| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09400767B2 |
Subgraph-based distributed graph processing
Embodiments relate to subgraph-based distributed graph processing. An aspect includes receiving an input graph comprising a plurality of vertices. Another aspect includes partitioning the input graph into a plurality of subgraphs, each subgraph comprising internal vertices and boundary vertices. Another aspect includes assigning one or more respective subgraphs to each of a plurality of workers. Another aspect includes initiating processing of the plurality of subgraphs by performing a series of processing steps comprising: processing the internal vertices and boundary vertices internally within each of the subgraphs; detecting that a change was made to a boundary vertex of a first subgraph during the internal processing; and sending a message from a first worker to which the first subgraph is assigned to a second worker to which a second subgraph is assigned in response to detecting the change that was made to the boundary vertex of the first subgraph. |
| US09400766B2 |
Determining combinations of odors to produce a target olfactory pleasantness
An apparatus comprises a decoder and an actuator. The decoder is configured to receive a signal comprising a target olfactory pleasantness, to determine one or more combinations of odors which produce the target olfactory pleasantness, and to select a given one of the combinations of odors. The actuator is coupled to the decoder and configured to utilize the given combination of odors to produce an odor with the target olfactory pleasantness. |
| US09400760B2 |
Information processor with tightly coupled smart memory unit
An information processor includes a plurality of first processing units; and a direct memory access unit coupled to at least one first processing unit. The information processor includes at least one first memory unit coupled to the direct memory access unit. The first memory unit includes a second memory unit. The first memory unit includes a second processing unit for processing data stored in the second memory unit. The second memory unit is adapted to be accessed by at least one first processing unit through the direct memory access unit, and the second processing unit is separate from the plurality of first processing units and the direct memory access unit. The first memory unit includes at least one register to be accessed by the at least one first processing unit and the second processing unit. The second processing unit is for receiving operation instructions from the at least one register. |
| US09400753B2 |
Control system, control method, and computer program product
According to an embodiment, a control system includes a detector, an estimating unit, a determining unit, and a controller. The detector detects an idle state. The estimating unit estimates an idle period. When the idle state is detected, the determining unit determines whether a first power consumption when writeback of data which needs to be written back to a main storage device is performed and supply of power to a cache memory is stopped, is larger than a second power consumption when writeback of the data is not performed and supply of power is continued for the idle period. The controller stops the supply of power to the cache memory when the first power consumption is determined to be smaller than the second power consumption and continues the supply of power when the first power consumption is determined to be larger than the second power consumption. |
| US09400752B1 |
Store forwarding cache
A load request is received to retrieve a piece of data from a location in memory and the load request follows one or more store requests in a set of instructions to store a piece of data in the location in memory. One or more possible locations in a cache for a piece of data corresponding to the location in memory is determined. Each possible location of the one or more possible locations in the cache is determined. It is then determined if at least one location of the one or more possible locations contains data to be stored in the location in memory. Data in one location of the at least one location is loaded, the data in the one location is from a store request of the one or more store requests and the store request is closest in the set of instructions to the load request. |
| US09400751B2 |
Counter-based wide fetch management
Embodiments relate to counter-based wide fetch management. An aspect includes assigning a counter to a first memory region in a main memory that is allocated to a first application that is executed by a processor of a computer. Another aspect includes maintaining, by the counter, a count of a number of times adjacent cache lines in the cache memory that correspond to the first memory region are touched by the processor. Another aspect includes determining an update to a data fetch width indicator corresponding to the first memory region based on the counter. Another aspect includes sending a hardware notification from a counter management module to supervisory software of the computer of the update to the data fetch width indicator. Yet another aspect includes updating, by the supervisory software, the data fetch width indicator of the first memory region in the main memory based on the hardware notification. |
| US09400747B2 |
Batch command techniques for a data storage device
A data storage device includes a non-volatile memory and a controller. A method includes sending a memory command from the controller to the non-volatile memory. The memory command indicates multiple sense operations to be performed at a single plane of the non-volatile memory. |
| US09400744B2 |
Magnetic random access memory journal for multi-level cell flash memory
A flash memory system comprises a logic block interface operable to receive a write command from a host computer, the write command specifying data and a write destination address in a flash memory device, the flash memory device operable to store data at a complementary address corresponding to the specified write destination address. The system further comprises a journal communicatively coupled to the flash memory device and the logic block interface operable to temporarily store data from the complementary address of the flash memory device, and to provide the stored data in the journal to be restored to the flash memory device at the complementary address in the event of an error occurring while executing the write command. |
| US09400743B2 |
Electronic control apparatus and data rewriting system
An electronic control apparatus includes: a plurality of processing devices each having a rewritable non-volatile memory and each executing a predetermined process in accordance with stored data that is stored in the non-volatile memory, wherein one of the processing devices extracts, from rewriting data transmitted from an external rewriting apparatus and including a plurality of individual rewriting data each corresponding to one of a plurality of dedicated address ranges, one of the individual rewriting data which corresponds to one of the dedicated address ranges that is individually allocated in advance for the one of the processing devices, and rewrites the stored data that is stored in the non-volatile memory of the one of the processing devices by using the one of the individual rewriting data. |
| US09400739B2 |
Capacity forecasting based on capacity policies and transactions
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system and technique for capacity forecasting is disclosed. The system includes a host having a processor unit and a memory. Resource data stored associated with an environment is stored in the memory, the resource data comprising inventory information of applications, processing resources and storage resources of the environment. A ledger module is executable by a processor unit to: create a capacity-associated transaction; identify and link at least one of an application, processing resource and storage resource to the transaction from the resource data; determine an initiation time and duration associated with the transaction; and forecast a change in capacity of at least one linked storage resource for the transaction and a time of the change in capacity. |
| US09400738B2 |
Generation of automated unit tests for a controller layer system and method
A method, computer program product, and computer system for receiving, by a computing device, a selection of one or more files for which to have one or more automated unit tests generated for an application under test. An action in the application under test is received while the application under test is used. Behavior data of how the application under test responds to the action is tracked. An automated unit test of the one or more automated unit tests is generated for underlying code of the application under test invoked when receiving the action based upon, at least in part, the behavior data of how the application under test responds to the action. |
| US09400736B2 |
Transformation of a program-event-recording event into a run-time instrumentation event
Embodiments of the invention relate to transforming a program-event-recording event into a run-time instrumentation event. An aspect of the invention includes a method for transforming a program-event-recording event into a run-time instrumentation event. The method includes enabling run-time instrumentation for collecting instrumentation information of an instruction stream executing on a processor. The method also includes detecting, by the processor, a program-event-recording (PER) event, the PER event associated with the instruction stream executing on the processor. The method further includes writing a PER event record to a collection buffer as a run-time instrumentation event based on detecting the PER event, the PER event record identifying the PER event. |
| US09400733B2 |
Pattern matching framework for log analysis
A pattern matching framework for log analysis is described. In one or more implementations, one or more inputs are received via a user interface of a computing device that describe a filter pattern that specifies data that is to be matched and extracted from a log and a projection pattern that specifies how at least a portion of the data extracted using the filter pattern is to be output. A query is formed from the filter pattern and the projection pattern by the computing device that is configured to analyze the log. |
| US09400731B1 |
Forecasting server behavior
In a computing environment, common attributes of one or more computing resources are identified for which a predicted probability of an event associated with the one or more computing resources is to be determined. A first predicted probability of the event based on data associated with actual occurrences of the events is calculated. A second predicted probability of the event is calculated based on updated data associated with the event. |
| US09400729B2 |
System and method for determining topology of monitored entities
Devices and methods may allow for a first process associated with a probe process to receive a message transmitted across a network from a second process, the message including data and an identifier for the second process. The probe process may transmit identifiers for the first and second process to a server. A server may receive a message from a probe process including entity identifiers, and update a record recording a connection between the entities. |
| US09400727B2 |
Agentless recording for virtual machine consoles
A virtual machine console is recorded. A method for monitoring a virtual machine may comprise monitoring a virtualization environment, detecting a new virtual machine and associated console, creating an additional instantiation of the console by generating a reflection of the console on a video capture device and recording a real time video of an image of the additional instantiation of the console on the video capture device. Prior to recording, the image may be analyzed to determine a change and the recording of the image can be triggered based upon the analysis. |
| US09400725B2 |
Testing framework for control devices
The present disclosure generally relates to the automated testing of a system that includes software or hardware components. In some embodiments, a testing framework generates a set of test cases for a system under test using a grammar. Each test case may perform an action, such as provide an input to the system under test, and result in an output from the system under test. The inputs and outputs are then compared to the expected results to determine whether the system under test is performing correctly. Specifically, the system under test may be analyzed to determine whether it is capable of properly processing control instructions and input signals and/or generating expected output control signals and additional control/feedback information. The data can then be interpreted in the grammar system and/or used as input to a fault isolation engine to determine anomalies in the system under test. |
| US09400724B2 |
Federating and protecting multiple big data sources combined with enterprise data sources for BI
In an embodiment, a method provides first and second storage pools having a plurality of corresponding storage blocks to a storage solution. The method monitors each storage block of the first plurality for an indication of failure by either (a) simultaneously writing a same data to a storage block of the first plurality and a corresponding storage block of the second plurality and, if writing the same data to the corresponding storage block of the second plurality completes before writing the same data to the storage block of the first plurality, indicating the first plurality of storage to be failed or (b) employing an internal procedure of the storage solution. The method, upon determining the indication, replaces the storage block with an unused storage block from a plurality of backup storage blocks or declaring the entire storage solution at a lower performance level. |
| US09400722B2 |
Method of providing high integrity processing
A method of providing high integrity communication in a high integrity processing system having at least two redundant application processors in a non-lockstep configuration where the redundant application processors are running the same application and where the redundant application processors are connected to at least one input/output processor by a communication channel. |
| US09400718B2 |
Multi-tenant disaster recovery management system and method for intelligently and optimally allocating computing resources between multiple subscribers
A Multi-Tenant Disaster Recovery Management System and method for intelligently and optimally allocating computing resources between multiple subscribers, the system comprising: one or more Multi-Tenant Disaster Recovery Management Server logically connected to one or more Production Site and one or more cloud based Disaster Recovery Site; a Network connecting said Multi-Tenant Disaster Recovery Management Server with said Production Site and said cloud based Disaster Recovery Site, wherein said Multi-Tenant Disaster Recovery Management Server is provided with at least one Disaster Recovery (DR) Manager Module, at least one Drill Scheduler Module, at least one Drill Executor Module, at least one WS Interface Module, at least one Usage Monitor Module and at least one Report Manager Module. |
| US09400714B2 |
Wirelessly communicating a data file
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module sending a plurality of undecodeable portions of a plurality of data files via a public wireless communication network to one or more targeted devices of a private wireless communication network. The method continues with the DS processing module sending data content indicators regarding the plurality of data files and in response to a selection of a data file of the plurality of data files based on a corresponding one of the data content indicators, sending, via the private wireless communication network, one or more encoded data slices of each of one or more sets of encoded data slices of the data file such that, for each of the one or more sets of encoded data slices, the one or more targeted devices obtains at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices to decode the data file. |
| US09400713B2 |
System and method for pre-encoding of data for direct write to multi-level cell memory
A method and system for reducing data transfers between memory controller and multi-level cell (MLC) non-volatile memory during programming passes of a word line (WL) in the non-volatile memory. The system includes a controller and non-volatile memory having multiple WLs, each WL having a plurality of MLC memory cells. The controller stores received data in volatile memory until a target WL amount of data is received. The controller pre-encodes the received data into direct WL programming data for each programming pass necessary to program a target MLC WL. All direct WL programming data for all programming passes are stored in the volatile memory before programming. Different portions of direct WL programming data are transmitted from the controller to the non-volatile memory each pass. The received data may be deleted from the volatile memory before transmitting at least a portion of the direct WL programming data to the non-volatile memory. |
| US09400706B2 |
Method and device for monitoring an adaptive network
An adaptive network has respective network nodes and network connections between the network nodes, the network nodes each having a transceiver which is coupled with a respective network connection. The respective transceiver is designed for providing a mean error value (MSE_i) which is representative of deviations of a received signal from predefined reference signal values. In a reference operating state of the adaptive network, a respective reference error value (MSE_REF) is determined as a function of the mean error value (MSE_i) provided by the respective transceiver. In at least one predefined operating state of the adaptive network, a respective actual error value (MSE_AV) is determined as a function of the mean error value (MSE_i) provided by the respective transceiver. As a function of the respective reference error value (MSE_REF) and the assigned actual error value (MSE_AV), it is determined whether a fault is present in the respective network connection which is coupled with the respective transceiver. |
| US09400705B2 |
Hardwired remapped memory
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to on-the-fly remapping a memory device by hardware-switching data paths to locations of the memory device. |
| US09400704B2 |
Implementing distributed debug data collection and analysis for a shared adapter in a virtualized system
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing distributed debug data collection and analysis for a hardware I/O adapter, such as, a Single Root Input/Output Virtualization (SRIOV) adapter in a virtualized system. A predetermined event triggers a base error collection sequence. Adapter driver data is collected and virtual function (VF) device drivers are locked out responsive to triggering the base error collection sequence. Adapter debug data is collected and the adapter is reinitialized including an indication to VF drivers if VF error data is to be collected. The virtual function (VF) device drivers are unlocked allowing the VF device drivers to commence recovery of a respective virtual function (VF). |
| US09400703B2 |
Method and system for transforming input data streams
A system and method for processing an input data stream in a first data format of a plurality of first data formats to an output data stream in a second data format of a plurality of second data formats. A plurality of input connector modules receive respective input data streams and at least one input queue stores the received input data streams. A plurality of job threads is operatively connected to the at least one input queue, each job thread formatting a stored input data stream to produce an output data stream. At least one output queue stores the output data streams from the plurality of job threads. A plurality of output connector modules is operatively connected to the at least one output queue, the output connector modules supplying respective output data streams. |
| US09400697B2 |
Multi-dimensional computing and communication resource allocation using bin-packing with per-branch combination tries
A recursive solution to a bin-packing algorithm provides efficient allocation of computing or communications resources to resource consumers in a computer or network system. The algorithm determines resource requirement vectors for the consumers that specify amounts of multiple resource types required for each consumer, thereby forming a multi-dimensional bin-packing problem. The algorithm assigns the resource consumers to corresponding groups of computing or communication resources by recursively exploring partial solutions that assign the consumers to the groups by extending the partial solutions via recursion until the requirements in the resource requirement vectors are met. The bin-packing algorithm tests resource requirements vectors for remaining unassigned ones of the resource consumers for both assignment and non-assignment to a current individual group of computing or communications resources in a current partial solution until the current partial solution becomes a complete solution that satisfies the requirement vectors for the plurality of resource consumers. |
| US09400695B2 |
Low latency rendering of objects
A system is disclosed for rendering low latency resource objects by providing the latest position data from a central processing unit for the low latency resource object right before a graphic processing unit is to render the low latency resource object. |
| US09400693B2 |
Controlling application programs based on memory usage of a process and right of application programs to use display unit
An apparatus includes a monitoring unit configured to monitor memory usage of a process in which multiple application programs are running, and a control unit configured to terminate one or more of the application programs when the memory usage of the process exceeds a first threshold. |
| US09400689B2 |
Resource allocation/de-allocation and activation/deactivation
A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for managing resources in a server environment. In an embodiment, the method includes determining to prepare one or more virtual resources for activation of one or more allocated host resources, based, at least in part, on virtual resource definitions. The one or more allocated host resources and the one or more virtual resources are activated. Activation of the one or more virtual resources is finalized, wherein finalizing the activation includes updating the virtual resource definitions. |
| US09400688B2 |
Resource restriction systems and methods
Resource restrictions are associated with a user identifier. A resource restriction agent receives operating system calls related for resources and provides resource request data to a resource agent. The resource agent determines whether the resource is restricted based on the resource request data and resource restriction data and generates access data based on the determination. The resource restriction agent grants or denies the system call based on the access data. |
| US09400686B2 |
Process grouping for improved cache and memory affinity
A multiprocessor computer system and method for use therein are provided for assigning processes to processor nodes. The system can determine a first pair of processes and a second pair of processes, each process of the first pair of processes executing on different nodes and each process of the second pair of processes executing on different nodes. The system can determine a first priority value of the first pair of processes, based at least in part on a first resource access rate of the first pair of processes; and determine a second priority value of the second pair of processes, based at least in part on a second resource access rate of the second pair of processes. The system can determine the first priority value is greater than the second priority value; and determine to reassign a first process of the first pair of processes to a first node, wherein a second process of the first pair of processes is executing on the first node. |
| US09400684B2 |
Electronic apparatus, recording medium, and method for generating workflow
An electronic apparatus generates a workflow for processing data with a plurality of functions in combination. The electronic apparatus includes a function accepting unit and a workflow generating unit. The functions accepted include an edit function that edits data based on settings and an execution result notification function that indicates an execution result obtained from the functions executed before the execution result notification function in the workflow. The execution result notification function indicates that it can accept a return instruction, and upon acceptance of the return instruction, the execution result notification function returns the execution position to the function specified by the accepted return instruction. After the execution position is returned in response to the return instruction, the settings of at least one of the edit functions located between the function specified by the return instruction and the execution result notification function in the workflow can be changed. |
| US09400682B2 |
Ranking and scheduling of monitoring tasks
Systems, methods, and machine-readable and executable instructions are provided for dynamically ranking and scheduling monitoring tasks. Dynamically ranking and scheduling monitoring tasks can include determining an updated ranking for each of a number of monitoring tasks, where the updated ranking can include analyzing historical measurements of each of the number of monitoring tasks. An order of execution can be scheduled for each of the number of monitoring tasks based on the updated ranking for each of the number of monitoring tasks. |
| US09400681B1 |
Managing scheduled tasks within a virtual space
Tasks scheduled to be performed at future times within a virtual space may be managed. Selections of one or more tasks performable within the virtual space may be received. The one or more tasks may include a first task associated with a first duration. The first task may be scheduled to be performed at a first time. The first time may be the first duration later than a time of receipt of the selection of the first task. Managing the scheduling of the first task may include one or more of (1) delaying performance of the first task so that the first task is scheduled to be performed at a time later than the first time, (2) advancing performance of the first task so that the first task is scheduled to be performed at a time before the first time, or (3) canceling performance of the first task. |
| US09400680B2 |
Transportation network micro-simulation with pre-emptive decomposition
In a parallel computing method performed by a parallel computing system comprising a plurality of central processing units (CPUs), a main process executes. Tasks are executed in parallel with the main process on CPUs not used in executing the main process. Results of completed tasks are stored in a cache, from which the main process retrieves completed task results when needed. The initiation of task execution is controlled by a priority ranking of tasks based on at least probabilities that task results will be needed by the main process and time limits for executing the tasks. The priority ranking of tasks is from the vantage point of a current execution point in the main process and is updated as the main process executes. An executing task may be pre-empted by a task having higher priority if no idle CPU is available. |
| US09400677B2 |
Adaptive handling of priority inversions using transactions
An operating system of a data processing system receives a request from a first process to acquire an exclusive lock for accessing a resource of the data processing system. A second priority of a second process is increased to reduce total execution time. The second process is currently in possession of the exclusive lock for performing a transactional operation with the resource. The second priority was lower than a first priority of the first process. The operating system notifies the second process to indicate that another process is waiting for the exclusive lock to allow the second process to complete or roll back the transactional operation and to release the exclusive lock thereafter. |
| US09400673B2 |
Placement of virtual CPUS using a hardware multithreading parameter
A cloud manager monitors available resources on host computer systems, including a number of hardware threads supported by CPUs on the host computer systems. The cloud manager receives a request to provision a virtual machine (VM) that includes a hardware multithreading parameter that specifies whether hardware multithreading is allowed on the host computer system. The cloud manager then selects a host computer system for the VM taking the hardware multithreading parameter into consideration. The VM is then placed on the selected host computer system using the hardware multithreading parameter. |
| US09400667B2 |
String cache file for optimizing memory usage in a Java virtual machine
A method, system and computer program product for optimizing memory usage associated with duplicate string objects in a Java virtual machine. The method comprises scanning a heap of the Java virtual machine at the end of the start-up process of the virtual machine to identify duplicate strings associated with the virtual machine, storing the identified strings in a string cache file, and determining whether a new string that needs to be created during start-up already exists in the string cache file. The duplicate strings are added to an interned strings table. A reference to a duplicate string is returned if a string to be created is already in the string cache file. |
| US09400661B2 |
Embedded user interface
A system to provide embedded user interface (UI) may comprise a request collector to receive a request directed at a host application from a user interface (UI), a response collector to receive a response from the host application, and a response dispatcher to dispatch the response to the UI via the asynchronous communication channel. The request and the response may be communicated via an asynchronous communication channel. |
| US09400660B1 |
Customizing user interfaces of native applications for portable electronic devices
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates use of a native application for a portable electronic device. During operation, the system obtains one or more custom views for a user interface of the native application. The one or more custom views may include a set of user-interface components, a layout of the user-interface components, and/or a configuration of a user-interface component from the set of user-interface components. Next, the system enables use of the one or more custom views with the native application independently of a platform of the native application. |
| US09400659B2 |
Graphical user interface window attachment
A method includes identifying a first graphical application window and a second graphical application window. The first graphical application window and the second graphical application windows are each associated with separate applications. An attachment relationship may be defined between the first and second graphical application windows. A command may be received to manipulate the first graphical application window. A correlating command then manipulates the second graphical application window according to the attachment relationship between the first window and the second window, such that a spatial relationship between the first and second graphical application windows is maintained. |
| US09400657B2 |
Dynamic management of a transaction retry indication
Embodiments relate to dynamic management of a transaction retry indication. One aspect is a system that includes a transactional facility configured to support transactions that effectively delay committing stores to memory or results to an architectural state until transaction completion, and a processor configured to identify a transaction abort reason associated with an aborted transaction of an initiating program. Transaction success and transaction abort history are tracked. Based on determining by the processor that the transaction abort reason was caused by the initiating program, a retry indication is assigned based on a static mapping of the transaction abort reason. Based on determining by the processor that the transaction abort reason was not caused by the initiating program, the retry indication is assigned based on a retry process using the transaction abort reason, the transaction abort history, and a current processor configuration. |
| US09400656B2 |
Chaining between exposed vector pipelines
Embodiments include a method for chaining data in an exposed-pipeline processing element. The method includes separating a multiple instruction word into a first sub-instruction and a second sub-instruction, receiving the first sub-instruction and the second sub-instruction in the exposed-pipeline processing element. The method also includes issuing the first sub-instruction at a first time, issuing the second sub-instruction at a second time different than the first time, the second time being offset to account for a dependency of the second sub-instruction on a first result from the first sub-instruction, the first pipeline performing the first sub-instruction at a first clock cycle and communicating the first result from performing the first sub-instruction to a chaining bus coupled to the first pipeline and a second pipeline, the communicating at a second clock cycle subsequent to the first clock cycle that corresponds to a total number of latch pipeline stages in the first pipeline. |
| US09400652B1 |
Methods and apparatus for address translation functions
Techniques are described for efficient reordering of data and performing data exchanges within a register file or memory, or in general, any device storing data that is accessible through a set of addressable locations. An address translator is placed in the path of all or a selected set of address busses to a storage device to provide a programmable and selectable means of translating the storage device addresses. An effect of this translation is that the data stored in one pattern may be accessed and stored in another pattern or accessed, processed and stored in another pattern. The address translation operation may be carried out in a single cycle, does not involve the physical movement of data in swap operations, allows data to effectively be ordered more efficiently for algorithmic processing and therefore saves power. |
| US09400648B2 |
Software upgrade analysis system
A system may include computer code for analyzing an upgrade from a first version to a second version of a software program that has been customized without performing the upgrade. The system may provide default state information of default program objects. The default program objects would be included in a default installation of the second version of the software program. The computer code may retrieve current state information of current program objects from an application database. The software program that has been customized may include the current program objects. The system may generate upgrade information based on a comparison between the current state information and the default state information. The upgrade information may identify a subset of the current program objects that would be impacted by the upgrade. |
| US09400647B2 |
Application discovery and integration using semantic metamodels
A metamodel selector may determine a semantic metamodel for at least two software applications, the semantic metamodel including a description of semantics, processes, and data that are applicable to the at least two software applications. A metadata manager may determine application metadata describing an application of the at least two applications. A transformation engine may transform the application metadata into an application-specific metamodel instance of the semantic metamodel, and an integration engine may integrate the at least two software applications, based on the application-specific metamodel instance. |
| US09400642B2 |
Self-updating application agent
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described herein that are configured to enable a self-update. In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises receiving a communication from a data center update module, the communication comprising an expected agent version identifier. The method of this embodiment may also include determining whether the expected agent version identifier is equal to a current agent version identifier. The method of this embodiment may also include causing an application agent to perform a self-update in an instance in which the expected agent version identifier is not equal to a current agent version identifier. |
| US09400637B1 |
Solution modeling and analysis toolset for enterprise software architecture
Modeling an enterprise architecture includes associating a plurality of desired business capabilities with a plurality of requirements and associating each of a plurality of technology components with one or more of the plurality of requirements, based on a respective technology supporting the one or more requirements. Then a model may be constructed that includes linking each of the technology components with one or more of the desired business capabilities based on the associating of the plurality of desired business capabilities with the plurality of requirements and the associating of each of the plurality of technology components with one or more of the plurality of requirements. |
| US09400632B2 |
Playback according to playback responsibility in stereo pair
Systems and methods are provided for audio device playback failure recovery and redistribution. The systems and methods may be configured to render an audio content according to a first playback responsibility that involves rendering both (a) a left channel of an audio content and (b) a right channel of the audio content, detect an instruction to form a stereo pair with another network device; render the audio content according to a second playback responsibility that involves rendering one of (a) the left channel of the audio content or (b) the right channel of the audio content; while rendering the audio content according to the second playback responsibility, detect a failure of the another network device; and render the audio content according to the first playback responsibility. |
| US09400631B2 |
Multifunctional media players
According to embodiments of the invention, systems, methods and devices are directed to multifunctional media players that allow multiple musicians to play musical instruments at the same time in different locations. Various embodiments of the invention implement several novel features, including, in one embodiment, an orchestra system that includes a system configured to provide a plurality of multifunctional media players playing various songs. Each multifunctional media player includes a picture capturing device and a sound recorder as communication means to control synchronization among other said multifunctional media players. |
| US09400629B2 |
Tape measure with audio recorder
The present invention is a tape measure in combination with a data transceiver, a headset, and a cell phone. The invention includes a data transceiver with a housing that can be mounted to a tape measure, where the housing features numerous selectors including at least one record button and one playback button. The present invention further involves the transceiver in communication with a first user cell phone for instructing recordation of verbal analog data received from a head set when a record button is depressed. The cell phone also includes an application for converting verbal information into digital data using voice recognition software, communicating and storing the digital data, and communicating analog data. The present invention alternatively allows for playback of the recorded data to the headset when a playback button is depressed. Another embodiment allows for communication between the cell phones of a first and a second user and an associated headset. |
| US09400628B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and program
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a transmission processing section which performs short-range one-to-one communication with a communication partner device, a reception processing section, a received data processing section which acquires information obtained by communication with the communication partner device, a display section which displays the information, and a display processing section which executes processing of displaying the information based on a content of the information. |
| US09400627B2 |
Display including signal transmission scheme using optical interconnection and electrical interconnection
A display employing a signal transmission scheme using an optical interconnection together with an electrical interconnection is provided. The display includes a screen including a plurality of sub displays configured to display information, a plurality of sub signal processors electrically connected to the plurality of sub displays, the sub signal processors being configured to perform conversion between an optical signal and an electrical signal, and a main signal processor optically connected to at least a portion of the plurality of sub signal processors. |
| US09400621B2 |
Information providing apparatus, terminal device, information providing system, and computer readable medium
An information providing apparatus includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives, from a terminal device connected to the information providing apparatus via a communication path, operation state information indicating an operation state of the terminal device. If it is determined, based on the operation state information, that the terminal device is in a specific operation state associated with an image processing operation, the transmitting unit transmits to the terminal device one or plural pieces of specific information associated with an image processing operation executable after the specific operation state has been completed. When transmitting the plural pieces of specific information to the terminal device, the transmitting unit transmits the plural pieces of specific information to the terminal device in accordance with priorities. The priorities are assigned to the plural pieces of specific information in accordance with the specific operation state. |
| US09400620B2 |
Storage system
A storage system includes a plurality of data disks that store information, and a parity disk that corresponds to a disk group including some of the plurality of data disks and stores parity information generated on the basis of data of the data disks included in the corresponding disk group. Any of the data disks is included in a plurality of the disk groups. |
| US09400616B2 |
Methodology for manipulation of SATA device access cycles
Controlling accesses to target devices such as disk drives by modifying the duty cycle profile of those devices to improve device reliability is disclosed. The utilization of a target device is monitored, and if a device is being overused, that device is given a rest period by reserving it for a special initiator that does not send any commands to the device for a certain period of time. This reduced utilization has the effect of increasing the reliability of the target device. This period of time also adds a delay to the processing of commands for the target device being overutilized so that the device becomes less responsive. This performance penalty creates pressure on system administrators to reduce the number of commands sent to that target device and/or move data to proper devices (that can handle the high number of accesses). |
| US09400614B2 |
Method and system for programmable sequencer for processing I/O for various PCIe disk drives
Disclosed is a system and method for using a programmable sequencer to produce a required command for a particular standard, or format, being used by the PCIe disk drive. A PCIe disk drive may support a different standard, or format. A mix of any number of different standards, or formats, is permitted in the system and method. For each message, a different set of instructions can be selected for the conversion process. |
| US09400613B1 |
Intelligent pairing for snapshot based backups
This disclosure relates to a method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for intelligent pairing for snapshot based backups. In some embodiments, this includes according to rules, obtaining a list of available devices in a storage group using a snapshot method, among the list of available devices, generating a list of currently paired devices with a source using the snapshot method, generating a list of unrelated but available devices using the source, the list of currently paired devices, and the list of available devices, if the list of currently paired devices is not empty, selecting one or more target devices from the list of currently paired devices and pairing the one or more target devices with the source, otherwise, selecting the one or more target devices from the list of unrelated but available devices and pairing the one or more target devices with the source. |
| US09400610B1 |
Method for cleaning a delta storage system
A computer-implemented method and system for performing garbage collection in a delta compressed data storage system selects a file recipe to traverse to identify live data chunks and selects a chunk identifier from the file recipe. The chunk identifier is added to a set of live data chunks. Delta references in an entry of an index corresponding to the chunk identifier are added to the set of live data chunks. Data chunks in a data storage system not identified by the set of live data chunks are then discarded. |
| US09400605B2 |
Efficient management of a virtual tape library cluster
Various embodiments for managing a virtual tape library cluster are provided. A virtual tape library system is enhanced by representing virtual tape resources in cluster nodes with a unique serial number. A least utilized cluster node is determined. One of the virtual tape resources represented within the least utilized cluster node is selected. |
| US09400604B2 |
Write procedure using estimated best setting in first run
In one general embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a write operation to be performed in a tape drive; determining a capacity margin ratio of the tape drive; determining an optimum a write procedure based at least in part on the capacity margin ratio; and invoking the optimum write procedure in response to determining the optimum write procedure. The optimum write procedure is selected from the group consisting of: a backhitch write procedure, a same wrap backhitchless flush (SWBF) write procedure, and a recursively accumulating backhitchless flush (RABF) write procedure. Systems and computer program products configured to perform similar techniques are also disclosed. |
| US09400601B2 |
Techniques for paging through digital content on touch screen devices
Techniques are disclosed for providing a page flipping mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The user can engage the page flipping mode by performing an activation gesture, which causes the device to display a magazine page flipping mode or a fast page flipping mode. The page flipping modes may show paginated content such as an opened book or magazine in a single stack or side-by-side layout. The fast page flipping modes may show a single page lying relatively flat or somewhat curled with the edges of subsequent pages visible at the right edge of the page. A page flipping gesture may prompt an animation showing one or more pages folding up to display subsequent pages to the user. In some cases, the number of pages being flipped and/or the speed at which the pages are flipped, is dependent upon the speed and/or length and/or duration of the page flipping gesture. |
| US09400600B2 |
Method, apparatus, and graphical user interface for providing visual effects on a touchscreen display
A graphical user interface, method and apparatus for providing visual effects on a touchscreen display, including: displaying a first screen; detecting a multi-point touch on the first screen; detecting a first touch event based on the multi-point touch; turning the first screen into a garbage object in response to the first touch event; and removing the garbage object by moving the garbage object to a trash bin icon. |
| US09400598B2 |
Fast and smooth scrolling of user interfaces operating on thin clients
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a user interface for scrolling through lists of information on user interfaces. |
| US09400597B2 |
Presenting dynamic grids
Grids are commonly used to provide an environment for users to orient objects within a drawing program. The properties of a grid are usually defined and set at the time the grid is created and do not change. An effective way to provide a useful grid that can adapt to objects a user has drawn is provided herein by presenting a dynamic grid on a display. The dynamic grid may adjust grid properties, such as the position of the origin, the angle of the grid, the size of gridline spacing, the coordinate mode, etc. The new grid properties are adjusted to accommodate what the user may draw next, based upon what the user previously drew. |
| US09400590B2 |
Method and electronic device for displaying a virtual button
A method for using a pen in an electronic device is provided, including: detecting a pen use event; and responsive to the pen use event, displaying, on a display of the electronic device, at least one virtual button which performs the same function as a physical button that is part of the electronic device; wherein the physical button of the electronic device comprises at least one of a mechanical switch and an optical switch. |
| US09400589B1 |
Circular rotational interface for display of consumer credit information
A credit score user interface that may comprise a circular visual interface to view a consumer's credit information is disclosed herein. Sections of the circular visual interface may correspond to credit categories, where each section is sized according to the impact of the associated credit category on the consumer's credit score. One of the category sections may be selected, and credit information about a specific consumer that is related to that section may be displayed. The selected credit category may change based on touch input. A change in selection may cause new credit information related to the newly selected credit category to be displayed about the specific consumer. |
| US09400586B2 |
Graphical user interface having an attached toolbar for drag and drop editing in detail-in-context lens presentations
Detail-in-context techniques are described. In an implementation, an original image is distorted to produce a distorted region for a selected object at a first position in an original image displayed on a display screen. The distorted region magnifies at least a portion of the object. A signal is received to drag the object and the distorted region from the first position to a second position. A signal is received to drop the object at the second position. The distorted region is removed from the original image after the object is dropped at the second position. |
| US09400581B2 |
Touch-sensitive button with two levels
A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state. |
| US09400578B2 |
Touch panel, touch screen apparatus, and method of driving the touch panel
A touch panel configured to drive a liquid crystal according to a voltage difference between first and second electrodes. The touch panel includes at least one display unit configured to generate an image voltage and apply the image voltage to the first electrode. The image voltage corresponds to image data to be displayed in response to activation of a display gate line. The touch panel further includes at least one sensing unit configured to sense, in response to activation of a sensor gate line, a voltage variation of the second electrode to determine whether a finger capacitance is generated by a physical touch on the touch panel. |
| US09400575B1 |
Finger detection for element selection
A user can use a finger, or other such object, to provide input to a computing device. The finger does not have to contact the device, but can be positioned and/or oriented in such a way that the device can determine an input that the user is attempting to provide, such as an element or icon that the user is intended to select. One or more cameras can capture image information, which can be analyzed to attempt to determine the location and/or orientation of the finger. If the finger is at least partially outside a field of view of the camera(s), the device can use a sensor (e.g., EMF) to attempt to determine a location of at least a portion of the finger, which can be used with the image information to determine the location and/or orientation of the finger. Other estimation processes can be used as well. |
| US09400574B2 |
Interactive touch system and light source device
An interactive touch system includes a display device, a light source device and an invisible light detecting device. The display device is adapted to provide an image beam to a display surface. The light source device includes a light-emitting element and a light-guide element. The light-guide element has a conical surface and a cylindrical curved surface facing the conical surface. The curvature center of at least partial section of the cylindrical curved surface is not located on the central axis of the conical surface. The light-emitting element is adapted to emit an invisible light beam toward the conical surface, and the invisible light beam is reflected by the conical surface and the cylindrical curved surface to be diverged and range over the display surface. When an object moves to the display surface, the invisible light beam is reflected by the object to be detected by the invisible light detecting device. |
| US09400570B2 |
Stylus with inertial sensor
A stylus may have an elongated body with opposing first and second ends. Electronic equipment may have a touch sensor that receives electromagnetic signals from one or more electrodes at the first end. The stylus may have a six-axis inertial sensor at the second end. Force sensors may be located at the first and second ends. User input from the force sensors, the inertial sensor, and other input-output devices may be used to supply the stylus with mode change commands. In response to the mode change commands the stylus may transition between operating modes such as a touch sensor mode and one or more inertial sensor modes. Inertial sensor data may be used to allow the stylus to operate as a joystick, a rotational controller, an air mouse, or other input devices in addition to serving as a touch sensor input device. |
| US09400569B2 |
Three dimensional building blocks
Methods, systems, and products describe physical structures for interactive computer displays. A tangible, three-dimensional structure has an interior and an exterior surface. A bundle of optical fibers propagates light through the interior to the exterior surface of the three-dimensional structure. A magnet in the three-dimensional structure produces an attractive force, and a marker on the exterior surface identifies the three-dimensional structure and the magnet. |
| US09400568B2 |
Method for operating image display apparatus
An image display apparatus and a method for operating the image display apparatus are disclosed. The method for operating an image display apparatus includes displaying at least one object on a display, displaying a pointer on the display, accumulating a movement value of a remote controller during a predetermined period, detecting reference coordinates of the displayed at least one object, correcting the accumulated movement value based on the reference coordinates if the reference coordinates are detected, and changing the location of the pointer based on the corrected value and displaying the pointer. |
| US09400564B2 |
Interactive vehicle window display system with a safe driving reminder system
A system for a vehicle includes a user identification subsystem operable to detect a driver; and an interactive display subsystem operable to generate output for display on a vehicle window based on detection of the driver, the output associated with a reminder specific to a questionable driving habit of the driver. |
| US09400561B2 |
Method of operating gesture based communication channel and portable terminal system for supporting the same
Methods and apparatus are provided for operating a close proximity communication channel based on a gesture. A gesture event is generated on a touch screens of a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes a close proximity communication module. The portable terminal generates a context message corresponding to the gesture event. The context message is transmitted to at least one other portable terminal. The close proximity communication channel is established based on the context message. |
| US09400553B2 |
User interface programmatic scaling
Embodiments that relate to scaling a visual element displayed via a display device are disclosed. In one embodiment a method includes receiving and using gaze tracking data to determine gaze locations at which a user is gazing on the display device. Depth tracking data is received and used to determine that a user's pointer is at a predetermined location. In response, a locked gaze location on the screen is locked, where the locked gaze location includes at least a portion of the visual element. In response to locking the locked gaze location, the visual element is programmatically scaled by a predetermined amount to an enlarged size. A user input selecting the visual element is then received. |
| US09400550B2 |
Apparatus and method providing viewer feedback of observed personal user data
In one or more embodiments described herein, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processor and a memory including computer program code. The memory and the computer code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to be able to determine a graphical indicator for display to the originator of personal user data. The graphical indicator is a graphical representation of a determined interest value of one or more viewers to the personal user data. This determined interest value is generated using feedback signalling representative of the feedback provided by changes in facial expression of respective viewers to viewing said personal user data. |
| US09400549B2 |
Method and system for a new-era electronic book
Different methods and systems for a new-era electronic book are disclosed. In one embodiment, the content of the book can be presented by an electronic book device. The device includes a display to present the content to a user; a sensor to sense the user; and a processor. The processor can become aware of an attribute of the user, and change a portion of the content of the electronic book to be presented accordingly. In one embodiment, the attribute is not a behavior of the user. For example, the attribute can be a location of the user. The book can include a story and a non-story theme. The story theme can convey a concept, and the non-story theme can include scenes, scripts and/or props. The portion changed can be the story or the non-story theme, or both. |
| US09400545B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for energy efficiency and energy conservation including autonomous hardware-based deep power down in devices
Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for energy efficiency and energy conservation including enabling autonomous hardware-based deep power down of devices are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a device, a static memory, and a power control unit coupled with the device and the static memory. The system further includes a deep power down logic of the power control unit to monitor a status of the device, and to transfer the device to a deep power down state when the device is idle. In the system, the device consumes less power when in the deep power down state than in the idle state. |
| US09400540B2 |
Event based dynamic power management
An apparatus, computer readable medium, and method of event based dynamic power management. The method includes responding to receiving an indication of an event that is external to a hardware block engine by adjusting the power to the hardware block engine, if the event indicates that the power to the hardware block engine should be adjusted. The method may include receiving a second event that is external to the hardware block engine. The method may include determining whether or not the power should be adjusted to the hardware block engine based on the event and the second event. If it is determined that the power should be adjusted, then the power may be adjusted to the hardware block based on the event and second event. A method of monitoring a component and sending an indication of an event that the component will not require a hardware block engine is disclosed. |
| US09400537B2 |
Power supply impedance optimizing apparatus
In a power supply impedance optimizing apparatus, first and second noise detecting circuits detect noises of first and second power supplies by magnetic field coupling between bonding wires of the first and second power supplies and bonding wires for first and second noise detection. A noise determining circuit determines a noise level using a frequency component in each of one or more frequency ranges as extracted from each of the noises of the first and second power supplies. The noise determining circuit controls ON/OFF state of the first switch connected between pads of the first and second power supplies and the second switch connected between pins of the first and second power supplies based on a determination result of the noise level. |
| US09400535B2 |
Power supply circuit for central processing unit
A power supply circuit applied to a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, a control circuit, a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit, a first compensation circuit, a second compensation circuit, a first power circuit, and a second power circuit. When the computer is turned on, the PWM controller regulates duty cycles of pulse signals and outputs the regulated pulse signals to the first and second power circuits according to a first compensation signal, to provide a stable voltage to the CPU. When the computer is in a standby mode, the PWM controller regulates duty cycles of pulse signals and outputs the regulated pulse signals to the first power circuit according to a second compensation signal, to provide a stable voltage to the CPU. |
| US09400527B2 |
Mobile terminal device and a chassis
A mobile terminal device that includes a frame that supports a structure of the mobile terminal, a button that fits with a hole in the frame, a gasket that contacts with the button, a first area of which contacting with the button being configured to move when the button is pushed, and a second area of which being fixed to the frame by an adhesive, processing circuitry, and a switch that contacts with the gasket, and moves and applies current to the processing circuitry when the gasket moves in response to the button being pushed. |
| US09400524B2 |
Metal ceramic chassis for portable devices
An information handling system chassis is built at least in part from ceramic elements. For example, a transparent aluminum oxide ceramic portion covers a touchscreen to provide a rigid outer surface for accepting end user inputs. As another example, a ceramic chassis element has a ceramic material formed around a metal material of similar substance with bonding of the ceramic to the underlying material enhanced with oxidation of the outer surface of the metal material. |
| US09400523B2 |
Information device
An information device includes: a first housing and a second housing coupled through a hinge mechanism, the second housing being openable to a angle from a closed state where the second housing overlaps with the first housing; a third housing attached to a surface of the second housing on a first housing side through a movement mechanism capable of moving the third housing with respect to the second housing from an overlapped state with the second housing; a first display screen provided on a surface of the third housing on the first housing side; and at least one unit selected from a group of a second display screen, an input mechanism, an output mechanism and an input-output mechanism, the surface being exposed when the third housing is moved with respect to the second housing in a state where the second housing is opened with respect to the first housing. |
| US09400521B2 |
Flexible portable electronic device
Flexible portable electronic device capable of elaborating information, including a flexible body arranged to be capable of being secured to a part of the user's body, the flexible body including a lower flexible band and an upper flexible band. The flexible portable electronic device includes an electronic assembly for processing information, the electronic assembly for processing information including at least a first electronic component with a substantially flat surface, housed between the upper flexible band and the lower flexible band of the flexible body. The first electronic component is secured on only one portion of the surface thereof to one of the upper or lower flexible bands. |
| US09400520B2 |
Tablet terminal attachment
Provided is an attachment for use with tablet terminals which prevents a tablet terminal from unexpectedly popping up and allows a user to soon find the tablet terminal in a bag. An attachment for use with tablet terminals includes a terminal holding part configured to detachably hold a tablet terminal without hindering the user from operating the touchscreen surface of the tablet terminal and a ring insertion part which allows the terminal holding part to be held on a personal organizer including a ring. |
| US09400519B2 |
Computer housing
A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer. |
| US09400518B2 |
Temporary frequency adjustment of mobile device processors based on task migration
Systems and methods for temporarily adjusting the frequency of processors are disclosed. A computing device may include a plurality of processors that are each configured to execute one or more tasks at a corresponding one of a plurality of frequencies. A scheduling component migrates tasks between the processors to balance a load that is processed by the plurality of processors. A governor component includes a frequency adjustment component to control a frequency of each of the processors and a frequency synchronization component that detects when the scheduling component is migrating one of the tasks from a source processor to a destination processor. The synchronization component increases, based upon a frequency of the source processor, a frequency of the destination processor. |
| US09400515B2 |
Voltage regulator and electronic apparatus
A voltage regulator is provided which can suppress an occurrence of overshooting in an output voltage at the time of starting a power source with a source voltage or the like. The voltage regulator includes an error amplifier circuit, an overshooting control circuit that is connected to the gate of an output transistor, and an ON/OFF circuit that controls ON and OFF states of at least the error amplifier circuit. Here, the ON/OFF circuit controls the overshooting control circuit so as to turn on the output transistor when a predetermined time passes after at least the error amplifier circuit is turned on at the time of starting the voltage regulator. |
| US09400514B2 |
Current control for output device biasing stage
Circuits and methods to control current through a device biasing an output device in case the supply voltage is not higher than the output voltage are disclosed. The circuits and methods are applicable to e.g. LDOs, amplifiers, or buffers. A control loop detects if the supply voltage is not higher than the output voltage and regulates the drain-source voltage of the biasing device. The disclosure reduces power consumption in a driver stage in case the supply voltage is not higher than the output voltage. |
| US09400513B2 |
Cascode circuit
An electronic circuit includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device includes a load path and an internal voltage divider with a voltage divider tap. The second semiconductor device includes a load path and a control node. The first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device have their load paths connected in series. The voltage divider tap of the first semiconductor device is coupled to the control node of the second semiconductor device. |
| US09400510B2 |
Phase change material evaporator charging control
An evaporator has a manifold and a plurality of refrigerant tubes extending downward in the direction of gravity from the manifold. The evaporator includes at least one PCM housing engaging the upper portion of the refrigerant tube for storing a phase change material. When operating in a first operating mode, heat is transferred from the phase change material to the refrigerant to freeze and cool the phase change material. When operating in a second operating mode, heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the frozen phase change material to condense the refrigerant. The condensed refrigerant falls downwardly through the tubes and receives heat from a flow of air to cool the air and evaporate the refrigerant. The evaporated refrigerant rises upwardly back to the low pressure of the cold manifold. |
| US09400508B2 |
Periodicity disturbance suppression device and periodicity disturbance suppression method
In a torque ripple suppression control effected by a periodicity disturbance observer, it is necessary to consider plant fluctuation and fluctuation of plant characteristics caused by over time usage. Thus, improvement for robustness to an identification model error has been required. For fulfilling this requirement, there is provided a system that includes a phase correction amount calculation portion 11 that derives a phase correction amount by calculating a phase of a vector trajectory drawn by a frequency component of the periodicity disturbance, a gain correction amount calculation portion 12 that derives a gain correction amount by calculating a progress speed of the vector trajectory drawn by the frequency component of the periodicity disturbance and comparing the calculated progress speed with a threshold value and a rotation vector calculation portion 13 that derives a system identification model correction value by multiplying the phase correction amount by the gain correction amount and corrects the system identification model of a periodicity disturbance observer portion 14 based on the system identification model correction value. |
| US09400503B2 |
Mobile human interface robot
A method of object detection for a mobile robot includes emitting a speckle pattern of light onto a scene about the robot while maneuvering the robot across a work surface, receiving reflections of the emitted speckle pattern off surfaces of a target object in the scene, determining a distance of each reflecting surface of the target object, constructing a three-dimensional depth map of the target object, and classifying the target object. |
| US09400502B2 |
Control of a personal transporter based on user position
An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning. |
| US09400501B2 |
Simultaneous localization and mapping for a mobile robot
A method of simultaneous localization and mapping includes initializing a robot pose and a particle model of a particle filter. The particle model includes particles, each having an associated map, robot pose, and weight. The method includes receiving sparse sensor data from a sensor system of the robot, synchronizing the received sensor data with a change in robot pose, accumulating the synchronized sensor data over time, and determining a robot localization quality. When the accumulated sensor data exceeds a threshold accumulation and the robot localization quality is greater than a threshold localization quality, the method includes updating particles with accumulated synchronized sensor data. The method includes determining a weight for each updated particle of the particle model and setting a robot pose belief to the robot pose of the particle having the highest weight when a mean weight of the particles is greater than a threshold particle weight. |
| US09400498B2 |
Tactical robot controller
An unmanned systems operator control system includes a hand held controller with a set of switches and control enumeration software specially configured to report a superset of virtual switches based on the physical switches. A core unit includes a first unmanned system control application subscribing to a first switch subset of the superset and outputting commands controlling a first unmanned system based on activation of the set of switches. A second unmanned system control application subscribes to a second switch subset of the superset and outputs commands controlling a second unmanned system based on activation of the set of switches. A mode switching subsystem is configured, in a first state, to map the set of switches to the first switch subset and, in a second state, to map the set of switches to the second switch subset. |
| US09400496B2 |
Numerical controller with inter-path waiting function
A pre-read/analysis process is carried out to analyze a code in a block, and whether or not the analyzed data contains an inter-path waiting code is determined. When the block contains an inter-path waiting code, the pre-read/analysis process is suspended, and whether or not a preset specified condition is met is judged. When the specified condition is met, inter-path waiting is started. When the inter-path waiting is established, code analysis data created before creation of execution data is discarded, and a pre-read/analysis process on the next block is immediately started. |
| US09400495B2 |
Industrial automation equipment and machine procedure simulation
For machine procedure simulation, a synchronization module stores a plurality of equipment procedures in a procedure database. Each equipment procedure corresponds to an equipment instance of a plurality of equipment instances and each equipment instance corresponds to an equipment reference code. The synchronization module further synchronizes the plurality of equipment procedures to a mobile device. A retrieval module receives a first equipment reference code at the mobile device and retrieves a first equipment procedure indexed to the first equipment reference code. The first equipment procedure includes a machine simulation for the first equipment instance. A training module receives a procedure step directed to the machine simulation. In addition, the training module displays an operator simulation interacting with the machine simulation in response to the procedure step. |
| US09400492B2 |
Motor control device
A motor control device includes a model control system that controls a motor machine model position using a target value (a position instruction after differentiation) related to a position instruction, and a feedback control system that controls a motor position using the target value (a position instruction after differentiation) related to the position instruction and an amount of control (model position) of the model control system. The feedback control system controls the motor position using the amount of control (model position) of the model control system at all times. |
| US09400488B2 |
Mechanical winding device for a watch
An automatic winding device for a spring of a watch movement including a weight fixed on a support via a bearing including a ring which drives, in only one direction of rotation called the winding direction, a transmission gear in order to wind the mainspring, this winding device wherein, on the one hand, the bearing is of the one-way type and blocks the rotation of the weight in the opposite direction to the winding direction, called the blocking direction and wherein, on the other hand, the device includes a means for decoupling the weight from said bearing in at least the blocking direction when the weight exerts on the bearing a torque higher than a desired value. |
| US09400481B2 |
Latch mechanism for a fuser assembly having a heat transfer roll
A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device which transfers heat from overheated portions of the fuser assembly to portions having lesser temperatures. The fuser assembly includes a heating member; a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith; a heat transfer device in contact with backup roll; a positioning mechanism coupled to the heat transfer device for positioning the heat transfer device in a first position in which the heat transfer device contacts the backup roll and in a second position in which the heat transfer device is spaced apart from the backup roll; and a latch mechanism for latching the heat transfer device in the second position. |
| US09400479B1 |
Waste toner container and image forming apparatus
A waste toner container includes a waste toner container body and a dust collector. The waste toner container body has a first end and stores waste toner discharged from an apparatus body. The dust collector is disposed on a first end side of the waste toner container body, allows passage therethrough of air to be exhausted from the apparatus body, and traps dust that enters the dust collector together with an airflow. |
| US09400477B2 |
Cleaning device, device to be cleaned, cleaning member, and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device includes a cleaning member that includes a cleaning portion that cleans a light transmission member, which has a substantially elongated shape and which transmits light, and a support portion that supports the cleaning portion and a wall portion that is disposed on one end side of the light transmission member in a longitudinal direction of the light transmission member and that has a surface that is formed along a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction of the light transmission member. The cleaning member and the wall portion each have a configuration in which when an end of the cleaning member makes contact with the wall portion and is pressed, the support portion is bent in a convex manner toward a side opposite to a side on which the light transmission member is disposed. |
| US09400474B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including an apparatus main body including an inner wall that defines an accommodation portion, photoconductive drums arranged in parallel at intervals in a predetermined direction toward a first side from a second side, in the accommodation portion, chargers disposed corresponding to the photoconductive drums, respectively, each charger charging a corresponding one of the photoconductive drums, a frame body configured to support the photoconductive drums and the chargers and be accommodated in the accommodation portion, a regulating member disposed between the inner wall and a first-side end portion of the frame body in the predetermined direction, the regulating member configured to apply an urging force to the frame body and regulate an air current, and a pressing member configured to press the frame body against the urging force of the regulating member and regulate a movement of the frame body relative to the apparatus main body. |
| US09400473B1 |
Variable capacity paper tray
A media supply device includes a tray feeding printable media into a printing device. The tray has a first section sized for a first size of printable media and a second section sized for a second size of printable media. The first section is within the second section. The tray has a base with a first end and a second end. A first endwall is perpendicularly connected to the first end of the base. A second endwall is perpendicularly connected to the second end of the base. Sidewalls having a top edge are connected to edges of the base between the first endwall and the second endwall. The top edge of the sidewalls is a first height above the base in the first section and a second height above the base in the second section. The first and second heights are different. |
| US09400469B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of warning life of charging roller in image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a charging roller, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a sampling part, a life consumption degree calculating part and a warning processing part. The sampling part executes temperature/humidity inputting process inputting temperature of the temperature sensor and humidity of the humidity sensor. The life consumption degree calculating part calculates a life consumption degree of the charging roller from a last time to a present time in the temperature/humidity inputting process by applying respective representative values of last and present inputted temperature and humidity into a model formula. The warning processing part outputs a warning when an addition value of the life consumption degrees exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The life consumption degree calculating part uses the model formula deriving larger life consumption degree in a case where the representative value of the temperature and the representative value of the humidity are respectively larger. |
| US09400466B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a rotatable cam configured to move a shutter member
An image forming apparatus includes a movable image-bearing member, a sensor opposed to the image-bearing member, a shutter member arranged between the image-bearing member and the sensor and capable of moving between an open position and a closed position, a rotatable cam configured to move the shutter member, and an execution portion configured to selectively execute a first mode in which the shutter member is opened or closed by rotating the cam within a first phase range and a second mode in which the shutter member is vibrated by rotating the cam at least through a second phase range different from the first phase range. |
| US09400461B1 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a heating unit that heats an unfixed image on a recording medium, which is deformed by heating, and hence fixes the unfixed image; and a transport member that closely contacts a no-image surface of the recording medium and transports the recording medium while causing a close contact force to act on the recording medium against a deformation force, which is generated at the recording medium by the heating of the heating unit. The close contact force of the recording medium with respect to the transport member is larger than the deformation force generated at the recording medium. |
| US09400454B1 |
Imaging system oil management
An oil routing system has a first fluid transport device to transport clean oil from an oil recycling apparatus of an imaging system to a first storage tank, the oil having been recycled after use in the imaging system by the recycling apparatus, a second fluid transport device to transport clean oil to a second storage tank, and a third fluid transport device. The clean oil is to be stored in the first storage tank and second storage tank as clean oil, and the third fluid transport device to return clean oil from the first storage tank to the imaging system for reuse, wherein of the first and second storage tanks, the oil routing system routes clean oil to the imaging system for reuse only from the first storage tank. |
| US09400452B2 |
Image forming unit having image carrier, developer carrier that supplies developer to image carrier and developer supply member that supplies developer to developer carrier, and image forming apparatus having image carrier, developer carrier that supplies developer to image carrier and developer supply member that supplies developer to developer carrier
An image forming unit includes a first developer supply member that is arranged inside a developer container and supplies a developer to a developer carrier, a seal member of which a fixed end is fixed on a case.The case has a first wall part that extends from the fixed end obliquely downward with respect to a vertical direction and a second wall part that continues from the first wall part and extends along an outer peripheral surface of the first developer supply member, and a first distance between an inner peripheral surface of the first wall part and the outer peripheral surface of the first developer supply member becomes smaller with increasing distance from the fixed end of the seal member. |
| US09400450B2 |
Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A toner cartridge includes a toner container to store toner and two rotary agitation members to rotate to agitate toner in the toner container. The toner container has two arc-shaped portions adjacent to each other at an inner bottom wall of the toner container. The two rotary agitation members has edges to rotate along the two arc-shaped portions with rotation phases thereof shifted from each other. The two rotary agitation members are placed with rotation trajectories thereof partially overlapping each other. |
| US09400445B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an exposing device including: light sources including light emitting portions and respectively for photoconductors; a deflector for deflecting light from each light emitting portion; optical systems each for using the deflected light to form an image on the photoconductor; and a first beam detector for detecting reference light deflected by the deflector. A storage stores parameters respectively for the light emitting portions. Each of the parameters relates to a writing time extending from the detection of the reference light to emission of light for exposing a surface of the photoconductor from the light emitting portion. A controller controls the timing of emission of light from each light emitting portion for exposing the surface of the photoconductor, based on a result of the detection of the reference light and a corresponding one of the parameters. |
| US09400440B2 |
Styrene/acrylate and polyester hybrid toner
The present disclosure describes toner particles that have polyester resin and styrene/acrylate resin in the core. |
| US09400437B2 |
Position measurement apparatus and exposure apparatus which measure position of object using reference mark, and method of manufacturing device
A position measurement apparatus that measures a position of an object using a reference mark includes a first illumination optical system configured to illuminate the object using measurement light from a light source which emits light of a first wavelength band, a second illumination optical system configured to illuminate the reference mark using reference light of a second wavelength band, and a position measurement unit configured to detect light from the object and light from the reference mark and to obtain the position of the object based on the detection result, and the second wavelength band of the reference light is set between an upper limit and a lower limit of the first wavelength band of the measurement light from the light source. |
| US09400436B2 |
Detection device, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method using same
A detection device that detects a mark provided on the back side of an object, the detection device includes a first detection unit configured to detect the mark from a surface side of the object; a second detection unit configured to detect a surface position of the object; and a processing unit. The processing unit determines a thickness of the object based on a difference between a first focus position acquired with reference to the position of the mark detected by the first detection unit and a second focus position acquired with reference to the surface position detected by the second detection unit. |
| US09400431B2 |
Supporting assembly with a rolling ball disposed directly below supporting rods and method for using the same
A supporting assembly configured to support a plurality of tubes includes a first supporting rod, a second supporting rod opposite to the first supporting rod, a bridging member, and a rolling member. The first supporting rod includes several first parallel recesses. The bridging member is connected to one end of the first supporting rod or one end of the second supporting rod. The rolling member is received by the bridging member. |
| US09400425B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning photomask
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning a photomask. This apparatus, suitable for use in removing an adhesive residue from a photomask, includes a photomask disposed such that a surface thereof on which an adhesive residue is left behind is directed downwards, a metal plate formed adjacent to the adhesive residue, and a laser generator for irradiating a laser onto the metal plate so that the adhesive residue is removed by heat generated from the metal plate. |
| US09400423B2 |
Manufacturing method for photomask
A manufacturing method for a photomask for wafer processing includes a step of forming a groove on the front side of a light shielding plate in an area where light is to be passed. The groove has a depth not reaching the back side of the light shielding plate. A uniting step applies a bonding agent capable of transmitting light to the front side of the light shielding plate after performing the groove forming step and next attaching a transparent plate through the bonding agent to the front side of the light shielding plate to thereby unite the light shielding plate and the transparent plate. A grinding step holds the transparent plate on a chuck table after performing the uniting step. The back side of the light shielding plate is ground until the groove is exposed to the back side of the light shielding plate. |
| US09400417B2 |
Projector suspension device
A projector suspension device for a projector comprises a base to be fixed to a surface on which the projector projects an image, a support member extending from the base and configured to support the projector, and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a tilt of the projector. |
| US09400416B2 |
Illumination light source device including a reflecting-transmitting element, projection device including the illumination light source device and method to control the projection device
An illumination light source device includes a reflection-transmission wheel provided on a light-path from an excitation light source and having a transmission region that transmits an excitation light and a reflection region reflecting the excitation light, a fluorescent wheel provided on at least one of the reflection light-path and the transmission light-path and having a fluorescent body emitting fluorescence when excited by the excitation light, and a control section turning-on the excitation light source while the boundary of the transmission region and the reflection region traverses the light-path, in order to provide an illumination light source device capable of preventing a deterioration of the fluorescent body, whereby improving a color reproducibility by use of the color mixture occurred at the boundary region between the transmission light-path and the reflection light-path effectively and improving the brightness of image. |
| US09400415B2 |
Image displaying device and method
An image displaying device includes a light diffuser and an image superposing unit. The light diffuser includes an incident side and an emergent side. The image superposing unit emerges therefrom a plurality of image lights, and superposes the plurality of image lights onto the incident side, wherein the plurality of superposed image lights pass through the light diffuser, and the light diffuser only displays an image corresponding to one of the plurality of image lights in an observation direction on the emergent side. |
| US09400411B2 |
Multiple glazing having variable diffusion by liquid crystals, and method for manufacturing same
A liquid-crystal multiple glazing including a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet that is sealed by a sealing gasket, first and second electrodes with first and second electricity supply zones, a liquid-crystal layer, between 15 and 60 μm, with spacers, the first glass sheet protruding by a first protruding side and including the first electricity supply zone, electrical cabling with a first cabling input with a first electrically insulating polymer material, a third glass sheet laminated with the second glass sheet, the third glass sheet protruding from the second glass sheet by a side covering the first electrically insulating material, referred to as the first covering side. |
| US09400407B2 |
Display panel
A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate and an electrode layer including at least a first part and a second part. The first part includes a first connecting electrode and a plurality of first branch electrodes disposed along a direction and spaced from each other by a first distance (T). When a light passes through the first branch electrodes, a brightness distribution is generated. The centers of two adjacent ones of the bright textures are separated by a second distance (P). The first connecting electrode is connected with the first branch electrodes. The first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode of the second part are corresponding to each other and separated by a spacing (S). S, T and P satisfy the following equation: 1 2 a · ( b + P · m 2 + 1 4 · T 2 P ) - 1.5 ≤ S ≤ 1 2 a · ( b + P · m 2 + 1 4 · T 2 P ) + 1.5 , a= 1/12, b=¼, m= 1/10, and S, T and Pin unit of micrometer. |
| US09400405B2 |
Shadow casting alignment technique for seamless displays
A method for aligning optical layers of a multi-layer display includes displaying a dark screen image on each of a plurality of transmissive pixel arrays separated from each other by spacing regions. The transmissive pixel arrays are disposed on a display layer of the multi-layer display. The display layer is illuminated with a plurality of illumination sources of an illumination layer disposed behind the display layer. Each of the illumination sources corresponds to one of the transmissive pixel arrays to illuminate the corresponding one of the transmissive pixel arrays. An illumination pattern is cast onto a screen layer disposed in front of the display layer. The illumination pattern includes bright regions due to overlapping illumination cast from adjacent ones of the transmissive pixel arrays. The bright regions of the illumination pattern cast onto the screen layer are analyzed to identify misalignments between the display layer and the illumination layer. |
| US09400395B2 |
Controllable waveguide for near-eye display applications
A near-eye display includes an image generator that generates angularly related beams over a range of angles for forming a virtual image and a waveguide that propagates the angularly related beams over a limited range of angles. An input aperture of the waveguide includes a plurality of controllable components that are selectively operable as diffractive optics for injecting subsets of the angularly related beams into the waveguide. An output aperture of the waveguide includes a plurality of controllable components that selectively operable as diffractive optics for ejecting corresponding subsets of the angularly related beams out of the waveguide toward an eyebox. A controller synchronizes operation of the controllable components of the output aperture with the propagation of different subsets of angularly related beams along the waveguide for ejecting the subsets of angularly related beams out of the waveguide for presenting the virtual image within the eyebox. |
| US09400394B2 |
Illumination system
An illumination system including at least one light source such as an electroluminescent element, e.g. a light emitting diode (LED), and at least one optical element whose surface is structured by diffraction and/or refraction type optical microstructures. In order to shape the beam, the optical element includes at least two sections whose optical microstructures and therefore optical properties are different from one another. The pattern of the microstructures in each of the at least two sections is, at least over a predetermined angular range, rotationally symmetric with respect to the optical axis or another symmetry axis. |
| US09400392B2 |
Moire reducing optical substrates with irregular prism structures
An optical substrate has a structured surface that enhances brightness and reduces moire effect. The optical substrate has a three-dimensionally varying, structured light output surface that comprises an irregular prismatic structure. The irregular prismatic structure may be viewed as comprising longitudinal prism blocks or rows thereof, arranged laterally defining peaks and valleys. Adjacent peaks, adjacent valleys, and/or adjacent peak and valley may be parallel or non-parallel, in an orderly, semi-orderly, random, or quasi-random manner. The lateral adjacent peaks, adjacent valleys, and/or adjacent peak and valley are not parallel. The adjacent irregular prism blocks may be irregular longitudinal sections having the same length, or random or quasi-random irregular sections having different lengths. The facets of each prism block may be flat, or curved (convexly and/or concavely). |
| US09400390B2 |
Peripheral lighting for head worn computing
Aspects of the present invention relate to head worn computing lighting systems and stray light control. |
| US09400385B2 |
Volumetric heads-up display with dynamic focal plane
A heads-up display device for displaying graphic elements in view of a user while the user views an environment through a display screen. The heads-up display device includes at least one projector that projects a graphic element on a frontal focal plane in view of the user while the user views the environment through the display screen, and at least one projector that projects a graphic element on a ground-parallel focal plane in view of the user while the user views the environment through the display screen. The projector that projects the graphic element on the frontal focal plane is mounted on an actuator that linearly moves the projector so as to cause the frontal focal plane to move in a direction of a line-of-sight of the user. The projector that projects the ground-parallel focal plane is fixedly arranged such that the ground-parallel focal plane is static. |
| US09400383B2 |
Light blocking plate and lens assembly including the same
A light blocking plate is adapted for being installed on a lens wherein the lens has an optical portion and a positioning portion surrounding the optical portion. The light blocking plate includes an annular body which is formed with a through hole at a central portion thereof. The annular body has a first face and a second face. The annular body has an inner rim and an outer rim. The through hole is defined by the inner rim. One of the first face and the second face is adapted for being disposed on the positioning portion of the lens. The inner rim is formed with a plurality of notches so that the inner rim has a contour which is not smooth circular. Thus, halo disturbance can be reduced. |
| US09400373B2 |
Optical imaging lens assembly
An optical imaging lens assembly, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, comprising: the first lens element with positive refractive power, the second lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, the third lens element with positive refractive power, the fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, the fifth lens element with refractive power having a concave image-side surface, and both object-side surface and image-side surface being aspheric, wherein a stop and an image sensor disposed on an image plane are also provided. By such arrangements, the image pickup optical system satisfies conditions related to shorten the total length and to reduce the sensitivity for use in compact cameras and mobile phones with camera functionalities. |
| US09400372B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus equipped with the imaging lens
An imaging lens is substantially constituted by five lenses, including: a positive first lens having a convex surface toward the object side; a negative second lens of a meniscus shape with a concave surface toward the object side; a positive third lens of a meniscus shape with a convex surface toward the object side; a positive fourth lens of a meniscus shape with a concave surface toward the object side; and a negative fifth lens having a concave surface toward the image side, the surface thereof toward the image side being of an aspherical shape having at least one inflection point within a range from an intersection of a principal light ray at a maximum angle of view with the surface toward the image side inwardly toward the optical axis in the radial direction, provided in this order from the object side. The imaging lens satisfies a predetermined conditional formula. |
| US09400368B2 |
Lens structure
A lens structure is provided. The lens structure comprises a first barrel, at least one guider and a second barrel. The first barrel has a first groove, and comprises a first pin. The guider is slidably set to the first groove. The guider comprises a main body, a first limiting portion and a second limit portion. The main body has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first limiting portion is connected to the main body and located between the first end and the second end. The second limiting portion is connected to the second end. The second barrel moves with the guider through the first limiting portion and has a second groove to which the first pin of the first barrel is set. |
| US09400364B2 |
Multiport optical fiber terminal
A multiport optical fiber connection terminal with a compact footprint has a configuration that allows for easy accessibility and interconnection of cables, while providing several mounting options and including storage space within the terminal. The terminal may include cable connectors that are configured to allow for weather proof installation of pre-terminated fiber optic cables with the terminal ports. |
| US09400362B2 |
Fiber optic cable
A cable includes a jacket defining an exterior of the cable and a rigid tube. The cable further includes densely-packed strength members on the outside of the rigid tube, compressed between the rigid tube and the jacket, and loosely-packed strength members on the inside of the rigid tube. Further the cable includes a core that is interior to the tube. |
| US09400361B2 |
Photo-electric converting module with locating pole
An optical-electric converting module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and an optical-electric coupling element. The PCB includes a supporting surface, at least one laser diode, and at least one photo diode. The at least one laser diode and the at least one photo diode are positioned on the supporting surface and electrically connected to the PCB. The supporting surface defines at least one locating hole. The optical-electric coupling element includes a lower surface facing the supporting surface. The optical-electric coupling element defines a first cavity in the lower surface. The optical-electric coupling element includes at least one locating pole extending from the lower surface. The optical-electric coupling element is detachably connected to the supporting surface through the engagement of the at least one locating pole and the least one first locating hole, with each laser diode and each photo diode being received in the first cavity. |
| US09400360B2 |
Modified transistor outline (TO)-can assembly for use in optical communications and a method
A modified TO-can assembly is provided that has greater versatility with respect to spatial constraints than known TO-can assemblies and that is suitable for use in a wider range of applications than known TO-can assemblies. The modified TO-can assembly has a receptacle that has been modified to receive an optical fiber through its side instead of through its end. Within the TO-can assembly, the optical path is folded in order to couple the light between the optoelectronic component of the TOSA or ROSA and the end of the optical fiber. The combination of these features provides the modified TO-can assembly with a compact profile that makes it more versatile with respect to spatial constraints and therefore suitable for use in a wider range of applications. |
| US09400359B1 |
Optical transmitter package structure
An optical transmitter package structure, comprising: a base, a circuit substrate, and a cylindrical light-coupling mechanism. The optical transmitter package structure of the present invention has following advantageous effects: once the packaging process of the optical transmitter of the present invention is completed, the resulting structure is compact and airtight. Consequently, the optical transmitter is well protected against moisture during use and has a long service life; the optical transmitter of the present invention has a sturdy overall structure which is resistant to damage by improper operation during assembly. |
| US09400357B2 |
Optical connector
An optical connector includes a first housing, a first ferrule which is embedded in the first housing, a second housing which is detachably fitted to the first housing; and a second ferrule which is embedded in the second housing and is butt-jointed to the first ferrule when the second housing is fitted to the first housing, and the first housing includes a tubular outer housing, and a tubular inner housing which is accommodated in the outer housing to be movable in a center axis direction of the outer housing and which accommodates the first ferrule. |
| US09400356B2 |
Fiber pigtail with integrated lid
A mechanism is provided for a fiber pigtail. The fiber pigtail includes a single mode fiber optic ribbon having a section of polymer ribbon removed to expose bare fibers, a fiber optic ferrule in contact with the single mode fiber optic ribbon at one distal end, and an integrated polymer lid permanently attached to the bare fibers of the single mode fiber optic ribbon at another distal end of the single mode fiber optic ribbon. |
| US09400354B2 |
Waveguide polarization rotator and method of construction thereof
An embodiment waveguide polarization rotator includes an optical waveguide and an overlay strip. The optical waveguide has an input end and an output end oppositely disposed thereon. The optical waveguide is operable to receive, at the input end, an input optical signal having a mode having an input polarization. The optical waveguide is further operable to generate, at the output end, an output optical signal having an output polarization orthogonal to the input polarization. The overlay strip is disposed over and non-orthogonally crosses the optical waveguide. The overlay strip has a first end laterally offset from the optical waveguide by a first offset distance and a second end laterally offset from the optical waveguide by a second offset distance. |
| US09400353B2 |
Silicon-based photonic crystal fluorescence enhancement and laser line scanning instrument
A silicon-based photonic crystal includes a silicon substrate, a first dielectric with a grating structure formed therein, and a second dielectric with a higher index of refraction that covers at least a portion of the grating structure. The first dielectric can be formed on the silicon substrate, or a Fabry-Perot optical cavity can be formed between the silicon substrate and the first dielectric. An instrument can excite a fluorophore coupled to the photonic crystal by focusing collimated incident light that includes the fluorophore's excitation wavelength to a focal line on the surface of the photonic crystal such that the focal line is substantially parallel to the grating direction and can detect fluorescence radiation emitted by the fluorophore in response to the incident light. To provide for fluorescence enhancement, the excitation wavelength and/or emission wavelength of the fluorophore can couple to an optical resonance of the photonic crystal. |
| US09400351B2 |
Multi-core fiber
A multi-core fiber (1) is a multi-core fiber including 10 or greater of even numbered cores and a cladding surrounding the core. In the even numbered cores, a half of cores (11a) are disposed in such a manner that centers are located on the apexes of a regular polygon (RP) whose center is at an origin point (O) in a cladding (20). In the even numbered cores, other cores (11b) are disposed in a manner that centers are located on perpendicular bisectors (LV) of the edges of a regular polygon on the inner side of the regular polygon (RP). The other cores (11b) are disposed in a specific range in the regular polygon (RP). |
| US09400345B2 |
Circular polarizing plate and organic electroluminescence panel
There is provided a circularly polarizing plate that can prevent light leakage in an organic EL panel and can suppress the warping of the panel to reduce reflection unevenness in a panel surface. A circularly polarizing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in an organic EL panel, and includes a polarizer and a retardation film directly bonded to the polarizer. In-plane retardations of the retardation film satisfy a relationship of Re(450) |
| US09400343B1 |
Highly durable hydrophobic antireflection structures and method of manufacturing the same
Durable hydrophobic antireflection structures for optical elements, optical windows, and front sheets of encapsulated photovoltaic and photonic devices are disclosed which can minimize reflection losses over the entire accessible portion of the solar spectrum simultaneously provide self-cleaning and finger-print-free surface. Reduced reflectance and self-cleaning surfaces are resulted from coating the front sheet of encapsulated device with combination of nonporous and porous nanostructured materials such as silicon dioxide nanorods and PTFE. Step-graded antireflection structures can exhibit excellent omnidirectional performance, significantly outperforming conventional quarter wavelength and low-high-low refractive index coatings. Methods of constructing nanostructured durable optical coatings with hydrophobic surfaces are disclosed that can cover large-area ridged and flexible substrates. |
| US09400340B2 |
Sourceless density measurements with neutron induced gamma normalization
Methods, systems, devices, and products for estimating at least one parameter of interest of a volume of an earth formation, including density, porosity, and fluid saturation of the volume. Methods may include normalizing radiation information relating to radiation emissions from a spatially distributed nuclear source and indicative of a property of the earth volume using a correction factor determined using an estimated lithology of the volume. The nuclear source may be in the volume. Radiation emissions may be generated by neutron irradiation of at least one nuclide in the volume. The correction factor may be determined using any of nuclear density of the at least one nuclide; an estimated concentration of the at least one nuclide in the volume; or a parameter relating to concentration of the nuclide in the volume. The emissions may include gamma rays. |
| US09400335B2 |
X-ray radiation detector and CT system
A direct-converting x-ray radiation detector is disclosed for detecting x-ray radiation, at least including a semiconductor used to detect x-ray radiation and at least one electrode attached to the semiconductor. In an embodiment, the semiconductor and the at least one electrode are electrically conductively connected and the at least one electrode is designed to be transparent and electrically conductive. A CT system is further disclosed, at least including the direct-converting x-ray radiation detector. |
| US09400334B2 |
Scintillator array, a scintillator, a radiation detection apparatus including the scintillator array or scintillator, and processes of forming the same
A scintillator can include a photosensor surface and a side surface adjacent to the photosensor surface. The photosensor surface can be adapted to provide scintillating light to a photosensor. In an embodiment, the scintillator can have grooves along the side surface, wherein the grooves have lengths extending in a direction toward the photosensor surface. In another embodiment, the scintillator can include a reflector and a clear adhesive between the scintillator and reflector. In a particular embodiment, the reflector is substantially white and has a gloss value of at least 50. The scintillator can be in the form of a scintillator element of an array or in the form of a single scintillator. The scintillator can be coupled to a photosensor within a radiation detection apparatus. For an array, a process of forming the array can include forming grooves along one or more side surfaces during a fabrication process. |
| US09400333B2 |
Survey meter
A survey meter according to the present invention is a portable radiation measurement device. The survey meter comprises a tip portion, an intermediate portion, and a grip portion. A display unit is provided on the top surface of the intermediate portion. The tip portion extends to the intermediate portion with a bent portion therebetween. The tip portion forms an inclined portion. The grip portion has a constricted portion. A radiation detection unit is provided inside the tip portion and is formed by a plurality of sensors arranged in the right-left direction. |
| US09400329B2 |
System for mapping and tracking ground targets
A system for autonomously mapping and tracking of ground targets at a location of interest has been disclosed. The system comprises at least one user control center in operative communication with one or more data relay satellites in Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO), the data relay satellites in operative communication with one or more UAVs and/or SAR satellites with on-board different imaging sensors to obtain various types of imagery data from the ground targets. The data relay satellites target specific constant communication with the user control center and the UAVs and SAR satellites for continuous feedback and control. Moreover, the system process all raw data obtained from the UAVs and SAR satellites to produce 2D and 3D Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and high resolution images, which are displayed on the user control center and/or selected mobile handheld devices. |
| US09400320B2 |
Methods and apparatus for efficient transport and management of a positioning and timing almanac
A method and apparatus for reporting almanac versions and almanac identification by a mobile station to a server is provided. The server compares the almanac version and almanac identification held by the mobile station with almanac versions and almanac identifications held by the server. The server then sends instructions to the mobile station to match the server versions of the almanac versions and almanac identifications for the almanac versions and almanac identifications that the mobile station should hold. |
| US09400317B2 |
MR scan selection for PET attenuation correction
A method of attenuation correction for a positron emission tomography (PET) system includes obtaining PET scan data representative of a volume scanned by the PET system, obtaining a plurality of magnetic resonance (MR) scan data sets representative of the volume, each MR scan data set being acquired in a respective time period during acquisition of the PET scan data by the PET system, detecting motion of the volume that occurred during the acquisition of the PET scan data based on an assessment of the plurality of MR scan data sets, the PET scan data, or the plurality of MR scan data sets and the PET scan data, determining attenuation correction data from the plurality of MR scan data sets based on the detected motion for alignment of the attenuation correction data and the PET scan data, and correcting the PET scan data with the attenuation correction data. |
| US09400314B2 |
Extended systems and methods for testing power supplies
A system and method for testing multiple power supplies. Multiple power supplies are received including a power-end and an adapter end for connection to a power supply tester. Programmable loads and test parameters are configured for the power supply tester in response to a user selection. The multiple power supplies are automatically tested utilizing the test parameters. Performance characteristics of the multiple power supplies are measured during testing. The performance characteristics of the multiple power supplies are recorded. Results indicating whether each of the multiple power supplies passed the testing are displayed utilizing one or more displays and light emitting diodes. |
| US09400313B2 |
Method and device for determining the actual capacity of a battery
A method and a device for determining the actual capacity of a battery uses a set of characteristic curves, wherein at the start of a discharge process the initial voltage of the battery, the magnitude of the discharge current and the temperature of the battery are determined. From this, by comparison with the data provided in the set of characteristic curves, a characteristic curve is selected and an initial state of the battery is determined. At the end of the discharge process, the final voltage of the battery is measured. The final voltage is compared, at the end of the discharge, with the voltage expected based on the selected characteristic curve and, in the event that the final voltage is smaller than the voltage expected based on the discharge process, it is determined that the actual capacity of the battery is smaller than the available capacity assumed at the start of the discharge process. |
| US09400312B2 |
Battery system and method for determining battery module voltages
A battery system comprises at least two modules which include a plurality of battery cells, with each module being associated with a cell voltage detection unit which is connected to a central controller via a common communication bus. Each module additionally includes a module voltage detection unit which is connected to the central controller and is configured to separately detect the voltage of the associated module. |
| US09400311B1 |
Method and system of collective failure diagnosis for multiple electronic circuits
In order to detect and locate defects, or faults, in a plurality of chips or other circuits sharing a common design, said chips are each tested for incorrect outputs, or failures, in response to inputs. The incorrect outputs are then collectively diagnosed in a single simulation by simulating a series of suspected fault candidates on a simulated chip of the chip design, and afterward comparing the incorrect outputs generated by each fault candidate to the incorrect outputs of the individual chips, to determine if a fault candidate generates all failures for a chip and no others. The test inputs and expected outputs may be predetermined through Automatic Test Pattern Generation. The fault candidates may be determined by use of a backtrace process such as back cone tracing. The failures may be recorded in association with a measure point, the input pattern that resulted in the failure, and the failure value. |
| US09400309B2 |
Electric connecting apparatus
An apparatus includes a probe card having a probe board with a conductive path electrically connected to a tester and probes enabling to respectively contact connection pads of a semiconductor wafer on a chuck top and moving relatively to the chuck top, and an elastic heat conducting member arranged between a working surface of the chuck top or the semiconductor wafer on the working surface and the probe board. The elastic heat conducting member can abut on the working surface of the chuck top or the semiconductor wafer on the working surface and the probe board when the probes do not abut on the respective corresponding connection pads and is elastically deformable not to prevent abutment between the probes and the respective corresponding connection pads. |
| US09400308B2 |
Multi-domain heterogeneous process-voltage-temperature tracking for integrated circuit power reduction
The systems and method described herein provide efficient (e.g., low power and low area) techniques to track performance in numerous supply domains with heterogeneous circuits that are used in a large system-on-a-chip integrated circuit (SoCs). The heterogeneous circuits can include circuits made with different devices, different cell libraries, and different hard macros that are in different power supply domains. Performance measurements from performance sensors (or process-voltage-temperature (PVT) sensors) that are spread about the SoC are collected and processed to determine voltage levels for each of the supply domains. A single controller can receive can determine voltage levels for a whole SoC. The performance sensors are connected to the controller by a scan chain. The techniques are flexible and can be easily adapted for use in SoCs with different power supply domains and types of circuits. |
| US09400296B2 |
Tracking energy consumption using a boost-buck technique
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for tracking energy consumption. An energy tracking system comprises at least one switching element, at least one inductor and a control block to keep the output voltage at a pre-selected level. The switching elements are configured to apply the source of energy to the inductors. The control block compares the output voltage of the energy tracking system to a reference value and controls the switching of the switched elements in order to transfer energy for the primary voltage into a secondary voltage at the output of the energy tracking system. The electronic device further comprises an ON-time and OFF-time generator and an accumulator wherein the control block is coupled to receive a signal from the ON-time and OFF-time generator and generates switching signals for the at least one switching element in the form of ON-time pulses with a constant width ON-time. |
| US09400295B2 |
Method and devices for non-intrusive power monitoring
A method and device are disclosed for estimating a power demand level of an active circuit on a power supply line. A ripple amplitude and a ripple frequency associated with operation of the active circuit may be monitored on the power supply line. The ripple amplitude and ripple frequency may be compared with corresponding references. The ripple amplitude and ripple frequency may be associated with an estimated power demand level of the active circuit on the power supply line based on the comparison. A ripple generator generates a controlled ripple on the power supply line for calibration. |
| US09400292B2 |
Electrical current sensor with grounded magnetic core
An electrical current transducer comprising a housing, at least one magnetic core comprising an air gap and defining a central passage configured to receive a primary conductor carrying a primary current to be measured through the central passage, a magnetic field detector positioned at least partially in the air gap, and a grounding element. A lateral surface of the magnetic core is positioned against the grounding element without direct fixed attachment between the magnetic core and the grounding element, and the grounding element overlaps the magnetic core to an extent configured to ensure that a capacitive coupling (C3) between the magnetic core and the grounding element is greater than a capacitive coupling (C2) between the magnetic core and the magnetic field detector. |
| US09400288B2 |
Packaging system and process for inertial sensor modules using moving-gate transducers
A sensor device includes a first CMOS chip and a second CMOS chip with a first moving-gate transducer formed in the first CMOS chip for implementing a first 3-axis inertial sensor and a second moving-gate transducer formed in the second CMOS chip for implementing a second 3-axis inertial sensor. An ASIC for evaluating the outputs of the first 3-axis inertial sensor and the second 3-axis inertial sensor is distributed between the first CMOS chip and the second CMOS chip. |
| US09400286B2 |
Apparatus and method for analyzing samples
A sample analyzer comprises a reaction tray, a sample/reagent tray, and a probe. The reaction tray performs a first number of stops and rotations during an operating cycle, wherein the first number is configured to cause each of the reaction vessels to stop once at a position for the test before any of the number of the reaction vessels stops at the position for a second time. The sample/reagent tray rotates one of a sample container and reagent containers to a sample/reagent retrieving position during an operating cycle. The probe dispenses test sample(s), first reagent, and second reagent during different periods in different stop periods during an operating cycle. A method for analyzing samples is also disclosed. |
| US09400285B2 |
Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods
Example automated diagnostic analyzers and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. An example apparatus described herein includes a first carousel rotatably coupled to a base and having a first axis of rotation. The example apparatus includes a second carousel rotatably coupled to the base and vertically spaced over the first carousel such that at least a portion of the second carousel is disposed over the first carousel. In the example apparatus, the second carousel has a second axis of rotation and a plurality of vessels. The example apparatus also includes a pipetting mechanism offset from the second axis of rotation. The example pipetting mechanism is to access the first carousel and the second carousel. |
| US09400281B2 |
Method of screening of therapeutic agents for K-Ras mutant driven cancers
Provided are compounds for inhibiting Snail-p53 binding and therapeutic agents for cancer including the compounds as an effective component. The Snail-p53 binding inhibitors induce expression of p53 in K-Ras mutant cell lines, thereby enabling effective treatment or prevention of K-Ras mutant cancer, such as, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, cholangioma, and colon cancer, of which diagnosis or treatment is not easy. |
| US09400280B2 |
Piperidine derivatives and methods of treating hepatitis B infections
Provided herein are compounds useful for the treatment of HBV infection in a subject in need thereof, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of inhibiting, suppressing, or preventing HBV infection in the subject. |
| US09400275B2 |
Method for producing microcarriers and for performing biological assays
The method according to the invention consists in providing a wafer having a bottom layer, a top first sacrificial layer and an insulating layer, structuring the first sacrificial layer to form a three dimensional structure onto which a first structural layer is deposited to define a corresponding three dimensional structure on the bottom surface of the first structural layer. The method consists also in forming a second three dimensional structure on the upper surface of the first structural layer. |
| US09400270B2 |
Testing water contamination in geographic areas
One example of testing for water contamination in geographic areas to determine a risk of water contamination includes determining a risk of water contamination. A computer system receives identification of a geographic area in which a risk of water contamination is to be determined. In response, the system determines a number of potential complaints of water contamination in the geographic area by applying the number of one or more correlated sources of water contamination located in the geographic area. The system determines a risk factor representing a risk of water contamination in the geographic area based, in part, on the number of potential complaints. The system can provide the risk factor as the risk of water contamination in the geographic area. |
| US09400268B2 |
Method for reducing suppressor noise
An electrolytic method for suppressing liquid eluent containing previously separated sample analyte anions, counterions to the sample anions, and non-sample anions suppressible to weak acids in an electrolytic device comprising a housing defining at least a sample stream flow channel and an ion receiving flow-through channel separated by an ion exchange bather. The sample stream flow channel includes an upstream channel portion and a downstream channel portion. A first current is applied across the upstream channel portion for substantially completely suppression. A second current is applied across the downstream channel portion at a magnitude of less than 10% of the magnitude of the first current. |
| US09400266B2 |
Gas chromatograph with improved operation
A gas chromatograph includes a sample inlet configured to receive a sample of interest and a carrier gas inlet configured to receive a carrier gas. A plurality of fluid flow valves are operably coupled to the sample inlet and the carrier gas inlet. A detector is operably coupled to the plurality of fluid flow valves and is configured to provide an analytic indication relative to the sample of interest. A controller is operably coupled to the plurality of fluid flow valves and is coupled to memory storing user-configurable information that is accessed by the controller to affect operation of the gas chromatograph. |
| US09400264B2 |
Ultrasonic test equipment and evaluation method thereof
An ultrasonic test equipment includes: a signal generating mechanism that generates a voltage waveform; an ultrasonic transmitting mechanism that excites ultrasonic vibrations having a lower frequency than a predetermined frequency to an object to be tested; an ultrasonic receiving mechanism that receives an ultrasonic response from the object to be tested; an AD converting mechanism that digitizes the received ultrasonic waveform; an analyzing mechanism that performs frequency analysis of the digital ultrasonic waveform digitized by the AD converting mechanism; an evaluating mechanism that extracts a variation of a nonlinear ultrasonic component from a frequency component of the digital ultrasonic wave obtained by the frequency analysis, compares the variation with defect data information in a defect information database, identifies a physical quantity of defect information of the object to be tested, and evaluates a defect in the object to be tested; and a control mechanism that partly or entirely controls a measurement system. |
| US09400263B2 |
Robot for inspecting pipelines
Provided herein is a robot for inspecting pipelines as it moves along an outer surface of a pipeline, the robot comprising: a plurality of body parts detachably provided along a longitudinal direction of the pipeline; a connector configured to connect adjacent body parts, and to distance one of the connected body parts away from the pipeline so that the plurality of body parts may cross an obstacle; and a controller configured to control the connector to lift one of the body parts to cross an obstacle, with another body part secured to the pipeline. |
| US09400256B2 |
Thermographic inspection techniques
A system may include a thermal camera and a computing device configured to receive master image data representative of a geometry and thermal response of at least one of a theoretical component, a fabricated gold standard component, or an average of a plurality of components; receive, from the thermal camera, thermographic image data representative of a thermal response of a tested component; morph the thermographic image data to substantially align with the three-dimensional image data and produce morphed thermographic image data; and output a representation based on the morphed thermographic image data for display. |
| US09400255B2 |
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer comprising a gas blowing mechanism
An X-ray fluorescence spectrometer includes: a sample stage configured to place a sample thereon; an X-ray source configured to irradiate the sample with primary X-rays; a detector, which is configured to detect fluorescent X-rays produced from the sample irradiated with the primary X-rays, and which includes an X-ray incident window formed by a window material through which fluorescent X-rays is transmittable; and a gas blowing mechanism configured to blow a gas to at least one of an outer surface of the X-ray incident window and the sample stage. |
| US09400252B2 |
Method and device for the quantitative LIBS measurement of bio-molecular targets on a biochip
A process, for the quantitative analysis by optical emission spectroscopy of a plasma induced by a laser beam of at least one target included in a biochip, involves the use of an adjuvant allowing the formation of a dry matrix capable of being ablated simultaneously with the at least one target, the dry matrix being configured to improve the analytical properties of plasma, the adjuvant having an emission spectrum whose lines have wavelengths distinct from the wavelengths of the spectral lines used for the quantitative analysis of said at least one target. |
| US09400251B2 |
Fine particle measuring apparatus
A fine particle measuring apparatus is provided. The fine particle measuring apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect light emitted from a fine particle and a processing unit having a memory device storing instructions which when executed by the processing unit, cause the processing unit to calculate a corrected intensity value of the detected light and generate spectrum data based on the corrected intensity value. |
| US09400250B2 |
Method for analyzing mushrooms
The invention discloses a method for rapidly quantitative and qualitative analyzing active ingredients of mushrooms. The method for analyzing mushrooms uses a 3-D fluorescence-detecting system to analyze a sample of mushrooms, with an excitation wavelength and an emission wavelength being 250 nm and 310 nm, respectively. |
| US09400247B2 |
Automatic analyzer
An automatic analyzer has a multi-wavelength light source that irradiates a reaction cuvette containing a liquid mixture of a sample to be analyzed and a reagent. A transmitted-light quantity detector detects the amount of light transmitted through the reaction cuvette and internal contents of the reaction cuvette. A single-wavelength light source irradiates the reaction cuvette with single-wavelength light; and a transmitted-light quantity detector detects the amount of single-wavelength light scattered from the reaction cuvette. A memory stores the results of the transmitted-light quantity detection and the scattered-light quantity detection; and the deterioration states of the single-wavelength light source, multi-wavelength light source, and reaction cuvette are determined in accordance with measurement results of cell blank measurements conducted on the reaction cuvette where a predetermined reference solution is stored to detect the amount of light transmitted through and the amount of light scattered from. |
| US09400241B2 |
Solute concentration measurement device and related methods
A solute concentration measurement device is disclosed. The device may comprise a filter membrane, an exchange chamber, a sensing chamber, a separator, and a sensor. The device may be configured to be placed in fluid communication with a sample solution containing a solute and a solvent. The filter membrane may provide selective fluid communication between the solution and the exchange chamber. The separator may separate the exchange chamber from the sensing chamber and cause a change in a condition of the sensing chamber corresponding to a change of a condition of the exchange chamber. The sensor may sense the condition pertaining to the sensing chamber and calculate the concentration of the sample solution corresponding to this change. |
| US09400240B2 |
Nuclear density gauges including a material property function for measuring a construction material
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for measuring the density of a material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge includes a nuclear density gauge for measuring the density of a material. A radiation source adapted to emit radiation into a material and a radiation detector operable to produce a signal representing the detected radiation. A first material property calculation function may calculate a value associated with the density of the material based upon the signal produced by the radiation detector. The material property gauge includes an electromagnetic moisture property gauge that determines a moisture property of the material. An electromagnetic field generator may generate an electromagnetic field where the electromagnetic field sweeps through one or more frequencies and penetrates into the material. An electromagnetic sensor may determine a frequency response of the material to the electromagnetic field across the several frequencies. |
| US09400238B2 |
Shearing force test device
A shearing force test device comprises a substrate mounted with an elastomer having a free end capable of moving toward or away from the substrate; the free end is connected with a test head; the elastomer is installed with two U-shaped elastic arms arranged at a distance and capable of mutually neutralizing horizontal position offsets; the free ends of the two U-shaped elastic arms are connected together; the test head is fixedly installed on the free end; the two U-shaped elastic arms are provided with the fixed end of the elastomer there between; the fixed ends of the two U-shaped elastic arms are connected together, and are fixedly connected with the substrate; and the other ends of the two U-shaped elastic arms away from the free ends are fixedly connected together via a connecting plate. |
| US09400235B2 |
Alkyl amines improve detection of components of formaldehyde-fixed biological samples
Alkyl amines act to release formaldehyde cross-linking that occurs in biological samples. Thus, contacting alkyl amines to formaldehyde fixed samples is a useful way to render biological components of the samples, including nucleic acids or proteins, more accessible to detection and characterization. |
| US09400234B2 |
Automated pelletized sample decanting apparatus and methods
An automated sample tube decanting system having one or more decanting grippers, a decant waste receptacle, a transporter, and means for rotating the decanting gripper. Each decanting gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip. The one or more decanting grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the one or more decanting grippers in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the decant waste receptacle. |
| US09400232B2 |
Epicycloidal measurement shaft
A measuring rod capable of receiving a plurality of instrumentation cables transmitting data to a data processing device, includes a section of epicycloidal shape. |
| US09400231B2 |
Engine bench system
Provided is an engine bench system capable of performing a racing test with good precision. A test body is separated into an engine main body and intermediate coupling body for connecting a crankshaft and an output shaft of the dynamometer. The engine bench system is provided with: a shaft torque sensor for detecting torsional torque; a shaft torque command generation apparatus for calculating a dynamo-side shaft torque command value by summing an engine-side shaft torque command value, and a torque value proportional to the moment of inertia of the intermediate coupling body; and a shaft torque controller for generating a torque control signal on the basis of the dynamo-side shaft torque command value and the output value of the shaft torque sensor. |
| US09400230B2 |
Device for testing loading performance of wheelchair motor
A device for testing loading performance of a wheelchair motor, comprising a pedestal. A torque-speed transducer is fixed on the pedestal, one end being connected to a wheelchair motor to be tested while the other end thereof being connected to an adjustable magnetic powder brake. A pneumatic quick-clamping device is provided on the pedestal connected to the output shaft of the wheelchair motor to be tested, the pneumatic quick-clamping device being used for connecting and fixing the wheelchair motor to be tested, and comprising a support platform, a motor connecting plate and a plurality of cylinders. The support platform is supported and mounted above the pedestal through cylindrical bodies. The motor connecting plate is fixed with the wheelchair motor to be tested. The downward movement of the piston rods can compress the compression heads onto the motor connecting plate to compress and fix the motor connecting plate, thus to fix the wheelchair motor to be tested. |
| US09400225B1 |
Pressure gauge structure
A pressure gauge structure contains: a hollow case, a pushing device, a display unit, and a receiving bag. The hollow casing includes a bow-shaped frame, a support rack disposed below the bow-shaped frame, and a film defined between the bow-shaped frame and the support rack. The pushing device includes an insulation plate and includes a push bolt contacting with a bottom end of the insulation plate and inserting through a screwing post, wherein between the insulation plate and the film is defined a chamber, and the screwing post is screwed with a bottom end of the support rack. The display unit is mounted on the film, and the receiving bag is fixed between the film and the insulation plate to hold fluid with a certain density, the push bolt has a protruded rib extending outward from one end thereof and abuts against the screwing post. |
| US09400223B2 |
Retrievable pressure sensor
The present invention relates to a retrievable pressure sensor for in situ measurement of pressure in a process fluid in a pipe/chamber. The pressure sensor comprising a pressure-transferring device and an outer sensor part having a pressure sensing element attached at a distance from the pipe/chamber where the pressure is to be measured. The pressure-transferring device comprises a first device for sealing attachment in an opening in a wall of the pipe/chamber where the pressure is to be measured, and has a first separation diaphragm for separating between the process fluid and the pressure-transferring fluid. The pressure-transferring device further comprises a second device for attachment at a distance from the pipe/chamber where the pressure is to be measured. The pressure-transferring device comprises a first cavity with a pressure-transferring fluid, wherein the first cavity comprising a capillary tube for pressure transferring connection between the first device and the second device. |
| US09400220B2 |
Method for detecting focus plane based on Hartmann wavefront detection principle
The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting focus plane based on Hartmann wavefront detection principle, the function of which is to detect the position of a silicon wafer in a photolithograph machine in real time so as to accomplish adjustment of the leveling and focus of the silicon wafer. By utilizing microlens array to detect the wavefront carrying information about the position of the silicon wafer based on the Hartmann wavefront detection principle, the spherical wavefront is divided by the respective subunits of the microlens array and is imaged on the respective focus planes of the subunits. If the silicon wafer is located on the focal plane, the incident wavefront for the microlens array is a planar wavefront so that the diffraction light spots are on the focus of the respective subunits of the microlens array; and if the silicon wafer is defocused, the incident wavefront for the microlens array is a spherical wavefront so that the diffraction light spots are shifted on the focus plane of the microlens array. Based on Hartmann wavefront detection principle, the detection of the spherical wavefront may be implemented by the microlens array shifting the imaged light spots for the plane wavefront and the spherical wavefront, so as to accomplish the defocusing measurement for the silicon wafer. The system for detecting focus plane has a simple configuration, a higher accuracy and efficiency, so it is applied to measurement for detecting the focus plane in various types of photolithography machines in a high accuracy and in real time. |
| US09400219B2 |
Metallic layer-by-layer photonic crystals for linearly-polarized thermal emission and thermophotovoltaic device including same
Metallic thermal emitters consisting of two layers of differently structured nickel gratings on a homogeneous nickel layer are fabricated by soft lithography and studied for polarized thermal radiation. A thermal emitter in combination with a sub-wavelength grating shows a high extinction ratio, with a maximum value close to 5, in a wide mid-infrared range from 3.2 to 7.8 μm, as well as high emissivity up to 0.65 at a wavelength of 3.7 μm. All measurements show good agreement with theoretical predictions. Numerical simulations reveal that a high electric field exists within the localized air space surrounded by the gratings and the intensified electric-field is only observed for the polarizations perpendicular to the top sub-wavelength grating. This result suggests how the emissivity of a metal can be selectively enhanced at a certain range of wavelengths for a given polarization. |
| US09400218B2 |
Bolometer having frequency detection
A bolometer including: at least one electromechanical microsystem or nanosystem, the microsystem or nanosystem including a support and a mobile mass hung from beams above the support, the mobile mass forming an absorber of optical flux; actuation electrodes configured to set the mobile mass in vibration and arranged laterally relative to the mobile mass; and detection electrodes to detect variation in vibration frequency of the mobile mass arranged laterally relative to the mobile mass. |
| US09400216B2 |
Detector
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a detector (100) suitable for attaching to a light fitting. The detector comprises a passive infra red sensor (102) and a clip (128) suitable for suspending the detector from a light fitting. |
| US09400212B2 |
Smart pixel addressing
A display unit has modular groups of light emitting elements or pixels. A light emitting element in the display unit can be used as a light receptor for accepting control information without needing to connect the display unit to a network or a controller. |
| US09400209B2 |
Device for measuring the relative alignment of two articles, and vibration measurement device
An alignment device with one or two optoelectronic transmitting and/or receiving units and an evaluation unit. At least one optoelectronic transmitting and/or receiving unit contains an inclinometer. Furthermore, the transmitting and/or receiving unit is connected to a vibration sensor which can be the inclinometer. Both the result of the alignment process and also the result of the vibration measurement are communicated to the user as an easily understandable characteristic on a display of the evaluation unit. For vibration measurement at a non-rotating part of a machine, an accelerometer/inclinometer sensor may be used for measuring acceleration forces resulting from machine vibrations to be measured and for measuring gravity and an electronic evaluation unit determining the orientation of the sensor with regard to gravity from a stationary component of the sensor output and determining sensor orientation from evaluation of non-stationary components of sensor output. |
| US09400207B2 |
Sensor mounting bracket
The invention relates to a symmetrical sensor mounting bracket assembly comprising a first sensor mounting bracket and a second sensor mounting bracket combined together, one above the other in parallel orientation; at least one sensor attachment fixture configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a sensor mounting fixture and at least one mounting element configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a load bearing plate or a sensor support structure. |
| US09400206B2 |
Weight detection sensor and vehicle seat apparatus including plural strain detection elements
A weight detection sensor disposed in a fixing unit fixing a seat side fixing member to a floor side fixed member and measuring a load of a passenger sitting in the seat, includes: a strain body fixed to both end portions of a mounting surface formed on one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member and arranged in the fixing unit; a connection member fixed to a central portion of the strain body in a vertical direction and fixed to the other one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member; a strain detection element unit including first to fourth strain detection elements; and a Wheatstone bridge circuit where the first and third strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other and the second and fourth strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other. |
| US09400203B2 |
Vibratory flow meter and zero check method
A vibratory flow meter (5, 300) is provided. The vibratory flow meter (5, 300) includes a flow meter assembly (10, 310) including at least two vibration sensors (170L and 170R, 303 and 305) that generate at least two vibrational signals and meter electronics (20, 320) that receives the at least two vibrational signals, generate a new time difference (Δt) using multiple time difference measurements obtained for a flow material, and determine if the new time difference (Δt) is within predetermined bounds of an old time difference (Δt0). |
| US09400198B2 |
Flow sensor and control system of internal combustion engine
In a flow sensor, an upstream heating element and a downstream heating element are disposed, respectively, upstream and downstream in a flow direction of a fluid so as to undergo mutual thermal interference. By controlling heating currents flown through the respective heating elements, an average temperature control portion maintains an average temperature of the two heating elements at a temperature predetermined degrees higher than a temperature of the fluid detected by a fluid temperature detection portion while a voltage ratio control portion performs control so that a temperature difference or a ratio of applied voltages between the two heating elements takes a predetermined value. A detection signal corresponding to a flow direction of the fluid is obtained from a state of the control on the heating currents and whether a flow direction of the fluid is forward or backward is determined. |
| US09400197B2 |
Fluid flow sensor
A fluid flow sensor that utilizes hot-wire anemometry and is a small, light weight, cost effective, easily manufactureable, and low power consuming device. The fluid flow sensor operates by exposing a hot wire loop to a fluid stream such that the amount of heat lost to fluid convection is a function of one or more fluid-related parameters (e.g., fluid speed, fluid type, fluid density, etc.). The heat loss affects the resistance in the wire loop, which can then be used to estimate the fluid speed or other fluid-related parameter. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fluid flow sensor includes one or more wire loops that are made from pre-formed wires and are wire bonded, micro-welded or otherwise non-monolithically attached to a substrate that may or may not include embedded sensor circuitry. |
| US09400189B2 |
Systems and methods for generating electronic map displays with points-of-interest information
Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, generating a list of points of interest (POIs) when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the list of POIs identifying POIs that are located along the route, grouping the POIs into one or more buckets based on location, calculating POI densities of the buckets based on the POIs included in each corresponding bucket, ranking the buckets based on the POI densities, providing POI information associated with the POIs included in the ranked buckets, wherein the POI information is provided based on the ranking of the buckets, and generating an electronic map display with the POI information. |
| US09400188B2 |
Activating a function of a vehicle multimedia system
A vehicle multimedia system simplifies a user's interaction with the system. A user may access a specific media unit by actuating a switch corresponding to a media unit. A preference unit detects the user's selection of the media unit and selects an end item based on a programmed criterion. The preference unit may automatically activate the end item. The preference unit may be overridden by the user when a switch corresponding to the selected media unit is actuated multiple times. The preference unit may also manage data lists and data packets that store the information used for the criterion comparison. |
| US09400187B2 |
Autonomous driving vehicle, autonomous driving management apparatus, and method of controlling the same
An autonomous driving vehicle, an autonomous driving management apparatus, and a method of controlling the same. The autonomous driving vehicle includes: a wireless communication unit configured to receive position information about the vehicle; a storage unit configured to store an electronic map; an input unit configured to receive a destination; a driving unit configured to adjust a travelling speed and a travelling direction; and a controller configured to search for a path from a point corresponding to the position information to a point corresponding to the destination in the electronic map, and control the vehicle to travel the approved section through the driving unit when receiving an approval of an occupation right for one or more sections included in the path through the wireless communication unit. |
| US09400186B1 |
Integration of historical user experience analytics into route recommendations
Situational traveler experiences are collected over time from a number of diverse travelers. The situational traveler experiences are associated with one or more locations traversed by the number of diverse travelers using previous travel route recommendations. Contextual categories of the situational traveler experiences are identified. Historical analytics are performed on the collected situational traveler experiences within the contextual categories of the situational traveler experiences. A historically-contextual travel route suggestion, derived from the historical analytics performed on the collected situational traveler experiences within the contextual categories of the situational traveler experiences, is provided as part of a new travel route recommendation requested by a new traveler. |
| US09400185B2 |
Destination prediction apparatus
It is an object of the present invention to predict a destination easily, and a destination display method for displaying a predicted destination. The destination prediction apparatus of the present invention includes: a behavior history acquiring unit that acquires, the behavior history; a visit history acquiring unit that acquires the visit history; a similar behavior date-and-time extractor that performs a similarity determination between a behavior within a predetermined period prior to a present date and time and a behavior in another period with reference to the behavior history and that extracts a date and time of the behavior in another period determined to be similar as a similar behavior date and time from the behavior history; and a destination candidate extractor that extracts, as a destination candidate, a location visited within a predetermined period before or after the similar behavior date and time from the visit history. |
| US09400184B2 |
Method for preparing and displaying timetable information
The invention relates to a method for conditioning and displaying timetable information in a transport network that has a plurality of stops for scheduled means of transport. The approach of a portable appliance to a stop is sensed on the basis of position-dependent data from the portable appliance. At least one future departure time of a scheduled means of transport at the stop is ascertained. The departure time is output on the portable appliance. |
| US09400179B2 |
Propagation velocity compensated position measurement sensor
A position sensing system including a waveguide, a magnet movable relative to the waveguide, and a compensator configured to compensate for a change in propagation velocity of the waveguide in determining a position of the magnet relative to the waveguide. The compensator coupled to the waveguide and configured to receive a pulse, an end of line pulse corresponding to the pulse transmitted through the waveguide, and a reflected pulse corresponding to a reflection of the pulse at a point in the waveguide. The compensator configured to determine the point based at least in part on the pulse, the end of line pulse, and/or the reflected pulse. |
| US09400178B2 |
Method for optimising a measurement cycle
A method is described for calculating an optimum stand-off distance for surface position measurements to be acquired by a coordinate positioning apparatus including a measurement probe. The coordinate positioning apparatus may include a machine tool and the measurement probe may include a touch trigger probe having a deflectable stylus. The method includes the step of calculating an optimum stand-off distance using at least one measured acceleration characteristic of the coordinate positioning apparatus. In this manner, measurement cycle times may be optimised. |
| US09400173B2 |
Translatable media stack height sensor assembly
A translatable media height sensor assembly for measuring a media stack in an imaging forming device. The assembly includes a support and drive and insertion assemblies mounted thereon. Insertion assembly includes a translatable plunger having mounted thereon a sensor and a translatable probe. At a home position, the sensor is actuated by a flag on the support placing sensor output in a first state. During measurement, drive assembly translates insertion assembly toward a media stack and the sensor output changes to a second state and a counter is started. The probe initially encounters the media stack and stops while plunger continues to translate. As the plunger reaches the media stack, the probe engages the sensor causing the sensor output to again change state and stops the counter. The insertion assembly retracts back to the home position where the flag actuates the sensor causing the sensor output to change state. |
| US09400171B2 |
Optical wear monitoring
A gas turbine includes first and second parts having outer surfaces located adjacent to each other to create an interface where wear occurs. A wear probe is provided for monitoring wear of the outer surface of the first part, and includes an optical guide having first and second ends, wherein the first end is configured to be located flush with the outer surface of the first part. A fiber bundle includes first and second ends, the first end being located proximate to the second end of the optical guide. The fiber bundle includes a transmit fiber bundle comprising a first plurality of optical fibers coupled to a light source, and a receive fiber bundle coupled to a light detector and configured to detect reflected light. A processor is configured to determine a length of the optical guide based on the detected reflected light. |
| US09400170B2 |
Automatic measurement of dimensional data within an acceptance region by a laser tracker
An automatic method for measuring three-dimensional coordinates by a laser tracker includes determining whether a retroreflector is accessible within an acceptance region of an inspection location and, if not, taking corrective action. |
| US09400168B2 |
Device for distance measurement
A device for interferential distance measurement that includes a measurement reflector having a surface and a light source emitting a beam parallel to the surface. The device includes a splitter element including a splitter grating that is disposed perpendicular to the surface, wherein the splitter grating receives the beam and splits the beam into a measurement beam and a reference beam, wherein the measurement beam acts at least twice upon the measurement reflector along a path of the measurement beam. The device including a combining element, at which the measurement beam and the reference beam enter into interferential superposition to form interfering measurement and reference beams. The device further includes a detector arrangement, by way of which a scanning signal pertaining to a distance between the measurement reflector and a component of said device in a measuring direction can be generated from the interfering measurement and reference beams. |
| US09400163B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing a length of material
An apparatus for processing a length of material, comprises at least one processor configured to: receive a signal indicating manual designation of a point along the length of material as a first end point; receive at least one signal from at least one distance measuring device associated with a timber-working head, the signal indicating the distance between the first end point and a second end point on the length of material; and determine the actual length of material to be processed. An associated method is disclosed. |
| US09400162B2 |
Device for measuring an internal or external profile of a tubular component
A device includes a first sensor for making a radial measurement of a tubular component and a support which can drive the first sensor in a circular trajectory in a predefined plane orthogonal to the principal axis of the component. The support includes a principal body that can be attached to the component by a releasable attachment mechanism and a rotary shaft onto which an arm carrying the first sensor is attached to allow displacement of the first sensor in a circular trajectory inside or about the component. The device further includes a second sensor for measuring an angular position of the first sensor for each of its radial measurements, the radial and angular measurements obtained allowing the profile of the component in the predefined plane to be determined. |
| US09400158B2 |
Tactics support apparatus and tactics support method
A tactics support apparatus includes an operation unit configured to calculate a friendly military power necessary for each of defense areas which are set between an enemy and a target of the enemy based on a total quantified military power of deployed movable weapons of the enemy and a friend, and determine friendly movable weapons to be deployed in each of the defense areas. An output unit is configured to visibly output deployment positions of the friendly movable weapons. |
| US09400154B2 |
Apparatus and method for releasably mounting an accessory to an object such as for releasably mounting an arrow quiver to an archery bow
A releasable mount comprising two mounting posts that releasably engage into notches in the ends of a resilient, generally C-shaped bracket. The releasable mount is particularly useful to releasably mount an archery accessory such as an arrow quiver to an archery bow, tree or tree stand or the like. The arrow quiver may include a hood having an arrow retaining insert for receiving an arrow with a single-point or a 2-4 bladed broadhead. The quiver may also include an arrow gripper having a plurality of fingers whose sides define expandable oval slots between adjacent fingers into which the arrows are loaded. |
| US09400152B1 |
Pull through gun cleaning device with one or more cylindrical double coned sheathed pressure sections
A pull through gun cleaning device includes a plurality of cylindrical double coned pressure sections having a longitudinal tunnel disposed therein. A cable member is threaded through the tunnel of each cylindrical double coned pressure section. A tubular woven sheath is disposed over each cylindrical double coned pressure section disposed along the cable member, and the cable member to form a pull cord. A total length of the pull cord is configured such that where the plurality of cylindrical double coned pressure sections are inserted into one end of a barrel, the pull cord extends past another end of the barrel. Each of the plurality of cylindrical double coned pressure sections provides a radial force pressing the tubular woven sheath of each cylindrical double coned pressure section of the plurality of cylindrical double coned pressure sections against an inside surface or a rifling of the barrel. |
| US09400151B1 |
Semi-automatic firearm suppressor
Embodiments of the invention relate to a dynamic suppression mechanism for a semi-automatic firearm. An axial mass is positioned adjacent to multiple dynamic volume chambers, which are aligned within a housing. An aperture is provided within the mass and aligned chambers to accommodate the projectile. As the projectile travels through the aperture across the length of the housing, each of the chambers is subject to a dynamic expansion and contraction, with the dynamic volume change absorbing byproduct of the traveling projectile. |
| US09400149B2 |
Top loading shotgun
A shell feeding system for a top loading shotgun in one embodiment includes a barrel, receiver, and a magazine. The magazine includes a cavity configured to receive a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship. The magazine is positioned above the barrel and extends forward from the receiver. Shell guide grooves are formed by internal surfaces in the receiver which engage and guide each shell in a feed pathway towards the lower part of the receiver for chambering. A portion of the guide grooves may be arcuately shaped to rotate and reposition the shell for loading by the bolt into the chamber. In one embodiment, the receiver and magazine may be formed as a unitary integral structure formed as either a single piece or in half sections coupled together. |
| US09400146B1 |
Method for forming cylindrical armor elements
Methods for forming armored glass cylinders suitable for improving resistance of armor to armor piercing rounds, explosively formed penetrators, or other threats. Cool a cylindrical glass or ceramic element to a temperature below that of a cylindrical casing, place the cylindrical glass or ceramic element into the cylindrical casing while the cylindrical glass or ceramic element is cool, and seal the cylindrical casing and allow the temperature of the cylindrical glass or ceramic element to rise, such that the cylindrical casing compresses the cylindrical glass or ceramic element. Alternately, heat a metal cylindrical casing, press glass or ceramic into the cylinder while the metal cylinder is at an elevated temperature, seal the metal cylindrical casing while metal cylindrical casing is at an elevated temperature, and allow the metal cylinder to cool, such that when cooled, the cylindrical casing will compress the glass in all directions. |
| US09400145B2 |
Flexible multi-tube cleaning lance positioner guide apparatus
A guide tube pitch adjustment apparatus for aligning distal ends of lance guide tubes in registry with tube openings in a heat exchanger tube sheet is disclosed. A guide tube pitch clamp assembly carried within and supported from a housing. The pitch clamp assembly has at least two V-blocks fastened to a threaded rod. One V-block is fastened to a portion of the threaded rod having right hand threads, and another V-block is fastened to another portion of the threaded rod having left hand threads. Each of the V-blocks supports a portion of one of the guide tubes, and a cross bar clamp within the housing is oriented to span across the V-blocks and adjustably hold the portions of the guide tubes in a spaced relationship such that spacing between the distal ends of adjacent guide tubes may be adjusted by rotation of the threaded rod. |
| US09400143B2 |
Device for reducing the vibrations of a tube bundle of a heat exchanger inside its shell
The present invention relates to a device for reducing the vibrations of a tube bundle of a heat exchanger inside its shell, wherein this device allows a secure and quick insertion after the bundle has been manufactured. This easy insertion after manufacturing the bundle allows the high temperatures to which the bundle is subjected for the attachment by means of brazing to not affect the properties of the device, particularly the elasticity achieved by means of tempering, for example. |
| US09400141B2 |
Plate heat exchanger with strengthening sheet
The invention refers to a plate heat exchanger comprising a first end plate (1), a second end plate (2) and a number of heat exchanger plates (3), forming first plate interspaces (I) and second plate interspaces (II), in alternating order. The heat exchanger plates comprise a first outermost plate pair (5), a second outermost plate pair (6) and intermediate plate pairs (7). The first end plate and the heat exchanger plates comprise first porthole areas (11, 12) for first porthole channels (13, 14) for the formation of inlet and outlet for a first medium to and from the first plate interspaces, and second porthole areas (21, 22) for the formation of second porthole channels (23, 24) for inlet and outlet for a second medium to and from the second plate interspaces. The first porthole areas of the heat exchanger plates of the second outermost plate pair form portholes and the second porthole areas of these heat exchanger plates are closed. |
| US09400140B2 |
Cooling tower with automatic hydraulic balancing
A cooling tower including a hot-water basin comprising a first cooling cell and a second cooling cell; and at least one means for controlling fluid communication between the first and second cooling cells is provided. A method of maintaining the efficiency of a cooling tower and a method of servicing a cooling tower are also provided. |
| US09400139B2 |
Device for the closed-loop control of process gases in a plant for producing directly reduced metal ores
A device for closed-loop control of process gases (11) in a plant (8) for producing directly reduced metal ores includes at least one reduction unit (10), an appliance upstream of the reduction unit (10) for separating gas mixtures (18), a gas purification appliance (13) connected downstream of the reduction unit (10) for rate control of process gases (11). Process gases (11) are obtained by recycling from the production process itself and from a plant for pig iron generation (1) via a supply conduit (16). An open-loop pressure control appliance (15) upstream of a junction of the supply conduit (16) into a return conduit (14) for the process gases (11) such that a pressure level for the appliance for separating gas mixtures (18) is kept constant and the process gases (9,11) are controlled in a closed-loop manner in a plant for producing directly reduced metal ores (8). |
| US09400132B2 |
Refrigerator, insulated door mounted on an insulated cabinet of a refrigerator, and article dispenser for mounting within one or more recesses of an inner wall of a refrigerator door
A refrigerator may include an insulated cabinet configured to preserve food, an insulated door mounted on the insulated cabinet, the insulated door being configured to close the insulated cabinet, the insulated door including an inner wall, the inner wall including one or more recesses, and an article dispenser including a dispensing portion and a mounting portion on a back side of the dispensing portion, the mounting portion being configured to removably mount the dispensing portion within the recesses, the dispensing portion being configured to store one or more articles and dispense the articles according to a user's demand. |
| US09400131B2 |
Atmospheric water generation systems and methods
Systems and methods for generating liquid water include multiple atmospheric water generation devices adapted to produce liquid water from atmospheric humidity, used in conjunction with a turbine. The turbine is usable to simultaneously provide power to the devices, while the air intake thereof is used to move air associated with the devices, enabling a generally continuous supply of atmospheric air to be processed while reducing the accumulation of heat associated with the devices. |
| US09400128B2 |
Temperature control device and temperature element
A temperature element may be provided with: a combination of a p type semiconductor and an n type semiconductor disposed separated from each other; a metal well, which has a mounting part on which a container for DNA samples is directly mounted and which is connected to both the p type semiconductor and the n type semiconductor individually; an electrode and heat dissipating plate that is connected to the p type semiconductor and to which a voltage is applied by a temperature control section; and an electrode and heat dissipating plate that is connected to the n type semiconductor and to which a voltage is applied by the temperature control section. The shape of the metal well is formed into substantially the same shape as the outside shape of the container for DNA samples. |
| US09400127B2 |
Method and system for magnetic semiconductor solid state cooling
Cryogenic electronics based upon semiconductive devices, superconductive devices, or a combination of the two present opportunities for a wide variety of novel, fast, and low power devices. However, such cryogenic electronics require cooling which is typically achieved through fluid refrigerants such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium. Solid state refrigeration based upon adiabatic demagnetization in paramagnetic salts offers one alternative but requires that the solid state cooler and cryogenic electronic circuits be different physical elements. The inventors present solid state cooling for semiconductor materials including but not limited to silicon. Beneficially active electronic devices can be integrated monolithically with solid state semiconductor coolers exhibiting magnetic cooling within the whole substrate or predetermined regions of the substrate. Alternatively, active devices may be formed with semiconductor layers integral to them that exhibit magnetic cooling. |
| US09400125B2 |
Process and apparatus for transferring heat from a first medium to a second medium
The invention relates to a process and apparatus (1) for transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium, comprising a gastight rotor (4) rotatably mounted in a frame (2), and, mounted inside the rotor (4), a compressor (10), a first heat exchanger (8) for transferring heat from the fluid to the second medium and located relatively far from the axis of rotation of the rotor (4), an expansion chamber (11) for expanding the fluid, and a channel (14) for conveying the expanded fluid from the expansion chamber (11) to the compressor (10), wherein the first heat exchanger (8) is thermally insulated from the channel (14). |
| US09400124B2 |
Systems and methods for potable water production
Systems and methods are disclosed for water collection from atmospheric moisture in large quantities in uncontrolled outdoor environments where the temperature may be cold and humidity levels low. To extract water from air when the dew point is low, a heat exchanger cools to a point where water vapor is deposited on its surface as ice. The heat exchanger then cycles through a heating phase to melt the ice and generate liquid water. The accumulation of frost is advantageous. Frost accumulation enables water collection when the dew point is low. Disclosed variations enhance efficiency and environmental tolerance. |
| US09400123B1 |
Panel array cleaning apparatus
Apparatus for cleaning an array of panels includes a chassis, a fluid delivery system, a brush and a swivel mechanism. The fluid delivery system is adapted to apply fluid to an array of panels while the chassis is being moved over the array. The brush is disposed to brush the array of panels while the chassis is being moved over the array. The swivel mechanism is adapted to couple a handle to the chassis for enabling a person to use the handle to move the chassis over the array of panels while from time-to-time varying the angle at which the handle is disposed relative to the chassis. The fluid delivery system includes a plurality of nozzles disposed for applying fluid to particular portions of the array of panels before movement of the brush over the particular portions of the array while the chassis is being moved over the array, regardless of the direction from which the chassis is being moved over the array. |
| US09400121B2 |
Solar thermal lamps and globes for heating water in a water tank
A solar thermal lamp used for heating water inside a tank. The thermal lamp includes a transparent glass bulb with a threaded male coupling for attaching to a female coupling in the tank. The lamp also includes a heat tube with an enlarged water heating condenser. The condenser is received inside the tank. The heat tube can include a copper coil, copper fins, a glass coil, a copper lamp, a glass lamp, and the like for receiving solar energy and conducting the heat to the heating condenser for heating the water inside the tank. Also, the invention can be in the form of a solar thermal globe. The solar globe is self-contained and includes a water tank. Another embodiment of the globe tracks with the daily movement of the sun and change with seasons. |
| US09400120B2 |
Startup control apparatus of air conditioner
An air conditioner performs startup control in which compressor capacity is reduced as measured indoor temperature approaches a set temperature. A desired time of day is set directly or indirectly. A startup control apparatus of the air conditioner measures an inflection point occurrence time from when the air conditioner starts operation until when measured indoor temperature exhibits an inflection point. Alternatively, the startup control apparatus measures a control parameter lowering arrival time from when the air conditioner starts operation until when a control parameter transmitted to the compressor decreases to a prescribed value. A scheduled operation start time of the air conditioner is set as a time of day that is the desired time of day set moved forward by the inflection point occurrence time or the control parameter lowering arrival time. Operation of the air conditioner is started when the scheduled operation start time arrives. |
| US09400114B2 |
Combustor support assembly for mounting a combustion module of a gas turbine
A gas turbine comprises a compressor discharge casing that is coupled to an outer turbine shell. The compressor discharge casing includes a combustor opening that extends through the compressor discharge casing and an outer mating surface that circumferentially surrounds the combustor opening. The outer turbine shell defines an inner mating surface. A combustion module extends through the combustor opening. The combustion module includes a forward end that is circumferentially surrounded by a mounting flange and an aft end that is circumferentially surrounded by an aft frame. The mounting flange extends circumferentially around the combustor opening. The mounting flange is coupled to the outer mating surface of the compressor discharge casing and the aft frame is coupled to the inner mating surface of the outer turbine shell. |
| US09400112B2 |
Method for disassembling a bundled tube fuel injector
A method for disassembling a bundled tube fuel injector includes decoupling an aft plate from a fuel distribution module of the bundled tube fuel injector, where the aft plate is disposed at a downstream end of the bundled tube fuel injector. The method also includes removing the aft plate from the bundled tube fuel injector to expose a portion of a plurality of pre-mix tubes so as to allow for inspection repair and/or replacement of one or more of the plurality of pre-mix tubes. |
| US09400109B2 |
Heater and glow plug including the same
A heater of the present invention includes an insulating base, a resistor embedded in the insulating base, a lead embedded in the insulating base. One end of the lead is joined to the resistor, and the other end is led out as a terminal portion on the surface of the insulating base. The lead in longitudinal section has at least two bent portions. The bent portions in cross-section each have an aspect ratio larger than the aspect ratio of the terminal portion. |
| US09400108B2 |
Acoustic damping system for a combustor of a gas turbine engine
An acoustically dampened gas turbine engine having a gas turbine engine combustor with an acoustic damping resonator system is disclosed. The acoustic damping resonator system may be formed from one or more resonators positioned within the gas turbine engine combustor at an outer housing forming a combustor basket and extending circumferentially within the combustor. The resonator may be positioned in a head region of the combustor basket. In one embodiment, the resonator may be positioned in close proximity to an intersection between the outer housing and an upstream wall defining at least a portion of the combustor. The acoustic damping resonator system may mitigate longitudinal mode dynamics thereby increasing an engine operating envelope and decreasing emissions. |
| US09400106B2 |
CO2 recovery system and recovery method for moisture containing CO2 gas
A CO2 recovery system 10A has a CO2 recovery unit 11, a compression unit 12, and a condensed-water supply line 65A that supplies condensed water 64 to an absorbent regenerator 14. The CO2 recovery unit 11 includes a CO2 absorber 13 and the absorbent regenerator 14. The compression unit 12 has a first compressor 61-1 to an nth compressor 61-n that compress CO2 gas 56 emitted from the absorbent regenerator 14, a first separator 63-1 to an nth separator 63-n that reduce moisture in the CO2 gas 56, and a first heat exchanger 66-1 that performs heat exchange between the CO2 gas 56 emitted from the first compressor 61-1 and the condensed water 64 emitted from the first separator 63-1. |
| US09400091B2 |
Moisture resistant polyimide compositions
The invention relates to a moisture resistant composition comprising: a) from 20 to 80 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition of a polyetherimide copolymer made from a monomer mixture comprising 3,3′ bisphenol-A dianhydride (BPADA), and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS); b) from 5 to 75 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition of polyetheretherketone (PEEK); and c) from 0 to 30 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition of a filler. The invention relates to a reflector substrate comprising a moisture resistant layer metalized with a reflective layer, wherein the moisture resistant layer comprising the moisture resistant composition. The invention relates to a method for producing a metalized coating without a primer comprising applying a reflective layer directly to a moisture resistant layer in the absence of a primer, wherein the moisture resistant layer comprises the moisture resistant composition. |
| US09400085B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for flood control
A dynamic fluid flow control structure is provided that allows precise control over fluid flow using a series of two or more orifices, at least one of which may be reconfigured to change its flow characteristics. A flood control system and a flood control process are provided that emulate a preset discharge profile over time. Some versions of the structure, process, and system can be used to provide controlled storm discharge patterns in a developed area that emulate the natural pre-development discharge patterns. |
| US09400084B2 |
Lubrication device and protective cover for a lubrication device
A lubrication device is provided comprising a lubricant container (1) for containing a lubricant, an outlet opening and an adjustable release mechanism. The outlet opening is provided at a first end of the lubricant container (1) for releasing the lubricant. The adjustable release mechanism comprises, at a second end of the lubricant container (1), an insert (5) which is rotatable relative to the lubricant container (1) for setting a release rate of the lubricant. The lubrication device (1) further comprises a protective cap (6) comprising a hard cover (7). The hard cover (7) covers the insert (5) and the second end of the lubricant container (1). The hard cover (7) has a smooth outer surface and an inner surface comprising engaging means (9) for engaging with the insert (5), such that the protective cap (6) is rotatable together with the insert. |
| US09400072B2 |
Maritime supply line
The invention relates to a maritime supply line with at least two line elements which respectively comprise a jacket pipe, at least two inner lines which are arranged in the jacket pipe and a connecting element arranged at least at one end of the line element for the formation of a watertight connection to a line element to be connected. It is provided according to the invention that the connecting element comprises a connecting flange with a radially projecting collar, on which a radially projecting collar of a connecting flange of the line element to be connected can be placed. For the formation of the watertight connection the two radially projecting collars are incorporated by at least one tensioning clamp and are axially tensioned against each other. |
| US09400066B2 |
Fixture device for an aircraft tubing
A device to attach an aircraft's piping that includes a clamping ring made up of two jaws shaped into a gliding arc breaker separator and including at least one transverse support cut-out for at least one tube. |
| US09400065B2 |
Rapid deployment frac water transfer system
A method of and apparatus for the rapid deployment of a fracturing water transferring system, along with the rapid picking up and storage of such system after use. In different embodiments the method in includes the use of a tensioning system to retrieve one or more segments of lay flat hose. |
| US09400060B2 |
Gas line control system and modular variable pressure controller
A pneumatically controlled assembly, system, method and device for the regulation of pressure of a gas as it flows in a pressurized line and including at least one loading valve which is set to respond to variations in pressure in conjunction with a pneumatically actuated process control valve so as to effectively regulate and maintain pressure of the gas in the pressurized line. |
| US09400058B2 |
Pinch valve
A part of an air tube having flexibility is surrounded by a casing, and the air tube inside the easing is pushed for deformation at a nearly right angle against the pipe axis by a male screw screwed to a female screw of the casing to change a cross sectional area of a passage inside the air tube. A first casing part and a second casing part are overlapped with each other, and openably connected by a hinge, and the overlap state of both the casing parts and is maintained by engaging a claw part with the hole. Opposite surfaces and of both the casing parts and are provided with support grooves and for supporting the outer peripheral surface of the air tube. |
| US09400055B2 |
Bladder accumulator volume indicating device
A mechanical seal support system includes a bladder accumulator with a first connection to the top of the bladder accumulator and a second connection to the bottom of the bladder accumulator with a device that is responsive to the pressures at each of the first and second connections of the bladder accumulator for providing an output determined by the difference between the pressures. The mechanical seal support system further includes a display for displaying the output in a manner indicative of the volume of the fluid in the bladder accumulator relative to a predetermined volume. |
| US09400054B2 |
Mechanical seal device
A mechanical seal device includes a rotary ring 7 which is fixed to a rotary shaft 300, a fixed ring 4 which is slidably in contact with the rotary ring 7 and forms an annular seal surface S, a bellows 5 which supports the fixed ring 4 so as to bias the fixed ring 4 toward the rotary ring 7, a spring 6 which biases the fixed ring 4 toward the rotary ring 7, and a seal cover 2 which is attached to a housing 200, supports the bellows 5 such that an outer peripheral surface of the bellows 5 is on the inside A of the housing 200 relative to the seal surface S, and supports the spring 6 at a position located on the outside B of the housing 200 relative to the seal surface S and side by side with the bellows 5. |
| US09400053B2 |
Mechanical seal with PFA bellows
A mechanical seal has a stationary face and rotating assembly adjacent to the stationary face. The rotating assembly includes an upper bellows ring, a lower bellows ring and a runner between the lower bellows ring and the stationary face. A bellows extends between the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring. In preferred embodiments, the bellows is constructed from a perfluoroalkoxy polymer and is secured within the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring by a selected locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include the use of crimp rings configured for a press fit engagement within the upper and lower bellows rings. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may employ locking rings configured for threaded engagement with the upper and lower bellows rings. |
| US09400051B2 |
Cold operation mode control for an IVT
A transmission includes an electro-hydraulic controller that includes redundancy in the hydraulic circuit that permits single fault failures to be compensated for by changing the flow path of hydraulic fluid to bypass the single fault failure. The redundancy results in the ability of the transmission to maintain full operation in all modes. |
| US09400050B2 |
Method for switching a hybrid drive from one operating mode to another operating mode, and a hybrid vehicle
A method is provided for switching a drive of a hybrid vehicle from one operating mode to another operating mode. The drive includes an internal-combustion engine, at least one propulsion-generating electric machine and a transmission. The transmission can be shifted by a selecting device to be actuated by a driver into different operating states. The operating modes are distinguishable according to the ratio of drive power generated by the electric motor to the drive power generated by the internal-combustion engine. The drive is controlled by a drive control unit as a function of a drive prompt specified by the driver by an accelerator element and the selecting device, and according to different drive state and/or vehicle parameters. The drive is switchable from one operating mode to another operating mode by actuating the selecting device. |
| US09400048B2 |
Planetary drive
A planetary drive having at least one set of first planetary gears on a planet carrier, which gears are disposed radially spaced apart from a central axis and of which every first planetary gear is in toothed engagement with a first central gear, wherein the central gear has the central axis as the axis of rotation thereof, and wherein each of the first planetary gears is respectively mounted on a pin so as to be rotatable about an axis of symmetry of the pin, wherein the pin has internally a lubricating channel extending along the axis of symmetry of the pin and is mounted at least on one side at the end in a planet carrier, and wherein the pin is seated at least on one side at the end of a cup-shaped sleeve seated in the planet carrier. |
| US09400046B2 |
Chain guide and chain transmission device
A chain guide includes roller element bearings adapted to guide, while rolling, a timing chain through which torque is transmitted. The chain guide further includes a guide base arranged along one side of the timing chain and having an opposed pair of side plates. Each side plate is formed with plural shaft engaging portions arranged so as to lie on a circular arc. The chain guide further includes roller shafts having their ends supported by the respective shaft engaging portions, and rotatably supporting the roller element bearings. An oil guide hole is formed in a wall surface of each shaft engaging portion facing the end surface of the roller shaft so as to extend through the side plate to its outer side surface. |
| US09400044B2 |
Mechanically actuated positive locking differential
A differential comprises a first side gear and a second side gear facing the first side gear. A pinion gear set can be between the first side gear and the second side gear. A cam plate comprises a ramped side facing a ramped side of the first side gear. A first lock plate comprises a first side abutting a second side of the cam plate. The first lock plate further comprises a toothed side. A second lock plate comprises a toothed side facing the toothed side of the first lock plate. |
| US09400041B2 |
Ball screw assembly having a tunnel raceway
A tunnel raceway type ball screw assembly includes a screw nut having an inner thread groove, a screw shaft inserted through the screw nut and including outer grooves, a mounting groove extending across the outer grooves and a first reflow groove in radial communication with the mounting groove, and a reflow component mounted in the mounting groove of the screw shaft and including a rolling groove connected with the outer grooves to form an outer thread that defines with the inner thread groove a spiral channel therebetween and a second reflow groove that defines with the first reflow groove a reflow channel therebetween in communication with the spiral channel. Thus, multiple balls can be cycled in the spiral channel and the reflow channel. |
| US09400040B2 |
Actuator with multi-stage gears
An actuator with multi-stage gears includes a worm gear shaft driving assembly having a worm gear shaft, an electric motor having a transmission shaft, an annulus gear arranged between the worm gear shaft and the transmission shaft, and a plurality of multi-stage gears. The annulus gear includes an inner gear and a moving end actuated cooperatively with the inner gear on two ends thereof. The moving end is connected to and driving the worm gear shaft to rotate; each multi-stage gear is arranged between the transmission shaft and the inner gear; each multi-stage gear includes a first and a second outer diameter portions. The outer circumferential edges of the first and second outer diameter portions includes a helical gear engaged with the transmission shaft and a spur gear engaged with the inner gear respectively. Therefore, the actuator has merits of simplified components and reduced volume. |
| US09400038B2 |
Camshaft with an axially displaceable cam pack
A camshaft includes a carrier shaft to be mounted rotatably along a shaft axis and at least one cam pack or package axially displaceably disposed on the carrier shaft. The cam pack includes at least two cams and at least one adjusting member for axial adjustment of the cam pack. The cams and the at least one adjusting member are connected to one another in an axially adjacent configuration and can be mounted axially displaceably as a composite structure in a direct configuration on the carrier shaft by a rolling element guide with rolling elements. A cam pack or package and a method for producing a camshaft are also provided. |
| US09400036B2 |
Dual clutch powershifting transmission
A dual clutch transmission is provided with first and second coaxial input shafts, at least one mainshaft, and an output shaft that are coaxial with one another. The transmission has a countershaft offset from the first input shaft that supports seven countershaft gear elements drivably connected to respective gear elements on the first and second input shafts and the at least one mainshaft thereby forming seven forward gear meshes for the transmission. The seven forward gear meshes provide at least nine forward gear ratios for the transmission. The transmission is powershiftable between consecutive gear ratios of the at least nine gear ratios such that no torque interrupt occurs during sequential shifts. |
| US09400035B1 |
Cycloid transmission with an adjustable ring
Examples are provided that describe a cycloid transmission with an adjustable ring. An example cycloid transmission includes a disc and a motor shaft attached to the disc. The motor shaft is capable of rotating the disc around an outer ring of rollers. The outer ring of rollers surrounds the disc. As the disc is rotated, contact is made between the disc and the outer ring of rollers. A cycloid transmission also comprises an adjustable ring that is interposed between the motor shaft and the disc. A circumference of the adjustable ring can be adjusted in order to cause expansion of a radius of the disc. This expansion will result in increased contact of the disc with the outer ring of rollers and thereby lower backlash during rotation of the disc. |
| US09400033B2 |
Method for producing a link-plate chain
A method for providing a link-plate chain having increased strength by stretching the chain between a pair of spaced, rotatable conical pulleys, wherein the link-plate chain is stretched in opposite directions of rotation of the conical pulleys. The opposite stretching operations impart deformation forces on at least the link-plates and/or rocker pressure pieces that interconnect link plates of the link-plate chain. The deformation forces cause parts of the chain to undergo plasticization regions of the chain components and that result in increased chain strength. |
| US09400029B2 |
Damper unit for vessel propulsion apparatus, propeller for vessel propulsion apparatus, and vessel propulsion apparatus
A damper unit includes a first damper arranged to transmit a torque around a rotation axis transmitted from an input member side to an output member side, an intermediate member arranged to transmit a torque around the rotation axis transmitted from the first damper to the output member side, and a second damper arranged to transmit a torque around the rotation axis transmitted from the intermediate member to the output member side, wherein at least a portion of the second damper is disposed on a straight line that passes through the first damper and is parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis. |
| US09400027B2 |
Coned disc spring
An elliptical coned disc spring can be accommodated in a rectangular installation space, can yield non-linear load characteristics, and can reduce stress differences between a bending part at a long radial part side and a bending part at a short radial part side. An elliptical coned disc spring has a body in which an outer circumference is an ellipse in a disc shape. A hole is formed at the center of the body. The hole may have various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, etc. The body has a long radial part 111 and a short radial part. A plate width of the long radial part is set to be greater than a plate width of the short radial part (that is, a>b). |
| US09400024B2 |
Railway vehicle brake disc
A railway vehicle brake disc which can reduce aerodynamic sound raised high speed running, improve cooling performance during braking, and improve durability comprises a donut-shaped disc section having a sliding surface on a front surface side, a plurality of fin sections, each convexly provided in a rear surface of the disc section in a radial pattern, and a bolt hole passing through the disc section and the fin section. The disc section is mounted on a wheel in a state where the fin sections contact a plate section of the wheel using a bolt inserted into the bolt hole. The fin section has a groove formed along a circumferential direction in at least one of an area on an inner peripheral side and an area on an outer peripheral side of the bolt hole when viewed in a radial direction of the disc section. |
| US09400019B2 |
Friction ring, synchronizer unit, and gear changing transmission for a vehicle
The invention relates to a friction ring for a synchronizer unit (2) of a gear changing transmission, which friction ring includes a conical friction ring body (3) having an inner friction surface (301) and an outer installation surface (302) preferably configured as a further friction surface which friction surface (301) and installation surface (302) respectively bound the friction ring body (3) in a radial circumferential direction (U) extending perpendicular to a axial friction ring axis (4) in which the inner friction surface (301) conically extends along the friction ring axis (4) at a pre-determinable friction angle (α1) and the outer installation surface (302) also conically extends along the friction ring axis (4) at a pre-determinable installation angle (α2) respectively. In accordance with the invention the friction angle (α1) is different from the installation angle (α2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a synchronizer unit (2), as well as to a gear changing transmission for a vehicle. |
| US09400018B2 |
Flutter reducing wet clutch friction plate
The present invention provides improved clutch plates for use in wet friction pack clutches and brakes which exhibit greatly reduced flutter particularly at high rotational speeds. Friction clutches and brakes include a first plurality of circular clutch plates or discs coupled to a first member comprising a metal core plate having bands of friction material affixed to both faces. These clutch plates are interleaved with a second plurality of circular metal reaction plates which are coupled to a second member. The metal core plate of the first plurality of clutch plates includes a plurality of radial slots spaced about the core plate which extend inwardly a portion of the radial width of the clutch core plate. Different numbers of slots, different spacings and different configurations of slots provide reduced plate flutter with varying thicknesses of core plates and ranges of rotational speeds. |
| US09399998B1 |
Ceiling fan with air ionizing fan blades
The ceiling fan with air ionizing fan blades includes at least one air ionizing member secured to a top surface of a fan blade, and which electrostatically purifies air regardless of whether the ceiling fan is operating. The air ionizing member is integrated along a top surface as well as a leading edge of the fan blade, and shall collect particulates thereon for later removal. The air ionizing member is in wired communication with an electrical source that provides a high voltage needed for the air ionizing member to generate negative ions. The air ionizing member includes an electrostatically charged plate that produces positively or negatively charged gas ions that particulates stick to in a manner similar to static electricity. The air ionizing member may be a permanent fixture of or a removable component to the respective fan blade. |
| US09399993B2 |
Vane compressor having a vane supporter that suppresses leakage of refrigerant
To allow a bush to stably rotate about a bush center, an end of a vane portion that is close to an inner circumferential surface center is always positioned on the inner side with respect to the bush center. Thereby, in a vane compressor a vane is stably supported, wear at a tip of the vane is suppressed, loss due to sliding on bearings is reduced by supporting a rotating shaft portion with a small diameter, and accuracy in outside diameter and center of rotation of a rotor portion is increased. |
| US09399992B2 |
Pump controller system and method
A method and apparatus for a pump control system. One or more embodiments of the invention include a pump controller that can perform a self-calibrating procedure, can provide precise motor speed control, can provide a limp mode before shutting down the motor when system parameters are exceeded and/or fault conditions occur, can detect fault conditions, and can store fault conditions for later retrieval. |
| US09399989B2 |
System and method for a pump with onboard electronics
Embodiments of the present invention provide pumps with features to reduce form factor and increase reliability and serviceability. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide features for gentle fluid handling characteristics. Embodiments of the present invention can include a pump having onboard electronics and features to prevent heat from the onboard electronics from degrading process fluid or otherwise negatively impacting pump performance. Embodiments may also include features for reducing the likelihood that fluid will enter an electronics housing. |
| US09399987B2 |
Method for performing open-loop/closed-loop control of the boosting of a braking force of a brake system, brake booster, and control unit
The invention relates to a method for controlling/regulating the boosting of a brake force of a brake system (1), in particular of a power-assisted brake system (1) of a motor vehicle, wherein the brake system (1) comprises a brake force booster (100) having an actuator (130) by means of which a variable additional force (F100) can be imparted to a master brake cylinder (200) of the brake system (1), wherein if a relatively high additional force (F100) is demanded, a partial volume of a brake fluid is discharged from a brake circuit (300) of the brake system (1) in such a way that the actuator (130) of the brake force booster (100) can be placed relatively quickly into a position in which it can impart a greater additional force (F100) to the master brake cylinder (200). The invention also relates to a brake force booster for boosting a brake force of a brake system (1), in particular of a power-assisted brake system (1) of a motor vehicle, having a gearing (120) which can be driven by an electric motor (110), wherein the gearing (120) has an actuator (130) by means of which a piston (210) of a master brake cylinder (200) can be actuated, and wherein the gearing (120) is a cam mechanism (120), in particular an asymmetrical cam mechanism (120), having a control surface (125) or a control groove. |
| US09399986B2 |
Devices and systems for isolating biomolecules and associated methods thereof
A device, a system, and a method for isolating biomolecules from biological materials are provided. The device comprises a quartz-based solid phase extraction matrix comprising one or more reagents impregnated therein; and an electroosmotic pump (EOP) operationally coupled to the quartz-based solid phase extraction matrix to elute the nucleic acids, wherein the EOP comprises a plurality of electroosmotic membranes comprising one or more positive electroosmotic membranes and one or more negative electroosmotic membranes disposed alternatively and a plurality of electrodes comprising one or more cathodes and one or more anodes, wherein at least one cathode is disposed on one side of one of the membranes and at least one anode is disposed on another side of that membrane and at least one cathode or anode is disposed between a positive electroosmotic membrane and a negative electroosmotic membrane. |
| US09399983B2 |
Wind turbine blade with cross-sectional sensors
A wind turbine blade extending along a longitudinal axis from a root end to a tip end and in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane having a main axis extending through an elastic center point, wherein the wind turbine blade comprises a sensor system including a first sensor set for measuring a first bending moment in a first sensor position at a first distance from the root end, the first sensor set comprising a first primary sensor for measuring a primary component and a first secondary sensor for measuring a secondary component, wherein a first primary sensor axis in the transverse plane is oriented in a direction defined by the first primary sensor and the elastic center point, and a first secondary sensor axis in the transverse plane is oriented in a direction defined by the first secondary sensor and the elastic center point, and wherein an angle between the first primary sensor axis and the first secondary sensor axis is in the range from 50° to 130°. |
| US09399982B2 |
Auto-gyro rotor flying electric generator (FEG) with wing lift augmentation
A flying electric generator for obtaining power from wind currents which includes a fuselage having fore and aft portions and an intermediate portion, a rotor assembly including at least two forward rotors mounted on a pair of forward extending support arms extending from the fuselage and at least two rear rotors mounted to a pair of rearward extending support arms extending from the fuselage and at least one first forward wing mounted to a forward portion of the fuselage and extending outwardly on opposite sides of the fuselage and at least one second rear wing mounted to a rear portion of the fuselage and extending outwardly on opposite side of the fuselage. |
| US09399979B2 |
Ignition system
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition transformer with two primary windings. The ignition system is designed to generate, for a given ignition event, a unipolar current through the secondary winding by way of a control circuit that is configured to first energize and deenergize the first primary winding to establish a first electrical arc across the spark-plug electrodes and, when the current in the secondary winding reaches, or drops below, a current threshold, repeatedly energizes and deenergizes the second primary winding to establish a plurality of second current pulses across the electrodes in order to maintain the burn phase. |
| US09399975B2 |
Solenoid fluid injector with corrosion prevention structure
A fluid injector includes a valve structure movable in the passageway between a first position and a second position. The valve structure includes a hollow tube having a longitudinal axis and a valve member connected to an end of the tube by a weld, with a weld zone being defined inside of the tube generally adjacent to the weld. The tube has surfaces defining a through-hole that is disposed transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The through-hole permits the fluid to enter an interior of the tube. Corrosion prevention structure is disposed in the tube between the through-hole and the valve member to prevent the fluid in the tube from accessing the weld zone. |
| US09399972B2 |
Air filter arrangement; assembly; and, methods
An air filter media construction or arrangement is disclosed. The air filter media construction or arrangement includes facing media secured to fluted media. A preferred projection/receiver arrangement is described. Also, a useful seal arrangement is described. Air cleaner assemblies, methods of assembly and use are also provided. |
| US09399970B2 |
Combination pressure- and vacuum-based EVAP leak detection method
A method and system for conducting leak detection in an evaporative emission control system. The method performs a pressure-based leak test at selected intervals. The pressure-based test includes pressurizing the system, using a pump. Then, the system monitors pressure for a selected period. If system pressure falls below a threshold value during the selected period, the system identifies an initial leak. Upon identifying the initial leak, the system substitutes a vacuum-based leak test at each selected interval. The vacuum-based test includes evacuating the system, using the pump. The system then monitors system pressure for a selected period. If system pressure rises above a threshold value during the selected period, then the system identifies a subsequent leak. Upon receiving notification that the initial leak has been repaired, the system returns to pressure-based leak testing. Where a single pump is used, that pump is configured both for system pressurization and evacuation. |
| US09399965B2 |
Method and system for control of emissions in exhaust aftertreatment system
A system includes a controller configured to compare a nitrogen oxides (NOX) concentration within treated exhaust gases from a combustion engine after flowing through a first catalyst assembly and a second catalyst assembly relative to a NOX threshold value, to determine a change in O2 concentration within the treated exhaust gases between the first and second catalyst assemblies upstream of a location of oxidant injection into the treated exhaust gases, and to adjust an air-fuel ratio of the combustion engine based on the change in O2 concentration in the treated exhaust gases if the NOX concentration is greater than the NOX threshold value. |
| US09399964B2 |
Multi-level skip fire
In one aspect, a method for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine is described. The engine is operated in a skip fire manner such that selected skipped working cycles are skipped and selected active working cycles are fired to deliver a desired engine output. A particular level of torque output is selected for each of the fired working chambers. Various methods, arrangements and systems related to the above method are also described. |
| US09399959B2 |
System and method for adjusting a torque capacity of an engine using model predictive control
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a desired capacity module, an anticipated torque request module, and an engine actuator module. The desired capacity module generates a desired torque capacity of an engine at a future time based on a present torque request and a maximum torque output of the engine. The anticipated torque request module generates an anticipated torque request based on the desired torque capacity. The engine actuator module controls an actuator of the engine at a present time based on the anticipated torque request. |
| US09399958B2 |
Specifying method of EGR rate in internal combustion engine and control apparatus of internal combustion engine
To accurately specify an EGR rate from an output value of an in-cylinder pressure sensor, a specifying method of an EGR rate in an internal combustion engine of the present invention acquires an output value of an in-cylinder pressure sensor at an intake stroke to calculate comparison data related to an in-cylinder pressure at the intake stroke from the acquired sensor output value. An output value of the in-cylinder pressure sensor at an exhaust stroke of the same cycle is also acquired to calculate comparison data related to the in-cylinder pressure at the exhaust stroke from the acquired sensor output value. Two comparison data are compared to specify the EGR rate of an air-fuel mixture provided for combustion from a difference between the values. |
| US09399957B2 |
Air intake apparatus for internal combustion engine
A variable intake air device forms a long port and a short port in each of branches of an intake air manifold. The variable intake air device switches between the long port and the short port. A gas introduction device draws gas into each of the branches. When the engine is in a high load region, the variable intake air device uses the long port, when an engine rotation speed is less than a predetermined rotation speed, and uses the short port, when the engine rotation speed is greater than or equal to the predetermined rotation speed. When the engine is in a low load region, the variable intake air device switches between the long port and the short port according to the engine rotation speed. |
| US09399947B2 |
Internal combustion engine with pilot and main injection
An internal combustion engine with at least two rotatable bodies each defining at least one combustion chamber of variable volume and, for each rotatable body: a pilot subchamber, a pilot fuel injector having a tip in communication with the pilot subchamber, an ignition element positioned to ignite fuel within the pilot subchamber, and a main fuel injector spaced apart from the pilot fuel injector. The engine includes a common first fuel conduit in fluid communication with each main fuel injector, and a common second fuel conduit in fluid communication with each pilot fuel injector. First and second pressure regulating mechanisms which are settable at different pressure values from one another respectively regulate a fuel pressure in the first and second conduits. A method of combusting fuel in an internal combustion engine is also provided. |
| US09399944B2 |
Control device for multi-cylinder internal combustion engine
Provided is a control device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, including: a supercharger to be driven by exhaust gas energy; and a fuel injection control unit, in which the fuel injection control unit sets a fuel injection amount for one cylinder so that an air/fuel ratio in the one cylinder is richer than a theoretical air/fuel ratio, and exhaust gas exhausted when the one cylinder is in an exhaust stroke and scavenging gas scavenged during a valve overlap period from another cylinder which is in an intake stroke when the one cylinder is in the exhaust stroke are mixed in an exhaust pipe so as to attain an air/fuel ratio facilitating combustion. |
| US09399938B2 |
Exhaust gas treatment device
An exhaust gas treatment device (1) includes a combustion waste gas inlet pipe (2), an outlet pipe, an essentially gas-tight inner housing (7) fluidically connected with the inlet pipe and fluidically connected with the outlet pipe. The inner housing receives a particle filter (4). A connection element (9) is arranged in a connection area (8) of the inner housing. The connection area fluidically faces the outlet pipe (3), for mechanically connecting the particle filter with the inner housing. An oxidation catalytic converter (5) is arranged upstream of the particle filter in the inner housing for catalyzing an oxidation reaction of the combustion waste gas. A counterpressure monitoring point (10, 11, 12) is provided fluidically between the oxidation catalytic converter and the connection element for measuring a counterpressure exerted by the particle filter during the operation of the treatment device. An internal combustion engine (24) is provided with the treatment device. |
| US09399937B2 |
Operating method for an exhaust aftertreatment system and exhaust aftertreatment system
An operating method of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system including at least a particulate filter for retaining soot from the exhaust gas of an engine and a deNOx catalytic converter for reducing nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gas of the engine is provided. Operation regimes of the particulate filter and of the deNOx catalytic converter are synchronized with respect to each other for performing regeneration of the particulate filter while the catalytic converter provides a nitrogen oxide conversion efficiency above a predetermined limit. |
| US09399935B2 |
Oil pan inner tank valve structure
In an oil pan inner tank valve structure, a disc-shaped float valve is arranged below a valve port that provides fluid communication between the inside and outside of a bottom wall of an inner tank, and a lower cover is arranged below the float valve. In addition, a center recess is depressed at a lower surface center of the float valve, and a lateral movement restricting pin is upright from the lower cover and is constantly engaged with the center recess by recess/protrusion engagement. The lower cover restricts a vertically movable range of the float valve. In addition, the lateral movement restricting pin restricts lateral movement of the float valve so that a top portion of an upper surface bulged portion vertically constantly faces an area inside a valve seat. |
| US09399934B2 |
UAV engine lubrication system incorporating an electric oil pump and lubrication oil heating capability
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) engine (40) lubrication system and lubrication oil heating strategy uses a solenoid actuated electric oil pump (10,42) to deliver lubrication oil to the engine from a lubrication oil reservoir (12,44) by energizing and de-energizing the solenoid (18) to operate a pump mechanism of the electric oil pump. A controller (ECU) (100) can control operation of the electric oil pump, the solenoid maintained energized for a required period of time to cause heating of the oil without continuously pumping the oil. An electric oil pump control strategy can maintain engine speed dependent minimum oil delivery rates, can heat the electric oil pump and oil through extended energized (ON) time of the solenoid, and, by varying the turn on time of the electronic oil pump based on sensed ambient temperature, long time periods can be used to ensure oil delivery for cold temperatures, and shorter times are permitted when necessary in order to reach maximum oil flow rate. |
| US09399930B2 |
ORC heat engine
An ORC heat engine including a working fluid circuit having an evaporator for heating and evaporating a working fluid, a condenser for cooling and condensing the working fluid, and a positive displacement expander-generator having an inlet in fluid communication with the evaporator and an outlet in fluid communication with the condenser. The ORC heat engine further includes a control system coupled to the positive displacement expander-generator having a switch and driving means, the switch being switchable between a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the switch is coupled to the driving means, and the positive displacement expander-generator is drivable by the driving means, and in the second state the switch is not coupled to the driving means or the driving means is switched off, and the positive displacement expander-generator is not drivable by the driving means. |
| US09399928B2 |
Steam power plant with heat reservoir and method for operating a steam power plant
A steam power plant is suggested having, parallel to the low-pressure passage (VW1 to VW2), a heat reservoir (A) which is loaded with preheated condensate in weak-load times. This preheated condensate is taken from the heat reservoir (A) for generating peak-load and inserted downstream of the low-pressure preheater passage (VW1 to VW2) into the condensate line that contacts the feed water container (8). Thus it is possible to quickly control the power generation of the power plant in a wide range without significantly having to change the heating output of the boiler of the steam generator (1). A steam power plant equipped according to the invention can thus be operated with bigger load modifications and also provide more control energy. |
| US09399926B2 |
Belly band seal with circumferential spacer
A circumferentially extending sealing band is located within sealing band receiving slots formed in adjacent turbine engine disks. The sealing band includes a plurality of seal strips forming overlap joints defined by overlapping end portions, each formed by a tongue portion extending from a seal face of one seal strip past a seal face of the adjacent seal strip, along a radially inward facing side of the adjacent seal strip. A joint gap is defined within at least one overlap joint between the seal face of the one seal strip and the seal face of the adjacent strip, and a spacer is affixed to the one seal strip and is located at a position within the joint gap between the seal faces to limit circumferential movement of the seal faces toward each other. |
| US09399922B2 |
Non-integral fan blade platform
Described are a gas turbine engine fan blade platform, related rotor assembly and gas turbine engine, as well as a method of assembling the same. The platform has a forward portion proximal to an axis of rotation, an aft portion, and a transition portion between the forward and aft portions. The forward portion has a forward interface surface facing axially forward, the aft portion has an aft interface surface facing radially outward, and the transition portion has at least one mounting feature. For the method of assembly, an aft support is installed on a fan disk and booster spool assembly. A plurality of fan blades are installed into a fan disk, followed by installing a fan platform between adjacent blades and securing the mounting features to the disk, thereby filling the annulus of the fan disk. Finally, a forward support is installed on the fan disk. |
| US09399921B2 |
Hub piloting diameter with relief cuts
A hub for mounting propeller blades has a plurality of mount locations for receiving propeller blades at a radially outer location. The hub has a piloting diameter centered on a center axis. The hub has a plurality of openings to receive a drive member for transmitting rotation/torque from an adapter. There are reliefs cut into the piloting diameter at locations circumferentially aligned with the openings. |
| US09399919B2 |
Extension tip sleeve for wind turbine blade
A wind blade is provided. The wind blade includes a body having an aerodynamic contour extended between a blade root and a blade tip. The wind blade also includes an extension tip sleeve arranged over the blade tip. The extension tip sleeve further includes a first portion having an extension blade and one or more structural ribs arranged on a pressure side of the wind blade. The extension tip sleeve also includes a second portion having a support structure located on a suction side of the wind blade. Furthermore, the wind blade includes a fairing having an airfoil shape for covering the one or more structural ribs, and the support structure of the extension tip sleeve. |
| US09399911B2 |
Method for determining weight concentration of clay in a sample of a porous medium
For the purpose of determining a weight concentration of a clay material in a porous medium sample, a specific active surface area of the clay material and an initial specific active surface area of the porous sample are measured. A water solution of the clay material is pumped through the sample and a specific active surface area of the sample of the porous medium is measured after the pumping. Then, the weight concentration of the clay material is calculated. |
| US09399910B2 |
Inspection system and method for use in underground boring operations
An inspection system and method for use in underground utility construction, especially underground boring operations, is provided. The inspection system generally includes a sensor, a sensor carrier apparatus, and an output device. The sensor is employed to obtain inspection data regarding the condition of a tunnel created in an underground boring operation. The sensor carrier is adapted to incorporate the sensor and connect to means for transporting the sensor through the tunnel. The output device receives an output signal from the sensor corresponding to the inspection data and presents it to an operator for interpretation and/or otherwise documents and/or records the inspection data. |
| US09399908B2 |
Systems and method for separating dimethyl ether from oil and water
A system is provided for removing dimethyl ether (DME) from oil, water or brine and gas that includes a gas-oil-water separation module, a DME absorber, a water stripper, a liquid-liquid extractor, a water source, and an oil stripper, and a process is provided for separating DME from a mixture of DME, crude oil, water or brine, and a gas containing alkane hydrocarbons. A DME lean oil containing at most 1 ppmwt may be produced by the process. |
| US09399904B2 |
Oil recovery system and method
A system and process for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation. An oil recovery formulation that is first contact miscible with a liquid petroleum composition that is comprised of at least 15 mol % dimethyl sulfide is introduced together with steam or hot water into a subterranean oil-bearing formation comprising heavy oil, extra heavy oil, or bitumen, and oil is produced from the formation. |
| US09399903B2 |
Method and system for enhancing oil recovery (EOR) by injecting treated water into an oil bearing formation
A process and a system for enhancing recovery of oil from an oil-bearing formation are provided in which water having a total dissolved solids content is filtered to remove some solids in a filter assembly, the filtered water is treated to remove some ions in a capacitive deionization assembly, and the filtered deionized water is injected into the oil-bearing formation to mobilize crude oil and enhance oil recovery from the formation. |
| US09399902B2 |
Expandable screen completion tool
An expandable screen comprises a first end comprising a first coupling mechanism, a second end comprising a second coupling mechanism, a wire wrap section extending between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of rods coupled to the wire wrap section. The wire wrap section is coupled to the first and the second end, and the wire wrap section is configured to radially expand. The plurality of rods is configured to control spacing between adjacent wire edges upon radial expansion of the wire wrap section. |
| US09399901B2 |
Characterizing flow production
A method for characterizing flow production of a well. The method includes generating a plurality of dimensionless decline curves from a mathematical model that characterizes an expected flow production of the well and generating an overlay curve based on production data pertaining to the well. After generating the mathematical model and the overlay curve, the method compares the overlay curve to the plurality of dimensionless decline curves. The method then calculates a reservoir effective drainage area for the well based on the comparison. |
| US09399897B2 |
Orientation of downhole well tools
A method of orienting a well tool can include setting down weight on an orienting device, thereby securing in position an engagement member that was previously free to displace circumferentially in the device, and after the securing, engaging the engagement member with an orienting profile. Another method of orienting a well tool can include compressing the orienting device between sections of a tool string, thereby securing in position an engagement member that was previously free to displace circumferentially in the device, the securing step including deforming a structure of the orienting device, and after the securing, engaging the engagement member with an orienting profile. |
| US09399895B2 |
Coiled tubing injector head with chain guides
In an injector head (30) for handling tubing for insertion into and retrieval from a wellbore, a non-gripping portion of the path (22) of each chain loop (12), which is otherwise susceptible to oscillations when running in at least certain conditions, is constrained by a chain guide (44). The chain guide allows the chain to move freely as it is driven by the sprockets (16) in a loop, but dampens or prevents development of oscillations in the chain loop (12) when moving along one or more sections of its path in which it is not otherwise be pressed against tubing or constrained by sprockets or tensioners. |
| US09399893B2 |
Stoppers for structures attached to hybrid riser towers
A coated or sleeved pipe for a hybrid riser tower is disclosed. The pipe has at least one stop formation that is integral with or attached to an external coating or sleeve of the pipe. The stop formation is arranged to restrain movement along the pipe of a structure attached to the pipe, such as a guide frame. |
| US09399889B2 |
Animal crate
The present disclosure provides a door assembly for an animal enclosure. The assembly includes a door frame having a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires that define an opening for an animal to pass therethrough. The assembly also includes a door configured to move between an open position and a close position relative to the door frame. A latch is pivotably coupled to the door and includes a mechanism that is removably coupled to the door frame. The assembly further includes a first vertical wire and a second vertical wire of the door. A first guide wire and a second guide wire are coupled to the door frame. The first vertical wire is coupled to and moves along the first guide wire between the open and close positions, and the second vertical wire is coupled to and moves along the second guide wire between the open and close positions. |
| US09399888B2 |
Methods and apparatus to control an architectural opening covering assembly
Methods and apparatus to control an architectural opening covering assembly are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes determining a position of a covering of an architectural opening covering assembly. The example method further includes determining a speed at which the covering is to move via a motor based on the position and a period of time. The example method also includes operating a motor to move the covering at the speed. |
| US09399883B2 |
Automatically operated door system for an aircraft toilet
An automatically operated door system for an aircraft toilet is provided. The system has a folding door and a door frame. The folding door is arranged in the door frame to be movable between a closed door position and an open door position. The system also has a drive apparatus for moving the folding door between the closed door position and the open door position, a guiding member connected to the drive apparatus and a displacement element arranged on the folding door. The guiding member engages the displacement element to transfer the driving force of the drive apparatus to the displacement element; accordingly, the folding door is moved from the closed door position into a pre-folded door position. |
| US09399879B2 |
Vehicle compartment door handle assembly
A handle assembly is provided for a door of a vehicle storage or baggage compartment and includes a latch module press fit onto the housing of the assembly. The handle assembly also includes a lock assembly with a security plate to preclude unauthorized manipulation of the lock arm. In one embodiment, a position switch is associated with the latch rotor to sense the unlatched position of the rotor. A remote control power unit may also be provided on the handle assembly for locking and unlocking the latch module via a key fob or other access system user interface. An LED may be associated with the power unit to indicate locking and unlocking events, or other vehicle status information. The mounting bracket of the assembly may be selected from interchangeable brackets for manual or power actuation of the lock assembly. |
| US09399877B2 |
Robotic pool cleaning apparatus
Robotic apparatus cleans swimming pools and has road and pulley wheels with belts thereon, on opposite sides and drive motors that rotate a wheel on each side to move the frame along a pool surface. Pairs of outside wheels have friction surfaces to engage pool surfaces to also moving the frame. Forward and rearward brush assemblies are driven to brush the pool surface. Oppositely facing and angled duck bill valves allow water into free volumes in the frame and are covered by a filter bag for filtering out debris under the action of a dual pump assembly that pumps water out through a pair of outlet opening in a top of the frame. A computer processor controls the drive motors and pump assembly to move the frame along programmed paths and rechargeable batteries power the drive motors, pump assembly and computer processor. |
| US09399875B2 |
Brake system of wire reel in reinforcing bar binding machine
A reinforcing bar binding machine is provided with a feed device for feeding a wire from a wire reel rotatably mounted on a binding machine body, a braking device for braking a rotation of the wire reel, and a control device that starts a braking to the rotation of the wire reel by the braking device after the wire is fed to a predetermined amount by the feed device. |
| US09399870B2 |
Roofing shingle system and shingles for use therein
A roofing system and roofing shingles for use therein are disclosed. The roofing system comprises a multiplicity of courses of roofing shingles having a headlap portion, a buttlap portion, a lateral leading edge, and a lateral trailing edge, wherein the headlap portion has a width that is less than a width of the buttlap portion defining a reduced-width headlap, wherein the lateral trailing edge of a shingle in a course partially overlaps and partially abuts the lateral leading edge of an adjacent previously installed shingle to form an interlocking edge between adjacent shingles in the course, and wherein the lateral edge includes a trailing edge projection having a weather edge, a rear edge, and a variable breadth that increases toward the rear edge of the trailing edge projection. |
| US09399869B2 |
Apparatus and method for connecting a segmental coupler to a steel plate or anchor casting
An duct coupler apparatus for sealing a bore of an anchor includes a coupler having an inner wall and a sealing mechanism affixed to the inner wall of the coupler. The sealing mechanism includes a shaft and sealing element affixed adjacent an end of the shaft. The sealing element is selectively movable between a retracted condition and an extended condition. The extended condition is adapted to be in sealing relation with an inner wall of the bore of the steel structure. The apparatus includes a nut threadedly affixed to the shaft so as to bear against the sealing element. The nut is rotatable on the shaft so as to urge against the sealing element so as to cause the sealing element to be in the extended or expanded condition. |
| US09399864B2 |
Aerogel blanket and method of production
A method of making a nonwoven wet laid aerogel blanket is provided. The aerogel blanket can exhibit improved thermal conductivity, lower corrosivity, lower dust production and a uniform structure. The blanket can be made from an aerogel floc that is formed from a slurry of aerogel particles. |
| US09399860B2 |
Powered hygiene shower spray system
A powered hygiene shower spray system is provided. The system has a slide bar housing adapted for mounting to a shower chamber substrate. A moving head or spray nozzle is provided that is movable along said slide bar housing. A hose is in fluid communication between a water supply and the spray nozzle when the spray nozzle is moveably present. A control panel accepts user input as to a parameter of the spray nozzle. A drive mechanism is provided for moving the spray nozzle without user manual manipulation of the spray nozzle. |
| US09399858B2 |
Hybrid intake screen assembly
An intake screen assembly including an intake member, a screen support member, and a screen member coupled to the screen support member. The screen member may be formed from a material, such as copper-nickel, that is different from a material, such as stainless steel, used to form the intake member and/or the screen support member. The intake screen assembly may include corrosion protection members for preventing contact between the components of the screen assembly that are formed from dissimilar materials. The assembly may be formed by coupling the screen support member to the intake member, and coupling the screen member to the screen support member. |
| US09399856B2 |
Hydraulic working machine
A hydraulic working machine has an assist electric motor connected to an engine and a hydraulic pump. The emissions of air pollutants in the exhaust gas from the engine are minimized regardless of fluctuations in the load torque of the hydraulic pump. A specific revolution speed suitable for reducing the emissions of air pollutants is stored, and an engine is controlled using the specific revolution speed as a target revolution speed. The absorption torque of a hydraulic pump is subjected to high-pass filtering whereby a high-frequency component devoid of a trend component is obtained. Target assist torque is computed from the high-frequency component, and the assist electric motor is subjected to power running/generation control accordingly. A specific output torque range suitable for reducing the emissions of air pollutants is stored, and the target assist torque is corrected so that the trend component does not exceed the specific output torque range. |
| US09399855B2 |
Construction machine
The construction machine includes a floor plate, a seat and a control box provided on the floor plate, a support plate having an end portion, in a left-right direction, configuring a supporting end portion, on which the control box is mounted, a second slide rail that extends in a front-rear direction and is attached to a lower surface side of the support plate, and a reinforcing block that extends in a direction crossing the second slide rail in a plan view. The reinforcing block has a portion extending toward an end surface of a supporting end portion from a position in an area of the second slide rail in a plan view, and the portion being attached to the supporting end portion of the support plate. |
| US09399851B2 |
Piling apparatus and process for installation of pile assembly
The invention relates to a piling apparatus for pile assembly comprises at least one walled pipe (26), a clamping frame (29) having a clamping mechanism to link to a walled pipe (26) which has been inserted into the earth, a pressing stand (24) linked to the clamping frame (29), pressing cylinders (35) having one end linked to the base of pressing stand (24), another end linked to a holding clamp (18). The holding clamp (18) is used to clamp over the material, so as to force at least one material to travel throughout the interior of the walled pipe (26) by using the friction between the walled pipe (26) which has been inserted into the ground with the ground served as a counterpoise components of the apparatus are constructed to press a pressing force against material, formed by pressing cylinders (35) applied to material by means of the holding clamp (18), and a reactive force transferred via the pressing stand (24), the clamping mechanism, the clamping frame (29) to the walled pipe (26) and balanced by the friction between the walled pipe (26) and the ground. The invention further relates to an installation process for pile assembly. |
| US09399850B2 |
Device having a hydraulic drive for civil engineering
A device having a hydraulic drive for civil engineering work has least one shaft that can be rotated by a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is operated by fluid of a hydraulic circuit that is supplied by a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic motor has a changeable displacement, and means for changing the volume stream are provided. A sensor for measuring the fluid pressure is disposed in the hydraulic circuit, and is connected with a control and regulation unit, by way of which the displacement of the hydraulic motor is adjustable, and by way of which the means for a change in the volume stream can be turned on. The control and regulation unit is set up so that in the event of a pressure drop in the hydraulic circuit, a reduction in the displacement of the hydraulic motor as well as a reduction in the volume stream is brought about. |
| US09399849B2 |
Stabilizing support for a downspout extension
A stabilizing support for a downspout extension includes an engagement portion that has a first axis and a second axis. The stabilizing support also includes an attachment portion that is connected to the engagement portion for securing the engagement portion relative to a surface. The attachment portion allows the engagement portion to be secured in one of two orientations, with one of the first axis and the second axis generally perpendicular to the surface. |
| US09399843B2 |
Automotive road milling machine
In an automotive road milling machine (1) for milling ground surfaces (3), with a machine frame (2), a milling drum (4) with a quick-change system arranged at the machine frame (2) in a drum housing (11), a driving device (6) for driving the milling drum (4), a reduction gear (8) arranged between the driving device (6) and the milling drum (4), where the milling drum (4) is arranged between drum housing walls (12,13) of the drum housing (11) running orthogonally to the axis of rotation of the milling drum (4), where the quick-change system is provided with a basic drum body (14) and at least one milling tube element (10) capable of being pushed onto the basic drum body (14), where the drum housing wall (13) opposite the drive-side drum housing wall (12) is easily removable for the quick exchange of alternatively usable milling tube elements (10), it is provided for the following features to be achieved: the housing (9) of the reduction gear (8) is attached to the machine frame (2) in a torsionally rigid fashion, inside the machine frame (2), between the driving device (6) and the drum housing wall (12) at the drum housing (11). |
| US09399841B2 |
Method for producing water-disintegrable paper
A method of producing water-disintegrable paper, including: using a base-paper supplied with no water to emboss the base-paper sheet in a non-wet state to form a bulking unit, made up of a plurality of uneven elements, on the base-paper sheet; supplying the water-soluble binder to the base-paper sheet from outside of a face of the base-paper sheet after the embossing process to impregnate the water-soluble binder into the base-paper sheet; drying the base-paper sheet after the binder impregnation process; folding the base-paper sheet after the drying process; and supplying an aqueous chemical and/or a crosslinker to the base-paper sheet before or after the folding process to impregnate the aqueous chemical into the base-paper sheet. |
| US09399839B2 |
Fruit fiber processing system and method
A system and method of manufacturing a fiber for use in manufacturing products including providing a feedstock including fiber derived from edible fruit of a plant. An agent that degrades pectin may be applied to the feedstock to form a feedstock mixture. The feedstock mixture may be agitated, and solution including the fiber from the feedstock mixture may be removed. The fiber may be isolated from the solution. |
| US09399836B2 |
Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion
A selective removal chlorine and phosphorus that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolyzis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided. |
| US09399834B1 |
Odor removal assembly
An odor removal assembly comprising a flexible bag that, when open, allows a user to place items into the bag's interior, and when closed, prevents a user from placing items into the interior of the bag. The bag may include a fastening mechanism for closing the bag. The assembly includes an ozone generator that generates ozone and expels the ozone through a conduit that extends between an outlet of the ozone generator and the interior of the bag. The assembly may also include an ozone destruction catalyst for removing ozone from the interior of the bag. In various embodiments, the odor removal assembly includes an automatic shutoff system for preventing the ozone generator from generating ozone gas if: the ozone level exceeds a pre-determined level outside of the bag, if the ozone level exceeds a pre-determined level within the interior of the bag, and/or if the bag is open. |
| US09399833B1 |
Clothing iron having a contouring arch gripping member
A clothing iron configured to operate from a motor vehicle power supply having a port to electrically connect to a removable DC cable with a cigarette lighter plug. The clothing iron has an improved arched hand grip having a primary gripping member with a contouring arch extending from a first end of the primary gripping member to a second end of the primary gripping member, a secondary gripping member with a contouring arch extending from a first end of the secondary gripping member to a second end of the secondary gripping member. The gripping members are pivotally connected to a fulcrum point. A primary housing is connected to an end of the primary gripping member. At least one thermally conductive plate is connected to the primary housing. A secondary housing is connected to an end of the secondary gripping member. A capturing structure is connected to the secondary housing. |
| US09399831B2 |
Sewing machine and non-transitory computer- readable medium storing sewing machine control program
A sewing machine includes a carriage, a storage portion, a display portion, and a control device. A plurality of types of an embroidery frame is configured to be removably mounted on the carriage. The embroidery frame is capable of holding a work cloth. The carriage is capable of moving the embroidery frame parallel to two intersecting axes. The storage portion is configured to store a plurality of sizes of the work cloth that respectively correspond to the plurality of types of the embroidery frame. The display portion is configured to display information relating to at least sewing. The control device is configured to read, from the storage portion, the sizes of the work cloth that respectively correspond to the types of the embroidery frame. The control device is also configured to cause the display portion to display the sizes of the work cloth that have been read. |
| US09399828B2 |
Method and apparatus for extracting and removing rare earth metal ions from plating solution
In an extraction tank, a plating solution containing rare earth metal ions is treated with an extracting solution of an extractant in a water-insoluble organic solvent. Extraction treatment is carried out by atomizing the extracting solution through a lower nozzle into the plating solution in the tank lower zone, and atomizing the plating solution through an upper nozzle into the extracting solution in the tank upper zone, for thereby bringing the plating solution in contact with the extracting solution to extract rare earth metal ions from the plating solution into the extractant for removal. |
| US09399821B2 |
Composite structural body
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a composite structural body including a base material; and a film-like structural body formed on a surface of the base material by causing an aerosol to impinge on the base material, the aerosol including fine particles dispersed in a gas, a distance between an end part of the film-like structural body and an outermost part closest to the end part of a portion of the film-like structural body having a film thickness equal to an average film thickness of the film-like structural body as viewed perpendicular to the surface being 10 times or more of the average film thickness. |
| US09399820B2 |
Electroless nickel plating bath
The present invention concerns an electroless nickel plating bath suitable for application in plating on plastic processes. The plating bath is free of hazardous substances such as lead ions and ammonia and allows deposition of nickel phosphorous alloys on plastic substrates at plating temperatures not higher than 55° C. Furthermore, the deposition of copper from an immersion type copper plating bath onto the nickel phosphorous coatings require no activation step which results in less process steps and less waste water production. |
| US09399819B2 |
Deposition apparatus and deposition method
A deposition apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of reactors; a plurality of gas supply units connected to the plurality of reactors; and a plurality of plasma supply units connected to the plurality of reactors. Each of the plasma supply units includes: a plasma power supplier; a plurality of diodes connected to the plasma power supplier; and a reverse voltage driver connected to the plurality of diodes through respectively corresponding switches. |
| US09399818B2 |
Method and device for continuously coating substrates
The invention relates to a method for continuous coating of substrates, in which the substrates are transported continuously through a deposition chamber and, at the same time, measures are adopted for reducing parasitic deposits as well as possible. Likewise, the invention relates to a corresponding device for continuous coating of substrates. |
| US09399816B2 |
Refurbishing copper and indium containing alloy sputter targets and use of such targets in making copper and indium-based films
This invention relates to a method of refurbishing sputter targets comprising: providing a sputter target comprising a temperature sensitive alloy, having regions depleted of material; providing a powder having a first phase comprising the desired temperature sensitive alloy onto the surface; and pressing the powder onto the surface to form a refurbished target, at temperatures lower than that which would damage the temperature sensitive alloy. |
| US09399815B2 |
Sintered oxide material, method for manufacturing same, sputtering target, oxide transparent electrically conductive film, method for manufacturing same, and solar cell
The invention provides an oxide sintered compact 2 composed of a crystal phase which consists of a bixbite-type oxide phase and a perovskite-type oxide phase, or a bixbite-type oxide phase, the crystal phase having indium, tin, strontium and oxygen as the constituent elements, and the indium, the tin and the strontium contents satisfying formulas (1) and (2) in terms of atomic ratio, as well as a sputtering target. There are further provided an oxide transparent conductive film formed using the sputtering target, and a solar cell. Sn/(In+Sn+Sr)=0.01-0.11 (1) Sr/(In+Sn+Sr)=0.0005-0.004 (2) [In formulas (1) and (2), In, Sn and Sr represent indium, tin and strontium contents (atomic percent), respectively.] |
| US09399814B2 |
Coated cutting tool
The present invention provides a coated cutting tool comprising a substrate and a coating, where the coating comprises at least one compound layer deposited by cathodic arc deposition, which has a thickness of 10-30 μm characterized in that the coating has internal stress ranges from low tensile stresses, lower than 0.2 GPa, to compressive stresses, lower than 3 GPa. |
| US09399813B2 |
TiAgN coating layer, TiAgN coating method and TiAgN coating apparatus
Disclosed is a TiAgN coating layer, formed by subjecting a substrate having a surface roughness of about 0.05˜0.1 μm to plasma coating by periodically turning on/off an Ag source while a Ti source is continuously turned on in a nitrogen gas atmosphere, a TiAgN coating method, and a TiAgN coating apparatus. |
| US09399812B2 |
Methods of preventing plasma induced damage during substrate processing
Methods for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of processing a substrate within a process chamber having an electrostatic chuck to support a substrate in a processing region of the process chamber and a target disposed opposite the electrostatic chuck, wherein the target comprises a target material to be deposited on the substrate, may include disposing a substrate on the electrostatic chuck; providing a process gas to the processing region; igniting a plasma in the processing region from the process gas while the substrate is disposed on the electrostatic chuck with no chucking voltage provided to clamp the substrate to the electrostatic chuck; and depositing target material on the substrate to form a first barrier layer while no chucking voltage is provided, wherein the target material is sputtered from the target via the plasma. |
| US09399811B2 |
Method for carbonitriding at least one component in a treatment chamber
The invention relates to a method for carbonitriding at least one component (12) in a treatment chamber (16), in which at least one process gas (28; 30) is introduced into the treatment chamber (16), wherein a hydrogen content (44) is detected in an atmosphere developing in the treatment chamber (16) and is maintained in a desired range (55; 57) at least at intervals by influencing of the amount of the process gas (28; 30) that is fed. |
| US09399808B2 |
Aluminum alloy sheet excellent in baking finish hardenability
This aluminum alloy sheet has increased BH properties under low-temperature short-time-period conditions after long-term room-temperature aging by means of causing aggregates of specific atoms to be contained having a large effect in BH properties, the distance between atoms being no greater than a set distance, and containing either Mg atoms or Si atoms measured by 3D atom probe field ion microscopy in a 6000 aluminum alloy sheet containing a specific amount of Mg and Si. |
| US09399807B2 |
Acid and alkali resistant Ni—Cr—Mo—Cu alloys with critical contents of chromium and copper
A nickel—chromium—molybdenum—copper alloy resistant to 70% sulfuric acid at 93° C. and 50% sodium hydroxide at 121° C. for acid and alkali neutralization in the field of waste management; the alloy contains, in weight percent, 27 to 33 chromium, 4.9 to 7.8 molybdenum, 3.1 to 6.0 wt. % copper (when chromium is between 30 and 33 wt. %) or 4.7 to 6.0 wt. % copper (when chromium is between 27 and 29.9 wt. %), up to 3.0 iron, 0.3 to 1.0 manganese, 0.1 to 0.5 aluminum, 0.1 to 0.8 silicon, 0.01 to 0.11 carbon, up to 0.13 nitrogen, up to 0.05 magnesium, up to 0.05 rare earth elements, with a balance of nickel and impurities. Titanium or another MC carbide former can be added to enhance thermal stability of the alloy. |
| US09399805B2 |
Lead free dezincification alloy and method of making same
A brass alloy containing trace amounts of iron, manganese and aluminum is disclosed. Phosphorus is added to a zinc, copper melt and combined with the iron, manganese and aluminum to form intermetallics. Additional phosphorus is added so the melt contains between about 0.08 to 0.15% phosphorus. The alloy has tin in the range of 0.15% to 0.35%. |
| US09399803B2 |
Compounds and methods to isolate gold
Methods for recovering gold from gold-bearing materials are provided. The methods rely upon on the self-assembly of KAuBr4 and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) in aqueous solution to form a co-precipitate, a 1:2 complex, KAuBr4•(α-CD)2 (“α•Br”), either alone or in an extended {[K(OH2)6][AuBr4]⊂(α-CD)2}n chain superstructure (FIG. 1). The co-precipitation of α•Br is selective for gold, even in the presence of other metals, including other square-planar noble metals. The method enables one to isolate gold from gold-bearing materials from diverse sources, as further described. |
| US09399798B2 |
3′-OH unblocked, fast photocleavable terminating nucleotides and methods for nucleic acid sequencing
The present invention relates generally to 3′-OH unblocked nucleotides and nucleosides labeled and unlabeled with 5-methoxy-substituted nitrobenzyl-based photocleavable terminating groups for use in methods and systems related to DNA and RNA sequencing and analysis. These compounds may be used as reversible terminators as they exhibit fast nucleotide incorporation kinetics, single-base termination, high nucleotide selectivity, and rapid terminating group cleavage that results in a naturally occurring nucleotide. |
| US09399792B2 |
Sterilizable chemistry for test elements
In one non-limiting aspect, sterilizable reagent materials for diagnostic elements are provided. In other aspects, sterilized diagnostic elements and techniques for the production of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sterilized diagnostic element includes a chemical detection reagent including at least one component that is sensitive to ionizing radiation. The sterilized diagnostic element is also mediator-free and the at least one component sensitive to ionizing radiation is present in a functional form in a proportion of ≧80% based on the total amount of the respective component in the diagnostic element before sterilization. In certain aspects, the at least one component sensitive to ionizing radiation includes one or both of an enzyme and a coenzyme. Other aspects include, but are not limited to, unique methods, techniques, products, systems and devices involving sterilizable reagent materials or sterilized diagnostic elements. |
| US09399791B2 |
Methods of treating alzheimer's disease by administration of protective protein/cathepsin A
Methods are provided for the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of various pathological states, including cancer, chemotherapy resistance and dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. The methods provided herein are based on the discovery that various proteins with a high level of sialylation are shown herein to be associated with disease states, such as, cancer, chemotherapy resistance and dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. Such methods provide a lysosomal exocytosis activity profile comprising one or more values representing lysosomal exocytosis activity. Also provided herein, is the discovery that low lysosomal sialidase activity is associated with various pathological states. Thus, the methods also provide a lysosomal sialidase activity profile, comprising one or more values representing lysosomal sialidase activity. A lysosomal sialidase activity profile is one example of a lysosomal exocytosis activity profile. As such, the level of lysosomal exocytosis activity and/or lysosomal sialidase activity is predictive of a diagnosis and/or prognosis of cancer, chemotherapy resistance or dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. |
| US09399790B2 |
Stable NAD/NADH derivatives
The present invention provides for stable nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD/NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP/NADPH) derivatives of formula (I), enzyme complexes of these derivatives and their use in biochemical detection methods and reagent kits. |
| US09399788B2 |
Method for inspecting susceptibility of bacteria or fungi to antimicrobial drug and system for use in the same
The present disclosure describes a method capable of easily and rapidly inspecting the susceptibility of bacteria or fungi to an antimicrobial drug. The inspection method of the present disclosure is a method for inspecting susceptibility of bacteria or fungi to an antimicrobial drug using a micro-device having flow channels, including: incubating a mixture of the antimicrobial drug and a suspension to be inspected in the flow channels of the micro-device; and detecting bacteria or fungi derived from the suspension to be inspected in an observation area of the flow channels of the micro-device. The detecting step can be performed by detecting an increase or decrease in the number of or a change in shape of bacteria or fungi derived from the suspension to be inspected in the observation area by a microscope or the like. |
| US09399785B2 |
Lov-D acyltransferase mediated acylation
Methods for the improved acylation of chemical substrates using LovD acyltransferases, thioesters having acyl groups, and (i) thiol scavengers and/or (ii) precipitating agents are presented. An improved method for the production of simvastatin using (i) activated charcoal as a thiol scavenger and/or (ii) ammonium hydroxide as a precipitating agent is also presented. |
| US09399784B2 |
Microorganisms of Corynebacterium which can utilize xylose and method for producing L-lysine using same
The present invention relates to microorganisms of corynebacterium which can utilize xylose and to a method for producing L-lysine using same. More particularly, the present invention relates to microorganisms of corynebacterium which are modified, in which genes encoding xylose isomerase and xylulokinase which are xylose synthases are introduced to express the xylose synthase. The present invention also relates to a method for producing L-lysine, comprising a step of culturing the modified microorganisms of corynebacterium using xylose as a carbon source, and recovering L-lysine from the culture. |
| US09399780B2 |
Method for producing viral vector
The present invention provides a method for producing a virus vector, which involves a step of culturing a cell capable of producing the virus vector in a culture medium containing a retinoic acid compound, a histone deacetylase-inhibiting substance and a substance capable of forming a chelate; and a culture medium for use in the production of a virus vector, which is characterized by containing a retinoic acid compound, a histone deacetylase-inhibiting substance and a substance capable of forming a chelate as active ingredients. |
| US09399777B2 |
Methods and means for obtaining modified phenotypes
Methods and means are provided for reducing the phenotypic expression of a nucleic acid of interest in eukaryotic cells, particularly in plant cells, by providing aberrant, preferably unpolyadenylated, target-specific RNA to the nucleus of the host cell. Preferably, the unpolyadenylated target-specific RNA is provided by transcription of a chimeric gene comprising a promoter, a DNA region encoding the target-specific RNA, a self-splicing ribozyme and a DNA region involved in 3′ end formation and polyadenylation. |
| US09399771B2 |
Methods and compositions for high efficiency transfection of siRNA
Described herein are methods and compositions for high efficiency transfection of siRNA into a cell population. Such methods and compositions utilize a low voltage pre-conditioning pulse to modulate the efficiency of siRNA transfection. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions permit spatial and temporal control of siRNA transfection efficiency within a population of cells. The disclosed methods and compositions, in some embodiments, are amenable to high throughput applications such as siRNA library-based phenotypic screening. |
| US09399770B2 |
Innovative discovery of therapeutic, diagnostic, and antibody compositions related to protein fragments of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetases
Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications. |
| US09399767B2 |
Mutant RB69 DNA polymerase
Provided herein are mutant DNA-dependent polymerases which are derived from, or otherwise related to, wild type RB69 DNA polymerase. These mutant polymerases are capable of selectively binding labeled nucleotides. These mutant polymerases are also capable of incorporating a variety of naturally occurring and modified nucleotides, including, for example, terminator nucleotides. |
| US09399757B2 |
Dry granulated cell culture media
The present invention relates dry granulated cell culture media which do not comprise peptones or tryptones, especially to dry granulated cell culture media formulations that support the growth of mammalian, and/or insect and/or plant cells. The present invention further relates to the production of these dry granulated cell culture media and their use. |
| US09399752B2 |
Cleaning composition having high self-adhesion and providing residual benefits
A composition for treating a hard surface. The composition has: (a) at least one adhesion promoter; (b) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of: anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionic, and combinations thereof; (c) mineral oil; (d) water; (e) optionally, at least one solvent; and wherein the composition is self-adhering upon application to a surface to be treated, and wherein the composition provides a wet film to said surface when water passes over said composition and surface. |
| US09399750B1 |
Formulation for corn oil recovery and method of use thereof
Provided is a method for recovering oil from corn to ethanol production, the method comprising applying a formulation comprising (i) a compound of formula (I), in which R1-R3 are defined herein, (ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide to a corn-based product from an ethanol production process. Also provided is a formulation effective for corn oil recovery comprising (i) a mixture of ethoxylated C14-22 mono- and diglycerides, (ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide. |
| US09399748B2 |
Lubricating grease composition
The invention provides a lubricating grease composition with a worked penetration of 400 to 500 for a machine tool equipped with an automatic lubricator, containing a base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 10 to 200 mm2/s and 0.1 to 10 mass % of solid particles insoluble in the base oil. The lubricating grease composition of the invention can be fed using the automatic lubricator attached to the machine tool, and can prevent the stick-slip from occurring on the sliding lubrication portion of the machine tool. |
| US09399747B2 |
Low ash lubricants with improved seal and corrosion performance
A lubricant composition of (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity; (b) a dispersant comprising the condensation product of a carboxylic functionalized polymer with an aromatic amine having at least 3 aromatic rings and at least one primary or secondary amino group; and (c) an overbased metal detergent comprising an oil-soluble neutral metal salt component and a metal carbonate component, provides good seal and corrosion performance. The total amount of neutral metal salt component in the lubricant composition is at least about 0.75 percent by weight and the sulfated ash level of the lubricant composition is less than about 1.1 percent. |
| US09399740B2 |
Biodiesel production
The invention provides a process and reactor system for the production of biodiesel from lamb fats using enzymatic catalysis. Preferably the process comprises two advantageously integrated stages, first of removing fat from the animal meat and second of reacting the removed fat in an enzymatic biodiesel production stage. |
| US09399738B2 |
Circulation type gasification furnace
A circulation type gasification furnace is provided with: a gasification furnace that turns a fluidized medium into a fluidized bed or moving bed, and produces gasification gas by gasifying a gasification raw material injected into the fluidized medium; a combustion furnace that heats the fluidized medium discharged from the gasification furnace and combusts residue of the gasification raw material; a medium separator that, in order to return the fluidized medium to the gasification furnace, separates the fluidized medium from a combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustion furnace; a gasification gas separator that separates the gasification gas produced in the gasification furnace from the residue of the gasification raw material; and a residue discharge section that creates a seal between the gasification gas separator and the combustion furnace, and discharges the residue separated by the gasification gas separator into the combustion furnace. |
| US09399734B2 |
Etching solution
An etching solution, a process of producing the same, and an etching process using the same, in which the etching solution includes hydrofluoric acid (a), ammonium fluoride (b), and salt (c) formed between hydrogen fluoride and a base having a boiling point higher than that of ammonia; the concentration of ammonium fluoride (b) is not higher than 8.2 mol/kg, and the total amount of ammonium fluoride (b) and salt (c) formed between hydrogen fluoride and a base having a boiling point higher than that of ammonia is not less than 9.5 mol/kg. |
| US09399733B2 |
Luminescent material for solid-state sources of white light
A luminescent material, containing yttrium oxide, oxides of rare-earth metals, as well as aluminum, gallium and indium oxides in a ratio that produces compounds corresponding to the general formula: [(Y1-x-y-zCex(Ln-1)y(Ln-2)z]3-α(Al1-p-qGapInq)5O12-1.5α, where α is a value varying within the 0.20≦α≦2.80 range; x is cerium atomic fraction, in the range of 0.001 |
| US09399728B2 |
In-situ crosslinking and calcium ion complexation for acidizing a subterranean formation
A method of treating a zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method including the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) a strong acid); (iii) a water-soluble polymer having at least one functional group that can be crosslinked with aluminum(III); (iv) a water-soluble aluminum carboxylate; and (v) a complexion agent for calcium ions; wherein the pH of the treatment fluid is less than the pH required for the aluminum to crosslink the polymer to form a crosslinked gel; (b) introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore into the zone; and (c) allowing time for the strong acid in the treatment fluid to spend in the formation such that the pH of the fluid increases sufficiently for the aluminum of the aluminum carboxylate to crosslink the polymer. |
| US09399725B2 |
Temporary bonding adhesive for a semiconductor wafer and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same
To provide a temporary bonding adhesive for a semiconductor wafer that reduces damage to a semiconductor wafer, makes it readily detachable, and can shorten the time required for thermal decomposition, and a manufacturing method for a semiconductor device using this.A temporary bonding adhesive for a semiconductor wafer, being a temporary bonding adhesive used for temporarily bonding a semiconductor wafer onto a supporting substrate in order to process a semiconductor wafer, and for detaching a semiconductor wafer from a supporting substrate by heating after processing, containing a resin composition whereof the 50% weight loss temperature decreases after irradiation by active energy rays. |
| US09399721B2 |
Method of sealing surfaces
The present invention relates to an article whose surface has been at least partly sealed and to methods of its sealing, the sealing layer comprising a reactive melt layer and a coating layer. The invention provides a method of sealing at least part of the surface of an article, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a reactive melt layer based on polyurethane to at least one part of the surface of the article; (b) smoothing the reactive melt layer; and (c) applying a coating material to form a coating layer on the reactive melt layer, the coating layer being applied before the full curing of the reactive melt layer. |
| US09399716B2 |
Yellow thermochromic dyes, inks composition and level indicators
A new leuco dye produces a yellow color while demonstrating also exceptional light and thermal stability under light. |
| US09399703B2 |
Polyimide and alicyclic tetracarboxylic dianhydride used for producing the same
A polyimide containing at least one of repeating units represented by the following general formulae (1) and (2): wherein the formulae (1) and (2), R1, R2, and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or the like, R4 represents an aryl group having 6 to 40 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer of 0 to 12, wherein a total amount of the repeating units represented by the general formulae (1) and (2) is 90% by mole or more relative to all repeating units. |
| US09399696B2 |
Tin free polymer polyols
Embodiments include polymer polyol dispersions which include a polyol liquid phase and solid particle phase. Embodiments include methods of making the polymer polyol dispersions. The polymer polyol dispersions are essentially free of tin, have a solid content of between about 20 and 50 wt % based on the total weight of the polymer polyol dispersion, and have a viscosity at 20 C. of less than 9000 mPas. The solid particle phase has more than 90% by weight of particles in the solid particle phase having a particle diameter of less than 5 μm. |
| US09399692B1 |
Amphiphilic reservoir protecting agent and preparation method thereof and drilling fluid
The present subject matter relates to an amphiphilic reservoir protecting agent, including structural units denoted by the following formula (1), (2), (3) and (4). The present subject matter further provides a method for preparation of an amphiphilic reservoir protecting agent. The present subject matter further provides a drilling fluid that contains the amphiphilic reservoir protecting agent. The amphiphilic reservoir protecting agent and drilling fluid obtained in the present subject matter have high reservoir protection property and high shale inhibition property. |
| US09399691B2 |
Water-soluble or water-disintegrable copolymer
A copolymer based on α-β-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, wherein the copolymer has a molar mass <100 000 g/mol. |
| US09399689B2 |
Method for producing polybutadiene, polybutadiene, rubber composition and tire
The present invention provides a method for synthesizing a polybutadiene more efficiently and stably which is possible to obtain a rubber composition and a tire excellent in durability (fracture resistance, wear resistance and crack growth resistance). A method for producing a polybutadiene, where a butadiene monomer is polymerized with the existence of rare-earth element compounds represented by the following formula (i): M-(NQ)1(NQ)2(NQ)3 (i) (in the formula, M is at least one selected from lanthanides, scandium and yttrium; (NQ)1, (NQ)2 and (NQ)3 are amide groups which may be the same or different to each other, and have M-N bonds). |
| US09399686B2 |
Amorphous propylene-ethylene copolymers
Amorphous propylene-ethylene copolymers are described herein that can include high amounts of ethylene and exhibit desirable softening points and needle penetrations. The desirable combinations of softening points and needle penetrations in these propylene-ethylene copolymers allow them to have a broad operating window. Due their broad operating window, the propylene-ethylene copolymers can be utilized in a wide array of applications and products, including hot melt adhesives. |
| US09399685B2 |
Rubber compound microwave curing method
A method of curing a compound having a cross-linkable, unsaturated-chain polymer base and a curing system; the method employing microwaves as a form of energy to promote curing reactions; and the curing system including compounds of general formula (I) ([R1R2R3NR5(NR4R6R7)n](n+1)+)y(n+1)Xy− (I) where: X is an atom or anionic group; R1, R2, R3, which are the same or different, are each CmH2m+1, where m is 1 to 3, or CH2CHCH2 or CHCHCH3, R4, R6, R7, which are the same or different, are each CH2CHCH2 or CHCHCH3; n is 0 or 1; y is 1 when n is 1; y is 1 or 2 when n is 0; R5 is an aliphatic group C15-C22 when n is 0; is an aliphatic group C8-C16 when n is 1; when n is 0, at least one of R1, R2, R3, R5 has a double bond. |
| US09399684B2 |
Method for adjusting the average particle size of a spherical catalyst support
A method for adjusting the average particle size of a spherical catalyst support, in particular a spherical catalyst support comprising a magnesium dihalide-ethanol-adduct, a spherical catalyst support obtained by the method, a solid catalyst composition comprising the spherical catalyst support, and the use of the solid catalyst composition for the polymerization of an olefins. |
| US09399676B2 |
Compositions and methods for growth factor modulation
Provided herein are proteins, antibodies, assays and methods useful for modulating growth factor levels and/or activities. In some embodiments, such growth factors are members of the TGF-β superfamily of proteins. |
| US09399675B2 |
Methods and compositions for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and age-related macular degeneration
Compositions comprising monoclonal antibodies raised against CAP37 (Cationic Antimicrobial Protein of Mr 37 kDa) and isoforms thereof, along with antigen binding fragments thereof, are disclosed. The antibodies are used in the diagnosis and early detection of Alzheimer's disease and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. |
| US09399674B2 |
Human antibodies to Clostridium difficile toxins
The present invention provides fully human antibodies that bind to either toxin A or toxin B of Clostridium difficile, or to both toxin A and toxin B, compositions comprising the antibodies and methods of use. The antibodies of the invention are useful for neutralizing the toxins from C. difficile, thus providing a means of treating the disease and symptoms associated with a C. difficile infection, including the treatment of diarrhea, or pseudomembranous colitis caused by C. difficile. The antibodies may also prevent the severity and/or duration of the primary disease, or may prevent the number, duration, and/or the severity of recurrences, or relapses of the disease attributed to the presence of C. difficile. The antibodies of the invention may also be useful for diagnosis of an infection by C. difficile. |
| US09399673B2 |
Gram-positive bacteria specific binding compounds
The present invention provides improved binding compounds capable of specifically binding Gram-positive bacteria. Binding compounds are provided that are fully human, enabling therapeutic applications in human individuals. |
| US09399667B2 |
Peptides derived from cytotoxicity receptor natural killer protein 44 NKP44
Specific peptides derived from the cytotoxicity receptor natural killer protein 44 (NKp44) useful for treating diseases such as cancer are described. The invention further relates to compositions comprising a fragment of the extracellular region of NKp44 for preventing or treating cancer. |
| US09399666B2 |
Inhibiting interaction between the HIF-1ALPHA and p300/CBP with hydrogen bond surrogate-based helices
The present invention relates to peptides having one or more stable, internally constrained α-helices, and that include a sequence that mimics at least a portion of the C-terminal transactivation domain of HIF-1α. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing these peptides and methods of using these peptides, for example to reduce gene transcription, treat or prevent disorders mediated by interaction of HIF-1α with CREB-binding protein and/or p300, reduce or prevent angiogenesis in a tissue, induce apoptosis, decrease cell survival and/or proliferation, and identify potential ligands of CREB-binding protein and/or p300. |
| US09399655B2 |
Catalytic glycosylation with designer thioglycoside and novel protecting groups for same and for synthesis of oligosaccharides
A catalytic glycosylation method comprising: installing thioether to an anomeric carbon of a carbohydrate; and catalytically activating the thioether with a non-oxophilic Lewis acid. The thioether may comprise an anomerically stable thioether leaving group. The catalytic glycosylation method may further comprise: utilizing an acid-sensitive ester protecting group as permanent protecting group or using a reactivity-based one-pot glycosylation that employs a single-component catalyst to accelerate an oligosaccharide assembly process. A protecting group to mask hydroxyl functionalities in the production of oligosaccharides, natural products or any molecule having a hydroxyl group comprising an acid-labile ester protecting group. |
| US09399654B2 |
Iridium-based complexes for ECL
The present invention relates to novel iridium-based Ir(III) luminescent complexes, conjugates comprising these complexes as a label and their application, e.g. in the electrochemiluminescence based detection of an analyte. |
| US09399653B2 |
Methods and systems for preparing irreversible inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases
Described herein are the preparation and use of novel bromo-phosphonomethylphenylalanine amino acid derivatives (BrPmp) and BrPmp-containing peptides as specific, irreversible protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, which are suitable for application in peptide synthesis. These derivatives are particularly advantageous since their synthesis is both easy and scalable, and they are suitable for peptide synthesis. The BrPmp derivatives described herein can be appropriately protected to allow for solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and incorporation into peptides for preparation of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors and inhibitor libraries. The peptides and peptide libraries can be used to identify new protein tyrosine phosphatase specific sequences and profile protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in cell lysates, diagnostic samples and biopsy samples. |
| US09399652B2 |
Synthetic route to pactamycin and pactamycin analogs
Methods and intermediates useful for making compounds of Formula (I) are described, including a general method of making an alpha, beta-diamino ketone by reacting an imine with a 2-amino-substituted 1,3-dicarbonyl in a Mannich addition reaction to produce said alpha,beta-diamino ketone. |
| US09399650B2 |
Method for producing salts having monofluoro-tricyanoborate anions
The invention relates to a method for producing alkali metal salts having monofluoro-tricyanoborate anions from alkali metal tetrafluoroborates. |
| US09399649B2 |
Compounds for treating spinal muscular atrophy
Provided herein are compounds, compositions thereof and uses therewith for treating spinal muscular atrophy. |
| US09399646B2 |
Estrogen receptor modulators and uses thereof
Described herein are compounds that are estrogen receptor modulators. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein, as well methods of using such estrogen receptor modulators, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions that are mediated or dependent upon estrogen receptors. |
| US09399640B2 |
Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridines and pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridines as BET protein inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds represented by the general Formula I which are inhibitors of BET proteins such as BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRD-t and are useful in the treatment of diseases such as cancer. |
| US09399639B2 |
Substituted azaindole compounds, salts, pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of use
The present invention provides substituted azaindole prodrugs, methods of making said prodrugs, pharmaceutical compositions of said prodrugs and methods of using said prodrugs and pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent diseases or disorders such as cancer. |
| US09399638B2 |
Substituted pyridine compounds as CRAC modulators
The present invention relates to compounds described herein Formula (I) and pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof, which modulate the activity of calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel. The invention also describes the compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds thereof for treating, managing, and/or lessening the severity of diseases, disorders, syndromes or conditions associated with the modulation of calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel. |
| US09399637B2 |
Substituted heteroaryl compounds and methods of use
The present invention provides novel heteroaryl compounds, pharmaceutical acceptable salts and formulations thereof useful in preventing, treating or lessening the severity of a protein-mediated disease. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of protein kinase-mediated disease. |
| US09399635B2 |
Pyrazole derivative
Provided is a novel therapeutic means for Alzheimer's disease. In particular, provided is a compound represented by the following general formula (I): [wherein Ar1 represents 2-methoxy-4-(2-pyridylmethoxy)phenyl etc. and Ar2 represents a 1H-indol-6-yl group etc.] or a salt thereof. |
| US09399631B2 |
Polyphenol proteasome inhibitors, synthesis, and methods of use
The present invention relates to synthetic green tea derived polyphenolic compounds, their modes of syntheses, and their use in inhibiting proteasomal activity and in treating cancers. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions useful in methods of inhibiting proteasomes and of treating cancers. |
| US09399627B2 |
Substituted macrocyclic compounds having proteasome inhibitory activity
The disclosure provides for novel compounds which have proteasome inhibitory activity, pharmaceutical compositions made thereof, and methods of use thereof to treat various disorders, including cancer and nonmalignant tumors. |
| US09399622B2 |
Nitroxide hydroxylamine and phenylenediamine combinations as polymerization inhibitors for ethylenically unsaturated monomer processes
Polymerization inhibitor compositions are provided. The polymerization inhibitor compositions may include at least one hydroxylamine of a nitroxide and at least one phenylenediamine. Methods of inhibiting the unwanted polymerization of monomers are also provided. The methods include adding the presently disclosed polymerization inhibitor compositions to a fluid containing the monomers. The monomers may be ethylenically unsaturated monomers, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, acrolein, methacrolein, acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, vinyl acetate, butadiene, ethylene, propylene, and styrene. |
| US09399619B2 |
Sulfamoylbenzamide derivatives as antiviral agents against HBV infection
Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise sulfamoylbenzamide derivative useful as pregenomic RNA encapsidation inhibitors, useful for the treatment of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. |
| US09399618B2 |
High purity electrolytic sulfonic acid solutions
Disclosed is a solution for an electrochemical process, the solution containing a sulfonic acid and having a low concentration of sulfur compounds, either low or high valence, that are susceptible to reduction and which is intended for use in electrodeposition, batteries, conductive polymers and descaling processes. |
| US09399616B2 |
Process for the manufacture of 4-aminobenzoamidine dihydrochloride
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 4-aminobenzoamidine (4-AMBA) salts of general formula (I) preferably the salts thereof with hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid, particularly preferred the dichloride salt. |
| US09399615B2 |
Catalyst and method for hydrogenation of 4,4′-methylenedianiline
Disclosed is a catalyst for hydrogenation of 4,4′-methylenedianiline (MDA), including a support, a magnesium-aluminum oxide layer covering the support, and a rhodium-ruthenium active layer loaded on the magnesium-aluminum oxide layer, wherein the rhodium and the ruthenium of the rhodium-ruthenium active layer have a weight ratio of 40:60 to 10:90. The hydrogenation catalyst can be collocated with hydrogen for hydrogenation of the MDA to form bis(para-amino cyclohexyl) methane (PACM), and the PACM contains 0 mol % to 25 mol % of (t,t)-isomer. |
| US09399614B2 |
Conjugated diene acids and derivatives thereof
Conjugated diene acids and derivatives thereof, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the conjugated diene acids and derivatives thereof are derived from the metathesis of a natural oil followed by isomerization. Uses of conjugated diene acids and derivatives thereof in various compositions are also disclosed herein. |
| US09399610B2 |
Process for the continuous production of ethylene glycol from carbohydrates
A continuous process for converting carbohydrates to ethylene and propylene glycol. The carbohydrates are mixed with water and passed through a reactor at a temperature that hydrolyzes the carbohydrate mixture at least partially to monosaccharides. The reactor has a first zone comprising a retro-aldol catalyst and a second zone comprising a reducing catalyst. The aldose is converted in the first zone into glycolaldehyde by the retro-aldol catalyst and the glycolaldehyde, in the presence of hydrogen, is converted to ethylene glycol in the second zone of the reactor. The reaction products are removed from the reactor and the ethylene glycol is recovered. The selectivity to propylene glycol can be enhanced via feeding ketose as the carbohydrate. |
| US09399606B2 |
Catalyst and process for the oxidative dehydrogenation of N-butenes to butadiene
The invention relates to a catalyst which comprises a catalytically active multimetal oxide which comprises molybdenum and at least one further metal has the general formula (I) Mo12BiaMnbCocFedX1eX2fOx (I), where the variables have the following meanings: X1=Si and/or Al; X2=Li, Na, K, Cs and/or Rb; a=0.2 to 1; b=0 to 2; c=2 to 10; d=0.5 to 10; e=0 to 10; f=0 to 0.5; and x=is a number determined by the valence and abundance of the elements other than oxygen in (I). |
| US09399604B2 |
Alkylation process using phosphonium-based ionic liquids
A process for making an alkylate is presented. The process includes mixing an isoparaffin stream with an olefin stream in an alkylation reactor. The alkylation reactor includes a catalyst for performing the reaction. The catalyst is an ionic liquid that is a quaternary chloroaluminate based ionic liquid, and the reaction is performed at or near ambient temperatures. |
| US09399603B2 |
Increased conversion of recycled oxygenates in MTO
A process is presented for increasing the conversion efficiency of oxygenates to olefins. The conversion of oxygenates recycles unconverted oxygenates and oxygenate by-products to a second reactor unit. The present of oxygenate by-products decreases the efficiency of the methanol to olefins reaction, and passing recycled oxygenates to a second reactor unit maintains the methanol to olefins conversion efficiency while converting the by-products in a secondary zone. |
| US09399601B2 |
Additives for ceramic glazes
Use of extruded pellets comprising carboxymethyl cellulose and at least another ceramic glaze additive for the preparation of ceramic glaze slips. |
| US09399600B2 |
Method for producing a sintered composite body
The present invention relates to a method of producing a sintered composite body comprising cubic boron nitride particles dispersed in a cemented carbide matrix by sintering a mixture comprising cubic boron nitride particles and a cemented carbide powder at a sintering temperature below 1350° C. without applying a pressure. |
| US09399597B2 |
Ash compositions recovered from coal combustion gases having reduced emissions of HCI and/or mercury
The description relates to production of fly ash with properties suitable for use in Portland cement. The fly ash compositions will contain coal ash, water-insoluble copper compositions and metallic mercury adsorbed onto ash particles. In one aspect, the coal ash composition will have a total mercury content of from 0.1 to 2.0 ppm and the water-soluble mercury is less than 20% of the total mercury content. The process entails combusting coal to produce hot combustion gases containing fly ash, CO2, chlorine, and mercury, cooling the combustion gases and introducing into the combustion gases at a temperature of less than 1000° F., preferably within the range of from about 250° to about 900° F., a copper-based chloride remediator (CBCR), and collecting the fly ash which comprises insoluble copper compositions and water insoluble mercury compositions. |
| US09399592B2 |
Method for recovering phosphorus-containing alternative fuels in cement production
In a method for utilizing phosphorus-containing alternative fuels in the cement clinker production, the alternative fuels are thermolyzed using waste heat from the cement clinker production process in a thermolysis reactor different from a rotary kiln of the cement clinker production process, the energy released thereby is supplied to the cement clinker production process, and the thermolysis residues of the phosphorus-containing alternative fuels are discharged from the thermolysis reactor, so that the thermolysis residues of the phosphorus-containing alternative fuels are mixed in the thermolysis reactor with cement kiln bypass products as halogen carriers and the heavy-metal halides produced are drawn off. |
| US09399591B2 |
Nitrogen-containing compounds for bacterial control in water based fluids
An effective amount of at least one nitrogen-containing compound may be added to a wastewater stream within a water treatment system. The wastewater stream may have or include an aqueous-based fluid, a first bacteria, a second bacteria, organic acids, and combinations thereof. The first bacteria may be or include, but is not limited to, filamentous bacteria, Zoogloea bacteria, and combinations thereof. The second bacteria may be or include, but is not limited to facultative bacteria, spore-forming bacteria, phenol degrading bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, organic acid-degrading bacteria, high temperature bacteria, and combinations thereof. The addition of the nitrates to an anoxic zone within the wastewater treatment system may at least partially reduce the amount of the first bacteria within the wastewater stream as compared to an otherwise identical wastewater stream in the absence of the nitrogen-containing compound(s). |
| US09399587B2 |
System and method for slurry preparation
A system includes a gasifier configured to gasify a fuel contained within a fuel slurry in order to generate syngas and a black water. The fuel slurry includes at least the fuel and water. The system also includes a black water treatment system fluidly coupled to the gasifier. The black water treatment system is configured to treat the black water to generate a grey water. The black water treatment system includes a first flash tank configured to process the black water by reducing a pressure of the black water to generate a first discharged black water. The black water treatment system also includes a first flow path fluidly coupling a first discharged black water outlet of the first flash tank with a feedstock preparation system configured to generate the fuel slurry in order to provide at least a first portion of the first discharged black water of the first flash tank to the feedstock preparation system. |
| US09399584B2 |
Silicon focus ring
A silicon focus ring in a processing chamber of a plasma etching apparatus is provided. The silicon focus ring comprises: silicon wastes an amount of which is determined based on a content of impurity in the silicon wastes and a target value of an electrical resistance of the silicon focus ring; a silicon source material an amount of which is determined based on the content of impurity in the silicon wastes and the target value of the electrical resistance of the silicon focus ring; and impurity an amount of which is determined based on the content of impurity in the silicon wastes and the target value of the electrical resistance of the silicon focus ring. The target value of the electrical resistance of the silicon focus ring is about 2Ω. |
| US09399583B2 |
Silicon carbide powder production method
A method for preparing silicon carbide powder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the steps of: mixing a silicon (Si) source with a carbon (C) source including a solid carbon source or an organic carbon compound, and a silicon dioxide (SiO2) source, to form a mixture; and allowing the mixture to react, wherein the molar ratio of silicon dioxide in the silicon dioxide source to the sum of silicon in the silicon source and carbon in the carbon source is 0.01:1 to 0.3:1. |
| US09399582B2 |
Catalyst for preparing phosgene and method for preparing phosgene using the same
The present invention relates to a catalyst for preparing phosgene and a method for preparing phosgene using the catalyst. Said method comprises: modifying the surface of an activated carbon coating/foamed silicon carbide structural catalyst using an alkali metal salt; filling the catalysts having different thickness of the activated carbon coating and different amount of the alkali metal salt in different sections in the axial direction of the multi-tubular reactor of the fixed bed, and preparing phosgene using Cl2 and CO. The radial and axial temperature difference of the catalyst bed is lowered by using the alkali metal salt-modified activated carbon coating/foamed silicon carbide structural catalyst and by segmental filling, so that high temperature of tube wall is obtained in the case of a larger tube diameter, and high quality of steam is obtained stably. |
| US09399580B2 |
Granules of graphene oxide by spray drying
Granules of graphene oxide may be produced from a dispersion of nanoscale graphene oxide sheets by a spray drying method. Such granules have a three-dimensional corrugated morphology. The complexity of the corrugations, and the size distribution of the granules can be varied through selection of the spray-drying equipment used, and variation of the composition of the dispersion and the spray-drying parameters. Structural modifiers may be included in the graphene oxide dispersion to control the ultimate morphology of the granules. The granules of graphene oxide may be thermally reduced at a moderate temperature of 220° C. to increase the granules' electrical conductivity. The reduced granules may be used to fabricate electrodes for supercapacitors. The power and energy density of such an electrode material is comparable to those of conventional/commercial activated carbon-based electrodes. |
| US09399578B2 |
CNT and method for manufacturing thereof
Disclosed are carbon nanotubes and a method for manufacturing the same wherein the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which comprise a three-component carbon nanotube catalyst containing a catalytic component and an active component and have a potato or spherical shape with a particle diameter distribution (Dcnt) of 0.5 to 1.0 can be manufactured at a high yield using an impregnated supported catalyst by simultaneously removing activity and a fine powder of the impregnated supported catalyst in an attempt to solve a drawback of conventional impregnation methods for producing CNTs, namely, the difficulty in improving a yield of CNTs. |
| US09399577B2 |
Method for producing water-resistant aluminum nitride powder
Provided is a method for producing a water-resistant aluminum nitride powder capable of adding a good water-resistant property to an aluminum nitride powder wherein yttria exists on a particle surface. The method is for producing a water-resistant aluminum nitride powder by carrying out a treatment to a particle surface of an aluminum nitride powder, the method including the successive steps of (i) making an aluminum nitride powder contact with an acid solution wherein yttria exists at least on a particle surface of the aluminum nitride powder; and (ii) making the aluminum nitride powder contact with a phosphorous acid compound, wherein the amount of yttria which is extracted when the aluminum nitride powder is filtered, washed with water, and dried after the step (i) and is thereafter subjected to extraction with 1 mol/L hydrochloric acid is no more than 1000 mg per 100 g of the aluminum nitride powder. |
| US09399576B2 |
450 nm visible light-induced photosensitized degradation of rhodamine B molecules over BiOBr in aqueous solution
A method for degrading Rhodamine B including: mixing BiOBr and Rhodamine B; and irradiating the mixture with a radiation having a wavelength of from 440 nm to 554 nm. The Rhodamine B may be in an aqueous solution. The BiOBr may be added to the aqueous solution of Rhodamine B in an amount of from 0.2 to 0.5 mg/ml. The BiOBr may have a sheet-like structure with particles having a diameter of from 3 μm to 5 μm. The BiOBr may be in a pure crystal tetragonal phase. |
| US09399575B2 |
Methods and apparatus for gas-phase reduction/oxidation processes
A method and apparatus for gas-phase reduction/oxidation is disclosed. The apparatus includes a reactor including at least one reactor tube or containment vessel with active redox material within the reactor tube or containment vessel, a first reactant gas or vacuum for reducing the active redox material, and a second reactant gas for oxidizing the active redox material. The method may be run under substantially isothermal conditions and/or energy supplied to the apparatus may include solar energy, which may be concentrated. |
| US09399572B2 |
Microelectromechanical component and method for testing a microelectromechanical component
The microelectromechanical component has a semiconductor substrate (1), which has a cavity (2a) formed in the semiconductor substrate. The cavity is covered by a reversibly deformable membrane (2). A sensor (17) for detecting a deformation of the membrane (2) is formed within the region of the membrane (2). A test actuator (28, 29, 30) for deforming the membrane (2) for testing purposes is also arranged within the region of the membrane (2). Finally, the microelectromechanical component has an evaluation and activation unit (41) connected to the sensor (17) and the test actuator (28, 29, 30) for activating the test actuator (28, 29, 30) in order to deform the membrane (2) as a test and for evaluating a measurement signal of the sensor (17) as a sensor detection of a deformation of the membrane (2) as a result of the activation of the test actuator (28, 29, 30). |
| US09399570B2 |
Beverage dispenser with water cooler and concentrate adding device
A beverage dispenser (11) is disclosed for use in combination with a water cooler, wherein the water cooler comprises a cooling device (5) and a water bottle (1) and the beverage dispenser is intended to be positioned between the cooling device and the water bottle. The beverage dispenser comprises: a dispensing station (18), a dedicated water nozzle (17) for dispensing water at the dispensing station, a conduit (13) for supply of water from the water cooler to the water nozzle, a connector (22) for attachment to a container (12) comprising concentrate, a dedicated concentrate nozzle (16) for dispensing concentrate to the dispensing station, a conduit (23) for supply of concentrate from the container to the concentrate nozzle, and wherein the water nozzle and the concentrate nozzle are arranged such that water dispensed from the water nozzle and concentrate dispensed from the concentrate nozzle intersect, and wherein the angle (β) of the concentrate nozzle relative to the horizontal is from 25° to 90°, and the angle (α) of the water nozzle relative to the horizontal is from 45° to 90°. |
| US09399564B2 |
Adjustable module lift frame assembly
A module lift assembly includes a lift assembly, a pair of transversely spaced apart longitudinal lift beams and slings connecting the lift assembly to the lift beams. Each of slings is pivotally connected to the lift assembly and the connected lift beam, and is composed of pivotally connected elongate segments. Pivoting of the segments relative to each other, the lift assembly and the lift beams allows the lift assembly to be lowered and raised relative to the lift beams. |
| US09399562B2 |
Elevator speed and position detection system using an optical sensor
An elevator associated within a hoistway and having a speed and position detection system. The elevator may include an elevator component associated within the hoistway, an optical sensor associated within the hoistway, an object associated within the hoistway in such a manner to be aligned in a path of the optical sensor, and a processor operatively coupled to the optical sensor. The optical sensor may be capable of emitting a signal and receiving a reflected signal of the emitted signal. The object may have surface features that may reflect the signal. The processor may be capable of processing the reflected signal to provide an output indicative of a speed and position of the elevator component. |
| US09399561B2 |
Drive roll carrier for welding wire feeder
A drive roll carrier is provided for use with a wire feeder for a welder that includes a hub that can be rotated by a gear and that may include at least one lug that extends longitudinally along and radially out from the hub and at least one retainer that extends from an outer surface of the hub. The retainer may be fixed in a longitudinal direction with respect to the hub and may be movable in a radial direction for allowing mounting of a drive roll onto the hub. An outer end of the lug may include an alignment segment that has a different profile shape than the rest of the lug to facilitate alignment of a mounting groove of the drive roll with the lug. |
| US09399559B2 |
Paper money temporary storage device
A banknote temporary storage device includes a pair of coiling tapes configured to clamp banknotes to be temporarily stored, a large coiling block configured to temporarily store the banknotes by accommodating the coiling tapes which clamp the banknotes to be temporarily stored, an upper coiling block component and a lower coiling block component configured to release or roll up the coiling tapes, and a banknotes inlet/outlet. Each of the coiling tapes has one end fixed onto the large coiling block, and another ends of the coiling tapes are respectively fixed onto the upper coiling block component and the lower coiling block component. The banknote temporary storage device is further provided with a coiling block guide plate and a pressing body, therefore the banknotes can be flattened when passing between the coiling block guide plate and the pressing body, thereby preventing the corners of the banknotes from being folded. |
| US09399557B1 |
Sensing conveyor for object characteristic determination
Methods and devices for measuring attributes of objects such as containers and container content without opening the containers are disclosed. Measurements of containers are obtained during conveyance via conveyor. For example, a sensor, such as a pressure sensing system, may measure pressure or contact between the container and the conveyor conveying the container. The measurements may be analyzed to determine characteristics of the container such as the weight, weight distribution and/or dimensions of the container. The conveyor may be configured to jostle the container such that an inertial property of the container and/or container content may be measured and analyzed. The measurements obtained may be used to ascertain a problem or characteristic of the container and/or container content without opening the container, such as damage, packing condition, number of units, presence of liquids, and the like. The method and device may be used through a materials handling facility. |
| US09399554B2 |
High load conveyor chain and method
An overhead conveyor, components therefor and method for making same, in which the conveyor chain has a nominal pitch “X,” bit a maximum allowable chain pull value which is equal to or greater than the maximum allowable chain pull value for a chain having a nominal pitch of X+1. Trolleys can be attached to the chain at intervals which differ from the intervals of a chain with pitch of X+1. Fewer synchronized drives are required for driving longer chains. A lower pitch chain can be used to drive larger trolleys, without sacrificing the maximum allowable chain pull value always used in conjunction with the larger trolley. |
| US09399548B2 |
Floating insulation for a production tank
A production tank has at least one fluid outlet having a first flow area, an access port having a second flow area, and a fluid-containment space defined by a sidewall and a roof, the second flow area being larger than the first flow area. The fluid-containment space stories production liquids from a wellbore. A plurality of individual insulating elements are distributed across a horizontal section of the production tank, the insulating elements having a density that is less than the production fluids and having a size and shape that prevents passage through the first flow area and that permits passage through the second flow area. |
| US09399546B2 |
Capsule and method for the preparation of a beverage by centrifugation
Capsule (1A) designed in particular for the preparation of a beverage in a centrifugal brewing device by feeding liquid in the capsule and rotating the capsule along a central axis (I) to produce centrifugal forces on the liquid traversing the capsule thereby forcing the beverage out of the capsule by such centrifugal forces, wherein the capsule comprises: a body (2) comprising containment walls (3,4), a main opening (6) of central axis (I) closed by a closing wall (8) forming a compartment (7) including beverage ingredients and a flange (5) peripherally bordering the said opening (6), wherein it comprises a perforating wall (9) placed close to the closing wall (8) and comprising perforating means (10-15) for perforating the closing wall (8) when applying a pressure on the transversal closing wall (8) or perforating wall (9). |
| US09399543B2 |
Automated pharmacy system for dispensing unit doses of pharmaceuticals and the like
A system for storing and dispensing discrete doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing with an internal cavity having a front wall with first and second windows; multiple storage locations positioned within the housing; and a carrier assembly positioned and movable within the housing. The carrier assembly is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dose package loaded into either the first or second window and convey the pharmaceutical dose package to one of the storage locations for storage therein, and is further configured to retrieve a pharmaceutical dose package from one of the storage locations and return the pharmaceutical dose package to the first or second window for dispensing therefrom. |
| US09399539B2 |
Packaging wrap for hangers
A packaging wrap for hangers includes a first side and a second side. The first side includes a first bottom panel, a first front panel, a first top panel, and a first rear panel. The first side is folded to define a first closed loop with an opening extending therethrough between the first bottom panel, the first front panel, the first top panel, and the first rear panel. The second side includes a second bottom panel, a second front panel, a second top panel, and a second rear panel. The second side is folded to define a second closed loop with an opening extending therethrough between the second bottom panel, the second front panel, the second top panel, and the first rear panel. The first side is coupled to the second side via a fold line extending along a boundary between the first bottom panel and the second bottom panel. |
| US09399528B2 |
Method and system for stationing a satellite
A method for stationing a satellite, comprises: determining a predefined trajectory for stationing of the satellite based on a model of movement of the satellite; determining parameters of the predefined control law of approximation of the trajectory and by minimizing impact on the control law of deviation from a trajectory followed by the satellite using parameters of the control law; determining a state vector of the satellite; determining a deviation between the state vector and the predefined trajectory; determining Lagrange multipliers based on a current state vector of the satellite, on a deviation between current state vector and predefined trajectory and on parameters of the predefined control law; determining parameters of the current control law of the engines based on the Lagrange multipliers and by derivation of a parameter representative of an effect of engines on the real trajectory; and controlling engines based on parameters of the current control law. |
| US09399522B2 |
Ram air turbine actuator
A component for use in a ram air turbine actuator includes a lock bolt extending along a centerline with the lock bolt being axially movable between a stowed position and a deployed position and a plurality of rollers that are radially outward from the centerline and guided by the lock bolt. The component also includes a slider radially between at least a portion of the lock bolt and a piston rod with the slider being axially movable between a stop position and the deployed position and up-lock wedges supported by the piston rod. The actuator becomes locked in the stowed position when the lock bolt and slider move axially within the piston rod and a cylinder to position the rollers to push the up-lock wedges radially outward into an aperture and prevent the lock bolt, slider, and cylinder from axial movement. |
| US09399519B2 |
Self-tensioning girt
Described are self-tensioning girt assemblies with one or more straps that form loops that extend around opposing sides of an inflatable structure. The one or more strips are configured to apply multi-directional forces such that the girt assembly is self-tensioning. The self-tensioning girt assemblies may comprise at least two sleeves coupled to the inflatable structure and that receive the straps in a way that permits the straps to rotate around the inflatable structure. In some embodiments, the straps are attached to a panel that extends between the straps. |
| US09399515B1 |
Injury mitigation for aerial delivery over active populations
An aerial delivery system includes at least one container mounted on a platform, an impact attenuator initially interposed between the container and the platform, an activation tether arranged to cause contents of the container to disperse, and rigging material attached to the impact attenuator, the platform and the activation tether and configured to rotate the platform to face upward and the impact attenuator to face downward during aerial delivery. |
| US09399514B2 |
Aerial delivery system with munition adapter and latching release
An aerial delivery system is configured to allow delivery of one or more releasable items after the system is extracted from an aircraft. One or more linear guidance devices and releasable securing mechanisms allow the aerial delivery system to deploy one or more releasable items at an appropriate time. The releasable securing mechanisms may utilize one or more rotatable latch plates. The one or more releasable items may be deployed simultaneously, or in a staged or staggered fashion. Through use of drag or lift-producing devices, the system may be recovered and reused. The attitude and/or azimuth orientation of the system may be varied prior to, during, and/or after release of a releasable item. |
| US09399513B2 |
Constant velocity joint with control mechanism
According to one embodiment, a constant velocity (CV) joint includes a first yoke, a second yoke, and a control mechanism. The first yoke is configured to be rotatably coupled to an input device about a first axis and configured to receive the input device through a first opening. The second yoke is rotatably coupled to the first yoke about a second axis and rotatably coupled to an output device about a third axis. The control mechanism is adapted to constrain the first yoke and the second yoke so as to achieve a substantially CV characteristic between the input device and the output device. |
| US09399507B2 |
Joints between a composite skin and a load-bearing component and methods of forming same
A method of forming a direct bearing joint includes providing a load bearing structure including a first structural feature having an arcuate shape and providing a composite skin including a second structural feature also having an arcuate shape. The method also includes coupling the first structural feature to the second structural feature such that the first and second structural features are mated against each other to facilitate distributing compressive loads induced into the load bearing structure into the composite skin. |
| US09399505B2 |
Jet propulsion watercraft
A jet propulsion watercraft includes a vessel body, a steering nozzle, and a bucket. The steering nozzle includes a jet port from which a jet of water is ejected to propel the vessel body. The bucket is configured to move to a retracted position away from the jet of water ejected from the jet port and a jet receiving position to receive the jet of water ejected from the jet port. The bucket includes a right opening, a left opening, a first opening, and a second opening spaced apart from the first opening. The jet of water flows rightward from the right opening, leftward from the left opening, and rearward from the first opening and the second opening when the bucket is located in the jet receiving position. The first opening is located at least partially rightward of a right end of the jet port. The second opening is located at least partially leftward of a left end of the jet port. |
| US09399499B2 |
Bicycle battery holder
A bicycle battery holder is basically provided with a battery holder body, an operating member and a battery engaging member. The battery holder body includes a contact portion. The operating member is movably mounted to the battery holder body between a first position and a second position. The battery engaging member is pivotally coupled to the operating member on an axle such that the battery engaging member moves in a first direction with respect to the battery holder body to a battery retaining position as the operating member moves from the first position to the second position. The contact portion of the battery holder body limits rotational movement of the operating member around an axis of the axle to maintain the operating member in the first position while the operating member is disposed in the first position. |
| US09399498B2 |
Foot pedal structure for saddle-type vehicle
A foot pedal structure for a saddle-type vehicle for preventing peripheral components in the periphery of a brake pedal from being damaged even though the brake pedal and the peripheral components are not widely spaced from each other. A brake pedal includes at least an arm extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle from a step support member and a pedal member mounted on a distal end of the arm and extending in a vehicle widthwise direction. An upward extension in the form of a plate member extends upwardly from a treading surface of the pedal member and is disposed on an inner end of the pedal member in the vehicle widthwise direction. |
| US09399493B1 |
Windshield air deflector for a motor vehicle
An air deflector device configured for mounting on the hood of a motor vehicle adjacent a windshield for deflecting air away from the windshield as the vehicle moves rapidly forward. This deflector device comprises an elongate deflector member configured to be mounted substantially horizontally on the hood of the vehicle, transverse to its central, longitudinal axis (the deflector member having a forward edge and a rearward edge when so mounted); and a hinge on the forward edge of the deflector member to enable the rearward edge of the member to be raised and lowered in front of the windshield. A drive or spring bias mechanism may also be provided to raise and lower the member between a first position in which it is substantially parallel (e.g., flush) with the surface of the hood and a second position, with the rearward edge raised, in which the member deflects air upwards and away from the windshield. |
| US09399483B2 |
Steering-bracket supporting apparatus and steering apparatus
A supporting apparatus for a steering bracket includes, a steering bracket supporting a steering column and including a first capsule-side hole and a second capsule-side hole, a separation capsule including a first bracket-side hole and a second bracket-side hole, a resin member straddling the first bracket-side hole and the first capsule-side hole, a shear pin straddling the second bracket-side hole and the second capsule-side hole, and a cam mechanism including a rotatable weight portion to pull out the shear pin from the second bracket-side hole, the weight portion constituted to rotate around the shear pin by inertia due to a primary collision and to move to a front of a vehicle, and the cam mechanism constituted to pull out the shear pin from the bracket-side hole by a rotation of the weight portion. |
| US09399478B2 |
Stroller
A compact collapsible stroller includes a mobile base provided with front and rear wheels. A push handle is coupled to the mobile base. |
| US09399474B2 |
Method for controlling a pneumatic spring assembly of a motor vehicle
A method for controlling a pneumatic spring assembly of a motor vehicle includes deriving discrete condition parameters from a condition of the motor vehicle, wherein the discrete condition parameters are combined into parameter sets. Each parameter set is furthermore associated with a defined height control behavior, and wherein a height control behavior that is associated with a specific condition of the vehicle is set by activating at least one valve of the pneumatic spring assembly. |
| US09399469B1 |
Alarm assembly
An alarm assembly includes a vehicle. A housing is provided that has a mount portion and a display portion and the housing is positioned within the vehicle. A tracking unit is coupled to the housing and the tracking unit is operationally coupled to the vehicle. The tracking unit is manipulated to record a number of passengers in the vehicle before the vehicle can be turned on. The tracking unit is manipulated to acknowledge the number of passengers in the vehicle before the vehicle can be turned off thereby preventing the passengers from being inadvertently left in the vehicle. |
| US09399464B2 |
Vehicle cruise control device
A vehicle cruise control device is provided that obtains a target trajectory of a vehicle based on white lines 102 and 104 as traveling route specification targets contained in information acquired by a device that acquires at least information in front of the vehicle, and performs traveling trajectory control so as to cause the vehicle to travel along the target trajectory. When the vehicle travels a particular area 110 where a traveling route branches into a plurality of traveling routes and a target trajectory cannot be obtained based on white lines, an interim target trajectory 116 is obtained for the particular area, based on the white lines 102 and 104 in an area adjacent to the particular area and a traveling route that the vehicle is to travel after traveling the particular area, and interim traveling trajectory control is executed so that the vehicle travels along the interim target trajectory. |
| US09399460B2 |
Control system for vehicle
A control system for a vehicle capable of changing a deceleration by changing a shift range, includes: a PM-ECU for controlling a powertrain of the vehicle; and a start switch operated by a driver to start and stop the PM-ECU. When the start switch is operated during travel of the vehicle, the PM-ECU stops control of the powertrain. When the PM-ECU stops control of the powertrain and thereafter the start switch is operated again during travel of the vehicle, the PM-ECU controls the shift range in accordance with an elapsed time since the PM-ECU stopped control of the powertrain. |
| US09399459B2 |
Methods and systems for operating an engine
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, engine operation is adjusted in response to a change in engine operating conditions that result in a fractional amount of cylinder charge comprised of exhaust gas changing by more than a threshold percentage. The approaches describe may improve vehicle drivability and fuel economy. |
| US09399458B2 |
Method for operating a drive train
A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle comprising a drive assembly which has at least a combustion engine and an automatic transmission with frictional shift elements positioned between the drive assembly and an output. When executing a traction downshift in which at least one frictional shift element of the automatic transmission is engaged and at least one shift element of the automatic transmission is disengaged, the method comprising the steps of engaging at least a first frictional shift element of the automatic transmission, disengaging at least a second frictional shift element of the automatic transmission, and reducing torque, provided by the combustion engine, while reducing the transfer ability of the second frictional shift element for executing the traction downshift. |
| US09399453B2 |
Master cylinder device and hydraulic brake system using the same
A housing of a master cylinder device includes a housing member separating an interior of the housing into a front and a rear side chambers and having an opening through the housing member. A pressurizing piston includes a main body portion disposed in the front side chamber and is moved forward by a force for pressurizing the brake fluid. An input piston can move forward by an operation force. An input chamber into which a brake fluid from a high pressure source device is introduced is defined between a rear end of the main body portion of the pressurizing piston and the housing member. The input piston is fitted in the housing with seals, whereby, the input piston and the pressure receiving piston face to each other through the opening, though the input piston and the pressure receiving piston are not fitted to each other with any seal. |
| US09399452B2 |
Method for controlling an electrohydraulic braking system and electrohydraulic braking system
A method and system is provided for controlling an electrohydraulic braking system for a motor vehicle having an antilock braking control function and an electrically controllable pressure generating device having a cylinder-piston arrangement having a hydraulic pressure chamber and a piston displaceable by an electromechanical actuator so that a predetermined pressure can be set in the chamber, and having a number of hydraulically wheel brakes connected to the hydraulic pressure chamber by an electrically actuatable inlet valve and to a pressure medium reservoir via an electrically actuatable outlet valve. The cylinder-piston arrangement is actuated in case of antilock controlling at all wheel brakes for setting an individual wheel target pressure at each wheel brake, such that the pressure in the hydraulic pressure chamber is set to the greatest wheel target pressure. |
| US09399451B2 |
System and method for tracking the path of a vehicle
A system for tracking a path of a motor vehicle, the system including: an instantaneous speed sensor on each wheel of front and rear axle systems; a mechanism to calculate speed loss between wheels of a single axle system; a mechanism to calculate difference between the speed losses of each axle system; and a mechanism to compare the difference with a stored threshold value. A method for tracking a path of a motor vehicle includes: calculating speed losses for wheels of front and rear axle systems; calculating speed loss difference between each front and rear axle system; and comparing the speed loss difference with a stored threshold value. |
| US09399450B2 |
Method and system for promoting a uniform driving style
A method and system for promoting a uniform driving style. A longitudinal speed of a motor vehicle and a route section curvature radius lying ahead of the vehicle are determined when the vehicle approaches the route section. An expected lateral acceleration is determined from the curvature radius and longitudinal speed as the route section is driven through. The lateral acceleration is compared with a permanently predefined lateral acceleration limiting value which can be predefined by the driver. In the event the expected lateral acceleration is greater than at least one of the lateral acceleration limiting values, the longitudinal speed is lowered by an optical, acoustic and/or haptic request to the driver and/or by autonomous braking intervention. If the expected lateral acceleration is smaller than or equal to the lower of the two lateral acceleration limiting values the lowering of the longitudinal speed is reduced by decreasing the engine drag torque. |
| US09399444B2 |
Device for adjusting tension in seat belts and other restraint system webs
An attachable tension reducing seat belt device to reduce web tension on the neck, shoulder and chest of motor vehicle occupants or other restraint system webs to slightly reduce tension created by a refraction device preventing a minimal portion of web from being pulled through a web guide by a retractor. Additionally, the device is designed to be either temporarily mounted through easy clip on and removal function which allows the seat belt to be refracted after each use, as is typical, or semi-permanently mounted with the use of a seat belt tongue hooking system which allows the seat belt to remain un-retracted after each use. |
| US09399443B2 |
Deployable vehicle hood extender for pedestrian protection
A pedestrian protection apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a windshield, a cowl and an engine hood is provided. The apparatus includes a deployable hood extender, movable between a stowed position within or beneath the hood and a deployed position, wherein the hood extender substantially overlaps the cowl or an area of increased component stiffness rearward of the vehicle hood and beneath at least a portion of the windshield. The hood extender may include a positional control portion, an energy absorbing portion, a bending control feature, and softened edges. The hood extender may be a single moveable panel or may comprise a plurality of moveable panels, strips or rod-like elements, wherein the plurality of elements may be rigidly or pivotally attached to one another for linear or rotational displacement between stowed and deployed positions. The hood extender may be an expandable lattice structure. An actuation lock is included. |
| US09399442B2 |
Assembling apparatus of curtain airbag
An assembling apparatus of a curtain airbag in a vehicle includes an inflator and an airbag cushion. The airbag cushion includes a body part configured to be unfolded if necessary to protect a passenger, an inlet configured to transmit air from the inflator into the body part, and a first extending part having a predetermined length and extending from the inlet towards the inflator side of the inlet. Also included are at least one bracket on which the inflator is supported and at least one fixed member configured to fix the inflator, enclosing an outside of the inflator. |
| US09399432B2 |
Stable mounting system for seatback shelving
This invention relates to a mechanism for attaching shelving, hooks, and organizers to a vehicle seatback. The attachment mechanism fits over the vehicle seat headrest posts, providing stability to the shelving, hooks, or organizers. The mechanism is formed as a single piece, thus it can be installed and removed without any additional components such as screws, bolts, straps, or other parts. |
| US09399428B2 |
Mirror device
A mirror device has a light-transmissive substrate and at least one organic EL element supported on the back surface of the light-transmissive substrate, and emits light from the front surface of the light-transmissive substrate. The organic EL element has an organic layer containing a light-emitting layer layered between a light-transmissive electrode and a reflection electrode that are opposite to each other. The light-transmissive electrode is formed on the light-transmissive substrate. The mirror device has a plurality of metal mirror surface portions that each have an area smaller than the area of the light-transmissive electrode and are distributed and disposed on the front surface of the light-transmissive substrate so as to be opposite to the light-emitting layer. |
| US09399426B2 |
Turning direction indicator
In a turning direction indicator, a first determination section determines whether a steering angle becomes equal to or larger than a first angle in one turning direction after the steering angle becomes a rotation angle in another turning direction opposite to the one turning direction in a state where an indication operation section is operated to a position indicating the one turning direction and the one turning direction is displayed by a display section. A second determination section determines whether the steering angle becomes equal to or smaller than a second angle smaller than the first angle after the steering angle becomes equal to or larger than the first angle. If the second determination section determines that the steering angle is equal to or smaller than the second angle, a cancelation section cancels the display of the turning direction by the display section. |
| US09399425B2 |
LED lamp comprising a power regulating device
A lamp, as for example a headlamp, comprising: a light source having one or more LED-type diodes; a power unit for generating electric power of said light source, said unit being controlled by a control information or a control signal; a control unit for adjusting the light generated by said light source; wherein the control unit comprises an image sensor generating at least one image of the illuminated area from said light source and means for processing said image in order to generate said control information or said control signal The lamp also includes a processor for image processing capable of performing complex analysis of the image, including the recognition of a rope, fog detection etc. . . . |
| US09399419B2 |
Method and system for measuring head position of driver
A method and system that measure the head position of a driver in a vehicle include an infrared lamp that is disposed on a driver B-pillar and transmits an infrared signal and an infrared receiving sensor that is disposed on a passenger A-pillar to receive infrared signal from the infrared lamp. In addition, a plurality of infrared lamps are disposed on the headrest of the driver's seat and transmit infrared signals and an infrared receiving sensor is disposed on a dashboard disposed in front of a steering wheel to receive infrared signals from the infrared lamps on the headrest. A controller operates the infrared lamps to transmit infrared signals and measures the head position of a driver based on infrared signals received by the infrared receiving sensors. |
| US09399416B2 |
Child seat having an anchoring harness
A child seat includes a seat portion and an anchoring harness. The seat portion has a lower surface facing downward, an upper surface facing upward for providing sitting support, a rear edge defining a rear border of the lower and upper surfaces, and a slot formed through the seat portion and opened on the lower and upper surfaces, the slot being located adjacent to the rear edge. The anchoring harness is routed through the slot and extends outward on the lower and upper surfaces. The anchoring harness includes a first and a second end, the first end having a fastener operable to attach with an external anchorage fixture, and the second end being positioned across the slot adjacent to the upper or lower surface, the second end being in obstructing contact against a region of the seat portion around the slot to retain the anchoring harness with the seat portion. |
| US09399414B2 |
Vehicle seat having a plurality of fittings
A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat comprising a seat member, a backrest member which is connected to the seat member so as to be able to be pivoted about a pivot axis, a first fitting which, when viewed along the pivot axis, is arranged at a first position on the seat member and a second fitting which, when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis, is arranged at a second position on the seat member for a pivotable connection of the backrest member with the seat member. The vehicle seat further comprising a third fitting which, when viewed along the pivot axis is arranged between the first fitting and the second fitting and which is spaced apart from the first fitting and the second fitting along the pivot axis. |
| US09399412B2 |
Vehicle seat slide device
A vehicle seat slide device includes: a moveable rail capable of sliding along the fixed rail; a main roller provided on each of opposite end portions of the moveable rail in a longitudinal direction and capable of rolling on a bottom wall of the fixed rail; a bracket turnably supported on the moveable rail via a pin; a biasing unit attached to the moveable rail and constantly applying a rotational biasing force to the bracket about the pin by pushing one end portion of the bracket; and a sub roller arranged on another end portion of the bracket and capable of rolling with the sub roller constantly in sure contact with the top wall of the fixed rail in response to the rotational biasing force. |
| US09399410B2 |
Hidden front passenger seat head restraint for improved visability
An interior arrangement for a vehicle including a front passenger seat having a head restraint, a rear seat, seat occupant sensors fitted to the seats, a head restraint position sensor, a motor for moving the head restraint between its functional position and its lowered position, and a central controller operatively associated with the sensors and the motor. The front passenger head restraint is moved up to its functional position from a stowed position each time a front seat passenger presence is detected according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment the front passenger head restraint is moved from a functional or upright position to a stowed or hidden position if the front seat is unoccupied and the rear seat is occupied. |
| US09399409B2 |
Easy-entry vehicle seat with cover assembly
A passenger support apparatus includes a vehicle seat equipped with an easy-entry unit configured to provide easier passenger ingress and egress to an area behind the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat includes a seat bottom with front and rear portions and a seat back extending from the seat bottom. The easy-entry unit includes the seat back and the rear portion of the seat bottom and pivots about a pivot axis between an occupant use position and an access position. A cover assembly is coupled to the vehicle seat and expands and retracts between a stored configuration and a deployed configuration to limit access to an underside of the seat bottom whether the easy-entry unit is in the occupant use position, the access position, or an intermediate position. The vehicle seat can also be configured to slide along a seat support frame between forward and rearward positions. |
| US09399405B2 |
Inverted vehicle control apparatus, and method and program therefor
An inverted vehicle control apparatus includes a plurality of driving wheels, a plurality of drive means each of which drives a respective one of the plurality of driving wheels, skid detection means for detecting a skid state between the driving wheels and a road surface, operation information acquisition means for acquiring operation information of a rider, and control means for controlling the drive means to control the driving wheels. The control means controls, based on the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition means, the driving wheel for which no skid is detected by the skid detection means, and the control means controls the driving wheel for which a skid is detected by the skid detection means so that a friction reaction force exerted from the road surface to the driving wheel is exerted in such a direction that the inverted vehicle is raised by the friction reaction force. |
| US09399401B2 |
Battery charging apparatus for electric vehicle
A battery charging apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a first converter part configured to convert a first voltage, which is inputted with rectification, into a second voltage; and a second converter part configured to output a third voltage for charging a battery for the electric vehicle by converting the second voltage into a direct current. The output end of the first converter part comprises a first and a second output terminal. The second converter part comprises a first switching element connected with the first output terminal; a second switching element connected with the second output terminal; a first output capacitor serially connected with the first switching element; and a second output capacitor serially connected with the second switching element. The time during which the first switching element is turned on does not overlap the time during which the second switching element is turned on. |
| US09399399B2 |
Method for controlling an internal combustion engine
A method for controlling an internal-combustion engine comprises steps of: determining a current value of a driving torque requested to the internal-combustion engine and a first time derivative of the current value of the driving torque; comparing the current value of the driving torque and first time derivative with first and second threshold values, respectively; determining a “sport driving” condition only if the current value of the driving torque is higher than the first threshold value and the first time derivative is higher than the second threshold value; and controlling the internal-combustion engine as a function of the “sport driving” condition. |
| US09399393B2 |
Molding element for joining a part to a fixed window pane of a vehicle
A molding element for joining a part to a vehicle window pane includes a molding body having a first section configured to be secured to an edge of the window pane and a second section including a latching recess being configured to receive, in an insertion direction, a rib of the part through an engagement opening so as to detachably fasten the part to the molding element. A closure element is formed on the molding body. The closure element bridges the engagement opening in a first functional position. |
| US09399390B1 |
Retractable tarpaulin for use with a pickup truck bed
The retractable tarpaulin for use with a pickup truck is an aramid fiber tarpaulin that can be used to protect the bed, shelter large loads, or provide a visible space for advertisements and other messages. The aramid fiber tarpaulin is set up and secured using magnets. |
| US09399388B2 |
Guide-pulley device and vehicle sliding door system
A guide-pulley device is equipped with: a guide pulley having a plurality of grooves configured so as to independently accommodate two cables for moving in a manner such that when one moves in a winding direction, the other moves in a feeding direction; and a storage body for storing the guide pulley. The storage body has first and second storage members which attach to one another. The first storage member has a base on which a support shaft for supporting the guide pulley stands upright. The second storage member has a lid section which faces the base section. The first storage member also has a partition wall for forming two routing channels for routing each of the cables, and a plurality of hooks projecting from the partition into the grooves. The base, the partition wall, and the hooks are formed integrally. |
| US09399387B2 |
Device for electrically contacting an electrically activatable functional layer of a vehicle windowpane that is adjustable by a windowpane driver
A device electrically contacts an electrically activatable functional layer of a vehicle windowpane that is adjustable by a windowpane driver. The device has the windowpane driver with at least two first contact elements for the transmission of control signals to the functional layer. In an as-intended installed state, the first contact elements are in electrical contact directly with at least two corresponding first contact points of the functional layer or of a windowpane holder directly securing the vehicle windowpane. |
| US09399384B2 |
Coupled torsion beam axle type of suspension system
A coupled torsion beam axle suspension system includes a trailing arm connected to each end of a torsion beam. A vehicle body fastener is mounted at a front end of the trailing arm. A spindle bracket is mounted to a rear outer side of the trailing arm. The vehicle body fastener includes a trailing arm bush at a front end of the trailing arm. A bush link is installed in front of and fastened to the trailing arm bush. A lower mounting bush is formed inside the bush link at a front outer side of the trailing arm bush and fastened to a lower side of a vehicle body. An upper mounting bush is mounted at a rear side of the lower mounting bush and move up and down between the bush link and the vehicle body by a cylinder unit disposed between the bush link and the vehicle body. |
| US09399378B2 |
Wheel suspension for the rear axle of a vehicle
A wheel suspension for the rear axle of a vehicle includes a wheel carrier that is steerable in a pivoting range for mounting a wheel, and a plurality of control arms for articulating the wheel carrier to the body of the vehicle, and further a damping device for damping a movement of the wheel carrier relative to the vehicle body. The damping device is connected to the wheel carrier by way of a wheel carrier connection, wherein the wheel carrier connection is arranged in an attachment area of the wheel space of the wheel defined by the pivoting range of the wheel carrier, which, of all areas of the wheel space facing the vehicle body, has the greatest direct distance to the vehicle body. |
| US09399376B2 |
Recognizing tire sensor location in factory mode for TPMS and smart entry system
A method for localizing tire sensors includes determining a wake up field power, transmitting an LF wake up field having the wake up field power from an LF antenna on the vehicle, receiving an identification signal from each tire sensor awakened by the transmitted LF wake up field, and determining whether a desired number of tire sensors have woken up in response to the transmitted LF wake up field based on the received identification signals. When the desired number of tire sensors have woken up, the method can further include recording the identification signals received from the awakened tire sensors and the respective antennas that awoke the respective tire sensors. The method further includes determining whether a desired number of antennas have transmitted a respective LF wake up field. When the desired number of antennas have transmitted a respective LF wake up field, the method can further include comparing the received identification signals and determining locations for the tire sensors based on which respective antenna woke up which respective tire sensor and whether the received identification signals match other received identification signals. |
| US09399368B2 |
Method and device for embossing an uneven surface of a body with a transfer layer of a hot embossing film
The invention relates to a method for stamping a non-planar surface (14) of a body (1) with a transfer layer of a hot-stamping foil (5), in which a stamping region of the hot-stamping foil (5) is brought into abutment against the surface (14) of the body (1) and a heated stamping die (3) is pressed against the hot-stamping foil (5) and the surface (14) of the body (1) such that, in the stamping region, the transfer layer detaches from a support of the hot-stamping foil (5) and adheres to the surface (14) of the body (1). In the invention, the hot-stamping foil (5) is pre-heated in a region comprising the entire stamping region before the stamping procedure, in particular by a heating apparatus (6) which is insertable and withdrawable into the device. |
| US09399367B2 |
Marker with decorative fluid sleeve
A dual chamber container includes an inner hollow body containing a marker fluid which is adapted to be dispensed. The inner hollow body is at least partially surrounded by an outer hollow body containing a decorative fluid which is retained in the container as the marker fluid is dispensed. |
| US09399359B2 |
Image forming apparatus including switching member
An image forming apparatus includes a paper feeding unit; an image formation unit; a conveyance unit configured to clamp and convey a recording medium; a paper ejection unit; a manual paper feeding unit configured to receive another recording medium inserted manually and feed the other recording medium from the paper ejection unit; and a switching member fixed on an axle and configured to move between a retracted position, which is retracted from a conveyance path in a case where the image formation unit forms an image, and an abutting position entering the conveyance path by rotating with a rotation of the axle. In a case of feeding the other recording medium manually inserted, the switching member is arranged at the abutting position, clamping by the conveyance unit is released, the other recording medium arrives at an abutment position, and the conveyance unit clamps the other recording medium. |
| US09399356B1 |
Printer apparatus
In accordance with one embodiment, a printer apparatus comprises a printing medium supply shaft configured to supply the mounted printing medium; a ribbon supply shaft configured to supply a mounted ink ribbon driven by a driving source; a fixing shaft; a winding driving core configured to be freely rotatably mounted on the fixing shaft to rotate driven by the driving source; and a ribbon winding shaft configured to be freely rotatably mounted on the winding driving core to wind the ink ribbon which is transferred onto and printed on the printing medium using a thermal head, wherein the ribbon winding shaft is configured to transmit the rotation of the driving source through an elastic component arranged between the ribbon winding shaft and the winding driving core. |
| US09399355B2 |
Printing method, printing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
Printing an image on a printing medium includes using a print head that ejects a first ink and a second ink having higher lightness than the first ink with preliminary ejection that is performed in a predetermined area in which the image is to be formed in order to maintain an ink ejection state of the print head and that does not contribute to printing of the image, wherein dots of the first ink and dots of the second ink formed in the predetermined area by the preliminary ejection are printed so as to be superposed on each other. |
| US09399346B2 |
Printer head cleaning device and inkjet printing device
The object is to reliably remove dirt and/or stains on the nozzle surface of a printer head. To accomplish the object, an inkjet printing device (100) is provided with a rotating brush (50) in a cap (103) mounted on a printer head (1), and a piezoelectric element (150) disposed on the side wall of the cap (103). The piezoelectric element (150) is ultrasonically vibrated at a predetermined frequency by means of a controller (20) and a power source (9). The ultrasonic vibration is transmitted into a cleaning solution in the cap (103) to remove dirt and/or stains adhered to a nozzle surface (3a). The rotating brush (50) is rotated by a motor, and its bristles (53) are vibrated by the ultrasonic vibration. Accordingly, dirt and/or stains on the nozzle surface (3a) are mechanically removed. |
| US09399344B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit that ejects an ink from a nozzle to a sheet transported, an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the height position of the liquid ejecting unit by moving the liquid ejecting unit, a cap capable of tightly closing a space that the nozzle faces, and a moving mechanism that moves the cap between a tightly closing position and a non-tightly closing position. The adjustment mechanism includes a pivot shaft provided along a width direction, a plurality of cams that moves the liquid ejecting unit by pivoting together with the pivot shaft and contacting the liquid ejecting unit, and an engaging portion capable of pivoting together with the pivot shaft and engaging with an engaged portion that is provided on the liquid ejecting apparatus. |
| US09399335B2 |
Adhesive for producing composite bodies, a plastic glass composite or composite glass for architecture and construction
Provided is an adhesive composition suitable for producing a laminate. The composition contains specified amounts of (a) polyisobutyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate or a mixture thereof, (b) butyl acrylate, (c) polybutyl acrylate, (d) a (meth)acrylate compound and (e) a silicon compound. These components may be in polymerizable form, in polymerized form or in a combination of polymerizable form and polymerized form. The amounts of components (a) to (e) total 100 wt. % and the amount of (b) and (c) represents 30 to 90 wt. %, based on the sum total of components (a) to (e). The composition may optionally further contain from 0.1 to 6 wt. %, based on the total weight of the adhesive composition, of additives different from components (a) to (e) described above. |
| US09399332B2 |
Ultrasonic joining method and ultrasonic joining device
An ultrasonic joining method for bonding paper material (5), in particular paper, paperboard or cardboard, comprising the following steps: introducing the paper material (5) into a gap (4) between an ultrasonic horn (2) and an anvil (3), applying a joining force in a joining force direction (6) to the paper material (5) in the gap (4), and setting the ultrasonic horn (2) into an ultrasonic vibration in order to join the paper material (5), characterized in that an ultrasonic frictional welding operation is carried out, in which the joining force direction (6) is not parallel to the direction of vibration (7) of the ultrasonic vibration. |
| US09399330B2 |
Ultrasonic joining method and ultrasonic joining device
An ultrasonic joining method for connecting paper material (5), in particular paper, board or paperboard, comprising the following steps: introducing the paper material (5) into a gap (4) between a sonotrode (2) and an anvil (3), causing the sonotrode (2) to oscillate ultrasonically for the ultrasonic welding of the paper material (5), the paper material (5) being moistened with demineralized water (9), preferably on inner sides of joining points, before and/or during the ultrasonic welding. |
| US09399325B2 |
Method and device for laying and draping portions of a reinforcing fiber structure to produce a profiled preform
A device for automatically laying and draping a plurality of web-form portions of a dry sheet-like formation, in particular of a multiaxial laid fiber fabric and/or a woven reinforcing fabric to create a profiled preform on a core by repeated laying and draping of the portions in order to produce a reinforcing profile with a composite material. Accordingly at least one portion, is kept in at least one cassette between two roller conveyors ready for laying on the core. As a result of the preferably simultaneous laying of preferably more than one prefabricated portion of the sheet-like formation on the core by means of at least one cassette of the cassette arrangement a profiled preform can be fully automatically laid and draped quickly and with great dimensional accuracy and at the same time with good reproducibility for the production of CRP profiles. |
| US09399323B1 |
Three-dimensional printing structure
A three-dimensional (3D) printing structure that includes an object and a support member is provided. The support member is located on one side of the object to support the object. The support member includes a plurality of support bricks and a filler. The support bricks are stacked together. A first portion of the filler fills the space among the support bricks, and a second portion of the filler fills the space between the object and the support bricks adjacent to the object. Accordingly, the support member of the 3D printing structure is able to support the object, and thus the object can be formed through 3D printing. |
| US09399321B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects
The invention concerns a method for producing three-dimensional objects (6) layer by layer using a powdery material (7) which can be solidified by irradiating it with a high-energy beam (4), said method comprising the steps of: applying a first layer of powdery material onto a working area (5); solidifying a part of said first layer by irradiating it with a high-energy beam; and applying a second layer (8) of powdery material onto the first, partly solidified layer. The invention is characterized in that the method comprises the step of: determining a rate at which the temperature of the second layer (8) increases after application onto the first layer. The invention also concerns an apparatus configured to operate according to the above method. |
| US09399315B2 |
Device for manufacturing a casing made of a composite material and manufacturing method using such a device
A device for manufacturing a fan casing of a turbomachine made of composite material, in which a mold includes a cylindrical body of lengthways axis and side flanges, and in which a counter-mold includes a cylindrical body and side counter-flanges. The counter-flanges are configured to be attached securely to the flanges, the body of the mold and the body of the counter-mold are concentric, the preform is configured to be positioned between the body of the mold and the body of the counter-mold, and the material of the body of the mold has an appreciably higher expansion coefficient than that of the body of the counter-mold. |
| US09399312B2 |
Plastic pump housing and manufacture thereof
A method of making a pump housing that is net-molded and immediately assumes its final shape and design specification without requiring more than de minimis secondary machining processes. The method utilizes molds and cores configured such that none of the fluid ports of the housing produced using the molds and cores have any intersecting geometry. The net-molded pump housing may also include a cross-tube insert providing flow communication between a fluid inlet port and a pressure relief port. |
| US09399311B2 |
Electrode paste manufacturing method, manufacturing system, and secondary battery
The present invention relates to an electrode paste manufacturing system that includes, a twin screw extrusion mixer, a mohno pump that is connected at an inlet thereof to an outlet of the twin screw extrusion mixer, a deaerating tank that is connected to an outlet of the mohno pump, and a vacuum pump that is connected at an inlet thereof to the deaerating tank. The vacuum pump is configured such that a conduit system on the deaerating tank side of an airtight line formed at a contact portion between a rotor and a stator of the mohno pump is a closed system with the airtight line being a boundary. |
| US09399302B2 |
Electric shaver
An electric shaver includes a rod-shaped body part, a head part, and an interposer. The head part projects from one end portion, in a longitudinal direction, of the body part and swingably attached to the body part. The head part includes a shaving portion and a drive mechanism. The interposer is configured to support the head part swingably about a first swing axis parallel with a longitudinal direction of the shaving portion, and to be supported on the body part swingably about a second swing axis orthogonal to the projecting direction of the head part and orthogonal to the first swing axis. |
| US09399298B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing an adjustable positive stop in space
A method and apparatus are disclosed for constraining motion of an end-effector in space. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a mechanical positioner and first and second stops. The first and second stops may be controllable by a drive mechanism to constrain movement of the mechanical positioner and thereby to constrain the ability of a user to manipulate an end-effector outside a predetermined range of motion. The first and second stops may be further controllable by the drive mechanism to permit movement of the end-effector within the predetermined range of motion. |