| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09329672B2 |
High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) receiver apparatuses, HDMI systems using the same, and control methods therefor
A high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) receiver apparatus is provided. The HDMI receiver apparatus includes a pin, a control module, and an extended display identification data (EDID) module. The pin is used to receive an HDMI cable connection voltage in a first operation state and output a hot plug detection signal in a second operation state. The control module is connected with the pin. When the pin receives the HDMI cable connection voltage in the first operation state, the control module switches the pin to the second operation state from the first operation state and outputs the hot plug detection signal to an HDMI transmitter apparatus through the pin, such that the HDMI transmitter apparatus reads EDID information according to the hot plug detection signal. The EDID module is used to store the EDID information. |
| US09329670B2 |
Predicting energy savings
A mechanism is provided for estimating energy/power consumption of a fixed-frequency operating mode while system is running in dynamic power management mode. For each time interval in a plurality of time intervals within a time period: a first processor identifies a modeled total nominal power value for at least one second processor during a current time interval, stores the modeled total nominal power value for the current time interval in a storage, identifies a dynamic power management mode power value for the at least one second processor in the data processing system during the current interval, and stores the dynamic power management mode power value for the current time interval in the storage. Responsive to the time period expiring, a comparison is produced of a plurality of modeled total nominal power values and a plurality of dynamic power management mode power values over the time period. |
| US09329669B2 |
Power gating circuit and electronic system including the same
A power gating circuit including a first chain buffer that generates a first sleep signal by buffering an input sleep signal, a second chain buffer that generates a second sleep signal by buffering the first sleep signal, and a first switch block including a plurality of first switch cells controlled according to the first sleep signal. |
| US09329668B2 |
Apparatus and method for selectively disabling one or more analog circuits of a processor during a low power state of the processor
A disable module may be coupled to an analog circuit of an electronic circuit. The disable module may detect an input voltage that is supplied to the analog circuit, and may disable (such as by powering off) the analog circuit if the input voltage is below a reference value. The reference value may be set at a voltage level at or below a maximum voltage that may be present across a transistor in the analog circuit. Accordingly, the analog circuit may be disabled without damage to the transistors of the analog circuit. The disable module may detect whether the input voltage is below the reference value level by comparing the input voltage to a reference voltage. The electronic circuit may include a voltage regulator, and the voltage regulator may include the analog circuit. |
| US09329667B2 |
Computing device employing a proxy processor to learn received patterns
A power management technique at a mobile station is disclosed that features a dedicated processor for continuously processing sensor data, in addition to a main processor for the conventional processing in the mobile station. The dedicated processor executes a set of data-processing primitives. The data-processing primitives operate on received sensor signals that are based on the monitoring of one or more physical conditions. The processing primitives process the received sensor signals, in which the processing of the signals results in a transitioning of the dedicated processor from one data-processing state to another data-processing state. The transitioning is based on one or more predetermined patterns being detected in the data. The processing performed by the primitives results in the generating of a power management signal based on the transition between states and also results in the transitioning of the main processor to an active mode of processing. |
| US09329656B2 |
Apparatus, method, and system for predicitve power delivery noise reduction
An apparatus and method is described herein for reducing noise in a power distribution network for an interface. The power distribution network is characterized. And based on that characterization, worst case patterns for the interface are predicted and avoided. As one example, characterization includes providing a stimulus, such as a step function stimulus, and determining a mathematical function response, such as a step function response. Then, based on the step function response, a resonant frequency for the power distribution network is determined; from which patterns that cause the resonant frequency are identified/predicted. And when identified patterns are detected, they are scrambled or manipulated to avoid causing a worst-case noise scenario in an interface's power distribution network. |
| US09329652B2 |
Device with power control feature involving backup power reservoir circuit
Power-backup capabilities are provided by implementing a variety of different methods, systems and devices. According to one such implementation, an energy storage device such as a capacitive storage circuit is powered relative to the powering of one or more additional circuits from a common power supply to limit the draw upon the power supply. Certain applications involve delaying or otherwise modifying the powering of the capacitive storage circuit, which may involve an initial startup of the capacitive storage circuit. |
| US09329647B2 |
Computing device having a spectrally selective radiation emission device
A computing device having a spectrally selective radiation emission device is described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a housing, one or more electrical components disposed within the housing, and a spectrally selective radiation emission device. The one or more electrical components are configured to generate heat during operation. The spectrally selective radiation emission device is disposed on the housing and configured to emit radiation when heated by the one or more electrical components at one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy and reflect radiation at one or more other wavelengths of electromagnetic energy. |
| US09329645B2 |
Server system
A server system includes a rack, multiple servers, an electrically conductive component, a switch, a rack management controller and a power supply. The rack has a first storage area, a middle storage area and a second storage area. The servers are positioned in the first storage area and the second storage area. The electrically conductive component is installed inside the rack and includes a first power supply part disposed in the first storage area and a second power supply part disposed in the second storage area. The switch is installed in the middle storage area. The rack management controller is installed in the middle storage area. The power supply, installed in the middle storage area, is electrically connected to the rack management controller and the switch which is disposed farther away from the electrically conductive component than the power supply. |
| US09329639B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a front panel, a back cover, a stand, and at least one hinge module. The stand is disposed on a surface of the back cover opposite to the front panel and is rotatable relative to the surface. The hinge module disposed between the front panel and the back cover includes a fixing element, a sliding element, a pivot, and a spring strip. The fixing element has a hole, and the fixing element is fixed on the back cover, such that an accommodating space is formed between the fixing element and the back cover. The sliding element having a hook portion is slidably disposed in the accommodating space. The pivot is slidably disposed in the accommodating space. The sliding element is connected to the stand by the pivot. The spring strip is disposed in the accommodating space. The spring strip is deformably fixed on the back cover. |
| US09329635B2 |
Readily detachable panel device
A panel device including a first panel, a second panel, a frame, and a binder is provided. The frame has a wrenchable structure. The first panel is between the second panel and the frame. The binder adheres the second panel to the frame. The second panel can be detached from the frame through the wrenchable structure. |
| US09329625B2 |
Touch screen panel and touch screen assembly including the same
The present invention relates to a touch screen panel and a touch screen assembly including the touch screen panel, the touch screen panel including a substrate; a transparent electrode layer formed on the substrate; a plurality of conductive wires electrically connected to the transparent electrode layer; an insulation film formed on the transparent electrode layer; and a plurality of conductive line, each of which is electrically connected to each of the plurality of conductive wires inside the insulation film, extended to an outside of the insulation film and exposed therefrom, whereby a PCB and conductive wires can be improved in electrical reliability. |
| US09329624B2 |
System and method for acquiring and correction lifetime information within SA information when transitioning between power modes
A communication apparatus that is capable of enabling communication even when IPsec life time information is taken over. The communication apparatus is connected to a network via a network interface device and operates in a first power mode or a second power mode with less power consumption. A notification unit notifies the network interface device of IPsec life time information when shifting to the second power mode from the first power mode. A storage unit stores first time information showing time of shifting to the second power mode from the first power mode. An acquisition unit acquires the life time information from the network interface device when shifting to the first power mode from the second power mode. A correction unit corrects the life time information based on second time information showing time of shifting to the first power mode from the second power mode and the first time information. |
| US09329619B1 |
Cards with power management
A card with power management circuitry is provided. A card may have circuitry contained therein (e.g., a processor) that may have a maximum operating voltage. The card may include a power source (e.g., a battery) that provides power ranging in voltage from a maximum power source voltage to a minimum power source voltage. The maximum power source voltage is greater than the maximum operating voltage. Power management circuitry is provided to manage the power received from the power source such that the voltage provided to the circuitry (e.g., processor) does not exceed the maximum operating voltage. |
| US09329618B2 |
Apparatus for reducing effort of clutch pedal for vehicle
An apparatus for reducing an effort of a clutch pedal for a vehicle may include a hinge pipe provided in an upper portion of a pedal arm so that a pedal hinge penetrates the hinge pipe and having a plurality of pipe protrusions which protrude in a radial direction along a circumferential direction of the hinge pipe on an outer peripheral surface of the hinge pipe, a spring housing fixedly installed on an inside of a pedal member facing the hinge pipe, and a leaf spring positioned in an inner space of the spring housing and fixedly installed in the spring housing to be flexibly bent and having a curve portion contacting one or each of the pipe protrusions. |
| US09329617B2 |
Active control method of pedal effort for accelerator
An active control method of varying a pedal effort for an accelerator through which the current pedal effort for an accelerator can be varied actively to increase when an engine-off signal for a vehicle in which an accelerator a pedal effort of which is controllable is generated respectively. |
| US09329615B2 |
Trimmed thermal sensing
A trimmed thermal sensing system can include a temperature sensitive circuit configured to provide an output that varies as a function of temperature and in response to a trimmed bandgap reference signal. A trim network is coupled to the temperature sensitive circuit. The trim network trims the temperature sensitive circuit in an opposite direction of trimming implemented to provide the trimmed bandgap reference signal, such that temperature tolerance of the temperature sensitive circuit is reduced. |
| US09329613B2 |
Power efficiency improvement of an audio amplifier by adaptive control of a charge pump
A control circuit and method for an audio amplifier detect a signal for driving a speaker to control the switching frequency and the operation mode of a charge pump in the audio amplifier, to improve power efficiency of the audio amplifier. Preferably, a digital interface is further used to test the magnitude of the output signal of the audio amplifier, to reduce the costs of analog test. The charge pump has fewer switches and thus saves costs and die area of an integrated circuit. The control method needs only two phase control for the charge pump to generate a positive voltage and a negative voltage, and thus simplifies the operation of the circuit. |
| US09329612B2 |
Methods and systems for mitigation of intermittent generation impact on electrical power systems
Methods and systems for mitigation of intermittent generation impact on electrical power system may be provided. A voltage of the power line may be monitored. A change in the voltage of the power line may be determined. A power output of an energy generation source connected to the power line may be altered based on the determined change in the voltage on the power line to compensate for the change in the voltage. |
| US09329610B2 |
Biasing circuit for a microelectromechanical acoustic transducer and related biasing method
A biasing circuit for an acoustic transducer is provided with: a voltage-booster stage, which supplies, on a biasing terminal, a boosted voltage for biasing a first terminal of the acoustic transducer; and filtering elements, set between the biasing terminal and the acoustic transducer, for filtering disturbances on the boosted voltage. The biasing circuit is further provided with switches, which can be actuated so as to connect the first terminal to the biasing terminal of the voltage-booster stage, directly during a start-up step of the biasing circuit, and through the filtering elements at the end of the start-up step. |
| US09329608B1 |
Programmable integrated circuits with decoupling capacitor circuitry
Programmable integrated circuits with configurable logic circuitry and routing resources are provided. Portions of the routing resources on a programmable integrated circuit may be used in implementing a desired user-specified custom logic function, whereas other portions of the routing resources on the programmable integrated circuit may be unused. The unused routing resources may include adjacent pairs of routing paths. These paths may be coupled to control circuitry configured to drive the routing paths to desired voltage levels to provide an optimal amount of decoupling capacitance. In one suitable arrangement, two adjacent routing paths may both be driven to a positive power supply voltage level. In another suitable arrangement, the two adjacent routing paths may be driven to the positive power supply voltage level and a ground power supply voltage level, respectively. |
| US09329603B2 |
Vacuum pressure regulation system
A valve main body including a valve member that opens and closes a valve seat is associated with a fluid pressure driving unit including a pressure-receiving member (piston) that drives the valve member, a valve aperture adjusting unit that sets the aperture of the valve member, an electromagnetic valve unit that supplies and discharges a pilot fluid to and from the fluid pressure driving unit, and a controller that controls the aperture of the valve member. The controller controls the aperture of the valve member by controlling the position of the pressure-receiving member, such that the vacuum chamber attains a predetermined target pressure, and monitors a difference between an actual pressure in the vacuum chamber obtained from the pressure sensor and the target pressure, and announces abnormality in the case where the difference deviates from a tolerance range. |
| US09329602B2 |
Cold start valve and hydraulic arrangement having a cold start valve of this type
A cold start valve for a hydraulic circuit has a valve slide with two counteracting control faces. It is possible to load a first control face with a control pressure and to load a second control face with a feed pressure. In addition, the first control face is loaded with the spring force of a valve spring. A damping space is configured to damp a stroke movement of the valve slide. The damping space is delimited by a damping face formed on the valve slide and oriented in accordance with the first control face. The damping face is configured to be loaded via the damping space with a damping pressure to damp the stroke movement. The damping space is connected in a throttled manner to a pressure space. The second control face of the valve slide is configured to be loaded with the feed pressure via the pressure space. |
| US09329598B2 |
Simultaneous localization and mapping for a mobile robot
A method of localizing a mobile robot includes receiving sensor data of a scene about the robot and executing a particle filter having a set of particles. Each particle has associated maps representing a robot location hypothesis. The method further includes updating the maps associated with each particle based on the received sensor data, assessing a weight for each particle based on the received sensor data, selecting a particle based on its weight, and determining a location of the robot based on the selected particle. |
| US09329594B2 |
Verification methods and systems for use in computer directed assembly and manufacture
Verification methods, systems, and computer program products verify the completion of assembly instructions used in light-manufacturing. Using position guides in a user interface, an in-use component is aligned and ready for verification through a first set of images of the in-use component. A visual highlight area on the user interface overlaying the in-use component indicates where to perform the assembly instructions. To create a traceable record, a second set of images are stored in an assembly record database when the assembler points a wand where the in-use component has been assembled. Another verification approach includes pointing an image capture device over the in-use component and receiving a first voice command authorizing image acquisition. A second voice command confirms accuracy of the image and proper assembly. Storing first and second voice commands and images of the in-use component being assembled in an assembly record database creates another traceable record useful for verification. |
| US09329593B2 |
Robot system, method for controlling robot, and method for producing to-be-processed material
A robot system includes a plurality of robots, a plurality of cells, a detection device, and a changer device. Each of the plurality of robots is configured to operate based on an operation command. The plurality of cells respectively accommodate the plurality of robots and are connectable to each other. The detection device is configured to detect that the plurality of cells are connected to each other. When the detection device detects that the plurality of cells are connected to each other, the changer device is configured to change at least one operation command among operation commands for the plurality of robots respectively accommodated in the connected cells. |
| US09329592B2 |
Methods and systems for calculation of feedrate
Methods and systems for calculating a feedrate for programming a multi-axis machining tool. For at least one control block in a defined machining path: a displacement of a defined machine control point from a previous control block to a current control block is determined; a displacement of a defined feedrate control point from the previous control block to the current control block is determined; a compensation ratio is calculated as a ratio between the displacement of the defined machine control point and the displacement of the defined feedrate control point; and a feedrate for the machine control point is calculated by applying the compensation ratio to a desired feedrate. The calculated federate is used in a control block of a multi-axis machining tool. |
| US09329579B2 |
Wireless sensor device
A wireless sensor device includes a processor connected to a wireless transmitter and at least one sensor, and a power source connected to power the processor and the wireless transmitter. The processor has two or more states. An internal control element senses at least one predetermined condition. The internal control element switches the processor between states based on the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition. A molded body encloses at least the processor, the wireless transmitter, and the internal control sensor. The internal control sensor is physically isolated within the molded body. |
| US09329574B2 |
Timepiece with indexed annular member around dial
An electronic timepiece has a dial; a dial ring disposed around the outside circumference of the dial; and an index marker affixed to the dial ring. The dial ring has a protruding part that protrudes to the inside in the radial direction of the dial ring; and the index marker is disposed to the protruding part. The annular member is made of plastic, and the index marker is made of metal. |
| US09329570B1 |
Image forming apparatus, and toner collecting case for use in image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus, a dust collecting unit is disposed in the front side of image forming units. The dust collecting unit includes a dust collecting box and a fan. The dust collecting box is communicated with developer cases. The fan sucks air in the dust collecting box and discharges the air. The fan sucks air that has passed through a filter in the dust collecting box and discharges the air to an exhaust duct. The exhaust duct is disposed between a toner container and a fixing device and forms an air passage that extends in a front-rear direction to reach an opening portion provided in the rear side. The air is discharged to an outside of the apparatus from the opening portion. |
| US09329569B2 |
Manufacturing method of cartridge including information storing element, information storing element exchanging method of the cartridge, the cartridge and image forming apparatus
A manufacturing method of a cartridge including an information storing element includes: a step of removing a first information storing element holding unit holding a first information storing element, from a frame including a positioning portion for positioning the first information storing element holding unit while leaving at least a part of the positioning portion, and of positioning a second information storing element holding unit including a second information storing element to a remaining portion of the positioning portion; and a step of connecting the second information storing element holding unit and the frame at the remaining portion. |
| US09329568B1 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developing roller and a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the developing roller between a contact position where the developing roller is in contact with a photosensitive drum and a separate position where the developing roller is away from the photosensitive drum. The transfer mechanism includes a bearing unit supporting a rotary shaft of the developing roller to allow rotation of the rotary shaft, a pressing member pressing the bearing unit, a shaft member, an urging member, and a wire member. The wire member connects the bearing unit and the shaft member and is configured to experience an urging force of the urging member to urge the bearing unit toward moving away from the photosensitive drum and, upon release of the urging force of the urging member, move the bearing unit close to the photosensitive drum under a pressing force of the pressing member. |
| US09329567B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with supporting member configured to guide movement of developing unit
An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a developing unit; a casing; and a supporting member. The developing unit includes a developing agent bearing member. The developing agent bearing member has an axis extending in an axial direction and defines a first side and a second side opposite to the first side in the axial direction. The casing is configured to support the photosensitive drum and the developing unit. The casing has a sidewall at a position corresponding to the first side. The developing unit is detachable from and attachable to the casing along the axial direction. The supporting member is configured to guide a movement of the developing unit in the axial direction and protrudes outward from the sidewall. |
| US09329565B2 |
Image forming apparatus and sheet conveying device
An image forming apparatus is configured to include an apparatus main body, further including an internal sheet discharge portion for ejection of a sheet having an image formed thereon; and a relay conveying unit, positioned in the internal sheet discharge portion, and configured to convey the sheet to a post-processing device. The relay conveying unit has: a body portion; a cover member positioned on a side surface of the body portion; a detection switch; and a hook positioned on the cover member. The body portion and cover member form a sheet conveying path, the cover member being turnable in vertical directions into opening and closing states, to open and form the sheet conveying path, respectively, as detected by the detection switch. The hook prevents the cover member from being turned from the closing state and switches the detection switch into an on state. |
| US09329564B2 |
Image forming apparatus in which linking mechanism links movement of exposure members
An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and removably mountable to the main body through the opening by moving the photoconductor unit in a first direction; an exposure member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the exposure member closer to and further from the photoconductor. The moving mechanism includes: a fixed shaft having an axial line thereof fixed relative to the main body; a first arm including one end portion thereof which is supported rotatably around the axial line of the fixed shaft; a movable shaft having an axial line thereof which is movable relative to the main body; and a second arm including: one end portion supporting the exposure member; and another end portion connected to the first arm via the movable shaft, and the second arm being swingable around the axial line of the movable shaft. |
| US09329563B2 |
Image forming apparatus for removing a developer from a memeber to be cleaned
A cleaning member for removing a developer from a surface of a member to be cleaned includes a blade member configured to make contact with the member to be cleaned in a direction counter to a moving direction of the member to be cleaned, and a flexible plate-like supporting member configured to support the blade member, which includes one end with the blade member, the other end with a fixed portion fixed to a frame member, and a bent portion between the ends which is located outwardly away from the surface of the member to be cleaned relative to a segment connecting the fixed portion and a contact portion between the blade member and the member to be cleaned. The fixed portion arranged downstream of the moving direction of the member to be cleaned relative to the contact portion has a folded-back shape to nip part of the frame member. |
| US09329562B2 |
Electric apparatus and residual electric charge discharging method
Example embodiments of the present invention include a power source; a load circuit; a relay provided between the power source and the load circuit; a rectifying circuit connected between an output terminal and an input terminal of the relay; a discharge circuit connected to the power source line on an input side of the relay and to perform, when turned on, discharging operation to discharge an electric charge that remains on each of the input side and an output side of the relay; and a discharge control circuit to turn on the discharge circuit to perform discharging operation when the relay is turned off to stop the power supply input to the load circuit. |
| US09329558B2 |
Image forming apparatus having photosensitive drum moving mechanism
An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a plurality of photosensitive drums, a retaining unit, and an endless belt. The retaining unit retains the plurality of photosensitive drums, and is movable between an internal position within the main casing and an external position outside of the main casing. The endless belt is configured to contact the plurality of the photosensitive drums, when the retaining unit is in the internal position and retains the plurality of the photosensitive drums therein. The retaining unit includes a plurality of pressing portions configured to exert pressure on the plurality of photosensitive drums toward the endless belt, when the retaining unit is in the internal position and retains the plurality of the photosensitive drums therein. |
| US09329554B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying apparatus includes first and second conveyance roller pairs, a width-direction shifting unit, first and second drive units, and a control unit. The second conveyance roller pair is arranged downstream of the first conveyance roller pair to nip and convey the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance roller pair, and to bend the sheet. The width-direction shifting unit shifts the sheet nipped by the second conveyance roller pair in a width direction by shifting the second conveyance roller pair in the width direction. The control unit controls the first and second drive units so that a circumferential speed of the first conveyance roller pair is made higher than that of the second conveyance roller pair between when the second conveyance roller pair starts conveying the sheet and when the width-direction shifting unit completes shifting the second conveyance roller pair in the width direction. |
| US09329551B2 |
Medium cassette and image forming apparatus
A medium cassette is configured to be held and attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus so that the medium cassette slides in an insertion direction or a pullout direction relative to the image forming apparatus. The medium cassette includes a rear side guide for guiding a medium to be placed at a rear side in the pullout direction; a locking member disposed to be able to engage with a body of the medium cassette for regulating a position of the rear side guide relative to the body of the medium cassette; and a movement conversion member for converting a movement of the rear side guide generated by an impact when the medium cassette is attached to the body of the image forming apparatus to a movement of the locking member in a direction that the locking member engages with the body of the medium cassette. |
| US09329547B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a first rotary member, a second rotary member, a support member having a connection part, an urging member, and an engaging member. The engaging member is capable of changing a state of the fixing device between a pressure applied state and a pressure reduced state using the urging member and the support member. When the nip pressure is in the pressure applied state, the engaging member changes a position of the urging member to direct the urging member longitudinally in a tangential direction to an arc that has a center coinciding with a center of rotation of the support member and that passes through the connecting portion. When the nip pressure is in the pressure reduced state, the engaging member changes the position of the urging member to direct the urging member longitudinally in a direction different from the tangential direction. |
| US09329545B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater disposed opposite the fixing rotator heats the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator includes a decreased thermal conduction portion having a decreased thermal conductivity to conduct heat in a thickness direction of the nip formation pad perpendicular to an axial direction of the fixing rotator and an increased thermal conduction portion having an increased thermal conductivity to conduct heat in the thickness direction of the nip formation pad. The increased thermal conduction portion is disposed opposite an overheating span of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof where the fixing rotator is susceptible to overheating. |
| US09329540B2 |
Fixing device that determines rotation state of rotatory body based on position of outer circumferential surface of rotatory body in terms of radial direction and image forming apparatus including fixing device
A fixing device includes a first rotatory body, a heater, a pressure receiving member, a supporting member, a second rotatory body, a position detection section, and a determination section. The position detection section detects a position of an outer circumferential surface of the first rotatory body in terms of a radial direction. The determination section determines a rotation state of the first rotatory body based on a result of detection by the position detection section. The position detection section includes a first position detection member and a second position detection member. The first position detection member is located upstream of a fixing nip in terms of a rotation direction of the first rotatory body. The second position detection member is located downstream of the fixing nip in terms of the rotation direction. |
| US09329538B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a heat rotor with a heat source, a pressure rotor forming a fixing nip with the heat rotor and expandable by heat given from the heat rotor, a drive section configured to rotate the pressure rotor, a control section configured to control the drive section, thus controlling a rotational speed of the pressure rotor, and a heat quantity detecting section configured to determine a quantity of heat from the heat rotor to the pressure rotor since a reference time point when the fixing device transitions from outage to operating state. The control section performs a first rotation control for allowing the pressure rotor to rotate at a first rotational speed after the heat quantity detecting section detects the quantity of heat has reached a predetermined specified value and at a second rotational speed before the heat quantity detecting section detects the specified value has been reached. |
| US09329537B2 |
Fixing device provided with frame movably supporting heating assembly
A fixing device may include: a roller; a heating assembly; a pressing assembly; and a frame. The heating assembly may include a guided portion having first and second surfaces. The frame may movably support the heating assembly. The frame may include: a recessed portion; first and second guide portions. The first and second guide portions may guide movement of the heating assembly. The guided portion may be interposed between the first and second guide portions. The first guide portion may have a first restriction surface facing the first surface to restrict the guided portion from moving. The second guide portion may have a second restriction surface facing the second surface to restrict the guided portion from moving. Farthest end portions of the first and second restriction surfaces to the roller may face the first and second surfaces respectively when the heating assembly is in its closest position to the roller. |
| US09329536B1 |
Image forming apparatus with built-in cleaning mechanism
In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a fixing device configured to include a heating roller heated by a heating section and a pressing roller for pressing the heating roller; and a cleaning sheet configured to be stretched between a first reel and a second reel and wound on at least one of the first reel and the second reel to clean the heating roller; wherein the cleaning sheet is separated from or contacted with the heating roller by a movable member. |
| US09329534B2 |
Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes: first and second rotatable members configured to form a nip for heating a toner image on a recording material; rotatable rubbing member configured to rub the first rotatable member to substantially refresh a surface property of the first rotatable member; an air blowing mechanism, provided with a plurality of openings, configured to blow air toward different positions of the rotatable rubbing member with respect to an axial direction of the rotatable rubbing member; and a moving mechanism configured to reciprocate the air blowing mechanism with respect to the axial direction. |
| US09329532B2 |
Image forming apparatus that controls potential of electrostatic image forming portion depending on ambient condition
In an image forming apparatus including a power source for forming a secondary-transfer electric field at a secondary-transfer position and for forming a primary-transfer electric field at a primary-transfer position by applying a voltage to a transfer member to pass a current through a constant-voltage element, a potential of an image portion is controlled depending on a detection result of a detecting member. |
| US09329529B2 |
Toner container and image forming apparatus in which the toner container has protrusions which interact with the image forming apparatus
A system with a container including a protrusion, and a receiver to receive the container. The receiver includes a slide block that is movable relative to a body of the receiver, the slide block including two surfaces, a first surface, initially contacted by the protrusion of the container during insertion of the container into the receiver, having a first slope to resist movement of the container towards the receiver, and a second surface, subsequently contacted by the protrusion of the container during the insertion of the container into the receiver, having a second slope to interact with the protrusion of the container to assist movement of the container towards the receiver. This construction provides the user with a changing insertion force to indicate proper mounting of the container. |
| US09329520B2 |
Multibeam light source unit, method of adjusting the same, light scanning unit, and electrophotography type image forming apparatus
A multibeam light source unit, a method of adjusting the same, a light scanning unit, and an image forming apparatus are provided. The multibeam light source unit includes light sources that emit multiple beams, a flange that includes installation surface on which holder installation holes are provided, and middle holders on which a light source is installed. The middle holder includes a light source mounting unit, a cylinder-shape insertion unit that is inserted into a holder installation hole, and fixing protrusion units protruding outside from a light source mounting unit and fixed to the flange, and a jig coupling unit that is coupled with a jig when adjustment is performed. |
| US09329519B2 |
Charging roller, charging device and image forming apparatus incorporating same, and method of calculating resistance of charging roller
A charging roller to apply voltage to a target to charge the target has a surface having a color set in one of a range according to CIE L*a*b* color space and a range according to CIE XYZ color space, and the range according to CIE L*a*b* color space is defined as 32.6≦L*≦50.9, 0.51≦a*≦1.12, and 6.0≦b*≦8.4; and the range according to CIE XYZ color space is defined as 8.8≦X≦21.0, 9.1≦Y≦21.3, and 5.7≦Z≦11.8. |
| US09329516B2 |
Deinkable liquid toner
A deinkable liquid toner is disclosed herein. The deinkable liquid toner includes a non-polar carrier fluid, a styrene-alkyl acrylate, and a colorant. The styrene-alkyl acrylate has a glass transition temperature ranging from about 65 C to about 100 C. A method for making the deinkable liquid toner and a printing system are also disclosed herein. |
| US09329515B2 |
Resin-coated carrier for electrophotographic developer and electrophotographic developer using the resin-coated carrier
Provided is a resin-coated carrier for an electrophotographic developer, wherein the surface of a magnetic particle is coated with a mixed resin composed of two resins, and when the two resins are denoted by the resin 1 and the resin 2, respectively, the relative difference between the respective adsorbed moisture amounts of the resin 1 and the resin 2 at a temperature of 30° C. and a relative humidity of 80% satisfies the following formula (1): 1≦|ax−b(100−x)|≦10 (1) a: the adsorbed moisture content (% by weight) of the resin 1 b: the adsorbed moisture content (% by weight) of the resin 2 x: the content percentage of the resin 1 (0 |
| US09329511B2 |
Electrostatic charge image developing toner and toner container
An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles containing an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin, wherein when a softening temperature is measured at 30 points in surface layer parts of the toner particles, a difference (TH(° C.)−TL(° C.)) between a maximum value (TH(° C.)) and a minimum value (TL(° C.)) out of the softening temperatures at the 30 points is from 25° C. to 100° C. |
| US09329508B2 |
Emulsion aggregation process
The method of manufacturing toners disclosed herein includes a continuous temperature ramp and coalescence process that involves continuously passing toner slurry, such as an aggregated toner slurry, through at least one heat exchanger before being subjected to a cooling step. The heat exchanger is pressurized, so the temperature of the slurry may be increased above the atmospheric boiling point of water without boiling the water component of the slurry. Because of these higher temperatures, the coalescence step can be completed more quickly than in conventional batch processes. More than two heat exchangers may be connected in the coalescence step, yielding multiple ramping/cooling temperature steps, ability to inject components, or recycling heat from the process to reduce energy consumption. |
| US09329507B2 |
Method for producing electrostatic latent image developing toner
An electrostatic latent image developing toner containing a plurality of toner particles, each including a binder resin and a release agent, is provided. The surface hardness of the toner particle, measured by a nanoindentation method, satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2): (1) The surface hardness of the toner particle attained with a displacement of 10 nm is 1 GPa or more and 3 GPa or less; and (2) the surface hardness of the toner particle attained with a displacement of 100 nm is 1 GPa or less. |
| US09329503B2 |
Multilayer mirror
There is provided a multilayer mirror (80) comprising a layer of a first material (84) and a layer of silicon (82). The layer of the first material and the layer of silicon form a stack of layers. An exposed region of the layer of silicon comprises a modification that is arranged to improve the robustness of the exposed region of silicon. |
| US09329501B2 |
Lithographic apparatus, method of deforming a substrate table and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system, a substrate table, a plurality of sensors, an actuator and a controller. The projection system is configured to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a substrate. The substrate table is configured to support the substrate and to move relative to the projection system. The plurality of sensors is configured to measure a deformation of the substrate table. The actuator is configured to deform the substrate table. The controller is configured to control the actuator to deform the substrate table based on measurements made by the sensors. The plurality of sensors is located on a first side of the substrate table opposite to a second side of the substrate table facing the projection system. The plurality of sensors is substantially stationary relative to the projection system. |
| US09329499B2 |
Support for a component of an optical device including a locking device
The disclosure provides an arrangement for an optical device including a component of the optical device and a support structure supporting the component. The support structure includes at least one locking device connected to the component and including a first fixation device and an associated second fixation device. The first fixation device and the second fixation device are adapted to be, in a movable state, movable with respect to each other along a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom into a final position. The first fixation device and the second fixation device are further adapted to be, in a locked state, fixed in the final position by at least one locking device contacting the first fixation device and the second fixation device. In the movable state, the first fixation device and the second fixation device are movable, up to the final position, in a manner free from a mutual pre-stress resulting from a restoring force exerted by at least a part of one of the first fixation device and the second fixation device. |
| US09329498B2 |
Exposure apparatus and method of manufacturing article
The present invention provides an exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate, comprising a substrate stage configured to be movable while holding the substrate, a measurement unit configured to measure a height of the substrate by irradiating the substrate with light and detecting the light reflected by the substrate, and a control unit configured to control the measurement unit, wherein the control unit obtains a velocity profile of the substrate stage and decides, based on the velocity profile, a plurality of timings to perform measurement by the measurement unit to equally space a plurality of measurement portions on the substrate measured by the measurement unit in a state in which an acceleration of the substrate stage is nonzero. |
| US09329490B2 |
Pattern formation method, mask for exposure, and exposure apparatus
According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method includes preparing a mask pattern for interference, producing Talbot interference, and forming a pattern by blocking a part of interference light. The mask pattern for interference is arranged periodically a plurality of light transmissive portions. The Talbot interference is based on a transmitted light. The transmitted light is transmitted through the light transmissive portions by applying a light to the mask pattern for interference. The part of interference light is produced by the Talbot interference by means of a mask pattern for light blocking and applying another part of the interference light transmitted through the mask pattern for light blocking to an exposure object member. |
| US09329489B2 |
Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and method of manufacturing device
An exposure method comprises a calculation step of calculating a correction amount of a correction unit which corrects a change in imaging characteristics of a projection optical system based on at least one of parameters including a numerical aperture and effective light source of an illumination optical system, a numerical aperture of the projection optical system, and a size and pitch of a pattern, and an amount of change in environment condition in the projection optical system; and a correction step of making the correction unit operate in accordance with the correction amount calculated in the calculation step. |
| US09329488B2 |
Grid refinement method
The present disclosure provides an embodiment of a method, for a lithography process for reducing a critical dimension (CD) by a factor n wherein n<1. The method includes providing a pattern generator having a first pixel size S1 to generate an alternating data grid having a second pixel size S2 that is |
| US09329487B2 |
Objective for EUV microscopy, EUV lithography, and x-ray imaging
Disclosed is an imaging apparatus for EUV spectroscopy, EUV microscopy, EUV lithography, and x-ray imaging. This new imaging apparatus could, in particular, make significant contributions to EUV lithography at wavelengths in the range from 10 to 15 nm, which is presently being developed for the manufacturing of the next-generation integrated circuits. The disclosure provides a novel adjustable imaging apparatus that allows for the production of stigmatic images in x-ray imaging, EUV imaging, and EUVL. The imaging apparatus of the present invention incorporates additional properties compared to previously described objectives. The use of a pair of spherical reflectors containing a concave and convex arrangement has been applied to a EUV imaging system to allow for the image and optics to all be placed on the same side of a vacuum chamber. Additionally, the two spherical reflector segments previously described have been replaced by two full spheres or, more precisely, two spherical annuli, so that the total photon throughput is largely increased. Finally, the range of permissible Bragg angles and possible magnifications of the objective has been largely increased. |
| US09329486B2 |
Dynamic multi-purpose composition for the removal of photoresists and method for its use
The disclosure is directed solutions and processes to remove substances from substrates. The substances can include photoresist. The solutions can include dimethylsulfoxide, a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, an alkanolamine, and less than 3% by weight water of a total weight of the solution. The quaternary ammonium hydroxide can include tetramethylammonium hydroxide, dimethyldipropylammonium hydroxide, or methyltriethylammonium hydroxide. Additionally, the solutions can include a secondary solvent. For example, the secondary solvent can include an alcohol. In another example, the secondary solvent can include ethylene glycol. Methods for the preparation and use of the solution to remove substances from substrates are also described. |
| US09329484B1 |
Apparatus and method of direct writing with photons beyond the diffraction limit using two-color resist
Methods of and apparatus for performing direct-write lithography in a two-color photoresist layer are disclosed. The method includes exposing the two-color photoresist layer with transducer and inhibition images that respectively define bright spots and dark spots. The transducer image generates excited-state photo-molecules while the inhibition image converts the exited-state photo-molecules to an unexcited state that is not susceptible to conversion to an irreversible exposed state. The dark spots and bright spots are aligned, with the dark spots being smaller than the bright spots so that a portion of the excited-state photo-molecules adjacent the periphery of the bright spots absorb the inhibition radiation and transition to the unexcited state while a portion of the excited photo-molecules at the center of bright spots are not exposed to the inhibition light and transition to an irreversible exposed state. This forms in the two-color photoresist layer a pattern of sub-resolution photoresist pixels. |
| US09329481B2 |
Electroless plating method using halide
A conductive metal pattern is formed using a reactive polymer that can provide pendant sulfonic acid groups upon exposure to radiation, and (2) pendant groups that are capable of providing crosslinking. The polymeric layer is patternwise exposed to radiation to provide first exposed regions that are then contacted with electroless seed metal ions to form a pattern of electroless seed metal ions, followed by contact with a halide. At least some of the electroless seed metal halide can be exposed to form second exposed regions. The polymeric layer can be contacted with a reducing agent either: (i) to develop the electroless seed metal image in the second exposed regions, or (ii) to develop all of the electroless seed metal halide in the first exposed regions, and optionally contacted with a fixing agent. The electroless seed metal nuclei in the first exposed regions can be electrolessly plated with a conductive metal. |
| US09329477B2 |
Photosensitive conductive paste
A photosensitive conductive paste provides a coating film having good storage stability, is capable of maintaining high adhesion under relatively low temperature curing conditions, and is also capable of exhibiting high conductivity. The photosensitive conductive paste contains (A) conductive particles, (B) a photosensitie component, (C) a photopolymerization initiator and (D) an epoxy resin, wherein the epoxy resin (D) has an epoxy equivalent weight of 200-500 g/equivalent. |
| US09329474B2 |
Photoresist composition and resist pattern-forming method
A photoresist composition includes a polymer component that includes a first structural unit represented by the formula (1) and a second structural unit represented by the formula (2), an acid generator, and a compound represented by the formula (3). The first structural unit and the second structural unit are included in an identical polymer, or different polymers. R1 is hydrogen atom, fluorine atom, etc., R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen atom, fluorine atom, etc., a is an integer from 1 to 6, R4 and R5 independently hydrogen atom, fluorine atom, etc., R6 is hydrogen atom, fluorine atom, etc., R7 and R8 are each independently alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, etc., R9 is alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, etc., R10 is hydrogen atom, etc., A− is —N−—SO2—Ra, etc., and X+ is onium cation. |
| US09329472B2 |
Method for manufacturing EUV masks minimizing the impact of substrate defects
In the production of extreme ultraviolet photolithography masks, to produce a set of masks: mask blanks possibly containing defects are provided; an individual map of positions of defects in each mask blank is produced; a concatenated map of defects in a number of masks is produced by transposing, to a given useful zone common to all masks, positions of defects detected during mapping of various mask blanks; individual defect zones each associated with a respective defect and encircling said defect are defined; depending on design rules and on structure to be produced, an electronic version of layouts of the masks is produced, taking account locally, in the design rules, of the existence of each defect in the concatenated map to prevent critical elements from being placed in defect zones; and each mask is produced from any one of the mask blanks and with a respective layout thus obtained. |
| US09329471B1 |
Achieving a critical dimension target based on resist characteristics
Achieving a critical dimension target for a feature based on characteristics of a resist is facilitated. Mask data is established for fabricating a lithographic mask to expose different regions of a resist to high, low, and intermediate exposure levels. The resist is configured to exhibit high solubility when exposed to the high or low exposure level, and low solubility when exposed to the intermediate exposure level. A critical dimension for a region of the resist to be exposed to the intermediate exposure level is determined, and the mask data is established to indicate opaque regions for forming on the lithographic mask. The opaque regions are arrayed to facilitate exposing the region of the resist to the intermediate exposure level, to achieve the determined critical dimension. Further, a method is provided for forming in-situ a patterned mask from a mask layer above a substrate material. |
| US09329462B2 |
Proton treatment location projection system
Treatment volume projection systems and methods for use in treating patients, including an image scanner to capture an image of a patient's treatment volume, a processor to process the image to generate a treatment volume image corresponding to at least a portion of the treatment volume, and an image projector to project the treatment volume image onto a projection surface. The treatment volume image can include an x-y scanning area of the treatment volume to assist delivery of treatment to the patient. |
| US09329461B2 |
Hybrid light engine for projector
A projector includes a light source, a filter unit, an auxiliary light source and a combiner. The light source produces a first beam of light having light in a plurality of ranges of wavelengths, corresponding to a plurality of colors. The filter unit is positioned in the optical path of the first light beam. The filter unit is configured in a first configuration during a first time interval and in a second configuration during a second time interval. When the filter unit is configured in the second configuration, the auxiliary light source produces a second beam of light. The combiner combines the first beam of light and the second beam of light. The combined beams of light are directed to a spatial light modulator. |
| US09329458B1 |
Pan/tilt head with tilt range extender
A pan/tilt head that can be used with a camera is disclosed that includes a tilt range extender. The pan/tilt head has a main housing formed from a central housing and two housing sides. A pantograph linkage is connected to a housing side. The pantograph linkage includes an upper transverse member and a lower transverse member. The lower transverse member is connected to the housing side at a non-rotating mount on the tilt axis. The upper transverse member is connected to the tilt range extender. The tilt range extender rotates about the tilt axis. |
| US09329457B2 |
Method and system for detecting and clearing camera bubble misting
A security camera system detects misting within the transparent portion of the security camera system by analyzing the actual images that are captured by the security camera system in order to determine whether or not there is misting on the transparent portion. Specifically, video analytics are applied to detect areas of the scene that appear to be out of focus as a result of misting of the transparent portion of the security camera system, also known as the bubble. The system uses, in a preferred embodiment, an edge-detection algorithm to look for areas of the scene that appear to have gone out of focus. When these are detected, the condensation mitigation system is activated in order to remove any misting. |
| US09329456B1 |
Underwater camera
Disclosed is an underwater camera, including: a casing having an accommodation space for a camera module; a connector coupled to a first side of the casing and transferring a signal output from the camera module to a controller; a lens connected to the lens and coupled to a second side of the casing in a manner that a periphery portion of the lens is embedded in the second side of the casing; a sealing means coupled to the second side of the casing and preventing water from entering into the casing and from reaching the lens; and a valve coupled to the first side of the casing and having a hose connected to a sealed space provided between the sealing means and a surface of the second side of the casing, thereby discharging air from the sealed space and supplying an inert gas into the sealed space. |
| US09329455B2 |
Light flux controlling member, light emitting device and illumination apparatus
A light flux controlling member has an incidence region and an emission region. The incidence region is assumed to have a plurality of virtual quadrangles that are disposed in such a manner that one fits into another, and have the same number of apexes as one another, and includes a plurality of convex parts each of which has a ridge line along a first virtual straight line that connects two adjacent apexes of the virtual quadrangle, and a plurality of wall portions each of which is disposed along a second virtual straight line that connects respective corresponding apexes of the virtual quadrangles. The wall portion is disposed continuously between a connection portion of the convex parts at an innermost side and a connection portion of the convex parts at an outermost side in the second virtual straight line. |
| US09329449B2 |
Display panel, display apparatus and method for manufacturing display panel
A display panel comprising a first array substrate and a second array substrate assembled with each other, wherein the first array substrate comprises a plurality of first pixel units arranged in an array of rows and columns, and a gap zone is defined between two adjacent first pixel units in the same row of the array; and the second array substrate comprises a plurality of second pixel units corresponding to gap zones of the first array substrate, respectively. The present invention also discloses a display apparatus and a method for manufacturing the display panel. |
| US09329446B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
In one embodiment, an array substrate includes a first array area and a second array area adjoining the first array area. The first array area includes a first electric power supply line arranged along a periphery of the first array area. The second array area includes a pixel electrode, a second electric power supply line arranged along a periphery of the second array area, and an electric power supply pad electrically connected with the second electric power supply line. The electric power supply pad is arranged facing the first electric power supply line so as to sandwich a boundary between the first array area and the second array area. Corner potions of the electric power supply pad facing the first electric power supply line are formed in an arc shape. |
| US09329444B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate, an opposite substrate, and a liquid crystal between the TFT substrate and the opposite substrate. In the TFT substrate, there are formed in the following order, a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode, a first scan line and a second scan line which extend in a first direction and are arranged in a second direction, a first insulating film, a first video signal line and a second video signal line which extend in the second direction and are arranged in the first direction, a second insulating film, and a common electrode. The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are formed in an area surrounded by the first scan line, the second scan line, the first video signal line and the second video signal line. |
| US09329435B2 |
Display panel and method of manufacturing the same
A display panel includes a first display substrate, a second display substrate facing the first display substrate and being coupled to the first display substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first display substrate and the second display substrate, an alignment layer disposed in a display area of at least one of the first and second display substrates, and a partition wall disposed in a peripheral area surrounding the display area of the first or second display substrate. The partition wall includes a body and a capping layer that covers an upper surface of the body. A width of the upper surface of the body is smaller than a width of the capping layer disposed on the body. |
| US09329433B2 |
Light-emitting device manufacturing method, light-emitting device, lighting device, backlight, liquid-crystal panel, display device, display device manufacturing method, display device drive method and liquid-crystal display device
A metal line 731 is formed in a linear area S of an insulative substrate 720, and moreover a metal line 732 is formed generally parallel to the metal line 731 with a specified distance thereto. The metal line 731 is connected to an n-type semiconductor core 701 of bar-like structure light-emitting elements 710A to 710D, and the metal line 732 is connected to a p-type semiconductor layer 702. By dividing the insulative substrate 720 into a plurality of divisional substrates, a plurality of light-emitting devices in each of which a plurality of bar-like structure light-emitting elements 710 are placed on the divisional substrates are formed. |
| US09329431B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display panel and transflective liquid crystal display
A transflective liquid crystal display panel is disclosed and comprises a color-filter substrate, an array substrate, and blue-phase liquid crystal filled between the color-filter substrate and the array substrate, and the transflective liquid crystal display panel further comprises: a common electrode, formed on the color-filter substrate; transparent protrusions, formed in a transmissive region and a reflective region of each pixel unit of the array substrate; reflective portions, formed on the transparent protrusions respectively. |
| US09329428B2 |
Display panel having anti-static feature and method for manufacturing the same
A display panel includes a first substrate and a spaced apart second substrate and a protection or other additional film attached to an outer and laterally extending major surface of the first substrate. The first substrate includes a first base substrate having a major lateral surface subdivided into a display region and a peripheral region, a color filter member disposing on the first base substrate and having a plurality of color filters, a light blocking member disposing on the peripheral region of the first base substrate and an overcoating member disposing on the color filter member and on the light blocking member and extending to cover a sidewall surface of the light blocking member. The extend overcoating member helps block charged particles from reaching the light blocking member, thus preventing discoloration of the color filter due to influx of static electricity associated with the charged particles. |
| US09329427B2 |
Color filter substrate, display panel and display device
A color filter substrate, a display panel and a display device are provided. The color filter substrate includes a first substrate, a black matrix layer located on the first substrate, and an electrostatic discharge wire layer located on the black matrix layer and connected to the black matrix layer. In the color filter substrate, the display panel and the display device, the electrostatic discharge wire layer is arranged on the black matrix layer of the color filter substrate. Hence, static electricity in the color filter substrate is discharged via the electrostatic discharge wire layer, and accordingly, the static electricity may not be accumulated in the color filter substrate, thereby improving the quality and performance of a display. |
| US09329424B2 |
In-cell touch type liquid crystal display device
An in-cell touch type liquid crystal display device includes a touch line and a dummy touch line along a direction between neighboring pixel electrodes on a first passivation layer; a second passivation layer on the touch line and the dummy touch line; and common electrodes separated from one another in respective touch blocks, and each including first openings corresponding to each pixel region and a second opening corresponding to the touch line, wherein a connection pattern extending over a gate line from a side of the touch line at an inner region of the touch block is connected to a common electrode through a touch contact hole, and wherein an open portion is between the touch line and the dummy touch line. |
| US09329422B2 |
Lamination substrate and manufacturing method of the same
A manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a step of forming a tapered first groove on a surface of a semiconductor wafer; a step of forming a notch groove having a narrow width in a bottom portion of the first groove; a step of laminating the semiconductor wafer to a mother glass substrate using a sealing material; a step of forming a tapered second groove on a back surface of the semiconductor wafer; a step of separating a semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor wafer by cutting the semiconductor wafer from the second groove toward the notch groove; and a step of separating respective counter substrates by cutting the mother glass substrate along a scribe groove. |
| US09329415B2 |
Method for forming an optical modulator
According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for forming an optical modulator is provided. The method includes providing a substrate, implanting dopants of a first conductivity type into the substrate to form a first doped region, implanting dopants of a second conductivity type into the substrate to form a second doped region, wherein a portion of the second doped region is formed over and overlaps with a portion of the first doped region to form a junction between the respective portions of the first doped region and the second doped region, and wherein a remaining portion of the second doped region is located outside of the junction, and forming a ridge waveguide, wherein the ridge waveguide overlaps with at least a part of the junction. |
| US09329412B2 |
Electrooptical digital waveguide modulator
A digital integrated optical modulator, in particular for a fiber optical signal transmission or measuring device, having two waveguide arms and electrodes that are arranged along both waveguide arms in or on an optical substrate, wherein the arrangements of the electrodes along the two waveguide arms are different from each other. |
| US09329410B2 |
Ophthalmic lenses with colorant patterned inserts
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for patterning Multi-piece ophthalmic Insert and Ophthalmic lenses comprising Inserts. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel and the lens includes a sealed and encapsulated Multi-piece ophthalmic Insert portion which has been patterned. |
| US09329405B1 |
Temple assembly for eyeglasses
Eyeglasses includes a frame, two connecting blocks, and two temples. A front end of each connecting block is pivotably connected to a side of the frame. A rear end of each connecting block includes an axle having a first positioning portion. A rear end of each temple has a hook. A front end of each temple includes a receptacle receiving one of the axles. The receptacle of each temple includes an inner periphery having a second positioning portion engaged with the first positioning portion of one of the connecting blocks, such that the temples are pivotable relative to the connecting blocks to change an angular position of each hook. The first and second positioning portions engage with each other to fix the angular position of the hook. A disengagement prevention mechanism is provided between each temple and one of the connecting blocks. |
| US09329403B2 |
Spectacles having a retaining strap
Spectacles having a lens frame and arms connected thereto and a retaining strap which can be fastened to the spectacles. A receiving device is provided on the free end of at least one arm, which receiving device interacts with a connecting element to which a retaining strap is undetachably fastened, e.g. moulded on. A plurality of receiving devices can be disposed at predetermined positions between the front end of each arm and the free end thereof. This has the advantage that the retaining strap can be adapted individually to the shape of the head, the hair length and possible individual preferences of the wearer of the spectacles. Thus the retaining strap can be immovably fastened not only to the free end of the arm but also to a front end of the arm, that is to say where the arm adjoins the hinge, and all intermediate positions. |
| US09329389B2 |
Projection type display device for vehicles
A projection type display device configured to display an image on a window while also providing a view through the window. The projection type display device has a plurality of reflection portions arranged on a windshield for reflecting an image light that is projected from an image projection device and displaying a superposed display image onto the windshield. Further, since (i) the plurality of reflection portions are arranged on the window along a lateral direction with a lateral interval interposed at positions between two reflection portions, (ii) a lateral width of each of the plurality of reflection portions is less than the minimum human pupil diameter, and (iii) the lateral interval between the two reflection portions is equal to or greater than the lateral width of the reflection portion, the view of the vehicle occupant through the windshield is also sufficiently ensured. |
| US09329387B2 |
See-through computer display systems
Aspects of the present invention relate to providing see-through computer display optics. |
| US09329384B2 |
Optical reflecting element and actuator
An optical reflecting device includes a movable plate having a reflecting surface, a first support portion, a first drive part, a first frame, and a monitor part for detecting the rotation of the movable plate. The first support portion is connected to the movable plate. The first drive part is formed in the first support portion and rotates the movable plate about a first axis. The first frame contains the movable plate and the first support portion, and is connected to the first support portion. The monitor part extends from that portion of the outer periphery of the movable plate which is most distant from the first axis. |
| US09329383B2 |
Solar collector stabilized by cables and a compression element
A solar collector system including solar elements connected to form an array for intercepting the sun's radiation, a compression element that is positioned substantially perpendicular to the array, and pairs of cables that run from opposite sides of the array to the compression element to mutually stabilize each portion of the array to which the pair of cables connects. A support structure is provided for securing the array to a fixed structure. A tracking system further provides the system with two degrees of freedom for tracking the array with the sun's movement. |
| US09329382B2 |
Display element and display device including a light guide and light extractor
According to one embodiment, a display element includes a light guide and a light extraction unit. The light guide extends in one direction, and is optically transmissive. The light extraction unit includes a displacement layer, a reflective layer provided on the displacement layer, and a light extraction layer provided on the reflective layer to oppose the light guide. A plurality of prisms are formed in one major surface of the light extraction layer opposing the reflective layer. A trough line is formed between mutually-adjacent ridgelines. The element has at least one selected from a configuration in which an angle between one of the oblique surfaces and one other major surface of the light extraction layer opposing the light guide is different between corresponding oblique surfaces of two mutually-adjacent prisms and a configuration in which the ridgelines of the prisms are non-parallel to the trough line between the ridgelines. |
| US09329373B2 |
Catadioptric optical system with multi-reflection element for high numerical aperture imaging
A catadioptric system includes a first catadioptric group, a second catadioptric group, and a lens group disposed in axial alignment with each other. The first catadioptric group includes a solid lens having an input surface, a primary reflective surface, secondary reflective surface and an exit surface. The primary reflective surface is a curved surface concave towards the secondary reflective surface. A light flux entering through the input surface undergoes more than two reflections between the primary and secondary reflective surfaces, prior to exiting through the exit surface. At least one of the primary reflective surface and secondary reflective surface has a continuous and smooth topological profile. |
| US09329372B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus having the same
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side: a negative first lens unit which does not move for zooming; a positive second lens unit which moves during the zooming; a negative third lens unit which moves during the zooming; and a positive fourth lens unit, wherein the following expressions are satisfied: −0.80 |
| US09329371B2 |
Zoom lens, optical apparatus and method of manufacturing zoom lens
A zoom lens having, in order from an object: a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power; a second lens G2 group having negative refractive power; a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, wherein the first lens group moves toward an image once then moves toward the object upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, and the following conditional expressions are satisfied: 0.050 |
| US09329369B2 |
Optical system and optical instrument, image pickup apparatus, and image pickup system using the same
An optical system which forms an optical image on an image pickup element, comprising in order from an object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, which includes a plurality of lenses, a stop, and a second lens unit which includes a plurality of lenses, wherein the first lens unit includes a first object-side lens which is disposed nearest to an object, and the second lens unit includes a second image-side lens which is disposed nearest to an image, and the first lens unit includes a negative lens, and a positive lens which is disposed on the object side of the negative lens, and the following conditional expressions are satisfied: β≦−1.1 (15) 0.08 |
| US09329368B2 |
Beam shaping unit for focusing a laser beam
A beam shaping unit for focusing a divergent laser beam includes a first optical element to receive the laser beam, a second optical element to receive the beam from the first optical element, an optical focusing unit to receive the beam from the second optical element, a first focal point adjustment device coupled to the first optical element, the first focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust the beam focal point diameter by manipulating the first optical element, and a second focal point adjustment device coupled to the second optical element, the second focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust, in the beam propagation direction, the beam focal position by manipulating the second optical element, and in which the beam shaping unit is configured to image the beam from the first optical element through an intermediate focal point onto the second optical element. |
| US09329363B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus equipped with the imaging lens
An imaging lens is substantially constituted by five lenses, including: a first lens having a positive refractive power and a convex surface toward the object side; a second lens having a biconcave shape; a third lens having a positive refractive power and is of a meniscus shape having a concave surface toward the object side; a fourth lens having a concave surface toward the object side; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power and is of a meniscus shape having a convex surface toward the object side, provided in this order from the object side. The imaging lens satisfies a predetermined conditional formula. |
| US09329360B2 |
Actuator having two piezoelectric elements on a membrane
The present invention relates to an actuator for moving a rigid element, e.g. an optical element such as mirror, the element being mechanically coupled to a frame with a bendable coupling, wherein actuator elements are mounted on said coupling between the frame and element, the coupling and actuator elements being adapted to provide a movement to the element when subject to signal from a signal generator. |
| US09329357B2 |
Imaging unit, manufacturing method thereof, and liquid ejecting apparatus
An imaging unit is provided with a cylindrical lens barrel, and an object-side lens which is disposed in the lens barrel and is fixed to the lens barrel using an adhesive. The lens barrel includes three abutting portions and three adhesive portions. The object-side lens abuts the three abutting portions in an optical axis direction of the object-side lens, and the adhesive portions are formed between an outer circumferential surface of the object-side lens and an inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel, and the adhesive is injected therein. The three adhesive portions are formed at an interval in a circumferential direction. The three adhesive portions and the three abutting portions do not overlap each other in plan view as seen from a vertical direction. |
| US09329355B2 |
Lens module
There is provided a lens module, including: a first lens having an extended portion, a second lens in contact with the extended portion to be aligned with the first lens, and a third lens in contact with the extended portion to be aligned with the second lens. In the lens module, the plurality of lenses are easily alignable in terms of optical axes thereof. |
| US09329354B2 |
Branch distribution cable connectorization system
An optic fiber branch distribution cable and system is provided. The branch distribution cable is pre-connectorized. The pre-connectorized branch distribution cable is configured for use in outdoor optical network installations. The branch distribution cable includes a pre-formed, head-end connectorized access point and a pre-formed, rear-end connectorized access point. Each access point includes one or more optical fiber tethers optically coupled at one end to an optical fiber of branch distribution cable and each includes an optical connector at the other end of the tether. |
| US09329335B2 |
Broadband multi-mode optical fibers with flat-zone in dopant concentration profile
Described is a design approach to fabricating broadband graded-index multimode fibers where the concentration profile of at least one dopant in the core region includes at least one flat-zone. Designs for use in CWDM applications are also disclosed. |
| US09329332B2 |
Light pipe illumination system and method
Systems and methods provide for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source. A method includes providing a light pipe, the light pipe defining an inner lumen through which the image sensor views the subject; providing a light source in alignment with a proximal portion of the light pipe; and using the light source, projecting a light into the light pipe and through the light pipe, the light pipe including a distal portion for providing a high-angle bright field illumination pattern on the subject with a first portion of the light and for reflecting a second portion of the light for providing a low-angle dark field illumination pattern on the subject. |
| US09329330B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display having the same
A backlight unit and a liquid crystal display having the same. The backlight unit includes a lower cover, an interconnection coupling hole, an inverter board, and an interconnection. The lower cover accommodates a printed circuit board, which mounts at least one light emitting diode thereon and is provided at one side thereof with a first connector. The interconnection coupling hole is formed in a bottom surface of the lower cover at a position corresponding to the first connector. The inverter board is disposed on a rear surface of the lower cover to apply a driving voltage to the at least one light emitting diode. The interconnection is provided at one end thereof with a second connector to electrically connect the printed circuit board to the inverter board. A coupling part of the first connector coupled to the second connector is directed to the interconnection coupling hole, so the assembling time of the backlight unit and the liquid crystal display is reduced, thereby improving the productivity of the backlight unit and the liquid crystal display. |
| US09329326B2 |
Process for making light guides with extraction structures and light guides produced thereby
Light guides comprising light extraction structure arrays and articles comprising such light guides are described. |
| US09329325B2 |
Optical waveguides
An optical waveguide comprising a body of material configured for the contained propagation of light therethrough, a surface relief grating configured to receive the propagating light and at least partially to diffract or reflect it out of the waveguide, and at least one layer of dielectric material of varying thickness having a first surface and a second surface which conforms to a profiled surface of the grating so that the grating exhibits a spatial variation in efficiency dependent on the varying thickness of the dielectric material. |
| US09329323B2 |
Light source and backlight module having the same
A light source includes a carrier, a plurality of solid-state light-emitting devices, a plate photo-coupler, a first reflector, and a plurality of second reflectors. The solid-state light-emitting devices and the light-incoupling component are configured on the carrier. The light-incoupling component has a bottom surface, a top surface, a plurality of side surfaces adjoining the bottom surface and the top surface, and a through hole extending from the bottom surface to the top surface. The solid-state light-emitting devices are located in the through hole. The first reflector covers the through hole. The second reflectors are configured on the side surfaces. Light emitted from the solid-state light-emitting devices enters the light-incoupling component via a sidewall of the through hole and leaves the light-incoupling component via the top surface thereof. |
| US09329322B2 |
Luminous flux control member, light emitting apparatus, and illuminating apparatus
A luminous flux control member (200) of the present invention has: a light input surface (210); total reflection surfaces (220), which are formed at positions facing a light emitting element with the light input surface (210) therebetween; two light guide sections (230), which are formed such that respective cross-sectional areas thereof are reduced in the direction to be away from the light input surface (210) and the total reflection surface (220), said light guide sections being formed at facing positions with the light input surface (210) and the total reflection surface (220) therebetween; and two light output surfaces (240), which are formed on the outer surfaces of the two light guide sections (230), respectively. |
| US09329321B2 |
Backlight module
The present invention disclosed a backlight module comprising a light collection system, a light guide plate and a plurality of optical fibers, wherein all light incident ends of the plurality of optical fibers are connected to the light collection system for receiving sunlight; the backlight module further includes an optical fiber connector; the plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel on the surface of the light guide plate, with all their light emitting ends flush with the light incident end of the light guide plate; the optical fiber connector abuts against the light emitting end of the plurality of optical fibers and the light incident end of the light guide plate, respectively, used for guiding the sunlight emitting from the light emitting end of the plurality of optical fibers to enter the light guide plate from the light incident end of the light guide plate. |
| US09329318B2 |
Side emitting glass element
Side emitting glass elements are provided that include a plurality of light guiding elements, which are inseparably connected to one another at their outer circumferential surfaces, and at least one scattering element. The scattering element is inseparably connected to the outer circumferential surface of at least one light guiding element. The light guiding elements have at least one glass with a refractive index n1, wherein the individual light guiding elements are not enclosed by a cladding. A phase boundary is present between the light guiding elements through which the guided light can pass and to reach the scattering element. |
| US09329316B2 |
Wire grid polarizer and liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display device having the same
A wire grid polarizer includes: a substrate; a wire grid layer disposed on the substrate and including a plurality of wire patterns arranged at regular intervals; and a passivation layer disposed on the substrate to cover the wire grid layer and including a material having a refractive index less than 1.4. |
| US09329315B2 |
Polarizing plate, method for manufacturing polarizing plate, and image display device
The present invention addresses the problem of providing a thin polarizing plate having a favorable degree of polarization, a method for manufacturing the same, and an image display device that uses the polarizing plate. This polarizing plate is a polarizing plate in which a hard-coat layer is directly laminated on a polarizer, wherein the polarizing plate is characterized in that thickness of the polarizer is 0.5 μm to 10 μm, and the pencil hardness of the hard-coat layer ranges from B to H. |
| US09329313B2 |
System and method for photographing cylindrical or spherical objects with reduced glare
A system including an imaging device with a line of sight to an object, capable of producing a glare, which is to be captured in an image, a light source configured to illuminate a surface of the object, and an optical barrier positioned along the line of sight between the imaging device and the object, said optical barrier being sized and positioned to reduce reflected light off the surface of the object directed along the line of sight from being captured in the image. Methods are also disclosed. |
| US09329312B2 |
Approaches to control color mura in optical films
A brightness enhancement film includes a plurality of linear prisms disposed on a birefringent substrate. A light ray that enters the film from the substrate side and exits the film from the linear prisms side undergoes substantially a same phase retardation for mutually orthogonal polarization states while travelling within the film. The light ray exits the film at an angle from a normal to the substrate that is greater than 20 degrees. |
| US09329309B2 |
Electroactive lens with multiple depth diffractive structures
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, switch a diffractive first electro-active lens from a first power state corresponding to a first optical power to a second power state corresponding to a second optical power that differs from said first optical power. |
| US09329308B2 |
Longitudinally graded index lens
An Axially Graded Index LEns (AGILE) is provided. Such optical elements can provide optical concentration in excess of the free-space brightness theorem limit, because of the increased refractive index at the output of the concentrator compared to the input. Optical contact (i.e., no intervening low index material) between the AGILE and the absorbing element (or an optical source) can be employed to ensure no loss of brightness at the interface between the AGILE and the absorbing element (or source). Although solar cell concentration is a significant application of this technology, there are various other applications, such as increasing the efficiency of optical emission, and providing transmissive optical windows that include optically cloaked regions. |
| US09329307B2 |
Method for producing polarizer
A method for producing a polarizer (20) comprises the steps of: (A) stretching a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer (10) to obtain a stretched layer (14); (B) immersing the stretched layer (14) in a dyeing liquid (23) containing iodine to obtain a dyed layer (18) in which absorbance thereof determined from a tristimulus value Y is from 0.4 to 1.0 (transmittance T=40% to 10%); and (C) removing a part of iodine adsorbed in the dyed layer (18) so that the absorbance of the dyed layer (18) decreases by 0.03 to 0.7, provided that the absorbance of the dyed layer (18) is controlled so that it does not become less than 0.3. |
| US09329302B2 |
Use of spectral information to extend temperature range of gamma-ray detector
A method is for detecting gamma rays using a gamma ray detector, and includes determining a first count of gamma rays having an energy in a first energy interval, using a controller coupled to the gamma ray detector. A second count of gamma rays having an energy in a second energy interval is determined, the second energy interval having a higher energy than the first energy interval, using the controller. A third count of gamma rays having an energy in a third energy interval is determined, the third energy interval having a higher energy than the second energy interval, using the controller. The second count of gamma rays is compensated for noise based upon a ratio of the second count and the third count, using the controller. |
| US09329300B2 |
Depth determination in X-ray backscatter system using frequency modulated X-ray beam
An X-ray backscatter imaging system uses frequency modulated X-rays to determine depth of features within a target. An X-ray source generates X-ray radiation modulated by a frequency-modulated bias current. The X-ray radiation impinges upon and is backscattered from multiple depths within the target. A scintillating material receives the backscattered X-rays and generates corresponding photons. A photodetector, having gain modulated by the frequency modulation signal from the local oscillator, receives the photons from the scintillating material and generates an analog output signal containing phase delay information indicative of the distance travelled by the X-rays backscattered from multiple depths within the target. The analog output signal is sampled by an analog-to-digital converter to create a digital output signal. A computer processor performs a discrete Fourier transform on the digital output signal to provide target depth information based on the phase delay information. |
| US09329296B2 |
Underwater detector and method for underwater detection
Provided are an underwater detector and a method for an underwater detection, and more particularly, an underwater detector including two direct current electrodes and a plurality of measurement electrodes in order to sense a movement of an object having conductivity different from that of water underwater. Since the underwater detector according to the present invention includes two direct current electrodes, a plurality of measurement electrodes, and a control and measurement module for measuring voltages of the plurality of measurement electrodes, the plurality of measurement electrodes each include an electrode control module and the electrode control module includes a first switch, a second switch, a controlling unit, and the like, the number of voltage measurement lines may be small and a voltage between two selected electrodes may be easily calculated. |
| US09329294B2 |
Sonic borehole caliper and related methods
A method and apparatus for determining an effective cross-sectional area of a borehole including one or more sources for generating tube or Stoneley waves in the borehole; receivers for measuring amplitudes of the waves; and means to relate said measured amplitudes to said effective cross-sectional area or related parameters. |
| US09329290B2 |
3-D harmonic-source reverse time migration systems and methods for seismic data analysis
Computing device and method for processing seismic traces to produce an image of a subsurface area. The method includes receiving a series of seismic traces related to the subsurface area and recorded by one or more seismic receivers, wherein the one or more seismic sources are originally generated by a source; applying a phase encoding function to the series of seismic traces, at least a portion of said seismic traces comprise signals reflected by geological interfaces of the subsurface area; applying a 3 dimensional (3D) harmonic-source reverse time migration of the series of seismic traces encoded with the phase encoding function; computing a forward wavefield by solving a first wave equation; computing a backward wavefield by solving a second wave equation; and cross-correlating the forward wavefield with the backward wavefield to generate an image of the subsurface. |
| US09329288B2 |
Data acquisition and prestack migration based on seismic visibility analysis
Seismic visibility analysis of selected subsurface structures is employed to determine surface locations offering high visibility of target events. These locations can then be used as a basis for acquiring additional seismic survey data and/or selecting existing traces for re-migration with more sophisticated migration methods. With either usage, the newly migrated data is expected to offer enhanced images of the target event. In some embodiments, the visibility determination includes using a wave equation based propagator to find, for each of multiple simulated shots, a reflection wavefield from the target event in a seismic model; and to calculate, for each of multiple receiver positions, a contribution signal from each reflection wavefield. The visibility determination further includes converting each contribution signal into a source-receiver visibility value. Because data acquisition and/or re-migration is limited to the selected region, the imaging effort for the target event is significantly reduced. |
| US09329287B2 |
Method of seismic source independent operation
A method of controlling seismic data acquisition may include sending a first message to place a plurality of energy sources into an operating mode; sending a second message to place at least one of plurality of energy sources into a non-operating mode; and sending a third message from at least one energy source to a controller. |
| US09329283B2 |
Semiconductor-detector-based method and device for detecting ionising radiation
A device for detecting ionizing radiation results in charges forming in a sensor covered with a plurality of electrodes that are each connected to an electronic circuit adapted to deliver, to a processing module, a first signal indicating when charge has been collected by the electrode connected to said circuit. Each central circuit is adapted, when a central electrode has collected charge, to determine a possible detection overlap with one of the adjacent electrodes; to determine a priority detection overlap with an adjacent priority circuit; to transmit or receive to/from the adjacent priority circuit a request to participate in a detection overlap and to receive or transmit from/to the adjacent priority circuit an indication of availability; and to transmit said first signal except in the case where an availability indication has been transmitted to the adjacent priority circuit. |
| US09329276B2 |
Optical system for portable OSL reader
A device comprising an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) reader having an optical engine with a light source, collection lens, a removably mounted dichroic mirror, and a photodetector. |
| US09329273B1 |
Systems and methods for guiding swimmers
A system for guiding a swimmer that includes a destination device configured to be arranged near a destination location which a swimmer will swim towards. The system further includes directional determination equipment configured to determine a direction the swimmer should swim towards based, at least in part, on the swimmer's current position in reference to the destination device. The system further includes directional guidance equipment configured to indicate to the swimmer the determined direction the swimmer should swim towards, wherein the directional guidance equipment includes a first guidance device configured to be worn by the swimmer while swimming and having first vibration hardware for vibrating the first guidance device, and wherein the directional guidance equipment dynamically indicates for the swimmer to swim in the direction via at least the first vibration means. |
| US09329272B2 |
3D camera and method of image processing 3D images
A method comprises obtaining first information, the first information including depth information with a first range of unambiguity. A first image processing is performed on the first information to generate first modified information. Furthermore, second information is obtained, the second information including depth information with a second range of unambiguity. |
| US09329265B2 |
Multiple transmission methods for improving the operation of automotive radar systems
Methods for disambiguating the location of a radar contact using an N×M dimensioned radar array are provided. In the horizontal plane, the method comprises transmitting a first radar energy pattern in a direction, collecting reflected energy of the first radar energy pattern from the contact, transmitting a second radar energy pattern in the direction and collecting reflected energy of the second radar energy pattern from the contact. The method further comprises comparing the collected energy of the first radar energy pattern and the collected energy of the second radar energy pattern and determining if the contact is located in a side lobe or a main lobe of the first and second radar energy pattern based on the comparison. In the vertical plane, other similar embodiments may be used to determine if the radar antenna(s) are blocked by an obstacle. |
| US09329262B2 |
Situational awareness personal service
A situational awareness personal service (SAPS) receives data records from a wide variety of data sources and provides real-time, tailored, situational awareness (SA) information to subscribers. The SA information, which can include course of action recommendations and threat assessments, can be made available and affordable to the general public. Subscribers may view the SA information using commercial off the shelf (COTS) devices, such as laptop computers, smartphones, and existing onboard integrated displays. In one aspect, transportation platforms can provide local observation data, such as radar tracking data, to the SA personal service in exchange for tailored SA information. |
| US09329261B2 |
Method and system for dynamic control of output power of a leaky wave antenna
Methods and systems for dynamic control of output power of a leaky wave antenna (LWA) are disclosed and may include configuring one or more LWAs in a wireless device to transmit RF signals at a desired frequency. The LWAs may be integrated in support structures, including an integrated circuit, an integrated circuit package, and/or a printed circuit board. Impedances that are coupled to the LWAs and to a power amplifier enabled to amplify the RF signals may be dynamically configured. A resonant frequency of the LWAs may be tuned, which may be configured to transmit the RF signals at a desired angle from a surface of the support structure. The LWAs may include microstrip or coplanar waveguides where a cavity height of the LWAs may be configured by controlling spacing between conductive lines in the waveguides. The impedances may include capacitor arrays and/or inductors in the support structures. |
| US09329255B2 |
Imaging antenna and related techniques
An antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna elements include layers of dielectric material; an antenna inlaid in a top layer of the dielectric material so a surface of the antenna is substantially parallel to an outer surface of the top layer of dielectric material; and a conductive balun, coupled to the antenna, and embedded in one or more layers of the dielectric material. The antenna array is operative to receive signals from V to W frequency band transmissions generated by a heat source. |
| US09329251B2 |
System and method for magnetic resonance imaging using multiple spatial encoding magnetic fields
This invention provides a multi-dimensional encoded (MDE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scheme to map a q-dimensional object with p spatial encoding magnetic fields (SEMs) onto a p-dimensional space where p is equal to or larger than q. The provided MDE MRI scheme links imaging schemes using linear and nonlinear gradients. The present invention also provides a system and method of optimizing the spatial bases in MDE MRI. With a higher dimension encoding space in MDE MRI, the image can be reconstructed in a more efficiency and accurate manner. |
| US09329250B2 |
System and method for combined chemical species separation and high resolution R2* mapping with magnetic resonance imaging
Described here is a system and method for estimating apparent transverse relaxation rate, R2*, while simultaneously performing chemical species separation (e.g., water-fat separation) using magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”). A homodyne reconstruction of k-space datasets acquired using a partial k-space acquisition is used and the chemical species separation of the resultant images takes into account the spectral complexity of the chemical species in addition to magnetic resonance signal decay associated with transverse relaxation. Full resolution maps of R2* are thus capable of being produced while also allowing for the production of images depicting the separated chemical species that are corrected for transverse relaxation associated signal decays. |
| US09329248B2 |
Non-cylindrical cable balun design for RF coils
A non-cylindrical cable balun design having reduced space requirements and that provides for a lighter-weight RF coil is disclosed. The balun includes a balun shell having a non-cylindrical profile, a dielectric foam positioned within the balun shell so as to fill an interior volume defined by the balun shell, and one or more capacitors formed on the balun shell. A non-cylindrical coaxial cable that transmits electromagnetic signals to the balun extends through a length of the balun and is surrounded by the dielectric foam. |
| US09329236B2 |
Device and method for monitoring an integrity of a series-connection of a plurality of switches
A device for monitoring a space by changing a sequence of a serial interconnection of closing contacts, in particular of cover switches in a security housing, having a series circuit variation apparatus, a security cover, at least two closing contacts, and a protective circuit, wherein said at least two closing contacts each have an open, electrically nonconductive state and a closed, electrically conductive state, wherein said security cover is set up to put each of said at least two closing contacts in a closed, electrically conductive state, wherein said protective circuit is set up to detect an opening of at least one of said at least two closing contacts, wherein said series circuit variation apparatus serially interconnects said at least two closing contacts, wherein the sequence of the serial interconnection of said at least two closing contacts can be changed by said series circuit variation apparatus. |
| US09329231B2 |
Serial input/output, source/destination bus data multiplexer, flip flop, and controller circuitry
The present disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus of using the JTAG TAP's TMS and TCK terminals as a general purpose serial Input/Output (I/O) bus. According to the present disclosure, the TAP's TMS terminal is used as a clock signal and the TCK terminal is used as a bidirectional data signal to allow serial communication to occur between; (1) an IC and an external controller, (2) between a first and second IC, or (3) between a first and second core circuit within an IC. |
| US09329226B2 |
Method for ascertaining at least one malfunction of a conductive conductivity sensor
A method and a sensor for ascertaining at least one malfunction of a conductive conductivity sensor having at least two electrodes applying a first electrical variable to the electrodes measuring at least a second electrical variable on the electrodes and deciding whether a malfunction is present based on measuring the second electrical variable. The second electrical variable is located in a first range when measuring the medium when no malfunction is present, and the second electrical variable is located in a second range in the case of a first malfunction, especially when the conductivity sensor is located at least partially outside of the medium, and the second electrical variable is located in a third range when a second malfunction is present, especially an electrode break or a break in a line to the electrodes. |
| US09329225B2 |
Testing device, test system including the same, and method thereof
A testing device includes a signal sensing unit and a signal processing unit. The signal sensing unit generates a test output signal by sensing a signal from a device under test including a plurality of passive elements that are connected in parallel. The signal processing unit detects an open-type fault of the plurality of passive elements by measuring an impedance of the device under test based on element characteristic information of the plurality of passive elements. |
| US09329223B2 |
Deep level transient spectrometer
A method for detecting surface and bulk deep states in semiconductor materials is provided. In various embodiments, the method comprises configuring a detection circuit of charge based deep level transient spectrometer in one of a parallel mode and a series mode by controlling the configuration of a switching circuit of the detection circuit. The method additionally comprises generating digitized voltage charge outputs of a device under test utilizing the detection circuit as controlled via execution of an analog-to-digital conversion and timing program by a control system of the charge based deep level transient spectrometer. Furthermore, the method comprises obtaining desired information about deep level transients of the device under test based on the digitized voltage charge outputs via execution of a control system operable to execute a Q-DLTS data analysis program by the control system. |
| US09329221B2 |
Partial discharge sensor
A partial discharge sensor includes a top-loading monopole antenna including a disc and a post to be installed even in a branch pipe with a small diameter such that a length between the disc and a structure is adjusted to set thereto a frequency band to be detected. |
| US09329219B2 |
System and method of using flexible ECU inputs to specifically determine the type of electrical fault on an input
A control module includes an input module configured to operate in a normal operating state and a fault diagnosis state. The input module receives an input signal from a circuit module and generates a voltage based on the input signal. In the normal operating state, a fault diagnostic module determines whether the voltage is in a first range or a second range. The first range and the second range indicate that a fault is detected in the circuit module. The fault diagnostic module determines that the detected fault is a first fault type if the voltage is in the first range, transitions the input module from the normal operating state to the fault diagnosis state if the voltage is in the second range, and determines whether the detected fault is a second fault type or a third fault type based on the voltage in the fault diagnosis state. |
| US09329218B2 |
Antenna mast detection methods and systems
Methods and systems are provided for detecting whether an antenna mast is coupled to an antenna. In one embodiment, a method of monitoring an antenna having a removable detection mechanism is provided. The method includes: monitoring voltage standing wave radio (VSWR) measurement data of the antenna; and selectively determining whether at least one of the detection mechanism and an antenna mast is installed based on the VSWR measurement data. |
| US09329216B2 |
Impedance measuring circuit
A method and circuit for determining a circuit element parameter in a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit. An electrical signal provided to a first node is used to generate another electrical signal at a second node. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with a modulation signal to generate a modulated signal that is then filtered and converted into a digital representation of a portion of the circuit element parameter. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with the modulation signal after it has been phase shifted to produce a modulated signal that is filter and converted into a digital representation of another portion of the circuit element parameter. In another aspect, a slope based solenoid self-test method is used for self-testing in a GFCI circuit. Alternatively, a method for determining a wiring fault is provided using a digital filter. |
| US09329212B2 |
Collaborative energy benchmarking systems and methods
Systems and methods for providing collaborative energy benchmarking are described. Information including background data, energy consumption data, temporal data, and/or other information is gathered from multiple sources and stored in a central database. Based on the stored information, energy benchmarks are created for measuring residential energy usage. Energy usage data is displayed to consumers in multiple formats, and permits consumers to directly compare their energy usage data to other consumers or groups of consumers, in addition to their own energy usage. In some embodiments, energy challenge programs encourage reduction of energy usage. Through such programs, consumers create and present challenges for themselves and/or other consumers, such as to reduce energy usage during a given timeframe. The progress of the group and individual consumers is displayed during the course of a challenge. |
| US09329207B2 |
Surface current probe
A surface current probe includes two current detection coils disposed so as to detect a magnetic field in a direction vertical to an current detection target plane; two disturbance-control coils, each thereof being disposed at a position farther away from each of the two current detection coils, against the current detection target plane, so as to be disposed for detection of a magnetic field in a direction parallel to the current detection target plane; and a terminal resistor coupled to each of the two disturbance-control coils. The two disturbance-control coils are disposed such that induced voltages generated against the current detection target plane at the time of detection of a magnetic field on the outer side of the two current detection coils are opposed in polarity to each other. |
| US09329205B2 |
High-precision semiconductor device probing apparatus and system thereof
A high precision semiconductor probing system includes a probe head, a circuit board positioned above the probe head, and an optical microscope, wherein the probe head has a plurality of vertical probes and at least one cantilever probe having a vertical body positioned therein. The cantilever probe is disposed close to an edge of the probe head and extends laterally out from the probe head, in order to facilitate the visual alignment viewing from top of the probing apparatus. The optical microscope is positioned on top of the probing apparatus and is configured to have a line of sight directed to the tip of the cantilever probe. |
| US09329203B1 |
Ultra-sharp nanoprobes and methods
Methods for fabricating ultra-sharp nanoprobes can include the steps of providing a wafer, and patterning a silicon layer on the wafer with a plurality of geometric structures. The geometric structures can be patterned using electron-beam lithography or photolithography, and can have circular, triangular or other geometric shapes when viewed in top plan. The methods can further include the step of depositing a non-uniform cladding on the geometric structures using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) techniques, and then wet-etching the wafer. The non-uniform nature of the cladding can result in more complete etching in the areas where the cladding has lower density and incomplete etching in the areas of higher density of the non-uniform cladding. The different etching rates in the proximity of at least adjacent two geometric structures can result in the formation of ultra-sharp nanoprobes. |
| US09329201B2 |
Methods, devices, and systems for forming atomically precise structures
Methods, devices, and systems for forming atomically precise structures are provided. In some embodiments, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure utilize a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to remove portions of a monolayer of atoms or molecules from a crystalline surface to form atomically precise structures. The STM is utilized to both image the sample and remove the desired portions of the monolayer of atoms or molecules. In some instances, the lattice structure of the crystalline surface is utilized as a coordinate system by a control system of the STM to facilitate the automated removal of specific atoms or molecules from the crystalline surface. |
| US09329200B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting accelerometer based controls in a mobile environment
A method of processing signals from an accelerometer/gyroscopic-based input device includes providing the input device within a vehicle. An accelerometer/gyroscopic-based second device is also provided within the vehicle. The input device is manually actuated while the vehicle is in motion. First signals are transmitted from the input device in response to the manually actuating step. Second signals are transmitted from the second device in response to the motion of the vehicle. The first signals are adjusted dependent upon the second signals. |
| US09329196B2 |
Specimen storage device, specimen storing method, and rack
To provide a specimen storage device capable of preventing liquid such as immersion oil and the like attached to the specimen plate from leaking to the outside of the rack and capable of enhancing the operation efficiency by automating the supply and discharge of the rack. Provided is a specimen storage device which stores a imaged specimen plate in a bottomed-shaped rack having an opening at an upper part, the specimen storage device including a rack transport mechanism which transports the rack with the opening directed upward, and a specimen transport mechanism which transports the specimen in an up-down direction, wherein the rack transport mechanism transports the rack to a predetermined specimen storage position, and the specimen transport mechanism stores the specimen to the rack positioned at the specimen storage position from above the rack. |
| US09329194B2 |
Automated analyzer for clinical laboratory
A laboratory automation system that is capable of carrying out clinical chemistry assays, immunoassays, amplification of nucleic acid assays, and any combination of the foregoing, said laboratory automation system employing at least one of micro-well plates and deep multi-well plates as reaction vessels. The use of micro-well plates as reaction vessels enables the laboratory automation system to assume a variety of arrangements, i.e., the laboratory automation system can comprise a variety of functional modules that can be arranged in various ways. In order to effectively carry out immunoassays by means of micro-well plates, a technique known as inverse magnetic particle processing can be used to transfer the product(s) of immunoassays from one micro-well of a micro-well plate to another. |
| US09329192B2 |
Polymer-coupled peptidases
The present invention is directed to a simple process for the modification of the specificity of a peptidase of the hemostatic system by coupling polymers to the peptidase causing it to lose its reactivity in the hemostatic system, but enabling it to continue to react with certain inhibitors, effectors and substrates. The invention is furthermore directed to processes for the detection or quantitative determination of inhibitors of the peptidase in bodily fluids or other samples as well as to processes for their neutralization and/or removal from liquids. Finally, the invention allows the use of a polymer-coupled peptidase as drug and furthermore provides a device which makes use of such a peptidase in the removal of peptidase inhibitors from samples or from the bloodstream of a patient. |
| US09329191B2 |
Reaction-based fluorescent probe for selective detection of carbon monoxide using metal-mediated carbonylation
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a member of the gasotransmitter family that includes NO and H2S and is implicated in a variety of pathological and physiological conditions. Whereas exogenous therapeutic additions of CO to tissues and whole animals have been well studied, the real-time spatial and temporal tracking of CO at the cellular level remains an open challenge. We now report a new type of turn-on fluorescent probe for selective CO detection by exploiting palladium-mediated carbonylation reactivity. The compounds of the invention are capable of detecting CO both in aqueous buffer and in live cells with high selectivity over a range of biologically relevant reactive small molecules, providing a potentially powerful approach for interrogating its chemistry in biological systems. |
| US09329190B2 |
Assays and methods of treatment relating to vitamin D insufficiency
Described herein are assays directed to determining the level of bioavailable or free vitamin D in a blood sample in a subject. The values determined for bioavailable or free vitamin D indicate whether the subject suffers from insufficient levels of vitamin D. Also described herein are methods of treatment for vitamin D insufficiency. |
| US09329188B2 |
Method for detecting invasive microvesicles derived from tumor cells
The present application relates to the isolation and analysis of populations of microvesicles and the identification of invasive microvesicles in the populations such as populations of microvesicles that are shed by tumor cells. Invasive microvesicles from tumor cells contain a variety of specific proteins, such as ARF6. |
| US09329183B2 |
Immunoassay for thrombin detection
The invention relates to an in vitro immunoassay for quantifying thrombin in a sample comprising anti-thrombin III (AT-III) and thrombin. The method comprises the following steps: contacting the sample with a small molecule that recognizes the substrate binding site of thrombin; contacting the thrombin with a thrombin specific antibody raised against a thrombin blocked in the active site; and measuring the level of bound antibody. |
| US09329174B2 |
Bead trapping method and method for detecting target molecule
This invention provides a technique enabling to detect target molecules of low concentration with high sensitivity. This invention includes (i) a step of introducing a hydrophilic solvent (42) containing beads (40),(41′) into a space (30) between (a) a lower layer section (10) including a plurality of receptacles (13) each of which is capable of storing only one of the beads (41),(41′) and which are separated from each other by a side wall (12) having a hydrophobic upper surface and (b) an upper layer section (20) facing a surface of the lower layer section (10) on which surface the plurality of receptacles (13) are provided; and (ii) a step of introducing a hydrophobic solvent (43) into the space (30), the step (ii) being carried out after the step (i). |
| US09329171B2 |
Methods for detecting cardiac damage
The present invention relates to a method for detecting heart damage in a patient. The invention also relates to methods for treatment of patients identified as having heart damage. The invention further pertains to methods for evaluating the efficacy of an ongoing therapeutic regimen designated to treat a damaged heart in a patient. |
| US09329166B2 |
Urine sample testing apparatus and apparatus for processing measurement result of urine sample
A urine sample testing apparatus comprises: a urine qualitative measuring section configured to acquire a measurement result for each of a plurality of urine qualitative measurement items; a urine sediment measuring section configured to acquire a measurement result for each of a plurality of urine sediment measurement items; an operation part that is operable by a user to specify a combination of one of the plurality of urine qualitative measurement items and one of the plurality of urine sediment measurement items; an information processing unit configured to determine whether or not a first measurement result of the urine sample obtained by the urine qualitative measuring section and a second measurement result of the urine sample obtained by the urine sediment measuring section have a predetermined relationship with respect to the urine qualitative measurement item and the urine sediment measurement item included in the specified combination. |
| US09329165B2 |
Centrifugal separation kit and methods for centrifugal separation using the same
A centrifugal separation kit is used for centrifugally separating whole blood and body fluid, and a method for centrifugal separation using the kit. The centrifugal separation kit is capable of easily extracting a target substance by installing an injector to a centrifugal separation tube and collecting the centrifugally separated target substance with the injector. |
| US09329161B2 |
Monitoring of the functionality of a converter of a breath analysis apparatus
A device for the gas analysis of a gas mixture includes a converter configured to convert a first gas component into a target gas component, a sensor system configured to detect the target gas component or another component of the gas mixture after the conversion by the converter, and an evaluating apparatus. The converter is further configured to change the concentration of a second gas component or to cause a conversion to a second target gas component. The sensor system is configured to determine the concentration of the second gas component or of the second target gas component. The evaluating apparatus is configured to determine a value for the aging of the converter on the basis of the concentration of the second gas component or of the second target gas component. |
| US09329158B2 |
Epoxy chemistry derived materials as mixed mode chromatography media, method for their synthesis and use
This invention provides mixed-mode stationary phase compositions, devices and systems comprising the stationary phases as well as methods of producing these compositions using epoxide ring-opening reactions. Also provided are methods of using the stationary phases of the invention in separations. |
| US09329146B2 |
Transient electromagnetic geophysics system with cooperative source(s)
A cooperative source electromagnetic induction (EMI) device includes: a transmitter configured to generate a time-varying primary magnetic field in the vicinity of a target object, which magnetic field inductively couples with the target object to generate a target object secondary magnetic field; and a cooperative source to which the primary magnetic field is also inductively coupled, generating one or more respective cooperative source secondary magnetic fields. The target object and the cooperative source are inductively coupled via the target object secondary magnetic field and the cooperative source secondary magnetic field. The device includes a receiver configured to measure a composite inductive response, which comprises the inductive coupling of the target object and the cooperative source. A data processor executes statistical classifier software to interpret a signature of the target object based upon the measured composite inductive response and identify the target object from the interpreted signature. |
| US09329145B2 |
Material screening apparatus
The present invention relates to a material screening apparatus, and more particularly, to a material screening apparatus that senses temperature change according to the thermal characteristics of the material to be screened so as to extract a thermal characteristic value for the material and determine the type of the material. The material screening apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of heat generators for variably generating heat; a plurality of temperature sensors attached to the heat generators, respectively, for measuring the changing temperatures of the heat generators; and a controller for controlling the heat generation by the heat generators, performing the calculations of the temperature values measured by the plurality of temperature sensors, and outputting the thermal characteristic value of the material. |
| US09329144B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting backlash and slip
The detecting apparatus comprises: a monochromator, for Bragg-diffracting the incident beam; an analyzer, on which the beam diffracted by the monochromator is incident, an analyzer Bragg-diffracting the incident beam; a controller, for controlling the driver connected to the monochromator and the analyzer, so as to rotate the analyzer or the monochromator in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a detector, for detecting the beam diffracted by the analyzer or transmitted through the analyzer while the analyzer or the monochromator is rotating and measuring a backlash and/or a slip of the driver by using the detected beam. The backlash detecting apparatus can measure a backlash and/or a slip in the unit of sub-arcsecond or sub-nanometer by using the radiation beam such as a neutron beam, an X-ray beam or the like. |
| US09329143B2 |
Method and apparatus for investigating the X-ray radiographic properties of samples
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for studying the X-ray properties of samples (3c), wherein X-ray radiation scattered by a sample (3c) is recorded by a detector (5) positioned at a distance from the sample (3c) and is evaluated with respect to the characteristics of the sample. According to the invention, it is provided that at a predetermined distance between the X-ray beam source (1) and the detector (5) or between the starting point (2b) of the X-ray beam (10) directed at the sample (3c) and the detector (5), for a predetermined number of successive measurements the distance (S1, S2) between the sample (3c) and the detector (5) is changed and is set at a predetermined different value. |
| US09329140B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing X-ray flux in spectral CT
An apparatus and method for reducing the X-ray flux in a computed-tomography (CT) scanner that includes a rotating X-ray source and a plurality of stationary photon-counting detectors configured to capture incident X-ray photons emitted from the X-ray source. A bowtie filter equipped with an edge filter that can be positioned in a reconfigurable manner such that the high X-ray flux at the leading edge of an X-ray fan beam incident on the detector is reduced. The CT apparatus includes a processor that is configured to compute the displacement of the edge filter in either a static or dynamic manner such that that the intensity of X-ray flux at the detectors in within acceptable operating limits. |
| US09329134B2 |
Reflection type optical sensor and image generation apparatus
A reflection type optical sensor that detect a surface condition of a moving body and that is used for an image generation apparatus which forms images on a recording media includes a light-emitting device which has a plurality of light emitter systems including at least two light-emitting members and a light-emitting optical system having a plurality of light-emitting lenses corresponding to a plurality of the light emitter systems and guiding light emitted from the light emitter systems to the moving body and a light-receiving device which has a light receiver system including at least two light-receiving members and a light-receiving optical system having light-receiving lenses corresponding to the at least two light-receiving members and guiding light reflected by the moving body to the light receiver system. The image generation apparatus has further a surface condition judging device in addition to the reflection type optical sensor. |
| US09329132B2 |
Method to increase the number of detectable photons during the imaging of a biological marker
The present invention relates a method to determine the presence of a photon producing biological marker in a cell, tissue or organism of interest. The method is based on Fluorescence by Unbound Excitation from Luminescence (FUEL) and comprises the steps of a) providing conditions suitable for the biological marker to produce at least one first photon by luminescence; b) providing a FUEL probe pair-upper (FPP-U) disposed in proximity to the cell, tissue or organism, wherein the at least one first photon of step a) excites the FPP-U, which emits at least one second photon. The FPP-U may be selected from the group of quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, fluorescent proteins, diamond nanocrystals and metalloporphyrins. This method is characterized in that said biological marker and said FPP-U are not bound and in that each of the at least one second photon(s) are of a longer wavelength than each of the at least one first photon(s). |
| US09329130B2 |
Systems and methods for counting cells and biomolecules
The invention generally relates to analytical and monitoring systems useful for analyzing and measuring cells and biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for imaging, measuring, counting, analyzing, and monitoring microscopic particles such as cells and biological molecules in solution samples. |
| US09329128B2 |
Test element for detecting an analyte in a sample
The invention relates to a test element for detecting at least one analyte in a sample, in particular for detecting at least one metabolite in a bodily fluid. The test element comprises at least one test field with a test field surface. The test field comprises at least one detection reagent that is adapted to undergo a detectable reaction in the presence of the analyte. The test element further comprises at least one distribution element that has at least one distribution surface facing the test field surface. Between the distribution surface and the test field surface is at least one capillary gap, wherein the capillary gap is adapted to allow a layer of the sample with a layer thickness of no more than 50 μm to form within the capillary gap. |
| US09329124B2 |
Scattered light measurement apparatus
A scattered light measurement apparatus includes an optical measurement apparatus, and a scattered light measurement probe configured to irradiate an object with light from the optical measurement apparatus, configured to receive light from the object, and configured to output the received light to the optical measurement apparatus. The optical measurement apparatus includes: a light source configured to emit light including at least light of a measurement target wavelength; first and second optical detectors configured to detect the light received by the scattered light measurement probe; a branching unit configured to guide the light from the light source to the scattered light measurement probe and guide the light from the scattered light measurement probe to the first and second optical detectors; and a control unit configured to evaluate scattering characteristics of a surface layer of the object based on the light detected by the first and second optical detectors. |
| US09329123B2 |
Multiplexed spectroscopic absorbance from CRDS wave forms
Methods and optical detection systems (200, 300, 800, 900) for generating and processing a real-time time-domain cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) signal (831, 931) from an absorbing species in an optical detection system (200, 300, 800, 900) having an optical ringdown cavity (200, 300) are disclosed. The optical ringdown cavity (200, 300) is adapted for accepting a sample of an absorbing species. One or more modulated light signals (241,243,245,341) are generated using one or more light sources (240, 242, 244, 340). The light source(s) (240, 242, 244, 340) is pulsed at a specified pulse rate(s). The modulated light signal(s) (241,243,245, 341) is resonated using the optical ringdown cavity (200, 300) comprising a plurality of mirrors (220, 230), or sets of mirrors (320, 330), to produce the CRDS signal (831, 931). The reflectivity of the mirrors (220, 230), or sets of mirrors (320, 330), is dependent upon the pulse rate of the modulated light signals (241,243,245,341). Different beamlines (212, 214, 216, 312, 314, 316) are established by the modulated light signal(s) (241,243,245, 341) and the mirrors (220, 230, 320, 330) interacting with the absorbing species sample. |
| US09329122B2 |
Diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy for characterization of earth materials
The subject disclosure relates to the evaluation of lithology, mineralogy and organic content of earth materials. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to evaluating lithology, mineralogy and organic content of earth materials using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). |
| US09329121B2 |
Sensor utilizing band pass filters
The invention relates to a sensor having a filter arrangement, downstream of which there is arranged a detector arrangement, and an evaluating device connected to the detector arrangement. The filter arrangement has at least a first filter, the suspect filter, and at least one second filter, the reference filter(s). The first filter is configured as a band pass filter allowing the passage of a first predetermined band, the suspect band. The at least one second filter is configured as a band pass filter allowing the passage of a second predetermined band(s), the reference band(s). The detector arrangement has at least one detector associated with at least one of the filters. The band passes reference filters are distributed above and below the band pass of the suspect filter. The sensor with advantage could be utilized within the IR band, and could advantageously be used to detect CO2. |
| US09329116B2 |
Particle size distribution measuring device
The particle size distribution measuring device 1 is so configured to calculate the particle size distribution with repeating several times a process to give the particle size distribution calculated by means of one iterative solver to the other iterative solver as an imaginary solution and to update the calculated particle size distribution as a new particle size distribution. |
| US09329115B2 |
Fluid density measurement device
A device for determining a density of a fluid including a mechanical resonator, a driver/receiver unit arranged to provide an actuation to the mechanical resonator, sense a response of the mechanical resonator to the actuation, and provide an output signal representing the response; and an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit of the device is arranged to determine an oscillation distribution from the output signal, determine a resonance frequency estimate from the oscillation distribution, and determine the density of the fluid based upon the resonance frequency estimate. The device enables a more accurate determination of the fluid density for fluids including immiscible components (thus forming a heterogeneous mixture), like a water-oil emulsion, or a fluid with occluded gas. |
| US09329113B2 |
Monitoring device for a viscoelastic material
A device for monitoring a viscoelastic material by subjecting the sample to vibration and analyzing the response of the sample to such vibration. According to the invention, the sample (13) is placed in a chamber (20) situated between a vibration source (22) and a vibration sensor (25), these elements being pressed towards each other by means (35, 39) for applying initial mechanical loading. |
| US09329107B2 |
Device for pressure-driven plug transport comprising microchannel with traps
The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid. |
| US09329103B2 |
Methods and systems for characterizing vehicle tires
A system for characterizing a vehicle tire is provided. The system includes a testing assembly configured to support the vehicle tire. The assembly includes a force-moment transducer configured to gather force information from the vehicle tire in response to a stimulus on the vehicle tire. The system further includes an accelerometer coupled to the vehicle tire and configured to gather vibration information from the vehicle tire in response to the stimulus on the vehicle tire. The system further includes a post-processing system configured to receive the vibration information from the accelerometer and the force information from the force-moment transducer. The post-processing system is further configured to extract resonant frequencies from the vibration information and the force information. |
| US09329099B2 |
System and method for detecting clutch-related faults in an automatic transmission
A fault diagnostic method for an automatic transmission may include monitoring an operating state of a trim system configured to selectively supply clutch engagement pressure and exhaust to at least one clutch control valve, determining an expected operating state of the trim system based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and generating a fault signal if the monitored operating state of the trim system is different from the expected operating state of the trim system. |
| US09329097B2 |
Method for temperature transmission compensation
A method is disclosed for determining off-temperature behavior of a solenoid fluid control valve. The method comprises performing a current sweep at a first temperature. The method further comprises choosing a first and second characterization control pressure for characterizing the solenoid fluid control valve. A first current may be determined that corresponds to the first characterization control pressure based on the current sweep, and a first metric may be assigned to the solenoid fluid control valve based on the first current. A second current corresponding to the second characterization control pressure may be determined based on the current sweep, and a second metric may be assigned to the solenoid fluid control valve based on the second current. Information regarding the behavior of the solenoid fluid control valve at a second temperature may be determined based on the first and second metrics. |
| US09329096B1 |
Methods and systems for estimating an orientation of a tethered aerial vehicle relative to wind
A system may include a tether coupled to a ground station. The system may also include an aerial vehicle coupled to the tether and configured to fly in a given path relative to the ground station based on a length of the tether. The system may also include one or more load cells coupled to the tether and configured to provide information indicative of a tether force between the tether and the aerial vehicle. The one or more load cells may be arranged in a given arrangement indicative of a direction of the tether force. The system may also include a controller configured to determine an angle between a direction of wind incident on the aerial vehicle and a plane defined by a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the aerial vehicle based on the tether force. |
| US09329095B2 |
Method for evaluating prestressing force of bonded tendon using velocity of stress waves caused by impact
There is provided a method for evaluating prestressing force of a bonded tendon. The method includes: striking a prestressing strand of a bonded tendon with an impact hammer; measuring an acceleration response signal from the prestressing strand using an accelerometer, and receiving the acceleration response signal with a data logger; and calculating stress wave velocity based on the acceleration response signal received by the data logger, and evaluating prestressing force of the bonded tendon, based on the calculated stress wave velocity, using a controller. |
| US09329094B2 |
Impact detection apparatus
An impact detection apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes first and second detection portion, and connection portion. First and second detection portion each include solution container, solution absorption portion, mount-surface portion, and exterior portion. Solution container is configured to store colored solution therein, and has outlet enabling colored solution to flow out when being subjected to pressing force. Solution absorption portion is capable of absorbing colored solution that has flowed out from the outlet. Exterior portion is disposed on mount-surface portion, forms, together with mount-surface portion therebetween, housing space housing solution container and solution absorption portion, and has transparent portion. When colored solution flows out from outlet of one of solution containers due to being subjected predetermined pressing force, colored solution is absorbed by one of solution absorption portions, and one of solution absorption portions colored by colored solution is visually recognized through transparent portion. |
| US09329093B2 |
Determining torque in a shaft
The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining torque in a shaft, the apparatus comprising an elongate member with a weakened region partway along its length, and means for securing the member to the shaft either side of the weakened region, preferably adjacent each end of the elongate member. The invention extends to a method of localising the twist a shaft undergoes, comprising securing an elongate member to a shaft, wherein the elongate member comprises a weakened region partway along its length. |
| US09329092B2 |
Method for determining a torque and an industrial robot
The invention concerns an industrial robot and a method to determine a torque having an effect on a limb of the robotic arm. The robotic arm has several sequentially arranged limbs, of which a first limb is stored relative to a second limb of the limbs on an axis of rotation, and using a stationary motor relative to the second limb and a gearbox connected to the motor, is rotatable around the axis of rotation. |
| US09329091B2 |
Shaped target absorption and dispersion modeling
A technique is provided to model a heat penetration profile for various targets which are non-planar or three-dimensionally shaped targets for use in a heating system. The relative volume of material that is irradiated at various depths may have an impact on the absorbed heat profile through the target. For example, a hollow cylindrical product has substantially more material per micro-meter near the outside diameter than it does near the inside diameter. Accordingly, the thickness of the wall or the diameter of the hollow inside the cylinder, as well as the outer diameter of the cylinder, have a substantial impact on the ultimate heat profile through the wall. |
| US09329089B2 |
Optical device utilizing fiber bragg grating and narrowband light with non-bragg wavelength
In certain embodiments, an optical device and a method of use is provided. The optical device includes a fiber Bragg grating having a substantially periodic refractive index modulation along a length of the fiber Bragg grating. The fiber Bragg grating has a power transmission spectrum with a plurality of local transmission minima, wherein each pair of neighboring local transmission minima has a local transmission maximum therebetween. The local transmission maximum has a maximum power at a transmission peak wavelength. The optical device further includes a narrowband optical source in optical communication with a first optical path and a second optical path. The narrowband optical source is configured to generate light having a wavelength at or in the vicinity of a local transmission maximum or at or in the vicinity of a wavelength at which the power transmission spectrum has a maximum slope between a local transmission maximum and either one of two local transmission minima neighboring the local transmission maximum. |
| US09329088B2 |
Thermoelectric conversion element, light detection device, electronic apparatus
A thermoelectric conversion element includes a pair of electrodes and a pyroelectric material, which is a ferroelectric layer, sandwiched between the pair of electrodes. The pyroelectric material includes at least Bi (bismuth), La (lanthanum), and Fe (iron). The molar fraction of La in a Bi/La site in the crystal structure of the pyroelectric material is 0.15 or more and 0.20 or less. Such a thermoelectric conversion element, and a light detection device and electronic apparatus which include the thermoelectric conversion element have a good pyroelectric function without including Pb (lead). |
| US09329080B2 |
Modular optics for scanning engine having beam combining optics with a prism intercepted by both beam axis and collection axis
An optoelectronic module includes a beam transmitter, which emits at least one beam of light along a beam axis, and a receiver, which senses the light received by the module along a collection axis of the receiver, which is parallel to the beam axis within the module. Beam-combining optics direct the beam and the received light so that the beam axis is aligned with the collection axis outside the module. The beam-combining optics include multiple faces, including at least a first face configured for internal reflection and a second face comprising a beamsplitter, which is intercepted by both the beam axis and the collection axis. |
| US09329075B2 |
Seat occupancy determination device and seat occupancy determination method
A seat occupancy determination device configured to be provided at one of seating portions of a plural vehicle seats includes a pair of seat occupancy amount detection devices detecting a seat occupancy amount increasing and decreasing in response to a change of a load applied to each portion of the seating portion, a seat occupancy state determination device determining a seat occupancy state of the vehicle seat, an unbalanced load detection device detecting a degree of unbalance of the load applied to a right portion and a left portion of the seating portion, and a seat occupancy threshold value setting device setting a seat occupancy threshold value and correcting the seat occupancy threshold value in response to the degree of unbalance of the load applied to the right portion and the left portion of the seating portion based on a detected signal transmitted from the unbalanced load detection device. |
| US09329073B2 |
Adaptive radar system with mutliple waveforms
A pulsed radar method of sensing or measuring a product material in a storage tank. A plurality of waveform types are automatically selected based on a power limitation. The pulsed radar signal is transmitted by a programmable transmitter to the product material, wherein the pulsed radar signal is reflected or scattered by the product material to provide a radar signal during an interval of time including a target signal. An initial gain or attenuation is automatically set for a programmable receiver. The programmable receiver receives the radar signal including the target signal during the interval of time, and the target signal is signal processed using a lower attenuation setting as compared to the initial gain or attenuation to determine at least one parameter associated with the product material. The transmitted and received radar signal can also be adjusted according to the measured SNR. |
| US09329071B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
The amount of processing liquid consumed from the processing liquid in the tank is calculated based on the history of opening and closing events of one or more of the valves, and that the anomaly detection controller of the substrate processing apparatus generates a level sensor failure alarm if the calculated amount of consumed processing liquid has increased beyond a state transition liquid consumption amount and yet the level sensor has not switched from the first state to the second state. The substrate processing apparatus and the level sensor are designed so that the level sensor switches from the first state to the second state when the calculated amount of consumed processing liquid has increased beyond the state transition liquid consumption amount. |
| US09329068B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring chopped wood with series of measurement indicators
An apparatus, system, and method for measuring, in accordance with a standard measure, any of a fractional part, whole and multiple of a quantity of chopped wood, such as firewood, for delivery to a customer are provided. The apparatus may be a bucket having one or more markers disposed thereon, using one or more measurement scales adapted to at least one of the bucket size, chopped wood size, and measurement system, where the markers indicate the quantity of chopped wood contained in the bucket. The apparatus may further comprise an attachment section to allow the apparatus to be attached to a vehicle to transport the apparatus. The method may include filling the apparatus to the markers with a plurality of pieces of chopped wood, delivering the chopped wood to a customer, and providing the customer with an assurance that the quantity of chopped wood is accurate. |
| US09329067B2 |
System and method for determining weight
A system is provided for feeding a stream of material. The system includes a feeder, a material density portion, a detector, a weight calculator and an indicator. The feeder can output a portion of the stream of the material from a first position to a second position. The material density portion can generate a density signal based on the density of the material. The detector can detect a volume of the portion of the stream of the material without contacting the portion of the stream of the material and can generate a volume signal based on the detected volume. The weight calculator can calculate a weight based on the density signal and the volume signal and can generate a weight signal. The indicator can provide an indication signal based on the weight signal. |
| US09329065B2 |
Variable orifice flow sensor utilizing localized contact force
A variable orifice fluid flow sensor is provided that includes a fluid flow passage therethrough formed with a first port portion adjacent to one end of said passage and a second port portion adjacent to the other end of said passage. A bending member is mounted in the fluid flow passage between the first and second port portions and having a fluid flow limiting flapper extending across the fluid flow passage for creating a fluid flow opening in the passage, the size of the opening being variable responsive to fluid flow in said fluid flow passage. A biasing member is also mounted between the first and second port portions and includes at least one biasing element extending away from the biasing member into contact with the bending member to exert a contact force on the bending member. |
| US09329059B2 |
Photoelectric encoder
A photoelectric encoder includes an irradiation unit configured to apply first and second irradiation light beams having a first linear polarization direction, a scale configured to produce first and second diffraction light beams having the first linear polarization direction by diffracting the first and second irradiation light beams, respectively, the scale having a glass plate whose front surface has a grating shape, a polarizing unit configured to convert the first diffraction light beam into a third diffraction light beam having a second linear polarization direction which is perpendicular to the first linear polarization direction, to produce first and second composite light beams by combining the second diffraction light beam and the third diffraction light beam, and to convert the first composite light beam into a circularly polarized third composite light beam, and a light receiver configured to receive the second composite light beam and the third composite light beam. |
| US09329058B2 |
Encoder that detects displacement of an object, and lens apparatus and camera having the same
An encoder (100) includes a cylindrical body (10), a sensor unit (7) configured to detect a displacement of the cylindrical body (10) in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10), and a scale (2) that is attached to the cylindrical body (10) using a holder (12) and a holder (13) and that has a signal detection effective region (14) used to detect the displacement by the sensor unit (7), and a region (17) that has a stiffness smaller than a stiffness of the signal detection effective region (14) in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10) is provided on an outside of the signal detection effective region (14) and on at least one side of the first holder (12) and the second holder (13). |
| US09329056B2 |
Encoder including detector for reading signal and outputting N-phase sinusoidal signals and computing part for outputting two-phase sinusoidal signal
An encoder includes a light receiving part and a computing part. The light receiving part receives reflected light from a scale and outputs N-phase sinusoidal signals in which respective phases of fundamental waves differ by 2π/N (N is an integer more than or equal to 5). The computing part outputs a two-phase sinusoidal signal including an A phase and a B phase according to each of the N-phase sinusoidal signals. The A phase is expressed by a real part of sum of multiplier of N-phase sinusoidal waves and a member including the N. The B phase is expressed by an imaginary part of the sum of the multiplier of the N-phase sinusoidal waves and a member including the N. |
| US09329055B2 |
Inductive sensor device with at least one coil
An inductive sensor device for a motor vehicle includes a coil, wherein the coil is arranged on a carrier element and the coil is connected electrically to an electronics unit and wherein an induced voltage can be registered by the coil (10). The carrier element has a first side and the coil is formed by at least one planar coil on the first side of the carrier element. |
| US09329045B2 |
Method for determining a result path of an aircraft, associated device and computer program product
A method for determining a result path of an aircraft, the result path including a set of successive positions of the aircraft between an initial global point and a final global point that are predetermined for a mission of the aircraft is provided.The aircraft includes a plurality of calculating members, each able to guide the aircraft during at least part of the mission and to calculate an elementary path of the aircraft during that part, each elementary path including a set of successive positions of the aircraft between an initial elementary point and a final elementary point.The device includes calculating a portion of the result path from elementary paths coming from at least two distinct calculating members. |
| US09329042B1 |
Innovative angular sensor read-out multi-axes digital front-end chain
The invention relates to a controller, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of processing multiple sensor signals of a gyroscope. The signal processor includes: a front end amplifier for converting a signal into a voltage variation signal; at least one analog-to-digital converter coupled to the front end amplifier and operative to convert an analog signal into a digital signal; and at least one demodulator coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and operative to demodulate the digital signal to thereby extract an envelope signal therefrom. |
| US09329040B2 |
Angular velocity sensor and method of manufacture
A sensor element has drive vibrating arms drive-vibrating by energization, adjustment vibrating arms vibrating with the drive vibrations of the drive vibrating arms, detection electrodes outputting charge in response to physical quantities applied to the drive vibrating arms, first electrodes provided on the adjustment vibrating arms, electrically connected to the detection electrodes, and outputting charge with the vibrations of the adjustment vibrating arms, and a pair of second electrodes provided on the adjustment vibrating arms, electrically connected to a pair of detection electrodes, and outputting charge having an opposite polarity to that of the first electrodes with the vibrations of the adjustment vibrating arms. |
| US09329039B2 |
Non-magnetic azimuth sensing with MET electrochemical sensors
This invention provides a new category of inertial sensors (linear and angular accelerometers, gyroscopes, inclinometers and seismometers) called Molecular Electronic Transducers (MET). Unlike other inertial sensors, MET sensors use a liquid electrolyte as their inertial mass. The sensors do not contain any precision mechanical parts or springs, and are relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture. |
| US09329031B2 |
Testing device for testing dimensions of workpieces
A testing device includes a positioning mechanism, a testing mechanism, and a controller. The testing device is used for testing lengths, widths, straightness, verticality, flatness, position of the testing points, and other dimensions of a workpiece. The positioning mechanism is used for positioning the workpiece. The testing mechanism is fixed on the positioning mechanism for testing dimensions of the workpiece at one time. The controller is electrically coupled to the testing mechanism for controlling the testing mechanism in use. |
| US09329029B2 |
Method of measurement and apparatus
In the machine tool (10) pertaining to the present invention, an imaging device (33) takes an image of a tool (20) being moved in the feeding direction. Contour lines (51) are identified by means of the plurality of sets of image data generated from imaging. The movement trajectory (52) and the central axis (53) of the tool (20) are identified on the basis of the contour lines (51). When the movement trajectory (52) and the central axis (53) are offset, said offset can be used to correct the positioning of the tool (20) with the machine tool (10). As a result, the processing accuracy of a workpiece improves. Moreover, when the dimensions of a tool (20) that has a tilted posture are measured, it is possible to determine the actual tool diameter or the actual blade position in the tilted posture. The aforementioned blade position and tool diameter can be used to correct the positioning of the machine tool (10). Thus, the processing accuracy of the workpiece improves even more. |
| US09329028B2 |
Spherically mounted retroreflector having an embedded temperature sensor and socket
A spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) having an embedded temperature sensor and a socket for attaching to an electrical connector. |
| US09329027B2 |
Measuring unit, measuring system and method for determining a relative position and relative orientation
A measuring unit is set up to determine a relative position and relative orientation between the measuring unit and an arrangement of at least three optical elements. The measuring unit comprises a length measuring device, which emits measuring beams at at least three locations spaced apart from one another, and at least one beam directing device set up to direct the measuring beams to optical elements of the arrangement. The beam directing device is controllable in order to guide at least one of the measuring beams to a plurality of optical elements of the arrangement in a time-sequential manner in order to carry out a plurality of length measuring operations in a time-sequential manner in such a manner that, in the plurality of length measuring operations, each measuring beam of the at least one measuring beam strikes precisely one of the optical elements. A total of six lengths are measured in this manner. |
| US09329022B2 |
Roller bearing arrangement with an angle sensor
A roller bearing configuration having an angle sensor includes a roller bearing. The Angle sensor an absolute encoder with a sensor ring connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one of the bearing rings of the roller bearing, and a measuring element connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second bearing ring, wherein coils, namely at least one transmitting coil and at least one receiving coil, are situated on the sensor ring, and the transmitting coil has an axis of symmetry, which is identical to the axis of rotation and is situated in an annular metallic pot core, which has a U-shaped cross section and is concentric with the axis of rotation of the roller bearing, and a receiving coil is situated partially inside and partially outside of the pot core. |
| US09329021B1 |
System and methods for use in monitoring a structure
A system for use in monitoring a structure is provided. The system includes a strip of piezoresistive material including nano-elements, electrodes coupled to the strip, and a resistance detector configured to measure a resistance of the strip. |
| US09329015B2 |
Object feeder system
Disclosed is an object feeder system configured for arrangement in a three dimensional scanner, the system comprising: an object feeder scanning plate assembly comprising a number of tracks, wherein each track adapted to hold at least one object holder, wherein said tracks are configured to extend within the plate assembly from a parking area towards a scanning area, and where each object holder is configured for retaining an object to be scanned in the scanner for obtaining a three dimensional representation of the object, and wherein the object feeder system further comprises means for moving the at least one object holder in the at least one track. |
| US09329009B1 |
Manufacturing process to produce programmed terminal performance projectiles
The present invention in some aspects is directed to small arms ammunition and programmed upset characteristics thereof imparted to them using lasers. More particularly, the invention relates to ammunition and methods of making ammunition having predetermined patterns of engraving and/or cutting or hardening and/or annealing imparted into the forward portion using a programming laser system adapted for treating projectiles to effect predetermined and consistent upset configurations. Lasers may be used in forming steps of the bullet core to provide petaling or other performance objectives before or after jacketing or without jacketing. |
| US09329008B1 |
Low collateral damage kinetic energy projectile
A low collateral damage, kinetic energy penetrator has multiple segments that are mechanically locked together by centrifugal force generated by penetrator spin. When the penetrator spin decreases below a minimum value, the segments separate and fall to the ground with non-lethal kinetic energy. |
| US09329007B2 |
Charged projectiles and related assemblies, systems and methods
Charged projectile assemblies include a housing and an electronic assembly configured to produce an electric field about at least a portion of the housing of the projectile. Cartridge assemblies for use with firearms include charged projectiles. Methods of charging a projectile include forming an electric field about at least a portion of a projectile and extending the electric field at least partially between a forward portion of the projectile and an aft portion of the projectile. |
| US09329003B2 |
Muzzleloader systems
Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The breech end accepts the propellant and means are provided to prevent breech loading of the projectile. A propellant cartridge conforms to a constriction portion to minimize ullage. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end seats on the constriction portion. The propellant cartridge may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The cartridge may have a primer mechanism integrated into a proximal end. Projectiles have sliding components that have an axial elongate position and an axial shortened position and may be loaded with a ramrod having an engagement portion for each of the two pieces whereby the projectile doesn't prematurely collapse. |
| US09329002B1 |
Multifunctional electronic dart board with digital target display ring (DTDR)
The present invention features a dart board comprising a digital target display ring (DTDR) surrounding a target area. The DTDR is operatively connected to a controller with a microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor is configured to (a) receive an input signal from an input device when the input device is actuated, and (b) generate an output signal to the DTDR for the DTDR to display a unique graphic according to pre-programmed commands for the actuated input device. |
| US09328999B1 |
Light weight rocket propelled grenade net protection system and manufacturing process
An improved system for protecting vehicles or other objects from rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attacks. A net panel of the improved system weighs and costs substantially less than a conventional protective system panel, and requires minimal manual work to manufacture, install, replace or repair. When assembled, the hard points, as well as the panels, are symmetrical meaning that a panel does not have a left, right, inward or outward face and may be used on either side of a vehicle. The net may be manufactured as a continuous web or roll and does not require any edging for securing it to a frame. In addition, a damaged net may be replaced easily and rapidly using a simple hand tool. |
| US09328995B1 |
Supplementary sight aid adaptable to existing and new scope
A sight aid including a supplementary sight alignment indicator having a projection plane and a projection device adapted to project a supplementary sight alignment indicator and at least one reference point on the projection plane, the supplementary sight alignment indicator is axially-centered with respect to the sight alignment indicator and spaced apart therefrom on the optical axis for forming a composite image with the image of the sight alignment indicator, the target image being viewable together by the user by means of the ocular lens and the projection plane is disposed at a distance from the sight alignment indicator. An adaptor secures the supplementary sight alignment indicator to a portion of the projectile device or the housing. |
| US09328991B2 |
Firearm accessory adapter and related methods of use
A slide cover plate adapter and related methods of use for adding functionality to a semi-automatic handgun. The slide cover plate adapter replaces a factory slide cover plate located at a rear wall of a slide assembly in conventional semi-automatic handguns. The slide cover plate adapter includes a channel engagement portion and an accessory engagement portion that are spaced apart and coupled with a bridging member. The channel engagement portion operably couples to the slide assembly while the accessory engagement portion provides a convenient attachment point for any of a variety of handgun accessories. |
| US09328985B2 |
Single shot firearm
A single shot firearm includes a barrel and a receiver assembled together and being rotatable relative to one another between a safety position, in which a firing assembly is prevented from moving forward far enough to allow a firing pin to strike a cartridge, and a firing position, in which a notch on the barrel allows the firing assembly to the move forward far enough to strike and discharge the cartridge. The firearm includes indicia on the barrel and receiver which indicate whether the firearm is in a safety position or a firing position, depending on their relative rotational positions. The firearm further includes a trigger guide which facilitates firearm discharge by a single smooth motion of the user's finger. |
| US09328980B1 |
Receiver link separator
A receiver link separator is configured to separate an upper receiver from a lower receiver in a rifle. The receiver link separator has a first separation bracket upper post joined to a separation bracket lower post. A second separation bracket upper post can be joined to the separation bracket lower post. A locking pin can be inserted through the lower receiver and the separation bracket lower post. A clevis pin can be inserted through the upper receiver, the first separation bracket upper post and the second separation bracket upper post. The first separation bracket upper post and the second separation bracket upper post prevent the upper receiver from twisting away from the lower receiver. |
| US09328979B2 |
Heat exchanger cleaning tool with three axis control
A tool for cleaning a heat exchanger that includes a lance, and an articulated arm fixedly attached to the heat exchanger at a first end, and associated with the lance at a second end. The articulated arm has at least two joints so that the articulated arm can move the lance along two axes in a plane substantially parallel to the tube face of the heat exchanger. The tool further includes a lance transport mechanism attached to the second end of the articulated arm that moves toward and away from the tube face of the heat exchanger in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tube face, the lance transport mechanism attached to the lance so that the lance moves toward and away from the tube face along with the lance transport mechanism. |
| US09328976B1 |
Method for production of novel materials via ultra-high energy electron beam processing
A body comprising at least two components having one or more different properties and a method of producing the same are disclosed. One of the body components is in the form of particles with optional adhesive interlayers. A second of the components has a surface locally melted in a predetermined pattern and only to a predetermined depth by scanning an electron beam there across to incorporate the particles and form a metal composite film. Thereby, a predetermined volumetric concentration of the incorporated particles varies continuously from the locally melted surface so as to provide two surfaces in the body having different coefficients of thermal expansion. |
| US09328973B2 |
Heat exchanger and air conditioner
A heat exchanger (30) includes vertically arranged flat tubes (33) and plate-like fins (36) arranged in the direction in which the flat tubes (33) extend. The flat tubes (33) are inserted into notches (45) of the fins (36). Parts of the fins (36) between vertically adjacent ones of the notches (45) are windward plate parts (70), and parts of the fins (36) at leeward sides of the notches (45) are leeward plate parts (75). Each of the windward plate parts (70) includes windward heat transfer promotion parts (71) constituted by protrusions (81-83) and louvers (50a, 50b). On the plate parts (75), leeward heat transfer promotion parts (76) constituted by leeward protrusions (84) are provided. The heat transfer promotion parts (76) are located at leeward sides of the notches (45), and overlap with the heat transfer promotion parts (71) when viewed from front edges (38) of the fins (36). |
| US09328970B2 |
Compressing device
Provided is a compressing device including a compressor with a compressing unit compressing a gas and a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger including: a cooling unit that cools a gas compressed by the compressing unit; a connection path that connects the compressing unit to the cooling unit; and a connection path branch portion that is branched from a part of the connection path. The connection path branch portion includes an attachment portion that is provided in a surface different from a surface facing the compressor in the heat exchanger. An instrumentation device is directly and strongly attached to the attachment portion. |
| US09328967B2 |
Elongated counter-flow heat exchanger for heat recovery
A design and manufacturing technique for a “Long Heat Exchanger”, a counter-flow heat exchanger transfer up to 100% of heat and temperature between two fluids (gas or liquid). Inner “Core” of heat conductive material capable of manufacture in continuous lengths, may be coiled, cut and formed to shape. 100% of conductive material making up core is a heat transfer surface, allowing minimum material design for chosen transfer efficiency. “Core” has integral fins allowing overall device to be bent in a radius without deforming. Outer channel volume and core fins surface area may be sized to match different density fluids. |
| US09328963B2 |
Energy recovery when processing materials with reactive fluids
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for recovering and reusing energy when processing materials with reactive fluids. More particularly, disclosed are methods and apparatuses for recovering and reusing energy from processes in which materials comprising polymers and/or oligomers are treated with a reactive fluid. |
| US09328957B1 |
Sidewalk accessible food service stand
A self-contained slushy stand built proximate to a sidewalk allowing customers passing by to order, pay and receive a slushy of their choosing. The stand comprises broadly (i) a service area including one or more cabinet units with countertops, sinks and refrigerated storage with the service area configured for employees to work therein; (ii) a walk-in storage unit rear of the service area with the storage unit configured to retain or support at least raw slushy product, one or more condenser units and slushy machines wherein the storage unit includes an access door permitting personnel to access one or more of said raw slushy product, condenser units and slushy machines; (iii) a payment receiving device; (iv) power source; and (iv) water source. The self-contained slushy stand may also include a canopy, speakers, cameras, misters, heaters and/or signage. |
| US09328954B2 |
Refrigerator with a covering member on an outer case for guiding a water supply pipe
A refrigerator without a kick plate and having an outer case with a water supply pipe at a bottom surface of the outer case. A lower hinge module of a refrigerator includes a body hinge bracket having one portion fixed to the lower surface of the outer case and the remaining portion disposed at the lower portion of the door for supporting the door, a hinge shaft which is protruded from the body hinge bracket and coupled at the lower surface of the door for the door to be capable of rotating and at which a central hole formed for the water supply pipe to pass through, a support member coupled to the lower portion of the body hinge bracket and supported by the bottom surface outside, and a guide unit which is provided along the outer side of the support member. |
| US09328953B2 |
Refrigerator and controlling method thereof
A refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion unit, an evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant that has passed through the expansion unit, a heating unit for providing heat for defrosting the evaporator, a photographing device provided at one side of the evaporator and disposed to photograph the evaporator, so as to sense the amount of frost on the evaporator, the photographing device including a photographing unit for photographing frost on the evaporator and the surrounding background, and a control unit configured to determine the amount of frost on the evaporator from an image taken by the photographing device by acquiring pixel values which are proportionate to the amount of frost on the evaporator by applying image processing which includes binarization that separates the frost from other acquired images to determine the amount of frost on the evaporator, the control unit further configured to control the heating unit to operate when the amount of frost exceeds a predetermined amount. |
| US09328950B2 |
Device and a method for making ice cubes and a metering device for ice cubes
Device and method for making ice cubes, comprising a supplying device for supplying a liquid substance to at least one elongated mold (1) and a refrigerating device for freezing said liquid substance, which at least one mold defines a space for an ice column which is at least substantially closed at least while said liquid substance is being refrigerated. The at least one mold comprises two mold halves (Ia, Ib) which are movable relative to each other, so that the mold halves can be moved apart once the ice column has been formed. Method for making ice cubes, comprising the steps of a) supplying a liquid substance to a mold, b) freezing the liquid substance in the mold, and c) removing the ice cubes thus formed from the mold, wherein the liquid substance is supplied in step a) to a mold comprising an at least substantially closed space. Metering device for ice cubes. |
| US09328948B2 |
Defrost control for multiple barrel frozen product dispensers
To defrost one barrel of a two barrel FCB dispenser, a refrigeration system defrosts the one barrel, while neither defrosting nor chilling the other barrel, for either a selected time or until a frozen beverage is drawn from the other barrel, whichever occurs first. Once the selected time or beverage draw occurs, the refrigeration system chills the other barrel until beverage within it is properly frozen, while neither defrosting nor chilling the one barrel. Once beverage in the other barrel is properly frozen, the refrigeration system resumes defrosting the one barrel, whereupon the foregoing cycle is repeated until defrost of the one barrel is complete, at which point the refrigeration system chills the one barrel to refreeze product in it. The arrangement keeps beverage in the other barrel properly frozen during defrosting of the one barrel. |
| US09328944B2 |
Air conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigeration circuit, a magnetic material member, a magnetic field generator, a detector and a controller. The refrigeration cycle has a compressor, an intake-side heat exchanger, a discharge-side heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a refrigerant tube connected in series by first, second, third and fourth tube parts of the refrigerant tube to form a closed loop. The magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field in order to inductively heat the magnetic material member. The detector detects temperature or pressure in refrigerant flowing through a predetermined portion of the refrigerant circuit. The controller confirms satisfaction of a magnetic-field-generating-permission condition before initiating the magnetic field generator to generate the magnetic field after a startup of the compressor. The magnetic-field-generating-permission condition is that a value detected by the detector changes when the compressor executes two different compression states of different compressor outputs having different frequencies. |
| US09328942B1 |
Solar panel racking system
A racking system for photovoltaic solar panels greatly reduces material, weight, labor and system profile as compared to previous mounting systems. Special pedestals are secured to a roof at far larger spacings and fewer number than required in previous systems. The pedestals are configured for efficient and dependable flashing for waterproofing the roof. In assembly the extruded aluminum components are fitted together quickly with efficient and strong connections, with the photovoltaic panels retained in a compact array and fully supported along the length of each panel. The fittings provide for field adjustment of the height of the uprights, helping accommodate uneven roof surfaces, such as flat roofs. |
| US09328936B2 |
Methods and systems for managing air quality and energy use in air-conditioning systems
Methods and systems for a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for an enclosed environment may be configured to at least one of heat and cool air and include an air circulation system configured to circulate air at least within the enclosed environment. The air within the enclosed environment may comprise at least the indoor air. The system may further include an outdoor air inlet for introducing at least a portion of outdoor air into the enclosed environment, where the outdoor air comprises air from outside the enclosed environment. The system may further include a scrubbing system having an adsorbent material to reduce presence of at least one gas contaminant in the indoor air. A controller system may be included for controlling the operation of at least one of the circulation system and the scrubbing system. |
| US09328934B2 |
HVAC system subcooler
An air handling unit has a refrigeration coil assembly and a subcooler circuit disposed in a downstream airflow path relative to the refrigeration coil assembly. |
| US09328931B2 |
Heating and/or cooling system for maintaining an environment at a desired temperature
A heating and/or cooling system for maintaining an environment at a desired temperature. The heating and/or cooling system includes a heat pump, a temperature sensor disposed to measure a temperature of the environment, and a system controller. The system controller may be configured to control a condensing temperature within the condenser such that the condensing temperature is set as low as possible while maintaining the condensing temperature a predetermined amount above the desired temperature that is being maintained. The system controller may also be configured to control the evaporating valve in order to vary, based on the measured temperature, an evaporating temperature in order to reduce the difference between the evaporating and condensing temperatures. |
| US09328929B2 |
Oven appliance with dual opening and closing doors
An oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chamber. A pair of doors is rotatably mounted to provide selective access to the chamber of the cabinet. The pair of doors is connected with a linkage assembly such that the doors rotate open and closed simultaneously. The linkage assembly includes a spur gear that engages another gear of the linkage assembly. The spur gear can hinder unwanted rotation of the pair of doors or compress the pair of doors against a seal. |
| US09328927B2 |
All around radiation heating apparatus
The present invention provides a safer all-around radiation heating assembly than similar traditional heaters. As typical with traditional heaters, a shroud is used to surroundably cover a portable liquid propane tank. To replace the portable liquid propane tank, the shroud must be continuously raised to a predetermined height while a service person accesses the propane tank. There is a danger that if and when the shroud drops, a spark could be created resulting in igniting highly flammable escaped propane gas. The present invention overcomes dangers associated with the traditional heaters by eliminating the spark creation danger and by introducing a ventilation system to allow any leaked propane gas to escape away from the heater. |
| US09328926B2 |
Segmented combustion chamber head
A combustion chamber head for a gas turbine, with the gas turbine having a substantially annular outer combustion chamber wall, at least one substantially annular inner combustion chamber wall, and several burners 106 distributed around a circumference of the gas turbine. Several segment-like head segments are arranged over the circumference in equal number to the number of burners and extend in the radial direction between the inner combustion chamber wall and the outer combustion chamber wall and in the circumferential direction between radial planes formed by the burner axes. |
| US09328924B2 |
Combustion system
A first orifice on a first inner surface of a first annular zone of a forward-bounded annular combustor provides for injecting air forward and radially outwards thereinto, from a location aft of a fuel slinger/injector. A radial dimension of a first outer surface of the first annular zone exceeds that of a corresponding first inner surface. A radial dimension of a second outer surface of a second annular zone of the annular combustor—aft of the first annular zone—exceeds that of a corresponding second inner surface. The first and second outer surfaces, and the first and second inner surfaces, are respectively coupled by transitional outer and inner surfaces of an annular transition zone located therebetween. The radial dimensions of the transitional outer and inner surfaces at the junctions with the corresponding second surfaces exceed the corresponding radial dimensions at the junctions with the corresponding first surfaces. |
| US09328919B2 |
Method and system for separating and destroying sour and acid gas
A system adapted to separate a natural gas feed stream into a sweetened gas stream and at least one gaseous waste stream, and to discharge, recover or destroy the at least one gaseous waste stream. The system includes an acid gas separation subsystem adapted to separate the natural gas feed stream into the sweetened gas stream and a first portion of the at least one gaseous waste stream, a destruction subsystem adapted to incinerate the first portion of the at least one gaseous waste stream to form a flue gas, and a scrubber reactor subsystem adapted to receive a water stream and/or an oxygen containing air stream, and to remove at least one portion of the flue gas using the water stream to form a vent gas stream and a wastewater stream, wherein the vent gas is exhausted to the atmosphere. |
| US09328915B2 |
Lighted power tool
A power tool system includes a tool body with a motor having an output member that drives an accessory. The output member defines an output member axis. An end effector is coupled for rotation with the output member relative to the tool body. The end effector is configured to retain the accessory. A light source is disposed on the end effector. A consumable tool, such as a holesaw, is removably attachable to the end effector, and has an illumination opening configured to be substantially aligned with the light source. The holesaw may have a generally cylindrical side wall and a base wall that defines a central opening for receiving an arbor, an aperture spaced radially outward by a first distance for receiving a projection on an arbor and an illumination opening spaced radially a second greater distance. |
| US09328914B2 |
Lighted tooth for a vegetable lantern and kit
A self-illuminating tooth for a vegetable lantern is provided. The self-illuminating tooth has a tooth portion with a front facing portion, a rear facing portion, and a cavity provided within the tooth portion provided on the rear facing portion. A tooth retention portion is coupled to the tooth portion and has a plurality of flights, each flight having a serrated edge. A light is provided within the cavity of the tooth portion. The light in certain examples comprises a chemiluminescent tooth insert and is replaceable within the cavity. In other examples, a light and switch mechanism are provided. The light may be selectively actuated to illuminate the tooth portion. A method of decorating a vegetable lantern and a kit are also provided. |
| US09328911B2 |
LED lamp with a heat dissipation structure capable of omnidirectionally emitting light
A LED lamp includes an LED module and thermo-conductive members. The LED module has a transparent base, a plurality of LEDs mounted on the transparent base and a transparent film covering the LEDs. The transparent base has thermo-conductive sections and electro-conductive sections. The thermo-conductive members are attached on the thermo-conductive sections. Thereby, the invention can omnidirectionally emit light and has great effect of heat dissipation. |
| US09328909B2 |
Light source apparatus and projector apparatus
There is provided a light source apparatus including a light source, a spreader to spread heat, and a conductor having a plurality of parts to conduct heat diffused from the light source. There is also provided a projector apparatus includes the light source apparatus. |
| US09328906B1 |
Solar lighting blinds system
A solar lighting blinds system is configured to provide light. The system includes blinds attached to a component housing. An LED bar is attached to the component housing. A switch is attached to the component housing. A solar panel is attached to the component housing. A battery is contained within the component housing. A microprocessor is contained within the component housing. The microprocessor is electrically coupled to the LED bar, the switch, the solar panel and the battery and configured to charge the battery with the solar panel and then direct power from the battery to the LED bar when directed by the switch. |
| US09328905B2 |
Organic light emitting display illuminating apparatus
Embodiments may be directed to an OLED illuminating apparatus including a lamp unit including a panel with an organic emission unit, a connection terminal electrically connected to the organic emission unit, and a housing coupled to the panel, the housing including a relay terminal that is electrically connected to the connection terminal; and a supporting unit detachably coupled to the lamp unit, the supporting unit supporting the lamp unit and supplying electric power to the organic emission unit by connecting to the relay terminal when coupled to the lamp unit. |
| US09328904B2 |
Lighting devices retrofittable on medical device support systems
The invention refers to a lighting device (10) for a support or supply system (T) for medical-electrical devices, respectively, having: a light rack (1) for carrying an illuminant (2), at least one illuminant (2) attached to the light rack, a light cover (3) for covering the illuminant, and fixing means (4) for fixing the rack (1) to the medical support or supply system, respectively, wherein an assembly of the light rack (1), the at least one illuminant (2), and the light cover (3) generates a flat and space-saving profile for the lighting device (10), and wherein the lighting device (10) is designed for being retrofitted on a substantially horizontal surface of the support or supply system (T), respectively, to serve as floor lighting or ceiling lighting. |
| US09328898B1 |
High efficiency hybrid illumination system
Principles of nonimaging optics, imaging optics, etendue matching, and the Constant Brightness Theorem are used to provide an ultra-efficient solid state lighting optical system for stage and theatrical profile spotlights. Used in combination, an array of high brightness light emitting diodes, a nonimaging optical transform element, and an image forming optical element enable the design of profile spotlights capable of high brightness, low electrical power consumption, sharp gobo imaging, adjustable beam intensity profiles, and use of current industry standard accessories and elements, such as gobos, blades and irises. |
| US09328897B2 |
Edge-illumination type backlight module and liquid crystal display using the same
Providing is an edge-illumination type backlight module, comprising a light guide bar comprising a light incident surface and a light exiting surface; a light source device for emitting a light to the light incident surface; a light guide plate comprising a light emitting surface and a light entrance surface, wherein the light emitting surface is disposed on a surface of the light guide plate, the light entrance surface is disposed at a lateral surface of the light guide plate, the light guide plate is adjacent to the light guide bar, the light exiting surface of the light guide bar faces to the light entrance surface of the light guide plate, and the light emitting surface of the light guide plate is vertical to a light emitting direction of the light source device; and an optical film disposed on the light emitting surface of the light guide plate. |
| US09328890B2 |
Light projecting device and vehicular headlamp
A light-projecting device according to the present invention includes a plurality of light source units including (i) a light emitting section that emits light upon receiving a laser beam and (ii) a reflector. Each of the light source units project light to a corresponding one of light-projected spots which is a region to which light is projected in an illuminated region in a partitioning manner, and the illuminated region is formed by combining a plurality of the light-projected spot. |
| US09328889B2 |
Vehicle lighting unit
A vehicle lighting unit can include at least one optical module including: first and second light sources; first and second optical member configured to control light from the first and second light sources, respectively; and an outer peripheral optical member configured to surround the first optical member. The first optical member can include an incident surface, and front and rear surfaces and receive light from the first light source through the incident surface and reflect the light by part of the front surface and then part of the rear surface to project the reflected light through part of the front surface. The second optical member is configured to guide the light from the second light source to the outer peripheral optical member so that the light exits through the outer peripheral optical member, and the second light source, and the second optical member are disposed behind the first optical member. |
| US09328888B2 |
Lens for an optical module of a motor vehicle
A lens for a motor vehicle optical module, wherein it comprises a series of patterns on an optical surface, said patterns extending in a preferred direction. |
| US09328887B2 |
Enhanced illumination efficacy of white color from green laser and magenta phosphor
Techniques related to generating daylight-like light from green laser and magenta phosphor are disclosed. Such light may be used in headlights of vehicles. The daylight-like light generated from green laser and filtered through magenta phosphor is almost white or substantially white. The white laser is generated from green laser that is filtered through magenta phosphor. The green laser is well known for producing the highest perceived intensity among all colored lasers with equal or similarly provided energy and is low to obtain in cost. |
| US09328881B2 |
Rapid deployment lighting system
A rapidly deployable portable lighting system includes a low voltage rechargeable power source, lights, and a wiring harness configured for being coupled to the lights with quick-release connectors. Each light includes a housing, LEDs receiving power from the power source and transmitting light of at least two colors, and a power port for connecting to the wiring harness. A controller is configured to selectively switch individual LEDs on and off, independently of one another, to control illumination. A smart case houses the power source and controller integrally therein, and is sized and shaped to receive the lights and wiring harness for storage and transport. The lights and wiring harness may be removed from the case for deployment. |
| US09328880B2 |
Automated color tuning of an LED based illumination device
The color of light emitted by an assembled light emitting diode (LED) based illumination device with at least two different wavelength converting materials is automatically tuned to within a predefined tolerance of a target color point by modifying portions of the wavelength converting materials. The color of light emitted from the assembled LED based illumination device is measured and a material modification plan is determined based at least in part on the measured color of light and a desired color of light to be emitted. The material modification plan may further include the location of the wavelength converting materials to be modified. The wavelength converting materials are selectively modified in accordance with the material modification plan so that the assembled LED based illumination device emits a second color of light that is within a predetermined tolerance of a target color point. |
| US09328878B2 |
Phosphor compositions and lighting apparatus thereof
A green emitting phosphor composition is disclosed. A phosphor composition of formula Ca1-xEuxAlB3O7, where 0 |
| US09328874B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp includes an elongated at least partially optically transmissive enclosure. The LEDs are mounted on an LED board. The enclosure has a support structure for supporting the LED board. The support structure is formed as one-piece with the enclosure and of an optical material. A pair of end caps are secured to the ends of the enclosure using a snap-fit connection. The end caps retain pins for connecting to a light fixture. |
| US09328871B2 |
Fluid containment and management system
A system for containing and managing fluids produced at a work site, such as an oil or gas drilling site, includes one or more fluid containments formed as a basin for collecting and retaining fluids, a berm forming a perimeter of the containments, a layer of sand placed over each basin, a fluid-impermeable membrane placed over the layer of sand, and drainage stone placed over the membrane, filling the basin. A geotextile fabric can be placed over the membrane to help protect the membrane from adverse affects of the drainage stone. A leak detection system can be coupled with the membrane to identify potential leaks in a containment system. One or more catch basins can extend through the basin and the drainage stone filling the basin, to receive fluids. A drainage system is placed in fluid communication with the catch basins to drain fluids from a containment. |
| US09328867B2 |
Filling connector, container, filling method and filling nozzle
Filling connector comprising a body (2) defining an internal filling circuit (6) between an upstream end (3) and a downstream end (4), with the connector comprising an isolation valve element (7) mobile relatively to a seat (8) between an upstream position in which the circuit is closed and a downstream position in which the circuit is open, with the connector (1) further comprising a dust valve element (10, 100) positioned upstream of the isolation valve element (7), characterised in that the dust valve element (10, 100) can be moved selectively towards downstream either: a) in a first set downstream position referred to as “without contact” which opens the upstream end (3) of the circuit (6), or in b) a second set downstream position referred to as “contact” which opens the upstream end (3) of the circuit (6). |
| US09328861B2 |
Portable modular monopole tower foundation
A modular foundation includes a central portion and at least three legs non-rotatably secured to and extending from the central portion. The at least three legs are substantially equally spaced apart from each other wherein each leg includes a proximal end and a distal end. A basket is attached to the distal end of each leg wherein the basket is configured to be secured in a selected position. A platform is pivotally attached to the central portion wherein the platform is configured to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position. |
| US09328858B2 |
System for extracting liquid from a pipeline and method for producing such a system
A system for extracting liquid from a pipeline includes a flexible elongate member having a first end and including a conduit having an intake port proximate the first end for receiving the liquid. The system also includes a camera arrangement attached to the first end of the flexible elongate member, and a connection arrangement disposed between the camera arrangement and the first end of the flexible elongate member. The connection arrangement including at least one opening in fluid communication with the intake port such that the liquid can pass through the opening and into the intake port. |
| US09328856B2 |
Use of pressure reduction devices for improving downstream oil-and-water separation
A system and method for improving oil-and-water separation in a blended fluid stream are presented. The system includes a pressure reduction device that causes cyclonic flow in the stream. The pressure reduction device may be a wafer-based hydrocyclone or a modified hydrocyclone having an underflow outlet but no overflow outlet. The system may also include a valve that is located upstream or downstream of the pressure reduction device. Both the valve and the pressure reduction device reduce the pressure of the fluid stream while reducing the shearing of oil and water droplets within the stream. As a result, the droplets are more likely to coalesce and less likely to form emulsions, thus improving oil-and-water separation in downstream treatment processes. |
| US09328850B2 |
Microvalve having improved air purging capability
A microvalve includes a base plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A venting groove extends from a first cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a dead end region to a second cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. A cover plate includes a surface having an actuator cavity provided therein that includes a first cavity portion having a dead end region and a second cavity portion having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. An intermediate plate includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve. |
| US09328849B2 |
Microdevice structure of microchannel chip
A microdevice structure of microchannel chip is provided which includes one gas channel and at least one liquid channel. The microchannel connects the gas channel and each liquid channel. The most basic microdevice of the mirochannel chip comprises micropressure sensor, microvalve, micropiston and micropump which are controlled by digital pressure gas microcircuit in the chip. Each microdevice isolates the gas phase and liquid phase by microhole without any movable component and any special ventilate or elastic material. The gas-liquid interface is driven by the pressure difference of gas phase and liquid phase to enable the microdevice to implement the functions, such as sensing pressure, switching fluid channel, transporting liquid effectively, and so on. All kinds of microdevices can be shaped on the hard material (for example glass) by etching, so as to integrate a great lot microdevices with low cost, and the structure of chip and these several microdevices can be formed by adopting other methods on other material. |
| US09328848B2 |
Vacuum isolation valve
The vacuum isolation valve includes a housing installed between a chamber and a chamber cleaning gas supply and including a tube connecting the chamber to the chamber cleaning gas supply, a tube isolator formed at a predetermined position of the tube, a first blocking unit installed to the housing, and a second blocking unit installed to the housing, for, when the first blocking unit moves in the first direction, maintaining communication between the chamber and the chamber cleaning gas supply by moving in a second direction and pressing the first blocking unit and for, when the first blocking unit moves in an opposite direction to the first direction, blocking communication between the chamber and the chamber cleaning gas supply. |
| US09328847B2 |
Arrangement having at least one valve
An arrangement having at least one valve, in particular a vacuum valve, with a closure member of the valve for closing a through-opening of the valve and a drive for adjusting the closure member between a closed position, in which the closure member closes the through-opening, and at least one open position, in which the closure member opens the through-opening at least in regions. For the thermal loading of the closure member, the valve has a chamber for a heat transfer fluid, connected in a thermally conducting manner to the closure member and closed off, preferably permanently, in relation to the through-opening. A supply line of the arrangement opens into the chamber, supplying heat transfer fluid for the thermal loading of the closure member to the chamber. At least one heat exchanger for the thermal loading of the heat transfer fluid is arranged in the supply line. |
| US09328846B2 |
Shut-off trim including spring loaded check valve
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bi-directional shut-off trim for a valve which possesses the functional attributes of a pilot operated trim and a balanced trim through the integration of a spring loaded check valve into a pilot trim. In forward flow isolation, the bi-directional shut-off trim of the present invention acts as a normal pilot operated trim. In reverse flow, the check valve of the shut-off trim opens to balance the pressure on either side of the plug thereof. |
| US09328844B2 |
Detent mechanism for a sliding valve
A detent mechanism is provided for a sliding valve which includes a valve slide that is accommodated within a valve housing and is linearly movable relative to a longitudinal axis. The detent mechanism has a linearly movable detent element configured to engage at least one detent notch. The detent notch is coupled with the valve slide such that when the detent element is locked into the detent notch, said valve slide is fixed along the longitudinal axis. A first spring prestresses the detent element in a direction of the detent notch. The detent element includes a permanent magnet or a ferromagnet and the detent mechanism includes an electric coil configured to generate a magnetic field. The detent element is configured to be moved in opposition to the prestressing force of the first spring and out of engagement with the detent notch via the magnet and magnetic field. |
| US09328839B2 |
High-temperature torque motor actuator
A torque motor valve actuator includes a first magnetic pole piece, a second magnetic pole piece, an armature, and a coil. The first magnetic pole piece is of a first magnetic polarity. The second magnetic pole piece is of a second magnetic polarity, and is spaced apart from the first magnetic pole piece to define a gap. The armature is rotationally mounted and disposed in the gap between the first and second magnetic pole pieces. The coil surrounds at least a portion of the armature and is disposed such that it is not surrounded by either the first magnetic pole piece or the second magnetic pole piece. The coil is adapted to receive electric current and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to generate a magnetic force that causes the armature to rotate. |
| US09328837B2 |
Double seat valve with isolated vent chambers
A valve comprising sealing members configured to allow the valve to achieve an open position, a closed position, lower seat clean position and an upper seat clean position is described. A method including opening a valve, closing a valve, moving the valve to a lower seat clean position, and moving the valve to an upper seat clean position is described. |
| US09328829B2 |
Two-way valve
A two-way valve includes a valve body made of a resilient member and connected to a lower end of a shaft. The valve body is made up from a main body portion having an axial member connected to the shaft, and a thin film skirt portion formed on an outer circumferential side of the main body portion. An outer edge of the skirt portion is sandwiched and gripped between a small diameter part of a housing and a connector of a body. Further, lips that project in a downward direction are formed in a central portion of the main body portion. The lips are seated on a top portion of a partition wall in the body, so that the two-way valve is placed in a valve-closed state. |
| US09328825B2 |
Anti-extrusion cone packing
An improved shaft assembly with a rigid component for facilitating sealing is disclosed. The shaft assembly includes a housing, a cap connected to the housing, a shaft operably positioned in the housing, first and second sealing elements, and the rigid component fixedly attached to the first sealing component. The first and second sealing components are in contact with the housing and the shaft. The rigid component is in contact with the first sealing component and the cap, so as to prevent the first sealing component from extruding outside the cap when the shaft reciprocally moves relative to the housing. |
| US09328824B2 |
Cylinder member of automatic transmission and manufacturing method thereof
A cylinder member of an automatic transmission that includes an outer peripheral introducing portion having a shape that is able to be formed by ironing without forming and trimming of a flange portion which was conventionally required for forming an outer peripheral introducing portion. Therefore, steps required for forming the flange portion are omitted, and the number of steps for manufacturing the cylinder member is reduced. Without using a large-scale press machine such as a progressive press and a transfer press, the cylinder member is manufactured by a smaller-sized press machine, thereby reducing equipment investment required for manufacturing the cylinder member. |
| US09328823B2 |
Steel piston having cooling channel without flash
The present invention provides a steel piston having cooling channel without flash, including an upper piston part having a circle shape outer wall and an inner wall formed inward from the outer wall with a desired distance, and a lower piston part having a circle shape outer wall and an inner wall formed inward from the outer wall with a desired distance on the place corresponding each other when they are coupled, in which one or more concave grooves are formed on the outer wall of the upper piston part, and two concave grooves are formed on the inner wall of the upper piston part, and the inner circumference surface of the upper end of the outer wall of the lower piston part is carved as much as a desired depth, and therefore, a stepped portion is formed between the inner and the outer circumference surfaces, and the inner and outer circumference surfaces of the upper end of the inner wall of the lower piston part are carved as much as a desired depth, and a protrusion is formed at the middle of the upper end of the inner wall, and therefore, the stepped portions are formed between the inner and outer circumference surfaces, and therefore, having the effect that improve the cooling efficiency of the piston by preventing from accumulating of carbides by limiting forming flash inside oil gallery during friction welding. |
| US09328820B1 |
Method for detecting a nonoperational shift element in an automatic transmission
A method for detecting a malfunctioning shift element in an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes operating the automatic transmission in an intermediate gear. A selected shift element of the automatic transmission is commanded to a disengaged configuration in the intermediate gear. The method also includes measuring a gear ratio of the automatic transmission while the automatic transmission is operating in the intermediate gear, and determining whether the selected shift element of the automatic transmission is malfunctioning based at least in part on the gear ratio of the automatic transmission in the intermediate gear. |
| US09328819B2 |
Method and system for providing a voting strategy for determining a mode state in a shift-by-wire transmission
A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. The transmission includes a return to park feature and a controller including at least three memories. The controller is configured to write a remembered mode state into each memory. The remembered mode state is one of a Normal mode state that allows the transmission to automatically shift to Park, a hold mode state that causes the transmission to remain in Neutral and not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event or other mode states. The controller reads each memory and, when at least two of the remembered mode states are the same mode state, causes the transmission to enter a mode state corresponding to the same mode state. |
| US09328816B2 |
Isolator decoupler
An isolating decoupler comprising a pulley having a pulley inner surface, a hub having a radially extending arm, the radially extending arm having a frictional surface slidingly engaged with the pulley inner surface, a spring fixed to the pulley, the spring intermittently engageable with the radially extending arm, an elastomeric member disposed between the spring and the radially extending arm; and the radially extending arm intermittently engageable with a pulley stop. |
| US09328815B2 |
Rack bar and rack bar teeth forming die
A rack bar includes a shaft portion, a rack toothed portion provided on the shaft portion, and a dummy toothed portion. The rack toothed portion includes a plurality of rack teeth provided side by side in an axial direction of the shaft portion, each of the rack teeth including a contact face arranged obliquely relative to the axial direction to contact the pinion gear. The dummy toothed portion includes at least one dummy tooth provided on at least one side of the rack toothed portion in the axial direction such that the dummy tooth is arranged parallel to and next to the rack teeth. The dummy tooth is designed such that a whole height of the dummy tooth is smaller than a whole height of each of the rack teeth. |
| US09328814B2 |
Clad chainring
A bicycle chainring, including a generally annular body formed of at least an inner material, the inner material including a first side and a second side opposite the first side and a plurality of teeth disposed about a periphery of the body. At least some of the plurality of teeth are formed of both the inner material and an outer material, the outer material disposed on one or both of the first and second sides, the outer material having a greater wear resistance relative to the inner material and a thickness greater than 0.1 millimeter. |
| US09328812B2 |
Method of manufacturing impeller and turbine assemblies
A method of manufacturing an impeller and turbine assembly of a transmission includes providing an impeller housing and a turbine housing. An impeller blade defining an impeller receptor and a turbine blade defining a turbine receptor are provided. The impeller blade is mated to the impeller housing by deforming a portion of said impeller housing into the impeller receptor. The turbine blade is mated to the turbine housing by deforming a portion of the turbine housing into the turbine receptor. In this manner, the impeller blade is secured to the impeller housing and the turbine blade is secured to the turbine housing. |
| US09328809B2 |
Ballscrew assembly having a low friction sleeve
A ballscrew assembly may include a ballnut configured to combat the negative effects of thermal expansion of dissimilar materials used within the ballscrew assembly. Moreover, the ballscrew assembly described herein may have a decreased coefficient of friction as compared with a steel on steel housing and ballnut configuration. A ballscrew assembly may comprise a ballnut made from a first material, a ballnut housing made from a second material, and a sleeve made from a third material. The sleeve may be positioned between the exterior of the ballnut and an interior of the ballnut housing to reduce friction between the exterior surface of the ballnut and an interior surface of the ballnut housing. |
| US09328808B2 |
Actuator
An actuator for a lever that is connected, with a valve or a wastegate or a variable turbine geometry of an exhaust gas turbocharger. The actuator includes a connecting rod between a drive and the lever. The connecting rod is rotatably supported at a location some distance from the lever. The connecting rod is further guided between the support and the lever on a circular arc. |
| US09328807B2 |
Systems and methods for control of transmission and/or prime mover
Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example. |
| US09328805B2 |
Chain-tensioning device
A chain-tensioning device comprises at least one main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel on which a chain engages, a main spring that urges a shaft of the main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel in a direction of tensioning of the chain, and an auxiliary cam element that engages a cam-follower element operatively connected to the shaft of the main chain-tensioning sprocket wheel so as to tend to push this shaft in the tensioning direction under the action of auxiliary elastic means. The auxiliary cam element automatically recovers any play that is generated owing to wear of the chain and prevents a movement of the chain-tensioning sprocket wheel in a direction opposite to the tensioning direction. In a variant, two main chain-tensioning sprocket wheels are provided, each having a respective auxiliary cam element. The two auxiliary cam elements may form part of a single pivoted lever. |
| US09328804B1 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft, a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first planetary carrier, and a first ring gear, a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear, a second planetary carrier, and a second ring gear, a third planetary gear set including a third sun gear, a third planetary carrier, and a third ring gear, a fourth planetary gear set including a fourth sun gear, a fourth planetary carrier, and a fourth ring gear, a first rotational shaft, a second rotational shaft, a third rotational shaft, a fourth rotational shaft, a fifth rotational shaft, a sixth rotational shaft, a seventh rotational shaft, and an eighth rotational shaft. |
| US09328802B2 |
Planetary gear set with several gear stages
Planetary gear set with several gear stages, comprising an annular ring with which the planet gears are in engagement with at least one gear stage; according to the invention it is provided that at least one circular insert part with external and internal gearing is arranged in an annular ring, whereby the external gearing is in engagement with the annular ring and the internal gearing meshes with planet gears of another gear stage. |
| US09328801B2 |
Connection between a drive shaft of a motor and a driven shaft of a driven apparatus
Connection between a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and this connection is realised by means of a drive gearwheel on the drive shaft and a driven gearwheel on the driven shaft, whereby the drive gearwheel and the driven gearwheel are affixed in a housing, and this housing is on the one hand connected to a housing of the motor, and on the other hand is connected to a housing of the driven apparatus, and whereby the drive gearwheel or the driven gearwheel is a ring gear with internal toothing and the remaining gearwheel of the connection is a pinion with external toothing. |
| US09328800B2 |
Chain joint for link chains
A chain joint for link chains, having a main body in the form of an oval chain link with two mutually parallel longitudinal legs which are connected to one another at their ends via a rounded link portion, one defining a receiving opening for receiving chain links. The receiving opening is bounded at its ends by one longitudinal leg section, wherein, in the longitudinal leg, a threaded bore runs in the longitudinal direction and extends in both longitudinal leg sections. A closure screw engages the threaded bore in both longitudinal leg sections, so that, while maintaining the predefined sizes for outer circumference and link width of the main body, the main body, in the region of its longitudinal legs, includes a profile cross section that is larger than the profile cross section in the region of its rounded link portions. |
| US09328798B2 |
Heat-reflecting force transmission belt
The use of metal particles inside the belt back (4) of a force transmission belt (1) serves primarily to protect the belt from overheating in transient temperatures of between 100° C. and approximately 400° C. which can occur during operation in motor vehicle engine compartments and in the heat radiation region of exhaust systems. To this end, the force transmission belt (1), which has a main body (3) made of at least one elastomeric material and having a sub-structure and a belt back (4), and a force transmission zone on the sub-structure, has lamella-type or flake-type particles made of metal, particularly aluminium, mixed into the elastomer at least in an outermost layer (5) of the belt back (4). |
| US09328795B2 |
Energy guide chain with deformable joint elements
The invention relates to a cable carrier chain (1) for carrying cables, hoses or the like, having a plurality of links (2, 3) which form two parallel link strands connected by transverse webs and which can be angled relative to one another by means of articulated connection, wherein the articulated connection between adjacent links (2, 3) is formed by a joint element (5) which is elastically deformable in the angling direction of the links and which is preferably arranged in the longitudinal central plane (S2), which runs in the longitudinal direction of the cable carrier chain, of the links. According to the invention, in each link strand, in each case different inner links (2) and outer links (3) alternate in the longitudinal direction of the chain (1), wherein both the inner links and also the outer links are in each case of mirror-symmetrical form with respect to the vertical central plane (S1) thereof which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that identical inner links (2) and identical outer links (3) can be used in both link strands. To secure adjacent inner and outer links (2; 3) in the longitudinal direction of the chain, the joint elements (5) have mirror-symmetrical opposite end regions (52). |
| US09328792B2 |
Hydraulic shock absorber
A hydraulic shock absorber includes a damping force generation unit and a damping force adjustment unit. The damping force adjustment unit includes a push rod that changes an opening area of an oil path formed in a piston rod, an electric motor functioning as a driving source, and a feed screw mechanism that converts rotation of the electric motor into linear movement of the push rod. The feed screw mechanism includes a first slider that is screwed to an output shaft of the electric motor in an advanceable/retractable manner, a second slider is fitted movably to the first slider, and a set spring that pushes the second slider against one end of the push rod. |
| US09328788B2 |
Gradient nanoparticle-carbon allotrope-polymer composite material
A shock wave attenuating material (100) includes a substrate layer (104). A plurality (110) of shock attenuating layers is disposed on the substrate layer (104). Each of the plurality (110) of shock attenuating layers includes a gradient nanoparticle layer (114) including a plurality of nanoparticles (120) of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient from smallest diameter to largest diameter and a graphitic layer (118) disposed adjacent to the gradient nanoparticle layer. The graphitic layer (118) includes a plurality of carbon allotrope members (128) suspended in a matrix (124). |
| US09328781B2 |
External-control type fan clutch device
Provided is an external-control type fan clutch device that can suppress unnecessary rotation of a cooling fan at the time of activating a rotary shaft effectively regardless of stop positions of an oil supply port and an oil recover port at a stop time of the fan. The fan clutch device includes a valve member for opening/closing an oil circulating flow passage hole provided on a side wall face of the annular oil reserving chamber, wherein opening/closing of the oil circulating flow passage hole is controlled by the valve member, wherein an oil supply chamber, that is formed of a partition wall composed of an arc-like wall and a plate-like partition wall for shielding one end of the arc-like partition wall, is provided in the annular oil reserving chamber, and the oil circulating flow passage hole and an oil recovery port are arranged in the oil supply chamber. |
| US09328780B2 |
Fluid friction clutch
The invention relates to a fluid friction clutch (1) having a housing (2, 3) and a clutch disk (4), which is rotatable relative to the housing (2, 3), and which is rotatably arranged at one end (5) of a shaft (6) centrally supported inside the housing (2, 3), having a working chamber (9) between the housing (2, 3) and the clutch disk (4), having a storage chamber (10) for clutch fluid; and having a feed duct (11a, 11b), which leads from the storage chamber (10) to the working chamber (9), characterized by a supply pump element (14), which is rotatable relative to the housing (2, 3) and which is arranged, rotationally fixed, on the shaft (6), and which defines a shear gap (12) with the housing (2, 3); and by a valve (17), which is arranged in the feed duct (11), characterized in that an operative element (7) is arranged on the housing (2, 3). |
| US09328775B2 |
Three-position dog clutch
A multi-positional dog clutch selectively engageable with a transmission is disclosed. The dog clutch includes a shift fork, a dog clutch carrier, a common member, and first and second dog clutch sliding members. The transmission includes first and second fixed members. The first dog clutch sliding member is configured to engage with and disengage from the first fixed member. The second dog clutch sliding member is configured to engage with and disengage from the second fixed member. The dog clutch carrier is movable to (i) a first position in which the first dog clutch sliding member is engaged with the first fixed member, (ii) a second position in which the second dog clutch sliding member is engaged with the second fixed member, and (iii) a third position in which the first dog clutch sliding member is engaged with the first fixed member and the second dog clutch sliding member is engaged with the second fixed member. |
| US09328769B1 |
Slide rail assembly and bracket device thereof
A slide rail assembly includes a rail mounted with a bracket device whereby the slide rail assembly can be mounted to a rack. The bracket device includes a first supporting bracket, a second supporting bracket, a third supporting bracket, a mounting bracket, and a connecting member. The first supporting bracket is connected to the rail. The second supporting bracket is movably connected to the first supporting bracket. The second supporting bracket, the third supporting bracket, and the mounting bracket are movably connected and support one another. The mounting bracket includes first and second blocking portions and a slot formed between the first and the second blocking portions. The connecting member passes through the slot and is connected to the third supporting bracket. |
| US09328766B2 |
Rolling bearing having an integrated generator and method for the energy management of a rolling bearing of said type
A rolling bearing having a permanently excited first generator (09) which is arranged in an intermediate space between two bearing rings which are rotatable relative to one another, the first generator having a primary part and a secondary part and generating a first generator voltage when it operates, the secondary part has permanent magnets (04) which are arranged with alternating polarity on the circumference of one of the bearing rings at least in sections. The rolling bearing includes a second generator (21), and the first generator voltage serves for the supply of energy to a sensor arrangement and/or actuator arrangement integrated in the bearing, whereas the second generator outputs a voltage signal for position determination and rotational speed measurement. A method for the energy management of a rolling bearing of this type is also provided. |
| US09328763B2 |
Die button
A die button for installation of a nut to a panel includes a button body with a panel end, and a cavity defined therein. An aperture is defined in the panel end at a mouth of the cavity. A shearing edge is at a perimeter of the aperture to shear a tab from the panel when a shearing force is applied to the panel by the nut driven by a punch of a press. A relief is in a portion of the perimeter of the aperture to bend a root portion of the panel connecting the tab to the panel without severing the root when the nut applies the shearing force. A reaction member is slidably disposed within the cavity. A resilient member is disposed within the cavity to urge the reaction member toward the panel end, thereby bending the tab to contact the nut and seal a bore. |
| US09328762B2 |
Pierce nut for high-strength steel plate
A pierce nut used for a high-strength steel plate according to the invention includes a female screw thread portion formed in the center of a nut body, an annular piercing portion projecting around the female thread portion, and an annular outer peripheral projection extending from the periphery of the nut body. The outer periphery of the piercing portion forms a first sloping surface increasing in diameter toward the leading end thereof, and also the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral projection forms a second sloping surface increasing in diameter toward the leading end thereof. Serrations are formed on the second sloping surface. Even where a mating member is a high-strength steel plate, the pierce nut according to the invention can ensure the same peeling strength and rotation torque as with a conventional nut, without deformation of the pierce nut itself. |
| US09328758B2 |
Tooth-set carrier and opening cylinder with quick-locking mechanism
The invention refers to an opening cylinder for an open-end spinning device with a core piece and a tooth-set carrier capable of rotating around a common rotating axis and detachably connected to one another by means of a quick-locking mechanism. The quick-locking mechanism is executed as a turn-lock fastener, so that the tooth-set carrier is detachably connected to it by means of a rotational movement around the rotational axis relative to the core piece. |
| US09328757B2 |
Hydraulic system for work machine
Provided is a hydraulic system for a work machine, which can ensure low temperature responsiveness of remote control valves that perform pilot operations of pilot operated directional control valves for controlling hydraulic actuators, respectively. In order to, with bringing an unloading valve V13 to an unloading position 29, circulate oil to a pilot pump oil passage w that supplies the pressure oil from the discharging circuit Y for a pilot pump 19 to remote control valves PV1, PV2, and PV6, a warm-up circuit H that flows the oil from the discharging circuit Y for the pilot pump 19 to a terminal of the pilot pump oil passage w is provided. |
| US09328750B2 |
Strap clamp
A strap clamp arranged to securely cinch a strap around a target object is described. The strap clamp includes a bar and a clutch assembly slideably mounted on the bar. A strap is carried by the clutch assembly and a strap fastener is attached to the bar. The strap fastener is arranged to releasably engage the strap. When the strap fastener is engaged, the strap is held fixed relative to the bar thereby forming a loop between the fastener and the clutch assembly. When the strap fastener is released, the strap may be pulled through the fastener to adjust the length of the loop. The clutch assembly may include a clutch mechanism, an actuator and a clutch release. The clutch mechanism prevents the clutch assembly from moving away from the strap fastener when engaged. The actuator is arranged to move the clutch assembly towards the strap fastener when actuated. |
| US09328749B2 |
Bracket-less clamping assembly
A clamping assembly for a strut element. The clamping assembly connects one end of the substantially tubular strut to a threaded bolt. The clamping assembly comprises a threaded sleeve that is arranged in the tubular strut in a radial annular gap between the threaded bolt and the inside cross-section of the strut, in a conical internal thread of the strut. The threaded sleeve has a conical external thread and an internal thread that receives the threaded bolt. The end of the sleeve, that is received by the strut, is radially elastic. |
| US09328746B2 |
Accumulator
An accumulator has a seal member retained to a port hole side of a bellows cap via a seal holder. The seal member comes into contact with a seal portion so as to occlude a liquid chamber in the case that an operation of a device stops and the pressure within a pressure piping is lowered. The seal member moves in a direction that the bellows cap moves away from the seal portion while being in contact with the seal portion when the liquid confined in the liquid chamber thermally expands in a state in which the liquid chamber is occluded. The seal member is obtained by attaching a flexible portion constructed by a rubber-like elastic body to an outer peripheral surface of a rigid plate, and the flexible portion allows relative movement of the bellows cap by shear deformation on the basis of engagement with the seal holder. |
| US09328745B2 |
Pressure storage system and method to operate pressure storage system
A pressure accumulator system, and a method of operating a pressure accumulator system. The method includes operatively connecting a tank neck to at least two pressure accumulator vessels having different admissible operating pressures, in which at least one of the pressure accumulator vessels has an admissible operating pressure lower than a maximum applicable pressure at the tank neck, simultaneously filling via the tank neck the at least two pressure accumulator vessels with a fluid medium, and preventing an inadmissible pressure rise in the pressure accumulator vessels with the lower admissible operating pressure during the simultaneous filling. |
| US09328744B2 |
Hydraulic control system having swing energy recovery
A hydraulic control system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a tank, a pump, and a fluid actuator. The hydraulic control system may further have an accumulator configured to selectively receive pressurized fluid discharged from the fluid actuator and selectively supply pressurized fluid to the fluid actuator. The hydraulic control system may also have a pressure sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of the accumulator, a charge valve, a discharge valve, and a controller in communication with the control valve, the charge valve, and the discharge valve. The controller may be configured to detect stall of the fluid actuator, to make a comparison of the pressure of the accumulator with a threshold pressure, and to selectively move the charge valve to charge the accumulator or move the discharge valve to discharge the accumulator during the stall based on the comparison. |
| US09328743B2 |
Pressure exchanger and performance adjustment method of pressure exchanger
A pressure exchanger includes a rotator disposed with pressure transmission sections around a rotation axis. Each pressure transmission section is formed such that a first flow path and a second flow path are communicated with each other. A first lateral member is formed with: first fluid inflow paths guiding the first fluid to the first flow paths; second fluid outflow paths guiding, from the second flow paths, second fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the first fluid; second fluid inflow paths guiding the second fluid to the second flow paths; and first fluid outflow paths guiding, from the first flow paths, first fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the second fluid in the thickness direction. A second lateral member is rotatably sandwiching the rotator between the second lateral member and the first lateral member. |
| US09328742B2 |
Ejector
A refrigerant passage formed between an inner peripheral surface of a decompression space formed within a body part and an outer peripheral surface of a valve body that changes a refrigerant passage area of a minimum area part functions as a nozzle, and a refrigerant passage formed between an inner peripheral surface of a pressure increase space formed within the body part and an outer peripheral surface of a passage formation member functions as a diffuser to configure an ejector. Further, the valve body and the passage formation member are provided as separated members, and a load of the refrigerant on the valve body is reduced, thereby being capable of downsizing a drive device that displaces the valve body. |
| US09328739B2 |
Fan
A fan includes an outer casing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and an impeller housing located within the casing. An impeller is provided within the impeller housing for generating an air flow along a path extending from the air inlet to the air outlet through the impeller housing. A motor for driving the impeller is located within a motor housing connected to the impeller housing. A foam annular seal is located between the impeller housing and a seat to inhibit the leakage of air between the impeller housing and the casing. A plurality of resilient supports is provided between the impeller housing and the seat to reduce the load on the annular seal. |
| US09328733B2 |
Vacuum pump of vehicle preventing lubricant from reintroducing for reducing operation noise
A vacuum pump of a vehicle for reducing operation noise may include a rotor rotating in a space defined by a housing formed in a pump body at an eccentric position relative to a center of the space, a vane installed to the rotor to rotate eccentrically in the space, and an oil outlet passing through the pump body and formed at a predetermined height above a lower limit of the space such that, when lubricant in the space is discharged in a pressurized state by the vane, the lubricant is not reintroduced back into the space by gravity. |
| US09328731B2 |
Oil free compressor system
An oil free compressor includes a cooling fan, a low-pressure stage air-cooled heat exchanger, a high-pressure stage air-cooled heat exchanger, and a lubricating oil air-cooled heat exchanger. The cooling fan is provided independently from each of the low-pressure stage air-cooled heat exchanger, the high-pressure stage air-cooled heat exchanger, and the lubricating oil air-cooled heat exchanger. |
| US09328725B2 |
Air compressor having buffering compartment
An air compressor assembly includes a cylinder housing, an outlet receptacle disposed on the cylinder housing, and a partition having an air passage formed between the cylinder housing and the outlet receptacle, and a piston slidably received in the cylinder housing for generating a pressurized air, the partition includes a channel communicating with the chamber of the cylinder housing, and the cylinder housing includes a compartment formed in a casing and communicating with the channel of the partition for partially receiving the pressurized air and for buffering purposes. An adjustable plug is engaged in the casing for adjusting the volume of the compartment of the casing. |
| US09328724B2 |
Rocking piston type compressor
A rocking piston type compressor is provided with a piston rod, a lip ring, and a ring holding member. The lip ring includes a center portion fixed by the ring holding member, and a lip portion upwardly extending around the center portion along a periphery of the ring holding member. The ring holding member includes a flange portion covering at least a part of an upper end surface of lip portion. A back pressure introducing portion is provided in a part of the flange portion. |
| US09328720B2 |
Fluid-working machine with multi-lobe ring cam
A fluid-working machine for a renewable energy generation device, the fluid-working machine comprising a ring cam and a plurality of working chambers, the ring cam having an annular working surface extending around an axis of rotation of the ring cam, the annular working surface defining a plurality of waves, each working chamber having a piston, each piston in operative engagement with the ring cam working surface, the ring cam and working chambers being mounted to rotate relative to each other, cycles of working chamber volume being thereby coupled to rotation of the ring cam relative to the working chambers, characterized in that the individual waves of the ring cam working surface have an asymmetric profile. |
| US09328718B2 |
Method of calculating an electrical output of a wind power plant
The invention relates to a method of calculating an electrical output of a wind power plant comprising a plurality of wind turbines. Instead of calculating the electrical output of the wind power plant as a simple aggregation of the outputs of each wind turbine, the method takes into account parameters which may vary stochastically throughout the wind power plant, e.g. pitch angle, stiffness in drive train, different possible production with regard to reactive and active effect, mechanical component properties as well as variability in relation to communication times between a power plant controller and the individual wind turbines. The method proposes to make adjustment to a simple aggregation calculation method based on analysis of such stochastic varying parameters. |
| US09328717B1 |
Golden ratio axial flow apparatus
A fluid flow rotary driven apparatus includes a support having an axis of rotation and a plurality of elongate, curved rotor wings attached to and extending outwardly from the support. Each wing is attached to the support at an inner end and projects outwardly in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation to a distal end. Each wing includes a convex surface defining a plurality of logarithmic spiral line segments interconnecting the inner and outer ends. Each spiral line segment extends completely within a respective plane transverse to the axis of rotation. The wings are responsive to a fluid flow across the outer surface of the wings for driving the support to turn about the axis of rotation. A rotary transmission device is operably connected to the support and responds to turning of the support for producing an energy output. |
| US09328715B2 |
Modular wind turbine having a rotating feature and method of use thereof
A modular multi-turbine unit of fixed toroidal support structures having a rail system designed to allow each of the plurality of turbines to rotate to a most efficient position relative to the wind for generating power, a computer control system capable of positioning each of the plurality of turbines to most effectively generate power from the wind, preventing damage to the turbines, and providing a wind predictive model based on the wind characteristics for the area in which the wind turbine is located. |
| US09328710B2 |
Fuel delivery device
The invention proposes a fuel delivery device for a fuel injection device of an internal combustion engine, having a delivery pump (10) and having at least one high-pressure pump (16). By means of the delivery pump (10), fuel from a storage container (12) is delivered to the suction side of the high-pressure pump (16), and fuel is delivered into a high-pressure region (18) by the high-pressure pump (16). The delivery pump (10) has an adjustable displacement volume, which means that a variable quantity of fuel can be conveyed at the same rotational speed. |
| US09328709B2 |
Fuel supply structure of saddle-ride type vehicle
A fuel supply structure of a saddle-ride type vehicle wherein a wrong operation of a hose locking member is more securely prevented during maintenance of the vehicle to enhance the maintainability without increasing the number of parts. Fuel supplied from a fuel tank to a throttle body is supplied via fuel supply parts through a flexible fuel hose. A cover member for covering the fuel supply parts is provided. The cover member is provided with a cover that covers a fuel hose locking member for locking the connection of the fuel hose and each fuel supply part. In addition, the cover covers the fuel hose locking member to disenable removing the fuel hose locking member. |
| US09328707B2 |
Fuel injector
The invention relates to a control chamber, the pressure of which determines the strokes or positions of a nozzle needle, and which is assigned to a force or pressure sensor in order to detect the progression of the control chamber pressure. Because the control chamber pressure significantly changes during the closing of the nozzle needle, the operating phases of the injector can be exactly determined from the sensor data and supplied to an engine controller. |
| US09328705B2 |
Diesel fuel gelling determination method
Fuel gelling determination methods and systems are provided for identifying and displaying to a vehicle operator a message conveying that the conditions are suitable for the formation of a fuel gel. In one particular example, at a fuel refill event the average ambient air temperature is calculated over the last fifty miles and used to characterize the grade of fuel as a summer or winter grade of fuel. Then, when the ambient temperature next drops near the cloud point of a summer fuel grade while driving, a message is displayed to a vehicle operator indicating that the conditions are suitable for fuel gelling to occur. |
| US09328704B2 |
Fuel supply apparatus
A support shaft connects between a flange and a pump unit. An intermediate member, which connects between the support shaft and pump unit, enables a relative positional change between the support shaft and the pump unit in an axial direction of the support shaft. The intermediate member limits a relative positional change between the support shaft and the pump unit in a circumferential direction of the support shaft. A resilient member is received in the support shaft and exerts a restoring force in an axial direction of the support shaft to urge the pump unit, which is movable relative to the support shaft in the axial direction, toward a bottom portion of the fuel tank. |
| US09328701B2 |
Fuel vaporizer
What is described is a fuel vaporizer comprising a housing which comprises an inlet opening with an internal thread, an inlet tube which is seated in the inlet opening. According to this disclosure, it is provided that the inlet tube comprises an undercut head and the inlet tube protrudes through a bushing the inside diameter of which is smaller than the outside diameter of the head, wherein the bushing comprises an external thread with which it is screwed into the inlet opening of the housing. What is additionally described is a kit for the production of a fuel vaporizer. |
| US09328699B2 |
PHEV EVAP system canister loading state determination
An evaporative emission control system for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that indicates the level of loading of a carbon canister of the system. The system has multiple thermocouples positioned space apart from each other along a vapor flow path within the carbon canister. A controller is connected to each thermocouple, which monitors the temperature of the thermocouples. The controller indicates the level of saturation of the carbon canister based on certain pre-determined temperature criteria. |
| US09328698B2 |
Automotive virtual humidity sensor
Systems and methods are provided for adjusting an engine powertrain component responsive to ambient humidity, the ambient humidity based on vehicle position in a region, clock time ambient temperature, and historical humidity data for that region for a current time of year. This may be accomplished without relying on a costly, and often, temperamental physical humidity sensor. Training modules and cloud updates may further increase the accuracy of the virtual humidity sensor of the present disclosure. |
| US09328696B1 |
Carburetor with idle down feature
A carburetor with a throttle valve is provided in which a linkage member is in communication with the throttle valve. An idle down handle can be moved from an unactuated position to an actuated position and is in communication with the throttle valve. Movement of the idle down handle to the actuated position causes the throttle valve to be placed into the closed position. When the idle down handle is in the unactuated position the throttle linkage member can cause the throttle valve to be moved back and forth between the open and closed positions. |
| US09328694B2 |
Aviation gas turbine thrust reversing device
The present invention relates to an aircraft gas turbine thrust-reversing device with an engine having an engine cowling, the rear area of which can be displaced in the axial direction of the engine from a closed forward thrust position into a rearwardly displaced thrust reversal position, resulting in an essentially annular free space towards a forward stationary area of the engine cowling, with the rear area of the engine cowling being functionally coupled to deflecting elements arranged in the forward thrust position within the front area of the engine cowling, with the deflecting elements during displacement of the rear area of the engine cowling being moveable on a partial-circular path facing the central axis of the engine and contactable by their rear end areas with a cowling of the core engine. |
| US09328693B2 |
Piston, engine and operating method for reduced production of particulate matter
A piston for reduced production of particulate matter during combustion of a fuel directly injected after a top dead center position includes a piston body defining a piston body diameter of about 263 mm, and a combustion face upon the first axial body end. The combustion face includes a combustion bowl, and an annular piston rim extending circumferentially around the combustion bowl. Inner and outer rim surfaces together comprise a horizontal width of the rim in a ratio of about 1:1 to about 2:1. The inner rim surface includes a chamfer sloping from about 9° to about 11°, such that a profile of the rim is relieved to limit deflection by the piston of the directly injected fuel toward a cylinder wall. |
| US09328688B2 |
Supercharged direct fuel injection engine
Various systems and methods are disclosed for controlling an internal combustion engine system having an internal combustion engine, a fuel injector which directly injects fuel into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, and a supercharger which supercharges air into the combustion chamber. One example method comprises, injecting fuel into the combustion chamber multiple times so that a first part of the fuel is self ignited and a last part of the fuel being injected during the compression stroke or later in a cylinder cycle when a desired torque of said internal combustion engine system is in a first range; and increasing a pressure of air which the supercharger charges into the combustion chamber as amount of fuel injected into the combustion chamber during a cylinder cycle increases when the desired torque is in the first range. |
| US09328687B2 |
Bias mitigation for air-fuel ratio sensor degradation
Various embodiments relating to air-fuel ratio control are described herein. In one embodiment a method includes adjusting fuel injection to an engine responsive to air-fuel ratio sensor feedback with a first control structure, and in response to an air-fuel ratio sensor asymmetric degradation, adjusting fuel injection to the engine responsive to air-fuel ratio sensor feedback with a second, different, control structure. |
| US09328686B2 |
Flow measuring device
A detection element portion is provided on an inner surface side of a plate as a wall surface portion defining a measurement passage in a flow measuring device. An intake-air temperature detection portion detecting a temperature of a fluid being measured is provided on one main surface of a substrate forming the detection element portion. A ventilation hole allowing a main passage in which the fluid being measured flows and the measurement passage to communicate is provided so as to penetrate through the plate. By achieving a state in which the substrate forming the detection element portion is installed so that an end thereof protrudes into the ventilation hole and a back surface of the end portion of the detection element portion where the intake-air temperature detection portion is formed is exposed toward the main passage, a response speed is enhanced. |
| US09328685B2 |
Inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio variation abnormality detection apparatus for multicylinder internal combustion engine
A first parameter correlated with a degree of fluctuation of output from an air-fuel ratio sensor is calculated, and whether or not the calculated first parameter has a value between a predetermined primary determination upper-limit value α1H and a primary determination lower-limit value is determined. Such forced active control as reduces an air-fuel ratio shift in one of the cylinders which is subjected to a most significant air-fuel ratio shift is performed when the calculated first parameter is determined to have a value between the predetermined primary determination upper-limit value and the primary determination lower-limit value. A first parameter is calculated while the forced active control is in execution. The calculated first parameter is compared with a predetermined secondary determination value to determine whether or not variation abnormality is present. |
| US09328679B2 |
Methods and systems for an oxygen sensor
Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation. |
| US09328678B2 |
Vehicle method for barometric pressure identification
A vehicle method for barometric pressure identification, including adjusting engine operation responsive to barometric pressure, the barometric pressure based on a pressure change at a sector of the fuel system when the sector is sealed with the vehicle travelling. The method may utilize a pressure change at the sealed sector of the fuel system, such as a sealed fuel tank, to identify barometric pressure, even with the engine off for extended durations of vehicle travel. As such, in a hybrid-vehicle application, including during hill descents in which the engine is maintained off, barometric pressure can still be updated. |
| US09328676B2 |
Supercharged engine diagnostics method and associated engine
A diagnostics method for a supercharged internal combustion engine including a fixed-geometry turbocharger, including a compressor through which air admitted into an intake circuit passes, and a turbine rotationally connected to the compressor and through which exhaust gases pass, the method including: calculating a first integral with respect to time of a measurement of atmospheric pressure; calculating an integral with respect to time of a measurement of boost pressure; calculating a second integral with respect to time of a measurement of atmospheric pressure; calculating two diagnostics criteria dependent on the first integral of atmospheric pressure, on the integral of the boost pressure and on the second integral of the atmospheric pressure; comparing the first diagnostics criterion with a first diagnostics threshold and comparing the second diagnostics criterion with a second diagnostics threshold; and diagnosing a fault when at least one of the diagnostics criteria is below its associated diagnostics threshold. |
| US09328673B2 |
Engine
It is an object of the present invention to provide an engine which can easily be produced. In an engine including an electronic throttle device, a control unit for controlling the electronic throttle device, and a gas fuel supply unit, a gaseous-fuel mixer is used as the gas fuel supply unit, and when an extending direction of a crankshaft is defined as a longitudinal direction and an engine cooling fan is defined as existing on a front side and a side opposite from the front side is defined as a rear side, a collector of an intake manifold extends in the longitudinal direction, the electronic throttle device is mounted on the rear side of the collector, and the gaseous-fuel mixer is mounted on the rear side of the electronic throttle device. |
| US09328672B2 |
Engine braking controller
In one aspect of the invention, an engine is operated in a skip cylinder engine braking mode. In the skip cylinder engine braking mode, selected working cycles of selected working chambers are deactivated. Other selected working cycles of the selected working chambers are operated in a braking mode. Accordingly, individual working chambers are sometimes deactivated and sometimes operated in the braking mode while the engine is operating in the skip cylinder engine braking mode. Various methods for cylinder control are described, which improve fuel economy, catalytic converter performance, and vehicle NVH characteristics. |
| US09328669B2 |
Dynamic and automatic tuning of a gas turbine engine using exhaust temperature and inlet guide vane angle
Methods and systems are provided for dynamically auto-tuning a gas turbine engine. Initially, parameters of the gas turbine engine are monitored to determine that they are within predefined upper and lower limits such that a margin exists. A first incremental adjustment of an inlet guide vane (IGV) angle is performed. If the monitored parameters are still within the predefined upper and lower limits, a second incremental adjustment of the IGV angle is performed. It is determined that the monitored parameters are still within the predefined upper and lower limits. Additionally, it is determined that a predefined value of the IGV angle has been reached such that the IGV angle is not to be further increased or decreased. |
| US09328658B2 |
Fuel distribution block
The invention relates to a fuel distributor block for an internal combustion engine. Said fuel distributor block having a belt arrangement, wherein the belt arrangement comprises a belt, which is operatively connected to a belt pulley coupled to a shaft, for the purpose of driving an assembly, in particular an assembly of an engine, via a further belt pulley which is operatively connected to the belt, wherein a belt diverting device for diverting the belt is arranged on the fuel distributor block in order to minimize the spatial extent of the belt arrangement. |
| US09328657B2 |
Exhaust heat recovery for engine heating and exhaust cooling
Various systems and method for heating an engine in a vehicle are described. In one example, intake air flowing in a first direction may be heated via a gas-to-gas heat exchange with exhaust gases. The heated intake air may then be used in a subsequent gas-to-liquid heat exchange to heat a fluid circulating through the engine. In another example, intake air flowing in a second direction may be heated via a heat exchange with exhaust gases in order to cool an exhaust catalyst. |
| US09328656B2 |
Electrically driven turbocharger device
Inside of a gas-tight housing, an electric motor, an inverter and a compressor are housed. Further, an intake air pipe is connected to the gas-tight housing. Inside of the gas-tight housing, an intake air flow passage is formed. Further, a connection opening of an outside air induction pipe provided with a flow rate regulating valve is arranged so as to face a suction opening of a compressor. When the delivery air flow rate as well as the delivery air pressure of the compressor is reduced due to the pressure loss and the like of the intake air ‘a’ which passes through the air flow passage and cools the electric motor and the inverter, an outside air ‘o’ of low temperature is induced so that: the capacity shortage as well as the performance deterioration of the compressor is constrained; and the over-heating of the compressor is constrained. |
| US09328652B2 |
Vehicle parallel cooling system
A vehicle cooling system includes a fan, a radiator upstream of the fan and in a first air flow path, a charge air cooler upstream of the radiator in the first air flow path, a fuel cooler upstream of the radiator in the first air flow path, and a hydraulic oil cooler adjacent to a side of the radiator and upstream of the fan and in a second air flow path which is parallel to the first air flow path. A condenser is positioned in the first air flow path between the fuel cooler and the radiator. The hydraulic oil cooler has an upstream side which is unobscured by any other cooling system components. The hydraulic oil cooler includes first and second hydraulic oil cooler units connected together in series. A portion of the hydraulic oil cooler is positioned above a top side of the radiator. |
| US09328649B2 |
Device for lining the visible end of the exhaust tailpipe of a motor vehicle
A device for lining the visible end of the exhaust tailpipe of a motor vehicle includes a base support and a trim, wherein the base support and trim are composed of plastic. The trim forms the visible end of the device. The connection of base support and trim is realized by adhesive bonding. |
| US09328646B2 |
Integrated fuel catalyst monitor
A method is provided for monitoring an emission device coupled to an engine. In one example approach, the method comprises: following a deceleration fuel shut-off duration, indicating degradation of the emission device based on an amount of rich products required to cause a sensor to become richer than a threshold. The amount of rich products required may be correlated to an amount of oxygen stored in the emission device. The indication of emission device degradation may be further based on air mass and temperature during delivery of the required rich products. |
| US09328644B2 |
Exhaust system and method of estimating diesel particulate filter soot loading for same using two-tier neural network
A method of estimating soot loading in a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in a vehicle exhaust system includes estimating an engine-out soot rate using a first neural network that has a first set of vehicle operating conditions as inputs. The method further includes estimating DPF soot loading using a second neural network that has the estimated engine-out soot rate from the first neural network and a second set of vehicle operating conditions as inputs. Estimating the engine-out soot rate and estimating the DPF soot loading are performed by an electronic controller that executes the first and the second neural networks. The method also provides for training the first and second neural networks both offline (for initial settings of the neural networks in the vehicle), and online (when the vehicle is being used by a vehicle operator). An exhaust system has a controller that implements the method. |
| US09328640B2 |
Emission abatement assembly having a mixing baffle and associated method
An emission abatement assembly includes a fuel-fired burner having a combustion chamber and a particulate filter positioned downstream of the fuel-fired burner. A mixing baffle is positioned between the fuel-fired burner and the particulate filter. |
| US09328633B2 |
Control of steam temperature in combined cycle power plant
A combined cycle power plant may include a gas turbine comprising a feed forward signal generator and configured to operate in one of one or more firing modes and generate exhaust gas and a heat recovery steam generator configured to receive the exhaust gas and extract thermal energy from the exhaust gas to generate steam. The feed forward signal generator may be configured to generate a feed forward signal that is used to control the temperature of the steam generated by the heat recovery steam generator. |
| US09328628B2 |
Bearing housing of an exhaust-gas turbocharger
A bearing housing (1) of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, having a housing body (2) in which an axial bearing (3) is arranged, and a compressor-side housing cover (4) which can be fixed in a compressor-side housing opening (6) via a fastening device (5). The fastening device (5) is a non-positively locking fastening device. |
| US09328624B2 |
Hydrocratic generator with membrane wall
A hydrocratic generator comprises a generally horizontal solid pipe and an inner tube, and an annular space formed between the solid pipe and the inner tube. The solid pipe receives a first aqueous solution and the inner tube receives a second aqueous solution. The inner tube is comprised of a membrane wall which facilitates the mixing between the first and the second aqueous solution. |
| US09328622B2 |
Blade attachment assembly
An assembly and method for affixing a turbomachine rotor blade to a rotor wheel are disclosed. In an embodiment, an adaptor member is provided disposed between the blade and the rotor wheel, the adaptor member including an adaptor attachment slot that is complementary to the blade attachment member, and an adaptor attachment member that is complementary to the rotor wheel attachment slot. A coverplate is provided, having a coverplate attachment member that is complementary to the rotor wheel attachment slot, and a hook for engaging the adaptor member. When assembled, the coverplate member matingly engages with the adaptor member, and retains the blade in the adaptor member, and the assembly in the rotor wheel. |
| US09328621B2 |
Rotor blade assembly tool for gas turbine engine
A rotor blade assembly tool for coupling a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotor blades to a rotor disc of a turbine rotor assembly, includes a base ring with an array of circumferentially spaced resilient fingers axially extending from the base ring. The resilient fingers are configured each to radially abut a blade seal, damper or other engine component against radially inner facing surfaces of platforms of the respective blades when the blades are being seated onto the disc during an assembly procedure. |
| US09328620B2 |
Method for making gas turbine engine composite structure
A method for making a gas turbine engine matrix composite structure. The method includes providing at least one metal core element, fabricating a matrix composite component about the metal core element, and removing at least part of the metal core element from the matrix composite component by introduction of a halogen gas. |
| US09328619B2 |
Blade having a hollow part span shroud
A rotating blade for use in a turbomachine is disclosed. In an embodiment, the rotating blade includes an airfoil portion, a root section affixed to a first end of the airfoil portion, and a tip section affixed to a second end of the airfoil portion, the second end being opposite the first end. A part span shroud is affixed to the airfoil portion between the tip section and the root section, wherein the part span shroud further comprises a hollow portion. |
| US09328613B2 |
Propeller arrangement, in particular for watercraft
A drive system of a watercraft includes a propeller rotatable about a propeller axis, and at least one rotor fin which is disposed freely rotatably about the propeller axis. The diameter of a circular path described by the rotation of the at least one rotor fin is less than the diameter of the propeller. |
| US09328612B2 |
Retrofitting methods and devices for large steam turbines
A method of replacing rotating metal blades of a steam turbine inserted into a rotor having one or more existing grooves for inserting root sections of the metal blades is described, the method including the steps of providing replacement blades having radially inwards directed root sections of fiber-reinforced composite material, changing the shape of the one or more grooves in the rotor to form a cavity for the insertion of the root sections of fiber-reinforced composite material and inserting the replacement blades into the rotor. |
| US09328606B2 |
Method and device to measure perforation tunnel dimensions
A method of logging a perforation tunnel and associated features of the perforation tunnel can include the following features. A logging device including an ultrasonic transducer is located downhole into a well. The well has a casing. The ultrasonic transducer has a focal point that is a distance from the ultrasonic transducer so as to be behind the inner face of the casing. An ultrasonic signal is projected from the ultrasonic transducer. A reflection of the ultrasonic signal is reflected from an internal portion of the perforation tunnel, the perforation tunnel extending through the casing and into formation. A transit time is measured between transmission and reception of the ultrasonic signal. A position of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to the ultrasonic transmission and reception of the reflected signal is determined. |
| US09328604B2 |
Methods and systems for determining standoff between a downhole tool and a geological formation
Methods and systems for determining a standoff between a downhole tool and a geological formation are provided. The standoff may be determined using a standoff measurement system that includes an electrode component, one or more electronics components, one or more transformers, and one or more processor units. When the standoff is expected to be no more than a first distance, a first measurement can be made where both originating and resulting electrical signals are induced at the electrode component. When the standoff is expected to be no less than a second distance, a second measurement can be made where an originating electrical signal is induced at one of the transformers while a resulting electrical signal is induced at the electrode component. |
| US09328602B2 |
MWD system for unconventional wells
An improved MWD system for drilling unconventional wells. Embodiments provide a particular combination of sensors in a specific arrangement in order to provide a system expressly designed for drilling unconventional wells. By minimizing modularity to reduce the need for redundant/duplicated components, including only sensors specifically needed for unconventional wells, and by separating long-life components such as sensors from components requiring more frequent maintenance or service such as batteries, the components can be more efficiently combined into a BHA sensor assembly having the shortest possible length. |
| US09328600B2 |
Double hydraulic fracturing methods
A method for hydraulically fracturing subterranean formations in a manner resulting in improved propping of fractures, particularly in ductile rock formations such as gas-containing shales having a high clay content. The method allows for improved hydrocarbon production. The method involves injecting a first fluid having a first proppant concentration into the subsurface formation to form a fracture, reducing the pressure in the fracture and allowing the fracture to substantially close, and injecting a second fluid having a second proppant concentration into the fracture to re-open the fracture. The second proppant concentration is greater than the first proppant concentration. A portion of the proppant is effectively retained in the reopened fracture. |
| US09328597B2 |
Electrode system and sensor for an electrically enhanced underground process
An electrically stimulated electrode system comprises injection and return electrodes and a power supply for causing electrical current to flow through a subterranean formation. An electronic system for the injection electrode includes: a power harvester extracting electrical power from current flowing in the injection electrode, a control for the injection electrode current, a sensor of the injection electrode and/or formation, or a telemetry for the injection electrode and/or formation, or any combination thereof. A sensor comprises: a pair of spaced apart electrodes, a power conversion device connected to the spaced apart electrodes for providing electrical power, and a processor providing a representation of a current. The electronic system may include: a power harvester, a commandable and/or programmable current control; and a control system for commanding and/or programming the current control, whereby the current flowing in the injection electrodes may be independently controlled and/or sequenced in time. |
| US09328593B2 |
Method of heating a hydrocarbon resource including slidably positioning an RF transmission line and related apparatus
A method for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include positioning a tubular conductor within a wellbore in the subterranean formation and slidably positioning a radio frequency (RF) transmission line within the tubular conductor so that a distal end of the transmission line is electrically coupled to the tubular conductor. The method may also include supplying RF power, via the RF transmission line, to the tubular conductor so that the tubular conductor serves as an RF antenna to heat the hydrocarbon resources in the subterranean formation. |
| US09328592B2 |
Steam anti-coning/cresting technology ( SACT) remediation process
A cyclic remediation process to restore oil recovery from a primary oil production well that has watered off from bottom water encroachment (cone or crest) whereby: (a) the primary oil production well has a produced water cut in excess of 95% (v/v); (b) the oil is heavy oil, with in-situ viscosity >1000 cp; wherein the process includes: (c) injecting a steam slug with a volume of 0.5 to 5.0 times the cumulative primary oil production, with steam volumes measured as water volumes; (d) shutting in the well for a soak period, after the steam injection is complete; and (e) producing the well until the water cut exceeds 95%. |
| US09328587B2 |
Pulsating rotational flow for use in well operations
A system for use with a subterranean well can include a fluid oscillator which discharges pulsating fluid from a tubular string in a direction at least partially toward an end of the tubular string proximate a surface of the earth. A method can include discharging a fluid from the tubular string, thereby applying a reaction force to the tubular string, which reaction force biases the tubular string at least partially into the well. Another method can include discharging a pulsating fluid from a fluid oscillator in a direction at least partially toward an end of the tubular string, and drilling into an earth formation with a drill bit connected at an opposite end of the tubular string in the well. |
| US09328586B2 |
Heat transport dead leg
The invention concerns a subsea system transporting fluid, wherein the subsea system comprises a first part having a flow path carrying a flow of fluid and at least a second part having a flow path provided for carrying fluid. The second part is temporarily being closed off from the flow path of the first part of the subsea system. The heat from the fluid transported in the first part of the subsea system is transferred to the second part by a heat conducting structure establishing a contact between the first and second part of the subsea system, to prevent the formation of hydrates in the second part of the subsea system. |
| US09328585B2 |
Large bore auto-fill float equipment
An auto-fill type float collar assembly is provided. The float collar assembly of the present invention has at least one curved flapper-style valve, preferably constructed of composite, non-metallic material. Each flapper of the present invention has a substantially 90° range of motion, and is closed via a torsion spring. Each flapper is held in the open (or “auto-fill”), position via an external shifting mechanism passing around, rather than through, the central flow bore of the assembly. A floatable actuation ball can be run with the tool, or pumped downhole, in order to selectively actuate the assembly and close the flappers when desired. |
| US09328584B2 |
Debris anti-compaction system for ball valves
A wellbore ball valve includes a ball-type valve closure having an interior, central bore. A lower ball carrying assembly defines a first annular, sealing seat surface in contact with and adapted to seal with the exterior of the valve closure. The first seat surface defines a first through hole. An upper assembly defines a second annular seat surface in contact with the exterior of the valve closure. The second seat surface defines a second through hole. The second through hole is shaped differently from the first through hole in that it at least partially overlaps with the central bore while the first through hole is sealed from the central bore. |
| US09328581B2 |
Thru-tubing mill
A thru-tubing mill with an elongate body having an attachment end and a milling end. The attachment end is attached to a tubing string. The milling end has a semi-torroidal surface defined by a two-dimensional curved line rotated about a central point that is spaced from the curve in a direction that is perpendicular to the curved line and a plurality of curved support members attached to the semi-torroidal surface that extend along the semi-torroidal surface, each curved support members having a first curve similar to the two-dimensional curved line in a first dimension and a second curve that is cambered relative to the two-dimensional curved line in a second dimension. A hard coating is installed on at least one side of the curved support members. |
| US09328578B2 |
Method for automatic control and positioning of autonomous downhole tools
Methods and apparatus for actuating a downhole tool in wellbore includes acquiring a CCL data set or log from the wellbore that correlates recorded magnetic signals with measured depth, and selects a location within the wellbore for actuation of a wellbore device. The CCL log is then downloaded into an autonomous tool. The tool is programmed to sense collars as a function of time, thereby providing a second CCL log. The autonomous tool also matches sensed collars with physical signature from the first CCL log and then self-actuates the wellbore device at the selected location based upon a correlation of the first and second CCL logs. |
| US09328577B2 |
Wireless downhole unit
The present invention relates to a wireless downhole unit (1) adapted to be lowered into a well (2) in a casing (3) having an inner wall (4) and an inner diameter (Dc). The wireless downhole unit comprises an electrical motor (5), a pump (6), and driving means (7) for allowing movement of the wireless downhole unit within the casing, and at least one battery pack (8). The present invention further relates to a downhole system. |
| US09328574B2 |
Method for characterizing subsurface formations using fluid pressure response during drilling operations
A method for characterizing a subsurface formation using a fluid pressure response during wellbore drilling operations includes the steps of determining a change in wellbore pressure proximate the surface, calculating a change in volumetric flow rate out of the wellbore as a function of the change in wellbore pressure proximate the surface, determining a downhole fluid pressure in the wellbore corresponding to the change in wellbore pressure proximate the surface and determining a productivity index value as a function of the change in volumetric flow rate, the downhole fluid pressure and a reservoir pressure. |
| US09328568B2 |
Casing centralizer and method of manufacturing same
A casing centralizer and method according to which a body covers at least a portion of a frame. In an exemplary embodiment, the body is overmolded around the frame. In an exemplary embodiment, the casing centralizer centralizes a casing within a wellbore to facilitate oil and gas exploration and production operations. |
| US09328566B1 |
End ring for use with frac tubulars
An end ring having a first ring with an inner diameter, a second ring with the inner diameter and a thickness 25 percent greater than the first ring; a shoulder with a sloped outer surface connecting the first ring to the second ring; a plurality of flutes formed in an outer surface of the end ring, a plurality of fastener holes formed in the first and second rings, wherein the end ring either slides over a first end of a base pipe and fastens together the base pipe and edges of a rubber tubular surrounding the base pipe; or slides over a first end of a frac tubular and fastens edges of a frac sleeve to the frac tubular. The invention includes a swell packer and a frac tubular having the end rings. |
| US09328563B2 |
Adjustable diameter underreamer and methods of use
An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer includes a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. An annular sleeve may be coupled to the body and adapted to move with respect to the body. The sleeve may include a plurality of grooves formed therein that are circumferentially offset from one another. A pin may be coupled to the body. The sleeve may be adapted to move with respect to the pin to transition the pin from a first groove in the sleeve to a second groove in the sleeve. The sleeve may be in a first axial position with respect to the body when the pin is positioned in the first groove, and the sleeve may be in a second axial position with respect to the body when the pin is positioned in the second groove. The underreamer also includes one or more cutter blocks. The radial cutting diameter of the one or more cutter blocks depends on the axial position of the one or more cutter blocks and may be determined therefrom. |
| US09328560B2 |
Ground-drilling device
A ground-drilling device includes a basic body and a drill head movably mounted in relation thereto in the longitudinally axial direction, wherein a free space, which is variable in its size owing to the movable mounting, is formed between the drill head and the basic body, and a sealing element for sealing the free space with respect to the environment, wherein the sealing element is designed as a valve element which opens when an overpressure is present inside the clearance, in order to produce a pressure compensation, and which is closed when a negative pressure is present inside the clearance, in order to prevent a pressure compensation. |
| US09328558B2 |
Coating of the piston for a rotating percussion system in downhole drilling
A system and method of fabricating a percussion tool that includes one or more coatings applied onto a piston, casing, and/or flow tube. The percussion tool includes a piston positioned in sliding contact within a casing. The piston includes an inner wall and an outer wall, where the inner wall defines a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. The outer wall is positioned in close fitting relationship with an internal surface of the casing. One or more coatings are disposed on at least one of the casing's internal surface and/or the piston's outer wall. A flow tube may be placed through the passageway such that an outer wall of the flow tube is in a close fitting relationship with the piston's inner wall. One or more coatings can be disposed on at least one of the piston's inner wall and/or the flow tube's outer wall. |
| US09328556B2 |
Motorized transitional shade system
A motorized transitional shade system may move a covering material between open, closed, view, and privacy positions. The covering material may define respective pluralities of opaque and transparent sections that are arranged in an alternating pattern. A bottom bar that is movably supported by the covering material may define first and second portions of the covering material. The opaque and transparent sections in the first and second portions of the covering material may permit visibility through the covering material in a view position, and may impede visibility through the covering material in a privacy position. If movement of the covering material is halted at an intermediate position that is between the open and closed positions, the motorized transitional shade system may cause the motor to rotate the roller tube to move the covering material to a next lowest privacy position or to a next highest view position. |
| US09328552B2 |
Dual fabric covering for architectural openings
A covering for an architectural opening with improved insulating properties in one embodiment includes face-to-face cellular insulative components defining a fabric with dual layers of cells with the fabric being retractably mounted in a headrail so as to either be rolled about a roller or gathered adjacent to the bottom of the headrail. A first component of the fabric includes a pair of spaced parallel sheets of material interconnected with horizontally-extending flexible vanes so as to define a plurality of horizontally-extending, vertically adjacent cells of generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration. A second component of the fabric is mounted on one sheet of the first component of the fabric so as to form a plurality of vertically adjacent drooping segments of fabric forming a roman-shade appearance. Single or multiple layers of the components can be used with or without the other type of component. |
| US09328548B2 |
Object detection system having an adjuster for setting an operating condition including adjustment of the detection area of a sensor section
An object detection system 1 includes a sensor section 10 configured to detect an object within a detection area A; and an adjuster (remote controller) 20 configured to interactively communicate with the sensor section 10. The sensor section 10 includes a driving machine 6 configured to adjust the detection area A. The adjuster 20 includes a transmission unit 13 configured to transmit, to the sensor section 10, a setting signal for setting an operating condition of the sensor section 10 including adjustment of the detection area A by the driving machine 6; and an adjustment notification unit 23 configured to receive a completion signal of operating condition setting from the sensor section 10 and subsequently give notification of the operating condition, setting of which has been completed. |
| US09328546B1 |
Hand and finger protector for use with doors
A hinge stile gap blocking apparatus to prevent hand and finger injuries resulting from inadvertent door closings. The apparatus includes a hinge gap cover for use with an existing door and door jamb and configured to continuously occlude a gap between the door jamb and the outer facing edge of a hinge stile of the door. The hinge stile gap blocking apparatus has a curved portion that is shaped such that the door edge tracks the curve when the door is pivoted between an open and a closed position and from the closed to the open position. A method of installing the hinge stile gap blocking apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US09328544B1 |
Hinge device
A hinge device includes a fitting, a connecting arm, a cam, an elastic member, and a sleeve member. The connecting arm is pivotally connected to the fitting. The cam is located at the connecting arm. The elastic member is mounted to the fitting and includes an end portion having a non-circular cross section. The sleeve member is attached to the elastic member and is in contact with the cam. The sleeve member includes a cavity in which the end portion of the elastic member can be mounted. |
| US09328542B2 |
Cam style locks and systems and methods including the same
The present invention includes door locks having a cam having three lobes, and to systems including such door locks. The outer lobes of the cam can limit the rotation of the cam. By limiting the rotation of the cam, the outer lobes can ensure that the cam is always ready for immediate activation. The outer lobes can also strike against outer pins of a locking mechanism to cause the cam to rotate with the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is activated from the opposite side of the locking mechanism. The present invention also extends to methods of installing and using a door lock including three lobes. |
| US09328540B2 |
Vehicle door latch system
In a vehicle, a striker engages with a latch which engages with a ratchet. A door of the vehicle is closed. A motion-transmitting path for transmitting power to the ratchet from an electric drive mechanism is provided. A release-canceling mechanism connects or cuts off the motion-transmitting path. When the ratchet is released from the latch, the door-cooperating lever cuts off the release-canceling mechanism to enable the ratchet to engage with the latch again. Hence the door is closed. |
| US09328539B1 |
Manacle restraining device
In a restraining device for releasably securing a person's wrists or legs in which a pair of manacles are made of flexible loops or straps with ratchet teeth at one end of each strap and a lock housing at the opposite end of each strap, each housing is characterized by being of hollow generally triangular configuration with a channel for extension of the free end of each strap through the housing beneath a pawl arm in the housing which is controlled by a specially designed key. The key is guided into engagement with the pawl arm by an extension wall on a cover plate which is permanently attached to the outer side walls of the housing by a combination of notched ends on the cover plate and ultrasonic molding together of the cover plate with the outer side walls and an inner support wall in the housing. |
| US09328534B2 |
Safe and lock mechanism
Described is a locking mechanism for a lock box comprising a plurality of buttons connected to either a sliding dawg or a dummy dawg. The sliding and dummy dawgs are supported by a retaining bar in a first position and can slide into a second position when its corresponding button is pressed. Each dawg comprises a hook that is adapted to engage with a lock bar. The sliding dawgs have hooks that are engaged with the lock bar until the corresponding button is pressed, while the dummy dawgs have hooks that are not engaged with the lock bar unless the corresponding button is pressed. The locking mechanism locks if a button corresponding to a dummy dawg has been pressed, and the locking mechanism can then be opened only by use of a key. The locking mechanism opens if the correct buttons are pressed, regardless of the sequence. |
| US09328530B2 |
Line start/end post or corner post for a fence
A line start/end post or corner post (1) for a fence, the post including a first metal picket (2) to be driven into the ground (5) in a substantially vertical position, a reinforcing element that includes a second metal picket (3) to be obliquely placed between the first picket (2) and the ground (5) within a non-sink part taken from the first picket (2), and a connecting element (4) made of fence wire and connecting a first extremity (3b) of the second picket (3), laid on the ground (5), to the first picket (2). |
| US09328521B2 |
Modular molded mat with exposable ramp surfaces
The present invention is generally directed to an interlocking modular mat or tile and method of use. The mat comprises a severable core structure with a ramp around its periphery and a connected outer structure. The outer structure surrounding the inner core structure is partitioned into side and corner panels also having ramps internally disposed therein. The novel features of the mat allows it to be cut along several locations to expose the internal ramp structure within each panel, providing a assembled mat system with a secure border around the entire mat. A method of constructing an array of the novel mat panel members involving cutting to expose the internal ramped structure is also disclosed to provide a flooring surface. |
| US09328520B1 |
High strength in-floor decoupling membrane
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a flexible membrane defining pathways for receiving a flexible conduit, and further defining attachment regions between the pathways formed with overhanging walls. In an illustrative example, the membrane may be vacuum-formed plastic sheet material. In some embodiments the flexible conduits may conduct electricity or heat transfer fluids, for example. In various implementations, the overhanging walls in the attachment regions may advantageously provide improved vertical attachment strength to a rigid planar substrate placed over a mortar filled into the attachment regions. |
| US09328519B2 |
Panel forming
Building panels, especially laminated floor panels are shown, which are provided with a locking system and several core grooves at the rear side in order to save material and decrease weight. Building panels, each having a surface layer on a front side, a backing layer on a rear side and an intermediate core, wherein the intermediate core and the surface and the backing layer all comprise wood fibers and thermosetting resins, said building panels are provided with a locking system for vertical and horizontal locking of a first edge of a first building panel to an adjacent second edge of a second building panel. |
| US09328518B2 |
Method and system for mounting wall panels to a wall
A method of assembling wall panels includes mounting a plurality of PVC fastening extrusions to a wall in a predetermined parallel, spaced apart relationship, each having a length much greater than a length of a wall panel and having two spaced apart resilient bent end securing walls extending from a base, each securing wall having a projection, each wall panel having a main wall panel and four bent end sections with recesses and corner openings, pressing a bent end section into the spacing between the securing walls to cause deformation and snapping back thereof a projection engages in a respective recess, sliding said wall panel along the parallel, spaced apart fastening extrusions to a desired position with the corner openings permitting said sliding action, and repeating the steps of pressing and sliding for additional wall panels. |
| US09328517B2 |
System for mounting wall panels to a supporting structure
A system for mounting a plurality of wall panels to a supporting structure includes a plurality of fasteners. The wall panels include a main panel and at least one L-shaped end section. Each of the fasteners include a base section having spaced apart walls providing an opening therebetween. Opposing U-shaped sections are arranged coupled to the first and second walls generally facing each other. A securing section is arranged outwardly of one of the U-shaped sections for attaching the fastener to a supporting structure. The U-shaped sections respectively receive a portion of an L-shaped end section of adjacent wall panels. |
| US09328516B2 |
Trellis with internal drainage system
A trellis system including a front tube, a back tube, and two end tubes joined together, a plurality of roof panels, each panel having a perimeter, wherein the perimeter of the panel is coupled to at least a back tube surface and a front tube surface. An internal drainage system facilitates drainage of precipitation from the trellis. The internal drainage system further comprises an internal channel located within the tube member. |
| US09328514B1 |
Roof-mounted vent pipe covering apparatus, kit, and related methods
A vent pipe covering apparatus, kit, and related methods are provided. The vent pipe covering apparatus includes a tubular structure having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular structure is positioned surrounding an exposed portion of a substantially vertical building roof-mounted vent pipe. A cap is positioned at the first end of the tubular structure, wherein the cap has a closed surface positioned directly above the building roof-mounted vent pipe. A venting structure is positioned in at least one of the tubular structure and the cap. A connection system is positioned between the tubular structure and the building roof-mounted vent pipe proximate to the second end of the tubular structure, wherein the connection system retains the tubular structure stationary relative to the building roof-mounted vent pipe. |
| US09328512B2 |
Method and apparatus for an insulating glazing unit and compliant seal for an insulating glazing unit
A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed. |
| US09328509B2 |
Square pipe, frame structure, square pipe manufacturing method, and square pipe manufacturing apparatus
A square pipe manufacturing method includes: a first processing step of forming a first intermediate formed product 13 by bending both widthwise end portions of a rectangular metal plate 1; a second processing step of forming a second intermediate formed product 21 by bending both widthwise sides of a bottom surface 11 of the first intermediate formed product 13; a third processing step of obtaining a third intermediate formed product 23 by curving the side wall surfaces 17 to be convex outward in the width direction by pressing the flange parts 7, 7 toward the bottom wall surface 19 and then pressing the curved side wall surfaces 17 inward in the width direction; and a fourth processing step of crush-deforming corners 31, 31, 33, 33 of the third intermediate formed product 23. |
| US09328508B2 |
Process for preparing an insulating material
Process for manufacturing a thermally insulating material comprising the following steps: a) preparing an aqueous mixture of a solid mineral substance in suspension having a specific surface area S of greater than 5 m2/g; b) adding to the mixture at least one pore-forming agent; c) stirring so as to obtain a homogeneous mixture; d) preforming a substrate from the homogeneous mixture; e) optionally drying the substrate at least partially; f) removing, at least partially, the pore-forming agent; and such that said specific surface area S, expressed in m2/g and measured by BET, and the mean particle diameter Dpm of the pore-forming agents, expressed in micrometers and measured by dynamic light scattering, obey the relation: 1/S |
| US09328506B2 |
Construction panel system and methods of assembly
A construction system includes an insulation member. A metal support member is coupled to a side surface of the insulation member. The metal support member is a substantially C-shaped configuration. The metal support member is inserted over an upper side of the wall panel within processed portions of the insulation member to align with the side surface of the insulation member. An extension member portion of the insulation member provides an extension of the insulation member over an exterior side of the wall panel. An exterior sheath is disposed over the extension member portion of the insulation member and over an exterior side of the wall panel. An interior sheath is disposed over an interior side of the wall panel. The exterior sheath and the interior sheath include magnesium oxide. |
| US09328504B2 |
Divider wall connection systems and methods
Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for connecting one or more divider walls to structural components of a building. Particularly, at least one implementation includes a flexible connection that can allow at least a portion of the divider wall to move relative to the building's structural components. Consequently, such movement can help the divider wall to withstand seismic events, such as earthquakes. |
| US09328503B1 |
System and method for modular housing
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular structure comprising a base, four upstanding sidewalls, and a roof. In various embodiments, the structure may include a clamping system adapted to interconnect the base, sidewalls, and roof. In various embodiments, a beam may be disposed across the top of two opposing sidewalls to provide structural support for the roof. In various embodiments, the collapsible container may be disassembled, for example for transport, and reassembled for reuse. In various embodiments, the collapsible container, when assembled, may be used as a housing structure adapted for use as a mobile work station, temporary housing, or barracks. |
| US09328501B1 |
Use devices for mechanically secured block assembly systems
An improved mechanically secured block building system generally for concrete masonry structures comprising a masonry block unit with a height and width essentially one-half the length of the unit, with multiple cavities through the block and with a recessed channel; an anchor bar with a plurality of threaded and non-threaded apertures in a special configuration to match the cavities in the block unit and able to lay in the recessed channel of the block; and a fastener wherein the mechanical secured block building system can be assembled in unique ways due to a cube effect of the masonry block to construct multiple width walls, grade beams, and horizontal decks. An alternative embodiment includes the preferred mechanical secured block building system further comprised of (d) a footer block and (e) a footer plate. |
| US09328498B2 |
Mobile toilet structure
An improved mobile toilet structure may include a base, four side bars, four sleeve tubes, four panels and a lid. The base has four threaded holes at four corners of the upper side of the base, and a vertical exhaust pipe at one side of the rear portion of the base. The side bar has a first threaded portion on its upper end and a second threaded portion on its lower end. The sleeve tube has an opening on one side and the two margins of the opening extend outwards and form two wing-like structures. Among the four panels, the front one has a board installed in the panel that can be opened and closed, whereas all others may have transom windows opened at their upper portions. The lid is integrally molded, with its size and shape determined by the base. |
| US09328497B2 |
Sanitary washing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a sanitary washing apparatus includes: a nozzle including a jetting port and configured to squirt water from the jetting port to wash a user's body; a flow channel configured to guide water supplied from a water supply source to the jetting port; an electrolytic cell provided midway along the flow channel and being operable to produce sterilizing water; a heating device provided on the flow channel on upstream side of the electrolytic cell; a nozzle cleaning device configured to clean or sterilize the nozzle with the water heated by the heating device or the sterilizing water produced by the electrolytic cell; and a controller configured to perform control for stopping energization of the heating device or reducing an amount of energization of the heating device when energizing the electrolytic cell. |
| US09328482B2 |
Optimized bank penetration method
A method of optimizing machine performance in a plurality of load cases. According to the present invention, a maximum load case, which involves application of a maximum force to at least one member of a machine, is determined for the machine. For each of a plurality of member joints of the machine, a maximum member joint load is determined for the maximum load case for the machine. The machine is then operated by applying a force to the at least one member of the machine in each of the plurality of load cases so as not to exceed the maximum member joint load while exceeding the maximum force during at least one of the plurality of load cases. |
| US09328477B2 |
Pile guide
A pile guide for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprises: a base frame; and a pile guide member (100) which is mounted on the base frame and defines a passageway with an inner peripheral surface (102) to which a plurality of elongate members (104) are attached. The plurality of elongate members (104) are configured to engage a pile and guide it in a predetermined direction through the passageway as it is driven into a substrate. At least one elongate member (104) and the inner peripheral surface (102) of the passageway have releasable inter-connecting profiles for releasably attaching the at least one elongate member (104) to the inner peripheral surface (102). The at least one elongate member (104) may readily be removed and replaced by a narrower/wider elongate member to accommodate piles of different diameter. |
| US09328476B1 |
Docking and mooring boat protector
A boat protector is provided with padding on a front surface and is adapted to be secured to a piling or similar structure which is anticipated to contact a watercraft by positioning the padded side facing outward and wrapping securing straps around the piling or similar structure. The securing straps are provided with fastening means to adequately secure the protector to the piling or similar structure. |
| US09328470B2 |
Illuminated dissuader device
An illuminated dissuader device includes a frame (1) to be secured to the ground and a bollard (10) that comes out from the ground to form an obstacle protruding therefrom. The bollard (10) includes a base (12) connected to the frame and an upper portion (11) having a tubular lighting element (111) extending substantially along the entire length of the upper portion. |
| US09328469B2 |
Galvannealed steel forms
A form for receiving a filler material to create an island is provided. The form is made essentially entirely out of galvannealed steel that is easily paintable. The form has a substantially continuous wall having an outer surface and an inner surface. The wall is made out of a plurality of galvannealed steel wall sections. The wall has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The inner surface forms an enclosed chamber for receiving the filler material. A first support made out of galvannealed steel is attached to the inner surface of the first side of the wall and a second support made out of galvannealed steel is attached to the inner surface of the second side of the wall. A brace made out of galvannealed steel is disposed between the supports, wherein the brace removably engages the supports. |
| US09328468B2 |
Self-propelled road milling machine with adjustable width scraper blade
In a self-propelled road milling machine for processing road surfaces, with a machine frame supported by a height-adjustable chassis, with a milling drum mounted to rotate in a milling drum housing, with a milling drum drive for the milling drum, and with a height-adjustable scraper blade in the milling track of the milling drum, said scraper blade closing the milling drum housing towards the rear, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: that the scraper blade, laterally in the milling track of the milling drum, lies resiliently against the milling edge of the milling track, said milling edge extending orthogonal to the road surface. |
| US09328466B2 |
Integrated carriage fogging system for concrete pavers
A concrete paver system with a reconfigurable hydration system which utilizes a plurality of individually flow controllable spray nozzles, which are clamped on support structures, which also support objects being dragged across a top surface of concrete which is being finished. The plurality of flow controllable spray nozzles being configured to be moved about said hydration system so as to change a pattern of water vapor application, all without the use of tools. |
| US09328463B2 |
Surface sizing composition for print media in digital printing
A size press (SP) surface sizing composition provides a SP surface sizing for a print medium that is used in a digital printing system. The surface sizing composition includes an aqueous mixture including a macromolecular material in an amount from about 25% to about 75% dry weight; an inorganic metallic salt in an amount from about 3% to about 20% dry weight; and an amount of inorganic pigment ranging from at least 16% to about 60% dry weight, such that a total dry weight equals about 100%. |
| US09328462B2 |
Compositions and methods of making paper products
One or more embodiments include paper, methods of making paper, compositions, and the like, are provided. In various exemplary embodiments described herein, a paper material may be formed by treating a cellulosic fiber or an aqueous pulp slurry with a treatment composition comprising an anionic polyacrylamide resin and an aldehyde-functionalized polymer resin. |
| US09328461B2 |
Sheet manufacturing apparatus
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a web forming unit configured to form a web that includes fibers and a resin, a transferring unit configured to transfer the web that has been formed, a first cutting unit configured to cut the web in a direction intersecting with a transfer direction of the web being transferred, and a heating unit having a first roller configured to heat the web that has been cut. |
| US09328459B2 |
Multi-stage catalytic carboxylation of mercerized cellulose fibers
Carboxylated, mercerized cellulose fiber having at least 12 meq/100 g of carboxyl substitution at the C-6 position of the anhydroglucose units, which includes at least 20% cellulose II, may be produced by catalytically carboxylating mercerized cellulose fiber in at least two catalytic carboxylation stages in a continuous series in which the pH is adjusted, and a primary oxoammonium salt catalyst (or precursor thereof) and secondary oxidant is added, at the beginning of each stage. Optionally, the carboxylated, mercerized cellulose may be made substantially free of aldehyde groups by means of a stabilizing step following the final carboxylation stage, in which aldehyde groups present in the fibers are converted to carboxyl groups. |
| US09328455B2 |
Surface-treating agent comprising fluoropolymer
A surface-treating agent comprises a fluoropolymer comprising (A) repeating units derived from a fluorine-containing monomer of the formula: (B) repeating units derived from a monomer free from a fluorine atom. The surface treating agent is excellent in water repellency, oil repellency and unsusceptibility to fouling even when the side chains are C4 or lower fluoroalkyl groups. |
| US09328454B2 |
Electric iron with nozzle for water mist
An electric hand iron comprises an electrically heated sole plate and an electrically operated water nozzle. The water nozzle is arranged to produce a water mist which produces a substantially uniform density moisture pattern, in response to a user activated control. |
| US09328453B2 |
Automatic ironing systems and methods
An automatic ironing system and method comprise a volumetric enclosure configured to receive an article to be steamed, and a base configured to support, power, and provide steamed water to the volumetric enclosure. The system also comprises a rotary engine configured to rotate the article when activated, and at least one steam nozzle configured to direct steam towards the article. The system also comprises a receptacle configured to receive condensed steam from the volumetric enclosure and to recirculate the condensed steam for re-use, and a controller configured to monitor one or more variables of the automatic ironing system and adjust parameters according to instructions. |
| US09328450B2 |
Washing machine and detergent case thereof
A washing machine in which a detergent case is located below a washing tub unit and detergent and wash water are supplied from the detergent case to the washing tub unit by a pump. An overflow hole to prevent overflow of water to the outside the detergent case is provided on the detergent case, and the detergent and the wash water do not overflow the detergent case and are discharged to an outside of the washing machine through the overflow hole when the pump breaks down. |
| US09328447B2 |
Washing machine to produce three-dimensional motion
A washing machine includes a main body defining an outer appearance, a tub disposed within the main body, a main drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a sub drum mounted in the main drum to be relatively rotatable with respect to the main drum, an outer shaft for rotating the main drum, an inner shaft for rotating the sub drum, being disposed inside the outer shaft, and a driving motor having a stator, an outer rotor connected to the inner shaft that is rotatable outside the stator, and an inner rotor connected to the outer shaft that is rotatable inside the stator, wherein the driving motor independently drives the main drum and the sub drum. |
| US09328446B2 |
Centrifuge method with rinse
A centrifuge method and a rinse method to avoid sudsing in a vertical axis washing machine which contains, among others a basket within a tub, an agitator or propeller or impulsor mechanically coupled to a motor, a spraying means and a drain pump, the method comprising the steps of: a. turning on the motor until the basket reaches a medium speed (mS); b. turning off the motor, when the basket reaches mS and until the basket reaches a minimal speed in which gravity force is greater than the centrifuge force exercised by the rotation of the basket; c. turning on the motor until the basket reaches a maximum speed; and d. turning off the motor when the basket reaches the maximum speed after a predetermined time and until reaching a final speed (fS). |
| US09328444B2 |
Washing machine and control method thereof
A washing machine and a control method thereof capable of determining whether a driving motor is locked. A pulsator is rotatably mounted in a spin basket, a driving motor generates rotational force, a clutch transmits the rotational force to the pulsator or the spin basket, a driving circuit supplies a driving current to the driving motor, and a control unit controls the driving circuit and the clutch so that the pulsator rotates in a forward or reverse direction and rotation of the spin basket is stopped in a washing or rinsing process. The control unit controls the driving circuit so that a motor lock detection current is supplied to the driving motor, and controls the clutch so that, if a rotating speed of the driving motor is less than a reference speed, the rotational force is transmitted only to the pulsator. |
| US09328443B2 |
Operating method of washing machine
An operating method of a washing machine capable of efficiently washing and sterilizing laundry with a relatively large amount of contaminants is disclosed. The operating method of a washing machine which includes a tub for storing washing water, a drum for accommodating laundry, and a steam generator that is supplied with water for generating steam separately from the washing water to supply steam to the laundry, the operating method including performing a primary rinsing operation for rinsing the laundry to discharge contaminants having a relatively large size to prevent a secondary contamination due to the contaminants having a relatively large size, performing a steam washing operation for supplying steam to steep the contaminants in water and sterilize the laundry while operating the drum, and performing a main washing operation for removing the contaminants and dissolving protein through high-temperature washing water containing a detergent while operating the drum. |
| US09328440B2 |
Fibers of polymer-wax compositions
Disposable articles that include fibers formed from compositions comprising thermoplastic polymers and waxes, where the wax is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer. The fibers containing the wax can define at least a portion of a nonwoven and can be utilized in one or more of the following article layers: liquid pervious layer, liquid impervious layer, and absorbent core disposed therebetween. |
| US09328438B2 |
Folding drawing system for a spin-knit machine
The invention relates to a folding-drawing unit for a spinning-knitting device with two working locations comprising in succession: two pressure arms (10), which respectively have an oscillatingly mounted frame (10.1) in a preliminary draft zone, the oscillatingly mounted frame (10.1) carrying two rollers (W1, W2), a long pressure arm (12) with an oscillatingly mounted roller W3 of a third pair of rollers (WIII/W3) and a lower reversing rail (4.1) of a pair of reversing rails (4, 4.1) and a short pressure arm (15) with an oscillatingly mounted roller (W4) of a pair of delivery rollers (WIV, W4). |
| US09328437B2 |
Device for the intermediate storage of band-like weft material for a weaving machine and weaving machine having such a device
Apparatus for the intermediate storage of two band-like weft materials (1, 21) for a weaving machine (3), with two storage containers (7, 27) in which respectively a U-shaped loop (12, 22) of a weft material (1, 21) can be formed. Machine elements (14, 34) for the application of tensile forces (15, 35) onto the weft material (1, 21) in the inner space (9, 29) of the respective storage container (7, 27) are present. The inner spaces (9, 29) of the two storage containers (7, 27) respectively orient one of their two narrow sides (10, 30) toward one another. Deflection elements (16, 36) are respectively arranged on the storage container (7, 27) in such a manner so that the respective weft material (1, 21) can be supplied to the inner space (9, 29) in a region (17, 37) that lies closer to that one of the two narrow sides (11, 31) of this inner space (9, 29), which is not oriented toward the inner space (9, 29) of the respective other storage container (7, 27). |
| US09328434B2 |
Method for manufacturing poly(ethyleneterephthalate) drawn fiber, poly(ethyleneterephthalate) drawn fiber and tire-cord
Disclosed are a method for manufacturing a drawn fiber, which is suitable for manufacturing a poly(ethylene terephthalate) drawn fiber showing superior strength and dimensional stability and having a high fineness of 2000 denier or more without breakage or reduction in physical properties during the manufacturing process, and a poly(ethylene terephthalate) drawn fiber and a tire-cord obtained therefrom. |
| US09328432B2 |
Synthesis, capping and dispersion of nanocrystals
Preparation of semiconductor nanocrystals and their dispersions in solvents and other media is described. The nanocrystals described herein have small (1-10 nm) particle size with minimal aggregation and can be synthesized with high yield. The capping agents on the as-synthesized nanocrystals as well as nanocrystals which have undergone cap exchange reactions result in the formation of stable suspensions in polar and nonpolar solvents which may then result in the formation of high quality nanocomposite films. |
| US09328431B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing a silicon carbide single crystal comprising a mounting portion and a purge gas introduction system
An apparatus for manufacturing a silicon carbide single crystal grows the silicon carbide single crystal on a surface of a seed crystal made from a silicon carbide single crystal substrate by supplying a material gas for silicon carbide from below the seed crystal. The apparatus includes a base having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The seed crystal is mounted on the first side of the base. The apparatus further includes a purge gas introduction mechanism for supporting the base and for supplying a purge gas to the base from the second side of the base. The base has a purge gas introduction path for discharging the supplied purge gas from the base toward an outer edge of the seed crystal. |
| US09328429B2 |
Method for evaluating degree of crystal orientation in polycrystalline silicon, selection method for polycrystalline silicon rods, and production method for single crystal silicon
When a plate-like sample 20 extracted from a polycrystalline rod is evaluated, peaks can appear in a φ-scanning chart. The smaller the number of such peaks, and the narrower the half-value width of the peak, the more suitable the polycrystalline silicon rod is as a raw material for producing single-crystal silicon. It is preferable that the number of peaks in the φ-scanning chart is, for both the Miller index planes <111> and <220>, equal to or smaller than 24/cm2 when converted into unit per area of the plate-like sample. It is also preferable that the value obtained by multiplying the peak half-value width by δL=21/2πR0/360, where R0 is the radius of the sample, is defined as an inhomogeneous crystal grain size, and that a polycrystalline silicon rod of which all the inhomogeneous crystal grain sizes are smaller than 0.5 mm is selected as a raw material for producing single-crystal silicon. |
| US09328428B2 |
Device for removing foreign material from processing tank
A device for removing, from a processing tank, foreign material that becomes detached from a work when the work is immersed in a processing liquid held in a processing tank. The device includes a grooved part having a plurality of concave and convex shapes formed along a work-conveying direction on at least the bottom surface of the processing tank, a hopper provided in the processing tank, a processing liquid supply pipe which supplies the processing liquid circulating through the hopper to the processing tank, a plurality of branch pipes branched from the processing liquid supply pipe and arranged on ridges of the grooved part, and processing liquid discharge nozzles provided so as to face the hopper at sections of the branch pipes opposing bottom parts of the grooved part. |
| US09328427B2 |
Edgeless pulse plating and metal cleaning methods for solar cells
A method for plating metal to a solar cell is disclosed. The method includes plating a metal layer only on the surface of solar cell without plating metal along the solar cell edges by conducting a first current in a first direction in an electroplating bath, ejecting metal from the metal layer by conducting a second current in a second direction and plating additional metal to the metal layer by conducting a third current in the first direction. The first, second and third current can be alternated. Subsequent to an electroplating process, an ultrasonic cleaning process is performed on the solar cell to remove any excess plated metal along the surface and edges of the solar cell. |
| US09328425B2 |
Device and process for continuously cleaning surface of molybdenum wire at high temperature
A device for cleaning the surface of a molybdenum wire at high temperature, comprises a wire pay-off mechanism, a first wire guiding wheel, a cleaning mechanism, a second wire guiding wheel, and a wire take-up mechanism; wherein the two ends of a furnace body of the cleaning mechanism are provided with an inlet hole and an outlet hole for the molybdenum wire. Electrodes connected to a power supply are provided at the inlet hole and in a central part inside the furnace body. An upper part of the furnace body is provided with a gas outlet and a lower part thereof is provided with a wet hydrogen inlet; a heating section is formed between the electrode located at the inlet hole and the electrode located in the central part, and a cooling section is formed between the electrode located in the central part and the outlet hole. |
| US09328415B2 |
Methods for the deposition of manganese-containing films using diazabutadiene-based precursors
Methods and precursors are provided for deposition of films comprising manganese on surfaces using metal coordination complexes comprising a diazabutadiene-based ligand. Certain methods comprise exposing a substrate surface to a manganese precursor, and exposing the substrate surface to a tertiary amine. |
| US09328410B2 |
Physical vapor deposition tile arrangement and physical vapor deposition arrangement
In various embodiments, a physical vapor deposition tile arrangement is provided. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement may include a plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles arranged next to each other; and a resilient structure configured to press the plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles together. |
| US09328407B2 |
Clamp
A clamp configured to clamp an end of a unit mask supported while a tensile force is applied to the unit mask includes a clamp main body, and a rotation contact portion rotatably supported by the clamp main body and directly contacting the end of the unit mask. |
| US09328403B2 |
Ni-based heat resistant alloy
A Ni-based heat resistant alloy as pipe, plate, rod, forgings and the like consists of C≦0.15%, Si≦2%, Mn≦3%, P≦0.03%, S≦0.01%, Cr: 15% or more and less than 28%, Mo: 3 to 15%, Co: more than 5% and not more than 25%, Al: 0.2 to 2%, Ti: 0.2% to 3%, Nd: fn to 0.08%, and O≦0.4Nd, further containing, as necessary, at least one kind of Nb, W, B, Zr, Hf, Mg, Ca, Y, La, Ce, Ta, Re and Fe of specific amounts, the balance being Ni and impurities, wherein, fn=1.7×10−5d+0.05{(Al/26.98)+(Ti/47.88)+(Nb/92.91)}. In the formula, d denotes an average grain size (μm), and each element symbol denotes the content (mass %) of that element. If the alloy contains W, Mo+(W/2)≦15% holds. The alloy has improved ductility after long-term use at high temperatures, and cracking due to welding can be avoided. |
| US09328396B2 |
Process for the production of grain-oriented magnetic sheets
The present invention has as objective a procedure for the oriented-grain magnetic sheet that provides particular operative hot rolling mill conditions of silicon steel slabs, by means which it is possible to highly contain the heterogeneities of hot rolled sheet re-crystallization. The use of these operative conditions permits to reduce the growing tendency of the crystallized grain during the annealing of the sheets at a final thickness that precedes the secondary oriented re-crystallization. Contemporarily, the particular operational conditions of hot rolling mill according to the invention permit a fine precipitation of secondary phases useful to the control of the grain growing, starting from a quantity of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) in matrix lower than corresponding provided by the conventional technologies and consequently disposable in metallic solid solution before the rolling after the heating of the slabs at temperature values lower than 1300° C. |
| US09328395B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing direct reduced iron utilizing a source of reducing gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide
The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for producing DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) utilizing a high-oxidation reducing gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, derived directly or indirectly from the gasification of hydrocarbons or coal, with a high content of oxidants (H2O and CO2). The invention provides a more efficient method and plant comprising a reactor in which particulate material of iron ore comes into contact with a high temperature reducing gas to produce DRI, with lower investment and operating costs, avoiding the need for a fired heater for the reducing gas fed into the reduction reactor. The reducing gas is heated to a temperature above 700° C. in two steps, a first step at a temperature below about 400° C. to prevent the phenomenon of metal dusting, by exchange of sensible heat supplied by the stream of hot spent gas removed from the reduction reactor; and a second step by means of partial or total combustion with oxygen, maintaining the temperature of the combustion gas below the limits established by the construction materials of the combustion chamber. |
| US09328393B2 |
Processing biomass
Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce a product such as a biofuel. |
| US09328392B2 |
Compositions and reaction mixtures for the detection of nucleic acids from multiple types of human papillomavirus
Nucleic acid oligonucleotide sequences are disclosed which include amplification oligomers and probe oligomers which are useful for detecting multiple types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) associated with cervical cancer. Methods for detecting multiple HPV types in biological specimens by amplifying HPV nucleic acid sequences in vitro and detecting the amplified products are disclosed. |
| US09328384B2 |
Droplet digital PCR with short minor groove probes
Methods for the detection of ddPCR assay-generated amplicons by short minor groove binder-fluororophore-oligonucleotide-quencher (MGB-Fl-oligo-Q) probes. The short MGB-Fl-oligo-Q probes not only reduce background, but also show improved mismatch discrimination when compared to the same length non-MGB probes for detecting the ddPCR generated targets at room temperature. |
| US09328382B2 |
Multiple tagging of individual long DNA fragments
This disclosure provides methods and compositions for tagging long fragments of a target nucleic acid for sequencing and analyzing the resulting sequence information in order to reduce errors and perform haplotype phasing, for example. |
| US09328373B2 |
Detection of Salmonella lactose+
The invention relates to a medium for the detection and/or identification of Salmonella, including Salmonella lactose+. |
| US09328372B2 |
Coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase and polynucleotide encoding the same
The present invention provides members that produce on a large scale a coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase which has excellent substrate-recognizing ability toward glucose while providing low action on maltose. The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a soluble coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase that catalyzes the oxidation of glucose in the presence of an electron acceptor and has an activity toward maltose of 5% or lower; a polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide; a recombinant vector carrying the polynucleotide; a transformed cell produced using the recombinant vector; a method for producing a polypeptide comprising culturing the transformed cell and collecting from the cultivated products a polypeptide that links to FAD to exert the glucose dehydration activity; a method for determination of glucose using the polypeptide; a reagent composition for determination of glucose; and a biosensor. |
| US09328371B2 |
Sensor head for use with implantable devices
The present invention provides a sensor head for use in an implantable device that measures the concentration of an analyte in a biological fluid which includes: a non-conductive body; a working electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrode, wherein the electrodes pass through the non-conductive body forming an electrochemically reactive surface at one location on the body and forming an electronic connection at another location on the body, further wherein the electrochemically reactive surface of the counter electrode is greater than the surface area of the working electrode; and a multi-region membrane affixed to the nonconductive body and covering the working electrode, reference electrode and counter electrode. In addition, the present invention provides an implantable device including at least one of the sensor heads of the invention and methods of monitoring glucose levels in a host utilizing the implantable device of the invention. |
| US09328359B2 |
Fermentation process for producing chemicals
The invention refers to a method of biotransforming a carbohydrate of a raw material into a chemical, by cultivating Lactobacillus diolivorans in the presence of the raw material to produce a chemical substance, and isolating the chemical substance in the purified form, and the use of L. diolivorans in one of a series of biotransformation methods, wherein carbohydrates from at least two different carbohydrate sources of low purity are transformed into chemicals. |
| US09328356B2 |
Pesticidal nucleic acids and proteins and uses thereof
The invention provides compositions comprising polynucleotide molecules encoding certain pesticidal polypeptides which exhibit plant parasitic nematode and/or insect control properties, and are particularly directed to controlling plant parasitic pest species of nematodes and insects known to infest crop plant species. Methods for controlling pests are disclosed in which the toxic proteins are provided in the diet of the targeted plant pests. The invention also provides compositions such as nucleic acids, proteins, and plant and bacterial cells, plants, and seeds containing the nucleic acid and protein compositions, as well as methods and kits for identifying, detecting, and isolating the compositions of the present invention. The invention further provides a method of producing crops from recombinant seeds which contain the polynucleotide molecules encoding the pesticidal polypeptides of the present invention. |
| US09328353B2 |
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for increasing plant yield and/or agricultural characteristics
Provided are isolated polynucleotides which comprise a nucleic acid sequence at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 321, 1-320, 322-480, 793-2945 or 2946; isolated polypeptides which comprise an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 517, 481-516, 518-792, 2947-4662 or 4663, nucleic acid constructs comprising same, transgenic cells and plants expressing same and methods of using same for increasing yield, biomass, growth rate, vigor, oil content, fiber yield, fiber quality, abiotic stress tolerance, and/or nitrogen use efficiency of a plant. |
| US09328352B2 |
Potato cultivar E12
A potato cultivar designated E12 is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato cultivar E12, to the seeds of potato cultivar E12, to the plants of potato E12, to the plant parts of potato cultivar E12, to food products produced from potato cultivar E12, and to methods for producing a potato plant produced by crossing potato cultivar E12 with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a potato plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic potato plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from potato variety E12, to methods for producing other potato cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from potato cultivar E12 and to the potato plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid potato tubers, seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing potato cultivar E12 with another potato cultivar. |
| US09328351B2 |
Genetically engineered microbial strains including Prototheca lipid pathway genes
Genetically engineered microbial, e.g., Prototheca, cells provide microbial oil useful as a food additive and a source of renewable fuels and industrial chemicals. |
| US09328346B2 |
Polycomb-associated non-coding RNAs
This invention relates to long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), libraries of those ncRNAs that bind chromatin modifiers, such as Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, inhibitory nucleic acids and methods and compositions for targeting lncRNAs. |
| US09328343B2 |
Method and compositions for detection and enumeration of genetic variations
Many areas of biomedical research depend on the analysis of uncommon variations in individual genes or transcripts. Here we describe a method that can quantify such variation at a scale and ease heretofore unattainable. Each DNA molecule in a collection of such molecules is converted into a single particle to which thousands of copies of DNA identical in sequence to the original are bound. This population of beads then corresponds to a one-to-one representation of the starting DNA molecules. Variation within the original population of DNA molecules can then be simply assessed by counting fluorescently-labeled particles via flow cytometry. Millions of individual DNA molecules can be assessed in this fashion with standard laboratory equipment. Moreover, specific variants can be isolated by flow sorting and employed for further experimentation. This approach can be used for the identification and quantification of rare mutations as well as to study variations in gene sequences or transcripts in specific populations or tissues. |
| US09328336B2 |
DGAT genes and methods of use for triglyceride production in recombinant microorganisms
The present invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) genes, including genes encoding localization peptides. The present invention also provides recombinant cells, such as algae, transformed with DGAT genes and methods of using such recombinant cells to produce triglyceride. |
| US09328333B2 |
Fusion partner for production of monoclonal rabbit antibodies
The invention provides a rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte capable of fusion with a rabbit splenocyte to produce a hybrid cell that produces an antibody. The immortal B-lymphocyte does not detectably express endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain and may contain, in certain embodiments, an altered immunoglobulin heavy chain-encoding gene. A hybridoma resulting from fusion between the subject immortal B-lymphocyte and a rabbit antibody-producing cell is provided, as is a method of using that hybridoma to produce an antibody. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications. |
| US09328332B2 |
Methods for the production of IPS cells using non-viral approach
Methods and composition of induction of pluripotent stem cells and other desired cell types are disclosed. For example, in certain aspects methods for generating essentially vector-free induced pluripotent stem cells are described. Furthermore, the invention provides induced pluripotent stem cells and desired cell types essentially free of exogenous vector elements with the episomal expression vectors to express differentiation programming factors. |
| US09328329B2 |
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a source of neural progenitors
Methods are provided for treating and/or reducing the severity of multiple sclerosis in a human, by administering autologous mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural precursors. Also described is an in vitro method for differentiating mesenchymal stem-cell derived neural precursor oligodendroglial and neuronal cell types. |
| US09328323B2 |
Systems and methods for digestion of solid waste
This invention relates generally to systems and methods for digestion of solid waste that simplify solids handling. In certain embodiments, anaerobic methane extraction takes place for a period of time (e.g., from 1 to 4 weeks), after which an aerobic composting process begins in the same chamber. The organic waste remains in place and oxygen (e.g., in air) is forced into the chamber for an additional period of time (e.g., from 2 to 4 weeks). At the conclusion of the aerobic phase, the process yields a rough compost product that is stable and pathogen free. The rough compost can be further processed and blended to create high value engineered soils. |
| US09328321B2 |
Magnetic suspension density measuring device for use in hostile environment, and related operating method
A density measuring device is described having: a housing, internally defining a first chamber, designed to contain a fluid the density of which it is desired to measure, and housing, in a measurement operating condition, a float, designed to be immersed in the fluid; and an electronic circuit that detects a value of the density as a function of a thrust sustained by the float due to the effect of the fluid; the housing further defines a second chamber, designed to contain a filling gas and to house the float in a cleaning operating condition of the float, distinct from the measurement operating condition, for removing gas bubbles and/or solid particles that have adhered to an outer surface of the float during the measurement operating condition. |
| US09328317B2 |
Fluorophosphate surfactants
This invention is directed to a composition capable of imparting surface effects to a liquid by contacting the liquid with a partially fluorinated phosphate with an ammonium cation (NH2R1R2)+ wherein R1 and R2 are independently linear or branched organic groups containing at least one carboxylate moiety and one amino moiety, and optionally be substituted, interrupted, or both with oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen-containing moieties, or with cyclic alkyl or aryl moieties containing up to 10 carbon atoms. |
| US09328316B2 |
Compositions comprising a functional perfume component mixture
Compositions having a mixture of functional perfume components are provided. In one embodiment, the functional perfume components comprise iso-nonyl acetate, dihydro myrcenol, linalool, and benzyl acetate. In one embodiment, the functional perfume component may be present in an amount from about 75% to about 100%, by weight of said mixture, wherein said composition is substantially free of a VOC. |
| US09328314B2 |
Method for the purification of lecithin
A method for the purification of lecithin, comprising the steps of: a. reducing the viscosity of lecithin to a viscosity of less than about 10 Pa·s; then b. mixing the lecithin with granulated active carbon; then c. separating the lecithin from the granulated active carbon and recover purified lecithin. Lecithin substantially free of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons, and a food or feed product comprising said lecithin. |
| US09328311B2 |
Methods and systems for bio-oil recovery and separation aids therefor
A method and system for bio-oil recovery from biomass are provided which includes adding at least one separation aid to stillage that contains oil to form a treated stillage prior to centrifuging the stillage, and centrifuging the treated stillage in at least one centrifuge to separate at least a portion of the oil from the treated stillage. The separation aid can contain at least one lecithin and at least one oil and optionally at least one surfactant having an HLB value of at least 6. Treated stillage products are also provided which can contain the indicated separation aid and recovered oil. |
| US09328310B1 |
Subcritical water extraction of lipids from wet algal biomass
Methods of lipid extraction from biomass, in particular wet algae, through conventionally heated subcritical water, and microwave-assisted subcritical water. In one embodiment, fatty acid methyl esters from solids in a polar phase are further extracted to increase biofuel production. |
| US09328305B2 |
Catalytic processes for preparing estolide base oils
Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin. |
| US09328302B2 |
Pipeline hydrate inhibitor and method of reducing hydrates using the hydrate inhibitor
Compositions and methods for reducing the formation of hydrates within subsea or over-land pipeline systems. The compositions and methods include the use of organic salt solutions, such as an acetate salt solution, to precondition, treat, and/or dewater the pipeline systems, or employ the use of the organic salt solutions during other pre-commissioning operations. An effective concentration of an organic salt solution acts to reduce hydrates and/or inhibit hydrate formation within the pipeline systems. |
| US09328295B2 |
Extract recycle in a hydrocarbon decontamination process
Recycle of an extract stream containing a contaminant is used to improve recovery of hydrocarbons in a contaminant removal process. At least a portion of an extract stream is recycled to a contaminant extraction zone and contacted with rich ionic liquid. Contaminants in the recycle extract stream are transferred to the rich ionic liquid. |
| US09328294B2 |
Process and apparatus for extracting sulfur compounds in a hydrocarbon stream
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for extracting sulfur compounds in a hydrocarbon stream. The process can include feeding a hydrocarbon stream containing sulfur compounds to a prewash zone containing an alkali, withdrawing a prewashed hydrocarbon stream from the prewash zone, and feeding the prewashed hydrocarbon stream to a mass transfer zone for extracting one or more thiol compounds from the prewashed hydrocarbon stream. Often, the mass transfer zone includes a hollow fiber membrane contactor. |
| US09328293B2 |
Fluid catalytic cracking process
One exemplary embodiment can be a fluid catalytic cracking process. The process can include a reaction zone operating at conditions to facilitate olefin production and including at least one riser. The at least one riser can receive a first feed having a boiling point of about 180° to about 800° C., and a second feed having more than about 70%, by weight, of one or more C4+ olefins. |
| US09328289B2 |
Liquid crystal element and liquid crystal composition
A liquid crystal element which comprises: a pair of substrates with electrodes, in which the substrates are arranged so as to face each other and at least one of the substrates is a transparent substrate; and a liquid crystal light adjusting layer which is disposed between the substrates and contains a composite containing a chiral nematic liquid crystal phase and a polymer resin phase, wherein the polymer resin phase contains a polymer compound having a specific repeating unit, and dielectric constant anisotropy of the chiral nematic liquid crystal phase is positive. |
| US09328287B2 |
Passivation of metal halide scintillators
A halide material, such as scintillator crystals of LaBr3:Ce and SrI2:Eu, with a passivation surface layer is disclosed. The surface layer comprises one or more halides of lower water solubility than the scintillator crystal that the surface layer covers. A method for making such a material is also disclosed. In certain aspects of the disclosure, a passivation layer is formed on a surface of a halide material such as a scintillator crystal of LaBr3:Ce of SrI2:Eu by fluorinating the surface with a fluorinating agent, such as F2 for LaBr3:Ce and HF for SrI2:Eu. |
| US09328283B2 |
Prevention of gas hydrates formation in BOP fluids in deep water operations
The present invention is directed to a method for preventing gas hydrates formation in BOP fluids in deep water well operations that includes the step of adding at least 28% glycol by volume to a BOP fluid, whereby the hydrate phase equilibrium line shifts to the point where the operating conditions will not form a hydrate. |
| US09328282B2 |
Recyclable cleanout fluids
A method for treating a wellbore or a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore includes preparing a gelled oil at the surface, introducing the gelled oil into the wellbore, recovering the gelled oil at the surface, adding a base to the gelled oil to reduce the viscosity, allowing entrained solids to settle out, adding an acid to increase the viscosity, and re-injecting the gelled oil. |
| US09328279B2 |
Mono-quaternary amine alcohols for use of clay and shale inhibition agents for the drilling industry
The hydration of clays and shale in drilling operations may be inhibited by employing an aqueous based drilling fluid comprising a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbons, R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbons, and X is an anion. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in the aqueous based drilling fluid in sufficient concentration to reduce the reactivity, such as swelling, of clays and shale when exposed to water-based drilling fluids. |
| US09328276B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving heat transfer in industrial water systems with ferrofluids
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for improving heat transfer of recirculating fluids within a system by introducing a ferrofluid in which iron oxide nanoparticles are suspended in a carrier fluid that is, in turn, added to a working fluid for increasing the heat capacity of the working fluid. The ferrofluid suspension can be prepared ex-situ and metered into the working fluid from a separate reservoir or may be prepared in-situ as needed through the use of an inline reactor. The ferrofluid can be introduced with other water treatment additives which are compatible with the colloidal suspension and monitored directly and/or indirectly for controlling the heat capacity performance of the system. |
| US09328274B2 |
Michael acceptor-terminated urethane-containing fuel resistant prepolymers and compositions thereof
Urethane-containing prepolymers formed from diisocyanates and adapted for Michael addition curing chemistries and compositions thereof for use in sealant applications are disclosed. The prepolymers provide compositions that exhibit room temperature stability and a controlled curing rate following a brief activation. |
| US09328272B2 |
Curable composition
The present invention aims to provide a curable composition that is usable in fast curing adhesives and the like and has excellent curability and excellent initial adhesion. The aim is accomplished by use of a curable composition that contains a polyoxyalkylene polymer (a1) having a reactive silyl group (e.g., trimethoxysilyl group) equivalent of 0.15 mmol/g to 1.5 mmol/g and a polyoxyalkylene polymer (a2) having a reactive silyl group equivalent of 0.010 to 0.14 mmol/g. Preferably, the polymers (a1) and (a2) both have a backbone with at least one branch. |
| US09328269B2 |
Pressure-sensitive adhesive composition
A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is provided. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition can show stable antistatic performance, and in particular can stably maintain its antistatic performance even when the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is kept for an extended time under extreme conditions or conditions in which environmental changes are severe, and also has excellent general physical properties such as pressure-sensitive adhesive properties, durability and workability. |
| US09328268B2 |
Process for preparing adhesive using planetary extruder
A continuous process for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive using a planetary roller extruder is described. The continuous process includes introducing at least one non-thermoplastic elastomer into a planetary roller extruder and initially compounding the non-thermoplastic elastomer in the planetary roller extruder to form an initially masticated non-thermoplastic elastomer. Then, a solid raw material, a liquid material, or both are introduced into the initially masticated non-thermoplastic elastomer in the planetary roller extruder, and subsequent compounding of the initially masticated non-thermoplastic elastomer with these additional components occurs to form an adhesive composition. |
| US09328265B2 |
Nano-porous adhesive tie layer
An adhesive tie layer includes a binder including a multifunctional acrylate and a polyurethane, surface treated nanoparticles dispersed in the binder, and a plurality of interconnected voids. A volume fraction of interconnected voids in the adhesive tie layer is not less than about 10%. |
| US09328261B2 |
Polishing agent, polishing method, and manufacturing method of semiconductor integrated circuit device
A first polishing agent contains: cerium oxide particles; and water, wherein, in IR spectrum of the cerium oxide particle, a value A found by a formula below from a ratio (I/I′) between a value I of an absorbance of 3566 cm−1 and a value I′ of an absorbance of 3695 cm−1, and a crystallite diameter XS, is 0.08 or less. A=(I/I′)/XS A second polishing agent contains: cerium oxide particles; and water, wherein, in the cerium oxide particle, a deviation B of a lattice constant found by a formula below from a theoretical lattice constant (a′) and a lattice constant (a) measured by powder X-ray diffraction, is −0.16% or more. B(%)=(1−a/a′)×100 |
| US09328258B2 |
Post-treatment solution for digital inkjet printing
A post-treatment solution for digital inkjet printing includes polymer particulates having a minimum film-forming temperature that is at least 50° C., a film-forming agent, and a liquid carrier. The film-forming agent is selected from the group consisting of citrate compounds, sebacate compounds, ethoxy alcohols, glycol oligomers, glycol polymers, glycol ether, glycerol acetals, and cyclic amides. A print medium, printing method, and printing system are also disclosed herein. |
| US09328255B2 |
Ink-jet ink for color filter and method for preparing the same and method for preparation of color filter
The disclosure provides an ink-jet ink for color filter and a method for preparing the same, as well as a method for preparing of a color filter. The ink-jet ink for color filter comprising, by weight, 10 to 50 parts of aqueous nano pigment dispersion and 51 to 95 parts of a cold curing component. |
| US09328253B2 |
Method of making electrically conductive micro-wires
A method of making a conductive article includes providing a substrate having a surface with one or more micro-channels having a width of less than 12 μm. A composition is provided over the substrate and in the one or more micro-channels. The composition includes water and silver nanoparticles dispersed in the water and he weight percentage of silver in the composition is greater than 70% and the viscosity of the composition is in a range from 10 to 10,000 centipoise. The composition is removed from the surface of the substrate. The composition provided in the micro-channels is dried and converted to form one or more electrically conductive micro-wires. |
| US09328252B2 |
Ink composition
The invention relates to an ink composition comprising a pigment, an aqueous vehicle, a host compound having a cavity and a surface active agent, wherein the surface active agent is capable of binding to the cavity of the host compound.The invention further relates to a method for preparing such ink compositions and to a method for applying an image onto a receiving medium using such ink composition. |
| US09328248B2 |
Curable inks comprising bis-urea gelators
The disclosure provides a curable ink including a bis-urea gelator having the structure of Formula I. wherein R and R′ each, independently of the other, is a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of (1) linear aliphatic groups, (2) branched aliphatic groups, (3) cyclic aliphatic groups, (4) aliphatic groups containing both cyclic and acyclic portions, any carbon atom of the saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group may be optionally substituted with an alkyl group (cyclic or acyclic), wherein (1) and (2) groups have a carbon number of from about 1 to about 22 carbons, and wherein (3) and (4) groups have a carbon number of from about 4 to about 10 carbons; and X is selected from the group consisting of: (i) an alkylene group, (ii) an arylene group, (iii) an arylalkylene group, and (iv) an alkylarylene group. |
| US09328245B2 |
Curable two-part coatings for conductors
A compositional kit for forming a composition includes a first composition and a second composition which are separate. The first composition includes a filler, a cross-linking agent and an emissivity agent; and the second composition includes a silicate binder. Methods for making a compositional kit and for making a coated overhead conductor are also provided. |
| US09328244B2 |
Surface-treated calcium carbonate, methods for making the same, and compositions including the same
In an embodiment, the invention provides a surface treated calcium carbonate and method for making the same. In embodiments, the calcium carbonate is surface treated with a hydrophobic compound, such as a trialkoxyalkylsilane (i.e., triethoxycaprylylsilane), fluoro high purity ammonium C6-16 perfluoroalkyl phosphate, or dimethicone trimethylsiloxysilane.In another embodiment, the invention provides a personal care product comprising the surface treated calcium carbonate. In embodiments, the personal care product is a darker skin tone makeup. |
| US09328242B2 |
Polysiloxane composition and cured product thereof
The present invention relates to a polysiloxane composition which contains (A) at least one type of organopolysiloxane that contains at least two unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups in the molecule, (B) at least one type of organohydrogenpolysiloxane that contains at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in the molecule, (C) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst, and (D) inorganic particles which have a major axis to minor axis ratio of 1 to 1.5 and in which the proportion of particles having a diameter of 50 μm or greater is 5 wt. % or less of the total quantity of particles, and which satisfies prescribed conditions. The polysiloxane composition of the present invention has good processability and can provide a hard cured product having an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion after curing. |
| US09328234B2 |
Poly((meth)acrylic acid-b-styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) block copolymer latex and method for preparing the same
The present invention discloses a poly((meth)acrylic acid-b-styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) block copolymer latex and a method for preparing the same. The poly((meth)acrylic acid-b-styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) block copolymer latex is directly and stably obtained by emulsion polymerization in the presence of an amphiphilic macromolecule reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer agent as both chain transfer agent and reactive emulsifier. The present invention has simple operation, and the process is environmentally friendly and energy-saving, the product poly ((meth) acrylic acid-b-styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) block copolymer latex has a good prospect in many fields, such as bitumen modification, adhesives, polymer toughening and the like. |
| US09328233B2 |
Multicomponent polypropylene compositions for use in injection moulded articles
A composition comprising: (I) 60 to 92.5 wt % of a first component which is a polypropylene polymer comprising a) 40 to 85 wt % of a propylene polymer A having a melt flow rate (MFR2) between 0.01 and 300 g/10 min, and b) 15 wt % or more of at least one propylene ethylene copolymer; and (II) 2.5 to 30 wt % of a second component comprising at least one ethylene alkyl (meth)acrylate polymer; and optionally (III) 5 to 25 wt % of at least one filler. |
| US09328232B2 |
Propylene-ethylene copolymer resin composition and moulded article, film and sheet thereof
A propylene-ethylene copolymer resin composition including: 97 to 65 parts by weight of a propylene polymer (A) produced with a metallocene catalyst and 3 to 35 parts by weight of a propylene-ethylene copolymer (B). The copolymer (B) includes: 65 to 95% by weight of a propylene polymer component (B1) and 5 to 35% by weight of a propylene-ethylene copolymer component (B2). |
| US09328229B2 |
Polymer composition and articles for use in low temperature environments that are wear resistant
Ski boots and other cold weather articles are described made from polymer compositions that are exceptionally stable at low temperatures. The polymer composition, for instance, may contain a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, an impact modifier and a wear resistant additive. In one embodiment, various polymer components are selected such that they do not undergo a second order transition within a temperature range of from about 50° C. to about −40° C., and particularly from about 23° C. to about −40° C. In one embodiment, the polymer compositions are used to mold the outer shell of a snow ski boot. |