Document Document Title
US09389629B2 Measuring arrangement for determining a measured variable and method for generating an output signal relating to the measured variable
A method for generating an output signal and measuring arrangement for determining at least one measured variable use at least one sensor device (2) and at least one signal output (3) for outputting at least one output signal, wherein the output signal transmits information about the measured variable and/or a state of the measuring arrangement using at least one predetermined value of the current. The measuring arrangement ensures reliable outputting of an error signal indicating the presence of an erroneous state is achieved in that a first adjusting unit (4) and a second adjusting unit (5) are provided that set the value of the current of the output signal to a predetermined desired value. The first adjusting unit (4) sets a fixed current value and the second adjusting unit (5) sets a variable current value.
US09389623B2 Voltage converting device and electronic system thereof
A voltage converting device with a self-reference feature for an electronic system includes a differential current generating module, implemented in a Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processing for generating a differential current pair according to a converting voltage; and a voltage converting module, coupled to the differential current generating module, a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage of the electronic system for generating the converting voltage according to the differential current pair, the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage.
US09389620B2 Apparatus and method for a voltage regulator with improved output voltage regulated loop biasing
An apparatus and method for a linear voltage regulator with improved voltage regulation is disclosed. A linear voltage regulator device with improved voltage regulation that combines good resiliency to noisy ground reference, high Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR), good current load regulation with changes in the current load and good feedback loop stability. The linear voltage regulator comprises of an amplifier, a current source, a pass gate, a current load, a first feedback loop, a second feedback loop, a second amplifier and second pass gate. A second feedback loop is formed to control the bias of the first feedback loop.
US09389619B2 Transformer core flux control for power management
An electromagnetic device may include a magnetic flux core and an opening through the magnetic flux core. A conductor winding may be received in the opening and extend through the magnetic flux core. An electrical current flowing through the conductor winding generates a magnetic field about the conductor winding and a magnetic flux flow about the opening in the magnetic flux core. The electromagnetic device may also include a core flux sensor arrangement to detect a magnetic flux level in the magnetic flux core. The electromagnetic device may additionally include a core flux control system configured to adjust the electrical current flowing through the conductor winding to control the magnetic flux level in the magnetic flux core.
US09389617B2 Pulsed current sensing
A system and method are provided for sensing current. A current source is configured to generate a current and a pulsed sense enable signal is generated. A sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism is sampled according to the sense enable signal, where the sense voltage represents a measurement of the current. A system includes the current source and a current sensing unit. The current source is configured to generate a current. The current sensing unit is coupled the current source and is configured to generate a pulsed sense enable signal and sample the sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism according to the pulsed sense enable signal.
US09389602B2 Industrial controller automation interface
An automation interface is provided for interacting with industrial controllers. The automation interface provides for programming, editing, monitoring and maintenance of industrial controllers programmatically from a local or remote location. The automation interface component is adapted to communicate with industrial controllers by integrating a computer process interface library into the automation interface component. The computer process interface library exposes the automation interface component to client application processes, so that the client application processes can communicate with the at least one industrial controller programmatically. The automation interface is provided with functionality for downloading, uploading and programming of control programs to the processors of the industrial controllers.
US09389599B2 System and method for controlling air conditioner
A system and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. In a system where respective points in which facility devices including an air conditioner are installed are connected to each other, power used information is collected by points and corresponding fee information is computed so that respective points can be managed, statistic data with respect to power amount information and fee information are transmitted to respective point so that a user read the information, thereby managing the information in the center or by points easily, and improving convenience.
US09389595B2 System and method for using biometrics to predict and select music preferences
Systems and methods for using biometrics to select music preference are provided. A system for using biometrics to select music preferences for a user in a vehicle, comprises a music selection module electrically coupled to at least one biometric sensor in the vehicle, wherein the at least one biometric sensor senses a characteristic of the user and outputs data for the sensed characteristic to the music selection module, and wherein the music selection module selects a music selection for the user based on the sensed characteristic data, and a controller module electrically coupled to the music selection module to control playing of the music selection, wherein the controller module receives an output including the music selection from the music selection module.
US09389591B2 Regulating device
The invention concerns a magnetic device for regulating the relative angular velocity of a wheel and of at least one magnetic dipole integral with an oscillating device. The wheel or the dipole is driven by a driving torque. The wheel includes a periodic, ferromagnetic pole path which alternates according to a center angle and the at least one dipole is arranged to permit magnetic coupling with the ferromagnetic path and oscillation of the dipole at the natural frequency of the oscillating element during the relative motion of the wheel and of the magnetic dipole to regulate the relative angular velocity. The wheel further includes an assembly to dissipate the kinetic energy of the at least one dipole when it moves away from the ferromagnetic path.
US09389589B2 Control method for an analogue display fitted to a timepiece movement
In the control method for an analog display device fitted to a timepiece movement, the motor is used both for driving a first indicator of a time parameter and a second periodically driven indicator. To this end, the motor is controlled such that, when the first indicator is in an operating mode and the second indicator is arranged to remain substantially immobile, said first indicator is driven in rotation by the motor alternately. The first indicator is driven in a forward direction, to display the time parameter, during a first period in which a periodic actuation wheel set is simultaneously driven in positions of its area of non-actuation, and in a backward direction, in accelerated mode, during a second period following the first period, before the periodic actuation wheel set is driven in a position of its area of actuation.
US09389584B2 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, process cartridge and developing cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, and a supporting member capable of supporting a plurality of developing rollers and a plurality of photosensitive drums, with the supporting member being movable substantially linearly between an inside position inside of the main assembly and an outside position outside of the main assembly while supporting the developing rollers and the photosensitive drums. In addition, a plurality of developing cartridges each have the developing roller and are mountable to and dismountable from the supporting member which supports the plurality of photosensitive drums when the supporting member is in the outside position. The developing cartridges each include an upper surface facing upward when mounted to the supporting member and a projection projecting upwardly from the upper surface and having a shape providing a space through a middle portion thereof.
US09389583B2 Image forming apparatus and process cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main-body to and from which a process cartridge can be attached and detached. The process cartridge includes an image carrying member to carry an image, a charging member to charge the image carrying member, a cleaning member to clean the charging member by contacting it, and a force receiving unit to receive a force for moving the cleaning member in a longitudinal direction of the image carrying member. The apparatus main-body includes a slope portion which slopes in a direction in which the process cartridge is attached and contacts the force receiving unit to apply the force in a process where the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main-body, and the slope portion applies the force to the force receiving unit to move the cleaning member from an inside to an outside of a region where an image can be formed.
US09389581B2 Toner for developing electrostatic image, developer for electrostatic image, toner cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A toner for developing an electrostatic image, including: toner particles containing at least a binder resin, a release agent, and a colorant; and an external additive having a volume average particle diameter (d) of from 70 nm to 400 nm, a ratio (d/σ) of the volume average particle diameter (d) to a standard deviation (σ) of a volumetric basis particle diameter of from 2.0 to 12, and an average circularity of from 0.5 to 0.9.
US09389580B2 Image forming apparatus and process cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive members and a plurality of developing units, each of which includes a developing roller actable on the photosensitive member and movable relative to the photosensitive member. A movable member moves between an inside and an outside of a main assembly, and a mounting portion, provided in the movable member, supports the plurality of developing units, which are detachably mountable to the mounting portion. An interrelating member, movable in interrelation with movement of the movable member, moves the plurality of developing units in an upward direction relative to the plurality of photosensitive members when the movable member is moved from the inside to the outside of the main assembly.
US09389579B2 Image forming apparatus having a removable mounted developing cartridge
There is provided an image forming apparatus including a main body, a cover, a photosensitive body cartridge, and a developing cartridge. The main body includes a supporting portion and the developing cartridge includes a supported portion. The supporting portion and the supported portion are configured such that the developing cartridge is pivotable relative to the main body about a third axis, which is parallel to a first axis and is separate from a second axis, between a first position, in which the developer carrier is away from the photosensitive body, and a second position, in which developer carrier is close to the photosensitive body. The cover includes a pressing member configured to press the developing cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the third axis such that the developer cartridge pivots from the first position to the second position.
US09389576B1 Roll deskewing device for an electrophotographic image forming device
A deskewing plug and assembly mountable in a frame having a first and a second shaft forming a nip therebetween with the second shaft rotatably mounted in a pair of opposed channels and biased toward the first shaft for adjusting the axial alignment of the shafts. The deskewing plug has a generally cylindrical body having first portion, a second portion and a tab portion. The second portion has a circumferential camming surface cooperatively engageable with the second shaft. Rotation of the plug and camming surface adjusts the axial alignment of the second shaft. The tab portion radially extends from the first portion and has radially extending ridges frictionally engageable with a wall of the opening in the frame to prevent rotation of the deskewing plug after adjustment. A cap may be provided to cover and frictionally engage the tab with the cap being fastenable to the frame.
US09389573B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer-readable storage medium
An image forming apparatus includes a heat generator configured to generate heat in the image forming apparatus; a converter including a capacitor to convert AC power supplied from an external power supply into DC power for a load unit; a thermoelectric transducer configured to convert the generated heat into DC power for the load unit; a detector configured to detect a voltage of the AC power; and a controller configured to cause the converter to continue supplying the DC power to the load unit when a first elapsed time elapsed since the detected voltage drops below a rated voltage is shorter than a first time period shorter than an upper limit of a period of time over which the capacitor is dischargeable, and cause the thermoelectric transducer to supply the DC power to the load unit when the first elapsed time exceeds the first time period.
US09389571B2 Unit frame having grip part
An image forming unit includes a cartridge and a unit frame. The cartridge has a cartridge-grip. The unit frame is configured to accommodate the cartridge. The unit frame includes a first plate, a second plate, a first beam, and a second beam. The first plate has a through hole. The first beam extends between the first plate and the second plate. The first beam includes a frame-grip disposed between an upper end of the first beam and a lower end of the first beam. The second beam extends between the first plate and the second plate. When the cartridge is accommodated in the unit frame, a distance between the lower end of the first beam and an upper end of the frame-grip is smaller than a distance between the lower end of the first beam and an upper end of the cartridge-grip.
US09389568B1 Image forming apparatus
A positioning member has a positioning surface that abuts an inner peripheral surface of an intermediate transfer belt to perform the positioning of the intermediate transfer belt with respect to a density detection sensor and a cleaning surface coated with a cleaning member having hardness lower than that of the positioning surface and abutting the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt via the cleaning member. When a correction process is performed by a density correction section, the positioning surface of the positioning member 36 abuts the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and when the correction process is not performed by the density correction section, the cleaning surface of the positioning member abuts the intermediate transfer belt.
US09389566B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material; a cause ascertaining unit that ascertains a cause of a streaked image that is generated in the image that is formed on the recording material by the image forming unit; and an outputting unit that outputs information regarding the cause ascertained by the cause ascertaining unit.
US09389564B2 Image forming apparatus for performing registration and density correction control
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form, on an image carrier, a first correction pattern including developer images of a plurality of colors, and a second correction pattern including developer images of the plurality of colors; a registration correction unit configured to perform registration correction control based on a detection result of the developer images of the first correction pattern; and a density correction unit configured to perform density correction control based on a detection result of the second correction pattern. The density correction unit is further configured to decide a detection result of the developer image of at least one color of the second correction pattern used for the density correction control based on a detection result of the developer image of the first correction pattern.
US09389563B2 Recording material detecting apparatus and an image-forming apparatus
A recording material detecting apparatus includes a light guiding unit that allows first and second light to enter a surface of a recording material, respectively, in two directions which are not parallel; an imaging device that images a first light irradiated area and a second light irradiated area, on the surface of the recording material; and an output device that outputs information on a surface condition of the recording material based on an output of the imaging device. When viewed in a direction along the center optical axes of first and second light sources which are of the same type, the first and second light sources are arranged such that the respective reference lines of the rotational phases around the center optical axes are rotated in opposite directions by approximately the same angles from a line perpendicular to the direction where the first and second light sources are arrayed.
US09389555B2 Fixing device
A fixing device includes a temperature detection unit that detects temperature associated with temperature of an abutting section of a fixing roller and a pressing roller, and a control unit that controls a driving motor based on detection temperature by the temperature detection unit. When the fixing device is activated, if it is determined that detection temperature by the temperature detection unit is not equal to or less than predetermined temperature, the control unit drives the driving motor at a setting speed set in advance, and if it is determined that the detection temperature is equal to or less than the predetermined temperature K, the control unit drives the driving motor at a predetermined low speed lower than the setting speed.
US09389554B2 Image forming apparatus discriminating whether image heating device is for heating an envelope and system with display portion configured to display a display prompting an operator to mount image heating device for an envelope
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming device; a first image heating device; a second image heating device; a first feeding path configured to discharge the recording material introduced into the first image heating device without introducing the recording material into the second image heating device; a second feeding path configured to discharge a recording material introduced into the first image heating device and then introduced into the second image heating device; a discriminating portion configured to discriminate whether or not the first image heating device is an image heating device for an envelope; and a controller configured to effect control so as not to execute a heating operation of the second image heating device, upon discrimination of the first image heating device being the image heating device for the envelope by the discriminating portion.
US09389552B2 Image forming apparatus with fixing member temperature control
An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet feeding unit configured to feed a plurality of sheets to an image forming unit one by one; the image forming unit configured to form a toner image based on image data; a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image formed on each sheet by the image forming unit with a fixing member, the fixing unit including the fixing member configured to be brought into contact with each sheet supplied from the image forming unit and heat each sheet; a measuring unit configured to measure a temperature of the fixing member; and a control unit configured to instruct the fixing unit to start and stop a temperature increasing operation, and provide the image data to the image forming unit, wherein the control unit includes: a temperature drop rate calculating unit; a temperature rise rate predicting unit; and an instructing unit.
US09389539B1 Image forming apparatus with transport devices having differing configurations
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body; plural developing devices arranged in a first direction in the apparatus body; plural developer housing containers that are arranged in a second direction intersecting with the first direction and house developers to be respectively supplied to the developing devices; plural transport devices that respectively transport the developers to the developing devices from the developer housing containers; an intermediate transfer; and a transfer device. The developing devices include a first developing device located near the transfer device, and a second developing device located farther from the transfer device than the first developing device. The transport devices include first and second transport devices that respectively transports developers to the first and second developing devices. A transport distance of the developer transported the first transport is larger than that of the developer transported by the second transport device.
US09389538B2 Image forming apparatus having toner supply control
A toner supply system including a toner receiving apparatus and a toner supply container detachably mountable to the toner receiving apparatus. The toner supply container includes a container body containing toner, a discharge port permitting discharging of the toner in the container body, and a feeding portion feeding the toner in the container body. The toner receiving apparatus includes a toner receiving portion receiving the toner from the toner supply container, a driving mechanism engageable with the container body to rotationally drive the container body, and a regulating mechanism movable between a regulating position where rotation of the container body, which is in a set position and engaged with the driving mechanism, is regulated, and a releasing position, where regulation of rotation of the container body, which is in a set position and engaged with the driving mechanism, is released.
US09389534B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charging unit, an image exposure unit configured to form image portion potential by exposing the photosensitive member to light, a weak exposure unit configured to form non-image portion potential by exposing the photosensitive member to weak light having a lower exposure amount than the light for forming the image portion potential, and a developer bearing member configured to carry developer, wherein a relationship of Ldev
US09389533B2 Image forming apparatus capable of correcting position of image to be formed
An image forming apparatus capable of controlling an image forming position with high accuracy. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of image forming sections each including a photosensitive drum and a laser scanner. The laser scanner exposes the photosensitive drum to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. The image forming section develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt. A thermistor in the laser scanner detects the internal temperature of the laser scanner. The image forming apparatus controls the image forming sections to form detection patterns on the intermediate transfer belt. An image forming position is corrected based on the temperature detected by the thermistor and a result of measurement of the detection patterns.
US09389529B2 Brilliant toner and electrostatic charge image developer
A brilliant toner includes a brilliant pigment, an azo yellow pigment, and a magenta pigment, wherein when a solid image in which a toner applied amount is 4.0 g/m2 is formed, color saturation of the image is 25 to 55, a hue angle is 65° to 95°, and lightness is 50 to 80.
US09389527B2 Inorganic particle, electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, developer cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
An irregular shape inorganic particle satisfies the following formulas (1) and (2), 1/17≦A/B≦ 1/13  (1) 1.2≦C/D≦1.5  (2) wherein A represents a distance between the center of a circumscribed rectangle, in which lines sandwiching a projected image and being parallel to an absolute maximum length of the projected image of inorganic fine particles are long sides and lines sandwiching the projected image and being perpendicular to the absolute maximum length are short sides, and the center of gravity of the projected image, B represents the absolute maximum length, C represents a length of a long side of the circumscribed rectangle, and D represents a length of a short side of the circumscribed rectangle.
US09389522B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a charge transport layer containing (α) a charge transporting compound, (β) a binding resin in a proportion in the range of 50% by mass to 200% by mass relative to the mass of the charge transporting compound, (γ) a compound being at least one of xylene and toluene with a content in the range of 0.01% by mass to 2.00% by mass relative to the total mass of the charge transport layer, and (δ) a cycloalkanone with a content in the range of 0.01% by mass to 1.20% by mass relative to the total mass of the charge transport layer.
US09389516B2 Resist performance for the negative tone develop organic development process
A process and composition for negative tone development comprises providing a photoresist film that generates acidic sites. Irradiating the photoresist film patternwise provides an irradiated film having exposed and unexposed regions where the exposed regions comprise imaged sites. Baking the irradiated film at elevated temperatures produces a baked-irradiated film comprising the imaged sites which after irradiating, baking, or both irradiating and baking comprise acidic imaged sites. Treating the baked-irradiated film with a liquid, gaseous or vaporous weakly basic compound converts the acidic imaged sites to a base treated film having chemically modified acidic imaged sites. Applying a solvent developer substantially dissolves regions of the film that have not been exposed to the radiant energy, where the solvent developer comprises a substantial non-solvent for the chemically modified acidic imaged sites. One-step simultaneous base treatment and solvent development employs a composition comprising a mix of the basic compound and solvent developer.
US09389513B2 Method of forming pattern, system for calculating resist coating distribution and program for calculating the same
In one embodiment, a method of forming a resist pattern on a substrate is provided. Information of a template pattern formed on a template based on template pattern data is obtained. A resist coating distribution is set based on the information of the template pattern. A resist is formed on a substrate based on the resist coating distribution. The template is brought into contact with the resist formed on the substrate so that the resist is filled into the template pattern formed on the template. The filled resist is cured. The template is separated from the cured resist so that a resist pattern is formed on the substrate.
US09389500B2 Mask blank, photomask, and method for manufacturing same
Provided are a method of manufacturing a photomask, in which a hardmask film pattern is used as an etch mask for etching a phase-shift layer under the hardmask film pattern, a blankmask, and a photomask using the blankmask. In the method, a resist film for patterning a hardmask film may be formed to a thin thickness, and the phase-shift layer may be etched using the hardmask film pattern having a high etch selectivity with respect to the phase-shift layer. Accordingly, an optical density may be maintained to be 3.0 due to use of a light-shielding film pattern, thereby increasing the resolution and precision of a pattern, reducing a loading effect, and improving critical dimension (CD) features, such as CD uniformity and CD linearity.
US09389497B2 Micro-projection-display devices and adjustable display screens
An example micro-projection-display device includes: a projection lens, an elastic projection screen, a stretchable projection framework and a sliding block. At least one point of the stretchable projection framework is connected with the elastic projection screen, so that the stretchable projection framework is configured to control the elastic projection screen to stretch or retract. The sliding block is connected with the stretchable projection framework. The sliding block is configured to cause the stretchable projection framework to stretch or retract, so as to cause the elastic projection screen to stretch or retract. The projection lens is configured to project light onto the stretched elastic projection screen.
US09389492B2 Rotationally static light emitting material with rotating optics
A system including rotationally static light emitting material with rotating optics is provided. The system comprises: a heatsink; at least one light emitting material on the heatsink, at least a portion of the light emitting material being circularly symmetrical around an axis, the heatsink and the light emitting material being rotationally fixed; optics configured to rotate relative to the at light emitting material around a rotational axis that is coaxial with the axis of the light emitting material, the optics configured to: receive excitation light along the rotational axis; convey the excitation light to one or more locations on the light emitting material as the optics are rotating; collect light emitted from the one or more locations on the light emitting material excited by the excitation light; and, convey the light collected from the at least one light emitting material to the rotational axis for emission there along.
US09389488B1 Lens mounts with locking mechanisms
An optical assembly includes a lens mount. The lens mount includes a lens mount body with a threaded lens aperture extending axially therethrough. A ring extends from the lens mount body. The ring defines a lens locking aperture therethrough that is spaced axially apart from the lens aperture and is aligned with the lens aperture. The lens aperture and lens locking aperture are both threaded. A lens element is threaded into the lens aperture and lens locking aperture. A lock operatively connects the lens mount body to the ring for locking the lens element by flexure of the ring relative to the lens aperture.
US09389487B2 Protective lens attachment
A protective lens attachment is configured to couple to a camera lens ring to protect a camera lens during operation. The protective lens attachment can include a compressible structure, on which a force is exerted by a camera lens ring when the camera lens ring is inserted into the protective lens attachment. The compressible structure is configured to exert a reciprocal force onto the camera lens ring, creating a friction force between the compressible structure and the camera lens ring, and securely coupling the protective lens attachment to the camera lens ring.
US09389486B1 Enclosure device
In one embodiment of an enclosure device, a camera casing and light source casing are secured to a plate frame, and the enclosure device is configured to be mounted to an arm, such as a robotic welding arm. A shutter mounting arm may also be secured to the plate frame. A flap may be pivotally mounted to the distal end of the shutter mounting arm, such that the flap may be actuated between a first and second position by an actuator cooperatively engaged with the flap. The first position may be defined as to protect a camera lens positioned in the camera casing and a light source lens positioned in the light source casing. The second position may be defined as to not obscure a line-of-sight from either the light source and/or the camera to the work piece on the arm. A light source casing may be sandwiched between two side plates that are generally configured as mirror images of one another. The light source casing housing a light source may be configured as a laser designed to measure distances.
US09389484B2 Image pickup device and focal plane shutter
An image pickup device includes: an image pickup element; a control portion artificially driving an electronic leading blade by resetting stored charges of the image pickup element in a predetermined direction at every pixel line; and a focal plane shutter includes a board including an opening exposing the image pickup element, a mechanical trailing blade capable of opening and closing the opening, a trailing blade drive lever driving the trailing blade, an actuator actuating the trailing blade drive lever, a shading member capable of opening and closing at least a part of the opening, a shading member drive lever driving the shading member, a connection member provided on the shading member drive lever, and a biasing member biasing the shading member drive lever such that the shading member recedes from the opening.
US09389475B2 Matrix substrate and liquid crystal display device
The present invention discloses a matrix substrate and a liquid crystal display device. When the scan line set comprises at least three scan lines, a part of data lines is bended from one side of the pixels corresponding to a same column to another side between two adjacent pixels such that the thin film transistor of each of the pixels can be connected to a nearest data line. This prevents the data lines from interfering with the pixel electrode, and raises the charging time by turning on at least three scan lines simultaneously.
US09389474B2 Liquid crystal panel
A liquid crystal panel (10) includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix pattern having rows and columns. A plurality of Cs bus lines (43c) as storage capacitor lines are routed in the row direction of the liquid crystal panel (10). A plurality of branch lines (310) are routed in the column direction across a pixel region (10a). The branch lines (310) are connected to the Cs bus lines (43c) so that control signals are sent to storage capacitors from the branch lines (310) through the Cs bus lines (43c).
US09389473B2 Liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including an insulative substrate, a first electrically conductive layer, a second electrically conductive layer, a third electrically conductive layer, a fourth electrically conductive layer. The first electrically conductive layer includes a gate line located on the insulative substrate, a common potential line and a first pad portion. The second electrically conductive layer includes a common electrode which is located on the insulative substrate and is put in contact with the common potential line, and a second pad portion stacked on the first pad portion. The fourth electrically conductive layer includes a pixel electrode in which a slit facing the common electrode is formed, and a third pad portion which is put in contact with the second pad portion.
US09389469B2 Display device
A display device includes: a common voltage line formed on a display unit and at an outer side of the display unit; a first insulating layer formed on a thin film transistor on the display unit; a pixel electrode formed on the first insulating layer; a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of microcavities formed on the pixel electrode; a common electrode spaced apart from the pixel electrode with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween; the common electrode contacting the common voltage line at the outer side of the display unit through a contact hole; a second insulating layer formed on the common electrode; a roof layer formed on the second insulating layer; an injection hole formed on the common electrode, second insulating layer, and roof layer; and an overcoat formed on the roof layer covering the injection hole and sealing the microcavity, wherein the roof layer covers the contact hole.
US09389465B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing that
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a first alignment film formed over the first substrate, a second substrate, a second alignment film formed over the second substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first alignment film and the second alignment film, and a projecting portion formed over the second substrate. The first alignment film is a photo alignment film, and a thickness “d2” of the second alignment film over the projecting portion and a film thickness “d1” of a portion of the first alignment film facing the projecting portion satisfy formula (1) and (2): 0 nm
US09389461B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display apparatus includes an array substrate, a counter-substrate and a liquid crystal layer formed of a negative liquid crystal material. The array substrate includes a common electrode, an insulating film, a plurality of pixel electrodes each provided with a slit, and a first alignment film. A ratio of a liquid crystal capacitance to a capacitance of the first alignment film (liquid crystal capacitance/alignment film capacitance) is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. The formula (es/d_LC)/(e_PI/d_PI)≦0.0599 is satisfied.
US09389450B2 Slim bezel liquid crystal display device including liquid crystal display module receivable and positionable in rear enclosure through mating between portions of sid boards thereof
A slim bezel liquid crystal display device includes a rear enclosure, a front enclosure mating the rear enclosure, and a liquid crystal display module arranged inside the rear enclosure. The quid crystal display module has two opposite sides each forming a raised portion that includes a constraint section and an extension section extending from a middle portion of a free end of the constraint section. The rear enclosure forms retention sections in the form of recesses corresponding to the extension sections, such that the retention sections are respectively receivable in the recesses so as to fix the liquid crystal display module in the rear enclosure.
US09389448B2 Device for fixing quantum strip of display
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of liquid crystal display, and particularly, relates to a device for fixing a quantum strip of a display. The device includes: a first support extending along a first direction, which first support is capable of clamping the long ineffective part of the quantum strip and being fixedly connected to the shell of the display, and which first support is provided with a connecting portion on one end in the first direction; a second support extending along the first direction, which second support is capable of clamping the effective part of the quantum strip and being fixedly connected to the shell of the display, and which second support is provided with connecting portions on both ends in the first direction, wherein the first support is connected to the second support on at least one end of the second support. The device according to the present disclosure can be flexibly spliced based on different numbers of the quantum strips, and a plurality of backlight incidences, including single-long incidence, double-long incidence, single-short incidence and double-short incidence and the like, can be achieved simultaneously.
US09389446B2 Frame assembly comprising first and second support portions and liquid crystal display device
There are disclosed a frame assembly and liquid crystal display device for reducing leakage of light around a liquid crystal panel and improving display quality of the liquid crystal display device. The frame assembly includes a backboard in which a receiving portion is formed, a front frame mounted on the backboard around an periphery of the backboard and a buffer frame provided between the backboard and the front frame, wherein the backboard is provided with a first support portion, which is folded from a periphery of the backboard towards inside of the receiving portion so as to support the buffer frame. With the backboard of the above configuration, the support stability for the glue frame can be increased, and the deformation of the glue frame under a reaction force from the liquid crystal panel can be reduced, thereby reducing leakage of light around the liquid crystal panel and improving a display quality of the liquid crystal display device.
US09389444B2 Electro-optical apparatus and electronic equipment
An electro-optical apparatus is provided with a pixel where first scanning line, first signal line, second scanning line, and second signal line are wired. The pixel includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, and an electro-optical material, and the electro-optical material is interposed between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode.
US09389436B2 3D cover glasses for applying over prescription eyeglasses
The invention discloses a cover glass system for securing lenses to prescription eyeglasses to allow the viewer to watch a three dimensional motion picture or television program. Lenses having different characteristics are mounted in a frame having elastic loops are attached to the upper corners of the cover glass system to further secure the cover glass system to prescription eyeglasses.
US09389435B2 Ophthalmic lens
An ophthalmic lens having a front and back face, at least one including a filter, which provides the main face/filter with the following properties: an average blue reflectance factor within a wavelength ranging from 420-450 nm, which ≧5%, for an angle of incidence θ ranging from 0°-15°, a spectral reflectivity curve for θ, having: a maximum reflectivity at a wavelength <435 nm, and a full width at half maximum ≧80 nm, and for θ ranging from 0°-15° and for θ′ ranging from 30°-45°, a parameter Δ(θ,θ′)=1−[Rθ′(435 nm)/Rθ(435 nm)], such that Δ(θ,θ′)≧0.6, where Rθ(435 nm) represents the reflectivity value of the main face/filter at a wavelength of 435 nm for θ, and Rθ′(435 nm) represents the reflectivity value of the main face/filter at a wavelength of 435 nm for θ′.
US09389434B2 Contact lenses with improved oxygen transmission
Contact lenses may be designed with locally thinned regions to increase oxygen transmissibility to the eye. The locally thinned regions are preferably positioned outside of the optic zone and in the thicker peripheral zone. For a contact lens formed from a specific material, creating local thinner regions, for example, dimples in the back curve surface of the lens, provides an effective and efficient means for increasing oxygen diffusion.
US09389431B2 Contextual image stabilization
Image stabilization systems and methods include a detector configured to detect images, an actuator coupled to the detector, a sensor coupled to the detector and configured to detect motion of the detector, and an electronic processor in communication with the sensor and the actuator, where the electronic processor is configured to, for example: (a) receive information about motion of the detector from the sensor; (b) determine components of the motion of the detector, and associate a class with each of the determined components; (c) identify components to be compensated from among the determined components based on the associated classes; and (d) generate a control signal that causes the actuator to adjust a position of at least a portion of the detector to compensate for the identified components.
US09389421B2 Display device and display system
A display device includes a light source which outputs laser light, an illumination optical system which emits the laser light as illumination light, a spatial modulation element which diffracts the illumination light by displaying a diffraction pattern, a diffraction pattern acquiring unit which acquires a basic diffraction pattern generated based on an image, and a diffraction pattern process unit which uses the basic diffraction pattern and a correction diffraction pattern for correcting the basic diffraction pattern to generate, as the diffraction pattern to be displayed on the spatial modulation element, a combined diffraction pattern obtained by correcting the basic diffraction pattern by the correction diffraction pattern. The spatial modulation element displays diffracted light, which is diffracted by displaying the combined diffraction pattern, to a user as a fictive image.
US09389419B2 Near-to-eye display artifact reduction system and method
A near-to-eye (NTE) display system and method are provided for reducing artifact display in a NTE display that is worn, at least partially, on a viewer's head. The movement of the NTE display is sensed while displaying an image that comprises individual content frames on the NTE display. A characteristic of the individual content frames of the displayed image is varied based on the sensed movement.
US09389415B2 Directional pixel for use in a display screen
A directional pixel for use in a display screen is disclosed. The directional pixel receives a planar lightbeam and includes a light propagating layer and a grating to scatter a portion of the planar lightbeam into a directional lightbeam having a direction and angular spread controlled by the grating.
US09389414B2 Light shielding apparatus using magnetic microbeads and method of the same
A light shielding apparatus using magnetic microbeads and a method of the same are disclosed. The light shielding apparatus includes a cycling chamber defined by two transparent substrates, a fluid filled in the cycling chamber, a plurality of magnetic microbeads suspended in the fluid, and a cycling motor connected to the cycling chamber. The cycling motor has a magnetic device. When the magnetic device is powered on, the magnetic microbeads are collected by the magnetic device and restricted in the cycling motor; so that, ambient light pass through the cycling chamber and the two transparent substrates. When the magnetic device is turned off, the magnetic microbeads are recycled with the fluid in the cycling chamber and the cycling motor to block ambient light.
US09389411B1 Compact articulating telescope
An unobscured afocal three-mirror telescope can provide a two-axis gimbal architecture that is more compact, more lightweight, and less expensive than traditional coudé path approaches. The telescope can create a real exit pupil and position the exit pupil on a 90-degree fold mirror. Two orthogonal rotational axes can intersect substantially at or about the center of the telescope's exit pupil and on or about the center of the last fold mirror.
US09389408B2 3D microscope and methods of measuring patterned substrates
A three-dimensional (3D) microscope for patterned substrate measurement can include an objective lens, a reflected illuminator, a transmitted illuminator, a focusing adjustment device, an optical sensor, and a processor. The focusing adjustment device can automatically adjust the objective lens focus at a plurality of Z steps. The optical sensor can be capable of acquiring images at each of these Z steps. The processor can control the reflected illuminator, the transmitted illuminator, the focusing adjustment device, and the optical sensor. The processor can be configured to capture first and second images at multiple Z steps, the first image with the pattern using the reflected illuminator and the second image without the pattern using one of the reflected illuminator and the transmitted illuminator.
US09389405B2 Autofocus method for microscope and microscope with autofocus device
An autofocus method for a microscope with an objective which images a sample lying in an object plane, including the steps: projecting a longitudinally extended grating slit which lies in a grating slit plane onto the sample, and imaging the projection of the grating slit onto an autofocus camera; determining an intensity distribution of the grating slit image and from this, deducing a preset for a relative adjustment of sample and object plane; projecting a likewise longitudinally extended comparison slit onto the sample, and imaging the projection of the comparison slit onto the autofocus camera; evaluating the width of the comparison slit image at right angles to the longitudinal extension at at least two sites which are spaced apart along the longitudinal extension, and determining a width variation of the comparison slit image, a gradient of the width variation and a direction of the relative adjustment.
US09389402B2 Laser scanning microscope
A laser scanning microscope (LSM) consisting of at least one light source from which an illumination beam path extends in the direction of a sample, at least one detection beam path for transmitting sample light to a detector array, a first pinhole for confocal filtering in front of the detector array, a scanner for causing a relative motion between the illumination light and the sample in at least one direction, and a microscope lens. For illuminating a sample, at least two illumination beams, which the microscope lens focuses as illumination points in a sample plane, are generated in the illumination beam path. The laser scanning microscope is characterized in that in addition to the preferably adjustable, slit-shaped first pinhole, a second, preferably adjustable, slit-shaped pinhole is arranged downstream of the first pinhole so as to create optically conjugate beams arranged between the first and the second pinhole.
US09389397B2 Optical image capturing system
A six-piece optical lens for capturing image and a six-piece optical module for capturing image are provided. In order from an object side to an image side, the optical lens comprises a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens and a fifth lens elements with refractive powers and both of an image-side and an object-side surfaces of the four lens elements are aspheric; and a sixth lens with negative refractive power and both of an image-side and an object-side surfaces of the four lens elements are aspheric, and at least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of the six lens elements has one inflection point. Each of the six lens elements may have a refractive power. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras.
US09389396B2 Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces and/or the refracting power of the lens elements, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.
US09389391B2 Lens driving apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
A lens driving apparatus includes a spring suspension system and an electromagnetic force generator. The spring suspension system may include a pair of leaf springs, a stationary rigid body sandwiched between the pair of springs, and a lens holder suspended by the pair of springs within a central bore of the rigid body. The electromagnetic force generator may include a coil holder holding a coil and a magnet holder holding at least one magnet. The spring suspension system and the electromagnetic force generator are connected to and spatially separated from each other by a spacer. A method for manufacturing a lens driving apparatus is also disclosed.
US09389389B2 Lens apparatus and image pickup apparatus including the same
Provided is a lens apparatus, including: a lens barrel; a movable optical member arranged in the lens barrel; and an operation ring arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel and configured to be rotated about an optical axis when the movable optical member is to be driven in an optical axis direction, the operation ring including a plurality of gears formed about the optical axis, the plurality of gears being mutually rotated at the same cycle when the operation ring is rotated, at least one of the plurality of gears being arranged apart from an electric operation member in the optical axis direction when the operation ring is rotated by the electric operation member.
US09389386B2 Manufacturing method of optical fiber ribbon, manufacturing device for optical fiber ribbon implementing said manufacturing method, and optical fiber ribbon manufactured with said manufacturing method
A manufacturing method for an optical fiber ribbon, in which: a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel and the neighboring optical fibers are partially coupled with each other at given intervals in a longitudinal direction to form a subunit; and the optical fibers positioned at side edges of the neighboring subunits are partially coupled with each other at a given intervals in the longitudinal direction, includes: sending out the optical fibers in a parallel manner with intervals provided therebetween, applying an uncured resin to the optical fibers, continuously changing positions at which the uncured resin is interrupted by a plurality of interrupt members, and forming coupled portions at which the optical fibers are coupled to each other by irradiating resin curing energy, wherein a moving period or phase of the interrupt members is changed for every arbitrary optical fibers.
US09389381B2 Fiber optic ribbon cable
A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a stack of fiber optic ribbons, strength members surrounding the stack, and a jacket defining an exterior of the cable. The jacket forms a cavity through which the stack and the strength members extend. The stack has a bend preference, but the strength members are positioned around the stack or are flexible in bending such that the strength members do not have a bend preference. Furthermore, the jacket is structured such that the jacket does not have a bend preference. The cavity is sized relative to the stack in order to allow the stack to bend and twist within the cavity with respect to the jacket as the cable bends, facilitating movement of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbons to low-stress positions within the cavity and decoupling the bend preference of the stack from transfer to the jacket.
US09389376B2 Optical transmission module
An optical transmission module includes a first member having a bottom portion, sidewalls and an opening, a second member joined to a sidewall end surface of the first member and sealing the opening, a connector member attachable to and detachable from the second member, a light-emitting element mounted on an inner surface of the second member, an interconnection formed on the inner surface and extending inside and outside the first member across the sidewalls of the first member, and electrodes formed on outer surfaces of the sidewalls. The second member transmits therethrough light outputted from the light-emitting element. One end portion of the electrode is electrically connected to one end portion of the interconnection extending outside the first member. The other end of the electrode is soldered to an interconnection formed on a substrate surface on which the optical transmission module is mounted.
US09389375B2 Optical coupling element and optical module provided with same
An optical coupling element of the invention includes: a plurality of incident surfaces having a predetermined curvature, where light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements is respectively incident; a reflective surface reflecting the light incident respectively on the incident surfaces and having a predetermined curvature; and a plurality of output surfaces respectively outputting the light reflected by the reflective surface toward an end face of an optical fiber and having a predetermined curvature. The curvatures for the incident surfaces, the reflective surface, and the output surfaces are adjusted such that the X-direction tolerance is greater than the Y-direction tolerance. Here, the alignment direction of the plurality of incident surfaces is the X direction, the advancement direction of the light is the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions is the Y direction.
US09389374B2 Fiber optic sub-assembly with low profile
A fiber optic sub-assembly includes a printed circuit and a TIR sub-assembly supported by the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes opposed first and second surfaces and has a printed circuit board height defined by the distance between the first and second surfaces. The TIR sub-assembly has a nominal height between lowermost and uppermost portions thereof. The TIR sub-assembly is at least partially integrated into the printed circuit board so that an overall stack height of the printed circuit board and TIR sub-assembly is less than the sum of the printed circuit board height and nominal height of the TIR sub-assembly.
US09389373B2 Optical connector
An optical connector comprising a connecting structure, an optical receiver located within the connecting structure, an optical transmitter located within the connecting structure, and a heat sink located within the connecting structure. The heat sink is configured to conduct heat away from the optical receiver and the optical transmitter. The optical receiver and the optical transmitter are thermally connected to the heat sink.
US09389372B2 Fiber optic connector with fiber take-up region
A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector, defining a longitudinal bore extending through the connector and having a first end region and a second end region, includes a ferrule assembly, having an optical fiber extending through the connector, at least partially disposed in the longitudinal bore at the first end region, a tube, defining a passage and having a first end portion disposed in the longitudinal bore at the second end region and a second end region, and a spring disposed in the bore between the ferrule assembly and the tube. The carrier includes a cable end and a connector end engaged with the connector, a termination region disposed between the connector end and the cable end, a fiber support region disposed between the connector end and the termination region, and a take-up region disposed between the connector end and the fiber support region.
US09389363B2 Double mirror structure for wavelength division multiplexing with polymer waveguides
Methods for wavelength filtering and structures for accomplishing the same. Wavelength filtering includes forming grooves in a waveguide to define angled surfaces in a path of the waveguide; forming a reflective layer on the angled surfaces; depositing cladding material on top of the waveguide and on the angled surfaces; forming a filter layer on an active region of an opto-electronic device, which transmits a single wavelength and reflects other wavelengths used; depositing the opto-electrical device on the cladding layer such that the filter layer is aligned with a point of incidence of a light beam reflected from the reflective layer; and electrically bonding the opto-electronic device to vias in the waveguide structure.
US09389357B2 Backlight device
A backlight device wherein LEDs which are arranged side by side at a first arrangement interval (P1) are provided to each LED unit. The LED units are mounted to a flexible board at a second arrangement interval. A light guide plate is disposed in such a manner that an end surface thereof is spaced from the LEDs by a distance (H). The light guide plate is disposed so as to satisfy the following relationship: first arrangement interval (P1)
US09389355B2 Structured optical film
An optical film includes a first structured major surface having a plurality of linear prisms extending along a same first direction and an opposing second structured major surface having a plurality of closely packed lenslets. The optical film exhibits a high optical uniformity and reduced sparkle.
US09389354B2 Backlight module
The present invention provides a backlight module, which includes: a backplane (2), a light guide plate (4) arranged in the backplane (2), a backlight source (6) arranged in the backplane (2) and located at one side of the light guide plate (4), a light shield (8) arranged between the backlight source (6) and the backplane (2), and a side reflection plate (10) arranged between the light guide plate (4) and the backlight source (6). The backlight source (6) includes an LED substrate (62) and a plurality of LED lights (64) mounted on the LED substrate (62). The side reflection plate (10) has resiliency. The side reflection plate (10) includes a plurality of openings (102) formed therein to correspond to the LED lights (64). The LED lights (64) are receivable in the openings (102) to serve as light sources of the light guide plate (4).
US09389353B2 Method of manufacturing a transparent and birefringent thin solid mineral layer and optic component with a transparent and birefringent thin solid mineral layer
A method of fabricating a transparent and birefringent mineral solid thin layer comprises the following steps: a) preparing a colloidal solution constituted by anisotropic mineral nanoparticles in suspension in a dispersion liquid; b) depositing the colloidal solution on a surface of a substrate by spreading as a thin layer while applying directional shear stress tangentially to the surface of the substrate so as to deposit the colloidal solution as a liquid thin layer on the surface of the substrate, the value of the shear stress and the concentration of mineral nanoparticles in the colloidal solution being determined in such a manner as to cause the anisotropic mineral nanoparticles to be aligned along the direction of the shear stress tangential to the surface of the substrate; and c) drying the liquid thin layer by evaporating the dispersion liquid.
US09389351B2 Planar polarization transformer
The planar polarization transformer for a normally incident optical wave or beam having a given vacuum wavelength λ comprises an optical planar grating between a cover medium of refractive index nc and an optical substrate of refractive index ns, this planar grating defining a binary index modulation or corrugation of substantially rectangular profile with periodic ridges. This polarization transformer is characterized in that the ridge refractive index nr is larger than the substrate refractive index ns, the grating period Λ is larger than 0.4·λ/nc, the substrate refractive index ns is smaller than 2.7·nc, and the index modulation or corrugation is designed such that, according to the grating mode dispersion equation, the effective index of the mode TE0 is larger than the substrate index ns and the effective index of the mode TM0 is larger than the cover refractive index and smaller than the substrate index.
US09389348B1 Color material, color material dispersion liquid, color resin composition for color filters, color filter, liquid crystal display device and organic light-emitting display device
The present invention is to provide a color material dispersion liquid which is able to form a high-luminance coating film having excellent heat resistance, with adjusting the color tone of the coating film to a desired color tone. Disclosed is a color material dispersion liquid containing: (A) a color material, (B) a dispersant and (C) a solvent, wherein the color material (A) contains a color material (A-1) in which at least a cation represented by the following general formula (I) and a monovalent anion represented by the following general formula (II) form a salt: (symbols in the general formulae (I) and (II) are as described in the Description.)
US09389346B2 Light diffusing film, polarizing plate with light diffusing film, liquid crystal display device, and lighting equipment
There is provided an extremely thin light diffusing film, which has strong light diffusibility, has suppressed backscattering, and is excellent in productivity. The light diffusing film includes: a first region having a first refractive index; a substantially spherical shell-shaped refractive index modulation region surrounding the first region; and a second region having a second refractive index, the region being positioned on a side of the refractive index modulation region opposite to the first region. The light diffusing film has a light diffusion half-value angle of 30° or more and a thickness of 4 μm to 25 μm, and satisfies the following expressions (1) and (2): y≦0.011x(30≦x≦60)  (1) y≦0.0275x−0.99 (60
US09389343B2 Tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens and system
A tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (TAG) lens and system are provided that permit, in one aspect, dynamic selection of the lens output, including dynamic focusing and imaging. The system may include a TAG lens and at least one of a source and a detector of electromagnetic radiation. A controller may be provided in electrical communication with the lens and at least one of the source and detector and may be configured to provide a driving signal to control the index of refraction and to provide a synchronizing signal to time at least one of the source and the detector relative to the driving signal. Thus, the controller is able to specify that the source irradiates the lens (or detector detects the lens output) when a desired refractive index distribution is present within the lens, e.g. when a desired lens output is present.
US09389336B2 Hydrogel monomer mix containing added water
Provided herein is a polymerized product formed of a polymerized monomer mixture comprising intentionally added water and at least one hydrophilic monomer wherein the monomer mix does not contain any silicon containing materials. The polymerized monomer mixture of the invention herein is useful in many biomaterial applications. Especially preferred is the use of the biomaterial as a hydrogel contact lens.
US09389335B2 Pulsed neutron tool for downhole oil typing
Methods for determining a value indicative of liquid density of a formation include obtaining an inelastic count rate and a capture count rate of a gamma detector for a particular borehole depth, calculating a ratio of an inelastic count rate to a capture count rate for the particular borehole depth, determining a value indicative of liquid density based on the ratio of the inelastic count rate to the capture count rate for the particular borehole depth, repeating the obtaining, calculating and determining for a plurality of borehole depths, and producing a plot of the value indicative of liquid density of the formation as a function of borehole depth.
US09389334B2 Radiation generator having an actively evacuated acceleration column
A radiation generator includes an ion source region, and an acceleration column downstream of the extractor electrode and in fluid communication with the ion source region. The ion source region and the acceleration column contain an ionizable gas. A vacuum pump pumps the ionizable gas from the acceleration column to the ion source region such that a gas pressure in the acceleration column is less than a gas pressure in the ion source region.
US09389330B2 Formation measurements using flexural modes of guided waves
An embodiment of a method of estimating a property of an earth formation includes: disposing an acoustic tool in a borehole in an earth formation, the acoustic tool including an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver, the borehole having an axial direction; transmitting an acoustic signal into the borehole by the acoustic source, the acoustic signal having a selected frequency and transmitted at a propagation angle relative to the axial direction, the propagation angle selected to excite a desired guided flexural wave mode that propagates along a surface of the borehole; detecting an received acoustic signal by the acoustic receiver; calculating, by a processor, an incident angle of the received acoustic signal, the incident angle relative to the axial direction; measuring a shift of the propagation angle based on the incident angle; and estimating a property of the formation based on the shift of the propagation angle.
US09389328B2 Marine seismic surveying with towed components below water's surface
A seismic spread is constructed having an arrangement of towed components to be neutrally buoyant in water when towed in a seismic survey. The towed components at least include streamers and paravanes. Immersed weight and drag of the towed components is determined, and drag forces versus buoyancy required to neutrally buoy the towed components at at least one tow speed in the water is calculated based on the determined weight and drag of the towed components. Floatation is configured for the seismic spread based on the calculated drag forces versus buoyancy; and the arrangement of the towed components in the seismic spread is constructed with the configured floatation.
US09389327B2 Compliance chambers for marine vibrators
A marine vibrator may include a containment housing, a sound radiating surface, and a compliance chamber. The compliance chamber may include a compliance chamber housing, a non-linear linkage assembly, and a low pressure chamber. The compliance chamber housing may define at least a portion of a compliance chamber internal volume having a compliance chamber internal gas pressure. The low pressure chamber may comprise a low pressure piston and a low pressure chamber housing. The low pressure chamber housing may define at least a portion of a low pressure chamber internal volume having a low pressure chamber internal gas pressure. The low pressure piston may be configured to move in response to a pressure differential across the low pressure piston such that a resonance frequency of the marine vibrator may be changed.
US09389316B2 Elevation assistance for location determination
In some implementations, a tightly-coupled elevation-assisted location estimate can be calculated based on digital elevation model (DEM) elevation measurements and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data. The DEM elevation measurements and GNSS data can be provided as input to an estimator (e.g., a Kalman filter) to calculate an estimated geographic location of a mobile device. In some implementations, DEM elevation data can be filtered before being provided to the Kalman filter for estimating the geographic location of the mobile device. The DEM elevation data can be filtered in response to detecting bridge and/or tunnel events that indicate that the DEM elevation data does not accurately represent the actual elevation of the mobile device.
US09389315B2 Detector comprising a transversal optical sensor for detecting a transversal position of a light beam from an object and a longitudinal optical sensor sensing a beam cross-section of the light beam in a sensor region
A detector (110) for determining a position of at least one object (112) is proposed. The detector (110) comprises: at least one transversal optical sensor (130), the transversal optical sensor (130) being adapted to determine a transversal position of at least one light beam (138) traveling from the object (112) to the detector (110), the transversal position being a position in at least one dimension perpendicular to an optical axis (116) of the detector (110), the transversal optical sensor (130) being adapted to generate at least one transversal sensor signal; at least one longitudinal optical sensor (132), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (132) has at least one sensor region (136), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (132) is designed to generate at least one longitudinal sensor signal in a manner dependent on an illumination of the sensor region (136) by the light beam (138), wherein the longitudinal sensor signal, given the same total power of the illumination, is dependent on a beam cross-section of the light beam (138) in the sensor region (136); at least one evaluation device (142), wherein the evaluation device (142) is designed to generate at least one item of information on a transversal position of the object (112) by evaluating the transversal sensor signal and to generate at least one item of information on a longitudinal position of the object (112) by evaluating the longitudinal sensor signal.
US09389310B2 Method for operating a distance sensor and device for carrying out the method
A method for operation of a distance sensor emits a transmission signal as transmission radiation, reflected by an object, the distance of which is to be measured, as reflection radiation, and received as a reflection signal. The reflection signal and a reference signal that occur at a receiver input are regulated to a predetermined ratio. The distance is determined during the regulation process. An auxiliary transmission antenna emits an auxiliary transmission signal as auxiliary measurement radiation, directly toward a reception antenna. Microwaves are used as the transmission and auxiliary transmission signals. The reception antenna receives the reflection radiation reflected by the object and passes it on to the receiver input as a reflection signal. The reception antenna receives the auxiliary measurement radiation directly and passes it on to the receiver input as an auxiliary reception signal which is evaluated as a reference signal when measurement radiation emission is suppressed.
US09389305B2 Method and system for compressive array processing
Signals received by an array of sensing elements are processed by first positioning the sensing elements in a uniform grid of L locations, wherein each location to include or not to include a sensing element is selected during a design phase. The sensing elements are selected and grouped into subsets, wherein each subset contains one or more sensing elements, and each sensing element is a member of one or more subsets. The signals in each subset are linearly combined to produce a combined signal, which is then sampled to form an output channel, which can detect objects.
US09389304B2 Using multiple access channels for wireless device positioning
A wireless device performs a transmission on a primary and auxiliary access channels to enable reception by at least three base stations. The base stations perform a measurement on the received transmission, e.g., a time of arrival of the transmission. The base stations report their measurements to a position determination entity. The position determination entity estimates geographic position of the wireless device. One method used by the position determination entity includes tri-lateralization based on the received measurement reports.
US09389303B2 Method and system for using indirect paths of ultra wideband signals to localize a wireless communication node on a body
A method and a system are provided which are able to utilize indirect paths of signals of UWB type to locate a wireless communication node possessed by a body. The present method and system can notably apply to cooperative body networks implementing several wireless nodes able to communicate with one another.
US09389301B2 Method and apparatus for determining tag location
Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus for determining tag location by using one or more estimated channel responses (CR) that characterize the wireless channel between the tag and one or more respective anchors. In particular, a tracking server in communication with the anchor(s) determines the tag's location based on a comparison of the estimated CR(s) with a set of stored CRs associated with the anchor(s).
US09389300B2 Mechanism for employing and facilitating geodetic triangulation for determining global positioning of computing devices
A mechanism is described for facilitating dynamic client-side triangulation to determine global position of computing devices according to one embodiment of the invention. A method of embodiments of the invention includes detecting, at a computing device, first location information associated with static wireless access points. The method may further include detecting, at the computing device, second location information associated with roaming computing devices broadcasting the second location information relating to their current locations, and dynamically determining a current location of the computing device based on the first and second location information.
US09389296B2 Method for sensor reader calibration
In one embodiment a method for sensor reader calibration comprising: performing a calibration of a sensor reader wherein the calibration comprises open circuit calibration, a short circuit calibration, and a load circuit calibration, or any combination thereof in any succession; enabling connection of a pickup coil to the sensor reader to measure a sensor response; and applying a baseline correction to the sensor response, wherein the baseline correction is obtained utilizing measurements from the calibration step. In a further embodiment, a method for sensor response calibration incorporating environmental correction comprising: measuring a first resonance impedance spectrum of the sensor with a first applied power to the pickup coil; measuring a second resonance impedance spectrum of the sensor with a second applied power to the pickup coil; and applying a correction to the sensor response corresponding to the respective measured first and second resonance impedance spectrum to mitigate for environmental parameters.
US09389289B2 Magnetic resonance imaging device
Images of two or more kinds of substances showing different chemical shifts, such as water image and metabolite image, are obtained without extending measurement time. For example, images of two or more kinds of desired substances showing different chemical shifts, such as water image and metabolite image, are obtained by one time of execution of an imaging sequence. In this execution, a pre-pulse is applied so that signals of the substances to be separated shift on the image, and magnetic resonance signals are received with receiver RF coils in a number not smaller than the number of types of the substances to be separated. An image reconstructed from the magnetic resonance signals is separated into images of the individual substances using sensitivity maps of the receiver RF coils. Then, correction is performed for returning the shifted image to the original position. Further, residual signals induced by errors generated in the measurement and the separation processing are eliminated by using spectroscopic images obtained after the separation.
US09389288B2 System and method for maintaining soft switching condition in a gradient coil driver circuit
In one embodiment, a system includes a gradient coil driver configured to supply electrical signals to a gradient coil of a magnetic resonance imaging system. The gradient coil driver includes an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit includes a first H-bridge circuit electrically coupled to a power source. The first H-bridge includes a plurality of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) switches; and a plurality of diodes electrically coupled in parallel with each MOSFET switch. Each diode of the plurality of diodes is configured to conduct current to cause zero voltage potential across a source and a drain of one of the plurality of MOSFET switches. The first H-bridge also includes a load configured to regulate currents flowing through each of the plurality of diodes and each MOSFET switch of the plurality of MOSFET switches.
US09389283B2 System and method for converting output of sensors to absolute angular position of a rotating member
A sensor system determines an absolute angular position of a to-be-sensed rotating member. The sensor system may include a rotor with a first magnet coupled to the rotor and a shaft having threads thereon. The sensor system may further include a sleeve with a second magnet and threads complementary to the threads of a shaft. The sleeve may be configured to travel axially along the shaft as a function of rotation of the rotor. The sensor system may also include a first transducer configured to sense orientation of the first magnet and at least one second transducer configured to sense a location of the second magnet along the shaft. Through use of the sensor system, an absolute number of turns and, consequently absolute angular position, of the rotating member can be determined.
US09389278B2 Apparatus and method for estimating power of secondary blended comprising blended cathode material
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for estimating a power of a secondary battery comprising a blended cathode material. The apparatus according to the present invention estimates a power of a secondary battery comprising a blended cathode material in which at least a first cathode material and a second cathode material are blended, the apparatus comprising a discharging means for discharging the secondary battery under conditions of a plurality of discharge rates (c-rate) different from each other, a sensor means for measuring a plurality of discharge termination voltages (Vf) corresponding to the conditions of the plurality of discharge rates, and a control means for approximating a correlation between the plurality of discharge rates and the plurality of discharge termination voltages by a two-dimensional linear equation, calculating a maximum discharge rate (Cmax) of the secondary battery corresponding to a minimum discharge voltage (Vmin) using the linear equation, and estimating a maximum power (Pmax) of the secondary battery from the calculated maximum discharge rate.
US09389277B2 Voltage measuring apparatus
A voltage measuring apparatus is configured to measure voltages of respective battery cells of a battery cell array including a plurality of battery cell groups each including a predetermined number of battery cells connected in series. The voltage measuring apparatus includes a plurality of measuring units each provided for each of the battery cell groups. The adjacent measuring units are connected through a communication channel so as to perform current communication therebetween. A bidirectional diode circuit element is connected to the communication channel extending between the adjacent measuring units.
US09389267B1 System for locating a fault in a power distribution system comprising at least one wind turbine distributed resource
The present invention provides a system to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system, wherein at least one of the distributed resources is a wind turbine.
US09389265B2 Method and apparatus for reducing interference in electrical locating of a buried cable sheathing fault
A method and an apparatus are provided to reduce or eliminate interference signals that have been additively superimposed on a useful signal for locating a cable sheathing fault of a buried electrical cable. A correction unit includes a filter, a delay device and/or a DC component estimator. The correction unit automatically determines a transient interference signal and a DC offset voltage component that have been superimposed on the useful signal as received in an input signal of the correction unit, and then subtracts these determined interference signals from the input signal to provide the interference-free or interference-suppressed useful signal as the output.
US09389260B2 Systems and methods for monitoring sensors
An impedance analyzer is provided. The analyzer includes a signal excitation generator comprising a digital to analog converter, where a transfer function of the digital to analog converter from digital to analog is programmable. The impedance analyzer further includes a receiver comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA) and an analog to digital converter (ADC), where the LNA is a current to voltage converter; where the programmable digital to analog transfer function is implemented by a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) and a voltage mode digital to analog converter, or a digital phase locked loop (PLL), or both. Further, a multivariable sensor node having an impedance analyzer is provided. Furthermore, a multivariable sensor network having a plurality of multivariable sensor nodes is provided.
US09389258B2 SLIM sensor design with minimum tail effect
Techniques for designs of single-layer touch sensors are described herein. In an example embodiment, a device comprises a sensor array. The sensor array comprises first plurality of electrodes and second plurality of electrodes that are interleaved without intersecting each other within a touch-sensing area in a single layer on a substrate of the sensor array. A first electrode (of the first or second plurality) comprises at least two shaped portions. The two shaped portions may be disposed across at least a portion of a given second electrode from each other, or may be disposed between two or more portions of the given second electrode. The two shaped portions of the first electrode are routed in different directions on the substrate and are coupled to each other outside of the touch-sensing area of the sensor array.
US09389257B2 Method for producing a capacitive contact sensor and capacitive contact sensor
A method for producing a capacitive contact sensor and a capacitive contact sensor having a carrier plate made of plastic are described. The front surface of the sensor initiates a switching process when contacted, and the rear surface of the sensor has one or more capacitive sensor electrodes disposed thereon and connected via conductors to analysis electronics. The regions on the front surface of the carrier plate opposite the sensor electrodes thereby form contact zones. A plastic film supporting the sensor electrodes and conductors is placed on a first side wall of a cavity of an injection molding tool, wherein the sensor electrodes face the first side wall, and then a polycarbonate forming the carrier plate is injected into the cavity on the side of the plastic film facing away from the sensor electrodes. The cavity is then expanded, forming a gap on the side facing away from the plastic film and the gap is injected with a further plastic reacting with the polycarbonate in the contact region and forming a scratchproof coating.
US09389254B2 Information processing method and apparatus for deciding control parameters
A computer-readable-recording-medium stored a program for causing a computer to execute: judging, for each of elements of a plurality of scattering parameters, whether a difference between a first-area in a plane containing an axis representing frequency and an axis representing the element, and a second-area in the plane is within a permissible range, the first-area being surrounded by a first-element-value series of the element that is defined in advance for a plurality of first-frequencies, the second-area being surrounded by a second-element-value series that is obtained by performing interpolation calculation from the first-element-value series for a plurality of second frequencies which are different from the plurality of first-frequencies and which are provided at regular intervals; and determining, by performing the judging for one interval or a plurality of intervals, an interval so that the difference falls within the permissible range for all of the elements of the plurality of scattering parameters.
US09389251B2 Voltage-stacked system for managing stacked voltage sources by using multiple monitoring circuits
A voltage-stacked system includes a first voltage source, at least one second voltage source, a master monitoring circuit and at least one slave monitoring circuit. The first voltage source and the at least one second voltage source are coupled in series. The master monitoring circuit is coupled to the first voltage source, and arranged for monitoring and controlling the first voltage source and transmitting a monitoring signal. The at least one slave monitoring circuit is respectively coupled to the at least one second voltage source and the master monitoring circuit for monitoring and controlling the at least one second voltage source, and accordingly sending a response signal to the master monitoring circuit.
US09389241B2 Acceleration sensor
Disclosed herein is a sensor. A sensor according to the present invention includes a mass body, a fixing part disposed so as to be spaced apart from the mass body, a first flexible part connecting the mass body with the fixing part in a Y-axis direction, a second flexible part connecting the mass body with the fixing part in an X-axis direction, and a membrane disposed over the second flexible part and having a width in a Y-axis direction larger than a width in a Y-axis direction of the second flexible part. Here, a width of an X-axis direction of the first flexible part is larger than a thickness in a Z-axis direction thereof and a thickness in a Z-axis direction of the second flexible part is larger than a width in a Y-axis direction thereof.
US09389240B2 Automatic analyzer
An automatic analyzer adapted to enhance sample/reagent dispensing accuracy, regardless of a difference in sample/reagent dispensing height of a dispensing probe. When the amount of sample in a sample container is small, tip height “h1” of a sample dispensing probe positioned immediately after it has aspirated the sample decreases below tip height “h′” of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately before it discharges the sample. The sample in this state takes a concave shape at the tip of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately before it discharges the sample. When the amount of sample in a sample container is large, tip height “h2” of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately after it has aspirated the sample increases above the tip height “h′” and the sample takes a convex shape at the tip of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately before it discharges the sample.
US09389238B2 Automatic analyzing device, information display method thereof, and information display system
An automatic analyzing device has an easy-to-use user interface. In particular, the automatic analyzing device for analyzing samples has a reaction disk to which samples are dispensed conveyed through a conveying path; a control unit that controls movement of the reaction disk; and a display unit that is controlled by the control unit and displays various screens. A sample list including sample IDs and states of analysis of the samples is displayed on a display screen of the display unit so that the sample IDs and the states of analysis can be selected, such that a menu displaying button for displaying processing menus for the sample selected in the sample list is displayed at the sample, and such that options of the menus for the sample are displayed as menu buttons when the menu displaying button is indicated.
US09389237B2 Methods for inhibiting the development of Huntington's disease
This invention relates to Huntington's disease and more specifically to methods for inhibiting the development of or treating Huntington's disease by administering estrogen, testosterone, precursors thereof or combinations thereof.
US09389232B2 Vaccinia virus polypeptides
This document provides methods and materials related to polypeptides present in a vaccinia virus (e.g., polypeptides that can be isolated from naturally processed and presented class I polypeptides originating from vaccinia virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus family). For example, methods for generating a vaccine comprising one or more of vaccinia virus polypeptides disclosed herein for preventing or treating Orthopoxvirus infection are provided. In addition, kits related to the use of vaccinia polypeptides are provided.
US09389229B2 Methods for detecting and measuring aggregation
Methods, compositions, systems, and devices are provided for performing and analyzing agglutination assays. In one aspect, methods for image analysis of agglutination assays are provided. In another aspects, methods for performing agglutination assays are provided. In one aspect, the methods may be used for the detection of various molecules, including viruses or antibodies against a virus. In another aspect, the methods can be used to determine effective immunization of a subject.
US09389222B2 Urinary biomarkers for predicting long-term dialysis
This invention is related to the field of the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. The treatment of kidney disease may be tailored depending upon the need for, or expectation of, long-term dialysis. For example, prediction of long-term dialysis treatment can be determined by monitoring urine biomarkers related to the development of chronic kidney disease. For example, a normalized time course of hyaluronic acid can be used to determine whether a patient having suffered acute kidney injury will require long-term dialysis.
US09389217B2 Nanochannel arrays and their preparation and use for high throughput macromolecular analysis
Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.
US09389215B2 Multi-modal fluid condition sensor platform and system thereof
This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission. The mass and level of the fluid may also be monitored on an on-going basis. Described herein is a real-time, simultaneous, integrated, multi-modal sensor system for early warning notification.
US09389212B2 NOx gas sensor including nickel oxide
One example includes a sensor for sensing NOX, including an electrically insulating substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode, each disposed onto the substrate, wherein each of the first electrode and the second electrode has a first end configured to receive a current and a second end and a sensor element formed of nickel oxide powder, the sensor element disposed on the substrate in electrical communication with the second ends of the first electrode and the second electrode. In some examples, electronics are used to measure the change in electrical resistance of a sensor in association with NOx concentration near the sensor. In some examples, the sensor is maintained at 575° C.
US09389208B2 Hermetic manifold for analytical instruments
A planar manifold includes a first, generally planar, layer having a plurality of apertures therethrough. A second layer has a plurality of apertures therethrough. A channel layer defines a plurality of channels therein and is interposed between the first layer and the second layer. At least one channel extends in a direction parallel to a plane of the planar manifold and couples an aperture of the first layer to an aperture of the second layer.
US09389205B2 Resonant signal analysis-based inspection of rail components
A solution for evaluating the condition of a rail component based on resonant response profiles across a set of bands of vibrations. The vibrations can be induced into the target component during normal operation of the target component. The resonant response profile of the rail component can vary depending on wear or damage, and thus can be used to determine whether the rail component can safely remain in use. An embodiment comprises an isolated segment of rail of a length selected to allow a single railroad wheel on it at a time, with a set of devices which can induce specific vibrations into the wheel as it passes, and another set of devices which can acquire the resonance signals from the wheel.
US09389203B2 Automated ultrasonic elasticity image formation with quality measure
Image data and E-mode images used in ultrasonic elasticity imaging may be automatically evaluated for quality to provide a single value used as operator feedback or for automatic selection of images for averaging or animation.
US09389202B2 Damage detecting device for supporting structure for armature shaft
A damage detecting device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first speed generator, a second speed generator, a first waveform shaping section, a second waveform shaping section, and a determining section. The determining section compares a second rectangular wave shaped by the second waveform shaping section and a first rectangular wave shaped by the first waveform shaping section and, if the first rectangular wave is not output while the second rectangular wave is output, determines that a supporting device for an armature shaft is damaged or worn.
US09389198B2 Humidity sensor and engine system
Methods and systems are provided for an engine coupled capacitance-based humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on humidity readings while flowing gasses into an engine intake air downstream of the humidity sensor and upstream of a compressor change by less than a first threshold while pressure at the sensor changes greater then a second threshold. The variation in pressure can be changed by adjusting a throttle upstream and downstream of the compressor based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
US09389197B2 Barrier film defect detecting method and apparatus
A method for detecting a defect of a barrier film includes preparing a device including an electrode and a barrier film covering the electrode, allowing a charged medium to contact a surface of the barrier film, and measuring a change in a flow of current between the charged medium and the electrode.
US09389195B2 Sensor for wear measurement, method of making, and method of operating same
A wear sensor comprising: an insulating substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; a conductive electrode formed on said top surface of said insulating substrate; an insulating wear lining material having a first side secured to said top surface of said insulating substrate and conductive electrode, an opposite second side that will be worn down by relative motion between the wear sensor and a moving component; one or more contact points where the electrical properties between the electrode and the moving component can be measured; and one or more perforations through the thickness of the substrate and electrode, through which an adhesive may flow, thereby increasing the peel strength between the wear sensor and race or between the wear sensor and the wear liner.
US09389190B2 X-ray CT apparatus with correction for object shift in response to movement of the scanning bed
An X-ray CT apparatus includes an X-ray tube, X-ray detector detecting the X-rays transmitted through an object, data acquisition unit acquiring projection data of the object based on an output from the X-ray detector, bed driving control unit moving a top to place the object along a long-axis direction of the top, image processing unit generating a reconstructed image based on the projection data, positional shift amount detection unit detecting a shift amount of a relative position between the top and the object, and positional shift processing unit performing processing based on a detection result obtained by the positional shift amount detection unit, in accordance with movement of the top by the bed driving control unit.
US09389189B2 Dark-field semiconductor wafer inspection device
The invention relates to a dark-field semiconductor wafer inspection device including, in the following order, a light source for emitting an incident beam to a wafer along a first axis, a concentrator that is symmetrical in relation to a plane passing through the first and second axes and is provided with a mirror that is elliptically cut along a plane perpendicular to an axis perpendicular to the first axis and has a generator parallel to the first axis, parallel first and second slits being set up sideways in first and second portions of the concentrator at the points for concentrating the light that is scattered by the wafer and reflected by the second and first portions of the concentrator, respectively, and a photomultiplier using a slit.
US09389183B2 Fluorogenic hydrazine-substituted compounds
The present disclosure is directed to fluorogenic schiff base-forming dyes capable of detecting analytes containing aldehyde and ketone groups. The dyes contain nucleophilic hydrazinyl appendages and are capable of binding and detecting analytes in situ.
US09389182B2 Labeling of proteins with the fluorophore 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) generated novel proteolytic substrates
A method of measuring the degradation of intact proteins includes a step of providing a protein substrate having one or more free or exposed carboxyl groups and then reductively attaching 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) to the protein substrate with a reducing agent. The protein substrate is contacted in a test solution with one or more proteolytic enzymes that degrade the protein substrate. The amount of AMC attached to the protein substrate is then determined by monitoring the fluorescence of free 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin that is formed during degradation of the protein substrate to protein fragments.
US09389178B2 Analysis device, analysis method, optical element and electronic apparatus for analysis device and analysis method, and method of designing optical element
An analysis device includes an optical element which includes a metal layer, a light transmitting layer on the metal layer, and a plurality of metal particles on the light transmitting layer arranged at a first interval P1 in a first direction and arranged at a second interval P2 in a second direction intersecting the first direction, P1
US09389174B2 Time division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) sensor arrays
Methods and apparatus for interrogating sets of optical elements having characteristic wavelengths spanning a sweep range while avoiding overlapping reflections from the different sets when performing a wavelength sweep are provided. One example method generally includes introducing a pulse of light, by an optical source, into an optical waveguide to interrogate at least first and second sets of optical elements, wherein the optical elements within each set have different characteristic wavelengths and wherein the first and second sets are separated in time such that a first time window over which light is reflected from the optical elements in the first set and reaches a receiver does not overlap with a second time window over which light is reflected from the optical elements in the second set and reaches the receiver; and processing the reflected light to determine one or more parameters corresponding to the optical elements.
US09389171B2 Device for high-resolution determination of the concentration of substances in fluid media
The present invention relates to a device for determining the concentration of substances in fluid media.
US09389170B2 Device for measuring liquid property
A liquid measuring system for producing one or more property values of a liquid. The system can include: a thin film device and one or more measuring devices for measuring said one or more property values. The system includes a thin film device for producing a thin film of the liquid on a spinning disk. The system is particularly useful for measuring color and appearance properties of the liquid. The system can be useful for producing coating compositions.
US09389167B2 Multichannel analytical instruments for use with specimen holders
An analytical instrument may have multiple distinct channels. Such may include one or more illumination sources and sensors. Illumination may be delivered to specific locations of a specimen holder, and returned illumination may be delivered to specific locations of a sensor array. Illumination may first pass a specimen, and a mirror or reflector may then return the illumination past the specimen. Optical splitters may be employed to couple pairs of fiber optics proximate a specimen holder. Such channels may further include a plurality of illumination sources positioned on one side of a specimen holder and a plurality of sensors on the other side. The plurality of sensor may capture image of a specimen and a spectrophotometer may concurrently scan the specimen. A plurality of specimens may be imaged and scanned in a single pass of a plurality of passes. Spherical or ball lenses may be placed in an optical path of the illumination to achieve a desired illumination pattern.
US09389166B2 Enhanced high-speed logarithmic photo-detector for spot scanning system
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for inspecting or measuring a specimen. An incident beam is directed across a plurality of consecutive scan portions of a specimen so that an output beam profile from each scan portion is consecutively collected by a photomultiplier tube (PMT), and the scan portions include at least one or more first scan portions and a next scan portion that is scanned after the one or more first scan portions. After or while the incident beam is directed to the one or more first scan portions of the specimen, an output signal for each first scan portion is obtained based on the output beam profile that is collected by the PMT for each first scan portion. An expected output beam profile for the next scan portion is determined based on the output signal that is obtained for each one or more first scan portions. As the incident beam is directed towards the next scan portion, a gain input to the PMT for the next scan portion is set based on the expected output beam profile so that the gain for such next scan portion results in a measured signal at the PMT that is within a predefined specification of the PMT or other hardware components that receive a measured signal from the PMT.
US09389164B2 Methods of and apparatus for measuring metal cleanliness
Methods and apparatus for measuring the cleanliness of molten metals. Direct current is passed between electrodes through molten metal advancing through a passage in an electrically resistive wall. A voltage signal is analyzed for the presence of solid generally non-metallic inclusions in the metal. Direct current is supplied by one or more ultra-capacitors and the decay in discharge voltage of the capacitor(s) is compensated for by passing the current from each capacitor through a resistor ladder network circuit having resistors connected in parallel. Individual resistors are switched on or off in a sequence effective to change the resistance of the circuit and maintain the current within a predetermined range. Heat generation and noise pick-up are minimized by maintaining a low discharge voltage and measurement current while using FETs only in the fully ON or OFF conditions to switch the resistors into or out of the circuits.
US09389159B2 Expert-system-based rheology
A rheometer is disclosed that includes rheometry logic that is responsive to a material selection control, to an objective selection control, to material property storage, and to process parameter storage, and is operative to assist the user with a measurement using the rheometer. In another general aspect, a rheometer includes sample history storage operative to store a history that spans a plurality of different operations performed by the rheometer on a same sample.
US09389157B2 Method of monitoring wear in a diaphragm valve using pressure detection
A system for detecting wear in a flush valve includes at least one pressure sensor adapted to measure a water pressure within the flush valve and at least one microprocessor in communication with the at least one pressure sensor. The at least one microprocessor is configured to determine the water pressure within the flush valve measured by the at least one pressure sensor at or after a predetermined time following operation of the flush valve that is equal to or exceeding a known time required to reseal the flush valve during normal operation, compare the determined water pressure with a pressure value sufficient to reseal the flush valve during normal operation, and determine if the flush valve is worn based at least partially on the comparison. A method and apparatus is also disclosed.
US09389147B1 Device determined bandwidth saving in transmission of events
A system for transmitting a driving event comprises an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to receive a portion of data. The processor is configured to detect a driving event based at least in part on the portion of data; determine whether the driving event satisfies a non-transmitting criteria; and in the event that the driving event satisfies the non-transmitting criteria, indicate that the driving event is not to be transmitted.
US09389144B2 Method for diagnosing EGR system
A method for diagnosing an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system includes: a setting step of setting a temperature map with respect to a temperature at an outlet side of an EGR line for an output value reflecting a driving state of a vehicle in a state in which an EGR valve is closed; a measuring step of measuring the temperature at the outlet side of the EGR line at the time of an operation of the EGR system; and a diagnosing step of diagnosing that a fault has been generated in an EGR system when the measured temperature at the outlet side of the EGR line is equal to or less than a reference value set in the temperature map.
US09389142B2 Leakage diagnosis apparatus for evaporated-gas purge system
A leakage diagnosis apparatus is applied to an evaporated-gas purge system including a negative-pressure sensor and a pressure detecting portion. The negative-pressure sensor introduces a negative pressure into an evaporation system. The pressure detecting portion detects the pressure in the evaporation system. The leakage diagnosis apparatus includes a leakage-diagnosis portion and a determining portion. The leakage-diagnosis portion executes a leakage diagnosis to determine whether a leakage of the evaporation system is generated. The determining portion determines whether an evaporated-gas amount in the evaporation system is in an excessive state while the internal combustion engine is stopped. The leakage-diagnosis portion prohibits or terminates the leakage diagnosis, when the determining portion determines that the evaporated-gas amount is in the excessive state.
US09389137B2 Pressurised hot air duct of an aircraft equipped with a device for detecting air leakage
A pipe (50) that makes it possible to channel pressurized air into an aircraft, includes an inner tube (52), an outer tube (54) that is essentially coaxial to the inner tube (52), an insulating material (56) that is inserted between the two tubes (52, 54) and that is made of a heat-insulating and gas-porous material, and a leak detection device (70), characterized in that the leak detection device (70) is arranged at least in part between the inner tube (52) and the outer tube (54) and in that at least at one end (60), the detection device follows a concentric trajectory (84) to the inner tube (52).
US09389127B2 Semiconductor device and temperature sensor system
A temperature sensor in a semiconductor device includes a temperature detection circuit for outputting a voltage according to the chip temperature, a reference voltage generating circuit for generating a plurality of reference voltages, and a plurality of voltage comparators for comparing each reference voltage with an output voltage of the temperature detection circuit and thereby generating a chip temperature detection signal configured with multiple bits. Further, the temperature sensor includes a control circuit for controlling the reference voltages generated by the reference voltage generating circuit based on the chip temperature detection signal and thereby changing correspondence between the chip temperature detection signal and the chip temperature to shift a chip temperature detection range. It is possible to expand the chip temperature detection range by changing the correspondence between the chip temperature detection signal and the chip temperature, without increasing the number of voltage comparators.
US09389126B2 Method and apparatus for low cost, high accuracy temperature sensor
The invention may provide a temperature sensor device that includes an analog temperature sensor to generate a first base-emitter voltage and a second base-emitter voltage, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to sample at the voltages and generate corresponding digital values. The temperature sensor device may also include a logic unit to calculate a digital temperature code from the digital values using a digital virtual reference.
US09389123B2 Mask applied to a sensing surface of a dual pyroelectric sensor
A mask used in a dual pyroelectric sensor and configured to allow the pyroelectric sensor to accurately detect a movement of a moving object in each of the disposition direction of two pyroelectric elements and a direction perpendicular to the disposition direction. The mask is applied to the sensing surface of the dual pyroelectric sensor to increase the sensitivity with which the pyroelectric sensor detects a moving object. The mask includes a sheet configured to block infrared rays and an aperture pattern including through holes formed in the sheet. The aperture pattern is formed in such a manner that the percentages of the respective infrared-irradiated ranges of the two pyroelectric elements of the pyroelectric sensor vary with a movement of a moving object in each of x- and y-directions.
US09389119B2 Compact detection array having improved polarization conditions
An array of photodetector is organized along a first organizational axis on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. Each photodetector is at least partially formed in the substrate which forms a first electrode of the photodetector. A peripheral polarization ring is formed around the array of photodetectors. The polarization ring is connected to a polarization voltage generator and to the substrate. A read circuit is connected to a photodetector via the second terminal of the photodetector. A first switch connects the photodetector to a generator of an additional voltage. A second switch connects the photodetector to the associated read circuit. The first and the second switches are in opposite states.
US09389118B2 Sound measuring device
A device for measuring, documenting, and issuing citations for noise violations comprises a mobile device for measuring the decibel sound level from a sound source, for measuring the distance from the device to the source, for capturing an image or video of the sound source, and determining whether the sound source exceeds a user-predetermined level. The device may be in the form of a hand-held gun-shaped device wherein the user actuates the trigger to record an image or video of the sound source, the decibel sound level, and the distance between the device and the source. After the data is collected, the sound-measuring device is attached to a download component. The download component accepts data from the sound-measuring component and allows the user to input additional data regarding the noise violation. The user may then use the download component to print a citation, which may include an image of the sound source.
US09389110B2 Measurement apparatus for measuring the throughflow of a fluid
A measurement apparatus having a measurement tube and a thermal sensor for measuring a throughflow of a fluid flowing through the measurement tube, the measurement tube having an inlet and an outlet, and also a measurement section, in which the sensor is arranged. The inlet has an inlet internal diameter and the measurement section has a measurement section internal diameter, and whereby the measurement section internal diameter is greater than the inlet internal diameter.
US09389104B2 Light-guide device having a plurality of light-guide elements for a vehicle control panel
A light-guide device has a single piece body including a plurality of light guiding elements joined together by at least one supporting element. An opaque coating is provided on an outer surface of the at least one supporting element, to absorb the light entering into the supporting element from the light-guide elements.
US09389101B2 Readhead control mechanism which maintains a constant gap between a readhead and a scale of an optical encoder
A readhead control mechanism serves to control a readhead included in an optical encoder that measures a mechanical displacement between a fixed portion and a movable portion by reading out a gradation mark on a scale provided on the fixed portion, by using the readhead that is provided on the movable portion. The readhead mechanism includes a securing member that secures the readhead onto the movable portion, an actuator that is directly or indirectly secured onto the readhead to shift the readhead in an approaching direction or in a distancing direction, and an actuator controller that controls the actuator to maintain a constant distance between the readhead and the scale.
US09389097B2 Aircraft display systems and methods for enhanced display of flight path information
A display system for a vehicle includes a processing unit configured to receive data representative of flight path information and terrain and to supply display commands associated with the flight path information and the terrain; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render a three-dimensional view, including symbology representing the flight path information on the terrain.
US09389095B2 Navigation system with point of interest ranking mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a first point of interest; identifying a current location for locating a device; and calculating a dynamic rank for the first point of interest, the dynamic rank represents a relevant match listing of the first point of interest based on a proximity of the current location to the first point of interest and an encounter validity based on the arrival time at the first point of interest.
US09389086B2 Transportation planner and route calculator for alternative travel methods
A transportation planner and route calculator for alternative travel methods that recommends alternative modes of transport relating to the preferences of the user. Recommendations draw upon preferences generated from the user's profile which is made up of inserted information from the user, travel historical log, a settings application and a method of auto adjusting the user's profile. A calculator unit retrieves one or more generated attributes of the user and obtains various related information such as available public transport, weather forecasts, historical travel log, to calculate travel options that best suit the users needs. The application constantly updates the users profile based on the users travel patterns and preferences, as the application learns more about the user the better the application becomes at recommending travel routes that suite the user's requirements.
US09389081B1 Three-laser resonator fiber optic gyroscope with enhanced frequency reference cavity
A resonator fiber optic gyroscope comprises a master laser that emits a reference optical signal, a first slave laser that emits a first optical signal and is responsive to the reference optical signal through a first optical phase lock loop (OPLL), and a second slave laser that emits a second optical signal and is responsive to the reference optical signal through a second OPLL. A reference resonator in optical communication with the master laser receives the reference optical signal, and comprises a first fiber optic coil having a first cavity length. A gyro resonator, in optical communication with the first and second slave lasers, receives the first and second optical signals. The gyro resonator comprises a second fiber optic coil having a second cavity length longer than the first cavity length. The reference resonator has an operating frequency that substantially tracks with an operating frequency of the gyro resonator.
US09389077B2 Acceleration and angular velocity resonant detection integrated structure, and related MEMS sensor device
An integrated detection structure has a first inertial mass and a second inertial mass, each of which is elastically anchored to a substrate and has a linear movement along a first horizontal axis, a first detection movement of rotation about a first axis of rotation parallel to a second horizontal axis and a second detection movement of translation along the second horizontal axis; driving electrodes cause linear movement of the inertial masses, in opposite directions of the first horizontal axis; a pair of flexural resonator elements and a pair of torsional resonator elements are elastically coupled to the inertial masses, the torsional resonator elements having a resonant movement of rotation about a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, parallel to one another and to the first axis of rotation.
US09389076B2 Communication protocol for remotely controlled laser devices
A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal.
US09389070B2 Monitoring device, system and method for the monitoring of an area of building or land, using at least one light waveguide
A monitoring device is provided that is used for the monitoring of an area of building or land, including an optical strand used as a sensor, one optical source for emitting an optical emission signal transmitted in the optical strand, and one optical analogue detector for detecting an intensity of an optical return signal corresponding to the optical emission signal returning from the optical strand. The monitoring device is arranged as a compact unit and includes a controller for alternately activating and deactivating the emission of the optical source so that a ratio between the non-emission duration and the emission duration is greater than 5000. A monitoring system is also provided including such a monitoring device, and a monitoring method carried out in the monitoring device.
US09389068B2 Method and device for analysing phase distribution of fringe image using high-dimensional intensity information, and program for the same
A fringe image phase distribution analysis technique that performs one-dimensional discrete Fourier transform using temporal intensity information or spatial intensity information to calculate the phase distribution of the fringe image. To improve the analysis accuracy of the phase distribution, a plurality of phase-shifted moiré fringe images is generated from high-dimensional intensity data by a thinning-out (down-sampling) process and an image interpolation process, and the phase distribution of the moiré fringe is calculated by a two-dimensional or three-dimensional discrete Fourier transform. In addition, the phase distribution of thinned-out is added to calculate the phase distribution of an original fringe image. Since high-dimensional intensity information which is present in both spatio-domain and temporal-domain is used, phase distribution analysis is less likely to be affected by random noise or vibration. In addition, even when measurement conditions are poor, it is possible to perform phase distribution analysis with high accuracy.
US09389065B2 Position-measuring device and system having such a position-measuring device
A position-measuring device, as well as a system having such a position-measuring device, is used for determining the position of a first object relative to a second object, the first and the second object being movable relative to one another along at least two measuring directions. The position-measuring device has an optical unit that is linked to one of the two objects and includes at least one light source, a detector system, as well as further optical elements in a defined configuration. In addition, the position-measuring device includes a measuring standard-reflector unit, which is provided on the other object, and has at least two differently formed regions in one track that are optically scannable by the optical unit for position sensing. The different formation of the regions makes switching among the various measuring directions possible during position sensing, and positional signals can be generated by the optical unit relative to the relative movement of the two objects for each measuring direction.
US09389062B2 Anti-entrapment system
An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device such as a vehicle window includes a capacitance sensor and a controller. The sensor has a jacket with a cavity, a dielectric element within the cavity, and first and second electrical conductors. The conductors are within the cavity on opposite sides of the dielectric element such that the conductors are separated from one another by a separation distance. The capacitance of the sensor changes in response to an electrically conductive object moving in proximity to at least one of the conductors. The controller is configured to control a translating device as a function of the capacitance of the sensor. The jacket is attachable to a seal configured to receive the translating device.
US09389061B2 Position sensor with improved signal to noise ratio
A magnetostrictive position sensor achieves an improved signal to noise ratio by implementing several electronic control features, including: enclosing a waveguide within an approximately tubular return conductor, adjusting the energy of an interrogation pulse and then clamping the waveguide, tracking the peak voltage of a sensed signal, cutting off the signal of a pickup during the time period outside of a signal time frame, adjusting the pass band of a filter based on an interrogation rate and waveguide length, zeroing and scaling a signal without digitizing the signal, and avoiding noise from an interrogation voltage generator.
US09389057B2 Systems and methods for time-based athletic activity measurement and display
Apparatuses, methods, and systems in which video segments of an athletic activity session of a user may be captured by a plurality of video sources and a processing system may determine that each of the video segments correspond to the athletic activity session of the user. The processing system may accordingly generate a video replay of the athletic activity session of the user by piecing together the video segments captured by the video sources. The first portion of the video replay includes a first video segment captured by a first video source and a second portion of the video replay includes a second video segment captured by a second video source different than the first video source.
US09389054B2 Methods of forming fragmentation bodies, warheads, and ordnance
A fragmentation body comprising a substantially monolithic structure comprising a metal material and comprising a major surface having an indentation pattern therein, and an opposing major surface having an opposing indentation pattern therein, the opposing indentation pattern being substantially aligned with the indentation pattern. A warhead and an article of ordnance are also described.
US09389053B2 40mm door-breaching grenade
The invention provides a short-range, self-propelled, non-fragmenting breaching device to breach a wide variety of doors and barricades with high efficiency, high gunner safety and low collateral damage. The invention also provides a method of preparing the breaching device and a method of breaching a target using the breaching device.
US09389052B2 Jacketed bullet
A jacketed bullet having a penetrator constructed of a hard material in line with a slug having a lower modulus. At least a portion of both the slug and the penetrator are then encased by a metal jacket. A plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially extending flutes are formed along the slug and possibly the penetrator. These flutes receive deformation of the jacket upon firing of the bullet into a rifled gun bore to thereby reduce friction between the bullet and the gun bore during operation.
US09389050B1 Target throwing device
The present invention provides a target throwing device which can throw a single or multiple shooting targets with a single throwing arm. The device includes a dispensing unit for dispensing a desired number of targets onto a throwing arm containing multiple rails or an adjustable rail to provide the appropriate orientation and momentum for the desired number of targets to be thrown by the throwing arm.
US09389049B2 Shooting target apparatus
A shooting target apparatus which can be used for mounting air-pressurized containers as targets in shooting ranges. When the pressurized container is hit by a projectile, the sound of a small explosion provides an added excitement in the shooting experience. The container can also be partially filled with a fluid or granular material to create an added visual effect of an explosion.
US09389040B2 Archery bow
In at least one embodiment, an archery bow comprises a riser supporting a first limb and a second limb. The first limb supports a first rotatable member that defines a first axis of rotation. The second limb supports a second rotatable member that defines a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation move with respect to one another as the bow is drawn from a brace condition to a drawn condition. The bow defines a reference plane that includes the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation, wherein a distance between a predetermined location on the riser and the reference plane is greater in the brace condition than in the drawn condition.
US09389039B2 Adjustable limb systems for archery bows
Systems, apparatus, and methods for adjusting limb placement in an archery bow are provided. The limb may be adjusted laterally and may be rotated around its length to manipulate the position of the distal end of the limb with respect to the riser. The limb may be rotated by posts extending from the limb or limb bolt. The limb may also be rotated by posts or shims positioned in an adjustable dowel installed in the riser or by shims installed in the limb between the limb and the riser.
US09389038B1 Rotatable turret and weapon system
Designs and methods are provided for a rotatable turret and weapon system. In one exemplary embodiment the system comprises a rotatable turret ring atop a gunner station in a supporting structure, and a gun mount at a first location on the turret ring adapted for mounting an automatic weapon accessible to a gunner. An ammunition mount adapted to interchangeably secure an ammunition magazine, or an adapter for holding multiple ammunition magazines, to the turret ring at a second location. The ammunition mount, gun mount, and turret ring move as an integral unit.
US09389037B2 Two-stage military type trigger
There is disclosed a two-stage trigger with a large trigger/sear bearing area and an optimized sear loading angle that provides a lightweight trigger-pull. There is further disclosed a safety that blocks rotation of the trigger.
US09389036B2 Ammunition magazine
The present disclosure provides a method of creating a visible indicator upon a firearm magazine. The method may comprise fabricating a plurality of rectangular matrices of divots on an exterior surface of the magazine, the divots having concave surfaces, each matrix comprising a plurality of rows of divots and a plurality of columns of divots. A first divot of a first row is also a first divot of a first column, the first divot forming a substantially straight line with each other divot of the first column, and a first divot of a second row is also a second divot of the first column. The method may then comprise marking, with paint or ink, at least one of the divots.
US09389028B2 Plate heat exchanger
A plate heat exchanger for exchanging heat between mediacomprises a number of stacked plates (A, B, C, D), the plates being provided with a first, large scale pressed pattern comprising ridges (R) and grooves (G) intended to keep first (A, B) and second (B,C) pairs of stacked plates on a distance from one another, such that flow channels for a first medium is formed in spaces between said plate pairs. Contact points are provided between the plate pairs in points where the large scale pressed pattern of neighboring plate pairs contact one another. The plates of each plate pair (A, B; C, D) are kept on a distance from one another by a small-scale pressed pattern comprising ridges (r) and grooves (g).
US09389025B2 Heat and mass exchangers having extruded plates
A heat and mass exchanger including a plurality of vertical plates that are spaced apart from one another by gaps so as to allow a first gas to flow between the plates. Each plate includes a front wall that defines a front surface of the plate, a back wall that defines a back surface of the plate, and separate, parallel channels disposed between the front and back walls. The parallel channels include a first set of parallel channels, a first liquid flowing within the first set of channels and over one of the front or back surfaces of the plate, the first liquid having a bulk composition comprising one or more constituents, the first gas having at least one constituent in common with the first liquid, and a second set of parallel channels, a first fluid flowing within the second set of channels.
US09389022B2 Heat exchanger for cooling an electronic component
A heat exchanger which can include at least a first group and a second group of channels arranged to provide fluid paths between a first end and a second end of the heat exchanger. Connecting parts are arranged at the first end and at the second end of the heat exchanger. A first heat transfer element transfers a heat load to fluid, and a second heat transfer element transfers a heat load from the fluid. The channels have capillary dimensions. The connecting parts include fluid distribution elements, and the first and second heat transfer element contact all channels.
US09389017B2 Apparatus for use in drying grain
An apparatus for use in the drying of grain and more particularly but not exclusively, to a grain storage bag having grain drying capabilities, includes an elongate flexible container having an air inlet arrangement and an air outlet arrangement, with the air inlet arrangement being in flow communication with the air outlet arrangement through an internal volume of the container. The apparatus also includes fluid displacement elements for causing airflow from the air inlet arrangement to the air outlet arrangement.
US09389016B2 Method for drying seed
Methods for drying seeds comprising: a) contacting seeds with zeolite particles and allowing said zeolite particles to take up moisture from said seeds; or b) passing an airflow over zeolite particles, thereby allowing said zeolite particles to dry the air in said airflow and passing said dried airflow over the seeds; or c) placing said seeds and zeolite particles in an air-tight container and allowing said zeolite particles to take up the moisture evaporated by said seed.
US09389011B2 Refrigerator having a sliding door
The present invention provides a refrigerator having a sliding door, comprising: a refrigerator body which has an opened front part and has a storage space therein; a pair of sliding guide units provided on upper and lower ends of the refrigerator body; a door arranged on the front side of the refrigerator body; and a sliding operation unit which has one end that is coupled so as to allow a sliding movement and a horizontal rotation along each sliding guide unit and the other end that is hingedly coupled to the door, and which is foldable according to a moving direction during the sliding movement such that the door is gradually separated from the front side of the refrigerator body during the sliding movement so as to open the inside of the refrigerator body.
US09389007B1 Transportation refrigeration system with integrated power generation and energy storage
A thermal energy storage system (TESS) that enables the discharge of refrigerated air for cooling cargo or passengers in large compartments, such as the trailer of a semi-truck, for a period of time well in excess of several hours. The TES system is able to provide refrigeration without operating a conventional VCC unit, the truck engine, or the TRU diesel APU engine during all or a significant portion of the period of the typical range of time that a 53 foot refrigerated the truck is traveling over the road. The TES system includes a phase change material (PCM) reservoir, a cooling system-to-WF heat exchanger in fluid communication with the PCM reservoir, and a PCM-to-target heat exchanger in fluid communication with the PCM reservoir. The PCM reservoir contains a phase change material, a working fluid (WF) and a working fluid-to-PCM heat exchanger.
US09389000B2 Apparatus and methods for pre-heating water with air conditioning unit or heat pump
Water heater apparatus includes a tank for storing water; a heat exchanger associated with the tank and being operative to receive refrigerant and transfer heat therefrom to the tank, the heat exchanger representatively being a heat conductive tube externally wrapped around the tank in heat conductive contact therewith; air conditioning apparatus operative to utilize refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit portion of the air conditioning apparatus, the refrigerant circuit portion being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; and a control system operative to selectively cause a portion of the flowing refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, or cause essentially the entire flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger.
US09388999B2 Window security assembly
A window security assembly includes a cage structured to have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cage is further structured to have first section slidably coupled to a second section so the cage has an adjustable width. The cage is further structured to have an open side. The cage is positioned in a window such that the open side receives an air conditioner mounted in the window to surround the air conditioner. Each of a plurality of fasteners extends through the cage and engages the window such that the cage prevents an individual from tampering with the air conditioner or entering through the window.
US09388997B2 Air-conditioning control apparatus
An air-conditioning control apparatus for controlling an air conditioner configured to supply conditioned air into a space to be air-conditioned so that a temperature of a predetermined section in a plurality of sections in the space to be air-conditioned becomes a set temperature, the air-conditioning control apparatus comprising: a detecting device configured to determines the number of people in the predetermined section; and a controller configured to correct the set temperature so as to be decreased if the number of people is increased and so as to be increased if the number of people is decreased.
US09388995B2 Interior zone pressurization method and system to reduce the stack effect problems
A method and system for minimizing an incomplete closing phenomenon between an elevator hole and an interior section and a stack effect problem such as strong wind generated when opening an elevator door, which are inevitably generated at upper floors of high-rise office buildings, are provided. The method includes determining a degree of pressurization of the interior section in accordance with target pressure resistance and reduction in passing wind when opening the elevator door, and calculating a supply air volume required for the pressurization and an exhaust air volume from an elevator shaft based on the determined degree of the pressurization.
US09388993B2 Outdoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus
A power supply panel includes an engagement portion. An electrical component box includes a hook portion that engages with the engagement portion. A temporarily fixed state in which the power supply panel is attached to the electrical component box is set when the engagement portion engages with the hook portion.A securely fixed state in which the power supply panel is positioned inside the outer periphery of a housing, as the housing is seen in a plan view, and the power supply panel is positioned below the electrical component box is set when the electrical component box is placed in a machine chamber and the power supply panel is attached to the housing.
US09388992B2 Gas oven range
A gas oven range may include a cavity forming a cooking chamber in which food may be cooked and a burner assembly installed on a rear wall of the cavity to heat the cavity. The burner assembly may include a burner having flame holes formed therein, a plate supporting the burner, and a cover covering the burner to form a burner chamber. An inlet may guide air from the cooking chamber into the burner chamber, and a partition may be provided between the cover and the plate to partition air flowing from the cooking chamber into the burner chamber from flames generated by the burner.
US09388987B2 Combustor and method for supplying fuel to a combustor
A combustor (10) includes a cap (16), a liner (20), a transition piece (24), and a combustion chamber (22) located downstream from the cap (16) and defined by the cap and liner. A secondary nozzle (40) circumferentially arranged around the liner (20) or transition piece (24) includes a center body, a fluid passage through the center body, a shroud circumferentially surrounding the center body, and an annular passage between the center body and the shroud. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor (10) includes flowing fuel through a primary nozzle radially disposed in a breech end of the combustor and flowing fuel through a secondary nozzle (40) circumferentially arranged around and passing through at least one of a liner (20) or a transition piece. The secondary nozzle (40) includes a center body, a fluid passage through the center body, a shroud circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the center body (44), and an annular passage between the center body and the shroud.
US09388986B2 Air blocker ring assembly with leading edge configuration
An air blocker ring assembly including a proximal end and a distal end, a blocker ring, and a blocker ring support cooperating with the blocker ring to form a circumferentially extending split line at an interface between the blocker ring and the blocker ring support. The proximal end of the proximal ring assembly has a circumferential leading edge, and the circumferentially extending split line is located at least one of radially inside or radially outside the leading edge.
US09388984B2 Flame detection in a fuel fired appliance
A control system for a fuel-fired appliance and methods of operating are disclosed. When an electrical characteristic of a flame detector fails to cross a threshold level during an ignition attempt and when the electrical characteristic of the flame detector changes by a predetermined amount, the control system may activate an indicator indicating a problem with the flame detector (e.g. dirty, misaligned, or otherwise unable to properly detect the flame).
US09388983B2 Low NOx burner with low pressure drop
A burner includes a cylindrical tube that terminates in a burner discharge end. An annular disk, affixed to the discharge end, defines a hole. An oxidizer intake delivers oxidizer into the tube. A fuel nozzle delivers fuel into the tube. A cylindrical slotted member has an interrupted outer surface and is disposed within a portion of the tube. The slotted member is affixed to the annular disk and defines an interior void that opens to the hole. The tube and the slotted member define an annular passage therebetween. Elongated slots pass through the outer surface of the slotted member, each directed along a different non-diametrical chord of the slotted member. The elongated slots direct a gaseous stream into the interior void so as to impart both an inwardly-directed radial velocity component and a tangential velocity component to the gaseous stream.
US09388982B2 Flow deflectors for fuel nozzles
A fuel nozzle assembly including a conduit defining a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and being operable to convey a fuel stream comprising a solid particulate fuel entrained in a fluid. The conduit has a flow area defined by an interior surface of the conduit. A first flow deflector and a second flow deflector extend inwardly from the interior surface. The first flow deflector and the second flow deflector are positioned to disrupt a velocity profile of the flow stream established upstream of the conduit.
US09388981B2 Method for flame location transition from a start-up location to a perforated flame holder
According to an embodiment, a combustion system is provided, which includes a nozzle configured to emit a diverging fuel flow, a flame holder positioned in the path of the fuel flow and that includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and a preheat mechanism configured to heat the flame to a temperature exceeding a startup temperature threshold.
US09388979B2 Particle separation device for a chemical-looping combustion loop
The object of the invention is a chemical-looping combustion device utilizing a solid fuel generating unburnt particles and using oxygen-carrying particles such as metallic oxides, and comprising at least one combustion zone and a separator for the particles contained in a gaseous mixture coming from the combustion zone, wherein the separator comprises at least one enclosure (1) with an intake line (4) for said mixture, a discharge line (5) arranged in the lower part of the enclosure and an outlet line (6) arranged in the upper part of the device, the intake and discharge/outlet parameters being so selected as to create in the enclosure a dense phase in the lower part and a dilute phase in the upper part, and wherein said intake line opens into the dilute phase.The invention also relates to a combustion method implementing the device according to the invention.
US09388977B2 Boiler system
A boiler group includes a plurality of boilers. Each of the boilers has a unit amount of steam and a maximum variable amount of steam. A controller includes a deviation calculator for calculating a deviation amount between a necessary amount of steam and an output amount of steam, a boiler selector for selecting the plurality of boilers in order of load factors, and an output controller for varying an amount of steam of a boiler selected first by the boiler selector by the maximum variable amount of steam—when the deviation amount is at least the—maximum variable amount of steam, and varying the amount of steam of the first selected boiler by the unit amount of steam for the deviation amount when the deviation amount is less than the maximum variable amount of steam.
US09388976B2 High pressure combustor with hot surface ignition
A combustor including a housing, an injector body, insulation, an air/fuel premix injector, a hot surface igniter, a fuel injector and a burner. The housing forms a main combustion chamber. The injector body is coupled within the housing and the injector body includes an initial combustion chamber. The insulation lines the initial combustion chamber. The air/fuel premix injector is configured and arranged to dispense a flow of air/fuel mixture into the initial combustion chamber. The hot surface igniter is configured and arranged to heat up and ignite the air/fuel mixture in the initial combustion chamber. The fuel injector dispenses a flow of fuel and the burner dispenses a flow of air. The flow of fuel from the fuel injector and the flow of air from the burner are ignited in the main combustion chamber by the ignition of the air/fuel mixture in the initial combustion chamber.
US09388973B1 Submersible lights with pressure compensation
A deep submersible light may include a body defining a hollow interior and a solid state light source such as a plurality of high brightness LEDs mounted in the interior of the body. A transparent window may be mounted over the LEDs. The space between the transparent window and the LEDs may be filled with an optically transparent fluid, gel, or grease, which allows light to pass through and ambient water pressure to pass in, thus pressure compensating the LEDs by allowing them to see ambient water pressure. The transparent window may be mounted in the body for reciprocation in both a forward direction and a rearward direction to accommodate volumetric changes in the compensating fluid, gel, or grease caused by changes in temperature and water pressure as the manned or remotely piloted submarine travels from the sea surface to deep ocean depths.
US09388971B2 Method for making a light handle cover
A method of making a light handle cover including providing a first mold tool and a second mold tool. The first mold tool engages with the second mold tool to form a mold cavity. The mold cavity is injected with a moldable material. The light handle cover is formed as a single integral piece with a substantially cylindrical grab portion that is circumscribed on one end by a substantially circular base shield. A plurality of teeth are formed in the light handle cover. Each of the plurality of teeth is separated by a space. The light handle cover is ejected from the second mold tool with a burst of air.
US09388970B2 Manufacturing method of planar light source
A plane light source having a plurality of light emitting devices arranged in a light emitting device matrix having rows and columns at a substrate, the plane light source including: a first matrix having a plurality of light emitting devices arranged in rows and columns; and a second matrix having a plurality of light emitting devices arranged in rows and columns, each of the light emitting devices located within a quadrangle formed by four neighboring light emitting devices included in the first matrix, wherein the pitch of the light emitting devices of the first and second matrices is different from each other.
US09388963B2 Optical lens assembly and light source module having the same
A light source module includes a light source and an optical lens assembly covering the light source. The optical lens assembly includes an optical lens, a reflecting member located on the optical lens, and a reflecting film formed on the reflecting member. The optical lens includes a main portion and a protruding portion protruding upwardly from the main portion. The reflecting member is conical. The reflecting member is invertedly located on the protruding portion of the optical lens. A tip of the reflecting member is inserted into an inside of the optical lens from the protruding portion. The reflecting member has a top surface and an outer circumferential surface. A center of the top surface of the reflecting member is recessed inwardly, whereby a concave surface is formed. The concave surface oriented upwardly and outwardly relative to the light source. The reflecting film is distributed on the concave surface.
US09388961B2 Asymmetrical optical system
An asymmetrical optical assembly employs reflecting surfaces and a lens to combine the light from a plurality of LED lamps into an illumination pattern useful in a floodlight or work light. The reflecting surfaces and lens optical element are not symmetrical with respect to a plane bisecting the optical assembly and including the optical axes of the LED light sources. Some light from the LED light sources is redirected from its emitted trajectory into the desired illumination pattern, while a significant portion of the light from the LED light sources is permitted to exit the optical assembly without redirection. Minimizing the number of optical elements employed and the redirection of light enhances the efficiency of the resulting light assembly.
US09388958B2 Wall washing lamp
This disclosure includes light fixtures, some of which include a lower housing that defines a first channel and has first and second ends, where the first end defines an aperture and the second end has a first mounting surface disposed at a non-parallel first angle relative to a plane of the aperture, an upper housing that defines a second channel and has first and second ends, where the second end has a light mount and the first end has a second mounting surface disposed at a non-parallel second angle relative to a plane of the light mount, and a diffuser configured to be coupled between housings, where the upper and lower housings can be coupled at the first and second mounting surfaces such that the light mount is disposed at a non-parallel third angle relative to the plane of the aperture. Some light fixtures have unitary lower and upper housings.
US09388952B2 Head-mountable light device
A head-mountable portable device comprising: a first light source configured to emit a beam of white light in a first direction; and a second light source configured to emit blue light, the second light source being configured such that the blue light is substantially emitted in a second direction that is different to the first direction.
US09388951B2 Stacked assembly of light emitting devices
A stacked assembly of light emitting devices includes a first light emitting device, a second light emitting device and a sealing member. The first light emitting device includes a first substrate member extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a plurality of through-holes, and a plurality of first light emitting elements arranged on the first substrate member. The second light emitting device is arranged to overlap with the first light emitting device. The second light emitting device includes a second substrate member extending in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of second light emitting elements arranged on the second substrate and exposed respectively through the through-holes. The sealing member seals the first light emitting elements and the second light emitting elements.
US09388950B2 Illumination beam adjustment apparatus and illumination apparatus
An illumination beam adjustment apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing (4), a plurality of first optical elements (12) fixed relative to the housing and adapted to receive and transmit electromagnetic radiation and adjust the beam angle of a beam of electromagnetic radiation passing therethrough, and a second optical element (14) removably mounted relative to the housing and adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation from the first optical elements and transmit electromagnetic radiation. The second optical element is adapted to adjust the beam angle of a beam of an electromagnetic radiation passing therethrough.
US09388942B2 Modular fuel storage system
Methods and systems for modular fuel storage and transportation are provided. In an embodiment, a fuel storage system includes one or more fuel containers each supported by a fuel container support assembly. The fuel storage system may be mounted to a transportation device such as a vehicle or used in a stand-alone fashion. Each support assembly may include a plurality of detachable end support members such as end support members configured to support the end portions of the fuel container and side support members configured to support the body portion of the fuel container. Some of the end support members may include neck grooves such that when the end support members are coupled, the neck grooves form an enclosure around the neck portion of the fuel container. In an embodiment, the support assembly is configured to facilitate release of excess pressure in the fuel container.
US09388938B2 Mounting system for use with audio/visual devices or the like
A mounting system for attaching an audio/visual device to a surface via a surface mounting member. The mounting system includes a support attachment bracket configured to operatively connect to the surface mounting member, a display mounting bracket configured to operatively connect to the audio/visual device, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the display mounting bracket relative to the support attachment bracket between a collapsed position and a tilted position, and a locking feature configured to selectively engage a post for retaining the mounting system in the collapsed position. The locking feature is disposed on one of the support attachment bracket, the display mounting bracket, and the adjustment mechanism. The post is disposed on another of the support attachment bracket, the display mounting bracket, and the adjustment mechanism.
US09388931B2 Substrate processing apparatus, substrate processing method and non-transitory storage medium
There is provided a substrate processing apparatus to perform a predetermined process on a substrate on which a pattern mask is formed, comprising a compartment mechanism configured to switch between a compartmented state and an open state. The compartmented state includes a first section having the evaporation source formation part, and a second section configured to transfer the substrate between an outside of processing vessel and a mounting table. The substrate processing apparatus comprises a substrate transfer hole formed in the processing vessel and configured to open and close with respect to the second section being in the compartmented state; and an exhaust hole formed to connect to the second section and configured to exhaust the second section in the compartment state to remove a solvent atmosphere of the second section.
US09388929B2 Male bayonet connector
A male bayonet connector connects a section of tubing to a female latch connector. The male bayonet connector includes a shaft defining a lumen, a distal end portion, and a proximal end portion. The distal end portion of the shaft has a sealing surface configured to engage a seal member within the female latch connector to create a fluid-tight seal. The shaft defines an annular recess proximal to and adjacent the distal end portion. The annular recess has a proximal chamfered side wall and a distal sidewall perpendicular to the axis of the lumen, which are separated by a band of smaller diameter than the sealing surface. A grip is formed on the male bayonet connector between the proximal end portion and the annular recess. A ratio of a length of the first sealing surface to a distance between the grip and the distal sidewall is such that a side-load force, as imparted on the male bayonet connector, will not break a fluid-tight seal between the sealing surface and the seal member.
US09388925B2 Tubular connection center shoulder seal
A metal-to-metal sealing system connecting first and second tubular members includes a first seal configuration on the first tubular member and a second seal configuration on the second tubular member. The first seal configuration includes a first annular groove and a first annular tooth, and the second seal configuration includes a second annular groove and a second annular tooth. The second annular tooth is positioned within the first annular groove with the second annular tooth face engaging the first annular shoulder face to define a first shoulder. The first annular tooth is positioned within the second annular groove with the first annular tooth face engaging the second annular shoulder face to define a second shoulder. Locations of primary sealing contact of surfaces of the members are spaced axially away from the first and second shoulders.
US09388917B2 Pipeline freespan support
Apparatus and methods related to pipeline freespan support are described. For example, some embodiments may contain an upper structure, which contains at least four legs connected to one another by a number of bracing members, and a number of attachment points through which the upper structure can be lifted, and a lower structure, which contains at least four posts that can be connected to, and disconnected from as needed, the four legs of the upper structure, two spaced mud mats on which the posts stand, and at least two horizontal arms that can be attached to the posts, rotate about the posts, connect to and be locked with the posts on the other mud mat, and be lifted to an appropriate height to provide suitable support at the pipeline freespan location.
US09388915B1 Replaceable faucet handle
A replaceable faucet handle may include a handle, a handle body, a first adapter unit, a second adapter unit and a nut. A base is located on one side of the handle, and a recessed portion is formed on the bottom thereof with a screw hole. The handle body comprises a space formed therein, and a block configured to connect to the recessed portion is formed on the top thereof. The first adapter unit has two first driving blocks, a first through hole formed on a central portion thereof for penetration, and a first cutting edge formed on one side of the first through hole. The second adapter unit has two second driving blocks, a second through hole formed on a central portion thereof for penetration, and three connected second cutting edges formed on one side of the second through hole.
US09388908B2 Rotary shear valve assembly with hard-on-hard seal surfaces
A multi-position rotary shear valve assembly having a substantially metallic or ceramic stator device and a substantially metallic or ceramic rotor device. The stator device defines a substantially planar stator face and at least two or more stator channels in fluid communication with the stator face at corresponding stator ports, while the rotor device includes a substantially planar rotor face defining one or more rotor channels. A tribological coating is disposed atop at least one of the rotor face and the stator face, which enables a substantially fluid-tight, selective relative rotation between the rotor face and the stator face, at a rotor-stator interface, between two or more rotor positions.
US09388902B2 Piston bearing structure for fluid pressure cylinder
A piston bearing structure for a fluid pressure cylinder includes one seal ring which is housed in a housing groove of a piston and is held in sliding contact with a cylinder tube and two backup wear rings which is housed in a housing groove of a piston, is held in sliding contact with a cylinder tube and sandwiches the seal ring. The backup wear ring includes a pressure relief groove which faces the housing groove and extends over the backup ring portion and the wear ring portion, and the pressure relief groove allows opposite sides of the backup wear ring to communicate between the piston and the cylinder tube.
US09388898B2 Shift device for vehicle
In a shift device of the present invention, a shift range is switched to a drive range or a reverse range when a switch portion is operated additionally to moving of an operational member. Switching to a drive range is executed when the switch portion is operated further in a state in which the mount of move of the operational member tilted in a first direction from a home position exceeds a first threshold, and switching to a reverse range is executed when the switch portion is operated further in a state in which the mount of move of the operational member tilted in a second direction from the home position exceeds a second threshold which is greater than the first threshold. Accordingly, quick and easy selection of a traveling range can be conducted, ensuring the safety.
US09388895B2 Lubrication structure for transmission
Provided with a hollow piping member attached in a casing and a guide member integrally installed on an outer peripheral surface of the piping member. The guide member is structured by a plurality of surfaces including a first surface on which at least part of hydraulic fluid pumped up by a final gear is received and a second surface connected to one end of the first surface extending along a side of the final gear, and fastened to the casing by a fastener. The guide member receives hydraulic fluid pumped up by the final gear, restraining the fluid from reaching a breather mechanism and neighborhoods thereof.
US09388894B2 Divisible sprocket wheel
A sprocket wheel built up from at least two synthetic wheel parts (2, 3), comprising a hub part (4a, 4b), a gear ring (5) and a body part (6) connecting the hub part and gear ring, having a central plane forming a plane of symmetry of the body part, at least one fastener housing (7) divided over the two wheel parts, having a fastener hole (8) extending along a centerline situated in the central plane, for receiving a fastener (9), and, at least one gear ring opening (10) extending through the gear ring, situated in line with the fastener hole, characterized in that the body part comprises a recess (11) accessible from a side of the body part to a fastener, which recess is situated in line between the gear ring opening and the fastener housing and whose passage towards the fastener housing is greater than the passage of the gear ring opening (10).
US09388891B2 Multi-shaft drive device
A multi-shaft drive device is provided that is capable of obtaining an appropriate backlash in an enmeshed state of an output side bevel gear and an input side bevel gear. An output side bevel gear (35) that is biased in the direction of an input side bevel gear by a coil spring contacts a shaft support bush attached to a wall portion (17) in an enmeshed state with the input side bevel gear. A bias direction stroke end of the output side bevel gear (35) is accordingly restricted. Moreover, the wall portion (17) is provided to a gear holder (15) fixed to a device case (10) that supports the input side bevel gear, thereby enabling the axial direction position of the output side bevel gear (35) to always be positioned at a uniform position to enmesh appropriately with the input side bevel gear.
US09388890B2 Ball screw seal
A ball screw seal assembly which includes at least one energizer and a seal body, the ball screw seal assembly being configured for being positioned in a housing groove, the seal body including at least one outer diameter lip and two inner diameter lips, the at least one outer diameter lip being configured for contacting and sealing against the housing groove, the inner diameter lips being configured for wiping or scraping an outer surface of a threaded rod including a plurality of threads, the inner diameter lips being wipers or scrapers and being spaced apart from one another, the at least one energizer being configured for energizing and thereby biasing each of the inner diameter lips radially inwardly.
US09388887B2 Cam mechanism
A novel cam mechanism or assembly is provided by the present disclosure. The cam mechanism can have a cylindrical or barrel shape configuration. The cam mechanism includes a first module or body (also referred to as an inner body), a cam module or body encircling said first module, and a guide module or body (also referred to as an outer body) encircling each of the first module and the cam module. The cam mechanism is configured to translate rotary motion or torque of the cam module about a rotational axis (A) into linear displacement of the first module in a parallel manner along said rotational axis (A). The outer body or guide body encircles each of the cam module and the inner body. The outer body can be a stationary or fixed structure, and can be configured to physically isolate the movable components of the cam mechanism (e.g., the cam module and the inner body).
US09388886B2 Angular positioning device with three dead centres
In the transmission of mechanical movements, a mechanical angular positioning device is provided, and applies notably to optical instruments necessary to position an element such as a mirror according to three predefined positions. The angular positioning device comprises an assembly of connecting rods and an assembly of pivot connections, the axes of which are parallel to one another. A first input connecting rod, a second output connecting rod and a third connecting rod are in pivot connection with a frame of the device. A fourth and a fifth connecting rod are each connected by two pivot connections to two other connecting rods. The input connecting rod can be rotated by a motor. The angular positioning device is configured such that the output connecting rod can adopt three distinct angular positions, for each of which two connecting rods in pivot connection with one another generate a dead center in the device.
US09388883B2 Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission essentially composed by a disc with a variable inclination articulated by an automatic servo-mechanism positioned in a driver axis is described. The inclined disc system activates a pivot using two opposed bearings fixed in the pivot. The pivot activates two alternative rods. A force transmitted by the rods is applied to a balancer, with a turn radius originating in the center line of a transversal axis positioned in the center of the transmission. One side of the transversal axis is installed in the interior of a semi-axis and transmits continuous rotation in only one direction using a sprag bearing. In the internal side of the set, there are external conical helical gears integral to the semi-axis. The exit-axis is an axis of a sprocket, positioned symmetrically between both gears, having a center line axial to the entrance axis of the transmission.
US09388881B2 Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine, an output shaft outputting changed torque, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, a first rotation shaft selectively connected to a transmission housing, a second rotation shaft directly connected to the input shaft, a third rotation shaft, a fourth rotation shaft, a fifth rotation shaft selectively connected to the second rotation shaft or the fourth rotation shaft, a sixth rotation shaft directly connected to the output shaft, a seventh rotation shaft selectively connected to the transmission housing or the third rotation shaft, and an eighth rotation shaft selectively connected to the sixth rotation shaft.
US09388879B2 Power transmission belt and method of forming a power transmission belt
A power transmission belt having a body with a length, an inside, an outside, laterally spaced sides, and a plurality of ribs extending lengthwise at one of the inside and outside of the body. The body has a rubber layer at the other of the inside and outside of the body in which non-straight, short fibers are embedded.
US09388878B2 Suspension device
A suspension device intervenes between a vehicle body and a wheel in a vehicle. The suspension device includes an outer tube coupled to the vehicle body, an inner tube inserted into the outer tube so as to allow the inner tube to advance and retreat, and a wheel-side bracket that includes a tubular holding portion into which an end portion on the wheel side of the inner tube is inserted and couples the inner tube to the wheel. The holding portion includes an annular ring disposed on the outer tube side and having an inner peripheral surface standing along an outer peripheral surface of the inner tube. The ring includes an outer peripheral tapered surface formed on an outer peripheral surface of the ring continuously from the end portion on the outer tube side of the inner peripheral surface and having a diameter gradually expanded to the holding portion side.
US09388876B2 Composite bead plate and an air spring using the same
The present invention discloses an air spring comprising a piston, a top plate, a clamp ring, a snap ring, and a flexible member which is affixed to the piston and the top plate, wherein the piston, the top plate and the flexible member define a pressurizable chamber, wherein the snap ring is affixed to the clamp ring, wherein the clamp ring affixes an upper portion of the flexible member to the top plate, wherein the clamp ring affixes the snap ring to the top plate, and wherein the top plate is affixed between the snap ring and the flexible member.
US09388874B2 Damper
The present disclosure relates to a frequency tuned damper having a vibration body (19) and at least one elastic element (11, 13, 15, 17) which connects the vibration body to a surface (21), the vibrations of which is to be dampened. The elastic element has a wide portion (29) and a narrow portion (31) disposed at different locations on an axis (39) which is substantially parallel with the normal of the surface. The wider portion has a cavity (41), and the wide and narrow portions are inter-connected by a transition portion (43). The part of the narrow portion that is closest to the transition portion fits inside the cavity, as seen in the direction of the axis, such that the narrow portion can be pushed at least partly into the cavity, thereby flexing the transition portion.
US09388873B1 Torso protection system
A protective member includes outer and inner layers interconnected by multiple connectors under tension along their longitudinal axis. The connectors absorb energy from an impact force by resisting further tension along their longitudinal axis, can elongate along their longitudinal axis and allow the layers to move relative to each other. The protective member can be used in numerous applications and environments, including for participants in sports, in applications including bumpers, passenger cabins, car seats, beds, torso protection, ships, gloves, footwear and items.
US09388869B2 Disk brake
A return spring is provided between a friction pad and a mount member. The return spring biases the friction pad in a return direction for separating the friction pad from the disk, and is made of a metallic plate. The return spring includes a fixation portion on a proximal end side thereof, and the fixation portion is fixed to an ear portion of a back plate of the friction pad. The return spring includes an abutment portion, and the abutment portion is in elastic abutment with an abutment plate portion of a pad spring, which corresponds to a mount member side, on an outer side in a disk radial direction relative to the fixation portion. The pad spring includes a guide portion extending in a disk axial direction and supporting a side surface of an intermediate portion of the return spring.
US09388868B2 Disc brake comprising a brake pad preload spring
A disc brake whose carrier (11) includes two opposite arms (14F, 14B) each including a C-shaped axial housing (16F, 16B) accommodating a brake pad (12) including two opposite lateral lugs (26F, 26B), each lug (26) accepting a pad spring (40F, 40B) including at least one lower, sliding, branch (42F, 42B) and in which a lamellar element (22F, 22B) is interposed between the lug (26F, 26B) and the C-shaped housing (16F, 16B), this element (22F, 22B) including a lower first sliding flange (24F, 22B) accepting the sliding branch (42F, 22B) of the pad spring (40F, 40B) and an upper second flange (25F, 25B) for bearing vertically in the housing (16), at least one tangential preload spring (60B) for tangentially preloading the pad (12) interposed between an arm (14B) and the pad (12) and constantly urging the pad (12B) in a direction (DF) that is horizontal overall from the back forward.
US09388865B2 Gearing mechanism
A gearing mechanism includes a housing component and a shaft mounted in the housing component. The shaft is driven rotating relative to the housing component with regard to a rotation axis in a first rotation direction and in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction. There is also a wrap element that wraps the shaft multiple times. A first end of the wrap element is fastened to the housing component. It is also possible that an inward oriented friction surface is provided and that the wrap element is arranged within the inward oriented friction surface at least in sections in order to interact with the friction surface. In an alternative embodiment, a brake element is provided, the shaft comprises a brake element receptacle that at least partially accommodates the brake element and a contact surface is allocated to the brake element for interacting with the brake element.
US09388864B2 Roller-type one-way clutch
Provided is a roller type one-way clutch that can prevent rollers from coming off at the time of conveyance and assembling of an outer race without increasing a cost and a weight. The roller type one-way clutch includes: an outer race having pockets that have a cam surface formed on an inner surface thereof; an inner race that is apart on an inner diameter side in a radial direction from the outer race, concentrically arranged to allow its relative rotation, and has an annular outer peripheral raceway surface; a plurality of rollers each of which is arranged in each pocket, engaged with the cam surface, and transmits torque between the outer race and the inner race; and springs each of which is arranged in each pocket and energizes each roller by one end portion thereof in an engaging direction with respect to the cam surface, the other end portion of each spring is fixed to the outer race, and a support portion that supports each roller in a radial direction is provided at the other end portion.
US09388857B2 Cage of roller bearing and roller bearing structure
A pillar includes a radially outer projection that is formed at the radially outer side of a pillar's wall surface facing a pocket so as to project in the circumference direction and restricts radially outward movement of a roller. A radially inner projection is formed at the radially inner side of the pillar's wall surface facing the pocket so as to project in the circumference direction and restrict radially inward movement of the roller. Allowable distance Lo to which the roller can move radially outward from a pitch circle PCD of the rollers under the restriction of the radially outer projections and allowable distance Li to which the roller can move radially inward from the pitch circle PCD of the rollers under the restriction of the radially inner projections satisfy the relationship Lo>Li. The cage solves the problem that the rollers get caught by the roller retaining elongated projections.
US09388855B2 Cone crusher, bearing plate, and kit of bearing plates
A gyratory cone crusher includes a first and a second crushing shell defining a crushing gap. The first crushing shell is arranged to gyrate around a vertical axis, in order to crush material entering the crushing gap, and is vertically supported by a thrust bearing including first and second bearing plates defining a spherical sliding interface. One of the bearing plates has one or more cooling and/or lubricating grooves at the sliding interface, each groove defining a channel, extending from the center of the sliding interface to the periphery thereof. In order to obtain a uniform distribution of grooves, the cooling/lubricating grooves are in the form of one or more spirals extending from the center of the sliding interface to the periphery thereof. The disclosure further relates to a bearing plate and a kit of bearing plates involving such a bearing plate.
US09388854B2 Magnetic bearing apparatus and method for reducing vibration caused by magnetic bearing apparatus
A magnetic bearing apparatus for supporting a rotational shaft includes a magnetic bearing, a rotation sensor, a controller which controls an electric current flown to an electromagnet, and at least one vibration sensor. The controller controls the electric current flown to the electromagnet as follows: in a first control mode, a first electric current is flown to the electromagnet for levitating and supporting the rotational shaft; and in a second control mode, a second electric current is flown to the electromagnet in place of the first electric current at a first periodic timing which is detected by the rotation sensor so that vibration is reduced to a lower level than a first vibration value detected in the first control mode in at least one of setting location of the at least one vibration sensor.
US09388853B2 Bearing element for two spatial directions
A bearing element for two spatial directions, including a series of first rolling bodies (1), which roll on a first side (2) of an intermediate part (3) in a first direction, and a series of second rolling bodies (4), which roll on a second side (5) of the intermediate part and on a fastening part (6) in a second direction that differs to the first direction, the fastening part having a shaft (7), and a spring element (8) being arranged around the shaft. This bearing element addresses the problem of providing a bearing element for two spatial directions, which can absorb great forces perpendicularly to the two spatial directions and which is of compact design.
US09388852B2 Elastically supported rolling bearing arrangement
A rolling bearing, particularly for a gas turbine, includes a plurality of rolling elements (4) arranged between an inner ring (2) and outer ring (3), and a housing structure (8) on which the outer ring (3) is elastically mounted. The outer ring (3) is constructed in one piece and has a raceway section (7) forming a raceway (6) for the rolling elements (4), a spring section (21) and a flange (10) screwed to the housing structure (8). The spring section (21) is constructed from a plurality of spring bars (12) which adjoin a deflection section (9) adjoining the raceway section (7) at the end face thereof and adjoin the flange (10), are arranged radially outside the raceway section (7) and do not protrude axially beyond the deflection section (9) and the race way section (7).
US09388848B2 Radial gas foil bearing
A radial gas foil bearing extending along a rotation axis including a carrier element provided with an opening extending along the axis, further including at least one foil extending circumferentially along a radial inner side of the opening of the carrier element, wherein the foil is attached to the carrier element is provided. In order to enable an easy manufacturing as well as safe operation it is proposed to provide at least one radial through hole in the carrier ring, wherein at least one fixation section of the foil is formed to be inserted into the through hole, wherein the fixation section and the through hole are made such that fixation section becomes by insertion into the through hole accessible from radial outside of the carrier element to be fixed to the carrier element.
US09388847B1 Bottom bracket for bicycles
A bottom bracket assembly for bicycle frames aligns crankshaft bearings. The assembly is press fitted into the bottom bracket shell to journal the crankshaft. An elongated, rigid, unibody sleeve comprises a terminal end and a spaced apart leading end which both receive and support a radial contact bearing that is press fitted into a machined bore. Each bore comprises an interference fit zone for bearing retention and a larger, pressure relief zone comprising a channel and an adjacent, buffering slope that compensates for stresses. Dust shields coaxially abut the bearing exteriors. An inner, tubular buttress bushing coaxially occupies the sleeve interior and extends between the spaced apart bearings to brace them. Externally the sleeve has a pair of integral, friction retention contact interfaces separated by a reduced diameter optimization zone. The sleeve terminal end has an integral stop flange that abuts the frame bottom bracket shell contacting the crank arm.
US09388841B2 Ratcheting-type shrinkage compensating device for use in continuous tie-down systems
A ratcheting-type rod engaging nut and assembly for releasably engaging a tie-down rod, and including a generally cylindrical body element having an upper cylindrical portion of a first diameter, a lower cylindrical portion of a second diameter less than the first diameter, and a tapered bore coaxial with and interconnecting the upper bore and the lower bore; an assembly of rod gripping segments disposed within the internal bore and surrounding a passageway for receiving a tie-down rod, each segment of the assembly including an outwardly facing surface having a tapered portion for engaging the tapered bore, and an inwardly facing surface for engaging the rod. A cap is disposed at the top of the body element and includes springs for downwardly biasing the segments into engagement with the tapered bore and for causing the facing surfaces of the segments to engage an outer surface of the rod.
US09388840B2 Controlled torque fasteners and methods for using same
A controlled torque fastener for use with a substrate includes a first driver engagement feature and a primary fastener portion connected to the first driver engagement feature. The primary fastener portion includes a threaded fastening portion and a second driver engagement feature connected to the threaded fastening portion. The first driver engagement feature is configured to be engaged by a first driver to enable the first driver to tighten the controlled torque fastener onto the substrate until the first driver engagement feature breaks off from the primary fastener portion. The second driver engagement feature includes a socket configured to receive a second driver and to enable the received second driver to apply a torque to the primary fastener portion.
US09388838B2 Elastic retaining assembly for matable components and method of assembling
An elastic retaining assembly for matable components includes a first component having a first surface. Also included is a second component having a second surface and a third surface, wherein the second component is configured to be mated with the first component. Further included is a receiving feature formed proximate an engagement side of the second component and defining a pin perimeter surface. Yet further included is an elastically deformable pin operatively coupled to, and extending away from, the first surface, wherein the elastically deformable pin is formed of an elastically deformable material to elastically deform proximate the pin perimeter surface upon contact with the receiving feature.
US09388826B2 Heat dissipating fan with lateral air inlet and outlet
An exemplary heat dissipating fan includes a frame and an impeller rotatably received in the frame. The frame includes a base and a top cover disposed on the base, the base includes a bottom plate a peripheral sidewall. The sidewall extends between the bottom plate and the top cover, and the base and the top cover cooperatively defines a receiving space. The impeller is rotatably received in the receiving space. The top cover, the bottom cover and the sidewall cooperatively define an air inlet therebetween. The top cover, the bottom plate and the sidewall cooperatively define an outlet therebetween. The air outlet is generally adjacent to and substantially perpendicular to the air inlet.
US09388824B2 Salt-spray protection structure for fan
A salt-spray protection structure for fan includes a frame, a hub, at least one protruded portion, and a stator assembly. The frame is internally provided with a base that internally defines a receiving space and has a bearing cup and at least one raised end formed thereon. The hub is mounted on the base, and one side of the hub facing toward the base has at least one open end. The protruded portion is selectively formed on one of the raised end of the base and the open end of the hub. The stator assembly is fitted around the bearing cup. The protruded portion works to scrape off salt grains that are attached to and accumulated on the hub or the base, allowing the fan to have extended service life.
US09388822B2 Guide ring for an impeller pump and impeller pump
A guide ring for a heated impeller pump for dish washers may include a base body in the type of a circumferential ring having a central longitudinal axis and which is configured for arrangement in a pump chamber of the impeller pump. At least one blade may be arranged on a radial outer surface of the base body, which protrudes outwards and which extends longitudinally along the base body over at least a part of the periphery thereof and which has a pitch in relation to the central longitudinal axis. At least on one side of the blade, a protrusion or a thickening may be provided on the outer edge thereof. The latter can form a channel configured to remove air bubbles from the pump chamber.
US09388816B2 Turbo-molecular pump
An object of the present invention is to enhance the capacity of a turbomolecular pump.A turbomolecular pump is a composite-type vacuum pump that combines a blade portion and a thread groove portion. Openings are formed at a joint portion between a rotor blade holding portion that holds rotor blades and a stepped portion that holds a rotor cylinder portion, such that the openings span both the rotor blade holding portion and the stepped portion.Part of the gas that is evacuated by the blade portions is evacuated by a thread groove portion that is formed of the rotor cylinder portion and a stator thread groove, and the rest of the gas is led into the rotor cylinder portion via the openings, and is evacuated by a thread groove portion that is formed of the rotor cylinder portion and another stator thread groove. Stress derived from rotation of a rotor can be withstood when the openings are formed at the joint portion between the rotor blade holding portion and the stepped portion. Moreover, a groove in which a balancer weight is disposed is provided at a clearance portion that lies further on the inlet port side of the other stator thread groove, thereby eliminating the necessity of shortening the length of the other stator thread groove.
US09388813B2 Method for determining the functional relation of several pumps
A method for determining the functional relationship of several pumps which are controllable in their rotational speed, in a hydraulic installation. At least one pump is activated with a changed rotational speed, and at least one functional relationship of the installation is determined from the hydraulic reactions. With a suitable selection of the control and detection of the hydraulic changes, one may determine the functional relationship of the complete installation.
US09388812B2 Wireless sensor system for electric submersible pump
An electric submersible pump system can include a shaft; a power cable connector; an electric motor configured to receive power via the power cable connector for rotatably driving the shaft; a pump operatively coupled to the shaft; a power unit for generating power via rotation of the shaft; a remote unit that includes at least one sensor for sensing information, wireless transmission circuitry for wireless transmission of sensed information and a power interface to receive power generated by the power unit; and a base unit that includes wireless reception circuitry for receipt of wireless transmission of sensed information from the remote unit and wired transmission circuitry operatively coupled to the power cable connector. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09388809B2 Multi-stage pump assembly having a pressure controlled valve for controlling recirculation of fluid from the pump stage outlet to the pump stage inlet
Pump having a pump inlet, a pump outlet, at least two threaded rotors and a pressure controlled valve. The pressure controlled valve is capable of controlling re-circulation of fluid from the pump outlet to the pump inlet. The pressure controlled valve can be a control valve. A multiple stage pump assembly is also provided having least two pumps arranged in series, in which at least one of the pumps is the aforementioned pump.
US09388801B2 Natural gas compressor with scissor drive assembly
A positive displacement reciprocating compressor for compression of natural gas. The compressor includes at least one pair of coaxial bulkheads, each bulkhead having a gas cylinder coupled thereto, and one or more a scissor drive assemblies for driving piston rams into and out of the gas cylinders to compress gas. The scissor drive assembly of the compressor includes one or more piston rams having a piston head attached thereto and movable into and out of each gas cylinder via reciprocating movement of a linkage arm assembly, coupling the piston rams to a rotatable drive shaft. The compressor can be used for compressing natural gas for use as a fuel for vehicles, appliances, generators, or the like.
US09388789B2 Sectional wind turbine blade
The invention relates to a sectional blade for a wind turbine, the blade comprising at least a first blade section and a second blade section extending in opposite directions from a blade joint, where each blade section comprises a spar section forming a structural member and extending in the longitudinal direction of the blade, and where the first and second blade sections are connected by fastening means restraining any movement of the first blade section relative to the second blade section length ways. The first and the second blade sections are structurally connected by a spar bridge protruding from one of the blade sections and terminating axially in an end portion, which is received in the spar section of the other blade section. The spar bridge and the spar section have interlocking shapes by which rotation of the spar bridge in the spar section is prevented thereby preventing rotation of one of the blade sections relative to the other. Further, the spar section of the other blade section comprises a receiving section extending from the blade joint and inwards into the spar section of that blade, which receiving section holds the spar bridge such that movement of the end portion of the spar bridge relative to the receiving section is enabled in the longitudinal direction. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a sectional blade as mentioned above.
US09388787B2 Methods, devices and systems for glow plug operation of a combustion engine
A glow plug control apparatus for an engine of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one glow plug; a power source to apply electric power to the at least one glow plug; and a control unit comprising a microprocessor configured and arranged to determine glow plug supply power to be applied from the power source to the at least one glow plug based on input from stored vehicle data and from a plurality of engine sensors, wherein the input includes data of engine operating parameters including fresh air intake mass airflow, intake manifold total mass airflow, intake manifold temperature, coolant temperature, glow plug temperature and total fuel injection quantity.
US09388786B2 Ignition system
An ignition system including: a first control unit configured to generate a high voltage that is to be supplied to a spark plug at a secondary winding of an ignition coil by applying and then cutting off a primary current to a primary winding of the ignition coil; a second control unit configured to cut off electric power supplied from the secondary winding to the spark plug by energizing the primary winding after the first control unit cuts off the primary current; a re-energizing current measuring unit configured to measure a re-energizing current energizing the primary winding by the second control unit; and an energizing period determining unit configured to determine an energizing period during which the primary current is applied to the primary winding by the first control unit, corresponding to the re-energizing current measured by the re-energizing current measuring unit.
US09388784B2 Internal combustion engine with injection valve
An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle includes at least one cylinder, an injection valve associated to the cylinder for direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of the cylinder. The injection valve is received in a receiving opening of a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine and held by a support element in the receiving opening. The support element is secured in its rotational position by a formfitting engagement of a first formfit element on the injection valve, and by a formfitting engagement of a second formfit element on the cylinder head. A support element of this type ensures a particularly satisfactory securement of the rotational position of the injection valve. In the event of structural changes to the cylinder head or at the injection valve, it is only necessary to adapt the support element so that such modifications can be realized particularly inexpensively.
US09388778B2 Servo flow recirculation for an advanced thermal efficient aircraft engine fuel system
A fuel circulation system and methods are provided. The system includes a supply pump for providing an outlet flow of fuel. The system also includes at least a first and a second servo. The first servo is connected to an outlet of the supply pump. A flow regulation device is interposed between the first and second servos. At least a portion of the outlet flow from the supply pump is directed through the first servo, flow regulation device, and second servo and is returned to an inlet of the supply pump.
US09388776B2 Engine sound enhancement system for a fixed gear transmission
A control system for a vehicle having a fixed gear transmission and an engine that outputs an actual RPM signal is provided. The control system includes a vehicle bus, a shifting module, a simulated RPM module, and an engine sound enhancement (“ESE”) module. The vehicle bus transmits a signal indicating a plurality of operating conditions of the vehicle. The shifting module receives the signal from the vehicle bus to determine if the operating parameters of the vehicle indicate that a gear shift by the fixed gear transmission is imminent within a predetermined amount of time. The simulated RPM module is in communication with the shifting module for generating a simulated RPM signal if the gear shift is imminent. The simulated RPM signal has a greater increase in engine RPM with respect to time prior to the gear shift compared to the actual RPM signal.
US09388775B2 Systems and methods for refueling canister system
Methods and systems are described for depressurizing a fuel tank prior to refueling. In one example, before refueling the fuel tank having a pressure above a first predetermined pressure, the pressure may be released through a first valve to the first predetermined pressure and the first valve may be closed. Further, a second valve may be opened to further reduce the pressure to a second predetermined pressure, and if flow through the second valve is less than desired, then the first valve may be opened until the second predetermined pressure is reached.
US09388774B2 Precision purge valve system with pressure assistance
A pressure-assisted precision purge valve system is provided in an evaporative emission control system that provides flow of fuel vapor-air mixture from a fuel tank to an intake manifold. The pressure-assisted precision purge valve system comprises an absorbent canister through which the fuel vapor-air mixture flows, a purge valve configured to regulate flow of the fuel vapor-air mixture to the intake manifold and a fuel vapor pump configured to provide a forced flow to the purge valve dependent on a system differential pressure. The output of the purge valve can be connected to an upstream injection point and/or a downstream injection point of a forced induction device.
US09388773B2 Exhaust gas recirculation valve
An EGR valve includes a housing formed with a passage, a valve seat provided in the passage, a valve element seatable on the valve seat, a valve stem provided with the valve element at an end, and an actuator for making stroke movement of the valve stem. The valve element is moved together with the valve stem with respect to the valve seat to change an open area of a measuring section, thereby changing an opening degree of the valve element, to adjust a flow rate of EGR gas in the passage. The EGR valve has high-resolution flow-rate characteristics in a low opening region of the valve element and large flow-rate characteristics in a high opening region. The valve element and the valve seat have predetermined shapes to cause the flow-rate characteristics in the low opening region to change in a curve without a step.
US09388771B2 Intake controller and method of intake controlling for internal combustion engine
In an intake controller for an internal combustion engine, an opening controlling unit performs, when a light load operation is performed during a manual forced regeneration process of a diesel particulate filter which reduces an amount of particulate matter included in exhaust gas exhausted from the internal combustion engine, control to form a bypass passage by setting an open-close valve to a fully closed state and a variable turbo nozzle to a fully closed state and which performs, when an amount of the injected fuel detected by a fuel injection amount detecting unit becomes zero, control to set the open-close valve from the fully closed state to a fully opened state and the variable turbo nozzle from the fully closed state to a fully opened state.
US09388770B2 Exhaust gas recirculation system for engine
Disclosed is an exhaust gas recirculation system for an engine (1), wherein at least a downstream sub-region of a region of an exhaust passage (33) upstream of a turbine wheel (52) is divided into two sub-passages (R1, R2) by a partition wall (20a, 30a) extending along an exhaust gas flow direction. A high-speed sub-passage (R2) in the two sub-passages (R1, R2) is equipped with an openable-closable exhaust variable valve (23). The exhaust variable valve (23) is configured to be controlled to open the high-speed sub-passage (R2) when an engine speed is equal to or greater than a reference speed, and close the high-speed sub-passage (R2) when the engine speed is less than the reference speed. An inlet (60a) of an EGR passage (60) on the side of the exhaust passage (33) is opened to the high-speed sub-passage (R2) at a position downstream of the exhaust variable valve (23).
US09388764B2 Valve cover
In order to provide a valve cover to which at least one line is securable simply and by using a small number of fastening elements, it is proposed that the valve cover includes the following: a base body that, in the mounted condition of the valve cover, is arranged on an engine block of an internal combustion engine and covers over a valve chamber of the internal combustion engine, and at least one fixing device for securing at least one line to the base body of the valve cover, wherein the fixing device includes a fixing element and at least one fixing element receiver which is arranged on the base body and to which the fixing element is securable or secured by latching.
US09388763B2 Internal combustion engine with light metal alloy engine block and cast iron cylinder liners
In an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, having a cylinder housing in the form of a light metal alloy casting with working cylinder sections including cylinder liners which consist of rough-surface iron castings and which are integrally cast into the working cylinder sections with housing webs formed between adjacent liners, the cylinder housing has cooling channels formed in the housing webs between adjacent cylinder liners and the working cylinder sections of the cylinder housing for directly cooling the cylinder liners.
US09388761B2 Combined fueling strategy for gaseous fuel
A method of operating an internal combustion engine with gaseous fuel includes providing fuel to a plurality of cylinders with both central point injection and multipoint injection. Central point injection, which provides good air/fuel mixing, may provide a majority of steady-state fueling, and multipoint injection is used for supplementing the central point injection during steady-state and for providing rapid transient response to load changes.
US09388759B2 Using ion current signal for soot and in-cylinder variable measuring techniques in internal combustion engines and method for doing the same
A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement, for example soot measurement, load measurement such as indicated or brake mean effective pressure, or fuel consumption measurement in an internal combustion engine. The system may acquire an ion current signal, measures one or more of soot, load, fuel consumption and may control the engine operating parameters accordingly.
US09388757B2 Exhaust gas purification apparatus
The exhaust gas purification apparatus 100 according to the present invention is provided with an exhaust gas purification catalyst 40, an upstream O2 sensor 14, a downstream O2 sensor 15, and a control section 30 that executes main F/B control and sub-F/B control. This exhaust gas purification apparatus 100 contains, on a support in a prescribed region 45 from a catalyst-outlet-side end 43a at the downstream side of an exhaust gas purification catalyst 40, an OSC material having a pyrochlore structure and an OSC material having an oxygen storage rate that is faster than that of the OSC material having a pyrochlore structure.
US09388754B2 Artificial output reference for model predictive control
A control system includes a control module that receives a first request corresponding to a control value for at least one of a plurality of actuators, selectively receives a second request associated with a predicted future control value for at least one of the plurality of actuators, determines a target value for the actuator based on the first request if the second request was not received, and generates a reference signal representing the second request if the second request was received. The reference signal indicates at least one of a predicted increase in the control value and a predicted decrease in the control value. A model predictive control module receives the reference signal and adjusts one of the plurality of actuators associated with the predicted future control value based on the reference signal.
US09388752B2 Control system for vehicle for controlling an internal combustion engine during transmission gear shifting
A control system for a vehicle performs torque down control to reduce torque of an engine by cutting off supply of fuel to at least one of the cylinders of the engine during an inertia phase of a power-on upshift. During the torque down control, the throttle opening is reduced to smaller than a throttle opening including an amount by which the throttle opening is increased so as to compensate for a part of the amount of torque reduction, by means of one or more cylinders to which the fuel continues to be supplied.
US09388750B2 System and method for optimizing availability of vehicle energy conserving modes
Vehicles capable of operating in an energy conserving mode may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing activation of the energy conserving mode. The system may identify the inhibiting features and prompt an operator of the vehicle for authorization to disable the inhibiting features or adjust the feature states to enable the energy conserving mode. In response to receiving authorization, the system may automatically control feature interfaces to remove inhibits to the energy conserving mode. The interface may communicate active inhibitors to an operator using a display or a speaker, or both. Additionally, the interface may query the operator to approve automatic deactivation of the inhibiting features and facilitate the receipt of operator input to the query.
US09388749B2 System and method for improving performance of combustion engines employing primary and secondary fuels
An engine system and method for operating an internal combustion engine in dynamically varying conditions. An exemplary system comprises an internal combustion engine configured to receive both a primary fuel and a secondary fuel into one or more chambers in which a combustion process occurs, a fuel injection system, an air intake manifold and a fuel manifold; an electronic system which controls timing and metering of the primary fuel and/or the secondary fuel in the combustion process; and a plurality of sensors positioned to measure one or more variables associated with combustion of the primary fuel in the presence of the secondary fuel. The electronic system is configured to apply a control signal to adjust an engine setting to reduce NOx emissions based in part on the magnitude of the variable.
US09388746B2 Vacuum generation with a peripheral venturi
Embodiments for generating vacuum at a throttle are presented. In one example, a system comprises a throttle positioned in an intake of an engine, and a peripheral venturi proximate the throttle, the venturi having an inlet positioned to interface with an edge of the throttle when the throttle is in a partially open position. In this way, vacuum may be generated by flow air through the venturi.
US09388745B2 Method for switching over a combustion device between a first fuel and a second fuel
An exemplary method for switching over a combustion device from operation with a first premix fuel to a second premix fuel includes reducing and stopping a first premix fuel supply and then starting a second premix fuel supply. In an intermediate phase, after the first premix fuel supply stop and before the second premix fuel supply start, the combustion device is operated with one or more pilot fuels generating diffusion flames.
US09388744B2 Distributed gas turbine engine control system with remote interface units
In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine control system includes an engine controller configured to control multiple parameters associated with operation of a gas turbine engine system. The gas turbine engine control system also includes multiple remote interface units communicatively coupled to the engine controller. The remote interface unit is configured to receive an input signal from the engine controller indicative of respective target values of at least one parameter, and the remote interface unit is configured to provide closed-loop control of the at least one parameter based on the input signal and feedback signals indicative of respective measured values of the at least one parameter.
US09388743B2 Sealing system for flanged joint
A sealing system is provided for a flanged joint. The sealing system includes a split seal and a spring. The split seal includes a radial outer surface, an axial outer surface, and a chamfered surface inclined with respect to the radial outer surface and the axial outer surface. The spring is disposed in urging contact with the chamfered surface and configured to apply an axial force, and a radial force on the axial outer surface, and the radial outer surface respectively.
US09388738B2 Casing for a gas turbine engine
A casing for a can annular gas turbine engine, including: a compressed air section (40) spanning between a last row of compressor blades (26) and a first row of turbine blades (28), the compressed air section (40) having a plurality of openings (50) there through, wherein a single combustor/advanced duct assembly (64) extends through each opening (50); and one top hat (68) associated with each opening (50) configured to enclose the associated combustor/advanced duct assembly (64) and seal the opening (50). A volume enclosed by the compressed air section (40) is not greater than a volume of a frustum (54) defined at an upstream end (56) by an inner diameter of the casing at the last row of compressor blades (26) and at a downstream end (60) by an inner diameter of the casing at the first row of turbine blades (28).
US09388734B2 Restoring unit, particularly for an internal combustion engine
A restoring unit for an internal combustion engine may include a restoring console including a substantially cylindrical bearing dome. A first bearing unit may include a first receiving opening. The bearing dome may be rotatably inserted into the first receiving opening about an axis of the restoring console. A spring element may be arranged at least partially on an outer circumferential face of the bearing dome, and the restoring console may be preloaded via the spring element against the first bearing unit. The bearing dome may be detachably arranged in the first receiving opening via a clip connection. The clip connection may include a radial through-slot disposed on a first face side of the bearing dome facing the first receiving opening. The bearing dome may have a console bearing face mounting the restoring console within the first bearing unit.
US09388733B2 Methods and system for inferring throttle inlet pressure
Embodiments for controlling boost pressure in a turbocharged engine are provided. In one embodiment, a method for an engine having a throttle comprises, if an inferred throttle inlet pressure (TIP) value is different than a measured TIP value, adjusting a wastegate of a turbocharger based on the inferred TIP value and not based on the measured TIP value, the inferred TIP value based on air flow through the throttle, throttle angle, and manifold absolute pressure (MAP). In this way, boost pressure control may be provided by the inferred TIP value under some conditions.
US09388732B2 Spring biased sealing method for an actuating shaft
The propensity for gas and soot leakage around a shaft, which extends through a bore which connects volumes of differing pressures, e.g., a turbocharger turbine housing and the ambient air, is minimized with the addition of a pair of seal rings axially biased by a spring to provide a continuous gas and soot seal. The spring may bias the seal rings apart from each other or towards each other.
US09388726B2 Delivery unit for a liquid additive and motor vehicle having a delivery unit
A delivery unit for a liquid additive includes a block having at least three ducts, at least one active component mounted on the block for delivering the liquid additive, a cylindrical collecting chamber into which the at least three ducts open, and a deformable, sleeve-shaped element disposed in the collecting chamber. A motor vehicle having a delivery unit is also provided.
US09388724B2 Exhaust gas treatment device
An exhaust gas treatment device has a housing and a hollow body through which exhaust gas flows and which is accommodated in the housing. The hollow body consists at least partly of a gas permeable substrate. The hollow body is connected at least one end to a wall member arranged in the housing and formed to be flexible in the axial direction.
US09388722B2 Voltage control system for heating a selective catalyst reduction device
An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The exhaust gas treatment system includes an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device in fluid communication with an exhaust gas conduit, a generator, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The EHC device includes an electric heater and an EHC catalyst that is heated to an EHC light-off temperature. The generator is selectively operable in a target voltage mode to supply a target voltage to the electric heater. The target voltage represents a voltage required by the electric heater in order to maintain the EHC catalyst at a catalyst temperature. The SCR device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit. The SCR device is located downstream of the EHC device and includes an SCR catalyst that is selectively heated by the EHC device to a SCR light-off temperature.
US09388716B2 Systems and methods for accurately compensating for a change in amount of unwanted fluid diluted in engine oil resulting from a recent long trip
A system, for use in accounting for an effect of a long-trip cycle on remaining life of engine oil, being used in a vehicle, using a long-trip rebate value. The system includes a computer processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that is in operative communication with the processor and has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The operations include determining a long-trip time indicating an amount of time that the vehicle was operated recently in the long-trip cycle. The operations further include determining the long-trip rebate according to a rebate function using the determined long-trip time.
US09388715B2 Assembling apparatus and control method
An assembling apparatus of this invention includes a main pallet and a sub pallet detachable from the main pallet, and can convey a cylinder head and parts thereof. The apparatus includes a mechanism disconnecting, from the main pallet, the cylinder head placed on the main pallet and lifting/lowering the cylinder head, a mechanism detaching the sub pallet from the main pallet and lifting/lowering the sub pallet, a mechanism holding the cylinder head lifted to a work operation region, an operation unit extracting a valve retainer from the sub pallet lifted to a part preparation region and assemble it to a cylinder head, and a device arranged between the work operation region and the part preparation region and detaching a pair of cotter pieces.
US09388713B2 Camshaft
A camshaft for an internal combustion engine may include a shaft and at least one component thermally joined thereto. The at least one component may be connected via a component-side joining face to a shaft-side joining face of the shaft. At least one of the component-side joining face and the shaft-side joining face may include a predefined roughness introduced and hardened via a laser. The predefined roughness may define at least one track composed of a plurality of individual laser spots. Each of the plurality of individual laser spots may include a center point arranged offset to each other. The plurality of individual laser spots may respectively be arranged to overlapping each other.
US09388705B2 Sealing device
The sealing device includes: an outer peripheral ring 2000 that is in contact with a side wall surface of an annular groove 4100 at a low pressure side (L), and slides with respect to an inner peripheral surface of a shaft hole in a housing 5000 through which a shaft 4000 is inserted. An inner peripheral ring 3000 made of a rubber-like elastic body that is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral ring 2000 and a groove bottom surface of the annular groove 4100, respectively. The outer peripheral ring 2000 is formed on its outer peripheral surface with a concave portion 2220 which extends from an end of a high pressure side (H) to a position which does not arrive at an end of a low pressure side, so as to introduce fluid thereinto from the high pressure side.
US09388704B2 Vane array with one or more non-integral platforms
A vane array adapted to be coupled to a vane carrier within a gas turbine engine is provided comprising: a plurality of elongated airfoils comprising at least a first airfoil and a second airfoil located adjacent to one another; a U-ring; first connector structure for coupling a radially inner end section of each of the first and second airfoils to the U-ring; second connector structure for coupling a radially outer end section of each of the first and second airfoils to the vane carrier; a platform extending between the first and second airfoils; and platform connector structure for coupling the platform to one of the U-ring and the vane carrier.
US09388700B2 Gas turbine engine airfoil cooling circuit
An airfoil for a gas turbine engine according to one exemplary embodiment includes an airfoil body that extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge. A cooling circuit can be defined within the airfoil body. The cooling circuit can include at least one trip strip disposed within a cavity of the cooling circuit between a leading edge inner wall and a first rib. The at least one trip strip can include an increasing height in a direction from the first rib toward the leading edge inner wall.
US09388699B2 Crossover cooled airfoil trailing edge
A cooling circuit for a turbine bucket having an airfoil portion includes a trailing edge cooling circuit portion provided with a first radially outwardly directed inlet passage intermediate leading and trailing edges of the airfoil portion of the bucket, extending from a platform portion of the bucket to a location adjacent a radially outer tip of the bucket, and connecting to a second radially inwardly directed passage extending from a location adjacent the radially outer tip to a location adjacent the platform portion. The second radially inwardly directed passage connects to a third trailing edge region passage, and a plurality of crossover passages connect a radially outer half of the second radially inwardly directed passage to a radially outer half of the third trailing edge region passage.
US09388698B2 Rotor cooling
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to rotor cooling and, more particularly, to a stator member having at least one passage for the delivery of cooling steam to a bucket root. In one embodiment, the invention provides a turbine comprising: a rotor including a first bucket root; and a stator member having: a rotor bore within which at least a portion of the rotor is disposed; a facing end adjacent to the first bucket root of the rotor; a plurality of seals within the rotor bore for sealing against the rotor, the plurality of seals including a first seal nearest the facing end and a second seal adjacent to the first seal; and a plurality of passages, each extending from a surface of the rotor bore at a point between the first seal and the second seal and extending through the facing end.
US09388696B2 Removable shim clip for adjustable piston pump
A pump assembly comprises a base, a cam, a cylinder, a piston, and a shim clip. The cam rotates about a rotational axis with respect to the base. The cylinder attaches to the base, and has an inlet port and an outlet for fluid. The piston is reciprocally driven by rotation of the cam to draw fluid into the cylinder through the inlet port during a fill stroke, and to close the inlet port and pump fluid in the cylinder toward the offset during a pump stroke. The shim clip is removably insertable between the cylinder and the base to increase the distance between the inlet port and the rotational axis.
US09388691B2 Protective element, concrete element, and method for producing a concrete element
The invention relates to a protective element (20) for connecting to a concrete element (10) of a tunnel lining, to the concrete element (10) and to the method for producing the concrete element (10). It is an object of the invention to provide a protective element (20) for a tunnel lining, or the associated concrete element, which ensures that the protective casing of the tunnel lining is better safeguarded against corrosive gases or liquids. The solution of the invention provides that the protective element (20) is produced from an injection-moldable plastics material, that a protective portion (21, 22, 23) is connected in a single piece to a seal (30), wherein the connection is gas-tight and liquid-tight, that the protective portion (21, 22, 23) is connected in a single piece to a connecting element (24, 25, 26, 27, 28), and that the single-piece connection is produced by injection molding of the plastics material.
US09388690B2 Tunnel excavation method
This tunnel excavation method includes a step of excavating three first tunnels that are substantially parallel to each other in a first excavation step. Second tunnels are excavated that intersect the first tunnels in a second excavation step. A boring machine is used that performs excavation in a state in which a gripper pushes against the side wall of the tunnel.
US09388687B2 Formation environment sampling apparatus, systems, and methods
In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to advance a geological formation probe with a surrounding pad to seal the pad against a borehole wall, to adjust the size of the area associated with a fluid flow inlet of the probe, where the size of the inlet area is selectably and incrementally variable, and to draw fluid into the fluid flow inlet by activating at least one pump coupled to at least one fluid passage in the probe.
US09388684B2 Modulated formation perforating apparatus and method for fluidic jetting, drilling services or other formation penetration requirements
Apparatus, systems, and methods, for perforating a downhole object while minimizing collateral damage to other objects, include use of a perforating device having a body, at least one fuel source having a characteristic that produces a selected mass flow rate, a selected burn rate, or combinations thereof, and an initiator for reacting the fuel to project a force through at least one port in the body. Characteristics of the at least one fuel source can include use of differing fuel types, shapes, and placement to achieve the desired mass flow rate or burn rate, and thus, a controlled force from the apparatus. An anchor or similar orienting device can be used to control the direction and position from which the force exits the apparatus. Openings formed in downhole objects can include a chamfered profile for facilitating future orientation or for injecting or removing substances from a formation.
US09388683B2 Boring tool control using remote locator
A drilling system performs underground boring using a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore. A monitoring arrangement, forming part of the system, includes a detection arrangement at the drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool. A portable device forms another part of the system for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device. A communication arrangement, for example using telemetry, transfers the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device. The operational parameter may be monitored for the purpose of preventing equipment failure.
US09388679B2 Downhole gas and liquid separation
A gas separator connectable to a pump for flowing production fluid, the separator having a housing defining an internal cavity with an inlet end defining for the production fluid. A housing first pumping stage pressurizes the production fluid, and a first fluid flow restrictor downstream of the first pumping stage limits the production fluid to a selected first flow rate. A first separation chamber in the housing downstream of the first fluid flow restrictor separates some gas from the production fluid, and a housing second pumping stage further pressurizes the production. A second fluid flow restrictor downstream of the second pumping stage limits the production fluid flow to a selected second flow rate, and a second separation chamber downstream to the second fluid flow restrictor effects further gas separation from the production fluid.
US09388678B2 In situ retorting of hydrocarbons and a selected metal
A method of producing hydrocarbons and a selected metal in situ from a fixed-bed hydrocarbon formation disposed below a ground surface and having a higher permeability zone substantially parallel to, and between a top lower permeability zone and a bottom lower permeability zone. The steps include providing at least one injection well and first and second production wells in the higher permeability zone, injecting a heated thermal-energy carrier fluid (TECF) into the injection well, circulating the carrier fluid through the zone and creating a substantially horizontal situ heating element (ISHE) between the injection well and the production wells for mobilizing the hydrocarbons and the selected metal.
US09388677B2 Method and apparatus for thermally treating an oil reservoir
It is provided a method and an apparatus for continuously thermally treating an oil reservoir, in particular a method and an apparatus for thermally treating an oil reservoir by separately introducing a first and a second composition into an oil well and contacting the first and second compositions in a pay zone of the oil reservoir to initiate a chemical reaction producing heat and gases. With the method and apparatus according to the present invention it becomes possible to simultaneously introduce the compositions into the oil well and to extract the resultant oil or oil containing mixture through the same oil well. For this a sealing device like a packer, and at least one tubing are arranged in the oil well such that the sealing device is positioned in the pay zone of the oil reservoir and that openings in the casing of the oil well are located above and below the sealing device and the tubing extends through the packer and comprises at least one opening below the packer, wherein the packer seals the annular space between the outside of the tubing and the inside of the casing of the oil well so that two fluid passages are provided having no fluid connection inside the oil well. Thermal treatment is achieved by separately introducing the first and second compositions into the oil well through the resultant fluid passages, initiating a chemical reaction by contacting the compositions in the pay zone of the oil reservoir. The chemical reaction can be maintained by introducing at least one of the two compositions and the resultant oil or oil containing mixture can be extracted at the same time through the oil well.
US09388676B2 SAGD oil recovery method utilizing multi-lateral production wells and/or common flow direction
Improved SAGD methods for recovering heavy oil from underground formations. In a first aspect a method is provided for drilling, using multi-lateral drilling techniques, a series of horizontal collector wells from a vertical shaft of a production well, below and parallel to an injection well. In a further alternative to the typical SAGD configuration having injector and producer well drilled from the same end of a region under development, the production well is instead drilled at an end of a region of development opposite to an end of such region at which an injector well is drilled. Lastly, in yet another aspect, the invention comprises a method for rejuvenating an existing SAGD well pair, comprising drilling a further production well or wells at an opposite end of said formation at which an existing injector well was drilled, preferably using multi-lateral drilling techniques.
US09388668B2 Subterranean channel for transporting a hydrocarbon for prevention of hydrates and provision of a relief well
There is herein described the prevention of hydrates and the provision of a Relief Well in an oil and gas Well. More particularly, there is described the prevention of hydrates in an oil and gas Well by utilizing the latent heat in the sub-soil and providing Subterranean Channels to facilitate the provision of Relief Well access.
US09388666B2 Locking mechanism for downhole positioning of sleeves
A well tool can include a chamber having a volume that changes when a member displaces, and a valve device that selectively opens and permits displacement of the member, and that selectively closes and prevents displacement of the member. A method of operating a well tool can include displacing a member, thereby changing a chamber volume, and then closing a valve device, thereby preventing displacement of the member. A well system can include a well tool connected in a tubular string, a flow passage of the tubular string extending longitudinally through the well tool, the well tool including a chamber having a volume that changes when a member displaces, and a shifting tool, a valve device opening and member displacement being permitted when the shifting tool engages the well tool, and the valve device closing and member displacement being prevented when the shifting tool disengages from the well tool.
US09388663B2 Downhole circulating valve having a metal-to-metal seal and method for operating same
A downhole circulating valve includes a generally tubular outer housing having an axially extending internal passageway including an internal seat and at least one generally radially extending opening formed through the housing intersecting the internal seat. A valve element is rotatably disposed within the internal passageway. The valve element has an axially extending internal bore and a head portion disposed at least partially within the internal seat. The head portion includes at least one generally radially extending seal element. The valve element has a first position relative to the housing, wherein the seal element is not aligned with the opening, thereby allowing fluid communication between the opening and the internal passageway. The valve element has a second position relative to the housing, wherein the seal element is aligned with the opening and wherein the seal element forms a metal-to-metal seal with the internal seat, thereby preventing fluid communication between the opening and the internal passageway.
US09388661B2 Methods and systems for treating a wellbore
A completion assembly for treating a wellbore. The completion assembly can include a tubular member having a bore formed axially therethrough and a port formed radially therethrough. An annulus can be disposed radially outward from the tubular member and the port can provide fluid communication between the annulus and the bore. A packer can be coupled to the tubular member and adapted to isolate first and second portions of the annulus. A seal bore can be coupled to the tubular member such that the port is disposed axially between the packer and the seal bore. A straddle seal can be adapted to contact the packer and the seal bore to prevent fluid flow between the annulus and the bore. The straddle seal can be run into the wellbore with the completion assembly in a single trip.
US09388656B2 Subsea wellhead including monitoring apparatus
The present invention provides monitoring means for monitoring the space and volume within a lower annulus. In particular, the monitoring means monitors the space and volume within the lower annulus 52 located between the inner surface of the 22 intermediate casing string 22 and the outer surface of the inner casing string 32. Furthermore, the monitoring means provides the capability to retrieve and/or introduce fluid(s) into the annular space 52. The monitoring means provides a port, specifically a passageway 100, which extends upwardly from the annular space 52 to an outlet located above the hanger 36 for the intermediate casing string 22. The passageway 100 is provided in a sleeve 102. The monitoring means includes a sensor located above the hanger 36 which means that the fluid in the annular space 52 can be monitored without the need for penetrating a casing in the wellhead.
US09388651B2 Electromagnetically activated jarring
An impact apparatus conveyable in a tool string within a wellbore comprises a mandrel, a first impact feature, and a latch pin retainer encircling an end of the mandrel. A release sleeve encircles a portion of the latch pin retainer and includes a radial recess. Latch pins retained by the latch pin retainer are slidable into and out of the radial recess, and prevent disengagement of the mandrel end from the latch pin retainer when not extending into the radial recess. A release member electromagnetically causes relative translation of the latch pin retainer and the release sleeve, including aligning the latch pins with the radial recess and thereby permitting the disengagement. A second impact feature is positioned to impact the first impact feature in response to the disengagement when the impact apparatus is under tension.
US09388649B2 Offshore drilling installation and method for offshore drilling
Offshore drilling installation comprising a platform selected from the group comprising a vessel, a pontoon, a jack-up, and further comprising a drill string drivingly connected with said platform and optionally provided with a heave motion compensator, wherein at its lower end the drill string is pro-vided with a drill bit, and wherein a seabed template suspended with lift wires from the platform is placed on a seabed, and wherein clamping means mounted in the seabed template are provided for fixing the drill string relative to the seabed template, which clamping means are embodied as a chuck which is arranged for clamping the drill string whilst enabling the drill string's rotation.
US09388646B2 Double curved spider gripping die
A double curved face gripping die for engaging tubular pipe of varying diameters is comprised of opposing mirror imaged curved die surfaces forming a modified V-shape. Each curve die surface has a double curved contact surface of a desired varying radius, the distal ends of the contact surfaces extending outward limn the pipe to avoid pipe contact. The die incorporates the contact strength and flexibility of a V-shaped gripping d with minimal scratching or gouging of the pipe.
US09388643B1 Harsh environment pressure compensator for inline cable termination
The present invention generally relates to an inline pressure compensator that compensates for volumetric changes within Field-Assembled Cable Termination (FACT) structures when exposed to high pressures and extreme subsea depths by transferring a pressure compensating fluid into the internal cavity of the FACT. The present invention may comprise a flexible internal component and an outer shell-like component. The inner component may comprise two concentric rings of edge-welded bellows that are joined together and wrapped around inner components of the termination or of the inner portion of the outer component. The inner void in the bellows may be filled with pressure-compensating fluid. The pressure compensating fluid diffuses directly into the fluid-filled cavity of the termination assembly. The exterior component may comprise a housing adapted to protect the interior bellows component and provide for seawater to fill the space around the periphery of the bellows arrangement.
US09388642B2 Flexible pipe fatigue monitoring below the bend stiffener of a flexible riser
A flexible pipe fatigue monitoring system 30 comprising a pipe monitoring system 32, 40, 42 adapted to be provided on a flexible pipe 10 having a bend stiffener 18. The pipe monitoring system 40, 42 is provided on the pipe 10 below the bend stiffener 18. The monitoring system 32 measures one or more of bending, tension and torsion of the pipe 10. The pipe monitoring system 30 comprises sensor carrier members 40, 42 adapted to be coupled to the pipe 10 and at least one fiber Bragg grating strain sensor embedded in a carrier member 40, 42. An inclinometer 34 is provided on one carrier member 40 to measure the incline of the pipe 10 relative to earth. A central processor 38 is provided to receive bending, tension and torsion information and incline information, and is operable to determine pipe fatigue from said information. A method of flexible pipe fatigue monitoring is also provided.
US09388641B1 Self-positioning substructure locking mechanism
The present invention discloses an automatic drill floor to substructure latching system that adds to the safety of drilling operations. In particular, the present invention is applicable for rapid and safe locked connection of a drilling rig side box to the drilling rig base box such that weight imbalances incurred when raising of the drilling rig mast will not result in unsecured and unsafe separation of the side box and base box.
US09388639B2 Rotatable cutting elements and related earth-boring tools and methods
Earth-boring tools may comprise rotatable cutting elements rotatably connected to protruding journals, which may be at least partially located within inner bores extending through the rotatable cutting elements. A rotationally leading end of one of the protruding journals may not extend beyond a cutting face of its associated rotatable cutting element. Alternatively, a protruding journal may comprise a chip breaker protruding from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element. Methods of removing an earth formation may include directing cuttings forward, away from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element then the cuttings reach an inner bore of the rotatable cutting element, and rotating the rotatable cutting element around a protruding journal at least partially located in the inner bore.
US09388631B2 Pet door
A pet door connects to the door and to the door frame in both a closed and open position with an opening therein to allow the pet to leave and enter the residence at any time. The pet door also prevents the air-conditioned air from leaving the residence and insects and pests from entering while the door is in the open position.
US09388629B2 Method and system for sealing around door
Certain example embodiments relate to a sealing system for sealing the periphery of a door relative to a frame. The sealing system includes a multi point finger seal having at least three fingers of differing height and spacing so that a first finger may contact the door and contact of the first finger and second finger is precluded. A second finger is sized and spaced from a third finger so that a free edge of the second finger abuts the base of the third finger. A security seal is located at the bottom of the door and includes a security flap biased into the door, wherein a cam on the frame engages the flap upon closure of the door to urge the security flap toward the floor. The seal includes one or more perforations therein, causing the seal to breakaway and into pieces if removal is attempted.
US09388626B2 Door sill assembly with sealed zone for exterior doors
A door sill assembly comprises a sill threshold defining an upper step portion and a lower step portion. A sweep is connected to a bottom of a door slab of a door, the sweep comprising deflectors projecting downwardly from the door slab. An outermost deflector is vertically aligned with and spaced apart from the lower step portion when the door is closed to form a pressure-equalized zone open to the exterior. A second deflector is vertically aligned and in contact with the upper step portion when the door is closed. A seal is positioned interiorly relative to the deflectors and is vertically aligned with the upper step portion to form a sealed zone with the second one of the deflectors and the upper portion when the door is closed.
US09388624B2 Cash box with a height limiter engaging with the retaining element
The invention relates to a cash box (10, 100, 102) comprising a receiving area (24) for receiving a value note stack and a first opening (18) for manually feeding and removing notes of value, which first opening is closable by a cover (16). On the cover (16), a height limiter (36) for adjusting the height of the receiving area (24) is provided, this height limiter (36) comprising at least one finger (40, 42) which, at least when the cover (16) is closed, projects into a recess (44, 46) of a retaining element (30).
US09388622B1 Apparatus for controlling the motion of a sliding door
An apparatus for controlling the motion of a top-hung sliding door. The apparatus has a biasing member, a door engagement member coupled to the biasing member for releasably engaging a flange extending from a door hanger from which the sliding door is supported, and a body defining a path for the door engagement member. A first end of the path is configured such that the door engagement member may be releasably retained at the first end of the path, whereby when the door engagement member is retained at the first end of the path and the door engagement member is contacted by the flange: the door engagement member is configured to engage the flange, and the biasing member is configured to extend and move the door engagement member to a second end of the path.
US09388620B2 Door stopper and rod locking mechanism
The present invention is related to a door stopper including a rod mechanism attached to a door, the rod mechanism being provided with a rod extending toward a floor; and a rod locking mechanism provided on the floor, the rod locking mechanism being configured to lock the door in an open state by locking the rod, wherein the rod locking mechanism includes a locking member that is moveable along a floor surface, the locking member being configured to lock a movement of the rod by engaging with the rod according to a motion of the door in an opening direction for a first time, and to allow a movement of the rod in a closing direction of the door by releasing the engagement with the rod according to a motion of the door in the opening direction for a second time.
US09388617B2 Hinge device
A hinge device that makes a second housing openable and closeable with respect to a first housing in an electronic device with the first housing and the second housing, includes: a shaft connected to the first housing; a lever having an end into which the shaft is inserted, the end that is rotatable around an axis of the shaft, and another end connected to the second housing; a friction plate that is situated next to the lever, the friction plate into which the shaft is inserted, the friction plate that is not rotatable around the axis of the shaft; and a pressing section that presses the friction plate in a direction of the lever along the axis of the shaft, wherein contact faces of the lever and the friction plate are formed to have a conical shape.
US09388616B2 Hinge cover and method of use
A hinge cover assembly for a pre-mounted hinge includes a cup cover releasably connected to a hinge cup of the pre-mounted hinge, an arm cover removably connected to a hinge arm of the pre-mounted hinge, the hinge arm pivotally connected to the hinge cup, and a hinge cover pivotally connected to the cup cover and slidably engaged with the arm cover. The hinge cover is pivotally connected to the hinge cup with a set of pins and a set of torsion springs. The set of torsion springs bias the hinge cover against the arm cover. As the hinge cup is pivoted between an open position and a closed position, the bias of the set of torsion springs and the slidable engagement of the hinge cover with the arm cover enables the hinge cover to extend and retract with respect to the hinge arm and cover the pre-mounted hinge.
US09388611B2 Multi-point lock having a flush-mount cylinder
A multi-point lock having an easy to install modular drive mechanism for bolts located at the top and bottom edges of a door in which the multi-point locking system is installed that requires only relatively simple door preparation. The bolt operating mechanism is installed into a rectangular groove cut into a lateral edge of a door which may be cut using relatively simple tools in relatively quick fashion. The multi-point lock is configured to fit doors of any size, with a single kit accommodating doors of different thicknesses, in each case, with the plug-face of the lock cylinder substantially flush with a major face of a backplate of a handle set used with a particular door.
US09388609B2 Drawer latch assembly and toolbox assembly
A container 10 having one of several latch assemblies, such as latch assembly 1300, which respectively reduce the likelihood that a drawer, such as drawer 902 will undesirably and/or inadvertently move to an open position.
US09388605B2 Electronic lock
An electronic lock contains a housing including an accommodating chamber, and the accommodating chamber having a central controlling unit, a first connecting member and a second connecting member; a driving motor including a threaded rod; a driving gear including a through aperture, a plurality of first teeth, and a toothed block; a first driven gear including a first opening and a first detected portion; a second driven gear including a second opening and a second detected portion. The electronic lock also contains a first photo interrupter including a first seat, a first light transmitting portion, and a first light receiving portion; a second photo interrupter including a second seat, a second light transmitting portion and a second light receiving portion; and a rotary knob including a grip portion, an stem extending outwardly from the grip portion, and a cross pore defined on a distal end of the stem.
US09388603B2 Hands free gate
The present gate includes a barrier frame and a gate in the barrier frame. The gate is opened by inserting a foot into a foot opening in the gate, which action compresses springs disposed about pivot pins between the gate and the barrier frame and draws an extended latch downwardly and out of a latch receiver that is bottomless, which action unlatches and frees the gate from the barrier frame such that the gate can be swung open. Downward travel of the gate is minimized until a foot pushes a pivoting stop out of the way.
US09388596B2 Pool cleaning vehicle with mechanism for skewing an axle
A self directed pool cleaning vehicle comprising a body carrying water inlet and outlet ports with the inlet port being located on the bottom of the body with the body containing a filter is described. A drive mechanism propels the vehicle in two generally opposed directions. Two axles which each carry two wheels support the body and control its direction of movement. One axle is mounted to the body via slots that extend in the directions of motion such that this axle can move toward either end of the slots. A steering structure is provided with a portion that moves to close a portion of one of the slots and can be locked in a position that prevents one end of an axle from traversing its slot. Thus when this axle is the trialing axle it is held at other than a right angle to the two generally opposed directions.
US09388593B2 Safety device for drain sump
A safety device for a drain sump includes a drain adjunct member and an adapter for attaching the drain adjunct member to the main drain pipe that is in connection with the pool or spa pump. The drain adjunct member is “T-shaped” for limiting the possibility of limb entrapment and further includes anti-hair entangling mesh and vacuum relief holes for limiting the possibility of hair and body entrapment. In the event that an individual does block water flow into the drain adjunct member, the unblocked vacuum relief holes prevent a vacuum force from being created by allowing increased intake of water therethrough. The arrangement of the vacuum relief holes on the body of the drain adjunct member disrupts the vortex effect otherwise created by the typical single direction flow of water in a standard main drain pipe, thereby further limiting the likelihood of limb, body or hair entrapment.
US09388590B1 Brick chimney guide
The brick chimney guide is an apparatus for holding successive brick courses in proper alignment during the construction of brick chimneys or columns. The apparatus is comprised of four angle upright members mutually connected by eight horizontal bars. The end of each horizontal bar is held frictionally by corner brackets at the top and bottom of each angle upright member. The guide is attached to a chimney by jacking screws on the bottom of each of the four angle upright members. The screws hold the guide in place by friction and help align the guide in a plumb and square manner. The angle upright members physically maintain each of the four corners of the brick structure in vertical alignment throughout the construction process.
US09388585B1 Floor covering
Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
US09388579B2 Packing or transport unit having fibrous insulation elements
The invention relates to a packing- and/or transport unit comprising several fibrous insulation elements (4, 5) for flat roof insulation being arranged in at least one stack (2) and at least one support means (3) being arranged under the stack (2), whereby the stack (2) contains at least two different types of insulation elements (4, 5), which differ with respect to the material properties. A packing- and/or transport unit which is easy to handle and which allows to arrange most of the materials close to the places where it is needed is achieved in that the stacked insulation elements (4, 5) comprise lamellas (4) and/or lamella boards having a high compression strength but low point load resistance due to their fiber orientation and at least one insulation board (5) having an even higher compression strength and high point load resistance.
US09388578B2 Composite profile structure for roofing applications
Embodiments of the invention provide composite roofing strips that may be attached to a roofing membrane for aesthetic and/or functional purposes and method of attaching the same. According to one embodiment, a composite roofing strip may include a longitudinally extending body having a base and a lateral member extending from the base, and may also include an insert extending partially or fully along the body and coupled therewith. The insert may be formable so as to allow the composite roofing strip to be adjusted to have a desired profile and to maintain the desired profile of the composite roofing strip post adjustment.
US09388574B2 Stay-in-place concrete form connector
A stay-in-place concrete form includes masonry shells layered with rigid insulation tied with plastic cross tie assemblies. The masonry shells can be connected with plastic dovetail connectors that compensate for the variation in height of the shells. This allows for the shells, together with the connectors, to be a consistent height and allows for dry stacking. This dry stacking method can result in labor time and training savings over conventional masonry mortar construction.
US09388569B2 Bridgelike support structure made of fireproof ceramic bricks
The invention relates to a bridge-like supporting structure made of fireproof ceramic stones, wherein two outer, end bearing stones have a largely horizontal step on the inner side of the outer, end bearing stones and a keystone arranged between the two bearing stones has at least one corresponding step on the two outer sides of the keystone. By means of said structure, thermal expansions can be better compensated.
US09388567B2 Water-stopping member and outer wall structure
An outer wall structure according to the invention includes first to fourth linear water-stopping members, and first to fourth corner water-stopping members. These members include plate portions and seal portions and the like. The plate portions are fixed to a vertical furring strip member, a horizontal furring strip member, and a frame member by means of a first mounting screw. Consequently, the seal portions prevent entry of water between a sash body and the plate portion. With the outer wall structure, the plate portions are fixed to the vertical furring strip member, the horizontal furring strip member, and the frame member at a position spaced apart from the outer face farther than a first width of the flange.
US09388559B2 Device for filtering debris in a gutter downspout and related method
Disclosed herein is a device for being placed proximal a gutter downspout of a gutter channel. The device includes a cage assembly defining a bottom facing surface that engages with a bottom of the gutter channel when installed within the channel, a rear facing surface that engages a rear surface of the gutter channel when installed within the channel, a top facing surface not in engagement with the gutter channel when installed within the channel, a front facing surface that defines a generally vertical surface that engages a front surface of the gutter channel and a generally diagonal surface that engages a correspondingly diagonal surface of the front portion of the gutter channel. The cage assembly defines one or more openings sized to allow flowthrough of liquid into the device and inhibit flowthrough of debris into the device.
US09388558B2 Drain systems and related methods
A drain system includes a basin and a drain, where a first one of the basin and the drain comprises at least two substantially inflexible protrusions and a second one of the basin and the drain forms at least two apertures. The protrusions and apertures form male-female connections that facilitate positioning and anchoring of the drain in the basin. Further, stoppers/strainer and ball valves for limiting or ceasing water flow through a drain are disclosed. The stoppers/strainers and quarter turn valves may be switch-activated and moved into position by electricity, water pressure, air pressure and the like.
US09388557B2 Sanitary installation part
A sanitary fixture (6) is provided having a mounting housing (9) which has a thread (10) for fastening to a mating thread provided on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. The mounting housing (9) has a downstream housing end side (12) with flow-through holes (13), and wherein at least one insertion part can be inserted into the mounting housing (9) as far as an insertion stop. According to one of the solution proposals described here, it is provided that the fixture (6) has an aerated jet regulator (16) or is configured as such, that the circumferential wall of the mounting housing (9) borders at least one aeration duct (14) at least in a subregion of at least double-walled configuration, and that the at least one aeration duct (14), which is open towards the downstream housing end side (12), opens out in at least one aeration opening (15) leading into the housing interior of the mounting housing.
US09388554B2 Fire hydrant pressure indicator
Devices, systems and methods for visually indicating the presence of a fire hydrant and the range of gallons per minute water flow associated with the hydrant by using a single-piece fire hydrant cover.
US09388549B2 Quick-coupler
A quick-coupler for coupling a tool such as an excavator bucket, a clamshell grapple or demolition shears to a tool guide such as an excavator arm or the like, includes a coupling mount for receiving a first locking part and a locking mount for receiving a second locking part, wherein a securing element, which can be actuated by a pressure medium, is associated with the coupling mount for capturing and/or securing the first locking part and a locking element, which can be actuated by a pressure medium, is associated with the locking mount for locking the second locking part in the locking mount. The securing element of the coupling mount can likewise be actuated by the pressure circuit for actuating the locking element of the locking mount, wherein a time control device is provided for reducing the actuation pressure built up at the securing element within a specific time duration.
US09388548B2 Apparatus and methods for pipe piling placement
A pipe assembly may have one or more pipe segments that are coupled together or coupled to a drive socket by a coupler. The coupler may have a body with a generally tubular shape with an interior surface and an exterior surface. First and second flanges may extend outward from the exterior surface to engage the drive socket, thereby providing enhanced stability and coaxiality. The interior surface may have an upper receiving feature that can receive the bottom end of an overhead pipe segment, and a lower receiving feature that can receive the top end of a subtending pipe segment. The upper receiving feature may have an upper threaded bore with a lead-in portion that facilitates alignment of the overhead pipe segment with the upper threaded bore. The interior surface may also have a stop feature that prevents over-insertion of the top end and/or the bottom end into the coupler.
US09388547B2 Device for anchoring constructions in the ground
A device for anchoring constructions in the ground, having a tubular support column or support element and having supporting plates arranged in a supporting plane, wherein the tubular support column is in the form of a continuous part which extends from the supporting plane to above the ground, the tubular support column, the supporting plates and the connecting webs consist of steel, the tubular support column or the support element, the supporting plates and the connecting webs are connected together by screw connections, and the supporting plates are connected to the tubular support column by connecting webs.
US09388546B2 Oil recovery system
The oil recovery system is used to remove oil from water. The system includes rollers rotatably supported on a frame, one of the rollers having drive sprockets. A belt extends between the first and second rollers and a roller press squeezes the belt to thereby remove oil from the belt. The belt has a first layer of oleophilic material, a second layer of oleophilic material and a third central reinforcing scrim layer between the first and second layer. Chains extend along the side edges of the belt, and are driven by the sprockets. The chains are connected to the side edges by a plurality of flanges that are integral the chains, reinforcing cords extending along the side edges, reinforcing strips wrapped around the reinforcing cords and extending along the side edges, and a plurality of pins that extend through the flanges, the strip and the three layers.
US09388544B2 Finger snow plow with extension
A finger plow includes an extension which may be extended or retracted to enable the finger plow to discharge snow and ice away from the wheels of the vehicle and to make a relatively wider snow cleared path while not unduly extending beyond the sidewalls of the wheels of the vehicle when not engaged in a plowing operation. The finger plow may be a one-way or reversible snow plow with one or two extensions. In the later case, the finger plow and one or more extension finger plows are rotatable relative to the chassis of the vehicle. Shear pins or a resilient mechanism may be provided to permit the finger plow to pivot rearwardly in the event that the finger plow extension encounters an obstacle.
US09388541B2 Area delineator
A method of using an area delineating device is disclosed for creating a temporary border or barrier between two or more points. The delineating, device has a base including a material housing unit, a hollow upright member, and an exit opening in the upright member. A series of flaps, preferably rubber, are located on the bottom of the base and facilitate access to the material housing unit in which is housed a red of disposable partitioning material, such as caution tape or police tape. The disposable partitioning material threads up from the material housing unit, through the base channel and into the vertical cavity. The disposable partition material then exits the vertical cavity via the exit opening at the top of the delineating device. A series of lineal windows can be present in the vertical member.
US09388540B2 Removable bracket for a walkway handrail
A bracket for attaching a safety handrail to a walkway comprising a C-shaped clamp with a retaining brace which slides under the lower flange of a metal walkway side rail, and is attached using a fastener. The back of the clamp has a retaining sleeve for holding a board for a safety handrail.
US09388539B2 Selective clamping of chassis
Methods of and apparatus for controlling relative telescoping extension or retraction of multiple telescoping assemblies is provided. The telescoping assemblies connect the main frame of a slipform paver to a side member of the slipform paver. Each telescoping assembly has a telescopic lock associated with the telescoping assembly. A common telescoping force is applied across the telescoping assemblies to widen or narrow the frame width of the slipform paver. Extension of the telescoping assemblies is monitored, and activation of the telescopic locks is controlled so as to determine which of the telescoping assemblies is allowed to telescope under application of the common telescoping force.
US09388538B2 Frame width adjustment by steering
A self-propelled construction machine includes machine frame that is laterally extendible to adjust a width of the machine frame. A frame lock can selectively lock and unlock the machine frame to permit the width adjustment. A controller includes a frame extension mode configured to steer at least one ground engaging unit to provide a lateral force to adjust the width of the machine frame as the machine is driven across the ground surface by the ground engaging units.
US09388536B2 Method for forming an artificial grass layer and artificial grass product for use therein
The invention relates to a method for forming an artificial grass layer on a substrate, comprising the steps of supplying a pack of flat and deformable artificial grass strips, in which the strips are arranged with their flat faces side-by-side and are connected to each other at mutually offset locations, placing the pack of artificial grass strips on or partially in the substrate, pulling apart the artificial grass strips, thus forming a grid, and at least partially filling at least some of the openings in the grid with a stabilizing material. The invention further relates to a method for forming such a pack of flat and deformable artificial grass strips. And finally, the invention relates to an artificial grass product, comprising a pack of flat and deformable artificial grass strips, each strip comprising a substantially straight lower edge and an upper edge having artificial grass blades protruding therefrom, wherein the strips are arranged with their flat faces in side-by-side relationship and their straight lower edges in substantially the same plane, and are connected to each other at mutually offset locations.
US09388535B2 Method for producing synthetic turfs
Method for making a synthetic turf comprising laying a turf (1) consisting of a mat (2) on which a plurality of blades (3, 3a, 3b, 3c) of synthetic material is woven. An infill material (18) is obtained using the granular and fibrous part (17) of a loose product based on ground coconut, alone or with addition of other material such as rubber in granules or sand or other loose vegetable material such as cork. The raw material based on coconut, having a heterogeneous granulometry set between about 500 micron and several mm, is obtained loading a loose product based on ground coconut by a hopper on a conveyor belt for being fed in a sieve, for example a rotating screen that separates the powder part from the granular and fibrous part. In particular, the powder part of the raw material, is gathered on a conveyor belt and from here sent to a storage reservoir. The granular and fibrous part of the raw material, which represents the main product of the process, is, instead, sent by a conveyor belt to a storage, reservoir from where it is taken for the process to provide infill material for a synthetic turf.
US09388531B2 Plant for the production of embossed articles
A plant for the production of embossed articles is disclosed. Upstream of the embossing group for the plant and add on a glue dispensing unit and/or a printing unit having a cliché roll for the application of the glue on a web of band or ink on the band is provided. The web or the band moves between the cliché roll and a contrast cylinder. Actuator means are provided for approaching or moving away a portion of the cliché roll from the contrast cylinder. Thus, regardless of the type of paper used, it is possible to obtain a perfect adhesion of the webs without jeopardizing the softness of the paper used. It is also possible to obtain the printing in selected areas of the product being processed.
US09388529B2 Single-step method for production of nano pulp by acceleration and disintegration of raw material
The invention relates to methods of manufacturing nano pulp, wherein cellulose containing raw material is accelerated in a continuous gas and/or liquid flow, whereby the material is disintegrated and nano pulp is produced. The gas and/or liquid flow may be created by reduction of an elevated pressure in a reactor holding the cellulose containing raw material. The invention also relates to the nano pulp produced.
US09388524B2 Washing machine
A washing machine capable of increasing the washing capacity without enlarging the external appearance and also discharging a washing water during a washing operation or a spin-dry operation while completely isolated from electronic parts and thus reducing the risk of a power failure and fire, the washing machine including a body, a rotating tub rotatably disposed inside the body, a pulsator rotatably disposed inside the rotating tub, a driving part provided on a lower portion of the rotating tub to selectively rotate the rotating tub and the pulsator, a base plate to which the driving part is fixed, wherein a waterproofing member is provided between the base plate and a bottom of the body to seal the driving part and to prevent water from reaching the driving part.
US09388521B2 Laundry system and method
The invention relates to a system and a method taking advantage of the cleaning effect of pressurized cleaning fluid, typically water; and in a continuous process. Accordingly, a stream of cleaning fluid is generated and applied to the laundry via one or more nozzles, as the laundry passes by the nozzles. Advantages of the laundry system and method, without limitation, may include the following: (a) the system generally saves water, time and electricity; (b) washing time depends on the size of each laundry item; (c) there is no need to accumulate laundry rather it is efficient to wash even just one or a few laundry items; (d) there is no need to sort laundry items; and (e) using high pressure water may require less or no soap, thereby causing less pollution and saving money.
US09388520B2 Washing control method of a washing machine to perform washing using bubbles
A washing control method that is capable of controlling laundry to be effectively washed with bubbles depending upon load of a washing machine. The washing control method includes supplying wash water containing detergent into a space between a lower portion of a rotary drum and a lower inner surface of a water tub; heating the wash water containing detergent; generating and supplying bubbles into the rotary drum; and washing laundry with the supplied bubbles.
US09388514B2 Method of producing electrically conductive metal composite yarn having increased yield strength, composite yarn produced by the method and embroidered circuit produced using the composite yarn
Provided are a method of producing an electrically conductive metal composite yarn applicable to a smart textile in which electrical, electronic and IT technologies are combined with an electronic circuit technology using fiber, an electrically conductive metal composite yarn produced by the method, and an embroidered circuit produced using the electrically conductive metal composite yarn, the method including: a first process of producing a covered yarn by wrapping a conductive yarn around a surface of a yarn; a second process of producing a twisted covered-yarn by additionally twisting the covered yarn produced through the first process; and a third process of producing a reinforced plied-yarn by wrapping a yarn around a surface of multiple strands of the twisted covered-yarn in a covered state to increase yield strength of the conductive yarn.
US09388507B2 Method for manufacturing polycrystalline silicon ingot, and polycrystalline silicon ingot
A method for manufacturing a polycrystalline silicon ingot includes unidirectionally solidifying a molten silicon upwardly from the bottom of a crucible, wherein the crucible is provided with silica deposited on the bottom of the crusible; and then dividing the degree of solidification in the crucible into a first zone from 0 mm to X in height (10 mm≦X<30 mm), a second zone from X to Y in height (30 mm≦Y<100 mm) and a third zone of Y or more in height, based on the bottom of the crucible, wherein a solidification rate V1 in the first zone is set in the range of 10 mm/h≦V1≦20 mm/h and a solidification rate V2 in the second zone is set in the range of 1 mm/h≦V2≦5 mm/h.
US09388505B2 Electrochemical deposition method
The present invention is to provide a substrate holder which can effect a more complete sealing with a sealing member and makes it possible to take a substrate out of the substrate holder easily and securely, and also a plating apparatus provided with the substrate holder. The substrate holder includes: a fixed holding member and a movable holding member for holding a substrate therebetween; a sealing member mounted to the fixed holding member or the movable holding member; and a suction pad for attracting a back surface of the substrate held between the fixed holding member and the movable holding member.
US09388504B2 Plating apparatus and plating method
A plating apparatus includes a processing bath configured to store a processing liquid therein, a transporter configured to immerse a substrate holder, holding a substrate, in the processing liquid, raise the substrate holder out of the processing bath, and transport the substrate holder in a horizontal direction, and a gas flow generator configured to generate a clean gas flow forward of the substrate with respect to a direction in which the substrate holder is transported. The transporter moves the gas flow generator together with the substrate holder in the horizontal direction while transporting the substrate holder in the horizontal direction.
US09388503B2 Cross-linked enzyme matrix and uses thereof
An electrochemical sensor system and membrane and method thereof for increased accuracy and effective life of electrochemical and enzyme sensors.
US09388500B2 Device for the dosed feeding of raw material into an aluminium reduction cell
The invention relates to a device for the metered feeding of stock into an aluminum electrolyzer. The device comprises a hopper for the material to be metered, a metering chamber with a rod having a pneumatic drive, an upper shut-off element which is rigidly fixed on the rod in the upper part of the metering chamber and is in the form of a valve, a lower shut-off element which is fixed on the end of the rod and is in the form of a cone valve with a conical cover, and charging apertures which are arranged around the perimeter in the upper part of the dosing chamber above the base of the hopper. The upper limits of the charging apertures are arranged above the upper position of the valve, and the distance from the base of the cone valve to the lower section of the metering chamber in an upper position of the rod is not less than the distance from the lower surface of the upper shut-off element to the lower limit of the charging apertures. An increase in the reliability of the device and in the metering accuracy is ensured, and, accordingly, the technological characteristics of the operation of the electrolyzer are improved.
US09388497B2 Method of electroless gold plating
There is provided a method of electroless gold plating, wherein the method includes a step of forming an underlying alloy layer on a base material and a step of forming a gold plate layer directly on the underlying alloy layer by means of electroless reduction plating using a cyanide-free gold plating bath, wherein the method is characterized in that the underlying alloy layer is formed of an M1-M2-M3 alloy (where M1 is at least one element selected from Ni, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn and Sn, M2 is at least one element selected from Pd, Re, Pt, Rh, Ag and Ru, and M3 is at least one element selected from P and B).
US09388495B2 Method of forming mask structure
A method of forming an etching mask structure on an insulating film containing silicon and oxygen includes forming a first silicon film on the insulating film formed on a substrate, forming a reaction blocking layer on a surface layer of the first silicon film, forming a second silicon film on the reaction blocking layer; and forming a tungsten film by replacing silicon of the second silicon film with tungsten by supplying a process gas containing a tungsten compound onto the second silicon film.
US09388490B2 Rotary magnetron magnet bar and apparatus containing the same for high target utilization
An apparatus for coating a substrate is provided that includes a racetrack-shaped plasma source having two straight portions and at least one terminal turnaround portion connecting said straight portions. A tubular target formed of a target material that forms a component of the coating has an end. The target is in proximity to the plasma source for sputtering of the target material. The target is secured to a tubular backing cathode, with both being rotatable about a central axis. A set of magnets are arranged inside the cathode to move an erosion zone aligned with the terminal turnaround toward the end of the target as the target is utilized to deposit the coating on the substrate. Target utilization of up to 87 weight percent the initial target weight is achieved.
US09388489B2 Tungsten target and method for producing same
[Problem] To suppress the generation of particles by reducing the average particle diameter to several dozen μm or less.[Solution] After forming a preform of a tungsten powder, the preform is sintered. The preform is formed so as to have a relative density of 70-90% (inclusive) and an oxygen content of 100-500 ppm (inclusive). The sintering is carried out by a hot isostatic pressing method at 1,700-1,850° C. (inclusive). Consequently, a tungsten target which has an average particle diameter of 20 μm or less with a standard deviation of 10 μm or less, a relative density of 99% or more and an oxygen content of 10 ppm or less can be obtained. This tungsten target is capable of significantly reducing the generation of particles during sputtering.
US09388488B2 Organic film deposition apparatus and method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display device by using the same
An organic film deposition apparatus includes: a deposition source that discharges a deposition material; a deposition source nozzle unit located at a side of the deposition source and including a plurality of deposition source nozzles arranged in a first direction; a patterning slit sheet spaced apart from the deposition source nozzle unit and having a plurality of patterning slits arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a first blocking member between the substrate and the deposition source and movable together with the substrate to be positioned to screen at least a part of the substrate; and a second blocking member between the first blocking member and the substrate and fixedly held relative to the deposition source, wherein the substrate is spaced apart from the organic film deposition apparatus and at least one of the substrate or the organic film deposition apparatus moves relative to the other.
US09388487B2 Nanolaminated coated cutting tool
A cutting tool insert for machining by chip removal includes a body of a hard alloy of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics, cubic boron nitride based material or high speed steel, onto which a hard and wear resistant coating is deposited. The coating includes at least one polycrystalline nanolaminated structure having sequences of alternating A and B layers, wherein layer A is (Alx1Mel1-x1)Ny1 with 0.3
US09388485B2 Thermal spray material and process for preparing same
A thermal spray material includes granules of an oxyfluoride of yttrium (YOF). The granules may contain a fluoride of yttrium (YF3). The granules preferably have an oxygen content of 0.3 to 13.1 mass %. The granules preferably have a fracture strength of 0.3 MPa or more and less than 10 MPa. Part of yttrium (Y) of the granules may be displaced with at least one rare earth element (Ln) except yttrium, the molar fraction of Ln relative to the sum of Y and Ln being preferably 0.2 or less.
US09388480B2 Methods for production of silver nanostructures
Methods for producing silver nanostructures with improved dimensional control, yield, purity, monodispersity, and scale of synthesis.
US09388479B2 Heat treatments of ALM formed metal mixes to form super alloys
A method of forming an article includes forming a layer of a mixture of at least two distinct metal powders selected such that when combined they are chemically in the proportions of a superalloy containing a gamma prime phase, and fusing the powders locally without diffusion to define the shape of a part of the article such that the materials of the distinct metal powders remain substantially chemically segregated forming regions of different chemical composition. The method further includes repeating the forming and fusing until the derived article is formed, and heat treating the finished article such that at least one of the distinct separate materials diffuses to form a gamma prime phase containing superalloy with the other.
US09388478B1 Technetium recovery from high alkaline solution
Disclosed are methods for recovering technetium from a highly alkaline solution. The highly alkaline solution can be a liquid waste solution from a nuclear waste processing system. Methods can include combining the solution with a reductant capable of reducing technetium at the high pH of the solution and adding to or forming in the solution an adsorbent capable of adsorbing the precipitated technetium at the high pH of the solution.
US09388477B1 Noble metal superparticles and methods of preparation thereof
A method comprises heating an aqueous solution of colloidal silver particles. A soluble noble metal halide salt is added to the aqueous solution which undergoes a redox reaction on a surface of the silver particles to form noble metal/silver halide SPs, noble metal halide/silver halide SPs or noble metal oxide/silver halide SPs on the surface of the silver particles. The heat is maintained for a predetermined time to consume the silver particles and release the noble metal/silver halide SPs, the noble metal halide/silver halide SPs or the noble metal oxide/silver halide SPs into the aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is cooled. The noble metal/silver halide SPs, the noble metal halide/silver halide SPs or noble metal oxide/silver halide SPs are separated from the aqueous solution. The method optionally includes adding a soluble halide salt to the aqueous solution.
US09388471B2 Methylation of the GATA4 gene in urine samples as a marker for bladder cancer detection
A method of detecting a predisposition to, or the incidence of, bladder cancer in a sample comprises detecting an epigenetic change in at least one gene selected from FOXE1 and GATA4. Detection of the epigenetic change is indicative of a predisposition to, or the incidence of, bladder cancer. The sample comprises nucleic acid molecules from bladder cells. The methods may be used to select treatments and patients for treatment. Related kits include primers allowing the methylation status of the genes to be determined.
US09388470B2 Serum or plasma microRNA as biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer
The present invention provides non-small cell lung cancer markers and the use thereof in diagnosing and monitoring diseases in vitro. The non-small cell lung cancer markers include at least one of the 26 selected detectable mature microRNAs existing stably in human serum or plasma. The invention also provides probe combinations, a kit and biochip for detecting the non-small cell lung cancer markers. The invention further provides a method for detecting the said lung cancer markers. The method in the present invention enables extensive detection spectrum, high sensitivity, low cost, convenient sample taking and preservation. The method can be applied in the general survey of disease, solves problems of the low specificity and sensitivity encountered with previous single markers, and increases significantly the clinical detection rate of diseases; it forms an effective means for diagnosing diseases at an early stage.
US09388467B2 Biochip and target DNA quantitative method
A biochip used for quantitative analysis of a target DNA contained in a sample. The biochip includes a type I chamber that includes a primer designed to bind to the target DNA, an internal standard DNA of a first amount that has a sequence different from a sequence of the target DNA, and is amplifiable with the primer, and a fluorescent probe that is designed to bind to a part of a PCR product of the target DNA and to a part of a PCR product of the internal standard DNA. The fluorescent probe fluoresces differently for the PCR product of the target DNA and the PCR product of the internal standard DNA. The biochip also includes a type II chamber that includes the internal standard DNA of a second amount, the primer, and the fluorescent probe. The first and second amounts are different.
US09388464B2 Modified nucleotides
The invention provides modified nucleotide or nucleoside molecule comprising a purine or pyrimidine base and a ribose or deoxyribose sugar moiety having a removable 3′-OH blocking group covalently attached thereto, such that the 3′ carbon atom has attached a group of the structure —O—Z wherein Z is any of —C(R′)2-O—R″, —C(R′)2-N(R″)2, —C(R′)2-N(H)R″, —C(R′)2-S—R″ and —C(R′)2-F, wherein each R″ is or is part of a removable protecting group; each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, substituted alkyl, arylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy or amido group, or a detectable label attached through a linking group; or (R′)2 represents an alkylidene group of formula ═C(R′″)2 wherein each R′″ may be the same or different and is selected from the group comprising hydrogen and halogen atoms and alkyl groups; and wherein said molecule may be reacted to yield an intermediate in which each R″ is exchanged for H or, where Z is —C(R′)2-F, the F is exchanged for OH, SH or NH2, preferably OH, which intermediate dissociates under aqueous conditions to afford a molecule with a free 3′OH; with the proviso that where Z is —C(R′)2-S—R″, both R′ groups are not H.
US09388461B2 Methods for genotyping selected polymorphism
Methods for genotyping polymorphisms using a locus specific primer that is complementary to a region near a selected polymorphism are described. Methods for synthesizing pools of locus specific primers that incorporate some degenerate positions are also disclosed. A plurality of different sequence capture probes are synthesized simultaneously using degenerate oligonucleotide synthesis. The sequence of the locus specific regions of the capture probes are related in that they have some bases that are identical in each sequence in the plurality of sequences and positions that vary from one locus specific region to another. The sequences are selected based on proximity to a polymorphism of interest and because they conform to a similar sequence pattern.
US09388460B2 Complexity management of genomic DNA
The presently claimed invention provides for novel methods and kits for reducing the complexity of a nucleic acid sample by providing non-gel based methods for amplification of a subset of the sequences in a sample. In a preferred embodiment, amplification of a subset can be accomplished by digesting a sample with two or more restriction enzymes and ligating adaptors to the fragments so that only a subset of the fragments can be amplified. The invention further provides for analysis of the above amplified sample by hybridization to an array, which may be specifically designed to interrogate the desired fragments for particular characteristics, such as, for example, the to presence or absence of a polymorphism.
US09388457B2 Locus specific amplification using array probes
Methods are provided for multiplexed amplification of selected targets and analysis of the amplified targets. In preferred aspects the amplification and analysis take place on the same solid support and preferably in a localized area such as a bead or a feature of an array. In preferred aspects the analysis is a determination of sequence at one or more locations in the amplified target. The methods may be used for genotyping, sequencing and analysis of copy number.
US09388456B2 Compositions and methods for performing a stringent wash step in hybridization applications
The invention provides methods and compositions for performing a stringent wash step in a hybridization assay between at least one molecule and a target. The invention may, for example, eliminate the use of, or reduce the dependence on formamide in the stringent wash step. Compositions for use in the invention include an aqueous composition comprising at least one polar aprotic solvent in an amount effective to denature non-complementary sequences in a hybridization product.
US09388455B2 Double stranded linear nucleic acid probe
A double-stranded nucleic acid hybridization probe and methods of using the same are described. The probe described is particularly suited for real-time RT-PCR reactions and has high tolerance to mismatches.
US09388454B2 Method for producing protein-nucleic acid conjugate, and method for detecting target substance
Provided is a method for producing a nucleic acid probe that can detect a target substance with good sensitivity. A method for producing a nucleic acid probe, comprising: a 3′-terminal addition step of adding at least one nucleoside triphosphate derivative having a glutamine (Gln) residue or a lysine (Lys) residue to the 3′-terminal of a nucleic acid using a 3′-terminal addition enzyme which adds a nucleotide to the 3′-terminal of a nucleic acid, and a labeling compound binding step of either binding a labeling compound having a lysine (Lys) residue and containing a labeling moiety to the glutamine (Gln) residue using a transglutaminase (TGase), or binding a labeling compound having a glutamine (Gln) residue and containing a labeling moiety to the lysine (Lys) residue using a transglutaminase (TGase).
US09388449B2 Monitoring protein trafficking using beta-galactosidase reporter fragment complementation
Methods and materials are disclosed for use in an enzyme fragment complementation assay using complementary fragments of β-galactosidase to study the trafficking of proteins in a cell. Compounds that bind to a target peptide have been found to affect protein folding and therefore trafficking. β-Galactosidase fragments, an enzyme donor (ED) and an enzyme acceptor (EA), are fused to a target peptide and to an intracellular compartment protein, wherein the compartment is involved in intracellular trafficking. Contacting the cell with a compound that binds to the target peptide results in enhanced movement of the protein through the cellular trafficking pathway comprised of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, the plasma membrane, endosomes, etc. Using this approach, compounds that bind to a target peptide and alter its ability to traffic through the normal cellular pathway can be readily detected.
US09388448B2 System and method for processing samples
A system and method for processing samples. The system can include a loading chamber, a detection chamber positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber, and a fluid path defined at least partially by the loading chamber and the detection chamber. The system can further include a filter positioned such that at least one of its inlet and its outlet is positioned in the fluid path. The method can include positioning a sample in the loading chamber, filtering the sample in the fluid path to form a concentrated sample and a filtrate, removing the filtrate from the fluid path at a location upstream of the detection chamber, moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the fluid path to the detection chamber, and analyzing at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the detection chamber for an analyte of interest.
US09388447B2 Method for culturing mammalian cells to improve recombinant protein production
The present invention relates to methods for mammalian cell culture. The methods make use of independent tyrosine and cystine feed streams.
US09388445B2 Enhancement of in vitro translation by nanoparticle conjugates
Provided herein are kits and methods suitable for enhancing in vitro translation of a nuclei acid sequence of interest.
US09388444B2 Use of glucosyltransferase gene
The isolation and characterization of a glucosyltransferase gene from Candida bombicola is disclosed. Use of the glucosyltransferase enzyme for the production of glucosylated sterol and hydroxyl-fatty acid substrates is also disclosed. This enzyme has broad-specificity and is useful for the production of sophorolipids both in-vivo and in-vitro.
US09388443B2 Lactonase derived from Candida bombicola and uses thereof
The present disclosure relates to an enzyme derived from Candida bombicola that is capable of lactonizing or polymerizing carbohydrate-containing compounds, lipids, fatty acids, hydroxylated fatty acids, alcohols, dicarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof. Hence, host cells comprising the latter enzyme can be used, via the formation of intra- or inter-molecular ester-bounds, to produce, for example, lactonized sophorolipids or polymers of acidic sophorolipids. On the other hand, host cells having lost their capability to produce a functional enzyme disclosed herein can be used to produce 100% acidic sophorolipids.
US09388441B1 Genetically modified microorganisms capable of producing β-glucans and methods for producing β-glucans
The present invention relates to genetically modified microorganisms capable of producing beta-glucans, characterized in that the genetically modified microorganism overexpresses (i) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 1,3-β-D-glucan synthase-activity, and/or (ii) a polypeptide having 1,3-β-D-glucan synthase-activity, compared to a corresponding non-modified control microorganism of the same strain. The present invention also relates to the use of a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 1,3-β-D-glucan synthase-activity or the use of such a polypeptide for producing β-glucans. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for producing β-glucans comprising the introduction of a promoter upstream of a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 1,3-β-D-glucan synthase-activity thereby increasing the expression of the polynucleotide, or a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 1,3-β-D-glucan synthase-activity into a microorganism being able to synthesize β-glucans.
US09388439B2 Acetyltransferase from wickerhamomyces ciferrii
The invention relates to novel enzymes that provide acetylated sphingoid bases.
US09388437B2 Acyltransferases and uses thereof in fatty acid production
The present invention relates to the recombinant manufacture of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, it relates to acyltransferase polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding said acyltransferases as well as vectors, host cells, non-human transgenic organisms containing said polynucletides. Moreover, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as oils obtained by such methods.
US09388435B2 Microbial oils with lowered pour points, dielectric fluids produced therefrom, and related methods
Methods and compositions for the production of dielectric fluids from lipids produced by microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a lipid pathway modification enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a desaturase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing dielectric fluids.
US09388434B2 Synthesis of short chain fatty acids from bacteria
The present invention relates to an engineered bacteria for producing short chain fatty acid with the overexpression of a long chain (>C12) acyl-ACP thioesterases (long-TE) and a short chain (≦C12) acyl-ACP thioesterases (short-TE).
US09388432B2 Processing biomass
Carbon-containing materials, such as biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) or coal are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels, carboxylic acids and equivalents thereof (e.g., esters and salts). For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol, butanol or organic acids (e.g., acetic or lactic acid), salts of organic acids or mixtures thereof. If desired, organic acids can be converted into alcohols, such as by first converting the acid, salt or mixtures of the acid and its salt to an ester, and then hydrogenating the formed ester. Acetogens or homoacetogens which are capable of utilizing a syngas from a thermochemical conversion of coal or biomass can be utilized to produce the desired product.
US09388431B2 Enhanced production of isoprene using host cells having decreased ispA activity
This invention relates to recombinant microorganisms capable of producing isoprene and isoprene production with the use of such recombinant microorganism with good efficiency. In this invention, functional activity of the ispA gene is altered to reduce the production of isoprenoid molecules in recombinant cells engineered to produce isoprene or in cells otherwise susceptible to isoprenoid accumulation during fermentation. This decreased ispA gene functional activity enables enhanced synthesis of isoprene in a host microorganism.
US09388430B2 Cas9-recombinase fusion proteins and uses thereof
Some aspects of this disclosure provide compositions, methods, and kits for improving the specificity of RNA-programmable endonucleases, such as Cas9. Also provided are variants of Cas9, e.g., Cas9 dimers and fusion proteins, engineered to have improved specificity for cleaving nucleic acid targets. Also provided are compositions, methods, and kits for site-specific recombination, using Cas9 fusion proteins (e.g., nuclease-inactivated Cas9 fused to a recombinase catalytic domain). Such Cas9 variants are useful in clinical and research settings involving site-specific modification of DNA, for example, genomic modifications.
US09388429B2 Method for propagating adenoviral vectors encoding inhibitory gene products
The invention provides a method of propagating an adenoviral vector. The method comprises (a) providing a cell comprising a cellular genome comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a tetracycline operon repressor protein (tetR), and (b) contacting the cell with an adenoviral vector comprising a heterologous nucleic acid sequence encoding a toxic protein. The heterologous nucleic acid sequence is operably linked to a promoter and one or more tetracycline operon operator sequences (tetO), and expression of the heterologous nucleic acid sequence is inhibited in the presence of tetR, such that the adenoviral vector is propagated. The invention also provides a system comprising the aforementioned cell and adenoviral vector.
US09388427B2 In vivo and ex vivo gene transfer into renal tissue using gutless adenovirus vectors
A method for treating a renal disease in a subject is disclosed. The method includes administering into a kidney of the subject with an effective amount of a gutless adenoviral vector containing a polynucleotide encoding a therapeutic agent. The gutless adenoviral vector contains the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or SEQ ID NO:15 and expresses the therapeutic agent in a kidney tissue of the subject.
US09388418B2 Aptamer-mRNA conjugates for targeted protein or peptide expression and methods for their use
An aptamer-mRNA conjugate is provided. The aptamer-mRNA conjugate may include an aptamer component that binds a membrane associated protein on a target cell and an mRNA component that is expressed by the target cell.
US09388415B2 Modified oligonucleotides for telomerase inhibition
Compounds comprising an oligonucleotide moiety covalently linked to a lipid moiety are disclosed. The oligonucleotide moiety comprises a sequence that is complementary to the RNA component of human telomerase. The compounds inhibit telomerase activity in cells with a high potency and have superior cellular uptake characteristics.
US09388409B2 Identification and use of target genes for control of plant parasitic nematodes
The invention relates to identifying and evaluating target coding sequences for control of plant parasitic nematodes by inhibiting one or more biological functions, and their use. The invention provides methods and compositions for identification of such sequences and for the control of a plant-parasitic nematode population. By feeding one or more recombinant double stranded RNA molecules provided by the invention to the nematode, a reduction in disease may be obtained through suppression of nematode gene expression. The invention is also directed to methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, and the plant cells and plants obtained thereby.
US09388404B2 Protein disulfide isomerase assay method for the in vitro diagnosis of colorectal cancer
A method for the in vitro diagnosis of colorectal cancer that comprises determining the presence of the protein disulfide isomerase tumor marker in a biological sample taken from a patient suspected of having colorectal cancer using at least one anti-PDI monoclonal antibody directed against a PDI epitope chosen from the epitopes of sequence SEQ ID No.1, SEQ ID No.2, with an aromatic amino acid which is close in the three-dimensional structure of PDI and SEQ ID No.3.
US09388403B2 Nitrile hydratase
Improving wild nitrile hydratase enables the provision of a protein which has nitrile hydratase activity and which has further improved heat resistance, amide compound resistance and high temperature accumulation properties. Use protein (A) or (B), (A) being a protein characterized by having nitrile hydratase activity and by including an amino acid sequence in which a specific amino acid residue in an amino acid sequence in wild nitrile hydratase has been substituted by another amino acid residue, and (B) being a protein characterized by having nitrile hydratase activity and by including an amino acid sequence in which one or several amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of protein (A), other than the abovementioned specific amino acid residue, is deleted, substituted and/or added.
US09388401B2 Antidotes for factor Xa inhibitors and methods of using the same
The present invention relates antidotes to anticoagulants targeting factor Xa. The antidoes are factor Xa protein derivatives that bind to the factor Xa inhibitors thereby substantially neutralizing them but do not assemble into the prothrombinase complex. The derivatives describe herein lack or have reduced intrinsic coagulant activity. Disclosed herein are methods of stopping or preventing bleeding in a patient that is currently undergoing anticoagulant therapy with a factor Xa inhibitor.
US09388399B2 Development of strains of the thermotolerant yeast Hansenula polymorpha capable of alcoholic fermentation of starch and xylan by expression of starch and xylan degrading enzymes
Genes SWA2 and GAM1 from the yeast, Schwanniomyces occidentalis, encoding α-amylase and glucoamylase, respectively, were cloned and expressed in H. polymorpha. The expression was achieved by integration of the SWA2 and GAM1 genes into the chromosome of H. polymorpha under operably linked to a strong constitutive promoter of the H. polymorpha-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (HpGAP. Resulting transformants acquired the ability to grow on a minimal medium containing soluble starch as a sole carbon source and can produce Ethanol at high-temperature fermentation from starch up to 10 g/L. A XYN2 gene encoding endoxylanase was obtained from the fungus Trichoderma resee, and a xlnD gene coding for β-xylosidase was obtained from the fungus Aspergillus niger. Co-expression of these genes was also achieved by integration into the H. polymorpha chromosome under control of the HpGAP promoter. The resulting transformants were capable of growth on a minimal medium supplemented with birchwood xylan as a sole carbon source. Successful expression of xylanolytic enzymes resulted in a recipient strain capable of fermentation of birchwood xylan to ethanol at 48° C. Further with co expression of the forgoing genes in a H. polymorpha strain that overexpresses a pyruvate decarboxylase gene further improved ethanol production.
US09388392B2 Ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes and methods of use
Provided herein are polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity as well as microbial host cells comprising such polypeptides. Polypeptides provided herein may be used in biosynthetic pathways, including, but not limited to, isobutanol biosynthetic pathways.
US09388391B2 Biocatalysts for Ezetimibe synthesis
The present disclosure relates to non-naturally occurring polypeptides useful for preparing Ezetimibe, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides.
US09388388B2 Methods for making cells with an extra-embryonic endodermal precursor phenotype
The invention is directed to methods for making cells in vitro that have an extra-embryonic endodermal precursor phenotype. The method involves culturing cells from blastocysts under specific defined conditions.
US09388387B2 Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells
The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to increase the expression of markers associated with the pancreatic endocrine lineage.
US09388385B2 Methods for treating obesity and/or metabolic syndrome
The present disclosure provides methods of treating or preventing obesity or causing weight loss or treating or preventing metabolic syndrome comprising administering to a subject a population of cells enriched for STRO-1+ cells and/or progeny thereof and/or soluble factors derived therefrom.
US09388383B2 Method for collecting red blood cells
A method and system for collecting a double volume of red blood cells using a spinning membrane separator is provided by which a first quantity of whole blood is withdrawn from a donor; a first quantity of whole blood is flowed to the spinning membrane separator; where it is separated into a first quantity of red blood cells and a first quantity of plasma. The first quantity of red blood cells and the first quantity of plasma are then flowed to respective collection containers, and at least a portion of the first quantity of plasma is returned to the donor. A second quantity of whole blood withdrawn from the donor, and then separated into a second quantity of red blood cells and a second quantity of plasma using the spinning membrane separator. The second quantity of red blood cells and the second quantity of plasma are then flowed to the respective collection containers, and at least a portion of the second quantity of plasma is returned to the donor.
US09388379B2 Dynamically alterable cell support
A dynamically alterable cell support may be altered at a large scale to induce mechanical removal of adherent cells in culture without the use of a removal solution. For example, adherent cells may be cultured on an elastic support with one or more textured surface regions and removed by expansion/contraction of the support. Mechanical removal of adherent cells may reduce or minimize damage to cell surface markers, cellular morphology, and/or cellular physiology associated with the detachment and resuspension of cultured adherent cells.
US09388377B2 Regenerative cell extraction unit and regenerative cell extraction system
Provided is a regenerative cell extraction system. The regenerative cell extraction system includes: a regenerative cell separation unit which separates fat tissue; and a regenerative cell extraction unit. The regenerative cell separation unit includes: a sub container which is rotated by a torque applied from an external source and includes a space in which fat tissue is housed; a hollow main pipe which is inserted into the sub container; and a pump which is connected to the main pipe. In addition, the regenerative cell extraction unit receives a regenerative cell-containing substance, which is obtained after the fat tissue is centrifuged by the regenerative cell separation unit, from the regenerative cell separation unit, and extracts regenerative cells from the substance by centrifuging the substance. The regenerative cell extraction unit includes: a main container which is rotated by a torque applied from an external source; a hollow first discharge pipe which is inserted into the main container; and a suction device which is connected to the first discharge pipe; and a plurality of protruding housing portions which bulge outwards along a radius direction with respect to a center of rotation of the main container to accommodate relatively heavy components among components separated from the substance.
US09388374B2 Microfluidic cell culture systems
In one embodiment, a microfluidic structure comprises a culture chamber having an object flow inlet disposed between a pair of object flow outlets. A flow-around channel provides fluidic mass transport to the culture chamber through a perfusion barrier disposed opposite from the object flow inlet and object flow outlets. The perfusion barrier surrounds the culture chamber, defines an opposite wall of the culture chamber, and prevents cell passage into the flow around-channel. The perfusion barrier creates a low fluidic resistance path within the culture chamber, such that a flow of cells entering the culture chamber from the object flow inlet encounters a flow of media passing through the perfusion barrier. This causes the cells to take an approximately 180 degree turn and exit the culture chamber via the object flow outlets. The low fluidic resistance path allows the cells to settle onto the chamber floor without needing any physical barrier.
US09388373B2 Microscale bioprocessing system and method for protein manufacturing
A bioprocessing system for protein manufacturing is provided that is compact, integrated and suited for on-demand production and delivery of therapeutic proteins to patients. The system can also be used for efficient on-demand production of any type of protein.
US09388371B2 Electrolytic copper foil, cleaning fluid composition and method for cleaning copper foil
An electrolytic copper foil includes a copper foil body; and a IIA-group metal adhered to a surface of the copper foil body, wherein a signal strength of the IIA group metal is greater than 0.1% based on a signal strength of copper element as 100% analyzed by a secondary ion mass spectrometer. The present invention also provides a method for cleaning copper foil and a cleaning fluid composition which is used in the cleaning method.
US09388368B2 Cleaning compositions containing a polyetheramine
The present invention relates generally to cleaning compositions and, more specifically, to cleaning compositions containing a polyetheramine that is suitable for removal of stains from soiled materials.
US09388364B1 Liquefaction processes and systems and liquefaction process intermediate compositions
Liquefaction processes are provided that can include: providing a biomass slurry solution having a temperature of at least 300° C. at a pressure of at least 2000 psig; cooling the solution to a temperature of less than 150° C.; and depressurizing the solution to release carbon dioxide from the solution and form at least part of a bio-oil foam. Liquefaction processes are also provided that can include: filtering the biomass slurry to remove particulates; and cooling and depressurizing the filtered solution to form the bio-oil foam. Liquefaction systems are provided that can include: a heated biomass slurry reaction zone maintained above 300° C. and at least 2000 psig and in continuous fluid communication with a flash cooling/depressurization zone maintained below 150° C. and between about 125 psig and about atmospheric pressure. Liquefaction systems are also provided that can include a foam/liquid separation system. Liquefaction process intermediate compositions are provided that can include a bio-oil foam phase separated from an aqueous biomass solids solution.
US09388360B2 Nanostructure of a revitalizing agent and method for producing a stable form of a nanostructure of a revitalizing agent
The invention relates to the production of materials which can be used in lubricating compositions for treating friction assemblies and also for restoring the friction surfaces of mechanism and machine parts.The composition is produced from the products of dehydration of natural and/or synthesized hydrates and/or mixtures thereof at an inherent water removal temperature and dehydration product stabilization temperature of 300-1200° C.The composition contains oxides from the series MgO and/or SiO2 and/or Al2O3 and/or CaO and/or Fe2O3 and/or K2O and/or Na2O and is a garnet-shaped conglomerate consisting of a nanograin and an amorphous binding phase.The size of the conglomerate is in a range of 100-100000 nm and the size of the nanograin is in a range of 2-2000 nm.The claimed method includes a step for stabilizing the dehydration product at a temperature of 900-1200° C. for a period of 1-3 hours, which makes it possible to form a stable conglomerate structure.
US09388354B2 Tertiary amines for reducing injector nozzle fouling and modifying friction in direct injection spark ignition engines
Use of a tertiary hydrocarbyl amine with C1- to C20-hydrocarbyl residues, the overall number of carbon atoms not exceeding 30, as an additive in gasoline for reducing injector nozzle fouling and modifying friction in direct injection spark ignition engines. A fuel additive composition essentially comprising nitrogen-containing dispersants, carrier oils, the above tertiary hydrocarbyl amines and optionally further friction modifiers. A fuel composition comprising a major amount of gasoline and a minor amount of the above fuel additive composition.
US09388349B2 Char recovery system and char feeding hopper
The present invention includes: a char feeding hopper body that feeds separated char toward a coal gasifier; a char communicating tube that communicates with a bottom portion of the char feeding hopper body and extends in a vertical axis direction; fluid gas feeding means that is provided at a bottom portion side of the char feeding hopper body and feeds fluid gas to an inside thereof; a radiation source section that emits γ-rays toward an inside of the char communicating tube in which a level of the char reaches a level H2 which is the same level as a level H1 of the char in the char feeding hopper as a result of feeding of the fluid gas; and a γ-ray detector that is provided along a vertical axis direction of the char communicating tube and detects the emitted γ-rays.
US09388341B2 Pale-colored flame-retardant polyamides
Thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 10 to 98% by weight of a thermoplastic polyamide, B) from 0.1 to 60% by weight of red phosphorus, C) from 0.5 to 20% by weight of a melamine compound, D) from 1 to 30% by weight of titanium dioxide in the rutile form, E) from 0 to 40% by weight of an impact modifier, and F) from 0 to 60% by weight of further additives, where the sum of the percentages by weight of components A) to F) is 100%.
US09388339B2 Liquid-crystalline medium, method for the stabilization thereof, and liquid-crystal display
The invention relates to compounds of the formula I, and to a liquid-crystalline medium, preferably having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy, which comprises a) one or more compounds of the formula I and b) one or more compounds of the formula III-O in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated in Claim 1, to the use thereof in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect, to displays of this type which contain a liquid-crystalline medium of this type, and to the use of the compounds of the formula I for the stabilization of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of the formula III-O.
US09388332B2 Chemically tagged polymers for simplified quantification and related methods
Method comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of a return drilling fluid, the return drilling fluid containing a tagged detectable additive, the tagged detectable additive comprising a polymer comprising at least one chemical tag bonded to the polymer; and determining a concentration of the tagged detectable additive in the return drilling fluid based on a spectroscopic signal of the sample. The tagged detectable additive may include a polymer comprising at least one chemical tag bonded to the polymer.
US09388331B2 Abrasive agent manufacturing method
Provided is a method for manufacturing an abrasive agent including a dispersant and also including cerium oxide as a main abrasive material component. The method involves: a step for recovering an abrasive agent component by salting out a spent abrasive material slurry by using a cation of an element of the first Group or second Group with an ionic radius of 80 pm to 160 pm in six-coordinate conversion, and solid-liquid separating the cerium oxide by coagulation and sedimentation; and a step for adding a dispersant including an anionic polymer to the abrasive agent component after the recovery.
US09388325B2 Elastomeric coatings having hydrophobic and/or oleophobic properties
This disclosure deals with novel formulations to create highly durable hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, oleophobic and/or superoleophobic surfaces that can be nearly transparent. The formulations of this invention can be applied by -dip, spray and painting processes.
US09388323B2 Latex binders, aqueous coatings and paints having freeze-thaw ability and methods for using same
Disclosed are latex polymers and an aqueous coating compositions having excellent freeze-thaw stability, open time, stain resistance, low temperature film formation, foam resistance, block resistance, adhesion, water sensitivity and a low-VOC content. The latex polymers and aqueous coating compositions include at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer copolymerized or blended with an alkoxylated compound, for example an alkoxylated tristyrylphenol or an alkoxylated tributylphenol. Also provided is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer, at least one pigment, water and at least one freeze-thaw additive. Typically, the freeze-thaw additive in an amount greater than about 1.3% by weight of the polymer, typically in an amount greater than about 2% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 4% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 7.5% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 10% by weight of the polymer or in an amount greater than about 20% by weight of the polymer.
US09388320B2 Water cleanable phase change ink for ophthalmic lens marking
A water dispersible phase change ink composition for printing on ophthalmic lenses including a hydrophilic wax having at least one ethoxyl moiety; a low viscosity wax having at least one hydroxyl group, wherein the low viscosity wax is miscible with the hydrophilic wax; an optional stabilizer; and a colorant. A ink jet printer stick or pellet comprising the water dispersible phase change ink composition.
US09388316B2 Fouling-resistant composition comprising sterols and/or derivatives thereof
The present invention provides a fouling-resistant composition which comprises an elastomer and a component comprising sterol(s) and/or sterol derivative(s), wherein the component is selected from acylated lanolin, alkoxylated lanolin, or lanolin oil, or a composition comprising at least 20 weight % of one or more sterol(s), at least 20 weight % of one or more C1-C12 sterol ester(s), or at least 20 weight % of alkoxylated sterol(s), wherein weight % is the percentage of the sterol or sterol derivative to the total weight of the component.
US09388315B2 Fluorinated ether composition, its production method, coating liquid, and method for producing substrate having surface-treated layer
A fluorinated ether composition comprising at least two types of fluorinated ether compounds represented by A-O—RF—B, differing in group B, in a proportion of group (5-1) being from 90 to 95 mol % and a proportion of group (5-2) being from 5 to 10 mol % to the total amount of groups B. A is a C1-6 perfluoroalkyl group or B. RF is —(CF2CF2O)b(CF(CF3)CF2O)c(CF2O)d(CF2CF2CF2O)e—, and the binding order of repeating units is not limited. b, c, d and e are each independently an integer of at least 0, and b+c+d+e is from 5 to 150. —(CF2)aCFXCH2OCH2CH2CH2SiLmRn  Group (5-1) —(CF2)aCFXCH2OCH2CH(SiLmRn)CH3  Group (5-2) —(CF2)aCFXCH2OCH2CH═CH2  Group (5-3) —(CF2)aCFXCH2OCH═CHCH3  Group (5-4) a is 0 or 1, X is F or CF3, L is a hydrolyzable group, R is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group, m is an integer of from 1 to 3, n is an integer of from 0 to 2, and m+n=3.
US09388314B2 Surface modified silicon dioxide particles
Surface-modified silicon dioxide particles or silica sol preparable by reacting aqueous silica sol with at least one first modifier comprising at least one alkoxysilane and with at least one second modifier selected from the group consisting of halosilane, siloxane, and mixtures thereof, with water being removed before the reaction with the first or second modifier.
US09388313B2 Water-insoluble coloring compound, ink, thermal transfer recording sheet, and color filter resist composition
The present invention provides a water-insoluble coloring compound having a high solvent solubility, showing increased brightness and saturation, and being useful for increasing the green gamut and also provides an ink containing the water-insoluble coloring compound. The present invention provides a thermal transfer recording sheet including a coloring material layer formed on a base material from the ink and also provides a color filter resist composition showing an increased green gamut due to the ink.
US09388309B2 Polyester resin composition and a production method therefor
Disclosed are a copolymeric polyester resin composition having outstanding color stability (transparency) and a production method therefor. The copolymeric polyester resin composition comprises: between 95 and 99.99 percent by weight of a copolymeric polyester resin having a structure which is obtained by the copolymerization of a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component that comprises isosorbide, and in which there is repetition of a dicarboxylic acid moiety derived from the dicarboxylic acid component and a diol moiety derived from the diol component; and between 0.01 and 5 percent by weight of an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of hindered phenol-based antioxidants, phosphite-based antioxidants, thioether-based antioxidants and mixtures thereof.
US09388307B2 Microcup compositions
The present invention is directed to a composition for preparing the microcups and the toughness of the display panel formed from such a composition may be significantly improved. In some cases, the panel may have an elongation at break of more than 10% and it can be completely peeled off from the substrate layer on which it is formed, without causing any damage to the panel.
US09388304B2 Tiger stripe modifier
Tiger stripe modifier being a heterophasic polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate MFR2 (230° C.) in the range of 0.5 to 20 g/10 min and comprises a propylene homopolymer and an elastomeric propylene copolymer, wherein said propylene homopolymer has a melt flow rate MFR2 (230° C.) in the range of above 10 to 300 g/10 min; the xylene cold soluble fraction of the heterophasic polypropylene composition has an intrinsic viscosity in the range of more than 2.5 to below 11.0 dl/g; and the comonomer content of the xylene cold soluble fraction of the heterophasic polypropylene composition is in the range of 10.0 to 25.0 wt.-%; wherein further the heterophasic polypropylene composition fulfills the inequation (I) 0.3≧(0.241×C)-(1.14×IV) (I) wherein C is the comonomer content of the xylene cold soluble (XCS) fraction of the heterophasic polypropylene composition (HECO1), and IV is the intrinsic viscosity of the xylene cold soluble (XCS) fraction of the heterophasic polypropylene composition (HECO1).
US09388300B2 High structure carbon blacks
Disclosed herein are high structured carbon blacks, methods of synthesis and treatment, and dispersions and inkjet ink formulations prepared therefrom. The carbon black can have the following properties: OAN ≧170 mL/100 g; and STSA ranging from 160 to 220 m2/g. The carbon black can also have the following properties: OAN ≧170 mL/100 g; and a ratio of STSA/BET surface area ranging from 0.7 to 1.
US09388299B2 Zirconium treated sodium aluminosilicates and methods of making same
Aluminosilicate pigments enriched by zirconium treatment, and methods of making the pigments, are disclosed. Such zirconium-containing aluminosilicate pigments can have a unique combination of small particle size, high surface area, low oil absorption, and neutral pH. These pigments can be used in various paint and coating applications, such as a TiO2 extender, offering improved properties to the finished paint or coating.
US09388298B2 Carboxylate-alumoxanes nucleating agents and a process for the preparation thereof
The present invention disclose an improved carboxylate-alumoxanes nano sheets nucleating agent of formula (I), for advanced nucleation of thermoplastic semi-crystalline polymer, at low concentration; [Formula should be inserted here] where 2x+y+z=3 wherein; G represents a Phenyl ring or Naphthyl ring or fused aromatic rings R is independently selected from the group consisting of H,(C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, halogen, aryl, arylalkyl and carbocyclic ring with adjacent carbon atoms of the parent phenyl ring; E is either oxygen or a bond; F is either CH2 or a bond; n=2−50.
US09388297B2 Phosphorus-containing compounds useful for making halogen-free, ignition-resistant polymers
A process for making a phosphorus-containing compound is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a compound of formula (A) wherein RA and RB are selected from optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, alkyl and alkoxy groups or can be combined to form cyclic structures; and RC is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, phenyl or benzyl; and a compound of formula (B) wherein R1-R4 are selected from optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, alkyl and alkoxy groups. The phosphorus-containing compound can then be used as a flame retardants for polymers, especially for epoxy, polyurethane, thermosetting resins and thermoplastic polymers. Such flame retardant-containing polymers can be used to make protective coating formulations and ignition-resistant fabricated articles, such as electrical laminates, polyurethane foams, and various molded and/or foamed thermoplastic products.
US09388288B2 Opacifying particles with internal void and methods for making the same
The invention includes a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of particles at least partially encapsulated by a polymer, the method comprising dispersing inorganic particles in an aqueous phase; functionalizing at least a portion of the surfaces of the inorganic particles with a coupling agent, the coupling agent having pendent reactive groups; polymerizing the reactive groups on the functionalized particles with a first polymerizable component to produce inner polymer shells surrounding the inorganic particles; polymerizing a second polymerizable component to form outer polymer shells at least partially encapsulating the inner polymer shells; and producing voids within the outer polymer shells, such that the inorganic particles are received within the voids.
US09388285B2 Method for modifying lignin structure using monolignol ferulate conjugates
Described is an isolated lignified plant cell wall including lignin, wherein the lignin includes a ferulate residue incorporated therein, such as from coniferyl ferulate and/or sinapyl ferulate. Also described is a method to make the isolated lignified plant cell wall, and the lignin produced by the method.
US09388276B2 Monomers and polymers for functional polycarbonates and poly(ester-carbonates) and PEG-co-polycarbonate hydrogels
The invention generally relates to functional polymers and hydrogels. More particularly, the invention provides versatile monomers and polymers with well-defined functionalities, e.g., polycarbonates and poly(ester-carbonates), compositions thereof, and methods for making and using the same. The invention also provides cytocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycarobonate hydrogels (e.g., crosslinked by copper-free, strain-promoted “click” chemistry).
US09388275B2 Method of ring-opening polymerization, and related compositions and articles
Methods to form a polymer by ring-opening polymerization include reacting, a mixture comprising a monomer, an accelerator, an initiator, and a catalyst comprising a 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol-2-yl group to form the polymer. Also disclosed are polymers including a residual amount of the catalyst in an amount greater than 0 weight percent.
US09388269B2 Amino-formaldehyde resins and applications thereof
Amino-formaldehyde resins, articles of manufacture from the amino-formaldehyde resins, and processes for making the resins and articles are provided herein. In one embodiment, the amino-formaldehyde resins may be prepared using a reaction mixture including formaldehyde, a monohydroxy cyclic compound, and at least one amino compound selected from the group consisting of urea, melamine, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the amino-formaldehyde resins are produced by reacting formaldehyde, a monohydroxy cyclic compound, and at least one amino compound selected from the group consisting of urea, melamine, and mixtures thereof, and the monohydroxy cyclic compound may be added as a front addition, an intermediate addition, a back addition, or a combination thereof, to the reaction mixture of formaldehyde and the at least one amino compound.
US09388268B2 Patternable polymer block brush layers
Provided are novel polymer brushes that may be used in underlying buffer or imaging layers for block copolymer lithography. The novel polymer brushes include X-A-b-B and X-A-b-C block copolymer brushes, with X an anchoring group, the A block a lithographically sensitive polymer, and the C block a random copolymer. According to various embodiments, polymer block brushes for neutral and preferential layers are provided; the neutral layers non-preferential to the overlying block copolymer and the preferential layers preferential to a block of the overlying block copolymer. Also provided are novel methods of patterning polymer block brush layers as well as polymer block brush buffer and imaging layers that are directly patternable by e-beam, deep UV, extreme UV, X-ray or other lithographic methods.
US09388266B2 Fluoro-containing ether monomer for fabricating contact lenses, contact lenses materials and contact lenses obtained therefrom
The invention provides a fluoro-containing ether monomer for fabricating contact lenses represented by following formula (I): In formula (I), R10 is fluoroalkyl group (CxFyHz, wherein x is an integer of 2-20, y is an integer of 5-30, and y+z=2x−1), R11 is oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; R12 is C1-C3 alkylene; n is an integer of 3-40.
US09388254B2 Olefin-based polymers and dispersion polymerizations
The invention provides a polymerization process comprising polymerizing a reaction mixture comprising one or more monomer types, at least one catalyst, and at least one solvent, to form a polymer dispersion, and wherein the at least one catalyst is soluble in the at least one solvent, and wherein the polymer forms a dispersed phase in the solvent, and wherein the at least one solvent is a hydrocarbon. The invention provides a composition comprising an ethylene-based polymer comprising at least the following properties: a) a weight average molecular weight (Mw(abs)) greater than, or equal to, 60,000 g/mole; and b) a molecular weight distribution (Mw(abs)/Mn(abs)) greater than, or equal to, 2.3.
US09388251B2 Catalytic biomass conversion
A biorefining method of processing a lignocellulosic biomass to separate lignin and hemicellulose from cellulose includes the steps of (a) reacting the biomass in an aqueous slurry having a pH less than 7, comprising a transition metal catalyst, hydrogen peroxide; and (b) separating a solid cellulose fraction from dissolved lignin and hemicellulose fractions. The method may also be used to treat cellulose and produce microcrystalline or nanocrystalline cellulose. The transition metal catalyst may be a nanoparticulate catalyst including multivalent iron, iron oxides and iron hydroxides. The nanoparticulate catalyst may be formed by oxidizing a highly reduced solution of iron, such as groundwater that has not been exposed to oxygen.
US09388249B2 Method of classifying antibody, method of identifying antigen, method of obtaining antibody or antibody set, method of constructing antibody panel and antibody or antibody set and use of the same
The present invention relates to an isolated antibody against HER1, an isolated antibody against CD147, an isolated antibody against CD73, and an isolated antibody against EpCAM; reagents and compositions including said antibodies; and uses of said reagents, compositions, and antibodies. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids and vectors expressing said antibodies. The invention further relates to transformants comprising said nucleic acids or vectors.
US09388248B2 Anti-CXCR4 antibodies and their use for the treatment of cancer
The present invention relates to a novel isolated antibody, or the derived compounds or functional fragments of same, capable of binding to CXCR4 but also of inducing conformational changed of the CXCR4 homodimers and/or heterodimers. More particularly, the present invention relates to the 414H5 and 515H7 antibodies, specific to the CXCR4 protein, as well as their use for the treatment of cancer. Pharmaceutical compositions composed of such antibodies and a process for the selection of such antibodies are also covered.
US09388244B2 Internalizing ErbB2 antibodies
This invention provides novel erbB2-binding internalizing antibodies. The antibodies, designated F5 and C1, specifically bind to c-erbB2 antigen and, upon binding, are readily internalized into the cell bearing the c-erbB2 marker. Chimeric molecules comprising the F5 and/or C1 antibodies attached to one or more effector molecules are also provided.
US09388243B2 Method of target membrane protein depletion
A method of target membrane protein depletion comprising treating a cell with a dual binding molecule comprising a first binding domain which binds to a driver membrane protein and a second binding domain which binds to a target membrane protein, wherein the cell comprises a cell membrane, and the driver membrane protein and target membrane protein are associated with the cell membrane where the target membrane protein positions, and are internalized into a cell and degraded when the first binding domain of the dual binding molecule binds the driver membrane protein; as well as related methods and compositions.
US09388241B2 Anti-human IL-21 antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are identified that bind the IL-21 protein. These antibodies are used to identify regions of the IL-21 protein to where binding neutralizes IL-21 activity. Hybridomas and methods of producing anti-IL-21 monoclonal antibodies are described. The monoclonal antibodies are useful in treating IL-21-mediated diseases, which may include autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as pancreatitis, type I diabetes (IDDM), Graves Disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diverticulosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, scleroderma, systemic sclerosis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, graft vs. host disease (GVHD), cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), Sjogren's syndrome, glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, transplant rejection, atopic dermatitis, anti-phospholipid syndrome, and asthma, and other autoimmune diseases.
US09388238B2 Modulation of synaptic maintenance
C1q is shown to be expressed in neurons, where it acts as a signal for synapse elimination. Methods are provided for protecting or treating an individual suffering from adverse effects of synapse loss. These findings have broad implications for a variety of clinical conditions, including Alzheimer's disease.
US09388234B2 Systems and methods for identifying Replikin Scaffolds and uses of said Replikin Scaffolds
The present invention provides a new class of peptides related to rapid replication and high human mortality, and their use in diagnosing, preventing and treating disease including vaccines and therapeutics for emerging viral diseases and methods of identifying the new class of peptides and related structures.
US09388230B2 Compositions and methods for treatment of hematological malignancies
Use of a chimeric protein selected from the group consisting of CTLA4-FasL and CD40-FasL proteins for treatment of lymphoma and/or a multiple myeloma and/or a leukemia as described herein, and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment thereof.
US09388229B2 Urocortin-III and uses thereof
A search of the public human genome database identified a human EST, GenBank accession number AW293249, which has high homology to known pufferfish urocortin sequences. The full length sequence was amplified from human genomic DNA and sequenced. Sequence homology comparisons of the novel sequence with human urocortin I and urocortin II revealed that the sequence encoded a novel human urocortin, which was designated urocortin III (UcnIII). While urocortin III does not have high affinity for either CRF-R1 or CRF-R2, the affinity for CRF-R2 is greater than the affinity for CRF-R1. Urocortin III is capable stimulating cyclic AMP production in cells expressing CRF-R2α or β. Thus, the affinity is high enough that urocortin III could act as a native agonist of CRF-R2. However, it is also likely that urocortin III is a stronger agonist of a yet to be identified receptor.
US09388226B2 Peptides modulating the activity of macrophages, useable for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
The invention relates to citrulline peptides with anti-inflammatory properties. The invention also relates to an in vitro model for activation of macrophages, induced by immune complexes between specified IgG of rheumatoid arthritis and their citrulline targets.
US09388220B2 Immunogenic compositions and methods
The invention is directed to immunogenic compositions and methods for their use in the formulation and administration of therapeutic and prophylactic pharmaceutical agents. In particular, the invention provides immunogenic compositions and methods for preventing, treating, and/or ameliorating the symptoms of one or more microbial infections, including, for example, influenza.
US09388219B2 Anti-apoptotic fusion proteins for reducing myocardial infarction size
The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a protein transduction domain capable of introducing the fusion protein into a mammalian cell and an anti-apoptotic protein comprising the amino acid of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an anti-apoptotically active variant or fragment thereof. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a fusion protein, in particular for blocking apoptosis in a patient in need thereof. The invention also provides a polynucleotide encoding such a fusion protein, an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide and a host cell comprising the expression vector. In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of any of theses materials for the preparation of a medicament for blocking apoptosis in a patient in need thereof.
US09388218B2 PRRSV compositions
This invention provides kits, devices, and methods for the detection of antibodies that recognize one or more proteins and/or antigens from porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The antibodies may be in a biological fluid of a PRRSV infected or at risk subject. The invention may be advantageously applied to both the diagnosis and prevention of PRRSV infection.
US09388213B2 Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) inhibitors and uses thereof
The present invention relates to Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) peptide inhibitors and their use for the treatment of cancer and other conditions associated with aberrant PRC2 methyltransferase activity.
US09388211B2 N-substituted indenoisoquinolines and syntheses thereof
N-Substituted indenoisoquinoline compounds, and pharmaceutical formulations of N-substituted indenoisoquinoline compounds are described. Also described are processes for preparing N-substituted indenoisoquinoline compounds. Also described are methods for treating cancer in mammals using the described N-substituted indenoisoquinoline compounds or pharmaceutical formulations thereof.
US09388207B2 Process for the separation of lignins and sugars from an extraction liquor
A process for the separation of lignins and sugars from an extracted liquor, including, in the form of dry matter (DM), lignins and sugars, includes: a) concentrating the extracted liquor, in order to obtain a liquor having dry matter in a proportion of between 60 and 70%; b) mixing the concentrated liquor with water in equal parts by weight; c) stirring the mixture in order to disperse the lignins and to obtain a stable suspending of the lignins; d) filtering the solution,wherein the mixing is carried out by introducing the concentrated liquor into the water; and the temperature of the solution, during the suspending, is between 50° C. and 60° C.
US09388206B2 Chromophores with perfluoroalkyl substituents
The present invention relates to specific metal complexes of dithiolenes with perfluoroalkyl substituted imidazolidine-2-chalcogenone-4,5-dithione ligands, a process for their preparation and their use as colourless IR absorbers, for optical filters application; especially for plasma display panels, or for laser welding of plastics. The compounds may be used in compositions for inks, paints and plastics, especially in a wide variety of printing systems and are particularly well-suited for security applications.
US09388205B2 Ni complex and its derivatives, producing method, and the use thereof as an antioxidant
The present invention relates to a novel nickel complex and its derivatives, which mimic the active site of Ni-containing superoxide dismutase (NiSOD). The five-coordinate Ni(II) and Ni(III) complexes or their derivatives, and six-coordinate derivatives have the following structures of formula (I) and (II): The nickel complexes and their derivatives of the invention act as anti-oxidants or free radical scavengers. The invented nickel complexes can be used in the preparation of medicines, health foods or cosmetics for human, animals and plants, or can be used in environmental or soil protection.
US09388203B2 Pharmaceutical process and intermediates
The present disclosure provides for processes and intermediates in the large-scale manufacture of the compound of formula (I) or hydrates thereof.
US09388202B2 Luminescent probes for biological labeling and imaging, method for preparing same
The present invention relates to organic compounds that are usable as ligands for preparing complexes of lanthanides or of certain transition metals which are water-soluble, to a method for preparing same, and also to the use thereof as a fluorescent probe.
US09388201B2 Urea-containing silanes, process for preparation thereof and use thereof
The invention relates to urea-containing silanes of the formula I which are prepared by, in a first step, reacting an aminosilane of the formula II with an isocyanate of the formula III and, in a second step, reacting the product from the first process step with sodium sulphide of the formula IV Na2S  (IV) or in a first step, reacting an isocyanatosilane of the formula VI with an amine of the formula VII and, in a second step, reacting the product from the first process step with sodium sulphide of the formula IV Na2S  (IV).
US09388196B2 Thiazole derivatives as alpha 7 nAChR modulators
Disclosed is a compound of formula (I) wherein Y, Ring D, m and R1-R4 are as described herein, as a modulator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors particularly the α7 subtype, in a subject in need thereof, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, polymorphs, solvates, and isomers thereofs, for use either alone or in combinations with suitable other medicaments, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. Also disclosed are a process of preparation of the compounds and the intended uses thereof in therapy, particularly in the prophylaxis and therapy of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, senile dementia, and the like.
US09388195B2 Heterocyclic compound
Provided is a compound useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.The present invention relates to a compound represented by formula (I): wherein each symbol in the formula is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof, which is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.
US09388194B2 Acrylic compound having tetraoxaspiro backbone for radiation curing compositions
Disclosed is a process for obtaining an acrylic compound having a tertaoxaspiro backbone and at least one acrylic unsaturation. Said compound is in embodiments an acrylate, a methacrylate or a crotonate of an alkoxylated, such as an ethoxylated, a propoxylated and/or a butoxylated 2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane3,9-dialkanol.
US09388193B2 Dipicolylamine derivatives and their pharmaceutical uses
Dipicolylamine compounds of Formula (I) set forth herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing metal ions and these compounds. Further disclosed is a method for treating a condition associated with cells containing inside-out phosphatidylserine, with these compounds.
US09388190B2 Liver X receptor modulators
Provided herein are novel compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that are liver X receptor modulators. Also provided are compositions comprising compounds of the invention and a carrier. Additionally, use of the compounds herein and methods for treating a disease or disorder associated with the liver X receptor are further described.
US09388184B2 Intermediate of Ertapenem, a composition comprising the same and preparation methods thereof
Intermediates of Ertapenem of formula 2a wherein Np represents (I) or (II), and P1 and P2 represent carboxyl protecting groups, and their preparation methods. Compound 2a prepared by the present methods in solid form is amorphous. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising at least 95% of the intermediate of Ertapenem of formula 2a.
US09388176B2 Method of treating conditiions with kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to a method of treating ophthalmic diseases and conditions, e.g. diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, etc., in a subject comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of formula I or a prodrug, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, racemic mixtures or enantiomers of said compound. The compounds of formula I are capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation.
US09388174B2 Azole benzene derivative
The present invention provides: a compound represented by formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which has an excellent inhibitory activity on xanthine oxidase and is useful as a therapeutic agent or a prophylactic agent for diseases associated with xanthine oxidase, such as gout, hyperuricemia, tumor lysis syndrome, urinary tract stone, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases including arteriosclerosis and heart failure, renal diseases including diabetic nephropathy, respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune diseases; and a medicine or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or the salt as an active ingredient.
US09388172B2 Substituted carbamate compounds
The invention is concerned with the compounds of formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of manufacturing and using the compounds of formula (I) as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The compounds of formula (I) are antagonists of the TRPA1 channel and may be useful in treating inflammatory diseases and disorders associated with that channel.
US09388171B2 Serine/threonine kinase inhibitors
Compounds having the formula I wherein R2, X and Z as defined herein are inhibitors of ERK kinase. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating hyperproliferative disorders.
US09388168B2 Process for the preparation of 1-([1,3]dioxolan-4-ylmethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-ylamine
The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of of the formula (I) (I) wherein R1 and R2 are described herein. The compounds prepared by the present invention are useful in the synthesis and manufacture of compounds for treating diseases or conditions associated with inhibiting actin polymerization.
US09388167B2 Process for the preparation of voriconazole and analogues thereof
The present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula: (Formula XI and XII) (XI) (XII) wherein X, Y, Z, A, B and E are as defined herein, by reacting a compound of formula: (Formula XIII) (XIII) with a compound of formula: (Formula XIV and XV) (XIV) (XV) respectively, in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, a ligand suitable for use with 15 the catalyst and a reducing agent. The invention also provides novel intermediates.
US09388165B2 Isoquinoline-5-carboxamide derivative having inhibitory activity for protein kinase
A compound selected from the group consisting of an isoquinoline-5-carboxamide derivative of formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an isomer, a hydrate and a solvate thereof is effective for the prevention or treatment of diseases associated with abnormal cell growth, which are caused by abnormal activation of a protein kinases.
US09388159B2 Substituted diazaspiroalkanes as androgen receptor modulators
This invention provides for compounds of the Formula II: wherein A, B, Het, R1, R2 and R3 are as described herein. These compounds are androgen receptor modulators useful for the treatment of androgen receptor-associated conditions.
US09388157B2 Bicyclic compound and use thereof for medical purposes
Since a compound represented by the general formula (I) (wherein definition of each group is as described in the specification), a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof has strong and sustaining intraocular pressure lowering activity and, further, has no side effect on eyes such as ocular stimulating property (hyperemia, corneal clouding etc.), aqueous humor protein rise etc., it has high safety, and can be an excellent agent for preventing and/or treating glaucoma etc.
US09388155B1 Coumarin derivatives for cancer therapy
The disclosure provides methods and compositions for treating and preventing cancer using 6-substituted coumarin derivatives. The coumarin derivatives of the disclosure have substituents at the 6-position with five carbon atoms or greater. The coumarin derivatives may be further substituted and may be 3,4-dihydrocoumarins. In preferred embodiments, the coumarin derivatives of the disclosure are used to treat pancreatic cancer.
US09388151B2 Methods for producing 5-(halomethyl) furfural
The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass. The methods make use of certain organic solvents with temperature-dependent solubility for 5-(halomethyl)furfural. This allows for temperature-dependent phase separation of the 5-(halomethyl)furfural from the reaction mixture. In certain embodiments, solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be obtained. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural obtained may be amorphous or crystalline.
US09388137B2 Quaternized amines as sodium channel blockers
The present disclosure provides substituted pyridine and pyrimidine compounds of Formula (I): A1-X-A2-Z-R1 (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, wherein A, X, A, Z, and R are defined as set forth in the specification. The present disclosure is also directed to the use of compounds of Formula (I) to treat a disorder responsive to the blockade of sodium channels. Compounds of the present disclosure are especially useful for treating pain.
US09388134B2 Compounds containing S-N-valeryl-N-{[2′-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-yl]-methyl)-valine and (2R,4S)-5-biphenyl-4-yl-4-(3-carboxy-propionylamino)-2-methyl-pentanoic acid ethyl ester moieties and cations
A method for treatment of a cardiovascular or renal condition or disease with a specific combination, linked pro-drug or a compound of an angiotensin receptor antagonist and a NEPi.
US09388132B2 Isobaric tandem mass tags for quantitative proteomics and peptidomics
Compositions and methods of tagging peptides and other molecules using novel isobaric tandem mass tagging reagents, including novel N,N-dimethylated amino acid 8-plex and 16-plex isobaric tandem mass tagging reagents. The tagging reagents comprise: a) a reporter group having at least one atom that is optionally isotopically labeled; b) a balancing group, also having at least one atom that is optionally isotopically labeled, and c) an amine reactive group. The tagging reagents disclosed herein serve as attractive alternatives for isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and tandem mass tags (TMTs) due to their synthetic simplicity, labeling efficiency and improved fragmentation efficiency.
US09388129B2 Mixed inhibitors of aminopeptidase N and neprilysin
Mixed inhibitors of aminopeptidase N and neprilysin are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one of these compounds, used alone or in combination with morphine and derivatives thereof, endocannabinoids and inhibitors of endocannabinoid metabolism, GABA derivatives such as gabapentin or pregabalin, duloxetine or methadone, can be used as an analgesic, anxiolytic, antidepressant or anti-inflammatory.
US09388128B2 Process for the manufacture of dihalodiphenylsulfones starting from organic acids
A process for the preparation of dihalodiphenylsulfones such as 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone or 4,4′-bis-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)biphenyl with high regioselectivity, at low temperature and in the absence of toxic reagents by reacting together at least one acid, sulfur trioxide and at least one halobenzene. The invented process is particularly suited for the manufacture of 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone.
US09388125B2 Compositions, methods, and systems for the synthesis and use of imaging agents
The present invention generally relates to novel synthetic methods, systems, kits, salts, and precursors useful in medical imaging. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions comprising an imaging agent precursor, which may be formed using the synthetic methods described herein. An imaging agent may be converted to an imaging agent using the methods described herein. In some cases, the imaging agent is enriched in 18F. In some cases, an imaging agent including salt forms (e.g., ascorbate salt) may be used to image an area of interest in a subject, including, but not limited to, the heart, cardiovascular system, cardiac vessels, brain, and other organs.
US09388124B2 Ingenol-3-acylates I
The invention relates to compounds of general formula (I) wherein R is (C1-C7)alkyl, (C2-C7)alkenyl or (C2-C7)alkynyl; wherein R is substituted with R1; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, or solvates thereof, for use—alone or in combination with one or more other pharmaceutically active compounds—in therapy, for preventing, treating or ameliorating diseases or conditions responsive to stimulation of neutrophil oxidative burst, responsive to stimulation of keratinocyte IL-8 release or responsive to induction of necrosis.
US09388121B2 Sphingosine kinase type 1 inhibitors
Provided are novel compositions and analogs which are useful in a number of applications, indications and diseases, as well as for monitoring pharmakinetics and patient management. These compounds and analogs are applicable to treating tumors of the central nervous system, e.g., glioblastoma (GBM).
US09388120B2 Nitrogen and hindered phenol containing dual functional macromolecular antioxidants: synthesis, performances and applications
Disclosed are compounds represented by structural formula (I): methods of producing compounds represented by structural formula (I). and their use in inhibiting oxidation in an oxidizable material.
US09388115B2 Method for producing polyol esters
A process for preparing polyol esters by reacting polyols with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, is characterized in that a mixture of the starting compounds is allowed to react in the presence of a Lewis acid containing at least one element of groups 4 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements as a catalyst and in the presence of an adsorbent with removal of the water formed, and then the crude ester obtained is aftertreated by adding a further adsorbent which is an acidic activated carbon having a pH of 1 to 6.5.
US09388114B2 Compositions including an alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate
Compositions comprising an alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate and one or more additional components are provided. The compositions of the present invention may include at least one alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate having at least 3 and not more than 5 carbon atoms, along with one or more additional components including, for example, alkyl butyrates, alkyl acetates, alkyl alcohols, and dimers and/or trimers of the alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate. Such compositions may be products of, for example, the hydrogenation of an acetoacetate-containing composition.
US09388109B2 Reduced coenzyme Q10 crystal having excellent stability
With respect to reduced coenzyme Q10, there has been no report about the presence of crystal polymorphism, and it has been considered that a conventionally obtained crystal form is only one form. The present invention relates to a reduced coenzyme Q10 crystal having an endothermic peak indicating melting at 54±2° C. during temperature rise at a rate of 5° C./min by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and/or to a reduced coenzyme Q10 crystal showing characteristic peaks at diffraction angles (2θ±0.2°) of 11.5°, 18.2°, 19.3°, 22.3°, 23.0° and 33.3° by powder X-ray (Cu—Kα) diffraction. The crystal form is a novel reduced coenzyme Q10 crystal which has a higher melting point and a lower solubility in a solvent, and is more excellent in stability than the conventionally known reduced coenzyme Q10 crystal.
US09388105B2 Production of hydroxy ether hydrocarbons by liquid phase hydrogenolysis of cyclic acetals or cyclic ketals
A liquid phase hydrogenolysis of acetal compounds, such as cyclic acetals and cyclic ketals, is disclosed. The acetal compounds are fed to a reaction zone and reacted in the presence of a noble metal catalyst supported on a carbon or silica support to make hydroxy mono-ether compounds in high selectivity, without the necessity of using acidic co-catalysts such as phosphorus containing acids or stabilizers such as hydroquinone.
US09388100B2 Ethanol fermentation methods and systems
Methods and systems for purifying feedstock-to-ethanol fermentation products are disclosed. The methods include the use of a solvent in the form of a supercritical fluid or liquid gas such as supercritical CO2 or liquid CO2 to dry fermentation beer solids, and/or to extract oil, ethanol, or ethanol and oil from fermentation beer or mixtures derived therefrom. Systems include a separations reactor having a first portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids joined to a second portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids by a third portion defined by walls that are permeable to fermentation beer liquids and impermeable to fermentation beer solids.
US09388099B2 Process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
This invention provides a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the process comprising: (1) a first reaction step of reacting hydrogen fluoride with at least one chlorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a chloropropane represented by Formula (1): CClX2CHClCH2Cl, wherein each X is the same or different and is CI or F, a chloropropene represented by Formula (2): CClY2CCl═CH2, wherein each Y is the same or different and is CI or F, and a chloropropene represented by Formula (3): CZ2═CClCH2Cl, wherein each Z is the same or different and is CI or F in a gas phase in the absence of a catalyst while heating; and (2) a second reaction step of reacting hydrogen fluoride with a reaction product obtained in the first reaction step in a gas phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst while heating. According to the process of this invention, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) can be obtained with high selectivity, and catalyst deterioration can be suppressed.
US09388098B2 Methods of making high-weight esters, acids, and derivatives thereof
Methods and compositions are provided for refining natural oils and for producing high-weight esters, high-weight acids, and/or high-weight derivatives thereof, wherein the compositions are made by cross-metathesizing low-weight unsaturated esters or low-weight unsaturated acids having hydrocarbon chain lengths less than or equal to C24 with an olefin feedstock, thereby forming a metathesized product composition including high-weight esters or high-weight acids having hydrocarbon chain lengths greater than C18, wherein at least a portion of the hydrocarbon chain lengths in the metathesized product are larger than the hydrocarbon chain lengths in the starting feedstock.
US09388097B2 Methods for treating substrates prior to metathesis reactions, and methods for metathesizing substrates
A method for treating a substrate prior to a metathesis reaction includes treating the substrate with a first agent configured to mitigate potentially adverse effects of one or more contaminants in the substrate on a catalyst used to catalyze the metathesis reaction. The treating reduces a level of the one or more contaminants by an amount sufficient to enable the metathesis reaction to proceed at a substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio of at least about 7,500 to 1. Methods for metathesizing substrates are described.