and moving the arm further radially inward imparts the torsional force onto the tubular. In an alternate embodiment, the shearing device includes holding rams that project radially inward to engage the tubular and a torque rack that tangentially engages the tubular thereby torqueing the tubular. |
| US09316075B2 |
High pressure lock assembly
A lock assembly including a plurality of dogs, each dog having a load bearing surface and a first interconnection feature. An extender body is operatively arranged for radially transitioning the plurality of dogs between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The load bearing surface of each dog is operatively arranged in the extended configuration for engaging against a shoulder of a radially adjacent structure for supporting the lock assembly. A mandrel is included having a second interconnection feature operatively arranged to dimensionally overlap the first interconnection feature of the dogs when transitioned to the extended configuration for enabling the mandrel to be supported by the dogs. A method of locking radially adjacent components is also included. |
| US09316073B2 |
Slip device for wellbore tubulars
A slip device includes a housing forming an axial bore, an upper set of slips spaced axially above a lower set of slips, and a rack and pinion actuator radially moving the upper set of slips and the lower set of slips between a retracted position and an extended position to grip a tubular disposed in the bore. The upper set of slips and the lower set of slips can be oriented to resist downward movement of the gripped tubular and to permit upward movement of the gripped tubular. One of the upper set of slips and the lower set of slips can be oriented to resist upward movement of the gripped tubular and the other of the upper set of slips and the lower set of slips can be oriented to resist downward movement of the gripped tubular. |
| US09316067B1 |
Coiled tubing injector handler
A coiled tubing handler lifts and extends outwardly over wellhead a support platform on which a coiled tubing injector is mounted. The handler collapses into a compact arrangement that allows it and the coiled tubing injector to be transported to a well site on a vehicle or trailer, and then used at the well site to raise, position and support the coiled tubing injector connected to a blow out preventer and riser assembly for connection to a well head. The support platform may be tilted backward and forward, shifted from side-to-side, and raised and lowered on the platform. |
| US09316062B2 |
Coiled tubing triple-sealed penetrator and method
A triple-sealed ESP connection provides a first seal at the upper end of a coiled tubing to limit the migration of vapors from the interior of the coiled tubing into the annulus at a wellhead and a second seal to prevent migration of the vapors from the annulus of the wellhead to the exterior surface of the wellhead. This triple-sealed arrangement can be accomplished by providing a threaded connection on an upper end of the coiled tubing to which is attached the sealable shroud for the electrical conductor splice which sealably connects with the wellhead thereby providing a sealed upper end to the coiled tubing and a second seal on the shroud and a seal at the wellhead. The second seal in both cases is the seal that can be either a metal-to-metal or other type of compressive seal arrangement or a sealed tubing arrangement. |
| US09316061B2 |
High impact resistant degradation element
In one aspect of the invention, a degradation element includes a substrate bonded to a sintered polycrystalline ceramic. The sintered polycrystalline ceramic has a tapering shape and a rounded apex. The rounded apex has a curvature with a 0.050 to 0.150 inch radius when viewed from a direction normal to a central axis of the degradation element that intersects the curvature. The rounded apex includes the characteristic of when the rounded apex is loaded against a rock formation, the rounded apex fails the rock formation forming a crushed barrier ahead of the rounded apex that shields the rounded apex from a virgin portion of the rock formation while still allowing the rounded apex to penetrate below a surface of the rock formation. |
| US09316060B1 |
Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutting element having multiple catalytic elements
A polycrystalline diamond compact useful for wear, cutting, drilling, drawing and like applications is provided with a first diamond region remote from the working surface which has a metallic catalyzing material and a second diamond region adjacent to or including the working surface containing a non-metallic catalyst and the method of making such a compact is provided. This compact is particularly useful in high temperature operations, such as hard rock drilling because of the improved thermal stability at the working surface. |
| US09316058B2 |
Drill bits and earth-boring tools including shaped cutting elements
Cutting elements for an earth-boring tool include a substrate base and a cutting tip. The cutting tip may include a first generally conical surface, a second, opposite generally conical surface, a first flank surface extending between the first and second generally conical surfaces, and a second, opposite flank surface. The cutting tip may include a central axis that is not co-linear with a longitudinal axis of the substrate base. The cutting tip may include a surface defining a longitudinal end thereof that is relatively more narrow in a central region thereof than in a radially outer region thereof. Earth-boring tools include a body and a plurality of such cutting elements attached thereto, at least one cutting element oriented to initially engage a formation with the first or second generally conical surface thereof. Methods of drilling a formation use such cutting elements and earth-boring tools. |
| US09316056B1 |
Drilling rig with bidirectional dual eccentric reamer
A drilling rig with bidirectional dual eccentric reamer which forms a larger wellbore than originally drilled and larger than the drill bit diameter. The bidirectional dual eccentric reamer has a shaft with a longitudinal axis supporting a plurality of reamer portions. The reamer portions have a plurality of helical blades of varying thicknesses. The plurality of helical blades can have a plurality of cutting nodes and cutting inserts. The plurality of helical blades have a center of eccentric rotation which is offset from the longitudinal axis, thereby creating an eccentric rotation which allows for the formation of a larger wellbore than originally drilled and larger than the drill bit diameter. |
| US09316055B2 |
Drill bit with a dynamic metal seal
In one aspect, a drill bit is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a bit body, a rotating cutter on the bit body, and a metallic seal between the bit body and the rotating cutter that includes a first seal member, a second seal member having a first end in sealing contact with the first seal member, a second end fixed relative to the first end and a bias member between the first end and the second end that adjusts the load on the first seal member in response to external load applied on the drill bit. |
| US09316054B2 |
Systems and methods for managing pressure in a wellbore
A method for drilling a subsea well from a rig through a subsea wellhead below the rig includes employing a single gradient or dual gradient drilling system that includes a drill string that extends from the rig into the well and surface mud pumps for pumping drilling fluid through the drill string and into a well annulus of the well. The drilling system includes a subsea rotating device for conducting the drilling fluid from the well annulus and through a solids processing unit. A subsea pump then conducts the drilling fluid from the solids processing unit to a return line back to the rig. The surface mud pump and subsea pump are staged in coordination to trap pressure and/or remove pressure in the well annulus to maintain a selected pressure gradient in the well annulus. |
| US09316050B2 |
Cordless curtain assembly
A cordless curtain assembly includes a head box, a control unit, a fixed part, a movable part, a spring, an operation cord and a bottom bar. The curtain body is connected between the head box and the bottom bar. The fixed part is fixed to the head box and the movable part is located between the fixed part and the spring which is connected between the movable part and a fixed member of the head box. The user pulls or pushes the bottom bar move the movable part and the spring so as to operate the operation cord to control the position of the curtain body. |
| US09316047B2 |
Closure curtain with bumper centering device
An overhead vertical closure, such as an overhead coiling door is described. A plurality of bumpers are spaced and fixed along the sides of the closure to center the curtain between the support brackets. In a first preferred embodiment, the geometry of the bumper is such that the vertical side and the extending sides meet in one or more obtuse angles. In a second preferred embodiment, the geometry of the bumper is such that the vertical side and the extending sides meet in a radius. |
| US09316042B2 |
Load bearing structural closure system
A closure assembly comprising at least two closures moveable in a closure frame, said closure frame including a header, sill and including a track sized to extend the full-length the header and sill thereby providing for guided movement of each individual closure to the maximum extent to and from a fully closed position, the at least two closures presenting a straight line, in-line, closure, such as a window, entry door, French door, patio door assembly and when the closures are pivoted from a closed position whereat said closures are parallel to the extension of said closure frame to a second position wherein free end of the closer is pivoted away from the closure frame, the free end of said closure including an inter-engaging member which inter-engage with adjacent members to brace together said closures thereby against any loading such as wind loads or the like. |
| US09316037B1 |
Chicago/barrel bolt door stop
A Chicago barrel bolt doorstop assembly having a doorstop with a first shaft extending between a distal end and a butt end. Protruding from the butt end is a post assembly having a post. The post assembly further has internal threads. A fastener has a second shaft with threads, a head, and a third end. The threads extend from the third end towards the head. To mount onto a door, the first end of the post assembly is presented into a hole from a first side of the door, and the third end of the fastener is presented into the hole from a second side of the door, whereby the hole extends between the first and second sides of the door. The first end receives the third end and the fastener tightens into the post assembly. |
| US09316032B2 |
Vehicle door checker
A door checker assembly includes a checker housing secured to the door. An elongated checker arm is dimensioned for and slidingly received through the checker housing so that a first end is received in the door and a second end is pivotally mounted to a body of the vehicle. An elongated cover is received in the door that overlies and extends along substantially an entire length of the checker arm for blocking water from falling thereon. The cover has a mounting portion at one end that is fastened between the checker housing and an inner face of the door with the same fasteners that secure the checker housing. The cover is preferably a stamped metal structure. |
| US09316030B2 |
Door opening and closing apparatus
A door opening and closing apparatus includes a lock mechanism having an engaging member that engages with a lock member provided in a door when the door is in a fully closed state, and a link mechanism that has three link members, is configured to be able to undergo deformation into a linear state and a bent state, and restricts rotation of the engaging member by being brought into the linear state. A central link member among the three link members has a first face and a second face that are pressed by a projecting shaft. The link mechanism changes to the bent state when the first face is pressed, and changes to the linear state when the second face is pressed. The first face and the second face are provided so as to have a positional relationship in which the first face and the second face intersect each other. |
| US09316029B2 |
C-shaped attachment element for vehicle lock
An attachment element (1) connecting a locking bar (4) of a lock (2) of a motor vehicle to an actuation lever (5) of a motor vehicle lock (2), wherein the attachment element (1) consists of one part and is C-shaped, and wherein the limbs (11, 12) of the C-shape (10) are connected with each other in a hinge-type connection and are designed so that they can be connected positively and/or frictionally with an opening (6) of a lever (5). |
| US09316028B2 |
Vehicle door latch
A vehicle door latch includes a lock plate, a catch which is rotatable about a first rotary axis, and a pawl which is rotatable about a second rotary axis, the first rotary axis and the second rotary axis being non-parallel. A connector connects both the catch and the pawl to the lock plate. One end of the connector connects the catch to the lock plate, and an opposite end of the connector connects the pawl to the lock plate. The connector is a dual rivet in that the connector has a first end face and a second end face, wherein the end faces are riveted outside of the lock plate. The lock plate includes a slot through which one end of the connector extends, and the slot extends in a direction of a projection of one of the rotary axes. |
| US09316026B2 |
Protective case for physically securing a portable electronic device
A security apparatus for a portable electronic device is provided. The security apparatus may include a plurality of shell portions, each shaped to wrap around part of a perimeter of the portable electronic device. The security apparatus may further include a connecting portion that engages at least one of the plurality of shell portions and to thereby couple the plurality of shell portions to each other. At least one of the connecting portion and one or more of the plurality of shell portions may include an attachment device, the attachment device being configured to engage with a locking head, thereby locking relative positions of the plurality of shell portions and the connecting portion. |
| US09316021B2 |
Striker plate assembly
A striker plate assembly for use with a latch includes a base plate having an angled first end and an angled second end. A generally u-shaped striker wire extends perpendicular to the base plate. A first sidewall and a second sidewall are connected to the first end and the second end of the base plate respectively. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend generally perpendicular to the base plate in the same direction as the striker wire. The first sidewall and the second sidewall include a geometric feature. A first bumper is connected to the first sidewall through the geometric feature and a second bumper is connected to the second sidewall through the geometric feature. |
| US09316019B2 |
Adjustable tarpaulin support
A support apparatus includes a rectilinear central pole having axially opposed end portions. The pole includes a plurality of oppositely spaced female portions and a male portion slid ably engageable therewith. Each female portion has a plurality of apertures equidistantly spaced along a longitudinal length thereof. The male portion is medially nested between the female portions wherein the female portions are telescopically movable. The apparatus further includes first and second pairs of telescopically adjustable and rectilinear leg members connected to the opposed end portions of the pole and extending away therefrom, respectively. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for independently pivoting each of the first and second leg members about a fulcrum axis centrally registered with the pole and extending parallel thereto. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for independently pivoting the first and second members along a unique arcuate path and about a fulcrum axis. |
| US09316018B2 |
Suspended dwelling
An easily set up structure that is suspended between objects consisting of a platform made up of geometrical shapes, allowing for the structure to be lightweight, portable, and versatile in the way it is constructed. |
| US09316017B1 |
Reconfigurable square portable hunting blind
The invention provides a portable reconfigurable hunting blind assembly utilizing eight generally rectangular frames joined together side edge to side edge by seven hinges for accordion folding, and a camouflage covering mounted to each of the frames to define eight panel-shaped wall units, the camouflage covering defining a window in at least some of the wall units. |
| US09316015B1 |
Shelter for protection against wind and blast events
A shelter for protecting occupants from the effects of high velocity winds and explosive blasts includes a steel framework mountable on a foundation. The steel framework includes a floor structure and a roof structure spaced apart by vertical columns. Each of the floor structure and the wall structure includes panels mounted on joists wherein each panel includes a sheet of non-combustible material laminated to a metallic sheet. Each panel is mounted to the joists with the metallic sheet adjacent to the joists. The shelter further includes walls that include vertical studs secured to the floor structure and the roof structure. Outer wall panels are secured to outer surfaces of the studs. Each outer wall panel includes a sheet of non-combustible material laminated to a metallic sheet. Each outer wall panel is mounted with the metallic sheet adjacent to the vertical stud. |
| US09316012B2 |
Systems and methods for retrofitting a building for increased earthquake resistance
A system for retrofitting a building to make the building more earthquake resistant. The system includes a seismically-tuned (S-T) frame. The S-T frame is configured to absorb a first portion of the forces imparted by an earthquake and transfer a second portion of the forces in a distributed manner to areas of a building such that they can be better withstood. The system also includes a rigid truss diaphragm. The rigid truss diaphragm is connected to the S-T frame and configured to transfer the second portion of the forces imparted by an earthquake to an overlying structure. |
| US09316007B2 |
Industrial scaffolding
The invention relates to industrial scaffolding comprising vertical supports, which can be interconnected by means of horizontal bars. Plates, which extend on a horizontal plane, can be hooked onto the bars to create an accessible working surface. When the plates are fitted, edge areas of the latter overhang the base body of the plates in such a way that a bar running parallel to an edge area is partially covered by said edge area. |
| US09316004B1 |
Support bracket assembly and method
A support assembly is provided for supporting external veneer. It has a mounting bracket that is fixedly mounted to a load bearing wall support structure, and a shelf angle. The shelf angle includes a horizontal leg that defines a surface upon which to mount the external facing members. The mounting bracket may be a channel. The legs of the channel may each be formed to have a seat. The seat includes an outwardly protruding toe, an accommodation for the shelf angle, and an overhanging finger. The back of the shelf angle may have apertures to admit the toes of the mounting bracket, such that the vertical load is transferred from the web of the shelf bracket to the toes. The toes do not extend below the horizontal leg of the shelf angle, and do not protrude downwardly of it. The seat includes an oversized slot having a relief angle to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The finger is also relieved, at an angle of relief greater than the slot. |
| US09316003B2 |
System for arranging a plurality of sound-absorbing and/or sound-reflecting panels or the like
A system for arranging a plurality of sound-absorbing panels or the like is described. The system includes a first and a second guide and a first and a second panel, and each of said guides further includes a longitudinal axis, and a first longitudinal groove and a second longitudinal groove substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, such that the first panel is retained in the first groove of the first and second guides and the second panel is retained in the second groove of the first and second guides and further such that at least one of the panels is displaceable in a guided manner inside the respective longitudinal groove. |
| US09315998B1 |
Cable lock-off block for repairing a plurality of post-tensioned tendons
A cable lock-off block for repairing a plurality of post-tensioned tendons including an anchor body having a front side with a recess, a flat back side, a first outer edge, a second outer edge, a third outer edge and a fourth outer edge connecting the front side and the back side, the first outer edge having an opening, at least one wedge-receiving hole arranged within the recess, at least one removable wedge arranged in the at least one wedge-receiving hole, a continuous slot arranged within the anchor body connecting the opening and the at least one wedge-receiving hole and having a width to accommodate the plurality of post-tensioned tendons under full tension and a member removably secured within the continuous slot and forming at least a portion of the at least one wedge-receiving hole. |
| US09315994B2 |
Methods and systems for decorating bevel and other surfaces of laminated floorings
Methods and systems for decorating at least one bevel surface or other surface of a laminated flooring are described. The bevel surface can be decorated by non-transfer printing such as digital printing. The digital printer can be an ink jet printer such as a piezoelectric drop-on-demand (DOD) printer that allows a color and pattern to be placed on the bevel surface that matches the print design (décor pattern or face design) of the laminated flooring. Other devices are provided such as a device that takes a picture of or scans an image of the print design, and modifies the taken picture or the scanned image so that the edge pattern thereof matches with an edge pattern of the print design. |
| US09315993B2 |
Non-structural multi-part panel
A non-structural multi-part panel including at least two layers, a first layer of foamed material and a second layer applied to at least one side of the first layer, the second layer of cellulosic material. |
| US09315985B2 |
Center-mounted acoustical substrates
A modular wall with acoustic properties including one or more wall modules arranged in a desired configuration, and methods of forming the same. The wall module includes a frame configured to receive a plurality of wall elements, and a plurality of wall elements attached to the frame. An acoustic substrate is secured to the frame by a ladder or ladder frame including horizontal support members coordinated between retaining members configured for attachment to the frame or elements thereof. The frame and ladder or ladder frame can be used to sandwich one or more acoustic substrates therebetween. Exterior wall, finishing, and trim elements can be attached to the horizontal support members, frame or frame elements, and other wall elements for structural and/or aesthetic purposes. |
| US09315983B1 |
Modular observatory and an unassembled kit thereof
There is provided a modular observatory including an annular wall assembly and a roof assembly selectively engageable with the wall assembly. The assemblies include a plurality of interengageable panels. The panels of the wall assembly are generally curved and rectangular. A set of the panels of the roof assembly are generally curved and rectangular in shape. Selective ones of the panels of the roof assembly are removeable to form an elongate opening in the top thereof. There is further provided an unassembled modular observatory kit comprising a plurality of interengageable wall panels, each of which is similar in size and curved and rectangular in profile. The kit includes a plurality of interengageable roof panels, a first set of which are similar in size and curved and rectangular in profile and a second set of which are similar in size and curved and triangular in profile. |
| US09315982B2 |
Septic system with overflow discharge system
An embodiment of a septic system comprises a primary tank, a wastewater inlet, and a passive overflow discharge system. The wastewater inlet is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the primary tank, and the passive overflow discharge system comprises an overflow repository that is in fluid communication with at least one of the interior cavity of the primary tank and the wastewater inlet. In various embodiments, the overflow repository can comprise at least one auxiliary tank, a leach field system or combinations thereof. |
| US09315975B2 |
Magnetic coupling for sprayheads
A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body. |
| US09315972B2 |
Wear assembly and lock mechanism
In at least one embodiment, a wear assembly (1) includes a wear member (10, 100, 110) to be mounted to an implement or apparatus to be protected, a base member (30, 300, 330) to be attached to the implement or apparatus, a lock member (20, 21) to lock the wear member (10, 100, 110) to the base member (30, 300, 330), the wear member (10, 100, 110) including or receiving the lock member (20, 21) and the base (30, 300, 330) including at least one aperture (33) in which is located a releasable retaining means (40) to releasably hold a portion (22) of the lock member (20, 21). The wear member can be: shroud; a tile shroud; a tooth; a replaceable tip. The base member can be: a base for a shroud, a base for a tile shroud; an adaptor for a tooth; an adaptor for a replaceable tip. The implement or apparatus can be: an excavation bucket; a grader blade; a chute; an excavation bucket edge; an excavation bucket surface; dump or haul truck load carrier; an earth, ore or mineral handling apparatus. |
| US09315971B2 |
Retainer systems for ground engaging tools
Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a retainer bushing for use with a lock of a ground engaging tool. The retainer bushing may include a skirt extending around a retainer axis, where the skirt may include an outer surface configured to mate with a lock cavity of the ground engaging tool and an inner surface configured to rotatably receive an outer surface of the lock. The retainer bushing may also include a detent projection extending radially inward from the inner surface and configured to engage a detent recess of the lock to resist rotation of the lock. The skirt and the detent projection may be integrally constructed of a thermoplastic material comprising polyoxymethylene. |
| US09315969B2 |
Work vehicle
A work vehicle includes a vehicle main body, a work implement, an engine, an idle reduction execution portion, and a position determination portion. The work implement is provided in the vehicle main body and includes a boom provided to be drivable in a vertical direction, an arm provided to be drivable with respect to the boom, and a bucket attached to a tip end of the arm. The idle reduction execution portion can stop the engine in an idling state. The position determination portion determines whether or not the bucket may interfere with the vehicle main body, based on a position state of rest of the work implement. When the position determination portion determines that the bucket may interfere with the vehicle main body, the idle reduction execution portion does not stop the engine, and when it is determined otherwise, the idle reduction execution portion stops the engine. |
| US09315964B2 |
Method for evacuating transfer air from a mixture of pressurized air and binding agent
A method for evacuating transfer air contained in a binding agent from a mixture of pressurized air and binding agent uses an apparatus comprising means for producing pressurized air, a binding agent container, a supply pipe for the mixture of pressurized air and binding agent, and an apparatus for mixing the binding agent into the earth mass. |
| US09315959B2 |
Foreign matter removing apparatus at track branch, and nozzle used in the same
Provided is a foreign matter removing apparatus at a track branch, and a nozzle used in this apparatus that are capable of sufficiently securing foreign matter removing performance as well as significantly reducing generation of noises. In the nozzle for the foreign matter removing apparatus at a track branch, compressed air supplied from piping is injected from each nozzle element. Slits are formed in each nozzle element, a sloped portion is formed at a front end of the nozzle element, and this sloped portion opposes a tongue rail. |
| US09315958B2 |
Snowplow blade articulator assembly with passive downforce mechanism
A snowplow blade articulator assembly includes a mounting frame for attaching a snowplow blade to a vehicle chassis. A hydraulic pump and a hydraulic reservoir are attached to the mounting frame, the hydraulic reservoir supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. An articulating assembly is attached to the mounting frame for moving the snowplow blade when the snowplow blade is attached to the mounting frame, the articulating assembly is fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump, and the articulating assembly includes a lift cylinder and a hydraulic manifold. The hydraulic manifold includes a downforce circuit that fluidly isolates the lift cylinder from the hydraulic pump when a first control valve is closed and the downforce circuit fluidly connects a lift chamber of the lift cylinder with a lower chamber of the lift cylinder to maintain equal hydraulic pressure in the lift chamber and in the lower chamber. |
| US09315955B2 |
Saw and drill machine for paved slabs
A machine for making cuts through and boring holes into a paved slab includes a pair of saw guide tracks with circular saws mounted thereon for linear movement in parallel spaced relationship. The tracks and saws are mounted on a laterally expandable support frame which is rotatably suspended from a main frame for adjusting the spacing between cuts. The saw guide tracks are suspended from the laterally expandable saw and track support frame by vertically telescoping legs operable to raise and lower the guide tracks and saws supported thereon relative to the paved slab. Drills are mounted on a drill support assembly that telescopes laterally and vertically and which is rotatable about a vertical axis to permit adjustment to the positioning of the drills for boring holes in the slab. |
| US09315951B1 |
Mat construction having environmentally resistant skin
An industrial mat that includes a core construction that provides strength and rigidity to the mat, with the core construction including plural layers or plies of components at least some of which are of wood or engineered wood; and a durable skin that surrounds and encapsulates at least the wood components of the mat or the entire core construction. The skin has a thickness sufficient to provide environmental resistance to the wood components or to the core construction to which it is applied. The skin also provides abrasion resistance to the boards and mat. |
| US09315949B1 |
Mat construction with environmentally resistant core
A mat having a core that provides strength and rigidity to the mat, and including a structure of a sheet, elongated members, a frame, compartments, or combinations thereof and at least one outer layer associated with the core and made of a sheet, elongated members or combinations thereof. The core and outer layer(s) are integral or are joined together, and the structure of the core is made of one or more environmentally resistant materials to provide an extended service life when encountering rain, snow or other weather conditions that would eventually degrade wood. The mat has a load bearing capacity that is able to withstand a load of at least 500 to 800 psi or even 1000 psi without permanently deforming the core. Bumpers are preferably provided upon sides of the mat to protect them from damage due to transport or installation of the mat. |
| US09315947B2 |
Railway rail fastening clip and insulator
In a railway rail fastening clip 1 for fastening a railway rail to an underlying rail foundation, which clip 1 is formed of an elongate plate shaped such that a central region 11 of the plate has in profile the form of a letter C, a first end region of the plate extending from one side of the central region 11 of the plate to form a substantially planar base portion 12 of the clip for engaging a rail fastening anchoring device secured to the rail foundation and a second end region of the plate extending from the opposite side of the central region 11 of the plate to form a toe portion 13 of the clip for bearing on a foot of the railway rail, such that in profile the second end region extends further than the first end region, the toe portion of the clip is provided with a throughhole 14 which is arranged such that, when the clip is in its operative configuration, part or all of the throughhole 14 lies above the foot of the rail, the throughhole being configured to receive a corresponding spigot 25 of a toe insulator 2 for electrically insulating the clip from the rail whereby the insulator can be retained on the toe portion of the clip. |
| US09315946B2 |
Sanitary tissue products with superior machine direction elongation and foreshortening properties and methods for making same
Fibrous structures and/or sanitary tissue products comprising fibrous structure, and more particularly to fibrous structures comprising pulp fibers, wherein the fibrous structures exhibit unique elongation (stretch) and total foreshortening properties, and methods for making such fibrous structures. |
| US09315945B2 |
Sanitary tissue products and methods for making same
Sanitary tissue products employing 3D patterned fibrous structure plies having a surface comprising a novel three-dimensional (3D) pattern such that the 3D patterned fibrous structures and/or sanitary tissue products employing the fibrous structures exhibit novel cushiness as evidenced by compressibility of the fibrous structures and/or sanitary tissue products, novel flexibility as evidenced by plate stiffness of the fibrous structures and/or sanitary tissue products, and/or surface smoothness as evidenced by slip stick coefficient of friction of the fibrous structures and/or sanitary tissue products, and methods for making same, are provided. |
| US09315942B2 |
Method for pretreating cellulose pulp
A Method of pretreating native cellulose pulp in the manufacture of nanofibrillated cellulose, and a nanofibrillated cellulose product obtainable by the method. |
| US09315940B2 |
Seamed press felt including an elastic carrier layer and method of making
A seamed press felt formed from a base fabric material including MD yarns arranged in two superimposed layers joined by the MD yarns at CD folds at opposing ends thereof to form a continuous unbroken tube-like structure. The MD yarns form loops at the folds to define a pintle channel. A generally planar yarn assembly including an array of polymeric yarns bonded to an elastic carrier material that is extensible by at least 1% is located inside the base fabric with the yarns of the array oriented in the CD. A high surface contact area material is bonded to the elastic carrier material at both exterior MD ends adjacent to the MD loops at the folds. Each of the MD ends is anchored in a fixed position adjacent to the loops at the folds. A pintle extends through the channel defined by intermeshing the loops from the opposing ends. |
| US09315937B2 |
Sonochemical coating of textiles with metal oxide nanoparticles for antimicrobial fabrics
We disclose a system for preparing antimicrobial fabrics, coated with metal oxide nanoparticles by means of a novel sonochemical method. These antibacterial fabrics are widely used for production of outdoor clothes, under-wear, bed-linen, bandages, etc. The deposition of metal oxides known to possess antimicrobial activity, namely ZnO, MgO and CuO, can significantly extent the applications of textile fabrics and prolong the period of their use. By means of the novel sonochemical method disclosed here, uniform deposition of metal oxide nanoparticles is achieved simply. |
| US09315933B1 |
Stitch regulation apparatus and method
A stitch regulation apparatus and method includes a material manipulation device. A movement detection device is connected with the material manipulation device and the movement detection device transmits the speed of movement of the material manipulation device. A receiver device receives transmissions from the movement detection device and a programmable speed regulation device containing stitch parameters, that is connected with a sewing machine and the receiver device, such that the speed regulation device receives movement data from the receiver device and regulates the speed of a sewing machine relative to movement data so as to produce the programmed stitch parameters in material to be stitched. |
| US09315931B2 |
Production process of a nonwoven fabric sheet
A sheet of nonwoven fabric which has surface irregularities, the shape of the surface irregularities being less apt to be changed by external pressure, etc. The sheet has a machine, cross and thickness directions which are perpendicular to one another. The upper surface has a plurality of protrusions continuously extending, in parallel, in the cross direction and further has a plurality of recesses that are located between the adjacent protrusions and extend in the cross direction. The sheet includes first and second fibrous layers located on the upper-surface side and the lower-surface side, respectively. The first fibrous layer comprises heat-fusible fibers, and the second fibrous layer comprises coil-shaped three-dimensional crimp fibers that are oriented mainly in the machine direction and form a network by entanglement thereof without having been fused at the sites where the crimp fibers cross one another. |
| US09315930B2 |
Nonwoven textile made from short fibers
A method of forming a nonwoven material, the method comprising: receiving fibrous material comprising thermo-plastic fibers; processing the fibrous material to produce short fibers; adding the short fibers to a preformed web; and heating and optionally compressing the preformed web to form a nonwoven material. |
| US09315928B2 |
Round braid and manufacturing method thereof
A round braid includes a plurality of warp strands and a binding strand. Each of the warp strands has at least one thread. The binding strand has at least one thread. The binding strand binds a part of the warp strands along an extending direction of the warp strands so as to form a plurality of exposing segments and a plurality of bulging segments on an outer surface of the round braid. The exposing segments are exposing parts of the binding strand and the bulging segments are uncovered parts of the warp strands. The exposing segments and the bulging segments are disposed staggeredly. |
| US09315926B2 |
Stretch fabric
A stretch fabric in which one yarn of warp and weft yarns is obtained from an inelastic yarn having a crimp ratio of 5% to 30% and at least a portion of the other is obtained from an elastic yarn having a crimp ratio of 0% to 5%, and characterized in that the extension percentage in a load direction along the former yarn is 5% to 30% when weighted with a 340N/5 cm load in the load direction. The stretch fabric has excellent cushioning properties and fatigue resistance, and can be used as a material that saves space and combines holding properties with cushioning properties. |
| US09315922B2 |
Polyester-based fiber for artificial hair and hair ornament product including the same
A polyester-based fiber for artificial hair of the present invention is a polyester-based fiber for artificial hair formed of a polyester resin composition. The polyester resin composition contains 5 to 40 parts by weight of a brominated epoxy flame retardant and 0.05 to 5 parts by weight of an acidic compound with respect to 100 parts by weight of a polyester resin. The polyester resin is one or more kind of resin selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene terephthalate and copolymerized polyester containing polyalkylene terephthalate as a main component. The acidic compound is an acidic phosphorus-based compound having a pH of 3.5 or less. A hair ornament product of the present invention contains the polyester-based fiber for artificial hair. |
| US09315920B2 |
Growth substrate and light emitting device comprising the same
A growth substrate including a substrate having a growth surface including a plurality of steps inclining in a first direction; a first layer disposed on the growth surface, the first layer including an A-plane or an M-plane in an upper part thereof, a plurality of protrusions having an inclined surface on an upper surface thereof, and nitride; a mask layer including a dielectric material and having at least a portion disposed on the protrusions; and a second layer disposed on the mask layer and including nitride. |
| US09315919B2 |
Scintillator plate and radiation detector
Provided is a scintillator plate including a crystalline body formed of a compound having a crystal structure of a Cs3Cu2I5 crystal and a substrate, in which an orientation of the crystalline body is an a-axis group orientation with respect to a direction perpendicular to the substrate. |
| US09315916B2 |
Electrode structure, substrate holder, and method for forming anodic oxidation layer
An electrode structure of the present invention includes: an aluminum electrode which is to be in contact with a surface of an aluminum base; a fixing member for fixing the aluminum electrode on the surface of the aluminum base; an elastic member provided between the fixing member and the aluminum base; a lead wire which is electrically connected to the aluminum electrode at least under a certain condition; and a cover member which is tightly closed with the lead wire penetrating through an opening. |
| US09315915B2 |
Method for manufacturing zirconium metal and hafnium metal
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing metal zirconium, the method having a fewer steps and a smaller amount of secondary wastes generated, wherein the metal zirconium is obtained from a zirconium compound containing hafnium. A method of producing metal zirconium according to the present invention includes: a separation step of separating a hafnium oxychloride from a first substance containing a zirconium oxychloride and a hafnium oxychloride to obtain a second substance having a higher content of the zirconium oxychloride; a calcination step of calcining the second substance to obtain a third substance containing at least any of a zirconium oxychloride and a zirconium oxide; and a direct reduction step of holding the third substance in a molten salt with the third substance brought into contact with a cathode and applying a voltage between the cathode and an anode to directly reduce the third substance to obtain metal zirconium. |
| US09315913B2 |
Formic acid generation apparatus and method
In a method for generating formic acid by reducing carbon dioxide, a formic acid generation apparatus is prepared. The apparatus includes: a cathode container for storing a first electrolyte solution containing carbon dioxide; an anode container for storing a second electrolyte solution; a solid electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the cathode and anode containers; a cathode electrode provided in the cathode container in contact with the first electrolyte solution, the cathode electrode having a gallium oxide region on a surface thereof; an anode electrode provided in the anode container in contact with the second electrolyte solution; and an external power supply for applying a negative voltage and a positive voltage to the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, respectively. A negative voltage and a positive voltage are applied to the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, respectively, using the external power supply to generate formic acid on the cathode electrode. |
| US09315912B2 |
Carbon-supported metal sulphide catalyst for electrochemical oxygen reduction
An improved carbon supported-noble metal sulphide electrocatalyst suitable for being incorporated in gas-diffusion electrode structures, in particular in oxygen-reducing gas-diffusion cathodes for aqueous hydrochloric acid electrolysis. The noble metal sulphide particles are monodispersed on the active carbon particles and the surface area ratio of noble metal sulphide particles to active carbon particles is at least 0.20. |
| US09315907B2 |
Gas collection device and method for use thereof
An apparatus for collecting electrolytically formed gasses and a method for using the same are presented. A gas collection device comprises an inner vessel having an electrically conductive surface portion for allowing the electrolytic formation of a first gas; an outer vessel having an electrically conductive surface portion for allowing the electrolytic formation of a second gas; and a capture member for capturing one of the formed gasses; wherein: the inner vessel is disposed substantially within the outer vessel; both vessels are configured to allow a continuous fluid body to come into contact with the conductive surface portions; and the capture member allows the capture of one of the formed gasses without substantial contamination from the other formed gas. |
| US09315905B2 |
Coated article and coating process therefor
A coating process includes preheating a workpiece having an aluminum-containing layer through a temperature range in a reducing atmosphere having hydrogen to limit formation of thermally grown oxides on the surface of the workpiece. A source of oxygen is introduced to establish an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature above the temperature range to form a desired type of thermally grown oxide on the surfaces of the workpiece. A coating is then deposited on the desired type of thermally grown oxide. |
| US09315899B2 |
Contoured showerhead for improved plasma shaping and control
Semiconductor processing chamber showerheads with contoured faceplates, as well as techniques for producing such faceplates, are provided. Data describing deposition rate as a function of gap distance between a reference showerhead faceplate and a reference substrate may be obtained, as well as data describing deposition rate as a function of location on the substrate when the reference showerhead and the reference substrate are in a fixed arrangement with respect to each other. The two data sets may be used to determine offsets from a reference plane associated with the faceplate that determine a contour profile to be used with the faceplate. |
| US09315897B2 |
Showerhead for film depositing vacuum equipment
A showerhead for film-depositing vacuum equipment having an effect shortening the length of injection tubes for a reactive gas is presented. The injection tubes extend from the bottom of a reactive gas showerhead module, and two different kinds of reactive gases are mixed with an injection support gas within a reactive showerhead module so as to inject the mixed gas. The showerhead for film-depositing vacuum equipment includes the reactive gas showerhead module above a cooling jacket and a purge gas showerhead module above the reactive gas showerhead module. The injection tubes of the reactive gas showerhead module pass through the cooling jacket disposed below the reactive gas showerhead module, and the injection tubes of the purge gas showerhead module pass through the reactive gas showerhead module disposed below the purge gas showerhead module, thereby enabling the purge gas to flow into a purge gas redistribution space defined above the cooling jacket. |
| US09315894B2 |
Atomic layer deposition of metal phosphates and lithium silicates
The present application relates to atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for producing metal phosphates such as titanium phosphate, aluminum phosphate and lithium phosphate, as well as to ALD processes for depositing lithium silicates. |
| US09315888B2 |
Nozzle insert for thermal spray gun apparatus
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a nozzle insert which may be used with a thermal spray gun apparatus. A nozzle insert according to the disclosure may include a body having an outer surface, the outer surface of the body being configured to circumferentially contact and transfer heat to an inner face of a thermal spray gun nozzle of a thermal spray gun. The body of the nozzle insert may be removed from the thermal spray gun nozzle without disassembling the thermal spray gun, and includes an axial passage configured to communicate a plasma discharge from the nozzle insert. A thermal spray gun apparatus and a thermal spray gun system including the nozzle insert are also disclosed. |
| US09315887B2 |
High-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet and method for producing same
A method for producing a high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet includes a steel sheet containing, in percent by mass, 0.01% to 0.18% of C, 0.02% to 2.0% of Si, 1.0% to 3.0% of Mn, 0.001% to 1.0% of Al, 0.005% to 0.060% of P, 0.01% or less of S, and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities, and a galvanized coating layer on each surface of the steel sheet with a coating weight of 20 to 120 g/m2 per surface, in which, when the steel sheet is subjected to annealing and a hot-dip galvanizing treatment in a continuous hot-dip galvanizing line, the dew point of the atmosphere is controlled to −40° C. or lower in the annealing furnace temperature range of 750° C. or higher. |
| US09315882B2 |
Method for preparing anode active material, anode active material prepared therefrom and lithium secondary battery having the same
The present invention relates to a method for preparing an anode active material, comprising (S1) forming a shell being a coating layer comprising a carbon material on the surface of a core comprising silicon oxide particles, to obtain a silicon oxide-carbon composite having a core-shell structure; (S2) mixing the silicon oxide-carbon composite with an oxygen-containing lithium salt, followed by heat treatment to produce a silicon oxide-lithium alloy, thereby obtaining a (SiOx—Liy)—C (0 |
| US09315880B2 |
Ni-Ti semi-finished products and related methods
Semi-finished products for the production of devices containing thermoelastic materials with improved reliability and reproducibility are described. The semi-finished products are based on an alloy of Ni—Ti plus elements X and/or Y. The nickel amount is comprised between 40 and 52 atom %, X is comprised between 0.1 and 1 atom %, Y is comprised between 1 and 10 atom % and the balance is titanium. The one or more additional elements X are chosen from Al, Ta, Hf, Si, Ca, Ce, La, Re, Nb, V, W, Y, Zr, Mo, and B. The one or more additional elements Y are chosen from Al, Ag, Au, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Nb, Pd, Pt, Ta and W. |
| US09315877B2 |
Steel sheet for bottom covers of aerosol cans and method for producing same
A steel sheet for bottom covers of aerosol cans includes, as chemical composition, C: 0.025 to 0.065 mass %, Mn: 0.10 to 0.28 mass %, P: 0.005 to 0.03 mass %, Al: 0.01 to 0.04 mass %, N: 0.0075 to 0.013 mass %, Si: limited to 0.05 mass % or less, S: limited to 0.009 mass % or less, and balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities, wherein yield point YP in rolling direction after aging treatment is in range of 460 to 540 MPa, total elongation in the rolling direction after the aging treatment is 15% or more, yield point elongation ELYP in the rolling direction after the aging treatment is 6% or less, and sheet thickness t in unit of mm, the yield point YP in unit of MPa in the rolling direction after the aging treatment, and the yield point elongation ELYP in unit of % in the rolling direction after the aging treatment satisfy 130≦t×YP×(1−ELYP/100). |
| US09315872B2 |
Major QTLS conferring resistance of corn to fijivirus
The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying maize plants that have newly conferred resistance or enhanced resistance to, or are susceptible to, a Fijivirus, particularly Mal de Río Cuarto Virus (MRCV) and/or Maize Rough Dwarf Virus (MRDV). The methods use molecular genetic markers to identify, select and/or construct resistant plants or identify and counter-select susceptible plants. Maize plants that display newly conferred resistance or enhanced resistance to a Fijivirus that are generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention. |
| US09315871B2 |
Mutation detection probe, mutation detection method, method of evaluating drug efficacy, and mutation detection kit
The present invention provides a probe for detecting a mutation in the ALK gene, which is at least one fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide selected from the group consisting of P1 to P4, P7 and P8 oligonucleotides; an application thereof; and an oligonucleotide for the application. |
| US09315869B2 |
Marker for predicting gastric cancer prognosis and method for predicting gastric cancer prognosis using the same
The present invention relates to a marker for predicting a gastric cancer prognosis, a composition and a kit for predicting gastric cancer prognosis comprising an agent for measuring the expression level thereof, and a method for predicting gastric cancer prognosis using the marker. According to the present invention, gastric cancer prognosis may be predicted promptly and accurately, and an appropriate treatment plan can be determined based on the predicted prognosis, which has an advantage of contributing to significant reduction of death caused by gastric cancer. Particularly, according to the present invention, the survival rate can be remarkably increased by using the treatment method for a stage III gastric cancer patient to a patient who has been predicted to have a negative prognosis among stage Ib/II gastric cancer patients. |
| US09315867B2 |
Compositions and methods for detecting cancer
The present invention provides methods and compositions involving detecting the presence of and/or assessing the risk of cancer in a subject. These methods include methods of detecting and diagnosing cancer in an individual; methods of identifying individuals at risk of developing a cancer; and methods of staging a cancer. The methods generally involve detecting a palladin gene nucleotide sequence alteration that has been found to be associated with cancer and/or detecting a level of a palladin mRNA and/or protein in a biological sample. The present invention further provides nucleic acid probes, nucleic acid primers, and antibodies, as well as kits comprising one or more of the same, for use in a subject method. |
| US09315865B2 |
Cancer antigen-specific T-cell receptor gene, peptide encoded by the gene, and use of them
Disclosed are: a nucleotide sequence and an amino acid sequence for CDR3 region of T-cell receptor (TCR) gene of WT1-specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) for WT1 protein; a method for the detection or treatment of cancer using the nucleotide sequence or the amino acid sequence; and a chip, a primer set, a kit, an apparatus and the like for use in the detection of cancer, each of which comprises the nucleotide sequence or the amino acid sequence. |
| US09315863B2 |
Sequence-specific methods for homogeneous, real-time detection of lamp products
Presented herein are methods and compositions for generating sequence-specific, secondary amplification products during Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). Conventional LAMP produces a preponderance of high molecular weight DNA structures concatenated into self-complementary hairpins, which are not amenable to detection by routine probe-based hybridization methods, making multiplex detection of two or more targets or sequence variants in closed-tube formats extremely difficult. Provided herein, for example, are methods for generating secondary LAMP products bearing a fragment of the original target sequence embedded within low-molecular weight products that are devoid of competitive hairpin structures, the lack of which enhances probe-based detection of target sequences. These secondary products can, for example, be produced in real-time, during the LAMP process, and can provide the option of detecting multiple target sequences within a single tube using, e.g., a homogenous, real-time fluorescence format. |
| US09315858B2 |
Apparatus for point-of-care detection of nucleic acid in a sample
Provided herein are methods and apparatus for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample and related methods and apparatus for diagnosing a condition in an individual. The condition is associated with presence of nucleic acid produced by certain pathogens in the individual. |
| US09315856B2 |
Inspection tool for nucleic acid chromatography
An inspection tool for nucleic acid chromatography includes an elongated porous sheet and a backing member. The porous sheet has a surface including a detection surface that has a strip-shaped indication portion where a nucleic acid probe for capturing the target nucleic acid is fixed. The backing member has an attached surface in a concave shape. The porous sheet has a warped shape following the concave shape of the attached surface. |
| US09315855B2 |
Systems and methods for detection and quantitation of analytes using an oscillating stimulus
Described systems and methods allow the detection of and determination of a concentration of a target analyte such as a biological cell, a virus, a polypeptide, a toxin, a pesticide, a drug, a drug residue, or a DNA strand, in a fluid sample. A variable stimulus, such as an oscillating magnetic field or a light beam of oscillating intensity, is applied to the sample, inducing variations in a position or shape of a constituent of the sample, or variations in a fluorescence of the sample. Such variations produce measurable variations in electric and/or optical properties of a sensor, variations which allow the determination of the concentration of the target analyte. |
| US09315854B2 |
Ultra sensitive method for in situ detection of nucleic acids
Disclosed is a method for in situ detection of one or more target nucleic acids based on a combination of an in situ hybridization (ISH) assay method and a general ISH signal amplification method. This new method produces high signal intensity and while keeps low background noise of signal amplification. The result can be consistently reproduced and the method can be easily adopted for routine clinic diagnostic use. Further, the invention relates to a kit, comprising the components of the ISH assay and a general ISH signal amplification assay, for sensitive detection of one or more target nucleic acids. |
| US09315853B2 |
Modification of DNA on magnetic beads
Provided herein is technology related to the chemical modification and purification of DNA. Specifically, the technology provides methods for performing a bisulfate conversion reaction on small amounts of single-stranded, fragmented DNA and performing the subsequent desulfonation and purification steps on magnetic beads. |
| US09315851B2 |
Methods, peptides, and biosensors useful for detecting a broad spectrum of bacteria
Described herein are methods of detecting a wound infection and for detecting the presence or absence of bacteria, for example, wound bacteria in a sample, by contacting a sample with a peptide substrate derived from the modification of the reactive site loop (RSL) domain of the α1-proteinase inhibitor. In the current invention, we have demonstrated that these peptide substrates without the alpha 1 protein can be efficiently used as peptide substrates. The modification or the absence of modification of this peptide substrate by the enzyme produced and/or secreted by the bacteria, can serve as an indicator for the presence or absence of the bacteria in the sample. The present invention also features a biosensor for detecting the presence or absence of bacteria in a sample. |
| US09315850B2 |
Membrane transfer method and tool
A method for transferring a filter membrane (130) bearing a retentate to a reagent pad (310), in which the membrane is mounted in a support frame (120) having a shoulder (121) and a skirt (122) projecting from the shoulder, the pad being mounted on a cassette (300) of complementary form to said skirt, the skirt being adapted to slide sealingly on the cassette until it comes into abutment formed by the shoulder, the method comprising the steps of sealingly engaging the skirt of the membrane support frame on the cassette, establishing a pressure difference between the cassette and the membrane support frame such that the membrane adopts the shape of a dome pointing towards the pad, while maintaining the pressure difference, applying a force on the frame so as to make the skirt slide on the cassette until contact is established between the end of the dome and the pad, maintaining a force on the frame so as to move it downward until it comes into abutment formed by the shoulder while maintaining the pressure difference. |
| US09315849B2 |
Methods and compositions for estimating soil microbial load
Methods and compositions for the preparation of soil samples and the determination of the number of microbes within a soil sample are disclosed. The methods include measuring, solubilizing, bleaching and filtering soil samples and measuring the turbidity of the filtered solution. The turbidity of the sample can be determined by visual inspection of a Secchi disk viewed through the column liquid sample in a transparent tubular cylinder, or by using a cell phone camera and application. Devices and kits for the rapid, cost efficient determination of microbial numbers in the field setting are disclosed. The disclosed devices and methods can also be used for applications other than determination of microbial numbers. |
| US09315848B2 |
Volatile organic compounds for detecting cell dysplasia and genetic alterations associated with lung cancer
The present invention provides methods of identifying a genetic abnormality such as mutation in EGFR or KRAS or ALK which is associated with the management of lung cancer or diagnosing, prognosing or monitoring the treatment of pre-cancerous conditions of the lung, such as bronchial dysplasia or atypical alveolar hyperplasia (AAH), through the detection of at least one volatile organic compound indicative of these states. |
| US09315847B2 |
Automated transient image cytometry
A method, system, and instrument for automatically measuring transient activity in cells uses image time sequences to identify transients in cells. Preferably, the transient activity is stimulated or provoked in synchronism with acquisition of the image time sequences. A cell mask is applied to each image of an image time sequence in order to localize the transient activity with respect to each cell. Localization enables cell-by-cell analysis of properties of the transient activity. |
| US09315844B2 |
Methods for selecting eukaryotic cells expressing a heterologous protein
The present invention pertains to a method for selecting at least one eukaryotic host cell expressing a product of interest. The method entails providing a plurality of host cells which are dependent upon folate uptake and contain polynucleotides encoding for the product of interest and a DHFR enzyme. The cells are cultured in a selective culture medium containing at least an inhibitor of DHFR and folate. The expressed cells are then selected. |
| US09315838B2 |
Method to increase algal biomass and enhance its quality for the production of fuel
The invention provides a recombinant cell having a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide which is a lipase having at least 40% amino acid sequence identity to a polypeptide having SEQ ID NO:1, and methods of using the recombinant cell to produce triacylglycerols or to increase oil production by the cell. |
| US09315833B2 |
Yeast cells expressing an exogenous cellulosome and methods of using the same
The present invention relates to the engineering and expression of heterologous cellulosomes in microorganisms in order to facilitate the conversion of biomass to useful products. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the expression of scaffoldin proteins which form the nucleus of a cellulosome. Cellulases or other biomass-degrading enzymes can be non-covalently linked to the scaffoldin protein by virtue of a dockerin domain-cohesin domain interaction. |
| US09315830B2 |
Method of producing a recombinant microorganism
The invention provides a genetic tool to insert, replace, delete, or otherwise manipulate a nucleic acid sequence in a microorganism to produce a recombinant microorganism. Notably, the invention makes use of homologous recombination, a type of genetic recombination in which nucleotide sequences are exchanged between two similar or identical molecules of DNA. Since the invention involves three homologous recombination events, it is referred to as a “triple cross” method. |
| US09315827B2 |
Subgroup B recombinant human adenovirus vector, and methods for constructing and for using the same
A method for constructing a subgroup B recombinant human adenovirus vector Ad11-5EP. The method includes substituting a 365 bp fragment including an enhancer and a promoter of an upstream coding sequence of Ad5 E1A for a corresponding region of a serotype Ad11 of the subgroup B human adenovirus vector by homologous recombination to construct the subgroup B recombinant human adenovirus vector Ad11-5EP. A subgroup B recombinant human adenovirus vector Ad11-5EP constructed by the method and the use thereof for treatment of tumors are also provided. |
| US09315824B2 |
Human artificial chromosome vector
The present invention provides a human artificial chromosome vector comprising a gene encoding the human antibody heavy chain, a gene encoding the human antibody light chain, and a gene encoding IgM heavy chain constant region derived from a nonhuman animal; and being capable of producing a human antibody with a higher efficiency when the vector is introduced into an animal. By immunizing the animal produced using a human artificial chromosome vector of the present invention with a desired antigen, a large quantity of human polyclonal antibodies can be supplied. |
| US09315820B2 |
Metabolically enhanced cyanobacterium with sequentially inducible production genes for the production of a first chemical compound
This invention provides a metabolically enhanced cyanobacterium for the production of a chemical compound of interest, having at least two first production genes encoding first biocatalysts for the production of the first chemical compound. One of the two first production genes is under the transcriptional control of a first promoter for the first production gene, whereas the other of the two first production genes is under the transcriptional control of a second promoter for the first production gene. The first promoter and second promoter are separately inducible under different conditions and the at least two first biocatalysts catalyze the same chemical reaction. Metabolically enhanced cyanobacteria according to the present invention allow prolonged production of first chemical compounds. Further provisions of the present invention include, inter alia, a method for producing the metabolically enhanced cyanobacterium and a method for producing a first chemical compound by culturing the metabolically enhanced cyanobacterium. |
| US09315818B2 |
Plant expression constructs and methods of utilizing same
A Geminivirus based expression construct being capable of systemic symptomeless spread in a plant host is provided as well as methods of utilizing same for plant gene expression, gene silencing and plant protection. |
| US09315815B2 |
Method of high-throughput sorting of high expression cell and cells sorted therefrom
The invention provides a method of high-throughput sorting of high expression protein-producing cell, which utilizes linking a protein and a transmembrane domain with a self-processing cleavage site and regulating the secretion of the protein or expression of protein on the cell membrane by adding self-processing cleavage enzyme inhibitor. Then, the high expression cell line can be high-throughput sorted by a detection technique. The invention also provides a recombinant nucleotide sequence and a vector used in the method and a cell sorted by the method. |
| US09315814B2 |
Immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides
The present invention relates to immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides, vectors and vaccines comprising such oligodeoxynucleotides, to their use as a medicament, to their use in preventing or combating infectious disease and to methods for the detection of such oligodeoxynucleotides. |
| US09315809B2 |
Differentially expressed microRNA molecules for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer
A significant challenge in cancer research field is to define molecular features that distinguish cancer stem cells from normal stem cells. In this study, microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in human glioblastoma stem cells were compared to that of normal neural stem cells using combined microarray and deep sequencing analyzes. These studies led to the identification of several miRNAs that are differentially expressed in glioblastoma stem cells and normal neural stem cells. Characterizing the role of these miRNAs in glioblastoma stem cells is important for the development of miRNA-based therapies that specifically target tumor stem cells, but spare normal stem cells. |
| US09315807B1 |
Genome selection and conversion method
The present disclosure provides a method and a kit for selecting and enriching target sequences specific for one or more genomic regions of interest or a subset of a transcriptome using a target-capturing library of probes. The target-enriched library is generated from a random pool of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments. The present disclosure provides an efficient and cost-effective method of target selection for targeted genome sequencing, targeted nucleic acid library creation and gene expression studies. |
| US09315801B2 |
Method for separating and detecting an analyte
A method for separating and analyzing an analyte is provided which comprises, in a first position, transferring a liquid sample to a multiwell plate with a pipette tip, replacing the tips in the tip rack in the same position, and re-using the pipette tips for aspirating and dispensing liquid. |
| US09315798B2 |
Methods for improving the bioactivity characteristics of a surface and objects with surfaces improved thereby
A method for improving bioactivity of a surface of an implantable object comprising titania, titanium, an alloy of titanium, and/or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and implantable objects prepared thereby provides forming an accelerated neutral beam derived from an accelerated gas-cluster ion-beam (GCIB) in a reduced-pressure chamber, introducing an implantable object into the reduced-pressure chamber, and irradiating at least a first portion of the surface of said implantable object with a GCIB-derived neutral beam. |
| US09315797B2 |
Solubilized phospholipids for stabilizing nucleic acid polymerases
Compositions and methods are provided that relate to solubilized phospholipids and their use in stabilizing nucleic acid polymerases. For example, a phospholipid with a tail containing at least 8 carbons can be solubilized in the presence of an amphipathic molecule. |
| US09315793B2 |
Enzymes that synthesize zingiberene
The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a zingiberene synthase that enables host cells and plants to make zingiberene that is useful in fragrances and for repelling or killing insects. The invention also relates to isolated zingiberene synthases and to methods for making zingiberenes. |
| US09315791B2 |
Metalloproteases from alicyclobacillus
The present invention relates to new metalloproteases derived from Alicyclobacillus and the use thereof in cleaning processes, such as laundry and dish wash, and in particular to the use in low temperature wash and in removal of egg stains. The invention also relates to detergent compositions and cleaning compositions comprising Alicyclobacillus sp. metalloproteases. |
| US09315786B2 |
GSK3 ligands and polynucleotides encoding GSK3 ligands
The invention relates to kinase ligands and polyligands. In particular, the invention relates to ligands and polyligands that modulate GSK3 activity. The ligands and polyligands are utilized as research tools or as therapeutics. The invention includes linkage of the ligands and polyligands to a cellular localization signal, epitope tag and/or a reporter. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the ligands and polyligands. |
| US09315780B2 |
Eukaryotic cells with artificial endosymbionts for multimodal detection
The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic cells comprising single-celled organisms that are introduced into the eukaryotic cell through human intervention and which transfer to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell, and methods of introducing such single-celled organisms into eukaryotic cells. The invention provides single-celled organisms that introduce a phenotype to eukaryotic cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic cells containing magnetic bacteria. The invention further provides eukaryotic cells engineered with single-celled organisms to allow for multimodal observation of the eukaryotic cells. Each imaging method (or modality) allows the visualization of different aspects of anatomy and physiology, and combining these allows the imager to learn more about the subject being imaged. |
| US09315776B2 |
Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells and uses thereof
In one aspect, the invention is directed to methods of expanding hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) comprising culturing the HSCs with Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJSCs), a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs, or a combination thereof, thereby producing a HSC culture; and maintaining the HSC culture under conditions in which the HSCs expand in the culture, thereby expanding the HSCs. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of transplanting the expanded HSCs in an individual in need thereof. In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to compositions comprising HSCs and Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJSCs). The composition can further comprise a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs. |
| US09315775B2 |
Methods and materials for prolonging useful storage of red blood cell preparations and platelet preparations
This document provides methods and materials for enhancing the storage capabilities of red blood cell preparations. For example, methods and materials for using CO2 to store red blood cells in a manner that (a) reduces the level of glucose or 2,3-DPG consumption of or reduces the level of 2,3-DPG production by a red blood cell preparation, (b) reduces the level of lactate formation by a red blood cell preparation, and/or (c) reduces the pH level of a red blood cell preparation are provided. Such methods and materials can result in prolonging the useful lifespan of the red blood cells of the red blood cell preparation. This document also provides methods and materials involved in prolonging useful storage of platelet preparations. For example, methods and materials for storing platelets in a manner that reduces platelet metabolism, that preserves platelet function, and/or that reduces the risk of bacterial contamination are provided. |
| US09315773B2 |
Method for the production of permanent human cell lines
The present invention relates to a method for the production of a permanent human cell line, wherein isolated primary human cells are transfected simultaneously with a sequence allowing the expression of at least one cell transforming factor and a sequence allowing the expression of at least one recombinant polypeptide. |
| US09315770B2 |
Bacterial host strain
A recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising one or more of the following mutated protease genes: a) a mutated Tsp gene, wherein the mutated Tsp gene encodes a Tsp protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated Tsp gene; b) a mutated ptr gene, wherein the mutated ptr gene encodes a Protease III protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated ptr gene; and c) a mutated DegP gene encoding a DegP protein having chaperone activity and reduced protease activity; wherein the cell is isogenic to a wild-type bacterial cell except for the mutated Tsp gene and/or mutated ptr gene and/or mutated DegP gene and optionally a polynucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest. |
| US09315768B2 |
Biological microfluidics chip and related methods
A biological microfluidics chip comprising a substrate, a microfluidic inlet port defining an opening in a surface of the substrate, and a microfluidic outlet port defining an opening in a surface of the substrate. The biological microfluidics chip also comprises a plurality of wells extending from a top surface of the substrate, wherein each well is bounded by one or more walls, and an inlet opening and an outlet opening are provided in a wall of each of the plurality of wells. An inlet microfluidic channel is provided in the substrate to connect the microfluidic inlet port to each of the inlet openings in the walls of the wells, and an outlet microfluidic channel is provided in the substrate to connect each of the outlet openings in the walls of the wells to the microfluidic outlet port. |
| US09315767B1 |
Photo-bioreactor for mass production of photosynthetic organisms
The apparatus herein relates to the large-scale production of photosynthetic microorganisms, especially algae. More particularly it relates to control of large size aqueous photosynthetic bioreactor systems to obtain such products from many microbial strains, which have heretofore only been cultured in laboratory environments in small containers. |
| US09315766B2 |
Solid particle for washing and washing method using the same
A solid particle for washing and the washing method using the same are provided. The solid particle is a polymer solid particle, wherein open pores are distributed on the solid particle surface. The washing method using the solid particle comprises steps of separating the articles to be washed with the solid particles, rinsing the articles to be washed and drying the articles to be washed. |
| US09315765B2 |
Pod for processing used cooking oils and processing apparatus
A pod for processing used cooking oils is disclosed that allows a higher energy efficiency of the process and better quality of the final result obtained, in view of different possible uses. This increase in terms of energy efficiency makes it possible to use an apparatus of the domestic appliance type, for processing a given quantity of used cooking oils together with the processing pod according to the invention. Providing the user with the possibility of opting among different combinations of functional substances provided in a main structure and in a secondary structure of the processing pod should, together with the possibility of using an apparatus of domestic use, allow the valorization of used cooking oils directly at the point of consumption. |
| US09315761B2 |
Lubricant and fuel dispersants and methods of preparation thereof
This disclosure relates to a composition for use as an additive for fuels and lubricants including an amination product of an epoxidized vinyl terminated macromonomer (VTM) and an amino compound containing at least one —NH— group. The epoxidized VTM is reacted with the amino compound containing at least one —NH— group under amination conditions sufficient to give said composition. The epoxidized VTM is formed by reacting a VTM with an epoxidizing agent under epoxidation conditions sufficient to give an epoxidized VTM. An amination method for making a composition for use as an additive for fuels and lubricants. The method comprises reacting an epoxidized VTM with an amino compound containing at least one —NH— group under amination conditions sufficient to give the composition. The epoxidized VTM is formed by reacting a VTM with an epoxidizing agent under epoxidation conditions sufficient to give an epoxidized VTM. |
| US09315760B2 |
Ashless lubricant composition
A lubricant composition with improved antioxidant capability is provided by way of an additive composition containing a metal free sulfur-containing compound, an aromatic amine, and a hindered amine. Particularly effective metal-free sulfur-containing compounds include ashless dithiocarbamates, such as methylenebis(dibutyldithiocarbamate), and sulfurized fatty acids. |
| US09315759B2 |
Synergistic mixture
A synergistic mixture comprising from 1 to 99.9% by weight of compounds having structural elements (I) in which the free valencies on the oxygen atom and on the nitrogen atom may be combined to form a five-, six- or seven-membered ring and the benzene ring may also bear substituents at one or more of the free positions, and from 0.1 to 99% by weight of sulfur-containing organic compounds with antioxidant action. This synergistic mixture is suitable as a stabilizer for stabilizing inanimate organic material, especially mineral oil products and fuels, against the action of light, oxygen and heat. |
| US09315758B2 |
Lubricating oil compositions
A lubricating oil composition is disclosed which comprises (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) an oil-soluble titanium compound of Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently a C1-C20 alkoxy group, and further wherein the lubricating oil composition is free of any zinc dialkyldithiophosphate. |
| US09315751B2 |
Gravitational settling tank and method for producing ash-free coal
A gravitational settling tank including a pressure vessel which precipitates solid content contained in slurry in which coal and solvent are blended, and separates the solid-content concentrated liquid from the supernatant liquid, and a supply pipe which supplies the pressure vessel with the slurry. A main body part and a nozzle part which is connected on the downstream side of the main body part and extends horizontally are provided in the supply pipe. A plurality of holes are provided in the nozzle part. By virtue of this, agitation of the solid-content concentrated liquid which has settled in the bottom is inhibited. |
| US09315750B2 |
Processes for producing biomass pellets and sugars
In this disclosure, a process for producing biomass pellets and sugars from cellulosic biomass is provided, comprising: extracting the feedstock with steam and/or hot water and optionally with an acid catalyst, to produce cellulose-rich solids and an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers and lignin; separating the cellulose-rich solids from the extract liquor; filtering the extract liquor to remove at least some of the lignin, thereby generating a filter permeate comprising cleaned extract liquor containing the hemicellulosic oligomers and a filter retentate comprising a lignin-rich stream; hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers in the cleaned extract liquor with an acid or enzymes, to generate hemicellulosic monomers which are recovered; and pelletizing the cellulose-rich solids to form biomass pellets, wherein the pelletizing utilizes at least some of the lignin-rich stream as a binder or binder component. |
| US09315749B2 |
Liquid fuel composition with alcohols of four carbon atoms and additives, with ignition by compression
A liquid fuel composition includes alcohols of four carbon atoms and additives, the liquid fuel composition being for ignition by compression. Various examples pertain to a liquid fuel composition with alcohols of four carbon atoms and additives, with ignition by compression to a diesel cycle fuel engine where the fuel can be able to be produced by means of biotechnology from renewable biologic source, including processes of fermentation of sugars or materials available on sugar and ethanol plants. As an example, a produced fuel can be used conventionally as replacement of diesel in urban transportation vehicles or roads and can be an alternative to diesel fuel. The composition can be employed alone or mixed to fossil diesel oil (e.g., in the engine, etc.). |
| US09315744B2 |
Flakes management in hydrocarbon processing units
The instant invention discloses a method for the improvement of flakes recovery from hydrocarbon processing units and in particular slurry reactors as well as slurry flakes obtained thereof. |
| US09315740B2 |
Methods of separating mixtures of miscible fluids
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for vortex tube desulfurization of jet fuels. Also disclosed are processes for separation of closely boiling species in a mixture of miscible fluids. |
| US09315739B2 |
Process for upgrading biomass derived products
Disclosed is a process for the alteration of the ratio of the specific gravities of the oil and water phases resulting from the conversion of biomass to liquid products, the reduction of the conductivity and of metals of the product mixture, which each can aid in the removal of solids contained in the oil phase. |
| US09315738B2 |
System and process for injecting catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit
A preferred embodiment of a system for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit includes a bin for storing at least one of the catalyst and/or additives, and a loading unit in fluid communication with the storage bin and the fluidized catalytic cracking unit on a selective basis. The loading unit is capable of being evacuated so that a resulting vacuum within the loading unit draws the catalyst and/or additive from the bin. The loading unit is also capable of being pressurized so that the catalyst and/or additive is transferred from the loading unit to the fluidized catalytic cracking unit. |
| US09315737B2 |
Production of paraffin fuels using renewable materials by a continuous hydrotreatment comprising a pre-treatment step under hydrogen
A process for hydrotreatment of a feed from renewable sources such as vegetable oils for the production of paraffinic hydrocarbons comprising a pre-treatment step by crystallization and/or precipitation and pre-hydrogenation of the feed under hydrogen allowing the elimination of insoluble inorganic impurities under hydrotreatment conditions and improved exothermal management of the reaction. The effluent is separated to a gas fraction and a liquid fraction containing paraffinic hydrocarbons, a portion of said liquid fraction is recycled. |
| US09315735B2 |
System and method for producing a consistent quality syngas from diverse waste materials with heat recovery based power generation, and renewable hydrogen co-production
A system and method for converting waste and secondary materials into synthesis gas (syngas) through the use of a molten metal bath gasifier for the initial breakdown of waste feeds and an A/C plasma reactor for complete dissociation of waste feeds into syngas, and an anaerobic digester. The system includes a heat recovery and steam power generation process for the production of electricity. The system produces a net output of electricity above plant load sufficient for the co-production of renewable Hydrogen and Oxygen. The process does not require the use of fossil fuels or fossil feedstocks during normal operations, and it eliminates combustion produced stack emissions or landfill residuals. |
| US09315733B2 |
Asphalt production from solvent deasphalting bottoms
A cost-effective solution is provided for eliminating refinery process waste, including spent catalytic and non-catalytic adsorbent materials, as well as adsorbate process reject materials derived from desorption, while minimizing conventional waste handling demands. An asphalt composition includes asphalt and spent adsorbent material from a solvent deasphalting unit. The asphalt can comprise asphaltic material obtained from a solvent deasphalting unit, and spent adsorbent material in the asphalt composition was previously utilized in the solvent deasphalting unit. The asphalt composition can also include process reject materials. |
| US09315731B2 |
High impact polystyrene flame retarded compositions
The invention relates to a polymer composition comprising high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and a combination of flame retardants which are brominated epoxy oligomers and polymers. A process for preparing the HIPS composition through a masterbatch route and a masterbatch composition which contains the flame retardants are also disclosed. |
| US09315728B2 |
Polymerizable liquid crystal composition and homogeneous-aligned liquid crystal film
A polymerizable liquid crystal composition is provided that can exhibit a uniform homogeneous alignment by coating the composition on a supporting substrate having been subjected to an alignment treatment. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition contains a mixture of polymerizable compounds containing a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by the formula (1-1) as a component A and a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by the formula (2-1) as a component B as essential components, and optionally containing a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by the formulae (3-1) to (3-3) as a component C and/or a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by the formula (4-1) as a component D, and contains at least one nonionic surfactant as a component E. Examples of each of the components are shown in the disclosure. |
| US09315726B2 |
Mixed oxide materials
The present invention relates to mixed oxide materials, methods for their preparation, detectors for ionizing radiation and CT scanners. In particular, a mixed oxide material is proposed having the formula (YwTbx)3Al5-yGayO12:Cez, wherein 0.01≦w≦0.99, 0.01≦x≦0.99, 0≦y≦3.5 and 0.001≦z≦0.10 and wherein w+x+3*z=1, whereby the mixed oxide material is doped with at least 10 ppm V. |
| US09315724B2 |
Metal complexes comprising azabenzimidazole carbene ligands and the use thereof in OLEDs
The present invention relates to metal-carbene complexes comprising a central atom selected from iridium and platinum, and specific azabenzimidazolocarbene ligands, to OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diode, OLED) which comprise such complexes, to a device selected from the group consisting of illuminating elements, stationary visual display units and mobile visual display units comprising such an OLED, to the use of such a metal-carbene complex in OLEDs, for example as emitter, matrix material, charge transport material and/or charge or exciton blocker. |
| US09315718B2 |
Low interfacial tension surfactants for petroleum applications
The invention relates to a class of novel surfactants that have utility in the recovery and/or extraction of oil. |
| US09315713B2 |
Amphoteric polymer suspending agent for use in calcium aluminate cement compositions
A cement composition for use in a well that penetrates a subterranean formation comprises: a calcium aluminate cement or calcium magnesia cement; water; a fluid loss additive; and a suspending agent, wherein the suspending agent is a polymer and wherein the polymer: (A) is amphoteric; (B) has a molecular weight greater than 100,000; and (C) does not increase the fluid loss of the cement composition greater than 15% at a temperature of 145° F. (63° C.) and a pressure differential of 1,000 psi (7 MPa) compared to a cement composition consisting of the cement, the water, and the fluid loss additive. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing the cement composition into the subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set. |
| US09315712B2 |
Viscoelastic surfactants and methods of making and using same
A method of servicing a wellbore comprising placing downhole a composition comprising a surfactant package comprising a cationic surfactant and anionic surfactant, wherein the surfactant package when contacted with an aqueous solution forms a viscosified composition in the presence of less than about 30 wt. % of a hydrotrope. |
| US09315707B2 |
Lubricating oil composition for refrigerators
Provided is a lubricating oil composition for a refrigerator which uses a base oil including as the main component at least one kind of oxygen-containing compounds selected from polyoxyalkylene glycols, polyvinyl ethers, copolymers of poly(oxy)alkylene glycols or monoethers thereof and polyvinyl ethers, polyol esters, and polycarbonates. The lubricating oil composition for a refrigerator is used for a refrigerator that uses, as a refrigerant, a fluorine-containing organic compound, which is a refrigerant applicable to current car air conditioner systems or the like and has a specific polar structure, and has favorable sealing property, a low coefficient of friction factor in a sliding part, and excellent stability as well as excellent compatibility with the refrigerant. |
| US09315701B2 |
Two part hybrid adhesive
Provided are two part hybrid adhesives that comprise an organoborane amine complex, a polyamine, a component polymerizable by free radical polymerization, and a polyisocyanate component. An isocyanate terminated prepolymer can advantageously be used in the practice of the invention. The adhesive is particularly well suited for low surface energy plastic bonding. |
| US09315690B2 |
Aqueous pigment dispersions based on polyurethane dispersants having components to interact with cellulose
Aqueous pigment dispersions based on polyurethane dispersants having components capable of interacting with cellulose are described. These components include a heterocycle pendent and or terminal to the polymer chain. The heterocycle is selected based on its Hansen solubility parameters. |
| US09315686B2 |
Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, water-based ink set for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, and ink-jet recording method
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a pigment; water; an acetylene glycol-based surfactant contained by 0.1% by weight to 0.3% by weight in the water-based ink; tripropylene glycol methyl ether contained by 2.5% by weight to 4.5% by weight in the water-based ink; and tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether contained by 0.5% by weight to 1.5% by weight in the water-based ink. |
| US09315679B2 |
Transparent conductive film and method for producing transparent conductive film
Disclosed is a transparent conductive film containing a single-walled carbon nanotube and a fullerene. |
| US09315675B2 |
High reflectance polycarbonate
In an embodiment, a polycarbonate composition comprises: polycarbonate; 7 wt % to 20 wt % titanium dioxide, based upon a total weight of the polycarbonate composition; an optional flame retardant; and an optional UV stabilizer. A plaque formed from the polycarbonate composition has a reflectance of greater than or equal to 95%, as determined by reflectance measurements using a Gretag Macbeth Coloreye spectrophotometer (D65 light source, 10 degree observer, UV included) made at a wavelength of 680 nm. In an embodiment, a polycarbonate composition comprises: a polycarbonate; 7 to 20 wt % titanium dioxide; a flame retardant; and an optional UV stabilizer; wherein the polycarbonate composition has a maximum reflectance of greater than or equal to 95%. The melt volume rate as determined at 300° C. using a 1.2 kilogram weight, in accordance with ASTM D1238-04 is from 5 to 30 grams per 10 minutes. |
| US09315671B2 |
Bay-annulated indigo (BAI) as an excellent electron accepting building block for high performance organic semiconductors
A novel electron acceptor based on bay-annulated indigo (BAI) was synthesized and used for the preparation of a series of high performance donor-acceptor small molecules and polymers. The resulting materials possess low-lying LUMO energy level and small HOMO-LUMO gaps, while their films exhibited high crystallinity upon thermal treatment, commensurate with high field effect mobilities and ambipolar transfer characteristics. |
| US09315668B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a first insulation substrate; a second insulation substrate facing the first insulation substrate; a pixel electrode provided on the first insulation substrate; a common electrode provided on the first insulation substrate or the second insulation substrate; an alignment layer member including a first alignment layer and a second alignment layer provided on the first insulation substrate and the second insulation substrate, respectively; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first insulation substrate and the second insulation substrate, wherein at least one of the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer includes a main chain and a plurality of side chains connected to the main chain, and the side chain includes a reactive mesogen (RM) including a functional group for increasing rigidity of the alignment layer. |
| US09315664B2 |
High Tg epoxy systems for composite applications
A thermoset resin, including the reaction product of: an epoxy resin mixture including at least one cycloaliphatic epoxy resins; a cycloaliphatic anhydride hardener; and a catalyst; wherein the reaction product has a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 210° C. Also disclosed is a process for forming a thermoset resin, including: admixing two or more epoxy resins and a cycloaliphatic anhydride hardener to form a curable composition, wherein the epoxy resins include at least one cycloaliphatic epoxy resin; thermally curing the curable composition at a temperature of at least 150° C. to result in a thermoset resin having a glass transition temperature of at least 210° C. Such curable compositions may include: 35 to 65 weight percent of an epoxy resin mixture having at least one cycloaliphatic epoxy resins; 35 to 65 weight percent of a cycloaliphatic anhydride hardener; and from greater than 0 to 10 weight percent of a catalyst. |
| US09315663B2 |
Systems, devices, and/or methods for manufacturing castings
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition, system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise, after removing a cast device from a stack-lamination-derived mold, said cast device formed from a molding composition, applying a desired shape to said cast device to form a shaped cast device, said molding composition comprising: a ceramic composition comprising silica; an cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition, said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; a silicone composition comprising a siloxane resin, said silicone composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; and a solvent composition adapted to dissolve said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition and said silicone composition. |
| US09315658B2 |
Alkyl(meth)acrylate-based thermoplastic resin composition and thermoplastic resin with high scratch resistance and low yellowness
Disclosed are an alkyl(meth)acrylate-based thermoplastic resin composition and a thermoplastic resin with modified scratch resistance and yellowness. The alkyl(meth)acrylate-based thermoplastic resin composition provides improved scratch resistance and low yellowness index while maintaining transparency, flowability, and impact strength, even when the total content of the vinyl cyan-based monomer contained in the resin composition is reduced to a level unattainable by conventional techniques, and the content of the alkyl(meth)acrylate-based monomer is increased. |
| US09315657B2 |
Propylene resin composition
Disclosed are a propylene resin composition (A) composed of 0.5 to 10% by weight of a specific propylene homopolymer (a1), 40 to 98% by weight of a specific propylene polymer (a2), 1 to 25% by weight of a specific propylene-ethylene random copolymer (a3), and 0.5 to 25% by weight of a specific propylene-ethylene random copolymer (a4), where the total amount of (a1), (a2), (a3) and (a4) is taken as 100% by weight, and an olefin resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of the propylene resin composition (A), 5 to 75 parts by weight of an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (B), and 1 to 75 parts by weight of an inorganic filler (C). The propylene resin composition can afford a molded article excellent in scratch resistance and rigidity. |
| US09315656B2 |
Vibration isolating rubber composition and vibration isolating rubber
Disclosed are a vibration isolating rubber composition that balances a low dynamic-to-static modulus with high durability, and a vibration isolating rubber that is formed by curing said rubber composition. The vibration isolating rubber composition is characterized by including a diene rubber, and a carbon black and a silica as fillers, and in that the mixing ratio of the carbon black (a) and the silica (b) is (a)/(b)=80/20 to 20/80 (weight ratio). |
| US09315653B2 |
Method of producing a polyester resin composition
A polyester resin composition including: a polyester resin; a titanium compound derived from a catalyst; and a phosphorous compound, wherein formula (1): 0.10 |
| US09315651B2 |
Impact resistant modified compositions
The present invention relates to a polymerizable composition, containing at least one benzoxazine compound and certain oligomeric or polymeric urethane group-free polyether compounds. The present invention further relates to adhesives, sealants or coatings comprising the polymerizable composition according to the invention and the polymerization products of said composition. |
| US09315646B2 |
Thermoplastic layer for a cable, pipe, coating or analogous
A polyolefin graft polyamide composition incorporating lamellar nanofillers. Also, a tube, pipe or analogous formed from a multilayer at least one of the layers of which contains this composition. A thermoplastic composition having a polyolefin backbone containing a residue of at least one unsaturated monomer and a plurality of polyamide grafts, and also another component, wherein: the polyamide grafts are attached to the polyolefin backbone by the residue of the unsaturated monomer comprising a function capable of reacting via a condensation reaction with a polyamide having at least one amine end group and/or at least one carboxylic acid end group, the residue of the unsaturated monomer is attached to the backbone by grafting or copolymerization, wherein the other component consists of platy nanofillers, said nanofillers being phyllosilicates and representing from 1% to 6.5% by weight of the composition. |
| US09315644B2 |
Cured perfluoroelastomer article
Cured perfluoroelastomers that contain high levels (i.e. greater than 50 phr) BaSO4 exhibit good thermal sealing performance such as reduced sticking and reduced tendency for splitting. |
| US09315636B2 |
Stable metal compounds, their compositions and methods
The present disclosure relates to soluble, multi-ligand-substituted metal compounds with improved stability as well as compositions made from them and methods of their use. |
| US09315621B2 |
Polymeric surfactant
A compound of the formula R1.[(AO)n.A OR2]m (I) where: R1 is the residue of a group having at least m active hydrogen atoms where m is at least 2; AO is an alkylene oxide residue; each n is independently from 0 to 100; and each R2 is independently H or an acyl group COR3 where each R3 is independently a residue of a polyhydroxyalkyl or polyhydroxyalkenyl carboxylic acid, a residue of a hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl carboxylic acid and/or a residue of an oligomer of the hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl carboxylic acid wherein on average at least 2 of R2 is an acyl group. The compounds are particularly suitable for use as emulsifiers and/or dispersants. |
| US09315618B2 |
Compositions for directed alignment of conjugated polymers
Conjugated polymers (CPs) achieve directed alignment along an applied flow field and a dichroic ratio of as high as 16.67 in emission from well-aligned thin films and fully realized anisotropic optoelectronic properties of CPs in field-effect transistor (FET). |
| US09315614B2 |
Urethane-containing silylated prepolymers and process for preparation thereof
Novel urethane- and silyl-containing prepolymers and compositions obtained as reaction products from alkoxysilyl-bearing compounds and isocyanate-bearing compounds, and a process for preparation thereof. |
| US09315605B2 |
Method for producing an elastomer using a transition metal catalyst
The present invention relates to a method of producing an elastomer. Specifically, the method of producing an elastomer according to the present invention comprises a step of polymerizing ethylene, propylene, and optionally, a diene monomer in the presence of a catalyst composition containing a transition metal compound. The method of producing an elastomer according to the present invention makes it possible to prepare a high molecular weight, ethylene-propylene or ethylene-propylene-diene, elastic copolymer at a high temperature. |
| US09315596B2 |
Method for production of vinyl chloride-based polymer by suspension polymerization
The present invention provides a method of preparing vinyl chloride polymer having excellent processability and high bulk density by the separate stepwise additions of vinyl chloride monomer during suspension polymerization. |
| US09315593B2 |
Catalyst systems comprising pyridyldiamido transition metal complexes and chain transfer agent and use thereof
Pyridyldiamido transition metal complexes are disclosed for use in alkene polymerization with chain transfer agent. |
| US09315591B2 |
Modified phosphinimine catalysts for olefin polymerization
Olefin polymerization is carried out with a supported phosphinimine catalyst which has been treated with a long chain substituted amine compound. |
| US09315589B2 |
Processes for the removal of rubber from non-hevea plants
Provided herein are organic solvent-based processes for the removal of rubber from non-Hevea plants such as guayule shrubs. By the use of the processes, solid purified rubber can be obtained that contains 0.05-0.5 weight % dirt, 0.2-1.5 weight % ash, and 0.1-4 weight % resin (when it has been dried so as to contain 0.8 weight % volatile matter). |
| US09315587B2 |
Oligosaccharide compounds
The invention relates generally to oligosaccharide compounds and the use of these compounds as pharmaceuticals for treating diseases or conditions in which it is desirable to inhibit β-secretase. |
| US09315579B2 |
Antigen binding proteins that bind CCR2
There is disclosed compositions and methods relating to or derived from anti-CCR2 antibodies. More specifically, there is disclosed fully human antibodies that bind CCR2, CCR2-binding fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, and CCR2-binding polypeptides comprising such fragments. Further still, there is disclosed nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, cells comprising such polynucleotides, methods of making such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, and methods of using such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, including methods of treating or diagnosing subjects having CCR2 related disorders or conditions. |
| US09315578B2 |
High functional bispecific antibody
[Problem]The purpose of the present invention is to provide a bispecific antibody that is structurally stable, and can show alone a sufficient effect without the co-administration of activated lymphocyte (T-LAK).[Solution]The present invention is therefore related to a humanized highly functional bispecific antibody comprising humanized variable regions of the heavy chain (5H) and the light chain (5L) of an anti-human EGF receptor 1 antibody 528, and humanized variable regions of the heavy chain (OH) and the light chain (OL) of an anti-CD3 antibody OKT3; and having one of the following structures (i)-(vi) in Claim 1, wherein the 5H, 5L, OH and OL have an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID Nos 25, 26, 27 and 28, respectively. |
| US09315575B2 |
Methods of treatment using human antibody molecules for IL-13
Specific binding members, in particular human anti-IL-13 antibody molecules and especially those which neutralise IL-13 activity. Methods for using anti-IL-13 antibody molecules in diagnosis or treatment of IL-13 related disorders, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease and Hodgkin's lymphoma. |
| US09315572B2 |
Stable and soluble antibodies inhibiting TNF alpha
The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNFα, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNFα, and low immunogenicity. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNFα-related disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of said antibodies in medicine are also disclosed. |
| US09315570B2 |
Composition comprising a mixture of CD95-Fc isoforms and methods of producing same
The present invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture of fusion protein isoforms, each fusion protein comprising an extracellular CD95 domain or a functional fragment thereof or an Fc domain or functional fragment thereof, formulations providing such composition in a stable form as well as a method for producing such a composition. |
| US09315569B2 |
Antibodies and vaccines for use in therapeutic and diagnostic methods for α-synuclein-related disorders
Methods of treating or delaying onset of a neurodegenerative disorder with α-synuclein pathology in an individual comprise administering an antibody which is produced from a stabilized soluble α-synuclein oligomer and capable of binding a stabilized soluble α-synuclein oligomer, the stabilized soluble α-synuclein oligomer having a lower formation rate to a non-soluble aggregated form than a non-stabilized soluble oligomer of the α-synuclein. The antibody has been collected from a non-human animal to which stabilized soluble α-synuclein oligomer had been administered or has been produced by hybridoma technology, phage display, ribosome display, mammalian cell display or bacterial display, and the disorder with α-synuclein pathology is characterized by deposition of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites or is selected from the group consisting of Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease, and multiple system atrophy (MSA). |
| US09315567B2 |
T-cell redirecting bispecific antibodies for treatment of disease
The present invention concerns compositions and methods of use of T-cell redirecting complexes, with at least one binding site for a T-cell antigen and at least one binding site for an antigen on a diseased cell or pathogen. Preferably, the complex is a DNL™ complex. More preferably, the complex comprises a bispecific antibody (bsAb). Most preferably, the bsAb is an anti-CD3×anti-CD19 bispecific antibody, although antibodies against other T-cell antigens and/or disease-associated antigens may be used. The complex is capable of targeting effector T cells to induce T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity of cells associated with a disease, such as cancer, autoimmune disease or infectious disease. The cytotoxic immune response is enhanced by co-administration of interferon-based agents that comprise interferon-α, interferon-β, interferon-λ1, interferon-λ2 or interferon-λ3. |